Chandler AZ

Preparing your home for an emergency

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An emergency is a serious situation and requires preparedness. The city of Chandler, AZ takes it so seriously that they have set up a section of their website to make suggestions to the residents. Getting ready for an emergency begins in the home and there are a few simple things that every homeowner can do to make sure they are ready no matter what emergency arises. At San Marcos Insurance Group in Chandler, AZ, we have over 80 years of combined insurance experience that we share with our customers. 

In Chandler, AZ n emergency can come in the form of a heatwave, a wind storm, a flood, a power outage, or a fire. Not to mention any man-made emergencies. You need to make sure your home is prepared for any of these.

Battery backup

No matter which of these emergencies happen, losing power is a possibility. Having flashlights, battery-operated radio, extra batteries, solar lights, a generator, and portable chargers like a Halo can keep you working. You just want to make sure you can keep from sitting in the dark. A generator will make sure your food stays fresh, and you have ac which is pretty much of a necessity in Arizona. You also need to have a good size gas can so that you can run the generator. 

Water

When an emergency strikes, it may not be possible to have running water. You need to have enough bottled water to keep you hydrated for at least a few days. Filling a bathtub with water can make sure you can flush toilets. 

Food

You should have three days of food and in the event, you don’t have a generator, it should be shelf-stable food. Having a gas or charcoal grill to cook food is also very handy. A manual can opener is a necessity. 

Contact San Marcos Insurance Group in Chandler, AZ for all your home insurance needs. 

What new drivers need to know about Arizona auto insurance requirements

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What new drivers need to know about Arizona auto insurance requirements

Whether you just moved to Arizona or looking to buy your first car in Chandler, AZ, you need to seriously think about auto insurance. All drivers are required to show proof of financial responsibility by carrying the minimum amount of liability. When you first visit us at San Marcos Insurance Group, we help you understand how the law works before helping you find a policy that matches your needs. Here is what you need to know before buying insurance in Arizona.

Arizona uses the old “Fault” system

The state follows the old fault system when it comes to accidents on the road. That means the person who caused the accident is held accountable for injuries, vehicle damage, and income lost. If you are the victim, you can sue the driver at fault to receive compensation from their insurance company.

You are required to carry the minimum liability coverage

The Arizona law requires drivers to buy minimum liability coverage for every vehicle in operation, to prove financial responsibility. That means your insurance company can pay for injuries and property damage in case you caused a car accident. The minimum liability coverage is not always adequate and policyholders are advised to buy enough to avoid out-of-pocket costs.

There are penalties if you don’t show proof of insurance

If you are stopped and the traffic officer asks for proof of insurance, you must produce one, or you will be penalized. If the law enforcement officer learns that you don’t have insurance, you could have your license suspended or even face a jail term, especially if you caused an accident.

There is a safety glass non-deductible option for Arizona auto insurance policies

When you buy a Chandler, AZ insurance policy with a comprehensive deductible, you qualify for the safety glass non-deductible benefit. This means you can have your vehicle replaced or repaired without paying.

Looking to buy insurance in Arizona? Contact San Marcos Insurance Group, for all your insurance needs.

Health insurance FAQs

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Health insurance provides one of the most vital types of protection. It is hard to imagine that just a generation ago it was not something most families had; now it is a necessity. Choosing your insurance plan is one of the most important decisions you make every year. It is literally life and death. Before you make this all-important decision you need to ask some questions to make sure that you are choosing a plan that provides the coverage you need while being affordable. In Chandler, AZ at the San Marcos Insurance Group, we strive to give every customer the personalized service they deserve and encourage them to ask all the questions they need to feel confident in their insurance decision. 

What is the difference between a PPO and HMO?

The most basic difference between a PPO and an HMO is the ability to seek medical care outside the plan network. With an HMO you have a network of healthcare providers you can use. If you go outside the network for anything but an extreme emergency, the plan will not pay for the services. With a PPO you get the best rates in-network but are able to go outside the network for care. 

What is a network?

The healthcare providers who have contracted with a healthcare plan to provide services to their members for a reduced rate are referred to as a network. It includes medical professionals across a variety of specialties. Check the providers to make sure your favorites are in the network. 

How much of a deductible should I have?

Most policies have a deductible that must be met before services are covered. High deductible policies are popular because they are less expensive and will cover a catastrophic illness but offer little coverage for routine services. Your overall health should determine the deductible you can live with. 

