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  • You Won’t Believe How Affordable Insurance In About To Get In 2022

    You Won’t Believe How Affordable Insurance In About To Get In 2022

    Benefit of work insurance
    Medical emergencies can come from nowhere. Even the healthiest people aren’t immune. The cost of an emergency can pile up quickly. That’s why it’s beneficial to have health insurance to help ease the financial burden. Many employers offer excellent health insurance benefits to make sure you’re able to stay happy and healthy.

    Other discount insurance options

    For those that have recently lost their job but still want access to the same insurance there’s COBRA. Cobra provides you with access to the same insurance for a price that’s less expensive than you would pay in the open market. Cobra is best utilized for short periods of time between other insurance options due to it’s higher cost

    There’s a market for everyone

    The Affordable Care Act is an open market that provides you with a wide variety of insurance options at a typically more affordable cost. What’s even better is that In this market you can’t be denied or charged more due to a preexisting condition. There’s an open enrollment period between November 1 – January 15. Even if you miss the open enrollment period there are special exceptions that qualify people for a special 60-day enrollment period.

    Coverage everyone qualifies for

    If you’re over 65 that means you qualify for Medicare. Medicare is an excellent option that typically covers around 80% of your medical bills. For people that want 100% coverage they can purchase Medigap which accounts for the additional 20% gap. These two policies will provide you protection late into your life.

    Shopping for an insurance plan that fits your needs can be daunting. But gambling that you’ll stay healthy and not need insurance is a bet you never need to make.


  • Compare Top Auto Insurance Companies-Get Better Insurance Today

    Compare Top Auto Insurance Companies-Get Better Insurance Today

    Buying a new vehicle is everyone’s dream and an exciting experience. However, vehicles are expensive, and consumers need to protect their investment with car insurance. The insurance covers your car in case of an accident and protects the driver from certain liabilities. When searching for a reliable car insurance company, look at the coverage options, price of policies, financial strength, and customer service reviews before settling on a company. In this article, we have detailed information that will make the process easier.
    Most people are currently working from home and are not driving that much due to COVID-19. However, it is still essential to have car insurance when you drive. Car owners who are paying for a financed vehicle also need to have auto insurance.

    Before we came up with the list below of the best car insurance companies, we considered factors like claims satisfaction, customer compliant scores, customer satisfaction, and claims settlement. We also turned to industry experts and Consumer Reports to get accurate and quality car insurance reviews.

    Top Auto Insurance Companies:

    The insurance market is flooded with different car insurance companies. However, we have picked quality car insurance companies in the market. Not all car insurance companies offer the same policy package to everyone. Therefore, to determine the best insurance provider that can take care of your needs, it is vital to consider your age, credit rating, and budget.

    #1 General Auto Insurance

    General auto insurance is our top pick for high-risk drivers looking for quality car insurance. The company does not shy away from young drivers or those who have been involved in multiple accidents. For instance, most car insurance companies avoid providing coverage to drivers that need an SR-22. The General auto insurance covers drivers who require SR-22 by including the form in their policy. That gives the driver a chance to file the SR-22 form in a brief period.

    Also, the insurance company has a mobile application as well as an online portal for customers to manage their insurance policies easily. The online portal offers users basic functionalities such as viewing policy details, receiving ID cards, and making payments. Since the features are not unique, they offer high-risk drivers similar benefits to standard drivers through other quality car insurance companies such as State Farm.

    Pros

    • Offers car insurance cover to high-risk drivers
    • Can file the SR-22 form for drivers who need it

    Cons

    • Provides few policy options and discounts
    • Drivers who are not high-risk will have a better experience with other insurance providers.

    #2 Progressive insurance

    For drivers interested in the best coverage options, Progressive is the ideal option. The company offers customers an easy platform on their website to choose the available policy within their price range. All you have to do to get the online quote is to enter the amount you are willing to pay for the car insurance, and the company will provide you with a list of policy options available within your budget.

    The company has a Name Your Price online tool that makes shopping easier for high-risk drivers. The drivers can use Progressive’s usage-based Snapshot program to redeem their driving record. Snapshot monitors the drivers driving habits and rewards them with discounts when they obey the traffic rules.

