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.

Top Factors Affecting Auto Insurance Rates

Have you ever had a conversation with a friend or family member and wondered why their auto rates are so different from yours? The factors that go into determining the premium for an auto insurance policy are many, and the rates for two drivers can be very different. If you are wondering how the insurance company arrived at your rate, here are some of the factors that have an impact on your premiums.

Your Age And Experience

Your age and the length of time you have been driving are two of the biggest factors in determining insurance rates. Young drivers who are less experienced are statistically more likely to have accidents, and their accidents are more likely to be serious. Thus insurance companies rate for age and experience based on the risk they are taking by insuring you. You might hear that word a lot if you look into how insurance rates are determined: risk. The higher the risk a driver represents to an insurance company, the more they will be charged.

The Type Of Vehicle

The type of car you drive has a big impact on your rates as well. Some cars are more expensive to repair, more likely to be stolen, or considered more dangerous to drive due to high speeds (sports cars, for example). All of these things can lead to an increase in the premiums to insure that car. Older, less valuable cars can be cheaper to insure than newer, more expensive cars, because it will cost the insurance company more to repair or replace a newer car. And in some cases newer cars are more expensive to insure than older cars depending on the estimated availability of parts if the car was involved in an accident.

Where You Live

The zip code where you park your car at night is another determining factor in your premiums. If there is a lot of theft in your neighborhood, this might cause an increase in insurance rates, as the insurance company is taking on a higher risk of having to pay out on a theft claim.

How Much And How Far You Drive

If you have a long daily commute, you spend more time in your car than someone who works from home, which means you are more likely to be in an accident. The more you drive your car, the higher your premiums are likely to be. Again, you are at a higher risk of having a claim due to more frequent use of your car, resulting in a higher premium.

These are just a few of the many factors that go into determining what an individual pays for their auto insurance. Insurance companies rate each driver and vehicle based on the level of risk they represent-the likelihood that they will have a claim. The lower your risk level, the better your premiums will become.

Why You Can’t Afford Not To Have Life Insurance

Insurance agents hear the same story over and over again: I know I need life insurance; I just can’t afford the premiums. The trouble is that those who feel they can’t afford to have life insurance are likely the people who need it the most. Here are a few of the reasons why the argument that you can’t afford life insurance coverage likely means you really need it.

You Have No Savings

If you live paycheck to paycheck and have no savings or other backup to cover yourself in case something goes wrong, then you also have no way to provide your family with what they need should you pass away. The less you have in the way of assets and savings, the more a life insurance policy will be needed by your loved ones in the event of a tragedy. How will they pay the mortgage and utilities, buy food, or handle all the other costs of everyday life? Without a life insurance policy, you will be leaving your family in a seriously difficult situation, dependent on charity or family members for help.

There’s No Extra Room In The Budget

When your budget is tight, which it is for many people today, you probably need every dollar that is coming in right now to cover the bills and make ends meet. What happens if some or all of that income is taken away? The family members left behind certainly won’t have a chance of finding income to replace what is gone quickly enough to avoid losing their home and more. While it can be difficult to fit the premium for a life insurance policy into a tight monthly budget, the cost of not fitting that policy in can be a lot higher if something unexpected happens.

If you really think you can’t afford to have life insurance, then the truth is you need to find a way. Talk to us about ways to take out a policy affordably, and look at your budget to see if there is a way you can make room. The more you think you can’t pay for life insurance, the more you need that coverage to protect your family from losing everything if something happens to you. Knowing your loved ones will be okay if you are gone is well worth stretching the budget just a little more.

Most of the time life insurance is a lot cheaper than you think it is. We have term policies for as little as $20 a month with less than 10 medical questions. Even if you can only afford a small policy some coverage is better than no coverage at all.

When Should I Buy Life Insurance?

Life insurance is one of the most important purchases you can make to keep your loved ones protected, but is life insurance only for those who are married with children? Whether you fall into this category or not, there are a lot of factors that make purchasing life insurance a wise choice. Here are some things to consider when deciding whether it is time to purchase life insurance, and information on what type of policy you will need to keep those you love safe.

When Do I Need Life Insurance?

