A surprising number of people simply choose to use the same insurance company as their parents which means that oftentimes there’s a lack of insurance shopping. Moreover, it seems that the only time some customers look further afield is when they’re shopping about for lower rates. These shoppers can end up with their car insured with one company, their home policy with another, and so forth.

From this comes a tangle of insurance companies, policies, bills, and an endless onslaught of mail. In short, it can lead to quite a headache for policyholders and insurance companies alike.

Insurance companies offer discounts as an incentive for their customers to bundle multiple insurance products together. These bundle discounts help to lock-in customers with the insurance company which oftentimes extends the amount of time those policyholders stay with that company. And fortunately, these bundle discounts are additive. This means that you’ll often save more money with each additional type of insurance policy you purchase from the same company.

Bundling Home and Auto Insurance

One of the easiest and most common ways to save money on insurance is by bundling your home and auto insurance with one company. On average, this bundling option can save you anywhere from 10 – 20% on your overall premium. When adding a life or umbrella policy to that auto and home bundle, it isn’t uncommon for that bundle discount to get as high as 35%.

How can insurance companies afford this?

These deep discounts can result in a significant reduction in premium for insurers. So how can they afford to discount these policies so much?  In short, economies of scale kick in since, overall, they’re making more money from each bundled customer. The alternative would be to write more customers with only one type of insurance policy which would require additional time, effort, and staffing. The benefit to insurers of offering significant bundle discounts more than outweighs the expenses associated with trying to write more single policy customers.

The best way to take advantage of these bundle discounts is to contact a licensed agent in our office. We can assist you with assessing your insurance needs and provide you with some quotes from several of the top insurance companies.

Get A Quote For All Of Your Insurance Policies Today

Our licensed staff is ready to help you get multiple quotes for your auto, home, life and other insurance products. Because we’re an independent insurance agent we can shop from multiple insurance companies to help you find the right coverage at the right price.

When it comes to auto insurance it seems like all we hear about is discounts. But what discounts are there and who is eligible for them? Let’s take a closer look.

• Bundle Discounts: Bundling multiple policies like auto and home or auto and renters with the same insurance carrier can save you some money. The logic is that the more policies you have, the longer you will stay insured with the carrier.
• Multi-vehicle Discount: If you insure more than one car on the same policy, you’re eligible for a discount. Any car is eligible for the discount if it is on the same policy.
• Teen Driver Discount: Teen drivers are expensive to insure, there is no way around it. Fortunately, some carriers are more forgiving and give you a discount if they’re on your policy.
• Good Student: The logic is that a smart student makes a smart driver. If your student driver maintains a 3.0 or better GPA, you may be eligible for a discount. This is great for parents needing to motivate their children.
• Safe driver (accident-free): Many major insurance carriers will award safe driving discounts to drivers who have been accident-free for several years. The criteria vary between insurance carriers.
• Military: Active and veteran military members are often eligible for discounted auto insurance. Ask your insurance agent to see if you qualify.
• Early quote/signing: If you are looking to change insurance carriers or upgrade your auto insurance, getting a quote (and signing up) before your current policy has expired may get you a discount. You may need to get a quote within a certain number of days before your policy expiration, so check with your agent.
• Paid-in-full: You’ll see the discount reflected in the price when you are presented with your options for paying your auto insurance policy. Paying off the policy in full will cost you a little less than paying every month.
• Paperless: Don’t want to get a paper statement? Great, you get a discount. Most major insurance carriers offer discounts for customers who choose to do automatic billing and receive emails rather than paper statements.
• Auto-Pay: When you opt for automatic payments for your insurance whether by credit card, checking draft, or debit, you can earn a discount.
• Loyalty: Staying with the same insurance carrier year over year could earn you a discount for every loyalty milestone you hit. Typically, these rewards not only include a discount on the cost of your policy, but they can also include accident forgiveness.
• Tracking Devices: Many companies now offer tracking devices for your vehicle. If you’re okay with your insurance company monitoring your driving behavior, you can earn a discount.

More important than insurance savings is having the right protection. That’s why it is important to reach out to a licensed agent in our office to review your coverage. Getting the cheapest policy isn’t always the best decision if you have assets to protect. Insurance quotes take just a few minutes but the right advice and consultation about the right coverage can save you a lifetime of hardship.

