Is Flood Insurance Necessary for Your Home in Idaho?

Flood Insurance in Idaho

As you may have seen many times, widespread floods have wreaked havoc on communities across the country. Idaho is no different and if you live in a high-risk flood zone, you will need to get insurance. Protecting your home and valuable possessions is important in times of disaster such as flooding. Having adequate flood insurance will ensure that you are protected during a crisis.

At Idaho Select Insurance in Meridian, ID, we have worked with many home and business owners to secure the best policies possible to protect their assets and property. It is better to be prepared before the next big storm hits.

Staying Covered

A private insurer may offer options other than FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) which is a standard type of flood insurance. Usually, flood insurance is a standalone policy separate from your homeowner’s coverage. Depending on different factors, including the severity of risk where you reside, the cost can vary. Private insurers can offer options through different companies and can tailor a plan that will work for you. Staying covered in Idaho will give you peace of mind if an unforeseen disaster should happen.

Insurance You Can Trust

Contact us at Idaho Select Insurance in Meridian, ID. We work with the best companies to find affordable policies that suit your specific needs. Many people neglect flood insurance until it is too late. It is better to not wait and wind up losing your investments in the event of a disaster. If you are looking for flood insurance or any other type of coverage, don’t hesitate to reach out to one of our agents. We look forward to working with you.

3 Reasons to Have Boat Insurance

Although Idaho does not have a legal requirement that boat owners must carry insurance on their vessels, it is highly recommended given the risks associated with boating and the investment made into the watercraft. Let’s take a look at three reasons why boat insurance is a no brainer purchase.

1. Inclement Weather

Contrary to public opinion, bad weather doesn’t have an offseason and can strike at any time leading to costly repairs on your boat. Even if you store your boat during the winter months, that doesn’t mean that a flood, fire, or another type of natural disaster cannot damage your vessel. Consequently, having boat insurance means that you are covered for natural disaster-related damage up to your policy limit and minus your deductible.

2. Homeowners Insurance Doesn’t Cut It

If you store your boat on your property, it may be tempting to believe that your homeowner’s insurance policy will cover the vessel; however, this is largely not true. While it will offer some form of coverage while it is on your property, the amount will be significantly less than the boat’s value and nowhere close to what a traditional boat insurance policy will cover which includes comprehensive, property damage, bodily injury, and collision.

3. The Marina May Require Boat Insurance

Even though Idaho does not require boat insurance, it may be required by the storage facility to include a boatyard or marina. Consequently, it is important to double-check the rules and regulations of where you are storing the boat during both the summer and winter months to ensure whether or not insurance is needed.

At Idaho Select Insurance in Meridian, ID, our friendly and professional team of insurance specialists will happily answer your questions and help you find the perfect policy for your needs. Give us a call today and we’ll help you find your next boat insurance policy. 

Is getting life insurance in Idaho a good idea?

Anyone that is in the Meridian, ID area will have a variety of insurance needs that they should consistently evaluate. One form of insurance that all people in this area should consider getting is life insurance. There are several reasons why getting life insurance is a good idea for someone to acquire.

Provides Protection for Dependants

The main benefit of getting a life insurance policy is that it can provide you with protection for your dependents. If you have people that depend on you and your income, it is always a good idea to have life insurance. This will ensure that they are cared for from a financial perspective if you were to pass away. Even if you do not have any dependents, it would still be a good idea to get this insurance as it will provide a financial benefit to others that could also cover any funeral or medical expenses.

Investment Option

Another advantage of getting a life insurance policy is it can provide you with a unique investment option. If you choose to get a whole life insurance policy, a portion of your monthly premium payments will accumulate in an account. This will be an asset that will continue to grow in value and could be liquidated at any time. This is also a great asset as you could use it as collateral to borrow against.

When you are shopping for life insurance in the Meridian, ID area, you should contact the team at Idaho Select Insurance. The insurance team at Idaho Select Insurance can help you to better determine your insurance options. They will be able to explain the pros and cons of each option to ensure you pick a policy with a coverage amount that is right for you. 

When does someone need to have home insurance in Idaho?

The Meridian, ID area is a very popular community for someone to live in. When you are living here, a great option would be to purchase your home as it provides a number of benefits. If you are going to purchase a home in this area of the state, you should make sure that you get a quality insurance policy. There are several situations when someone here needs to have a home insurance policy. 

When a Loan is Outstanding

One situation when you will need to have a home insurance policy is when you have a loan outstanding against your home. If you have taken out a mortgage, the mortgage lender is going to want you to have insurance to ensure their collateral is protected at all times. The mortgage will have specific mortgage requirements and could require that you escrow payments monthly.

