Teen Driver!

The time has come and your teenager is finally old enough to drive. It's bad enough that you have to worry about safety issues, pushing your foot into the imaginary passenger brake, and holding on for dear life while she's putting in her practice time but have you stopped to think about the issue of insuring your teen driver? There are several ways for a teenage driver to satisfy auto insurance laws without having to purchase a completely separate policy. Every state requires every driver to have some form of auto insurance to drive legally. I don't think your teen driver is an exception to this rule.

Some insurance companies assign your teenage driver to the vehicle with the highest rating/risk. Which can cause your auto insurance policy to double in premium if you happen to own a sports car or a luxury automobile. Get with your agent before making the decision to continue business with them when your teenager is ready to be added to the policy. It might be better to purchase a vehicle for them and have them purchase a separate policy for themselves. It's important that the vehicle the teen is driving be a sensible one like a sedan or a vehicle with an industry reputation for low cost repairs. This will also help keep the cost of the policy down.

There are many discounts to help you lower the cost of insuring your teen drivers: good student discounts, completing a driver's education class, vehicles with passive restraints, and anti-theft devices. Make sure you check with your insurance agent to see what discounts are available for your teen driver. Don't get stuck paying full price when you can apply many discounts to help with the high premium.

Is it really worth changing your insurance agent?

There are several reasons for a person to consider switching insurance companies. Doing it for fun, I assure you is not one of them. Maybe the rates from other insurance companies are more affordable.

Maybe you have been with your insurance company for over five years and you personally know your agent, as he was a friend or a friend of the family. You trusted him and you knew that you were in good hands, but you also knew you were paying a little higher premiums than other people you had talked to, but since you knew your agent and felt comfortable with him, you were okay with that.

However, he leaves the company, it was a prime opportunity for you to take a look at some different options and reevaluate your situation and WOW, what you found out was....You should have been comparing rates and coverage way before he left the company. You were paying substantially higher rates than you needed to be. Doing business with a friend can be tricky like that. You want to be loyal, but you also want to make sure you are getting the best bang for your buck. Be careful.

I assure you that if you end up saving a substantial amount of money then it's totally worth every second. If you are switching insurance companies and you have more than one policy at your current provider, consider the discounts that may be applied to your policies for having multiple policies with one provider. It may make sense to move not one but all of your policies to the new provider to continue receiving the multiple policy discount. You can save over $250 a year on just your auto insurance for having a multiple policy discount.

So, do your research and make sure you are saving and not spending more than you should for your coverage.

Should I consider protection for my vacation?

You spend most of the year saving for this vacation. Why not make sure you are covered if something unexpected happens. Don't let all your money and dreams disappear. Here is what travel protection insurance will do for you.

Travel protection insurance will shield consumers from specific financial hardships due to various perils they may encounter while traveling. Travel insurance can address everything from lost luggage to legal troubles arising from a car accident in a foreign country. It is very important to know when this type of coverage is necessary, and how much is needed for you trip.

Your homeowners' insurance may cover some expensive belongings that are lost during travel, including jewelry, camcorders and laptops. As of 2011, according to the Better Business Bureau, airlines provide financial coverage of up to $2,500 for baggage that is lost or destroyed in transit. Travelers should also check with their insurance carriers to find out what their existing policies cover before shopping for travel-protection insurance.

What if you are considering an international vacation, should you still gett travel insurance?Consumers who travel abroad face a number of potential problems, including cruises canceled by the cruise line, unexpected health issues, bad weather, delays, lost baggage and sometimes even the need for immediate medical attention. However, these perils can also occur during domestic trips and when homeowners' insurance does not cover them, travel insurance does.

You should assess the risks associated with any given trip. If the trip entails a cheap coach-class flight for under $100, travel insurance is unnecessary due to the low amount of money at risk in the case of a canceled flight. However, if the trip involves a two-week cruise, a canceled trip can cost thousands of dollars and quickly becomes worth the additional expense of a trip-cancellation policy. Any flight may justify travel insurance for baggage protection when vacationers are carrying expensive laptops or cameras valued at over $2,500. Rental-car liability coverage is also recommended for people who intend to drive while traveling abroad.

