Ken Selzer, Kansas Commissioner of Insurance
TOPEKA–National Insurance Awareness Day—this year on Sunday, June 28—is a time for insurance policyholders to reflect on insurance coverages they have. The Kansas Insurance Department (KID) encourages Kansas consumers to take stock of their policies, making sure that they are financially protected in case of loss, damage, illness or death.
“The peace of mind that comes from knowing your property, your life, your health and your belongings are protected is priceless,” said Ken Selzer, CPA, Commissioner of Insurance. “I urge you to review your policies and talk to your local insurance agent about the coverage needs of you and your family.”
To begin the process, Commissioner Selzer suggests reviewing the following ideas.
Homeowners/Renters Insurance
Update your home inventory of items to be sure your homeowners or renters policy is current for your needs. Note any antique items, collectibles, sporting or recreational equipment and their values. Talk with your insurance agent to ensure that they are properly covered.
When completing your home inventory, include as many details as you can, and take a photo of each item. If you are starting a home inventory from scratch, a free smartphone app, myHOMEScr.APP.book, takes some of the headache out of the process. Download the app from iTunes or Google Play. Also, on our ksinsurance.org website, you can print a hard copy of our Personal Home Inventory booklet; or, you can call us at (800) 432-2484 to request a mailed hard copy.
Auto Insurance
With vehicle coverage, liability is the part of the policy that pays for any injury or damage if you cause an accident. If your liability insurance is too low, it is possible that you could be sued for any damages above your liability limits.
Also take a look at your deductibles for comprehensive and collision coverage. This is the amount you will pay if your car is damaged or totaled without fault of another driver. Raising or lowering deductible amounts can affect your premium.
Before going on a vacation, make sure you have a copy of your insurance card and your insurance agent or company’s number in the car. It is also a good idea to have a way to record details of an accident if you are in one. The NAIC smartphone application WreckCheck walks you through the process of gathering information following a crash. You can then email your notes directly to your agent. Again, you can download the free app from iTunes or Google Play.
Health Insurance
Make sure to check your medical provider lists to verify that visits to your doctor and any specialists are still covered by your policy, because in-network or preferred provider lists could change from time to time. Also read through your documents and make note of your copays (the amount of money you pay up front for a provider visit) for in-network and out-of-network providers.
When you’re planning a vacation away from home, check with your insurance carrier to identify urgent care centers and hospitals that accept your insurance coverage near your destination. Be sure to ask your carrier about applicable co-pays and deductibles if care is needed.
More Information
If you have questions about your insurance options or about your insurance coverage, call the KID Consumer Assistance Division toll free (in Kansas) at 800-432-2484. If you want to learn more about insurance in general for all life situations, go online to www.InsureUonline.org, a national website provided by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.