So you’re ready to shop for insurance and are hoping for a great deal. But did you know that there are a few things to look for that are much more important than the price of the policy? In fact, don’t buy your next policy until you look for these seven things.
#1 - A Top Rated Insurance Company - You want an insurance company that will be around if you have a claim. Don’t choose a company that you’ve never heard of with a price that seems too good to be true! If you aren’t familiar with the company your agent is recommending, ask for a little more information. Find out what they are rated in your state and how long they’ve been around. #2 - Choose a LOCAL agency! While all the commercials on TV will tell you to call a 1-800 number for a quote, it’s usually not a great idea. A local agency gives the same great policies (from the same companies!) but allows you to deal with one person on a regular basis. It’s nice to have a local agent who you can go visit when needed. #3 - Choose an agency that offers a variety of policies. Keeping your insurance with one agency makes it MUCH easier when you have a claim. Plus you can qualify for huge multiple policy discounts! Find someone who can take care of all your needs in one local location. #4 - After-Hours Support - What if you have storm damage in the middle of the night? Do you want to wait until tomorrow to get assistance? Look for an agency that offers after-hours support! Many local agencies will provide you with 24/7 claim assistance numbers. But make sure to ask for the information and keep it in your cell phone. #5 - Choose an agency that’s EASY to contact! You don’t want to have to chase your agent down every time you need something. Ask if the agency is available by email, text, and phone while doing your shopping. #6 - Do they offer annual reviews? Things change, especially when it comes to insurance! You want an agency that will regularly meet with you to review your coverage and make sure you’re protected. Ask about their review procedures and how they make sure there aren’t any gaps in your protection. #7 - Excellent Customer Service - When it comes down to it, this is the most important! Choose an agency that wants your business and wants to give you the best possible service! We meet all of the criteria above and would love to work with your family. Give us a call today for a no-obligation quote and insurance review!
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Are you tired of paying too much for auto insurance? No one wants to pay more than they have to! That’s why it’s important to know what savings and discounts are available. Here are a few things to discuss with your agent at your next review.
Is Your Driving Record Accurate? Tickets, accidents, and claims will raise your rates! That’s why it’s important to make sure your motor vehicle report is accurate. Ask your agent if anything showed on your record and make sure that the information is correct. Take A Defensive Driving Class Have you taken a defensive driving course in the past? Let us know. You may qualify for a discount! Don’t forget about driver’s ed classes for your teenagers too. Just get a copy of the completion certificate for your records. Many of these discounts apply for several years and give substantial savings. Increase Your Deductibles The deductible is the amount you pay out of pocket after an accident (or for hail damage, etc.) The higher that out-of-pocket amount, the lower your monthly premium! So if you are currently carrying $100 or $250 deductibles, consider raising them to $500 and keeping a little extra in your savings account. You could save a lot each month while still being protected from any major damage. We can give you prices for a range of deductibles to help you decide. Find The Best Payment Options Depending on your individual policy, we may be able to offer various discounts for paying your policy premium in full or putting it on a monthly bank draft. While $3-4 a month might not seem like much, over time it really adds up! Ask us about payment options for your policy and see where you can save. Keep Your Insurance In One Place And one of the largest, and most overlooked, savings opportunities is to have multiple polices with one company! If you carry homeowners or renters insurance with a different company, let us quote it! Many times our clients will save several hundred dollars per year just by having their policies in one place. It’s a no-brainer! And remember, getting these savings isn’t difficult. In fact, with one short phone call we can review your policy, look for discount opportunities, and discover your coverage. Give us a call today to get started! April has arrived and brought spring with it! There is no better time than now to get focused on home maintenance and spring cleaning. Here are a few things you can do in April to protect (and organize) your home.
Check For Damage - Winter can be really hard on your home. A quick inspection around your property can reveal a lot of home improvement projects! Look for any damage to your roof or outdoor window screens and doors. Make note of chipped paint or areas that are in need of general maintenance. Decide what you can do yourself and what will require a professional. Spring Clean - Now it’s time to tackle the inside of your home. Start working on clearing out and donating unused items (think tax deduction next year!) This could be the perfect time to take inventory of any high value items that need to be documented for your insurance, like guns, artwork, and jewelry. Take photos or make a quick video of those items and store it in a secure (and fire-proof) location. Organize Your Tax Documents - You probably just finished your taxes in the past few weeks. Were all of your documents easy to locate? What could make the process even easier next year? Update your filing system or schedule a meeting with your accountant and get prepared now. Car Maintenance - April is Car Care Month. If you’ve been putting off an oil change or a tune-up, get it scheduled now. Your car will run better and maintain it’s value longer! Spruce Up Your Porch - How does your front porch look these days? Could it use a little extra care? Buy a new welcome mat, plant a pot of flowers, and make sure you can easily read your house numbers. Get Great Homeowners Insurance - The best way to protect your home? Having the right amount of insurance! Let us give you a no-obligation review of your current policy. Call to schedule your appointment today. March is the time of year when we talk about severe weather. That can mean hail, tornados, and even floods!
