I remember reading the book 1984 and how it related to big brother knowing more about us than we care to share. How about an insurance company knowing the time that you drive, the amount of miles you drive and the number of "hard brakes" you or a driver had in the car.
My first thought is if I do that, my insurance will cost me more than my mortgage. Well one of our companies has come out with a great solution for low mileage drivers (Less than 12,000), owners or more vehiles than drivers, people who rarely drive late at night. The best part is you can place the technology on one, two or all your cars.
The device takes seconds to install and cannot cause an increase in premium. Give us a call or see us www.preferredguardian.com
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Friday, January 21, 2011
Insuring My Mac Book or Laptop
With Mobile Computing becoming more and more popular each day, the chances of having a laptop stolen or breaking increases daily. Did you know that you can insure your personal computers including laptops on most insurance policies in many cases for less than 10 cents a day. The cost of the insurance will of course vary on the dollar amount.
The cool thing is most insurance company endorsements include a zero or smaller decutible which means if you drop your Macbook or Laptop, it can be covered. If you spill a cup of coffee on your Macbook or Laptop, it can be covered.
Why doesn't every agent offer this coverage? Many do not know what the coverage includes. As an independent insurance agent, representing many different insurance companies, we polled the companies and researched the coverage.
Rather than pay hundreds of dollars for a manufacturer warranty that excludes dropping or liquids, you can insure it with your own insurance company for pennies a day.
Want more information, visit www.preferredguardian.com
The cool thing is most insurance company endorsements include a zero or smaller decutible which means if you drop your Macbook or Laptop, it can be covered. If you spill a cup of coffee on your Macbook or Laptop, it can be covered.
Why doesn't every agent offer this coverage? Many do not know what the coverage includes. As an independent insurance agent, representing many different insurance companies, we polled the companies and researched the coverage.
Rather than pay hundreds of dollars for a manufacturer warranty that excludes dropping or liquids, you can insure it with your own insurance company for pennies a day.
Want more information, visit www.preferredguardian.com
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Increase in State of Texas Auto Liability Limits
On Janury 1, 2011, the minimum limit in the State of Texas for personal auto liability insurance will increase from 25/50/25 to 30/60/25. The first number is the bodily injury limit per person, the second is per accident and the third is the property damage limit. If you currrently carry the 25/50/25 limits, you will not be required to increase your limits until your policy renews. If you are purchasing a new policy, than the higher limit will be required.
The amount of liability insurance a person should carry depends on their assets, current wages and driving habits. If someone does not have enough insurance to cover the entire injury or maybe even a fatal accident than their assets and furture wages may be at risk.
The value of a claim is ultimately determined by a jury, but is negotiated by the insurance company adjuster with the injured party or a representative of an injured party. There can be a huge range in the value of the claim depending upon whom the jury believes, whether they connect with the plantiff attorney or defense attorney, etc.
If you have low limits and assets, than an attorney has nothing to lose by going to trial. If an attorney places the range of a claim to be $50,000 to $200,000 and you have a $100,000 than there is some risk going to trial. If you have a $50,000 limit, there is little or no risk. Higher limits are not that much more expensive and can help keep you out of court.
If you have assets, than higher limits and a personal umbrella may be best for you. If you do not, we usually recommend limits of 100/300/100. Afterall, there are way too many cars out on the road that are worth more than $25,000 and with increasing medical costs, $30,000 doesn't go very far.
Preferred Guardian Insurance is an independent agency representing many different insurance companies. For quotes at different liability limits, we are on the web, http://www.preferredguardian.com/.
The amount of liability insurance a person should carry depends on their assets, current wages and driving habits. If someone does not have enough insurance to cover the entire injury or maybe even a fatal accident than their assets and furture wages may be at risk.
The value of a claim is ultimately determined by a jury, but is negotiated by the insurance company adjuster with the injured party or a representative of an injured party. There can be a huge range in the value of the claim depending upon whom the jury believes, whether they connect with the plantiff attorney or defense attorney, etc.
If you have low limits and assets, than an attorney has nothing to lose by going to trial. If an attorney places the range of a claim to be $50,000 to $200,000 and you have a $100,000 than there is some risk going to trial. If you have a $50,000 limit, there is little or no risk. Higher limits are not that much more expensive and can help keep you out of court.
If you have assets, than higher limits and a personal umbrella may be best for you. If you do not, we usually recommend limits of 100/300/100. Afterall, there are way too many cars out on the road that are worth more than $25,000 and with increasing medical costs, $30,000 doesn't go very far.
Preferred Guardian Insurance is an independent agency representing many different insurance companies. For quotes at different liability limits, we are on the web, http://www.preferredguardian.com/.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Scheduling Jewelry
We are frequently asked when items should be scheduled whether it be jewelry, silverware, rugs, art, guns, etc. Many people are unaware that a basic home policy provides only $500 in coverage for Jewelry. Many companies have increased the amount as part of a silver, gold, platinum policy or enhancement endorsements. Sometimes, the endorsement only increases the amount in the case of theft. If you have more than $500 in Jewelry, please check with your agent or see us at www.preferredguardian.com.
When it comes to choosing the right dollar amount to schedule, that varies by person. Let's face it, insurance is not a good bet. If you live thousands of years, you would average 50-60 cents return for every dollar invested. Every person has their own amount they are willing to lose without creating financial hardship. For me, I have everything scheduled over $2500. For others it can be higher or lower.
The benefit to scheduling is multi-fold. The item becomes insured on a all risk basis, meaning if a stone falls out of a piece of jewelry, it is covered. If the item falls off your finger or wrist, its covered. If it lost, it's covered. If you happen to keep an item in a safe, there is a discount that can be applied. In the case of a rug, there would be coverage if permanently stained. Art could be covered if it was dropped or ripped. A gun could be covered if it was accidentally left in the woods.
In summary, please make sure you have enough "general" coverage if the house was totaled by fire or tornado. Many collectibles have a coverage cap even if the cause of loss is covered on the policy. Please also make sure those "expensive" items are specifically listed as well. Unsure what to do, we are always just a phone call away or www.preferredguardian.com
When it comes to choosing the right dollar amount to schedule, that varies by person. Let's face it, insurance is not a good bet. If you live thousands of years, you would average 50-60 cents return for every dollar invested. Every person has their own amount they are willing to lose without creating financial hardship. For me, I have everything scheduled over $2500. For others it can be higher or lower.
The benefit to scheduling is multi-fold. The item becomes insured on a all risk basis, meaning if a stone falls out of a piece of jewelry, it is covered. If the item falls off your finger or wrist, its covered. If it lost, it's covered. If you happen to keep an item in a safe, there is a discount that can be applied. In the case of a rug, there would be coverage if permanently stained. Art could be covered if it was dropped or ripped. A gun could be covered if it was accidentally left in the woods.
In summary, please make sure you have enough "general" coverage if the house was totaled by fire or tornado. Many collectibles have a coverage cap even if the cause of loss is covered on the policy. Please also make sure those "expensive" items are specifically listed as well. Unsure what to do, we are always just a phone call away or www.preferredguardian.com
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