Health Insurance: It’s There When You Most Need It

The Affordable Care Act mandated that Americans purchase some form of health insurance.  Many young people questions that need as they are young and healthy.  Health insurance, though, like auto insurance is a financial tool that protects people.  While many find it hard to afford or difficult to obtain if they have a preexisting condition, it’s still important.  At San Marcos Insurance Group in the Chandler, AZ area, we realize that some may grapple with health insurance costs but we will help you find the right policy for your lifestyle. 

While you may be healthy now, life is unpredictable.  When illnesses or accidents occur, they can also bring unexpected financial burdens that are more than the average consumer can bear.  Also, without the required coverage, Americans are required to pay a penalty.  This amounts to $695 per adult or 2.5% of their annual income.  When that amount is considered, that’s a pretty significant hit to the budget. 

Health insurance can make sure that you stay financially sound.  Even a small medical emergency can result in bills that are daunting.  Appendicitis, car crashes or serious illnesses like cancer can mean financial ruin.  In fact, the number one cause for bankruptcy in the United States is medical expenses. 

All insurers, however, are required to cover preventive care and checkups.  This means that vaccinations, mammograms, and prostate cancer screenings are covered automatically.  So with the right health insurance, you have the opportunity to remain healthy and catch any problems early.  In the end, this makes them less expensive to treat. 

At San Marcos Insurance Group, our team works to get the residents of the Chandler, AZ area covered with the health insurance they need.  Give us a call or come by for a visit to find out how you can protect your health and your finances today!

Three mistakes you need to avoid regarding your commercial insurance policy

Having a good commercial insurance plan can save your company in the event of an emergency or accident. Unfortunately, a lot of business owners make mistakes that drastically limit what they get back from the investment they make in commercial insurance.

If you’re a Chandler, AZ business owner on the market for the right commercial insurance policy, we’re here to help at San Marcos Insurance Group. We advise customers to avoid the following three commercial insurance mistakes: 

Overlooking required insurance types

The most important thing when it comes to commercial insurance is meeting legal requirements. Some business types are required to have commercial insurance to legally operate. This is especially true when it comes to situations where you’re driving a commercial vehicle or hiring employees.

When you drive a company vehicle, you require a special commercial auto insurance policy. Also, companies with employees are generally required to have workers compensation insurance. 

Focus first on finding out what types of commercial insurance you need by law to avoid penalties and fees. 

Being unaware of exactly how your policy works

Insurance can be a complicated product. You really need to weed through the details and read the small print to understand what you’re getting in a commercial insurance policy. Make sure you understand all pertinent factors like how your deductible works and how much coverage you’re getting for various incidents before you agree to a particular policy. 

Having no business interruption coverage

A lot of business owners, unfortunately, overlook business interruption coverage. This is compensation for the revenue that is lost during periods after an accident when a company can no longer carry on business as usual. Business interruption coverage is essential to have because it ensures continued revenue regardless of what happens to your company. 

If you’d like more information on finding the right commercial insurance for your company, contact us at San Marcos Insurance Group for information on our Chandler, AZ policies. 

What You Need to Know about Auto Insurance in Arizona

For those that are in the Chandler AZ area, owning a car is a practical necessity in order to get to and from school, work, or to get daily tasks completed. When you are looking to buy a car, it is important that you have proper auto insurance in place at all times. There are many things that you need to know about auto insurance when you are looking for an Arizona policy.

Required by Law

One factor to understand is that having auto insurance is a legal requirement whenever you are on the road in Arizona. In this state, you are required to carry liability insurance at all times. If you do not have this coverage or do not have enough coverage, you could be in trouble if you are caught driving without it. 

Provides Asset Protection

While it is not required by law, Arizona car owners will also want to learn more about how they can protect their vehicles. The best way to do this is by getting a full collision and comprehensive coverage policy. This will ensure that your vehicle is covered for a wide variety of situations that could cause a loss, such as theft or vandalism. 

There is a lot that you need to know about auto insurance when you are looking for a policy in the Chandler, AZ area. To ensure that you learn all that you need to, contacting the San Marcos Insurance Group before you start shopping for a policy would be a great option. The San Marcos Insurance Group can help you to better understand all of the needs that you have when it comes to auto insurance. They can then help you get into a policy that provides you with the right protection. 

Why It Is Important To Review Your Home Insurance Heading Into Winter

Those who reside in Chandler, AZ may be under the belief that their standard home insurance policies keep them protected. However, San Marcos Insurance Group agents can provide additional insights that keep these homeowners from potentially making avoidable mistakes. Is the home truly ready for the winter? Let’s take a closer look at the reasons why the annual review is so important. 

Insufficient Policies

Sure, the average policy might offer the homeowner coverage against various winter-related calamities. But is it truly sufficient? Chandler, AZ residents must review their home insurance policies to make sure that they are covered against any issues that may occur. For example, the homeowner may have the necessary coverage for the property itself and leave their personal possessions exposed. 

