Now that the birds are chirping and the sun is sticking around a little longer, that undeniable urge to open the windows and deep clean your entire life in the name of spring cleaning is starting to kick in. But while you’re busy dusting off bookshelves and rediscovering things in the back of your closet, why not extend that fresh-start feeling to your finances? And that includes your insurance policies!

We get it, thinking about insurance can feel like a chore you’d rather put off. But what if we treated it like any other spring-cleaning project? A little tidying up now can leave you feeling organized and in control, plus you might even save a bit of money. It’s an ideal time to give your policies the annual review they deserve. Here’s where to start.

Spring cleaning for your auto insurance policy

Your car gets you through daily commutes, weekend adventures and the occasional emergency snack run. Let’s make sure the policy protecting it is still the right fit for your life:

Dust off your declarations page

First things first: find your policy’s declarations page. It summarizes everything about your current auto coverage. Check the basics: Is your address correct? Are all the vehicles you own listed? Are the drivers in your household accurate? Moving house or changing who drives your cars can impact your auto insurance rates, so keep that in mind and update your policy as necessary.

Check your coverages

Life moves fast, and the coverage that was perfect for you last year might not be right for today. Here’s a quick rundown:

• Liability coverage: This is for the other person if you cause an accident. It covers their injuries and property damage. Have you gotten a big promotion or grown your assets over the last year? You might want to bump this up.
• Collision and comprehensive: Collision covers your car when you hit something (another car, a pole and so on) while comprehensive covers it from things like theft, storm damage or hitting a deer. If you’re driving an older car that’s fully paid off, you might consider whether you still need both.

Tidy up your deductibles

Your deductible is what you pay out of pocket before your insurance kicks in. It’s a bit of a balancing act, as a higher deductible usually means a lower monthly premium, while a lower deductible means you pay less after an accident.

If you’ve built up a nice emergency fund, you might feel comfortable raising your deductible to save some cash on your premium. It's a key part of any plan to review your auto insurance policy.

Spring cleaning for your home insurance policy

Whether you own a house or rent an apartment, your home is your sanctuary. A quick home insurance check-up ensures it’s properly protected, and it’s the perfect task to check off your list during your annual spring cleaning.

Polish your personal property list

Take a walk through your home and make a quick inventory of your belongings, especially big-ticket items. Did you get a fancy new TV, a new laptop or maybe some valuable jewelry over the recent holidays? Make sure your personal property coverage is high enough to cover these items.

Having an updated home inventory is a great way to keep your home policy details current, and it can be a lifesaver if you ever need to make a claim. 

Take note of new renovations

Did you finally finish that kitchen remodel or build a new deck? Congratulations! Those upgrades likely increased the value of your home, so you’ll want to make sure your dwelling coverage is updated to match. Letting your insurer know about major improvements is crucial for being fully covered.

Clean up your personal liability coverage

Personal liability coverage protects you if someone is accidentally injured on your property. It’s the kind of protection you hope you’ll never need, but you’ll be incredibly grateful for if a guest slips and falls while on your property. Reviewing your liability limit during springtime is a smart move, especially if you've added something like a new pool or trampoline to your backyard for upcoming summer fun.

Wrap it up and relax

Taking an hour or two for an annual insurance review can give you peace of mind and might even put money back in your pocket. You’ll know you have the right protection for your life right in the moment, without paying for things you don’t need. And there’s no better time to schedule this refresh than during your spring cleaning!

Ready to get your insurance policies reviewed for the year ahead? Contact us with any questions or inquiries, and we’ll be happy to get you on track.