Association Rules

Some people in this area of the state may also have home association guidelines that need to be followed. It is important to review your home association documents to ensure that you are in compliance. Associations normally require you to have this to ensure you can handle any future liability claims and repair your home if it is damaged. 

It is almost always a good idea for someone to have home insurance when they are in Idaho. When you are shopping for a new home insurance policy here, it would be a good idea to consider all of your needs and options. The team at Idaho Select Insurance can help someone do just that. When you work with Idaho Select Insurance to properly insure your Meridian, ID area home, you are going to receive the advice and guidance you need to select the right policy. 

Is comprehensive or collision insurance needed for your vehicle?

In the state of Idaho, all drivers must obtain at least liability insurance to be able to legally drive in the state. This includes $25,000 of bodily injury coverage per person per accident, $50,000 bodily injury for all persons per accident, $15,000 property damage liability, and $25,000  uninsured motorist coverage and $50,000 of underinsured motorist coverage. Many motorists opt for more coverage than a basic liability insurance policy will provide for them so they can hit the highways with more peace of mind and confidence. These types of insurance policies include comprehensive and collision auto insurance coverage.

Your vehicle is extremely important to you and a sizable investment. If you borrowed the money to purchase your vehicle, your lender will more than likely require a more full coverage type of policy than liability insurance covers.

Collision insurance

Collision insurance will protect you and your vehicle if you are involved in a crash due to a traffic accident, no matter who is at fault in the incident. It will provide coverage for repairs to your vehicle that may need to be made due to the result of an accident. This type of coverage also covers property damage and any damage to the vehicle that is a result of the collision with non-moving things, such as in a situation in which you strike a tree, pole, or building with your vehicle. If your car is deemed to be a total loss, your auto insurance company, this type of coverage may provide a replacement vehicle of the same or similar market value or a decent-size down payment for another vehicle.

Comprehensive insurance

Comprehensive insurance coverage comes in handy if your vehicle is stolen or the victim of vandalism or fire. This type of auto insurance coverage will also repair or replace your vehicle if it is damaged by a natural disaster, such as a tornado, hurricane, or hail storm.

There are many other add-ons that you can include in your auto insurance policy to provide you with as much protection as you want or need. To create the very best policy for you and your situation, you will want to enlist the assistance of an experienced and knowledgeable auto insurance agent in Idaho. She or he will have the skills and access to the information needed to offer you the best insurance options available.

The auto insurance agents at Idaho Select Insurance in Meridian, ID are ready to serve you and all of your auto insurance needs. Call to speak with an agent today!

Can Umbrella Insurance Coverage Be Increased Based On The Increased Odds Of Liability?

People who have an increased chance of liability for personal property, whether it be a home or even a boat, could benefit from umbrella insurance. This type of coverage is designed to offer protection that goes above and beyond the limits of insurance that is already in place.

Umbrella Coverage

Umbrella insurance is designed to protect a property owner from potential liability as a result of an accident or any other covered event. It is a smart way to gain peace of mind and help secure your financial future. In some cases, however, there may be a time when the liability risk may increase and additional coverage may be necessary. In this instance, the course of action would generally be to purchase an additional policy. Most umbrella insurance is not adjustable mid-term, but the purchase of another policy will add that extra layer of security and can allow the buyer to tailor the coverage adequately before the actual policy purchase. 

A Helping Hand

There are many terms and conditions to be aware of when it comes to shopping for insurance. Umbrella insurance is no exception, which is why it is wise to have an insurance agent from a reputable company, like Idaho Select Insurance, to help navigate the process. They can answer your questions and explain exactly how the coverage works for residents of Meridian, ID and then help file the paperwork. They can also help with any claims that may occur in the future. 

People who are currently looking for ways to help protect them from liability should call or stop by Idaho Select Insurance, serving Meridian, ID, and speak with one of the knowledgeable agents on duty. They can help you get the peace of mind you need and present options that work for your individual situation. 

3 Tips for Getting Smarter Renters Insurance

Whether you have renters insurance in Meridian, ID or not, it may be time to learn more about what a smart policy actually looks like. Idaho Select Insurance wants everyone to protect themselves and their things before they have to worry about how they’ll cover the necessary expenses. 

Look for Policies That Cover Temporary Living Expenses 

What happens when your apartment floods or a fire breaks out? If you don’t want to rely on family or friends while everything is being repaired, then you’re going to want to have a policy that covers the costs of temporary living. Before you choose a specific coverage level, make sure you’re comfortable with the benefits of each plan. For example, some policies may cover just residential expenses while others will cover food and incidental charges. 

