4 Questions Your Insurance Agent Wishes You’d Ask
Our Agents are used to fielding common insurance questions like, “What is comprehensive auto insurance?” and “Do I need life insurance?”
But there are some often-overlooked questions that Agents wish everyone would ask early in the process. In the long run, having this insight could help avoid an insurance misunderstanding down the road.
Mitch Widler, a Texas Farm Bureau Insurance Agent in Weatherford, encourages his policyholders to ask questions about their coverage. “You’re not putting me out by asking questions,” he says. “I enjoy it because I want all policyholders to be informed.”
Here are four important questions to ask your Texas Farm Bureau Insurance Agent.
1. What is my deductible?
Sure, it might seem like a basic insurance question to ask your Agent — something they routinely go over during a policy review. But some policyholders don’t quite understand the weight of a deductible until it’s time to pay it. Often, policyholders will opt for a higher deductible in exchange for a lower premium.
“At some point in your life, you’re going to have to use that deductible,” Widler says. In short, a deductible is the amount you must pay out of pocket before your insurance company will pay. Let’s say you’re involved in a car accident totaling $5,000 in damages. If your auto insurance deductible is $500, you will have to pay that amount toward the accident before your insurance policy will pay.
2. What does my property insurance policy cover?
There can be confusion around what a basic property insurance policy will — and will not — cover. Generally, property insurance will cover damage to your home as a result of a weather event, such as a tornado, wind, or hail. However, property insurance will not provide coverage for damage caused by general wear and tear or neglect. For example, your property insurance policy would be more likely to cover damage to your roof as the result of a hailstorm. However, it will not cover damage from known-but-neglected repairs.
3. Do I have enough life insurance?
Determining the “right” amount of life insurance can be a personal decision. For starters, consider how much it would take to cover your debts and help your family maintain their lifestyle, Widler advises. Don’t get overwhelmed. Your Agent can help you figure out the coverage amount you need for peace of mind.
4. Is there a type of coverage I’m overlooking?
There’s a lot to consider when seeking auto, home, and life insurance coverage. But you don’t have to do this alone. Your Agent can help you decide what coverage you need — and where your gaps are — with a 360 Review. This annual review is a systematic look at your current insurance policies, complete with an analysis based on recent life changes. “We can sit down and go over what you do and don’t have,” Wilder says. “That’s what we’re here for. I work for you. I am your Agent.”
No matter the question, your Texas Farm Bureau Insurance Agent has an answer. Contact your Agent and ask those burning insurance questions during your next 360 Review.
Coverage and discounts are subject to qualifications and policy terms and may vary by situation. © 2022 Texas Farm Bureau Insurance
