In today’s risky world, having some kind of insurance is pretty much accepted as compulsory- you need it to drive a car, or buy a home. However, for smaller items or fields that don’t require it, it’s not always clear whether insurance is worth the investment or not. This article contains some hints and ideas for helping you make sense of insurance and will suggest what schemes would best suit you.
You can insure just about anything these days. If you have an antique or family heirloom that you know is of great value, you can take out an insurance policy on that particular item in the event it is damaged, lost, or stolen. It won’t be able to replace something that has sentimental value, but it will ease the pain a bit.
When dealing with an insurance claim, be sure to keep accurate logs of the time and money that you spent on preparing the information needed for your claim. You may be entitled to a reimbursement for time spent. It is possible that you may need to hire help, or it may also be possible that you lose work time when preparing the claim.
If you can afford to do so, it is cheaper to pay your insurance premiums all at once rather than by making monthly payments. Most insurance companies will charge interest and other fees on top of your monthly payments, or may offer a discount for paying in a single lump sum.
Make sure you get insurance to cover work-related property when you have a telecommuting or independent contracting job. If you work from home, your rental or home owner’s insurance policy does not cover work-related items such as computer equipment used for work so having a separate policy protects work-related property from theft or damage.
Make sure your pet’s insurance policy is clear and easy to read. You do not want to get lost in the lingo and find out you are paying extra for services you do not need. Ask for clarification if necessary, and don’t allow yourself to be taken in by scam policies.
Make sure that your renter’s insurance covers theft as well as natural disasters. Renter’s insurance tends me a network of exclusions. Antiques or high end items may be excluded from coverage or you may not be covered in case of theft or flooding. Make sure of exactly what your policy covers and doesn’t cover.
The insurance agent should explain the agreement to you. Find an agent who can explain the complicated concepts using simple, everyday English. Don’t sign the agreement until you understand each provision. Don’t be afraid of asking questions. This will be your insurance policy, you will be paying for it, so you have the right to fully understand it.
In summary, to make the most of your insurance, you need to make sure you’re educated about what exactly the insurance is covering and under what circumstances you will and won’t be able to claim. This article has given you some helpful pointers about what to look for and think about when taking out insurance and should help you avoid some unnecessary pitfalls.