While students of all ages are currently making their way to the digital and physical seats in college classrooms, higher education – particularly undergraduate college – is defined by younger attendees. Fresh out of high school with decades of learning and living ahead of them, life insurance isn’t typically even a blip on a college student’s radar – but should it be?
Indeed, the life situations and needs of a 19 or 20-year-old are often significantly different than someone 40 or older, but that doesn’t mean there are not important overlaps to consider, such as:
Large debts have a stubborn way of sticking around, even if the original debt holder isn’t able to pay them. That means that a new, reliable vehicle financed to help ferry a college student to and from campus ends up as an expensive liability in the event a student can no longer pay their car note.
While college students may be living out of the dorms or renting a partial or full apartment in the short term, a car or truck can end up being a financially painful burden in an uncertain time. If the student carried an appropriate amount of life insurance, the remaining debt could be paid off and a liability transforms into a resource that may help in a trying time.
Unexpected situations, by definition, won’t wait for a convenient moment to strike. If a life insurance policy is needed mid-term, all the school debts associated with that semester (or even that year, depending on a college’s billing practices) may come due from an estate. That means considerations like tuition, room and board, books, equipment or lab rental, and more all need to be paid, regardless of how much they’ll go unused in the future.
If a college student is relying on a conditional grant or an on-campus work-study program to pay their debts as they go along, this is an especially important consideration. A college student’s life insurance policy takes the stress of the unknown out of settling a semester’s financial obligations.
It’s not unusual for groups of college students to rent a home or apartment together for school, or for college student couples to do the same as they start their lives together. With so much time and energy devoted to studies, the types of jobs that college students typically have are generally more of a hand-to-mouth variety than positions with generous pay.
The loss of even partial income can be devastating if it occurs without warning, which is why a life insurance policy for college students can be a genuine lifesaver for those they care about. Partners, friends and family can be financially provided for in nearly every life scenario – plausible and improbable alike with a bit of forethought.
If you’re looking to lock in financial security for yourself as you attend higher education, or to secure that stability for a student in your family, consider buying a term life policy for college students. It’s one less worry at one of the most stressful periods in an academic lifetime, after all.
Source: SafeCo Agents
Think you’re a good driver? No matter how safe you are behind the wheel, you’ve probably done things like:
If so, you may not have even realized you were doing everything wrong. After all, most everybody has a bad driving habit or two. But, most everybody doesn’t have to pay for your auto repairs. You do.
So, take a look at these seven driving habits that are bad for your car and learn why you should avoid them. It may be time to change the way you drive!
Even if you don’t do anything on this list, you’re still not out of the woods. (But you’re probably closer than most of us.) Keep your ears and eyes open for strange noises, warning lights or anything out of the ordinary — and don’t ignore them. Inspect the issue, or get your car to a mechanic, before it becomes a bigger problem.
Reposted with permission from the original author, Safeco Insurance®.
Top image by Flickr user Elliott P. used under Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license. Image cropped and modified from original.
Source: SafeCo Agents
Summer is here and people are flocking to the water — whether it’s the beach, a lake, a river or a backyard pool. But, wherever there’s water, there’s also danger.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 10 people drown every day — and two of those are children 14 or younger. Even seasoned swimmers can find themselves in dangerous situations, so brush up on these basic safety tips before your first – or next – swim:
Swimming Safety Tips
If you happen to have a pool on your property (lucky you), you have even more responsibilities. Your pool should be completely surrounded by a locking fence, at least 4 feet tall, and all pools and spas should have compliant drain covers. Keep life-saving equipment, such as life rings and poles, within easy reach. If you have a small kiddie or wading pool, be sure to empty it after each use. A baby can drown in just 1 inch of water.
Summer fun in and around the water is for people of all ages — just keep in mind that some people need more supervision than others, and everyone needs to keep safety in mind at all times. Happy splashing!
Reposted with permission from the original author, Safeco Insurance®.
Top image by Flickr user Virginia State Parks used under Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 2.0 license. Image cropped and modified from original.
Source: SafeCo Agents
You’ve fallen in love and plan to say, “I do.” Now your every waking moment is filled with visions of the dress, the rings, the flowers, the honeymoon and more. But, have you thought about insurance?
No, it’s not romantic, but it is a practical way to gain some peace of mind. After all, what would happen if something went wrong with the venue or your rings got stolen? Insurance can help you plan for these and other scenarios – find out how below.
The Big Day
According to TheKnot.com, the average cost of a wedding now exceeds $25,000. When you make an investment of that size, it’s a good idea to protect it. What if the caterer cancels the morning of your wedding? Hiring a replacement the day-of might cost you four times as much. What if the reception site floods a few days beforehand and you have to change venues? What if the groom gets sick and must be hospitalized? Event insurance typically covers unforeseen and sudden issues like these related to the reception site, inclement weather, vendor no-shows and illness or injury.
