4 common myths about auto insurance in Scottsdale, AZ

Posted on by agentinsure

The process of buying auto insurance is not always fun as buying the car itself. Some people think it’s expensive, complicated, and time-consuming. And to top it all—it’s mandatory. Maybe that’s why there is a lot of myths and misinformation about the entire policy. At homeowners Insurance Group, we are all about making the whole process as simple as possible. We also provide you with information to ensure you make an informed decision. With that said, here are four common myths about auto insurance you should know.

Red cars are costly to insure

Nobody will ask you about your car’s color in Scottsdale, AZ because the color doesn’t affect your insurance rates. However, critical information like model, engine size, and body type play a massive role in determining your insurance cost. Insurers also take into account your driving records and where you live.

Your insurance pays your medical bills if you are injured.

This is only true if you have personal injury protection or medical coverage. Your car insurance is designed to protect other road users and not the driver. Therefore, if your car gets damaged or injured in an accident that you caused, your policy will not cover you.

The older you are, the higher your rates.

It’s actually the opposite. Younger drivers are likely to pay higher rates than older drivers. Older drivers also get discounts, particularly when they pay on time, bundle their policies, or insure their vehicles for more than five years.

You only need liability, which is required by law.

Before you can register your vehicle in Scottsdale, AZ, you must show financial responsibility by getting the minimum liability coverage. Believing that you only need liability can have costly consequences as most accidents go beyond liability. You might be forced to dig into your pockets to pay various damages and injuries if an accident occurred.

Still need clarification about auto insurance? Our friendly insurance advisors at Homeowners Insurance Group can answer all your questions and ensure you get a policy that takes care of your needs. Contact us today.

Is Commercial Insurance Required in Arizona?

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Owning a business can be stressful, but having adequate commercial insurance coverage can provide much-needed peace of mind. Like other states, Arizona requires that small businesses maintain two commercial insurance coverage types – workers’ compensation and commercial auto insurance. In Arizona, any business that consistently hires or employs at least one person, regardless of whether they are full-time or part-time, must carry workers’ compensation insurance. The only exception to the law is if your business employs independent contractors, casual workers, or domestic workers that only work from their home. In addition to workers’ compensation insurance, which helps pay for medical bills sustained from an injury or illness an employee contracts while working, Arizona businesses must also have commercial auto insurance on any business-owned vehicles. Keep in mind that if you require your employees to use their personal vehicles for work purposes, then commercial auto insurance will not cover them if in an accident. In these situations, having hired and non-owned insurance coverage will protect your employees while using their personal vehicles on the job.

In addition to workers’ compensation insurance and commercial auto coverage, businesses in Arizona may also want to consider additional coverage depending on the company type. While these coverages are optional, having the extra peace of mind is well worth the additional cost. For instance, if your business stores confidential and sensitive customer data on their own servers or in the cloud, then cyber liability insurance is a must because it helps pay for damages associated with a data breach or cybersecurity incident. 

At Homeowners Insurance Group in Scottsdale, AZ, our talented team of insurance experts can walk you through all your commercial insurance options, answer your questions, and personalize a policy that is perfect for your business. 

Who should get home insurance in Arizona?

Posted on by agentinsure

People who live in the Scottsdale, AZ area will find that the local housing market offers many advantages and benefits to property owners. Those that own property here will enjoy the increase in property value and the chance to have a consistent home. If you end up buying a home, getting the proper insurance is a good idea. There are several situations when someone should get home insurance here.

When Trying to Protect Assets

Those in this area of the state should primarily consider getting home insurance to protect their asset. Home takes a major investment and is one that you should always look to protect. If you get a home insurance policy, it will give you coverage to repair or replace your home if it is seriously damaged. 

When Wanting to Comply with Agreements

Anyone in this area of Arizona should also get a home insurance policy because it will ensure they comply with their insurance agreements. Those who buy a property here will likely take out a mortgage and live in a home association. If this is the case for you, likely, you will also have a home insurance requirement that needs to be met. Having proper insurance will keep you in good standing. 

