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Get Ready For Summer With These 5 Insurance Policies: Part 2

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A couple of weeks ago we posted a list of five insurance policies you definitely need to review as you prepare to head out and enjoy your summer plans. Believe it or not, though, that original list only mentioned some of the insurance policies worth keeping in mind during your seasonal activities.

By now we’re willing to bet that “summer brain” is starting to set in and wash away your worries. Unfortunately, even during this relaxing time of the year risk factors can become full-blown, potentially expensive problems. So before you head out for your summer adventures, take a moment and make sure you’ve reviewed whether or not your insurance covers these five scenarios and objects that could interfere with your favorite season in the year. 

-Scooters Or Motorcycles: For many motorcyclists early summer is the perfect time to ride their bikes. Since motorcycles can’t be included in an auto insurance policy, it’s important to review and consider updating your current motorcycle insurance policy before you head out for a summer roadtrip. We’ve talked about a motorcyclist’s insurance needs before, which include liability, personal injury protection, comprehensive and collision coverage.

Motorcycles aren’t the only form of transportation that require their own insurance; like motorcycles, any small motor scooters people may own are not covered under a normal auto insurance policy. Legally scooter riders only need to purchase basic liability insurance; seeing as this only offers coverage for any damage and injuries other people incur in an accident, it’s important to consider collision and comprehensive insurance as well. Don’t worry: many affordable policies cover all of these needs.

-ATVs: For some people the most exciting part about the summer is bringing out their all-terrain vehicle (ATV) for a little off-road fun. However, just like motorcycles and scooters, ATVs are not covered under standard auto insurance policies. Sometimes a homeowners policy includes liability partial coverage for an ATV, but no ATV owner should assume they’re fully covered by this. Instead all ATV  owners should consider having a full ATV coverage policy; if any family members or friends will be driving your ATV for the first time this year, it’s especially important to check that they’re also covered under an existing policy to make sure any off-road tumbles don’t lead to extremely expensive medical costs. 

-Trampolines: We’re willing to bet you never expected to see trampolines on this list. While trampolines themselves don’t require insurance, what many people don’t realize is that some companies can deny a claim if they have policy exclusions for anything involving a trampoline. Some companies can refuse to insure a property if they deem a trampoline too risky, and others will cancel your policy if a trampoline goes against the safety guidelines written out by your insurance contract. Because of this, it’s extremely important to review your insurance policy and find out if trampoline-related injuries would be covered, and if a trampoline is allowed on your property to begin with, before your children or their friends beginning playing on one.

-Fireworks: Summertime festivities and fireworks go hand-in-hand, but for Pennsylvania residents fireworks create a double-whammy risk factor. Not only can improperly lighting and using fireworks cause serious injuries, but in states that do not allow the use of fireworks without a permit the use of fireworks can also jeopardize your current homeowners insurance coverage. So while residents in states where fireworks are legal should always check to see if their property includes proper liability and damage protections, those of us in the Keystone State must remember that setting off fireworks can potentially lead to us losing our insurance coverage. Plus as a result of the risk associated with us, we’ll pay far more for a new policy with a new insurance company.

-Renting Homes: Are you planning on renting out your home this summer? Many people rent out a room during the summer to help bring in some extra cash, but without the right insurance that extra cash could potentially go into paying liability and property damages caused by your temporary subletter or subletters. The insurance requirements for renting our homes vary considerably depending on how long and how often people will be staying with the homeowner. Some insurance plans will allow short-term visits on a regular home insurance policy, while others may require a small renters insurance policy. Because of this, it’s best to talk to your policy holder and see exactly what you are – and aren’t – covered for, before anyone moves in for the season.

Are you unsure if your insurance offers the right coverage for you? Do you need a new policy for one of your vehicles? Let the Fisher Widmann Flick Insurance Agency help protect you so that you can enjoy your summer in peace. Go ahead and contact us today to set up an appointment with one of us trained insurance experts, who can make sure your insurance policies cover exactly what they need to cover, all at a reasonable cost. We’re all that stands between you and a wonderful relaxing summer, so don’t wait!

Get Ready For Summer With These 5 Insurance Policies

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Summer has now unofficially started, as busy beaches, lifeguards and businesses alike can attest to. But while we may all be looking forward to taking a break from work during a summer vacation, it’s important to take a moment to ask ourselves: what are my summer insurance needs this year? 

While insurance is the last thing we want to think about before heading out for some summertime relaxation, consider this: ignoring our seasonal insurance needs could become even more costly than our vacation expenses. And who wants to deal with that scenario?

So before you head out for your summer adventures, make sure you’ve checked off this season’s insurance to do list:

–Pool Insurance: Pools can quickly transform from fun areas to danger zones, at which point you may have to pay for your or even a guest’s medical bills. Take the time to prevent this by making sure your pool is properly insured, as well as checking to find out if it needs any repairs and if it meets local standards and codes for safety equipment such as fences and locks. Never assume swimming pool related work and accidents are fully covered under your homeowners insurance – especially since some policies exclude swimming pools from their coverage entirely.

-Car Insurance: Car shows and summer go hand-in-hand, but as we’ve discussed before, antique and classic cars usually require a separate insurance policy than your everyday set of wheels. Insurers offer both agreed-value or stated-value policies for antique and classic cars, so you can select the coverage that’s best for you; you’ll also want to make sure that you have liability insurance before taking your car to any show this summer.

