Insurpedia / Courses
Insurance, organized into free courses.
Every lesson belongs to a course: a type of insurance, or the life event that made someone need to think about it. Free, always, and never tied to a specific insurer.
№ 01
Car Insurance
Start the full course: 3 modules and a final assessment →
Financing a Car: What Insurance Your Lender Requires
Your state sets minimum liability. Your lender generally requires collision and comprehensive too. How the two differ and what gap insurance adds.
Module 1 · ~3 min readCompletedLiability Only vs. Full Coverage Car Insurance: Which Do You Need?
Liability only pays for harm you cause others; "full coverage" usually adds collision and comprehensive for your own car. Which you need, and when.
Module 1 · ~3 min readCompletedWhat Is the Minimum Car Insurance in Each State?
Minimum car liability limits for all 50 states and DC, read from each state's official source in October 2026, and what the three numbers mean.
Module 1 · ~3 min readCompletedBought a New Car? Is It Insured Before You Call Your Insurer?
Many auto policies cover a newly bought car automatically for a short period, often about 20 days in Texas. What that covers and why to call anyway.
Module 1 · ~6 min readCompletedWhy Does Auto Insurance Cost So Much More for a New Driver?
New driver premiums are priced on group risk, not individual skill. Here's what actually moves the price down as experience builds.
Module 2 · ~3 min readCompletedCollege Student Away at School: Do They Stay on Your Car Insurance?
Some insurers require young drivers to stay on the policy while away at school. What to tell your insurer, and when it can lower the premium.
Module 2 · ~3 min readCompletedDoes Your Personal Car Insurance Cover Food Delivery or Ride-Hailing?
Personal auto policies typically don't cover driving for a fee, like food delivery or ride-hailing. Why, and what to ask before you start.
Module 2 · ~3 min readCompletedIf You Lend Your Car to a Friend and They Crash, Whose Insurance Pays?
Most auto policies cover people driving your car with your permission, with limits. What that means after a crash, and the exclusions to check.
Module 2 · ~6 min readCompletedShould a New Driver Be Added to a Parent's Policy or Get Their Own?
Adding a new driver to a parent's policy is usually cheaper than a standalone one, but the classification and shared-risk tradeoffs matter first.
Module 2 · ~3 min readCompletedDo You Need the Rental Counter's Damage Waiver if You Have Car Insurance?
A rental damage waiver isn't insurance; your own policy may already apply to a rental. What to check, and the gaps that can still matter.
Module 3 · ~2 min readCompletedDriving Into Mexico: Does Your U.S. Car Insurance Cover You?
Mexico doesn't recognize U.S. auto policies, so drivers generally need Mexican liability insurance. What to buy before crossing and what to check.
Module 3 · ~2 min readCompletedMoving to Another State: What to Do About Your Car Insurance
Moving states changes your car insurance requirements and deadlines. What to tell your insurer, and what to check about the new state's minimums.
Module 3 · ~6 min readCompletedWhat Actually Happens If a New Driver Causes an Accident?
Beyond "the rate goes up": what liability and collision coverage actually pay for, when an SR-22 comes into play, and what to do right after an accident.
Module 3 · ~2 min readCompletedSelling Your Car: When to Cancel the Insurance
Cancel car insurance too early after a sale and some states can suspend your registration. The order to follow: plates, registration, then insurance.
Module 3 · ~3 min readCompletedWhat Do Auto Liability Limits Like 30/60/25 Mean When Several People Are Hurt?
Split limits are three separate caps: per person, per accident and property damage. A worked three-person accident shows how each one applies.
№ 02
Disability Insurance
Start the full course: 3 modules and a final assessment →
Do You Need Disability Insurance? How to Tell if Your Income Is Protected
If your household depends on your paycheck, disability insurance replaces part of it if illness or injury stops you working. How to check your gap.
Module 1 · ~2 min readCompletedDisability Insurance Through Work vs. Your Own Policy
Employer disability coverage is often free but taxable and may end if you leave. An individual policy costs more but goes with you. How to compare.