Scottsdale, AZ property owners clearly need to get a quality home insurance policy. If you are in the market for a new home insurance policy here, the first call you should make is to the Homeowners Insurance Group. Anyone that calls the Homeowners Insurance Group will quickly find that the team can answer any questions that you have. This can help guide your decision when you are choosing your next insurance policy. 

What are my life insurance options?

Posted on by agentinsure

Those that are in the Scottsdale, AZ area should spend time carefully assessing their personal insurance needs. One form of insurance that all people here need to take seriously is life insurance. With this type of coverage, you will be able to provide financial protection to your dependants. All people looking for life insurance here will have several different options, which should be considered as they provide different benefits and advantages.

Whole Life Insurance

One of your life insurance options to consider is a whole life insurance policy. A whole life insurance plan will offer you protection for the rest of your life as long as payments continue to be made. One of the advantages of a whole life insurance policy is that some of your monthly premium payments will build up in an account that you can eventually liquidate. This can make it a good addition to your personal investment portfolio as well.

Term Life Insurance

Another great life insurance option to consider is term life insurance. When you get a term life policy, you will not have the investment benefits, but your monthly payments tend to be much lower. With term life insurance, you can also build a policy that is ideal for your situation. This includes choosing a policy that covers your needs in terms of coverage amount and length of coverage. 

There are many different life insurance options for the average person in the Scottsdale, AZ area. As you are looking for a new policy here, you should call the Homeowners Insurance Group team. The insurance team at the Homeowners Insurance Group can provide you with a lot of insight into your different insurance options. This can make it easier for you to choose a policy that gives the right coverage and protection.

7 Benefits Of Umbrella Insurance That Arizona Residents Should Be Aware Of

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Based in Scottsdale, AZ, Homeowners Insurance Group assists the community by offering residents insurance coverage. We strive to help our clients find insurance policies that will cover them when they need it most.

Benefits Of Umbrella Insurance

While you are assessing your assets and your insurance’s value, it’s important that you have a plan for the future. Umbrella insurance can assist you if an unexpected issue arises that requires serious attention. Here is a look at some of the key benefits of umbrella insurance.

Covers You In Potential Liability Issues

Umbrella insurance acts as a safety net if you are involved in a serious liability issue. The policy protects you if someone suffers a serious injury at your home. The policy is also beneficial if you have pets, as an accidental attack by your pet on a person or another animal is a serious situation.

If You Have A Young Driver

If you are the parent of a child who is learning how to drive, umbrella insurance is an asset if your child is involved in a serious accident where someone else is injured, or their car is totaled.

Verbal Controversy

If you say something about another person or business that is detrimental to their career, you may be held liable. Umbrella insurance will protect you during these instances.

You Are Renting Some Property

If you are renting some property or a vehicle, umbrella insurance will protect you if the rental property is seriously damaged.

You Have High-Risk Objects

If you have a swimming pool or trampoline, the likelihood that someone may be seriously injured is high. That’s why it is important that you have umbrella insurance.

You Are A Coach Or Leader

If you are a coach or leader of a team, umbrella insurance covers you in the event of a possible negligence issue.

You Frequently Travel Abroad

If you travel the World regularly, umbrella insurance is an asset that can help cover you even as you leave Scottsdale, AZ.  

Homeowners Insurance Group Will Assist You

Visit our website to learn more information about umbrella insurance.

How to determine if you live in flood zone

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Even if you live in the mountains, you are at risk of dealing with flood damage, but some areas are riskier than others. Knowing how your Scottsdale, AZ home is marked helps you prepare yourself and your family better in case of a flooding event. While our flood insurance agents at Homeowners Insurance Group can help you determine whether your home is in a high-risk flood area or not, it is essential that you know how to check this yourself.

How to read the flood map

If you can read a flood map, it becomes easier to determine where your home stands and the risk level to help you prepare early. If your home is in a low-risk area, the flood map will typically mark it as an ‘area of minimal flood hazard’ in the geographic area. If it is in a high-risk area, it will be marked as a ‘special flood hazard area.’