-Watercraft Insurance: Boats are one of the most enjoyable parts of the summer season, but they also come with major risks that owners need to take into consideration. Some boats are covered under homeowners or renters insurance policies. Others, like personal watercraft-like Jet Skis and larger boats, require a separate marine insurance policy. So before you head to the helm and out to open water, make sure that you have proper boat insurance that will help you in a number of scenarios, like:

*Your boat getting lost or damaged

*Your guests accidentally injuring themselves during a day on the water

*You having to go to court if someone takes your boat for a joy ride without permission

-Motorcycle Insurance: Open roads during a beautiful summer day are a motorcyclist’s dream. Of course, riding a motorcycle carries risks; that’s why all motorcyclists are required to have liability coverage for property damage and bodily injury that you may cause to other people in an accident. A comprehensive policy also covers non-accident damage, such as from fire, vandalism and theft.

-Rental Car Insurance: Are you renting a car at all this summer? Some people don’t bother purchasing additional insurance when renting a car because of the coverage they have through their credit card and current auto policies. However, if you plan on renting a car this summer, ask yourself: if my rental is damaged, will I have to pay out of my pocket for repairs and wait for any reimbursement, or will my insurance cover the cost of the damage right away? Use the answer to this question, and how much better or worse off you’d be in either scenario, to evaluate whether or not you need to purchase rental insurance during your trip this summer.

These are five major insurance policies you should definitely review before you throw yourself into your summer plans. Even if you feel ready for some summer fun, if your insurance isn’t able to handle the risks associated with the season, then it’s too early to jump into summer just yet. Still, we understand that you’re ready to start enjoying yourself out there; that’s why we’re offering to help you evaluate your current insurance policies to get you ready for your summer adventures.

Go ahead and contact us today to set up your appointment. Everyone on our staff at the Fisher Widmann Flick Insurance Agency is a specially trained insurance expert who can make sure your insurance policies cover exactly what they need to cover, all at a reasonable cost. So go ahead and get in touch, central Pennsylvanians – we’re all that stands between you and a wonderful summer!

 

*Image Sources:

Swimming Pool: Courtesy of Flickr user dno1967b 

Red Car: Courtesy of commons.wikipedia.org

Sailing Boat: Courtesy of Pixabay

Motorcycle: Courtesy of commons.wikipedia.org

Silver Car: Image courtesy of Flickr user rp72

Don’t Forget About These 5 Insurance Policies During Your Spring Cleaning!

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After a long and bitter winter spring has finally begun to appear in central Pennsylvania; and with the change in season comes that annual tradition of spring-cleaning, a time when we clean our homes and try to catch up on the things we lapsed on during the winter months. This year, though, instead of just cleaning your home, we recommend taking some time to clean up your insurance policies, too.

We know that the last thing you want to think about is insurance, but consider this: ignoring your insurance needs now could quickly become a major issue later thanks to the problems that arise during the changing seasons. So as the spring season begins knocking on our doors we recommend reviewing five extremely important insurance policies this month:

1. Auto Insurance: We’ve talked before about the importance of having car insurance that goes above and beyond basic legal requirements; with spring in air, going beyond those minimum requirements is more important than ever. With spring comes potholes, and with potholes come potentially expensive repairs. Fortunately pothole damage is typically covered by collision coverage – but if your policy doesn’t include this, springtime may have a very unpleasant welcoming gift waiting on the roads for you.

2. Flood Insurance: The state of Pennsylvania deals with its fair share of rain and snowfall – many areas experience over 50 inches of precipitation each year. Combine this precipitation with Pittsburgh’s geography – hills, mountains, and rivers and creeks abound – and you have the potential for flooding. Even residents in low risk areas are encouraged to prepare for potential flooding; however, a standard home insurance policy does not cover spring flooding damages. Fortunately there are plenty of affordable flood insurance policies out there – so if you haven’t invested in this insurance yet, now is the ideal time to do so.

3. Homeowners Insurance: That winter weather doesn’t just take its toll on the local roads – it can also cause major damage to your driveway. Unfortunately, winter weather cracks usually aren’t covered under a basic homeowners policy. So if your driveway is getting older or is prone to cracking, now is an ideal time to talk to an insurance agent about how to cover the costs of a potential repair in the near future. This is also a good time to make sure that your homeowners policy will cover any likely possible damages, such as those caused by weather – remember, spring storms are often unkind to your home’s roof and sidings!

4. Health Insurance: Health insurance can be tricky to navigate any year; with market changes due to the Affordable Care Act officially in place, it’s more important than ever that individuals take the time to look into their health insurance coverage and options. While open enrollment under the ACA is currently closed, individuals can still get 2014 coverage under the ACA in select situations; you can also see if any plans could offer you great coverage for a smaller cost down the line.

5. Life Insurance: While thinking about life insurance can be unpleasant, a lot can change in a year, which makes checking in on your policy on a regular basis incredibly important. Are your beneficiaries up to date? Is the amount in and cost of your policy appropriate for your needs? Only you can answer those questions – and only by reviewing your policy can you be sure that it currently matches and covers your final wishes.

These five insurance policies deserve your full attention during your spring cleaning sessions. But important as reviewing these insurance policies is, we know that thinking about insurance can become frustrating and confusing. That’s why we’re offering to help you evaluate your current insurance policies this spring.

You can make sure that you’re ready for 2014 by contacting us today and setting up your appointment. Everyone on our staff at the Fisher Widmann Flick Insurance Agency is a specially trained insurance expert who can make your  insurance policies cover exactly what they need to cover, all at a reasonable cost. So go ahead and get in touch, central Pennsylvanians – this is one part of your spring cleaning errands that we can definitely handle!