Home insurance is a must-have. But that does not mean you have to overpay to have great coverage. There are ways that you could be saving on your home owners insurance. In fact, saving on your home insurance could be easier than you think.

One of the ways you can save on the home insurance Tigard homeowners rely on is to connect with the right insurance agent. Having personalized care for your home owners insurance can provide you with discounts you would not even know to look for. What else should you know about saving on these home policies?

Audit Your Policy

If you are like most American homeowners, you may be a little slack when it comes to reviewing your policy annually. In many cases, saving on your home owners insurance can be as simple as comparing what other carriers have to offer. Making this an annual activity (right before your policy is up for renewal) can literally give you an opportunity to claim hundreds of dollars in savings.

Having a trusted insurance agency looking out for your best interests can come in really handy when it’s time for renewal. Your agency will put in all the work for you and do the brunt of the comparisons for savings so you do not have to.

Surprising Ways to Get Discounts

Did you know that if you keep a fire extinguisher in your kitchen, it may make you eligible for a home owners insurance policy discount? Fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and other fire safety equipment can all add up to savings. Ask your agency as to whether installing this equipment can save you some money.

Fire protection equipment isn’t the only thing that can lower your premiums. You can get discounts for having a security system, as well. Have you had a new roof installed that is rated for hail damage? That can get you a discount, too. If you have a pool with a fence around it, this can lower your premiums. You may also get up to a 20% discount if you have not filed a claim in the last decade. Don’t be afraid to ask your agent about home improvements that can translate into savings.

There are plenty of discounts that you could be taking advantage of. Finding discounts is a lot easier when you have an insurance agent working for you. A well-established insurance center will have the agents that know how to find the discounts that you deserve. Find the savings and the support that you need with a local agent that is committed to putting your best interests first.

Collector vehicles are no ordinary cars. The classic, collectible, or antique car in your garage needs more than the ordinary auto-insurance. You may require special insurance coverage to protect your high-value investment. Classic car insurance reflects the uniqueness and value of your ‘baby.’ Special coverage for your unique vehicles includes a standard liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage.

The top three insurance claims are for ‘fender bender,’ theft, and whiplash. If an accident or any other loss occurs, the insurance company will pay for the repairs or replacement of the car as a unique vehicle, not some old junk.

Collector Car Insurance Vs. Standard Auto Insurance

Nearly half of all unique vehicle owners wrongfully place their cars under a standard motor vehicle insurance. Typically, classic car insurance covers differ from ordinary policies in two significant ways.

Lower Premium Rates

The American driver clocks an average of 13500 miles on their vehicle annually. This significantly increases the risks associated with insurance claims, including accidents and theft. Collector vehicles travel less frequently, spending most of their time in storage. Most insurance providers will offer lower premium rates, ranging between 20-40% less than the regular policy.

Guaranteed Value

Insurers calculate ordinary car policies from the ‘actual value’ of the vehicle. The total compensation will be the actual value insured minus depreciation. Unlike ordinary cars, unique vehicles tend to appreciate. Most specialty insurers offer the full cost, ‘guaranteed value,’ for the car as compensation.

Qualification for Classic Car Insurance

Standard auto insurance may not have strict requirements before the purchase of a particular policy. A special cover for your unique vehicles may demand specific qualifications. Some of the common conditions include.

1. Limited Use

Your collectible may not be suitable for everyday commute and running of errands. Some insurers place mileage restrictions, in which owners may not exceed 7500 miles a year. You may need to prove you own a primary, ordinary car that you will use for your multi-day, high-mileage drives. For trips to classic car shows and events, your insurer can create a custom package that protects your unique vehicles during the journey.

2. A Clean Driving Record

Serious offenses that taint your driving record may disqualify you from the classic car insurance program. Some traffic offenses such as driving while intoxicated, excess speeding and reckless driving may contribute to your policy being rejected. Some insurance companies may require the driver to be above 30 years or have five to ten years’ experience.

3. Secure Storage

You may need to provide proof of secure storage spaces for your unique vehicles. Most insurance firms will accept private garages, pole barns, or storage units. The protected areas not only safeguard your car from thieves but also shield it from nature’s destructive elements.

