When should you review your life insurance coverage?

Life insurance is not something that should stay the same forever. Your needs are less likely to be the same at 20 years old as at 40 or 60. Talking to your independent insurance agent can help you determine if you have the correct amount of life insurance. At Associated Insurance Agencies Inc. in Westerville, OH, our knowledgeable agents are here to help you with your coverage. 

When you buy a home

Purchasing a home may be the first adult thing that you do. This is the point when considering life insurance may first become a thought for you. Protecting your home in the event of your disappearance protects your loved ones from being stuck with your mortgage. 

When you change jobs

When you change employment, your life insurance won’t go with you. You may have the option to maintain the coverage, but the cost may not make it the right option. 

When you get married

When you get married, you need to review the beneficiaries of your life insurance policy. You may want to make your new spouse the beneficiary. 

When you have children

Having children changes everything. Your level of responsibility grows exponentially. You need to provide protection for twenty or more years and perhaps for multiple children. That requires serious thought. You want them to be able to grow up in the home they know and not have to suffer any further loss after losing a parent. 

When you retire

When you retire, your income may be less, and you may wonder if you still need life insurance. That depends on your personal financial situation. Talk to your insurance agent to get the correct information. 

Contact Associated Insurance Agencies Inc. in Westerville, OH when you need to review your life insurance coverage. 

Transmission Problems in Westerville, OH? Will Your Auto Insurance Cover It?

Transmission problems in Westerville, OH can damage vehicle parts and cause vehicle failure. Can auto insurance cover transmission repair or replacement? At Associated Insurance Agencies Inc., we aim to show you the connection between auto insurance and transmission damage.

How Did the Transmission Damage Occur?

Your auto insurance could potentially cover the costs of repairing or replacing your transmission, depending on the circumstances that led to the damage. A damaged transmission can occur because of:

  • Wear and tear or lack of maintenance.
  • A collision or other type of car accident.
  • Situations beyond your control, such as fire, vandalism, or an animal impact.

Policies differ among drivers and insurance companies, but certain circumstances could potentially result in your insurer covering the cost of damages. However, for that to happen, you’ll need the correct type of coverage and coverage amounts.

What Will Auto Insurance Cover?

Many of the things auto insurance may cover will come with your collision and comprehensive coverage. The optional nature of these insurance types means you will have to have them as part of your extended policy. Nevertheless, if your transmission damage comes from a car accident or collision with an object, your collision coverage can help with transmission repairs.

Equally, if damage occurs because of vandalism, natural disasters, fire, or similar situations, your comprehensive coverage can help. These are the things collisions and comprehensive coverage exist for.

If your transmission damage occurred due to wear, tear, neglect, or lack of proper maintenance, your insurance will unlikely cover the resulting damage. Certain insurance providers offer policies covering mechanical breakdowns and other related issues, which can be immensely helpful in such situations.

As you can probably tell, this isn’t a cut-and-dry situation. The best thing you can do is review your policy and ask a Westerville, OH insurance company directly. To learn more about what auto insurance can cover regarding your car and its transmission, contact Associated Insurance Agencies Inc. today.

Four rules to follow when you buy motorcycle insurance

Owning a motorcycle allows you to enjoy endless adventures on the road. However, it would be best if you bought motorcycle insurance to meet your financial obligations. At Associated Insurance Agencies Inc., we can fulfill your insurance needs by providing motorcycle insurance coverage.

Here are four rules to follow when you buy motorcycle insurance in Westerville, OH. 

Know about your seasonal coverage options.

If you own a motorcycle, you should consider your motorcycle usage habits when you buy insurance. If you don’t use your motorcycle during certain times of the year, you should take advantage of seasonal coverage options that are available to you. 

Get covered for modifications

Make sure that your insurance provider knows that you’ve invested in motorcycle modifications. If modifications you’ve made to your bike increase your biker’s value, you need to be covered for these modifications to protect your investment. 

Read the fine print

A motorcycle insurance policy could have exclusions you need to be aware of. You need to read through all the fine print of your motorcycle insurance policy. 

If you don’t take the time to read the details of your policy, you might be disappointed when you have to file a claim in the future and don’t get the coverage that you expected. 

Have records available

When you buy motorcycle insurance from an insurance provider, that insurance provider should have access to any pertinent records regarding your motorcycle’s value or your driving history.

Ensure you supply all needed records to your insurance provider when you buy a policy. 

Get a quote on a motorcycle insurance policy in Westerville, OH. At Associated Insurance Agencies Inc., we’re here to meet your insurance coverage needs. 

How Does Umbrella Insurance Work?

Umbrella insurance is a type of insurance that works a little differently from most types of policies. Instead of being independent, this policy works with others you already have. When you have an auto and a home policy, you can get an umbrella policy to add extra protection. This is a cost-effective way to get more insurance to protect you against financial risks. Call us at Associated Insurance Agencies Inc. in Westerville, OH when you need umbrella insurance. 

