Consumer Corner
Demystifying Insurance to Ensure Proper Coverage
Last Updated on October 1, 2025 by Daily News Staff
Demystifying Insurance to Ensure Proper Coverage
(Family Features) Home and auto insurance are among the things many people buy but hope to never use. Proper coverage provides peace of mind that an accident, weather event, natural disaster or unexpected injury or illness won’t cause financial ruin. However, many Americans are uninsured, underinsured or paying too much for coverage.
Data from the Insurance Research Council cited by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners shows 12.6% of U.S. motorists are uninsured – approximately 1 in 8 cars on the road. For uninsured drivers, plus those involved in accidents with them, fender benders or worse can result in out-of-pocket costs.
Homeowners need to be properly insured, as well. According to the National Centers for Environmental Information, the U.S. has experienced more than 350 weather events or natural disasters since 1980 that have caused more than $1 billion in damage. Even small thunderstorms can send tree branches into homes, causing thousands of dollars in damage. For home and auto insurance, consumers should be sure their policies cover replacement and repair costs at today’s market rates in addition to liability coverage for personal injury and other damages.
Insurance helps bridge these gaps, but it’s common for people to renew policies without checking them. Because insurance policies are often seen as complex and confusing, that may prevent people from purchasing proper coverage.
A 2022 survey from realtor.com found only 56% of homeowners knew what to look for in their homeowners insurance policy when they bought their homes, and 15% didn’t have any idea what to check. In addition, Forbes Advisor reported 40% of drivers believe they had coverage that doesn’t even exist.
Consider these challenges consumers face when shopping for and comparing insurance policies and providers:
- Industry Jargon and Lingo – When you visit a website or talk to an insurance agent, you may feel like you’re speaking a different language with terms like “deductible,” “premium,” “co-pay,” “additional insured,” “aggregate limit” and “co-insurance.”
- Bait and Switch – Insurance carriers sometimes advertise low rates, but your rate may be higher than expected when you apply, often with no explanation.
- Fine Print – “Sorry, that’s not covered.” These can be chilling words to hear when you’re hoping your insurance policy comes through for you in a time of need. An explanation may be deep within the policy, but you may need a magnifying glass to find it.
- Transparency – Many decisions that affect rates and coverage may seem to be done behind a curtain, such as rates in comparison to neighbors, remodeling impacts on rates, rate changes based on age and more.
- Apples to Oranges – With many moving parts within the average policy, it can be difficult to compare rates and coverage.
Improved technology is helping solve some of these issues and deliver an improved experience. A decade ago, the only way to compare insurance rates was to make phone calls, meet with agents and read brochures. Even with the internet, you still need to visit multiple websites and take notes, often entering the same personal information time and time again.
Today, insurance marketplaces, like the flagship platform from Guaranteed Rate Insurance, make it easy to compare multiple carriers, all at once, with a single application. Customers enter basic information to receive quotes for home and auto insurance coverage from more than 50 top-rated carriers, allowing for a quick, side-by-side comparison of coverage options.
“The primary benefit insurance delivers is peace of mind,” said Jeff Wingate, executive vice president and head of insurance for Guaranteed Rate. “If the relationship between an insurance provider and customer begins with stress, confusion and frustration, the provider isn’t delivering the desired service. That’s why we made it easy for consumers to make informed decisions about rates and coverage from trusted and reliable providers.”
Life insurance, umbrella, jewelry, flood, pet, landlord and earthquake policies are among the other coverage options available for comparison. Coverage benefits are easy to read with clearly explained terminology and experienced agents standing by to answer questions or assist with purchasing a policy.
To find more information and explore the insurance marketplace, visit rate.com/insurance.
Photos courtesy of Getty Images
SOURCE:
Guaranteed Rate
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(Family Features) Graduation is an exciting time, but it also means new responsibilities.
“Graduates are stepping into a world filled with opportunities and uncertainties,” said Kevin Quinn, VP, Auto Claims at Mercury Insurance. “Understanding your insurance needs is a crucial step in protecting your future.”
If, like many recent grads, you’ve been on your parents’ auto insurance and now need your own, consider these simple steps from Mercury Insurance to help you get the coverage you need.
1. Review Your Current Coverage
As a starting point, talk to your parents and their insurance agent to understand what coverage you currently have.
“Knowing what coverage you’ve had under your parents’ policy helps you understand what protections you might need going forward,” Quinn said.
2. Decide on Your Coverage
Understanding the different types of coverage available ensures you choose the right protection for your vehicle and situation. Different types of coverage include:
- Liability: Covers damage you cause to others.
- Collision: Covers damage to your car from accidents.
- Comprehensive: Covers non-accident damage (like theft or weather).
3. Check State Requirements
Every state has different auto insurance laws. Look up the minimum coverage requirements for your state or ask an agent to explain them.
