It’s no secret the past several years have come with a few surprises. Killer bees? Check. Freak snowstorms when you live in the desert? Yep. And zombie apocalypses? Hey, nothing is out of the question. At this point, it’s wise to be ready for anything in 2024.
No matter what 2024 brings, there are things you can do to set yourself up for success. Here are five simple ways you can protect your future and your finances.
1. Auto Insurance: Are You Underinsured?
Heaven forbid you get in a car accident. But if you do, are you sure your car insurance would cover you? Many people opt for their state’s minimum requirements. In other words, bare bones. But this is a big mistake. Call us old-fashioned, but we believe your car insurance should actually, you know, cover you. Bones and all. State minimums usually don’t provide enough coverage.
Work with an independent insurance agent to make sure you have the right amount of collision , comprehensive and liability coverage. And who knows? You might even find you’re overpaying for things you don’t need and could save some money.
2. Homeowners Insurance (or Renters): Find Your Sweet Spot
Just like car insurance, your homeowners insurance also needs to cover you if your home is damaged or destroyed. A lot of people don’t really understand how much homeowners insurance they need. Take flood damage, for example. Most standard homeowners insurance policies won’t cover it. So, if you live in a flood zone, you’ll need a separate flood insurance policy. (Take a close look at your current policy to see what’s included and what you might need to buy separately.)
Don’t roll the dice when it comes to protecting your biggest investment—your home. Make sure your homeowners insurance covers all that life could throw at you. (Including freak snowstorms.)
And if you’re renting, renters insurance is a no-brainer. It pays to replace your belongings if they’re ever lost, stolen or damaged—or if you accidentally set the toaster on fire. Plus, renters insurance is pretty cheap each month.
3. Health Insurance: It Pays to Shop Around
Health insurance is complicated—and expensive. But it’s really important to get right. In fact, medical expenses are one of the biggest causes of bankruptcies in America. And health insurance plans offered by your employer aren’t always your best option.
An independent insurance agent can shop around for you and help you get a policy that’s the best bang for your buck.
4. Term Life Insurance: Protect What Matters Most
We’re just going to come out and say it. If you don’t have life insurance, you and your family are at risk. If you have people in your life who depend on your income, term life insurance is a super affordable way to add a solid layer of protection. (It’s called term because it lasts for a set amount of time before it expires.)
A good rule of thumb is to have at least 10–12 times your annual income in life insurance coverage. So, if you make $60,000 per year, you should get a policy with a payout of at least $600,000.
Do yourself (and your family) a favor and start 2024 with a new policy.
5. Identity Theft Protection: Don’t Let the Bad Guys Win
Let’s face it. It’s a dangerous world out there. And the bad guys aren’t just lurking around in the alleyways or in Hollywood movies. They’re real, they have computers—and they’re stealing people’s identities.
Identity theft protection is a great way to protect your time and money if your identity is ever stolen. Identity theft protection helps repair any damages to your name and finances so you can get your identity back and get on with your life.
Protect Yourself in 2024
As January rolls around, there’s no better time to put some extra layers of financial and personal protection in place. Just think about how good it’ll feel when you know all the important areas of your life are protected with the right insurance.
Do you have the right insurance coverage? You could be saving hundreds! Connect with an insurance pro today!
And like the old saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. By spending a little bit of time now to understand what you can do to protect these areas of life, you’ll be prepared when the zombie apocalypse—ahem—Murphy’s Law makes an appearance. Ready to get started? Connect with one of our RamseyTrusted pros today!
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