Author: AgentInsure

Protect Your Home This Winter With These Tips

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Whether you love the winter wonderland the season brings or you’d rather skip it all together, protecting your home investment is important. There are a handful of ways you can not only avoid potential damage from the snow and wind but improve the energy efficiency of your house as well. At Idaho Select Insurance, we want your home in and around Meridian, ID to be protected. This way, you’ll avoid costly energy bills and other problems. 

Trees Trimmed

This is something you should have done before winter hits. Check the power lines by your house. Are there any tree branches that hang over these lines? Heavy snow or ice can cause branches to snap off onto power lines and the last thing you want to deal with in the dead of winter is no power. Contact your energy company and tell them about the issue. They’ll trim the trees so this isn’t an issue. 

Door and Windows

Apply new weather stripping and fill in cracks around windows. This prevents cold air from the outside entering the home. This will also go a long way in reducing your energy bills throughout the year as well. You’d be amazed as to just how much money this can save you. Plus, it is something you can do all on your own. 

Roof Inspection

Another winter means another season of heavy snow fall. When living around Meridian ID, it can also place a hefty weight on the roof as well. This weight will exploit any current damage to the roof. So, whether there is a soft spot or other damage to the roof, added weight may end up pushing water into the roof which is an expensive repair. Avoid this problem by having your home’s roof inspected. 

How Renters are Affected By Home Insurance Policies in Meridian, ID

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If you rent property in Meridian, ID, you probably want to know about what kind of insurance coverage would benefit you in your situation. Many people think that home insurance will cover them when they are renting, but this is not the case. You should make sure to be as well versed as possible in the home insurance policies of the state of Idaho.

Many people think that they are off the hook in terms of home insurance if they are renting a house or apartment. However, this, while technically true, does not mean that they are off the hook completely. They will still need to purchase renters insurance in order to be protected financially against unexpected disasters. Renting does not mean that the landlord takes care of everything, despite popular belief. Your landlord may indeed have insurance that protects the building in which you are living, but your landlord’s policy will not do anything to protect your personal possessions or pay for any living expenses that you may incur while the building is being repaired. The only way that you can make sure that you are covered in these situations is to purchase your own renters insurance policy. This is different from home insurance and provides different types of coverage. You need to be sure to know that home insurance will not help you in this particular situation, and you need to look into renters insurance instead. Though it is not required to have any type of insurance when you are living in a property that you are renting Kama it is certainly advisable.

If you want to know more about home insurance or renters insurance in the state of Idaho, you can contact the professionals at Idaho Select Insurance,. The agents at Idaho Select Insurance, LLC will be able to answer all of your questions about these types of insurance coverage and tell you everything you need to know about home insurance in Meridian, ID.

Fall Home Checklist: Winterproof Your Roof

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Fall is best known for beautifully-colored leaves, pumpkin-flavored beverages, cool, crisp mornings and the start of the holiday shopping season. It’s also a good time to prepare your home for the next change in seasons. The weather in Meridian, Idaho is beautiful this time of year, and perfect for outdoor activities and catching up on some home improvement chores.

Winter can be tough on your home and property. The wind, rain, frost and snow can wreak havoc on both the exterior and interior of your home. During the fall months, you can do some preventative maintenance to ensure that your property stays safe and your investment is protected.

How Do You Prepare Your Roof For Winter?

Keeping your roof in good condition protects you, your home and your possessions. If the roof needs repairs or maintenance, it’s best to find that out before the rains and snow start falling. Here are a few steps you can take right now:

1. Clean your gutters

Make sure water flows easily from your roof. Clogged gutters can create big problems, damaging roofing, siding and the gutters themselves.

2. Clear debris off the roof

Keep your roof clear of built-up leaves, dirt, branches and other debris that can build up and cause mold, rot and other damage.

3. Inspect it for damage

Keep an eye out for missing or damaged shingles or other roofing materials.

4. Trim branches near the roof

5. Inspect insulation, attic, etc.

If you aren’t sure what your insurance covers when it comes to your Meridian, Idaho home, it’s time to give Idaho Select Insurance a call. Sit down with an insurance agent and find out if your home insurance coverage needs to be updated to reflect your needs. The knowledgeable representatives at Idaho Select Insurance will be happy to help you, contact them today.

 

Why Getting Life Insurance In Your Twenties Is A Smart Financial Move

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It is well known that many people who are in their twenties are not even thinking about life insurance. The fact is, most younger people do not think about it because they do not think they need it. However, there are some great financial benefits to purchasing a policy during your twenties and it is something that can benefit you for the remainder of your life. Continue reading to see why you may want to consider purchasing life insurance at a younger stage in life.