The FEMA flood map

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has a tool that you can use to check the level of risk. This map service shows you the information you need to make smart choices such as floodways, flood zones, and your risk level. There is also other helpful infrastructural information about features like coastal barriers, levees, and base flood line.

Flood zones

Flood zones are labeled from A, B, C, D, etc.  Insurance providers across Arizona use these labels to identify the flood risk level and appropriately set flood insurance terms and rates.

Keep track of changes.

If you check your flood risk level today, come back after a few years and check again. With so much construction work going on, changes in floodplains, topography, and zone designations may be inevitable.

Knowing your level of flood risk helps you prepare yourself for a possible flooding event. For more information, feel free to contact the Homeowners Insurance Group in Scottsdale, AZ today!

Auto Insurance for Young Drivers

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If you’re young and you’re driving your first car that you’ve ever owned or are upgrading, there may be some aspects of auto insurance with which you are not familiar. Luckily, Homeowners Insurance Group has you covered. Learn how you can stay protected on the Scottsdale, AZ roads, and know the in’s and out’s of auto insurance with Homeowners Insurance Group. 

What Does Auto Insurance Cover?

Auto insurance provides you with financial coverage in case you get into an accident. You are provided with financial protection in the form of cash in case you are responsible for damage or repair fees. Here are some common areas in which auto insurance provides coverage: 

  • Liability
  • Injury
  • Property damage
  • Medical costs
  • Repair 

These are just some of the areas in which auto insurance provides coverage. To know exactly what you are eligible for and what coverage is best for you, visit Homeowners Insurance Group for a consultation. 

What Coverage Type is Best for Young Drivers?

For younger, newer drivers, the best type of coverage is full coverage. It does cost a little more but includes everything you would need in the case of an accident. The roads can be unpredictable, so it’s better to be prepared. It’s always more beneficial to have coverage and not need it than it is not to have coverage and desperately need it. Let the professionals at Homeowners Insurance Group get you the coverage you need. 

Get Protected with Homeowners Insurance Group

To help you stay protected on the Scottsdale, AZ roads, Homeowners Insurance Group is here to help you find the coverage you need. While full coverage is recommended for younger drivers, Homeowners Insurance Group is here to work with you so you can get the coverage that works best for you. You can contact them online or over the phone for a consultation. 

What Does Commercial Insurance Cover?

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Commercial insurance is one of the best options you have at protecting your business. It doesn’t matter the size of your company or how long it has been in operation. Commercial insurance will help provide financial assistance when it is most needed. But what does commercial insurance cover? We at Homeowners Insurance Agency have the answers for you. So, if you live in greater Scottsdale, AZ, or the surrounding Phoenix area, all you need to do is give us a call, and we’ll take care of the rest. 

Protects Your Stock and Equipment

With commercial insurance, you can protect your stock. This way, if any of it is damaged, you can recover the loss of these items. You can also protect the equipment used to make your merchandise, food, or whatever else you sell. Should the equipment run into problems, you’re able to cover it with insurance. 

Vehicles

Drive a vehicle for your business? Regular auto insurance will not cover it. However, commercial insurance will. It would be best if you had commercial vehicle insurance for the cars you drive for work. 

Worker’s Compensation

If your employees are injured on the job performing work-related tasks, you’ll want to take advantage of worker’s compensation insurance. This will cover medical expenses incurred from the injury. 

Protect Your Business with Commercial Insurance

There is no shortage of commercial insurance options out there. What is important is you find a policy that protects your business. It is possible to tailor form commercial insurance to your company so that it fits like a glove. Our staff here at Homeowners Insurance Agency can help get that perfect fit. So when you live in greater Scottsdale, AZ, we are here to help. All you need to do is pick up your phone and call us at your earliest convenience.

Home Insurance Add-Ons to Consider

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Your home insurance in Scottsdale, AZ covers plenty of different things, but there are some things not covered that you can add on extra coverage to include. An agent at Homeowners Insurance Agency can help you determine which add-ons make the most sense for your needs. 

