5 insurance “don’ts” that could cost you

While it’s attractive to look for ways to lower insurance costs, it’s important to make sure you don’t leave yourself vulnerable in the event of a disaster. Here are some pitfalls to avoid:

1.Don’t insure your home for its real estate value. After a covered total loss, rebuilding your house is your first priority. Many people base coverage on the price they paid for their home or its current market value, instead of considering what a rebuild would actually cost. It’s essential to consider rebuilding costs when selecting your homeowners coverage limits. Make sure you have enough coverage to completely rebuild your home and replace your belongings.

2.Don’t select insurance based on cost alone. It’s important to choose a company that not only offers competitive prices, but also one that is financially sound and provides good customer service. The Farmers Insurance Group is one of the country’s largest insurers of vehicles, homes and small businesses; we also provide a wide range of other insurance and financial services products. Our award-winning Claim Department is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

3.Don’t drop your flood insurance. Just a few inches of water can cause thousands of dollars in damage, and most homeowners policies don’t cover flood damage. Every home or business is at risk of flooding. Work with me to cover your property for loss.

4.Don’t settle for legally required minimum liability coverage for your vehicle. Many simply choose insurance based on cost, and this could be a big mistake. For example, if you are sued, the costs could quickly exceed your coverage and you’d have to pay out-of-pocket because the minimum is unlikely to cover it. To guard against this, the insurance industry and consumer groups generally recommend a minimum of $100,000 of bodily injury protection per person and $300,000 per accident.1

5.Don’t forget to buy renters insurance. Your landlord’s policy covers only the building; you need a renters insurance policy to cover your possessions and additional living expenses if you have to move out due to a covered loss, such as a fire. Renters insurance provides liability coverage in the event someone is injured in your home and you’re found liable for the injuries as a result of negligence.

The right balance
Insurance doesn’t have to be a guessing game. I can answer your questions and provide information so you can make sure you have the coverage you want. There’s no need to find yourself underinsured when a disaster occurs. Call me today to get started.