What to Watch Out for When Purchasing Auto Insurance

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When purchasing an auto insurance policy, there are a few things you should want to focus on looking out for. You likely already know some basic steps to take but you may not know what you should avoid doing. Use these tips from Saucon Insurance Agency, serving Bethlehem, PA, when you are looking for your next auto insurance policy.

  • Always make sure minimum state requirements are met. In Pennsylvania, there are minimum requirements set that you must have if you own and operate a vehicle. For bodily injury liability, you must have at least $15,000 per person. There is a limit of $30,000. For property damage liability, you must have $5,000 worth of coverage. You must also have $5,000 worth of first party benefits (PIP).
  • Make sure the company has great customer service. When you are making a decision on an auto insurance policy, you should also be making a decision on the company. Customer service goes a long way and if your cost for the insurance is just a little bit more per month with a great company, then it will be well worth it. 
  • Make sure all of your coverage options are in the policy and there are no gaps. Before you sign up, you will need to ask for a copy of the policy coverage to ensure everything is there that you are wanting. 
  • Ask for discounts. It never hurts to ask for discounts for things such as affiliations, safe driver, good student, and more. Ask about these things before you sign up for a cost. You never know how much you can save with one or two discounts that you are eligible for. 

Contact us at Saucon Insurance Agency, serving Bethlehem, PA, today and we will be happy to help you get quotes for auto insurance or even take a look at your current policy to ensure there are no gaps in coverage.

How Much Home Insurance Should I Buy?

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Home insurance should fit your home and your lifestyle. Buy too much and you’ll be throwing money away each month. Buy too little and you won’t be covered in the event something happens. For that reason it’s necessary to do a thorough inventory that takes into account the following:

The Structure of Your Home

Estimate the cost of rebuilding your home by determining local construction costs, the home’s square footage, and the style and type of materials your home is built from.  

Personal Possessions

Policies typically provide coverage for personal possessions that’s equal to between 50% and 70% of the value of the home. If you have valuable possessions such as artwork, jewelry, antiques, etc., you may need to secure additional endorsements to cover these items. Remember, when calculating possessions it’s important to insure them for their replacement cost, not their intrinsic value.

Liability to Others

Always make sure you are covered against lawsuits for bodily injury or property damage. This is especially important if you have features such as swimming pools, ponds, potentially dangerous pets such as dogs,  or other attractive nuisances. Generally speaking, it’s a good idea to carry $300,000 to $500,000 in coverage if any of these are present on the property.

Relocation Expenses

Consider the cost of relocating to a hotel or temporary home if a fire, flood, or other event makes the home uninhabitable. When calculating how much you will need, estimate your daily living expenses + the cost of area hotels or housing and any additional transportation expenses a temporary move would require. 

Homeowners in Bethlehem, PA should carry enough homeowner’s insurance to protect them from potential accidents or damage. Saucon Insurance Agency can help determine the appropriate level of coverage and any endorsements that are advisable.  

The Importance of Having Your Roof Inspected in the Fall

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The majority of homeowner’s insurance claims for roof damage are filed in the winter months. This is because winters can be rough on your roof. having your roof inspected in the fall months can help minimize the likelihood that you will encounter roof problems this upcoming winter season. Here are a few ways winter can wreak havoc on your roof.

Rain

Rain can seep in your roof where there are missing or damaged roofing shingles or tiles. This can cause a roof leak that can cause a significant amount of damage. A roof inspection can catch this problem so you can repair it.

Snow

Large amounts of snow can build up on your roof and put weight on your roof. Clearing the snow routinely can help prevent this problem, as can having your roof inspected. If your trusses are weak, due to age or past roof problems, a new roof may need to be placed before the winter months hit.

Ice

Ice can be damaging to your roof. It can cause your roofing materials to contract, which can cause them to split or crack. A roof inspection can find damage from last winter and repair it, so the problem does not worsen this winter.

Winters can be rough in Bethlehem, PA. And unfortunately, this can put a large burden on your roof. A roof inspection can minimize the chances of roof problems, but cannot prevent them altogether. As such, reviewing your homeowner’s insurance in the fall is a great idea. If you would like to get quotes for a new homeowner’s insurance policy or learn about the coverages on your existing policy, contact the Saucon Insurance Agency today. We can help with your homeowner’s insurance needs.

 

Are Firearms Covered by Home Insurance?

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The people of Bethlehem, PA are proud of their right to bear arms. This has been an issue during the election year with the attention from the national media, but it isn’t an issue purely for political reasons. Firearms also play a role in home insurance. When homeowners are shopping for policies, it is important for prospective customers to ask how firearms will impact their home insurance premiums. Saucon Insurance has some key details below.

First of all, guns are expensive items. It is important for homeowners to insure the valuable items in their home under extra personal belongings protection. This includes furniture, jewelry, and firearms. In this respect, owning firearms will slightly increase home insurance rates because they must be insured by a personal belongings rider under the home insurance policy. This rider will also pay to replace the firearms should anything happen to them inside the home.

