Life Insurance

According to a 2023 survey, 63% of workers said they would be unable to cover a $500 emergency expense. This means a majority of Americans don’t have an emergency fund, which is a savings account with roughly three to six months of living expenses set aside for unexpected expenses. If you can, you should be working on building emergency savings. Even a small amount can add up over time. Learn about the most common reasons to tap your emergency fund. Job Loss Losing your job can be financially devastating, especially if you’re the primary earner in your household. Even if you qualify for unemployment benefits, emergency savings can help you keep up with bills. Emergency Home Repairs Homeowners can plan and budget for routine maintenance and repair tasks, but expensive repairs may arise suddenly. For example, a storm blows through and knocks a tree branch onto your roof or floods your basement. Whatever happens, it helps to have emergency savings to cover the cost without going into debt. Major Car Repair As with your house, your car doesn’t always give a warning before breaking down on the highway. Whether you have trouble with your brakes, engine or tires, having money saved up can get you back on the road. Medical Expenses Nearly half of American workers are enrolled in a high-deductible health plan, according to the most recent federal data . This can result in costly bills if you or one of your dependents has an injury or needs diagnostic testing. If you have access to a health savings account, you can save for medical expenses with pretax dollars. If not, your emergency fund will come in handy. Do you have questions about your insurance coverage and how it could help you save in case of property damage? Get in touch to talk about your policy.

No matter what else winter may bring, you’re probably experiencing lower temperatures this time of year. That’s why this season can bring a specific set of challenges for your home and car. Snow and ice, heating systems, fire safety, pipes and tires should all be top of mind during the colder months. Keep reading for 12 tips on staying safe at home and on the road when the thermostat is at its lowest. Stay Safe and Warm at Home Heat : Have your heating system inspected or serviced annually. If you have a fireplace, have it and the chimney professionally cleaned before you light your first fire. Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors : Make sure they are all working; if not, replace the batteries or install replacements. Gutters : Keep them as clear as you can throughout the cold weather season. Snow and Ice : If you get snow or ice, make sure to clear your sidewalk, driveway and entryway as soon as possible to prevent falls. Temperature : Even when you’re not home, keep your thermostat high enough to prevent the pipes from freezing (no lower than 55 degrees). Drive Safely This Winter Road Conditions : Adjust your driving to the weather. Slow down (or stay home) if it’s snowing or the roads are icy. Don’t use cruise control on slippery roads. Emergency Kit : Keep bottled water and snacks, a blanket, extra clothing, a flashlight and whatever else you may need if you get stranded in bad weather. Cover : If possible, keep your car in the garage or under a carport to save yourself the trouble of cleaning snow and ice from your vehicle. Tires : Before you drive in winter weather, check the treads and tire pressure to make sure your tires are in good condition. Battery : Cold weather can cause your battery power to plummet, so test it before any long drives. Wipers : Check your blades and replace them if necessary. You may even need winter wiper blades . Gas : Keep your car’s tank half full to prevent the gas line from freezing. If you have questions about winter safety or your insurance policies, reach out today.

No one wants to be in the position of filing a car or home insurance claim, but it may be necessary from time to time. Whether your home sustained damage or you were in an accident involving another vehicle, filing a claim starts the process of getting reimbursed. This may include repair costs, the value of lost or stolen property, or associated expenses (such as a rental car or hotel stay). Keep reading to learn when you should or shouldn’t file a claim and how the process works. When should you file a claim? Generally, it can be a good idea to file a claim on your homeowners or car insurance if: The damage is covered under your insurance policy. Someone was injured. The other driver is at fault, or the fault isn’t clear. Your home or vehicle is a total loss. Your car was damaged by something other than an accident, and you have comprehensive coverage. When is it not necessarily worth it to make a claim? There are times when you may not benefit from filing an insurance claim; for example, if the damage to your car or home isn’t covered by your policy. Additionally, if the damage is so minimal that it doesn’t meet your deductible or isn’t worth potentially higher premiums, you may not want to make a claim. Filing several claims in a short time frame could result in higher rates. How to File a Claim If you do decide to file a claim, it’s important to do so as soon as possible. You should provide photos and relevant details and respond to requests for additional information. Call the police if you’ve been in a car accident or if your home has been burglarized. Obtain a copy of the police report to submit with your claim. Stop using the damaged vehicle (or part of your home) until it can be inspected. You don’t want to cause further damage while your claim is active. Reach out if you have questions about your insurance coverage.

It’s somewhat common to be notified that your bank, email provider, favorite retailer, or other company has experienced a data breach. How will you know if your identity is being used to open fraudulent credit accounts? This is where identity theft insurance and protection come in. With this, you can get alerts about suspicious activity, reimbursements for the costs incurred via identity theft, and support through the process of recovering your identity. Keep reading for everything you need to know about identity theft insurance, what it covers, and how it works. What is identity theft insurance? This type of policy provides certain financial protections if your identity is stolen. It usually covers the costs associated with restoring your identity. In some cases, you may also be reimbursed for any money you lose due to fraudulent or unauthorized transactions. Your policy may also include credit monitoring to alert you to suspicious activity as soon as possible, as well as identity restoration services to help you recover and restore your stolen identity. How much does it cost? Identity theft insurance tends to be relatively affordable, typically costing less than $60 annually . There may be an out-of-pocket deductible before your coverage kicks in. How does it differ from identity theft protection? Identity theft protection services can help reduce your risk of identity theft, alert you to suspicious activity, and help you recover from fraud, while identity theft insurance helps cover the associated costs. Each identity theft protection service and insurance policy can be a little different, so review your options to find the combination of features you need. You may end up purchasing both to get the full suite of services and coverage. Do you have questions or want to adjust your insurance coverage? Get in touch today.

Are you missing out on savings? If you have insurance policies with more than one company, the answer is most likely yes.  The commercials are true: Bundling insurance policies is often cheaper and more convenient when done with a single insurer. But why? While bundling may not be right for everyone, here is the how – and the why – on insurance bundling. Then you can make your own decision. What does it mean to bundle my home and auto insurance? Bundling your home (or renter’s) and auto insurance means getting both policies from the same insurer. You can ask for a quote to see your potential savings before you make a switch. 1. Save money when you bundle policies. You probably have to have home and auto insurance anyway, so you want to get the best possible deal on your coverage. You may be eligible for a multipolicy discount when you get more than one insurance policy from the same company. This is in addition to any other discounts you receive, such as for a good driving record. 2. Simplify payments and organization. Bundling your insurance coverage can help you simplify with one monthly payment instead of several. It’s also easier to keep up with your policies when you can view all your insurance documents in one place. Check your coverage, ask a question, and file a claim — all from the same online portal or mobile app. If your insurance needs to change in the future, you just have one phone call to make. 3. Increase your convenience as a customer. If you file claims often, it's better to have a company that knows and values you as a customer. And even if you don’t file many claims, holding multiple policies with a single insurer gives more business to a company that has given you superior customer service in the past. If you have any questions, reach out for help.