📝 If you are one of our customers, you may be receiving a survey from our corporate offices via email anytime throughout the year.
We hope that you'll be able to grade us with a "10" which means that you're "completely satisfied" with our agency's service.
If you are unable to give us a 10 grade, please contact us.
You'll be given an option to enter the $500 drawing at the completion of the survey. 💰
Here are the complete contest details. 👇
https://s.ripl.com/3eavch
Thank you for being the best part of our agency! 💛
About two years ago, Sheila launched a small side hustle dog-sitting for neighbors. 🐶
It was a profitable side gig that allowed her to earn extra cash in her spare time.
But one of the things she hadn't prepared for when budgeting her startup costs was insurance for her business.
She quickly found out it was necessary.
When she was pet-sitting a dog for a client, Sheila must not have closed the dog's crate all the way, and he escaped one night and destroyed the owner's expensive silk Oriental rug.
The owners took her to court, and she ended up owing them over $30,000. 😩
Because she didn't have insurance, she was on the hook for the replacement cost herself.
Unfortunately, Sheila's story isn't that uncommon.
Many side hustlers run businesses without insurance, leaving them at risk if there's ever an accident or error.
Whether you're a freelance graphic designer, dog-sitter, baker, ride-share driver, or housekeeper, insurance can be an essential safeguard for your business.
You might think insurance is unnecessary because your gig is too small, or perhaps you work solely from home.
But, mistakes and accidents happen all the time in all industries.
Congrats to the 2020 Allstate AFCA #GoodWorksTeam student-athletes protecting those in need through acts of service! See the list of players and cast your vote for team captain here: https://al.st/3j8x468
My agency is proud to be there for our customers. That’s why we’re excited to share Allstate’s latest video, showing you’ve never been in better hands for safe driving.
YOUTUBE.COM
Smooth :30 | Allstate
We've made some exciting updates to the Allstate© mobile app, making it easier to access your policy information, pay your bill and enroll in Drivewise (plus more)! Check it out.
ALLSTATE.COM
Allstate Mobile App for iPhone® and Android®
Over the years, you may have heard the term “10 and 2 driving”. 🚙
This is regarding the position in which you should hold your hands on the steering wheel.
This is typically described in terms of how your hands' placement relates to the numbers on a clock. ⏰
But, the technique for proper hand placement on the steering wheel has changed over the years.
NHTSA now recommends the placement known as “9 and 3”.
The 10 and 2 o’clock position is no longer recommended because it can be dangerous in vehicles with smaller steering wheels equipped with airbags.
Here's a common question.❓
"If someone hits my vehicle while it is parked, what can I do to protect myself?" 🚗
Hopefully, the person responsible left a note. Or there are security cameras 🎥 or witnesses 👀 of the incident.
But if you can't locate the person who caused the damage, it's your auto policy's collision coverage, which will likely cover the loss.
A deductible would apply here.
And, collision coverage is optional, so if you chose not to buy it, you would have to pay for repairs out of pocket.
Uninsured motorist property damage coverage could also pay for damage caused by hit-and-run drivers in states where this type of coverage is available.
If your insurer locates the responsible party for the damage and recovers some or all of the repair costs, you may get a refund of your collision deductible.
Side note: Only 12 percent of all reported hit-and-runs (2016 statistics) were solved, so ensuring you have the coverage to protect yourself makes sense.
🐶 Sure, dogs are considered by many as man's best friend, but that doesn't necessarily include the mailman.📫
In one incident, when a dog bit the mailman, causing an injury...👮
It was a renters insurance policy that paid out for his medical bills.
It's sometimes easy for people to think that they don't have enough "stuff" to justify carrying a renters policy.
Yet, it can protect you from more than you might realize.
Knowing the right questions to ask will help you make informed decisions to serve your best interest in the long-term.
As urban habitats continue to merge upon rural areas, there has been an increase in deer-car collisions.
There are over half a million incidents a year, with a significant number of fatalities.
Experts say it's usually best to brake firm and stay in your lane if you encounter a deer while driving down the road.
Here are some interesting facts that you may not know:
Supermarket apples can be a year old. 🍎
Sloths can hold their breath longer than dolphins can. 🐬
It’s impossible to hum while holding your nose. 👃
And property insurance policies don't automatically include flood insurance. 💦
Since floods ARE the most common and costly natural disaster AND 20% of the time, they occur in low-risk areas; we thought you would like to know!
The good news is that there's a separate flood policy available, and we can help you put it in place!
Are you ready to talk about it?
To get boat insurance, you need to own a boat...
or car insurance, you need to own a car...
or exotic snake insurance, you need to own an exotic snake.
