There have been so many changes to all types of insurance throughout the years that people these days just don’t know for sure what they are shopping for anymore. If you feel like this, you aren’t alone, and you don’t have to be alone. You can get a great deal of information right online to help you understand just what you are shopping for, and these insurance tips will get you started.
Buy traveler’s insurance. The last thing you want to do is get to your destination and find out things have gone horribly awry. However, with traveler’s insurance, you can have something to fall back on and cushion the financial difficulties. Let’s face it, traveling doesn’t always go as we expect. It’s best to be prepared.
When you are filing a claim with an insurance company, ask for your claim number at the end of the original conversation with your agent. Write down and keep this number for reference. Any time you call for an update on your claim, you’ll need this number, so it’s better to have it on hand.
To make sure your insurance is providing the coverage that you are paying for make sure that you talk to your agent when you make any large purchase. Most policies have limits for any single item. If you buy a new ring that is worth $5,000 you may need to add an endorsement to cover it fully.
Next time you’re shopping for insurance, approach one of the companies you currently use for another type of insurance to see if they will give you a preferred rate. Your homeowner’s insurance company may give you a significant deal, if you approach them and ask about whether they can offer you a preferred customer auto insurance rate.
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.
If you want insurance companies to deal fairly with you, then you must do the same for them. You might be tempted to pump up your claim or say you lost more than you did, but if you do this, you will add fuel to their concerns about claimant fraud and they are less likely to deal with you in an honest way. It’s the Golden Rule, once again: report your loss fairly and honestly, with all the details needed, and accept what appears to be fair value (if in fact that is what you’re offered).
If you run your own small business, make sure you have all of the insurance coverage types necessary to protect your assets. Shop around for a policy that covers all risks associated with your type of business.
If you need to find the right insurance, first you must know what that is. Use what you’ve learned here and keep learning until you have enough knowledge to shop for insurance with confidence.