  • Younger age equals a lower premium. Younger people do not tend to purchase life insurance, but when they do, they get a great rate because of their younger age. As you get older, the premium amounts increase so it is best to get in on a better rate earlier.
  • Younger age equals better health. When you are younger, you tend to be in much better health than you are when you are older. This is something that is not lost on insurance companies. They know that is costs less to cover you and they pass those savings on to you.
  • The lower your premium is now, the lower it will be later. If you get a great premium in your twenties, your rates will still increase as you get older but they will not increase nearly as much. This is something that you will wish you had done when you were in your twenties because if the savings that continuously add up.

If you are interested in learning more about life insurance as well as exploring your options, contact Idaho Select Insurance serving Meridian, ID. You will be able to see what is available as well as options that fit into your budget.

Who Needs Commercial Insurance?

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When it comes to auto insurance there are virtually dozens of different types to consider. There are typically two types of insurance that a normal driver will use and those are full coverage and liability coverage. So what about commercial insurance? Commercial insurance is a bit different from either liability or full coverage on a car that is used for personal use for a few different reasons.

It is helpful to first understand who benefits from holding a commercial insurance policy as opposed to a personal policy. Those that use a car for business only are the first group that benefits from commercial insurance. The real significance in this is that commercial policies are going to protect and cover more than just your medical bills in the event of an accident.

Commercial insurance works to help protect your business, your employees, your property, and more in the event of an accident. Commercial insurance is designed to help protect those that do have a business in the event of an accident by providing higher liability coverage. This will help keep your business from being sued in the event of an accident and will help to place the liability on the operator of the vehicle rather than on the business itself.

Those that live in Meridian, ID can benefit from talking with helpful agents at Idaho Select Insurance to see what policies will work best for their individual needs. Having a good commercial policy in effect is essential for those that have cars that are driven by people other than those that own them, that transport people for a fee, or that have vehicles that do not fit the requirements for personal policies. Knowing what coverage you need can help save you a great deal of hassle.

 

Motorcycle Insurance Requirements

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If you intend on owning and riding a motorcycle in and around Meridian, ID, you need to make sure you have the right kind of insurance coverage. If not, you may be ticketed even if you are not doing anything else wrong. It also is a safety precaution for other drivers on the road. At Idaho Select Insurance, where are here to make sure you understand all of the legal requirements within the state of Idaho. 

Establishment Financial Responsibility

For starters, you must establish financial responsibility. There are a few ways to do this. First, you can take out self-insurance coverage, although this only covers individuals who own at least 25 vehicles under their name. The next is to make a cash deposit to the State Treasurer, obtain a security bond with an authorized in-state broker, or to obtain liability insurance (which is generally the easiest and least expensive up front option). 

Minimum Insurance Requirements

There are a few different minimum liability insurance requirements you need to know about. This is $25,000 for an injury or death to one person, $50,000 for an injury or death to two people and $15,000 for damage to property. 

Additional Coverage

Outside of the liability insurance coverage or proving you have the financial assets to pay for liability, that is the only real kind of insurance you need. Now, if you want to protect yourself in the event of an accident or other kind of incident with your motorcycle, there are other kinds of coverage available to you within Idaho. You should consider collision, comprehensive, medical payment coverage and towing and labor insurance packages. 

Remember, when you are riding your motorcycle, you always need to carry proof of financial responsibility with you at all time to show to an officer if you are pulled over. 

The benefits of boat coverage during the summer

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Summer is always a glorious time, the days lengthen and get warmer, vacations are planned, and life gets easier. This makes summer the perfect time for many activities such as boating, but like all things boating can be a high-risk activity. And although in the state of Idaho, boating is insurance not required by law, you can never guarantee the protection of one of your biggest investments without it.

Some of the concerns arising for boats is the possibility of damaging the boat itself and or someone else’s. And although your boat may have been inexpensive, damaging someone else’s property could cost a lot.  Also, the chance of loss or theft has increased among boat owners, especially with those who generate income through it. All things considered, there are many odds against those who decide to not ensure their boats.

You want an insurance company that is with you in every situation. An insurance that may cover almost every issue that you may come across this summer while boating. Now serving the Meridian, Idaho area, Idaho select insurance understands the business and the active state of Idaho. With a boat being a smaller investment than a house, but a larger investment than a car, and you want to make sure that you’re protected. 