More Liability Coverage

When you have both home and auto policies, each has its own liability coverage. The problem is that these policies too often come with too little of this coverage. Both home and auto insurance have several kinds of coverage, and liability coverage may only be the minimum amount required for you. This may not be enough to pay for a severe accident with expensive results. This can put you in a challenging financial situation. If your liability coverage maxes out before all the bills are paid, you will owe those overages yourself. When you get umbrella insurance, it adds extra liability coverage to both of those other policies at the same time. 

Paying Overages

If you have an overage after your home or auto policy has reached its maximum payout, umbrella insurance can come in and pay the rest of what you owe. This can save you thousands of dollars in overages that would have been your responsibility. Umbrella insurance is low-cost and comes with an extremely high maximum payout. 

Get More Liability Coverage

Call us at Associated Insurance Agencies Inc. in Westerville, OH, for more liability coverage with an umbrella policy. 

I’m young and healthy. Do I really need health insurance?

Many people may question whether or not they need health insurance. This is particularly true of people who are young and healthy. However, health insurance has many positive benefits, even for young people. Our Westerville, OH team at Associated Insurance Agencies Inc. is committed to helping people understand the benefits of health insurance at any age.

What is health insurance?

Health insurance is similar to many forms of insurance in that you pay a premium to receive benefits. A health insurance premium is paid in exchange for discounted medical services. The financial savings that health insurance provides are a benefit because anyone can unexpectedly become sick or have an accident and other unexpected sicknesses. Health insurance can cover the cost of many illnesses, preventing you from having to pay high and unanticipated medical costs. Even "expected" medical costs can be high. Health insurance helps with both expected and unexpected medical expenses. In other words, health insurance can significantly reduce the cost of healthcare. When you have health insurance, you typically pay a set fee or copay for doctors’ visits and also receive discounts on prescription drugs. Some health plans may cover the entire cost of prescription drugs.

I’m young and healthy. Do I need health insurance?

Maybe. Even young people can become unexpectedly sick. However, healthcare gives people access to preventative care, which is essential for staying healthy or preventing sickness. As a result, health insurance also benefits healthy young people. Preventive care, in addition to emergency care and routine treatments for sickness, can make health insurance a wise investment for young people. Also, if you get health insurance at a young age, you can lock in better healthcare rates. This can be cost-saving as you get older. If you have questions about health insurance, call us. We’d be happy to help you explore your options. 

Can You Buy Life Insurance Without an Exam?

Life insurance is an important financial planning tool. Life insurance is an excellent option if you want to create a more secure future for your family or business partner. Residents living in and around the Associated Insurance Agencies Inc. are proud to offer the residents of Westerville, OH quality insurance products they can count on to give them peace of mind. 

Life Insurance Coverage

Life insurance isn’t a one-size-fits-all product. There are many types of life insurance, and the policy provider may require you to have a physical examination. Not all insurance policies require you to have a medical exam, however. The best way to determine which policies require this type of medical examination is to consult a licensed insurance agent. Based on your needs, they can recommend policies that suit your needs. 

Our highly knowledgeable agents can work with you to determine your needs and preferences for policy pre-qualifications. Once they understand your needs, they can work with you to provide the most beneficial recommendations. Not only can they assist you with submitting documents necessary to secure the policy, but they can also support you should you need to make any changes or provide beneficiaries with support for claims submissions. It’s all a part of our commitment to excellence and dedication to ensuring customer satisfaction. 

Contact Associated Insurance Agencies Inc. Today

If you want to learn more about life insurance and your different pre-qualifications and options, please call or stop by Associated Insurance Agencies Inc. We are committed to offering the residents of Westerville, OH, insurance protection they can trust. Let us help you plan for the future. 

Top Three Ways To Prepare Teens for Driving

It can be nerve-wracking as your teen gets closer and closer to driving age. Although there can be a lot of anxiety associated with this season, you can take steps to better prepare your teen for this responsibility. The better prepared they are, the more you can relax. Here at Associated Insurance Agencies Inc., serving Westerville, OH, and the surrounding areas, we want to help you prepare for this important time in life. Keep reading to learn about ways to prepare your teen for driving. 

Drivers’ Ed 

Putting your child through a thorough driver’s ed program is a great way to prepare them for time on the road. If your child’s school does not provide driver’s ed as a class or if your child cannot take the course, there are other options. You can get private driver’s ed from local driving instructors. There are also online driver’s ed options as well. Students can complete lessons online while doing the required amount of road training in the vehicle with a parent or guardian. 

Honest Conversations 

You need to have honest, hard conversations with your child about the dangers of distracted driving and intoxicated driving. Kids need to hear the harsh realities of what can happen if they engage in unsafe behaviors while behind the wheel. Although you may not want to think about things like that or scare your child, remember, it is better that they be a little scared than that they are injured or injure someone. 

