21 articles
Cross-cutting guides that explain how insurance works, how to compare quotes and estimate coverage, and how to choose a policy without the jargon.
FEMA disaster assistance can pay for temporary housing, home repairs and other losses insurance doesn't cover, up to $44,800 for each type. Who qualifies, how to apply, why you file an insurance claim first, and what to expect after Hurricane Isaias.
Being named an additional insured gives someone else limited coverage under your policy. Here is what that means, how it differs from a named insured, certificate holder and loss payee, and how the endorsement works.
Arkansas is one of the few states that requires boat insurance. Here's who needs it under the 50-horsepower rule, the $50,000 minimum, proof on board, and how to insure bass boats, pontoons, duck boats and jet skis in Arkansas.
Maine doesn't require boat insurance, but a short season, cold water, rocky ledges, lobster gear and long winter storage shape what Maine boaters should cover. Here's how boat insurance works in Maine.
South Carolina doesn't require boat insurance by law, although a bill to require it has been debated. Here's what SC boat owners need to know about lenders, marinas, hurricanes, coastal vs lake coverage and cost.
You can usually withdraw an insurance claim before it is paid, but the record may stay on your claims history. Here is when cancelling makes sense, how to do it, and when you cannot.
In a fully insured plan the insurer pays claims; in a self-insured plan your employer does. Here is how each works, what level funding and stop-loss are, and why it matters to employees.
An insurance agent represents one or more insurers; a broker represents you. Here is how captive agents, independent agents and brokers differ, how each gets paid, and which one to use.
An insurance score is a credit-based number insurers use to help price car and home insurance. Here is how it differs from your credit score, what goes into it, which states ban it, and how to improve it.
Most states don't require boat insurance by law, but Utah and Arkansas do for many boats, and lenders and marinas usually require it anyway. Here's when you need boat insurance, what it costs, and how to insure an older boat.
Replacement cost pays to replace what you lost; actual cash value pays what it was worth after depreciation. Here is how each settles a claim, plus extended, guaranteed and functional replacement cost explained.
Coinsurance is the share of a bill you pay after your deductible. Here is what 0%, 20% and 100% coinsurance actually mean, with worked examples, and the very different coinsurance clause in property insurance.
These guides explain how insurance works in general: how premiums are set, how claims are paid, and how to buy cover without overpaying. They apply whichever policy you’re shopping for.
Start here. Insurance 101 is the foundation: how insurance works, the key policy terms and how to buy. Follow it with how to compare insurance quotes and what really drives your premiums.
How claims are paid. Replacement cost vs actual cash value, what coinsurance means and why a higher deductible lowers your premium explain the numbers behind every settlement. If you’re thinking of withdrawing a claim, read can you cancel an insurance claim? first.
Who sets your price. What an insurance underwriter does and what an insurance score is explain the decisions made behind the scenes. Insurance broker vs agent explains who works for you.
Contracts and paperwork. Additional insured, waiver of subrogation and the certificate of liability insurance come up whenever a contract mentions insurance.
Boats. Is boat insurance required? covers state laws, lenders and marinas, with state guides for Arkansas, Maine and South Carolina.