    Pros:

    • Online rate comparison tool
    • Custom equipment coverage
    • Gap insurance available

    Cons:

    • Claims handling of below average
    • Expensive rates

    #3 Amica Mutual

    The company has a history of offering excellent coverage and customer service. The insurer offers various policies, including ATV insurance. Amica also offers its customers usual coverages such as uninsured and underinsured motorist, personal injury protection along with excellent addons, including glass cover and roadside assistance.

    Pros:

    • The best in customer satisfaction
    • The best in auto claims satisfaction
    • Free lock replacement for lost keys

    Cons:

    • No discounts
    • Few local offices

    #4 Allstate

    This car insurance company offers quality customer service to motorists in America. The company is ranked among the top car insurance providers in the U.S. However, the company’s policies are more expensive compared to other auto insurance providers. This is because of limited discount offerings. The company offers quality services for what customers pay for.

    Pros:

    • Easily available
    • Mobile app and online tools
    • Teen drivers get discounts

    Cons:

    • Limited discounts
    • Limited optional policies
    • Its satisfaction rating is below average

    #4 USAA insurance

    It is the best car insurance company for active military members, veterans, and qualified family members. The company provides quality car insurance coverage to military personnel at reduced rates for low mileage and a 60 percent discount for cars parked during deployment.

    USAA provides a detailed portfolio of financial products to qualified members. The products include checking and savings accounts, retirement accounts, and investment products. The car insurance company is ranked among the best insurance companies.

    Pros:

    • Quality customer service and high claims ratings
    • Available nationwide
    • Excellent mobile and online tools

    Cons:

    • Limited to military and veteran families
    • To receive a quote, one has to be a member
    • Violations of billing-related regulations

    #5 Farmers

    The company provides standard vehicle insurance, including liability, medical payments, collision, uninsured and underinsured motorist coverages, as well as comprehensive. The company also offers optional coverages, new car replacement, customized equipment, original equipment, and spare parts coverage.

    Pros:

    • Alternative fuel discounts
    • Easy claims process
    • Great mobile app

    Cons:

    • Low claims satisfaction rating
    • Low client satisfaction
    • No discounts

    How to Save on Car Insurance:

    1.Consider getting a bundled home-auto insurance policy

    As mentioned earlier, during this pandemic period, people are not driving much. Therefore, you can look for an insurer that provides a pay-per-mile or home-auto bundle program. The policies base rates depending on how much you drive and others, depending on how well you drive. The insurance company that offers these policies installs a device in your vehicle that transmits data back to the company. Several car insurance companies, including Allstate, Progressive, and Geico, are among the insurance companies that offer this policy in some states.

    2.Avoid having too many car insurance policies.

    It is high time you drop collision and comprehensive insurance if you have a clunker. Comprehensive insurance compensates a stolen vehicle, vandalized, damaged by storms, or one that hit an animal. Similarly, collision insurance caters for a vehicle that flips over or crashes into objects or another vehicle.

    If the amount you pay for annual coverage plus your deductible is more than your vehicle, drop the two insurance policies. Comprehensive and collision cannot compensate more than the vehicle’s value.

    After dropping the two insurance covers, use the money to finance car repairs or use it as a down payment for a better vehicle.

    3.Drive safely

    Car insurance premiums can go up due to accidents and traffic tickets. Once you are issued a ticket, you may be forced to get it dismissed or have the violation points reduced on your driving record. However, if you avoid a violation on your driving record, you can save a lot of money and time.

    4.Ask for discounts

    Car insurance companies provide unique techniques to reduce your coverage premium. Request your agent to review possible savings to ensure you get all discounts entitled to you. Several car insurance companies offer discounts to their customers. However, it is vital to compare quotes depending on your situation. Some insurance providers offer many discounts, but that does not mean their policies are cheap.

    5.Increase the deductible

    When you raise your deductible, you will save money on comprehensive and collision. A deductible is an amount the insurance provider does not cove when compensating for repairs. For instance, if the cost of repair is $3000, and your deductible is $1000, the insurance company will pay $1000. Remember that savings vary by company. Therefore, it is essential to compare quotes with other deductible levels before deciding.

    Factors that Insurance Agencies Consider when Quoting a Rate:

    Where you live is the start of base rates. That is why car insurance companies ask for your ZIP code. Accidents and insurance claims are more prevalent for persons who live in urban areas with a high population. Therefore, your rates can be higher than someone who resides in a rural area where accidents are less likely to occur.

