Buying insurance can seem like such a chore, but it doesn’t have to be. As with anything, knowing what you are doing makes the process much simpler. Educating yourself about insurance isn’t difficult. This article will help clear up your confusion and give you the information you need to make the right choice.
Look into multiple insurance policy discounts. When you bundle your insurance contracts with one company, you will often get a discount of 10% or more. If you currently have home insurance with a company that you are satisfied with, contact them and get a quote for auto or life insurance. You may find that you will get a discount on every policy.
It’s always a good idea to shop around for the best insurance rates, but remember, if you do decide to change insurers, have your old policy and your new policy overlap by a few days. Don’t let there be any uninsured time between policies. This is a big risk in terms of the possibility of having a traffic accident or getting a ticket while uninsured.
If you have filed a claim for a major loss, remember it’s the insurance company’s job to minimize that claim, but it’s your job to get back what you lost. You may be fortunate to work with a trustworthy, principled company, but you should understand that you and the company are effectively at cross purposes and that you need to be an advocate for recovering your own loss.
Whatever kind of insurance you are buying, remember it is little different than any other service you purchase. Comparison shopping will help you find the best insurance deal. Just remember that insurance policies come with different and idiosyncratic terms of service. A policy that looks cheap at first glance might prove to be a bad deal after careful examination.
If you are going to file a claim, keep track of everything you do for accuracy. Keep track of every conversation you have with the insurance company so that you have a timeline for the progress of your claim. Any conversations made over phone lines or in person should be followed up with written correspondence to get confirmations of anything you were told.
If you are one of the millions of people who rent rather than own a home, investing in renter’s insurance is a smart way to ensure that your personal possessions are covered in the event of fire, theft or other hazards, as well as to protect yourself from injury or property damage claims. Most renter’s insurance covers the cash value of your possessions, taking depreciation into account, so make sure to upgrade to replacement cost if you want to be able to repurchase your items with no out-of-pocket expenses. Your policy should also include a personal liability clause to protect you from lawsuits if someone is injured in your home or the property is damaged because of your negligence. Talk with an insurance agent to find out all the specifics of a policy before making a choice.
Get a pet insurance policy with traveling coverage included. Some companies will not pay for any vet visits if you are on the road and this can lead to heavy expenses for the pet owner. Find a policy that lets you visit other vets and you will be able to securely travel with your furry friend.
The insurance agent should explain the agreement to you. Find an agent who can explain the complicated concepts using simple, everyday English. Don’t sign the agreement until you understand each provision. Don’t be afraid of asking questions. This will be your insurance policy, you will be paying for it, so you have the right to fully understand it.
Find an insurance broker who works with several major, reputable companies. These professionals, after reviewing your records, can compare different companies’ offers and can choose the best coverage for the best premium. Some of these brokers continue to shop around for you and switch your carrier when another company offers the same coverage for a more reasonable premium.
Always do your homework. Make sure, the insurance company and broker you are planning to work with is licensed, insured and covered by the state’s guarantee fund. Your state’s insurance commissioner or department can provide this information for free. This ensures that, in case of an insurance company default, your claim will still be paid.
Once you paid for your insurance policy or made the first payment, be sure that the paperwork is forwarded from the broker or agent to the company. Insist on getting a receipt which references your policy number. You should receive a written policy from the insurance company, 30 to 60 days after purchase.
As you can see, insurance isn’t really that complicated. Once you’ve mastered these basic concepts, you’ll be able to successfully deal with any insurance situation that you may encounter. Just remember what you’ve learned from this article. Put this information to work for you and soon you’ll wonder why you were ever concerned about insurance.