4. Age

Your vehicle may need to be well-maintained for the insurer to enlist it for a classic car insurance package. Each insurance agency has its method to classify collector vehicles as classic, antique or vintage. An insurance expert may help determine the value of your car, depending on its age and condition.

It is not right to place your unique vehicles under standard auto insurance policies. Proper care of your beloved collectible is not enough; you need to purchase the right classic car insurance cover. AOA West Insurance can help you source the best policy for your vehicle and address your other insurance needs.

Every year in the U.S., around six million cars are sold. People are buying new cars all the time, but true collectors know it’s the classics that matter. The rare cars, the old cars, the really cool cars — only these cars are worthy of being collector vehicles. You can have a very small collection — just one car, actually — and still call yourself a car collector. That’s what’s so great about having collector vehicles.

And once you’ve got one, you definitely won’t want to stop. There are many ways to get collector vehicles, and it can be affordable if you do a lot of the work on them yourself. However, there’s something very important you don’t want to forget about the cars in your collection: they all need to be insured. But do you know what kind of insurance you need and where to go to get it?

The Difference in Insuring Collector Vehicles

For most people, collector vehicles are not everyday vehicles. You take your regular car to work and to the supermarket. You take your usual ride out when you’re running errands. But your collector vehicles or vehicle, now that’s special. Whether you have classic cars, unique vehicles, or even a motorcycle, you don’t drive these vehicles often. These are special vehicles for special occasions. So you don’t need regular everyday insurance for collector vehicles that aren’t regular everyday cars.

Insurance for antique cars, classic cars, and other cars that aren’t driven very often is different fro the insurance you get on your regular vehicle. These cars don’t have to meet the same state minimum requirements. However, there are requirements that these cars do need to meet. Only an expert can help you figure out exactly the right policy for your collector vehicles. Not all insurance agents know what needs to be done to insure those collector vehicles. You need to know how to find the right agents to give you the exact right insurance for the collector vehicles that you have.

How can you find the right insurance agency for your collector vehicles? Once you know how to find the right insurance agency, you can find the right insurance for all your collector vehicles.

Finding the Right Insurance Agency

Insurance agents have a bit of a bad reputation. You’ve heard the jokes and seen the characters in the movies. You’ve been told that insurance agents are annoying. And it’s all pretty funny. Insurance agents laugh at these jokes, too. But the truth is, sometimes you really need insurance gents. These people specialize in knowing insurance and knowing what the state requirements are.

They know exactly how to insurance collector vehicles so that you pay as little as possible to get the insurance that you need. Focus on finding insurance agencies and agents that provide insurance for collector vehicles. If you have a specific type of collector vehicle, such as a classic car, look specifically for insurance companies and agents that provide services for this.

Search online to find insurance agents in your local area, or at least within your state. These professionals will have in-depth knowledge of your state requirements for insurance and they can provide you with answers quickly. It’s often easier to work with an insurance agent in your local area rather than turning to a large, national company to get our own estimates.

An agent can get estimates from several different insurance agencies so you can compare prices and pick the best policy for your specific needs. They can perform the work much more quickly to get estimates and help you get the best deal. You’ll pick the policy you want and if there are any problems, you contact your agent to give you help almost immediately. Having an insurance agent is the best option for your collector vehicles because you need someone with expert knowledge to advise you on the right policies.

Classic cars are the original show-stoppers, allowing us to relish in a time before our own. These collector vehicles often travel many miles to attend shows or gatherings. While some people may think that you do not need insurance for these cars, they would actually be mistaken. Here is why you need classic car insurance.

It is Illegal to Drive Without Insurance

When it comes to car insurance, some classic car owners are not sure where to turn or where exactly their situation lies. That is why it is important to speak with a qualified insurance agency that can point you in the right direction, as driving your classic car without insurance is illegal in all states. If you happen to get into an accident or something happens to your car, you could face serious penalties and costs associated with the issue. Maintaining proper insurance for a classic car is a unique situation, which will be highlighted below.

