No matter what you think you don’t have FULL COVERAGE for your auto insurance. Your agent lied to you.
What College Graduates Need To Know About Auto Insurance

You’ve proudly watched your child graduate from college (and celebrated the last of the tuition bills!) Now they’re searching for their first “real” job and ready for a new phase of life.
This is what you and your new grad need to know about their insurance.
First, in most situations, they can remain on your auto insurance policy as long as they are living in your household. If they’ve moved back home while job hunting, you can keep them on the policy.
But once they move out, it’s time to look at other options. Some of this will depend on who is the owner of the car and if you’re living in the same state. The best option is to talk to one of our agents to discuss your particular situation in detail.
If your graduate is moving out on their own, you’ll also want to get some information on Renters Insurance. It will protect their belongings and protect you from any liability for damage they might cause to a residence (even if it’s just an accident, like a small kitchen fire.) In most cases, a parent is a co-signer for a lease and needs to make sure this protection is in place.
The end of college marks some big transitions into adulthood. Help your new graduate to make smart financial decisions and establish a great start. We can help! Schedule a personal review and quote today.
Don’t Leave Home For Vacation Without Doing This…
Ready to head out of town on vacation? Temperatures are climbing, school is ending, and everyone is eager for a break. But there are a few things to keep in mind before you leave town in order to keep your possessions protected.
Don’t Advertise That You’ll Be Out Of Town
Think about the things that happen around your home on a daily basis, so that your home doesn’t look empty when you leave.
First, contact the Post Office (and the newspaper) and put your services on hold. A full mailbox and a driveway full of newspapers are a sign to thieves that you’re an easy target!
Can you put a few lights on a timer so that your home isn’t dark all night? Even leaving on a few lamps will help. Motion sensitive lights on your porch and driveway are a great idea too.
Do you have a neighbor that you trust? Let them know of your plans, share your contact number, and consider leaving a spare key just in case.
What if a severe thunderstorm hits while you’re out of town? It could knock out power or even cause a tree in your yard to fall. Your neighbor can make sure that your freezer is back on when the power restores or verify that there aren’t any leaks in the roof from the storm damage! This can help prevent some bad surprises when you get home. Here at our agency we call this YOUR Key Neighbor. Your Key Neighbor should also have our office phone number should any emergency claims arise.
When You’re On The Road
The biggest tip I share with my clients is to avoid leaving valuables in the car!
Many people believe that their belongings are covered by car insurance, but that is not the case. The only coverage for your luggage and computer would be on your Homeowners Insurance and it’s subject to your deductible and possibly other limits.
Also, most policies offer coverage for road side assistance and towing. This can be invaluable when you are stranded (or accidentally lock your keys in the car in an unfamiliar town). This coverage is inexpensive and quick to add to your policy. Just call 1-800-435-7764 or 800-FARM TOW.
Have questions about your insurance before your next trip? Give us a call anytime to discuss your policy or to get a quote!
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!
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!
Insurance Discounts for your 4 year college degree
At our agency—WE LOVE DISCOUNTS!!!
If you have a Bachelor of Science Degree, Bachelor of Arts Degree, Master of Science Degree, or PhD in any of the areas below, you could qualify for up to 15% off your home and auto insurance!!! This is regardless of your current occupation, based only on your college diploma!
Actuarial Science
Agriculture
Aeronautics
Anthropology
Astronomy
Astro-Physics
Astronautics
Atmospheric Science
Bacteriology
Biochemistr
Biology (Biological Science)
Bio-Medical
Bio-TechnologyBotany
Business Information Technology
Chemistry
Computer Applications
Computer Graphics
Computer Information Systems
Computer Science
Computer Programming
Computer Technology
Cybernetics
Ecology
Eco-Systems
Entomology
Environmental Science
Genetics
Geology
Geophysics
Information Technology
Kinesiology
Ocean (Marine) Science
Mathematics
Meteorology
Neuroscience
Physics
Physiology
Oceanography
Planetary Systems
Statistics
Systems Science
Technology
Zoology
Lost or expired auto insurance ID card?
We get this call multiple times every day. While we are always happy to mail/email/fax your card to you; we do have a great technology option as well. It’s the iFarmers app (for both iPhone and Android). There are many cool features, but the one most used is the auto insurance ID card. Every renewal (typically 6 months) it always updates to current dates and when you get a new vehicle it’s automatically added as well. Try it out and let us know your thoughts!
Search for iFarmers on Google Play/App Store
OR
For Android users click here
For iPhone users click here
Client Ryan H–“It took all of 3 minutes to set up. All I needed was my policy number (which I got from an old ID card), my driver’s license number, date of birth and email address. The process was quite simple and I’m glad you mentioned it to me!”
Insurance Discounts from your Preferred Local Insurance Agency

Did you know that your 4 year college degree or occupation will discount your auto and home policies with our agency? Our average client saves $150-$200/yr just by this one discount alone!
This month we’ve helped out clients in the following professions:
Medical: Physicians, RNs, Dentists
Scientists: Computer Scientists to Meteorologists
Public Service Providers: Firefighters, Paramedics, and Law Enforcement
Educators: Elementary, Middle, High School Teachers and College Professors
Active Military Personnel
Engineers, Architects, CPAs, Judges, Attorneys, Pilots also qualify; even if you have retired from one of the listed occupations you are also eligible!
Call or email us for your detailed personal proposal
816-795-5977 or jolson3@farmersagent.com