Double-Check the Liability Limits 

Most renters insurance policies will extend some degree of coverage in case you’re accused of being at fault for an accident or injury. You just need to be careful about the limits of your policy. If you want to make sure you have enough in the case of a serious accusation, it makes sense to increase your coverage level. 

Choose a Company That Cares 

Idaho Select Insurance wants the people of Meridian to feel secure, no matter what happens to come their way. Few renters expect for their things to be vandalized or lost in a fire, but these things can and do occur on a regular basis. 

If you have questions about how to craft a renters insurance policy in Median, ID, we’re to help. Maybe you have specific concerns about certain items in your home, such as a table that you lovingly restored from scratch. We’re here to chat before finding a policy that can cover you. 

Does my moped need insurance?

Why Mopeds Need Insurance, Too

Sure, Idaho requires insurance for your motorcycle, but did you know that you also need to insure your moped?

Idaho Select Insurance of Meridian, ID wants you to understand that regardless of the vehicle’s motor size if the police find you at fault for an accident, you must pay for the damages. If your child causes the accident, you must pay for the damages as their parent or guardian.

A motorcycle has two-wheels at least a 50 cubic centimeters motor and can hit speeds of 30 miles per hour or greater on a flat surface. A moped is anything less than that. That means your teen could ride a 49cc bike to school traveling at its top speed of 29 miles per hour and be within the law. It also means they could cause an accident leaving you completely liable for the damages and medical bills. That is why you need insurance for your mopeds, too.

Since the state does not require it, you can pick any insurance level you want for a moped, but the best starting point is the state minimum insurance for liability and bodily injury.

You know how your child or teen rides. That means you might want to add comprehensive coverage and collision insurance to the policy you obtain. That protects the moped from damage if your child hits a fence or leaves it under the tree and branches fall on it during a storm causing damage. The insurance pays to repair or replace the bike. 

Get the motorcycle insurance, you need today. Contact Idaho Select Insurance of Meridian, ID for help getting the coverage you need.

Top reasons to consider flood insurance

So many residents of the Meridian, ID area make the costly mistake that because they do not live near a large body of water, they do not need to purchase flood insurance. More and more often, flooding is happening in areas that are not considered to be a high-risk area. If you would like to discuss the many reasons to purchase a flood policy, reach out to an expert at  Idaho Select Insurance today. 

Relying on Federal Assistance after a flood can be a costly mistake

Many people assume that FEMA will quickly assist after floods have damaged a community. However, it not always the case. If a Presidential Disaster Declaration is not issued, then there will be no FEMA funds. Also, federal assistance is a loan, and you will be required to pay it back to the government in the long run. 

Flood is not covered under a homeowners policy

Many people make the incorrect assumption that because their homeowners’ policy has flood coverage because it includes coverage for water damage. Water damage does not cover damage from floods but for events such as a broken pipe. If you want to be protected by flood insurance, it is vital that you purchase a separate policy. 

The cost of a flood claim can be exurbanite

Even just a little water can cause a large amount of damage in a very short period of time. In addition to dealing with the flood, you will need to quickly remediate damage to the drywall and furniture to protect against mold growth. A flood policy will offer you the peace of mind that you will not be paying tens of thousands of dollars out-of-pocket to repair damage after a flood. 

If you are interested in learning more about flood insurance, reach out to an agent at Idaho Select Insurance today. We proudly serve the Meridian, ID area. 

 

Who should invest in umbrella insurance?

Liability risk is something that all people need to think about and consider. For those that are in the Meridian, ID area, one great type of insurance to get to protect against liability risk is an umbrella insurance policy. The umbrella insurance policy will provide additional personal liability risk. There are several situations in which someone should invest in this type of insurance. 

Anyone at Risk of Non-Covered Event

A home or auto insurance policy will give you some liability coverage. However, it does not cover all situations that could result in a liability lawsuit. Some examples of liability that are not covered can include slander or libel. If you feel that you are at risk for either of these situations, you will want to get umbrella insurance as it will give you the general liability coverage that you need. 

When Coverage Levels are Low

If you own a home or drive a car, you likely will have some built-in liability coverage in your policies. However, some people may find that this is not enough coverage for more serious accidents and situations. If this is your case, you will want to get an additional umbrella insurance policy. This umbrella insurance policy will give you more coverage on top of your existing policies, which will come in handy if you are found liable for an accident with serious damages. 

There are many situations when someone should get umbrella insurance. If you are confused about your umbrella insurance needs, you should call Idaho Select Insurance. The Idaho Select Insurance team has helped many people in the Meridian, ID area better understand all of their insurance needs and options. This will help anyone to figure whether they need to invest in an umbrella insurance policy.