Module 1 · ~2 min readCompletedShort-Term vs. Long-Term Disability Insurance: What's the Difference?
Short-term disability pays soon after you stop working, for weeks or months; long-term starts later and can pay for years. How they fit together.
Module 2 · ~2 min readCompletedDisability Insurance Features: Non-Cancelable, Residual Benefits and Cost-of-Living Riders
Non-cancelable, guaranteed renewable, residual benefits and cost-of-living riders explained: what each does, and when it's worth paying for.
Module 2 · ~2 min readCompletedHow Much Disability Insurance Do You Need?
Disability policies generally replace 60% to 70% of income, up to a cap. How to size a benefit from your bills, savings and other coverage.
Module 2 · ~2 min readCompletedHow to Lower Your Disability Insurance Premium Without Losing the Coverage That Matters
Disability premiums depend on age, occupation and income protected. Three levers lower them: a longer wait, a shorter benefit period, a smaller benefit.
Module 3 · ~2 min readCompletedAre Disability Insurance Benefits Taxable?
If your employer paid the premiums, disability benefits are generally taxable. If you paid with after-tax money, they generally aren't. How the IRS sees it.
Module 3 · ~2 min readCompletedSocial Security Disability Insurance (SSDI): Who Qualifies and What It Pays
SSDI pays monthly benefits to people with a disability expected to last a year or more and enough work history. Who qualifies, and what it pays.
№ 03
Health Insurance
Start the full course: 3 modules and a final assessment →
Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum: Which Health Plan Level Should You Choose?
Bronze plans pay about 60% of covered costs on average, Platinum about 90%. What the metal levels mean, why Silver can be special, and how to pick.
Module 1 · ~2 min readCompletedHow to Compare Health Plans Using the Summary of Benefits and Coverage
Health plans must give you a plain-language Summary of Benefits and Coverage. How to use it to compare plans, with its diabetes and childbirth examples.
Module 1 · ~2 min readCompletedHMO vs. PPO vs. EPO vs. POS: Which Health Plan Type Fits You?
HMOs and EPOs generally cover only in-network care except emergencies; PPOs pay toward out-of-network care. POS plans need referrals. How to choose.
Module 2 · ~2 min readCompletedLost Your Job: Should You Choose COBRA or a Marketplace Plan?
COBRA keeps your employer plan but can cost up to 102% of its full price. A Marketplace plan may cost less with savings. How to compare, and the deadlines.
Module 2 · ~2 min readCompletedWhen Can You Get Health Insurance? Open Enrollment and Special Enrollment Periods
Marketplace Open Enrollment runs November 1 to January 15. Outside it, you need a Special Enrollment Period, usually within 60 days of a life event.
Module 2 · ~2 min readCompletedCan You Stay on Your Parent's Health Insurance Until 26?
If a parent's plan covers dependents, you can usually stay on it until 26, even if married or not a dependent. What happens at 26, and how to avoid a gap.
Module 3 · ~2 min readCompletedHow to Appeal a Health Insurance Claim Denial: Internal Appeal and External Review
You generally have 180 days to file an internal appeal of a denied claim, then 4 months to ask for an external review your insurer must accept.
Module 3 · ~2 min readCompletedIs Preventive Care Free With Health Insurance? What Counts and When You Might Pay
Most health plans must cover preventive services like screenings at no cost in network. Why a preventive visit can still bring a bill, and how to avoid it.
Module 3 · ~2 min readCompletedSurprise Medical Bills: What the No Surprises Act Protects You From
The No Surprises Act protects you from most surprise out-of-network bills for emergency care and some care at in-network facilities. What it covers.
№ 04
Homeowners Insurance
Start the full course: 6 modules and a final assessment →
Buying a House With an Old Roof: What It Means for Your Homeowners Insurance
How an older roof can affect whether you can get homeowners insurance, what it costs, and how roof claims get paid, plus what to ask before closing.
