3 Reasons to Consider Flood Insurance

Flooding is a real threat in today’s ever-changing environment. Living in a low-risk flood zone doesn’t guarantee your home will never suffer from flood damage. As home insurance doesn’t cover flooding, it only makes sense to consider obtaining flood insurance coverage. Flood insurance from Saucon Insurance Agency in Bethlehem, PA could save you from catastrophic loss in the event of a major flood disaster. Here’s why flood insurance is so important to Bethlehem, PA homeowners.

Standard Home Insurance Doesn’t Cover Flooding

Standard home insurance policies don’t cover flood damage. If a flood were to damage your home or destroy your personal goods, you would have to cover repair or replacement costs on your own, putting you at risk of financial loss.   

Flooding Costs Can Be Devastating

Flooding can leave you with tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of damage to your home, not to mention the loss of belongings. Without flood insurance, you run the risk of paying these funds out-of-pocket or taking a loan to cover repair costs. Flood insurance puts much-needed funds at your disposal to repair your home or replace the loss of personal property. This enables you to recover from this disaster quicker and move on with your life.

If You Live Outside a High-Risk Flood Area, Flood Insurance is Affordable

Adding flood insurance to a standard home insurance package is doable for most Pennsylvania homeowners, particularly if you live outside a flood zone area. Rates vary according to home value and location. Your Saucon Insurance agent can help you select a flood insurance policy conducive to your individual needs.

Why worry about the risk of flooding when flood coverage is well within your reach? Talk to an agent from Saucon Insurance Agency in Bethlehem, PA today about flood insurance coverage.

How to Get Ready for Winter with Your Boat

Preparing your boat for the coming winter months can make a big difference in your bottom line – and how fast you get back in the water next year. There’s a lot that goes into winterizing your boat. Engine coolant, fuel lines, oil, and maintenance repairs are very important to address. If you’re not comfortable doing all the mechanical checks, your licensed marine tech at your Bethlehem, PA boat dealer can help. There are, however, some simple things you can do that are just as important for your boat. Here’s how you can get ready for winter.

Be Clean and Green

Once you haul your boat, clean off all algae, barnacles, and marine debris with a phosphate-free cleaner safe for marine environments. If you need to power wash your boat, have a large pad or tarp under it to catch paint chips or rust flakes. You can use it to catch oil drips too if you’re changing the oil yourself. Put the old oil in an enclosed container for your marine recycling center to dispose of properly. Treat the gasoline with fuel stabilizer and run the engine to work it through. Don’t forget to empty your sewage and plumbing compartments to prevent freeze damage. Propylene glycol is an ideal nontoxic antifreeze to fill the pipes.

Protect and Plan Ahead

Some boat owners shrink wrap their boats, while others store them in enclosed sheds. However you store it, always put the cover on. Make sure that air can get in to reduce mildew buildup. Remove the wheels to prevent rot and boat theft. Finally, it doesn’t hurt to review your boat insurance policy with an agency like Saucon Insurance Agency and update it as needed. That’s one less thing to worry about over the winter!

Winterizing your boat takes time and elbow grease, but is well worth it. And for all your Bethlehem, PA boat policy needs, you can count on Saucon Insurance Agency to help navigate the waters of insurance.

RV Insurance: How is That DIfferent From Auto insurance?

Recreational vehicles are large vehicles that are driven for traveling or camping. Most Bethlehem, PA RVs and campers offer living space and basic amenities such as seating areas, sleeping areas, a kitchen, bathroom, and sometimes a shower. While they are usually used for traveling, some people live in or tour full-time in them. Since your RV is a motor vehicle similar to an automobile, you may be wondering what the difference is between insurance coverage for an RV and an auto insurance policy. Here’s the basic difference between your Saucon Insurance Agency RV insurance policy and your automobile policy. 

What’s the Difference Between Automobile Insurance and RV Insurance? 

Because your automobile and your recreational vehicle are both motor-driven vehicles, most insurance companies have no problem with issuing either a policy. Problems will occur, though, if you try to push your RV coverage into your auto policy – it can create gaps in your insurance coverage.

Having a specialized policy for your RV will help you fill in any coverage gaps in your protection, such as total loss replacement vs agreed value, emergency expenses you may incur while camping in Bethlehem, PA, full-timer liability, tow-truck coverage, and campsite liability. For example, if your RV is in a collision while driving, your RV insurance may cover the cost of housing and meals while getting repairs on the road, and travel costs to get back home, which your auto policy won’t cover.  Another difference between your RV policy and your automobile policy is that RV insurance coverage can be suspended if you place your RV is in storage, as there is likely to be an issue with having a collision – a cost-saving measure that makes financial sense for some RV owners. 

For more information about how RV insurance keeps your investment safe from financial risks in the event of loss due to an accident or theft, give the Saucon Insurance Agency a call today! 

