Category Archives: Insurance

Learning About Insurance

Are all insurance companies the same?

Insurance companies may all seem the same on the surface and for a lot of reasons that is true, because they all offer insurance. The same question could be made among fast food restaurants, right? You have a dozen choices to find a meal in less than five minutes, but you have your favorites. Same with insurance. Each insurance company takes a unique approach to the way that they offer this essential service, with different discounts, different ways of pricing their services, and different approaches to customer service and incident response procedures. Finding the one that does all those things in the manner that suits your needs is the key.

At the heart of the differences is price and service. How much do they charge for the coverage and service they offer? You may find two companies that offer the same price for the same coverage, but processing a claim may be an entirely different experience between the two.

Internet-based vs. brick and mortar
Internet insurance companies offer a convenient way to shop and are on the rise. Although convenience is important, so is having and experienced agent to call when you have an issue or to address questions. When dealing with an internet company you will be at the mercy of the person working, and may end of having to explain your issue multiple times.

Discounts and bundling
A savvy insurance comparison shopper knows that almost every insurance company offers some sort of discount for things like being a full-time student, having a safe driving record, having anti-theft devices installed, and more.

There are generally two schools of thought when comparison-shopping for insurance rates: choose a smaller company and perhaps get a lower quote, as these companies are more flexible in their ability to save customers money. The second school of thought prefers to choose a large, national insurance company that can offer discounts for bundling services together.

Service matters
One thing is true no matter the price: service is important when choosing an insurance company. A low price is only as good as the agents or customer service representatives who will help during an emergency, and an affordable policy is only as good as the speed with which it gets a driver back on the road or a homeowner back in their home.

Using an independent insurance agency
One key advantage of an independent insurance provider is that we are not beholden to any one company. We can help you do the shopping and the comparison. We represent many insurance providers and can find the right coverage at the right price with the best level of service. Interested in learning more? Contact us today.

To learn more about how Provident Insurance is different, contact your independent Provident Insurance agent. We serve Plainfield, Greenwood, Avon, Brownsburg, Indianapolis, Carmel, Zionsville and the entire central Indiana area. Stop in one of our convenient locations to discuss your insurance needs today.

What do these insurance terms mean?

The insurance world is full of terms that are foreign to most consumers. It makes it challenging to shop and buy insurance, when most insurance agents seem to speak a different language. Here are some of the most common terms to help make shopping for insurance easier.

Actual Replacement Cost
Actual replacement cost is the amount of money it would cost to replace a damaged item with a new one at the time of the claim. Actual replacement cost does not factor in an item’s age and depreciation, or the effects of wear and tear over time.

Additional Living Expenses
If you’re unable to live in your home while it’s being repaired or rebuilt after a covered loss, some insurance policies provide additional living expenses to help pay the cost of temporary housing and living expenses for a defined amount of time.

Claim
Request by a policyholder or third party from an insurance company for losses covered by an insurance policy.

Collision coverage
Pays to repair damage to your vehicle that is caused by an accident involving other vehicles and objects like guardrails, trees and buildings. It does not cover damage to another driver’s vehicle.

Comprehensive coverage
Pays to repair or replace your vehicle if it is stolen, vandalized or damaged in some way other than in a collision. Includes loss or damage from fire, flood, falling objects, wind, hail and collision with an animal.

Declarations page
A summary document of an insurance policy that identifies the policyholder, the property or vehicles covered, the coverage and the premium amounts.

Deductible
The amount of money you agree to pay out-of-pocket for a claim. The deductible you choose often affects how much you pay for your insurance. A higher deductible usually means a lower insurance cost.

Insured
The person or parties who are protected by an insurance policy.

Insurer
The company that provides the insurance coverage and services to the insured.

Liability coverage
Pays for bodily injury and property damage that you, your family or friends cause while driving your car as well as legal and court costs if you’re sued in an accident.

Loss
Direct and accidental damage to the insured automobile or property used as the basis for filing a claim.

Policyholder
The person or entity specifically identified as the named insured in an insurance policy. This person is also referred to as the insured.

Premium
Your insurance premium is the total cost or amount you pay in exchange for one term of policy coverage. One term of policy coverage is usually 6 or 12 months.

To learn more, contact your independent Provident Insurance agent. We serve Plainfield, Greenwood, Avon, Brownsburg, Indianapolis, Carmel, Zionsville and the entire central Indiana area. Stop in one of our convenient locations to discuss your insurance needs today.