So, where to start with purchasing a policy? Talk with your venue and vendors about their liability insurance to help determine where you might need additional coverage. Then, work with an independent insurance agent to purchase event insurance for your wedding.
The Bling
Engagement and wedding rings can represent a sizeable investment in and of themselves. You’ll want to update your renters insurance, condo insurance or homeowners insurance – as well as your home inventory – to reflect their value. Is there an opportune time to do so? Yes: as soon as possible. Don’t put it off until after you’ve settled in to a regular routine following the honeymoon. As soon as you purchase the rings, call your independent agent to protect them.
The Presents
We’ve all heard the horror stories of wedding gifts being stolen. You can always purchase an extra policy to cover yourself from potential loss – whether the gifts are stolen off your front porch or lifted from the gift table at your reception. Policies typically cover a pre-defined period of time before or after the wedding and require you to file a police report if something does go missing.
After the wedding, you’ll want to add your new household goods to your home inventory in case of a personal property claim on your renters, condo or homeowners policy. You can check with your independent agent whether you need to purchase more personal property coverage to protect your new belongings, especially items such as china, silver, collectibles and family heirlooms. These and other items that appreciate over time may need separate coverage. Create a list of these items and discuss them with your independent agent.
The Honeymoon
Finally, it’s time to relax after months of sweating over pulling off the perfect day. But, the honeymoon isn’t exempt from unforeseen circumstances, which is where travel insurance comes into play. Polices often address trip cancellation, trip delay, medical insurance and more. The travel experts at Frommer’s say a policy should cost about 3 to 8 percent of your trip’s value. If you’re interested in protecting your trip, talk to us about the policy that’s right for you.
Your wedding day and your honeymoon should be some of the happiest times of your life. Putting a little extra effort into insuring your investment will put you on the path to living happily ever after. Best wishes and congratulations!
Reposted with permission from the original author, Safeco Insurance®
Top image by UnSplash user Jeremy Wong Weddings used under Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license. Image cropped and modified from original.
Source: SafeCo Agents
Home improvement: It’s a never-ending process for many people, and for those of us who aren’t necessarily handy, it can be a hassle, too.
But there are plenty of simple maintenance tasks and other improvements you can handle to make your home safer – whether you’re handy or not. And you won’t have to break out the power tools (or any tools at all in some instances) or worry about getting in over your head.
Water Works
You need running water in your home – but not water running in your home, if you know what we mean. Even minor leaks can cause major problems, from higher water bills to damage requiring costly repairs (maybe even the kind you can’t tackle yourself). Here are some easy ways to make sure your water stays where it should:
Keep Your Family (and Your Guests) On Their Feet
Millions of Americans are injured in falls each year. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than one in four older adults report a fall each year. Look around your home. Should you make some of these fixes?
Give Everyone Some Air
Pollution isn’t just an outside thing – the air in your home can be unhealthy, too. But helping people breathe a little easier isn’t hard when you follow these steps:
Home improvement doesn’t have to mean a kitchen remodel or finishing the basement. Making your home safer, in fact, just might be the best improvement of all.
Reposted with permission from the original author, Safeco Insurance®.
Top image by Unsplash user KJ Styles used under Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 2.0 license. Image cropped and modified from original.
Source: SafeCo Agents
It seems like a no-brainer to leave the lights on outside your home to deter burglars while you’re away (or even while you’re asleep). But, does that really work? Or, is it just a waste of electricity?
Those answers can differ depending on a number of factors. However, one thing is clear: it takes more than flipping a switch to prevent property crime.
If you are relying on lights as part of your home security routine, be sure to put some thought into how you’re using them. Here are recommendations about when to light things up — and some instances where it may be better to go dark. Contact your local law enforcement if you’re curious about recommendations specific to your area.
When to Keep Your Lights On
There are plenty of instances where it makes sense to leave your porch light on:
When to Keep Your Lights Off
Despite what many people think, having your lights on all the time isn’t helpful. In fact, it may actually attract burglars. Here’s when you should think about leaving them off:
An Even Better Option: Automate Your Lights
The goal of lighting, at least from a security standpoint, is to make burglars think someone is home. The most effective way to do that is through lights, both inside and out, that turn on and off at varying times. You can accomplish this through systems that automatically turn lights on after sundown, or even new options that allow you to control lights from your phone or other mobile device.
And, don’t forget motion-sensing lights. They’re affordable, and they can startle burglars and even impair their vision in the moments after they illuminate.
Other Things to Consider
However you use your lights, it might not matter if you don’t take other security measures. For example, are your trees and shrubs trimmed, or do they instead provide cover for someone casing your home? Do you have a good relationship with your neighbors? Will they notice if someone suspicious is outside? Do they even know when you’re going out of town?