Comprehensive commercial insurance is the way to go

Business owners in the greater Bethlehem, PA area understand how important stability is to the success of their companies. When your firm is working as designed and everything is humming along smoothly, it’s easy to become comfortable and neglect to prepare for unforeseen mishaps or accidents that can interrupt the flow of business. The team at Saucon Insurance Agency are here to provide the knowledge and expertise that can help you ensure that you have the protection you need for any eventuality. 

Why you should have a comprehensive commercial policy

Commercial insurance is available in just about any configuration that you can imagine! There are a lot of options available to bolster your primary property insurance policy to obtain the protection you need. Comprehensive commercial policies allow you to cover your business from top to bottom and make sure that you are ready for unforeseen events that can have a negative impact on your company. 

There are policies available for your equipment, your vehicles, liability, business interruption, and more.  The bare minimum coverage can make a bad situation even worse in the event that your policy limits are exceeded or you have an aspect of your firm that isn’t covered at all. Working with a knowledgeable agent can help ensure that you have all of your protection needs covered. We recommend that you review your policy on a regular basis to ensure that it’s keeping pace with company growth. 

Want to learn more about comprehensive commercial insurance? Saucon Insurance Agency is here to provide you with the information you need to make the right decision when it comes to choosing your commercial insurance policy. Contact us today and let’s start a conversation about how we can make sure your Bethlehem, PA area business is protected!

Why Businesses Need Employee Benefits Insurance

Employers that offer benefits to their employee take on an added responsibility to make sure each employee is treated fairly and in the same way the other employees are. It is the employer’s responsibility to make sure employees receive the benefits that they deserve. Moreover, the employer must manage any resources held for employee benefits programs in a manner that is in the best financial interests of the employees.

Employee Benefits Insurance

Employee benefits insurance is in the general category of insurance that is called errors and omissions (E&O) insurance. This protection helps reduce liability risk for errors made by the employer or the employer’s authorized agent when handling employee benefits.

Employee benefits insurance helps lower liability risks for employers that offer health insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, retirement benefits, and other plans administered by the employer.

Work with your agent at Saucon Insurance Agency, serving Bethlehem, PA and the nearby communities, to conduct a comprehensive commercial insurance review. In this way, you can get a good recommendation about the level of employee benefits insurance needed to protect your business.

Things to Discuss With Your Agent

It is a good idea to discuss potential problems and concerns with your insurance agent, such as:

  • Retirement Fund Loses Value: Retirement funds that invest in the stock market may lose value if the underlying investments fail to perform well. Talk about what happens in this case.
  • Mistakes: Talk about what would happen if an employee is not added by mistake to the health care program, when the employee first starts to work for the company and then finds out they are not insured when they need to access health care.
  • Criminal Activity and Fraud: Discuss what happens if the retirement funds are stolen or lost due to criminal fraud such as a cyber-hacking attack.
  • Other Concerns: Talk with your agent about any other concerns you may have.

Call 610-868-1800 to speak with your agent at Saucon Insurance Agency in Bethlehem, PA to get a quote for employee benefits insurance coverage.

The Advantages of Getting an Annual Auto Insurance Review

Each year, it is a good idea to talk with your agent at Saucon Insurance Agency, serving Bethlehem, PA and the nearby communities, to have an annual auto insurance review. To make sure coverage is adequate and your records are accurate, it is helpful to double-check the information about your vehicle(s). With your agent’s help, you can then make any adjustments necessary for conditions that changed during the year.

Get An Auto Insurance Review for Life Changes

Circumstances that usually require an auto insurance adjustment are changes in these things:

  • Selling or buying a vehicle.
  • Giving a vehicle to another person.
  • Taking a vehicle out of service.
  • Getting married or divorced.
  • Having different authorized drivers of the vehicle(s).
  • Parking changes for the vehicle(s).
  • Moving to a new address.
  • Getting a job that causes a change in a daily commute.
  • Going on military duty assignment outside of the country.
  • The use of the vehicle(s) changes, such as using the vehicle(s) for carpooling or rent-for-hire.
  • Customized work or a new paint job is done on the vehicle(s).
  • Using the vehicle(s) to tow something like a boat or trailer.
  • Adding equipment to the vehicle(s), such as a stereo, GPS, anti-theft device, or alarm system.

Each year, the value of the vehicle(s) will likely need adjustment as well if the replacement cost or its worth changes. Be sure to ask your agent any questions you may have about the coverage, deductibles, and how to increase protection to make sure there is adequate coverage for your needs.

Conclusion

While it is a good idea to have an annual review to make sure to adjust for these things, there is no need to wait if these changes occur at some other point during the year. Feel free to call your agent at Saucon Insurance Agency in Bethlehem, PA in order to adjust an existing policy or use the convenient online form to get a quote for new auto insurance.

3 reasons a comprehensive motorcycle policy makes sense

Are you getting ready to buy your first bike? The team at Saucon Insurance Agency is here to answer all of your questions and review all of the motorcycle insurance options that are available. If you are in the greater Bethlehem, PA  and want to find out more, turn to the insurance company that is proud to serve our community. Motorcycles are a great way to get out and enjoy our beautiful area, and it makes sense to protect yourself while you do so! Comprehensive motorcycle insurance is often the appropriate choice to make sure that all of your needs are covered.