What is covered in my homeowner’s policy?

The answer to this question varies. The best way to address this is ask your agent. They will outline all your coverage with you. But in general, most homeowner’s insurance covers these categories:

  • Coverage for the structure of your home.
  • Coverage for your personal belongings.
  • Liability protection.
  • Additional living expenses in the event you are temporarily unable to live in your home because of a fire or other insured disaster.

1. The structure of your house

This part of your policy pays to repair or rebuild your home if it is damaged or destroyed by fire, hurricane, hail, lightning or other disaster listed in your policy. Most standard policies also cover structures that are detached from your home such as a garage, tool shed or gazebo. If you need more coverage, talk to your insurance agent about your needs.

2. Your personal belongings

Your furniture, clothes, electronics and other personal items are covered if they are stolen or destroyed by fire, hurricane or other insured disaster. Coverage varies and many policies have limits for specific items such as jewelry and computers. The best way to determine if this is enough coverage is to conduct a home inventory.

3. Liability protection

Liability covers you against lawsuits for bodily injury or property damage that you or family members cause to other people. It also pays for damage caused by your pets. So, if your son, daughter or dog accidentally does damage to your neighbor’s property, you are covered. However, if they destroy your property, you are not covered.

4. Additional living expenses

This pays the additional costs of living away from home if you cannot live there due to damage from a fire, storm or other insured disaster. It covers hotel bills, restaurant meals and other expenses, over and above your customary living expenses, incurred while your home is being rebuilt.

Again, the best way to know what is covered is to ask your agent. Provide them with a list of questions about all your property to ensure it is covered.

To learn more, contact your independent Provident Insurance agent. We serve Plainfield, Greenwood, Avon, Brownsburg, Indianapolis, Carmel, Zionsville and the entire central Indiana area. Stop in one of our convenient locations to discuss your insurance needs today.

Evaluate Your Insurance Policy

How often should I evaluate my insurance policies?

A regular review of insurance is a good idea, however different insurance may require different intervals of review. For example, it’s a good idea to review auto and homeowner’s insurance on an annual basis. Or, and this is important, if you make a change in what you drive or where you live. Buy a new car? Time to review. Buy a new house? Time to review.

When reviewing your car insurance, consider your current circumstances. Do you drive the same amount that you did when you first got insurance. Are your driving habits the same? If you’re not driving much you may be eligible for special discounts from your car insurance company. The amount of the discount (and the number of miles that you need to stay under) will vary from company to company and from policy to policy.

Homeowner’s insurance is more apt to change due to growing families and added possessions. Kids, pets, pools, room additions can change your insurance needs. Did you buy a new TV? Add a second computer? Inherit a piece of art? Each of these things are worth evaluating against your current policy. The good news is that insurance can be changed (increased or decreased) at any time. You’ll either pay more or even get a refund based on your policy changes. So while it’s good to review annually, you can always make adjustments as they occur.

Life insurance is also worth evaluating on an annual basis. Look at changes in your health, your life or within your family. Do you have another child to protect? Did you lose your job? Life circumstances will affect the coverage you need and it’s worth discussing.

To learn more, contact your independent Provident Insurance agent. We serve Plainfield, Greenwood, Avon, Brownsburg, Indianapolis, Carmel, Zionsville and the entire central Indiana area. Stop in one of our convenient locations to discuss your insurance needs today.

Lower Your Insurance Costs

10 easy ways to lower your auto and home insurance costs.

First, let’s tackle car insurance. Here are some tried and true ways to lower the cost of owning an automobile.

  1. Drive less. The more you drive the more your chances for an accident. So, insurance costs are less for those who drive less. If you can combine trips for errands, or carpool to work, you can save on insurance.
  2. Set higher deductibles. The more you are willing to pay in the event of an accident, the less you will pay month to month. Typically, deductibles range from $0 to $1,500. If you can swing a higher deductible, you can save big.
  3. Take a defensive driving course. Typically, teenage drivers and seniors take these courses, but any driver may benefit from taking one and it may save you some $.
  4. Use that garage. It may be handy for storing all that stuff you haven’t used in years, but it’s most effective for keeping your car safe. Garages can reduce your cost of insurance.
  5. Be a safe driver. Most all insurance companies reward safe drivers with clean driving records. That includes speeding too, so watch your speed and save!

Now for homeowner’s insurance.

