All Questions

Yes, you can pay the remaining balance out of pocket to have your car released from the repair shop, and requesting reimbursement from your insurer afterward is likely an option for an ongoing claim. But, like so many things, payment on an auto claim depends on several things.Here are a few scenari…

Just having damage on your car does not cause your rates to go up. Insurance premiums are based on risk factors like your driving record, location, and coverage level, not the physical condition of your vehicle sitting in a parking lot.Where existing damage might come into play is if you ever switc…

Unfortunately, not having homeowners insurance in this situation puts you in a tough spot, but there are still a couple of things worth looking into.If your neighbor's fire was caused by negligence, their homeowners insurance liability coverage could potentially pay for damage to your property. Lia…

Because you were driving a borrowed vehicle, the coverage available to you will depend on both your friend's State Farm policy and whether you carry any auto insurance of your own, but there are a few options for you to look into.Your friend's State Farm policy is the first place to start. A full c…

It's not necessarily when, but if you should drop your coverage. I usually suggest keeping as much coverage as you can comfortably afford, but it really depends on your situation. When deciding whether full coverage still makes sense on an older, paid-off car, there are a few rules of thumb worth c…

Yes, it is a smart idea to review your policies ahead of time, but you probably don't need to completely overhaul your coverage or break the bank to protect your family. Instead of buying every add-on available out of fear, you should focus on a few key areas where major storms cause the most damag…

It's really frustrating to open a claim check and realize it won’t cover the cost of your repairs or items. To answer your question directly: yes, this is completely legal and very common, but it usually comes down to how your specific policy handles "used" vs. "new" items.When you file a homeowner…

Yes, lenders are legally required to notify you in writing before they can purchase forced insurance (also called lender-placed insurance or collateral protection insurance) on your vehicle. Under consumer protection laws, a lender must send you a warning notice at least 45 days before charging you…

The main difference between HO-1, HO-2, and HO-3 policies is the number of "perils" (events like fire, wind, or theft) that the insurance company will cover. Since you are buying your home with cash, you aren't forced by a lender to pick a specific plan, but choosing the right home insurance policy…

You can find homeowners insurance for your situation by looking for a policy that includes a business use endorsement or a "rider." Most standard companies struggle with home salons because of the foot traffic (clients walking through your home), which they see as a higher risk for accidents.Even t…