When most people hear the word insurance, their first reaction is usually stress. The truth is, insurance doesn’t have to be scary. In fact, it’s one of the foundations that makes our economy work. With opportunity comes risk. When your gains and losses are your own, protecting what you’ve built becomes essential.
At its core, insurance is simple. It’s just paying someone else to take on a risk that you would otherwise carry yourself. That concept isn’t hard to understand. What makes it intimidating are the policies themselves. The fine print, the exclusions, the industry jargon . . it’s no wonder so many people shove their policies into a drawer and hope they never need them.
Insurance companies know this, which is why you see cartoon mascots and funny commercials. But do those really make it easier to understand what you’re buying? Do they make the terms and conditions clearer? Probably not. And when a claim comes around, confusion and frustration often follow. This is why working with an independent broker matters.
A good broker isn’t there to scare you into buying more coverage than you need. Their role is to help you understand the risks you face and make sure the right protections are in place. Sometimes that means pointing out risks you hadn’t considered, which can feel uncomfortable. But awareness isn’t fear, it’s empowerment.
Take earthquakes as an example. You might think you’ll never experience one because you haven’t before. Yet we all live on tectonic plates, and history tells us seismic activity is a reality. Even new technologies like fracking can trigger tremors. Most homeowner's policies exclude earthquake damage. If you don’t buy additional coverage, you’re essentially self-insuring that risk. That’s your choice, but you should be aware of it rather than being shocked later when your policy doesn’t respond.
Insurance works best when it’s not hidden in a drawer. Building a relationship with a broker is like working with any trusted professional. The good ones get to know you and your family, explain things in plain language, and stand beside you when life gets difficult. Insurance isn’t the boogeyman waiting to trick you. It’s the guardian angel that steps in when you need it most, IF you’ve chosen the right products. Don't go it alone. Reach out to Landsman Insurance Services today, or a broker you know and trust to review your plan to mitigate the risks you face. Your future self may thank you.