Flood safety is extremely important. That’s why it’s a good idea to review these basic flood safety tips, provided by Ready.gov, with your children every year. If a flood is likely in your area, you should:
What do you need to do this month to keep your home running smoothly and your family protected? Read below to find out!
Change Batteries In Smoke Detectors - When the time changes, it’s a great idea to change the batteries in all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. This way you always know that they are working and in good order! The spring time change this year is on Sunday March 8th. Make A Severe Weather Plan - Designate a safe place in your home in case of bad weather. Stock it with basic emergency supplies and throw in an extra flashlight and batteries too! Check Your Credit Report - March is Credit Education Month. When was the last time you checked to see that your credit reports were accurate? If it’s been over a year, stop by www.annualcreditreport.com and order a free copy today. Review Your Insurance Discounts - Are you getting all the discounts you qualify for? Call us to review your policy and see if there are any changes that need to be made. And as always, give us a call if you have any questions or need assistance with auto, home, business, or life insurance. Did you know that March is Severe Weather Preparation Month?
While it may still feel like winter outside, it won’t be long until spring arrives. And with it comes spring storms! Is your family prepared? First things first, make sure you have designated a safe place to go to if the weather gets bad. It could be a basement, closet, or room with no windows or outside walls. Make sure this space is cleared out enough that you could easily get your family inside if needed. (You don’t want to be clearing out the closet if there is a tornado!) Next, put together a small emergency kit. What would you need if the power was out? Consider putting in flashlights, extra batteries, canned food, and plenty of water. (Don’t forget supplies for your pets too!) Keep emergency phone numbers in your cell phone contacts, including the phone number for your insurance company! You could even save a note in your phone with your policy numbers too. While we can’t prevent bad weather, it’s always great to be as prepared as possible. Take care of your family first and know that we’ll be there to protect your belongings. Discounts are the best way to save on your insurance premium each and every month. But a lot of people are missing out on them! With a little documentation, you could see great savings.
Security Discounts - Does your home have a security system or fire protection system? Some of these devices will help you save big on your home or renters insurance. If you have a certificate of installation (and even if you don’t), let us know and we’ll see if you qualify. Driver Training & Defensive Driving - Did your child take Driver’s Ed? Did you take a Defensive Driving course? These classes will typically qualify for discounts! Just bring in a copy of your completion certificate and we’ll get it added to your policy. Teenage Driver With Good Grades - Good grades will help you save! Some of our policies offer a discount for students who maintain a high GPA. Give us a call to see the requirements for your policy. Payment Discounts - There are many different options when it comes to paying your premiums. Some policies offer discounts for paying in full or a reduced installment fee if you put the payment on auto-draft. We can advise you of all the payment options so you pay as little as possible. Multi-Policy Discounts - When you have all of your insurance in one place, you save more! If your auto and home insurance is spread out between multiple companies or agencies, let us help you consolidate. You’ll be better protected (with less gaps in coverage) and save money! The key? Talk to your agent! When we schedule regular annual reviews, we can review your policy discounts and make sure you are receiving the best coverage at the best price. Call today to schedule an appointment. February is all about love. In fact, it is estimated that as many as 4 million people will get engaged on Valentine’s Day!
And with all of that love and wedding planning in the air, it can be hard to think about the boring parts of a marriage. So I want to make it easy for you. Here are a few things you need to think about in regards to your insurance policies when you tie the knot.
Valentines and proposals are in the air! And this means that you might find yourself with a new diamond ring or expensive piece of jewelry in your home.
Many people spend thousands of dollars on beautiful jewelry but don’t take the time to find out how to insure it. And this can be a big mistake! If you have homeowners or renters insurance, then your jewelry is covered as part of the contents of your home. But there can be problems...
You bring in the receipt and appraisal of the item and we add all of that information to your policy. (Sometimes we don’t need all of this, just call us first and we can let you know.) You will be charged based on the value of the item, but typically it’s less than $40 per year! (Sometimes much less, sometimes a little more. It all depends on how much insurance is required.) Plus, scheduled items don’t require a deductible. So if your ring is lost or stolen, you pay nothing out of pocket but get to replace your precious jewelry. So next time you open a jewelry box and put a sparkling diamond on your finger, make sure that you are insuring your investment. Have questions about scheduling items on your homeowners insurance? Call us today for assistance! A lot of people put off purchasing life insurance because it seems like a hassle. You don’t want to do any sort of medical appointment. It’s an extra expense. And, for the most part, you just plain don’t want to think about death.
But life insurance isn’t about you. It’s about the people you love. And what better time than February to think about love! So let’s get real. You do a lot for your family and if you have family members who depend on your income, then you need life insurance. And the sooner, the better. For one, life insurance is cheaper when you are young and healthy! With each birthday you’ll see your quote go up unless you lock in a great rate now. And you don’t want to look for life insurance after you’ve been diagnosed with an illness. Another great thing about life insurance is that there are a lot of options. And we’re here to discuss all of them with you. You can purchase a policy for the short term or even as a long term investment. It all depends on how much you can afford to spend and what your family needs are. Whatever your situation, sitting down and discussing your needs and budget with an agent is a great first step. Call us today to set up a free, no-obligation appointment! |