5 Different Types of Insurance Policies & Coverage You Need | Mint

There is an overwhelming number of insurance options on the market. While full coverage is important, it's also possible that you have too much coverage. Paying too much money for insurance could leave you financially vulnerable in other areas, like your emergency fund or retirement savings. How do you know which types of insurance are absolutely necessary and which are superfluous?To learn about the different types of insurance, keep reading. medical insurancecar insurancehomeowners or renters insurancelife insurance disability insurance1. health insurancewhat does it cover?Health insurance covers necessary medical costs, from doctor's appointments to surgeries. Along with coverage for illness and injury, health insurance covers preventive care, such as monthly checkups and exams. do you need it?Health insurance is possibly the most important type of insurance.a 2016 kaiser family foundation/new york times survey found that one in five people with medical bills filed for bankruptcy. With a statistic like this, investing in health insurance can help you avoid significant financial hardship. For example, if you're a federal employee, you can choose from a variety of health care plans at opm.gov. Or, if you're an independent contractor, you can look into self-employment insurance to build your own benefits package.When shopping for health insurance, consider the following: Needs: Young, healthy single people require less coverage than people with families, the elderly, or people with chronic health problems. If you think you'll be using your insurance often, you'll want to find a plan that has a low deductible and copays.Doctors: If you like your doctor, try to find a plan that allows you to keep your current doctor.Cost: Analyze your budget and determine how much you can afford. Remember that plans with higher copays and deductibles also have lower premiums, while plans with higher premiums tend to have lower copays and deductibles.You probably don't need it if...every adult should have health insurance. children are usually covered by one of their parents' plans.2. car insurancewhat does it cover?There are several different types of auto insurance that cover different scenarios, including: Liability: Liability insurance comes in two forms: bodily injury liability and property damage. these do not cover the driver or pedestrians only as passengers.Personal Injury Protection: This type of coverage will cover medical expenses related to injuries to the driver and passengers.Collision: Collision insurance will cover the cost of damage to your car if you are in an accident, whether you are at fault or not.Comprehensive: While collision insurance only covers damage to your car caused by an accident, comprehensive insurance covers any car-related damage, whether it's a falling tree about your car or vandalism by unruly neighborhood kids, for example.Uninsured/Underinsured Driver: Covers you in case the person who hits your car doesn't have enough insurance to cover the damage.Always be on the lookout for auto insurance discounts when shopping for a plan. There are many discounts you may be eligible for to lower your monthly bill, including safe driver discounts, married driver discounts, and multi-car discounts. do you need it?yes! All states require that you have auto insurance if you are going to drive a vehicle. Whether you just bought your first car or have been driving without insurance, it's time to find a plan with a car insurance finder, so you have your back covered in the event of an accident.You probably don't need it if...If you don't own a vehicle or have a driver's license, you don't need auto insurance.3. homeowners or renters insurancewhat does it cover?Homeowners insurance covers your home against damage and theft, as well as other perils, such as property damage from visitors, or any costs if someone was injured on your property. it also covers the foundation, roof, and walls of your home, as well as personal property. however, you may need additional insurance to cover natural disasters, such as floods, earthquakes, and wildfires.Renters insurance covers you against damage to or theft of personal items in an apartment and, in some cases, your car. It also covers liability costs if someone was injured in your apartment or if your belongings were damaged or stolen from your apartment. however, renters insurance generally does not cover extremely valuable items, pest damage, and damage from natural disasters. do you need it?Homeowners insurance is absolutely essential because a home is often one's most valuable asset and is often required by your mortgage lender. Not only is your home covered, but most of your valuables and personal belongings are covered as well.renters insurance is not that crucial, unless you have a large apartment that has a lot of valuables. But even if you don't have it, know that renters insurance is usually very low cost, so it may be worth the peace of mind it provides. Our blog post about renters insurance questions can help you decide if buying this type of insurance is right for your situation.You probably don't need it if...You don't need homeowners insurance if you don't own a home. Likewise, you won't need renters insurance if you're not renting an apartment.4. life insurancewhat does it cover?Life