When to contact your insurer

It’s important to make sure you always have the right coverage.

When your circumstances change, you don’t always think to call your insurer—but you really should and here’s why it’s important:

Car insurance

• You’ve changed your job and your commute.
  Factors like the distance you drive and where you drive can have an impact on your insurance premium.
• You’ve started using your car for business.
  Again, the distance you drive, when you’re on the road, where you travel and your employer’s line of business can all affect your insurance premium.
• You drive to another province or take the family to the United States.
  You should really make sure you have enough liability coverage for this type of trip. We recommend having $2 million in liability insurance if you’re planning a trip south of the border. You also might want to add more coverage to your auto policy for increased protection.
• Your children are driving your car.
  You have to add them to your policy as occasional drivers. It helps them build up their driving record and makes filing a claim much simpler if an accident occurs. If you’re insured with The Personal you can easily add a driver online with our Online Services.
• You put your car in storage for the winter.
  If your car is off the road, tell your insurer and they could reduce your insurance premium. If you’re insured with us, you can register your storage dates through Online Services.
• Your licence has been suspended.
  It’s always best to notify your insurer. If you don’t, and you have an accident, they could deny your claim.

Home insurance

• You’ve renovated your basement or put an addition to your home.
  It’s important to revise your coverages to make sure your investment is properly covered in the event of water damage, for instance.
• You’ve installed a swimming pool or a hot tub.
  You’ll need additional home insurance coverage to cover your new property.
• Your child is renting an apartment while they’re away at college.
  It’s worth asking your insurer if their contents can be covered under your home insurance policy.
• You’ve re-roofed your house.
  Improvements like these could save you money on your home insurance premium!
• You’re renting all or part of your house, or you’re renting out rooms.
  Your insurer will need to review your coverage and liability insurance to make sure you’re adequately covered.
• You’ve started a home business.
  You might need to add coverage to protect your liability related to your professional activities and your property.
• You’ve installed a fire, theft or water leak security system.
  Your prevention initiatives can help you save on your home insurance! The Personal offers home insurance savings for security and prevention systems.
• Your house will be empty for a long period.
  It’s important to contact your insurer to tell them when you’ll be away. Always let your insurer know about any situations related to an extended absence.

With Online Services, you don’t have to call!

To make your life easier, The Personal policyholders can make changes directly online.

Use our Online Services to:

• Change your address
• Change your payment method
• View your insurance policy
• Make a claim
• Get an insurance estimate for a new vehicle
• Add a vehicle or a driver
• Store your vehicle or change your storage dates

For any other changes, you can always call or write us.

Better safe than sorry!

Changes that affect your car or home can influence your coverage, your insurance premium and even your claim settlement. Even if the change seems trivial, you can’t go wrong by telling your insurer.

Sources:
10 questions to ask yourself when renewing automobile insurance policy, ChAD
10 questions to ask yourself when renewing a home insurance policy, ChAD