What's happening

If your auto or home premium has gone up recently, you're not alone — and it isn't just you. Across the country, rates have risen as the cost to repair vehicles and rebuild homes has climbed, and as severe weather has driven up claims.

A few things genuinely help: bundling your home and auto, reviewing your deductibles, asking about every discount you qualify for, and keeping your coverage matched to what you actually need.

The worst move is to drop coverage to save a few dollars and end up underinsured. The better move is a quick policy review — that's exactly what we're here for.

State Farm rolled out the red carpet for its army of sales agents at a Las Vegas convention last month.

Thousands who flew into Sin City on the insurer’s dime were treated to a Pink concert, a Jimmy Fallon-led singalong and selfies with the “Jake from State Farm” actor.

Then Jon Farney, State Farm’s chief executive, took to the Allegiant Stadium stage and dropped a bombshell.

Farney, a 33-year State Farm veteran, told his sales force he was ripping up their existing contracts. Any agent who wants to stay past 2027 will have to sign up to a new compensation deal and sales targets.

“State Farm needs to change,” he said, according to a video of the event reviewed by The Wall Street Journal.

A big driver of that change: AI. The rapidly evolving technology is shaking up the industry’s decades-old sales model, paving the way for faster, cheaper, more targeted transactions. Apps and bots are reinventing how people want to buy products like insurance.

Agents’ responses to the changes lighted up Facebook, Reddit and Instagram. “A lot of folks are really mad,” one commented. “Take it or leave. A real slap in the face.”

The initiatives appear to be a response to State Farm’s eroding status in the industry. The insurer was this year usurped as the nation’s biggest personal auto insurer by Progressive, losing a throne it had held since World War II, according to S&P.

Construction and material costs have risen sharply in recent years. That matters because if your home insurance was set a few years ago, your "dwelling coverage" may no longer be enough to fully rebuild at today's prices.

This is called being underinsured, and it's one of the most common — and most painful — surprises after a major loss.

A yearly review makes sure your coverage keeps pace with rebuild costs. If it's been a while since you looked at yours, reach out and we'll check it together.

Many insurers have shifted how they cover roofs, especially older ones. Depending on the policy, an older roof may be covered for its depreciated ("actual cash") value rather than the full cost to replace it.

What that means for you: the age and condition of your roof can affect both your premium and what you'd be paid after storm damage.

It's worth knowing exactly how your roof is covered before hail season — not after. We can review your policy and explain your options.

Nebraska weather can turn quickly, and a little preparation makes a claim far less stressful. If your property is damaged, make sure everyone is safe first, then document everything with photos, and protect against further damage if you can do so safely.

Keep receipts for any emergency repairs, and gather your policy details before you call.

And remember — you don't have to navigate it alone. We're your local point of contact, and we'll help you through the process from the first call to the final repair.