Annual insurance policy review checklist

An annual review of your insurance can help you save money, whether it’s on your premium now, or by making sure you’re covered in case something happens. It’s also key to ensuring your coverage evolves along with any changes in your life.

Major life changes like getting married, divorced or moving to a new neighborhood, city or state require immediate attention to your insurance policies. Your coverage needs often shift dramatically with these types of changes, and failing to update your policies could leave you vulnerable to gaps in protection. However, even small life events, like buying new jewelry or getting a raise, could affect both your premiums and the amount of coverage you need going forward.

Start your insurance review by making a list of all your coverage. Even though you can do this at any point during the year, try to review all your policies at the same time. Some providers offer a discount if you bundle policies through them, such as home and auto.

Health insurance review

Your health needs may change over time, as well as whether you’re insured through an employer or purchase on your own. Changing state and federal laws can also affect the type of coverage available to you, making a health insurance review even more important.

Here are some things to consider:

• What is the current term on your policy?
• Are your prescriptions covered under your current plan?
• Are you allowed access to your preferred doctor and clinic, or are they considered out-of-network?
• Is your plan eligible for an HSA?
• How much are the premiums, deductibles and out of pocket costs?
• Are you approaching age 65? It’s important to start looking into the complexities of Medicare enrollment and your options.

Depending on your preferences for an HMO or PPO and your healthcare needs, some of your answers to these questions may matter more than others. For example, you may be willing to pay more out of pocket to be able to see the physician you’re most comfortable with.

When it comes to your health insurance review consider what will work best for you and your family’s needs.

Homeowner’s (or renter’s) insurance review

To review your insurance policy, look for the declaration page. If you can’t find it in your documents, ask your provider. The declaration page provides a summary of your current coverage.

From there, you can review what’s covered and determine if you need to adjust. Some of the common reasons for updating coverage include:

• Your property value has changed. If your home has increased in value since you bought it, you'll need to increase your coverage to reflect the new value. Rather than using your home's appraised value, use a per-square-foot replacement cost in your neighborhood as a reference, which you can get from your local Home Builders Association. This will help you more accurately determine the amount of coverage you need.
• You’ve moved to a new location with different property values, building costs, and other risk factors, such as environmental risks or crime rates.
• Home renovations or remodeling can lead to a change in home value that would need to be accounted for in your policy. Even if your home value hasn’t changed, some policies may not cover remodeled areas if they haven’t been documented.
• If you’ve bought jewelry, electronics or other purchases of significant value, it’s a good idea to update your coverage to include those assets.
• Noting the difference between true replacement value coverage and actual cash value and which one you have. Many homeowners are surprised when they discover their insurance will not cover the full cost to replace items in their home after they file a claim.
• Assess whether you may need umbrella insurance to compensate for any limitations in your home insurance policy. Umbrella insurance could protect you from worst-case scenarios such as if someone were seriously injured in your home due to negligence.

Next, check for discounts. For example, you may be able to reduce your premiums if you’ve updated your home security system or if the management team in your apartment building added a new sprinkler system. Or you could bundle your homeowner’s insurance with existing insurance policies for a bigger discount.

It’s a good idea to shop around a bit, too. Don’t just look at your current provider and be sure to consider bundled coverage.

Auto insurance review

How much you pay for auto insurance can vary based on several factors. Some are obvious, like the cost of the car and your driving record. Others are less so: Did you know improving your credit score could lower your premiums on auto insurance?

Other factors that could lead to lower premiums include:

• If you’ve recently updated or changed your health insurance, you may be able to reduce the amount of medical coverage in your insurance policy.
• Bundling your home and auto coverage can help you save, but even if you don’t, it’s worth investigating. Insurance companies often view homeowners as less risky.
• What neighborhood you live in, and where you garage your car, can affect your rates. Your ZIP code affects everything from theft rates to traffic patterns, which directly impact your premiums.
• If you have more drivers than automobiles, consider whether every driver needs to be listed as a primary driver. Switching a covered driver to “occasional” rather than “primary” can help you save.

Other insurance

It’s important to make sure you’re covered for your health, life, house, and car. But what about other types of insurance?

Ask yourself if the following policies might be right for you:

• Disability insurance
• Long-term care insurance
• Life insurance for children or dependents
• Pet insurance

Make sure to consult with your insurance providers to discuss any changes you want to make or questions you may have about your coverage after reviewing it on your own. A financial professional can also help provide guidance on coverage for your needs.

Insurance plays an important role in your financial plan. Learn how our collaborative financial planning approach can help you see a full view of your financial picture and work toward your financial goals with confidence.