You should first contact your homeowners' insurance company to see if your policy covers any relevant potential problems. This will determine what additional coverage is needed, which may be provided by your insurer at a discount. Next in priority should be a travel-insurance company, which will generally offer the most comprehensive coverage. Credit card companies may also offer travel insurance, especially for reservations that are paid for by their credit card.

It's a vacation! Make sure you are covered!

Don't get caught in the rain without an umbrella!!

Here's why you should consider an umbrella policy.

It's taken you years to be where you are today! You have saved for retirement, own a nice home, a car or two, maybe even a boat. These aren't just markers of a successful life; they are your family's financial future and security. All of it could be at risk as a result of an accident or liability lawsuit.

Even though we try to avoid them, accidents do happen. If you were to cause a major auto accident involving major property damage and/or extensive injuries to other parties, your hard-earned assets could be at risk. The cost of the property damage, injuries to other parties, and/or subsequent lawsuits could quickly and easily exceed the limits of your auto insurance. That's why you should consider a personal umbrella policy. It protects you over and above the limits of your liability policies. An umbrella policy steps in to help protect your assets and prevent financial hardship.

Lawsuits are costly and in todays society are not uncommon. It's not just auto accidents you need to worry about. You need to protect yourself from other types of accidents as well. Imagine this: You're having a graduation party and someone slips, falls, and is injured. Think you won't be sued, well think again! A lawsuit could destroy your financial security, but an umbrella policy could step in to protect you.

A personal umbrella policy can protect you. You ask "How?" It offers protection over and above your auto, homeowners and other policies. Your umbrella policy is an added protection. You get into a car accident, you're sued, and your auto policy only covers you up to a policy limit. What will you do after the fact that your limits are exhausted? Well, your umbrella policy kicks in and covers you for an additional amount. Which is up to the limit you choose on your umbrella policy. It's added protection, plain and simple.

Limits for umbrella policies can start at $1 million and can go as high as $10 million. Rates are lower than you may think. An umbrella policy covers a wide variety of liablity situations and is protection you should seriously consider.

Will your mind be clear when you take a cruise?

Taking a nice long cruise in your motorcycle can be a lot of fun. I see many people become lost as to what type of motorcycle coverage they really need so, just what do you need to look for in a motorcycle insurance policy? Here are some quick tips to help.

Protecting Yourself And Passengers

You are required by state law to carry liability coverage to help protect others in case you're found at fault in an accident. It's the law!

Medical Payments - This coverage provides payments for reasonable medical treatment for you or another injured person in the event of an accident.

Uninsured / Underinsured Motorist - This protection will cover damages caused by those drivers who fail to carry any insurance at all, or don't carry enough to pay for the damages.

Protecting Your Motorcycle

Collision - Pays for the repairs or replacement of your motorcycle in the case of a covered accident. Generally, you'll use this coverage if you are at fault, but in other cases it can be used even if you're not at fault and the other insurance company is slow to settle the claim. Once they do, your insurance company will refund you back your deductible.

Comprehensive - This motorcycle insurance coverage pays for covered losses from damages caused by peril other than collision. Typically, this would include fire, theft, vandalism, storm damage and other covered causes.

Added Equipment Coverage - Have you added on some custom options to your motorcycle? You may need to have this coverage added to your policy. It covers a loss for equipment that was not included as standard equipment, or equipment that was not permanently installed by the manufacturer. This is an important coverage to consider adding.

Towing - This option provides for reimbursement of towing charges up to the policy limit in the event your motorcycle breaks down.

Rental Reimbursement - In the event of a covered loss, if you also have comp and collision coverage on your policy, you can have rental transportation while your motorcycle is being repaired. You'll be able to rent a car and the policy will reimburse your expense up to the policy limits.

