Category: Personal Insurance

Homeowners Insurance and the Rising Cost of Materials

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Household construction costs have surged over the past year. This rise in construction costs is directly tied to soaring building material expenses. These costs can affect the value, and therefore, the need for insurance coverage.

Click on the image to read or download the full article. Contact us to discuss your situation or request a quote.

image of pdf homeowners insurance and the rising cost of building materials click image to read or download full article in pdf

Tornado Coverage: Information for Homeowners

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According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Climatic Data Center, there are more than 1,200 tornadoes are reported across the country. Oftentimes homes close to a twister are damaged or destroyed by wind, rain and flying debris. Download and read this resource from our insurance carrier partner, Safeco about Tornado coverage and tips for homeowners.

Insuring Dangerous Dog Breeds

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pit bull insuring dangerous dog breeds

The Basics

Insurance can usually be obtained for most dogs; however, there are some limitations. If you own a breed that has been historically violent, you may have to pay an increased premium (even if your dog has not displayed any violent behavior). The following dog pedigrees are considered dangerous:

  • Pit Bull
  • Rottweiler
  • German Shepherd
  • Husky
  • Mastiff
  • Doberman Pinscher
  • Siberia
  • Wolf-dog Hybrid
  • Chow Chow
  • Doberman
  • American Staffordshire Terrier
  • Akita
  • Alaskan Malamute

Owner Responsibilities

To minimize the risk that your dog will display aggressive behavior towards other dogs or humans, you must be a responsible pet owner and do the following:

  • Restrain your dog with a strong leash when in public or a fence while in the yard. The fence should be at least 6 to 8 feet tall, depending on your dog’s size.
  • Socialize your dog as a puppy with other dogs and people. Take him or her to puppy classes starting at a young age, and praise your dog when he or she behaves well with others.
  • Spay or neuter your dog, as fixing a dog alters its territorial instincts and aggression.
  • Train the dog not to bite your hands, furniture, etc. If your dog starts to growl or chew on something, clap your hands loudly to distract him or her and then provide a toy for the dog to play with. Praise the dog when he or she chews on toys only.
  • Give your dog lots of positive attention.
  • Properly identify your dog with tags and a microchip.

Download a PDF from MMG Insurance about preventing dog bites.

We’re Here to Help

Have questions? Don’t hesitate to give us a call at 800.662.2020 or contact us!

Insuring Your College Student’s Belongings

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college student with books insuring your college student

Many homeowners policies consider a dorm room as an extension of your home, so items your child keeps there may be coverd to some extent. However, if your child has expensive electronic equipment or furniture, you may want to consider purchasing additional coverage.

If your child lives off campus, his or her possessions may not be covered by your homeowners policy. In that case, you may want to consider renter’s insurance, which costs as little as $15 per month. Renter’s insurance will cover possessions in your child’s off-campus apartment or house as well as provide liability coverage if anyone is injured in the residence.

Keeping Your Child Healthy While on Campus

Many students can stay on their parents’ health plans if they are full-time students. However, restrictions vary greatly by state, and coverage could be even more complicated if your child is attending an out-of-state school.
If you find your child doesn’t have coverage under your plan, you have a few options. Most colleges have their own health plans, but some policies have high deductibles and low coverage maximums. A few don’t offer any coverage for conditions present before entering the school, so be sure to examine plans carefully. Otherwise, you may want to consider an individual policy for your child.

Changing Auto Coverage

If your child moves more than 100 miles away from your home to attend school and doesn’t keep a vehicle there, your auto insurance premiums could decrease by as much as 30 percent. Call us today at 800.662.2020, and see if you can save money while still maintaining coverage for your child when he or she is at home.

Insurance Questions to Ask

Here are some important questions to ask when your child goes to college:

  • Will my child’s belongings be covered if he or she lives in off-campus housing?
  • Do I have to change my auto policy if my child brings the car to school?
  • If my child is an athlete, will he or she be covered under my family health plan if he or she is injured during a practice or game?

Count on Us

If you are sending a child off the college and haven’t looked at adjusting your coverage, contact us today to learn more. You could save money on your policies and protect your child from expensive incidents while away from home.

Call us at 800.662.2020 or contact us.

Calculating Renters Insurance Needs

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Know Your Insurance Calculating Renters Insurance Needs

Unexpected events like theft, vandalism or fires can wreak havoc on your personal belongings and cost you a fortune. Renters insurance is an affordable way to protect your belongings from losses—losses that can be far more costly than you may expect. 

Let’s examine what renters insurance covers and how to calculate your policy needs. 

What Renters Insurance Covers

While policies can vary, most offer coverage for the following:

  • Personal property coverage: This helps cover the costs to repair or replace belongings that are damaged or stolen due to a loss covered under your policy. Furniture, electronics and clothing can all be covered under personal property coverage. Although landlords typically have a form of property insurance, their policy does not usually cover any personal property within your living space.
  • Additional living expenses: If the apartment or home you’re renting becomes uninhabitable, your renters insurance policy can pay for your relocation costs as well as anything considered an extra expense under the policy—such as laundry, meal or storage-related costs.
  • Personal liability coverage: If someone is injured or their personal items are damaged on your rented property due to negligence, personal liability coverage can help pay any medical bills or damages, up to your policy limit.

How Much Renters Insurance Do I Need?

In order to determine the amount of coverage you need for your renters policy, there are a few things you can do:

  • Create a home inventory checklist—Simply making this list can help you take note of what your possessions are worth and decide how much renters insurance you would like to purchase. This checklist may also become useful in the event that you have to file an insurance claim—all your possessions and their values are already laid out for you. 
  • Deciding on any additional coverage—Once you’ve determined how much your items are worth, you can now decide if you need additional coverage. It may be useful to increase your policy limits to cover your more valuable items or get a separate policy for certain items such as jewelry or artwork.
  • Pick the best deductible for you—A deductible is how much you pay before your insurer starts paying for a covered incident. A higher deductible plan means your payments will be cheaper, but you’ll have to pay more out of pocket in the event of a claim.
  • See if bundling options are available—Most insurers give discounts as an incentive for having more than one policy with them. Talk to your broker to see if bundling options are available to you.

Securing the Coverage That’s Right for You

Deciding on the amount of renters insurance coverage you need can be a bit tricky. But with the help of your insurance agent, it can make the decision a far easier process.

© 2019 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved. This Know Your Insurance document is not intended to be exhaustive nor should any discussion or opinions be construed as legal advice. Readers should contact legal counsel or an insurance professional for appropriate advice.