David Araiza - Etowah Insurance Group & Central Specialty Risk

What Determines the Cost of My Auto Insurance?

-Your Car:
What and how much you drive.
Where your car lives.

-Your Coverage:
The amount and type of coverage you have.

-You:
Your driving record.
Your age and credit score.

After getting in a car accident, it is important to:

1. Check if anyone is injured. Move to a safe location, away from traffic.
2. Request medical attention (if needed), and ask for the police (even for minor accidents).
3. Exchange contact and insurance info with the other driver, and use your phone to take pictures and video.
4. Contact your insurance provider to report the accident.

Your house's physical characteristics affect the cost of insurance. This could include:

• The home's age.
• What materials your house is made of.
• The condition of the roof.
• The size of your home.
• Whether the house has any custom features.
• Whether the house is up to current building codes.
• The size and number of other structures such as sheds or fencing.

Additionally, a swimming pool or other
"attractive nuisance" will likely require extra liability coverage.

Location can also play an important role.
Insurers may weigh factors such as the threat of natural disasters and how close the home is to the coast.

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1. Color determines the price of auto insurance
It doesn't matter whether your car is “Arrest Me Red” or “Hide In Plain Sight White”—the color doesn’t actually factor into your auto insurance costs.

2. It costs more to insure your car when you get older. Quite the opposite, in fact—older drivers may be eligible for special discounts.

3. Your credit has no effect on your insurance rate
Your credit-based insurance score—which is derived from your credit history—may matter. A good credit score demonstrates how well you manage your financial affairs and has been shown to be a good predictor of whether someone is more likely to file an insurance claim so many insurance companies take it into consideration when you want to purchase, change or renew your auto insurance coverage.

4. Personal auto insurance also covers business use of your car
If you are self-employed and use your vehicle for business purposes, personal auto insurance may not protect you so it’s important to purchase business vehicle insurance. If you have other people—such as employees—using your vehicle, regularly check their driving records.

Types of homeowners insurance policies

Homeowners insurance comes in several types, called ""policy forms."" Some types have more expansive coverage than others, so it's worthwhile to know the difference.

Note that different insurance companies may have different names for these policies.

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Full coverage car insurance typically refers to an auto policy that combines liability insurance with comprehensive and collision insurance. This combination pays for damage to your car and also covers injuries or damage you cause to others.

Full coverage car insurance usually includes:

• Liability insurance, which pays for other people's medical bills and property damage from an accident you cause.
• Collision insurance, which pays for damage to your own vehicle after an accident.
• Comprehensive insurance, which pays for damage to your vehicle from circumstances outside your control, like natural disasters or theft.

On behalf of Etowah insurance group we want to wish you a happy 4th of July

A life insurance quote is the estimated cost of your policy based on basic information you provide to the insurer.

The final price is determined once you submit a life insurance application and complete any necessary health requirements like a medical exam.

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What does car insurance cover?

Here are some of the most common scenarios that each type of insurance will cover:

- Required car insurance coverage.
- Accidents that don’t involve another driver.
- Natural disasters.
- Extended medical coverage.
- Insufficient car insurance coverage from the other driver.
- Money you still owe on your vehicle.

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What is renters insurance?

Renters insurance covers your personal belongings in case of theft, fire and other disasters. It can also pay your legal expenses if someone sues you.
Also known as tenants insurance or an HO-4 policy, renters insurance is similar to homeowners insurance but designed for people who don't own their own place.

The average cost of renters insurance is $148 a year, or about $12 a month, according to NerdWallet's rate analysis. Because it covers what's inside your home only and not the structure, renters insurance is much cheaper than homeowners Insurance.

Some landlords require their tenants to buy renters insurance before signing a lease.

Your house's physical characteristics affect the cost of insurance. This could include:

* The home's age.
* What materials your house is made of.
* The condition of the roof.
* The size of your home.
* Whether the house has any custom features.
* Whether the house is up to current building codes.
* The size and number of other structures such as sheds or fencing.

Additionally, a swimming pool or other
"attractive nuisance" will likely require extra liability coverage.

Location can also play an important role.
Insurers may weigh factors such as the threat of natural disasters and how close the home is to the coast.

Contact us Today to discuss!

On behalf of Etowah insurance group we want to wish you a happy Memorial Day

Specific options for uninsured motorist coverage vary by state and insurer, but in general there are three types of protection:

* Uninsured Motorist (UM) insurance - Also known as Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury (UMBI) insurance, this coverage will pay your and your passengers' medical bills if you're involved in an accident with an uninsured motorist who is at fault. In addition, UM insurance will reimburse you and your passengers for lost wages. UM coverage also kicks in if, as a pedestrian, you are hit by an uninsured driver, or if you're the victim of a hit-and-run accident.

* Uninsured Motorist Property Damage (UMPD) coverage - Uninsured motorist insurance covers bodily injuries but not damage to your car or property. For this, you need UMPD coverage, which, in addition to paying for damages to your vehicle caused by an uninsured driver, generally also covers damage to other personal property such as your house or your fence.

* Underinsured Motorist (UIM) protection - In some instances, an at-fault driver may have liability insurance, but his or her policy's limits do not cover the full extent of damage to your vehicle. In such cases, UIM insurance will cover the shortfall.

