Protecting Your Home from Loss Due to Theft

Your home is filled with memories, personal mementos, and most importantly, your family; the risk of losing your valued possessions to theft is a situation you never want to encounter. Ensuring that damages and loss due to theft are covered by your home insurance is important. Here are the questions you should ask yourself and your insurance agent about protecting your home in case of a break-in, and things you can do to protect your home and reduce your insurance rates.

 

Look Over Your Existing Policy

 

The first step in protecting your home is to see if your existing policy covers both your property and the contents of your property in case of a break-in. Most basic homeowner’s policies do not cover these, and so you’ll want to get a clear picture of what you need before proceeding.

 

Asking Your Agent

 

There may be a number of things you can do to reduce the amount you will pay for theft protection, including combining existing policies and making changes to your home’s security. If you already have homeowner’s insurance, adding theft protection may be cheaper than buying a separate policy, especially if you were to go with a different company or broker. Installing an alarm system, adding locks to windows, and other types of home security protection may qualify you for a discounted rate on your insurance.

 

Creating Peace Of Mind

 

Regardless of the insurance issues, protecting your home and family in case of a break-in is important to your peace of mind. Things such as simply hanging a security sign in your window, leaving lights on when you are not home at night, and changing your routine can deter theft. They may not qualify you for a reduced insurance rate, but may protect your home nonetheless.

 

Free to Our Customers

We highly recommend that you take a look at the Digital Locker and use it to its fullest advantage. It is a way that you can keep a personal inventory of everything you own.

The Digital Locker is free and you can use it online or you can download the app and use it on your phone (both iPhone and Android). This first link will take you to an Allstate web page where you can learn a bit more about it and the second link will take you right to the Digital Locker website.

 

http://www.allstate.com/digital-locker.aspx?cid=OTC-SOC-T-131201:Innovation

 

https://www.digitallocker.com/Home/Dashboard/View

What Is Covered In A Life Insurance Medical Exam?

Life insurance is a major purchase. Finding a policy that not only provides you with the coverage you need to care for your family or loved ones, but is also affordable, is critical in making your decision. So you have found the policy that seems to have all the feature you are looking for, and at the right price, but it requires a medical exam! What should you expect from a life insurance medical exam and how can you prepare for it?

What Kind Of Medical Exam Should I Expect?

In general, a life insurance medical exam will try to get an overall picture of your health. You can expect to be asked a series of questions about your medical history and the medical history of your family members. You can also expect questions about your lifestyle that may affect your health such as drinking, smoking, and exercise habits. In addition to a questionnaire you may also be required to have a routine physical that could include taking your weight, pulse, and blood pressure, as well as doing blood work and urinalysis. It is a good idea to have the insurance company send the results to your doctor. That way if you do have a health problem you did not know about your doctor will be informed of the results. It can also give you a third party perspective if you were to fail the medical exam.  Most exams require that you fast for at least 12 hours before to ensure the best test results for your blood work.

Why Do I Need To Take One?

Your insurance company may require you to take a medical exam to assist them in determining what premiums they should charge you. They will compare the results of your medical exam to their longevity charts, which will give them an estimate of how long you are expected to live based on various criteria. The premiums will be based not only on your medical exam, but also on other factors such as your age, gender, occupation, and credit score.

Are There Alternatives?

The policy that you select may require a medical exam. There are, however, a number of policies on the market that do not require a medical exam, and many of these are offered to those who are older or who may be concerned about taking an exam in the first place due to existing health problems.

Overall, if you are in good shape, healthy, and young, taking a medical exam may give you access to a policy with a very low rate. If, however, you are older or in poor health you may want to consider a policy that does not require it.

The Most Important Policy Most People Don’t Have

You know you need insurance to help protect you from the unexpected. You carry auto insurance because you acknowledge the possibility of an accident, theft, or vandalism. You carry homeowner’s insurance because you know a fire or burglary could happen to anyone. You probably have life insurance because you know that if the worst should happen, your family would need to be provided for and you realize that it could happen at any time. And yet, many people don’t carry long-term disability insurance. You know that you are at as much risk as anyone of an accident or illness sidelining you from working, so why not carry coverage to protect you from this possibility?

