Insurance lingo can be very confusing. Use this guide as a reference before applying for a renters insurance policy online, over the phone or in person! The following list provides some insight as to what information you will need when applying for renters insurance quotes. This guide also briefly touches on renters insurance coverage options and provides a link to another guide with detailed information about renters insurance coverage.

My recommendation: Have the following information on-hand before applying for renters insurance:

• Contact information (name, address, phone number)
• Number of connected units (apartments/condominiums) in building
• Approximate distance to fire department (miles) and fire hydrant (feet)
• General dollar amount of belongings within the dwelling
• Primary/alternate source of heat (gas, electric, etc)
• Central heat: heating that is thermostatically controlled and is distributed to each individual room of the home.
• Alternate heat source: a supplementary source of heat used in addition to standard central heating. Examples of alternate heat sources are wood burning stoves, electric or kerosene space heaters, etc. Note that wood burning or gas fireplaces are not considered alternate sources of heat

Another Tip: You will also be asked about the construction type of dwelling. Here are some common choices:

• Brick/Masonry Veneer: Refers to a building where the frame of the home is constructed of wood with a facing of a single layer of brick/stone or a hard cement type siding known as cement fiber shingles. If you have a brick/masonry veneer home, choose the percentage option that represents the percentage of the exterior of the home that is veneer.
• Brick Stone Masonry: Select this option if your home is legitimately solid brick, stone or masonry. This type of construction is generally more common in older homes than recently constructed homes.
• Frame with less than 10% Brick: Refers to a home with a wood or metal frame, with a non masonry material covering the majority of the exterior of the home. For example, homes with an exterior that is primarily vinyl siding should select this option.
• Frame with Aluminum Siding: This type of home has a wood or metal frame, but uses aluminum siding (a lightweight metal typically coated with weather resistant paint) rather than vinyl or other materials.
• Log Home: A log home or log cabin is a house made from wood that has not been milled into conventional lumber.
• Mobile/Manufactured: These homes are built in factories and are typically towed by a semi-truck to the place where they will be occupied. Mobile or Manufactured homes are capable of being transported to a different location.
• Modular: Modular homes are partially constructed away from their final location and are then brought by truck in pieces and completed at the site. Modular homes have a permanent foundation and in many cases are almost identical to a home built on site.
• Reinforced Concrete: Reinforced Concrete homes utilize poured concrete for the walls, ceilings, floors and stairs. The exterior is often finished with stucco, brick or siding.
• Steel: This type of construction uses steel instead of wood for the structural system of the home. The exterior of these homes is often indistinguishable from wood frame homes.
• Other: Select this option if your home’s construction type does not fit into any of the other categories.

More Information: Renters insurance coverage includes protection from hazards that usually include:

• Fire or Lightning
• Windstorm
• Smoke
• Vandalism or malicious mischief
• Theft
• Accidental discharge of water (e.g. a sink overflowing)

You can find more details on renters insurance coverage options in the guide titled “Renters Insurance Coverage Options and Endorsements.”

You are now probably wondering how much this is going to cost you. The answer depends on where your property is located, how big it is, the structure of the dwelling and the amount of coverage you choose. The good news is that for as little as $12 a month, you can be insured with a reliable renters insurance policy, along with the option for various payment plans!

The best thing you can do is visit geico.com for an online renters insurance quote or pick up the phone and call us at 1-800-841-2964 for a renters insurance policy. A 2006 Insurance Research Council Poll [1] found that only 43% of all renters nationwide had renters insurance—don't fall victim without renters coverage.

[1] “Public Attitude Monitor 2006, Issue 1, Natural Disaster.” August 2006, p. 25.

Please note: The above is meant as general information and as general policy descriptions to help you understand the different types of coverages. These descriptions do not refer to any specific contract of insurance and they do not modify any definitions expressly stated in any contracts of insurance.

Renters policies are written by non-affiliated insurers through GEICO Insurance Agency, Inc. Some discounts, coverages, payment plans and features are not available in all states or in all GEICO companies. See geico.com for more details. Government Employees Insurance Co-GEICO General Insurance Co-GEICO Indemnity Co-GEICO Casualty Co GEICO: Washington DC 20076. © 2009 GEICO

Becoming familiar with insurance quotes basics will help you choose the best coverage options for your business. Obtaining business insurance quotes is the most effective way to determine business insurance costs.

Businesses can purchase insurance to cover nearly any risk. There is a range of business insurance policies available to cover everything from company operations to products and even services. These include life insurance for business employers and employees, health insurance, commercial auto insurance, liability insurance and property/casualty insurance. With so many insurance options available, it’s often difficult for businesses to find an average cost estimate. Consider the following tips to help you become more familiar with insurance quotes basics to better understand these quotes and how to get the best policy for your business:

1. Determine what type of insurance you need before requesting insurance rates and quotes.

2. Learn what basic information insurance providers may need to give you an accurate quote.

3. Research various ways to obtain business insurance quotes.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Assess your need for business insurance quotes

Before you can obtain accurate business insurance quotes, you should evaluate your insurance needs. Often, insurance doesn't just protect your company; it's sometimes also required by State law. Do you have employees to whom you'd like to offer health insurance? Do you have drivers who need commercial auto insurance? These are a few of the questions you need to answer before you begin your search for affordable business insurance.

I recommend: Explore business insurance quotes offered by InsuranceFinder.com to learn more about the types of insurance available and the basics behind the quotes you receive, such as how lowering the risks surrounding your business can lower your insurance premiums and thus save you money on your business insurance. You can also obtain quotes from NetQuote, which also has information on how business insurance and insurance quotes work, how to save money on your business insurance and allows you to compare quotes on the various types of insurance that your business might need.

