Is Your Insurance Keeping Up? Why an Annual Review Matters for Complete Protection

January 09, 2025 · 6 min read

When was the last time you gave your insurance policies a thorough review? If this question makes you scratch your head, you are not alone. Most people in Reno, Nevada, and the USA set up their insurance and forget about it until it is time to file a claim or they are injured in an accident. However, reviewing your insurance policies yearly is as important as getting yearly physical checkups or doing a car's routine checkups. Yearly checkups ensure that the insurance is keeping up with your life, which means it is updated and is providing the coverage you need. Let's make one thing clear: an annual insurance review is not some sort of formality. Rather, it is an essential part of your insurance coverage to make sure your protection is up to date and your finances are under check. Life is fast-paced, and changes are bound to happen. Your circumstances, the economy, and even the insurance industry itself can change drastically. You or your loved one might face an accident and find out that you are underinsured or do not have any medical coverage. In times like this, only good insurance coverage and an accident lawyer Reno can protect you. So, let's understand why an annual review of your insurance is so important and how it can benefit you.

Why Is An Annual Insurance Review Important?

Life is unpredictable, and over the course of years, you might go through major changes that will impact your need for insurance. Here are a few good reasons why consulting with your insurance agent once a year is a good idea.1. Changes In Life Influence CoverageLife is not meant to stand still, and neither should your insurance. When you are dealing with significant milestones in your life, both joyful and challenging, it will affect your coverage needs. Here are a few examples -

When you get married or divorced, it may require you to combine or separate your insurance policy.
Having a baby might lead you to buy additional coverage.
When your kids leave for college, you might want to adjust your auto policy.
When you are retiring, it may reduce your daily driving mile, which will potentially lower your Auto Insurance Premium.
If you are buying a new home or making changes to your current home, your homeowner insurance requirements can change.

2. Staying Updated With The Industry ChangesThe insurance industry is continuously evolving and bringing new policies, discounts, and coverage to the market. When you do an annual review for your insurance, you can stay informed about these updates, which will make sure that you are not missing out on better deals or coverage improvements. For example, some companies offer telematics discounts if you have safe driving habits. They also offer clubbed options that save you money.3. To Adjust To Economic ChangesEvery year, there are a lot of ups and downs in the market, and it affects economic conditions, such as supply chain disruptions and inflation. It can also affect insurance rates and coverage requirements. Here is a quick example -If there is a rise in the cost of building materials, your homeowner's insurance coverage limit will need adjusting. This will ensure that your insurance can fully protect your property in case of damage. 4. To Avoid Gaps And Save Money When you fail to update your insurance policy, you could become underinsured or even uninsured for certain risks. On the other hand, when you get rid of outdated or unnecessary coverage, you can lower your premiums.When you get your insurance coverage reviewed annually, you can identify these opportunities and make sure you are paid only for the coverage you need. What Should Your Review?So, when you are doing an annual review, here are the areas you must focus on -Auto Insurance

Is there any change in your driving habits? Have you reduced your mileage or joined a carpool?
Do you have teen drivers at your home? Are they staying away from home due to college, or have any teens been recently added to your policy?
Did you purchase a new car? Did you sell or pay off your car this year?

Homeowner’s Insurance

Have you done any renovations in your home, like adding a new room, remodeling your kitchen, or replacing your roof?
Have you recently bought or inherited some high-value items that need additional coverage?
Have you recently moved out of your property or started renting a part of it?

Life Insurance

Is your life insurance policy adequate, and does it meet your family's needs?
Have you listed anyone as your beneficiary, and if you have, are they the right people?

Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist CoverageAre you insured or underinsured? Inadequate uninsured/ underinsured motorist (UIM) insurance coverage will not protect you in case an accident occurs, and you will have to cover the medical bills and property damage out of your own pocket.Medical Payments Coverage (Med Pay)

Do you have a Med Pay set up to cover your medical expenses for you and your passenger, regardless of who is at fault in an accident?
Med Pay is an important part of auto accidents and must not be overlooked during policy updates and reviews.

Additional Policies

Do you need specialized policies for your newfound hobbies this year? Like boating or hiking?
Do you need umbrella insurance for extra liability coverage?

