Every year you have to make the same tough decision, choosing your health insurance. It is so complicated that the terms are mostly unintelligible, and then you need to understand what managed care is. It is not easy or fun. At San Marcos Insurance Group in Chandler, AZ, we want to make this decision easier for you. Our experienced team is here to help with information and advice. 

These days, most healthcare is managed, at least to some degree. There are three basic types of health policies offered: HMO. PPO and PPS. They are all a little different in how they approach management, and it is vital that you understand what you can expect from each. The network is those providers who have contracted to work with the carrier. 

HMO (Health Maintenance Organizations)

With an HMO, you will have to choose a primary care physician in charge of your care. Usually, it would be best to use providers within the network, except in the case of an emergency. 

PPO (Preferred Providers Organizations)

If you are considering a PPO, you will have more flexibility regarding your choice of providers. You don’t need to choose a primary care physician, and if your provider is outside of the network, you may pay a higher fee for service, but you can go outside the network.  

POS (Point of Service)

A POS plan is a combination of an HMO and a PPO. You choose a primary care physician from within the network, but you are allowed to get care outside of the network for a higher charge. It will be the same if you are sent to that care by a referral from your primary care. 

In Chandler, AZ,  you can count on San Marcos Insurance Group to be there with the help you need. Call us for a no-obligation quote. 

Over the last couple of years, the number of people who run their businesses from home has ballooned. As a home-based business owner, the dilemma of whether you need commercial insurance for your business has been lingering in your mind.

Do You Need Commercial Insurance if You Run a Home-Based Business? 

Yes, you do since your homeowners’ or renter’s insurance policies don’t cover home-based businesses. Commercial property insurance protects your business’s property and physical assets against unfortunate events like theft, fires, and natural disasters. As a home-based business owner in Chandler, AZ, the commercial property insurance likely covers items like:

• Signage
• The building that houses the business
• Inventory in stock
• Phone systems, computers, furniture, and other office equipment
• Vital company documents
• Accounting records

Is There Additional Business Coverage I Need for My Home-Based Business?

Commercial property insurance is not enough if you want maximum protection for your home-based business. Here are some additional business coverages that we at San Marcos Insurance Group recommend:

• Business liability insurance – to protect your business when clients and other visitors come to your home for business reasons and suffer property damage or personal injury
• Professional liability insurance – to protect your business in the event of claims based on failure to deliver and negligence, especially if you are a consultant.
• Product liability insurance – to protect your home-based business’s manufacturing and sales from damages to property or persons caused by your products
• Commercial auto insurance – It provides coverage to your vehicle when using it for business purposes. Your personal auto insurance policy doesn’t cover loss or damage to your vehicle related to business use.

Get Commercial Insurance for Your Home-Based Business in Chandler, AZ

At San Marcos Insurance Group, we are motivated to protect your home-based business and promote its success by providing suitable and unbeatable commercial insurance policies. Contact us to request a quote.

When it comes to life insurance, there are many things to know to make the best decision for you and your loved ones. Here are the basics of life insurance, i.e., what you need to know to get started.

What Is It?

Life insurance is a contract between you and an insurance company in its simplest form. You pay premiums, and the insurer agrees to pay a sum of money to your beneficiaries upon your death.

The money can help cover final expenses, debts, and other costs that your loved ones would have to bear after you’re gone.

What Are the Different Types of Life Insurance?

There are three main types of life insurance: term, whole-life, and universal-life.

Term life insurance

It’s the most basic and well-known type of life insurance. It is also the simplest to understand – you pay premiums for a set period, usually 10, 20, or 30 years. If you die during that period, your beneficiaries receive a death benefit. If you outlive the policy term, it expires, and you are no longer covered.

Whole-life insurance

This type of life insurance covers you for your entire life. The policy pays out a death benefit to your beneficiaries when you die. Whole life insurance also has a cash value component, which means that the policy builds up cash value over time. You can borrow against the policy’s cash value or even cash it out entirely if you need to.

Universal-life insurance

This is a type of whole life insurance, but with more flexibility. The premiums and death benefits can be adjusted to fit your needs, and the cash value grows at a variable rate.

Benefits of Having Life Insurance

The death benefit is the primary benefit of having life insurance. But there are other advantages as well.

For example, whole-life and universal-life policies have a cash value component that can be accessed while you’re alive. This can be used as an emergency fund or for other expenses.

Get Life Insurance in Chandler, AZ

These are the basics of life insurance. It’s important to understand the different types and how they work in order to make the best decision for you and your family. If you have any questions, speak with a professional at San Marcos Insurance Group in Chandler, AZ. We’re here to help.

When it comes to commercial insurance coverage, Chandler, AZ area business owners can rely on San Marcos Insurance Group. When transportation is a big part of your business, keeping your fleet protected is very important. We can help you with all of your commercial insurance needs, including coverage for your vehicles.

Keep your commercial fleet protected

If you count on your vehicle fleet to get the job done, you need to know that it is protected. Don’t find out after it’s too late that you didn’t have the coverage you needed. 

