Gather
Collect current declarations, endorsements, schedules, inventories, estimates, and beneficiary records.
The ten-minute audit
Having policies is not
the same as being covered.
Check ten signals. This audit does not score your insurance; it tells you where a closer review is worthwhile.
Interpret the result
Unchecked items are questions—not a score.
The audit does not know your policies or recommend limits. It identifies facts worth verifying in current declarations, endorsements, schedules, inventories, and beneficiary records.
| Unchecked area | Document to open | Question to answer |
|---|---|---|
| People, property, or use | Application, declarations, schedules | Do the insurer's records match the risk today? |
| Limits or valuation | Declarations, inventory, estimate, financial plan | Would the amount support a realistic severe loss? |
| Exclusions or catastrophe gaps | Policy forms and endorsements | Which plausible event has no matching response? |
| Claims readiness | Claim instructions and evidence folder | Can the loss and amount be documented without reconstruction? |
Review cycle
Turn the audit into a maintenance habit.
Set a yearly date, but do not wait for it after a material change. Keep a short change log and confirmation of facts reported to the insurer.
Reconcile
Compare the documents with actual people, property, work, contracts, health access, and financial obligations.
Stress-test
Apply one plausible severe loss and calculate limits, deductibles, delays, sublimits, and uncovered costs.
Document
Record changes, questions, provider responses, and the date selected for the next review.
From review to action
Resolve the highest-impact unknown first.
An unchecked box does not automatically mean you need more insurance. It means the supporting fact is missing, stale, or not understood. Prioritize a gap that could cause a severe uncovered loss, a missed deadline, or a contract mismatch before reviewing conveniences and small discounts.
If the policy facts may be wrong
Contact the insurer or licensed producer using the channel on the policy. Describe the changed fact, ask whether the contract or premium is affected, and keep the written confirmation. Do not assume the change applies until the authorized source confirms it.
If the protection itself is unclear
Read the relevant limits guide and exclusions guide, then ask for the form or endorsement that answers the question. When shopping is appropriate, build a consistent quote checklist before requesting prices.