While our agency does not specialize in short-term insurance policies, there are a few scenarios that can warrant the need for short-term insurance policies. Let’s take a closer look at a few of these.

Traveling to Mexico:

If you’re driving into Mexico it is likely that your existing auto insurance policy excludes travel to Mexico. You’ll want to find an agency that offers Mexico Auto Coverage. Your typical coverages are available to cover your vehicle and can include roadside assistance. Talk to an agent about what might be the best fit for you if you’re traveling to and from Mexico.

Renting A Vehicle

If you plan to rent a vehicle as a temporary replacement while on vacation, your existing auto coverage should transfer to the rental vehicle. However, items like loss of use are not covered and could cause you to accrue some out-of-pocket expenses should you be found at fault for an accident that removes the vehicle from the rental fleet. Talk to an agent before you rent a vehicle and ensure your existing coverage will transfer to the temporary replacement. You can always purchase the rental agency’s coverage as a primary coverage as well.

Vacation or Travel Insurance

If you’re going on vacation you might want to consider travel insurance if your plans get interrupted. Things like sickness, injury, and lost luggage can be covered with a simple policy. You can even find coverage for “cancel for any reason” which could help with some unusual circumstances for having to cancel a trip. Be sure to ask your agent about the coverage details so you fully understand your coverage.

Wedding & Special Event

If you are planning on hosting a special event such as a wedding, bar mitzvah, baby shower, charity auction, Easter egg hunt, or even a cocktail party, you should consider special event insurance. Getting a one-day (multi-day also available) special event insurance policy is an easy chore.

Even if you don’t serve alcohol at your party, by inviting guests and children onto your property you have a liability that needs to be protected. Consider trip and fall accidents, food poisoning, or even a dog bite. Many things can happen during an event that should be planned for.

As an independent insurance agency, we not only represent a variety of great insurance carriers but we can help you plan for these temporary insurance policies. Purchasing a policy can be as simple as a quick phone call with your travel or plan details and we can provide you with a quote.

With spring on the horizon, some of you may be finding yourselves thinking about getting a motorcycle license. After all, motorcycles offer great fuel economy, easy parking, and a unique driving experience.

For most people, your motorcycle journey will begin with some rider safety and operation courses. Knowing how to safely operate a motorcycle and the unique laws that may apply to you are important.

Operating a motorcycle in most states will require you to have a driver’s license and some will require a motorcycle permit. This permit will involve you passing an exam for motorcycle operation and a rider’s skill test. For those under the age of 18, you’ll also likely need your parent’s consent.

To find a class, you can search for your local DMV on the web and look there for motorcycle safety courses. Most states have adopted the Motorcycle Safety Foundations curriculum. The classes will take around 15 hours to complete and at the end, you will possibly find an insurance carrier who will give you a discount for completing the course.

Other common questions regarding the operation of a motorcycle include:

Am I required to have insurance? Not all states require motorcycle operators have insurance. It is highly recommended that you do carry insurance to not only protect yourself financially but also to provide insurance protection to those you may injure while operating a motorcycle.

Do I have to wear a helmet? Many states do not require helmets for all riders, however, some are also age-dependent. To find out which states have motorcycle helmet laws, visit the iihs.org website.

My motorcycle doesn’t go very fast, do I still need a permit?  If a motorcycle’s speedometer is listed as less than 60 MPH then it is possible that you do not need a motorcycle permit to operate this. Check with your local Department of Licensing to find out more.

Having motorcycle insurance is recommended. Typically the cost of a motorcycle insurance policy isn’t as expensive as an automobile policy. There are many factors that determine the cost of motorcycle insurance: where you live, your driving record, your age, and marital status, what type of motorcycle you own, whether you own a home, even your credit score can all have an impact on how much you’ll pay for insurance. The best way to find out what your premium will be is to ask a licensed agent in our office to provide you with some quotes from several of the top insurance companies.

Get Your Motorcycle Insurance Quote Today

Our licensed staff is ready to help you get multiple quotes for your Motorcycle Insurance. Because we’re an independent insurance agent we can shop from multiple insurance companies to help you find the right coverage at the right price.

When it comes to auto insurance it seems like all we hear about is discounts. But what discounts are there and who is eligible for them? Let’s take a closer look.

