Own a Pool? Get the Right Homeowners Insurance in Chandler AZ

July 22-29 was the Pool Safely campaign, promoted in part by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). According to the CPSC, drowning is the leading cause of accidental death for children ages five and under.  Young children in Chandler AZ can drown in only a few inches of water in less than thirty seconds. The Pool Safely campaign urges parents and pool owners to make sure that their pools are safe and that they have taken basic safety precautions.

Recommended pool safety measures include:

• Installing  a fence at least four feet tall with self closing gates around the pool.
• Installing lockable safety covers on spas. Keep all pools and spa covers in good working condition.
• Making sure that every pool and spa has VGB compliant drain covers.
• Using surface waves or underwater alarms.
• Installing alarms on doors and windows that lead to the pool area.
• Limiting alcohol use around the pool.
• Regularly checking the pool area for items like glass bottles, toys, or other items that could cause an accident.
• Keep equipment such as life rings, floats, or a reach pole quickly and easily accessible in case of an emergency.
• Learn how to perform both child and adult CPR.  Take refresher courses as necessary to keep those skills up to date.

Parents should also supervise children closely around pools. Teach young children to swim and enforce basic pool safety rules. Never leave a child alone in a pool or spa, even for only a few moments.  Don't leave flotation devices, balls, or other toys floating in the pool that could tempt young children to reach for them and possibly fall in. Keep a phone close by the pool and post emergency numbers nearby. If a child goes missing always remember to check the pool first--including looking on the bottom of the pool.

If you have a pool, make sure that your home insurance in Chandler AZ, provides adequate coverage.  The Insurance Information Institute says that homeowners who own pools may need between $300,000 and $500,000 in liability coverage.  Typical Chandler AZ homeowners policies only provide up to $100,000 in liability coverage.  Pool owners may also want to consider umbrella policies which provide up to $1 million of liability coverage for an additional $200-$300 annual premium.

Chandler, AZ homeowners may also need sufficient insurance to cover replacing the pool if it is damaged, especially if it is an expensive in-ground type pool. Pool furniture also needs to be included in insurance coverage. 

If you have a pool or are considering installing one, contact your insurance agent to discuss your coverage. Pools are considered an "attractive nuisance," and homeowners can be held liable if someone is injured in their pool, even if that person was there without the homeowner's permission. Taking appropriate safety precautions and making sure you have adequate Chandler, AZ insurance coverage can help you make sure that your pool is a fun way to stay cool this summer.

Top Five Mistakes to Avoid When Selecting Auto Insurance Chandler AZ

Selecting auto insurance in Chandler AZ or any other state for that matter can be an overwhelming process. There are literally thousands of companies throughout the United States offering to insure, with various pricing structures and coverage options. The good news is, according to www.fatwallet.com, Chandler Arizona's average auto insurance rate is $1,447, one of the lowest states in the nation. How can you avoid high rates, while ensuring you have adequate auto insurance coverage? Consider the following common mistakes to avoid when shopping for car insurance.

1. Buying only the minimum. States require a certain amount of coverage. In an effort to save as much cash as possible, many drivers select the minimum option. However, if an accident occurs, you could be left paying quite a bit out-of-pocket. For example, consider if you purchase liability coverage only that covers $15,000 in damages. What would happen if you hit another vehicle valued at $20,000, totaling it? You would be responsible for the $5,000 your insurance does not cover plus you'd have to pay for the repairs to your own car. Know your policy and make sure you are protected. Often times, a larger policy only costs a few more dollars a month. Save yourself the hassle and financial burden of inadequate coverage.
2. Not being honest. It is in your best interest to reveal all accidents or driving infractions up front. Eventually, insurance companies will do their own investigation and find out you were not honest. Your rates will increase because of the previous marks on your record plus now you are considered dishonest and higher risk. It's not worth the gamble.
3. Drinking while driving. In addition to the mountain of legal troubles, a DUI on your driving record lasts a very long time and can increase your rates up to 40 percent, if you are able to find coverage at all.
4. Not researching discounts. Insurance companies have various ways of providing discounts. Ask about multiple-vehicle rates if you have more than one car. If you have renter's or Chandler AZ homeowner's insurance, ask about a discount for using the same provider. Don't forget to mention all the safety features in your vehicle, such as air bags and anti-lock brakes, as well as anti-theft devices. Many insurance companies offer discounts for alumni from certain universities or members of specific organizations and associations. Additionally, ask about mileage discounts. Insurers offer lower rates for vehicles that are not driven great distances.
5. Not saving via payment option. If you can afford it, deep discounts are often provided for drivers who pay for an entire year up front. If paying a lump sum is not financially feasible, ask about discounts for automatic drafts. Most importantly, make sure your payments are on time. A lapse in your coverage may result in an increase in your rate when you try to reinstate it. 

