When it comes to insurance policies, one size does not fit all. Every individual has different needs and requirements. Therefore, customization is essential to get the right policy at the right price.
Most insurance companies offer standard policies, but you should know that the policy can be changed according to your specific needs. In this article, we will discuss insurance policy changes you can customize to make your insurance policy tailored to your needs.
Change your coverage amounts
The standard policy usually includes certain coverage amounts, but it may not be sufficient coverage for your unique requirements. Thus, you can adjust your coverages according to your needs.
For instance, if you own a home, your standard policy will cover your structure and personal belongings. However, you may want higher limits of coverage for valuable or expensive items like jewelry or art. Therefore, you can customize your policy to add extra coverage for your expensive items.
Similarly, in your auto insurance policy, you can adjust your liability and comprehensive coverage limits according to your financial situation and risk tolerance.
Change your deductibles
Deductibles are the amount that you must pay for the covered loss before the insurance coverage starts. You can customize your policy by changing the deductibles. Higher deductibles usually come with lower premiums.
If you prefer to have lower monthly premiums, you should opt for higher deductibles. However, this also means that you will be responsible for a higher out-of-pocket expense for a claim. Conversely, if you prefer to have lower out-of-pocket expenses, you can opt for lower deductibles, but this will increase your monthly premium.
Add additional coverage options
There are several different types of insurance available that you may want to add to your policy. For example, if you are a homeowner, you may want to add flood insurance or earthquake insurance, which are not covered in your standard policy.
Similarly, if you have pets, you may want to add pet insurance to your policy, which will cover their medical expenses. Moreover, you can add disability insurance to your policy, which will provide financial assistance if you become disabled and unable to work.
Change policy terms
Insurance policies usually have specific terms, which may not be suitable for everyone. If you want to customize your policy terms, you can do so by changing renewal dates, payment methods, and policy durations.
You can align your policy terms with your requirements. For example, you can opt for annual, semi-annual, or monthly premium payments according to your cash flow needs. Similarly, you can select the most suitable policy duration depending on your short-term or long-term needs.
Lower your insurance rates
Customizing your insurance policy can also help you to lower your insurance rates. There are several ways to do so, such as increasing your deductibles, bundling your insurance policies, improving your credit score, and taking safety measures.
For instance, if you take safety measures in your home, such as installing a home security system, you may get eligible for a discount on your homeowner’s insurance policy. Similarly, if you bundle your home and auto insurance policies, you may receive a discount on your premiums. Furthermore, improving your credit score can also lead to lower insurance rates.
Change your named insureds
The named insured is the person or entity that is covered by an insurance policy. Sometimes, you may want to make some changes in the named insureds, such as adding or removing someone from your policy.
For example, you may want to add your newly married spouse to your insurance policy, or you may want to remove your teenage son from your auto insurance policy. You can customize your policy by adding or removing named insureds according to your requirements.
Change your policy exclusions
Policy exclusions are the circumstances or events that are not covered in an insurance policy. There may be some policy exclusions that you may want to add or remove according to your needs.
For example, you may want to add coverage for damages caused by natural disasters like floods or earthquakes, which are usually excluded in a standard policy. Similarly, you may want to exclude certain coverage options that you do not need. You can customize your policy by adding or removing policy exclusions according to your preferences.
Change your coverage types
Customizing your policy also means that you can change your coverage types. For example, if you have a whole life insurance policy, you can switch to term life insurance if you find it more suitable for your current needs.
Similarly, if you have a liability auto insurance policy, you can switch to a comprehensive auto insurance policy if you are willing to pay higher premiums for increased coverage. You can customize your coverage types according to your changing life situations and requirements.
Change your payment methods
In addition to policy terms, you can also customize your payment methods. Insurance companies usually offer several payment methods, such as credit card payments, electronic fund transfers, and paper checks.
You can select the most suitable payment method according to your preferences or convenience. For example, if you prefer electronic transactions, you can opt for an electronic fund transfer (EFT) to pay your premiums.
Conclusion
Customization is essential to get an insurance policy tailored to your specific needs.
By changing your coverage amounts, deductibles, adding additional coverage options, changing policy terms, lowering your insurance rates, changing your named insureds, changing your policy exclusions, changing your coverage types, and changing your payment methods, you can customize your insurance policy as per your preferences. Therefore, make sure to review your policy regularly to ensure that you are getting the best insurance coverage at the right price.