The renewal survey is a short check-in we send before your policy renews so we can catch anything that changed in the last year. It asks about the things that move your price and your protection: who drives, what you drive and how much, updates to your home like a new roof, discounts you might qualify for, and gaps in your coverage. Filling it out is optional, but it usually takes about five minutes, and it gives us what we need to reshop your policy and look for savings before your renewal date.
If you got a renewal survey from us and wondered what it was, or whether you really have to fill it out, this post is for you. We hear that question often, so here is the plain answer.
As an independent agency in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, we do not work for one insurance company. We work with several carriers, and part of our job is checking each year that your policy still fits your life and is still priced well. The renewal survey is how that review starts.
About 45 days before your renewal, our team sends you a survey customized to your policies. It is meant to be short and to the point. You can see the full timeline on our renewal process page, but here is the short version:
The survey is not a sales pitch and it is not a test. It is a quick way for you to tell us what changed, so we are not guessing.
Insurance is priced on a snapshot of your life. When that snapshot is a year old, your price and coverage can drift out of line with reality. Sometimes that means you are paying for things you no longer have. Sometimes it means something new is not covered the way you think it is.
Carriers also adjust their own rates over time. If your premium went up at renewal, the reason may have nothing to do with you. Our post on why your insurance rate went up walks through the most common causes. The survey helps us separate the things you can change from the things you cannot.
Each survey is customized to the policies you have with us, so the exact questions vary. In general, it covers these areas.
We want to know if anyone was added or should come off. A teen who got a license, a college student who moved away, a spouse or partner who moved in, or an adult child who moved out can all change your auto policy. Carriers usually want every licensed household member listed or formally excluded. Our guide to who counts as a household member on auto insurance explains why that matters.
Did you buy, sell, or trade a vehicle? Did you pay off a loan? Is a car sitting parked most of the year? Each of these can change what coverage you need and what you pay.
Many people drive less than they used to because of remote work, retirement, or a shorter commute. Annual mileage and how a car is used are rating factors with many carriers, so an updated number can make a real difference.
A new roof, updated electrical, plumbing, or heating systems, a security or water leak system, or a renovation can affect your homeowners premium and the amount of coverage you need. Roofs especially matter in Tennessee, where wind and hail are common. If you replaced yours, tell us. Our post on roof coverage in home insurance explains why the age and type of roof gets so much attention.
Discounts depend on the carrier, but many are tied to things that change from year to year, like a good student, a completed defensive driving course, a new home security system, or bundling another policy. Our guide to every insurance discount you might be missing is a good place to see what might apply to you.
Life changes create gaps. You may have started a side business at home, bought a boat or a side by side, picked up expensive jewelry, or added a rental property. The survey gives you a simple place to flag those so we can check whether your current policies respond.
Your answers give us the information we need to do two things: correct your current policy and shop it with other carriers.
We cannot promise a lower price every year. Some years the best move is to stay where you are. But without current information, we cannot even look.
No. The survey is optional, and skipping it will not cancel your coverage. Your renewal simply moves forward with the information we already have on file.
That said, it is one of the most useful five minutes you can spend on your insurance each year. If you skip it, we may miss a discount, a coverage gap, or a chance to shop your policy before the renewal date. If you would rather talk than type, call us and we can go through it together.
We review your answers and follow up if anything needs clarifying. If nothing changed and you did not ask us to shop, you are all set for renewal. If you asked us to shop, or your answers point to a better option, we will gather quotes and walk you through them before your renewal date. You make the decision. We help you understand the tradeoffs.
If you are thinking about changing carriers, you do not always have to wait for renewal. Our post on switching insurance before your renewal date covers when that makes sense.
Want a simpler way to keep track of your policies year round? Our client portal puts your insurance information in one place.
It is a short, customized questionnaire we send about 45 days before your policy renews. It asks what changed in the last year, such as drivers, vehicles, mileage, home updates, and discounts, so we can review and reshop your coverage.
No. It is optional and skipping it will not cancel your coverage. Your renewal moves forward with the information on file, but you may miss discounts or a chance to shop your policy.
Most people finish it in about five minutes. It is customized to your policies and kept short on purpose.
It can. Updated drivers, vehicles, mileage, and home details, plus discounts you may now qualify for, give us what we need to correct your policy and compare carriers. Savings are not guaranteed every year.
Tell us that. If nothing changed and you do not want us to shop, you are set for renewal. If you would like us to compare carriers anyway, just say so.
Yes. Call us at 615-773-2886 and we can walk through it together.
Whether you just got your survey or want to talk through your coverage before it renews, we are glad to help. As an independent agency, we can compare options from several carriers and explain what changes and why. Coverage, discounts, and availability depend on the carrier and underwriting. Call us at 615-773-2886 or fill out the form below.
Tell us a little about what you need, and a licensed agent will reach out. No pressure, just straight answers.
Sources: Hutsenpiller Insurance renewal process.