But, when you own a rental home...you can’t get homeowners insurance. What’s up with that?
If you plan to rent out your entire home to tenants, you'll need landlord insurance to insure the property...
And your tenants will be responsible for insuring their own belongings.
If you’re so inclined, you could post a sign in your home that says “Not Responsible for Lost or Stolen Items.” Your friends and family will think you’re crazy, but you could do that.
Either way, you should have the right policy in place.
SOME home security systems will actually help you qualify for additional discounts on your homeowners policy. 🏠
To get the specifics, let's chat.
Today, we honor all current and former members of the Armed Services.
If you are a veteran, thank you for your service and your sacrifice! 🇺🇸
Can you believe it?
Thanksgiving is about two weeks away, and then the hustle and bustle of the holiday season will be upon us.
If we haven't done so recently, let's set up a time to review your existing policies.
Why?
Because ensuring that your insurance program is optimized to fit your current needs is important.
✳️ Have you had a change in marital status, employment, or with children entering or leaving home?
✳️Would you like a second opinion on policies you may have with other insurance carriers?
✳️ Are you receiving all of the discounts you are entitled to?
These are just a few reasons for us to chat.
Let's set up a time to talk about what matters to YOU. 😊
Are you going to rent a moving truck? 🚛
Typically, credit cards and most personal insurance policies do not cover damage to rental moving trucks, even if they cover damage to rental cars.
That's why it's a good idea to purchase a damage waiver from the company who rents you the moving truck.
If you damage it, you'll be charged not only for the repair costs but also for the loss of income while the truck is out of service. 😟
Keep in mind that insurance companies do NOT insure land.
Yet, some lenders require it. 😳
Ask a lender if they will require you to insure the land that your home sits on before you start your loan approval process.
Happy birthday to all our friends born in the month of February! From all of us at our agency, we are wishing you a great year ahead.
Social host liability laws vary widely from state to state, but 43 states have them on the books.
Most of these laws also offer an injured person, such as the victim of a drunk driver, a method to sue the person who served the alcohol.
If you are hosting even a small Super Bowl party, here are some quick tips:
❇️ Encourage guests to pick a designated driver.
❇️ Limit your alcohol intake so that you will be better able to assess your guests’ sobriety.
❇️ Offer non-alcoholic beverages and serve food.
❇️ Stop serving liquor toward the end of the party. Switch to coffee, tea, and soft drinks.
❇️ If guests seem unable to drive, arrange a ride for them.
❇️ Give an intoxicated guest an all-expense paid night in your guest room or on your couch.
Whether you are cheering for the Chiefs or the Buccaneers, start with a game plan that minimizes your liability risks. 🏈
🐶 For many of us, dogs ARE an insurance policy.
However, once a dog has bitten someone, it poses an increased risk. In such a case, an insurance company may charge a higher premium or exclude the dog from coverage altogether.
The average dog bite claim is $30,000.
If a claim exceeds the limit on a property policy, the dog owner is personally responsible for all damages above that amount, including legal expenses.
To reduce the chances of dog biting, experts suggest following these steps:
🔘 Spend time with a dog before buying or adopting it.
🔘 Use caution when bringing a dog into a home with an infant or toddler.
🔘 Be sensitive to cues that a child is fearful or apprehensive about a dog.
🔘 Have your dog spayed or neutered.
🔘 Socialize your dog so that it knows how to act with other people and animals.
Do you have questions about coverage for your specific breed?
Let's talk about it. 📞
Most of us have that one drawer in our homes, the junk drawer.
It serves as a place to store random items. 🔑🔦🔓📌📎✏️
So what's the one thing you should avoid throwing into the junk drawer?
Loose and exposed, 9-volt batteries. 🔋
Why?
Because loose metal objects in the junk drawer can short out a 9-volt battery and ignite a fire. 🔥
If you do have them, it’s best to keep batteries inside of their package or keep the posts covered up with tape.
It's just a simple precaution you can take to save yourself from unnecessary grief. ✅
In many instances, the cost to rebuild a home is more than its market value. 🏠
Yet, after the 📉 housing market correction of 2008, 25 percent of people polled by the Insurance Information Network thought they should lower their home insurance coverage because market values had gone down.
This thinking can result in a homeowner having insufficient coverage if they need to rebuild after enduring a total loss. 😳
Typically, lenders only require that you have enough insurance to protect the balance of what they have loaned you.
Yet, homeowners need to have enough coverage to rebuild their home and to replace their possessions.
At least once a year, take the time to go over your property policy with your insurance agent. 📅
Chances are, we can help you create an insurance policy for the stuff you can't control.
What's on your mind?
Let's talk about it.
