Insurance When You Tie The Knot
Wedding season is just around the corner! 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.
1. Combine your auto insurance policies. If you both own a vehicle, the easiest thing to do is combine your policies by adding your spouse and their vehicle to your policy. We can take care of this in just a few minutes!
2. Make sure you and your spouse are listed on every policy. You both need to be on the homeowners or renters insurance so you can get assistance if needed. Do all of them at the same time and you won’t have to worry about it again.
3. Schedule an overall review. When you combine two households you will obviously have more belongings! Speak with your agent and verify that you have enough content and liability insurance to cover any new assets.
4. Purchase life insurance. It’s your honeymoon and you don’t want to think about death, but now is the time to get this very important coverage in place. It doesn’t cost much and will give you peace of mind that the person you love will be taken care of in the future. It’s really the very best gift you can give to those you love.
The best part of this? It doesn’t have to be hard! In fact, one short appointment can take care of every item on the list. Give us a call today to schedule a review.
5 Ways To Save On Auto Insurance
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 us 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 us 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. Also when you use an automatic draft you can eliminate your monthly service fee by using Farmers Paperless Billing. Eliminating this can save another $2-$5 per month.
Keep Your Insurance In One Place
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. We also offer great rates on boat, motorcycle, and ATV policies. Many times the discount on our clients auto policies when they add their boat policy pays for a majority of the premium; it’s a no-brainer!
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!
Insurance For Your Boat
It won’t be long now before you’re back out on the water. Are you counting down the days?
While everyone loves to hit the lake on the boat, there are a few things you need to take care of first.
Are you properly covered?
Since boat insurance is not required in most states, a lot of people skip it in order to save money. But that’s a very risky idea!
First, without coverage, you’re risking all the money you spent on your boat. Would you drive your expensive car without insurance? Probably not.
Second, boats are a liability exposure. That means that they open you up to lawsuits. If you were to have an accident and damage someone’s boat or personal property, then you could be held responsible.
With the proper insurance coverage, this wouldn’t be a problem. You’d be protected! In fact, we typically recommend that clients with a high level of assets purchase extra liability coverage if they own a boat.
All in all, purchasing boat owners insurance is a simple way to give yourself a lot of peace of mind. Who wants to worry about insurance when they’re out on the water? Call us today for a free quote on your boat or personal watercraft.
April Home Maintenance Tasks
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 with the best coverage! Let us give you a no-obligation review of your current policy. Call to schedule your appointment today or click here to fill out our quick form.
Top 7 Things To Look For When Buying Insurance
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 have never heard of with a price that seems too good to be true! If you are not 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 have been around. If the agent cannot tell you this immediately, you have the wrong agent.
#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 you and your family. Give us a call today for a no-obligation quote and insurance review!
Jon Olson Agency-Farmers Insurance 