May Insurance Checklist for Connecticut Homeowners, Drivers, and Property Owners

May is a great time for Connecticut residents to review a few important insurance items before summer gets busy. Home projects, graduation season, teen drivers, travel, rental properties, and outdoor activities can all create insurance questions that are easier to address before there is a claim.

At Page Insurance, we believe insurance should be practical, understandable, and built around real-life situations. Here are a few timely items to consider this May.

Hiring a Contractor in Connecticut? Ask for a Certificate of Insurance

Spring and early summer are popular times for home improvement projects in Connecticut. Whether you are hiring a painter, roofer, landscaper, tree service, plumber, electrician, or remodeling contractor, you should ask for a Certificate of Insurance before work begins.

A contractor should be able to provide proof of:

• General liability insurance
• Workers’ compensation insurance
• Commercial auto insurance, when applicable
• Active policy dates
• The correct business name

This is especially important if someone is injured on your property or if the contractor causes damage to your home. A certificate does not guarantee every possible claim will be covered, but it is an important first step in protecting yourself.

If a contractor is unwilling or unable to provide proof of insurance, that should raise concern.

Graduation Season Is a Good Time to Review Auto Insurance

May and June often bring changes for families with high school or college students. A student may be graduating, moving home, taking a car to school, buying their own vehicle, or changing where they live.

These changes can affect your Connecticut auto insurance policy.

It may be time to review:

• Whether the student is listed correctly on your policy
• Where the vehicle is garaged
• Whether a good student discount applies
• Whether the student still qualifies as a household member
• Whether your liability limits are high enough

Connecticut’s minimum auto liability limits may not be enough to protect you in a serious accident. If your policy still carries minimum or low liability limits, May is a good time to review whether those limits still make sense.

Connecticut Homeowners Should Review Umbrella Insurance

An umbrella insurance policy provides additional liability protection above your home, auto, rental property, and other underlying policies.

For many Connecticut households, umbrella insurance is worth considering, especially if you:

• Own a home
• Have teen or young adult drivers
• Own rental property
• Have a pool, trampoline, boat, or recreational vehicle
• Have significant savings, income, or assets to protect
• Want extra protection against larger liability claims

Umbrella insurance is often one of the most cost-effective ways to strengthen your overall insurance program.

Renting Out Property in Connecticut? Make Sure the Policy Matches the Use

If you rent out a second home, an in-law apartment, a one-to-four family property, or a short-term rental, do not assume a standard homeowners policy automatically provides the right coverage.

Rental exposure can change the type of insurance you need. Depending on the situation, you may need:

• A landlord insurance policy
• A dwelling fire policy
• Short-term rental coverage
• Higher liability limits
• An umbrella policy
• A commercial policy for larger or more complex properties

Before renting out property in Connecticut, it is important to review the policy carefully. The wrong policy can create serious problems if there is a fire, water damage claim, injury, or tenant-related issue.

Make Sure Your Home Insurance Reflects Current Replacement Costs

Home rebuilding and repair costs have changed significantly in recent years. If your Connecticut homeowners insurance policy has not been reviewed recently, your dwelling coverage may need another look.

This is especially important if you have made improvements such as:

• A kitchen or bathroom renovation
• Finished basement
• Home addition
• New roof
• Detached garage
• Shed or outbuilding
• Pool
• Solar panels

Your homeowners insurance should reflect the estimated cost to rebuild or repair the home, not simply the market value or what you paid for the property years ago.

Review Your Insurance Before Summer Gets Busy

May is a smart time to review your insurance because many summer activities create additional risk. Travel, home projects, young drivers, rental properties, and outdoor recreation can all affect your coverage.

A quick insurance review can help answer important questions:

• Are my liability limits high enough?
• Is my home insured for the right replacement cost?
• Are all drivers listed correctly?
• Do I need umbrella insurance?
• Is my rental property insured properly?
• Are my contractors properly insured?

Connecticut Insurance Guidance from Page Insurance

Insurance is not just about having a policy. It is about making sure the policy still fits your life.

If you are planning a home project, adding a driver, renting property, buying a new vehicle, or reviewing your home insurance, Page Insurance can help you understand your options and identify potential gaps before they become problems.

Contact Page Insurance today for a Connecticut home, auto, umbrella, or rental property insurance review.