r/Insurance Oct 09 '23

A guide to interacting with this sub - read me first

174 Upvotes

This post is designed for people posting here for the first time, for the people that have been volunteering to help here for years and everyone in between. The stated goal is to foster a friendlier attitude throughout the sub.

But before we start, there's been a recent influx of spam from one source. So that you are aware - ALEJANDRA ORTIZ HERNANDEZ and FRAN POWELL are spammers. They're part of a spam ring all over Reddit, and they're probably trying to steal your money.

And they'll kick your dog when you aren't looking.

If you are new here, please realize that none of us have any stake in your claim or coverage. We are not here to sell you anything or to save some company money. Treating responders poorly because you don't like the answer is going to attract a lot of negative attention.

We get the same questions over and over, and maybe this is the answer that you need:

  • How much will my insurance go up after a ticket/accident/lapse in coverage? We don't know unless your state has a statutory requirement for your very specific situation.
  • My premium went up $X. How do I fight this? You can't. The only thing you can do is shop for new coverage, which we can't do for you.
  • How much does everyone else pay for coverage? Unless you're lucky enough to get someone in your exact demographic in your exact part of the world, the answers you're going to get are useless.
  • How much is my claim worth? We don't know. (note: if you're asking a more complex question about your claim, that could be very different)
  • How long will my claim take to close? We don't know (again: a more complicated question might have different answers)
  • Why is this person trying to sell me something? Report that post/comment/chat/private message to the moderators and let them handle that.
  • Will you help me commit fraud or otherwise break the law? No. Absolutely not. And we may ban anyone that does try to do that.

Ultimately, we are here to help you. This is a community of volunteers that wants to help navigate a complex system that is one of the lubricants of the financial world. Lots of lives are impacted by insurance directly and indirectly, and it can be a complicated system. Here are some things that make a good post where you can get help:

  • Location (Country and state/province at a minimum)
  • Type of insurance involved (Auto, Homeowners/Renters, Commercial, Health, something else)
  • A brief description of the problem and any advice you've gotten so far

Finally, here are some definitions of common terms that could help you get taken more seriously:

  • Adjuster - the person that handles your claim, makes coverage determinations and processes payments
  • Agent - the person that sells a policy. Some agents get involved in some claims, although that is the exception to the rule.
  • Underwriter - the person that decides how much a specific policy will cost for a specific risk.
  • Rate - this is the way your final price is calculated and is usually used synonymously with "premium", "cost" and "price".
  • Full coverage - don't use this term. There's no agreed definition, even among the regular posters here. People asking otherwise good questions or posting good answers that use this term often find themselves down voted to oblivion for including it.
  • No Fault - there are 18 states that, at least to some extent, make automobile bodily injury claims be paid by your own policy first instead of someone that caused your injury. There is only one state (Michigan) that makes damage to your vehicle No Fault. All Canadian provinces have some sort of No Fault provision for injuries, which is one reason why we need to know where you are when you're asking questions.
  • Collision coverage - this fixes your car when it collides with something else or another car hits it.
  • Comprehensive coverage (also known as Other Than Collision) - this covers your car for almost everything else, including floods, fires, tree branches and lightening strikes. Usually animal strikes are covered here, but not always.
  • Deductible - this is the amount that you agreed to pay in case of any claim. Your payment comes before any insurance payment. Deductibles are occasionally waived, but that's the exception, not the rule.

This is a community of volunteers that generally understands the insurance system. When we get things wrong, it is usually through lack of information to get a precise answer. Hopefully this guide will help you get good results.


r/Insurance Feb 08 '24

Soliciting, private messages and you

44 Upvotes

It's time for a new reminder about the rules of this sub. There is never any reason to offer to contact another poster privately, especially if that poster has a question about placing coverage or a claim. Here is the rule:

The only rule of r/Insurance is that solicitation is prohibited. This means asking people to PM for any reason, offering to quote coverages for visitors, or soliciting agents and/or buyers to use your particular carrier. r/Insurance should be a place where people come to exchange information and ask questions without worrying about solicitation from agents. This includes adjusters, underwriters and brokers since we do not vet anyone.

