Most people set up their insurance once and never look at it again until something goes wrong. The problem is that your life, your home, and the cost of rebuilding or replacing things all change every year — while your policy limits stay exactly where they were set unless someone actively reviews them. A short annual check catches most of the gaps before they matter.
Dwelling coverage (Coverage A)
Confirm your Coverage A reflects the current cost to rebuild your home — not its market value, not what you paid for it. Construction costs have moved significantly over the past several years, and a limit that was adequate a few years ago can be meaningfully behind today's rebuild cost. See our guide to reading your declarations page for how to check this.
Other structures (Coverage B)
Standard policies default Coverage B to 10% of your dwelling limit. If you have a detached garage, barn, workshop, or other outbuilding worth more than that, it may need explicit additional coverage — this is especially common on rural properties throughout Fulton and Montgomery County.
Personal property (Coverage C)
Think through any significant purchases from the past year — furniture, electronics, appliances, tools. Check whether high-value categories like jewelry, firearms, or collectibles have sublimits that might leave specific items underprotected, and whether a scheduled personal property endorsement makes sense for anything valuable enough to itemize individually.
Deductibles
Confirm your deductible for each peril — a flat deductible for most claims, and potentially a separate percentage-based deductible for wind or hail. Make sure the number you'd actually owe on a claim is one you could pay comfortably; see our deductible guide for how flat and percentage deductibles differ.
Auto coverage limits
New York's minimum liability limits are lower than what most households with assets to protect should carry. Review your bodily injury and property damage liability limits against your actual exposure, and confirm your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage matches your liability limits.
Liability limits and umbrella coverage
Your homeowners and auto liability limits may not be enough to protect your savings, home equity, and future income if you're found responsible for a serious injury. An umbrella policy extends liability coverage well beyond your underlying home and auto limits. If you don't currently carry one, or haven't reviewed your limit in a few years, this is worth a specific conversation at your annual review.
Endorsements
Review what's actually attached to your policy: sewer and water backup, equipment breakdown, service line coverage, inflation guard, and any home business endorsement. Confirm what you think you have is actually listed — and consider what might be missing given how your property or household has changed.
How we run this review
As an independent agency, we review your coverage against current replacement costs and your actual situation — not a one-size formula — and we're not limited to a single carrier's product line. There's no charge for a policy review. Call us at (518) 842-9144, email info@bashwingerinsurance.com, or use our contact page to schedule one.
Policy review FAQs
How often should I actually review my policies?
+
At minimum, once a year at renewal — most policies send a renewal notice 30 to 45 days before the term ends, which is a good prompt to sit down with the declarations page. Beyond the annual review, any major life change (a home addition or renovation, a new vehicle, a new driver in the household, a significant purchase) is worth a mid-term check rather than waiting for the next renewal.
What's the single most common coverage gap you see at review?
+
Dwelling coverage (Coverage A) that hasn't kept pace with rising construction costs is one of the most common gaps we see, particularly on policies that haven't been reviewed in several years. Coverage B (other structures) set at the standard 10% default is another common one for properties with a detached garage, barn, or other outbuildings worth more than that.
Should I review my coverage every year even if nothing has changed?
+
Yes — even without a specific life change, construction costs, local property values, and the replacement cost of personal belongings can shift meaningfully year over year. A policy that was well-calibrated three years ago may be under-insured today purely from cost inflation, without anything specific having changed in your life.
Does a policy review cost anything?
+
No. As your independent agent, reviewing your coverage is part of what we do — there's no charge for a policy review, and it doesn't obligate you to make any changes. Call us at (518) 842-9144 or reach out through our contact page to schedule one.