Insurance Basics
Certificates of insurance, policy structure, claims, and the vocabulary every buyer needs.
Guides
Delos Insurance in California: Who It Writes and What the 2026 Expansion ChangedWhat Delos Insurance is, who qualifies for its California homeowners policies, and what the March 2026 expansion changed for homes stuck on the FAIR Plan.August 8, 2026Read guide
DIC Insurance: How a Difference in Conditions Policy Completes Your FAIR PlanHow a difference in conditions (DIC) policy wraps around the California FAIR Plan, what it covers, who sells one, how to match limits, and what it cannot do.August 8, 2026Read guide
Essentia Insurance Company: The Name on Your Hagerty PolicyEssentia Insurance Company (NAIC 37915) issues US Hagerty policies. Here is what changed on January 1, 2026, when Hagerty Re took 100% of the risk from Markel.August 8, 2026Read guide
Is ERGO NEXT the Same as Next Insurance? What the Rebrand Changes for YouNext Insurance rebranded as ERGO NEXT in January 2026 after Munich Re's $2.6B deal. What changes on your policy and COI, and who the carrier actually fits.August 8, 2026Read guide
Who Underwrites Classic Car Insurance? Five Brands, One CarrierGrundy, American Collectors, J.C. Taylor, Condon Skelly, and Heacock Classic now share one carrier group. See who underwrites each classic car insurance brand.August 8, 2026Read guide
AM Best Ratings Explained: What Insurance Company Ratings MeanAM Best ratings explained, the A++ to D financial strength scale, whether a B++ rating is good, and why surplus lines buyers always check a carrier's grade.July 16, 2026Read guide
What Is a Broker of Record Letter and How Does a BOR Change Work?What a broker of record letter is, what happens after you sign a BOR, how carriers process the change, and when replacing your insurance broker makes sense.July 16, 2026Read guide
What Is Commercial Crime Insurance? Fidelity Bonds and Employee Theft ExplainedWhat commercial crime insurance covers, how fidelity bonds and employee dishonesty coverage work, and the ERISA bond amount your benefit plan must carry.July 16, 2026Read guide
Cyber Insurance for Small Business: What It Covers and What It CostsWhat a cyber insurance policy covers for small businesses, what it costs, first party vs third party coverage, and the controls carriers require to quote.July 16, 2026Read guide
Insurance Agent vs Broker: Who Actually Works for You?Agents legally represent the insurance company while brokers represent you. How captive, independent, and broker roles differ in binding power and pay.July 16, 2026Read guide
What Is Rebating in Insurance? Twisting and Churning ExplainedRebating, twisting, and churning explained. What each producer violation means, which states allow rebates after the 2020 NAIC changes, and the penalties.July 16, 2026Read guide
What Is Gap Insurance and How Does It Work?Gap insurance pays the difference between your car loan balance and its actual cash value after a total loss. See what it costs and when it is worth it.July 16, 2026Read guide
California FAIR Plan: What It Covers, What It Costs, and How to Leave ItWhat the California FAIR Plan covers, what it excludes, its coverage limits, what drives cost by ZIP code, and how to get back to a regular insurer faster.July 13, 2026Read guide
Surplus Lines Insurance: What It Is and When Your Business Needs ItSurplus lines insurance covers businesses the standard market turns away. Learn how non-admitted placements work, what they cost, and when you need one.July 13, 2026Read guide
Surplus Lines Tax Rates by State (2026)Surplus lines tax rates and stamping fees for all 50 states plus DC in 2026, with a worked calculation, the NRRA home-state rule, and who actually pays.July 13, 2026Read guide
Admitted vs Non Admitted Insurance: What the Difference Means for Your PolicyAdmitted vs non admitted insurance explained, filed rates and guaranty fund protection versus E&S freedom of rate and form, and when each market fits.July 10, 2026Read guide
What Is a BOP? The Business Owners Policy ExplainedWhat a businessowners policy (BOP) bundles, who qualifies for one, what it excludes, how it compares to separate policies, and what drives its annual cost.July 10, 2026Read guide
Certificate Holder vs. Additional Insured: What Is the Difference?Certificate holder vs additional insured compared. What each status grants, what it costs, how to upgrade to real policy rights, and contract mistakes to avoid.July 10, 2026Read guide
How to Read Loss Runs Like an UnderwriterHow to read insurance loss runs column by column. Paid, reserved, and incurred amounts, valuation dates, underwriter scoring, and pre-marketing cleanup.July 10, 2026Read guide
What Is a Certificate of Insurance (COI) and When Do You Need One?What a certificate of insurance proves, when landlords and contractors ask for one, and why a COI alone never makes anyone an additional insured on your policy.July 9, 2026Read guide