Homeowners in Arizona experience between 40 and 100 flood events annually. Arizona homeowners typically experience floods as a result of heavy rains, storms, and monsoon storms, as well as water overflowing river banks. Damage and loss from floods is not something typically covered with standard homeowner’s insurance, so flood insurance coverage from an agency such as Homeowners Insurance Group serving Scottsdale, AZ is highly recommended.

If you do live in a flood zone, here are five steps you should take:

1. Buy Flood Insurance

Your mortgage company may only require you to have flood insurance if you’re at high risk. But it pays to protect your property from flood damage with this extra little insurance. With unusual weather events occurring more frequently, you’ll sleep better at night knowing you’re covered.

2. Elevate Expensive Equipment

Consider the possibility of flooding when you design the placement of items inside your home. Keep pricier items, like electronics, jewelry, and similar items up high where they’re more likely to escape flood damage.

3. Anchor Fuel Tanks

If you have outside, above-ground fuel tanks, be sure they’re secured in a way that will help keep them from being knocked off their bases and carried away in rushing waters.

4. Make a Flood Emergency Kit

Assemble an emergency kit with essential supplies like non-perishable food, water, medications, and first-aid items. Include important documents like insurance policies and identification.

5. Use Waterproofing Sealants

Waterproofing sealants are easy-to-use, and can simply be painted on over your regular finishes. Apply it to interior and exterior walls that are below ground or low to the ground.

Schedule A Consultation Today

Homeowners Insurance Group serving Scottsdale, AZ offers flood insurance as well as standard home insurance policies. Get in touch today for more information about how to purchase flood insurance and what kind of coverage you can expect from this extra bit of protection.

It’s important to have the types of commercial insurance when you run an Arizona business. Two types of insurance are required for many companies. You need to know what these are and whether they are required for your specific business. When you need commercial insurance, contact us at Homeowners Insurance Group in Scottsdale, AZ to find out more. 

Required Commercial Insurance

Workers’ Compensation Insurance

When your Arizona business has one or more employees, you must have a worker’s compensation policy for them. This is true even if your employees are part-time. Even one employee means this insurance is required. It protects your business by paying for expenses like medical bills after an employee gets injured or ill on the job. These bills can be extremely high, so it’s never a good idea to go without this insurance. If you have casual workers, occasional help, independent contractors, or domestic workers in a home, these workers aren’t required to be covered by this insurance. 

Commercial Auto Insurance

In Arizona, any business that owns a vehicle is required to have a commercial auto insurance policy for it. This is a policy that contains both bodily injury and property damage liability. The state doesn’t require much coverage for liability, however, and it’s usually recommended to get more than the minimum. You may also want to get collision coverage in your policy. This will pay for your own property damage if you cause an accident. 

Extra Coverage Options

In addition, there are other types of commercial insurance that are very helpful but aren’t required. You may want to get cyber insurance if you have an online business. You may want general liability or a business owner’s policy as well.

Get Your Commercial Policies

When you need commercial insurance for your Arizona business, call us at Homeowners Insurance Group in Scottsdale, AZ.

If you own property here in the Scottsdale, AZ area, chances are you need umbrella insurance. Umbrella insurance from Homeowners Insurance Group is an extra layer of financial protection to help cover the costs of major liabilities that may exceed the limits of your standard insurance policies. It can provide coverage for medical expenses, legal fees, and judgments against you in cases such as libel or slander. 

So how do you know if you need umbrella insurance?

Consider whether any of the following apply to your situation: 

Do you own a few properties? Do you have a high net worth? Are there any potential risks associated with your business or profession that could lead to expensive litigation? Have you been sued in the past? Do you have multiple vehicles or boats registered in your name? 

If any of these scenarios sound familiar, umbrella insurance might be a good option for providing additional financial protection against unforeseen circumstances. In addition, if your current liability coverage isn’t enough to cover costs related to a serious injury or accident, an umbrella policy could save you from paying out-of-pocket expenses. 

Ultimately, it’s important to weigh your options and make sure that all potential risks are covered by an appropriate level of coverage for your personal situation.

Reach Out To Us

To get started on finding the right policy for your needs, give us at Homeowners Insurance Group a call today. We are proud to serve the Scottsdale, AZ area and would be happy to help you find a policy that suits both your needs and your budget. So don’t wait! Give us a call today!

Even though we’re blessed with beautiful deserts and an otherwise dry climate, Scottsdale, AZ is no stranger to the danger of flash floods. It seems that with each passing year, we experience at least one monsoon-style rain event that catches too many people off-guard.

At Homeowners Insurance Group, we know too well what can happen when you’re not prepared. That’s why we’ve put together a handy guide for the Scottsdale, AZ homeowners we serve, so pay attention: These tips can help ensure that you and yours will ride out the storm safely.

