Home Insurance-Protecting the American Dream in Chandler, AZ

Home ownership is at the very heart of the American Dream. We all have visions of soaring gables, brick fireplaces, cobblestone walkways, and picket fences dancing in our heads. While owning your home is an absolute honor, it is not until you move into your residence that you suddenly realize there is a lot of responsibility and worry that comes with that joy. The questions come fast and furious. What happens if someone breaks into my home and steals my grandma's silver? How much will it cost to refinish the hardwood floors if a pipe breaks in the basement? Has this neighborhood ever experienced golf ball sized hail?

So that you can once again enjoy your home, you need the peace of mind that you are only going to find with Home Insurance in Chandler, AZ. Because home insurance policies vary, you need to have an open line of communication with your insurance agent so that you know precisely what is covered. For instance, many people wrongly assume that their home insurance policy will naturally protect them against a flood or an earthquake. Now, you are probably thinking that you don't live in an area of Arizona that could offer your property any damage by either such misfortune. The truth of the matter, however, is that you just don't know what Mother Nature might throw at you. The worst case scenario is that a fluke disaster occurs, destroys your house, and your insurance does not cover that type of event. In such an instance, safer would have been much better than sorry, and your insurance agent has the expertise to tell you just exactly how much risk your residence has for either of these mishaps. Both flood and earthquake insurance can be very affordable when purchased as separate policies depending on the location of your home, so check into at.

AARP presented the five most unusual claims that will test the bounds of your policy. These are other unforseen circumstances that may or may not be covered by your own policy, so you need to address them with your agent so you are appropriately covered:

1. Dog Bites--According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, there are about 4.7 million people bitten by dogs every year. Of that number, approximately 800,000 victims must seek medical attention and 50% of the time these bites occurred on the dog owner's property. Guess who is responsible for that bill?
2. Mold--No one ever used to discuss mold unless you were in science lab. Now, it is literally everywhere, spreading its sickness and costing exorbitant amounts of money to mitigate.
3. Terrorism--while most home policies will protect you from acts of war, acts of terrorism are not covered. Even though insurance companies paid to fix the structural damage suffered during the 9/11 attacks, this is such new ground that you need to make certain you are under the company's umbrella.
4. Objects Falling from the Sky--whether it is a tree limb, a piece of an airplane, or a meteor, there will be damage to your roof. Make certain that your policy protects you from the ramifications of that damage, just as if it were hail.
5. Accidents Outside of the Home--while home policies will cover the cost for an injury that someone suffers at your property, that protection might also follow you off the premises. For instance, if you accidentally run a shopping cart into someone's car, you may be covered.

The key to finding the policy that offers you the peace of mind you deserve is dialogue with your agent. As homeowners we should know exactly what our policies include, but too many of do not until it's too late. Allow the experts to help us protect the safety and security of our homes.

If you have any questions contact us we are Arizona Insurance Agents that are ready to help.

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:

Prepare for Fire Season by Evaluation your Chandler AZ Home Insurance Policy

The 2012 Arizona wildfire season has already started, and the U.S. Forest Service estimates that the 2012 season could be as bad as the historic 2011 fire season.  The 2012 National Seasonal Assessment predicts an "above normal significant fire potential" for the Arizona mountains, with a normal significant fire potential predicted for other parts of Arizona.  As of May 16, the Gladiator Fire had already destroyed four structures and threatened almost 400 more. 

There are several steps homeowners can take to prevent fire damage to their property, including using fire resistant materials, providing a firebreak, and creating a defensible space around structures.  If the worst does happen, homeowners also need to be sure that they are adequately insured to cover a catastrophic loss of their homes.  The Insurance Information Institute lists four key questions homeowners should ask to insure adequate coverage in case of a disaster:

1. Is my insurance coverage enough to rebuild my home at today's costs?
Insuring your home for its value may not be enough to rebuild your home at the price of current construction. Adequate coverage should include a replacement cost policy that will pay for the replacement of damaged property with comparable materials. Arizona homeowners might also want to consider an extended replacement policy that will pay an additional 20% above policy limits if a disaster--such as a widespread wildfire--raises the cost of materials and labor. Other options include inflation or ordinance riders which help cover the impact of inflation or new ordinances on construction costs.
2. Is my insurance coverage enough to replace all of my possessions?
Most homeowners insurance policies cover possessions at a rate of 50-70% of the amount of insurance on the structure of this home. A home inventory is the best way to determine if this is enough coverage to replace your personal possessions if they are lost to a fire or other disaster. You can ensure your personal possessions by either a cash value or replacement cost policy. Cash value policies cover the cost of replacing your property after depreciation. Replacement cost policies cover the replacement cost of your possessions at today's prices.  Your insurance agent can help you determine whether a cash or replacement policy is the best option for you. 
3. Will my insurance cover my extra expenses if my home is destroyed?
If your home is destroyed in a wildfire or other disaster, there will be additional expenses beyond replacing your home and possessions. Coverage for additional living expenses would pay for the extra cost of living away from home and includes expenses such as hotel bills and restaurant meals.  It could also cover lost rental income if you rent out a portion of your property. 
4. Will my homeowners insurance adequately protect my assets?
This question isn't directly related to disaster planning but it is still an important factor in evaluating your homeowners insurance needs.  Liability damage protects you against claims made for bodily injury or property damage caused by you, a family member, or a pet.  Liability damage covers court costs as well as any costs incurred in a court judgment up to the limits of your policy. Additional coverage beyond your policy limits is available in the form of an excess liability or umbrella policy.

