Now that summer is here a lot of people will be taking their boats out on to Idaho lakes and rivers. Just like being out in an automobile, it is a good idea to take precautions to stay safe.

Idaho has a boater safety course that is offered free by law enforcement and wildlife department officials. The course is not required, but many insurance companies give discounts to boaters who have taken the course and passed the test at the end.

Anyone 14 or under must wear an approved life jacket at all times on a boat. People over that age must have one readily accessible, which does not include stored under a seat if the boat is 19 feet long or less. Larger boats must have a flotation ring that can be thrown to someone in the water. Life jackets must say "coast guard approved" on the label to be considered a legal personal flotation device.

There are different minimum ages for operating a boat or jet ski, and that differs by county in Pennsylvania.

It is a good idea also to avoid alcohol while boating, or at least have a designated driver who does not drink. The laws for operating a boat while intoxicated are about the same as those for operating an automobile.

Stay inside the boat. Some people do what is called "bow riding" which is hanging over the edge of the boat.

Another tip is to pay attention to other boats.  Power boats should stay to the right of each other, and power boats should give right of way to sail boats.

Contact the Saucon Insurance Agency in Bethlehem, PA, to find out how to get your boat insured, and to make sure you have all you need if you are an existing customer.

Flood insurance is something that you should definitely consider as a homeowner. Unfortunately, it is not something that many homeowners consider for their home. There are many different reasons to explore getting a flood insurance policy, even if the bottom line is just to protect your home for any potential flood damage. Continue reading for some basic reasons why flood insurance should be something that you have. 

• Twenty percent of all home flooding happens in areas that are at low to moderate risk. That is a big percentage of floods happening in areas where it is not expected to occur. 
• Flooding is more likely to occur when you live in an area of new construction. This is because the area has less soil that can absorb the rain as it falls. With more roads and sidewalks, the rain has to go somewhere and it may end up in your home. 
• Flooding can happen in other ways besides rain. Flooding can happen from a burst pipe in your home or even from an above ground pool giving way. There are many possibilities and it is something to consider so that you are not surprised by random flooding. 
• Flood insurance is not always included in your homeowners insurance policy. In fact, more often than not, it is not included in a homeowners insurance policy and you have to purchase it separately. Before you assume that you are covered, take a good look at your homeowners insurance policy to see if you currently have flood insurance. 

Contact us today for more information on flood insurance. Here at Saucon Insurance Agency, we can take a look at your current policy or even explore options for a new flood insurance policy for your home and we will be happy to help.

Consider this – you are only a few years away from being able to finally retire.  You have amassed a nice sized retirement account and you have finally managed to pay off both your home and your car.  Added all together, you might have assets that amount to near a million.  You have done well for yourself.

One day, as you are driving along, you get into an accident.  Thank goodness you aren’t hurt badly and the damage that your vehicle sustained is within the coverage limits of your auto insurance.  However, the other vehicle was carrying execs from a rather large company.  The damage to their vehicle and their bodies is a bit more serious.

The ruling of the court is that you are the responsible party and have to pay for the damages to the other party’s vehicle along with their medical expenses and lost wages.  The total comes to about a million dollars.  Your vehicle insurance will cover around $250,000 but you are left on the hook for the difference. 

If you are like most people, this could financially ruin you. Unless you happen to have an umbrella insurance policy.  This is a type of insurance that will take over when you hit the overage limits of your other insurance policies.  In cases like this, it could handle the balance as well as any legal costs.  This will save you from losing all of your assets, including your retirement, just because of an accident. 

Remember that coverages and policies will vary by state so make sure that you know what you are getting and what it covers.  If you are in the Bethlehem, PA area, come on into Saucon Insurance Agency where are friendly and knowledgeable agents are standing by and ready to assist you.

No matter what kind of transportation you are using, you have to prepare for the possibility of an accident. You don’t know that it will happen and maybe it never will, but you want to know that you have taken every precaution possible to keep you as safe as possible. Just in case. Riding a bicycle is a just in case experience to prepare for.

