How to determine which type of life insurance to buy

Did you know that life insurance goes beyond term and whole life insurance? Well, there are many types of life insurance policies designed to provide financial security to your loved ones. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed over which policy to buy, especially if it’s your first time. At Idaho Select Insurance, we recommend going through the two main types before breaking them down to other policies. Once you know which type fits your needs, you can check other products in that category to determine what works for you. 

Your needs

Many people in Meridian, ID buy life insurance to provide for their families once they are gone, but that is not the only reason. In fact, you can buy life insurance for any financial reason under the sun. Knowing your life insurance needs will guide you into the type of policy that matches your financial goals. 

Your age

Age is often a factor when buying insurance, as it affects almost every aspect of your policy. If you are a senior parent, you may want to buy permanent life insurance instead of term life insurance. Younger people on a budget tend to choose term life insurance to match their future financial goals.

Your state of health

Most life insurance providers in Meridian, ID will require you to take a medical exam or answer specific medical questions to determine the state of your health. Typically, the healthier you are, the longer you’re likely to live and the less expensive the policy. For this reason, you may want to go for a policy that is more flexible and allows you to live your life as you wish. For instance, if you buy permanent life insurance, you don’t have to worry about losing money when the expiration date approaches.

Talk to us

Get a customized life insurance policy and protect your loved ones at Idaho Select Insurance. Our dedicated team of professionals is always ready to handle any challenge you might have when choosing coverages. Call us today.

The Importance of Reviewing Home Insurance At Least Once A Year

Each year comes with new changes, whether they are expected or unforeseen occurrences that require your attention. With this comes the urgency to structure your life around these events, starting with finances, an area that extends to your home insurance needs. Below, Idaho Select Insurance discusses why reviewing your Meridian, ID home insurance is a crucial part of your coverage. 

Helps You Take Advantage of Discounts

Home insurance policies will regularly come with discounts for various reasons. Examples of this include getting better security features for your home or deciding to bundle your policies. When this happens, you are eligible for discounts, meaning a review will come in handy in helping you stay up to date with your current policy discounts. 

Helps You Manage Life Changes

Various life changes have the power to affect your policies and will require you to review and update your cover to suit your current needs. These life changes include new mortgages, the addition of a dependant such as a child, or a change of houses.  Updating your information will allow you to alter your insurance as required, helping you file for the proper claim when perils such as injuries to new family members arise.

Helps You Take Advantage of Policy Changes

Policy changes can also affect your coverage, with an example of this being improved legal requirements that offer homeowners favorable policies. Reviewing your insurance will be essential in helping you to take advantage of such insurance features, allowing you to also stay in the know of new insurance policies. In addition to this, errors could also affect your coverage, hence the need to regularly review your policy to prevent any changes that could lead you to financial despair.

To get updated coverage for your home insurance, consider getting in touch with Idaho Select Insurance today. Our Meridian, ID insurance agents will help you get appropriate home insurance for your property.

How Much Renters Insurance Should I Have?

If you rent a property in Meridian, ID, you should have renters insurance. It is essential that you make sure that you have protected your personal belongings in the house against theft, fire, and other uncertainties. At Idaho Select Insurance, we have been getting some critical questions from our insurance customers with regard to the cost of renters insurance. 

How Much Renters Insurance Do I Need?

This is a very generic question with regard to renters insurance. The most obvious answer is that the cost of renters insurance depends on the company you want to work with. Most of the insurance companies in the market charge different insurance premiums. That is why you need to make sure that you work with an insurance company that offers affordable premiums.

However, it is worth indicating that the cost of the renters’ Insurance may depend on how much you want to cover. Some people want to cover their properties to a certain limit. Others want to make sure that everything has been covered. There are some factors that you need to know when buying renters insurance. 

Consider Enough Coverage

You’re not required to cover the entire cost of your personal belongings. However, to avoid financial liabilities in the future, it is good to have comprehensive coverage that will give you other items if something wrong happens. Cover everything, including electronics, furniture, and personal items. 

Cover Valuable Items

Renters insurance is a very basic insurance policy. This means that most of the valuable items are not covered by this policy. To cover jewelry and other valuable items, it is worth it that you get a special type of insurance coverage.

Idaho Select Insurance stands out as the leading renters’ Insurance in Meridian, ID. You can call our insurance experts today for guidance on the best renters insurance policy.

When Is Umbrella Insurance Necessary?

You have your auto insurance, homeowners insurance, flood insurance, among others. But have you considered what would happen if you were sued for an amount larger than your current liability limits?

Umbrella insurance is what you need to deal with liability that exceeds the limits of your coverages. Note that umbrella coverage is not the same as excess liability coverage. The former may include risks that are not covered in the base insurance policies. For instance, if you’re accused of slander or libel, you may need to pay some amount in legal fees and damages. While the common insurance policies have no allowance for such risks, umbrella insurance will offer protection.

