Why Is My Home Insurance Premium Different from My Neighbors?

Most people know that their insurance premiums are based on the individual property and homeowner. However, it may be frustrating to learn that someone living right next door is paying a different price than you. After all, you live in the same area and may have homes appraised at approximately the same value. But there’s more to a home insurance policy that meets the eye. San Marcos Insurance Group wants everyone to have the facts. 

Multiple Factors

When you live in Chandler, AZ,  you obviously have certain things in common with your neighbors. However, you also have plenty of things that make you unique. Your insurance premium may not just cover the costs of the structure and the grounds, it may also cover your possessions too. The more valuable your things are, the higher your premium will be.

Home insurance will also cover the fixtures in the home, which is important if you’ve had anything remodeled. If you put in all new kitchen appliances, you’ll need a stronger policy in case they’re damaged. Finally, home insurance covers your lifestyle choices as well. So if you work with dangerous tools or equipment, your premium may be higher to account for property damage from accidents.

Going Over Your Policy 

It takes some effort to run through a homeowner’s insurance policy, but we can tell you that it’s worth it. If you’re wondering if you have enough coverage or if you want to know what you can do to change your premium, San Marcos Insurance Group can help. We walk you through point-by-point, so there’s no confusion. If you’re in Chandler, AZ and looking for someone you can trust, give us a call to learn how your policy can start working for you. 

How Is Commercial Insurance Different From Liability Insurance?

When you’re operating a business in Chandler, AZ, it’s important to understand what kind of insurance options are available to you. Commercial insurance encompasses a variety of coverage options, including liability insurance.

At San Marcos Insurance Group, we can work with you to make sure that you have the right coverage for your business.

What is liability insurance?

Liability insurance protects your business in the event that something happens. You’re liable for what happens on your property. You’re also liable for what your employees may do when they’re on the job, whether they say something that costs someone money or they damage someone’s property while they’re providing a service.

If someone were to sue as a result of what your company did wrong, you could end up spending a lot of money. The liability coverage protects you to prevent this from happening. The only thing you would be responsible for is the deductible.

What is commercial insurance?

Commercial insurance encompasses all of the different policies that may be needed for your business. This includes not only liability insurance but also commercial property insurance, commercial auto insurance, business interruption coverage, and even worker’s compensation insurance.

What you need for your business is unique to what happens throughout the day as well as what you own. If you work out of your home, you might still need commercial property insurance since homeowner’s insurance won’t cover enough. The best thing to do is talk to an agent in order to learn the best way to protect your business. Since every business is unique, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer for what kind of commercial insurance you need.

Call us at San Marcos Insurance Group today to learn how to protect your business in Chandler, AZ. We look forward to helping you every step of the way.

 

Why you should carry health insurance even if you are young and healthy

When you are young and healthy, the last thing you are likely to think of is seeing the doctor, even for an annual checkup. Carrying health insurance would also seem to be optional, especially if you don’t have a job that provides it. San Marcos Insurance Group, serving Chandler, AZ, would like to inform you that even the young and apparently healthy need at least some kind of catastrophic health insurance.

First of all, you may feel healthy but be suffering from some disease or condition and not even know it. Your annual doctor’s checkup should let you know if you have some illness, say cancer, that could sneak up on you and carry you off too young. However, treating something like cancer or some other potentially fatal disease can be very costly if you aren’t carrying health insurance,

Also, you have to remember that accidents can happen even to the young. The damage that an auto accident, for example, can do to the human body can be horrendous and expensive to treat. An accident that causes permanent damage, such as to the spine, can result in the need for life-long rehabilitation.

An expensive hospital bill that you must somehow pay out of pocket even stretched out over many monthly payments, would be the last thing you need, especially if you’ve got student loan debt and a home mortgage. Health insurance, even with a high deductible, could alleviate the effect of medical bills on your lifestyle.

For more information on health insurance, feel free to contact San Marcos Insurance Group, serving Chandler, AZ.

Chandler, AZ Auto Insurance

In the state of Arizona, Auto Insurance is required to operate a motor vehicle, so this is a requirement that must be satisfied before you hit the road.  This requirement is set in place not only to protect other drivers on the road, but it protects you as well in case of an accident.  Another factor to take in for insurance purposes is the unique weather conditions that apply from time-to-time in Arizona which includes dust storms and the possibility of flash floods.  The state of Arizona has certain minimum coverages that need to be met before you’re legally able to drive on the road.

These minimum coverages include underinsured motorist coverage, uninsured motorist coverage, property damage coverage, and bodily injury liability coverage.  

Underinsured Motorist Coverage covers motorists who have insurance but their coverage isn’t enough to pay for your damage and medical bills in an accident.  Uninsured Motorist Coverage covers you in the event of an accident with someone else who doesn’t carry insurance.  This covers your own medical expenses and damage that would normally be covered under the other driver.