Remember, turning on your lights may only be truly effective as part of an overall strategy to keep your home secure.
Reposted with permission from the original author, Safeco Insurance®.
Top image by Flickr user webhamster used under Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license. Image cropped and modified from original.
Source: SafeCo Agents
Sometimes, a basic homeowners policy just isn’t enough. So as your career advances and your income increases, it’s important to keep your insurance protection up to date. This helps you avoid expensive gaps in coverage and prevents you from paying too much out of pocket in case of a claim. To be properly protected, you need a homeowners policy that grows with you.
That’s why we offer multiple homeowners policy options, including packages specifically for customers who need higher levels of protection. You may benefit from additional coverage if any of the following apply to you:
Our options give you the flexibility to easily add affordable comprehensive coverage to your policy without confusing endorsements or other complications. These valuable options include:
Extended dwelling coverage. Full reconstruction costs are often different than market value, so your current homeowners policy may not accurately reflect the true costs of rebuilding your home. Extended dwelling coverage helps you rebuild if construction or permitting costs change and add up to more than your current policy limits. It may also pay for debris removal, contractor costs, construction fees and permits, architect’s fees, and other expenses.
Building ordinance or law coverage. If your home needs to be rebuilt or repaired due to a covered loss, you’ll have to build according to current building codes. And since codes change, this could mean higher costs than expected to rebuild. Building ordinance policy, or law coverage, exists for just such scenarios — and it could save you thousands.
Replacement cost up-front coverage. This loss settlement option allows you to choose not to rebuild at the original location following a covered total loss. In this case, you’ll get a payout to apply to the purchase or construction of a new home in a new location.
Personal property replacement cost coverage. This helps cover the costs of replacing personal property, such as electronics, art, jewelry, and furniture, with no deduction for depreciation. So you’ll get the amount needed to buy an identical or comparable item rather than settling for something of lesser value.
Personal offense coverage. This offers you broad protection against a variety of lawsuits and damages related to libel, slander, defamation of character, invasion of privacy, and other offenses. This may include comments made on social media by either you or your children.
Is your homeowners policy up to date? If you’re unsure or if you’ve outgrown your current coverage, contact us to discuss your situation and get the protection you truly need.
Reposted with permission from the original author, Safeco Insurance®.
Top image by Flickr user David Sawyer used under Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 2.0 license. Image cropped and modified from original.
Source: SafeCo Agents
If you have a homeowners policy, you probably expect it to cover all the costs of rebuilding your house in case it’s damaged or destroyed by a covered hazard. But are you certain you have enough coverage? Read about two common situations you may be unaware of — and the affordable options that can help put your mind at ease.
Extended dwelling coverage
Since reconstruction costs are different from market value, your current homeowners policy may not accurately reflect the true costs of rebuilding your home. Extended dwelling coverage helps you rebuild if construction costs change and add up to more than your current policy limits.
To illustrate this concept, consider this real-life scenario. Your home is currently insured for 100% of its replacement cost, with the cost based on the value of your house when the policy was originally written. However, a wildfire sweeps through your area destroying your home along with hundreds of others nearby. Due to the high demand caused by the natural disaster, construction materials and labor costs increase 20% in your area. So your $200,000 home will now cost $240,000 to rebuild. If you had 20% extended dwelling coverage, you’d get the $240,000. Without it, you get $200,000 and will have to make up the difference out of pocket or settle for less house than you originally had.
Building ordinance or law coverage
If your home is damaged by a covered loss and needs to be rebuilt or repaired, you are required to build according to current building codes. And since codes have grown more rigorous over the past 20 years, this could mean much higher costs to rebuild than you anticipate. That’s where a building ordinance policy, or law coverage, comes into effect — and it could save you thousands of dollars.
Again, let’s take the example from above and assume you have a $200,000 homeowners policy. With a 10% building ordinance policy, you would get an extra $20,000 to apply to the new building code requirements you must meet. Without this policy option, you’ll have to pay the difference to bring your house up to code.
Extended dwelling and building ordinance policies offer valuable protection from gaps in coverage in case of an unforeseen covered event, and all for an affordable annual premium. To better understanding your risks, and to protect yourself from a loss that may exceed your policy limits, give us a call today.
Reposted with permission from the original author, Safeco Insurance®.
Top image by Flickr user David Sawyer used under Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 2.0 license. Image cropped and modified from original.
Source: SafeCo Agents
It seems like a no-brainer to leave the lights on outside your home to deter burglars while you’re away (or even while you’re asleep). But, does that really work? Or, is it just a waste of electricity — particularly this time of year, when the days are short?
Those answers can differ depending on a number of factors. However, one thing is clear: With more than 1.1 million residential burglaries in the U.S. in 2019, according to the FBI’s Crime in the United States report, it takes more than flipping a switch to prevent property crime.