Or

Roadside Assistance/Trip Interruption

Roadside Assistance coverage provides you with the following benefits:

• Provides towing to the nearest qualified repair facility and necessary labor at the place of disablement when the vehicle is disabled due to mechanical or electrical breakdown, battery failure, flat tire, lockout, insufficient supply of fuel, oil, water or other fluids, or entrapment in snow, mud, water or sand within 100 feet of the roadway.
• Toll-free number to call for help.
• Service is available anywhere in the U.S. and Canada, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• When using a qualified repair facility, Progressive will pay them directly for covered services.
• Assistance even if your vehicle breaks down in your driveway.
• Prompt response time and quality service.

If you contact a service provider on your own or if you directly pay for any roadside service that is covered under your policy, you can still report your claim to us and your request for reimbursement will be processed according to the coverage provided under your policy.

Trip interruption coverage

Trip interruption coverage is provided for mechanical breakdowns and covered comprehensive and collision losses. The mechanical breakdown or covered loss must occur more than 100 miles from your primary residence.

The coverage provides daily maximums of $100 for lodging, $50 for alternative transportation, and $50 for food while the covered vehicle is being repaired, up to $500 per occurrence.

Other Discounts

Multiple Motorcycles - Many motorcycle insurers will offer a multi-cycle discount if you have more than one motorcycle on the same policy. This discount can really add up over time, so check to see that a company offers this coverage if this applies to you.


Motorcycle Safety Course Discount - This is another discount you may be eligible for if you have passed a motorcycle safety course. Generally, the discount applies for up to 3 years after certification.

So, lets make sure we have covered all our basis and are able to enjoy the cruise instead of thinking are we really fully covered!

Boat Insurance is a must!

"Insurance" not a subject anyone wants to get into, never mind boat insurance but do yourself a favor and protect your investments.

Who doesn't enjoy cruising around the lake or ocean in their boat. It can be a great way to relax and unwind from all the stress and aggravation you have to face each day. When you are out having a good time boating do you ever think about boat insurance? This is something that many people tend to not think about unless an accident happens. However, having insurance for your boat is just as important as having car or motorcycle insurance. In the event of an accident you need to be covered.

Boating Accidents are probably the number one reason you should purchase boat insurance. Yea, there are many people saying, a boating accident won't happen to me, but here's the thing: In any accident, did the parties involved wake up that day prepared for the worst?

If an accident occurs not only can the boat be badly damaged but someone can also get hurt. Sometimes this involves a collision between two boats, however many accidents have occurred where the driver of a boat didn't see a water skier or a swimmer and hit them. Serious injuries have occurred this way and in some cases even death. Having insurance in a case like this will help protect you from being sued if any type of accident was your fault. It will also help to pay for repairs or the replacement of your boat.

The water is a pretty tricky thing, it can be calm one minute and the next you could be facing unforeseen events that catch you off guard. You could encounter rough water that could damage or even overturn your boat. This is especially true if you are boating in the ocean. In some cases tornados and hurricanes are a real threat. These can completely destroy your boat even when it's sitting on dry land. Without boat insurance you have to repair the damage or replace the boat on your own.

Theft another reason that boat insurance is a great idea is because boats can be stolen. It is a common problem and it can happen to you. If someone steals your boat and you do not have boat insurance then unless the boat is recovered in good condition you are basically just out of luck. Whatever amount of money that you have put into this investment will all be lost.

Many people think that buying boat insurance is very expensive, but this is not always the case. In fact, buying boat insurance can actually save you a lot of money. Take a few minutes to think about the reasons listed above for having boat insurance and consider what situation you would find yourself in, if any of these things happened to you. You will then see how important it is for you to be protected. Just imagine how much it will cost you to replace your boat compared to the price of an insurance policy; you will then see how cheap insurance for your boat really is.

