Insurance Questions, Answered
Clear, general answers to the questions our licensed agents hear most often.
Auto Insurance
What does auto insurance usually cover?
Most auto policies combine liability coverage, which pays for injuries or damage you cause to others, with optional coverages for your own car. Collision covers damage from a crash, and comprehensive covers things like theft, hail, fire or hitting an animal. Many policies also offer uninsured motorist and medical payments coverage.
What is the difference between collision and comprehensive coverage?
Collision pays to repair your vehicle after it hits another car or object. Comprehensive pays for damage that isn't from a collision, such as theft, vandalism, weather, fire or animal strikes. Both usually come with a deductible you pay first.
Is the state minimum auto coverage enough?
State minimums are the least coverage you can legally carry, and they may not cover the full cost of a serious accident. If damages exceed your limits, you could be personally responsible for the difference. Many drivers choose higher limits to better protect their savings and property.
What affects the cost of auto insurance?
Carriers look at factors such as your driving record, the vehicles you drive, where you live, how much you drive, and the coverage and deductibles you choose. Each carrier weighs these factors differently, which is why comparing several carriers can help.
Home Insurance
What does homeowners insurance cover?
A typical homeowners policy covers the structure of your home, other structures like a detached garage, your personal belongings, and personal liability if someone is hurt on your property. Many policies also help pay for living expenses if a covered loss makes your home unlivable.
Does homeowners insurance cover flooding?
Standard homeowners policies generally do not cover damage from flooding. Flood coverage is usually purchased separately, through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or a private flood policy. FIG can help you look at flood options for your property.
What is the difference between replacement cost and actual cash value?
Replacement cost pays what it would cost to repair or replace damaged property with similar new items. Actual cash value subtracts depreciation, so it pays what the item was worth at the time of the loss. Replacement cost coverage usually costs more but pays more after a claim.
Do renters need insurance?
A landlord's policy typically covers the building, not a tenant's belongings or liability. Renters insurance can cover your personal property and liability, and some landlords require it in the lease.
Does homeowners insurance cover earthquakes?
Most standard homeowners policies exclude earthquake damage. Earthquake coverage is often available as an add-on or a separate policy, depending on the carrier and where you live.
Business Insurance
What is commercial general liability insurance?
Commercial general liability (CGL) helps protect a business when it is responsible for injuries to other people, damage to their property, or certain advertising injuries. It often helps pay legal defense costs as well. Many clients, landlords and contracts require it.
What is a business owner's policy (BOP)?
A business owner's policy bundles general liability and commercial property coverage into one package, often with business interruption coverage included. It is commonly used by small and mid-sized businesses whose risks fit a standard profile.
Do I need workers' compensation insurance?
Most states require employers to carry workers' compensation once they have employees, though the rules vary by state and business type. Workers' comp helps pay medical costs and lost wages for employees injured on the job. A FIG agent can help you understand the rules where you operate.
Do I need commercial auto insurance?
If your business owns vehicles, or employees drive for business purposes, a personal auto policy may not cover those uses. Commercial auto insurance is designed for vehicles used in business, from a single work truck to a fleet.
Do I need business insurance if I work from home?
A homeowners policy often provides limited or no coverage for business equipment, inventory or business liability. Depending on your work, a home-based business endorsement or a separate business policy may be needed.
Farm & Ag Insurance
What does farm insurance cover?
Farm insurance can cover farm buildings, equipment, machinery, livestock and farm liability, along with your farmhouse and personal property. Policies are built around the type of operation, whether that is crops, livestock, orchards or a hobby farm.
Is a farm covered by a regular homeowners policy?
A standard homeowners policy is generally not designed for working farms and may exclude farm equipment, livestock or farming activities. A farm or ranch policy is usually needed to cover the operation properly.
What is crop insurance?
Crop insurance helps protect farmers against losses to crops from causes such as weather, hail or reduced yields. Coverage options and eligibility vary by crop and location, so it is worth reviewing with an agent who works with agricultural clients.
Does farm insurance cover equipment I take on the road?
Farm policies often cover equipment on your property, but coverage for equipment moving on public roads or used off the farm varies. Farm vehicles may also need their own auto coverage. Ask your agent how your specific equipment is covered.
Umbrella Insurance
What is umbrella insurance?
Umbrella insurance is extra liability coverage that kicks in after the liability limits of your auto, home or other underlying policies are used up. It can also cover some liability situations your other policies don't.
Do I need an umbrella policy?
An umbrella policy is worth considering if you have assets to protect, a teenage driver, a pool, rental property, or anything else that raises your liability risk. A serious accident can lead to claims larger than standard policy limits. An agent can help you weigh how much protection makes sense for you.
Is there a commercial umbrella policy for businesses?
Yes. A commercial umbrella adds liability limits above a business's general liability, commercial auto and employer's liability policies. Some contracts require higher limits than a single policy provides, and an umbrella can help meet them.
Life Insurance
What is the difference between term and whole life insurance?
Term life covers you for a set period, such as 10, 20 or 30 years, and pays a benefit if you pass away during that time. Whole life lasts your entire life and builds cash value, which usually makes it more expensive. The right choice depends on your goals and budget.
How much life insurance do I need?
A common starting point is to think about the income your family would need to replace, plus debts such as a mortgage, future costs like education, and final expenses. Your agent can walk through these numbers with you.
Can FIG help with life insurance?
Yes. While FIG specializes in Property & Casualty insurance, our agents also help clients compare term and whole life options from life carriers on our carrier list.
Working with FIG
What does an independent insurance agent do?
An independent agent works with multiple insurance companies instead of just one. That lets the agent compare coverage and prices from several carriers and recommend options that fit your needs. FIG Insurance is an independent agency with 138+ carrier partners.
How do I get a quote from FIG?
You can request a free quote online through our Get a Quote form, call (208) 739-9028, email info@fignow.com, or visit one of our 17 offices. A licensed agent will review what you need and compare options for you.
What states does FIG serve?
FIG Insurance is licensed in 26 states and serves clients in each of them. We have 17 offices across Idaho, Montana, Nevada and Utah, plus agents in Texas and Georgia.
What are FIG's office hours?
Our offices are open Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Mountain Time. You can also request a quote online at any time.
Can FIG help me review my current policies?
Yes. A FIG agent can look over your current coverage, point out possible gaps, and compare options from our carrier partners. There is no obligation to switch.
How long has FIG Insurance been in business?
FIG Insurance was founded in 2004, and our oldest founding agency dates back to 1936. We specialize in Property & Casualty insurance.
Coverage varies by policy and carrier; talk with a licensed FIG agent about your situation.