insurance covers the costs associated with death, such as burial and mortuary expenses. life insurance can also help you pay off any of your debts, such as your mortgage and loans, or for everyday expenses. If you are the main breadwinner in your family, life insurance will also help your family make up for lost income. the latter is the main reason people buy life insurance. It is important to note that life insurance expires. If you die after the expiration date of your life insurance coverage, your beneficiaries will not receive your death benefit. Also, if you make false claims to your insurer and they find out, they may deny your beneficiary's claims. For example, if you don't tell your insurer that you smoke and they review your life insurance application for fraud, your beneficiaries may be at risk of not receiving your death benefit.do you need it?Life insurance is the kind of insurance most people want to avoid thinking about. however, it is incredibly important. If you have a family, you also have a responsibility to make sure they are covered in case you die early, especially if you have children or a spouse who is not working. Life insurance will help your family financially cope with your death, and with it, you can ensure that your family will be able to carry on financially even when you are gone.You probably don't need it if...If you're single and not married, chances are you don't need life insurance, although there are other important types of insurance for singles.5. disability insurancewhat does it cover?Disability insurance is similar to life insurance in that it provides financial coverage if something happens to you. If you are injured and cannot work, disability insurance will reimburse you for lost earnings. Disability insurance can cover permanent, temporary, partial, or total disability. however, it does not cover medical care and long-term care services.do you need it?the center for disease control and prevention says nearly one in four americans has a disability that affects major life events, making this type of insurance suitable for everyone, even if you're young and single.Disability insurance is relatively affordable, but it could provide you with great financial help if you become disabled for an extended period of time. You can get more information at ssa.gov.You probably don't need it if:Children don't need disability insurance because they have no income. however, you never know when you might get injured or sick, so disability insurance may be a good idea, especially if you work in a particularly dangerous work environment.5 unnecessary insurance policiesThere are many insurances that you may not need, such as: flight insurance: flying is one of the safest modes of travel.Children's Life Insurance: Life insurance is available to replace lost income. the children have no income.Accidental Death Insurance: Even accident-prone people should skip this type of insurance. it usually contains so many restrictions that it is almost impossible to collect them.Health Insurance: A good health insurance policy is probably a much better investment than trying to cover yourself for every type of ailment out there.mortgage life insurance: Here's another redundant form of insurance. a good long-term life insurance policy will cover your mortgage in the event of your death.Should I take out pet insurance?The problem with pet insurance is that it typically doesn't cover annual vaccinations, spaying, or neutering. therefore, it only becomes valuable if your pet has a serious injury or chronic illness.However, if your pet is an established part of your family and you're willing to pay high veterinary costs to treat major illnesses and injuries, pet insurance may be worth it.be safe, not paranoidHumans have a pretty strong sense of self-preservation, so it's natural to feel the need to protect yourself against any calamity. most people would rather pay a little money each month than struggle to get more money in times of crisis.On the other hand, there are many people who think that they have nothing to worry about, that they will probably never need one of the many types of insurance that exist.It is better to adopt a middle position between these two mentalities. You should definitely consider buying all or most of the 5 necessary types of insurance listed above. these are the most important types of insurance that provide great financial relief for very realistic scenarios.Aside from the top 5 types of insurance, you should think carefully before purchasing any additional insurance. If you pay too much money for insurance, you could significantly restrict your budget and therefore your quality of life.Only buy additional insurance policies when there's a reasonable chance you'll collect them. For example, if you live in earthquake-prone areas of California, earthquake insurance would be a smart investment. Similarly, flood insurance is recommended if you live in a place prone to flooding. But even if you're a frequent flyer, you probably don't need flight insurance.Finally, when shopping for insurance, always make sure you can afford it. Remember, insurance is meant to protect you and your finances, not hurt them. If you need help budgeting, try using a bill payment tracker that can help you keep track of all your insurance payments so you're in better control of your personal finances.