Module 1 · ~2 min readCompletedBuying a Home in a Flood Zone: When Your Lender Requires Flood Insurance
Homes in high-risk flood zones with a government-backed mortgage generally need flood insurance. What the zone letters mean, and timing at closing.
Module 1 · ~4 min readCompletedFlorida's 4-Point Inspection: What It Is and What Happens If Your Home Doesn't Pass
What Florida's 4-point insurance inspection checks, when insurers require it, and what to do if the report flags a problem before closing.
Module 1 · ~5 min readCompletedDoes Homeowners Insurance Cover Damage That Was There Before You Bought the House?
Why homeowners insurance usually won't pay for damage that was already there when you bought the house, and what protects you instead.
Module 1 · ~2 min readCompletedWhat an Insurance Binder Does Before You Close on a House
A binder is temporary proof of coverage until the policy is issued. Why lenders ask for one before closing, and what to check on it.
Module 1 · ~4 min readCompletedBuying an Older Home: The Wiring and Plumbing That Can Make It Hard to Insure
Why knob-and-tube or aluminum wiring and aging plumbing can make an older home harder to insure, and what to check before you close.
Module 2 · ~6 min readCompletedHow Much Dwelling Coverage Do You Actually Need to Rebuild Your Home?
Why dwelling coverage should match rebuild cost, not purchase price or mortgage balance, and what a coinsurance penalty costs you if you get it wrong.
Module 2 · ~2 min readCompletedRenovating Your Home: When to Tell Your Insurer
A renovation can raise your rebuilding cost above your dwelling limit. When to call your insurer, and what to check about your contractor.
Module 2 · ~3 min readCompletedReplacement Cost vs. Actual Cash Value: Which Should Your Home Policy Have?
Replacement cost pays today's price to repair or replace; actual cash value subtracts depreciation. The Texas regulator's roof example, worked through.
Module 2 · ~2 min readCompletedRebuilding Costs Went Up: Is Your Dwelling Limit Still Enough at Renewal?
Construction costs rise, so last year's dwelling limit may be too low. How inflation guard works, and why regulators still say to review it yearly.
Module 3 · ~5 min readCompletedWhat Does Standard Homeowners Insurance Actually Exclude?
Flood, earthquake, gradual damage, water backup, and mold are typically excluded from standard homeowners insurance. Here's what each exclusion actually means.
Module 3 · ~2 min readCompletedFlood Insurance Building vs. Contents Coverage: What Each Pays For
NFIP flood policies split building and contents coverage, each with its own limit and deductible. What each covers, from the furnace to the sofa.
Module 3 · ~3 min readCompletedHO-3 vs. HO-5 Homeowners Insurance: What's the Difference?
HO-3 and HO-5 both cover your house on an open-perils basis. The difference is your belongings. How they compare, what HO-5 costs, and what to check.
Module 3 · ~2 min readCompletedBurst Pipe, Sewer Backup or Flood: Why the Source of Water Matters
Sudden water from a burst pipe, sewer backup and outside flooding are usually covered differently. A side-by-side guide to the source of the water.
Module 4 · ~3 min readCompletedIs Your Escrow Payment the Same as Your Homeowners Insurance Premium?
Escrow is your lender collecting money to pay your taxes and insurance, not the premium itself. A worked example of how a premium change moves your payment.
Module 4 · ~5 min readCompletedShould You Bundle Home and Auto Insurance After Buying Your First House?
Bundling home and auto often triggers a multi-policy discount, but comparing a bundled quote against separate quotes is the only way to know for sure.
Module 4 · ~2 min readCompletedHome Insurance Cancellation vs. Nonrenewal: What Each Notice Means
A cancellation ends a policy mid-term; a nonrenewal ends it at the term's end. Notice periods, common reasons, and the steps to take in time.
Module 4 · ~2 min readCompletedWhat Happens if Your Homeowners Insurance Lapses and You Have a Mortgage?
If your homeowners policy lapses, your servicer can buy force-placed insurance and charge you. The notices you get first, and how to get it removed.
Module 4 · ~4 min readCompletedHow Much Is a 2% Hurricane or Wind Deductible in Dollars?