  1. Make your home safer. Here are some things you can do now to help reduce your insurance premiums:
    • Secure your doors and windows with dead bolts and strong locks.
    • Install a security system with an outside signal and connection to local polices.
    • Install and maintain smoke detectors.

    • Install a fire alarm that automatically alerts the local fire department.
    Safety is always a good thing, but consult your independent Provident Insurance agent to be sure safety upgrades will lower your costs.

  2. Don’t smoke. Generally, non-smokers qualify for lower homeowners insurance premiums than smokers. If you’re a non-smoker, then be sure to ask for any available discounts.
  3. Bundle Policies. Merge all your policies with one provider. You may have found better rates on each individual policy by shopping them around, but it’s often more affordable to bundle them all with one company.
  4. Increase the deductible on your policy. In many cases, a higher deductible means a lower premium. It also means paying more out of pocket in the event of a covered loss though. Talk to your Provident Insurance agent so you can determine the best balance for you.
  5. Insure the replacement value only. You may have paid $250,000 for your home, but it may not cost that much to rebuild it. The land your home sits on has some value, so subtract that from the equation. Likewise, the market value may be more than the cost to rebuild – this is common in popular coastal areas or even high-demand neighborhoods with good schools. So only pay what it costs to replace…not what you paid or what it’s current market value.

To learn more, contact your independent Provident Insurance agent. We serve Plainfield, Greenwood, Avon, Brownsburg, Indianapolis, Carmel, Zionsville and the entire central Indiana area. Stop in one of our convenient locations to discuss your insurance needs today.

Protect Your Home

Do I really need homeowner’s insurance?

Yes, no and maybe. That’s not meant to confuse, it just depends. You see, unlike driving a car, you can legally own a home in Indiana without insurance. But this only really applies if you own your home outright – meaning there is no mortgage on the home. If you do have a mortgage, then your lender will likely require you to have home insurance to protect their investment. They actually own your home until it is paid off, so any significant damage that isn’t repaired can impact the value, and ultimately, their investment.

Lenders may also require additional insurance if you live in an area that is prone to flooding or earthquakes. In fact, the Federal Emergency Disaster Agency (FEMA) actually created flood zone maps of the entire U.S. to help determine homes at the most risk for flooding and, subsequently, those homes that are legally required to have flood insurance.

Condo’s, Townhomes, Apartments.
If you own a condominium or co-op, your board may require you to buy condominium insurance or home insurance. Be sure to check with your board to see what type of policy is required.

If you’re looking to insure a townhouse and your townhome association has a master policy (which typically covers the structure and common areas), you’ll get renters insurance. If your association does not have a master policy, you’ll get homeowners insurance.

Homeowner’s insurance can also be used to protect others. Visitors to your home who are injured or even neighbors property can be covered by your policy, but it varies by policy to policy, so be sure to ask your agent for details. For example, say a relative is visiting your home and a tree branch falls on their car. Your homeowner’s policy may cover that damage. Likewise if a tree in your yard falls onto your neighbor’s house, it may require your insurance to cover damages. Again, it varies by policy.

Your independent Provident Insurance agent is trained to help guide you through all the decisions that will provide you with the best coverage at the best price. We’ll make sure you are insured adequately for your assets and your budget.

To learn more, contact your independent Provident Insurance agent. We serve Plainfield, Greenwood, Avon, Brownsburg, Indianapolis, Carmel, Zionsville and the entire central Indiana area. Stop in one of our convenient locations to discuss your insurance needs today.

Get the Coverage You Need

How much auto insurance do I need?

Auto insurance doesn’t just protect your car or the car you hit, it provides a range of protection including non-auto property and injuries to people. Here’s a breakdown of all the elements covered by auto insurance. We’ve divided the terms into two groups. The first group applies to insurance protection for the victims of an accident you cause. The second group is protection for you and your passengers.

Protection for other people when you are at fault:

  • Liability coverage helps cover expenses when you’re at fault in and accident. The money will go to the people you hit, but it won’t cover the people in your car.
  • Bodily Injury Liability (BIL) – This policy pays for the medical expenses of people injured in a crash in which you’re at fault. Indiana requires $25,000 for the driver and $50,000 for all other occupants.
  • Property Damage Liability – This policy pays for damage done to the other car if you’re at fault in an accident. Indiana requires a minimum of $10,000 for damages to the other car. But with most cars costing well over $20,000, the minimum coverage may not be enough.

