You don’t realize how important choosing the right insurance company is until you need to file a claim. In the case of health insurance, claim denials can cost hospitals more than $260 billion a year.
Claims denials are common with all types of insurance, from homeowners to auto insurance. You simply can’t afford to pick the wrong insurance company.
Read on to learn how to find a good insurance company that you can trust.
What Kind of Insurance Do You Need?
Start off by asking yourself what kind of insurance you need.
Do you need personal insurance or business insurance? Once you figure that out, you can drill down and determine what types of insurance you need.
Personal insurance usually insures your home, health, life, and property. There are insurance policies for businesses that can cover property, liability, data breaches, and more.
If you work from home, you’ll need to get a separate business policy or a rider on your current policy to cover your business. A standard homeowner’s policy won’t cover your business.
If you need business insurance or need to find a way to minimize your business risk, then captive insurance may be the best option for you.
Insurance Broker vs. Insurance Agent
You need to decide which is better for your situation, working with an insurance agent or a broker. They both sell insurance, but there are differences between the two.
An insurance broker tends to work with several insurance companies. That gives you the opportunity to compare rates and coverage between different insurance companies. The insurance broker works for your best interest.
An insurance agent tends to work with one insurance company, though they can also work with more than one company.
The insurance agent is a representative of the insurance company, working within their system. One isn’t necessarily better than the other, but you do need to know who the agent is really working for.
Customer Service
You don’t always need help with insurance, but you want to make sure that your company has your back when you need them.
If there are any problems, are you told to call a 1-800 number or is there an actual person you can speak with?
You’ll want to ask this question before signing up for any policy. You should also check the reviews to make sure that the company has a great reputation.
Discounts on Multiple Policies
There’s never a bad time to save money. You’ll want to ask your insurance representative if there are any discounts if you have several policies with the same company.
These discounts could save you hundreds a year.
Read the Policy
Before you sign anything, you have to read the entire policy. You’ll want to ask important questions to make sure that you have the right coverage.
For example, if your home has the potential to get flooded, you want to make sure that it is included in your policy.
It’s not light, fun reading, but you will better understand what you’re signing up for.
How to Find a Good Insurance Company
Insurance companies are necessary, but they’re not usually fun to deal with. When you know how to find a good insurance company, you have a company that you can depend on when you need them.
Come back to this site again for more helpful financial tips.