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When it comes to insurance, it would come as no surprise that saving money on your premium is probably your priority. But have you ever considered other ways to receive a lower rate rather than shopping around or lowering your coverage? I’ve listed a few topics to consider that will most likely result in more savings down the road then you’d think.
Heading South for the winter? Foremost made it easy on all the snowbirds this year with a checklist! Continue reading below or head over to Foremost Blog before heading to warmer climates this winter!
If you flock to a warmer climate during winter, you know that preparing your home before you leave is a tedious, sometimes difficult task. However, creating a thorough winter checklist can help protect your house against theft, water damage and more! https://t.co/DyqKJuy240 pic.twitter.com/sTIfFLiEbP
— Foremost Insurance (@Foremost) November 27, 2018
Filing a claim can be overwhelming, check out Foremost’s article on tips for effectively filing a claim, so your prepared for the unexpected.
If you ever experience a car accident, it’s important to know these steps for effectively filing claims. https://t.co/Qs6o7xUZuP pic.twitter.com/5uscZkZHlq
— Foremost Insurance (@Foremost) November 9, 2018
Have you ever added a teen driver to your auto policy and been shocked at the increase of your premium? There are many factors as to why adding a teen driver to your policy can be quite pricey. Check out Safeco Insurance’s blog post below to read more about what could be causing your price to jump up.
Have you ever heard the term umbrella in the insurance industry and been struck with curiosity? If you have, you aren’t the only one. An umbrella policy is an added form of coverage that is really something to consider to help cover all your assets. Safeco Insurance broke down the reasons why you might want/need an umbrella policy. Click the link belowe or continue reading to learn more.
Safeco Insurance Umbrella Blog
Umbrella coverage isn't just for high earners. It's for everyone. It gives you greater peace of mind and protects you against life's unexpected surprises: https://t.co/5knuwiI39R pic.twitter.com/xmGxDFKxSG
— Safeco Insurance (@Safecoinsurance) October 10, 2018
Owning a home comes with the possibility of having to deal with a loss on your house one day. Whether it’s due to hail, storms or the unexpected, things happen. It’s better to be prepared and have an idea of what to do next than be a ball of fluster once it happens. Continue reading to see what Travelers has to say about how the process works or click to link below to check them out for yourself.
Owning a home can mean dealing with the unexpected. Learn what to expect if you have a homeowners claim. https://t.co/uc5p4HhqoM
— Travelers (@Travelers) September 30, 2018
Are you in the market for purchasing a home but can’t quite figure out the ins and outs? Foremost Insurance has posted a great article explaining the meanings of those “big words” you hear when going through the home buying process. Whether you are a first time home buyer or an experienced house flipping enthusiast, this article is sure to shed light on some of the home buying terms.
Continue down to read Foremost’s article or click the link below to visit their site!
https://blog.foremost.com/what-those-big-words-mean-buying-your-first-home.asp
Do you have valuable possessions without much protection? Check out Travelers’ article below on helpful tips and steps to take to ensure your valuables are covered.
5 Tips to Protect Your Possessions with Valuable Items Insurance Coverage
“You may think that a homeowners insurance policy provides adequate coverage for all your valuables, but policies may provide limited or no coverage for certain items — including generally expensive items — that are damaged or stolen.
For example, many homeowners policies generally have a $1,000 or $1,500 coverage amount for jewelry if the loss is due to theft. Such limits are in place to help keep homeowners policies affordable. However, if jewelry valued at $2,000 is stolen from your home and you have a $1,000 policy limit, you can only receive $1,000 from your insurer to replace the missing items.
That is when an insurance endorsement (sometimes called a rider) can provide increased coverage for your possessions. For an additional premium, this coverage can help protect you from the loss of high-end valuables such as jewelry, furs, antiques, artwork and collectibles.
Here are five tips that may help you decide whether you need valuable items coverage.
Your insurance policy is a contract between you and your carrier. This document includes the limits of how much you will be compensated when certain valuable items are damaged or stolen. Note that certain items may not be covered, so be sure to carefully review your policy to determine whether you have insurance that meets your needs. If you have questions, contact your insurance agent.
You may have possessions that are worth more than you think. To help you decide whether you need additional coverage, it may be helpful to have them appraised. An appraisal can help you determine if your homeowners insurance policy covers the full value of your property, as some items may not be covered.
The value of some items, such as collectibles or jewelry, may be difficult to determine without professional assistance. It may be necessary to have your valuables reappraised periodically. If they increase in value, you may need additional coverage.
You may not be able to make a decision about whether to buy additional coverage until you know exactly what you own. You may want to take stock of your possessions by creating an inventory. Do not forget to check your garage, basement or attic for stored valuables, such as antiques and coin collections.
