Top 5 Insurance Mistakes People in Rural Areas Make - And How to Avoid Them

Living in a rural area comes with its perks - quiet evenings, friendly neighbors, and the ability to see stars that city folks can only dream about. But when it comes to insurance? Well, let’s just say a few common slip-ups seem to show up again and again.

And as someone who lives and works right here in northeastern Kentucky, I’ve seen ‘em all.

Let’s walk through the top five insurance mistakes I see people making out here - and how you can steer clear of them without needing a spreadsheet or a second mortgage.

Mistake #1: Thinking “It’ll Never Happen to Me”

Ah yes, the ol’ “I’m healthy and careful, so I’ll be fine” mindset. I admire the optimism - I really do. But accidents, illnesses, and curveballs don’t check your zip code before showing up.

What to do instead:
Think of insurance as a backup plan - not because you expect the worst, but because you want your family protected just in case. Hope for the best, plan for the what-ifs.

Mistake #2: Letting a Policy Sit for 10+ Years Without Looking at It

I can’t count how many times someone’s brought me a dusty old policy from the Bush administration - George W., not H.W.

What to do instead:
Give your coverage a checkup every year or two. Life changes - your insurance should change with it. Marriage, babies, retirement, new job… all good reasons to reassess.

Mistake #3: Assuming Bigger Means Better

Sure, those national companies with celebrity commercials look flashy. But good service doesn’t come from a 1-800 number and a three-hour hold.

What to do instead:
Work with someone who knows your area, your doctor’s network, and the challenges of rural living. You’ll get real answers, not robotic scripts.

Mistake #4: Not Reading the Fine Print (or Reading It and Immediately Forgetting It)

I get it - insurance language is like reading a foreign manual. But not knowing what your policy doesn’t cover can come back to bite you.

What to do instead:
Ask questions. I’d rather explain something three times than have you caught off guard when a claim gets denied. And no, there are no dumb questions. I’ve heard ‘em all.

Mistake #5: Delaying Important Coverage “Until Things Settle Down”

We all do it. We wait for the perfect time… which somehow never comes. Meanwhile, we stay uninsured or underinsured longer than we should.

What to do instead:
Just start the conversation. I’m not here to twist your arm. We’ll walk through what you need, what you can afford, and what you can hold off on. Bit by bit. Piece by piece. Just like everything else in rural life - slow and steady works just fine.

Final Word: Don’t Let Mistakes Be the Teacher

You’ve got enough going on without having to learn insurance lessons the hard way. That’s why I do what I do - not to sell you stuff, but to guide you with honesty and care.

As someone who tries to live out his values each day (with more success some days than others), I consider it a privilege to help folks protect what matters.

So if any of these mistakes sound familiar… no shame. Just give me a shout, and we’ll fix it.

Together.