• Bundle Discounts: Bundling multiple policies like auto and home or auto and renters with the same insurance carrier can save you some money. The logic is that the more policies you have, the longer you will stay insured with the carrier.
• Multi-vehicle Discount: If you insure more than one car on the same policy, you’re eligible for a discount. Any car is eligible for the discount if it is on the same policy.
• Teen Driver Discount: Teen drivers are expensive to insure, there is no way around it. Fortunately, some carriers are more forgiving and give you a discount if they’re on your policy.
• Good Student: The logic is that a smart student makes a smart driver. If your student driver maintains a 3.0 or better GPA, you may be eligible for a discount. This is great for parents needing to motivate their children.
• Safe driver (accident-free): Many major insurance carriers will award safe driving discounts to drivers who have been accident-free for several years. The criteria vary between insurance carriers.
• Military: Active and veteran military members are often eligible for discounted auto insurance. Ask your insurance agent to see if you qualify.
• Early quote/signing: If you are looking to change insurance carriers or upgrade your auto insurance, getting a quote (and signing up) before your current policy has expired may get you a discount. You may need to get a quote within a certain number of days before your policy expiration, so check with your agent.
• Paid-in-full: You’ll see the discount reflected in the price when you are presented with your options for paying your auto insurance policy. Paying off the policy in full will cost you a little less than paying every month.
• Paperless: Don’t want to get a paper statement? Great, you get a discount. Most major insurance carriers offer discounts for customers who choose to do automatic billing and receive emails rather than paper statements.
• Auto-Pay: When you opt for automatic payments for your insurance whether by credit card, checking draft, or debit, you can earn a discount.
• Loyalty: Staying with the same insurance carrier year over year could earn you a discount for every loyalty milestone you hit. Typically, these rewards not only include a discount on the cost of your policy, but they can also include accident forgiveness.
• Tracking Devices: Many companies now offer tracking devices for your vehicle. If you’re okay with your insurance company monitoring your driving behavior, you can earn a discount.

More important than insurance savings is having the right protection. That’s why it is important to reach out to a licensed agent in our office to review your coverage. Getting the cheapest policy isn’t always the best decision if you have assets to protect. Insurance quotes take just a few minutes but the right advice and consultation about the right coverage can save you a lifetime of hardship.

When shopping for home or auto insurance, you have an abundance of choices. You can call the number on TV or shop with a local big-named brand, but then you only get one choice. Independent insurance agents offer insurance from many insurance companies, not one like most others you see on television. The benefits of shopping with a local agent are numerous. Not only will you get to compare pricing, but additional benefits include:

What’s Your Time Worth?

When you call an independent insurance agency, you’re presented with multiple insurance quotes at once from multiple companies. Independent agents will often make a recommendation for protection levels and companies that best fit your needs, but ultimately, the choice is yours.

Professional, unbiased consultations

As an independent agent, we offer clients unbiased advice. After all, we work for you, not a specific insurance company. So, when you get a quote or policy from us, we take care to ensure you’re matched with the carrier with the best options for your specific needs.

Who doesn’t love a discount?

Our agents are discount detectives. We can look at your situation and coverage request and match you with a company that offers you the most discounts along the way. Some of these include safe driver, claims free, home & auto bundles, teen drivers, paid in full, and more! There are so many discounts available.

Local Relationship

As a local agent, we appreciate our connection to the community and being able to speak to our local client base over the phone or in the office. Our agents work and live in your community, so we care about your care and coverage.

Adaptability

This might be the biggest benefit of all. Everyone throughout their lives will need to change their insurance coverage for a reason or another. Perhaps you got married, purchased a home, had a child, invested in a rental property or you want an umbrella policy to increase your coverage. When you work with an independent insurance agency, you don’t have to change agents. We can find you a new company with the coverage and pricing you want for your new lifestyle.

If you need an insurance policy for your auto, home, boat, RV, or even business, call us. We can help you find affordable coverage for your situation. Get a free insurance quote today.

If you’re a homeowner who lives in a colder climate, then you understand the importance of preparing for the winter. There are so many factors that can occur when the colder weather sets in and it’s important that you’re ready for various scenarios. Let’s go over some of the things that you can do to protect your home.

Have Homeowners Insurance

Purchasing insurance is one of the best ways to protect your house. Making sure that you have the right policy is important so that it takes into account any seasonal concerns you may have.

Clear Your Gutters

Especially if your winters tend to be filled with lots of rain, it’s important that your gutters are clear. Water buildup can lead to roof leakage or pipes breaking, so it’s essential that any rain has a clear path away from your house.

Clean Your Chimney

Who doesn’t love a cozy fire after a long day of playing in the snow? If you’re planning on using your fireplace this season, it’s important that regular maintenance has been kept up on it. Not cleaning out your chimney could be dangerous, so it’s important that you make sure this is checked off your to-do list.

Maintain Wood Exteriors

If you have a wood exterior on your home, then it’s important to make sure that it’s sealed from the elements. This will help you make sure that your heating bill is as low as possible, as well as maintain the integrity of your house.

Are Your Windows Insulated?

If your heating bill is higher than you think it should be, consider the insulation around your windows. Many people don’t consider that windows are an excellent way for heat to escape and cold air to enter your home. Make sure that you’re protected from the harsh wind by insulating your windows.

Weatherstrips are a great way to make sure that your windows and doors are prepared for harsh winters. They’re relatively inexpensive and could end up saving you money in the future.

Take a Look at Your Yard

There are lots of things inside that need your attention, but don’t forget to consider possible dangers in your yard. Trimming any tree branches around your house is a great way to prepare for winter storms and make sure that your house is as safe as possible.

Check Your Heater

If winter means cold weather where you live, then make an appointment to have a professional come take a look at your heating system. While they’re there, have them peek at your cooling system as well and make sure that everything’s in check. It’s best to have your systems checked sooner rather than later so that you know you can use them as soon as you need to.

Have Any Questions?

We’re experts when it comes to protecting houses, so we know what it takes to prepare for the winter. Feel free to give us a call or send us a message and we can provide you with more specifics.