Review Your Insurance Policy Yearly
updated December 30, 2024
When renewing your insurance, you should always review your current policy with your insurance agent.
Performing an annual insurance review is a wise financial practice to ensure that your insurance coverage aligns with your current needs and circumstances.
Businesses should review their insurance yearly for changes.
WHAT’S YOUR NAME?
Life changes may prompt the need to make a name change on policies. This is vital information on an insurance policy, as ownership and insurable interest are key elements in providing coverage under the insurance contract. If the following changes have been made during your year, you will want to contact your agent to update your insurance.
Wedding – Any marriage may represent a need for a name change.
Divorce – A name change may also be needed for the opposite event.
Death – If a spouse or beneficiary dies, it will prompt the need for a name change.
Trust – If a trust is formed to protect assets, this will need to be added to the insurance policy.
Name Change – Some corporate name changes may require a rewrite of coverage if the governing body/board is restructured.
Beneficiary - You should review who the beneficiary of your policy is.
WHAT DO YOU DO?
In a year where many businesses drastically changed, the daily operations and business activities may prompt a visit with your agent. Do any of the following describe your year?
Home-Based Activities – If your staff or business operations have been moved to remote settings, you may need to change your coverage.
Online Sales & Services – You must make coverage changes if you restructured your business for online activities or added e-commerce payments.
Staff Insurance Concerns – If your workers are now remote, you will want to be sure that your remote workers carry adequate protection on their personal policies. You should also review your workers' compensation coverage restrictions and limitations.
Property Coverage – Any equipment set up off-premises may require a special coverage limit for your policy to protect you.
Expansion or contraction of your business. Review the business assets and make sure they have adequate coverage.
Business Operations Changes – If you added services or activities to your organizational events or operations, you must inform your agent so your liability needs can be reviewed for coverage.
WHAT IS YOUR COVERAGE LIMITS?
Assess the coverage limits of each policy. Ensure that your coverage limits adequately protect your assets, meet your current needs, and meet ongoing inflation. Consider changes in your life circumstances, such as a new property or events.
Evaluate Deductibles:
Examine the deductibles associated with each policy. Higher deductibles often result in lower premiums, but it's essential to choose deductibles you can comfortably afford in case of a claim.
WHAT DO YOU OWN?
Moving into a new year is a good time to review your property coverage. Be sure you have adequate coverage for your assets and any new property you acquired during the year. You should make a call to your agent if any of the following additions apply:
Any new structures such as buildings, storage, or garages should be reported to be sure your policy includes newly constructed or purchased buildings.
Fencing, gazebos, decks, porches, or other exterior improvements and additions should be reported, as there are typically limitations to your policy coverage for these types of property additions.
Land purchase or acquisition should be reported as you want to ensure your policy’s liability coverage is extended to all your owned locations. You will also need to know the plans for this land, whether for development, parking, vacant land, etc.
Equipment purchases may need to be reported as lenders or leasing agents will likely require proof of coverage to satisfy your lease or purchase agreement.
Vehicle purchases should be reported. Most business auto policies will include basic automatic coverage for a limited number of days, but your coverage is not automatic for a long-term period.
If you paid off a loan or mortgage in the past year, you need to contact your agent, as the lending clause needs to be removed so that you do not have to have that lender sign off on any claim payments at the time of loss. THE LENDER DOES NOT LET YOUR AGENT KNOW WHEN A LOAN IS PAID OFF.
WHO IS ON YOUR TEAM?
Many organizations have staff changes throughout the year. Those changes should be reflected on your insurance policy to ensure your business is covered for the following year. Please call your agent to review and look at the following areas:
Key Man Coverage will help protect your organization by offering benefits to your business in the event of an untimely loss of your key players.
Business Continuation Plans offer protection to provide needed cash flow if a business owner dies.
Short-term Disability benefits may prove valuable in the wake of a prolonged illness with complications that affect staff members.
Infectious Diseases – Contact your agent for risk management guidance on protection and prevention with infectious disease outbreaks and to find out how your policy may protect you.
DON’T FORGET YOUR AGENT
Although this list covers many areas of coverage that may be affected by business changes, the best way to ensure that you have thoroughly reviewed your coverage is to contact your agent. We wish you the best and look forward to being of service in assessing your insurance needs in the coming year. Call us today for a personalized insurance review.
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