Your Year-End Insurance Checklist: Start 2026 with Your Protection in Order

Your Year-End Insurance Checklist: Start 2026 with Your Protection in Order

The final days of December are a unique moment in the year. Life slows down just enough for you to look back at what changed—and forward to what needs to feel more secure next year. A common issue we see is that people make big life changes, but their insurance stays exactly the same.

New cars, new jobs, new homes, new drivers in the household, new business activity, and new responsibilities all affect the type and level of coverage you need. When policies are not updated, gaps only show up at the worst possible time—during a claim.

This year-end checklist is designed to help you review your protection across all the major areas Amistad supports: auto, home, renters, commercial auto, general liability, and workers’ compensation.

Step 1: List the Life and Business Changes You Had This Year

Before you even look at a policy, start with your real life. In our experience, this is the most effective way to spot gaps that a policy-only review can miss.

Ask yourself:

• Did you buy, sell, or replace a vehicle?
• Did anyone new start driving regularly in your household?
• Did you move, renovate, or change where you live?
• Did your belongings or home setup change significantly?
• Did you start or grow a business, side hustle, or new service?
• Did you hire staff, even part-time or seasonal?

Make a simple list. Every item on that list usually connects to at least one type of insurance coverage.

Step 2: Match Each Change to the Right Type of Coverage

Once you’ve listed your changes, connect each one to a policy. This is where things become clear very quickly.

Auto & Motor Vehicle Changes

If you added, replaced, or paid off a vehicle, it’s time to review your auto insurance and, where applicable, your motor vehicle insurance coverage.

Key questions to ask:

• Is every vehicle currently on the policy?
• Has the primary driver for any vehicle changed?
• Does any vehicle now get used for deliveries, jobs, or business errands?

These small details can make a big difference in how a claim is handled.

Home, Renters, and Where You Live

If you moved, renovated, or significantly changed your living situation, you’ll want to review your home insurance or renters insurance.

Consider:

• Have you updated your address and property details?
• Did you add higher-value items like electronics, furniture, or jewellery?
• Are you hosting more guests or family than in previous years?

In our experience, many people are underinsured simply because their policy still reflects the way they lived several years ago—not how they live today.

Business, Side Hustles, and Commercial Use

If you started or grew a business this year, even part-time, your insurance needs are likely very different now.

Ask yourself:

• Are you using any vehicle for business purposes?
• Do customers visit your home, office, or job sites?
• Have you taken on staff or regular helpers?

These changes usually point toward three key protections:

• Commercial auto insurance for vehicles used in your business
• General liability insurance for customer and client-facing risks
• Workers’ compensation insurance for employees who could be injured on the job

Personal policies are often not designed to cover business activity, which is why year-end is the ideal time to separate the two properly.

Step 3: Review Your Limits, Deductibles, and Realistic Budget

Coverage isn’t just about whether you have a policy—it’s about whether that policy is truly usable if something happens.

When you review your protection, focus on three core pieces:

• Limits: The maximum an insurer will pay for a covered claim
• Deductibles: What you pay before coverage starts
• Exclusions: Situations or items that are not covered

We often see people carrying deductibles that no longer fit their budget or limits that were set years ago when their life and assets were very different.

Step 4: Decide Where You Want More Peace of Mind in 2026

Once you’ve matched your life changes to your policies and reviewed your limits and deductibles, it’s time to make a decision: where do you want more peace of mind next year?

Some people choose to:

• Increase liability limits as their savings or assets grow
• Add or adjust comprehensive and collision coverage on newer vehicles
• Strengthen home or renters protection after major upgrades or purchases
• Formalize business coverage with dedicated commercial auto and general liability policies

There’s no single “right” answer. The best setup is the one that accurately reflects your real-world risk and your financial comfort level.

Step 5: Schedule a Proper Review Instead of a Quick Fix

One of the most powerful things you can do at year-end is schedule a focused review, rather than making rushed changes in the middle of a busy day.

In our experience, the most effective reviews happen when you:

• Have your list of life and business changes ready
• Know your top priorities (family, home, business, vehicles)
• Have a little time set aside to ask questions and understand your options

That short, intentional conversation often prevents months or years of worry.

Start 2026 with Clarity Instead of Guesswork

The goal of this checklist isn’t to overwhelm you with details—it’s to give you a clear, simple way to make sure your insurance matches the life you’re actually living today.

By reviewing your protection through Amistad’s core services—auto insurance, home insurance, renters insurance, motor vehicle insurance, commercial auto insurance, general liability, and workers’ compensation—you can enter 2026 with confidence instead of questions.

The last days of the year are a powerful time to tidy up loose ends. Making sure your protection is up to date is one of the most important gifts you can give yourself and the people who rely on you.