Be sure to list all items of value and include copies of receipts or appraisals when possible. This may help you if you ever need to file a claim with your insurance carrier.
If you live in a community where the crime rate is high, you may have a greater need for additional coverage to protect your valuables. Police departments may track crime statistics and share this information with the public. You can consider asking your police department about home burglary trends in your neighborhood. Also consider installing a security alarm system. An alarm system may qualify you for a homeowners insurance discount.
In our increasingly high-tech world, people use their electronic equipment to perform their jobs and maintain social connections. In recent years, many new gadgets and devices have been developed that may enhance our lives. If you keep high-end computers and other electronics in your home, you may want to make sure your homeowners policy will cover their loss.
Your need to insure valuable items is something you may want to discuss with your agent whenever you buy a homeowners policy. If you purchase additional coverage for high-cost items, it is a good idea to understand its limits and exclusions.”
Check out the article or more on Travelers
What does your homeowners insurance policy cover? Get 5 tips to help protect belongings w/ a valuable items rider. https://t.co/YidUgji5Oa
— Travelers (@Travelers) September 18, 2018
Personal lines umbrella policies are meant for an added source of coverage, and as of lately they have become more and more popular. Check out what one of our carriers has to say about why you might need and want an umbrella policy.
Why You Need a Personal Umbrella Policy
One of the most important insurance policies you can buy is the personal umbrella policy, but many people are unaware they need one. This policy provides high limits of liability to protect you against a catastrophic liability loss. For example, a major car accident may injure numerous people or cause head injuries or death that will result in liability far in excess of the limits typically purchased in a personal auto policy. An umbrella policy sits on top of the auto and homeowners policies to provide higher limits of protection. In addition to providing higher limits, this policy normally pays for some losses not covered by the underlying policy, such as legitimate allegations concerning libel or slander.
Personal umbrella policies are growing in popularity. In the past, only wealthy individuals and families purchased this coverage. Today, middle-income families also may procure this policy for protection in our society’s increasingly litigious climate. As the tendency to sue for damages rises and awards granted by the courts grow, the personal umbrella policy is increasingly seen as an insurance necessity, rather than a luxury. It is especially attractive because of its relatively low cost.
In particular, people with certain characteristics or who engage in certain activities have a higher-than-average need for a personal umbrella policy. These situations include the following:
Indeed, one could even argue that a lower-income person needs an umbrella policy. Consider an apartment dweller who inadvertently starts a fire while smoking in bed, and the fire damages adjoining apartments. The smoker’s liability exposure could be enormous in such a situation. So, once again, a personal umbrella policy is a wise purchase for people in nearly all income groups.
If you have more questions on Umbrella policies, contact your local IMT Agent today!
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Copyright 2018 International Risk Management Institute, Inc.
Full Coverage vs. Liability
Are you in the market for auto insurance but can’t decide between full coverage or liability only? Or, maybe you’re still trying to decide what the difference is between the two. Fear not, below I have lightly explained some of the simplest ways full coverage and liability insurance differ.
Liability Insurance
Liability insurance is required by law when owning a vehicle and will only cover damages you’ve caused to somebody else. For example, if you get into an accident and you are found at fault and legally liable, you are expected to cover any bodily injury and property damage you have caused. If you are properly insured your insurance carrier should cover the damages incurred. However, another thing to keep in mind is your liability limits. The liability limits you choose is the maximum amount your insurance carrier is liable to pay if you are found at fault in a covered accident.
As an example, If you choose to carry the state minimum liability limits, 20/40/15 in the state of Iowa, your insurance is only responsible to cover property damage up to $15,000. If you were to total a car with these liability limits and the property damages you’ve incurred are $50,000, you are now responsible to pay for the remaining $35,000 of property damages. The same rule applies when dealing with bodily injury coverages. An important thing to note about liability coverage is that it does not cover damages to your own vehicle.
Full Coverage
Having full coverage on your car is an optional coverage if you own your vehicle. If you are leasing or purchasing a new car with a loan, full coverage is then required from the dealership or your loss payee.
When choosing full coverage you have the option to pick your deductible, most common being the $500 deductible for both comp & collision. Having a $500 deductible means that before your insurance will pay out for any damage done to your vehicle, you are required to pay the stated $500 deductible first. Full coverage is the only coverage that will pay for damages done to your vehicle if you were to get into an accident or have a comprehensive claim such as, hail or theft. While full coverage is the costliest of coverages it is an option that should be considered when determining which coverages are best for you.
When picking your auto insurance coverages make sure you are with an agent/insurance company that will help you better understand the options you have available to you. Understand what you are getting and what is being covered.
Disclaimer: information provided in this article is meant to give a rough explanation between full coverage and liability only. Every accident is different with numerous circumstances. How an insurance company will cover an accident varies.
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