What is a class 1 roof?

Posted on March 30, 2012 by AgentInsure

A Class 1 roof designation requires approval from either Factory Mutual Research (FMR) or Underwriters Laboratory (UL). The roof design is tested, and then if it gains approval, must be installed exactly as tested.

Inspection is detailed and exacting. No building material substitutions or assembly technique can vary from the prescribed protocol, not even the thickness or dimensions. Insurance rates and coverage are affected, and building codes may be violated by breaking with installation guidance.

Each substituted component or technique must be approved by UL or FMR.

Confusion occurs when roofs are discussed as A, B, or C and then 1. Class 1 is a more rigorous standard. Class 1 roofs can substitute for A,B, or C; but not all A, B, or C are rated as Class 1.

A, B, and C designations explain the severity of external fire exposure the roof can withstand: A being severe, B moderate, and C light. Class 1 roofs are tested for:

Fire
Wind uplift
Hail
Water leakage
Foot traffic
Corrosion resistance

UL tests wind uplift by exposing roofing assemblies to a two hour sixty plus mile per hour wind. Any lifting, even a single shingle, fails the assembly.

The hail belt through the Midwest has experienced devastating hail storms causing more monetary damage than hurricanes along the east coast. Companies now offer discounts for impact resistant roofing materials in these areas prone to large hail.

Water leakage is generally a function of how the roof layers are attached, and how the roof assembly fixes to the structure. For this reason, assembly protocol is important.

Foot traffic is another impact related hazard: slates break, shingles scuff up and lift, metal bends.

Metal roofs, screws, and nails need to be corrosion resistant to maintain integrity.

UL and FMR design, implement, and monitor test protocols to assure quality standards in roofs. When Building Codes require Class 1 roofing, serious protection and service are expected. This designation is not easily earned.

How to Save on Home Insurance

Posted on March 29, 2012 by AgentInsure

If you own a home, chances are you have homeowner’s insurance to protect the investment you’ve made in your property. Although home insurance is an important way to guard against major repair and replacement expenses, most homeowners wouldn’t mind a lower rate for their insurance premiums. Fortunately, there are ways for your to save on home insurance without sacrificing your coverage.

Do More to Protect Your Property

One of the most common discounts that insurers shell out to homeowners involves the additional safety measures taken to avoid insurance claims. For example, insurers may ask you if you have a monitored alarm system, which can equate to as much as a 20 percent discount in premiums. Other safety discounts may be available for a fence around your pool or extra fire alarms and extinguishers.

Raise Your Deductible

Your deductible is the amount of money you must pay out of your pocket before your insurance company will pay a penny for your claims. The higher your deductible is, the lower your premium will be. Depending on your policy and the amount of coverage you have, raising your deductible from $500 to one percent of your home’s property value could equate to hundreds of dollars per year in savings.

Purchase Multiple Policies

Unless you live in a pedestrian-friendly community, chances are that if you own a home, you also have a car to insure. Insurance companies like it when their customers purchase multiple insurance policies from them and are willing to dole out discounts for having both your home and auto insurance policies secured by the same provider. If you do not need auto insurance, ask your home insurer if multiple policy discounts are available for purchasing other types of insurance, such as life insurance or coverage for a recreational vehicle.

Compare Home Insurance Rates

Ultimately, the amount of money you pay for home insurance is directly correlated to the company you choose to be your provider. Every insurance company has a different formula for determining how much to charge each customer in premiums, and the company that is most affordable for a friend or family member may not necessarily offer the best rate to you. Be sure to shop around and compare home insurance rates from a private insurance broker who offers quotes for multiple companies. You’ll save time getting quotes from each company individually and you won’t feel pressured to purchase from any particlur one.

What is an Insurance Deductible?

