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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

Will Your Insurance Protect You When Nature Strikes?

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Last week tragedy struck when bizarre weather patterns resulted in dozens of powerful tornados, massive flooding, high winds and damaging dust storms occurring across multiple states. In some cases, the powerful weather fronts striking the Plains and southern states swept north, resulting in rainstorms that spread across the East Coast up to the state of New York. Unfortunately, last week’s freak-weather had devastating effects on many communities that have forced survivors to take in the resulting damages and evaluate their options for the future.

It’s difficult to imagine a disaster on the scale of what we saw last week happening in central Pennsylvania.  But natural disasters can hit anywhere and any time – and that’s why you need to ask yourself – would your insurance protect and assist you if disaster struck?

1. Evaluating Your Homeowners Policy

Basic homeowners insurance policies usually cover certain damages caused by some acts of nature, such as lightning strikes, wildfires, windstorms, hail storms, damage caused by heavy snow or ice on your home, and even tornados or certain amounts of volcanic activity. While this seems like enough on first glance, several key things are not included in this coverage:

-Any damage caused by earthquakes

-Any damages caused by flooding

-Certain types of hurricane damage

Central Pennsylvania, while a very safe state in terms of natural disasters, is still at risk for flooding, both due to local weather and due to hurricane storms moving north after making landfall. Because of this, locals are strongly advised to purchase additional coverage to make sure they’re protected in these events – and to make sure their homeowners insurance comprehensively covers any personal losses or potential rebuilding costs.

2. Evaluating Your Renters Policy

Renters by definition have to deal with a unique situation – while they can (and should!) look into a renter’s insurance policy that covers damage to their furniture, electronics and other personal belongings in the event of a natural disaster, the responsibility of maintaining building insurance belongs to the landlord.

Keeping this in mind, renters should always check their insurance policies to see if insurance would cover living expenses in the event of a disaster making an apartment unlivable; ultimately, renters are responsible for their belongings and their living expenses, but not for the damages that could affect an apartment complex following a natural disaster.

3. Evaluating Your Auto Insurance Policy

As we’ve discussed before, basic auto insurance offers skeletal protections for policy holders – and unfortunately damages due to natural disasters are not included in a basic policy. Many comprehensive auto insurance policies also cover the collateral losses that can take place as a direct result of a natural disaster, such as vandalism, theft (looting) and animal damages. It’s highly recommended that central Pennsylvanians invest in auto insurance that covers each of these scenarios.

So…what now? 

No one ever thinks they’ll be involved in a natural disaster. But after the events of last week, everyone watching the news should be asking themselves, “How much damage would my insurance cover if that happened to me?”

Many studies indicate that well over half of the insurance policies held in this country would not adequately cover natural disaster damages. With ever changing weather forecasts looming ahead, now is the perfect time to review your homeowner/renter and auto insurance policies. We strongly encourage you to schedule a personal assistance meeting with one of our Fisher Widmann Flick Insurance Agency staff members. Our representatives in Blaire County, Cambria County, Somerset, Latrobe, or in any other nearby counties will help you take inventory of your valuables to ensure that your insurance policy covers all of your possessions – and not just the structure of your home. We’ll also make sure that your insurance policy is affordable while still offering comprehensive coverage that will offer enough living expenses to cover the costs of temporary lodging, food, and other necessities in the event of a natural disaster.

Put simply, our job is to make sure that Mother Nature doesn’t become your worst enemy this summer – so give us a call and make sure that you’re thoroughly covered and properly protected today!

Drive Into Spring With Comprehensive Motorcycle Insurance Today

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After such a long and brutal winter, central Pennsylvania can finally begin to enjoy its favorite spring and summer activities. And for Pennsylvanians living near Johnstown, PA., few events are as anticipated as Thunder in the Valley.

Come the fourth weekend in June, Johnstown’s annual Thunder in the Valley motorcycle rally fills the downtown area as the community welcomes over 200,000 visiting bikers from far and wide to the largest rally in Pennsylvania. It’s not just for motorcycle enthusiasts, either: each year this event features a wide variety of events and activities, ensuring that everyone involved enjoys the event.