Would you like to learn more about umbrella insurance in Meridian, ID? Read on as our insurance experts at Idaho Select Insurance expound on this topic.

What Does It Cover?

Umbrella insurance will cover your household or business against lawsuits that touch on personal injury, property damage, defamation, landlord liability, among others.

The advantage of umbrella insurance is that it goes beyond paying your liability. It will pay for the legal costs as well. If the lawsuit ends up with you paying $1 million, umbrella insurance will go overboard and pay the legal defense fees. 

Other cases where umbrella insurance may apply are:

  • Your son is involved in an auto accident, and the liability from the accident exceeds your auto liability limit
  • A business sues you for defamation
  • A guest visits your home, falls down the stairs, and sues you for medical costs that exceed your homeowners’ liability limit

Do You Need It?

Umbrella insurance isn’t mandated by law. However, you need it for your own good. If you own high-value assets, or you’re at a high risk of being sued, umbrella insurance is necessary.

Buy Umbrella Insurance Today

It’s rare to purchase umbrella insurance on its own. Most insurers offer it alongside major coverages such as auto, homeowners’ and renters insurance.

To buy umbrella insurance in Meridian, ID, reach out to Idaho Select Insurance for more information.

Are You Required to Have Renter’s Insurance?

Do you rent an apartment or a home in Meridian, ID? If so, it is a wise idea to have a renter’s insurance policy. However, one of the most common questions we get from our policyholders is whether or not this type of coverage is required. Here’s what you need to know about getting a renter’s insurance policy from Idaho Select Insurance.

Is Renter’s Insurance Required?

Unlike auto insurance, there’s no specific law stating that you have to carry renter’s insurance. Frankly, the State of Colorado doesn’t care if you don’t have protection for your personal stuff.  However, your apartment complex or leasing company could still require that you have it. Why is this possible?

Most property managers specifically add this to their lease contracts to protect tenants. If there’s a fire, serious storm, or other incidents that renders your home unlivable, they want to make sure that you have protections in place to find temporary lodging and replace your personal belongings. 

What If Your Property Manager Doesn’t Require Renter’s Insurance?

If your lease doesn’t specifically require renter’s insurance, it is still a good idea to go ahead and get a policy. This type of insurance helps replace your personal property in the event of a claim, which can be helpful if you ever experience theft or otherwise have to replace these items.

In addition, there’s a very good chance you could save money on your auto insurance. A lot of major carriers offer a discount for those who have multiple policy lines, which means you could find yourself saving money just for adding this extra layer of protection.

Do you have more questions about buying renter’s insurance in Meridian, ID? Please contact our team at Idaho Select Insurance today to schedule an appointment.

Motorcycle Insurance Requirements in Idaho

Idaho which is well known for its incredible canyons, rivers, and deserts has some of the best motorcycle riding in the country. In order to safely enjoy your motorcycle riding and to protect your investment in your motorcycle, you should be aware that Idaho has a “fault-based” liability system. Therefore, if you only carry minimum liability insurance and do not have sufficient additional insurance coverage, you could be personally liable and personally responsible for all losses due to an accident. Read on to learn more about the importance of having comprehensive motorcycle insurance and other optional motorcycle insurance coverages that are available from Idaho Select Insurance in Meridian, ID.

Minimum Liability Motorcycle Insurance is Required in Idaho

In Idaho, state law requires that motorcycles carry a minimum amount of liability coverage for injuries and damage to property.

This means that all motorcycles must be insured for at least $15,000 for property damage per accident, $25,000  for death or injury to one person per accident, and $50,000 for death or injury to two or more persons per accident.

Optional Motorcycle Comprehensive Coverage

Motorcycle comprehensive coverage can be purchased to pay for vehicle repairs or to replace the motorcycle if it has been stolen. It also covers fire, flood and hail damage.

Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist  

Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist coverage for motorcycles covers accidents with drivers who either have no coverage or who have too little coverage to be responsible for the losses you incur from the accident.

Med Pay

Med Pay covers medical benefits and costs for you and any passenger.

Call Idaho Select Insurance today for a free motorcycle insurance quote. Idaho Select Insurance serves both Meridian, ID, and the surrounding Ada County Idaho area.

Do I need flood insurance for my Idaho property?

The Meridian, ID area can be a wonderful place to live. Due to this, those that come here and want to stay should consider buying their home. If you do decide to purchase a home when you are in this area of Idaho, you will want to get the right insurance for it. One type of insurance that you may need for your home is flood insurance. There are several factors that could determine whether or not you should get flood coverage for your property. 

Home is in a Flood Zone

One factor that will determine if you need flood insurance for your property is if your home is located in a flood zone. If you do have a property that is located in a designated flood zone, there is a good chance that your mortgage provider will want you to have flood insurance in place at all times as it will give great protection for their collateral.