    Drivers Age

    The rates of a young driver are high compared to an older driver. Researchers claim that young drivers are easily distracted and crash a lot. However, different insurance companies decrease the rates at different times. At 25 years, your rates can drop by up to 20 percent.

    Researchers from (IIHS) Insurance Institute for Highway Safety claim that drivers between the ages of 30 and 69 have fewer chances of getting involved in accidents. A young driver who maintains a clean record can enjoy relatively flat car insurance rates until considered as a senior driver.

    Gender

    Since the crash, statistics vary for females and males, some states allow insurance companies to rate gender. According to research, males, mostly young, aggressive drivers, are more likely to crash.

    The IIHS reports that men drive more than women and engage in risky driving behavior like not using seat belts, driving when intoxicated, and speeding. The organization also claims that crashes involving male drivers are severe compared to female drivers.

    However, that does not mean female drivers pay lower rates than male drivers. Fatality risk reduces with age, not gender. When both women and men get to their 30s, the general auto insurance rates become comparable with most insurance providers for both sexes. Some insurers may also allow males to pay lower rates than females, depending on their data, polices, and research.

    As drivers get to their 60s, males pay more than females. That is because researchers claim older men tend to crash more compared to females. However, some states do not allow gender to affect insurance rates, including:

    • Michigan

    • Pennsylvania

    • Massachusetts

    • North Carolina

    • Montana

    • Hawaii

    Type of vehicle

    The kind of vehicle you drive may also affect your rates. That is because the way one drives these vehicles may differ. If according to the car insurance company, your vehicle’s model tends to crash more than others, or the model has filed more claims, your rates can be higher.

    Also, other factors that the insurer may determine from the model of your vehicle include:

    • Cost of repair

    • Safety tests

    • Purchase price

    • Theft rate

    It is also essential to note that a vehicle that does well on the safety test does not get lower rates. Vehicles’ collision-warning safety features may also receive high rates if the cost of replacing the feature is high. However, a few insurers have started to offer discounts for vehicles with extra safety features.

    How Insurance Differs:

    ATV Insurance

    An all-terrain vehicle (ATV) can be dangerous to the rider and can lead to serious injuries when an accident occurs. Replacing an ATVs can be expensive if severely damaged. Therefore, purchasing an ATV insurance is a wise move.

    Most insurance companies offer ATV insurance cover under the motorcycle insurance policy. The same process used to gather an online quote for a motorcycle is the same used for ATVs. The difference is one enters the ATV information.

    Motorcycle 🏍 Insurance

    A motorcycle may cost less than a vehicle. However, motorcycle insurance is more expensive compared to car insurance. That is because the rider is at a higher risk of getting involved in an accident while riding.

    Car 🚗 Insurance

    Car insurance may vary between different insurers since they use various rating factors. The companies have different statistical information they consider and claims experience. Also, the company may consider how much it may need to pay your claims during the year.

    Boat ⛵️ Insurance

    Most insurance companies provide boat insurance, including basic cover for damage or loss, and several additional options. Some insurers can cover the boat owners for common insurance activities and risks. The policy can compensate the boat’s occupants if they get injured. It also provides coverage for damage, theft, or loss. The policy also protects the boat owner from incurring costs after accidental damage to other people’s property.

    Commercial 🚛 Vehicle Insurance

    The insurance policy covers accidents that occur when you and your staff are using a company vehicle. Both commercial and personal vehicles cater to medical and legal bills related to car accidents. However, commercial vehicle insurance covers different types of cars, complex legal issues, and higher claims. The policy insures all employees in the business. That means that any employee can drive the vehicle if they have a valid driver’s license.

    Commercial 🚚 Truck Insurance

    The insurance protects trucks in accidents, theft, vandalism, injury to the driver or third party, among other damages. Insurance experts designed commercial truck insurance to meet the driver’s needs, business, and other vehicles.

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  • How to Reduce Your Car Insurance Rates for 2021

    How to Reduce Your Car Insurance Rates for 2021

    Even if you’re not driving as much anymore, you are required to have car insurance. There are many options out there for the price conscious consumer. Today we’re taking a look at some of the best car insurance companies for the money in 2020.

