As the old saying goes, “the only thing that is constant in life is change”. If you experienced significant life changes last year, whether through a move, switching careers or jobs, renovating your home, adding to your family, upgrading your vehicle, becoming healthier or simply growing another year older, it’s probably a good idea to reexamine your insurance needs and policies for 2017.
Spending your money in the smartest way possible and taking stock to ensure that your home, life, auto, commercial and/or health insurance plans match what you and your family will need throughout 2017 are great resolutions to make (and stick to!) at the beginning of this new year.
Homeowners Insurance
Your home is likely among the largest assets you own, and yet it is surprising how often people carry out extensive home improvements or renovations yet fail to update their homeowners insurance policies to reflect the updates. For example, the age of a home’s roof can play a vital role in the cost of your homeowners premium. If you replaced your roof recently (or completed other significant home improvements) but haven’t yet reexamined your home insurance policy, you could be paying more than you have to! The start of a new year is the perfect time to get in contact with your DSI insurance agent to make sure your homeowners policy reflects the current condition and needs of your household.
Auto Insurance
Did you make any changes to your driving habits or location in 2016? If so, be sure to contact your DSI insurance agent and inform them of these updates! Auto insurance rates are often tied to your driving frequency, driving routes and vehicle model, so any changes made in the last year will likely impact your premium. It’s also a great idea to make a resolution to drive even more safely in 2017, as your driving record is a large factor in determining how much you pay for insurance.
Commercial Insurance
For those who own a small business and/or are self-employed, making sure your business continues to grow throughout 2017 is probably high on your list of new year’s priorities. Be sure you have adequate liability coverage for your employees and adequate worker’s compensation insurance. You should also inquire about the possibility of receiving discounts or lower rates in 2017. If you haven’t reviewed your commercial insurance policies yet in 2017, it’s time to schedule an appointment with your insurance agent to ensure you are fully protected and not paying more than you need to be.
Life Insurance
As we enter into the new year, it’s a perfect time to seek out ways that you can reduce your life insurance costs. If you were able to become healthier in 2016, whether through exercise, losing weight, being taken off of medications, or quitting smoking, it’s possible that your life insurance rates could come down in 2017. Schedule an appointment to discuss your life changes with an insurance agent and see if you could be saving money!
Health Insurance
If you’re looking to cut down on your health insurance costs in 2017, it’s a good idea to make a resolution to becoming better informed about your health care options. For healthy people who rarely need to visit the doctor, it may make sense to seek lower premiums through a higher insurance deductible. You can reach out to a DSI insurance agent at (888) 337-9322 for assistance in selecting the right healthcare plan for you and your family.
Reminder: Do not forget to contact your Darr Schackow Insurance agent now for assistance in health insurance enrollment through the Health Insurance Marketplace – you will not be able to enroll or make changes to your plan following the January 31, 2017 deadline!