Our own staff can’t wait for Thunder in the Valley; the event offers us a great opportunity to explore a range of local and specialized products and gifts, features lots of live music, and just creates a lovely welcoming atmosphere that makes us proud to be a part of Johnstown.

But before getting into the celebratory spirit, we wanted to remind everyone that there’s something all motorcycle owners should check in advance of attending: their insurance.

Too many motorcyclists hit the road with either no or too little insurance; both of these scenarios have negative consequences for biker riders:

-Not only is not having insurance dangerous: it’s illegal. Just like with automobile insurance, not having motorcycle insurance leads to at least a fine, or even jail time.

-Bikers who do have insurance run the risk of having too little insurance. Just like with automobiles, the cheapest insurance plans are not the ideal insurance plans, as they aim to offer enough coverage to protect anyone hurt by the insurance holder, without leaving every much coverage for the insurance holder themselves.

Since there’s plenty of plans out there that offer comprehensive coverage without breaking the bank, driving a motorcycle without proper coverage is an unnecessary risk. With Thunder in the Valley coming up, now is the perfect time to finally purchase motorcycle insurance – or to update your existing policy to ensure that it covers:

1. Liability (to cover any costs of injuries to others either riding on or struck by your bike, as well property damage costs)

2. Comprehensive (to cover any damages caused by weather, by animal strikes, and by theft)

3. Personal Items (to cover any accessories or safety apparel that may be damaged or stolen)

4. Medical (to cover any potential medical, ambulance, or physical therapy costs in the event of an accident)

Not sure where to get started or how to evaluate your current insurance policy? Our staff at the Fisher Widmann Flick Insurance Agency can help! Our team features specially trained insurance experts, all of them ready to help Pennsylvania bike owners evaluate their policy options to ensure that their motorcycle insurance is just what they need.

Having a motorcycle can be one of the most exhilarating things in life. Practicing safe driving, and having a comprehensive insurance plan, will help ensure that you’re able to continue enjoying riding on your bike for many years to come.

This Year, Resolve To Go Beyond Basic Auto Insurance Coverage

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A new year is a time for self-reflection and positive changes. While many do not consider their insurance policies as something that they could change to contribute to a better 2014, our team here at the Fisher Widmann Flick Insurance Agency encourages you to think otherwise this year.

Just one example of something you could change for the better in 2014 might be your car insurance – particularly your liability coverage. Auto insurance liability coverage is often put to the test during the winter, when ice, snow and slush turn roads into obstacle courses. In fact, while statistics show that August is overall the most dangerous time of year to drive, the winter months are still incredibly dangerous, as both nonfatal-injury and property-damage-only car crashes increase significantly when it snows, according to the American Journal of Public Health.

So just how likely is it that your area might experience dangerous road conditions due to the weather, and what sorts of risks might you face when driving in the winter? Well, consider these statistics from the Federal Highway Administration:

-Over 70 percent of the nations roads are located in snowy regions, which receive more than five inches (or 13 cm) average snowfall annually. Nearly 70 percent of the U.S. population lives in these snowy regions.

-Snow and ice reduce pavement friction and vehicle maneuverability, causing slower speeds, reduced roadway capacity, and increased crash risk. Average arterial speeds decline by 30 to 40 percent on snowy or slushy pavement. Freeway speeds are reduced by 3 to 13 percent in light snow and by 5 to 40 percent in heavy snow. Heavy snow and sleet can also reduce visibility. Lanes and roads are obstructed by snow accumulation, which reduces capacity and increases travel time delay.

-Each year, 24 percent of weather-related vehicle crashes occur on snowy, slushy or icy pavement and 15 percent happen during snowfall or sleet.

Statistics like those are exactly why we’re encouraging everyone to take the time this month to complete one simple New Year’s resolution: check and ensure that your auto insurance offers more than basic liability coverage.

 Liability car insurance, which covers what happens to the other driver’s vehicle in a crash where you are at fault, is so important that it’s required in most states. Typically, liability insurance is most often offered in two categories: bodily injury liability (which assists with medical bills and lost wages in an accident) and property damage liability (which offers help when paying for damage a property sustains during an accident).

Not all auto liability coverage is created equally, though. Often, liability policies don’t even cover other major expenses that can be incurred during an accident. For example, basic liability coverage rarely offers damage coverage for your own vehicle – and only covers damage to the other car! It also often does not cover damage caused to you or your possessions by an uninsured driver, or comprehensive coverage of medical expenses incurred as a result of an automotive accident; instead, it offers a fixed amount of money that may or may not be enough to keep you from paying a lot out of pocket.

In short: if you get into a serious accident with basic liability coverage, you may find yourself paying for some or even all of the major expenses and claims that result from that accident all by yourself – and that is always more expensive than the cost of comprehensive insurance plans. That’s why we don’t believe that it’s worth the risk of owning basic liability auto insurance. After all, that car you bought was an investment. Surely it – and you – deserves the best protection possible, especially during this dangerous season.

This year, make it your goal to supplement or even replace your basic liability policy with comprehensive coverage that goes beyond the state’s minimum requirements. If you’re not sure where to get started, don’t fret: our staff is ready to help you evaluate your policy options to ensure that what you select offers adequate coverage that will truly protect you should you experience troubles on the road. We offer personalized assistance and have numerous local contacts across the state ready to help you at a moment’s notice. We also have connections with 15 major insurance companies, including our newest partner, Safeco Insurance, a Liberty Mutual-owned company that will work with our team to ensure that your liability insurance goes beyond the basics.

Remember, whether you’re in Johnstown or any other area in central Pennsylvania, and whether you need an entirely new policy or to update the one you already have, we’re here to help you. Our representatives in Blaire County, Cambria County, Somerset, Latrobe, or in any other nearby counties are all ready to work with you so that you can continue driving with peace of mind during this wonderful, but risky, time of the year.

Protect Your Antiques With Classic Car Insurance

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We, like many Americans, love classic cars. Whether they’re low riders, classic trucks, tractors, or the most recognizable of antique classics, we appreciate them all.

It’s difficult not to love something as beautiful as a shining old vehicle. These fascinating machines have a way of captivating us; they bring memories back to life and almost seem to capture moments in history. It’s no wonder that people love to drive and collect them.

If you own or collect classic cars, though, you understand that not only are they beautiful: they are an investment; so whether you purchased or restored that classic automobile, it needs to be protected.

Whether you drive your car frequently, occasionally, or even just to special shows and events, you know that your classic vehicle needs auto insurance, just like a regular car. But you also know that classic cars are special. This means not only does your car need to be insured for roadside assistance, collision damage and more; you need to know that the full value of your car is protected.

Our staff at the Johnstown-based the Fisher Widmann Flick Insurance Agency (F.W.F Insurance Agency) understands that the insurance you get for a classic car needs to be as special as the vehicle itself is. Our partner, Safeco Insurance (a Liberty Mutual-owned company), understands this as well. That’s why we’re here to help you buy the perfect policy for your classic car, ensuring that it’s covered well into its golden years.

We can help collectors and owners build a policy just for their classic automobile by asking the right questions. How many miles will you or do you drive in your car? How old is your car? Does it have any custom modifications? How many cars do you own?

Whatever the answers to these questions are, we promise: we can find or build a policy that’s perfect for your needs, ensuring that your collection of one, two, 50 or more classic cars is always fully protected.

Talk to one our representatives today for personalized advice based on your collection and your needs. Whether you’re located in Blaire County, Cambria County, Somerset, Latrobe, or in any other nearby counties, we’re ready to work with you so that you can continue to enjoy using your classic cars with the knowledge that they are fully insured. Our representatives will use their connections to 15 other major insurance companies, including SafeCo, to ensure that your policy is as comprehensive as possible.

We’re ready to help you hit the road in classic style and with the comforting knowledge that you are 100% protected; contact us now to set up a meeting with one of our local representatives in central Pennsylvania.

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