Do you know what materials you need to bring to the insurance agency when you are meeting with your agent? Well, that kind of depends on the type of insurance you want to buy. There are certain things you should bring for any type of insurance and certain things that are specific for individual lines of insurance.

Basic Information

When you get to the insurance agency and are invited to sit down in the chair on the other side of the desk from the agent, you should come prepared with identification. You will very likely be asked to present your driver’s license and also furnish your Social Security number. Some additional identification papers, such as a military discharge, birth certificate or passport, may also be handy to have if you do not happen to have a valid driver’s license or car but still need some other type of insurance.

Specific Information

• Homeowners Insurance – You must furnish your physical street address to the broker when purchasing insurance to cover your home. You must also answer some questions, such as whether or not you are occupying the home or it is an income-producing property or vacation home. The agent may need some form of confirmation, such as a utility bill or copy of your mortgage papers, to submit to the underwriters of your policy.
• Automobile Insurance – In addition to the basic information, you may be asked to provide information about the car that you want to insure. You will probably need to bring your registration, which will show the vehicle identification number (VIN) as well as the year, make and model of the vehicle.
• Health Insurance – Bring any documentation that will show any medical conditions you may have. It is very important to be as truthful as possible when buying this type of insurance because if you lie about a pre-existing condition and it later shows up that you were diagnosed before the policy was issued, any claim you may make in the future may be denied.
• Life Insurance – Again, be truthful and provide accurate information when you are asked questions about your age, health and habits. If you are a smoker, don’t try to get a lower premium by saying you do not smoke. Not answering questions truthfully is reason for an insurance company to deny any claims you may have in the future.

If you are looking to buy any type of insurance, you should be aware that there are many different types of discounts available. Some insurance companies are more apt to provide discounts than others. It pays to shop around and always ask the agent if they have any special discounts.

Buying Several Different Policies From the Same Insurance Company

This is one of the most common ways to save some money on your total insurance costs. If you buy an auto insurance policy from an insurer that also sells health, life, homeowners or any other type of insurance, you may be able to get a break on your rates by buying a second policy. Sometimes you can buy a policy for as little as $50 that you may not ever use, but it will save you $200 on your auto insurance premium. One such type of simple policy is a hospital policy that may pay you $100 for every day you spend in a hospital.

Student Discounts

Insurance companies like to give good students a break on their auto policies. If you have an excellent GPA, ask about discounts for students. Students can also receive discounts if they are insured under their parents insurance policy.

Multiple Vehicle Discounts

If you insure two or more vehicles with the same insurer, you should expect to receive a discounted rate.

Homeowners Insurance

There are many different discounts that could apply when insuring your home. You can get a discount if you have made significant improvements to your home, such as a new roof, installed storm windows, or other improvements to protect your home against hurricanes or other severe weather. It never hurts to inquire with your homeowners insurance company and ask if there is anything you can do to lower your monthly premium.