Property Damage Coverage covers damage to the other parties’ property in an accident that you’ve caused.  This covers building damage and other artifacts (mailboxes, posts, etc.) that are tied in with the property.  Bodily Injury Liability Coverage covers injuries to the other party in an accident that you’ve caused.

To be legal to drive and covered for all situations, you need a quality company like San Marcos Insurance Group.  Serving Chandler, AZ, they handle all facets of car insurance and can help you stay protected in case of an accident.  Contact San Marcos Insurance Group in Chandler, AZ and find out how they can help you with your insurance needs today!

Making a home inventory in Chandler, AZ

Making a home inventory seems like a daunting task. Unfortunately, if you put it off, it could cause you a lot of time and trouble in the long run. You may never be able to recover the damages if you are involved in a disaster.

If you live in Chandler, AZ, we at San Marcos Insurance Group can assist you in planning your home inventory. That way you will have the list of your items, including important serial numbers if you ever need it.

Going Room By Room

The biggest mistake people make is trying to do it all at once. You can take a lot of the pressure off by breaking the job down room by room or by sections. Just plan an hour once a week until the job is done if you feel like you’re too busy. The job will get done as long as you stay on track.

Using Video

With phone videos and free online storage, you can easily make an inventory of your belongings and their condition with your own cell phone. Just go through and organize items first, then save the videos and label and store them in the same place. This will not only make the job easy, but you will be able to access the information easily if you need it.

Get Started Today

The sooner you get started, the sooner you will be finished. You won’t regret the time you spend, because you will feel more relaxed just knowing you’re prepared.

If you live in Chandler, AZ we can help you. If you need any tips on the best way to inventory your home, or if you want to discuss your homeowner’s policy,  please feel free to call us at San Marcos Insurance Group today. 

The ABC’s of Auto Insurance

It can be difficult to determine what type of coverage you need when selecting car insurance. However, understanding your state law requirements as well as a variety of other factors should make it easier. Selecting the right type of auto insurance policy is a personal decision. It should be based heavily on state requirements as well as your lifestyle and vehicle. 

What is Legally Required?

The San Marcos Insurance Group serves Chandler, AZ and understands that selecting a policy that meets state requirements is the first priority. Arizona state requirements include Bodily Injury Liability Coverage for no less than fifteen thousand dollars per person and thirty thousand dollars per accident. The requirement for Property Damage Liability Coverage must be at least ten thousand dollars. When you’re shopping for the right auto insurance policy, your first concern should be meeting all your state minimums. After that, you can add other options to your policy to meet your personal and lifestyle needs. 

How Much Coverage Do I Need for My Car?

Not all cars require full coverage auto insurance. Generally speaking, if the yearly cost of full coverage cost more than ten percent of the value of your car, you probably don’t need full coverage. In fact, liability may be all you really need. However, if you have a newer car or the value of your car exceeds ten percent of the cost of full coverage insurance, you should probably invest in it. In fact, if you are currently paying for your car and have a lien holder, a full coverage policy is usually a requirement. 

What Factors Affect Your Insurance Policy?

In addition to state requirements, your car’s value, and lien holder requirements, specific details about your car can affect how much you pay for car insurance. Your car’s mileage and the age of your car often impact how much insurance you need as well as how much you will pay for coverage. Other factors include your credit, driving, record, and safety options like airbags. Your insurance agent will go over each of these factors in detail.

How Do You Personalize Your Policy?

Your lifestyle will also play a role in how much coverage you should get and how much it will cost. For example, if you don’t drive very often, or drive under 12,000 miles a year, your policy may cost less. Your cost will also be determined by how you use the car. If your car is used for a business in addition to personal use, there may be more coverage required. Typically, older cars with higher mileage require less insurance simply because the cost of replacing them if they are totaled, usually exceeds the value of the car. 

Investing in an automobile policy should include all the state required minimums in addition to any other additional coverage that suits your vehicle usage. The type of coverage you select should be based on your lifestyle and preferences as well. For example, If you drive more than 12,000 annually, you need a policy that will reflect this. There are other personal details that should be considered when selecting a policy that will suit your needs. The best automobile policy for your particular situation will include your states insurance requirements and coverage that fits your car and lifestyle needs.

 

 

 

Is Anything More Important Than Your Health?

Have you ever noticed how we seem to get sick at the most inconvenient times, like every time we get sick? If only we could schedule when we were going to get sick with that one bug that’s been passing around the office. If only we could choose when we were going to have that accident at work that would cost us a visit to the hospital and two weeks of work. If only we could never schedule that serious injury, illness or disease, but we can’t.

