Questions people ask

Start online or call us. We ask a few questions about what you want to cover, compare carriers, and come back with options and a plain explanation of each one.

No. Quotes and advice are free, with no obligation. Carriers pay agencies like ours when you choose a policy.

Yes. Send us your current declarations page and we will review what you have, point out gaps, and compare it against other carriers.

Yes. Carriers weigh tickets and accidents differently, and some of ours write drivers with a few marks on their record. Tell us what is on yours and we will look for the best fit.

Yes. We work with carriers that file SR-22s, and we will help you get yours filed with the state.

Yes. Some of our carriers offer coverage with no proof of prior insurance.

We can, but state minimum limits are almost never enough to provide adequate coverage. Every situation is different, so we will talk through yours with you, and you decide.

We are licensed in multiple states. Call us or start a quote and we will confirm for your address right away.

Usually not. Standard home, condo, and renters policies typically leave out most flood damage, like water rising from a storm or a river. You can often buy flood insurance on its own. It may take a while to start, so ask us before you need it. Water backing up through a drain or sewer line is different, and a water backup add-on may help with that.

Collision is designed to help pay to fix your car after a crash, like hitting another car, a pole, or a guardrail. Comprehensive can help pay for most other damage, like theft, hail, a fallen tree, or hitting a deer. Both usually come with a deductible, the part you pay first on a claim.

Usually, yes. Your landlord's policy is mostly for the building. It often leaves out your things, and you if a guest gets hurt at your place. Renters insurance can cover both, and some leases require it.

It might. It depends on the insurance company, your state, the kind of claim, and who was at fault. Some companies forgive a first accident, so ask us how yours handles claims if you're not sure whether to file.

Replacement cost is based on what it takes to buy a new item like the one you lost. Actual cash value is based on what the item was worth, after age and wear. Replacement cost usually has a higher price, but it often pays more on a claim.

Sometimes, but usually not much. A home policy may cover a small boat or a four-wheeler a little, often only while it's on your land. A separate policy can cover far more, so ask us before you count on your home policy.

Often, yes. Home insurance often includes very little coverage for business property. It also often leaves out claims tied to your business, like a client who trips on your steps. Tell us what you do from home and we'll show you what fits.

Usually, yes. A certificate of insurance is a one-page summary that proves you have coverage. Once your policy is in place, our automated process can turn most of them around in minutes. Special requests, like specific wording or adding an additional insured, need a person to handle them and take longer.

Often, yes. Most states require it once you have employees, and part-time workers often count, but the rules vary by state. Tell us who works for you and we'll check what your state asks for.

They're asking to be an additional insured, which means your policy can also help protect them if your work leads to a claim against them. It's usually done with an add-on to your policy. Send us the contract wording and we'll check what they need.

It's smart to ask for it. If a contractor without coverage gets hurt or causes damage, the claim may land on your policy, and some states may treat them as your employees. Ask for a certificate of insurance before they start.

It depends on what you want the money to do. A simple way to start is to add up your debts, like a mortgage, plus enough of your income to carry your family for the years they'd need it. We'll help you weigh that amount against a price that fits your budget.

Often, yes. Some insurance companies ask health questions instead of doing an exam. These policies may cost more or pay out less, so we'll compare them with options that use an exam.

Cash value is a kind of savings inside some permanent life policies, like whole life and universal life. It can build up over time under the policy's rules, and you may be able to borrow against it. It isn't a bank account, and a loan you don't pay back can lower the payout.

If you're still alive, the coverage stops and nothing is paid out. Some policies let you renew, often at a much higher price, or switch to lifelong coverage without a new exam if you do it in time. Check your policy, or ask us, well before the end date.

No. Life insurance is mainly meant to pay the people you name when you die. An annuity can help you save and later turn your savings into income. Some can also pay your family something if you die early.

You can sign up during a yearly enrollment window. Some life events, like losing other coverage, moving, getting married, or having a baby, can open a special window outside that time. If you're not sure whether yours counts, call us.

No. A short-term plan is meant for a short gap and may not cover health problems you already have. It generally doesn't follow marketplace rules, and it can't take the place of full coverage.

You may. Based on your household income and size, you may qualify for savings that lower your monthly price. A rough guess at next year's income is enough for us to start.

Each plan has a network, the doctors and hospitals it works with. Send us a list of your doctors and we'll check each one on every plan we compare. It's also smart to call the doctor's office to confirm before you sign up.

Many do, often for bigger work like crowns. Cleanings and checkups often have no wait. Check the waiting periods and the yearly maximum, the most the plan would pay in a year, before you buy.