Don’t Get Washed Away – Buy Flood Insurance Now

Did you know that even though you don’t live along a river or near the coast, you could still be at risk for a flash flood?

In fact, about 25 percent of all flood insurance claims come from areas that are not considered high risk, according to Floodsmart.gov, the official site of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

With this statistic in mind, you should consider adding flood insurance to your homeowner’s policy, since a standard policy does not include this important coverage.

The average waiting period for a flood insurance policy to go into effect is 30 days, so consider adding this coverage before spring downpours create hazardous conditions around your home.

When deciding the type of flood insurance coverage to purchase, the NFIP suggests you purchase Personal Property Flood Insurance in addition to Building Property Flood Insurance to ensure the items within your home are also covered.

In the unfortunate event that you need to file a claim, your flood insurance policy would cover the Actual Cash Value (ACV), otherwise known as the replacement value, of the damaged items or building, rather than providing you with the total value of the policy.

It is important to note that flood insurance will not pay more than the policy limit in the event of a loss, and does not cover damage done from sewer or drain backup and sump pump overflows.

The rate for flood insurance coverage varies according to your location. The country is divided into flood zone risk areas with the government’s Flood Hazard Boundary Map. When the boundary map is collaborated with the government’s Flood Insurance Rate Map, an appropriate premium is set for different areas.

Hunter Insurance encourages everyone to purchase this important coverage to avoid expensive losses. If you would like more information about protecting your home from flooding, please contact us at 401-769-9500.

Insuring Your New Car

When cost-conscious consumers shop for new vehicles, they mostly concentrate on price and fuel economy. However, the cost of owning a vehicle goes beyond just these two factors. Aside from maintenance costs, consumers should focus on how much it will cost to insure the automobile.

Consumers should also not assume that the lower-cost cars are necessarily cheaper to insure than luxury brands. Insurance companies take a number of factors into consideration, including to what extent an automobile is likely to be damaged in a crash, how likely drivers and passengers are to be injured in crashes, and how often the vehicle is stolen.

It may pay to check how much it will cost to insure a car before purchasing it.

NOTE: According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau’s annual “Hot Wheels” list of the most frequently stolen cars in the United States, the 1994 Honda Accord was the most stolen car during the 2011 calendar year.

Why You May Need Umbrella Insurance

When it rains, it pours, the old saying goes. It’s something that’s especially true for major accidents. Sometimes, standard homeowners insurance may not be enough to protect you against seven-figure claims arising from a catastrophic incident on your property.

That’s when umbrella insurance kicks in.

Normally sold in increments of $1 million or more, umbrella insurance will protect you when basic homeowners insurance policies have been exhausted.

Umbrella insurance also has the added advantage of “dropping down” to cover any gaps in your existing policies.

While this may sound like insurance for millionaires, it’s actually very affordable. A $1 million policy for an average family will generally run between $200 and $250 in annual premiums.

So who needs umbrella insurance? Well, just about everybody who owns their home, but especially anyone who meets at least one of the following criteria:

• Own rental properties or multiple homes 
• Have children or responsible for the children of others (such as babysitting) 
• Involved in homeowners associations, civic activities, or a board of directors 
• Own a pool, hot tub, or swing set 
• Shared ownership or access to docks, lakes, or vacant land 
• Use or allow your children to use social media sites like Facebook and Twitter 
• Own animals or care for others’ animals 
• Have retirement accounts, investments, or other assets worth protecting 

If any of the above apply to you, consider buying umbrella insurance. Call Hunter Insurance toll free at 1-800-696-4678 or e-mail us at info@hunterinsurance.net

Avoid at Your Peril

When reviewing your homeowners policy’s exclusions, buy supplemental coverage to cover the risks that pose loss concerns. For example, flood insurance is never included in the standard homeowners policy, but coverage is available from the National Flood Insurance Program.

Without a special rider, sewage backup is also usually excluded from homeowners policies; however, it should not be overlooked. For a relatively inexpensive amount, homeowners can avail themselves of enough coverage to fill one of the most common gaps that homeowners face during storm season.

It is often the case that, as local sump pumps empty water from flooded basements into the overtaxed sewer system, sewage can back up into homes even with no previous damage.

For more information on purchasing flood insurance, contact Hunter Insurance at 401-769-9500.

NOTE: A “named perils” homeowners policy is more narrowly defined and not necessarily less expensive than a broader “all risks” policy.

Save up to 15% on your car insurance

If you’re not combining your auto insurance with your home insurance, you could be missing out on hundreds of dollars worth of savings.

Estimates on savings run from 10% to 15% off your premium, which means more money in your pocket. For example, Providence Mutual Insurance Co. offers 15% savings off your auto insurance premium and 10% off your homeowners insurance premium when you bundle your home and auto with them. For the average Rhode Islander, this is a minimum of $200 off just your automobile insurance premium. Think of the additional money when you save 10% off your home insurance premium.

Why choose Hunter Insurance for your auto insurance? 

• One company means one monthly payment, offering convenience when paying bills.

• The perfect fit can easily be found for your specific needs, because we choose from over 25 insurance options.

• You already know Hunter Insurance has provided you with the best coverage and service for your home, why not switch your car insurance to a company that already knows you too? 

Stop wasting time and money, switch to Hunter Insurance for your car insurance needs. Call (401) 769-9500 to speak to an agent.

Healthy Changes

The health care law, which was recently upheld by the Supreme Court, is bringing changes that many may welcome. Beginning in 2014, the law will prohibit insurers from denying applicants coverage (or charging them more) on the basis of pre-existing conditions.

In addition, tax credits will be available to married couples with modified adjusted gross income of up to $60,520 and individuals with modified AGI of up to $44,680 that will help defray the cost of premiums. (These are 2012 dollar amounts, which will be adjusted for inflation in 2014.)

Also, a new “age rating” rule will reduce the difference between policy premiums sold to older applicants and younger people, which could serve to reduce costs for older individuals.

For more information about the changes in the new health care law, contact Hunter Insurance at 401-769-9502.

 NOTE: The number of insured people between the ages of 50 and 64 has risen 71 percent between 2000 and 2010 to 8.9 million.

Lisa Glasberg Joins Hunter Insurance as Account Executive

NEWS RELEASE

LINCOLN, RI – January 2, 2012 Hunter Insurance has announced that Lisa Glasberg has joined their agency as an account executive for their commercial lines division. With over 26 years of experience in the industry, Lisa is knowledgeable in all facets of business insurance.

“We believe Lisa will be a tremendous addition to our staff,” said Brian Hunter, president of Hunter Insurance. “Her career in insurance and sales is extensive, and we look forward to putting her knowledge to work for our commercial lines customers.”

Lisa is a Certified Insurance Service Representative (CISR) and is also an Accredited Customer Service Representative (ACSR). She lives in Glocester, RI with her husband, David, and their three children. Lisa volunteers with many of her children’s sporting activities, as well as with the Rhode Island Special Olympics.

About Hunter Insurance

Located at 389 Old River Road in the Manville section of Lincoln, Hunter Insurance has provided a full range of personal and business insurance lines for over 20 years. An independent Trusted Choice agency, Hunter Insurance has twice earned the Five Star Award of Distinction from the Massachusetts Association of Insurance Agents. The Five Star designation is awarded to top New England agencies that have achieved 17 key performance standards including customer focus, management, human resources, products and services and processes. For more information contact Brian Hunter at Hunter Insurance, 401-769-9500 or visit the agency’s website www.hunterinsuranceonline.com.