So, if you are relying on lights as part of your home security routine, be sure to put some thought into how you’re using them. Here are recommendations about when to light things up — and some instances where it may be better to go dark. Contact your local law enforcement if you’re curious about recommendations specific to your area.
When to Keep Your Lights On
There are plenty of instances where it makes sense to leave your porch light on:
When to Keep Your Lights Off
Despite what many people think, having your lights on all the time isn’t helpful. In fact, it may actually attract burglars. Here’s when you should think about leaving them off:
An Even Better Option: Automate Your Lights
The goal of lighting, at least from a security standpoint, is to make burglars think someone is home. The most effective way to do that is through lights, both inside and out, that turn on and off at varying times. You can accomplish this through systems that automatically turn lights on after sundown, or even new options that allow you to control lights from your mobile device.
And, don’t forget motion-sensing lights. They’re affordable, and they can startle burglars and even impair their vision in the moments after they illuminate.
Other Things to Consider
However you use your lights, it might not matter if you don’t take other security measures. For example, are your trees and shrubs trimmed, or do they instead provide cover for someone casing your home? Do you have a good relationship with your neighbors? Will they notice if someone suspicious is outside? Do they even know when you’re going out of town?
Remember, turning on your lights may only be truly effective as part of an overall strategy to keep your home secure.
Reposted with permission from the original author, Safeco Insurance®.
Top image by Flickr user webhamster used under Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license. Image cropped and modified from original.
Source: SafeCo Agents
About 2 million times every year, animals and cars collide on U.S. roadways — often causing serious and even fatal injuries to drivers and passengers, along with about $1 billion in damage. And these collisions spike in the fall and winter, thanks to migration and mating patterns as well as reduced visibility caused by shorter days and weather conditions.
But as random as these collisions might seem, there are things you can do to improve your chances of avoiding one. Here are some tips to keep in mind when you’re behind the wheel — as well as some guidelines to follow if you ever do hit an animal.
Avoiding wildlife
After an accident
Remember, stay alert, avoid distractions and watch your speed. If you’re already a safe driver, you’re probably already doing these things — and if you’re not, well, there’s no better time to start! Your fellow drivers (and your local animals) thank you.
Reposted with permission from the original author, Safeco Insurance®.
Top image by Flickr user marneejill used under Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 2.0 license. Image cropped and modified from original.
Source: SafeCo Agents
Unless you’re headed to a warmer climate for the winter — or you live in one already — fall is the time to start preparing your RV for winter (as long as you’re done using it for a while, that is).
The elements can wreak havoc on your RV’s systems and exterior, but with these five tips from the Family Motor Coach Association (FMCA) and Kampgrounds of America, you’ll protect your investment and make sure it’s ready to go in the spring!
Before we get started, though, remember to always check the owners’ manuals for both your RV and any appliances you have — and follow those specific instructions.
Bonus tip: While you’re not driving your RV, call your insurance agent — you may be able to save money if it won’t be on the road for an extended period of time.
Reposted with permission from the original author, Safeco Insurance®.
Top image by Flickr user Grand Canyon National Park used under Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 2.0 license. Image cropped and modified from original.
Source: SafeCo Agents
In today’s digital world, slander and libel lawsuits are more common than you may think. Comments made in haste or anger on social media can have lasting and far-reaching effects on a person’s reputation or character, so it’s easier than ever to libel, slander, or invade a person’s privacy. Even if you apologize, you can still be sued. Due to the wide reach of social media, claim damages can be substantial, not to mention the cost of hiring an attorney and other legal fees you would incur.
What’s more, posts or other online comments made by a minor can also be subject to a lawsuit. So if you have teens or other children who use social media, you may be at risk for something they say or write online. Consider the following scenario.
Your son was crushed after being cut from the football team, so he retaliated by writing some false and unflattering comments on social media about the head coach. These comments quickly spread through the school and the community at large. The coach then sued the boy’s parents for harming his professional reputation, a claim that could cost them thousands of dollars in legal fees and damages.
Or imagine this:
You write a scathing online review of a restaurant where you had a poor experience. Though you had some legitimate gripes, you went too far by claiming they served you outdated, potentially rotten meat without offering evidence to support the accusation. In return, the restaurant filed a lawsuit against you, and you’re forced to defend yourself.
Personal offense coverage can provide protection against such situations. Plus, it’s affordable.
What Personal Offense Insurance Covers
While personal offense coverage is included with some policies, it is optional for most coverage levels.
This coverage offers you broad protection against a variety of lawsuits and damages related to a such offenses as:
To assess your risk and to learn more about this valuable yet often overlooked coverage option, give us a call today.
Reposted with permission from the original author, Safeco Insurance®.
Top image by Flickr user TIGER500 used under Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 2.0 license. Image cropped and modified from original.
Source: SafeCo Agents
