A Home & Auto Insurance Guide for Carmel, IN
If your insurance policies have been renewing automatically year after year, you may be assuming everything is still in order. Unfortunately, that’s often not the case—especially in today’s insurance market.
At Preddie & Associates Insurance Group in Carmel, IN, we believe annual insurance reviews are essential. They help ensure your coverage keeps pace with your life, your assets, and changing insurance requirements—so there are no surprises when you need to file a claim.
Here’s what a proactive insurance agent should be reviewing with you every year and why it matters for Indiana homeowners and drivers.
Coverage Limits That Reflect Today’s Reality
One of the most common issues we see is underinsured homes and vehicles due to rising costs.
Your agent should review:
- Home dwelling coverage based on current rebuilding costs—not market value
- Personal property limits, especially after major purchases
- Auto liability limits beyond state minimums
- Loss of use and medical payments coverage
With construction and material costs continuing to rise in Central Indiana, outdated limits can leave homeowners financially exposed.
Deductibles & Your Comfort With Risk
Deductibles affect both your premium and your out-of-pocket expense during a claim.
An annual review should evaluate:
- Whether you could comfortably afford your deductible if a loss occurred today
- If wind or hail deductibles apply to your home policy
- Whether your current deductible strategy still makes sense in today’s market
Choosing the right deductible is about balance—not just saving money upfront.
Life Changes That Impact Your Insurance
Insurance should evolve as your life changes—but only if your agent knows what’s changed.
Your agent should ask about:
- Buying or selling a home
- Renovations or additions
- New vehicles or drivers
- Teen drivers or children leaving for college
- Working from home or starting a side business
- Marriage, divorce, or growing families
Even small changes can significantly affect your coverage and eligibility.
Policy Exclusions & Common Coverage Gaps
Many claim disputes come down to exclusions people didn’t realize existed.
Your agent should clearly review:
- Water damage vs. flood insurance
- Sewer and drain backup coverage
- Jewelry, firearms, or collectibles limits
- Business-use exclusions on home or auto policies
Addressing these gaps during an annual review is far easier than discovering them after a loss.
Discounts, Credits & Bundling Opportunities
Insurance discounts change frequently—and many aren’t applied automatically.
Your agent should review:
- Home and auto bundling opportunities
- Claims-free and safe-driver discounts
- Security system and smart-home credits
- Payment plan and loyalty discounts
At Preddie & Associates Insurance Group, we proactively review discounts and carrier options to help clients avoid overpaying.
Liability Exposure & Umbrella Insurance
Liability claims continue to rise, and lawsuits can escalate quickly.
Your agent should evaluate:
- Whether your current liability limits are sufficient
- Exposure from pools, dogs, rental properties, or teen drivers
- Whether a personal umbrella policy makes sense for your situation
Many Carmel families are surprised by how affordable umbrella insurance can be relative to the protection it provides.
Carrier Changes & Insurance Market Conditions
Insurance carriers regularly adjust guidelines, pricing, and risk appetite.
A strong agent should monitor:
- Carrier underwriting changes
- Renewal increases and rate trends
- Whether your current carrier still fits your risk profile
Annual reviews ensure your coverage keeps up with a changing insurance market.
Why Annual Insurance Reviews Matter More Than Ever
Over the past few years, insurance carriers have tightened underwriting guidelines and increased rates nationwide. That makes proactive policy reviews more important than ever.
An annual insurance review isn’t about selling you something new—it’s about:
- Making sure your coverage still fits your life
- Reducing surprises at claim time
- Protecting your finances long term
Work With a Local Agent Who Reviews—Not Just Renews
At Preddie & Associates Insurance Group in Carmel, IN, we believe insurance should be reviewed thoughtfully—not simply renewed and forgotten.
If it’s been a while since your last policy review, now is the perfect time to make sure your coverage still protects what matters most.
-Local. Independent. Proactive.
-Contact Preddie & Associates Insurance Group today to schedule your annual insurance review.