The Top Questions for Your Insurance Agent
Quick Answer
Don't wait until the tree crashes through your roof to find out you bought the wrong policy. Ask these exact questions at your next annual review.
The Illusion of "Full Coverage"
There is no such legal term as "Full Coverage" in the insurance industry. It is a marketing phrase designed to make you feel safe.
Your agent's job is to sell you a policy. Your job is to interrogate that policy before you sign the premium check. If you don't ask the right questions, you will be personally liable for tens of thousands of dollars in gaps when a disaster hits Central Iowa.
Question 1: "Do I have a separate Wind/Hail Deductible?"
This is the most dangerous hidden trap in Midwestern insurance policies.
You may think you have a flat $1,000 deductible because that's what is listed for "All Other Perils" on your declarations page. However, carriers have quietly started slipping in mandatory percentage deductibles specifically for wind and hail damage.
You must ask your agent to explicitly confirm: "If a hailstorm ruins my roof, is my deductible the flat $1,000, or is it 1-2% of my home's structural value?" If it's the latter, a new roof could suddenly cost you $6,000 out of pocket.
Question 2: "Is my Roof Covered at RCV or ACV?"
As detailed in our RCV vs. ACV guide, Actual Cash Value (ACV) factors in depreciation. Replacement Cost Value (RCV) buys you a brand new roof at today's prices.
Ask your agent: "I know the primary dwelling is covered at RCV, but is there a specific roof surfacing endorsement that degrades my roof coverage to ACV after it turns 10 or 15 years old?"
Many carriers are now automatically downgrading older roofs to ACV upon annual renewal without explicitly warning the homeowner. You must force them to clarify this in writing.
Question 3: "Do I Have Ordinance or Law Coverage?"
Be aggressive on this point. "If a fire destroys half my house, and the city forces me to upgrade the intact electrical panel and hardwire all smoke detectors to meet the 2026 building code, will you pay for those upgrades?"
If the answer is "No, we only pay to restore what was originally there," immediately tell your agent to add an Ordinance/Law endorsement (at least 10% of Coverage A).
Question 4: "Are my external structures covered at the same rate?"
Coverage B pertains to "Other Structures" (detached garages, large sheds, premium fencing).
Ask your agent: "If a tornado wipes out my $40,000 detached three-car garage, is it covered at RCV, or just ACV? What is my Coverage B limit?" Ensure the limit is actually high enough to replace the specific outbuildings on your property.