Essential insurance checklist for first-time homebuyers - from homeowners insurance to title insurance, protect your biggest investment.
Life Event Insurance Checklists
Major life changes often require updating your insurance coverage. Use these checklists to ensure you have the right protection during important transitions.
Each checklist includes:
- Specific insurance actions to take
- Timeline guidance for when to act
- Related insurance types to consider
- Frequently asked questions
Family & Relationship Changes
Getting Married
Combine policies, update beneficiaries, and protect your new household. Covers health insurance decisions, auto policy bundling, and life insurance considerations for newlyweds.
Having a Baby
Add your child to health coverage, get life insurance, and plan for the future. Includes the critical 30-day enrollment window and disability insurance considerations.
Career & Business Changes
Going Freelance
Health coverage without an employer, business liability, and self-employment insurance essentials. Covers marketplace plans, professional liability, and retirement planning.
Starting a Business
Essential business coverage from general liability to workers’ comp. Includes BOP options, professional liability, cyber insurance, and industry-specific requirements.
Life Transitions
Moving to a New State
Transfer policies, update coverage for new requirements, and understand state-specific rules. Covers auto insurance minimums, natural disaster coverage, and finding new providers.
Retiring
Medicare enrollment, coverage gap solutions, and long-term care planning. Includes the Medicare enrollment timeline, supplemental coverage options, and asset protection strategies.
Need a Comprehensive Review?
Return to our general insurance coverage checklist for a complete assessment of all your insurance needs, or take our Coverage Quiz for personalized recommendations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I need to update my insurance after a life event?
Major life events often change your insurance needs and eligibility. Marriage, having children, changing jobs, or moving states can affect what coverage you need, who’s covered, and what you qualify for. Some changes (like adding a newborn to health insurance) have strict deadlines—miss them and you may wait until open enrollment.
How quickly should I act on insurance changes after a life event?
Many life events trigger special enrollment periods with 30-60 day windows. For health insurance after marriage, a baby, or job loss, you typically have 30-60 days to make changes. Some updates (like beneficiary changes) have no deadline but should be done promptly to ensure your coverage reflects your wishes.
Can I combine my insurance with my spouse's after getting married?
Yes, and you often should. Combining auto insurance can save 10-25% with multi-car discounts. For health insurance, compare two individual plans vs. one family plan—sometimes keeping separate plans is cheaper. You’ll need to decide within 30-60 days of marriage to add your spouse to employer health coverage.
What insurance do I need when starting a business?
Most businesses need general liability insurance at minimum. Depending on your business type, you may also need professional liability (E&O), workers’ compensation (required if you have employees), commercial property insurance, and cyber liability coverage. A Business Owner’s Policy (BOP) bundles common coverages at lower cost.
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