    We’re looking at a combination of factors when deciding on the best: customer service, customer satisfaction, price and a good shopping experience. There are plenty of car insurance companies who want you as a customer, and it behooves you to choose wisely.

    Amica Insurance

    Amica isn’t the biggest names in terms of recognition, but they are a juggernaut in the field of customer satisfaction. Amica consistently scores huge marks from their customers in terms of satisfaction: people with Amica feel taken care of, important, and well-covered. Amica has proportionally lower complaints from customers than any other agency in the country.

    Car insurance policyholders with Amica get all kinds of goodies like free lock and airbag replacement. You also get a complete reimbursement of your lost wages if you have to go into court at Amica’s request: they have you covered. If you lose your keys, or they get stolen, they’ll cover the cost of getting you replacements. Oh, and did we mention that in most states they won’t take depreciation out of your new car in the first year if you total it?

    Erie Insurance

    Another smaller company with a low profile and stellar customer reviews, Erie Insurance is beloved by their policyholders. The consistently get five-star satisfaction reviews, and they offer a ton of killer perks. The only problem, however, is that they operate in a small selection of states. Only Wisconsin, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, New York, West Virginia, Maryland, Tennessee, North Carolina, Virginia and Pennsylvania are covered.

    If you do happen to be covered, however, Erie is well-worth considering. They offer a rate-lock so that you know your premiums won’t go up unless you add cars or drivers to your policy. After three years, you get accident forgiveness so that your first at-fault accident doesn’t carry a surcharge. They also offer goodies like a diminishing deductible and even pet injury coverage if your pet is hurt in a car accident.

    Nationwide

    Nationwide insurance is the only insurer on this list with a large national profile, and for good reason. Normally operating at the scale they do makes it difficult to keep customers satisfied, but they manage to be both massive and care about their policyholders. Ignoring their obnoxious televised commercials, Nationwide is a good company to have in your corner. They consistently score five-star customer satisfaction reviews, and they have a very low number of customer complaints year over year.

    The much-talked-about vanishing deductible is one of Nationwide’s staples, and it can really add up: after five years of safe driving, you’ll have $500 off your deductible. In some states, Nationwide offers accident forgiveness, which can be a lifesaver if you get into a little fender bender and don’t want your rates to go up. Likewise, their “On Your Side Review” offers you the yearly chance to go over your life and needs to make sure you’re getting the right coverage and all the discounts you need. In short, Nationwide treats their customers with care and tries to make sure they feel valuable and cared for.


  • Tips for Signing up for Life Insurance

    Tips for Signing up for Life Insurance

    If you’ve been looking into life insurance, it can be a complex and daunting field! Whether you’re worried about your spouse, children or even grandchildren, life insurance is a great thing to have. You never want it to come up, but someday your family will need it!

    Tips for Signing up for Life Insurance

    Visit Your Doctor

    The first thing you’ll want to do before signing up for life insurance is head by the doctor for a quick check-in. This is doubly true if you used to smoke but don’t anymore. Similarly, if you were overweight but have lost weight since your last check-up, you’ll want this reflected in your records.  That said, this is a good practice anyway: checking in with your doctor regularly is important, regardless of whether you’re looking to get life insurance soon!

    Buy Layered Coverage

    You probably don’t need one gigantic policy. You can save yourself some money by layering your coverage and buying coverage for different lengths of time and with different criteria. While this might sound complex, it’s not too hard to accomplish. You simply see what your life insurance needs are and figure out how much coverage you need. Then, take out individual policies that offer the coverage you need! That way, you’re getting more coverage for less! That’s the definition of a win-win.

    Volunteer No Unneeded Information

    While it can be tempting to simply offer up all of your info unbidden, it’s best not to. When it comes to life insurance, you should only tell the insurance company the information that they ask for. A lot of times, you’ll be penalized for information like whether either of your parents died of cancer. However, some applications will only ask about things like heart disease. It’s okay to simply answer the questions they ask, and not offer any elaboration unless they specifically request it.

    This might seem a bit counterintuitive: after all, no one wants to be dishonest. However, it’s not dishonesty if the insurance company doesn’t ask about it. Simply offer them the information they’ve asked for and you’ll make things much simpler for yourself!

