Are You Confused About Insurance? Learn Everything You Need To Know Thanks To These Tips.
You just can't avoid insurance. Everyone needs to insure something. Isn't it better, then, to learn how to get the most bang for your buck when it comes to insurance? Not learning about insurance could cost you thousands of dollars or leave you exposed to nasty loopholes. Here are a few things every insurance holder needs to consider:
Get a fresh quote to save on your insurance costs prior to renewing or buying a policy. A variety of factors go into determining your premiums, and different companies consider a different mix of factors. This signifies that among different insurance companies, there is a big difference in how much policies cost. You should talk to multiple companies and get a minimum of three quotes before deciding on a particular insurance company.
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 may go without saying, but someone needs to put it out there. When it comes to insurance, just tell the truth! I heard a story about a guy who had his windshield shattered who did not report it to his insurance company for two weeks. In that two weeks he changed his policy to include zero deductible comprehensive so it wouldn't cost him anything to fix it. Lo and behold the insurance found out! Can you guess where he is now?
Be wary of any non-disclosure or confidentiality agreements presented to you during an insurance claim. You may unknowingly sign away your maximum benefits allowed to you. Be sure to consult with a lawyer first to ensure that what you are signing is legitimate and fair for all parties.
When filing a claim with your insurance company, be proactive about getting updates and information about your claim status. If you simply wait for the insurance company to tell you how much they owe you, you could be in for a very long wait. As they say, the squeaky wheel gets the grease.
Don't try to inflate the value of your car or truck. All this accomplishes is raising your premium. In the event that your car is written off or stolen, the insurance company is only going to pay the market value of your car at the time of the incident.
Insurance is like any profession: it uses a lot of specialized words (indemnification, liability, etc.) So if you don't understand something about a policy you're about to buy, STOP. Ask the insurance professional you're talking with to back up and explain in terms that you can understand. If you still don't get it, make them explain it again. Nothing is worse than signing on for a policy that either costs too much or doesn't cover enough, because you didn't feel comfortable asking questions about it beforehand.
You've probably heard the phrase about 15 minutes can save you 15%, but you might find that by spending just a couple of minutes on the phone with your current insurance provider can also save you money. When your insurance coverage is nearing the expiration date, call your insurance provider and ask them for a re-quote on your policy. They will have the incentive to give you the most favorable pricing in order to retain your business. Since they already have all your information, it probably won't take 15 minutes and you can save time and money.
The bigger the deductible, the lower your insurance costs will be. Just keep the amount of the deductible in a savings account in case of a claim. Many claims fall below the deductible amount, so neither you or the company has to bother with the claims process, saving everyone time and keeping the cost of the policy low.
If you have a smart phone, use it to your advantage to help handle your insurance. Some companies have specialized apps for several aspects of insurance issues. From home inventory assistance to policy management and bill reminders, you can find a program to download to your phone. Check with your carrier to see what they offer, if you can't find something in the app store.
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.
Insurance is a necessity of modern life. Whether or not you are happy with that fact, one way you can feel good about it is to save yourself a little money or improve your coverage without spending more. Tips like the ones in this article can put a smile on your face by making you a smarter insurance customer.