A percentage deductible is a share of your insured value, not of the damage. Worked examples at 1% to 10%, and what to check in your policy.
Module 5 · ~2 min readCompletedAdditional Living Expenses: What to Track While You Can't Live at Home
ALE pays the extra cost of living elsewhere after a covered loss. What counts as "extra", common limits, and the receipts that keep payments coming.
Module 5 · ~2 min readCompletedFirst Steps After Your Home Is Damaged: What to Do Before the Adjuster Comes
After damage, make temporary repairs to prevent more loss, document everything and keep receipts. What to do first, and what to hold off on.
Module 5 · ~2 min readCompletedWhy Your Home Insurance Claim Check Is Made Out to Your Mortgage Company
If you have a mortgage, the repair check usually names you and your lender. How endorsing it works and how the lender releases the money.
Module 5 · ~2 min readCompletedHow Long Do You Have to File a Home Insurance Claim?
Most policies set a deadline to file a claim, often around a year, but it varies. Where to find yours and why reporting promptly matters.
Module 5 · ~3 min readCompletedHow Does a Home Inventory Help After a Loss, and What Should It Include?
A home inventory makes a claim easier to document and shows whether your coverage fits. What to record, room by room, and where to keep it.
№ 05
Landlord Insurance
Start the full course: 3 modules and a final assessment →
Renting Out a Furnished Home: Who Insures the Furniture?
A landlord policy can cover furnishings and appliances you leave for tenants, but not tenants' own belongings. Who insures what.
Module 1 · ~2 min readCompletedLong-Term vs. Short-Term Rentals: What Insurance Questions Change?
Short-term rentals may need an endorsement or a business policy; long-term leases usually need a landlord policy. What to ask your insurer first.
Module 1 · ~5 min readCompletedYou're Renting Out a Room in Your House. Do You Need Landlord Insurance?
Renting a room to a paying tenant can reclassify your home's insurance risk. What changes, and when you actually need to update coverage.
Module 1 · ~2 min readCompletedShould Landlords Require Tenants to Have Renters Insurance?
Many landlords require renters insurance because their own policy doesn't cover tenants' belongings. What it protects, and what to put in the lease.
Module 2 · ~3 min readCompletedIf a Fire Makes Your Rental Unlivable, Does Insurance Replace the Lost Rent?
Fair rental value coverage pays rent you lose while a covered loss is repaired. What triggers it, its limits, and what it leaves to the tenant.
Module 2 · ~2 min readCompletedYour Rental Is Empty Between Tenants: Is It Still Fully Insured?
Many policies limit coverage when a home is vacant beyond a set number of days. What to check while a rental sits empty between tenants.
Module 2 · ~2 min readCompletedDo Landlords Need Umbrella Insurance?
Renting out property is a common reason to consider umbrella insurance. How an umbrella sits above your landlord and auto policies, and what to check.
№ 06
Medicare
Start the full course: 3 modules and a final assessment →
Still Working at 65: Can You Delay Medicare Part B Without a Penalty?
If you or your spouse still work and have job-based group coverage, you can often delay Part B. You then get 8 months to sign up. COBRA doesn't count.
Module 1 · ~2 min readCompletedMedicare Late Enrollment Penalties: Part A, Part B and Part D Explained
Part B's penalty adds 10% for each full year you could have had it but didn't, usually for life. Part D adds 1% a month. How each works, with 2026 numbers.
Module 1 · ~2 min readCompletedMedicare Parts A, B, C and D Explained: What Each Part Covers
Part A is hospital insurance, Part B medical insurance, Part C is Medicare Advantage, and Part D drug coverage. What each covers, and how they fit together.
Module 2 · ~2 min readCompletedMedicare Open Enrollment (October 15 to December 7): What You Can Change
Each October 15 to December 7, you can switch Medicare Advantage or drug plans, or move between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage.
Module 2 · ~2 min readCompletedMedigap vs. Medicare Advantage: What's the Difference, and Can You Switch Later?