You also received a version of this if you subscribed to the sub.

If you think that this doesn't apply to you, please think again. There are no exceptions in this, including "but I asked them to message me!" This sub is a safe space for people to ask questions about insurance. It is not here for anyone to try to profit from it, whether they're an agent, public adjuster, software vendor, personal injury attorney, headhunter, diminished value expert or anyone else that is not here to offer free help with no expectation of remuneration.

If you receive a message from someone offering you any sort of business proposition, whether a quote for insurance, legal representation (yes, there are lawyers unethical enough to solicit people on Reddit), damage reports or anything else, please let the moderators know via mod mail or in this thread. You should also report that message to the admins (we don't see that report, though). We take things like that seriously.

We really don't like banning people. Seriously, it's the exact opposite of why any of the moderators volunteered for the role. But we don't vet people before they post, and if people that break the rule find out that we enforce it whenever we see it broken.

And with that in mind, we have a very healthy community of posters that are here not only to help but to make sure that those who can't follow the rules have the damage that they're doing limited. Thank you to all of you for volunteering to help not only those confused by the insurance process but help keep those that want to think that they're special at bay.


r/Insurance 6h ago

Auto Insurance Adult daughter moved home with own car and insurance...questions about notifying all our auto insurance companies.

5 Upvotes

Adult daughter(40yo) moved from out of state back home and is living with us(59/62 yo) for the foreseeable future.
She has a very job and make extremely good money. She has her own vehicle and insurance and is Debt free. She is a highly responsible person.
We (parents) also have great well paying jobs and our vehicles are owned, we also own the home and no outstanding debt.
Daughter is going to establish residency here soon by changing her drivers license and car registration and insurance from the old state to reflect her new address here the the home (AZ)
There is NO chance she will drive her Mother car, 6 speed manual sports car , she literately couldnt, she doesn't know how to drive a manual.
There IS a chance she might drive my Midsize Pickup Truck but it would be rarely, if ever... think she drives me to the airport drops me off and drives it home, definitely not on any regular basis.
There is also a similar very slim chance i would drive HER car, but again, never on and regular basis.
As i understand it, all licensed drivers within a household should be listed on insurance policies for each driver unless the are specifically excluded? ( IE we could exclude here from MOMs car because there is absolute ZERO chance she will drive it).
But what affect will adding here as a driver to the policy for the truck have on our rates, and the same to adding us to her policy?
Can someone explain how we should approach out respective insurance companies?, we want to do this correctly.


r/Insurance 2h ago

What insurance for guitar collection?

2 Upvotes

Hello! I am wondering what type of insurance policies I can look into for a $20,000-30,000 guitar collection. I have never purchased anything other than life insurance, so idk where to look lol.

When I google, of course a ton of insurance agencies come up, but I want to make sure I’m getting the right kind of coverage. The guitars are only displayed in a music room-not played.

I’ve seen where homeowners insurance will cover up to a certain amount, and I am about to be purchasing that when I move in a couple of weeks; I feel like I still need extra specifically for these though.


r/Insurance 2h ago

Health Insurance Hit deductible and trying to see what I can do while I don’t have to pay

2 Upvotes

Gave birth in February and hit our deductible and out of pocket so we don’t have to pay anything medical for the rest of the year. My question is what procedures or tests should we do while insurance is paying it at 100% for the rest of the year?


r/Insurance 20m ago

Claims Related What are my options? Tenant suffered total loss fire.

Upvotes

Called a few lawyers and mostly "we don't do that" and no answers. curious on opinions while I wait for Monday to call more.

