Frequently Asked Questions

An independent agency like Everguard works with over 50 insurance carriers, giving us the ability to compare rates, coverage options, and policy features across the entire market on your behalf. A captive agency represents only one insurance company, which limits your choices to that single carrier's products. Because we are independent, we shop the full market to find the best combination of coverage and price for your specific situation — not just what one company happens to offer.

We offer a full range of personal and commercial insurance products. On the personal side, that includes auto, homeowners, renters, life, health, umbrella, and specialty coverages like flood and jewelry. For businesses, we handle commercial property, general liability, workers compensation, commercial auto, professional liability, business interruption, and more. If you need coverage, chances are we can help — and if we cannot, we will point you in the right direction.

The best way to find out is through an annual policy review with one of our licensed agents. During the review, we assess your current coverage limits against your assets, liabilities, and any life changes that may have occurred — such as a new home purchase, a growing family, or a change in income. Many people are surprised to discover gaps in their coverage that could leave them financially exposed. The review is free and takes about 30 minutes.

Yes, absolutely. Because we work with over 50 carriers — including specialty and surplus lines insurers — we can often find coverage solutions for clients who have been turned down by other agencies or captive carriers. Whether the challenge is a lapsed policy, claims history, unique property, or high-risk classification, we specialize in finding the right fit for difficult-to-place risks.

While renters insurance is not legally required in most states, it is highly recommended for anyone who rents their home or apartment. Your landlord's insurance covers the building itself, but it does not protect your personal belongings, provide liability coverage if someone is injured in your unit, or cover additional living expenses if you are displaced. Renters insurance typically costs less than a dollar a day and provides significant peace of mind for a very small investment.

Actual cash value (ACV) pays you the current market value of your property at the time of the loss, which means depreciation is subtracted. For example, if your five-year-old roof is damaged, ACV would pay you what a five-year-old roof is worth today — not what it costs to install a new one. Replacement cost coverage, on the other hand, pays the full cost to repair or replace your property with materials of similar kind and quality, without deducting for depreciation. Replacement cost policies typically have slightly higher premiums, but they provide significantly better protection when you need to file a claim.

An umbrella policy provides an extra layer of liability protection that kicks in after the limits of your underlying home, auto, or other policies have been exhausted. For example, if you are found liable for a serious auto accident and the damages exceed your auto policy's liability limit, your umbrella policy covers the difference — up to its own limit, which is typically one to five million dollars. Umbrella policies are especially recommended for anyone with significant assets to protect, rental properties, teenage drivers, pools, or other potential liability exposures.

Yes, you can adjust your coverage at any time during your policy period. Whether you need to add a new vehicle, increase your liability limits, add a rider for valuable jewelry, or remove a driver, your agent can make those changes effective immediately. Depending on the adjustment, your premium may increase or decrease, and you will receive a prorated refund or charge for the remainder of the policy term.

Your declarations page — often called your "dec page" — is the summary document at the front of your insurance policy. It contains all the key details of your coverage at a glance: your name and address, the policy number, effective dates, coverage types and limits, deductible amounts, premium breakdown, and any endorsements or riders attached to the policy. We recommend keeping your dec page easily accessible and reviewing it at least once a year to make sure everything is accurate and up to date.

We recommend reviewing your insurance policies at least once a year, ideally a few weeks before your renewal date. Beyond the annual review, you should also contact your agent after any major life event — purchasing or selling a home, buying a new vehicle, getting married or divorced, having a baby, starting a business, making significant home improvements, or acquiring valuable personal property. These changes can create coverage gaps or opportunities for savings that are easy to miss if you are not actively reviewing your policies.

You can file a claim by calling our office directly, using the carrier's online portal, or contacting the insurance company's claims hotline. However, we always recommend calling us first. When you report a claim through our agency, we guide you through the process step by step, make sure all documentation is complete, and advocate on your behalf with the carrier to help ensure a fair and timely resolution. Our claims team is available during business hours and can often get the process started within minutes.

It depends on several factors, including the type of claim, the amount paid, your claims history, and your carrier's specific surcharge policies. Not all claims result in a premium increase — for example, comprehensive claims like windshield damage or weather events often have no impact. Before you file, we recommend calling your agent to discuss whether it makes sense to file a claim or handle the cost out of pocket, especially if the damage is close to your deductible amount.