Medigap adds to Original Medicare; Medicare Advantage replaces it. Why the one-time Medigap open enrollment makes this choice hard to undo.
Module 2 · ~2 min readCompletedOriginal Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage: How to Choose
Original Medicare lets you use any doctor that takes Medicare; Medicare Advantage is a private plan, often with a network and extra benefits. How to choose.
Module 3 · ~2 min readCompletedHelp Paying for Medicare: Extra Help, Medicare Savings Programs and SHIP
Extra Help lowers drug costs; Medicare Savings Programs can pay Part B premiums and more. How to apply, and how SHIP offers free one-on-one counseling.
Module 3 · ~2 min readCompletedWhat Does Medicare Cost in 2026? Premiums, Deductibles and Coinsurance
In 2026, Part B costs $202.90 a month for most people, with a $283 deductible and 20% coinsurance. Part A is premium-free for most. What you'd pay.
№ 07
New Parent
Start the full course: 3 modules and a final assessment →
Adding a Newborn to Health Insurance: Deadlines and How Coverage Starts
A new baby opens a Special Enrollment Period: usually 60 days on the Marketplace and at least 30 days for job-based plans. Coverage can start from birth.
Module 1 · ~2 min readCompletedPregnancy and Health Insurance: What's Covered and When You Can Enroll
Marketplace and Medicaid plans cover pregnancy and childbirth, even if it began before coverage. Pregnancy alone doesn't open enrollment; a birth does.
Module 2 · ~2 min readCompletedHow Much Life Insurance Do New Parents Need?
Enough to replace the income and services your family would lose, plus debts and final costs, minus other sources like Social Security. How to estimate it.
Module 2 · ~2 min readCompletedDoes a Stay-at-Home Parent Need Life Insurance?
Often, yes. If a stay-at-home parent dies, the family must pay for child care and household work they did. Regulators suggest insuring both parents.
Module 2 · ~2 min readCompletedNaming Your Children as Life Insurance Beneficiaries: What to Know
Naming children by name can leave out later-born children. And insurers generally won't pay large sums directly to minors. How to set it up.
Module 2 · ~2 min readCompletedShould You Buy Life Insurance for Your Baby or Child?
Most advisors suggest insuring the parents first. A child's policy can help with funeral costs or lock in insurability, often through a children's rider.
Module 3 · ~2 min readCompletedInsurance Checklist for a New Baby: What to Update and When
Add the baby to health insurance within your plan's deadline, review life and disability coverage, update beneficiaries, and check your home or renters policy.
№ 08
Newly Married
Start the full course: 3 modules and a final assessment →
Can Married Couples Have Separate Car Insurance?
Spouses can often keep separate car policies, but insurers usually want to know about everyone in the household who drives. What to check.
Module 1 · ~5 min readCompletedShould You Combine Auto Insurance After Marriage?
Should you combine car insurance after marriage? When a multi-vehicle discount saves money, when a spouse's record costs more, and what to disclose.
Module 1 · ~2 min readCompletedMoving In Together: Do You Have to Add Your Partner to Your Car Insurance?
Some insurers require everyone of driving age in your home to be listed or excluded. What to disclose after moving in together, and why it matters.
Module 1 · ~3 min readCompletedIs an Engagement Ring Covered by Homeowners or Renters Insurance?
Standard policies often cap jewelry theft at $1,000 to $2,000 and may not cover a lost ring. How scheduling a ring works, with a worked example.
Module 1 · ~2 min readCompletedSingle, Married or Divorced: Which Marital Status Do You Choose on a Car Insurance Application?
Choose your current legal marital status on a car insurance application. Why insurers ask, and the states that ban or limit its use in rates.
Module 1 · ~3 min readCompletedMoving In Together: Does One Renters Policy Cover Both of You?
A spouse is usually covered under your renters policy; an unmarried partner usually isn't unless named. What to check before moving in.
Module 1 · ~2 min readCompletedAre Your Belongings in a Storage Unit Covered by Insurance?
Homeowners or renters policies may cover a storage unit off-premises, but not for all perils. What's typically left out, and what to check.