4. Get Quotes
Shopping around is essential. Contact multiple insurance companies to get quotes. Different companies offer various rates and discounts, so take the time to compare prices and coverage options to find the best deal. For example, you can obtain a quote from Mercury Insurance online.
Many insurers also offer discounts for safe driving, good grades or combining policies. Be sure to ask about lower rates and potential savings for:
- Good driving record
- Completing driver education courses
- Bundling with other insurance policies
5. Review and Choose
Look over the quotes and coverage options. Select a policy that provides adequate coverage without stretching your budget too thin.
6. Set Up Your Policy
Once you’ve chosen a policy, work with the insurance company to set it up. For example, Mercury Insurance has a team of agents ready to help make this process as seamless and easy as possible. Make sure you understand the terms and conditions to avoid surprises later on and contact an agent if you have any questions.
For more information, visit mercuryinsurance.com or contact your local agent.
Photos courtesy of Shutterstock
SOURCE:
Mercury Insurance
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5 Ways to Make Moving Day Less Stressful
(Feature Impact) With the kids out of school, warmer weather and extended daylight, summer is an ideal time for families to relocate. In fact, more than 60% of moves in the United States occur between May and September, according to industry data compiled by moveBuddha. However, even with the most favorable conditions on your side, the process can quickly become overwhelming without a plan in place.
Whether you’re moving across town or across the country, a little preparation can make moving day easier, safer and less stressful. From packing and activating necessary services to securing your space and getting to know your family’s new surroundings, these tips from the experts at KeyMe Locksmiths can help you avoid common pitfalls and make the move as smooth as possible.
Pack Smart to Make Unpacking Less Daunting
Packing is typically one of the most time-consuming – and most dreaded – parts of any move, but creating an organization system from the get-go can save time and energy when it comes time to sort everything in your new home. Pack non-essential items such as decor, books, out-of-season clothing and seldom-used kitchenware and appliances first, even weeks in advance if lead time allows, and clearly label every box by its contents or the room it belongs in.
Be sure to keep toiletries, medications, oft-used electronics (and their chargers) and a few days’ worth of clothing accessible until moving day. Also keep important documents like birth certificates, passports, Social Security cards, medical records, insurance policies, moving contracts and receipts, and any other pertinent financial documents in a dedicated lockbox that stays with you rather than going on the moving truck.
Transfer or Set Up Utilities Ahead of Time
Arriving at your new home only to find the electricity, internet or water aren’t yet active can be a real setback. A couple weeks before moving day, schedule transfers or new service installations for necessary utilities, including electricity, water and sewer, gas, cable and internet, trash and recycling, home security and any other services your family needs, ensuring activation dates are a few days before the big move.
Tackle Home Security for Peace of Mind
An often-overlooked task when moving: changing the locks. Even if the previous owners or tenants returned their keys, it’s nearly impossible to know how many copies may still exist. Replacing or rekeying locks is an important first step to ensure you’re the only ones with access.
Beyond changing the locks, homeowners may also want to consider adding extra layers of protection such as video doorbells, exterior security cameras, motion-activated lighting, smart locks, window sensors or a monitored security system.
To connect with a professional locksmith for lock installation, rekeying and assistance with select home security upgrades, visit Key.Me to access KeyMe Locksmiths’ nationwide network of trusted local locksmiths. Once your new locks are installed, you can also conveniently create reliable spare keys at any of the more than 8,000 self-service KeyMe kiosks located in major retailers nationwide.
Prep Spaces Before Move-In Day
Before couches, chairs, beds, dressers and tables fill every room, take advantage of the empty space to give your new home a thorough cleaning. Focus on areas that may be harder to clean once the home is inhabited, such as floors, baseboards, cabinets and closets.
This is also an ideal time to paint, update flooring, swap out light fixtures or update existing cabinet hardware, allowing you to start with a clean space that matches your personal tastes.
Get to Know Your New Area
Settling into a new house involves more than just unpacking boxes and making it feel like home. Take some time to explore your new neighborhood and locate the nearest grocery stores, medical facilities, parks, restaurants, schools and more. Also introduce yourself to your neighbors and consider joining community groups to help build connections and learn more about the area.
With peak moving season underway, these tips can help you spend less time worrying about logistics and more time enjoying your new home.
Photo courtesy of Shutterstock (family moving)
SOURCE: KeyMe Locksmiths
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FOX Corporation says it has reached a definitive agreement to acquire Roku in a cash-and-stock deal valued at $160 per share, putting Roku at roughly $22 billion in enterprise value. On paper, it’s a classic “content meets platform” move: FOX brings premium live programming (sports, news, entertainment) and Tubi, while Roku brings the connected TV operating system, The Roku Channel, and a direct relationship with more than 100 million streaming households.
For STM Daily News readers, the big question isn’t the stock math—it’s the practical one: what changes for people who already own a Roku device or use Roku’s service? Here’s what the companies are saying, what’s likely, and what to watch as the deal heads toward a targeted close in the first half of 2027.
