Along with flowers and warmer weather, spring can bring something that’s not so pleasant-the threat of severe weather.
Severe weather devastated Mississippi a few weeks ago and a lot of people were hit hard. I wanted to make sure that you and your family were aware of some important preventative tips to keep in mind if severe storms come your way this season.
- It’s best to always keep a battery-powered radio in your home so that you can tune to radio stations if you lose electricity. Don’t forget to check or change the batteries every so often.
- Keep a flashlight in an easily accessible spot on every floor of your home. Check the batteries monthly, and replace them as needed.
- Keep a supply of candles on hand if the power goes out.
- As a safety precaution before leaving the house on vacation, unplug all electrical appliances except for lights connected to automatic timers.
- If you live in a storm-prone area, nail down roof shingles or use adequate adhesive to keep them from blowing off in a violent wind. For roofs with shingles that are not the seal-down type, applying a little dab of roofing cement under each tab will do the trick.
- A lightning-protection system should offer an easy, direct path for the bolt to follow into the ground and thus prevent injury or damage. Grounding rods (at least two for a house) should be placed at opposite corners of the house.
- Don’t go out during a hurricane unless you have to. If there’s the possibility of flooding, get to higher ground.
- When a major storm is on its way, close shutters, board windows, or tape the inside of larger panes with an “X” along the full length of their diagonals. Even a light material like masking tape may give the glass enough extra strength it needs to resist cracking.
For some more guidelines and general information about severe storms, The United States Department of Labor has some helpful hints and guides on how to protect yourself and your household.
On top of the safety of the household, the safety of your house and your household goods are important too. In case anything in your house is damaged, it’s important to make sure that you’ve taken steps to help keep those items safe.
The best thing you can do is keep an inventory of your most important items. There are several ways you can keep an inventory of your household goods, including things like pictures, videos, receipts, and serial numbers.
To ensure that your records aren’t lost or damaged, it’d be best to keep them in a safe place, like a safe, a safety deposit box, or something that could easily withstand a storm or a fire. Another good idea would be to upload your information online.
If you would like a Home Inventory Kit, which has all the tools you need to keep a record of everything you own, call our office at Phone (305) 541-0801 or send me an email.
There’s plenty boaters can do to protect themselves and others this season.
With Memorial Day Weekend approaching and National Safe Boating Week (May 16-22) already upon us, it’s time to start thinking about getting your boats and personal water craft out of dry docks. As temperatures rise, more people begin flocking to the water to get a head start on summer fun. But as boats and watercraft of all shapes, sizes and speeds take to waterways around the country, the increased boating traffic can be especially hazardous for those not keeping safety in mind.
With the start of this year’s boating season, there are plenty of simple things boaters can do to protect themselves, their passengers and their property. From following basic safety measures to re-evaluating their insurance coverage, boaters can enjoy a memorable and fun season while making it safe for everyone.
Boating safety starts with one of the easiest measures – simply wearing a life jacket, a practice Allstate has endorsed for years. In fact, earlier this year, the company was selected as a National Water Safety Congress Regional Award winner for Allstate Safety Weekends and life jacket giveaways at boating events.
Although the law requires boaters to carry Coast Guard approved life jackets on board their vessels, 90 percent of all boaters who drowned in 2006 were not wearing life jackets.
Allstate recommends all captains take the Allstate Safe Boaters Pledge this year. In addition to making the wearing of life jackets a rule, the pledge – approved by the U.S. Coast Guard and the National Safe Boating Council – recommends the following steps:
- Take a boating education course
- Don’t mix drinking and boating
- Know the weather and water conditions
- File a boat plan, and give the information to a friend or relative who can call for help if your don’t return as scheduled
- Observe the nautical rules-of-the-road, including speed limits
- Get a courtesy vessel safety check
- Report emergencies via channel 16 on a marine VHF-FM radio
- Don’t discharge oil, trash or sewage in to the water
- Properly insure your boat and make sure it has sufficient coverage
For more information on boating safety, or boating other safety topics, give Melissa Jimenez Allstate a call at 305-541-0801.