Module 2 · ~2 min readCompletedLife Insurance Through Work vs. Your Own Policy
Life insurance from your job typically ends when you leave. How it compares with an individual policy, and what to check after getting married.
Module 2 · ~2 min readCompletedPolicyholder, Insured and Beneficiary: Who's Who on a Life Insurance Policy?
The policyholder owns the policy, the insured is whose life it covers, and the beneficiary receives the payout. Primary and contingent beneficiaries explained.
Module 2 · ~3 min readCompletedTerm vs. Whole Life Insurance: Which Fits a New Family?
Term life covers a set period at a lower price; whole life covers you for life and builds cash value at a higher one. How to compare them after marriage.
Module 2 · ~5 min readCompletedDo You Need to Update Your Life Insurance Beneficiary After Marriage?
A beneficiary designation overrides your will. Which accounts to update after marriage, and why a 401(k) follows different spousal rules.
№ 09
Pet Insurance
Start the full course: 3 modules and a final assessment →
Does Pet Insurance Cover Hereditary Conditions Like Hip Dysplasia?
Some pet policies cover hereditary and congenital conditions; others limit or exclude them. What the terms mean, and what to check for your breed.
Module 1 · ~3 min readCompletedDoes Pet Insurance Cover Pre-Existing Conditions?
Most pet insurance excludes pre-existing conditions. How they're defined, the curable-condition exception, and renewal protections in some states.
Module 1 · ~3 min readCompletedHow Long Is the Pet Insurance Waiting Period?
Pet insurance waiting periods are often days for accidents and weeks for illness. Washington and Florida cap illness waits at 30 days and ban accident waits.
Module 1 · ~3 min readCompletedWhat Does Pet Insurance Cover? Accident-Only, Accident and Illness, and Wellness
Pet insurance usually covers accidents, or accidents and illnesses. Wellness care is often a separate plan. What each covers, and what's commonly excluded.
Module 2 · ~3 min readCompletedHow Does Pet Insurance Reimbursement Work? Deductible, Rate and Limits
Most pet insurance reimburses you after you pay the vet. A worked $3,000 example with a deductible, 80% reimbursement and an annual limit.
Module 2 · ~3 min readCompletedPet Insurance for an Older Dog or Cat: Age Limits, Price and What's Covered
Older pets generally cost more to insure, some insurers set age limits, and existing conditions are usually excluded. What to check for a senior pet.
Module 2 · ~3 min readCompletedPet Wellness Plan vs. Pet Insurance: What's the Difference?
Pet insurance pays for accidents and illness; a wellness plan helps with routine care; a discount plan isn't insurance. How to tell them apart.
Module 3 · ~3 min readCompletedDoes Your Dog's Breed Affect Your Homeowners or Renters Insurance?
Some insurers limit coverage for certain dog breeds or dogs that have bitten. Why it matters for liability, and what Pennsylvania and Michigan law says.
№ 10
Renters Insurance
Start the full course: 3 modules and a final assessment →
How Much Renters Insurance Do You Need?
Enough to replace everything you own, which a home inventory shows, plus liability coverage of at least $100,000; some experts suggest $300,000.
Module 1 · ~2 min readCompletedRoommates and Renters Insurance: Do You Each Need a Policy?
Roommates are usually not covered by each other's renters policy unless named. Why separate policies are often simpler, and when joint coverage works.
Module 1 · ~2 min readCompletedWhat Does Renters Insurance Cover? Belongings, Liability and Living Costs
Renters insurance covers your belongings, your liability if you hurt someone or damage their property, and extra living costs if your rental becomes unlivable.
Module 2 · ~2 min readCompletedRenters Insurance Liability: If a Guest Is Hurt or You Damage Someone's Property
Renters liability pays if you, your family or your pet injure someone or damage their property, including legal defense, up to your limit.
Module 2 · ~2 min readCompletedIf Your Rental Becomes Unlivable, Does Renters Insurance Pay for a Hotel?
