Shopping Tips
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Home Inspections Insurers Ask For: 4-Point and Wind Mitigation
A four point inspection decides whether an insurer will write the policy. A wind mitigation inspection affects what you pay. Here is what each one looks at.
Read MoreHome Policy Endorsements Worth Knowing About
Service line, equipment breakdown, water backup and identity theft endorsements fill specific holes in a standard home policy. Here is what each one does.
Read MoreModified Cars: Custom Parts and Equipment Coverage
Auto policies usually cover a vehicle as it left the factory, with a small allowance for additions. Here is how custom parts and equipment coverage fills that gap.
Read MoreNew Car Replacement Coverage and How It Differs From Gap
New car replacement pays for a new vehicle rather than a depreciated one after a total loss. Here is how it works, who qualifies, and why it is not the same as gap coverage.
Read MoreStoring a Car: Suspending Coverage Without Creating a Lapse
Cancelling insurance on a car you are not driving is usually the wrong move. Here is how storage or comprehensive-only coverage works and what a lapse costs you later.
Read MoreBoat and Watercraft Insurance: What a Home Policy Will Not Do
Homeowners policies cover only small boats, and only barely. Here is how watercraft coverage is structured, what navigational limits mean, and what a lay-up period is.
Read MoreRV and Travel Trailer Insurance: Where It Differs From a Car
Motorhomes, travel trailers and fifth wheels are insured differently from cars, and differently from each other. Here is what changes and what coverages are specific to RVs.
Read MoreWhen a Personal Auto Policy Is Not Enough for Business Use
Personal auto policies exclude some business use of a vehicle. Here is where the line falls, what commercial auto covers, and how to tell which side you are on.
Read MoreRental Reimbursement: A Car to Drive While Yours Is Repaired
Rental reimbursement pays for a rental while a covered repair is under way, up to a daily rate and a cap. Here is when it starts, when it stops and what it will not do.
Read MoreRoadside Assistance and Towing: What the Coverage Includes
Roadside assistance on an auto policy pays for a tow, a jump start or a lockout, but only up to set limits. Here is what it covers and how it differs from a motor club.
Read MoreMoving to a New State: What Changes for Your Insurance
Insurance is regulated state by state, so a move changes your required coverages, your policy forms and sometimes your insurer. Here is the sequence.
Read MoreCLUE Reports: The Claims History Insurers See
Insurers check a shared claims database before quoting you. You have a federal right to see the same file, once a year, at no charge. Here is how.
Read MoreEscrow, Lender Requirements and Force-Placed Insurance
How your insurance gets paid through a mortgage escrow account, what your servicer must do before buying coverage for you, and how to undo it if they have.
Read MoreBuying Your First Home: The Insurance Timeline
Insurance has to be in place before closing, and the decisions that shape it start earlier than most buyers expect. Here is the sequence, step by step.
Read MoreMotorcycle Insurance: Where It Differs From a Car Policy
A motorcycle policy uses the same coverage names as an auto policy and behaves differently in several places, starting with passengers and custom equipment.
Read MoreThis content is for general informational purposes only and is not insurance, legal, or financial advice. Coverage, exclusions, eligibility, and pricing vary by insurer, by policy, and by state, and only the policy documents control what is covered. Always confirm the details of any coverage with a licensed insurance agent or the issuing carrier before you buy.