    Whether to Have an Exam

    We highly recommended getting a policy that has an exam if you’re healthy. This is where that doctor’s visit from earlier comes in handy: if your doctor gave you a clean bill of health, you can save some serious money with an exam policy. The policies that don’t have exams can be anywhere from three to six times more expensive than those that do! Don’t spend money you don’t need to, if you’re healthy, go with the exam!

    If you’re not in terribly great health, however, it might be less expensive to get a no-exam policy. However, you should discuss with your doctor any health issues that you think are affecting you. We highly advise you talk to a knowledgeable independent insurance agent if you feel as though your application may be complicated by poor health.


  • Coronavirus Pandemic: How to Reduce Your Car Insurance Rates for 2021

    Coronavirus Pandemic: How to Reduce Your Car Insurance Rates for 2021

    Let’s be honest: Coronavirus or not, you’re required to have car insurance. Just because you have to have it doesn’t mean it has to stink, though. You deserve only the best car insurance, from only the best car insurance companies during this pandemic. Today we’re taking a look at some of the best car insurance companies for the money in 2021.

    We’re looking at a combination of factors when deciding on the best: customer service, customer satisfaction, price and a good shopping experience. There are tons of car insurance companies all vying for your dollar, so the one you go with needs to have only the top marks in order to be worthy of your hard-earned cash. Let’s get into it.

    Amica Insurance

    Amica isn’t the biggest names in terms of recognition, but they are a juggernaut in the field of customer satisfaction. Amica consistently scores huge marks from their customers in terms of satisfaction: people with Amica feel taken care of, important, and well-covered. Try this one on for size: Amica has proportionally lower complaints from customers than any other agency in the country, even accounting for their small size.

    That’s not to mention their awesome free perks. Car insurance policyholders with Amica get all kinds of goodies like free lock and airbag replacement. You also get a complete reimbursement of your lost wages if you have to go into court at Amica’s request: they have you covered. If you lose your keys, or they get stolen, they’ll cover the cost of getting you replacements. Oh, and did we mention that in most states they won’t take depreciation out of your new car in the first year if you total it?

    Erie Insurance

    Another smaller company with a low profile and stellar customer reviews, Erie Insurance is beloved by their policyholders. The consistently get five-star satisfaction reviews, and they offer a ton of killer perks. The only problem, however, is that they operate in a small selection of states. Only Wisconsin, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, New York, West Virginia, Maryland, Tennessee, North Carolina, Virginia and Pennsylvania are covered.

    If you do happen to be covered, however, Erie is well-worth considering. They offer a rate-lock so that you know your premiums won’t go up unless you add cars or drivers to your policy. After three years, you get accident forgiveness so that your first at-fault accident doesn’t carry a surcharge. They also offer goodies like a diminishing deductible and even pet injury coverage if your pet is hurt in a car accident.

    Nationwide

    Nationwide insurance is the only insurer on this list with a large national profile, and for good reason. Normally operating at the scale they do makes it difficult to keep customers satisfied, but they manage to be both massive and care about their policyholders. Ignoring their obnoxious televised commercials, Nationwide is a good company to have in your corner. They consistently score five-star customer satisfaction reviews, and they have a very low number of customer complaints year over year.

    The much-talked-about vanishing deductible is one of Nationwide’s staples, and it can really add up: after five years of safe driving, you’ll have $500 off your deductible. In some states, Nationwide offers accident forgiveness, which can be a lifesaver if you get into a little fender bender and don’t want your rates to go up. Likewise, their “On Your Side Review” offers you the yearly chance to go over your life and needs to make sure you’re getting the right coverage and all the discounts you need. In short, Nationwide treats their customers with care and tries to make sure they feel valuable and cared for.


  • Do You Need Flood Insurance? The Facts

    Do You Need Flood Insurance? The Facts

    While the types of insurance you can get for your home often include coverage for damage from natural disasters, you might need flood insurance for full coverage. This goes double if you live in an area prone to flooding due to proximity to the ocean or frequency of hurricanes. Today we’re going to look into flood insurance and help you determine whether you need it for your home, or if your homeowner’s insurance is enough to cover you.