Yes, after a covered loss. Additional living expenses pay the extra cost of a hotel, temporary rental and meals while your rental is repaired, up to limits.
Module 2 · ~2 min readCompletedDoes Renters Insurance Cover Water Damage?
Renters insurance generally covers sudden water damage like a burst pipe or an upstairs neighbor's overflowing tub, but not floods or slow leaks.
Module 3 · ~2 min readCompletedHow to Lower Your Renters Insurance Premium
A higher deductible, bundling with car insurance, safety features and shopping around can lower renters insurance costs. What each saves, and what to watch.
Module 3 · ~2 min readCompletedYour Apartment Was Burglarized: How to File a Renters Insurance Claim
After a break-in, report it to the police, call your insurer, list what was stolen with receipts or photos, and keep damaged items. The steps, in order.
Module 3 · ~2 min readCompletedMoving to a New Rental: What to Do About Your Renters Insurance
Tell your insurer before you move, update your address and limits, and ask how belongings are protected in transit and storage.
№ 11
Small Business Insurance
Start the full course: 3 modules and a final assessment →
Is Your Business Equipment Covered When You Take It to a Client's Site?
A standard homeowners policy typically covers business equipment away from home for only about $250. What to check if you take gear to clients.
Module 1 · ~5 min readCompletedDoes Homeowners Insurance Cover Your Home-Based Business?
What your homeowners policy won't cover once you run a business from home, and the three realistic ways to close the coverage gap.
Module 2 · ~2 min readCompletedDoes Business Interruption Insurance Pay if Your Business Has to Close?
Business interruption coverage replaces lost income when a covered loss forces you to close. What usually triggers it, and what to check.
Module 2 · ~2 min readCompletedBusiness Owners Policy vs Commercial Package Policy: Which Fits?
A BOP bundles core coverage for smaller businesses; a commercial package policy is broader and customizable. How they differ and what to ask.
Module 2 · ~3 min readCompletedClaims-Made vs. Occurrence Policies: What Happens When You Switch or Retire?
An occurrence policy covers incidents during the policy period; a claims-made policy needs coverage when the claim is made too. Why it matters when you switch.
Module 2 · ~2 min readCompletedDoes Business Insurance Cover Cyber Attacks?
Standard business policies typically cover only a limited range of cyber threats, if any. What a cyber policy adds, and what to check in yours.
Module 2 · ~2 min readCompletedDoes Business Insurance Cover Employee Theft?
Theft by employees is excluded from a basic business owners policy. How employee dishonesty and crime coverage work, and what to check.
Module 2 · ~2 min readCompletedDoes Business Insurance Cover Flooding?
Most business property policies exclude flood. NFIP commercial flood policies cover building and contents up to $500,000 each. What to check.
Module 2 · ~3 min readCompletedDoes Business Insurance Cover Lightning Strikes?
Business property insurance generally covers lightning damage, but surges, equipment breakdown and utility outages can need extra coverage. What to check.
Module 2 · ~2 min readCompletedDoes General Liability Insurance Cover Breach of Contract?
General liability generally doesn't cover damages for breaking a contract, such as missing a deadline. The "insured contract" exception, explained.
Module 2 · ~3 min readCompletedGeneral Liability vs Professional Liability: Which One Covers Which Claim?
General liability is for injury and property damage; professional liability is for advice or services that cost a client money. Sort six examples.
Module 3 · ~4 min readCompletedCertificate Holder vs Additional Insured: What Does a Certificate of Insurance Prove?
A certificate of insurance summarizes a policy; it doesn't give anyone coverage. Additional insured status comes from the policy or an endorsement.
Module 3 · ~2 min readCompletedEmployees Driving Their Own Cars for Work: Who's Liable?
When an employee crashes their own car on a work errand, the business can be liable. How hired and non-owned auto coverage fills that gap.
Module 3 · ~3 min readCompletedDoes Your Business Insurance Cover Independent Contractors?
Your policies generally don't insure a contractor's injuries or mistakes, and an uninsured contractor can become your workers comp problem.