5 Flash Flood Tips For Homeowners

1. Keep your phone charged.

The National Weather Service will push text alerts via cell phone towers to all mobile users in the Scottsdale AZ area to warn them of up to four different types of flash flooding events. 

2. New flood insurance policies take 30 days to start.

In Maricopa County, it takes 30 days for a new flood insurance policy to kick in, so contact Homeowners Insurance Group before it’s too late!

3. Create a family plan

By discussing what actions to take with your loved ones before disaster strikes, you can increase your chances that everyone will keep their heads above water.

4. You don’t have to own a home to get flood insurance

Whether it’s a condo or a rental unit, contact Homeowners Insurance Group to find out what coverage works best for your living situation.

5. Make a list of emergency contacts outside the flood zone.

That way you can have a stable point of contact to check in with during the chaos.

Give Us A Call

If you’re a Scottsdale, AZ homeowner who wants to learn more about the flood protection options available to you, don’t wait until the storm clouds have already gathered. Reach out to Homeowners Insurance Group today!

Car insurance is a must-have for anyone who owns or drives a car. However, the cost of car insurance can be a significant expense, especially for those on a tight budget. Here are some ways to keep car insurance premiums low:

1. Compare rates from different insurers.   The first step in keeping your car insurance premiums low is to compare rates from different insurers. Rates can vary significantly from one insurer to another, so it’s important to shop around to get the best deal.  Insuring with Homeowners Insurance Group, we do the shopping for you.  We are an independent agency, meaning we work with many insurance companies.   Each year at your renewal, we’ll look at your rates and if we see a big increase, we’ll check with you to see if it’s ok to shop it for you.   There’s no need to pay attention to that because we’ll do it for you. 
2. Choose a higher deductible The deductible is the amount you pay out of pocket before your insurance coverage kicks in. Choosing a higher deductible can lower your monthly premiums, but make sure you choose a deductible you can afford to pay in case of an accident.
3. Maintain a good driving record and claims history.  Having a good driving record can help you get lower insurance rates. Insurance companies consider drivers with a history of accidents and traffic violations as high-risk and charge them higher premiums.  If you have several claims on your record that will cause your rate to go up, including glass claims. 
4. Drive a low-risk car.  The type of car you drive can also impact your insurance rates. High-performance cars, luxury cars, and sports cars are generally more expensive to insure than a family sedan or an economy car. Safety features, such as airbags and anti-theft devices, can also lower your insurance premiums.
5. Consider usage-based insurance. Usage-based insurance, also known as telematics or pay-as-you-drive insurance, uses technology to track your driving habits and adjust your insurance rates accordingly. If you’re a safe driver, you could save a significant amount on your insurance premiums.
6. Bundle your insurance policies If you have multiple insurance policies, such as home and auto insurance, bundling them together with the same insurer can lower your overall insurance premiums.
7. Ask about discounts. Insurance companies offer various discounts, such as good student discounts, multi-car discounts, and safe driving discounts. Ask your insurer about these discounts to see if you qualify.

In conclusion, keeping your car insurance premiums low requires a combination of smart shopping, safe driving, and taking advantage of discounts. By doing your research, choosing the right coverage, and taking steps to reduce your risk, you can keep your car insurance premiums low while still having the protection you need on the road.   We’re happy to do the research for you, every year! 

As the weather shifts and summer storms become more frequent, it’s important for business owners in the Scottsdale, AZ area to be prepared.  Homeowners Insurance Group is happy to assist. 

Here are some tips from us to help you prepare your business for a storm: 

1. Prepare an Emergency Plan:

Create a plan with your employees that outlines what needs to be done in case of a storm. This includes instructions on how to evacuate, where everyone should go, and who is responsible for shutting down equipment or securing documents. 

2. Backup Important Files:

In case of flooding or power outages, having backups of important documents and files can save you time and money when it comes time to recover them. Invest in an external hard drive or cloud storage service so that you always have access to important information no matter what happens.

3. Protect Equipment:

Unplug electronics and store them in a safe place away from windows, as flying debris can cause damage during high winds or hail storms. Consider investing in surge protectors so that any sudden changes in electricity won’t cause permanent damage to sensitive equipment. 

4. Secure Outdoor Areas:

If there’s outdoor furniture or other objects around your business property, make sure they are securely tied down before the storm hits to prevent them from becoming dangerous projectiles during heavy winds. 

Reach Out To Us

By keeping these tips in mind and planning ahead, you can ensure that your business is ready the next time a storm rolls through town! For more tips, call us at Homeowners Insurance Group today. We proudly serve the Scottsdale, AZ area and would be happy to answer all of your questions.