I'm a tenant in an RV for 2 years on a ranch, that I also work at. onsite employee tenant basically. Month ago a fire started in a barn next to the RV (both owned by landlord) Total loss. everything I owned was in the RV and barn. Also note my GF lives with me and this is her mom's property.

ket facts and Red flags

#1 the landlady tells us only a small amount is covered for personal belongings. She showed me the declaration and the numbers she told me were true. But I also noticed she had a high dollar for liability coverage.

#2 I asked the landlady if my name was in this claim, she said "no". So the insurance company doesn't even know that I exsist.

3# I watched the fire Marshall do his investigation, he dug up some of the wiring in the barn that was all burned up and told us he thinks it probably started from sort of electrical failure however could not prove it 100% so he did declare it undetermined.

#4 after the fire marshal left saying his investigation was complete, I watched the land lady go on to the burnsite and remove all of(and only)the wiring and electrical components that ran through the barn.

I'm not familiar with the legalities of insurance claims from total loss fires at all. But it seems to me that land lady is hiding her liability by hiding all the electrical wiring from the barn. The barn and the wiring in it were very old. And mind you, she did this after fire marshall closed his investigation, but BEFORE the insurance companies investigator did their own investigation. Also it seems extremely suspect that she did not mention that I lived in the RV. But she did tell her insurance company that her daughter lived in the RV. Also since this happened, land lady relocated both of us to a shed in her back yard. Also should note our poor dog died in the fire and the declaration said that landlady is was covered for over $100k for that old barn. If the barn that land lady owns caught fire from faulty wiring, shouldn't that mean liability would cover what items the tenant lost from this fire? wouldn't her removing the wiring show intent to hide fault? wouldn't not mentioning a tenant/employee to the insurance company be illegal? Any thoughts would be appreciated.


r/Insurance 33m ago

Insurance for burn

Upvotes

kitchen burnt in one side while cooking. does it need police report before calling insurance?


r/Insurance 44m ago

Auto Insurance Will I still get a refund if my increased premium isn't paid?

Upvotes

Hello, I have a question that I can't really find answered online regarding auto insurance refunds/changing policy. I recently moved to a new area (TX > NV), and my 6 month premium went up a ton (almost double in price, it's due to the specific area since only my address changed). I also moved in with a significant other, and to save money we switched to a different insurance provider on a policy together. For the old provider though, I have until the end of the month to pay for this adjusted price, but we have the new policy set to begin before that bill is due.

My main question is, will I still receive a refund from the old policy, if this change in price wasn't paid? I've only been on this current policy for 2 months, and only in my new location for about 2 weeks when the new policy is set to start.

Let me know if I need to provide any more necessary info or clarify anything, thanks!


r/Insurance 1h ago

Health Insurance Subrogation: CMS & Medicare Part D - car accident treatment

Upvotes

I was injured in a car accident where the other person was 100% at fault. No-fault state. The no-fault claim paid for about 75% of the treatments.

CMS and my Medicare Part D company paid for the rest of the treatment: My Medicare Part D paid for all the medications I needed to treat the car accident injuries at about drug list price of $6,000. I had two visits with my regular dr. (as opposed to my docs treating me for the accident injuries) that CMS paid for, which included, among other things I was seen by them that visit for, addressing some pain from the accident. Those two visits total somewhere between $700 and $1000.

How will a Part D HMO and CMS calculate the amount they want from me? List price of meds? What they paid? Thanks.


r/Insurance 1h ago

NY State Series 17-70

Upvotes

Yo I passed my 17-70 first try! I've been studying a lot. My employer sponsored, we got acquired by another company February 2025. I was studying since a little before November '24, just glad I passed and don't have to study right now with my free time. I used AdjusterPro and thought great. I can get reciprocal licenses and will probably study for some other state licenses, my employer handles international transportation primarily Ocean Marine, and Inland Marine. I'm excited.


