Adulting 101: Insurance Basics You Wish You Knew Sooner
Let’s be real—no one teaches you insurance in school. One day you’re splitting fries with your friends, the next you’re Googling “what is a deductible??” at 11:47 PM.
Welcome to Adulting 101, where we break down insurance in a way that actually makes sense (and might save you some serious money).
🚗 1. Liability = “I messed up… now what?”
Liability coverage is your financial safety net when you cause damage or hurt someone else.
Think:
- You rear-end someone
- Your dog bites a neighbor
- Someone slips on your icy driveway
👉 Liability helps pay for their damages—not yours.
Why it matters:
Without enough liability coverage, you could be paying out of pocket… and that can get expensive FAST. Like, life-altering expensive.
💸 2. Deductible = You go first
Your deductible is what you pay before insurance kicks in.
Example:
- Damage = $5,000
- Deductible = $1,000
- You pay $1,000 → insurance covers the rest
👉 The trade-off:
- Higher deductible = lower monthly premium
- Lower deductible = higher monthly premium
Adulting tip: Pick a deductible you could actually afford if something happened tomorrow.
💳 3. Premium = Your “subscription” to protection
Your premium is what you pay (monthly or yearly) to have insurance active.
Think of it like Netflix… except instead of movies, you get financial protection when life goes sideways
Your premium depends on things like:
- Driving record
- Credit/history
- Location
- Coverage levels
🏠 4. “Full Coverage” isn’t real
We hate to break it to you… but “full coverage” isn’t actually a real thing.
What people usually mean is a mix of:
- Liability
- Collision
- Comprehensive
👉 But every policy has limits, exclusions, and gaps.
Translation: There is ALWAYS something not covered. That’s why working with an independent agency matter—they help you fill those gaps.
🌪️ 5. Not everything is covered (seriously)
A lot of people assume insurance covers everything… until it doesn’t.
Common surprises:
- Flood damage (usually NOT covered on homeowners)
- Wear & tear
- Certain high-value items
- Business use from home
Adulting reality: You don’t want to find out what’s excluded during a claim
🔗 6. Bundling = Easy savings
Bundling means combining policies (like home + auto) with the same agency.
👉 Why it’s popular:
- Discounts
- Simpler management
- Better overall coverage options
Bonus: Independent agencies can shop multiple carriers to find the best bundle for YOU—not just one company.
🧠 7. Being “cheap” can cost you more
We get it—saving money feels good.
But choosing the cheapest policy can mean:
- Low liability limits
- High out-of-pocket costs
- Gaps in coverage
👉 One bad accident could wipe out years of savings.
Smart adult move: Balance price AND protection.
🚨 8. If you don’t have insurance… you’re the insurance
No backup. No safety net. Just you and the bill.
Whether it’s:
- A car accident
- A house fire
- A lawsuit
👉 Without coverage, you’re paying 100% out of pocket.
🎯 Final Thoughts: You don’t have to figure this out alone
Adulting is already hard enough—insurance shouldn’t feel like a guessing game.
The goal isn’t just to “have insurance” … it’s to have the right protection for your life.
At an independent agency like Briggs Insurance Agency, you’re not locked into one option—we help compare multiple carriers, find savings, and make sure you’re actually covered where it counts.
You can experience being a part of and full-serviced independent Insurance Agency today! Simply contact Briggs Agency Inc, if you are interested in an insurance review at 219-769-4840 or visit our website at www.BriggsAgency.com. We look forward to hearing from you!
Blog post written by: Zachary Pelke
