Question 1

What does it mean that you're an independent agency?

Accepted Answer

We don't work for one carrier. We hold appointments with more than 20 top-rated companies, so when you ask for a quote we shop them side by side and bring back the one that actually fits. If your current policy is already the best fit, we'll tell you that too.

Question 2

Does using an agent cost more than buying online?

Accepted Answer

No. Rates are filed with each state's department of insurance, so the same policy costs the same whether you buy it direct or through us. The difference is that you get a person who reviews your coverage, handles renewals, and picks up the phone at claim time.

Question 3

Are you licensed in my state?

Accepted Answer

Yes — we're licensed nationwide, in all 50 states. Our office is in Montpelier, Idaho, and we handle everything by phone, email, and e-signature no matter where you live.

Question 4

How long does it take to get a quote?

Accepted Answer

Most personal lines quotes come back the same business day. Complex commercial, farm, or high-value home accounts can take a few days because we're gathering terms from multiple carriers.

Question 5

What do you need from me to start?

Accepted Answer

The fastest path is your current declarations page — it lists your coverages, limits, deductibles, and vehicles or property. If you don't have one, your name, date of birth, address, and what you want covered is enough for us to begin.

Question 6

Will switching carriers hurt my rate or leave a coverage gap?

Accepted Answer

Neither, when it's done right. We set the new policy's effective date to line up with your cancellation date, so there's no gap and no overlap. Many carriers actually reward continuous prior coverage with a loyalty or transfer discount.

Question 7

How much liability coverage should I carry?

Accepted Answer

State minimums are almost never enough — a single serious injury claim can exceed them in an afternoon, and you're personally responsible for the rest. We generally recommend at least 100/300/100, and higher if you own a home, a business, or meaningful savings to protect.

Question 8

What's the difference between collision and comprehensive?

Accepted Answer

Collision pays when your vehicle hits something — another car, a guardrail, a pole. Comprehensive pays for almost everything else: hail, deer strikes, theft, vandalism, fire, and cracked windshields. Each has its own deductible.

Question 9

Should I raise my deductible to lower my premium?

Accepted Answer

Only to an amount you could write a check for tomorrow. Moving from $500 to $1,000 often trims the physical damage premium noticeably, but it's a bad trade if the higher deductible would keep you from filing a legitimate claim.

Question 10

Do I need uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage?

Accepted Answer

We strongly recommend it. Roughly one in eight drivers nationally carries no insurance, and many more carry bare minimums. UM/UIM steps in to pay your injuries and losses when the at-fault driver can't.

Question 11

Am I covered in a rental car?

Accepted Answer

Usually your personal auto policy extends to rentals in the U.S., but it follows your existing limits and deductibles, and it may not cover the rental company's loss-of-use fees. Call us before a trip and we'll confirm exactly what applies.

Question 12

Does my policy cover my teen driver?

Accepted Answer

Household members of driving age need to be listed. Adding a teen raises the premium, but leaving them off can mean a denied claim. Good-student and driver-training discounts take some of the sting out.

Question 13

How is a classic or collector car insured differently?

Accepted Answer

Collector policies use an agreed value — the amount you and the carrier settle on up front — rather than depreciated actual cash value, and they price around limited annual mileage and secure storage. That usually means better protection at a lower premium than a standard policy.

Question 14

How much dwelling coverage do I need?

Accepted Answer

Enough to rebuild your home at today's construction costs — not its market value and not what you paid. Materials and labor have moved sharply in recent years, so we re-run replacement cost estimates at renewal rather than letting an old number ride.

Question 15

What is replacement cost versus actual cash value?

Accepted Answer

Replacement cost pays to replace an item with a comparable new one. Actual cash value subtracts depreciation first. On roofs and personal property especially, that difference can be thousands of dollars at claim time.

Question 16

Does homeowners insurance cover flooding?

Accepted Answer

No. Flood damage from rising water is excluded from standard homeowners policies and requires a separate flood policy through the NFIP or a private carrier. Water backing up through drains or sump pumps is a different exclusion that can often be added back by endorsement.

Question 17

Is earthquake damage covered?

Accepted Answer

Not by a standard policy. In the Intermountain West it's a real exposure and it's usually inexpensive to add. Ask us for a quote alongside your renewal.

Question 18

Are jewelry, firearms, and tools fully covered?

Accepted Answer

Standard policies cap those categories — often a few thousand dollars total for jewelry and similar limits for firearms. High-value items should be scheduled individually, which raises the limit and typically removes the deductible.

Question 19

Do I need coverage on a detached shop, barn, or shed?

Accepted Answer

Other structures coverage is usually set at a percentage of your dwelling limit, which may not be enough for a large shop or barn. If the outbuilding has real value or business use, we adjust the limit or move it to a farm policy.

Question 20

Will filing a small claim raise my rate?