Another Policy?

With all of the insurance we are required by law to carry or have been told we can’t live without, it can seem like it’s just yet another policy you have to pay for and yet another premium coming out of your bank account, all based on “what if?” Long-term disability insurance is often the policy that falls through the cracks or is simply dropped because people don’t want to pay another premium.

But before you discount disability insurance, consider the reality of what would happen if you were disabled for a long period of time. Your workplace benefits probably give you a small amount of coverage, but when they run out and you still can’t work, what then? A long-term disability policy gives you extended coverage for the difficult situation of an illness or injury that you can’t simply get over in a matter of weeks. Without it, you could lose your home, your car, and your entire lifestyle, all while trying to take care of your health.

The Cost Of Long-Term Disability

If you don’t have an Long Term Disability policy because you feel the premiums are too high or not worth it, take a moment to think about what it will cost you if you do not have the policy and do become disabled. Without your salary, even with whatever benefits you have from work or other sources, your life will change completely. You won’t be able to afford the things you are used to having. Not only will you be facing the difficulty of trying to recover and take care of yourself, you will have to struggle to pay the bill and face the stress of losing things that are dear to you.

Long-term disability insurance is the one policy too many of us do not have that we absolutely need. Don’t wait until it’s too late; give us a call today at 401-433-1111.

What Is Minimum Coverage And Do I Need More?

Minimum auto insurance coverage, in most cases, is not enough to ensure that you are completely protected from the financial and legal responsibilities that may result if you were ever to be involved in a car accident. Here are some facts about minimum car insurance coverage and whether it is enough for you.

What Does Minimum Coverage Include?

Minimum coverage is just that-the minimum. The amount of coverage you need to be legally insured as a driver. It covers you for a very specific amount of liability for any damage you may cause to others’ property, or for any medical expenses and lost wages that may incur as a result of an accident in which you are at fault. It does not provide you with any coverage for your own property or medical expenses for you and your passengers. In many cases the minimum amount of liability insurance may also not be enough if you are involved in a serious accident, and you will be personally responsible for the amount it costs beyond your coverage.

What Should My Minimum Coverage Really Be?

If you want to keep yourself protected as a driver, but still do not want to pay the high premiums, what types of coverage should you have? In general, it is smart to be sure you have both collision coverage, which will pay for repairs to your vehicle, and comprehensive coverage, which will protect you from natural disasters, theft, or vandalism in addition to your minimum liability coverage. This will protect you from out of pocket expenses for repairs to your own vehicle and any medical expenses you may incur. To keep your insurance expenses under control, choose the highest deductible you can afford.

The purpose of any type of insurance is to protect you from the expenses of unforeseen and unavoidable life events. Choosing coverage that provides the right protection is important, and finding a balance between protection and cost is the best way to do this.

Is it time for your car insurance check-up?

You take care of your car by making sure it is regularly maintained with oil changes, tune-ups, tire rotation, and recommended annual maintenance. But have you missed one of the most important annual maintenance procedures necessary to protect your vehicle? If you haven’t had an annual review of your auto insurance policy, you’ve overlooked a significant component of that annual maintenance.

 

An annual review of your policy with an insurance professional can help ensure that you are neither under-insured nor over-insured. You will be able to review policy options that you may not be aware of and evaluate their costs and benefits. In addition, you will have an opportunity to “tweak” your policy if you want to add inexpensive options such as coverage for towing and rental car costs, to avoid paying these expenses out of pocket. The review also allows you to be sure you thoroughly understand the coverage you have and get all your questions answered as well as giving you the opportunity to make sure you are getting all of the discounts that you are entitled to.

 

Please give us a call at 401-433-111 to schedule a free, no-obligation policy review at your earliest convenience. Chances are, we will be able to save you some money and/or ensure you have the coverage you need without paying for options you don’t want.

