Top 7 Questions to Ask your Insurance Agent

Insurance policies can range from the simple to the complex, but the more “things” you have covered the more facets there are to any policy. As your portfolio grows, you are sure to have questions about how policies interact, how much they cost, and what they cover. The best way to ensure you have a comprehensive understanding of your insurance coverage—from car, to home, life, and more—is to ask the questions vital to understanding each policy.

What questions should I ask my insurance agent?

There are a number of things you need to know when purchasing or re-evaluative your insurance policies, and although many will be specific to your own policies and needs, there are some standard things you should know, regardless of who your broker or insurer is, and what type of insurance you are considering. Consider these questions the next time you are scheduled to meet with your insurance broker:

1. What policies do you recommend?

It’s always good to rely on the expertise of an insurance broker, but make sure you know what policies they recommend for you—and why. Keep in mind that even with all the information they may have about you, there might be something they don’t know, so having a frank conversation about the policies themselves and what they cover is always a great first step.

2. What is the coverage?

As part of the policy discussion, you should know all aspects of what the policy covers, and more importantly, what it doesn’t. Make sure you know what persons or assets are covered in the policy, to what limit, as well as any gaps or limitations that exist.

3. What will the deductible be on this policy?

The other commonly-asked question is regarding the deductible—essentially, how much you will have to pay out of pocket should you need to file a claim. This is a number that you can adjust when initially purchasing the insurance policy, that may help make your premium more affordable; just make sure that you don’t sacrifice a low monthly payment for a deductible that is too high to cover, in case something happens.

4. Am I eligible for any discounts?

Oftentimes, an insurance company will offer discounts to their customers. These could show up as military discounts, renewal discounts, or even as multi-line reductions, which occur as you add multiple items or persons to your policy. To be sure you’ve covered all your bases, ask your insurance agent what discounts they offer in general, to see if you qualify for any of them.

5. Do I need any additional policies?

In the case that your coverage ends a bit shorter than you’d like, you may want to consider additional policies that cover them. Common policies you may include are gap insurance, which typically covers the difference between a car’s insured value and what you may still owe on it, or flood insurance, which offers additional protection on a residence that may sit in an area where flooding could be a concern.

6. What is the claims process like?

Because insurance is a “just in case” purchase, it’s hopeful to think that you may never need to file a claim, however, it would be short-sighted, as well. Walk through the process with your insurance agent—who would you contact, what documentation would you need, how long the process takes—to ensure that if trouble hits, you’re ready with a plan of action.

7. What is the premium?

One of the biggest questions most people have is this one: what will this cost? The premium—the recurring amount you pay (usually monthly, every six months, or once a year)—is the main cost you’ll have in keeping insurance, so it’s important to make sure it fits within your budget. You’ll also want to know the increase that may occur at renewal, if any. Remember that the premium price is affected by other factors such as coverage limits, exclusions and deductibles, so there are likely ways you can move things around to ensure your budget and your insurance coverage get along.

Whatever insurance policy you end up with, Penny Insurance has the experience and expertise to walk you through it all. Should you have any questions about coverage or insurance types, or if you would like to schedule a consultation or get a quote, please contact us and let us know.