FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2018
Investing in a new car is a big step. Many times, individuals go to the dealership as a first step. That can be a costly mistake.
Before you buy a new car, especially a convertible, sports car, or another high-end luxury vehicle, there are several steps take right from home. A good place to start is with a call to your car insurance provider. He or she can share important insight with you.
Why Call Your Auto Insurance Agency?
Once you have an idea of what specialty vehicle you would like to buy, talk to your car insurance provider. Ask questions about the coverage available to you. What insurance will you need? Most often, this will include:
- Comprehensive coverage
- Collision insurance
- Liability insurance (under state law)
- Full property insurance at least to the value of the car
- Uninsured and underinsured coverage
- Additional coverage for medical payments
This type of vehicle has a high value. It needs coverage to match that high value. If you plan to buy the vehicle with a loan, the lender will likely require this coverage. Speak to your agent about the options for covering the vehicle.
Why Do These Vehicles Cost More to Insurance?
Convertibles and other sports cars are more expensive for several reasons. Some people also drive these vehicles faster. This also increases the risk of accidents. If the vehicle suffers significant damage, the insurer might have to pay out a large amount of money. Insurers use statistics to gauge this risk. You will likely pay more for car insurance here.
How Can You Save Money on Insurance for Your Convertible?
Nevertheless, you can still reduce your costs on car insurance overall. To do so, consider these tips:
- Remain a safe driver. Don’t get moving violations on your record.
- Update the security on the vehicle. Make them less likely to be a target for a thief.
- Increase the deductible on your insurance policy.
- Bundle the coverage with other vehicles or with home insurance.
- Ask your agent for other discounts that fit your needs.
Buying a convertible or other luxury car can be a good thing. Before you make that decision, speak to your auto insurance company. Find out what it will cost to insure the vehicle. You can often get a free, no obligation quote based on the vehicle you are thinking about buying. It’s fast and easy to see what you can expect.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2018
You have home insurance for a reason. You know that it is there to help you if you need to file a claim. But, will filing that claim cause your insurance rates to rise? This is a common concern.
In some cases, the answer is yes. In others, there is no need to worry. In short, if an event happens that requires filing a claim, do so. Don't let your own solvency suffer because you decide not to use your insurance.
Should You File a Claim?
It is not always so easy to know whether or not you should file a claim. In some cases, filing a claim would not make sense. If you have to pay your full deductible first, that may mean the insurer will not provide much financial support. And, filing claims frequently can, in fact, make it harder for you to get insurance down the road.
Usually, you should take it upon yourself to fully cover small home damages. Only in the case of major damage should you use your insurance. The best option here is to make a decision with the help of your home insurance agent.
Which Types of Claims Increase Premiums?
There are some types of home insurance claims that might cause an increase in your premiums. This happens because these tend to be instances where a repeat claim is more likely. This makes your home more of a high risk to the insurance agency. Common claims that do this include:
- Water damage claims. This includes damage from frozen pipes or faulty plumbing that you have coverage for. NOTE: Multiple water claims usually lends to non renewal.
- Slip and fall claims. Someone slips on ice, stumbles over a sidewalk crack, or falls from your home’s room, are common claims.
- Dog bites. This is perhaps one of the most common claims for liability coverage, and the average lawsuit is settle for $26,000. It is likely to raise your rates. Repeated claims may lead to limited access to coverage, too. You may need special insurance if this happens more than one time.
When Should You File a Home Insurance Claim?
When an incident occurs, call your home insurance agent. Discuss the specific instance with your agent. He or she can help you to decide whether to file the claim. This type of open connection is important. Some agents are not likely to encourage you to file a claim unless it is necessary and offers you important financial protection.
Home insurance claims happen all of the time. Not all will result in an increase to your premiums. However, it is never advisable to keep information from your agent about the instances that occur in and around your home. With the right assistance and research, you can file a claim whenever necessary.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 26, 2018
Driving after dark is very common in the late fall and winter months. The sun sets sooner, making it harder to navigate the way home after work. The risks are many. Deer are crossing the street virtually unseen. A child could be walking along the edge of the road, hard to notice until you are right next to them. And, of course, it is hard to tell if a road is wet or icy. You don't want to spend your evening filing an auto insurance claim. For that reason, consider these tips for safer driving at night.
Recognize the Risks
To be safe on the road, you need to realize risks are numerous. Even drivers with years of experience are more likely to be in an accident at night. Remember, depth perception is off at night. You cannot see color as well. And, your peripheral vision is likely to be low.
For these reasons, give yourself more room between your vehicle and other vehicles. You also want to slow down a bit. Just these two things give you the ability to avoid an accident. You have more room to react and stop.
