A New Year Planning Guide for Personal Lines Insurance

Car • Home • Recreational Vehicles • Umbrella

A new year is a natural time to review goals, budgets, and priorities—and your personal insurance coverage should be part of that annual reset. Life changes, rising repair costs, and new risks can quietly leave gaps in protection. 

A proactive insurance checkup at the start of the year helps ensure your coverage still fits your lifestyle, assets, and peace of mind. Here’s a practical planning guide to help you review the four core pillars of personal lines insurance: auto, home, recreational vehicles, and umbrella liability.

1. Auto Insurance: Adjust for How You Really Drive

Many people got their auto policy years ago and rarely revisit it. Start the year by reassessing how your driving habits may have changed.

• Mileage & usage: Remote work, retirement, or a new commute may have reduced the miles you drive to work—and potentially your premium.
• Coverage limits & deductibles: Rising vehicle values, repair costs, and lawsuit damages make adequate bodily injury and property damage liability and collision deductibles more important than ever.
• Discount opportunities: Safe-driver programs, bundled policies, and vehicle safety features may reduce premiums.

A brief review can uncover savings or prevent underinsurance after a loss.

2. Homeowners Insurance: Keep Pace with Rising Costs

Your home is likely your largest asset, and construction costs continue to climb. One of the most common coverage gaps in homeowners insurance is inadequate dwelling limits.

• Rebuild value: Make sure your policy reflects current labor and material costs—not the home’s purchase price.
• Home improvements: Finished basements, renovated kitchens, new additions, or decks should be reported to your agent.
• Personal property: High-value items such as jewelry, collectibles, or sports equipment may need special coverage.
• Liability & medical payments: Hosting guests, owning a dog, or adding features like a pool can increase liability exposure.

An annual home insurance review ensures your policy evolves along with your property.

3. Recreational Vehicles: Protect Seasonal Investments

Boats, motorcycles, ATVs, snowmobiles, and RVs add fun—but also risk. Because these RVs are often seasonal, they’re easy to overlook.

• Storage vs. active use: Coverage may differ when vehicles are stored versus in use.
• Accessories & upgrades: Trailers, custom parts, and safety equipment should be properly insured.
• Liability exposure: Recreational accidents can result in serious injuries and lawsuits.
• Off-season planning: Winter storage is a great time to review coverage before the next riding season begins.

Make sure recreational policies are active, accurate, and coordinated with your other coverage.

4. Umbrella Insurance: Your Extra Layer of Protection

Umbrella insurance provides additional liability protection above your auto and home policies—often at a surprisingly affordable cost.

• Broader protection: Covers claims that exceed underlying policy limits, including legal defense costs.
• Lifestyle changes: Increased assets, volunteer work, rental properties, or social hosting can raise liability risk.
• Peace of mind: A single serious accident or lawsuit can jeopardize savings without adequate coverage.

For many households, an umbrella policy is one of the smartest additions during an annual review.

Start the Year Confidently Covered

A new year insurance review isn’t just about cost—it’s about clarity and confidence. By aligning your auto, home, recreational vehicle, and umbrella coverage with your current life, you reduce surprises and strengthen financial security.

If you have any questions, call us at Scalzo, Zogby & Wittig, Inc. A short conversation today can prevent major headaches tomorrow—and help you start the year protected, prepared, and confident.

Until next time,

Your SZW Team

SZW Insurance is your Utica area Trusted Choice™ independent insurance agent. Call us for a quote on insurance for your home, car, business, or life at 315.792.0000. Or request a quote here.