There are a number of factors that affect whether life insurance is or is not is a good idea. In general, if you have any responsibilities that would still need to be fulfilled should you pass away suddenly, getting life insurance to protect those who would be left behind is a good idea. If you have any of the following responsibilities you may want to consider life insurance:

• You are married or have a common law spouse
• You have a life partner
• You have children
• You have outstanding debts
• Your income is essential to the maintenance of your family’s lifestyle
• You own a home on which there is still an outstanding mortgage
• You are a single parent
• You want to make sure your funeral expenses are covered

Life insurance is meant to protect your loved ones should anything happen to you, and any number of financial responsibilities could become an enormous burden on them should you pass away.

What Type Of Life Insurance Is Best For Me?

There are a number of different types of life insurance policies available on the market, and finding the one that is best for you may seem like a difficult task. Essentially there are two types of life insurance: term and permanent. These types of policies offer you different benefits depending on your personal circumstances. In most cases your first life insurance policy should be purchased when you are young and in good health. A term policy is also a good idea for a first life insurance policy as it will give you the most coverage for the lowest premiums. Permanent insurance can offer you a return on your investment, but for most people other types of investments, at this point in their lives, are a better idea.

In general, no matter what your situation, life insurance is a smart purchase. Contacting us to get professional advice on which type of life insurance is right for you will give the information you need to make that choice.

How Much General Liability Coverage Do You Need?

How Much General Liability Coverage Do You Need?

You know you need liability insurance to protect your company from lawsuits arising from injuries or property damage as a result of your own direct or indirect actions. But do you really have a good grasp on just how much coverage you need? Your commercial insurance package policy probably came with a base level of general liability coverage; in most cases, increasing that coverage is more than just a good idea, it is a must.

Lawsuits Are A Reality

You have probably heard about million dollar lawsuits brought against major companies by people who were injured as a result of negligence. You may even have thought some of those lawsuits were frivolous and unfounded, but the fact that you heard about them probably indicates they went to court. And if they went to court, those companies were forced to defend against them, spending a lot of money on legal fees. Do you have enough coverage to handle those legal fees, and also pay out a settlement if your day in court goes against you?

Many small businesses believe that they will not be the target of such a high dollar lawsuit because they aren’t big names. This thinking is dangerous; while some people may increase the dollar amount of their lawsuit when they know a company can pay, large lawsuits are still often brought against smaller companies. And smaller companies are the least able to absorb the loss if they are forced to fight a court battle and pay out on a settlement. Which is why these companies really do need much more liability coverage than they may believe.

Carrying Enough Coverage

General liability insurance covers you for a wide variety of potential negligence situations, and it is actually one of the less expensive coverages for most companies. When it comes to determining how much you need, the simple rule is that more is better. If the option is there to increase the coverage and it doesn’t make a large difference in your premium, you should always take it.

The cost of a liability claim can rise quickly, and if your coverage limits are met you will be left to pay any remaining costs yourself. If you have ever been involved in a lawsuit you know how expensive lawyers and court costs can be. Add to that the amount that a judge may award the claimant and you are looking at a serious financial loss. General liability insurance is the simple and affordable way to make sure this doesn’t happen; give us a call to be sure you are carrying enough, and increase it if you can. When it comes to liability, better safe than sorry is always the right way to go.

Flood Insurance – Part 2

Floods are the most costly natural disaster in the United States, causing over a billion dollars in damage every year. Yet many people mistakenly believe that they are safe from flooding because they don’t live in a “high risk” area. But the fact is, every home is in a potential “flood zone.”

Why should you be worried about flooding? In part, because unexpected floods can strike anywhere. One quarter of flood loss occurs in areas designated “low” or “moderate” risk. And the typical homeowner’s policy doesn’t cover floods or water damage of any sort.

There’s also another type of flooding you have to worry about. Flood insurance policies are important, and, we’d say, a necessary expenditure for most homeowners. But you also want to make sure you are protected against water damage due to overflowing sewers, drains, or sump pumps. These occurrences may not count as a natural disaster, but they are certainly a disaster to affected homeowners or renters. And they can cause financial disaster as well. It takes just an inch of water to inflict thousands of dollars’ worth of damage, and it doesn’t matter to your carpet, furniture, wiring, and appliances whether that water comes from a hurricane or a backed up sewer drain. That’s why we recommend additional water damage coverage to all our customers.

We specialize in providing homeowners with affordable policies they can trust, with companies they can rely on to come through for them. You can learn more about me by visiting my Web site.

Better yet, give us a call today at 401-433-1111, or contact us via email at hdaigneau@allstate.com. We‘ll set up an appointment to go over your policy options and make sure your home and finances are protected!

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.