If you own the home you live in, you have several policies to choose from. The most popular policy is the HO-3, which provides the broadest coverage. Owners of multi-family homes generally purchase an HO-3 with an endorsement to cover the risks associated with having renters live in their homes.

HO-1: Limited coverage policy. This "bare bones" policy covers you against the first 10 disasters. It's no longer available in most states.

HO-2: Basic policy. A basic policy provides protection against all 16 disasters. There is a version of HO-2 designed for mobile homes.

HO-3: The most popular policy. This "special" policy protects your home from all perils except those specifically excluded.

HO-8: Older home Designed for older homes, this policy usually reimburses you for damage on an actual cash value basis which means replacement cost less depreciation. Full replacement cost policies may not be available for some older homes.

We had such a great time spending time with friends, and families in the community.

A car's age is not enough to qualify for specialized classic car insurance. While requirements differ from company to company, most cars need to meet the following criteria in order to qualify:

* Limited use - Your classic car cannot be used for everyday commuting or errands, and your policy may include mileage limitations and proof the car is being properly garaged if you do travel with it. In some cases, insurers may require that you also own a primary car for everyday use.

* Car shows and meetings - The limited use provision of a classic car policy allows for travel to car shows and auto club meet-ups; however, this coverage may be restricted by some insurers. If this is the case, there are insurers that can provide specialized coverage for car shows and meetings. Before choosing a classic car insurer, it's worth checking whether they have travel restrictions if you plan to take your car on regular, multi-day, high mileage drives.

* Secure storage - When not in use, your special vehicle must be stored in a locked, enclosed, private structure, such as a residential garage or storage unit.

* A clean driving record - You may be disqualified from classic auto insurance if you have serious offenses on your driving record, such as reckless driving, repeat speeding violations or driving while intoxicated.

When purchasing life insurance, it is important to know your options, understand your assets and know your needs.

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Umbrella insurance kicks in when your “base” liability limits have been reached.

It provides “excess liability insurance” beyond the liability insurance already in your auto, homeowners and/or watercraft insurance policies.

It’s for expensive situations where medical bills and/or repairs exceed your “base” auto, home or boat policies.

You can think of it as asset protection because it can prevent you from losing your assets in order to pay for a lawsuit against you.

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There are numerous variables that determine the amount of life insurance you need. Discussing this with an experienced advisor will ensure you receive expert advice to best fit your needs and help you navigate this process with ease and confidence.

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A homeowners insurance policy with the right type and amount of coverage can help protect a buyer's investment and financial future.

This benefit is why lenders may require proof of insurance before the final approval of a mortgage. Remember, homeowners insurance is not the same as mortgage insurance.

How to find the right auto insurance

You’ll want to consider fundamental factors such as coverage, price, as well as evaluating the value proposition from other carriers.

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Most basic auto policies consist of: bodily injury liability, personal injury protection, property damage liability, collision, comprehensive and uninsured/underinsured motorist.

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Homeowners coverage provides financial protection against losses due to disasters, theft, and accidents.

Most standard policies include four essential types of coverage: coverage for the structure of your home; coverage for your personal belongings; liability protection; coverage for additional living expenses.

Why do you need car insurance?

Car insurance gives you financial protection in the event of an accident. Some types also cover claims arising from injuries to other people.

If you own a roadworthy car, you legally need at least a basic level of coverage called Liability.

Penalties for driving without insurance range from fines and points on your driver´s license.

How Are Homeowners Insurance
Rates Determined?

So what's the driving force behind rates?
In general, rates are set based on the likelihood a homeowner will file a claim (the insurance companies perceives this as "risk").

To determine risk, home insurance companies give significant consideration to prior claims, as well as credit scores.

On behalf of Etowah insurance group we want to wish you a happy Valentines Day

2 Ways to Save Money on Your Auto Insurance.

• Change your deductible and/or policy limits:
(Not recommended, but it is an option)
Raising your deductible will lower your premiums. Also, if you lower the limits your policy will cover, it will lower your premiums.

• Improve your credit history:
Car insurers often provide better rates to drivers with good credit.

15 Steps to Buying a House

1. Make sure you're ready
2. Get your finances in order
3. Make a plan for the down payment
4. Create a wish list
5. Find the right mortgage for you
6. Get preapproved for a mortgage
7. Find a real estate agent
8. Go shopping
9. Make an offer
10. Get a mortgage
11. Get homeowners insurance
12. Schedule a home inspection
13. Have the home appraised
14. Negotiate any repairs or credits with the seller
15. Close on your new home

Purchasing flood insurance will help protect the things you value.

There are two types of coverage

Building coverage:

-Electrical and plumbing systems.
-Furnaces and water heaters
Refrigerators, cooking stoves, and built-in appliances like dishwashers.
-Permanently installed carpeting.
-Permanently installed cabinets, paneling, and bookcases.
-Window blinds.
-Foundation walls, anchorage systems, and staircases.
-Detached garages.
-Fuel tanks, well water tanks and pumps, and solar energy equipment.

Contents coverage:

-Personal belongings such as clothing, furniture, and electronic equipment.
-Curtains.
-Washer and dryer.
-Portable and window air conditioners.
-Microwave oven.
-Carpets not included in building coverage.