Insurance premiums are based on a lot of factors. Zip codes, your age, claims history, the age of your home or car—so many variables are considered during the underwriting process. That’s because each of these factors and many more can indicate what level of risk is represented when insuring you.
Life events large and small can change how your insurer sees the risk you represent. Some changes may lower your rates, while others increase them—just like life, your insurance needs will change over time.
What life events require an insurance review?
Any big life event could affect how your insurer views your risk profile—which is a big part of how premiums are priced.
Changes in your family size or structure, for example, can affect multiple forms of insurance. Getting married can impact homeowners, auto, and life insurance policies. Having a baby will most certainly change your life insurance requirements. Divorce, or the death of a member of the household, will alter how much coverage you need.
Adjustments to your living quarters, such as moving into a new home, building an addition, or a decision to downsize also point to a need to review coverage. And, finally, any changes that impact household finances are a time to review coverage, whether a promotion, retirement, or kids moving out of the home after graduating from college.
Should I change my insurance after getting married?
Yes! You should definitely update your insurance after getting married. Why? Well, insurance companies view this commitment as a positive, meaning your risk profile will change. For instance, your car insurance costs may go down when you update your insurance to reflect that you are married—but only in states that allow marital status to be a considered factor in calculating premiums.
Another reason to review coverage after getting married is that your property insurance coverage may no longer be sufficient, particularly if you’ve moved into a new home. Combining your “stuff” means that you should review coverage. And, if there’s an engagement ring, depending on the cost that might need to be added separately, under a jewelry rider.
How do you update your insurance after having a baby?
Having a baby or adopting a child is a big life change. You will need to add your newest family member to your health insurance policy; most require notification within 30 days of the birth or adoption.
You’ll need to update your homeowners and life insurance policies too. For homeowners insurance, they’ll need to know that there is another person living in the house—and, babies mean additional “stuff” to add to your personal property valuation. For life insurance, you may want to add more coverage to ensure that your family is protected and that your child’s needs will be met in the event of your passing.
What other life events might require an insurance update?
Getting married and having a baby are big, life-changing events that as we’ve outlined can have significant impacts on how much insurance you need. But other changes—big and small—also require a call to your agent. Here are some examples of events that could necessitate an insurance review.
Divorce
It follows that if a marriage requires adjusting your insurance, a divorce will too.
Death of a family member
Losing a family member might necessitate a review of your insurance coverage, depending on circumstances. If the individual who passed away was listed on your life insurance policy as a beneficiary, you will need to remove that person from the policy. If you have received valuable articles as part of an inheritance, such as jewelry, antiques, or art, you may need to add coverage to your valuable property rider.
You start a home-based business
Side-gigs are increasingly common, and many develop into full-blown businesses. If you a home-based business, you likely will need separate small business insurance to cover your efforts.
For example, if your pandemic sourdough obsession has turned into a cottage business baking loaves for sale, talk to your insurance agent—you likely need additional coverage. If you are using your kitchen oven for the business and there’s a fire, the insurance adjustor could determine that the additional wear and tear caused by using the kitchen for commercial purposes was a contributing factor—and the damage might not be covered under your homeowners insurance policy.
Other home-based enterprises will likely require separate small business coverage as well. If you provide accounting services to small businesses out of a home office, separate business insurance will cover your computer equipment and liability coverage. In short, if you are working for yourself out of your home, talk to your agent about your policies and what you might be missing.
Professional changes
Whether it is a big promotion or a decision to have a parent leave a job to remain at home while children are young, professional changes have a big impact on a family’s finances. That can mean a need to adjust insurance coverage.
Relying on a single income has significant implications for life insurance coverage, as the death of the sole earner would have an enormous impact on the family. And, at the end of a career, even retirement could be cause for an insurance review.
You add a dog to your family
Let your agent know about any pets to be on the safe side, but if you add a dog to the family, call your insurer right away. Dog bites are a significant contributor to homeowners liability claims, so your insurer will want to know if you’ve added a puppy to the family. To avoid being caught off-guard by finding out your insurer won’t cover you for certain breeds, call before you bring your new friend home to see if there are any breed restrictions—and, if there are, call Rate.com to get quotes from other insurers before leaving that dog at the shelter simply because of its breed.
Because of the increased risk, you may see your premium go up if you get a dog. Ask your insurer about ways you might be able to lower your rate. Some insurance companies offer discounts after the successful completion of a Canine Good Citizen course.
Paying off your home and other big events
Any event that changes your mortgage payments is likely a good time to examine home insurance coverage. Even after you’ve paid off your home, you’ll want to keep it protected by insurance. But, the change in ownership could mean that you have the opportunity to adjust coverages from what the bank required as a condition of your mortgage, to what you need.
Any other significant change, whether it be downsizing to a smaller place to taking out a home equity loan to make substantial renovations, signals a time to review your insurance coverage.
Your insurance coverage shouldn’t be a static “set it and forget it” consideration. Policies that protect your property, liability, and family need to change as circumstances change.
If you know there’s a major change coming in the near future, contact the experts at Rate.com. With access to a broad range of carriers and insurance products, they can help identify the right coverage at the right price, for your current needs—and that can grow with you and your family.
Disclaimer:
All information provided in this publication is for informational and educational purposes only, and in no way is any of the content contained herein to be construed as financial, investment, or legal advice or instruction. Rate Insurance does not guarantee the quality, accuracy, completeness or timelines of the information in this publication. While efforts are made to verify the information provided, the information should not be assumed to be error free. Some information in the publication may have been provided by third parties and has not necessarily been verified by Rate Insurance. Rate Insurance, its affiliates and subsidiaries do not assume any liability for the information contained herein, be it direct, indirect, consequential, special, or exemplary, or other damages whatsoever and howsoever caused, arising out of or in connection with the use of this publication or in reliance on the information, including any personal or pecuniary loss, whether the action is in contract, tort (including negligence) or other tortious action.
