08/05/2026
Brodey Neveker of Patriot Insurance Group spoke today. He opened his presentation by explaining why insurance matters: everything of value — your home, vehicles, jewelry, and more — needs protection to avoid paying entirely out of pocket when something goes wrong. He cited 2024 data showing that roughly one in seven drivers nationally carries no auto insurance, with the average premium running around $205 per month. The downstream effect of uninsured drivers, he explained, is that insured consumers often end up shouldering the financial burden by filing claims through their own policies when an at-fault party has no coverage.
Brodey then walked through several common misconceptions he regularly encounters. First, liability coverage on a home policy — which typically ranges from $300,000 to $1,000,000 — pays for injuries or property damage to others, not to the policyholder. Second, the replacement cost on a home is not the same as its market value; a home worth $270,000 on the market might cost $360,000 to rebuild with today's materials. Third, having "full coverage" on an auto policy — meaning liability, comprehensive, and collision — doesn't automatically mean you're adequately protected, since the limits and deductibles on those coverages can still be substandard for your situation.
On the topic of deductibles and premiums, Brodey was clear: the two move in opposite directions. A lower deductible means a higher premium, and a higher deductible means a lower premium. He cautioned against setting deductibles that don't make practical sense — for example, carrying a $500 collision deductible on a car worth $500.
He also covered the most common claims he sees. On the home side, those include fallen trees, wind and storm damage, fire, and water damage — though he noted that standard policies exclude flooding from street-level sources. Water damage coverage applies to rain, snow, hail, or internal sources like a washing machine or sump pump. On the auto side, deer strikes fall under comprehensive coverage, windshield chips may carry a $0 or $50 glass deductible depending on the policy, and rear-end collisions are handled under collision coverage.
When it comes to what drives your premium, Brodey outlined a range of factors: driver age and record, deductible levels, coverage limits, claims history, home characteristics (a fireplace alone can add roughly $10,000 to a home's replacement cost), vehicle type, and location. He also pointed out that filing small claims — even for minor fender benders or windshield chips — can flag you as a higher-maintenance client in the insurer's eyes and push your premium up.
Roof coverage was another area he addressed in depth. Carriers vary widely: some will insure roofs up to 23–30 years old, while others won't touch anything over 20 years. Older roofs may only be covered at actual cash value rather than replacement cost — meaning a roof worth $3,000 in actual cash value versus $12,000 to replace outright.
Brodey wrapped up by sharing his overall philosophy. He operates as an independent broker, which means he can shop multiple carriers — including Travelers, Westfield, Liberty Mutual, Selective, and Progressive (and more)— on behalf of clients at no cost, with free consultations always available. His process starts with understanding what matters most to the client, reviewing their current policy, comparing options across carriers, and then helping them make an informed decision. He emphasized that an informed client is a confident client, and that his goal is never simply to get someone to switch to him — it's to make sure they have the right coverage for what they're trying to protect. He recommended reviewing your insurance when buying a home or car, adding a teen driver, at renewal, after moving, or when getting married, noting that marriage can improve insurance scores and potentially lower overall premiums.
Thank you for your great presentation Brodey!
