Before Winter Hits: 7 Things Worth Checking With Your Insurance Agent

October in the Gorge means cooler mornings, changing leaves, and the not-so-subtle reminder that winter is right around the corner.

While you’re cleaning gutters, putting away patio furniture, and getting your home ready for colder weather, it’s also a good time to make sure your insurance still matches your life.

We talk with our clients about this all the time. Insurance isn’t something you should set up once and never think about again. Homes change, families change, vehicles change, and your coverage may need to change along with them.

Here are a few things we recommend checking before winter arrives.

1. Have you made any changes to your home?

Maybe you replaced your roof this summer, finished a remodel, built a shop, added a pool, or made another major improvement.

Don’t assume your insurance automatically knows about those changes. Give us a call so we can review your policy and make sure your coverage reflects your home as it is today.

2. Are you prepared for winter weather?

Wind, falling trees, freezing temperatures, and winter storms can all cause damage.

This is a good time to understand what your policy covers before you’re standing outside in the rain staring at a tree that definitely wasn’t on your car yesterday.

We can walk you through your coverage and help you understand what to expect if you ever need to file a claim.

3. Have you purchased anything valuable?

Jewelry, collectibles, artwork, electronics, and other valuable belongings may have coverage limits under a standard homeowners policy.

If you’ve made a significant purchase recently, talk to us about whether it should be specifically listed or scheduled on your policy.

4. Has anything changed with your vehicles or drivers?

Maybe your teenager got their license, someone new is regularly driving your vehicle, you bought a different car, or your driving habits have changed.

Those are all things we want to know about.

Keeping the information on your policy current helps us make sure you have the right coverage and can help prevent surprises later.

5. Are you using your home differently?

Working from home is one thing. Running a business from your home can be another from an insurance perspective.

The same goes for renting out all or part of your property, including short-term rentals.

If the way you use your home has changed, let us know. We can help determine whether your current policy still fits your needs.

6. Has your household changed?

Insurance can be affected by changes that might not immediately make you think, “I should call my insurance agent.”

A child leaving for college, getting a new dog, paying off your mortgage, or another person regularly living in your home can all be worth a conversation.

When you’re unsure, ask us. That’s what we’re here for.

7. Do you actually know what your coverage includes?

This might be the most important question on the list.

Terms like comprehensive, collision, liability, deductibles, replacement cost, and “full coverage” get thrown around a lot. But having insurance and understanding your insurance are two very different things.

We never want our clients to discover what their policy does or doesn’t cover after something has already happened.

A Quick Fall Insurance Check-In

You don’t need to become an insurance expert. That’s our job.

As we head into the colder months, take a few minutes to think about what has changed over the past year. If you’ve made a big purchase, updated your home, added a driver, started a business, or simply haven’t reviewed your policies in a while, October is a great time to check in.

At Crown Point Insurance, we’re here to answer your questions, explain your options, and help make sure your coverage continues to fit your life.

Have a question about your home, auto, or other insurance coverage? Reach out to our team. We’re always happy to talk it through.