As a fellow twenty-something, I know what it feels like to make every attempt possible to delay becoming a real adult. Terms such as 401K and savings account strike fear into my 24 year old heart.
Unfortunately, I’ve also paid the price for not taking the time to look into another very responsible, grown up term: insurance. I’m lucky enough to have a job that offers health and dental coverage, but what about all the other types of insurance out there?
Almost two years ago, I moved from my parents’ house in upstate NY to an apartment in Boston. Overcome with my new found independence, I never even considered researching renters insurance policies. Why would I? I never had to before. So I went about my new life, blissfully unaware how valuable renters insurance can really be. Until one evening, just two weeks after arriving in Boston, when I came home from work to find out that my apartment had been broken into. My laptop had been stolen. I didn’t cry. I didn’t scream. And I didn’t blame anyone but myself. While the break in would have most likely occurred no matter what (that’s what you get for living in a first floor apartment), if I’d had renters insurance I could have easily gotten my laptop replaced. It was a costly mistake on my part, for not even thinking to insure the most valuable item I owned at the time.
The lesson? Don’t make the same mistake that I did. If you take a few minutes to research an insurance policy now, you could save yourself a lot of money and frustration down the road. Here are a few other insurance related situations twenty-somethings might want to keep in mind:
- Before purchasing a new car, check out the insurance costs for the specific make and model.
- Certain possessions (like jewelry and engagement rings, ladies) are not always covered under standard home or renters insurance.
- Job hunting? Salary shouldn’t be the only consideration when debating a job offer — make sure your employer offers a comprehensive benefits package, especially if you have a pre-existing medical condition.
(Source:http://www.insureuonline.org/insure_this.htm)
To help get you started, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) is hosting an InsureU Ultimate FAIL Sweepstakes. To enter, share a strange or funny insurance ‘oops’ on NAIC’s Facebook page. Weekly winners receive an Ultimate Apartment Safety Kit featuring wireless door and window alarms, an LED flashlight, and more ($120 value). Like Insure U on Facebook to enter, contest ends December 21st.