There is much more to renters insurance than you think!

The importance of purchasing Renters Insurance.

For those who rent, renters insurance covers damage to, or loss of, your personal property. Whether you rent from a house owner, a property manager, or a university (as a student living in a dorm), consider purchasing renters insurance. Although renter's insurance is usually not required, it is just as necessary to have. Your landlord's insurance policy does not cover you. Not only will renter's insurance protect your personal items, it will also give you help with temporary housing and liability protection such as medical expenses for people on your property or a lawyer if you are sued by someone unintentionally injured by you. Once you determine your need for renter's insurance, knowing your options will help you choose the best policy.

If the ceiling in your rented property is damaged by wind or hail in a storm, of course the ceiling is covered by your landlord. But what about your brand new stereo and TV that was damaged? Also, while the ceiling is being fixed, do you have enough money to immediately find another place to stay? These are the types of things that would be covered by your renter's insurance policy. Along with personal property coverage and living expenses, your renter's insurance policy will also cover your liability or damage you cause to others or their property. For example, your girlfriend comes over to visit and she slips on the ice outside your door. The same walkway that is your responsibly to keep clear! Your girlfriend needs medical attention and decides to sue you! Renter's insurance can't help with your broken heart, but it will help you pay for your ex-girlfriend's medical expenses and a lawyer.

Now that you have decided renter's insurance is for you, there are some things to consider when purchasing your renter's insurance policy:

1. Dollar Amount of Coverage: This is a leading factor in the price and coverage. A dollar amount is not placed on each piece of property, instead a fixed amount for all of your possessions will be determined. Of course, the more coverage you purchase, the higher the price of the policy.

2. Deductible: This would be a leading factor to consider in the cost and how much you are willing to pay out of pocket before your insurance kicks in. Coverages subject to the deductible would be everything except liability coverages, like paying for your girlfriends medical expenses.

3. ACV(Actual Cash Value) or Replacement Cost: When the insurance company comes to reimburse you for your stereo and TV what they give you is determined by these factors. A basic policy will pay you ACV, which is the value of the property at the time of loss. But, if you opt for replacement cost you will get an actual replacement. For example, your 5 year old stereo will be replaced with as much money as it would cost for you to purchase a new comparable stereo. Expensive items prone to theft such as jewelry and guns, only have limited coverage so it is wise to place these items on a separate policy. Replacement cost is well worth the small amount more it may cost for your policy.

4. Location and Previous Claims: If you rent in an area prone to thefts you will probably pay more for your insurance and if you or the previous person or neighbors have had a large amount of claims, this may raise the cost of your policy.

Even if you feel your personal property is not worth enough to insure, the value of having liability coverage is well worth renter's insurance. Something to think about.

What documents you should include in your emergency bag to prepare for a natural disaster.

Being prepared is not only necessary but will also provide you

with peace of mind during this stressful time. When and where

a disaster might strike is impossible to predict. You might have

only a few minutes or a couple hours' notice to gather your

family, take what you can and make your way to a

safe location. Keep in mind hurricane season runs from June to

November.

By creating an emergency bag, you'll have all of

your important documents and files ready to go whenever you

need to leave home in a hurry. An emergency bag is made up of

your most important and irreplaceable papers,

photos, mementos, and a backup of your computer. You will

also need a camera to take pictures of the damage to the

property after the disaster. It's best to keep these items in

plastic, ziploc bags. We recommend you use the two-

gallon bags as they will easily protect and secure most of your

folders, files and papers. Put the bags in a waterproof and

fireproof lockbox. If you don't have one, we recommend you

pick one up, or consider double-bagging

these valuables.

