Our home and vehicles are among our most valuable possessions. We must insure them, yet most people have no idea how much insurance they should have on their home and vehicles and what it should cover.
Let’s break insurance down into components: Agent, company and coverage to discover ways to get the best deal on insuring our home and vehicles.
Agent
An insurance agent can advise us as to the appropriate coverage on these valuable assets, so that when and if we suffer a loss, there are adequate funds available with which they can be repaired or replaced. Look for these qualities to tell if an insurance agent is really looking out for our best interests:
- Reputation: In the insurance business, word of mouth advertising is powerful — ask your network for recommendations.
- Good listener: Be sure she or he hears precisely what you want and isn’t trying to sell you more insurance than you need or stuff you into a one-size-fits-all package.
- Experienced: Several years of dealing with different policies and clients gives your agent some valuable wisdom to impart.
- Hands-on: If you have a claim, you want your agent’s personal attention to guide you through the unfamiliar process.
- Follow up: Your agent should check in with you from time to time to make certain that you have the appropriate insurance for your current situation, whether that means selling you more, or cutting back on, coverage.
Company
Some agents represent a particular brand of insurance, offering policies exclusively from that one company. Other agents are independent brokers who offer policies from several companies.
While you want to make certain that whatever company you insure with is legitimate and financially stable, there’s no right or wrong choice so long as you base your decision on sound reasons and go with a reputable agent.
Whoever you insure with, be aware that when the same agent doesn’t cover everything for you, there’s the potential for gaps in coverage or inconsistent coverage limits. It will be up to you, then, to manage your insurance coverage to prevent that from happening.
Coverage
Bear these factors in mind to keep your homeowners and auto insurance rates as low as possible:
- Shop around: Collect three quotes from different companies. It’s not always best to go with the cheapest so compare the coverage and choose what suits you best.
- Raise your deductibles: The lower the deductible, the higher the premium. Plan on making claims against your insurance only for major losses while paying for small repairs or losses out of pocket.
- Bundle: This is when you purchase multiple policies from the same company and become eligible for a quantity discount.
- Discounts for loss prevention: Taking steps to burglar-proof and enhance the safety of your home and vehicle may qualify you for discounts.
- Loyalty discount: Being a long-time customer of the same company may earn you a discount on your premiums.
These will help you save specifically on auto insurance:
- Safe driving habits: Staying accident- and ticket-free can lower your rates.
- Decrease coverage on older vehicles: Older vehicles are worth less so may not be worth insuring for their full value.
- Consider insurance rate when buying a new car: Some cars cost more to insure than others.
- Low mileage discounts: Your premium could go down if you don’t drive far.
Getting affordable rates on home and vehicle insurance doesn’t have to be difficult or intimidating. Use these tips to guide you toward the the best insurance choices for you.
How do you save on insuring your home and vehicles?
And if you feel like saving money, here are some of the insurance brokers that offers free quotes.
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