At Saucon Insurance Agency, we have some simple ways to make sure your cycling time is safe include:

• Always make sure your bicycle has received any necessary maintenance and fits your body appropriately.
• Make sure you have all needed accessories like helmet, pads, and reflective clothing for night riding.
• Be predictable to others on the roadways with you by signaling with hands and maintain you lane position until safe to change.
• Avoid any hazards in the riding area that may cause an accident or disrupt riding.
• Always check local cycling laws and make sure you are obeying them for your safety and others.

Now that we know some ways to stay safe cycling, have you considered how prepared you are in your vehicle? Here are some quick driver tips when encountering cyclists:

• Have patience with cyclists on the roadways. Losing patience can cause unsafe situations.
• Always slow down when approaching cyclists even when they are in a bike lane.
• Be courteous and avoid yelling or honking at cyclists. This could startle someone and cause an accident.
• Use extra attentiveness around children on bicycles as they may not yet know all the rules to cycling safety.

We know about cycling safety now, but what about other driving situations? Having sufficient insurance coverage is crucial for preparedness. Do you know if your current insurance policy has all the coverage you need? Are all your bases cover? Call us at Saucon Insurance Agency serving Bethlehem, PA and one of our friendly and knowledgeable agents can help you check for lapses and find the best coverage possible for your needs!

At Saucon Insurance Agency, we feel it is important to give back and do your part in helping the community. We routinely do so within our own community and many of yours. We ask that you do the same. Often times, our local clients and customers want to do something for the community but they do not know where to go, who to help, or how their time and talent can be useful. Here are a few Northampton County, PA charities that would be happy to help you.

Help Local Families

Northampton Catholic Charities is one organization that provides social services to the community and routinely needs donations as well as financial support. You may be able to give some of your time to help an organization like this to make a difference in the lives of those in the community.

Support an Animal

Another organization that needs additional support is the Northampton County SPCA. There are many reasons to put time into these locations even if you do not want to take an animal home with you. This organization needs donations of materials and support as well as volunteers to help them in their local work.

In addition to these organizations, there are many more options to think about supporting. This includes libraries, local churches, and food pantries. Take a few minutes to take the time to find a way to give back in your own method. There is much work to do today.

Finding a way to give back is important to all businesses and individuals, including those at Saucon Insurance Agency. No matter what you do, make sure you are insured by contacting our team for a quote on any insurance you need.

Day to day business of any company comes with its fair share of liability. So what is liability in terms of small business you might ask? This can include things like injury to customers or employees, libel, slander, and much more. How do small businesses handle it?

In most cases, small businesses are going to work to create a business plan and practices that mitigate and plan for this type of issue on a daily basis. Business owners will provide safe environments for customers and for employees making sure they take the time to truly watch out for the safety for their patrons and employees.

The human resources department of any small business will also work to mitigate and cover issues before they go full scale and go public and potentially ruin a business. The other method for coverage is to take out a commercial insurance policy that covers your liability from day to day.

This will offer coverage for things like injury and for legal costs in the case of slander and other issues. In general, this type of policy is a blanket that will help to protect owners from a wide range of issues that are going to pop up from time to time. There is no way to avoid liability for any size business all together but having a great policy in place can help to cover the damages if you do find yourself in a situation where everyday liability is in question.

For those in the Northampton County, PA area, Saucon Insurance Agency can help pair you up with a policy that is going to cover your needs and make every day functioning much safer for the business owner and those that frequent the business.

If you are thinking about how to get the best insurance possible. This can provide you with a significant amount of peace of mind. You could search online and work with insurance companies independently, though it is much easier to work with independent insurance agents.

Insurance agents are extremely knowledgeable about the industry. They are often ahead of trends, and are extremely loyal to the community. They work with some of the top insurance companies throughout Pennsylvania and know which ones are going to provide the best levels of coverage and have the most affordable premiums.

Customers continue to work with independent insurance agents because it is more convenient. It’s easier to speak with an agent and discuss what kind of coverage is needed and what budget is available. The agent can then begin searching through the different companies and provide recommendations as to what policies are going to be the best. Quotes can be obtained, making it easier to compare.

Your time should be worth something. You may not have the time to browse through 4 to 5 different insurance companies and get quotes. They may be showing you policies that you don’t actually need. Many times, insurance companies are focused on their bottom line, not the individual. This is the opposite for an independent insurance agent. The goal of an independent insurance agent is to help you find a policy that you can rely on.

