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Can I buy insurance without paying a broker fee?
Great question! The good news is that paying extra broker or agent fees is not something you automatically have to expect when buying insurance. In many cases, you can get help shopping for coverage without paying anything extra out of pocket.Here are a few helpful things to know:Not all brokers or…
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What happens if I unbundle my home and auto insurance?
This is a great question considering the California insurance market right now. The honest answer is that it depends on your insurer's specific guidelines, and the only way to know for certain is to call them directly and ask before you do anything. Most insurers won't drop your homeowners policy s…
Should I insure my home for market value or rebuild cost?
Insure for the rebuild cost, not the market value. This is one of the most important and most misunderstood concepts in homeowners insurance, and USAA is giving you good advice.The rebuild cost is what it would take to completely reconstruct your home from the ground up, including labor, materials,…
Can my insurer deduct depreciation and a deductible from the same claim?
Although it feels unfair, it's normal for home insurance to subtract both the deductible and the depreciation of an item if you are covered on an ACV (Actual Cash Value) basis. Your deductible is the fixed amount you agreed to pay out of pocket before your insurance kicks in. That applies to every …
Do I have to keep insurance if I bought a house with cash?
Without a mortgage, nobody is requiring you to carry homeowners insurance, and that's a nice freedom to have. That said, choosing to go without it on a property you're actively investing in is a risk worth careful consideration.Technically, unlike auto insurance, the state doesn't require you to ca…
Should I raise my deductible to lower my monthly bill?
Your deductible is something you can change pretty easily to lower your monthly insurance bill without sacrificing your coverage level. However, the catch is that whatever amount you choose, that's the amount of money you'll need to pay if you file a claim.Your deductible is what you pay out of poc…
The best car option for my teenager?
From an insurance standpoint, the answer is pretty clear: a safe, reliable used car is almost always the right call for a teen driver, and the cost difference is significant. But before diving into the options, it's worth a quick pause to consider whether your teen actually needs their own car at a…
Why is my mortgage company involved in my insurance claim?
Involving your mortgage company in a home claim can definitely surprise (and maybe annoy) homeowners, but it's actually pretty standard. When you borrowed money to buy your home, you agreed that your mortgage company would be named as an additional insured on your policy. That's because your lender…
Can someone get an auto insurance policy in my name?
Unfortunately, yes, someone with a copy of your driver's license could potentially try to use your information to get car insurance. It's a form of identity theft, and it does happen.The good news is there are a few ways to check. You can request a CLUE report (Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Excha…
How to get hurricane upgrades when you can't afford them.
Your home insurance won't pay for upgrades upfront, but there is real grant money available in Gulf Coast states, and doing the work can save you money on premiums going forward.Homeowners insurance covers sudden and accidental losses, not preventive improvements. So even though a stronger roof pro…
Can I buy flood insurance if I'm not in a flood zone?
Great question! Yes, you can, and honestly, it's something more homeowners near creeks and rivers should consider. Being outside a designated flood zone doesn't mean you're outside flood risk, and flood insurance is available to you even when it isn't required by a mortage company (like a lot of co…