Everyone loves a discount, which is why we’ve created all kinds of discounts and bonuses to help save you money on auto insurance. The summary below is a basic rundown of what we offer. Depending on the kind of car you drive, the state you live in, and the kind of policy you carry, you could be eligible for one or more of these benefits. (Just make sure you read the disclaimer at the bottom of this page for all of the necessary details and restrictions.)
Discounts For Safe Drivers*
Premier Discount
If you’ve been safe on the road and accident-free for the past three years, and you’re also clear of any moving violations, you might qualify for our auto insurance Premier Discount. (To be eligible, you and all additional drivers also need to have carried continuous, standard automobile Liability insurance during those same three years.) If you’re a new driver and received your license within the past three years, you, too, could be eligible. Just make sure you meet the above qualifications from the date your license was issued.
Premier Plus Discount
Our best auto insurance discount yet, the Premier Plus could be yours if you’re a safe driver with no moving violations, who’s been accident-free for the past five years. To qualify, you and all additional drivers also need to have carried continuous, standard automobile Liability insurance during the past three years. New drivers are also eligible: if you received your license within the past three years, and you meet the above qualifications from the date your license was issued, you too could qualify.
Defensive Driver Discount
If you’re 55 or older, and you’re the principal driver of your insured car, you could save on your premiums by taking an approved defensive-driving class. (Not available in every state. Check with your Allstate agent for details, as age and class requirements can vary from state to state.)
Discounts For Safe Cars*
Passive Restraint Systems
If your car came equipped with airbags, or factory-installed motorized seatbelts, you could receive a Passive Restraint Discount on your auto insurance.
Anti-Lock Brakes
Alternately, if your car has factory-installed ABS (all-wheel, anti-lock braking system), this discount can bring your premiums down.
Anti-Theft Devices
This discount applies in certain states, and can save you money if your car came equipped with approved anti-theft devices.
Discounts For Drivers With Multiple Allstate Policies*
Multiple Policy Discount
If you have property insurance with Allstate, you may qualify for Allstate’s Multiple Policy Discount to lower your auto insurance premiums by as much as 10%.
Discounts For Students, Seniors, and More*
Good Student
If you’re 25 or younger, unmarried, and a full-time student who meets our GPA requirements, you could save on your auto insurance premiums with this valuable discount. (In some states, the qualifying age is 21.)
Senior Adult
If you’re 65 or older, and you drive more than a quarter of your car’s total mileage, this discount can reduce the cost of your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. (Check with your Allstate agent, as this discount isn’t available in all states.)
55 and Retired
If you’re 55 or older, and not employed full-time, this discount can help keep your auto insurance costs down.
New Car
Depending on your state and the model-year of your vehicle, that brand new, never-been-titled car you just bought might save you money.
Economy Car
If you already own an economy car, your savings might just keep coming.
Utility Vehicle
If you drive a specific type of pick-up truck, this discount could apply to your auto insurance.
Resident Student
If you carry coverage for a student who’s under 21 and lives at a school that’s more than 100 miles away, you could save valuable cash on your premiums.
At Allstate, we value every customer. We’re also focused on delivering the highest-quality insurance products with the best service available. Which is why our policy holders enjoy reliability, dependability, and personalized coverage that fits their lives plus a host of auto insurance discounts to choose from.
With so many ways to save, you’re bound to find a discount that fits.
Get car insurance quote today (it’s easy!), and find out if switching to Allstate might save you money. You can always contact us at 305-541-0801 to quote over the phone.
Is there a difference in your car insurance premium if you’re married or single?
Getting married sometimes makes a difference in a person’s insurance rates, but not always. It depends on several factors, like what state you live in and how old you are. The best way to find out what the effect will be on your policy is to talk to your agent or get an auto insurance quote online.
If you and your partner have separate car insurance policies now, your agent might also have some helpful tips for making the switch to a joint policy.
If your insurance policy includes coverage for personal property, the ring and your other jewelry will automatically be covered, up to your coverage limit. To know for sure whether that coverage is enough, you’ll need to check your insurance policy or call your agent. You’ll also need to know about how much the ring is worth.
