Questions to Ask an Insurance Agent

Whether you are purchasing medical, life or car insurance  you will need to speak with an insurance agent to find the policy that best fits  your needs and budget. Amidst the questions your agent will ask you to help  develop a policy there are questions you need to ask the insurance agent to make  sure the agent is the best fit for you. Only after the agent answers your  questions to your satisfaction should you sign up for a policy.

Agent Background

• The first questions to ask your insurance agent should be about his  background in the industry. Ask where he received his training and how long he  has been working in the field. Next, ask your insurance agent how many companies  he represents. For example, a life insurance agent may represent multiple  companies, meaning you have more options to choose from, while others, known as  captive agents, may work for only one company, meaning that is the only coverage  you will have available to you. Ask your insurance agent how may clients he has,  both businesses and individuals. You may want an agent with several clients,  which can mean he has a great amount of experience, or you may want an agent  with a smaller client base that can give you more  attention.

Policies

• Ask your insurance agent to present you both ends of the policy spectrum for  your insurance options–the cheapest price insurance for the lowest coverage and  the highest price insurance for the maximum coverage. Knowing both ends will  give you a starting point from which to work. Ask your agent to outline the  differences in coverage level and if possible, the itemized features. This  listing can help you find a policy that works for you. For automobile insurance  ask what the minimum required coverage is for your state, and for life insurance  ask about the coverage needed to ensure your funeral is paid for at no cost to  your survivors.

  Future Coverage

  • Do not just settle with knowing about the policy as it pertains to you for  the present time. Ask your insurance agent about how the policy could change in  the future. For example, your auto insurance  may decrease due to a safe driver discount every few years, or you may find that  you have added coverage the longer you stay with a chosen company. Ask your  agent if you have the option to reassess and change your coverage if you find  you need more or less coverage in the future.

    Losing Coverage

    • Ask your insurance agent about any possibility that can result in a loss of  coverage. Inquire as to how late payments will affect coverage and if you can  reinstate coverage if your payments lapse. For health insurance ask under what  conditions the insurance company can drop coverage. For example, your insurance  may drop coverage if you develop a specific condition. Also ask about events  that will cause an increase in your deductible and  rates.

     

   

 

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Home Insurance – For Homeowners and Rental Properties Alike

First time home buyers or seasoned home owners all usually think of their home and property as an asset and an investment. Not only does it contain the treasures gathered in a lifetime, it also represents the real market value in case you ever wish to sell. If you do not have home insurance, then you are placing yourself and your heirs at risk of losing those assets you have worked so hard to build. If you are the victim of theft or disaster and cannot recoup from those losses, then you may be forced to sell your property or be unable to make repairs.

Home insurance offers the homeowners the chance to make a monthly payment, or premium, and this goes towards a certain and pre-determined amount of financial remuneration in the event of disaster or damage. Imagine if you have no insurance and your house catches fire and burns to the ground. Not only is this an unpredictable event in which you are forced to flee and leave behind valuables, now you are looking at having to replace your treasured items and perhaps tear down what is left of your home and then rebuild. Not many can afford do this out of their pocket.

This is where home insurance comes in. You can purchase insurance specifically in case of fire, theft, hail, wind, flood, or other catastrophic or unexpected events, and if you are up to date on your payments and the situation applies to your insurance agreement, the company will provide you with the money that you are insured for. This allows you to rebuild your home. While it cannot replace sentimental items, it can let you purchase necessities for living and help you while you put the pieces of your life back together again. Insurance can be a great help for many people.

Even if you do not own a home and do not need that kind of insurance, you can still get renter’s insurance, which is another type of home insurance. This will protect your personal items while you are renting a property. For example, if someone breaks into your rental home and steals all of your electronics and money, renter’s insurance can help protect against the financial straits you would be in to renew your belongings. Again, every policy in every company may differ, so always read the information carefully, and never sign a contract until you are fully satisfied with the terms.

Atlantic Agency Insurance & Taxes! Greetings! We just wanted to wish you and your family a Happy St. Patrick’s Day    May you have the LUCK of the IRISH! Fun Facts about St. Patrick’s Day! St Patrick’s Day is observed on March 17th because that is the feast day of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. It is believed that he died on March 17 in the year 461 AD. It is also a worldwide celebration of Irish culture and history. The actual color of St. Patrick is blue. Green became associated with St. Patrick’s Day during the 19th century. Green, in Irish legends, was worn by fairies and immortals and also by people to encourage the crops to grow. The very first St. Patrick’s Day parade was not in Ireland, it was in Boston in 1737. Nine of the people who signed the Declaration of Independence were of Irish origin and nineteen Presidents of the United States proudly claim Irish heritage — including our first President, George Washington. The harp is the symbol of Ireland. HAVE A GREAT ST. PATRICK’S DAY!!!

Save  $25.00 In honor of St. Patrick’s Day Jeff has proclaimed four days of “DOUBLE” your “SAVINGS DAYS!!” What this means is, if you come in to have your taxes prepared between March 13th and March 18th we will give you a Discount OFF Our Tax Preparation Services*! That’s right if you come in and have your Taxes prepared between March 13th to March 18th we will give you a discount of $50.00!! No Appointment Necessary!   Offer Expires: March 18, 2013 at 6:00pm *$50.00 is Off Our Tax Preparation Fees Only, Bank and Other Fees not included.