Your Insurance Questions Answered

Having continuous prior insurance demonstrates responsibility and can lead to lower premiums. Lapses in coverage may result in higher rates due to perceived increased risk.

Factors include your driving record, age, credit score, type of vehicle, location, coverage amounts, and prior insurance history.

The amount depends on your state's minimum requirements and your personal financial situation. Consider higher coverage limits to protect your assets, especially if you own significant property or savings.

Costs vary based on factors like age, driving history, vehicle type, and location. On average, it can range from $50 to $200 per month.

High premiums can result from factors like a poor driving record, expensive vehicles, high-risk locations, or lack of prior insurance. Insurance rates also reflect the overall costs of claims and repairs in your area.

Rates can increase due to changes in your credit score, adding drivers to your policy, moving to a higher-risk area, or overall industry cost increases.

A deductible is the amount you pay out of pocket before your insurance covers a claim. For example, if you have a $500 deductible and $2,000 in damage, you pay $500, and insurance pays $1,500.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) Coverage: Protects you if you're in an accident with a driver who has no insurance or insufficient coverage to pay for your damages.

Shop around for quotes, maintain a clean driving record, bundle policies, improve your credit score, opt for a higher deductible, and inquire about discounts.

An auto insurance score is a numerical rating based on your credit history and other factors. Insurers use it to predict the likelihood of future claims, which can affect your premium.

It provides financial protection against accidents, theft, and liabilities, ensuring you can cover costs associated with damages or injuries. Additionally, most states require a minimum amount of auto insurance.

Compare new policies, choose the best fit, align the start date of the new policy with the end date of the old one to avoid coverage gaps, notify your current insurer, and ensure your lender (if applicable) has updated proof of insurance.

Contact insurance providers directly, use online comparison tools, or work with an insurance broker to receive multiple quotes tailored to your needs.

Covered: Fire, theft, vandalism, and certain natural disasters like windstorms. Not Covered: Floods, earthquakes, mold, slow leaks, and wear and tear. Separate policies or endorsements may be needed for these.

Personal details (name, address, date of birth), driver's license number, vehicle information (make, model, year, VIN), driving history, and desired coverage levels.

Home insurance, or homeowners insurance, is a policy that provides financial protection against losses and damages to your residence and assets within it, as well as liability coverage for accidents that may occur on your property.

The average cost varies by location, home value, coverage amounts, and risk factors but typically ranges from $1,000 to $1,500 annually in the United States.

You should have enough insurance to cover the cost of rebuilding your home at current construction costs (replacement cost) and enough to replace your personal belongings.

Standard policies typically cover the structure of your home, personal belongings, liability protection, and additional living expenses if your home is uninhabitable due to a covered peril.

A deductible is the amount you pay out of pocket before your insurance coverage kicks in after a claim. Higher deductibles usually mean lower premiums.

Gather quotes from multiple insurers, ensuring that coverage limits and deductibles are the same for accurate comparisons. Consider customer service, claim handling, and reviews.

An 'All Perils' deductible applies to all covered losses except those specifically excluded. It means you'll pay the same deductible amount for any type of covered claim.

Insurance Value (Replacement Cost): The cost to rebuild your home from scratch. Market Value: The amount your home would sell for in the current real estate market, including land value.

If you have an escrow account, your mortgage lender collects funds as part of your monthly payment to cover insurance premiums and property taxes, then pays them on your behalf.