Any damage to your commercial vehicles can cause a huge impact on your firm’s ability to do business. You need to know that you will have options in place if any part of your fleet is rendered inoperable due to a covered event. With the right insurance in place, you can enjoy features like reimbursement for replacement vehicles while yours are off the road.

And, if any part of your fleet is totaled or stolen, or otherwise needs to be replaced, you will want to have protection in place. Because of all of these reasons and more, it is important to carefully review your insurance needs and options. You don’t want to think that you had a particular type of coverage only to find out that your policy does not include it. With the right policy in place, you can focus on your core business!

Count on us for all of your commercial insurance needs

Chandler, AZ area business owners can turn to the team at San Marcos Insurance Group for all of their insurance needs. We are here to help you keep your business protected! Give us a call today and schedule your consultation. We look forward to working with you!

Life insurance is important if you will be leaving anyone behind upon your passing. Of course, you can’t simply buy a life insurance policy and forget all about it. This is because some of the changes that occur in your life will warrant another look at your policy and a potential increase in coverage. San Marcos Insurance Group, serving Chandler, AZ, wants to share a few instances when you may need to increase your coverage.

When You Are Financially Responsible for an Ill Loved One

If you have a family member who you are taking care of medically and financially due to them becoming seriously ill, you may want to consider increasing your life insurance premiums. Think about it: who would take care of them if you pass away? Adding a cushion to your insurance policy will help ensure they are properly taken care of upon your passing in terms of medication, treatment, and even long-term medical care.

When You Get a Significant Raise at Work or Change Jobs

When you first purchased your life insurance policy, you likely took into account your income at the time. If your income has significantly changed since then, such as from a considerable raise or changing jobs, you may want to consider an upgrade in your current coverage. In doing so, you can ensure that your family is able to live within the same means they are living now even after you have passed on.

When You Have a New Child

Regardless of whether you are having your first child or your fourth child, a priority of yours should always be ensuring they are provided for. Increasing your life insurance coverage when a child is on the way is a good way to ensure your family does not have to deal with any financial burdens when they should be spending their time grieving your loss. Life insurance can help your family with day-to-day expenses, funeral costs, childcare, education, and more. 

If you are dealing with a situation that may warrant an upgrade to your life insurance policy, contact the agents at San Marcos Insurance Group, serving Chandler, AZ.

If your health insurance plan comes with a health savings account, you may be curious as to how you can use these funds. An HSA is specifically designed for those with higher deductibles, and these funds can be used for a number of different expenses. San Marcos Insurance Group wants to share some of these with Chandler, AZ residents so they can know what to expect.

Dental Fillings

It doesn’t take long for dental work–even the simple procedures–to add up. For instance, you are probably out a few hundred dollars just to fill one cavity. The good news is that your health savings account plan will foot the bill.

Corrective Eyewear

The funds in your HSA can help to cover the cost of prescription eyewear. It should cover the cost of eyeglasses or contact lenses. The money in this plan can also be used to cover vision fees, copays, and more that may not be covered by your standard health insurance policy or separate vision insurance policy.

Breastfeeding Supplies

Your health savings plan account can reimburse you for the money you spend on breastfeeding supplies, such as pumps, nursing bras, gel pads, and more. To ensure you are eligible for reimbursement, make sure to save the receipts from purchase. At the same time, you should speak to your health insurance agent ahead of time to obtain a list of items that are covered under the plan.

If you would like to learn more about health insurance and health savings accounts, reach out to San Marcos Insurance Group, an insurance company that serves Chandler, AZ and surrounding areas. 

Although incredibly fun and rewarding, owning and operating a vineyard and winery can be a bit complex. One reason for this is the potential risks that you face with your business. With that being said, it is important to speak with an insurance agent at San Marcos Insurance Group to ensure you have the proper commercial business protection for your Chandler, AZ winery.

Liability Insurance

This kind of insurance is great for wineries, as well as all other businesses, as it is designed to protect you from court expenses that stem from a potential lawsuit from a customer. Many businesses tend to overlook the importance of liability protection but consider a few things. 

What would you do if an individual slips and falls while in the wine tasting room? Or if a customer claims a health problem cropped up after consuming your wine? Liability insurance will protect you in these instances.

Crop Insurance

When you’re making wine, you also have grapes that you must take care of and pick. These grapes, the butter of your business, need sufficient protection in the event of a disaster. When it comes to your grapes, there are so many different things you have to consider, including insect infestations, vine infections, and natural disasters. By investing in crop insurance, you will be able to recoup some of your losses.

Equipment Insurance

Just as you have grapes to make wine, you also have equipment. For instance, if you are a bigger business, you may have a grape harvesting machine so you don’t have to hand-pick the grapes yourself. In the event this equipment breaks down, will you be able to cover the cost of repair or replacement with no problem? Your insurance agent can help you identify the exact type of equipment insurance you need to ensure you are protected.

Whether you are a new winery or a seasoned business in Chandler, AZ, San Marcos Insurance Group can take care of you. Contact us today to discuss specifics.