That doesn’t mean people have to take getting sick or hurt lying down (so to speak), and people like those in Chandler, AZ have done the next best thing besides not getting sick, they get insured. The experienced and helpful agents at the San Marcos Insurance Group are here for that very reason because we can’t completely avoid getting sick, hurt or having an accident but we can prepare.

Insurance for Your Health

When we talk about health insurance, we are literally talking about your health. Of course, that includes a discussion about plans and policies. It will mean working with an agent from the San Marcos Insurance Group who will take the time to discuss, explain and help you choose the right insurance plan. That means talking about help with hospital bills and medication or lost wages and more. What our neighbors and friends in Chandler, AZ also get, is the knowledge, the peace of mind of knowing help will be there if they ever need it.

If you are looking into updating your health insurance, wanting a new plan or just to compare rates, then contact us today. We can’t prevent everything but we can prepare for almost anything, and is there anything more important than our health?

Can Life Insurance Provide A Source Of Emergency Funds?

Life insurance is a wonderful product that can help the policy owner cover expenses of their loved ones after their passing. It can be used for many things, including final expenses and general living costs for years to come. But is life insurance able to provide a source of emergency funds in the future?

Insurance As A Source Of Funds

There is always the risk of a financial emergency cropping up along the way. Many people don’t realize that whole life insurance not only provides coverage for an unexpected death, but it can also be used as a source of emergency funds after several years of paying into the policy. This is a great solution for people who are retired and have unexpected financial issues such as a health emergency or home repairs. 

Find The Right Type Of Life Insurance

Anyone who is interested in purchasing a whole life insurance policy should be careful during the selection process. Finding a good policy that can match current and future needs is much easier when working with a skilled agent who can recommend products and help clients calculate potential future needs in the event of their covered death. Additionally, they can help find a policy that can provide a source of emergency funds later down the road. People who live in the Chandler, AZ area who are considering purchasing life insurance should check out San Marcos Insurance Group.

Life Insurance is a wonderful insurance product that can provide security in more than one way. Call or visit the San Marcos Insurance Group office today. The residents of Chandler, AZ can depend on their agents to help them discover the right solutions for their needs. 

How to Choose a Commercial Insurance Policy

The commercial insurance policy you choose will depend on a number of different factors. Obviously, a small organization will need far less coverage than a medium or large business. But the deeper details of a commercial insurance policy aren’t always obvious. Here are a few points to keep in mind from San Marcos Insurance Group if you own a business in Chandler, AZ. 

Employees, Customers, and Vendors 

As a business owner, you’re not just responsible for the safety of your employees, but also that of your customers and third-party vendors. If you have a busy organization where people are coming and going throughout the day, your odds of an incident increase significantly. Whether it’s from a natural disaster that can’t be avoided or a water spill that wasn’t cleaned up fast enough, you need a policy that can handle a variety of claims. 

Virtual Crime

Businesses aren’t just targeted by thieves in the physical world anymore. Today, they need to be prepared to fend off virtual threats as well. Most commercial insurance policies will cover cybercrime, but owners are highly encouraged to find out just how much coverage they’ll receive in the event of a breach. Just one security hack can not only cause asset loss, but it can also damage a business’ reputation. Customers will be less likely to trust you if they know their information was stolen. 

Filling in the Gaps 

San Marcos Insurance Group is here to help the business owners of Chandler, AZ find a policy that will work for them. If you have any questions, call us today to find out more about how we structure our policies and process our claims. We can make it easier to finalize your policy choice in total confidence. 

How do home insurance claims work in Chandler, AZ

We all purchase home insurance to keep our assets and loved ones protected, but the question "how do home insurance claims work" is disastrous. No, one wishes to claim on his or her home insurance, despite paying for it every other month–it simply means something must have terribly gone bad. 

The truth is that disasters do happen, and the last thing you want is getting back to normalcy as soon as possible, and your favorite insurance company– San Marcos Insurance Group also wants that. With that said, your insurance company should help make the process as smooth and as fast as possible.

How insurance claim work

The first and probably the most fundamental step is reporting the incident to your insurance provider, officially known as filing a home insurance claim. An adjuster will immediately be sent to your house to inspect the damage. It is he or she who will determine how much the company will reimburse you for the claim. 

Most insurance companies in Chandler, AZ, will check for the repairable damages and send technicians to do the repairs. If the house was burnt to ashes, then pure compensation will apply upon which must be granted immediately to help you organize and settle again. Some companies offer a settlement on the spot and pay for the furniture.

Note that your insurance claim adjuster plays a vital role in ensuring that you get fully compensated for all the damage and loss incurred. Therefore, having a competent insurance company like San Marcos Insurance Group will make sure that detailed questions are asked and a note-down of all damage, is done to provide a clear figure of the payment you deserve. For quotes or policy discussion visit us at Chandler, AZ or call us to schedule an appointment.