You’ve worked hard to acquire the things you own, and now it’s time to take the necessary steps to make sure you’ve adequately protected them. Read our smart tips about best practices for getting home, auto, health, life, and other types of insurance, and for understanding what your policy covers.
If you are looking to save money on insurance, research into group rates in associations you may already be a part of. Organizations like AAA, AARP, and university alumni associations sometimes offer great insurance rates for their members. This can help you both save money and utilize the benefits of the organization that you are a part of.
Repeat after me: you must always read the fine print when signing an insurance policy. In an insurance transaction, you typically will have to sign a large number of papers containing thousands of words in tiny print. You need to read – and understand – these forms before you sign any insurance policy. Do not allow the agent to blow through the forms and simply sign at the several places marked with an X. If you don’t understand the fine print, you will likely regret your purchase decision down the line.
Small business owners need to insure more than just the building in which they operate. They also need to insure any special tools or equipment used in the conduct of their business. A business owner’s equipment and tools are considered personal property and are not normally included in the coverage provision of most business liability policies. Therefore, they must be protected against loss, theft or damage, with a separate policy.
If you are aging and worry about your income, you should purchase a disability income insurance. If you become unable to work, your insurance will give you enough money to support yourself and your family. This kind of insurance is relatively cheap and secures your financial future no matter what happens.
You want to have as much insurance protection in life as possible. The list is as follows: homeowner’s or renters insurance, health and life insurance and finally, car insurance. It’s possible to extend coverage to your family members too.
Your insurance rates are likely set by zip code. If you live near a big city, the closer your zip code to the actual city center, the higher your rates will be. Consider this when looking for a new place to live. Just one zip code away could seriously lower your payment.
When applying for insurance, the insurance companies take many factors into account to determine your rates, or whether they’ll cover you at all. Keep an eye on your credit score, as this is one of the newer factors insurers are looking at when determining your risk factors. You can get a free credit report online annually.
Never allow a pet insurance company to charge you a cancellation fee. If you find out that your pet’s insurance company is a shady one that you do not want to deal with, tell them you refuse to pay fees to cancel your service. They may try to force you, but don’t back down, and they will remove it.
Consider adding additional insurance onto the policy that is provided by your work. A group insurance coverage does not move with you if you change jobs. These days most people do not stay with the same company through till retirement so an insurance policy tied to your job is not as useful as it used to be. Make sure and have coverage of your own that is not tied down to a particular employer.
Insurance covers many aspects of your life, so it’s important to understand what you’re buying when you purchase a policy. The above tips will help you navigate the sometimes difficult world of insurance. Now that you’re armed with this information, you can make better decisions about buying and keeping the coverage you need.