Insurance FAQs from National Insurance Agency in Newtown, PA

This page was prepared to help you better understand insurance. We understand how confusing insurance can be! We invite you to bookmark this page as it will be updated regularly

What is car insurance and why do I need it?
Car insurance is designed to protect you and everyone who shares the road with you from the potentially high cost of accident-related and other damages or injuries. It is a contract in which you pay a certain amount — or “premium” — to your insurance company in exchange for a set of coverages you select.

Most states require that you have car insurance if you own a vehicle, but mandatory minimum coverage and policy limits will vary. If you finance or lease your vehicle, your lender may also require specific coverages.

Beyond legal requirements, having car insurance is a smart decision. If you cause an accident, you may be held responsible to cover the related expenses such as car repairs, property damage, medical bills, lost wages, legal fees and more. Without the proper coverage, your financial well-being may be at risk.

What does car insurance cover?
It depends on the coverage options you choose. Since bodily injury and property damage liability insurance is required in most states, at a minimum your policy should cover vehicle and property damage, injury-related expenses for other people involved in an accident you cause, up to the state-mandated minimum policy limits.

What is a deductible and how does it affect my car insurance premium?
Your car insurance deductible is the amount you’ll be responsible for paying towards the costs due to a loss before your insurance coverage pays. The lower the deductible, the less you’ll pay out of pocket if an incident occurs. For example, if you choose a $1,000 car insurance deductible and have a covered loss that causes $2,000 in damage to your car, you would be responsible to pay the first $1,000.

Selecting a higher deductible may lower your car insurance premium. But it is important to choose a deductible you can afford in the event of a loss. Talk to your local independent agent or Travelers representative about the deductible options available to you.
 

What is homeowners insurance and why do I need it?
Homeowners insurance can protect you from the unexpected. If your home is damaged, your belongings are stolen or someone gets injured on your property, it can help cover repairs or replacement, temporary housing, medical bills, legal fees and more.

A homeowners policy is recommended for anyone who owns a home or condo, and may even be required by your mortgage lender. In certain areas, you may need separate policies or coverage to help protect your home and personal belongings against damage due to  floods, earthquakes, windstorms or hail.

Most policies have 3 key elements: the premium which is how much you pay for coverage, deductibles which are how much you’re responsible for out-of-pocket in the event of a covered Claim, and limits which are the most your insurer will pay for a covered claim.

Home insurance is coverage you hope to never have to use, but if the unexpected happens, it can help you restore your life back to normal.

Can security systems, fire alarms and sprinklers save me money?
Yes, as can some smart home technologies.

What is other structures coverage and do I need it?
Other structures coverage covers the structures on your property that are not attached to your home, such as garages, sheds and fences.

An insurance representative can help you determine what it would cost to repair or rebuild these structures when choosing your deductibles and policy limits.

Does homeowners insurance cover theft?
Damage or theft of personal belongings can be covered under personal property coverage of a homeowners policy.  This coverage helps protect items like electronics, sporting equipment and furniture up to your policy limits. It also covers your personal items when they are outside of your home, like if your computer got stolen from your car or hotel room.
 

Watch this page for more helpful insurance information.