Contact San Marcos Insurance Group in Chandler, AZ for all your health insurance needs. 

Should I get a life insurance policy?

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When you are a resident of the Chandler, AZ area there are going to be many different forms of insurance that you need to have. One important form of insurance coverage in this area is life insurance. There are a few different reasons why someone in this area of Arizona needs to have this coverage. 

Insurance Will Protect Dependents

A reason that you need to have a life insurance plan is that it can protect your dependents. If you have people that you care about and that rely on you, protecting their financial future is very important. A great way that this can be done is by getting life insurance. If you were to pass away, those that are named as beneficiaries on the policy will receive a payout from the life insurance provider. This could be used for any purposes that they see fit. 

Insurance Offers Investment Option

You should also consider getting a life insurance plan as it can provide you with an investment benefit as well. If you choose to get a whole life insurance plan, some of your monthly payments will build up in an account that can be liquidated in the future. This can make it a good addition to your personal investment plan as well as offer life insurance protection. 

Picking a new life insurance plan in the Chandler, AZ area will always be a big decision. When you are shopping for coverage, you could find that getting the guidance provided by the San Marcos Insurance Group is a great option. The team with the San Marcos Insurance Group understands the value of this type of coverage. They can help you better assess all of your personal needs and then help you choose a plan that offers you the right coverage. 

An Introduction to the Business Owners’ Policy

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An Introduction to the Business Owners’ Policy

You might start your Chandler, AZ business on a shoestring budget. When looking for ways to obtain all the needed information, equipment, funding, and insurance, San Marcos Insurance Group recommends you purchase a business owners’ policy (BOP).

The BOP means you obtain four insurance policies typically needed by a business in a bundle that costs you less in premiums than purchasing them separately. The standard BOP provides these four types of insurance:

  • business interruption,
  • liability,
  • named perils,
  • property damage.

Besides those essential coverages that protect your property and equipment as well as your liability protection, you can also add other coverage to the BOP. They will function as standalone policies but in conjunction with the BOP. For example, you could add a commercial auto policy to protect your commercial vehicle from any type of damage since commercial auto automatically provides full coverage. A crime policy protects a business’ storefront or office space from theft, vandalism, and other crimes of property.

Your business may not need nor qualify for a BOP. San Marcos Insurance Group determines your qualification for a BOP by considering your business’ class, size, location, and annual revenue. Those businesses that do not immediately qualify can apply for a policy under special circumstances.

Contact San Marcos Insurance Group of Chandler, AZ, today to apply for your BOP. Consult with us to learn what other policies your business might need. We can help you find the insurance coverage you need to protect your new business. We want your Chandler, AZ business to grow, so let us help you obtain the insurance protection it needs to thrive.

Who should get home insurance in Arizona?

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People that move to the Chandler, AZ area are going to have a lot of housing options. For many people, buying a home instead of renting is a great choice as it provides many benefits to those that want to stay for a while. As you are looking for a new home here, you also need to spend time assessing your insurance needs. In almost all situations it makes sense for someone to get a home insurance plan. 

Those with Requirements

A situation when you should get home insurance is when you want to get coverage to comply with your insurance requirements. Anyone that is going to buy a home will likely have insurance requirements set by the mortgage lender and even a home association. It is important to meet these requirements as you could face penalization if you are not able to maintain a proper policy.

Those that Want Protection

Those that do not have any home insurance requirements should still get a proper policy. When you purchase a home you are making a major investment for your future. The best way that this investment can be protected is by getting insurance for it. With this insurance, you will have the coverage you need to repair or replace your home and even receive additional protection against liability risk. 

Those that live in the Chandler, AZ area need to make sure that they get proper home insurance for their property. When you are looking for a new plan, it would be wise to contact the team at the San Marcos Insurance Group. The team of professionals here can help by answering your questions and assessing your risks. They can then help you to build a policy that offers the ideal coverage for your situation. 

Will Minimum Insurance Cover Car Theft?

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If you want to drive around Chandler, AZ with the minimum legally required insurance, you’re free to do so. But there are a lot of good reasons why you might want to pick up the phone, call San Marcos Insurance Group, and extend your coverage.

Here’s one: If your car is stolen and all you have is a liability, you’re not getting your car replaced by your insurer.

Many drivers actually don’t know this. But liability is only there to protect the other party. It saves you from bankruptcy if you are found to be at fault in an accident, but it doesn’t replace or repair your car. It does you no good if your car is stolen, either.

