Insurance Tips

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Insurance Articles by A-1 Auto Insurance

Insurance Tips

Purchasing an insurance policy is very similar to buying any other major item or service. You need to do a little comparison shopping and examine the pros and cons of each option before choosing which policy and company you end up buying. Regardless of whether you are insuring any type of valuable, including a material possession such as your grandmother’s heirloom brooch or your family’s life, you need to inform yourself as much as possible.
Learn what you can about not only the actual insurance policy you will be purchasing, but also about policies offered by other reliable insurance providers. Take the necessary time to comparison shop, remain inquisitive and don’t be afraid to ask as many questions as you need and remember to compare not only the rates of insurance companies, but also their benefits and reputation. Be sure you are comparing the exact same type of insurance coverage. Certain insurance policies may cost you much less, but often offer you fewer benefits.
Here are some tips to follow before you decide on the right insurance policy for you and your family:
Review the financial strength of any prospective insurance company
Write down the name, address and telephone number of your insurance agent. If an agent refuses to give you a business card, discuss what company he/she represents or provide you with the requested personal details, stay clear.
Avoid insurance agents who are visiting your area only temporarily, because they may not be available to offer you assistance or answer your questions once you have purchased an insurance policy.
Don’t be afraid to inquire about a particular insurance agent’s education level, insurance experience or relevant qualifications
Contact your local Department Bureau of Producer Licensing if you have any questions or concerns about an insurance broker or agent
Try to set your emotions aside when you are making an insurance purchase
Be very cautious when you encounter insurance companies or agents that claim to be authorized by a labor group, the government, professional organizations or a teacher group
If you don’t have the time available, don’t be afraid to ask an insurance agent to leave your home and return at a more suitable time. If you don’t feel comfortable dealing with a particular agent, ask the person to leave and continue your search.
Never let an insurance agent or company pressure or intimidate you into purchasing insurance coverage you don’t need or want
Take your time deciding on which insurance policy to purchase. If an insurance agent pressures you into making a quick decision, find another person or company to deal with as the insurance will remain available to purchase.
If you want to change insurance policies, be sure you investigate not only the rates, but also the conditions, benefits and specific coverage offered with the new policy. There are often certain risks associated with switching insurance policies. For example, you may no longer be eligible to receive health insurance coverage if you have been diagnosed with a medical condition since your original health insurance policy.
Be sure you know exactly which insurance benefits you currently have before you decide to purchase an additional insurance policy
Make sure you don’t duplicate insurance coverage. Your existing insurance policy may already cover some of the benefits offered by a new policy you are considering purchasing.

Don’t assume that the policy premium you have been quoted will be the actual price you end up paying or that your policy will automatically be approved for coverage. Quotations for premiums are furnished based on current information and can change at any time. If the insurance provider discovers that any of the information you provided is incomplete or incorrect or new information is added, you may have to pay a different premium. The insurance company may even refuse to issue you the insurance policy.
Make sure all of the information you provide on your insurance application form is complete and accurate. Review the document thoroughly before you sign it. Whenever you answer a question on the application, ensure your responses are honest and accurate; you will be held accountable for any information with your signature. If you fail to report accurate information, you may end up having your policy voided. Insurance companies can also terminate your coverage or charge you a higher premium if they subsequently discover omissions or errors on your insurance application.
Rather than paying for your policy in cash, use a money order or preferably a check. This payment form will not only provide you with proof that you have paid in full, but will also enable you to issue a stop payment if required. Another tip is to make your check payable to the insurance company, rather than to the insurance agent.
If you decide to change to another insurance company, never cancel your current insurance policy until you receive the exact rate of the new policy. You also need to ensure you have actually been accepted by the new insurance company or you risk being left without insurance coverage.
Don’t sign any insurance application form until you have read the entire document and ensured all of the information it contains is accurate.
Read through your entire insurance policy as soon as you receive it. Review the specific coverage you will receive and discuss any questions, concerns or omissions with your insurance agent.
If you want to lower your premium, you can choose a higher deductible. This refers to the amount of money you are required to pay before your insurance provider will pay the remainder of your claim. Make sure that you understand exactly how the insurance company defines the deductible. For example, does the company charge per family or per individual, per illness or per occurrence?
Review any available payment options for your premium, as some insurance companies will allow you to finance payments or to pay in installments for a low administration fee.
If you want to verify the licensing status of a particular insurance agent or insurance company, you should contact your local Insurance Department or visit their website.

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