When you think of insurance, the obvious might come to mind: health insurance, car insurance, life insurance, and homeowners or renters insurance. But life is full of many other important things and defining moments. Should you insure those, too? Here’s a look at some lesser-known policies that offer important coverage to those who invest in them.
Pets are cherished family members for many, and there’s little owners wouldn’t do to prolong the length and quality of their pets’ lives. As veterinary advancements progress, however, the treatments used to aid sick or injured pets have become more and more costly. Pet insurance can ease the financial burden of medical care. It can also cover the loss or death of expensive exotic breeds. Pet insurance policy options can include:
For some, animals are more than loving companions. They can also be a person’s livelihood. Imagine losing a dog slated to compete at the esteemed Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show or a prize racehorse: It could mean financial disaster on top of heartbreak. In these cases, animal mortality insurance can cover an owner’s financial losses if an income-producing animal dies, is injured, falls ill, or is stolen. What is and isn’t covered in an animal mortality policy can vary depending on the carrier, so those who rely on animals for their income should research all options to find the policy that best suits their specific needs and situations.
For some adventure seekers, there’s no greater thrill than a high-speed pursuit of white-capped waves aboard a Jet Ski, Wave Runner, or Sea-Doo. The insurance industry calls these “personal watercraft,” or “PWC,” and classifies them into two types: stand-up PWCs used by a single rider who stands or kneels while operating and sit-down PWCs used by one or more riders who sit while operating. Most insurance companies that offer boat insurance also offer PWC policies.
PWC insurance requirements vary by state but, required or not, it’s a smart choice considering the risky nature of personal watercraft. A variety of PWC coverage options exist including liability, collision, comprehensive, medical, total loss replacement, as well as on-water towing and labor. Policy types will determine rates as will other factors like the PWC make and model, horsepower, engine specifications, storage location, as well as owner credit and accident history.
Be forewarned: Exclusions may apply. If a carrier discovers a policyholder was operating the PWC without a proper license, was using it after dark, or had modified the PWC to operate at speeds higher than the manufacturer intended while investigating a claim, the provider may deny the claim.
While other nonmotorized watercraft like kayaks and canoes can certainly be insured, they may be considered personal property covered under homeowners or renters insurance policies, depending on their value. Talk to a knowledgeable insurance broker about your options for such watersports coverage.
The amount of money and time spent on the perfect wedding can be staggering. In 2016, the average cost of a wedding in the U.S. was just over $35,000, and most weddings take many months or even a year or more to plan. With that kind of money and time invested, insurance can be a savior if an unforeseeable circumstance crashes the wedding. What if the bride, groom, or close family member were to get sick or injured right before the wedding? What if a weather event like a tropical storm or ice storm rendered the wedding venue unusable? What if the caterer or wedding dress boutique were to suddenly go out of business and wouldn’t return your calls after you’d made a hefty deposit?
Basic wedding insurance can cost as little as a few hundred dollars, depending on the wedding cost and selected coverage options. Even a mega-wedding costing $175,000 can be insured for around $1,000. That may be a small price to pay considering the huge investment at stake.
One very important reminder for brides and grooms planning their big day: Get everything in a written contract from each vendor you hire. If a vendor fails to perform as outlined in a written, signed contract, having that documentation makes it much easier when filing an insurance claim to recoup any funds that vendor cost you.
And a final caveat to wedding insurance: It covers a lot of potential scenarios — but cold feet is not one of them. If a bride or groom backs out, the only thing a wedding insurance policyholder might get from his or her insurance agent is condolences.
It’s difficult to realize how much “stuff” we have until all our possessions are boxed up and stacked in a moving truck. What if the moving truck was to pull out of the driveway and was stolen or in a bad accident? While it may be impossible to replace the sentimental value of certain belongings, moving insurance can at least reimburse those on the move for what they could lose. Here are some important points for those relocating to keep in mind:
Be smart with what you let others move for you: If something is simply too valuable to ship off on a moving truck, make special arrangements to transport it yourself. This is especially easy to do with smaller items like jewelry that may have both high sentimental and monetary value.
Life is full of unique events and circumstances. Offering protection for these important elements can be very subjective, which is one reason why the insurance industry is so complex. For some, pets are far more important than vehicles. For others, a wedding could be the biggest financial investment they will ever make. To ensure you have coverage for the most important aspects of your life, find an experienced and trusted insurance agent who understands the options available for protecting what matters to you. Even if the coverage is a bit unconventional, that doesn’t mean it’s not available.