24 Sep Personal Insurance Coverages to Review This Fall

About The Author

Tiffany Boyle, TPRA, CISR – Personal Risk Advisor 

Since joining Gilbert’s Risk Solutions in 2005, Tiffany has dedicated herself to providing personalized insurance solutions to meet clients’ unique personal insurance needs.

Fall is already here, and with the change in seasons comes risks that you may not realize are a reason to review your insurance coverage. As the cooler temperatures arrive, take a few minutes to make sure your personal insurance is keeping up with your needs.

Auto Insurance: Review Comprehensive Coverage

Fall is the busiest season for deer activity, which means the risk of hitting a deer is especially high. As temperatures cool and deer become more active during mating season and hunting season, they are more likely to be moving across roads, particularly around dawn and dusk. With hunting season also underway, deer may be moving through different areas as they are disturbed from their usual habitats. Shorter daylight hours can also make them more difficult to spot.

Now that fall has begun, review your auto insurance policy to make sure you have comprehensive coverage, which can help protect your vehicle if you collide with a deer. It’s also a good time to review your comprehensive deductible so you know what you may pay out of pocket after a covered loss.

Homeowners Insurance: Prepare for Fall Weather

Heavy winds, rain, falling leaves, and eventually freezing temperatures can all create risks around your home.

• Check that your policy provides coverage for wind, fire, and other covered storm damage.
• If you made summer upgrades, such as adding a deck, patio, finished space, or new roof, make sure your insurance company knows about them.
• Clean gutters and inspect your roof before leaves and winter weather create additional problems.
• Check your personal property coverage if you purchased new furniture, electronics, or other valuable items over the summer.

Personal Liability & Umbrella Coverage: Check Your Limits

It’s always smart to review your homeowners or renters’ liability limits. Consider whether an umbrella policy makes sense based on your assets and potential risks. If you added anything like a pool, trampoline, recreational vehicle, or other higher-risk property during the year, make sure your coverage reflects it.

Flood Insurance: Don’t Assume You’re Covered

Fall storms can bring heavy rainfall and flooding, and standard homeowners’ insurance generally does not cover flood damage.

• Review whether your property has flood exposure, even if you don’t live in a high-risk flood zone.
• If you have flood insurance, check your coverage limits and deductibles.
• Remember that flood insurance may have a waiting period, so it’s important to plan ahead rather than wait for severe weather.

Fall is a great time to look beyond seasonal maintenance and review your insurance coverage, too. Your home, vehicles, belongings, and lifestyle may have changed since your last policy review.

Take a few minutes to make sure your coverage still fits your needs, before you need it.

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