Why Year-End Insurance Check-Ups Matter - Take a Few Minutes and Do It

December 27, 2023, Kitchener, Ontario

Posted by: Robert Deutschmann, Personal Injury Lawyer

As the year comes to a close, taking stock of your insurance policies is a prudent step in safeguarding your assets, health, and future in Ontario, Canada. An annual insurance check-up can be the shield that fortifies your financial security, especially concerning auto, home, health, and life insurance. Here's why these evaluations matter:

Auto Insurance

In Ontario, auto insurance is mandatory. With regulations and policies subject to change, a year-end review helps ensure your coverage aligns with current requirements. Beyond legal obligations, evaluating your auto insurance at year-end allows for adjustments in coverage that reflect changes in your driving habits, vehicle value, or potential discounts you may qualify for.

Check who can drive your car. Many policies restrict drivers under the age of 25 unless they are listed on the policy.

Make sure you have enough coverage to protect you and your family in an accident. There is a trend to allow you to reduce your coverage. We suggest you increase it to the maximum extent possible - $1 million sounds like a lot of money until a loved one is catastrophically injured in a car accident and needs 24/7 nursing care for life. Increasing your coverage is relatively inexpensive.

Home Insurance

The diversity of Ontario's landscape and climate means your home faces unique risks. A thorough review of your home insurance helps assess if your coverage adequately protects against weather-related damage, theft, or liability risks. Property values fluctuate, renovations occur, and possessions accumulate—updating your policy can safeguard against underinsurance.

Health Insurance

In Ontario, while the government provides basic healthcare, supplemental health insurance can be invaluable. Year-end evaluations of health insurance policies enable you to reassess deductibles, co-pays, and coverage for services not covered by the provincial plan. Changes in family dynamics (children leaving home) or health needs may warrant adjustments to ensure comprehensive coverage.

Life Insurance

Life insurance is a crucial aspect of financial planning, especially in Ontario's dynamic economic landscape. Reviewing your life insurance policy at year-end allows you to ensure that the coverage amount and beneficiaries remain current. Additionally, life milestones, such as marriage, the birth of a child, or career advancements, may necessitate adjustments to align with your evolving needs.

Benefits of Year-End Insurance Check-Ups

1. Financial Protection: Regular assessments mitigate the risk of being underinsured or paying for unnecessary coverage. It’s an opportunity to optimize your policies, maximizing coverage while minimizing costs.

2. Policy Alignment: Your life circumstances evolve, and so should your insurance policies. A year-end review ensures that your coverage aligns with your current needs, reducing potential gaps in protection.

3. Cost Savings: Adjusting policies based on changes in your life or utilizing new discounts can result in cost savings. With the cost of living in Ontario, optimizing insurance expenses can positively impact your budget.

4. Peace of Mind: Knowing your insurance policies are up-to-date and accurately tailored to your needs provides peace of mind, allowing you to focus on other aspects of life with confidence.

How to Conduct a Year-End Insurance Check-Up

1. Gather Policy Documents: Compile all insurance documents for your review.

2. Assess Coverage: Evaluate if the coverage amount and type align with your current situation and needs.

3. Update Information: Ensure your personal details, such as address, contact information, and beneficiaries, are accurate.

4. Compare Plans: Research and compare insurance plans to see if there are better options available.

5. Consult an Advisor: Seek guidance from an insurance professional to navigate complex policies and identify areas for improvement.

A year-end insurance check-up is a proactive approach to protecting your assets, health, and loved ones in Ontario, Canada. As life evolves, so should your insurance policies to provide comprehensive coverage. Taking the time to review and adjust your policies annually ensures that you are adequately protected and prepared for whatever the future may hold.

About Deutschmann Law

Deutschmann Law serves South-Western Ontario with offices in Kitchener-Waterloo, Cambridge, Woodstock, Brantford, Stratford and Ayr. The law practice of Robert Deutschmann focuses almost exclusively in personal injury and disability insurance matters. For more information, please visit www.deutschmannlaw.com or call us at 1-519-742-7774.

It is important that you review your accident benefit file with one of our experienced personal injury / car accident lawyers to ensure that you obtain access to all your benefits which include, but are limited to, things like physiotherapy, income replacement benefits, vocational retraining and home modifications.