Why having a "local insurance agent" is better for you than an "800# agent"

In my opinion, it is ALWAYS better to have a local insurance agent rather than an 800# agent. My reasoning is as follows.

• To us, you are a client , not just a policy number;
• As a local agent, we get to know you, your family and your needs;
• Insurance is a custom fit product, not a one size fits all;
• If you have a question, we are there personally to help you;
• When you call our office, you always talk to the same people, not a call center;
• If you need a recommendation for a body shop, plumber or repair person, we are in the neighborhood and can guide you to qualified professionals;
• Should you need additional coverage, we are there to recommend that coverage;
• If you can make changes to your policy to help you save money, we will recommend these changes, not so much with "800# agents" or call centers;
• If you have a question regarding the possibility for filing a claim, a local agent can help you make the right decision. With most "800# agents" or call centers, once you call them, they immediately log your call in as a claim;
• We offer renewal reviews on your policies, most "800# agents" and call centers do not. They just send you a new bill;
• Our office offers perks such as free document shredding and free smoke detector batteries;
• We help support local charities, such as Foothills Animal Rescue and Purple Purse Foundation; 
  

If you have rental properties, please read this.

If you have rental property, you need to make sure you are covered for all possible situations. That is why I STRONGLY RECOMMEND that when you have the tenant sign a lease for your property, you require two things.

1) as part of you lease agreement, your renter MUST obtain and maintain a renter's insurance policy containing at least $100,000 in liability coverage. If your property has a swimming pool, I would recommend the renter have a minimum of $300,000 in liability coverage. This way if someone is injured on the property, the renter has coverage for the injuries and the claim is not filed against your landlord policy;

2) as part of your rental agreement, your renter MUST list yourself or your management company as an INTERESTED PARTY on their renter's policy. This way if they make any changes to the policy or decide to cancel the policy, you or your management copy get a copy of all changes.

An average renter's policy, including $20,000 in personal property coverage and $100,000 in liability coverage is only about $150 per year.

Don't Under Estimate a Thief

Don't Underestimate A Thief!

While a thief is obviously a person making a bad decision, they're not necessarily unintelligent. Don't underestimate someone who is determined to rip you off in one way or another-and they have some clever methods. Statistics show that a thief will take the "path of least resistance." The more secure the situation, the less likely they will be to target it. With all the electronic gadgets available today, it's likely you use at least one or two of them. Here are some steps you can take to try and make things more difficult for a thief so they may be less likely to target you or your home.

"Open, Says ME!" If your garage door opener is removable, and you keep your registration in your car (or other items with your home address), you've just told your thief where you live and given them a way to get in. And imagine that the thief located this information in your car while it's in long-term parking at the airport - now you've also provided information that you'll be gone for a long time. TIP: Take your remote garage door opener with you when leaving your car (even for a few hours).

"GPS, Take Me Home": Was "Home" one of the first locations you programmed into your GPS? This, in combination with having a garage door opener creates a situation similar to the first scenario. The thief now has a way in to your house and can just have your GPS direct him straight to your house. TIP: Keep the "Home" setting, but change it so it directs you to a nearby location (e.g., store or gas station) so you can still find your way home.

"Hubby, Sweetie, Honey, Mom": Take a look through your contacts list on your cell phone. Do you use nicknames for your loved ones, or do they use them for you? If you got a text from "Hubby" that said "In line at grocery store. Forgot PIN for debit card. Text it to me please." Or from "Mom" that said "What's our garage door keypad code again?" What would you do? More than likely you'd promptly text the necessary information. If the phone was in the hands of a thief, you have just given them access to your bank account or your home. TIP: Don't assign nicknames in your contacts. In addition, if they are requesting sensitive information, confirm their identity by asking specific questions via text or, better yet, call and talk to them. Furthermore, if you DO confirm the identity and text the information, be sure to delete the text later, and make sure your "Hubby" (or Sweetie, or Mom) does too.

Missing Item Found! Have you ever lost something of value and reported it to the "proper" authorities (e.g., mall security, airport security, library lost and found)? Just think how happy you'd be if you got a call that they had your item and that you should come and claim it immediately. If it's a thief who actually made the call, they're now aware that you'll be out of your house for a while-perhaps enough time to burglarize your home. TIP: Look up the "real" phone number (don't just use the caller ID display) and call to confirm that the "item found" report is valid before leaving your house.

Bottom Line:Take your time and think before acting, speaking, texting. If it doesn't feel quite right, or if you're revealing information that you would normally keep secure, pause and think it through before revealing it. As previously mentioned, thieves use their smarts and can be tricky. They will rely on the element of surprise, count on "typical" human responses, smile and be charming, look you straight in the eye and speak with confidence-all while getting you to reveal information or behave in a way that works to their advantage. Visit the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety for more helpful information.

Computer Ransom

In  the world we live in today, there are new threats popping up every day. If you have a commercial business insurance policy, you need to be concerned about "Computer Ransom".

Computer Ransom is when a hacker downloads a virus into your business computer that locks up your computer and all the information you have in it. Then, you get notification that for a "fee", they will release the computer and it's information to you. Fees (blackmail) range from $2500 and up. The police, FBI and computer experts will tell you to pay the fee, since they have no way to correct the situation.

If coverage for this type of event is important to you, please contact your insurance provider so they can talk to you about this coverage and possibly add it to your policy.