Here’s an example: Say your renters insurance or home insurance includes $5,000 of coverage for jewelry. If your engagement ring needs $4,000 worth of coverage and you have $2,000 worth of other jewelry, you’ll want to adjust your policy. On the other hand, if the ring is your only valuable jewelry, it would be fully covered with $1,000 to spare.
There’s something else to keep in mind: Personal property coverage has different coverage limits for different types of losses. For example, your policy’s coverage limit for theft could be $2,000 for theft of jewelry with a maximum of $1,000 for each item.
You can also add extended coverage on jewelry, watches, and furs.
It’s a good idea to talk to your agent to make sure you completely understand your policy and have the coverage that’s right for you.
Special insurance might be one of the few ways your classic car doesn’t need to be babied. With Allstate, you can include it on your regular auto policy. You may also qualify for a lower rate if you can prove you drive it less than 7,500 miles each year.
If your car is only driven for shows, parades, club activities, and the like, you may be able to cover it by adding what’s called an endorsement to your car insurance policy.
The year, make, and model of your vehicle can affect how it needs to be insured, so talk to your auto insurance agent to know you’re covered the right way.
That equipment you’re carrying may already be protected, depending on your employer’s business insurance coverage-or, if you’re self-employed, by your auto, renters, or home insurance policy.
Most home and renters insurance policies include a certain amount of coverage for home office equipment, and would offer protection even if the equipment leaves your home.
Of course, the more expensive your equipment is, the more likely you are to take great care of it. That should include checking your policy’s coverage limits to be sure your investment is completely protected. It’s always a good idea to talk to your agent when you have questions, to make sure you have a good handle on your coverage and limits.
Pools are a great way to cool off and relax during the summer months. Lots of great childhood and adult memories are made at parties and lazy afternoons every day. But with a pool comes extra safety risk, whether it’s a tiny kiddie pool to a full-sized Olympic facility.
The pool at your property should be installed correctly and meet or exceed all the local safety standards and building codes in your city. In addition to making sure it’s as safe as it can be, you also want to make sure you’re carrying the right kind and right amount of insurance.
While there may not be a special “pool insurance” coverage that you can get for your homeowner’s insurance, having a pool may affect how much liability coverage you have on your policy. In some instances, there may even be “pool exclusions” in a policy. Since adding a pool can increase the risk of injury on your property, there may be a greater chance that you might have to pay someone’s medical expenses or that someone may sue you for damages.
Therefore, you should consider checking and/or increasing your liability coverage above and beyond the minimum levels if you’re a pool owner.
In addition, you might want to look into an Umbrella Insurance Policy if they’re available in your state. An umbrella policy typically provides you with a large amount of additional coverage beyond what you have on your other insurance policies.
For instance, a few hundred dollars a year may allow you to get up to $1 million in additional liability protection beyond your existing auto and/or property insurance coverages. If it’s available in your state, this can really help to better protect you financially from broader liability risks whether you’re on the road or in your home.
I’ve often heard other insurance professionals say, “People buy life insurance because of love.” Life insurance helps you to ensure that the financial needs of your family are met in the event of your death. This gives you peace of mind, since you’ll know your family will be secure in the future.
So, to answer the question, you need a life insurance policy if your loved ones depend on your income or stand to inherit a financial burden in the event of your death.
The money your dependents will receive, “the death benefit,” can help pay essential day-to-day expenses, such as mortgage and medical bills, and help your family reach longer-term goals such as your children’s college education. Plus, life insurance can help ensure that your loved ones are not burdened with debt or forced to sell assets to pay outstanding bills or taxes.
Okay, so you’ve decided you do need life insurance and you’re now asking: “How much life insurance do I need?” This depends on a few factors. Generally, the rule of thumb is 7 times your salary; however, as life changes, your insurance needs might, too. It’s a good idea to reassess your needs annually to make sure you have enough to properly protect your family.
Beyond protection, life insurance can be the cornerstone of your family’s financial security by providing savings and wealth transfer opportunities. In fact, the very first step in selecting life insurance is to decide how you want the insurance to work for your family.
If you have more questions, I can help you determine the amount of protection you may need and the type of insurance that’s right for you.
