Renew Your Policy

Ark Agency Animal Insurance Services

Renew Your Insurance Policy

Policy Renewal Procedures

Most policies are in force for exactly 12 months, unless a short-term policy is requested for a shorter period of time.   Policies do not renew automatically and there is no grace period.  Your agent will provide you with a Policy Renewal Notice by mail or e-mail about 30 to 60 days before the expiration date.  The renewal notice will contain pertinent policy information, instructions and applications. Try to review your notice within a few days of receiving it so you’ll have plenty of time. It is important that you complete and return the documents according to instructions and by the specified dates so that your coverage can remain uninterrupted.

Animal Life & Health Policy Renewal Notices quote the premium for renewal, so are sent out about 30 to 45 days in advance of expiration.  It is usually only necessary for the Insured to sign the form and declaration of health, select the coverages for each animal, and send it to the agency along with payment that is post marked or transmitted no later then the renewal date. To avoid not having continuous, interrupted coverage, it is wise and best to have everything completed at least ten days prior to expiration date. Increases in value, high valued horses, and newly developed health conditions may require additional documentation. Don’t hesitate to call your agent if you have any questions or concerns.

Liability and Property Package Renewal Notices contain questionnaires to update the policy before a renewal quote can be given.   Therefore renewal notcies are sent out 45 to 60 days in advance.  At renewal you will have an opportunity to re-evaluate your coverages and limits.  These policies are re-underwritten each year because the Insured’s needs for limits, exposures, values and insured items can change substantially. It is for your protection that this is done. The questionnaire must be completed, signed and returned to your agent for the final quotation.  Once the renewal quote is received, the Insured should select coverages offered, sign the quote, choose a payment method and send it to the agency with payment that is post marked or transmitted no later than the renewal date. To have continuous, uninterrupted coverage, it is wise and best to have everything completed at least ten days prior to expiration date. Don’t hesitate to call your agent to discuss options, coverage questions or changes you want to make.

Contact your agent if you have not received your renewal notice by 20 days prior

to the expiration date.

 

  Policy Nonrenewal by the Insurer

If for some reason the Insurer cannot renew your policy, you will receive a Nonrenewal Notice about 30 to 60 days prior to your expiration date as your state’s law requires.  This letter will come from the Insurer and state the reasons why they cannot renew. A copy of the Nonrenewal Notice will be sent to your agent and to any Additional Insureds on your policy.  Should this happen, it is important for you to immediately seek a replacement Insurer so that your insurance protection will remain uninterrupted.  Your agent may be able to make recommendations if he or she cannot find a replacement Insurer.

 Keep Lists of Your Policies

We encourage you to keep a list of all your insurance policies and update it as needed.  Make two copies every time you do an update. Keep one in a private place where you will see it often.  Keep the other at a different premises location.  By doing this, you’ll be able to keep track of your expiration dates and the information will be handy if you have a claim.  But also, if you lose your policies, you’ll be able to easily get copies from the Insurer with this information.  Retain old lists just in case a claim develops long after a policy has been discarded.

 The list should include:

 1.  Name of the Insurers

2.  Policy Numbers

3.  Types of Insurance

4.  Subjects of Insurance

5.  Dates of inception and expiration

6.  Agent Name and Contact numbers

7.  Claims Contacts and Contact Numbers

 Keep Your Policies in One Place

It is recommended that you keep your policies (and binders) in one place and that you mark the files according to the year the policies are in force.  This will make finding the right policy easier should you have a claim, want to review or make a change to it, or need to prove coverage to a financial institution or other party. 

*General information is provided on this insurance topic.  Acting on our coverage recommendations does not guarantee coverage if you have a loss or claim.