Auto-Owners Insurance

Auto-Owners Insurance
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Monday, February 27, 2012

Personal Or Commercial Car Insurance: Which Is Right For You?


Personal Or Commercial Car Insurance: Which Is Right For You?

(NAPS)—If, like many Americans, your family car is also used for purposes that could be considered commercial use, you may want to steer yourself into a chair and look over your insurance policy.
You’ll need to consider buying a commercial policy or making sure that your existing personal auto policy covers the vehicle for business use. Whether or not you need a commercial policy depends on how you use your vehicle and what company you have it insured with. Every company has different guidelines and may surcharge for business-use coverage on a personal auto policy.
If you’re not sure whether business use is covered on your personal policy, it’s important to call your insurance company or agent. The Progressive Group of Insurance Companies has put together these four questions you may want to ask:

§         How do companies determine commercial use? One definition could include “engaging in transporting goods for compensation or a fee,” which includes pizza or newspaper delivery, catering, door-to-door consulting services, landscaping or snowplowing services, logging business, day care/church van services or farm-to-market delivery. People who do these kinds of work should consider purchasing a commercial vehicle policy.
§         Do you need more liability coverage than a personal auto policy provides? Generally, a commercial auto policy offers higher limits of liability, but less or no coverage in areas that are typically not associated with commercial auto risks.
§         Do you need special coverage for situations encountered while conducting business? Commercial auto policies usually offer these coverages, and they’re normally not available with personal auto policies. These include hired and nonowned auto coverage and coverage for towing a trailer for business use.
§         Do you need to list any employees as drivers? Commercial auto policies allow you to list anyone that you employ. You don’t have that option with a personal auto policy. In general, you’ll need commercial auto coverage if the vehicle you use is owned by a corporate partnership or driven by employees, or if it’s used to haul tools or equipment weighing more than 500 pounds, make deliveries or heavy enough to require state or federal filings.

For more information about commercial auto insurance, visit progressiveagent.com. www.carlisleinsagency.com
 

Did You Know?

If, like many Americans, your family car is also used for purposes that could be considered commercial use, you may want to steer yourself into a chair and look over your insurance policy. For more information about commercial auto insurance, visit progressiveagent.com.

Finding A Commercial Auto Insurance Company


Insurance Matters
Finding A Commercial Auto Insurance Company



(NAPS)—For many business owners, the road to success cannot be driven without company vehicles. They are a key component of the business’ continued operations and are essential to the company’s livelihood.

And just as you’d never consider going on a job without all the necessary tools of your trade, you should never consider driving your business vehicle without the right insurance coverage. But finding the right commercial auto insurance company can be a tricky proposition. There are lots of companies offering commercial auto coverage, so it’s important that you select one that meets the needs of your business.

Of all the factors you’ll want to take into account, the company’s experience with commercial auto insurance and claims service will have the biggest impact on you and your business. Here are some questions to ask yourself as you consider different commercial auto insurance companies:

                        Do they have experience with your business type? How long has the company offered commercial auto coverages? Do they understand the insurance needs that are unique to your line of work? A carrier with commercial auto expertise ensures that you’ll get the right coverage for your business.

                        Do they excel in customer service? You need 24/7 service that is fast, accurate and focused on your bottom line. You also need the convenience of being able to handle your insurance business
on nights and weekends, because you can’t count on having the time to deal with such matters during regular business hours.

                        Do they offer flexible, competitive products? Pay­ment options? Insurance rates can vary a great deal from company to company, so you’ll want to compare. You want flexibility in the types of coverages—and also payment options. Monthly bill plans can help small-business owners maintain necessary cash flow.

                        Do they have a demon­strated record of claims expe­rience? Keeping vehicle down-time to a minimum is vital to any business. Each minute a vehicle is out of commission affects your bot-tom line. Look for a company that’s known for efficient claims service and fast, fair resolution.


To learn more about commercial auto insurance or to find an independent agent, visit the Web site at progressiveagent.com. www.carlisleinsagency.com

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

The Risk Of Flooding Is Real


PERSONAL INSURANCE

The Risk Of Flooding Is Real; Don’t Gamble Anymore



     A recent survey of a Vermont town affected by the recent Northeast flooding found that 80% of the people suffering a flood loss did not have the funds to repair all of the damage they received.  Between 2001 and 2010 the average loss paid by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) was $48,000. 
 

     Because most homeowners policies do not cover flood losses, would the average flood loss—or even a smaller flood loss— cause you a significant financial burden?  If so, a flood insurance policy can help.  A flood insurance policy can provide up to $250,000 in structure coverage and up to $100,000 in contents coverage for homeowners.   Renters can purchase up to $100,000 in contents coverage.
 

     You can buy flood insurance no matter what your flood risk.  Almost anyone in a community that participates in the NFIP can purchase coverage.  There are very few exceptions. 


     You do not need to live near water to be flooded.  Many people affected by flooding live miles from the nearest river or ocean.  Floods are caused not only by storms and hurricanes, but also snowmelt, inadequate and overloaded drainage systems and even broken municipal water mains.


     Flood insurance is affordable.  Homeowners in low-risk areas can purchase $20,000 in building and $8,000 in contents coverage for as little as $129 a year.  Even a small amount of flood insurance can help reduce the burden of a potential flood loss.