Surveys have spoken. Customers prefer to work with independent agents as opposed to insurance companies over the Internet because they like the personal touch. They want to know that they are getting something specific to them, and that is why agents will never go out of business.

Start working with independent insurance agents today by calling us at Saucon Insurance Agency. We look forward to helping you with all of your insurance needs in Bethlehem.

You want to get a good life insurance policy in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. This means you need to know all about the top myths so that you can make well-informed decisions. You don’t want to fall for any of the misconceptions regarding life insurance.

Everyone Needs Life Insurance

Somewhere along the line a myth developed that life insurance is only for people who are retired. Everyone needs a life insurance policy because there are no guarantees as to when your time is up. Having a policy, even in your 30s and 40s, can pay off, particularly if you do pass before your time.

Those in Poor Health Can be Covered

One myth is that you cannot get life insurance coverage if you are in poor health. This is not accurate. You can find companies that will issue you a policy, though it may be more expensive and be limited in coverage. However, it can still be obtained, regardless of what your health conditions are.

Comparisons Will Get the Best Premiums

Another myth is that the only way to get the best premium is to shop online. The truth is that you need to make comparisons from multiple insurance companies in order to ensure that you are truly getting the best price based upon your individual needs and situation.

Term is Just One of the Options

There is a myth out there that term life insurance should be the only type of policy purchased – and the remaining amount of money should be invested. Whole and universal life insurance can provide a cash value and therefore it is another option that you need to consider, especially if your budget allows.

At Saucon Insurance Agency, our knowledgeable insurance agents can help you find a life insurance policy that works best for you and your budget. Call today and learn more about how we can offer assistance.

There are a lot of coverage options that you will want to consider as a student in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. There have been a lot of changes that have been made by the Affordable Care Act, and they are going to impact you, whether you are an undergraduate or graduate student.

One of the first options that you have to consider is where you are going to get your insurance from. You may be able to get it from your school, by staying on your family’s plan, or as a single-payer plan. Each of these are options, and you will want to weigh the pros and cons of each, as well as the costs.

Another option is to consider the level of coverage that you need. You want to make sure that your basic medical care is taken care of, and potentially also vision as well as dental. You also want to look at how expensive it is going to be if you need to go to the emergency room for anything.

Even though you may be a healthy student, you have to look at the various options that are available for health insurance coverage. You want to make sure that your insurance is covering everything that you could potentially need so that you are spending less money out-of-pocket. This means you will want to explore the deductibles and co-pays with any policy that you end up getting.

At Saucon Insurance Agency, we are here to help you find health coverage as a student in Bethlehem. Call today and learn about some of the options that you have. We can provide quotes from multiple insurance companies across Pennsylvania and work with you to find a policy that makes sense for you and your budget, especially because you are a student.

Having a wedding in Bethlehem, PA many not be cheap, but getting married could save you money on your insurance policies. At Saucon Insurance Agency, we don’t recommend getting married just to save on auto or homeowners insurance. If you are marching down the aisle, though, there’s little reason not to save on your insurance premiums.

Many Insurers Offer Multi-Policy Discounts

One of the most common discounts that insurance companies offer is a multi-policy discount. Not all insurers will reduce your premiums for having more than one insurance policy with them, but many will. Since these discounts are often a percentage of your premiums, they can amount to a significant chunk of change.

While some individuals have multiple insurance policies, such as an auto policy, and a homeowners or renters policy, many people don’t carry more than one insurance policy when they’re single. Married couples, however, often have several assets they need to insure. If both you and your spouse drive cars, for example, you’ll each need an auto insurance policy. Once you’re married, many insurers will give you a multi-policy discount if you each purchase an insurance policy through them.

Independent Insurance Agents Find the Biggest Discounts

While many insurance companies in Pennsylvania offer multi-policy discounts, the amount you can save by having more than one insurance policy with one company varies greatly. The easiest way to see which company will give you and your beloved the best discount is to compare several policies with the help of an independent insurance agent.

If you don’t have a relationship with an independent insurance agent, contact us at Saucon Insurance Agency. You can reach us at any time through our websites, and we’d be happy to set you up with one of our agents who serve Bethlehem.