  • Underground Sewer Lines: Underground utility lines will bring services to your home, but you are responsible for the damage that happens to the lines on your property. While the damage can be caused by the age of service lines or tree roots, it’s not covered under a typical policy. Adding this can be helpful if you live in an older home that may have dated systems.  
  • Drain and Sewer Back-Up: If a municipal drainage system overflows, then the water can back up into your home and cause flooding damage at your home and property, along with creating a significant inconvenience. The damage caused by this can be expensive to repair, and adding this protection can give you some peace of mind. 
  • Sinkholes: Depending on your property and the composition of the ground, your home could be susceptible to this. If you add this type of endorsement to your policy, then you won’t have to face this expense on your own. 
  • Home Based Business: With more people working from home in Scottsdale, AZ, it’s important to note home insurance doesn’t cover your business dealings. You may even get your home insurance canceled if you don’t have a home-based business endorsement. This type of endorsement covers personal property in a home office and medical bills that result from injuries or accidents to business visitors. 
  • Add-Ons for Personal Property: If you have valuable items, such as electronics, jewelry, or artwork, then you need add-on endorsements to protect these items.  

Flood and earthquakes aren’t covered under standard home insurance, and you can get coverage for these under separate policies.  

Contact Homeowners Insurance Agency to get a quote on home insurance. 

Home Claims, Submit or Not to Submit

Posted on by Aliesha

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My New Years’ Resolution for 2016 is to educate my clients on a variety of insurance topics.   Understanding the insurance rating process will help you keep your  insurance premiums as low as possible.

My topic today is going to be homeowners claims, should you submit or not submit?

I think it is important for you to know that you can be cancelled for claims.    It is not unusual for a company to cancel you if you’ve had 2 claims in 3 – 5 years.

So what happens if you’re cancelled for claims?   If this happens then I can’t get you insured with another preferred company until that falls off your record.    I just had this happen to a good client of mine and it is a big deal for them.   Their premium increased from $1700 to over $3000 once 2 claims were presented.   On the third they were cancelled.   The only company I can place them with is a high risk company.   The premium is now over $4400 a year and their coverage is not nearly as good as the old policy.  They have no choice but to take the policy because nobody else will insure them.   Even one claim can preclude you from moving to some insurance companies.   I have several  companies that won’t write a home if the client has had 1 loss in 3 years.

I know…why have insurance?!?!?   I agree it isn’t fair, but this is how it is unless they pass legislation precluding companies for cancelling due to claims.

The amount of the claim doesn’t matter, it is a frequency issue.   I had a client that came to me from another company.   She was cancelled for having a $150 claim and a $500 claim.   I was able to write the policy, but the premium was $3000.   Her original premium was only $500.

Back to my original question, should you submit that claim?   Well, that is up to each individual situation and your “pain threshold” as I like to put it.    Claims stay on your record for five long years.  Of course there are those situations where you can’t avoid a claim and really that is why you have insurance.   Don’t be afraid to submit a claim if you need to.   My primary goal is to protect you and educate you on the process.   I write for 15 different companies and have the ability to move you if needed.   I want to keep you in the best possible rating category to keep those rates down.

Some claims are unavoidable, but keeping your home well maintained will stave off many unfortunate situations.   Is your roof in good repair?   If you have an older home, have you had that inspected by a plumber or electrician to insure that all is in good working order?   What about that old water heater?   Those have to be replaced as they get older because they’ve been known to explode, causing major water damage.   It is recommended that they be replaced ever 10 years.   There are many ways to ensure that you and your family have a safe and claim free home.

I found another article in the Wall Street Journal on home claims that was interesting…if you’d like more information.    https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB106380332733463200.

Again, you have your insurance in case something happens.   I want to help assist you in your process.   I usually advise my clients to call me before calling the insurance company.   I’m happy to discuss your individual situation and possible options in the event something happens.   I represent you first and foremost!

Have a wonderful 2016!

Aliesha Brard, Principal

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