Ensure Your Headlights Are All On
It is easy to get in your car and just go. Before you do, check your headlights. Are they all working? Don't forget your turn signal and brake lights. You want to ensure that your headlights are as new as possible. They are brighter when new. Also, speak to your mechanic about their location. Be sure they aim directly out in front of the vehicle. This ensures you have ample visibility.
Keep Interior Lights Low
Dim your dashboard lights. Turn down the lights on any devices in the vehicle. When you make it darker in the vehicle, you do not have the glare outside. Interior lights should always be as low as possible. This gives you better vision outside.
Have Your Vision Checked
If you wear glasses, talk to your eye doctor about nighttime driving. Many people have difficulty seeing well at night. Prescriptions can have an adjustment to them that allows for better driving at night. You'll appreciate the difference and less glare.
Car insurance agents are always available to help you if you do find yourself in an accident. Yet, safe driving at night can help you to avoid those types of complications.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 2018
As a business, you strive to provide your customers with outstanding service. You make your prices affordable. You offer something new, unique, or otherwise desirable. When you hand it to the customer, you expect it to solve their problem. Sometimes, this does not happen. The product may fail to work. It may cause injury to the user. When this happens, your business insurance may offer some financial protection.
Product Liability Coverage
When a product causes loss to the customer, a component of your business insurance may help to pay for that loss. This is a component of your liability insurance. Product liability insurance can also be a rider or additional coverage. It extends your protection here. Your first step is to ensure you have adequate coverage. Speak to your insurer about the types of products you sell. Be sure to discuss the types of risks possible. Once it is in place, your next goal is to know what to do when an incident occurs.
When a Claim Occurs
Your customer calls you. The product you sold to that person did not work. It caused an injury to someone. Or, perhaps the product damaged their home. When you have an individual with a claim like this, you will need to document the details of the incident. Gather as much information about what happened and how it happened. Here are some other guidelines.
- Whenever possible, get the item back from the customer. This is evidence. Your insurer will likely want to have this if possible. Your customer does not have to give it to you, though.
- Gather the name and contact information from the individual. While you can make statements such as "I'm sorry this happened to you," never say, "I'm sorry our product failed or did this to you." Your goal is to avoid admitting guilt.
- Gather all information about the incident. If possible, ask for the individual to stop by to provide you with more info.
Then, contact your business insurance agent. They will handle processing the claim. If the claim is not factual or has errors, the agent might help you fix them. However, other agents may not honor incorrect claims.
It is important to make sure your employees know this process as well. Your insurance is likely to pay for the damage if there is reason to believe it was due to an unavoidable and unpreventable product failure. And, your agent will provide you with feedback about what happened. They will help you determine how to file the right claim and make changes for the future. For more information on product liability coverage, our website can help you do your research.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 2018
Hitting a deer is a costly and even life-threatening incident. It can happen to anyone. It can happen if you drive slowly or fast. Even in areas that are not full of woods, deer can be present. Preventing striking a deer with your car is critical.
While your comprehensive auto insurance may cover the damage to the vehicle, it is important to recognize that staying safe is more important. These tips can keep you safe.
Monitor the Sides of the Road More Readily
Fall into the winter is deer season. During this time, the deer are more aggressive and anxious. They are more likely to dart out in front of your vehicle.
For this reason, you need to pay closer attention to the sides of the road. Many localities mark areas that are particularly prone to deer crossings with signs. Slow down in wooded areas. And, when you notice a deer, realize there are more nearby in most situations. Deer tend to stay in small packs.
Dusk and Dawn Are High Risk
Deer can move around at any time. However, they are more likely to be active during the dawn and dusk hours. During this time, though, your vision is already impaired than in broad daylight. It is important for you to focus on the movement around the vehicle during this time of the day. During mating season, which runs from October through January, deer can be more aggressive during the daytime, too.
Stay a Bit Closer to the Middle of the Road
Do not cross the center lane. However, you can reduce the risk of damage to your car if you give yourself more time to react. Keeping the vehicle in the center of the lane, a bit further away from the edge, can help. Give the deer as much space as possible. This allows them to run easily.
Never Swerve Into the Danger
When you notice an animal in the road, brake. Do not swerve to avoid it. With deer, it is very hard to know where they are going to move. They are large, have very long legs, and are less predictable. It is best just to stop as soon and as hard as possible. Wait for the deer to react. If he or she does not move, honk your horn. Wait for them to move along.
If you find yourself in an accident, call your car insurance agent. He or she can tell you if you have auto insurance to help you with the losses to your vehicle.
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