Classic Cars are Unique

The situations surrounding classic cars are unique. Classic car owners often only drive them a few times a year, keep them in storage, and keep them maintained. This means that you will want to find an insurance agency that is familiar with collector car insurance, as they will take these factors into account. This means that insurance premiums are often lower than that of other vehicles that you may own and drive more frequently. The price can depend on many factors, such as the year and how many miles are already on the vehicle. Unique cars require a unique insurance policy.

You Will Want to Protect Your Car

Driving without insurance is risky for both you and your car. Even though you may not drive your classic car that often, the risk for an accident is still there. The 3 most common insurance claims are whiplash, theft, and fender benders. All three of these can happen to your classic car, which means if you do not have insurance then you will be left in the dark. Speaking with a qualified rep from an insurance agency can help you determine your options.

Getting insurance for your antique cars or classic cars does not have to be a hassle. AOA West is a family-owned and operated insurance agency that will put you first, finding you the best deal for you and your needs. Speak with a rep today to learn more about the different options that you may have.

A family-owned insurance agency can help to meet your insurance needs and deliver the personal care that you deserve. There is something lacking in today’s insurance process that a family-owned agency can help to remedy.

Insurance whether it is personal insurance, home insurance, RV insurance, car insurance or motorcycle insurance should come complete with personalized care. Unfortunately, far too many times today, personal care has been replaced with automation.

The Personal Touch

If you have ever had one of those discount online secured policies and had a question, you know what it is like to try to find an answer. It can be very challenging to make informed decisions when you cannot tweak a policy with the help of a dedicated agent to meet your needs.

Personalized care for your insurance needs is vital to ensure you get the coverage that you deserve for your property. When you choose a family-owned insurance agency to manage your insurance needs, you get the personal touch that you deserve. Having a hardworking agent on your side can help you to:

• Get the customized policy that you need to fit your unique insurance needs.
• Save money. An insurance agent can help you to save money on your premiums without giving up any coverage.
• Understand your options. An insurance agent can answer questions and explain your options.

When you have an expert on your side, you can feel confident in the insurance choices that you are making for you and your family. You do not have to go into your insurance policy blindly. You can ask all the questions that you need to ask and be presented with custom options that make sense for your budget.

That personal touch that you can find at a family-owned agency can make a huge difference in the protection that you have for your home, auto, and more. Getting the best coverage at the fairest price point is easy when you have professional support.

One Size Fits All Customer Care

The best reasons to consider having your insurance needs fulfilled at the trusted family-owned agency is the customer care and the savings. You are an individual that needs individualized attention when it comes to something as important as insurance. Many of your neighbors are already making the choice to forgo the one sized fits all approach to automated customer service and choosing a real live agent instead.

Home insurance, personal insurance, car insurance Tigard neighbors have come to depend on is available at your local family-owned agency and it all comes complete with personalized client care services.

Most of us take our cars for granted — until we can no longer drive them. If you rely on your vehicle for commuting to work, traveling to new destinations, or simply running errands around town, you probably value the sense of independence and protection your car provides. However, if your car is stolen or is involved in an accident, you may suddenly have those feelings taken away. That’s especially true if you didn’t bother to go through the insurance process for your vehicle.

Obtaining car insurance isn’t merely smart; it’s also required by law. While insurance requirements do vary by state, having some form of insurance is necessary. If you’re caught without insurance coverage, you’ll face some harsh punishments and could leave yourself vulnerable to financial hardship. In today’s post, we’ll talk about why you should never get behind the wheel without attending to your insurance needs first.

What Are the Consequences of Driving Without Insurance?

The penalties for driving without car insurance will depend on where you’re located. However, here are just some of the consequences of being caught without car insurance (even for a first-time offense):

• Tickets and/or fines
• Driver’s license suspension
• Vehicle registration suspension (plus reinstatement fees)
• Impounding of vehicle
• Required proof of insurance form filing
• Possible jail time

Lest you think you might be willing to take the risk for a nominal fee, keep in mind that your state may take this crime very seriously. In some states, the fine alone can be anywhere from $500 to $5,000. That could equal more than you’d pay for car insurance for a five-year span, depending on where you live and what your premiums might be!

