Look It Up
Quick answers when you need them.
Definitions, common questions, and a yearly review checklist — all in one place. No account. No email. No sales pitch.
10 things to review every year.
Your insurance shouldn't be something you buy once and forget about. Homes change. Cars change. Drivers change. Rebuilding costs change. Your finances change. Use this checklist before each renewal to make sure your coverage still fits.
- 1Review your home's dwelling coverage limit — does it reflect current rebuild costs and any renovations?
- 2Understand whether your home and contents are covered at replacement cost or actual cash value.
- 3Review your auto liability limits and understand what they cover in a serious accident.
- 4Review your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage and understand what protection it provides.
- 5Ask your agent whether an umbrella policy makes sense for your situation.
- 6Review any motorcycles, boats, recreational vehicles, rental properties, or other exposures that may require separate or additional coverage.
- 7Document your home's contents with photos or video stored off-site.
- 8Ask your agent about discounts you may qualify for.
- 9Review your deductibles — are they set at an amount you could comfortably pay?
- 10Schedule an annual review with your agent before your renewal date.
Not sure where you stand? I'll take a look at what you currently have, explain what I see in plain English, and help you understand your options. No pressure to switch.
Start My ReviewInsurance terms, defined.
No jargon. No fine print. Just plain definitions for the words that show up on your policy.
Premium
The amount you pay for your insurance policy, typically monthly or annually.
Deductible
The amount you pay out of pocket before your insurance coverage kicks in on a claim.
Liability
Coverage that pays for injuries or property damage you cause to others.
Replacement Cost Value (RCV)
Pays to replace damaged property with a new equivalent, without deducting for depreciation.
Actual Cash Value (ACV)
Pays replacement cost minus depreciation — you receive less because the item was used.
Umbrella Policy
Extra liability coverage that sits above your auto and home policies, typically in $1M increments.
Endorsement / Rider
An add-on to your base policy that extends or modifies coverage for a specific item or situation.
Exclusion
A specific condition, event, or item that your policy does NOT cover.
Underwriting
The process an insurance company uses to evaluate risk and determine your premium.
Carrier
The insurance company that actually issues and backs your policy.
Binder
A temporary document confirming coverage is in force while the formal policy is being issued.
Subrogation
The right of your insurer to pursue a third party that caused an insurance loss to recover claim costs.
Declarations Page
The summary page of your policy showing your name, address, coverage types, limits, deductibles, and premium. Often called the "dec page."
Policy Limit
The maximum amount your insurance company will pay for a covered loss under your policy.
Peril
A specific cause of loss covered by your policy, such as fire, wind, theft, or water damage.
Loss
A reduction in value or an event that triggers a claim under your insurance policy.
Claim
A formal request to your insurance company to pay for a covered loss or event.
Personal Property
Your belongings — furniture, clothing, electronics, and other items inside your home or vehicle.
Additional Insured
A person or organization added to your policy who also receives coverage protections, often required by lenders or landlords.
Named Insured
The person or entity specifically listed on the policy as the primary insured.
Common Questions
Questions I hear all the time.
Insurance has its own language. Here are straightforward answers to some of the questions people ask me most.
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