Accepted Answer

It can, and frequent small claims can affect renewal eligibility. A good rule of thumb: insurance is for losses you can't absorb. If the damage is close to your deductible, call us first and we'll talk through whether filing makes sense.

Question 21

What does a business owners policy include?

Accepted Answer

A BOP bundles general liability with property coverage on your building, equipment, and inventory, and usually includes business income coverage so payroll and bills keep getting paid while you're shut down. It's the practical starting point for most small operations.

Question 22

Do I need commercial auto if I use my truck for work?

Accepted Answer

Often yes. Personal auto policies exclude many business uses — hauling for hire, delivering goods, or vehicles titled to the business. Hired and non-owned auto coverage also matters if employees ever drive their own vehicles on your behalf.

Question 23

What's covered on a farm or ranch policy?

Accepted Answer

Farm policies extend a homeowners-style structure to the operation: the residence, barns and outbuildings, machinery and equipment, hay and stored crops, livestock, and farm liability for visitors and hired help.

Question 24

Is livestock covered if it dies or is stolen?

Accepted Answer

Named-peril livestock coverage typically responds to events like lightning, fire, accidental shooting, drowning, and theft. Death from illness or calving generally isn't covered unless you add a specific mortality policy.

Question 25

Do I need workers' compensation?

Accepted Answer

Requirements vary by state and by number of employees, and agricultural operations often have their own rules. Tell us your state and headcount and we'll tell you exactly where you stand.

Question 26

What is an umbrella policy and do I need one?

Accepted Answer

An umbrella adds a layer of liability — commonly $1 million or more — on top of your auto, home, and farm policies. For anyone with assets, employees, or the public on their property, it's usually the least expensive protection per dollar of coverage you can buy.

Question 27

Term or whole life — which should I choose?

Accepted Answer

Term covers a set period, usually 10 to 30 years, at the lowest cost, and it fits people covering a mortgage or years of income while children are at home. Whole life costs more but lasts for life and builds cash value. Many families use term for the big temporary need and a smaller permanent policy underneath it.

Question 28

How much life insurance is enough?

Accepted Answer

A common starting point is 10 to 12 times annual income, then adjust for the mortgage balance, other debts, expected education costs, and any coverage you already have through work. We'll run the numbers with you rather than guess.

Question 29

Is the life insurance through my employer enough?

Accepted Answer

Rarely. Group coverage is often one or two times salary and it ends when the job does. An individual policy stays with you, locks in your current age and health, and can't be taken away by a job change.

Question 30

What does pet insurance actually cover?

Accepted Answer

Accident and illness plans cover diagnostics, surgery, hospitalization, prescriptions, and emergency care. Routine wellness — vaccinations, dental cleanings, spay and neuter — is usually an optional add-on.

Question 31

Are pre-existing pet conditions covered?

Accepted Answer

No carrier covers conditions that showed symptoms before the policy started, which is why enrolling while a pet is young and healthy matters. Some conditions considered curable can become eligible again after a symptom-free waiting period.

Question 32

How does pet insurance pay out?

Accepted Answer

Most plans are reimbursement-based: you pay the vet, submit the invoice, and the carrier reimburses your chosen percentage after the deductible. Approvals usually take days, not weeks.

Question 33

What do I do first after an accident or loss?

Accepted Answer

Make sure everyone is safe and the property is protected from further damage, then document everything with photos. Call us — we'll open the claim with the carrier, tell you what the adjuster will need, and stay in it with you until it's settled.

Question 34

Do I call you or the insurance company?

Accepted Answer

Either works, and carriers have 24/7 claim lines for after-hours emergencies. Calling us first means someone on your side is tracking the file and pushing when it stalls.

Question 35

Why did my premium go up when I had no claims?

Accepted Answer

Rates move with the whole book of business: regional storm losses, repair and rebuild costs, medical inflation, and vehicle parts pricing all feed into filed rates. When an increase looks out of line, we re-shop your policy across our carriers and show you the alternatives.

Question 36

How do I add a vehicle, driver, or address change?

Accepted Answer

Call, email, or send a message from the contact page. Most changes are processed the same day and we'll send updated ID cards and documents right after.

Question 37

How do I get proof of insurance for a lender or landlord?

Accepted Answer

Tell us who needs it and we'll issue the certificate or evidence of insurance directly to them, usually within the hour during business hours.

Question 38

When should I review my coverage?

Accepted Answer

Every renewal, and any time life changes: buying or remodeling a home, a new driver in the house, marriage or divorce, starting a business, buying equipment or livestock, or paying off a vehicle. Those are the moments coverage quietly falls out of step.

Straight answers, before you ever sign anything.

Working with Sharp Insurance

Auto insurance

Home insurance

Business, farm & ranch

Life, pets & livestock

Claims, billing & policy changes

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