Wise preparation for fire season should include making sure your home is adequately insured. Your insurance agent can help you evaluate your Chandler home insurance needs.

Have questions about your Insurance Policy, contact any one of our great Arizona insurance agents.

How to Head-off Potential Claims on your Chandler Home Insurance Policy

Now that you’ve purchased your Chandler AZ Home Insurance, it’s time to think about steps you can take to prevent, or lessen, future claims.

Here are some tips that might help in keeping the claims adjuster away.

• Buy enough coverage: Find out what it would cost to rebuild your house in your area. Want to keep the same look to the house? Ask a builder for an estimate on the cost to rebuild. Don’t skimp on coverage, and forget about paying that little extra for that piece of mind for insuring your home and belongings.
• Bring on the fire department: Ask your local fire station to come by your house and do a fire safety inspection---and include your kids when they come to your house. Spotting fire hazards and fixing them will certainly pay off in the long run.
• Insure that Picasso: Okay, maybe you don’t have a Picasso hanging in your entryway, but you might have a few, so-called luxury items like jewelry and an heirloom desk sitting in the den. Make sure you have the ‘rider’ for coverage, if needed.
• Water...water: Everywhere. If only you would’ve changed that leaky hose on the washing machine before you left on vacation. Do a survey of your in-house connections. Sprinkler system? Make sure the automatic timer is working correctly and not ‘hanging up’ for hours on that station by your basement window. 
• Accidents waiting to happen: Walkways and steps invite all sorts of potential for liability claims from strangers or friends coming to your property. Make sure step rails and decking are in good repair. 
• Wind and hail: It’s not uncommon, or rare, for a major onslaught of wind and hail to hit parts of Arizona. Heed warnings by battening down patio furniture, or screen doors…and even keep tree limbs trimmed back. 

It makes good sense to review your homeowner’s insurance coverage with your Arizona insurance agent at least once a year.

Should you have questions about your Chandler Home Insurance policy contact:

Not All Insurances Policies are Created Equal: Chandler AZ Homeowners Insurance Is Different

We have a tendency to buy our insurance policy as we buy most things in life, and that is by shopping around for the lowest price or best deal. After all, half of what the policy says is a mystery to us, and we just want to make sure that we are”covered.” We also want to make sure that we do not look too ignorant in the presence of the insurance company representatives. But, how covered are we? The insurance policies are written for a reason; it is to protect the company and the people who have put their faith in that company. You would be shocked by the number of people who are denied assistance because it is not spelled out in their policy.

A woman once explained her flood insurance. With a straight face and very seriously, the woman said that if the water came into the house from above, she was not covered. However if the water came in from the ground things were different; she was covered. There was a flood that year, and her house was flooded, Thank goodness the water falling from above (the rain) entered the house through the garage door making her covered. Now suppose this same person had a water heater in the attic and it went bad. Let's make it worse and have the water fall on her new computer. Where does she go for help? Nowhere. She has to figure out how to deal with it.

No one wants to be caught off guard, that is why Arizona Homeowners Insurance is the best place to start when you want real protection. Chandler Arizona Homeowners Insurance works for your best interests. They allow you to speak with them, ask questions, and then they go to work for you to find the best package and most complete coverage possible. Yes, they try to save you some money by bundling, but more importantly they help to make sure that you are fully covered no matter what happens.

This is very important for people living in Arizona where a multi-year drought has made cities like Tucson and Phoenix , hotbeds for wildfires. Just last year the Wallow fire in Arizona destroyed hundreds of business and homes. Some people were fully covered and, while they were saddened by their loss, they still had hope. Some people, on the other hand, found out that they were under-insured which meant that they had to find other means to cover what their insurance did not.

How do you really know how insured you are? Ask the Arizona Homeowners Insurance agents, they will be able to tell you. The truth might be shocking, but there is an old saying that is quoted quite often and that is, “You get what you pay for;” it is so true. If you are going to pay insurance why not go to the pros and have them help you, so that, in case of a disaster, you know there is a silver lining no matter how black the cloud.

We all make mistakes along the road of life, however, one of the worst mistakes we can make is to fall for insurance companies that look like they offer the world and then are only too happy to point out the clause in the policy that states “it is not covered.”

If you have questions about what is covered on your Chandler AZ Home Insurance policy please give our insurance agents in Chandler Arizona a call!