While auto insurance provider's rates can vary, at the end of the day the most significant factor in your insurance rate is you. Tarnishing your record, not doing your research or simply choosing the wrong policy can have major financial implications.  

If you have questions and would like to speak with any one of our Arizona Insurance Agents we recommend that you try:

Should You Drop Comprehensive and Collision from Your Auto Insurance? Chandler AZ Agent Weighs In

Comprehensive and collision are usually the two most expensive coverages you carry on your Chandler AZ auto insurance policy, so removing them from your policy might sound like a good idea. Before you decide to drop these physical damage coverages completely, take a look at a few factors and decide if it is the right decision for you.

Do you have a teenage driver on your policy?

One of the reasons auto insurance in Chandler AZ is more expensive for young drivers is because they have less experience behind the wheel. If you have a teenage driver in your household, you might want to keep your comprehensive and collision coverages in case your young driver’s inexperience causes damage to your vehicle. The peace of mind of knowing that the damage is covered is worth the price of having the insurance in place.

Are you making payments on your car?

If you are making payments to a bank or other financial institution for your vehicle, they will probably require that you keep comprehensive and collision insurance on your policy so their interest in the vehicle is protected. Although you will need to keep the coverage, you might be able to raise your deductible to reduce the cost of your policy. Contact your bank and ask them what the highest deductible is that they allow. There are several deductible amounts available, so as long as you have a lower deductible than your bank requires they should be satisfied.

What is your car worth?

Owners of older vehicles with lower values don’t see as much benefit from physical damage coverage as do owners of vehicles with higher values. This is because minor damages can cost just as much to fix as it would to replace your car. If your vehicle has a low value, now might be the time to consider removing these coverages from your policy.

Do you rent vehicles on vacation?

If you rent a car while you are away on vacation, your comprehensive and collision insurance coverages may cover any damage to your rental vehicle. If you do a lot of traveling, having these coverages on your policy can save you quite a bit of money since you wouldn’t need to purchase the rental car company’s physical damage insurance. Car rental companies usually charge around $20 per day for physical damage insurance, but if you have this covered on your auto insurance policy you might be able to say no to this extra expense. Make sure it is covered under your policy before you decline the coverage, because there are some situations when your policy won’t be able to cover rental vehicles.

It can be a difficult decision to make when you are deciding whether to carry specific coverages on your insurance policy. If you have any questions about whether you should carry comprehensive and collision coverages on your auto policy, please contact any one of our AZ insurance agents and let them help you figure out what is in your best interest or stop by my office anytime and I will be happy to help you in any way that I can. Be sure to ask about getting a discount on your auto insurance by packaging it with a Home Insurance policy.

What To Look For In Auto Insurance Chandler AZ Policies

As many people have found it can be hard to locate the proper vehicle insurance for them. This is when you should know more about what to look for in the auto insurance Chandler AZ to guarantee you are selecting the proper plan for your needs. Some of the items for you to look for includes the amount of money you have to pay each month for the premium. Something else you should look for is the coverage limits to guarantee it is within the proper limits you are required to have for your vehicles loans or even the law. Another aspect for you to consider is the amount you want to have on your deductible limits. Finally you should figure out which company you are using and how reputable the company is. 

The first thing you should look for is the amount of money you can afford on your monthly premium. When you know this information it is rather easy for you to know if you can afford to pay the bills or not. Without this type of information you may end up paying quite a bit more then what you want to or can even afford. With this information it is rather easy for you to have the proper payment and know you can easily afford to pay the bills. 

Something else to look for is the different types of coverage limits you can find. When you know about the coverage limits you can easily find out if they are going to be acceptable for your needs or not. Now you may not realize this, but some of your loan companies will have some type of requirements on what you should have coverage wise. However, the companies may have a dedication to giving you the proper coverage for the state laws. So you need to find this out as well. 

Another aspect to look at is what kind of deductibles you need to have. By knowing about this, it will be easy for you to have the knowledge on how much you have to pay before your Chandler AZ insurance coverage will start to pick up any payments. Without this type of information you can easily pay more for your insurance, but have a lower deductible payment, but you could also have the opposite if you are safe driver and end up getting the lower premium for a higher deductible. 

Finally you should look at the different types of companies you can deal with. When you are able to find this out you can find out more information about the company and know if they will be working for your needs. Without this type of information you can easily select a company you have never heard of and be disappointed in the type of work they are doing for you. 

Getting to enjoy your vehicle all the time can be a good thing. The problem you may have is not knowing about what you should look for in the auto insurance Chandler AZ to ensure you are selecting the proper plan. By knowing about what you should look for in these policies, it will be easy for you to have the proper policy for your needs.

If you have questions about a new Home insurance policy in the Chandler AZ area you should call: