When you shop for homeowners insurance, you want to be sure that you are getting the best coverage at the most affordable rate.  When shopping, sometimes people make mistakes that can cost them.  Saving money by reducing your coverage could end up costing you more in the long run, if something disastrous were to happen to your property.  Here are a few tips that you can use when shopping for insurance so you can avoid some of the most common pitfalls.

Purchase enough coverage to replace your home and belongings – If you have too little coverage, you will not be able to rebuild your home or re-purchase the necessities in life.  If you do not know what the best coverage is to purchase, discussing it with your insurance agent can help. 

• Read the fine print and purchase additional coverage – Flood and earthquake insurance is not usually included in a basic homeowners insurance policy.  If you live in an area prone to these types of disasters, extra coverage is required.  Liability coverage offered on your homeowner insurance policy protects you and your resident relative on and away from your property.  Make sure you have sufficient coverage to protect you and your assets from an potential liability claims.

• Consolidate your policies with one company – If you have different providers for homeowners, car or life insurance, you could be paying too much.  When you consolidate your polices, many insurance companies will give you a discount on a total package.

• Consider the deductible vs. the premium – When you carry a high deductible, your premium price will be lower.  However, keep in mind, if you happen to have many claims in one year, having a higher deductible can be more expensive.  Weigh the options before deciding on a very high deductible.

While it is not an insurance specific tip, it is also important that homeowners take the necessary steps to protect their home.  Installing security systems, performing regular maintenance and having protective items such as smoke alarms, can help you to prevent disasters, so you can minimize the costs that you have to incur.  In some cases, installing burglar alarms, smoke detectors and other devices can help you to qualify for discounts as well.  Please contact AIS Insurance for more information and other insurance products.

This content is offered for educational purposes only and does not represent contractual agreements. The definitions, terms and coverages in a given policy may be different than those suggested here and such policy will be governed by the language contained therein. No warranty or appropriateness for a specific purpose is expressed or implied.

With summer almost here, families will be hitting the road to visit grandma and other family members or just taking a road trip.  While these trips can be fun, one thing that could ruin it, would be breaking down, or having something go wrong with your car and then having to pay out-of-pocket expenses for the repair.

Being prepared before you make a long drive is the best way to protect your family and your pocketbook from unplanned expenses.  First and foremost, it is important to make sure your vehicle is road trip ready.  Checking out your car before you leave and taking care of any issues will help to eliminate some problems you may face.  Check the following items before you go:

• Tires – make sure the have the proper tread and are free from any nails or punctures.
• Coolant – with summer heat upon us, make sure the coolant system is full and does not have any leaks.  Replace worn or broken hoses immediately.
• Check belts – the belts in your car run various items such as power brakes, steering and air conditioning.  Replacing a worn belt can ensure you are not stuck without air or other essential functions.
• Plan loose routes – while not an actual maintenance tip, having a loose plan of your road trip will help you to find service stations.  Making a rough plan is also good so others will know when to expect you, or when to call for help if you do not arrive.

Another way to make sure you are protected is with a roadside assistance insurance policy.  This policy will help to defer the cost of unexpected costs along the way.  If you breakdown and need towing or a repair service, the roadside assistance coverage will help to reduce the overall cost.

For more information about roadside assistance insurance, please contact AIS Insurance today.

This content is offered for educational purposes only and does not represent contractual agreements. The definitions, terms and coverages in a given policy may be different than those suggested here and such policy will be governed by the language contained therein. No warranty or appropriateness for a specific purpose is expressed or implied.

If I let my friend drive my car, is he covered under my insurance or his?  As with all questions regarding coverage, it depends on the language of the policy.  For most policy forms used in the U.S. however the answer would be yes and both.  Typically your policy would provide coverage for anyone driving your car with your permission (if you are the policy holder) and your friend’s policy provides coverage for use of a borrowed (“non-owned”) auto.  You policy would not, of course, provide coverage for a driver which you had excluded and may not provide coverage for residents of your household not listed on the policy.  More restrictive policies may only cover liability coverage, and not cover the car itself.

That begs the question; if both provide coverage, which one pays?  The mantra used to sort this out is that “coverage follows the vehicle” or “coverage on the vehicle is always primary”.  That means that the policy naming the vehicle (yours) pays first.  If, for some reason, it will not pay or the coverage is insufficient then the coverage naming the driver (your friend’s) will pay. 

For example, if your friend is driving your car and is in an accident which is determined to be his fault and causes injury to the other party of $20,000.00.  Your policy would pay first.  If your bodily injury liability limit per person is $15,000 your carrier pays that amount.  If your friend also has auto insurance with higher limits (bigger numbers) of $50,000 per person his insurance will pay the remaining $5000. 

For more information, or to receive a free California auto insurance quote, please visit http://www.aisinsurance.com/california-auto-insurance.

This content is offered for educational purposes only and does not represent contractual agreements. The definitions, terms and coverages in a given policy may be different than those suggested here and such policy will be governed by the language contained therein. No warranty or appropriateness for a specific purpose is expressed or implied.

This is often something people don’t understand when it comes to homeowner’s insurance.  When a home is purchased, the mortgage company will require that the house carry insurance.  In some cases, they will require that the insurance cover more than the purchase price of the dwelling.  This is where replacement value and market value come into play.  Replacement value is the cost incurred to rebuild the structure if completely destroyed. Market value is the amount you paid, or the approximate value of the home in a certain area. 

For example, a home purchased in a rural area, may have a market value of $120,000. The exact house, located in a different area, may have a market value of $285,000 due to the value of the underlying land; however, the cost to rebuild the house after a loss would be the same in either location. An insurance company is looking to insure the home for the full replacement value, not the current market value. You must remember that if your home is destroyed, the insurance company will pay to rebuild your home in its current location, not buy one down the street for you to live in.

For more information about homeowners insurance, please visit http://www.aisinsurance.com/california-homeowners-insurance. AIS shops many different policies to give you the best coverage at an affordable rate.

This content is offered for educational purposes only and does not represent contractual agreements. The definitions, terms and coverages in a given policy may be different than those suggested here and such policy will be governed by the language contained therein. No warranty or appropriateness for a specific purpose is expressed or implied.

With spring and summer conditions being felt in some parts of the country, the temptation to get the bike out and ride is certainly there.  But if your bike has been stored over the winter months, you should perform some safety checks and routine maintenance before you hit the open road.  Here are a few things that you should do before you go.

•           Check tire pressure.  When not being used, tires can “leak” air making them soft and less responsive.  Fill your tires to the manufacturers recommended level for the best performance and safety.

•           Ensure all electronics and features are working properly.  Check brakes, clutch, lights and turning signals to be sure they are all in working order.

•           Warm up your bike. Before heading out, start your motorcycle and let it run for a few moments.  After it is warm, shut it off and check the oil.  If it is low, add more.

•           After the warm up, check for leaks around seals and hoses.

If you notice any problems, make sure they are addressed before you go for a ride.

The most important aspect of safety before you hit the road is making sure that your motorcycle insurance is up to date.  Many leave their bike uninsured while it is stored, so it is important to renew your policy to make sure you and those around you are protected while you ride.

If you are in need of motorcycle coverage, www.aisinsurance.com can provide you with a policy that fits your needs and budget. For more information please visit, www.aisinsurance.com/california-motorcycle-insurance.

This content is offered for educational purposes only and does not represent contractual agreements. The definitions, terms and coverages in a given policy may be different than those suggested here and such policy will be governed by the language contained therein. No warranty or appropriateness for a specific purpose is expressed or implied.

Just as you should have an emergency kit prepared for a natural disaster, you should also carry an emergency kit with you in your vehicle at all times.  Car accidents occur suddenly without warning, and a lack of proper emergency supplies can lead to unnecessary struggles, injuries or even deaths.

Carrying an emergency kit with you in your car is something that used to be more commonly seen years ago.  Today, people rely heavily on cell phones and other communication devices to reach someone when in need of assistance.  However, these types of communication devices can’t be relied on all of the time.  If your car breaks down, you end up with a flat tire, or are involved in an accident, it may take a while for someone to get to your location depending on where the incident occurred.  Your phone may also end up damaged after an accident and become unusable. For your safety, protect yourself by carrying an appropriate car emergency kit.  Below are items that should be included:

•           Cell phone car charger

•           First-aid kit

•           Fire extinguisher

•           Warning lights, hazard triangles or flares

•           Tire gauge

•           Usable spare tire

•           Jumper cables

•           Flashlight

•           Disposable flash camera

•           Roadside-assistance number and other important family member phone numbers

•           Basic tool kit

•           Pen and paper

•           Ice scraper during winter months

•           Blanket to stay warm during winter months

•           Water and non-perishable food

While making sure that you have the above items in your car, review your insurance policy to be certain that you have the necessary coverage. Carry documentation of this with you as well.   If you have questions, contact your AIS representative today.

This content is offered for educational purposes only and does not represent contractual agreements. The definitions, terms and coverages in a given policy may be different than those suggested here and such policy will be governed by the language contained therein. No warranty or appropriateness for a specific purpose is expressed or implied.

This content is offered for educational purposes only and does not represent contractual agreements. The definitions, terms and coverages in a given policy may be different than those suggested here and such policy will be governed by the language contained therein. No warranty or appropriateness for a specific purpose is expressed or implied.

Many people confuse having a person removed from a policy and getting what is called an excluded driver endorsement.  When someone is removed from a policy it is usually because they have left the household and no longer have access to the policy vehicles.  An excluded driver endorsement is a little bit different.  When an individual gets this endorsement, they are telling their insurance company that in no way should this person be covered if there is damage to the vehicle.   This endorsement is available as a cost-saving measure to avoid having to pay for a household member who will not be driving the insured vehicle(s). 

Why would you need an excluded driver endorsement?  A policy owner may wish to apply this endorsement on a named driver because of some of the following issues related to the driver:

• They have a suspended license.
• They have a DUI conviction.
• They are problematic drivers.

Other than a driver with a problematic history in the home, a policy owner may wish to exclude all drivers other than the primary driver(s) to reduce their premium.  While this may save the policy owner money, they will have to consider that if there is an emergency need for the car and the policy holder is not able to drive, and the excluded driver has to do so, they still will not be covered in the event of an accident.

For more information please see www.aisinsurance.com.

For many people, 2010 marks the time when they will be buying their first home.  A federal tax credit of up to $8,000 for first time home buyers has made it a little bit easier to buy a home.  Buying a home is a big financial decision, one in which if made appropriately, can lead to personal and financial benefit over time.

With this decision comes more responsibility.  This responsibility in part relates to homeowners insurance.  Many buying a home for the first time will have just come from a rental situation where if they had insurance, all they had to do was have insurance to cover the contents.  With a home purchase, the owner is now responsible for insuring the structure as well as the grounds the structure is on.

It is important for first time homeowners to consider insurance before buying a home.  Premiums very based on a number of factors.  Older homes may be more susceptible to fire, while newer homes have more modern materials making them more fire proof.  Also, the difference between living in the country or the city can have an effect on the price of insurance.  Homes in rural areas can be more expensive to insure because they can be farther away from fire protection services.

While these are just a few things to consider before buying your first home, more research should be done by the purchaser to determine what insurance hazards there are with a prospective home.  If you are considering a home, you should talk to a qualified insurance representative to help ask the right questions to make sure you are getting the best insurance advice.

For more information about California Homeowners insurance, please see www.aisinsurance.com/california-homeowners-insurance.

This content is offered for educational purposes only and does not represent contractual agreements. The definitions, terms and coverages in a given policy may be different than those suggested here and such policy will be governed by the language contained therein. No warranty or appropriateness for a specific purpose is expressed or implied.