The Risks of Skipping An Annual Insurance Review

If you avoid getting your insurance reviewed annually, you will face a lot of significant problems -

You will be left with inadequate insurance coverage and will be financially vulnerable in case of a claim.
You might miss out on a lot of savings and end up overpaying for policies when there are so many better options available.
You might end up with unnecessary expenses by paying for outdated or irrelevant insurance coverage.

When we talk about the risks of avoiding annual insurance review, it might sound exaggerated. But did you know just by moving to a new zip code, your insurance premium can change?So, if you do not review your insurance, the new adjustments to your life will not be noticed, and it will end up costing you money or leaving you without any insurance and exposed to financial risk.

The Annual Insurance Check Up Is Important to Protect You From Financial Struggles During Accidents.

Getting an annual insurance review done is like preventive care for your financial health. It is a small investment that will protect you in case of accidents and help you save a lot. Life is not always the same, and you need to have complete protection when you need the most.If you ever face an accident, Bradley, Drendel & Jeanney Law Firm will stand by your side and make sure you get the maximum claim. Our team of accident attorney in Reno has over 65 years of experience in handling motor and truck accident cases. We are Nevada’s trusted personal injury law firm, and we will protect your rights in case you face any personal injury. Get in touch with us today for a free consultation.

Jul 16, 2026

How Much Is My Car Accident Claim Worth in Nevada?

After a crash in Reno, NV, you have the right to get compensation for your losses and damages from anyone who was at fault. Many people start this process by asking "how much is my car accident claim worth,” but it's not possible to put a number on your case without knowing the details. Talk to a lawyer as soon as you can, and keep reading to learn about the main elements that will shape the number. How Much Is My Car Accident Claim Worth in Reno, NV? The value of your claim is going to depend heavily on several factors, the four most important of which are: Liability Total damages Comparative negligence Skill and experience of your lawyer 1. Liability Liability is determined by who was negligent. Negligence happens when someone doesn't act the way a reasonable person in that situation would to protect themselves or others. In car wrecks, liability often comes down to asking, "Who failed to perform their duty towards other road users by failing to follow the laws or acting unreasonably?” If you can show someone was speeding, ran a red light, was driving distracted, or similar, you can usually hold them liable. 2. Total Damages Your damages break down into two categories: economic and non-economic. Economic These are the concrete financial losses, like medical expenses, lost wages from missed work, lost earning capacity if you can't return to the same job or hours because of your injuries, and property damage. These are the foundation of your claim. Non-Economic Pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and any lasting changes to your daily activities or relationships belong in this group. There is no fixed formula that automatically applies for calculating these. It all depends on the severity of your injury, how long recovery takes, whether the effects are permanent, and how the injury has altered your normal routine. It also depends on your attorney: a good attorney will know how to calculate this fairly and argue for it effectively. 3. Comparative Negligence Nevada uses the 50% comparative negligence rule, and that can affect your claim. So long as you're not more than 50% at fault, you can claim compensation, but your claim will get reduced by the same amount as your fault. So if you're found to be 15% at fault and are owed $23,000 in compensation, you'd end up with about $19,550. It's very important to have a lawyer if you have some fault in the incident, as your lawyer can make sure you're protected from any attempt to call you more at fault than you are. 4. Your Lawyer It matters whether your lawyer is experienced in personal injury cases and skilled at: Gathering evidence and putting it together clearly and effectively Negotiating with insurers and understanding their tactics for minimizing claims Dealing with the red tape of the Nevada legal system Arguing and winning in court, if needed To get the help your claim needs, visit Bradley Drendel & Jeanney in Reno, NV now or call us at 775-335-9999 for a free consultation. We've been protecting Nevada personal injury victims for over 70 years.

Aug 27, 2026

What Should You Do Immediately After a Truck Accident?

