Many people are confused when it comes to insurance. Everyone wants to have good coverage, just in case, but no one wants to overpay because that in itself can cause problems. Learn from the following tips and gain confidence in handling your insurance matters.
If you want to make sure you are getting the best deal on your insurance premiums, make sure that your credit score is as good. A negative credit score or mark on your credit report can put you into a different pricing structure and cost you money on a monthly or yearly basis.
When involved in an insurance claim, always be as professional as possible. The people you are working with are people too, and you will see much more positive results if you are positive and professional. Your insurance company only wants to know the facts, not the emotions. Proofread all written material sent to them.
Much like car insurance or health insurance, having a higher deductible can save you money on your premium. The downside to all of this, is that if you have a small claim to make, you will most likely have to pay for the entire repair out of your own pocket.
Whenever you file an insurance claim, be certain to keep notes and documentation of the entire process, this will help to ensure the claim will be processed efficiently and smoothly. Make a record of all communications with your insurance provider, and keep a historical and documented timeline on your claim’s progress. Always send a letter asking for a written confirmation after talking to someone on the phone.
Insurance is not only for peace of mind, but it can help you recoup costs if damage occurs to your property or person. There is insurance for most things today, from jewelry to homes. If you owe money on certain types of possessions, such as houses and cars, you may be required to have insurance on them.
If you have a smart phone, use it to your advantage to help handle your insurance. Some companies have specialized apps for several aspects of insurance issues. From home inventory assistance to policy management and bill reminders, you can find a program to download to your phone. Check with your carrier to see what they offer, if you can’t find something in the app store.
An important part of your finances is the insurance that you purchase. If the policy that you had chosen has a low deductible, or even none, you will have more monthly cost upfront, but you will be entirely covered if you have an accident. If you have a high deductible you are taking a chance that nothing bad will happen, but you get a much lower payment each month.
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.
When shopping for coverage, make sure to get quotes from multiple insurers and for different plans within a particular company. The prices of insurance plans vary wildly and you could be missing out on saving hundreds of dollars a year by not shopping around. Consider working with an insurance broker, who can help you understand your various options.
If you want to save a large amount on your insurance, you should increase your deductibles. If you don’t plan on filing any claims in the future, then you’ll never have to pay the deductible to process a claim. In the meantime, you’ll be saving as much as 15% to 30% on your premiums.
Pre-paying your insurance bill can save you money on your premium. Insurance companies prefer for you to pay your insurance in a lump-sum and will reward you for saving them time and money on the costs of sending you bills. You can save payment plan fees of up to 3%!
The best time to switch insurance providers is when your policy is up for renewal. Canceling a policy at the end of it’s term means you won’t have to pay a cancellation fee, which saves you money. You also can let your current insurer know that you plan on canceling and moving to another insurance company and they may offer you a discount to match the new company’s offer, or even better it.
As you know, insurance can be very detailed and complex, but you are now equipped with some tools to make the entire process much easier. You are also equipped to improve any current insurance that you have.