Unique Threats

There are certain threats that the average homeowner is simply not going to be aware of. When a cold snap takes place, the plumbing in the home could be placed at risk. Water damages occur as a result of plumbing related issues and these damages are not always covered in a standard policy. Wintertime disasters can leave a home in a state of disrepair, causing homeowners to spend a great deal out of pocket to maintain a residence.

Added Liabilities

The liabilities that take place during winter are hard to prepare for without the proper assistance. Taking the time to speak with an insurance agent is everything. They can examine the standard coverage and ask the right questions about the liabilities that a homeowner might be facing. For example, any homeowner that sets up an ice skating rink on their property will need to obtain additional insurance. Otherwise, they risk facing costly litigation. 

The importance of reviewing home insurance policies before the winter arrives cannot possibly be understated. That’s what makes San Marcos Insurance Group consultation meetings so crucial. They provide insights that keep homeowners from experiencing unwanted issues over the short and long term. 

Health Insurance and Experimental Treatment

We live in a day and age where progress and change are being made in medicine every day. There are now more treatments for the common cold than you can count and experimental treatments for more serious illnesses are being created. That being said, does health insurance help cover the cost of experimental treatment? For those in the Chandler, AZ area, the agents with San Marcos Insurance Group can help you find the health insurance policy that is going to work for you.

For the most part, the only medications and treatments that are going to be paid for, even in part, by your health insurance are those that have been tested and approved by the FDA. You can, in some cases, find experimental treatments that are paid for by the company that created them as payment for your participating in the trial of that drug or treatment. In most cases, however, your health insurance is not going to pay for experimental treatments.

Health insurance does, however, help pay for medication, it might help pay for hospital stays, and it also helps to pay for things like preventative treatments. Your health insurance may also help pay for the cost of some prescriptions and some other treatments as well. For those that do have medical treatments that they have to have done, it is always best to speak with an agent to see just what your insurance covers and what you can do to make sure you have the best insurance coverage possible on matter what you might be ailing with. For those in the Chandler, AZ area, the agents with San Marcos Insurance Group can help you to find the right policy for your needs so that you can get on the road to healing and on the road to feeling better.  

Data, Hackers, and You: Keeping Your Business and Customers Safe

From Facebook to Equifax, it seems like every month there is a new data breach in the news. At San Marcos Insurance Group we know cybercrime is an ever-growing threat to business, even in Chandler, AZ. While your business may not be a huge corporation, securing your data should be a top concern. So, what can you do to make sure your data is safe?

Inventory Your Data

Understand what sensitive data your company keeps and what damage could occur to your business and customers should a leak occur. A typical business has records of credit card information at the very least. The release of this data can cause a financial burden on your customers, which lowers their faith in your company and may even lead to litigation. The more personal data you store, the higher the risk you face. 

Keep Your Security Measures Up-To-Date

The most common way a hacker gains access to vital data is through malware and viruses. It might surprise you, but even hospitals have fallen victim to data breaches and ransomware attacks because they did not keep their computers and security suites up to date. New threats are found all the time. It’s important to make sure you have reputable anti-virus and anti-malware protection and to keep those programs and computer operating systems updated. 

Consider Cyber Breach Insurance

While insuring your property and normal operations are important, it’s imperative to not overlook the security of your data network, too. Data breach coverage can help protect your assets should you become a victim to hacking. If you become a target for litigation because of a breach, your insurance could help cover the cost of defense and damages you’re held liable for. 

With Chandler, AZ rapidly growing with small business, now is the time to protect yourself against cybercrime. Let San Marcos Insurance Group make sure you’re covered. 

Mistakes That Could Nullify Auto Insurance

Car insurance in Chandler, AZ is necessary and required by law. However, there are some mistakes that can nullify your auto insurance. Speak with an agent at San Marcos Insurance Group to learn more about not making these mistakes.

Non-Disclosure of Car Modifications: A car modification can affect how an insurer will rate your prices. When you are searching for a policy, you need to declare all modifications made to your vehicle. Failure to do so can nullify your policy.

Committing Car Insurance Fraud: Fraud and dishonesty are the top reasons why car insurance companies will cancel your policy. If an insurer finds out you have lied about your driving record or car details, or you have made a false claim, then you can be dropped from your policy.

Not Obeying Traffic Laws: Not only can disobeying traffic laws land you in trouble with authorities but it can also affect your insurance. Committing an offense such as driving under the influence or with a suspended driver’s license can give an insurer reasons to cancel your policy.

Not Paying Attention to Car Maintenance: It’s your responsibility as the policyholder to keep the car in a roadworthy condition at all times. This means you will need to have regular maintenance and fix any malfunctions as soon as possible.

Using Your Car for Business: Many policies will have a disclaimer that coverage is only limited to private use. If you are found using your car for business, such as transporting passengers or making deliveries, then you can have an issue with your insurance in Chandler, AZ.

Loaning Out Your Car: You and named drivers on the policy should be the only people using your car. If you loan out your car to a friend, you can invalidate your insurance. In the car is involved in an accident, the insurance company may not pay for the damages.

Contact San Marcos Insurance Group to get a quote on auto insurance. 

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.