If you dont understand insurance, stop buying it direct!!

Insurance contracts are complex. Even though they can pass as being plain language, they are objectively not easy to understand. Forms stacked on forms define, negate, and expand coverage and terms.

It sucks to think that your coverage is one thing, only to find out after a loss that it's not.

HOWEVER

You cannot simply price shop for the absolute cheapest insurance and expect coverage to trigger in exactly the way you expect. You cannot even mindlessly contact a random agent and take the cheapest product they offer, and then be shocked when the claims and service handling are cheap too.

While legally the responsibility is on you to understand the terms of your contract, you DO have resources OUTSIDE OF JUST READING IT. P&C insurance is not typically out to trick you. (No comment on other lines). An agents job is to evaluate your risk and advise you on appropriate coverages. If you buy something direct just because its the cheapest, you'll get screwed. Agents commissions are done internally, so you can get an agent at the same price. Its a no brainer.

There are two truths with insurance:

1. Not everything is insurable.

Insurance is for unexpected catastrophe. You have a responsibility to maintain your belongings. You have a responsibility to pay for small losses. There will always be exclusions in your contract.

1. To insure, you have to pay

If you are looking for the cheapest price, you will get the cheapest coverage! It's as simple as that. Look, i know that insurance prices are high right now and the cost of living is skyrocketing. Many people have no choice but to take the cheapest, but that doesn't mean the product will be good.

Economically, this is also the worst position for insurers to be in. They pay out way more claims when people cant afford to maintain their property, or when people become desperate for a PI payout. If you want better coverage, you HAVE to pay for it. If you cant afford it, then you cannot have it. That sucks. Thats an economic issue, not an issue with the p&c insurance industry.

What this all means:

Find a reputable, local, INDEPENDENT agent and lead with curiosity. Ask them about their coverage recommendations. Ask how the companies claims reputation is. Ask them what coverage they would take. Ask them to explain the coverages. You might not understand the insurance contract, but they do. If they brush you off, move on to the next. Most people take absolutely no responsibility for their own insurance, and thats fine. But if you're going to be mad about how a claim plays out, then thats just too bad. You should have cared from the outset.

Rant over. I needed to get that out. Im just so sick of people blindly buying the absolute bottom of the barrel coverage and then being shocked at denials, low payout, and no support. The whole point of insurance is that you have to care what it covers BEFORE ANYTHING HAPPENS. You have resources, use them.