Of course, another huge risk of not carrying vehicle insurance is what might happen if you’re involved in an accident. If you’re responsible for the accident, you’ll have to pay for the damages out of your own pocket. While car insurance provides a financial cushion in situations like these, you may be completely out of luck if you have no coverage. Some states even require uninsured motorists to pay a substantial deductible. The other driver involved may also be able to sue you for damages.

Do I Need Insurance For Every Vehicle I Own?

Contrary to popular belief, insurance policies typically follow the automobile — not the driver. That means if you let a friend borrow your car and they’re involved in an accident, it’ll usually be your insurance policy that takes the hit if they’re found responsible. This also means that if you own multiple vehicles, you’ll have insurance needs for each auto.

Your insurance agency may be able to offer coverage for a few vehicles on the same policy (and may even be able to offer a discount on coverage for doing so). But if your family already owns several vehicles or some of those vehicles come with higher insurance risks (like more significant repair costs, for example), it may not be possible or advisable for you to insure them all on one policy.

Those who collect classic cars usually require separate insurance policies for their vehicles. Although the average car owner puts around 13,500 miles on their vehicle every year, classic cars are usually driven far less frequently. Still, you’ll probably have specific insurance needs for any classic cars you own.

Classic cars actually appreciate in value over time. Premiums may be lower for classic cars than for modern vehicles, though the replacement cost will usually be much higher. How you use your classic car may also determine your insurance needs, as some of these vehicles are permitted to be used only for special events. But no matter how you intend to use your classic vehicle, you certainly won’t want to go without insurance. Since the monthly cost of insurance might be even more affordable — and the cost of replacement may be even higher — than you’ll find with a modern car, it makes a lot of sense to work with an agent for classic car insurance Portland drivers trust.

Whether you own just one vehicle or love to collect classic cars as your passion project, you should never go without auto insurance coverage. For more on how we can help with your insurance needs, contact us today.

Your home is the biggest investment you’re ever going to make. Having a home is truly the American Dream, the thing that everyone wants and strives toward. After you get your home, whether you’re able to buy it outright or you’re making mortgage payments, it’s important to protect your property and the things inside it, too. That’s why it’s so essential that you get home insurance. With this, your belongings and your property will have an extra layer of protection that safeguards you against many of the curveballs that life may throw your way.

Why Do You Need Home Insurance?

Home insurance, or homeowners insurance, is something that every homeowner should have. A home insurance policy can protect you from theft, storm damage, and other events beyond your control. Home insurance will replace items you lose or damage your home sustains due to violent storms, earthquakes, and other natural disasters. You can also recoup your losses due to theft through a home insurance policy. Damage such as vandalism to your home is often covered as well.

However, there are some things that a home insurance policy will not cover. You need to speak with your insurance agent and go over your policy carefully to find out what is covered and what is not. Flooding is a common catastrophe that is not covered in a home insurance policy. Fire may also not be covered by your policy. Your insurance agent can help you make additions to your policy so that these events and others will be covered by your insurance.

Work With an Insurance Agency

Having an insurance agent to answer questions and explain your policy to you is absolutely invaluable. Work with an insurance agency that will provide you with an agent, someone you can contact with all your questions and concerns as needed. When you have an agent, you have someone you can contact immediately if you need to make an insurance claim or you want to make a change of some kind to your insurance policy.

Having an agent means you always have access to easy answers and quick help for all your insurance needs. You should also speak to your agent about bundle deals that can help you save money ad reduce your monthly payments. If you bundle your home insurance and your car insurance, for example, you may be able to take advantage of reduced rates.

Finding ways to save money on your personal insurance needs is just smart because rates tend to rise over time. For instance, the average auto insurance expense in the U.S. increased by 5.3% in 2016. The average expense rose from $889.09 in 2015 to $935.80 in 2016, according to tot the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.

Talk to your agent about classic car insurance, motorcycle insurance, and any other types of insurance you need. Chances are, your agent can help work out a great deal for you to give you all the coverage you want at a price that’s truly affordable.

Whatever you do, don’t neglect the home insurance you need to have. You never know when a tree will get knocked down by the wind when a thief will break in through a window when a neighborhood kid will pull a stupid prank that causes thousands of dollars of damage to your home. You never know when you’re going to need home insurance and maybe you never will, but it’s always a good idea to have it just in case.