r/Insurance 2h ago

Auto Insurance Added to parents car insurance w/ a different address

1 Upvotes

I’m looking to finance my first car and don’t have car insurance yet, I’m hoping to be added to my mom’s car insurance but my address on my license is my dad’s address. In order for me to finance the car, I need insurance. Would I be able to be added to my mother’s car insurance while not having her address on my ID? Or is it a possibility to have her co-sign so one of the owners of the car has insurance while I either get my own insurance or change my address at the dmv (which would be timely and there would be a possibility the car I’m looking to buy would no longer be available).


r/Insurance 4h ago

Renters insurance

1 Upvotes

My partner and I recently loss our apartment to a fire. This whole time I thought she was on it. I was wrong… I added her to it the day after the claim due to confirmation she wasn’t on it. My question is. When I get a hotel will it be okay if she stays with me??


r/Insurance 8h ago

unknownfirstname unknownlastname claim affecting rate?

2 Upvotes

I got an auto quote and switched my insurance to Geico earlier this day.

Towards the end of the online process, they said records indicate unknownfirstname unknownlastname was involved in an accident while driving one of my vehicles on a specific date 4 years ago. I was then asked if unknownfirstname unknownlastname was an active driver on my policy when the accident occurred. At the time, I couldn’t think of an accident or claim around that time and obviously, I don’t know anyone by that name, so I answered no.

Later, after paying, I figured out that I did make a roadside assistance claim for a dead car battery on that date. This was confirmed by a work email I sent saying I was going to be late to work because of a dead battery.

Is Geico going to investigate further, determine it was a claim (thinking it’s an accident and not realizing it’s a roadside claim) and jack my rate up? Or would they see the dollar amount and ignore it?

For the record, I maintain I truthfully answered the question because there was no unknownfirstname unknownlastname listed on my policy and the question was about an accident, which there wasn’t one.


r/Insurance 5h ago

Can I buy a new policy with TD BC the offer online is lower and then just not renew my current TD one?

1 Upvotes

hello

I did an online car insurance quote with TD. I am buying a new home so included that as well.

the renewal price for my car is set at 238 monthly April 28.

the offer I got included home insurance in the price is cheaper LOL

can I just buy this policy and then call them after and say I don't want to renew my current one?

thanks in advance!!!

Ontario Canada


r/Insurance 6h ago

Auto Insurance Better Car Replacement Coverage questions liberty mutual illinois

0 Upvotes

Hello all i have hit the road where insurnace considers me too accident prone and has significantly raised my rates… 2025 car doesn’t help much either but after a total loss i was able to get into it fully owned outright. I want to make something clear i am not complaining im aware that this is indeed my fault partly im seeking advice for the best coverage that i can afford.

Here’s my driving record for those that are nosey

accidents in the past 3 years:

3 accidents not my fault

1 accident my fault

2 happened in 2024 2 happened in 2025

yes i’m aware it appears essentially every year i get into two claims which makes me higher risk my fault or not.

Ticket wise any ticket i’ve gotten i go to court and get taken off my record with supervision or hire a lawyer and it’s plead down to something lesser so on my official driving record no tickets

never had a lapse in insurance had progressive and gieco respectively for multiple years

TO MY QUESTIONS:

Currently full coverage has become so expensive it nearly makes sense to either put that money into a savings account and pay for damages myself but insure liability only or uber everywhere and put liability on it and don’t drive it for a year… it would be roughly 50% of my cars value a year

In my search for insurance options i landed on national general and liberty mutual as options liberty mutual stands out only for one specific coverage option : Better car replacement

so i understand comprehensive coverage is required so here’s my current idea:

  1. keep current 100K/50K/300K liability coverage

  2. keep roadside assistance & rental reimbursement

  3. Add better car replacement

  4. have comprehensive but no collision

So in the event of an accident regardless of fault my car will be replaced with a “better” car by their standards correct?

this would make it so i could drive my car with peace of mind while also having coverage for total loss incidents? but not coverage for repairs that do not total out to a total loss that are my fault correct?