Real Consequences 

It is also essential that your child knows there will be real consequences if they do not abide by the standards you have established for safe driving. 

If you want to learn about auto insurance, contact us at Associated Insurance Agencies Inc., which serves Westerville, OH, and the surrounding areas. 

The importance of wearing a helmet every time you get on a motorcycle

It’s no surprise that wearing a motorcycle helmet is essential here in the Westerville, OH area and everywhere in between. Helmets are the single most crucial piece of safety equipment for riders and should be worn at all times. At Associated Insurance Agencies Inc., we remind all customers that it helps to protect your head from severe injury or death in the case of an accident. Many states have passed laws requiring motorcyclists to wear helmets, and research has consistently found that helmet use reduces the risk of death by 37% and severe injuries by 69%. 

Wearing a helmet may seem like an inconvenience, but it could save your life in an accident. It’s not only important for riders to wear helmets – passengers should also wear them for their own protection. Furthermore, wearing brightly colored protective gear will make you more visible on the road and reduce your chances of colliding with another vehicle. 

No matter how experienced a rider you are, wearing a helmet every time you ride should always be non-negotiable. Take the necessary steps to ensure your safety when riding by investing in a high-quality helmet and other protective gear that fits properly and meets safety standards. When it comes to motorcycle safety, don’t take shortcuts – always wear a helmet!

For more safety tips, call us at Associated Insurance Agencies Inc. today. We would also be happy to help you find a motorcycle policy that will keep you covered whenever you get on your bike. We are proud to serve the Westerville, OH area.

Umbrella Insurance vs. Standard Insurance: What’s the Difference?

Understanding the differences between umbrella and standard insurance is essential for protecting your assets and financial future. Associated Insurance Agencies Inc., an insurance provider in Westerville, OH, is committed to ensuring clients are well-informed about their insurance options. Learn the critical distinctions between umbrella and standard insurance and what is important about each.

Umbrella Insurance: Broad Protection

Umbrella insurance provides an extra layer of protection beyond the limits of your standard insurance policies, such as home, auto, and boat insurance. It covers claims that may not be fully addressed by your other policies, offering:

  • Additional liability coverage
  • Legal defense costs
  • Protection against slander and libel
  • Coverage for rental units you own

Standard Insurance: Specific Coverage

Standard insurance policies are designed to cover specific assets or situations. These include:

  • Homeowners Insurance
  • Auto Insurance
  • Life Insurance
  • Health Insurance
  • Renters Insurance

Key Differences: Coverage Limits, Scope, and Flexibility

  • Coverage limits: Standard insurance policies have set limits, while umbrella insurance extends coverage beyond these limits.
  • Scope: Umbrella insurance covers a broader range of risks compared to standard insurance policies.
  • Flexibility: Umbrella insurance can be customized to fit your needs, whereas standard policies often have predetermined coverage options.

Evaluating Your Insurance Needs

As your life circumstances change, so do your insurance needs. Therefore, it’s essential to periodically review your coverage to ensure it remains adequate and relevant. When assessing your insurance requirements, consider family dynamics, career progression, and any additional assets you’ve acquired. By staying proactive and adjusting your insurance policies as needed, you can have peace of mind knowing that your financial future is well-protected.

Give Associated Insurance Agencies Inc. a Call Today!

Don’t leave your assets and financial future to chance. Contact Associated Insurance Agencies Inc. in Westerville, OH, at 800-935-2335 today to discuss your insurance options and find the right coverage for your unique needs. Together, we can help protect what matters most to you.

Are Solar Panels Covered By Your Home Insurance Policy?

More homeowners are opting to install solar panels on their homes to help them produce clean energy. As such, people often wonder if these types of panels are covered by their home insurance policy. Here at Associated Insurance Agencies Inc., serving the greater Westerville, OH region, we want to provide you with the answer to this question. Read on to learn more. 

Does Your Home Insurance Policy cover Solar Panels? 

Most home insurance policies will cover your solar panels as long as they are installed on your home, such as mounted to your roof. If you have standalone solar panels installed, which is more common for commercial spaces and pretty rare for homeowners, your panels may not be covered. If your policy covers your panels, it is important to understand that the panels are only covered with covered events for your policy. For example, earthquake damage is typically not covered by a standard homeowners policy, so damage to your solar panels by an earthquake would not be covered. 

Do You Need to Notify Your Home Insurance Company You Installed the Panels? 

You do not need to notify your home insurance company if you install solar panels on your home. However, solar panels are pricey, so you may need to increase your home insurance policy limit after installing solar panels. 

Your home insurance policy generally covers rooftop solar panels, but many homeowners need to increase their policy limits to ensure they have enough coverage after installing solar panels. Suppose you are preparing to install solar panels and need to up your policy limit or find a new home insurance policy. In that case, Associated Insurance Agencies Inc., serving Westerville, OH, would love to help you. Contact us now to get started.