If you’re a homeowner, then you’re aware that it can be complicated to make sure your home is protected. If you’ve ever worried about your home being secure and free from damage, then you should consider purchasing technology that could provide you with peace of mind. Not only do the right devices and sensors provide you with a level of security, but they also can have positive impacts on your homeowners insurance.

Taking advantage of technology

The IoT (Internet of Things) market is one that has seen exponential growth within the past couple of years. Within the network of connected devices comes multiple benefits, both for homeowners and insurers. Making sure that your home is protected should be a mutual goal and it’s one that is made easier when your house is equipped with the right technology.

Did you know that there are multiple different types of sensors available to protect your home and help monitor to avert damage? Finding the right sensors could prevent damage to your home, as you can fix the problem before it becomes an even bigger issue. Being able to prevent damage is one of the most valuable benefits that IoT devices and sensors provide, as both homeowners and insurers have a vested interest.

What sensors should you consider?

Which sensors are right for you depends on the level of protection that you want to implement in your home. Many people have devices to protect and alert if a burglary takes place, but there are many other options that you can add as well including smart devices and garage doors.

Water sensors can alert if there is a leak in your water supply, potentially saving you thousands of dollars in water damage as well as identify a smaller leak before it becomes a big one.

Humidity sensors are similar and can alert you if your house’s integrity is at risk. Implementing smart devices is one of the best ways to take advantage of innovative technology, harnessing its power to protect your home and lower your insurance premiums.

Why purchase additional devices?

One of the biggest reasons why many choose to implement more devices into their home is because of the insurance benefits that they can have. Not only can more technology provide you with peace of mind and assurance, but it could potentially lower your premiums. Because problems can be identified and solved before they multiply, insurance companies also have something to gain when you install the right devices.

Technology also allows for insurance claims to be completed easily. Because technology can be relied on to gain an accurate picture of a home’s state, claims can be settled quicker than normal. Not needing to rely on human assessments streamlines the process and leads to less disputed claims.

Taking the next steps

If you’re ready to learn more about smart insurance and what it could mean for your home, let us know. We’re experts in the field and work with our customers to help them find the right insurance solutions for their individual situations. Make an appointment with us today to learn more about the many benefits of installing devices and sensors in your home.

With the holidays just around the corner, it is a great time to review holiday safety items around the household. Especially if you plan on a lighting display.

When it comes to holiday décor, some families go all out. Regardless of your level of displays it is important to keep some things in mind for safety.

If you’re like many families displaying lights on the outside of your house during the holidays brings a lot of joy and festiveness to your home.

Holiday Light Safety

1. Keep your extension cords tucked away and off walkways.
2. Extension cords create a trip hazard when run across walkways and other areas where deliveries or guests need to walk. When possible, keep them away from sidewalks and tucked away.
3. Use exterior extension cords & lights.
4. Extension cords as well as lights come in interior and exterior grades. Be sure if you’re running lights outside to use an extension cord rated for outdoor use.
5. Check for frayed wires.

Over time the wires on your lights may become frayed. Before you hang them up, carefully inspect your wires for frayed ends. If you find any, don’t risk it. Repair them or replace them before you hang them up.

Ladder Safety

Each year thousands of people are injured hanging lights on their home from ladders. OSHA publishes safety precautions that are not only good for businesses to follow but for individuals to follow as well. Some of these safety tips include:

1. Select the right ladder for the weight of the job.
2. Every ladder has a weight limit. Look at the side of your ladder to determine if it can support enough weight for the job.
3. Never utilize the top 3 feet of the ladder. This can cause instability if you go above that point.
4. Inspect the ladder before use for damage.
5. Never go down a ladder backwards.
6. Ensure your ladder is on flat ground and stable before climbing.
7. Never lean to the side on a ladder, this can cause instability.
8. Use common sense when using ladders to ensure safety. If something feels unsafe to you when you’re on the ladder, it probably is.

We hope that you and your families have a safe and happy holiday season this year. If you ever have questions regarding your home insurance, give us a call.