Personal insurance policies are designed to reduce financial losses. Personal insurance policy holders pay insurance companies premiums to cover personal property in exchange for financial protection against specific events, including fire, flood or theft. Insurance is important because it protects you from loss.

Words you should know

Here are some commonly used terms you might see when you’re looking at personal insurance policies.

A professional licensed by the state who represents one insurance company or several (commonly referred to as an independent agent), and sells insurance; commissions are paid by the insurance companies, whereas a broker’s fees are paid by their customers.

Property owned by a policy holder including but not limited to money in savings or checking accounts, stocks, bonds and real estate.

A licensed insurance professional who works on behalf of buyers to find suitable insurance; fees are paid by the customers, whereas an agent receives commissions paid by the insurance companies it represents.

The maximum amount of money an insurance company will pay out for a covered loss, such as medical care or auto repair costs due to a covered car accident.

The individual who owns and controls an insurance contract.

The cost of insurance coverage for a specific risk provided by an insurer for a set length of time.

The per-unit price of insurance; this amount is used when calculating premiums and is generally based on state regulations and historical losses for comparable risks.

A peril or event that could potentially cause loss to a policy holder.

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Do I really need personal insurance policies?

Do I really need personal insurance policies?

Before you ask yourself “Is insurance worth it?” consider how much it would cost to replace your personal property, home, and other assets if you were to suffer a devastating loss, such as a fire, flood, car accident or home invasion. While insurance premiums may stretch your budget from time to time, their costs are relatively low when compared against the actual expenses involved with replacing everything you’ve worked hard to buy or build.

Choosing whether or not to have insurance isn’t always optional. Some types of protection, like auto insurance, are required by law. Insurance requirements vary from state to stat. In general, you need insurance if you own, lease or drive a vehicle. Also, if you finance your home, your mortgage lender will require you to have homeowner’s insurance.

Without the protection that personal insurance provides, you might have to pay for any of the following by yourself:

  • The cost to repair or replace damaged or stolen items
  • Temporary relocation expenses if you should become displaced as a result of a storm or fire
  • Income lost when you can’t go to work because of an accident
  • Lawsuits and legal fees

Get Expert Advice

Since insurance plans are different from company to company, finding the right amount of protection at a price you can afford can be challenging. However, if you work with an insurance agent, you could save time and money — especially if you ask good questions, such as:

  • Does the insurance company offer a multi-policy discount for bundling several different insurance policies (such as auto and homeowners) into one contract?
  • What are my deductible options?
  • What are my state’s specific insurance coverage limits?
  • Am I eligible for discounts?
  • Do I need to take out a special insurance rider to cover valuables such as art, jewelry or antiques?
  • Can you compare several insurance companies for me?
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Review Your Personal Insurance Policies

Whether you are moving into your first new home or planning for retirement, review your policies frequently and fine-tune your coverages as needed through every stage of your life—not just at renewal. Here are some specific life events that should make you think about changing your coverage:

  • Getting married or divorced.
  • Welcoming a new baby to your family.
  • Sending a child off to college.
  • Buying a vacation home or cabin.
  • Beginning a home remodeling project.
  • Planning on retiring in the near future.

The information contained herein is being provided as-is and without representation or warranty. The enclosed information is not intended as legal, tax or financial planning advice. Any discussion of tax or accounting matters herein (including any attachments) should not and may not be relied on by any recipient or reader. The recipient/reader should consult their tax adviser, legal consultant and/or accountant for a statement of tax and accounting rules applicable to their particular situation and for all other tax and accounting advice.