Umbrella insurance refers to liability insurancethat is in excess of underlying insurance (home & auto) and also potentially primary insurance for losses not covered by the other policies. In the blink of an eye, a multimillion dollar lawsuit could jeopardize your home, car, property, savings, investments and even your future income. In most cases an…
Did you know that September is Life Insurance Awareness Month? With that in mind, we’re going to lay some cold hard facts on you about life insurance. 7 in 10 American households with children under 18 would be in jeopardy if the primary bread-winner died. 30% of U.S. households (35 million) have no life insurance protection at…
A little extra caution can go a long way while driving at night Summer has ended, and while fall and winter have their own pleasures — longer nights mean increased danger on the roads. You might think you drive just as well at night, but consider this: Even though nighttime driving accounts for just…
1. Know the difference between independent agents and other insurance agents or carriers. An independent agent represents a number of different insurance companies. In contrast, agents who represent large national companies only sell products from that carrier. A direct insurance company sells to you directly without an agent, typically online. An independent agent has the…
Take action to reduce damage. To reduce damage inside, look at your ceiling and walls to see what might fall. 1. Anchor bookcases and filing cabinets to walls 2. Secure ceiling lights, suspended ceilings and other hanging items to the home structure 3. Anchor water heaters and large appliances to walls using safety cables…
Even a small leak can become a major problem, so knowing what you’re covered for and how to prevent water damage are equally important. The below tips should help uncover any potential water problems down the road and keep your property dry. Check appliance hoses. Standard hoses are not as durable as they used to…
As we get closer to summer, boat owners should all be assessing their insurance needs if they do not carry boat insurance already. If you have a boat, you need boat insurance. Some people assume their homeowners’ policy is all they need to protect their boat. Not true. Typically, homeowners policies limited coverage for boats…
In California we have been experiencing heavy rain over the past week or so. We thought now would be a great time to remind people what to do in the event of an emergency water leak or flood. Follow these steps in the event of an emergency: 1. Stop the Water If water is coming…
If you are ever sued, your standard homeowners or auto policy will provide you with some liability coverage, paying for judgments against you and your attorney’s fees, up to a limit set in the policy. However, in our litigious society, you may want to have an extra layer of liability protection. That’s what a personal…
Let’s try a little exercise: Can you list everything you own from memory? Didn’t think so. The fact is most people own more things than they realize. It’s easy to remember the cars, the computer, the TV. But what about that holiday china in the garage? Or every pair of shoes? All of it is…