Who And What Is Covered Under Your Commercial Auto Policy

You count on a commercial auto policy to protect your business from liability risks that could be incurred when you or an employee gets behind the wheel for business purposes. In order to get the most from your commercial policy, you need know what it covers-and more importantly, what it doesn’t.

 

When you set up a commercial policy, it is important to ensure that every potential driver who might get behind the wheel is listed on your policy. As new employees join your company, you will need to contact your insurance agent and make sure they are added to the policy. If anyone who is not listed as a driver gets behind the wheel, you run the risk of being denied coverage in case of an accident. A commercial auto policy can and will protect all of the drivers in your business, but only if you are sure they have been properly added as insured drivers.

 

There are several types of commercial auto policies. Under an individual policy, a specific car owned by the business is covered for liability as well as other options you may choose. When you have a fleet policy, you will have a single policy that covers every vehicle owned by the company. Much like adding new drivers, you should be certain to add and remove vehicles as needed to keep your policy up to date.

 

A commercial insurance policy covers you for property damage and injuries to others that occur as a result of the actions of a covered driver. That means that if your employee is found to be at fault in an accident, the commercial auto policy will kick in and prevent your business from becoming the target of a lawsuit for damages. Why does this matter? Because if you don’t have the coverage you need, your business could face financial ruin. When a business is involved, lawsuits are more likely; injured parties see the likelihood of a higher financial payout. Your commercial auto policy protects you from this sort of lawsuit, providing coverage for the liability you take on when you let employees drive your vehicles.

 

A commercial auto policy also protects you from damage that can be done to the vehicles you own in the course of business use. Vehicles that are on the road more often-as many business vehicles are-are at a higher risk of being damaged. Your commercial policy protects you from errors made by your drivers, theft, vandalism, and other damage.

 

While you are careful in choosing the people you hire, everyone makes mistakes. Unfortunately, when someone is driving a vehicle owned by your company, you can be held responsible for those mistakes. Commercial auto insurance makes certain that your business won’t face a disaster due to an accident.

 

 

As December draws to a close

As December draws to a close, many of us are hastily composing New Year’s Resolutions. I know I make them every year. Mine used to be the same old cliches: Go to the gym every day, cut back on calories…

 

And there’s nothing wrong with these old resolutions. Many of us could stand to exercise more often or get rid of some bad habits. But there’s more to life than a drive for physical improvement.

 

That’s why I’ve recently begun putting a new twist on my resolutions. I’ve found carrying out these new resolutions so much more fulfilling that I thought it might be worth sharing some of them with others. Here are a few of my personal favorites:

 

Spend more quality time with your family.

Make sure your loved ones know how much you love them.

Share a kindness with passing strangers.

Make an effort to appreciate everyone for who they are.

Be slower to anger, and more thoughtful in your responses.

Try some fun new activity.

Whenever you see the opportunity, do something to make the world a little better and more joyful than it was a moment before.

 

These resolutions won’t cost you a thing, might take less effort than the usual ones, and will almost certainly leave you and those around you feeling happier!

 

May this next year be the best yet for you and your family!

Because Accidents Happen

One of the most essential elements of protecting the survival of your business is general liability insurance. While this type of coverage is especially important if you have significant interactions with the public, the sad truth is that in today’s litigious society, EVERY business should protect itself against the possibility of lawsuits.

Perhaps you believe your particular business is so low risk that commercial liability insurance doesn’t make statistical sense for you. In which case, let me ask you a few questions.

• Does your business have a common area such as a storefront or reception area?
• Do your employees often drive as part of their job-related activities?
• Does any part of your business involve the operation of heavy equipment?
• Do you manufacture any item intended to be used by others?

If you answered “Yes” to any of these questions, then you aren’t low-risk enough to even think about passing on general liability insurance.

But even if you answered “No” to all of the questions, you should still make it a point to protect yourself by purchasing a general liability insurance policy. Why?

