Your No-Fuss Guide to Protecting What Matters the Most: Car, Property, and Health Insurance Tips
This is a writing sample from Scripted writer Stephanie Yontz
Don’t take this personally, but…you really need insurance.
Whether you coast around in an armored vehicle or haven’t been diagnosed with a disease since middle school, insurance isn’t something you should be putting on a back burner. Hello, it’s 2025; not 1955.
We’re not saying lacking insurance can cost you thousands of dollars…okay, yes, we’re actually saying that’s possible. But even if the damage doesn’t reach five figures, it’s still damage and your wallet is going to take a hit.
Fortunately, you have this blog to come back to whenever you have doubts about honoring that monthly premium. It’s a no-frills guide to the three most important types of insurance coverage – car, property, and health.
Why Insurance Matters
Let’s paint a quick picture. You’re driving home from work, and – bam! – someone slams your car from the rear. Just like that, your day turns awry, your car suffers visible dents, and you might even be injured.
Without insurance, you could be staring at considerable out-of-pocket costs for repairs, medical bills, or even legal fees if you’re at fault. Ouch.
Insurance helps to buffer these financial risks by covering costs and ensuring you’re not left picking up the pieces alone.
Car Insurance: Protecting Your Hard-Earned Wheels
Whatever the brand you’re driving, we can all agree that a car is a priceless necessity in this day and age.
Car insurance exists to protect your big-money investment from the unexpected – whether that’s a fender bender, theft, or liability in an accident.
What Does Car Insurance Cover?
Auto liability coverage: First things first, this is compulsory in most states. So it’s not something you should skimp on. In case you’re at fault in a collision, liability coverage helps get you out of hot water. It provides funds for the other driver’s medical bills or vehicular repairs.
Collision coverage: If you’ve been involved in an accident (even if you’re at fault), this cover assists with clearing the costs of replacing or repairing your car.
Comprehensive coverage: This is your catch-all for any and all damages that aren't from a collision. Theft, vandalism, and natural-disasters can all trigger this cover. It’s particularly crucial if you live in an area that’s prone to adverse weather or if you own a higher-end vehicle that burglars just can’t keep off of.
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: When someone else inflicts damage on your car and doesn’t have sufficient insurance (or none at all), this coverage will prove valuable for offsetting repairs and outstanding medical bills.
How to Choose the Right Car Insurance Coverage
It all comes down to your individual needs and driving habits.
Driving an older car? Comprehensive coverage probably isn’t for you. Just acquired a new, top-dollar vehicle? Then you might find comprehensive and collision to be worth the extra cost.
Repeat this after me: Don’t forget to do your due diligence before settling for a cover. Compare quotes from different vendors to find a best fit. And who knows, you might just bump into a discount you qualify for (safe driver, bundling, low mileage discounts, and so on).
Property Insurance: A Roof Over Your Roof
Let’s be frank: property is one of (if not) the most valuable assets one can own. Should anything happen to yours – think: burglary, break-in, inferno – property insurance ensures you aren’t left with a mammoth financial burden.
What Does Property Insurance Cover?
Homeowners insurance: Congrats on owning a home, but look, no dwelling is completely immune from intrusion. When you lose your belongings or home to theft and accidents, this coverage can help take care of the replacement costs. Now we hear you asking: Does this cover things like, fire, hail, and whatnot? Probably, but it’s prudent to read the fine print first. More often than not, natural disasters will require extra coverage.
Renters insurance: See all the top-drawer belongings you’ve placed in your rented property? This cover protects them all in the event of burglary, theft, or fire. Renters insurance could also include liability protection if someone is injured while at your property, but this varies from one provider to the next.
How to Choose the Right Property Insurance Coverage
Two things: Evaluate the value of your property and the risks specific to your location.
Perhaps you live in Texas, Florida, or other flood prone areas? You’re better off purchasing a separate flood insurance, as this isn’t covered under most conventional homeowners policies.
Residing in a rented place? Newsflash: your landlord’s insurance doesn’t cover your belongings. Renters insurance isn’t really costly, and when disaster strikes, you’ll be glad you took it in the first place.
Health Insurance: The Green Light for When Your Body is Blinking Red
You know what they say: health is the new wealth. Fail to secure a befitting health cover, and your journey to the pinnacle of wealth comes to a crashing halt should you fall ill.
Medical treatment is darn expensive. The right package takes care of everything from emergency checkups to surgery, so you don’t have to.
What Does Health Insurance Cover?
Preventive care: Most health insurance plans cover preventive services like screenings, vaccinations, and wellness visits at little or no cost to you.
Doctor visits and hospitalization: $80-170. That’s the average cost of a doctor’s visit across the US today. Of course, it can be much higher than that, depending on factors such as length and type of visit. If you have a health cover, not a cent of the final bill will come out of your own pocket.
Prescription medications: In 2022, the cost of prescription drugs in the US was 2.78 times higher than comparison nations. With that in mind, the cost of medications you need for pain management and short-term illnesses will certainly be a pain (no pun intended) without insurance. It’s worse if you’re grappling with a chronic condition – the medications needed are costly and prolonged.
Emergency services: Most plans also cover emergency medical services, from something as straightforward as an ambulance ride to more complex issues like surgery.
How to Choose the Right Health Insurance Cover
Put your current and ongoing health needs at the center of your decision-making process.
While at it, compare premiums, deductibles and co-pays to find a plan that won’t leave your budget in tatters.
Final Thoughts
Your financial peace of mind is only as stable and long-lasting as the car, health, and property insurance plans you’ve taken out. Ignore one, and you’re slowly digging yourself into a rabbit hole of irrecuperable mental and financial damage. Enough said.
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