Bundling Insurance vs. Not Bundling
November 2nd, 2023 | 4 min read
Insurance can be confusing and stressful. You want to protect yourself, your family, and your business from unexpected losses and accidents. But you also want to save money and avoid hassle. How do you find the best insurance tailored to you?
One option that many people consider is bundling their insurance policies. This means buying more than one type of insurance from the same company. For example, you may bundle your home and auto insurance or your workers comp and general liability insurance.
Bundling can have many benefits, such as lower premiums, simpler payments, and easier claims. But it can also have some drawbacks, such as higher prices, less flexibility, and lower coverage. How do you know whether bundling is a good idea for you or not?
That’s where we come in. We are Horan, an experienced insurance agency in Central New York. We have access to multiple carriers and can help you find the best insurance for your situation. We can also advise you on whether to bundle or not, depending on your needs and goals.
In this article, we will explain what bundling insurance is and how it works. We will also show you the benefits and drawbacks of bundling insurance policies. By the end of this article, you will have a better understanding of whether bundling is right for you or not.
What is Bundling Insurance, and How Does It Work?
Whether you have commercial or personal insurance, you may think about bundling your policies. You might have seen an ad while watching Bridge Street or heard a fast-talking spot on 93Q that praised the benefits of keeping your policies together. They claim that bundling can save you money and hassle. But is that always true?
Sometimes it is, but sometimes it isn’t. Let’s look at some of the reasons why you should or shouldn’t bundle your insurance.
The Benefits of Bundling Insurance Policies
Reasons to bundle:
WORK WITH ONE COMPANY. You deal with one company for everything. If you need to change your address, file a claim, or renew your policy, you only have to make one call. Of course, if you have an agent like Horan, you can call us and we will handle everything for you. But if you don’t have an agent, you can call the carrier directly and they will update all your policies.
AVOID INCONVENIENCE. You have to deal with multiple companies if you don’t bundle. This can be inconvenient and time-consuming. For example, you’ll have to manage multiple apps on your phone and various log-in details. You have to call each carrier separately and update your information. There is no easy way to do it online for all your policies at once.
SAVE MONEY. You can save money by bundling. Many carriers offer discounts for having multiple policies with them. For instance, your auto insurance may be cheaper if you also have home and umbrella insurance with the same company. The same goes for commercial insurance. If you have workers comp, general liability, and business auto insurance with one carrier, you may get a better deal than if you split them up.
SIMPLIFY PAYMENTS. You can simplify your payments by bundling. Some carriers let you combine all your premiums into one bill. This way, you only have to pay once a month for all your policies. This can help you avoid missing payments or paying late fees.
When Bundling Insurance Policies Isn’t the Best Route
Reasons not to bundle:
BETTER DEALS ELSEWHERE. You may find a better deal elsewhere. Sometimes, even with the discount for bundling, one of your policies may be too expensive compared to another carrier. For example, you may find cheaper home insurance with carrier X, while keeping your auto insurance with carrier Y.
The total cost for separate policies with two carriers may be lower than if you bundled both policies with carrier Y. This is why it is helpful to work with an organization that has access to multiple carriers. They can help you find the best price and coverage for your needs.
LOSE FLEXIBILITY. You may lose some flexibility and choice. When you bundle your policies, you are tied to one carrier for all your insurance needs. This may limit your options if you want to switch or cancel one of your policies. You may also lose some benefits or discounts that are only available from certain carriers.
For example, some carriers may offer special features or services for certain types of insurance, such as accident forgiveness, travel insurance, or diminishing deductibles. If you bundle your policies, you may miss out on these perks.
OVERPAY FOR DISCOUNTS. You may be overpaying for the discount.
Sometimes, the discount for bundling is not worth the higher price of one of your policies. You may be better off splitting your policies and finding a cheaper option for one of them.
For example, you may have condo insurance with a carrier that is not competitive in that market. Their coverage may be inferior to another carrier that specializes in condos. But you keep your condo insurance with them because you also have your auto insurance with them.
You may think you’re saving money by bundling, but you’re actually losing money and coverage. You may be better off keeping your auto insurance with the first carrier and switching your condo insurance to the second carrier.
FACE OBSTACLES. You may face some obstacles or exclusions that prevent you from bundling. Sometimes, you may not qualify for a certain policy with the same carrier that you have your other policies with. This may be due to some factors that make you a higher risk for the carrier.
For example, you may want to get an umbrella policy with the same carrier that you have your home and auto insurance with. But they may reject you because you have a dog that has bitten someone before or because you run a business from home.
These are some of the reasons that may make a carrier reluctant to offer you an umbrella policy. In that case, you may have to look for another carrier that will accept you and provide you with adequate coverage.
How to Decide Whether to Bundle Your Policies or Not
Bundling can be a great way to save money, simplify your insurance, and deal with one company for everything. But it’s not ideal if you end up paying more, losing flexibility, or getting lower coverage.
That’s why you need to work with an expert insurance agency like Horan. We can help you compare different options and find the best insurance for your needs. We can also help you decide whether to bundle or not, depending on your situation and goals.
Don’t let insurance overwhelm you or cost you more than it should.
Remember, bundling is not always the best option. Sometimes, splitting your policies can give you better results. The only way to know for sure is to talk to a professional who can guide you and advise you. Don’t miss this opportunity to get the best insurance for your needs.
Click the Get a Quote button below and let us help you find the best insurance for your situation. Whether you need business or personal insurance, we have the experience and access to multiple carriers to help you.
For more common sense insurance knowledge, learn why no recent claims should result in lower insurance rates.
Daniel is an accomplished content creator. He has been working in publishing for almost two decades. Horan Companies hired Daniel as its content manager in November 2022. The agency entrusted its messaging to him. Since then, Daniel has written insurance articles, service pages, PDF guides, and more. All in an effort to educate CNY readers. He's helping them understand the world of insurance so they can make informed decisions.
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