Posted on March 27, 2012 by AgentInsure

An insurance deductible is the sum of cash you must pay out of your own pocket for an insurance claim prior to the insurance company starting to pay on the claim. It’s typically stated in the policy as a fixed dollar amount, rather than a percentage. As a general rule, insurance deductibles and insurance premiums are inversely related. That is, the higher the insurance deductible, the lower the insurance premium. And of course, vice versa.

For example, a typical automobile insurance policy may have a deductible of $500. What this means if the insured has an automobile accident, you have to pay for the cost of repairs up to $500. Therefore, if the total car repair costs are $1,200, you will have to pay $500 (your deductible) and your insurance company will pay $700. Once you have paid the $500, you are said to have met the deductible.

Deductibles are usually defined per incident or per year. They can also vary depending on the origin of the claim. For instance, the same insurance policy may have varying deductibles when the loss arises from fire, theft, or natural disaster.

Based upon the insurance company and policy, an insurance deductible can be raised or lowered depending on how risk the insured is willing to assume. Insurance deductibles typically work the same whether the policy is for the home, car, or medical.

A policy with an exceptionally low premium will typically have an exceptional high insurance deductible. The key is finding the right balance for you when buying an insurance policy. A too high deductible can lead you into a financial bind should you find you need a claim. Additionally, a too high of a deductible on a car that has limited value may not make the most financial sense. On the other hand, a too low deductible can result in you overpaying in premiums.

It is a good idea to always have savings set aside in the amount of at least the size of your deductible, should you have to make a claim in the future.

How Long Does a Ticket Stay on My Driving Record?

Posted on March 25, 2012 by AgentInsure

A traffic violation will undoubtedly negatively affect your driving record, but it doesn’t mean that you will be blacklisted by insurance companies for your entire life just for a speeding ticket you received when you were sixteen. In general, the length of time that a traffic violation stays on your record will depend mostly on the severity of the violation. Tickets for moving violations, such as speeding tickets and illegal U-turns, as well as minor car accidents will usually stay on your driving record for three to five years from the date of the violation. Major violations, including reckless driving, drunk driving, hit and run offenses, and driving with a suspended license, will stay on your record for seven years or more depending on the nature of the offense. Some state laws require drug and alcohol offenses to permanently remain on your record.

Some states may allow you to clear your record of minor offenses if you take the necessary steps to rectify the situation. For example, if you were cited for speeding, you can usually pay the fine and attend an approved driving school to have the violation removed from your record sooner than the three to five years it would normally stay on your record. Doing so would indicate that you have taken the appropriate measures to improve your driving skills, and are actively working toward becoming a more responsible driver.

The amount of time that a violation stays on your record will affect you the most when you purchase or renew your auto insurance, since your personal driving history will play a significant role in how your insurance agent will calculate your rate. Your insurance company will always consult your driver’s record before providing you with a quote; however, not all companies will order copies for the same period of time. For example, some auto insurance companies will only review your record from the past three years, while others may review your record from the past seven years or longer. Regardless, it is usually more effective to take the necessary steps to eliminate driving violations to keep your record clean and your insurance rates low.

Why pay more for auto insurance?

Posted on March 22, 2012 by AgentInsure

You know it’s illegal to drive without auto insurance in your state. You know, too, that if you’re caught doing so you could face hefty fines and the possible suspension of your driver’s license. But you worry, too, about the cost of obtaining and maintaining auto insurance. You don’t want to spend a fortune to insure your car.

Fortunately, you don’t have to. You simply have to be a savvy shopper.

The best way to pay the lowest rates for auto insurance is to compare live quotes from the top insurance agencies in the country. By doing this way, you’ll greatly increase your odds of nabbing the best insurance policy at the lowest cost.

There was a time when insurance shopping was a chore, an all-day event. You’d have to call individual insurance agencies, tell them your age, your address and how many miles a week you drive. You’d have to give them the highlights, or lowlights, of your driving record. By the time you’d accumulated enough live quotes to make a fair comparison, the entire day had slipped away.