Individuals can legitimately hurt themselves or cause accidents in an infinite number of unpredictable ways. In some jurisdictions, courts have held that property owners are liable even for injuries to trespassers and thieves. In the event of any sort of incident, the opposing attorneys are more likely to act responsibly if they know they have to deal with a huge insurance company instead of an isolated business. You’ve got enough to deal with trying to make an honest living without having to worry about lawsuits falling out of the sky.

The Daigneau Insurance Agency specializes in matching businesses with the most appropriate policies for their commercial insurance needs. If your company isn’t already covered by a general liability policy or if you would like us to review your current plan, please give us a call ASAP at 401-433-1111.  Let us provide you with greater peace of mind and make sure your business is protected against the vagaries of fortune.

Do You Need Insurance As A Renter?

Do you think home insurance is just for homeowners?  Protecting your personal property and ensuring costs are covered should fire or flood destroy your rental property is not only smart, but in some cases you could be legal responsibility.  So what kind of insurance do you need as a tenant and what should you be sure you have covered to protect your belongings?

 

What Does Renter’s Insurance Cover?

 

Depending on where you purchase your renter’s insurance, the types of claims that will be covered can vary.  In general, renter’s Insurance coverage is similar to that of homeowner’s insurance in that it covers vandalism, theft, and fire.  In most cases this also includes personal liability, meaning that you are covered even if you are the cause of the damage, and it usually includes not only the property itself, but the contents as well.  The extent of the coverage can vary from minimum legal coverage to comprehensive coverage, depending on your personal situation and needs.  Since the minimum coverage required in apartment building or apartment complex (and state) can vary, you will need be sure how much liability coverage you need.  We can help you find a policy that is right for your situation and budget.

 

Renter’s insurance will also cover your personal property in the event of a theft (some limits under the policy may apply).  If you come home from work or a weekend away and find that your apartment has been broken into and your personal property has been vandalized and/or stolen your renter’s policy is there for you.  Renter’s insurance will also be there for you if your car is broken into and your personal property (computer, gym bag, wallet…) is stolen from your car.

 

What Does Renter’s Insurance Cost?

 

Like most insurance policies, the more comprehensive the policy, the most costly it will be, but overall, renter’s insurance is usually a very affordable type of insurance.  In most cases we can help you purchase a renter’s policy for less than $145 a year.  One option that will always make renter’s insurance more affordable is to combine it with another type of insurance, usually car insurance.  We have these types of combined policies available, and since these are two types of insurance that you are required to have anyway, combining them to save money is a great idea for making insurance more affordable.

 

Give us a call to get more information, 401-433-1111!

 

Insure Your Pay Check and Protect Yourself with Disability Insurance

When it comes to selecting the insurance policies you need to protect yourself and your family from unforeseen events, you have probably covered all of the basics.  Auto insurance, homeowner’s insurance, life insurance.  Many people never look beyond these main three.  There is one particular policy, however, that is often overlooked and that could prevent you from losing everything in the event that you are unable to work.  Disability insurance is one of the policies that everyone should carry, but in many cases it is overlooked.

 

You Really Do Need It

 

Many people balk at the cost of paying for disability insurance, especially when they are already paying premiums on so many other policies, most of which are not optional.  It is easy to let something like disability go.  However, becoming disabled is a very real risk that each of us faces every day.  Accidents, injuries, illness-there are many things that could leave you unable to work and thus without an income.

 

Disability insurance is designed to protect you in the event of any sort of disabling event that puts you in the position of being unable to earn your regular salary.  You may have some coverage with your employee benefits, but in most cases it isn’t really enough to pay your living expenses and take care of yourself and your family.  A disability insurance policy will make certain you have money to continue paying the bills and living your life in spite of a disability.

 

More Than A Good Idea

 

Most people will acknowledge that having disability insurance is a good idea, and yet many of them still won’t take out a policy.  Much like health insurance, disability insurance is one of those policies everyone wishes they had when it is too late.  You can’t get coverage once you are already disabled.  Sadly, this is the time when many people realize just how important it really is.

 

Disability insurance should be considered just as important as those top three: auto, home, and life.  It truly is a must-have insurance policy that will make an incredible difference should the day come when you need to use it.