Imagine how hard life would be after a

disaster without insurance papers, birth certificates and your

computer files. To protect your family from that nightmare,

your emergency bag should include:

•  Apartment and condo leases
•  Home or other property deeds (mortgage, etc.)
•  Estate documents
•  Homeowner's or renter's insurance documents
•  Wills
•  Life insurance policies
•  Inventory of possessions and their value
•  List of important phone numbers (family, friends, etc.)
•  Flood Insurance documents
•  Vehicle titles, leases, loan documents, etc.
•  Financial statements (accounts, checks, tax returns, etc.)
•  Stocks and bonds
•  Copies of recent bills (power, water, etc.)
•  Government financial assistance award letters
•  Birth certificates or proof of citizenship
•  Social Security cards
•  Employment contracts or other legal documents
•  Medical records, x-rays, benefits documents, etc.
•  Education reports (report cards, acceptance letters)
•  Passports
•  Duplicate prescriptions from doctor
•  Backup computer files (on a CD, DVD, etc.)
•  Paperwork for your pets (medical records, registration, etc.)
•  Copies of important keys

"Should I consider purchasing flood insurance?"

"Should I consider purchasing flood insurance?" is a question that is frequently asked.

Considering the weather we have had here in Texas lately, I hope you have it. Flood insurance can be purchased anytime, but there is usually a 30-day waiting period before the coverage goes into effect. As the most common natural disaster in the country, flooding ruins millions of dollars of homes and property every year. Flooding is not commonly covered in your typical homeowner's insurance policy, making it necessary to purchase a separate policy to cover that specific risk.

Homes and businesses with mortgages from federally regulated or insured lenders in high-risk flood areas are required to have flood insurance. While flood insurance is not federally required if you live in a moderate-to-low risk flood area, it is still available and strongly recommended.

In truth, every home carries the same risk, no matter if you're perched along the coast or on a plain. Flash floods happen without warning, and a particularly active flood with waters up to 10-20 inches can carry away a car easily. Flood insurance is more affordable than the alternative. Consider this: you may pay only a few hundred dollars a year in flood insurance depending on your home, location, and risk. When you realize that a federal assistance loan taken following a natural disaster could cost you thousands and take several years to pay off, don't you think it's more economical to have the right insurance policy in hand? Federal disaster assistance is not the answer. Federal disaster assistance is only available if the President declares a disaster. More than 90 percent of all disasters in the United States are not declared federal disaster areas. Flood insurance pays even if a disaster is not declared.

Flood insurance is available to homeowners, renters, condo owners/renters, and commercial owners/renters.

If you already have policies against theft, fire, and other natural disasters, why not have one that covers you in the event of rain and flood damage? Even one inch of heavy rain is capable of causing structural damage to your home, so it's best to cover all the bases. Having the policy gives you peace of mind.

Call our office today! We'd be happy to assist you through the murky waters!

The magic tools to a great auto discount!

  

People are always asking what they need to do to get that great auto discount. There are not any secret equations or magic solutions to getting a great discount.

There are several things that are taken into consideration:

1. Avoid getting tickets. Traffic tickets increase your premium by a significant amount.

2. Don't wreck. You don't want to be labeled a "High risk driver". All At Fault Accidents stain your record for at least 59 months. All Comprehensive Claims, Not At Fault Accidents, and Violations remain on your record for at least 35 months.

3. Safety devices. Having a car with air bags, anti-lock brakes, traction control and other safety features can provide discounts.

4. Excessive driving can increase your premium since it increases your risk exposure.

5. Ask about the good student discounts. You have worked hard to keep a good GPA! Show it off.

6. Shop for the best company. Sometimes staying with the same company for life doesn't mean you are getting the best rates and you could be missing out on hundreds of dollars in saving per year. You have nothing to lose with shopping around but much to gain in your pockets.

7. Good credit scores. Paying your bills on time since your credit score can offer you some discounts as well.

8. Take classes. A defensive driving class or a certified driver training class can lower your rates.

9. Enroll in electronic funds transfers to pay for your monthly bill.

10. Go Paperless! Accept documents and bills delivered through e-mail to get a discount.

This is the start of my daily blogs so please sit back and enjoy! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at anytime.