5 Things You Need to Know about Insurance

5 Things You Need to Know about Insurance

Dan Kobialka

Dan KobialkaOct 03, 20183 min read

Let's face it - insurance is complex. From insurance jargon like "deductible" and "premium" to the hundreds of insurance providers and services available nationwide, it may be tough to determine exactly what type of insurance to purchase or how much coverage you need. Yet if you purchase the wrong type of insurance or insufficient coverage, you may suffer the consequences of your decision for years to come. Now, let's take a look at five questions surrounding insurance, how it works, and its benefits:

Insurance

1. Why do I need insurance?

Insurance guarantees financial protection against loss. It can protect you against a wide range of risks including home burglaries, car accidents, major illnesses, natural disasters, rentals, and much more. Also, insurance can guarantee that you will receive financial payments if you become ill or injured while at work.

Insurance Policies

2. How does an insurance policy work?

An insurance policy has a deductible, i.e. the amount you will need to pay before your coverage starts. For instance, if you buy health insurance that has a $1,000 deductible, you will need to pay the first $1,000 of covered health services out of pocket. Once you meet your deductible, you will be required to pay only a copayment or coinsurance for covered health services.

Additionally, an insurance policy has a premium, which is the amount that you pay for insurance. A premium is usually billed monthly or annually and is based on your risk level and the value of the events that you are insuring.

If something happens that is covered by your policy, you can make a claim. Your policy provides full details about how to submit a claim to your insurance company, along with how long it will take your insurer to process the claim.

available insurance policies

3. What types of insurance policies are available?

There is no shortage of different insurance options available! Some of the most common types of insurance include

  • Car: Protects against car accidents and theft
  • Home: Provides financial protection in the event of a home accident or disaster
  • Life: Provides a sum of money to a designated beneficiary upon a policyholder's death To determine what type of insurance to buy, you may want to consult with an insurance company. Remember, insurers employ friendly, knowledgeable agents who can teach you everything you need to know about different types of coverage.
Insurance Cost

4. How much does insurance cost?

Insurance costs vary based on the type of coverage you need as well as your age, location, and other factors. As such it is typically a good idea to shop around for insurance. If you explore a broad array of insurance options, you can find the best possible coverage at the lowest price.

Insurance Companies

5. How do I select the right insurance company?

There are several factors to consider as you evaluate different insurance companies, such as:

  • Company history
  • Coverage options
  • Price
  • Ease of doing business
  • Discounts When in doubt, it never hurts to request client referrals from an insurance provider, too. If you can connect with an insurer's past clients, you can find out what it is like to work with this company. And, as a result, you can boost the likelihood of making an informed insurance decision. Ready to buy insurance? Start your search for insurance today, and you can quickly get the coverage you need.