🎄 December Newsletter — Protecting What Matters Most This Holiday Season
December 2, 2025
As we begin a new year, we want to take a moment to thank you for being part of the Engels Insurance family. January is a time for fresh starts, new routines, and renewed focus — and it’s also a great opportunity to make sure your insurance coverage is working exactly as it should.
This month’s message is centered on a simple idea: help us help you. By keeping us informed and responding promptly when action is needed, you help us ensure your coverage stays accurate, active, and affordable throughout the year.
🤝 Help Us Help You: Communication That Protects You
Insurance works best when we’re working together. A few timely updates from you can prevent coverage gaps, billing issues, and unnecessary stress later on.
Please be sure to give us advance notice when you experience any of the following: 📩 us at service@engelsins.com
🚗 Vehicle Changes
Let us know before you buy, sell, trade, or add a vehicle. This allows us to:
- Send ID cards
- Avoid gaps or overlaps
- Make sure the correct vehicle and drivers are listed
- Confirm coverage
🏦 Mortgagee or Lienholder Changes
If you refinance, change lenders, or pay off a loan, we must update your policy. Incorrect mortgagee information can cause billing errors or even payment issues with your lender.
📋 Audits & Inspections
For business and some personal policies, carriers may request audits or inspections. Responding promptly helps:
- Avoid estimated (often higher) premiums
- Prevent delays or policy cancellations
- Keep your coverage in good standing
A quick response goes a long way in keeping everything on track. 📩 us at service@engelsins.com
💳 Pending Cancellations & Late Fees: Why Timing Matters
One common issue we see — especially at the start of the year — is late payments leading to pending cancellations.
Here’s why this matters:
- Late fees can accumulate quickly
- Pending cancellations require extra time and paperwork to resolve
- A canceled policy can lead to higher premiums or coverage complications when reinstated
To avoid these issues, we strongly encourage setting up online payments or EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer) whenever possible. EFT ensures payments are made on time, every time — and in many cases, it can even lead to a discounted premium.
If you need help setting this up, just reach out. We’re happy to walk you through it.
📊 A Quick Look at the State of Insurance
Statewide and nationwide, insurance carriers continue to face rising construction, repair, and claim costs, which directly impact policy pricing. Replacement cost reflects what it would cost to rebuild your home with today’s labor and materials, not what your home could sell for on the real estate market.
Currently, homeowners’ insurance renewals are averaging around 15% increases across the market. Even without a claim, premium changes can occur because insurance works as a shared pool — meaning everyone helps absorb the rising cost of repairs and losses.
That said, we believe in proactive communication. If your renewal is expected to exceed these average increases, we’ll be in touch ahead of time to review your policy and discuss available options. Our goal is always to help you understand your coverage, explore alternatives when appropriate, and make informed decisions with confidence.
🎶 From Our Family to Yours: Wishing You a Happy New Year
As we step into the new year, we wanted to share a small glimpse of what the season looks like in the Engels household. This photo captures one of our favorite moments from the holidays — cheering on our kids at their dance recital. Between the music, costumes, and big smiles, it was a reminder of how quickly these moments pass and how special it is to pause and enjoy them.
As we turn the page to a new year, we wish you and your family a year filled with health, happiness, and moments worth celebrating. Thank you for allowing us to be part of your journey — not just as your insurance team, but as neighbors and friends who care deeply about protecting what matters most.
Here’s to a wonderful year ahead!
Warm Regards,
Chris, Betsy, Gary, Lyn, and Pete
Engels Insurance Inc.