After a truck accident involving a large commercial vehicle, the things you choose to do (or forget to do) can have a big effect on your future claim. Here's what to do after a truck accident in Carson City, NV. What to Do After a Truck Accident in Carson City, NV Check for Injuries Check yourself and everyone in your vehicle for injuries the moment the vehicles stop, and remember that adrenaline can easily mask pain, broken bones, or internal injuries for a time, so always get checked out later even if you feel fine at the moment. If anyone feels dizzy, has neck pain, or struggles to breathe, help them stay still and wait for help unless there's a life-threatening emergency, such as a car fire. Call 911 right away so police and emergency medical crews can respond. If your car can still move and the roadway is unsafe, pull as far off the travel lanes as possible. Talk to First Responders When officers reach the scene, give them a factual account of what you saw and felt. Stick to the sequence of events and don't make any guesses about fault or offer any opinions. Ask for the report number and the name of the investigating officer before you leave, because that official record is an important piece of evidence you may need later. Get Evidence If you're well enough to do so, snap pictures of everything you can. Capture the positions of both vehicles, the truck's company name, the USDOT number on the truck and its license plate, and any visible cargo. Include pictures of any skid marks, junk in the road, weather conditions, traffic signals, and the surrounding roadway generally. Take pictures of your own injuries and the interior of your vehicle. Exchange Information Exchange basic information with the truck driver and any other involved drivers, if it is safe to do so and you are all well enough to do so. You should get names, registration, and insurance information from everyone, but from the truck driver you'll also need commercial license details and the motor carrier's name. Collect contact information from any witnesses who stopped. Talk to Your Insurer Notify your own insurance company as soon as you can, but provide only the basic facts of the collision. Avoid making any recorded statements to the trucking company's insurer until you understand the full scope of your losses and have talked to a lawyer. Be aware that commercial carriers love to send adjusters to the scene quickly and press you to make a recordered statement as soon as possible; the goal is to get you to say something they can use later to limit their losses. Always refer them to your lawyer. Contact a Lawyer As soon as you're able, contact a lawyer with experience in truck accident claims. These claims often involve multiple parties, from the driver and motor carrier to cargo loaders, third-party mechanics, and sometimes equipment manufacturers. Each may have different insurance layers and different defenses. Contact Bradley Drendel & Jeanney today in Reno, NV for a free consultation. We've served all of Nevada and Northeastern California for over 70 years.

Jun 18, 2026

What Is a Contingency Fee?

When an unexpected injury disrupts your life, you may have the right to bring a legal claim to get reimbursed for your losses and damages. But doing so on your own is hard for many reasons, not least of all because you've got to concentrate on healing and getting back to normal life. You might have thought of contacting a lawyer here in Reno and wondered just what a personal injury lawyer contingency fee is all about. Defining the Contingency Fee Arrangement A contingency fee is a payment structure where your lawyer only gets compensation if your case is successful. If there is no recovery, you owe no attorney fees. This arrangement is especially common in personal injury because it removes the barrier of having to come up with immediate legal costs just to pursue your rights. The lawyer's payment comes as a percentage of whatever is recovered. How the Personal Injury Lawyer Contingency Fee Typically Works When you go this route, your lawyer invests time, resources, and expertise with the understanding that payment depends entirely on their success. The percentage is agreed upon in advance, and sometimes it can increase if the case ends up requiring more work or has to go to trial. You and the lawyer sign a written contract that spells out the exact percentage and scale, how it applies to the total recovery, and other key terms. Once the funds arrive from your award, your lawyer deducts their fee according to the agreement, handles any liens or medical repayments that have to be reimbursed from it, and distributes the remainder to you. Written Agreements and Nevada Requirements Nevada rules basically require that the contingency fee agreement be in writing and signed by you, clearly state the method for calculating the fee, include the specific percentages that apply at different stages, and address how expenses are to be handled and whether you remain responsible for those if the case does not succeed. Fees vs Case Expenses The contingency percentage covers the lawyer's time and skill. Case expenses are other things, like court filing fees, the cost of getting expert witness reports, medical record retrieval, investigation expenses, and costs for doing deposition transcripts. In many personal injury cases, the lawyer advances these costs and only recovers them from the settlement proceeds if the case succeeds. Advantages of the Contingency Structure Access With this arrangement, you can afford to retain experienced representation without draining all your savings or taking on debt just to get started. Confidence With this arrangement, your lawyer has skin in the game. Their recovery depends on winning, and the amount they get depends on maximizing your compensation. Breathing Room Instead of worrying about monthly legal bills, you can focus on medical treatment and getting your life back on track. Talk to a Reno Personal Injury Lawyer to Learn More Call us today at Bradley Drendel & Jeanney in Reno, NV, where our nearly seven decades of focus on personal injury cases make us one of the state's most established firms.