When we choose a product, we often focus on two things: how fast we can get it and how much it costs. Those are easy to measure. But there’s a third factor – quality — and that’s harder to judge. It takes time, experience, knowledge, and trust.
Marketing knows this. Some companies push celebrity endorsements or claim that all products are basically the same. We’re surrounded by messages that reward fast, cheap decisions. But here’s the truth: when quality matters, speed and price alone might not get you what you really need.
When it comes to home and auto insurance, quality matters. These are not one-size-fits-all products. But how to find out the quality of your insurance policy? The difference between a policy that helps and one that disappoints us comes down to three things:
- The insurance company’s financial strength and how it handles claims.
- The process used to choose your coverage—what you bought and how much of it.
- How long ago you made your insurance coverage decisions.
For sizing up your insurance company, you can check the company’s strength online using AM Best, NAIC, or Michigan DIFS complaint indexes. Most insurance companies that do business in Michigan are pretty good.
When it comes to decisions involving your insurance coverage, you are the “quality control” person. If you don’t ask questions to understand your policy, you may be signing up for a painful surprise later. There are over 100 questions built into home and auto insurance applications. You probably received your application by email and signed it digitally. But did you read what you signed? Did anyone walk you through it? And how many years ago did you have that conversation?
In 2026, let’s bring quality back into the insurance conversation. It makes good sense to review your insurance coverage in detail at least every other year. It only takes a good conversation with your agent to understand what coverage you’ve got and how it will work when you need it most.