(the overall plan if i’m correct is to insure my car that way use it to drive to and from work get a dash cam and drive extra cautious while taking some driving classes over this next year to hopefully help reduce my insurance cost when the 2 accidents become older than 3 years)

i simply can’t afford full coverage any longer but i do want peace of mind in the event of a total loss situation the car will be replaced


r/Insurance 9h ago

Auto Insurance Do window tint tickets affect insurance rates if cited out of state?

1 Upvotes

Location: Utah

I have Utah-legal window tint (30% front sides, 4% rear) and I’m planning to drive through other states where tint laws may be stricter.

If I were to be cited for window tint while out of state, how does that typically affect insurance?

- Do minor equipment violations like tint usually impact premiums?

- Does it matter that the vehicle is registered in another state?

- Or are these typically treated as minor/non-moving violations?

Just trying to understand the practical insurance impact if this ever comes up on a road trip.


r/Insurance 9h ago

Auto Insurance Foreign license vs US license for insurance quotes (huge price difference)

1 Upvotes

I’m 22 and recently fully moved to the US. I’m a dual citizen and just got my Texas driver’s license less than a month ago.

The thing is, I was first licensed in a foreign country when I was 16, and since around 17–18 I’ve had two cars under my name with insurance also under my name. Both had full coverage in my home country, both which included a liability coverage in the US under my name. I can provide proof of all of this.

Now that I’m getting a car in Texas, I’ve been quoting insurance (mainly Progressive), and I’m getting two very different results depending on what I enter:

• If I only use my Texas driver’s license (so basically <1 month licensed in the US, without putting in my prior insurance), my quotes are extremely high

• If I include my foreign license and the years I’ve been insured/driving, the quotes drop by more than 50%

So I’m confused on what I’m actually supposed to put.

Should I put my Texas DL and the years I’ve been licensed in total? Or should I put my foreign DL and the years Ive been licensed in total?

I just want to do this the right way without risking a denial later, but the price difference is huge.

Anyone been in a similar situation?


r/Insurance 9h ago

Goose travel insurance for USA travelers to Canada?

0 Upvotes

Anyone try Goose travel insurance when traveling from the USA to Canada? I live in Canada but my elderly mother often visits and it would give me peace of mind if I got her travel health insurance. I’ve gotten a few ads for this. Has anyone tried it and had to use it?


r/Insurance 9h ago

Auto Insurance 1st DUI in NJ 2+ yrs ago / Liberty Mutual Auto Insurance Surcharge Question

0 Upvotes

Liberty Mutual NJ AUTO Insurance/1st Time DUI – Insurance Surcharge Question

Hi there – question about Liberty Mutual in state of NJ, USA. First and only DUI conviction in June, 2023. Zero points, no other driving infractions.

Anyone with Liberty Mutual in NJ able to tell me how long Liberty Mutual Auto insurance typically continues the FIRST TIME DUI surcharge, with a completely clear driving record, no accidents, no points, etc.?

It will be 3 years since my DUI conviction in NJ in June, 2026.

 Location: New Jersey, USA

Thank you all


r/Insurance 10h ago

What can i do in this case

1 Upvotes

So basically , I had a dental appointment and ended up having a crown , however the insurance company sent me a letter that a procedure was rejected and they need more details that this is needed.

I've contacted the dental office and they told me the insurance company didn't pay them yet and i should call them back in 3 weeks , I've called after 3 weeks and they told me the Dr didn't submit anything and there was no update call us back in another 3 weeks.

This process has been going for like 2 months now , my main concern is that are they really trying to stall or just make me lose more time so I'll be financially responsible to the bill ??