    Flood Insurance

    Flooding Risks

    Of all the natural disasters that occur in the US, nine out of ten of them cause flooding. Flood damage can be catastrophic on your property, damaging everything from your home’s foundation to your belongings. Electronics, furniture, pictures and collectibles can all be destroyed and ruined by flood waters. Keep in mind that homeowner’s insurance likely can only cover a small percentage of the amount of damage that a flood can cause to your home.

    Not to mention, flooding often brings silt, mud, and even sewage into your home, leaving a disgusting mess inside your home. Even worse, there are some floodwaters fast-moving and dangerous enough to sweep entire homes off of their foundations and simply carry them away. The only thing worse than your home being damaged badly is your home simply washing away into the ocean. This type of damage would likely be impossible to cover with normal homeowner’s insurance.

    Do You Need Flood Insurance?

    If you live on a flat plain in the middle of Nebraska, you probably don’t need to worry about flood insurance. Likewise, if your home is atop a mountain and far from any bodies of water, it’s highly unlikely that a flood will ever reach you. If one does, you’ll certainly have bigger problems than whether your baseball cards get soaked.

    Meanwhile, if you live in a lowland area near a river or on the coast, you should look into flood insurance. Keep in mind that if your area is particularly flood-prone, you might actually already have flood insurance. Many mortgage companies require you to have flood insurance if the likelihood of a flood in your area is over a certain amount.

    National Flood Insurance Program

    There are two different types of flood insurance you can look into. The first is the National Flood Insurance Program, or NFIP, offered through FEMA. This government-operated insurance is available to communities in flood zones, typically near the coast or in lowland regions near bodies of water. There are two coverage types available in NFIP, and most communities covered by it get access to both.

    There’s building property coverage, which offers to cover the cost to repair your home or get a new one entirely. This can pay out up to $250,000, allowing you to cover a wide range of damage. The other type is personal property coverage, which pays out damages to your property up to $100,000. This includes things like your TV, computer, furniture and collectibles.

    Private Flood Insurance

    Unlike NFIP, private flood insurance varies widely from insurer to insurer, so it’s harder to make generalized statements about it. However, as a general rule, you should speak to your local insurance agent to learn more about what they can offer in your area. People who have homes worth more than $250,000 or personal property worth more than $100,000 tend to be those interested in private flood insurance.

    For instance, if you have a summer home or a mansion that’s worth over $250,000 located on the Florida coast, you’ll likely want to speak to a private company about flood insurance. NFIP can only pay out up to $250,000, so there’s no real reason to go through them to insure a mansion or beachfront property.


  • Best Car Insurance Companies for 2021

    Best Car Insurance Companies for 2021

    Let’s be honest: you’re required to have car insurance. That’s a given if you’re going to drive your car anywhere outside of closed, privately-owned tracks. Just because you have to have it doesn’t mean it has to stink, though. You deserve only the best car insurance, from only the best car insurance companies. Today we’re taking a look at some of the best car insurance companies for the money in 2021.

    We’re looking at a combination of factors when deciding on the best: customer service, customer satisfaction, price and a good shopping experience. There are tons of car insurance companies all vying for your dollar, so the one you go with needs to have only the top marks in order to be worthy of your hard-earned cash. Let’s get into it.

    Amica Insurance

    Amica isn’t the biggest names in terms of recognition, but they are a juggernaut in the field of customer satisfaction. Amica consistently scores huge marks from their customers in terms of satisfaction: people with Amica feel taken care of, important, and well-covered. Try this one on for size: Amica has proportionally lower complaints from customers than any other agency in the country, even accounting for their small size.

    That’s not to mention their awesome free perks. Car insurance policyholders with Amica get all kinds of goodies like free lock and airbag replacement. You also get a complete reimbursement of your lost wages if you have to go into court at Amica’s request: they have you covered. If you lose your keys, or they get stolen, they’ll cover the cost of getting you replacements. Oh, and did we mention that in most states they won’t take depreciation out of your new car in the first year if you total it?

    Erie Insurance

    Another smaller company with a low profile and stellar customer reviews, Erie Insurance is beloved by their policyholders. The consistently get five-star satisfaction reviews, and they offer a ton of killer perks. The only problem, however, is that they operate in a small selection of states. Only Wisconsin, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, New York, West Virginia, Maryland, Tennessee, North Carolina, Virginia and Pennsylvania are covered.