Module 3 · ~2 min readCompletedHiring Your First Employee: Do You Need Workers' Compensation?
Workers' comp rules depend on your state. Texas lets most private employers choose, with notice duties. What to check before your first hire.
№ 12
Travel Insurance
Start the full course: 3 modules and a final assessment →
Does Your Health Insurance or Medicare Cover You Abroad?
Many health plans pay little or nothing abroad, and Original Medicare generally doesn't cover care outside the U.S. How to check, and when travel medical helps.
Module 1 · ~2 min readCompletedIs Travel Insurance Worth It? How to Decide for Your Trip
Travel insurance usually costs about 4% to 10% of a trip. It's most worth it for costly, nonrefundable trips, travel abroad and remote destinations.
Module 1 · ~2 min readCompletedWhat Does Travel Insurance Cover? The Main Types Explained
Travel insurance can cover trip cancellation and interruption, medical care abroad, medical evacuation, baggage and more. What each type does.
Module 2 · ~2 min readCompletedCancel for Any Reason (CFAR) Travel Insurance: How It Works and What It Pays
Cancel for any reason coverage lets you cancel for reasons a standard policy won't cover, but typically pays back only a percentage of costs, at a higher price.
Module 2 · ~2 min readCompletedCruise or Tour Cancellation Waiver vs. Travel Insurance: What's the Difference?
A cancellation waiver from a cruise line or tour operator isn't insurance and isn't regulated as insurance. How it differs, and its main risk.
Module 2 · ~2 min readCompletedDoes Travel Insurance Cover Pre-Existing Conditions?
Many travel policies exclude pre-existing conditions, but some waive the exclusion if you buy soon after your first trip deposit. How it works.
Module 2 · ~2 min readCompletedWhat Reasons Does Trip Cancellation Insurance Cover?
Trip cancellation pays only for reasons listed in the policy, such as illness, a family death or severe weather. Why the list matters, and what's left off.
Module 3 · ~2 min readCompletedLost or Stolen Luggage: Does Travel Insurance or Homeowners Insurance Pay?
Homeowners and renters policies often cover belongings stolen while traveling, after the deductible. When travel baggage coverage or a floater fits better.
№ 13
Vacation Home Insurance
Start the full course: 3 modules and a final assessment →
Are Your Belongings at a Second Home Covered?
Your main policy may cover belongings off-premises, but some insurers cap it at 10%. How to check coverage for contents at a vacation home.
Module 1 · ~2 min readCompletedDetached Garages, Sheds and Docks at a Vacation Home: Are They Covered?
Other structures coverage pays for detached garages, sheds and fences, often about 10% of the dwelling limit. How to check it at a second home.
Module 1 · ~5 min readCompletedDo You Need Separate Insurance for a Vacation Home You Don't Rent Out?
Why a vacation home costs more to insure than your primary residence, even if you never rent it out or earn a dollar from it.
Module 2 · ~3 min readCompletedLeaving a Vacation Home Empty for the Season: What to Check Before You Lock Up
Before a second home sits empty, check your policy's vacancy period and freeze conditions. A closing checklist, and why the record matters.
Module 2 · ~2 min readCompletedCoastal Texas Second Home: Why Wind and Hail May Need a Separate Policy
On the Texas coast, home policies may not cover wind and hail. What TWIA is, the flood-insurance condition, and why to buy before storm season.
Module 2 · ~2 min readCompletedBuying Flood Insurance for a Coastal Second Home: What to Know First
Most home policies don't cover flood. NFIP limits, the 30-day waiting period and its exceptions, and what to check for a coastal second home.
Module 2 · ~2 min readCompletedFound Damage at Your Vacation Home Months Later: What Happens to the Claim?
Damage found months later at a second home raises questions about deadlines, vacancy and when it happened. What to report and how to document it.
Module 3 · ~2 min readCompletedRenting Out Your Vacation Home Short-Term: Are You Still Covered?
Most home policies won't pay for damage or injuries during short-term rentals. Why, and what to settle with your insurer before you list.