That’s no longer the case. You can credit the Internet for this. Today, you can simply log onto an insurance-comparison Web site to instantly access live insurance quotes from auto insurance companies across the country. Today, you can enter your important driving information once to receive these quotes. What once took an entire day will now take minutes.

Of course, when shopping for auto insurance, price should be just one factor that you consider. Remember, an auto insurance policy that costs less is likely to come with a higher deductible. This means that you’ll have to pay more if you get into a serious accident. A cheaper policy, too, will often provide less financial protection should your car be damaged beyond repair during an accident.

Still, shopping for insurance remains the best way to avoid paying too much for auto insurance. If you need to change or upgrade your insurance policy, start shopping today. You might be surprised at how much money you can save just by shopping around.

What is the most reputable insurance company?

Posted on March 20, 2012 by AgentInsure

You need life insurance to provide financial protection to your family in case you should unexpectedly pass away. You need auto insurance to drive legally in your state. And without homeowners insurance, you could face serious financial losses if a fire, tornado or other catastrophic event destroys your home. But when buying these insurance policies, you want to make sure that you’re working with a reliable, trustworthy insurer.

So which insurance agency, then, is the most reputable?

Not surprisingly, the answer to that question is complicated. Simply put, there’s no way to determine which of the many insurance agencies across the country is the most reputable. Many insurers provide top service, excellent coverage and responsive agents. The key is to find the reputable insurance agency that is the best fit for you and your family.

Some agencies, for instance, are known for their customer service. It’s easy to contact your particular agent, and it’s simple to get a company representative on the phone. Others may offer many offices in your community, so it’s easy to stop in and ask questions in person. Still others might do most of their business online, and may have few, if any, brick-and-mortar locations in your neighborhood.

Many insurance providers are known for their low prices. Others advertise themselves as providing the most policy options. Still others will advertise their experience, especially if they’ve worked in the insurance business for decades.

Your challenge is to look at all that the many insurance agencies offer. You then must decide what factors are most important to you. Are you looking for the lowest possible price? Maybe you want an agency that has a large footprint in your community. Maybe experience or a portfolio filled with a wide variety of insurance policy options is most important to you.

The good news is that searching for a reputable insurance agency is a simple task today. Simply log onto an insurance-comparison Web site and you’ll be able to compare quotes and policy types instantly.

Can I get Insurance for a Car not Titled to Me

Posted on March 18, 2012 by AgentInsure

There is no easy answer to the question of whether you can get insurance for a car that does not have your name on the title. It really depends on the insurance company and the rules they go by. We all know people that have insurance on a vehicle that is not in their name – but we may not know exactly how they got it.

One way to be sure you can insure a vehicle that is not in your name is to name the person on the title on your insurance policy also. When you give the information to the insurance agency – you can name yourself as the driver. Most of the time this is sufficient to take care of any problems. Of course, you may also want to talk with an independent agent who can compare quotes from several different top providers and find the one that will give you the best rate.

You will want to make sure you have adequate legal coverage on the car before you begin driving. If it is an older car you will probably only need liability insurance and if you owe money on the car you should probably purchase full coverage. No matter whose name is on the title, if the vehicle is involved in an accident, someone will be responsible for the damages to the other car and any injuries to the driver or the passenger. Make sure you can afford a great insurance policy by comparing quotes online.

The best way to answer the question about whether you can purchase insurance for a vehicle that is not titled to you is to speak with an independent agent. This insurance professional can check with several reputable providers to find out what their requirements are and how much a policy will cost. It is always a good idea to compare quotes to make sure you are not paying too much for car insurance.

When Should I Add My Child to My Insurance Policy?

Posted on March 14, 2012 by AgentInsure

Adding a teenager to your auto insurance policy can often result in comparably higher insurance rates than adding on a driver over the age of 18, which is why you will want to take proper precautions when determining the right time to add your child to your own policy. When your child is just beginning to drive with his or her learner’s permit, he or she will be legally required to have some kind of insurance coverage. In the early stages of your child’s driving, it is usually recommended that you cover the child under your own policy to make matters easier.