    If you do happen to be covered, however, Erie is well-worth considering. They offer a rate-lock so that you know your premiums won’t go up unless you add cars or drivers to your policy. After three years, you get accident forgiveness so that your first at-fault accident doesn’t carry a surcharge. They also offer goodies like a diminishing deductible and even pet injury coverage if your pet is hurt in a car accident.

    Nationwide

    Nationwide insurance is the only insurer on this list with a large national profile, and for good reason. Normally operating at the scale they do makes it difficult to keep customers satisfied, but they manage to be both massive and care about their policyholders. Ignoring their obnoxious televised commercials, Nationwide is a good company to have in your corner. They consistently score five-star customer satisfaction reviews, and they have a very low number of customer complaints year over year.

    The much-talked-about vanishing deductible is one of Nationwide’s staples, and it can really add up: after five years of safe driving, you’ll have $500 off your deductible. In some states, Nationwide offers accident forgiveness, which can be a lifesaver if you get into a little fender bender and don’t want your rates to go up. Likewise, their “On Your Side Review” offers you the yearly chance to go over your life and needs to make sure you’re getting the right coverage and all the discounts you need. In short, Nationwide treats their customers with care and tries to make sure they feel valuable and cared for.


  • Do You Need Homeowner’s Insurance? The Facts

    Do You Need Homeowner’s Insurance? The Facts

    When you hear about homeowner’s insurance, you might be thinking “I don’t need that.” However, just because you’re not required to have homeowner’s insurance by law like you are with car insurance doesn’t mean you don’t “need” it. There are a number of reasons you should consider getting a homeowner’s insurance plan.

    Today we’re going over the kinds of things that are covered by homeowner’s insurance to help you make a wise decision. You spend a lot of money on a house: make sure it’s protected.

    What Homeowner’s Insurance Covers

    Homeowner’s insurance typically covers damage done to your home from unforeseen incidents. Keep in mind that this can change from policy to policy, of course. However, typically speaking, HO-2 homeowner’s insurance covers things like fires, storms, hail, wind and explosions. Most versions of homeowner’s insurance can also cover you against crimes, such as vandalism, theft and damage from riots.

    HO-3 homeowner’s insurance, on the other hand, covers pretty much any type of damage that could be done to your home and any type of property loss. HO-3 policies, of course, have some exceptions, so make sure you read up on any policy you’re considering thoroughly. HO-3 policies are also the most expensive type of insurance you can get for your home, though you can rest assured knowing your things are all insured.

    When it Might Be Required

    While homeowner’s insurance isn’t usually required by law, many homeowners are required to have it through their mortgage company. Unless your home was gifted to you by a relative or left to you in an inheritance, you likely have to finance the home with a mortgage. Except in very unusual circumstances, this means you will be required to insure the home.

    If you’re in a townhome community or a condo, your HOA might require you to insure the property, as well. This could mean you just need renter’s insurance, if the HOA has a master policy that covers the entire community. Otherwise, you’ll need conventional homeowner’s insurance. In either case, it’s still a good idea to have insurance, even if it’s not required.

    Why You Should Care

    You might be thinking “okay, this is all well and good, but why should I care?” Your home is one of the biggest financial investments you’ll ever make, possible across your lifetime. As such, it doesn’t make any sense for you to not take care of it. It’s where you and your family call home, it’s where you’ll make memories and raise kids. It’s an important place to cover!

    In the event that something bad happens to your home, like a fire or a break-in, you’ll be seriously kicking yourself if you don’t have insurance. The cost to cover your losses would likely be tremendous if you had to pay it out of pocket: likely significantly more than you would have saved not paying for a homeowner’s insurance policy.

    Liability and Belongings

    Another important aspect of homeowner’s insurance, and a big reason you might consider getting it, is that it covers your liability in case someone gets hurt on your property. Whether it’s someone just visiting, a person walking by or anything in between, if someone gets hurt on your property and wants to sue you, your insurance can cover it.

    Likewise, if someone steals your belongings, or they’re destroyed in an accident, your insurance will cover the loss. This is why doing home inventories and keeping a good track of all of your things is so important. If you’re a collector and have lots of high-dollar valuables in your home, this goes double. Make sure your property and your belongings are covered!