Having worked in the insurance industry for most of my career, I’ve talked to many people about the benefits of a West Bend insurance policy. While many people were interested in learning more, I often heard that getting a quote is confusing and time consuming.
Buying a different insurance policy isn’t exciting or fun and it can be overwhelming. However, you owe it to yourself to make sure you have the best coverage available for you and your family.
The next time you consider getting an insurance quote, here’s some of the information you’ll need to provide to your independent insurance agent.
Homeowners Insurance
Owning a home is probably the biggest financial investment you’ll make. It’s important to make sure it’s adequately protected. Here’s some information you’ll have to provide regarding your home.
1. Residency.
- Who lives with you;
- Home address;
- How long you’ve lived there;
- Marital status;
- If business operations are conducted from your home; and
- If you have any pets.
2. Home characteristics.
- Year built;
- Total finished square footage;
- Number of stories;
- Number of bedrooms;
- Number of bathrooms;
- Safety features (i.e. home security system, fire sprinklers etc.);
- Roof type and age;
- Exterior construction; and
- Home improvements (i.e. finished basement or remodeled kitchen.)
3. History.
- Who’s your current insurance company?
- How much is your current coverage on your home and personal property?
- Do you have a mortgage and if so, name of your mortgage company?
- Have you had past insurance claims?
Renters Insurance
Renters insurance is more straightforward. Its purpose is to cover your personal belongings, as well as provide some liability coverage.
It’s important to understand, that there are a couple of misconceptions about renters insurance. People often tell me their property owner has insurance or they don’t own anything expensive so they don’t need it. Most often, the property owner’s insurance policy only covers the building. In addition, if you add up your personal belongings, you’ll probably be surprised about their value. What would you do if you lost everything in a fire?
Auto Insurance
While not all states require auto insurance, they do require financial responsibility. Financial responsibility means that if you cause damage or injury to another person or their property, you have the financial means to pay for the damage.
Here’s some information you’ll have to provide for an auto quote.
1. Vehicle information.
- Purchase date;
- Mileage;
- Vehicle type i.e. year, make, model;
- Vehicle Identification Number (VIN);
- Current insurance company;
- Garaging location;
- Loan information;
- Safety devices; and
- Business or personal.
2. Diver information.
- Full name;
- Date of birth;
- Marital status; and
- Profession.
3. Driving history.
- Tickets and accidents; and
- Mileage driven each day.
The purpose of this blog is to provide you with a basic understanding of what information is needed in order to start an insurance quote. Your independent insurance agent will be able to provide more in-depth information and help you through the process.
Here are some links to other West Bend Cares blogs that explain other aspects of insurance.
Is your home insured properly?
Renters Coverage? Why do I need that?
Tips on when to review your insurance policy
Don’t get trapped by these common insurance mistakes
Eight tips for choosing the right insurance company
Do you have any information you’d like to share? I’d love to hear from you. Please share them in the comment box below.
This article is intended for general educational and illustrative purposes only and should not be construed to communicate legal or professional advice. Further, this article is not an offer to sell insurance. Please consult with your licensed insurance agent for specific coverage details and your insurance eligibility. All policies are subject to the terms, conditions, limitations, definitions, and exclusions contained therein.
