The Year-End Insurance Checklist: What to Review Before 2026

As the year ends, many people focus on budgets, taxes, and setting goals for the year ahead. There’s one crucial step that’s easy to miss, yet including it can bring valuable peace of mind and help you safeguard your finances.

A year-end insurance checklist helps ensure your coverage still reflects your life as it is today, not as it was when you first bought your policies. Over the course of a year, homes change, families grow, valuables are acquired, and businesses evolve. If your insurance hasn’t kept pace, you could be underinsured without realizing it.

Before we step into 2026, here’s a practical checklist to help you review your coverage with confidence.

1. Review Your Home’s Coverage Limits

Start with your homeowners policy.

At year-end, review:

• Your dwelling coverage amount
• Whether recent construction cost increases have been accounted for
• Any home improvements or renovations completed this year

If you own your home, projects like kitchen remodels, finished basements, new roofs, or added square footage can all increase replacement costs. If these updates aren’t reflected in your policy, your coverage may fall short when you need it most.

2. Take Inventory of New or High-Value Items

Many families acquire valuable items throughout the year—sometimes without realizing those items may exceed standard policy limits.

As part of your year-end insurance checklist, think about whether you purchased or received:

• Jewelry, engagement rings, or watches
• High-end electronics or home office equipment
• Fine art, collectibles, or musical instruments
• Designer handbags or luxury items

A personal article floater could be the perfect insurance solution. Taking a few moments to review your coverage now can give you peace of mind for the future.

3. Update Your Auto Insurance for Life Changes

Auto insurance is another area where small life changes can quietly create gaps.

Review your auto policy if you:

• Bought or sold a vehicle
• Added a teen driver
• Changed how you commute or work from home
• Moved or added a regular driver

Mileage, garaging location, and who regularly drives your vehicle all affect coverage and pricing. Year-end is a smart time to confirm everything is accurate before rates and circumstances change in the new year.

4. Revisit Liability Coverage and Umbrella Policies

Protecting your family with adequate liability coverage helps ensure you’re prepared.

Ask yourself:

• Do your current liability limits still match your assets and income?
• Would a serious accident or lawsuit put your savings or future earnings at risk?

An umbrella policy can provide additional protection above your home and auto policies at a relatively low cost. Year-end is an ideal time to evaluate whether this extra layer of protection makes sense for you.

5. Check Beneficiaries and Policy Details

Insurance policies often include beneficiary designations or assumptions that can become outdated.

As part of your year-end review:

• Confirm beneficiaries on any applicable policies
• Review named insureds and additional interests
• Ensure addresses and contact information are correct

Life changes like marriage, divorce, births, or deaths should always trigger a review, but year-end is a good reminder to double-check everything is current.

6. Review Business Insurance if You’re a Business Owner

If you own a business, your year-end insurance checklist should include a thorough review of commercial coverage.

Consider whether:

• Revenue or payroll changed this year
• You added employees, vehicles, or equipment
• You expanded services or locations
• Your cyber or professional liability coverage is adequate

Business insurance is never “set it and forget it.” Reviewing coverage before year-end helps avoid audits, surprises, or uncovered claims in the new year.

7. Ask About Discounts and Bundling Opportunities

Insurance markets change, and so do carrier offerings. A year-end review is a great time to ask about:

• Bundling home and auto policies
• New safety or security discounts
• Loyalty or claims-free credits

Sometimes the biggest benefit of a review isn’t adding coverage—it’s making sure you’re not overpaying for what you already have.

Why a Year-End Insurance Checklist Matters

Insurance isn’t just about meeting requirements—it’s about protecting what matters most to you. A policy review today can help prevent financial stress, uncovered losses, and difficult conversations after something goes wrong.

Your insurance should grow with you. As life changes, so do your risks—and your coverage should reflect that.

Before 2026 begins, take a few minutes to review your policies with a trusted advisor. It’s one of the simplest ways to enter the new year with clarity, confidence, and peace of mind.

If you’re unsure where to start, we’re here to help. A year-end insurance review doesn’t take long—but it can make a lasting difference.