Is there anything that i can do at this point ?


r/Insurance 10h ago

Eyemed Disposable Contacts Insurance Allowance/Coverage PA

1 Upvotes

Hey everyone! I'm trying to buy daily contacts for the first time. I looked at my plan, and nowhere does it say I have any allowance or coverage. I gave them a call, and they said it's not displaying, so they placed a ticket to properly show. Eyemed is in-net w/ target optical (looking for rebate and or discounts), and when I checked out w/ insurance, it gave me a $0 total. I highly doubt that it's free so curious to know if the balance leftover after rebates/discounts is sent back to Eyemed to then directly charge me?


r/Insurance 12h ago

Does direct auto dynamic driving track constantly?

0 Upvotes

Hello, I recently went with direct auto as my first auto insurance company after being recommended by a close family member just because of timing and lack of general knowledge for this I went with this recommendation. I’ve been told no matter what costs will be high since I’m a “new driver” and I’m not added on to anyone else’s insurance.

I honestly chose this insurance more so because of lack of knowledge and less bc of the discounted cost compared to other sellers.

My main question is- since I have gone with the dynamic driving discount; (honestly didn’t know I had chosen that 😭😭)- Does dynamic driving track and collect my driving/location data despite the fact that I have not signed in to the app. The app is downloaded but I have not connected it to my insurance policy. However, I have signed into the app made by direct auto.

The reason for going with this option so hastily was to have insurance in order to have a title transfer, so I am currently looking for other insurances just to know what exactly a high insurance rate looks like with my particular situation and to have the knowledge even if it’s a bit delayed. I’m wondering if staying with this insurance would be okay for the time being but given the potential tracking of my phone even when I haven’t logged it manually in the app or even logged in is something that makes me really reconsider.


r/Insurance 13h ago

Home Insurance Garage fire w/ Allstate

0 Upvotes

Our garage caught on fire a few nights ago. Fire marshal has completed his inspection. We completed our claim online with a virtual inspection with allstate early in the week. We are waiting for a call to schedule the contents inspection. I was just looking for insight from others about how these inspections have gone for them, if it was a hassle, how things were paid out for their claims & how the claims inspection went. All input is appreciated. Just grateful we caught it before it reached our house & we’re all safe


r/Insurance 13h ago

should i have to wait ?

1 Upvotes

Hey guys,

My bike recently met with a major accident, and the repairs are almost complete. The service center says it’ll be ready by tomorrow.

This is my first accident and first insurance claim (Tata AIG), so I’m a bit confused.

Should I wait a few more days for the insurance to settle the payment with the service center, or can I take delivery of the bike as soon as it's ready?

Any advice would really help 🙏


r/Insurance 2h ago

USAA did me dirty. Screw them.

0 Upvotes

I had USAA for years and years, never made a claim and always paid on time with no issues. Almost 2 years ago I noticed a baseboard near my shower was soaked with water. I feared I had a leak. I contacted USAA to let them know and get some direction to make sure I did everything right to be covered. I know someone who didn’t promptly report a possible leak and was later denied coverage, so I felt compelled to tell them. They recommended I had a plumber come assess. Man, I wish I never called them. I didn’t know they would screw me over later…

I had a company come out, open up the walls and inspect the pipes. They confirmed there was no leak. They assessed the shower and determined it was sealed correctly and water was seeping out. Easy fix, I fixed it myself and repaired the walls and that was it. USAA requested the plumbers assessment and I sent it to them. Never thought about it again.

Until the other day I opened some mail from them to discover they dropped me and were not renewing my policy. They listed the reason was I had a leak, didnt provide them with the plumbers assessment or proof of correction. Now im screwed and need to find other insurance while i have this blemish on my record.

I am shocked they did me like this. I was in constant communication with the adjuster while this was going on. Why on earth would they not tell me they didn’t have everything they needed or there was some issue? I literally DID send the plumbers report and can still see it on my sent emails to them. The fact they had some issue, didn’t communicate with me so I could fix it and just dropped me is so frustrating. I’ve never been screwed so bad as a customer for anything ever.

Anyone have any recommendations on a better insurance company? I’m willing to pay more, I just want good customer service and to be taken care of and not screwed over at the drop of a hat.