The headline: FOX wants the “front door” to streaming
Roku isn’t just a streaming stick. It’s the home screen millions of people see every day—the place where apps are discovered, promoted, and monetized. FOX is betting that pairing its live content (especially sports and news) with Roku’s platform and ad tech creates a scaled media-and-technology business with stronger reach and advertising power.
FOX and Roku also emphasized that Roku will continue operating as an “open, partner-friendly platform,”and that FOX content will remain widely distributed. That’s an important promise—because Roku’s value depends on being a neutral platform that works with everyone.
What this could mean for Roku owners (the consumer view)
1) Your Roku device should keep working—no “sudden shutdown” expected
Nothing in the announcement suggests existing Roku players or Roku TVs will stop functioning. In most acquisitions like this, the priority is stability: keep devices running, keep accounts intact, keep app availability broad. Roku’s installed base is the asset.
What to watch for: changes to software update cadence, account terms, or how the home screen is organized.
2) Expect tighter FOX + Roku integration (and more promotion)
If FOX owns Roku, it can promote FOX properties more aggressively across the Roku interface—think:
- More prominent placement for Tubi and The Roku Channel
- Faster paths to live FOX events (sports, breaking news)
- Bundled sign-ups or simplified authentication
This could be convenient for viewers who already watch FOX content. It could also feel like “more FOX everywhere” if the home screen starts prioritizing FOX-owned services.
What to watch for: whether Roku’s home screen recommendations become noticeably more FOX-heavy.
3) Advertising could get smarter—and more intense
Both companies highlighted reach, engagement, and monetization. Roku’s first-party data and ad platform are a major part of the appeal. FOX’s live sports and news are premium ad environments. Put together, the combined company will likely push for:
- More advanced ad targeting and measurement across streaming
- More ad inventory tied to live events
- Stronger cross-promotion between linear TV and streaming
What to watch for: ad load (how many ads you see), frequency (how often you see the same ad), and new ad formats.
4) The Roku Channel and Tubi could become a bigger “free TV” hub
Roku already operates The Roku Channel, and FOX owns Tubi—two major free, ad-supported streaming services (FAST). A combined strategy could mean:
- More shared content pipelines
- Expanded live channels
- A clearer “free streaming” destination inside the Roku ecosystem
What to watch for: whether the services stay distinct or begin to merge features, libraries, or branding.
5) App availability is the make-or-break issue
Roku’s strength comes from being the platform where all the major services want to be. If partners believe the platform is no longer neutral, negotiations can get tense.
FOX and Roku say they intend to keep Roku open and partner-friendly. That’s a signal to streaming services, device makers, and advertisers: “we’re not closing the ecosystem.”
What to watch for: any public disputes over app placement, revenue share, data access, or carriage terms.
What the deal terms tell us (and why it matters)
FOX says it expects the deal to be accretive to free cash flow per share by the second full year after closing and targets about $400 million in run-rate cost synergies, with additional revenue upside. Translation: there will be pressure to streamline operations and increase monetization.
FOX also plans to fund the cash portion with new debt and cash on hand, with a pro forma net leverage expectation of about 2.8x (including partial credit for synergies). That kind of financing structure typically increases the importance of predictable cash generation—often from advertising and platform economics.
Timeline: nothing changes overnight
The transaction still needs shareholder approvals and U.S. and non-U.S. regulatory approvals, and the companies expect to close in the first half of 2027. That means the Roku experience you have today is likely to remain largely the same in the near term.
Bottom line: convenience vs. control
For consumers, this deal is a tug-of-war between two outcomes:
- Convenience: easier access to FOX content, stronger free streaming options, and a more integrated experience.
- Control: more aggressive promotion, more advertising optimization, and potential shifts in platform neutrality.
If you’re a Roku owner, the best move right now is simple: keep an eye on interface changes and terms-of-service updates as the deal progresses. The “what to watch for” items above will be the early signals of whether this becomes a viewer-friendly upgrade—or a more tightly monetized streaming front door.
What to watch for next
- Regulatory review updates and any conditions attached to approval
- How FOX positions Tubi vs. The Roku Channel
- Any changes to Roku’s partner relationships (major app negotiations)
- New product announcements tied to live sports/news streaming
Source (press release):
Fox Corporation via PRNewswire — “FOX CORPORATION TO ACQUIRE ROKU, INC.” (June 15, 2026)
Related external links (as referenced in the release):
- SEC filings portal: https://www.sec.gov
- FOX Investor Relations: https://investor.foxcorporation.com/
- Roku Investor Relations: https://www.roku.com/investor
- Fox Corporation (company site): https://www.foxcorporation.com/
STM Daily News will continue tracking what this acquisition means for cord-cutters, connected TV users, and the future of streaming discovery.
