Insurance FAQ | Common Questions Answered

General Questions

Learn about Howard Castle Insurance and how we work

An independent insurance agent works for you, not for any single insurance company. Unlike captive agents who can only sell policies from one carrier, we have access to 40+ top-rated insurance companies.

This means we can compare multiple quotes to find you the best coverage at the most competitive price. We act as your advocate throughout the entire process—from getting quotes to filing claims.

Using Howard Castle Insurance doesn't cost you anything extra. We are compensated directly by the insurance carriers we work with, which means there's no markup on your premiums.

You get the same rates (or better) than you would buying direct, plus you get our expert guidance, personalized service, and advocacy throughout the life of your policy.

We work with individuals and businesses in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe, Mesa, Chandler, Tucson, Flagstaff, and all other Arizona cities and towns.

Most quotes are delivered within 24 hours. For simpler policies like auto or renters insurance, we can often provide quotes the same day.

If you need coverage urgently, we can bind many policies immediately for qualifying applicants. Just call us at (480) 500-7911 and let us know it's time-sensitive.

Not at all! You can work with us on just one policy or all of them.

That said, bundling multiple policies often unlocks significant discounts, so we're happy to review all your coverage and show you potential savings.

Auto Insurance Questions

Everything you need to know about protecting your vehicle

Arizona law requires liability coverage with minimum limits of 25/50/15:

$25,000 bodily injury per person
$50,000 bodily injury per accident
$15,000 property damage per accident

However, we strongly recommend higher limits (at least 100/300/100) as the state minimums rarely provide adequate protection in serious accidents. Your assets and future wages could be at risk if you're underinsured.

Arizona's desert environment and heavy construction activity create unique risks for windshields. Rock chips and cracks are extremely common, especially if you drive on highways regularly.

Full glass coverage (also called "safety equipment coverage") allows you to repair or replace your windshield with a $0 deductible. Without it, you'll pay your comprehensive deductible (typically $500-$1,000) every time.

This coverage typically costs just $20-40 per year and pays for itself the first time you need it.

However, if you have more than three glass claims in a short period of time, that can affect your rates.

It depends on the type of claim and your insurance history:

At-fault accidents: Usually result in rate increases that can last 3-5 years
Not-at-fault accidents: Generally won't increase your rates, though some carriers may apply small surcharges
Comprehensive claims: (theft, vandalism, weather) typically have less impact than collision claims
Glass claims: Many carriers don't surcharge for windshield repairs/replacements

Many of our carriers offer Accident Forgiveness, which prevents your rate from increasing after your first at-fault accident if you've been claim-free for a certain period.

Generally, auto insurance follows the car, not the driver. This means:

If you're driving someone else's car with permission, their insurance is primary (covers first)
Your insurance may act as secondary coverage if their limits are exhausted
If you're driving a rental car, your personal auto policy typically extends to cover it

Important exception: If you regularly drive a vehicle that's not listed on your policy (even if it belongs to someone in your household), you may not be covered. Be sure to list all licensed drivers and household vehicles on your policy.

Home Insurance Questions

Protecting your castle in the Grand Canyon State

Arizona's desert climate creates several unique insurance considerations:

Monsoon storms: Severe winds, dust storms, and flash flooding during summer months
Extreme heat: Can damage roofs, HVAC systems, and exterior surfaces
Wildfires: Increasingly common in rural and foothill areas
Dust and sand: Can infiltrate and damage mechanical systems

We ensure your policy addresses these Arizona-specific risks with appropriate coverage limits and endorsements.

Your dwelling coverage should equal the cost to rebuild your home from the ground up, not the market value or mortgage amount.

Key factors that determine this amount:

Square footage and construction type
Quality of materials and finishes
Current local construction costs (labor and materials)
Special features (pool, solar panels, upgraded kitchen, etc.)

We recommend getting a replacement cost estimate every 3-5 years, as construction costs can rise significantly over time. Many policies include inflation guard clauses to adjust your coverage automatically.

We recommend having a personal insurance review annually, to ensure you are adequately covered.

No, standard homeowners insurance policies do not cover flood damage. You need a separate flood insurance policy.

In Arizona, flash flooding during monsoon season is a real risk, even in areas not typically considered "flood zones." Many homeowners are surprised to learn they're not covered when their home is damaged by:

Flash floods from heavy monsoon rains
Water backing up through storm drains
Overflow from washes and dry riverbeds

We can help you determine if you need flood insurance and connect you with the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or private flood insurance options.

This is one of the most important distinctions in home insurance:

Actual Cash Value (ACV):

Pays the depreciated value of your property. If your 10-year-old roof is damaged, you'll receive what it's worth today (accounting for age and wear), not what it costs to replace it.

Replacement Cost:

Pays to replace damaged property with new items of similar quality, without deducting for depreciation. Your 10-year-old roof is replaced with a brand new one at today's prices.

