Sponsored by The Branch Insurance Group and STL Black Biz
Insurance is one of the most important tools you can use to protect your financial well-being. Whether you’re insuring your home, car, health, or business, a well-crafted policy offers peace of mind by helping you recover when the unexpected strikes. But it’s critical to understand that not all events are covered, and assuming your policy handles every situation can leave you dangerously exposed.
At Branch Insurance Group, we believe knowledge is power. By understanding what your policy covers—and what it doesn’t—you’ll be in a better position to protect what matters most.
Let’s start with homeowners insurance. A standard homeowners policy generally includes coverage for the structure of your home, personal belongings inside it, and liability protection in case someone gets injured on your property. Most also cover events like fire, smoke, windstorms, vandalism, and theft. However, it’s equally important to know what’s excluded. Typical homeowners policies do not cover flooding caused by natural disasters, earthquakes, mold, or gradual wear and tear. Flood insurance, for example, is sold separately through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or private insurers and is highly recommended if you live in a flood-prone area.
When it comes to auto insurance, coverage is generally broken down into three major types: liability, collision, and comprehensive.
Liability coverage is required in most states and pays for damage or injuries you cause to others.
Collision coverage helps pay for damage to your own vehicle after an accident
Comprehensive protects against non-collision events like theft, fire, or hail.
But even the most robust policy has its limitations. Auto insurance won’t cover mechanical breakdowns from wear and tear, personal items stolen from inside the car, or damages incurred while using your vehicle for business or rideshare driving—unless you’ve added the proper endorsements.
For business owners, commercial insurance is a crucial part of operating safely and responsibly. A standard policy often includes general liability coverage and commercial property insurance. Many also bundle business interruption coverage, which helps replace lost income if your operations are halted due to a covered event like a fire. Depending on the nature of your business, you may also need workers’ compensation, professional liability (also known as errors and omissions insurance), or cyber liability protection.
What you won’t typically find in a standard business policy is coverage for floods, earthquakes, or intentional acts of wrongdoing. These exposures require specific policy enhancements or stand-alone coverage options.
Health and life insurance are equally important pillars of your protection plan.
Health insurance typically covers:
Doctor visits
Emergency care
Hospital stays
Prescription drugs
Preventive services
Maternity care, and mental health treatment, especially under ACA-compliant plans.
However, exclusions still exist. Cosmetic procedures, out-of-network services, and experimental treatments are often not included.
Life insurance, whether term or whole life, is designed to provide financial support to your loved ones in the event of your death. Policies can have exclusions such as death due to suicide (usually within the first two years), deaths related to illegal activities, or if there was false information given on the application.
Ultimately, the most important thing to remember about any insurance policy is that it’s not one-size-fits-all. Understanding what your policy includes—and where it stops short—can help you decide whether you need additional protection. That might mean adding flood coverage to your homeowners policy, commercial cyber insurance for your business, or disability coverage as part of your employee benefits package.
At Branch Insurance Group, our goal is to help you make confident, informed decisions about your insurance. We take the time to assess your real-world risks and build a custom plan that grows with you and your goals.
If you live in St. Louis, Las Vegas, or the DMV (District of Columbia) and want to make sure you’re truly covered—no assumptions, no surprises—call Branch Insurance Group today at (702) 646-2082 for your free, no-obligation quote. Whether it’s personal, commercial, or even employee benefits, we’ll help you build insurance that works when you need it most.
#InsuranceTips #FinancialPlanning #RiskManagement
#InsuranceTips #FinancialPlanning #RiskManagement
