Understanding the various types of insurance policies will enable you to select the appropriate policy for your needs, while gaining insight into what each one covers and its specific mechanisms of operation.
An insurance policy is a written contract between an insurer and customer that details covered risks, coverage limits and premiums as well as any deductibles which must be met before your insurance provider starts covering claims payments.
Life insurance
Life insurance provides your family with a financial safety net in case something unexpected comes up that needs paying. A death benefit can help your heirs pay off debts, cover funeral and burial costs, replace lost income and provide for their children after you’re gone.
Understanding all of the available policies will help you make more informed choices when shopping around for coverage. Knowing more about various life insurance types will also provide more knowledge when making this important decision.
Life insurance policies generally fall into two main categories: term and permanent (also referred to as whole life). Each option varies based on how long coverage will continue for, with this having an impactful bearing on premium costs.
Health insurance
Health insurance policies come in all sorts of varieties and it’s helpful to understand their various components in order to compare and select one that meets both your needs and budget.
Fee-for-Service Plans A fee-for-service plan allows you to see any doctor you want, with the insurer covering 80% of medical costs while you contribute 20% as coinsurance – typically making this type of policy the least costly option available.
Managed Care mes Under managed care plans, members must use a primary care physician who acts as the central point for health services and serves as the “gatekeeper” for referrals to specialists. Furthermore, this doctor also arranges and approves tests, specialty treatments, hospitalizations etc.
There are three primary types of managed care plans. They are HMOs, PPOs and EPOs.
Auto insurance
Auto insurance is a type of personal protection designed to safeguard both you and your vehicle against accidents, as well as assist with medical costs and repairs after an incident has taken place.
Most states mandate some form of auto insurance coverage in order to legally drive. Without it, drivers could become personally liable for paying any damage bills themselves and incurring fines and penalties from authorities.
Basic coverages include bodily injury liability, property damage liability and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverages – these can be purchased individually or together according to your needs.
Home insurance
Home insurance should be an essential component of a homeowner’s financial plan, as it helps cover the cost associated with repairing or rebuilding your home in case of fire, storm or any other natural disasters.
Dependent upon your property and circumstances, various policies exist that can meet your needs; some examples include HO-3, HO-5 and HO-8 policies.
Home policies typically cover four key areas: dwelling, personal property, loss of use and liability. Each policy differs in what it covers and how much it costs.
Commercial insurance
Commercial insurance is an invaluable business tool that protects investments made into your company. Understanding different types of policies available and how they can be tailored specifically to meet the needs of your business are both key aspects to keep in mind when investing in such coverage.
As a business owner, it is your responsibility to review your commercial insurance policy annually in order to make sure it covers any new risks or expenses that arise, and discuss any changes with your agent.
Selecting the appropriate policy can protect assets and avoid financial disaster. Property, liability and workers’ compensation coverages may all play a part.