When Should You Contact Your InsuranceAgent? 7 Times It’s Worth Checking In

Ellen Fenton & Company Insurance

Insurance usually isn’t something people think about every time life changes and it doesn’t need to be, but there are certain moments when a quick conversation with your insurance agent can be helpful.

Maybe you bought a vehicle. Maybe you’re renovating your home. Maybe someone new is driving one of your cars, your business is growing, or you’ve made a significant purchase.

The good news is that you don’t have to know whether a change affects your insurance before you call.

That’s what your agent is there to help you figure out.

Sometimes nothing needs to change. Sometimes there’s a detail worth updating. Either way, keeping your agent informed can make it easier to keep your insurance aligned with what’s actually happening in your life.

Here are seven situations when it may be worth checking in.

1. You’re Buying or Selling a Vehicle

Buying or selling a vehicle is one of the most common reasons to contact your insurance agent.

If you’re purchasing a new or used car, replacing a vehicle, adding another vehicle to your household, or selling one you no longer use, your agent can help walk you through what information is needed.

You can also reach out before you finalize a purchase.

If you’re comparing vehicles, your agent may be able to help you understand what information they’ll need once you’re ready to move forward.

It can make the insurance side of buying a car feel much simpler.

2. Someone New Will Be Driving Your Car

Another good time to call your insurance agent is when your household’s driving situation changes.

That might include:

• A teenager getting their license

• An adult child moving back home

• A family member beginning to regularly drive one of your vehicles

• Another household member purchasing or using a vehicle

You don’t need to determine on your own whether that person needs to be added to a policy.

Tell your agent what has changed, and they can help you understand whether anything else needs to happen.

3. You’re Moving

Moving brings plenty of details to keep track of, and insurance is one of the things worth putting on the list.

Contact your insurance agent if you’re:

• Buying a home

• Selling a home

• Moving into a rental

• Downsizing

• Purchasing another property

• Changing your primary address

Even if you’re staying in the same Western New York community, it’s still helpful to let your agent know about the change.

A conversation before the move gives your agent the opportunity to understand the new property and help guide the transition.

4. You’re Renovating or Making Significant Changes to Your Home

Homeowners often wonder:

Do I need to tell my insurance agent about renovations?

It depends on the project, which is exactly why it’s worth asking.

If you’re making a significant change to your property, let your agent know what you’re working on.

Examples might include:

• Finishing a basement

• Building an addition

• Adding a garage or outbuilding

• Completing a major kitchen or bathroom renovation

• Making substantial property improvements

• Changing how part of the property is used

Not every home improvement requires an insurance change.

The goal is simply to give your agent an accurate picture of the home they’re helping you insure.

5. The Way You Use Your Home or Property Changes

Sometimes the property itself doesn’t change but the way you use it does.

Maybe you’ve started operating a business from home.

Maybe a garage or outbuilding is now being used differently.

Maybe a property that was previously personal is being used as a rental or for another purpose.

Those changes are worth mentioning to your insurance agent.

Insurance policies are built around the details of the property and how it is being used. Your agent can help determine whether the change is relevant to your current policies.

You don’t need to make that determination before you call.

6. Your Business Is Changing or Growing

Business owners should also keep their insurance agent updated as the business evolves.

You may want to check in if your business:

• Adds employees

• Purchases significant equipment

• Moves to a new location

• Expands into new services

• Begins working in new areas

• Changes the type of work it performs

• Grows significantly from when the original policy was written

Businesses rarely stay exactly the same year after year.

Keeping your agent informed gives them a better understanding of what your operation looks like today.

And again, a change in your business does not automatically mean something needs to change with your insurance.

Sometimes a quick conversation is all that’s needed.

7. You Make a Significant Purchase — or You’re Simply Not Sure

You don’t need to become an insurance expert before calling your insurance agent.

If you purchase something significant — equipment, recreational property, valuable personal property, or another major asset — it’s reasonable to ask whether your agent needs to know about it.

And the same rule applies anytime you find yourself wondering:

“Is this something I should tell my insurance agent?”

Ask.

That question is enough.

Your agent can help determine whether the change matters from an insurance standpoint and what, if anything, needs to happen next.

How Often Should You Talk to Your Insurance Agent?

You don’t need to call your insurance agent every time something small changes.

But it can be helpful to check in when there is a meaningful change to your:

• Home

• Vehicles

• Drivers

• Property

• Business

• Major purchases

• Living situation

It can also be worthwhile to review your insurance periodically, even when nothing major has happened.

Life changes gradually, and sometimes several small changes happen between conversations.

A quick review gives you and your agent the chance to make sure everyone is working from the same information.

Not Sure Whether Something Matters? Start With the Conversation.

One of the benefits of working with a local insurance agent is having someone you can actually ask.

You don’t need to research policy language first.

You don’t need to figure out whether something affects coverage.

And you don’t need to wait until you’re completely sure the question is worth asking.

Simply tell your agent what changed.

“Here’s what’s happening. Is there anything I need to know?”

That’s often the easiest place to start.

Have a question about a recent change in your home, vehicle, property, or business? Talk with Ellen.

Ready to get started with insurance? You can also jump-start a quote online, and Ellen Fenton & Co. can help you with the rest.