Flood is a Concern

Even if you are not in a flood zone, or you are not required by a lender to carry coverage, there are still situations when you will need to have flood insurance. If there are rivers, lakes, or other waterways located nearby you, they do pose a risk of a potential flood. If you do not have any coverage through home insurance, you may need to get flood insurance to properly protect your home and provide you with peace of mind. 

There are plenty of situations when someone in the Meridian, ID area will need to have flood insurance. If having flood coverage is necessary for you, it would be a good idea to call Idaho Select Insurance. The team with Idaho Select Insurance can help you to understand your needs and options and give you support in picking a new policy.

Umbrella Insurance Myths To Avoid While Researching Policies

Idaho Select Insurance serves Meridian, ID, as well as the surrounding areas by offering residents multiple types of insurance coverage. We want to help our clients find policies that will allow them to live comfortably.

Umbrella Insurance Myths To Avoid

As you navigate life’s challenges as a Meridian, ID resident, an unexpected event may occur that causes problems. Umbrella insurance is beneficial because it offers a safety net if a disaster occurs. Primarily, the policy will cover you if you are involved in a potential liability dispute. While you are researching policies, avoid some of the misinformation out there regarding umbrella insurance.

Umbrella Insurance Is Only For Wealthy People

This is incorrect. Umbrella insurance is an asset regardless of your income. Accidents can occur regardless of your income level. Umbrella insurance protects your assets if someone falls while visiting your home or if your pet accidentally bites someone.

I Can Use Umbrella Coverage As A Substitute For Another Policy

This is incorrect. Umbrella Insurance does not act as a substitute for another type of policy. Umbrella insurance assists you if you are involved in a serious liability issue that could potentially impact your home or auto policy. Umbrella insurance does not actually take the place of your home or auto insurance policy.

Umbrella Insurance Covers Personal Items

This is incorrect. Umbrella insurance does not cover any damages to your personal items. The policy is not intended to cover your personal items if they are stolen. You can only use umbrella insurance to protect your assets if you are involved in a serious liability dispute.

Consult With Idaho Select Insurance

For more information on umbrella insurance, visit our website today!

3 Reasons to Purchase Renter’s Insurance Before the Holidays

They say the holidays are the most wonderful time of the year. This may be true, but it can also be a season filled with unexpected damage and mishaps. In order to make sure your rental home makes it through the holidays, it is important to have renter’s insurance activated. At Idaho Select Insurance, we understand that you can’t make good insurance choices without good insurance information. Keep reading to find out why you should consider purchasing renter’s insurance before the holidays. 

Some Holiday Traditions Can Be Dangerous 

Around the holidays we start doing stuff we don’t normally do. We are lighting more candles. We are putting a new strain on our electrical systems with fancy light displays. We are moving large evergreen trees right into our living spaces. These holiday traditions can carry with them a certain risk factor if we are not very careful. Renter’s insurance is there to protect you in the event that a disaster strikes this holiday. 

More People Equals More Accidents

We love having our families come in for the holidays, but let’s be honest, sometimes disaster can follow our families right on into town. The fact is, the more people you have in your home the greater the risks are for accidents. The personal liability coverage you’ll find with most renter’s policies will make sure that you are not held liable if someone gets hurt this holiday season. 

When Alcohol Is Involved

Another risk factor of the holiday season revolves around the fact that more people are "making spirits with bright," with actual spirits, ie. alcohol. Whenever alcohol is involved the risk factor for accidents and disaster ratchets up quite a bit. Make sure your rental home is covered from any and all holiday mayhem with sufficient renter’s insurance. 

If you would like to learn more about renter’s insurance, please contact us at Idaho Select Insurance, serving Meridian, ID. 

Why should I invest in a motorcycle insurance policy?

Owning a motorcycle can be a great option for anyone that is in the Meridian, ID area. If you are going to purchase a motorcycle in this area of Idaho, you will have a vehicle that is fun, efficient, and reliable. If you do purchase a motorcycle here, you should also spend time considering your insurance needs. There are several reasons why someone here needs to get a motorcycle insurance policy.

It’s a Legal Requirement

One of the reasons that you need to have an insurance policy for your motorcycle is that it is a legal requirement. In Idaho, anyone that is going to operate a vehicle on public roads needs to carry valid liability insurance. This includes people that want to operate a motorcycle. If you do not have motorcycle insurance and are caught without it, you could lose your license or be otherwise penalized. 

Protects Asset

Anytime you purchase a motorcycle you are going to be making a big investment and purchase. Due to this, you should look for ways to protect your investment as much as you can. A great way that you can do this is by getting a motorcycle policy that will also include collision and comprehensive insurance as it can protect against a variety of risks. 

There are many reasons why someone in the Meridian, ID area should get a full motorcycle insurance policy. If you would like to get this type of insurance, you should make sure that you get proper guidance and support. The team at Idaho Select Insurance knows how important it is to get proper insurance coverage for this asset. Idaho Select Insurance can answer any questions that you have, address your concerns and help you to build a personalized policy that meets your needs.