We strongly recommend Replacement Cost coverage for both your dwelling and personal property. While it costs slightly more, it provides significantly better protection when you need it most.

Coverage & Claims

Understanding your policy and the claims process

First, ensure everyone's safety. Then:

Report the accident or loss: Call the police 911, (required for auto accident, theft, vandalism or significant non-auto accident).
Contact us: (480) 500-7911. We can guide you through the process, and assist you in filing the claim with your insurance carrier.
Document everything: Take photos/videos of all damage from multiple angles.
Get contact information: Exchange details with all parties involved (for auto accidents).
Don't admit fault: Stick to the facts when describing the incident.
Preserve evidence: Keep damaged items until the insurance adjuster has seen them.
Prevent further damage: Take reasonable steps to protect your property (board up broken windows, etc.)
Verify a police report was filed.

Remember: As your agent, we can act as your advocate during the claims process. We'll help you navigate any challenges and ensure you receive fair treatment from the insurance carrier.

The timeline varies depending on the type and complexity of the claim:

Minor claims: (windshield, small fender bender) - Often resolved within 1-2 weeks
Moderate claims: (significant auto damage, partial home loss) - Typically 2-6 weeks
Major/complex claims: (total loss, major property damage, liability disputes) - Can take 2-6 months or longer

Factors that affect claim speed:

Availability of adjusters and contractors
Severity and extent of damage
Whether liability is disputed
How quickly you provide requested documentation

Liability coverage is your financial shield when you're legally responsible for damage or injury to others. It covers:

For Auto Insurance:

Injuries to other drivers, passengers, or pedestrians
Damage to other people's vehicles or property
Legal defense costs if you're sued
Court-ordered judgments (up to your policy limits)

For Home Insurance:

Injuries to guests on your property (slip and fall, etc.)
Damage your property causes to others (tree falls on neighbor's house)
Injuries caused by your pets
Legal defense if you're sued for covered incidents

Critical: Liability coverage does NOT protect your own property or your injuries—that's what collision, comprehensive, and medical payments coverage(s) are for. Liability only protects you from financial responsibility if you are legally responsible for injuries caused to others.

An umbrella policy provides additional liability coverage beyond your auto and home insurance limits. We recommend it if you:

Have significant assets to protect (home equity, savings, investments)
Have a high income that could be garnished in a lawsuit
Own rental properties
Have teenage drivers
Frequently host guests at your home
Own a pool, trampoline, or other "attractive nuisances"
Have dogs (especially certain breeds)

Umbrella policies are surprisingly affordable—typically $150-300 per year for $1 million in additional coverage—and provide peace of mind that your assets are protected from catastrophic liability claims.

We can review your situation and help determine if an umbrella policy makes sense for you.

Billing & Payments

Everything about premiums, payments, and policy changes

Most carriers we work with offer flexible payment options:

Paid in full: Pay your entire premium upfront (often earns a 5-10% discount)
Monthly automatic payments: Set up EFT or credit/debit card autopay
Quarterly or semi-annual payments: Available with most carriers
Online payment portal: Make one-time payments anytime

Important: Monthly payment plans typically include a small installment fee ($3-10 per month) added by the insurance carrier. Paying in full or using less frequent payment schedules can save you money.

We can help you set up your preferred payment method when you purchase your policy.

Yes, you can cancel your insurance policy at any time, but there are important things to know:

You'll receive a refund for any unused premium (minus a potential short-rate penalty if you cancel mid-term)
Never cancel before new coverage starts: Even a one-day gap can result in rate increases or coverage denial later
Some carriers charge a cancellation fee if you cancel before the policy term ends
Auto insurance: Arizona law requires continuous coverage—canceling without replacement can lead to license suspension

Pro tip: Contact us before canceling anything. We can help you compare options and ensure there's no gap in coverage. Often, we can find you better rates with a different carrier without any lapse.

Rate increases at renewal can happen for several reasons:

Personal factors:

Claims filed during the policy period
Moving violations or accidents
Changes to your credit score
Added drivers or vehicles

Market factors:

Increased claims costs industry-wide
Rising costs of repairs, parts, and medical care
Natural disasters affecting the insurance market
Changes in state regulations

The good news: We proactively shop your policy at renewal to ensure you're still getting the best rate. If your current carrier raises your rates significantly, we'll compare it against our other 40+ carriers and move you if we find better value elsewhere.

This is one of the biggest advantages of working with an independent agent—we're not locked into one company and can adapt to the market on your behalf.

Yes! You can make changes to your policy at any time. Common mid-term changes include:

Adding or removing vehicles
Adding or removing drivers
Updating your address
Increasing or decreasing coverage limits
Adding new coverages (like rental reimbursement or roadside assistance)
Adjusting deductibles

Depending on the change, your premium may increase or decrease, and you'll either receive a refund or owe additional premium for the remainder of your policy term.

Important life events that require policy updates: