Use and take full advantage of the services offered by insurance companies.

By Márcio Kroehn_247 – Home repairs, a locksmith in an emergency, parking discounts, and pre-vehicle inspections. These four services can cause a lot of headaches and financial losses. But anyone with an insurance policy has probably noticed that these benefits and many others are included in the contract. They seem like the smallest part of the protection purchased for your car, motorcycle, house, or business until you find yourself in a tight spot: a pipe bursts in the bathroom or your car battery dies on the way to an important appointment. A plumber or auto electrician from an insurance company makes life easier by avoiding desperate calls to find someone trustworthy. And they help save money on these small expenses. “The client feels satisfied and protected with this service that doesn't push parts or charge for things it shouldn't,” says Boris Ber, partner at Asteca Insurance Brokerage.

What began a few years ago as a timid benefit offered by a few insurance companies is now widespread across the market. Some even use service provision as a quality differentiator in their customer service. "Complementary services strengthen the bond with the insurer, which was previously only remembered when it had to pay a claim," says Francisco Galiza, partner at Rating de Seguros Consultoria. To facilitate visualization of the level of use of these services, some insurance companies already periodically send a statement with a description and the amount of use. It's important to note which services are most frequent in your life, as some clauses are more comprehensive and others simpler. Since you pay a marginal cost for this assistance, the savings, however small, make all the difference. In a popular car, a policy with all the services can cost up to R$ 200 more in the total price of the insurance.

But if you don't know or haven't noticed that these free benefits are available to you in your policy, know that it's time to take full advantage of this insurance company benefit. Since insurance is a product purchased for use in emergencies, companies have been creative in showcasing their qualities and, year after year, gaining customer loyalty. “Services often go unnoticed due to a lack of information from the broker or the client's disinterest in reading the policy. It's important to know what additional benefits are included in the insurance,” says Marco Pontes, director of LG&P Consulting. Insurance company websites are the easiest and quickest place to find all the details you need to know about these rights included in your policy. Just don't forget to use them.