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.