The timeline varies depending on the complexity of the claim. Simple, straightforward claims — like a windshield replacement or a minor fender bender with clear liability — can often be resolved within a few days. More complex claims involving significant property damage, disputed liability, or multiple parties may take several weeks or longer. Throughout the process, our agency stays in contact with the carrier on your behalf to keep things moving and ensure nothing falls through the cracks.

First and most importantly, make sure everyone involved is safe and call emergency services if anyone needs medical attention. Then, document everything: take photos of all damage, the surrounding area, and any relevant details like road conditions or weather. Exchange contact and insurance information with all other parties. File a police report if applicable — even for minor accidents, a police report can be valuable during the claims process. Finally, contact our office as soon as possible so we can begin the claims process right away while details are still fresh.

If your claim is denied, do not panic — a denial is not always the final word. Contact us immediately so we can review the denial letter, understand the carrier's reasoning, and determine whether there are grounds for an appeal. In many cases, claims are denied due to missing documentation, misclassification, or a misunderstanding of the policy language. Our team has experience navigating the appeals process and has successfully overturned denials for many clients. We will work with you every step of the way to pursue a fair outcome.

Most carriers accept a wide range of payment methods including credit cards, debit cards, ACH bank transfers, and paper checks. Many also offer automatic payment enrollment, which not only ensures you never miss a payment but often comes with a discount on your premium. Your agent can walk you through the payment options available for your specific carrier and help you set up the method that works best for you.

Yes, most insurance policies offer flexible payment schedules including monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, and annual options. Keep in mind that paying annually or semi-annually often comes with a meaningful discount because you avoid installment fees and service charges that carriers add to monthly payment plans. Your agent can show you the exact cost difference so you can decide which payment frequency makes the most financial sense for your budget.

If you miss a payment, most carriers provide a grace period of 10 to 30 days before taking any action on your policy. During this window, your coverage typically remains in force. However, if payment is not received by the end of the grace period, your policy may be canceled for non-payment — which can make it more difficult and expensive to get coverage in the future. If you are having trouble making a payment, contact us right away. We can often work with the carrier to arrange a solution and prevent a lapse in coverage.

There are several proven strategies to reduce your insurance premiums. Bundling multiple policies — such as home and auto — with the same carrier often yields significant multi-policy discounts. Increasing your deductible lowers your premium, though you should make sure you can comfortably afford the higher out-of-pocket cost in the event of a claim. Maintaining a good credit score, installing safety and security features in your home or vehicle, and keeping a clean claims history all help as well. Our agents proactively review your policies for savings opportunities at every renewal — it is one of the advantages of working with an independent agency.

Getting a quote is easy and completely free. You can fill out the quote request form on our website, call our office during business hours, or schedule an in-person consultation at either our Hartford or Stamford location. There is no obligation whatsoever — we are happy to provide quotes and answer questions even if you are just exploring your options. Most quotes can be prepared within one business day, and many are available within hours.

The information required depends on the type of coverage you are looking for. For auto insurance, we typically need your driver's license number, vehicle identification numbers (VINs), and information about your driving history. For homeowners insurance, we need your property address, details about the home's construction and features, and information about any claims history. For commercial insurance, we will need details about your business operations, revenue, number of employees, and existing coverage. Your agent will guide you through exactly what is needed — and if you do not have everything up front, we can often get started with what you have.

Many personal insurance policies — including auto, renters, and homeowners — can be bound and put into effect the same day you apply. You could literally have coverage before the end of your consultation. More complex policies, such as commercial insurance packages or specialty lines, may require additional underwriting and can take a few days to a couple of weeks. Your agent will give you a clear timeline and keep you updated throughout the process.

Absolutely. Getting a quote from us does not affect your existing coverage in any way. There is no obligation to switch, and we will never cancel or modify your current policy without your explicit approval. Many of our clients come to us for a second opinion while their existing policies remain fully active. If we find a better option, we coordinate the transition so there is never a gap in your coverage — and we only make the switch when you are completely ready.