Having homeowner’s insurance is often a requirement before you can be approved for a loan or mortgage, but it can be quite expensive. There are certain aspects you need to make sure are always covered in your policy. This article has simple tips on how to stay covered while keeping your annual home insurance premiums to a minimum.
When filing an insurance claim for your business, you should always keep track of the time you spend and any expenses you incur in the process of preparing the claim. Most business insurance policies specifically cover claim preparation costs, so don’t be afraid to ask for the money you’re entitled to.
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).
Small business owners should always make sure that they have small business insurance. It provides you with financial protection against things like natural disasters and power shortages. Things that are unpredictable like that can cause a business to quickly go under if you are not properly covered with the correct insurance.
Make sure that your pet insurance representatives are familiar with animals. You do not want someone handling your pet’s claim if they do not even know what a Pomeranian is. Before you purchase your policy, you may want to call and speak to one of their claims workers, and quiz them on what they really know.
Know your credit score before you go shopping for insurance. Your credit does influence the quotes you will receive when you are on the hunt for coverage. If you know you have a high credit score, use that information to your advantage to push for a lower premium, you’ll usually get it.
Bundling insurance policies can save money on premiums. Most modern insurance companies offer a full suite of insurance packages. In the interest of increasing their business, many of them offer discounts to customers who take out multiple policies. Such discounts may reduce overall premiums by as much as 10 percent. Combining multiple forms of insurance – such as car and home – can save lots of money.
A yearly review of their insurance policies is a habit everyone should practice. Make sure that all information on your policy is correct and update it with any changes. Make sure you are receiving credit for such things as automatic seat belts on your automobile policy and security monitoring on your home owners policy.
Check with your credit union, college sorority, and credit card companies to see if they work with a certain renter insurance company. If they do, you are likely to get some great discounts from the company on a renter insurance policy for your apartment that will save you a lot of money in premiums.
If you are newly married, examine your insurance policies closely. You may be able to save hundreds of dollars a year by combining auto insurance policies and other insurances. Pick the insurance agent who is offering the best deal and go with them. Don’t waste too much time before you do this, it is best to combine right away and start saving money!
Many people don’t realize this but you can consolidate your insurance policies, such as your car and homeowner’s insurance to the same company. Most insurance companies will give you a discount on both policies for doing this and you can save anywhere from 5% to 20% on your insurance just by doing this.
Work toward having good commercial credit. The lower your credit score, the “riskier” you appear to be to insurance companies. You will get a much better rate on commercial insurance if your credit score is good. Pay attention to the total amount of debt you have and always pay your bills as soon as they come in.
Do not accept a check from your insurance company if you feel that you are owed more than what it is they are offering. You have the right to do some independent research and dispute any offers that you do not feel are in your best interest at that time.
If possible, purchase as much of your insurance from a single company to obtain applicable discounts. Many carriers offer significant premium reductions for customers purchasing multiple lines of insurance such as bundling home, car and life insurance. If a specific insurance company meets your needs, keeping your policies with one carrier can save you quite a bit of money.
Do some research into the financial stability of the insurance carriers you are considering for policy purchase. One of the basic premises of insurance is that you are protected in the event of a claim in exchange for regular premium payments. Reviewing a company’s financial record helps you ensure you choose a stable company that will be there when you need help.
Some types of coverage require pre-approval before submitting a claim. If you receive pre-approval for a claim, be sure to document the name or contact information of the person providing the approval. This helps if you later experience any problems having the claim paid or approved. Most companies record policy notes when customers call, but having a specific name to contact can make the claim process simpler.
Follow these tips to make sure your general liability insurance rates are as low as they can possibly be. Also make sure to shop around often and keep an eye out for things about the neighborhood that may help reduce your premium rates. While you should always look for ways to save money, make sure you do not cut out coverage that is necessary for your home.