1) Protect your bike – your bike can be damaged in a collision or while being transported, stolen, or vandalized. Comprehensive insurance can provide protection when you need it!

2) Coverage for medical bills – liability insurance is an important part of any insurance policy, especially motorcycle coverage. Make sure that liability doesn’t fall to you in the event of a collision or property damage.

3) Comprehensive policies also cover passengers – if you are involved in an accident and your passenger is injured, make sure that you have the comprehensive coverage that will protect their health and your bottom line. 

Insurance is one of those things that you need to have but you hope you never need. When you opt for a comprehensive policy you are protecting yourself and your future. Choosing an appropriate policy should be done after you review the available options, and while you keep your future in mind. Get the coverage you need with a comprehensive motorcycle policy.

Call or stop by the Saucon Insurance Agency if you are in the greater Bethlehem, PA area and want to know more about your motorcycle insurance options. 

Does Home Insurance Cover Replacing Windows?

Insurance is something that can make a huge difference in your home and in how easy it is to recover should something happen to your home. For those that live in the Bethlehem, PA area, the agents with Saucon Insurance Agency can help you find the policy that works best for you.

For the most part, your home insurance is going to cover a great range of things that you may not realize it covers. In cases of normal home maintenance, your home insurance is not going to cover them. For those cases in which your home is damaged from things like a storm, break-in, or fire, your home insurance is certainly going to help cover the costs. If your windows are damaged in a storm, for instance, your home insurance will help to cover the cost of replacement. There are plenty of ways that you can get new windows with the help of your home policy.

If your windows are damaged in a burglary you can claim them on your home insurance and if they are damaged in a fire or other natural disaster you can also get your windows replaced. Your home insurance is going to help you to get the right claim filed and help you to get your home back in tip top shape. Your home insurance is going to help you recover and replace your windows if they are damaged or destroyed so that you can get back to your normal life and can stop worrying about replacing your windows.

For those that live in the Bethlehem, PA area, the agents with Saucon Insurance Agency can help you to find the policy that is going to work best for you and that is going to cover all your needs and help you recover no matter what issues you are facing.

How to get the best protection with motorcycle insurance in Bethlehem, PA

Because riding a motorcycle carries some serious risks, it is important to get a policy that reflects the possibility that you may be responsible for property damage and medical bills. Saucon Insurance Agency is available to help riders in Pennsylvania obtain coverage that matches their needs and the state requirements. 

Ideally, a motorcyclist should have an insurance policy that protects in the event of hospitalization or damage to their bike, as well as others who may be injured so that the cyclist is not personally liable. Basic liability coverage is required on all motor vehicles within the state. Helmets are also necessary unless a rider is experienced, over the age of 21, and has taken certain safety courses offered by the department of transportation. Those who ride daily may also want to invest in a policy that offers additional coverage, as their risk of getting into an accident will increase significantly. 

Pennsylvania has laws that require motorcyclists to carry insurance and present proof of insurance to any law enforcement officer. Because motorcycle insurance is required anyway, it is beneficial to talk to an agent about the kind of coverage that will work best in your personal situation and keep you compliant with the local laws. This can avoid problems later related to confusion about the details of your coverage. 

Get a policy that offers more protection today

If you want to obtain or change coverage for your motorcycle insurance in the Bethlehem, PA area, please contact Saucon Insurance Agency as soon as possible. An experienced agent can discuss Pennsylvania’s motorcycle regulations with you and offer coverage options that will make sense given your driving habits. 

What is Personal Umbrella Insurance?

Umbrella insurance is a great way to help get some extra coverage without altering your existing policies or adding more coverage to the policies that you already have. A personal umbrella policy is a bit different than a commercial umbrella insurance policy and knowing what these differences are is a great way to start. For those that live in the Bethlehem, PA area, the agents with Saucon Insurance Agency can help you find the right personal umbrella insurance policy for you.

 A personal umbrella insurance policy is likely going to be used to add more coverage to things like a home policy, more coverage to a car policy, or more coverage to watercraft insurance for instance. This is going to be extra liability coverage that is going to go above and beyond the coverage that your typical policy has. Not all people are going to need to have an extra personal umbrella policy but some people can benefit from it. If you think you may benefit from a personal umbrella policy you can always talk with an agent.

A good example is if you need more coverage for your automobile because your teenager is going to be driving it but you do not want to add more coverage on your traditional auto policy. You can have a personal umbrella policy that adds more liability without adding more coverage to your auto policy. This is a great way to add more coverage that is not going to change the overall cost of your existing policy but that is going to give you more coverage.

For those that live in the Bethlehem, PA area, the agents with Saucon Insurance Agency are ready and waiting to help you find the perfect insurance coverage for you and for all your existing policies.