The insurance process doesn’t always have to be painful — though it is easy for anyone to get overwhelmed. If you own any classic cars or collector vehicles, it can be even more troublesome to get the right insurance policy. An insurance center can help you get any type of coverage you may need. Get your insurance needs covered to make the entire insurance process much easier.

Make It Easier With an Insurance Center

Do you need insurance for antique cars or need home insurance for your new house? Whatever you need, you can use an insurance center to get all the coverage you need for every vehicle or piece of property you may have. Don’t get a regular auto insurance policy for collector vehicles and other types of classic cars or antique cars. Antique cars and classic cars aren’t driven on a day-to-day basis which means there’s no need for you to get regular car insurance for these vehicles. An insurance center can actually help you get the right policy and answer any questions you may have.

There are lots of different types of insurance out there, particularly when it comes to unique vehicles and classic vehicles. Approximately 6 million cars are sold in the U.S. every single year, and not all of those cars are meant to be driven as an everyday thing. How often you play to drive a vehicle and how much the vehicle is worth factor heavily into the overall cost of your insurance.

An insurance center can help you with other types of specialty vehicles as well. For example, they can help you get the right motorcycle insurance or RV insurance. Take the pain out of the insurance process and start making it much easier on yourself. Go through an insurance center, and go get all the insurance you need — without paying for a whole lot more than what you need.

Taking Care of Your Insurance Needs

You may not even really know what your insurance needs are. Don’t worry. That’s not what you have to figure out. All you have to figure out is the right insurance center to call to talk about what you have. Tell them what you own that needs to be covered, how often you’re going to use it, and what it’s worth. A good insurance agency will help you figure out what you need to be covered, how much coverage you need, and even help you find deals to make it easier. They can provide you with various bundle options that make it much more affordable to get all the different types of insurance you may need, from classic car insurance to home insurance to anything else that may be required.

Owning something expensive and not insuring it simply isn’t an option. You need to have all of your assets protected and you need the right kind of coverage for all of your vehicles. Make the insurance process easier and call an insurance center that can help you find an agent, a company, and all the policies you need to protect all of your assets the right way.

If you need to file an insurance claim you need to know that it is a process. How the insurance process plays out largely depends on where you got your insurance from. For example, if you choose an online venue for your home insurance or classic car insurance, you may have a lengthy process in front of you. If you choose the best car insurance Beaverton has to offer through a trusted agent, the process can be painless.

An insurance center that offers focused personalized service for all your insurance needs will also deliver the focused personalized care that you need during the claims process. Online insurance options, just do not deliver the personalized support you need.

The First Steps In the Insurance Process for Claims

If you are filing a claim for a car accident, like a fender bender, or car theft, or a personal injury claim like whiplash, these are the most common claims. A common claim should be handled quickly, but that is not always the case.

Making sure that your claim is handled efficiently starts with doing your part. If you are filing a claim for your vehicle, make sure you have a police report. Even in the case of a fender bender, it may be necessary to report it to your local police department. Insurance carriers like documentation. A police report is a good form of documentation.

Immediately following the incident, contact your insurance company. You should have an insurance ID card that typically has a toll free number to call to report any incidents. Call as soon as you can to get the claim started.

If you have gotten your insurance from an insurance agency, you can contact your agent, who will help you through the process. An agent knows how to get your claim processed quickly.

The Adjuster

Once you have opened up the insurance claim, the next step in the insurance process will be a bit of a waiting game. An adjuster from the insurance company will contact you. You may have to meet with the adjuster, or you may have to supply pictures and documentation (police report) about the incident.

The adjuster will make decisions about your claim. If you do not agree with the adjuster’s decisions, you do have the right to appeal the decision. Having a savvy insurance agent on your side can help with the appeal.

The Check

If all goes well with the insurance process you should have a check-in your hand within 30 days. Most of the time you can expect to get the check sooner. One of the best ways to ensure that your property is protected, and the insurance process when you have to file a claim is simplified is to get your insurance from a trusted insurance agent, instead of a faceless online portal.