Hi, I’m Debbie Villeneuve, your local Allstate Canada Insurance Agent here in Cornwall. I regularly encounter people who have questions or want to learn more about their insurance and I’ll be using this space over the next few months to discuss ways you can ensure your family, home, car, and belongings are properly protected and to also talk about ways you can save money on your premiums.

We often purchase insurance because we’re told to, and we only think about it when buying a car or moving into a new home. Then we file it away and forget about it until the time comes to make a claim.
But you should think of your insurance policy as a means to help get you back to where you were prior to an unexpected event – whether it’s a storm, car accident, or fire.  It’s important to review it and know your coverage will properly protect you before the unexpected happens.

When you’re about to purchase your insurance, whether it’s for a car, a home or a recreational vehicle, I advise everyone to sit down with an insurance professional.  Always be sure to give your agent a very clear picture of what you’d like to have covered.  Getting an assessment done prior to purchase will not only ensure you’re properly covered, but it will help you both figure out if you’re eligible for discounts, or if there are other ways to save money on your premiums.

After you’ve purchased your insurance- it’s also important to check in with your agent when circumstances in your life change.  If you have a teen that’s about to start driving or to move away to University, call your agency to let them know. Altering the occupancy in your home (renting a room or your basement), making structural changes or installing a swimming pool can affect your insurance.  If you’ve decided to retire and will no longer be driving to work on a daily basis, a call to your insurance agent could save you money on  auto premiums since you won’t be using your vehicle as much as you did while working.

An open dialogue between you and your insurance agent is a great way to make sure your policy provides the proper coverage, and peace of mind – which is something we all want from our insurance.

For more information and resources to help you get to know your insurance better, visit goodhandsadvice.ca/learnmore

Allstate Insurance Company of Canada, 89 Tollgate Rd W, Cornwall, ON, K6HJ5L5,  (613) 933-3512 x5050, dvilleneuve@allstate.ca.