At a certain point, a used car might not be worth protecting with collision & comprehensive. A good rule of thumb is to check the Bluebook value, and weigh that against ten insurance payments. If the insurance payments come out to be more than the car’s total value, then you might want to drop collision & comprehensive, and just cover liability and Personal Injury Protection. But if your car still costs more than you’re willing to part with, that collision & comprehensive insurance will come in very handy.

If you have any questions, get in touch with San Marcos Insurance Group. Whether you’re looking for the basic, minimum legal insurance for an old clunker or you’re ready to buy the full package for a brand new set of wheels, San Marcos Insurance Group can connect you with a provider who will get you a good deal on a great auto insurance policy.

Do I need to get auto insurance in Chandler?

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When you are in the Chandler, AZ area, owning a car is a practical necessity. If you want to be able to get around this city and the rest of the surrounding communities, you will need to have your own vehicle. If you are going to buy a car here, you will want to get insurance for it. There are a few reasons why you need to get a full auto insurance plan for your car here.

Insurance is Required in Arizona

A reason that people in the Chandler area need to have coverage is that it is required by the state. If you want to be able to drive anywhere in Arizona, you need to have liability insurance protection in place at all times. Those that do not maintain this coverage could face penalization. This can include being assessed a penalty or even losing your license to drive. 

Insurance Protects Car

You will also want to get auto insurance here to ensure that your vehicle is protected. Your car is a very important asset that you will rely on daily. To ensure that you are able to drive this on a regular basis, you will want to have insurance. With this coverage, you can be protected if your car is stolen or damaged during an accident and needs repair or replacement. 

Those that are in the Chandler, AZ area and want to get an auto insurance plan should call the insurance professionals with the San Marcos Insurance Group. If you do call the San Marcos Insurance Group you can learn a lot about your different insurance options. The team here will also be able to help you assess your needs and build a policy that protects both you and your vehicle.

What are the benefits of having health insurance?

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When you are in the Chandler, AZ area you will have a few different types of personal insurance needs. One type of insurance that you are going to need to get is health insurance. There are several benefits that will come when you get a health insurance policy. 

You Will Have Access to Affordable Care

One of the primary advantages that come when you obtain a health insurance plan is that you will have access to affordable care. Anyone that would like to get health insurance in this area of the state will then be able to find a local physician to provide their primary care. If you ever become ill or hurt, you will also be able to receive the care that you need at a far more affordable rate. Ultimately, this can help to ensure you get care when needed without breaking the bank.

Policy Will Ensure Legal Compliance

You will also want to get health insurance as it can help to ensure you stay in legal compliance. Everyone across the country is required to obtain health insurance for themselves and their dependents. If you do not have this coverage, you could be required to pay a penalty when the year comes to an end. 

Those that are in the Chandler, AZ area and would like to get a proper health insurance plan should call the San Marcos Insurance Group. The team with the San Marcos Insurance Group understands how important it is to select the right health insurance. They can provide great service by assessing your personal situation to determine what type of coverage you should get. This will help to ensure that you get into a policy that is right for you and provides access to the healthcare that you need. 

How Does Whole Life Insurance Work?

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A whole life insurance policy works very differently from a term life. It has its own rules and benefits, and it’s a popular choice for those who want to financially protect their families. If you need life insurance, call us at San Marcos Insurance Group in Chandler, AZ to find out more. 

A Lifetime of Insurance

While term life is in effect for a specific time period, whole life stays in effect for the rest of your life. It is an insurance type that is there when you need it, no matter what your age. If you keep paying the required premiums, your insurance cannot be canceled by the insurance carrier. And, the rate doesn’t go up over time. There is a set rate for your premiums, and this will not increase as you get older. Upon death, it pays a specific death benefit to the beneficiaries as agreed in the contract. 

Building Cash Value

Another facet of whole life insurance is that it slowly builds a cash value. The insurance company that issued the policy will take a portion of the profits made on it, through the company investing the premiums, and puts it into a cash value that you can borrow against if you ever need to. When you borrow it, the borrowed amount is deducted from your death benefit until the loan is paid back. If you were to die before the loan is fully paid off, the remaining amount is subtracted from your death benefit. 

Get Insurance for Life

If you are interested in getting a whole life insurance policy, call us at San Marcos Insurance Group in Chandler, AZ to get more information and to talk to an agent about your specific coverage needs.