Protection for you and your car in an accident:

  • Medical Payments – This covers you and your passengers’ medical expenses after an accident. This may also cover lost wages due to missed work.
  • Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage – This helps cover costs if someone without insurance, or minimal coverage hits you.
  • Collision – This policy covers repairs to your car after an accident.
  • Comprehensive – This policy covers costs if your car is stolen or damaged outside of an accident.

Too little or too much.

Minimum coverage is related to the law, but not necessarily what is best for your protection. Indiana, for example, requires car owners to carry a 25/50/10 liability package. If you’re involved in a serious accident, it’s possible that an individual’s medical expenses could exceed $25,000, or a group’s expenses could total more than $50,000. In addition, $10,000 for car repairs isn’t a lot, considering that the average car now costs a little more than $20,000. So if you cause an accident that creates more damage than your insurance covers, then you are personally on the hook for the difference. For example, if you hit and total a car worth $50,000, and you’re only insured for the minimum of $10,000, then you have to cough up $40,000 to pay the difference. That’s why many people opt for policies that cover more than the required minimums, particularly if they have assets that can be seized to pay for repairs and medical care.

Your independent Provident Insurance agent is trained to help guide you through all the decisions that will provide you with the best coverage at the best price. We’ll make sure you are insured adequately for your assets and your budget.

To learn more, contact your independent Provident Insurance agent. We serve Plainfield, Greenwood, Avon, Brownsburg, Indianapolis, Carmel, Zionsville and the entire central Indiana area. Stop in one of our convenient locations to discuss your insurance needs today.

Auto Coverage

Do I really need auto insurance?

The short answer is YES. If you own or lease a car you are legally REQUIRED to have auto insurance. Nearly every state requires car owners to carry auto insurance, and most states have required minimum values for different policies, including Indiana. If you don’t carry insurance, the state can impound your vehicle or even assess fines. In fact you have to show proof of insurance to get license plates, so to repeat the answer to the question. Yes, you need auto insurance.

How much insurance do you need?

A good rule of thumb: Make sure you’re covered for an amount equal to the total value of your assets (Add up the dollar values of your house, your car, savings and investments). For more details on this subject, check out our blog on this very topic.

Shopping for auto insurance.

Every insurance company claims to have the cheapest rates. But they all can’t be the cheapest. Right? To get the most bang for your buck, consider an Independent Insurance Agency. These agencies offer all kinds of insurance from many different companies. If you have any issues affecting your ability to get coverage (such as a patchy driving record or a teenage driver in your house) independent agents can usually find you better coverage at better prices than what you’d find on your own.

Drive legally, drive safely and drive insured!

To learn more, contact your independent Provident Insurance agent. We serve Plainfield, Greenwood, Avon, Brownsburg, Indianapolis, Carmel, Zionsville and the entire central Indiana area. Stop in one of our convenient locations to discuss your insurance needs today.

All About Insurance

What is an independent insurance agency?

You can’t avoid insurance TV commercials if you watch more than a few minutes of TV. And driving down the street is no different. Billboards and agency signs are everywhere. But you probably aren’t as aware of Independent Agencies. So how are independent agencies different than those you see on TV?

Captive agents represent just one insurance company, like Allstate, Nationwide or American Family Insurance. It’s like a franchise and they only provide that company’s insurance products and services.

Independent agents and brokers aren’t tied to just one company and offer products from many different companies. Often, they can offer more choices and savings because they can shop around to find the best mix of companies, coverages, and rates based on your needs.

That means you can get many quotes with one phone call. They can also help you compare plans to identify weaknesses or overages. You don’t want to be under insured, nor do you want to be over insured. An independent agency can also help bundle all your policies together, which can save you a lot of money.

How to shop for an independent insurance agent:

References are good – ask a friend, neighbor or relative. Have they had good experiences or bad experiences? Not all agents are created equal.

Research the companies they represent. Just as no two insurance agents are created equal, no two insurance companies are created equal. Search online for major complaints or rave reviews.

Meet them in person. If convenient, schedule an appointment to meet them. A face-to-face meeting is better than working over the phone or by email. You can get a feel for their professionalism, demeanor and character.

To learn more, contact your independent Provident Insurance agent. We serve Plainfield, Greenwood, Avon, Brownsburg, Indianapolis, Carmel, Zionsville and the entire central Indiana area. Stop in one of our convenient locations to discuss your insurance needs today.