What Materials Should I Have Ready for a Meeting with Agent

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.

The differences between roofing material and how it relates to insurance

Insurance companies do not write homeowner insurance policies simply based on the market value of the home. The premiums they charge are actually based on the odds of something going wrong with the house and the chance that they will have to pay a claim on that house. They look at the rate of crime in the neighborhood, the propensity for bad weather, the age and construction of the house and the type of material used to build the roof.

Insurance companies pay particular attention to the roof because its structural integrity is vital to the well-being of the entire home. If a roof is not strong and sound and begins to deteriorate in a hurricane or high winds, the entire house can be damaged or even leveled to the ground. The roof protects against water damage and it also can be made to limit the opportunity for fire to spread and destroy a house.

Having an Old Roof in Need of Repair can Send Your Premiums Way Up

An old roof that tends to leak is a good indicator that the roof may need to be replaced. A roof made with wood shingles can be ready fuel for a house fire. A home with an old roof or one that is in need of repair is a serious negative when insuring a home. The likelihood that the roof will fail makes it a high-risk roof. If it also is susceptible to fire, it can send your premiums up by several hundred dollars or even more.

What are the Most Fire-Resistant Roofing Materials?

A roof made out of clay tile, concrete tile, slate or metal is a fire-resistant roof. They are also made of materials that tend to last a very long time. Properly constructed and installed, most modern roofs, including those made of the materials described just above, will protect the interior of your home under some very stressful conditions. They will handle snow, sleet, heat, cold and wind. While almost no roof is a match for a strong tornado or hurricane, they can be built to code and stand up well in severe conditions.

Why Do Insurance Companies Favor Certain Materials for Your Roof?

It all comes down to risk. Insurance evaluates how strong your roof is, how much useful life it has remaining, how likely it is to fail under severe conditions and whether it will need to be replaced in the near future. The less chance of your roof being compromised by bug infestation, mold or mildew, general deterioration, damage from rain and wind or destruction by fire, the better rate you will get on your premium.

Commonly Overlooked Insurance Discounts

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.