The is summer fast approaching, and nobody wants the stress of trying to enjoy themselves at a risk. With Idaho select insurance, we remove that pressure from you. In the Meridian area, we would love for old clientage to return and testify of our services. And of course, we wish for new services as others join our team. Be protected today, and have us deliver a stress-free summer.

 

Is It Possible to Avoid Road Rage?

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It is important to keep yourself, your family and others on the roads as safe as possible by doing what you can to avoid road rage while driving in Meridian, ID. The main goal is to be in the right frame of mind while driving. For example, if you are sleeping, not feeling or have recently received bad news, avoid driving. These simple tips will help you avoid the risk of road rage.

Leave Early
There is nothing that makes someone more upset while driving than being late. When you are running late, it is easy to think everyone else is driving to slow.

Be Aware
Pay close attention to those around you when you switching lanes. Cutting someone off can easily upset them, but if you accidentally cut someone off, make sure to signal to them that you made a mistake and make all attempts to avoid a confrontation.

Give Advance Notice
Do not attempt to zip across several lanes of traffic in order to not miss your exit. When others are entering the highway or into your lane, let them in.

Park Somewhere Else
Do not risk an altercation over a parking spot. If you see someone who is inching their way towards the spot you have been waiting for, let them have it and park somewhere else, it simply isn’t the risk of being confronted by an angry driver.

It is best to do everything you can to avoid road rage. However, accidents happen, so if another driver becomes angry at you, keep in mind that road rage can cause serious injuries and even death. So, it is important that you do everything possible to avoid a confrontation. If another driver does try to confront you, when safely possible, exit the road, pull over and call the local police or 911. Never get out of your vehicle when someone is trying to aggressively confront you about a situation that happened while driving.

One of the most important things you can do for your piece of mind while driving is to make sure you have sufficient insurance. Meridian, ID drivers should contact Idaho Select Insurance for a new insurance policy or to review your current policy.

Packing Hacks to Simplify Moving Day

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If you’re dreading moving day, it’s time to work on simplifying the process. Use these packing hacks and enjoy a simpler day as you prepare to make your move.

Do the Packing and Unpacking Yourself

If you have other people helping you, they’ll be wanting to know how they should pack the items and where they should go. You’ll spend all your time answering questions. It’s easier to do all the packing and unpacking yourself. Then, you can recruit help for the loading and unloading stages.

Try Color Coding the Boxes

Choose different colors of duct tape and then decide on a color for each room of the home. Tape the boxes using the corresponding color. This makes it easy to know where each box should go when you’re moving.

Put Books in Small Boxes

Books can be heavy, so don’t try stuffing them into huge boxes that no one can lift. Instead, choose small boxes for books so no one throws out their back trying to lift those books.

Eliminate Expired Items

Whether it’s makeup, medications, or food, lighten up all that you’re moving by eliminating expired items. You won’t have as much to move and you’ll save yourself the hassle of dealing with that clutter after you move.

Donate Items You Don’t Use

As you’re packing, keep track of things you don’t use anymore, such clothing that doesn’t fit or electronics you just never use. Just eliminate the clutter and donate any good items you’re not using. You’ll help someone else and you’ll make your life easier when it’s time to unpack.

In the excitement of moving day, don’t forget to make sure that your home is properly insured. Find out more about your options by contacting Idaho Select Insurance.

 

Tips for Riding ATVs

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All-terrain vehicles have always been a favorite among those living in the country. And they have also proven to be of great value for those living in the city when severe weather makes other types of transportation difficult. As a newbie to the world of ATVs, it is imperative that you take into consideration the many safety tips that need to be followed to make sure you stay accident-free.

Stay on the routes you’re familiar with

When you go into territories and terrain that you are unfamiliar with, this will increase the difficulty of the driving endeavors you go on. With this in mind, you should stick to roads and territories you are familiar with during your first 10 to 20 hours of riding. The more experience you gain, the better your driving abilities will be.

Make sure to wear the right gear

It’s also of the utmost importance that you make sure to wear the right gear when you go riding. And this is regardless of whether or not you are a beginner. Wearing the right safety gear includes gloves, most importantly a helmet, shin pads, long-sleeve shirt and pants, and numerous other types of safety accessories.

If you would like to learn more about riding ATVs in the safest manner possible, it’s important to speak with friends and family about their experiences. And if you’re riding on property that you have never rode on, you will want to speak with the owner and make sure it is okay. For more information on riding ATVs and the proper way to go about protecting these valuable assets, make sure to speak with a qualified agent at Idaho Select Insurance today.