Gather all necessary information to obtain business insurance quotes

Business insurance quotes are based on a variety of factors. For health insurance, providers will inquire about the age and number of individuals you plan to insure. To obtain a small business liability insurance quote, you may be asked to provide information about the types of products/services provided by your business. Be ready to provide these basic details about the size of your company as well as your operations and product/service offerings.

I recommend: Insurance Traders provides a quick online quote form designed to put you in direct contact with business insurance agents. It also gives you tips on how to lower your insurance to obtain the best quote for your business. You can also consider completing the online business insurance quote form provided by Ferrell Insurance, an independent insurance agency that allows you to view competitive rates on insurance quotes.

Compare rates quickly with an instant business insurance quote provider

While it's important that you take your time to shop around for the best business insurance rates and services, it's also important that you shop efficiently. Finding the best insurance quotes is a basic need of every company and obtaining business insurance quotes online is one way to receive quotes quickly without leaving your home or office. You can also find a variety of online providers that offer the option of obtaining an instant business insurance quote.

I recommend: Obtain free instant insurance quotes and a wealth of business insurance information by visiting Insure.com. Check out TechInsurance, which provides free instant business insurance quotes and basic information on insurance for small businesses.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Never let business insurance rates deter you from obtaining the insurance coverage required to adequately protect your business assets. If you're having trouble obtaining business insurance quotes that fit your budget, try discussing cost reduction options with your agent such as decreased coverage levels and increased deductibles.

Making the most of insurance quotes is the most effective way to determine business insurance costs. Insurance quotes are dependent upon a variety of factors, primarily the type of insurance you need. The great thing is that most insurance providers will offer quotes on business insurance rates free of charge.

There is a range of business insurance policies available to insure company operations, products and services. These include commercial auto insurance, health insurance, life insurance for business employers and employees, liability insurance and property/casualty insurance. With so many insurance options available, it’s often difficult for businesses to estimate costs without obtaining insurance quotes. Consider the following tips on making the most of insurance quotes.

1. Assess your need for business insurance quotes.

2. Obtain multiple quotes from providers of business insurance quotes online.

3. Check out business insurance rates and quotes provided by top insurance providers.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Bundle your business insurance quotes

Bundling your business insurance quotes may help you save money. Make sure you adequately assess your need for business insurance and try to find providers that offer every type of policy you need for your business. For example, are you looking to offer health insurance to employees? Do you need to cover commercial drivers? Obtaining quotes on multiple lines of business insurance from one provider may help you qualify for multi-policy discounts.

I recommend: Check out 2Insure4Less.com to learn more about the various lines of insurance and to receive business insurance quotes online. You may also check out 2OrderDirect for information on various types of insurance and to obtain insurance quotes.

Save time by using online services to obtain multiple insurance quotes

While it's important that you take your time to shop around for the best business insurance rate and services, it's also important that you shop efficiently. Often, you can obtain an instant business insurance quote online from multiple providers at no cost.

I recommend: Visit SpendOnLife.com to obtain free quotes for business insurance online. You may also consider obtaining free insurance quotes from InsWeb.

Obtain insurance quotes from leading insurers

Top insurance providers are well-known for providing quality service, affordable rates and a range of insurance plans. Often shoppers will avoid the top names because they assume their prices will be much higher than other providers. Even if you decide to go with another provider, it's a good idea to obtain quotes from top insurance providers while you are shopping.

I recommend: Check out Give Me Insurance Quotes to get free instant insurance quotes online from top insurance providers. You can also obtain fast, no-obligation quotes from Progressive Commercial.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Using services for business insurance quotes online is a great way to receive quotes quickly without leaving your home or office.

Insurance quotes are easily obtained online. Businesses can now obtain an estimated cost of various forms of insurance within minutes. Various types of insurance they may wish to consider include liability, workers' compensation and group health insurance. As a business owner, it can be overwhelming to determine what these terms mean. A business should also fully understand the costs associated with obtaining these types of insurance. With this information, they can make important decisions about purchasing business related insurance products.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Actual cash value

The term actual cash value may be found on any insurance quote. It is the actual value in today's costs of the item insured. In insurance terms, the claim provided would factor in the depreciated value of the covered item.

I recommend: Accounting Glossary provides a complete definition of actual cash value.

Bodily injury liability coverage

Bodily injury liability coverage is often part of a vehicle insurance quote. It covers an injury or death that is the result of an accident covered under the policy. This type of coverage is often a key component of the quote. The rate may fluctuate depending on how much coverage is obtained.

I recommend: CarInsurance outlines in more detail what bodily injury liability coverage is.

Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA)

Many employers will need to consider the affects of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) on their insurance. COBRA requires that employers who provide group health plans give employees the ability to temporarily carry over their coverage under the employer's current plan if they leave the job.

I recommend: Cobra Insurance offers a full explanation of this law and how it may affect a business' insurance provisions and costs.

Pre-existing condition

Laws define the requirement of employers to provide fair insurance to all employees, even those with pre-existing conditions. A pre-existing condition is a health concern existing prior to enrollment into the insurance plan. Often, the cost of group health insurance may be affected by these conditions.

I recommend: The United States Department of Labor outlines the importance of covering pre-existing conditions.

Deductible

A deductible is the out-of-pocket expense that must be paid prior to an insurance company covering a claim. In health insurance provided by an employer, the deducitlbe may be paid by the employee or employer. On asset insurance, the deductible is paid by the plan holder. The deductible amount is often an important factor in the overall cost of the insurance. A higher deductible may reduce costs.

I recommend: CBCA Connect Administrators provides more information regarding deductibles.

Replacement Cost

Insurance quotes may contain the term replacement cost. This type of protection provides for the cost of replacing the lost item in today's values.

I recommend: Allen Financial Insurance Group explains replacement cost in detail on their website.