Managing Insurance Costs…Understanding Deductibles, Frequency and Severity

Effectively managing insurance costs goes beyond considering coverage limits, options, and premium amounts. It also involves considering what fees you will pay out of pocket in deductibles.

Experts recommend viewing insurance protection as coverage for more catastrophic situations, such as a major fire, a severe car accident, or a financially devastating lawsuit, rather than for more minor losses. This makes a higher deductible worth considering.

Insurance companies consider the frequency (how often) and severity (dollar amount) of an insured’s claim history when determining premiums. These factors can result in increased premiums, and in some cases, companies may not renew a policy based on claim history. Given this reality, submitting claims for minimal amounts may not always be in a person’s best interests.

Consider the following strategies to keep premium costs down and get the most value when it comes to coverage:

  • Choose the highest deductible you can afford — This lowers premium costs. At Murphy Insurance, we strongly advocate having $1,000 or higher deductibles on your policies.
  • Don’t risk a lot for a little — You may want to redirect some of the savings from increasing your deductible into purchasing a higher level of protection. It often doesn’t cost significantly more and could make all the difference in a catastrophe.

Please Contact Us at Murphy Insurance to discuss your insurance coverage, premiums, and deductibles.

Read Other Blog Posts

Stairs

How to Prevent Falls at Home

Falls are one of the most common and dangerous accidents that occur at home and on the job—especially on staircases. In order to determine whether there are fall hazards within your home, be sure to ask yourself these key questions.
Outdoor Maintenance: Protecting Your Home and Enhancing Your Curb Appeal

Outdoor Maintenance | Protecting Your Home and Enhancing Your Curb Appeal

Regular outdoor maintenance not only enhances your home's curb appeal but also prevents costly damage and potential insurance issues. Key tasks include cleaning gutters, inspecting the roof, maintaining landscaping, power washing exteriors, and ensuring outdoor structures like fences and decks are in good condition. Staying proactive with seasonal upkeep helps protect your home, reduce long-term repair costs, and maintain insurance coverage eligibility.
Co-workers with technology

Best Practices for Creating a Cybersecurity Culture

Employees are commonly targeted during cyberattacks, making them an organization’s first line of defense amid such incidents. For this reason, it’s important to make cybersecurity an integral part of company culture as a valued practice upheld by every member of the organization.
Hot Tub Safety 101 | Protect Your Home, Guests, and Peace of Mind

Hot Tub Safety 101 | Protect Your Home, Guests, and Peace of Mind

Hot tubs offer relaxation but come with safety and liability risks, including potential injuries, health concerns, and insurance coverage gaps. Key precautions include supervising children, maintaining proper water chemistry, setting safe temperature limits, and enforcing responsible usage to prevent accidents. Homeowners should review their insurance policies and consider additional coverage, such as a personal umbrella policy, to ensure financial protection while enjoying their hot tub safely.
Car keys

Avoiding Problems When Buying Used Vehicles

While buying a used vehicle will save you money in purchase price and help you avoid depreciation costs, it is important to do your research before you purchase one. To avoid buying a car with hidden problems, consider these purchase precautions.
Contractor

Avoiding Contractor Fraud

It’s important to stay informed when dealing with contractors to reduce the risk of contractor fraud. Use these tips to avoid contractor fraud concerns.
Car tire side-view

Common Auto Insurance Terms

Auto insurance can be confusing at times. Policies often contain a variety of terms that can be difficult to understand, especially for someone without a background in insurance. The following is a list of common auto insurance terms to keep in mind the next time you meet with your insurance broker.
Umbrella

The Value of Commercial Umbrella Insurance

In today’s increasingly litigious environment, lawsuits stemming from liability incidents have surged in frequency and severity, leaving many organizations with substantial losses. Fortunately, that’s where commercial umbrella insurance can help.
Commerical truck and car

6 Factors Driving Commercial Auto Losses

A variety of trends have contributed to the rise of commercial auto losses. Here is a look at the most significant factors driving commercial auto losses across the country.

Visit Our Personal Insurance Page

Personal Insurance

Life is an ever-changing journey, and it deserves a thoughtful, comprehensive plan to protect the things and people that matter most. Our dedicated team at Murphy Insurance is here to assist you in creating that plan. With a wide range of product options at our disposal, we ensure that your plan is tailored precisely to your requirements. Our commitment to providing clear, intelligent guidance to help you achieve true peace of mind. Learn more about our personal insurance portfolio.

Visit Our Business Insurance Page

Business Insurance

Murphy Insurance stands as your steadfast partner in safeguarding your business from unforeseen challenges in today’s dynamic business landscape. In an era where comprehensive business insurance is not just a prudent choice but a vital one for ensuring the long-term stability and security of your enterprise, we are here to offer our expertise. Running a business inherently entails various risks that can potentially impact your financial stability and reputation. Learn more about our comprehensive business insurance solutions, which are meticulously designed to protect you from these potential threats, granting you peace of mind necessary to focus on the growth and prosperity of your business.