   
     Do you think a flood can’t happen to you?  That’s what the people in the Vermont survey thought.  They gambled and lost.  Some of them may never recover.   Don’t let that happen to you.  Please contact our office and we will be happy to discuss your flood insurance options.
Flood Insurance

Friday, January 20, 2012

SIMPLIFIED-ISSUE LIFE INSURANCE


 

SIMPLIFIED-ISSUE LIFE INSURANCE

CHILDREN’S ADVANTAGE PLAN Plus



 

Life insurance should be the foundation of everyone’s financial planning. Regardless of age, everyone needs life insurance protection. For children this need is not measured by current financial obligations, but by what the future will hold. Auto-Owners Children’s Advantage Plan Plus ® is recommended and designed for those who care. Starting a child with a permanent life insurance program, while his or her health is still good, and also providing a tax deferred annuity savings element for whatever future needs he or she may have, is a sound financial decision. Not only will a life insurance policy financially protect the parents of the child, but, it could be given as a gift to the child when he or she reaches adulthood for his or her use of the cash values, or as a policy to protect the financial well being of his or her own family. Please read the amazing policy features and benefits to insuring what matters most to you.

  

Policy Features and Benefits

  

Issue ages are from 15 days through age 17 - allows protection to be obtained before health problems manifest themselves.


Coverage, premiums and cash values are guaranteed to age 110.


Policy amounts available are from $10,000 to $50,000.


Policy amount increases 50% automatically at both age 18 and 25 with no premium increase.
 

Optional annuity benefit - allows an excellent opportunity to begin a retirement savings account, right from the start.


5% Customized Joint Life Discount - allows a savings when two or more policies, with insurable interest, are billed together.


Life Multi-Policy Discount - provides a 5% discount on your automobile, homeowners, mobile homeowner’s insurance policy. With the life discount of 5% applied to your homeowners and automobile policy most of the time the life insurance policy is completely 100% FREE. You simply just can’t find a better life insurance plan for your child or grandchild.


Premiums paid in advance - allows for any number of life insurance premiums paid in advance at a discount.
 

Cost: $10,000 life insurance policy for a 5 year old female is $6.00 a month. Coverage will automatically increase to $15,000 at age 18 and to $20,000 at age 25. Therefore, at age 25, the initial coverage of $10,000 automatically doubles without any increase in premium. With the life discount of 5% applied to your homeowners and automobile policy most of the time the life insurance policy is completely 100% FREE.


If you would like to purchase this life insurance policy for your child or grandchild, have any questions relating to this or any life insurance product or have any questions please feel free to call Michael Carlisle at Carlisle Insurance Agency at 740-286-5031.

  

Auto-Owners is "Highest in Customer Satisfaction with the Auto Insurance Claims Experience, Four Years in a Row" -- J.D. Power and Associates



www.carlisleinsagency.com http://www.auto-owners.com/our-products/life-insurance/life-insurance#SIKID

Friday, January 13, 2012

Shedding Light On Car Insurance Savings

Carlisle Insurance Agency


Shedding Light On Car Insurance Savings



It can be easier than you think to put the brakes on high auto insurance rates – as an independent agency; Carlisle Insurance Agency can help! We can review your policy and possibly help you find a variety of illuminating ways to save money. Here are some things you may want to consider:


• Ask us to check several companies’ rates. This is the single most important thing you can do to get the best possible rate—and we can do it for you quickly and easily. The difference between the highest and lowest rate available to you from different companies could vary by hundreds of dollars.



• Reduce or drop physical damage coverage on an older car. Depending on your car’s age and where you live, comprehensive and collision coverage may not be worth keeping. We can give you advice on whether it makes sense to reduce or drop this coverage altogether.



• Raise your deductible. According to the Insurance Information Institute, raising your deductible from $200 to $500 could reduce your collision and comprehensive cost by 15 to 30 percent. In addition, because the average driver files a collision claim only once every ten years, odds are that over the lifetime of your car, a higher deductible will save you money. We can show you how raising your deductible will lower your premium.



• Look for discounts. Many insurance companies reduce premiums for certain driver traits or car features. For example: being a homeowner for more than three years, nonsmoker, nondrinker, students with good grades, senior citizens who have taken an approved defensive driving course, people who only drive for pleasure, cars kept in garages, antilock brakes, antitheft devices, air bags, etc. Ask us to check.



• Don’t assume having your car and home insured by the same company is the best option. Because auto insurance rates vary so much from company to company, it may make sense for you to have your car and home insured by separate companies. Let’s talk about it.



To learn more about all an independent agency can offer you, call Carlisle Insurance Agency at 740-286-5031 or visit www.carlisleinsagency.com or www.progressiveagent.com.




Michael Carlisle

Carlisle Insurance Agency

659 E. Main St. Suite A

Jackson, Oh 45640

Wednesday, January 4, 2012


Extra Expense Insurance

If your business suffers a major disaster that interrupts normal business operations, what effect will it have on your operations over the long term? Will you be able to retain customers? Will you lose valuable employees? Alternatively, does your
business allow you the flexibility to operate from a different location with equipment that is easily acquired? The answers to these questions allow a business owner to determine whether business income coverage, extra expense insurance or a combination of both, is needed.

Businesses, especially those offering a service that can easily be replaced by another business, may face permanent loss of customers if business is interrupted for an extended period of time. Businesses whose operations depend more on employees than on location may not have a serious threat of income loss, since they can continue operating from a temporary location preserving income flow. However, operating from a temporary location and expediting delivery of replacement supplies and equipment can add up to considerable extra expense. Additional advertising may also be necessary to let people know you aren’t out of business. In many cases, a business may need both business income coverage and extra expense coverage.

The promise of extra expense coverage is to pay the actual and necessary extra expenses needed to continue operations, which would not have been incurred if there had not been a direct physical loss to the business. The period of restoration begins on the date of loss and ends when the property should be repaired, if reasonable speed is applied while returning the property to its pre-loss condition. Interference by building ordinance, zoning law or environmental protection law does not extend the period of time when extra expenses are payable. The period of restoration is based on the period of time during which repairs should be completed. The expiration of the policy has no bearing on this period of time. http:\\www.carlisleinsagency.com