Once your child gets his or her license or his or her own car, it is usually best to switch them from your own policy to a separate plan. An insurance company will usually take other factors into consideration when determining an appropriately priced premium for your child’s insurance policy. These factors will include things like your own driving history and your child’s grades in school. If your child gets into an accident or gets a ticket, your rates will be affected unless the child is on a separate plan.

In many cases, having your child on his or her own separate plan can help teach them responsibility and independence. If your child has a job or some form of self-generated income, he or she can start paying for their own insurance policy to truly earn their independence and their right to drive. Although getting a separate policy for your child may be the best option after he or she has gotten a license and their own vehicle, it is still best to receive quotes from multiple insurance agents to find the best value for your family. Talk to insurance agents in your area about whether or not your child should have his or her own insurance policy given your unique circumstances. Talking this over with several knowledgeable and professional insurance agents will help you make the most financially reasonable decision.

Will My Insurance Rates Go Down If I Get Married?

Posted on March 12, 2012 by AgentInsure

Based on several studies supporting the presumption, married couples are generally granted lower auto insurance rates due to the fact that they are typically more responsible, less likely to drive recklessly, and less likely to encounter auto accidents and traffic violations. However, the benefit of lower insurance rates will only apply to the extent that both parties in the couple have fairly good driving records. Personal driving history will usually have the biggest impact on insurance rates, which means that getting married likely won’t reduce your insurance rates dramatically if your driving history is filled with accidents and multiple filed claims.

Although you shouldn’t expect a huge drop, your insurance rates will noticeably decrease with any positive lifestyle event that may testify to your maturity. For example, you should always notify your insurance agent when any big milestone occurs, such as graduating college or having a baby. These milestones indicate that you are much less likely to file an insurance claim, which will be rewarded by your insurance company in the form of lower premiums. Alternatively, if your fiance or spouse has a poor driving record, this could negatively affect you both in terms of your auto insurance rates. Both of your rates could further be affected if one partner continues to get tickets or get into auto accidents. For this reason, it’s important that both parties encourage one another to drive responsibly to avoid insurance hikes.

As a newly married couple, you can also receive insurance discounts by placing both of your vehicles under one policy. This would qualify you for a multi-car discount, which would result in lower rates overall. If you and your spouse have different auto insurance companies, it is always more financially beneficial to combine your auto insurance policies under one company. Another good tip is to combine all of your other insurance policies, such as homeowner’s insurance and commercial insurance, to enjoy savings on these policies as well.

Should I have Full Coverage on my Older Vehicle

Posted on March 8, 2012 by AgentInsure

Choosing the best type of car insurance for your vehicle will take a little bit of time and effort. There are many things you need to take into consideration before choosing a policy. Many people wonder if it is worth it to carry full coverage on an older vehicle. Before you say no – think about these options.

If you borrowed money from a bank or other lender to purchase the older car – you will probably be required to carry full coverage. Depending on the value of your vehicle, the lender will want to make sure they will get their money back if you are involved in an accident before your loan is paid off. Although, if you bought your car with cash, you will be able to save a significant amount of money if you only purchase liability insurance.

A second consideration is the value of the older car. Some sports cars or luxury vehicles retain their value even after they are several years old. When thinking about full coverage – you will need to realize that the insurance company will only compensate you for the value of your vehicle. If the car is still worth a lot of money – you can expect to get some money back if your car is totaled in an accident. Although, if you car has seen better days, you probably will not get any money from the insurance company, even if you have full coverage.

Finally, if you own an antique or specialty vehicle – you may want to carry full coverage. Whether you only take the car out on special occasions or to car shows – there is no guarantee you will not get into an accident. It is better to be safe than sorry. If you are still confused about whether you need full coverage for an older vehicle, speak with an independent agent who can help you decide how much coverage you need.

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