In addition, the home insurance policy should add liability protection. For example, if a criminal breaks into the home, steals the firearm, then injures someone using the firearm, that person could potentially file a lawsuit against the owner for not securing the weapon. Due to this additional risk, home insurance rates could increase with the presence of firearms. On the other hand, this policy will add liability protection if anything happens as a result of this firearm. Do not try to hide the presence of firearms from insurance companies because this extra liability protection is essential to protecting the owner of the home and firearm from a lawsuit. Make sure this liability protection is included in the home insurance policy.

People in Bethlehem, PA need to understand the intricacies of the home insurance policies, particularly when it comes to the presence of firearms because they are both valuable and dangerous. Don’t be surprised by home insurance rates. Ask how the policy changes with the presence of absence of firearms. Contact Saucon Insurance for information on a home insurance policy today.

Understanding Your Auto Insurance Needs

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 Insurance of any type can be difficult to understand but auto policies are notoriously difficult. For those in the Bethlehem, PA area, Saucon Insurance Agency can help you understand your individual insurance needs so that you can be sure you are both fully covered and legal.

Auto policies as a general rule are in place to help pay medical bills, time off work, and the deductible of the other driver should you get into an auto accident. Auto policies can also help pay for a rental car, replacement car, or can help you pay for a new car completely if your car is totaled. The minimum required insurance for each state may vary but the federal standard is about $10,000 to $25,000 of coverage.

This coverage is in place to help pay for medical bills, deductibles and more in the event of an accident. The base amount of insurance you must carry is often referred to as liability insurance because it only covers a minimum amount and does not cover the full cost of an accident. You can purchase liability policies that cover more in terms of monetary value and you can buy full coverage policies as well.

Full coverage policies do have a higher monthly premium but they do cover basically all the monetary considerations in the event of an accident. Every driver is required to carry at least the state or federal minimum of insurance coverage but not everyone is required to carry full coverage insurance. Full coverage policies are generally required if you owe money on your car or if you hold a loan or lien against your automobile through a third party lender. This is to keep the lender’s interests in mind and to help pay for a new automobile should you be in an accident.

If you have insurance questions and you live in the Bethlehem, PA area, contact Saucon Insurance Agency today.

Winter, Spring, Summer or Fall: Three RV Safety Tips That Reduce Cost All Year Long

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Let’s face it, owning an RV is expensive; particularly for those who enjoy putting their RV’s on Pennsylvania’s open road at any point throughout the year. As more people have adapted to the RV lifestyle, it has become increasingly important that RV owners enjoy their RVs in a safe manner by employing regular safety tips that will save them money all year long, such as the three tips indicated below:

1. Propane Safety Tips

Do not paint propane tanks with a dark color because it absorbs the sun’s rays a lot easier, which causes an explosion due to overheating. The stove, oven or heater burners should not be lit while traveling or refuel while using propane based appliances (or while the engine, is running.)

Have a certified dealer check your propane tank an on-going regular basis – particularly before long road trips to identify broken or leaking lines.  Lastly, have a propane gas detector installed

2. Take Caution When Using the Brakes

Since RVs trailers use air brakes as opposed to hydraulic brakes used in automobiles, they feel different from automobiles, which causes a slight delay when the brakes are hit. Some RV drivers believe the solution is to hit the breaks hard and fast.  However, this causes an abrupt stop, putting everyone’s safety at risk.

3. Familiarize Yourself with Your RV’s Height

Some of the more common RV related accidents are due to RV drivers running into bridges and overpasses because they simply forget the height of their RVs while driving. To prevent this from happening, make note of your RV’s height and exact clearance and leave it in view at all times to void such occurrences.

For these and other related RV safety tips that will save you money all year long, please visit Saucon Insurance Agency online today.

Bethlehem, PA: Do Different Types of Boats Require Different Types of Insurance?

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There are many different kinds of boats. Fishing boats are mainly used to fish and are not necessarily built to carry more than two or three people. Pontoons boats are not designed for speed. Instead, they are normally the first choice for people who want to spend a lazy day relaxing on the lake. Speed boats are used for skiing, tubing and cruising the lake. With each boat having its own unique purpose, they also have a specific level of liability that must be considered when purchasing an insurance policy.

While policies for designed for boats in storage are written to cover the replacement value of the craft, insurance policies for other types of watercraft, including jet skis, must also account for certain levels of public liability and damage. Your insurance agent can help you go over all of your options and advise you on what types of insurance are available to adequately protect your type of watercraft. They may also help you receive discounts by finding ways to bundle all of your insurance policies into one. This can save you money and allow you to remain fully protected against financial loss.

The residents of Bethlehem, PA can turn to the agents of the Saucon Insurance Agency when it comes insuring their home, car and boat. Different types of boats require different kinds of insurance. Fishing boats, ski boats and pontoons all serve unique purposes and may carry different levels of liabilities. Your insurance agent can help you determine how much insurance your need depending on the amount of money you owe on the boat and the amount of liability that is generally associated with your type of boat.

5 Tips to Disaster Prep Your Business

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The sky can fall or the ground can rise at any moment, leaving your company in tatters in the wake of a natural disaster. Get your business ready for the possibility of tornados, hurricanes, earthquakes, and more with these disaster prep steps.

1. Prepare an Emergency Supply Kit

If a disaster hits unexpectedly, the lives of your employees and customers can depend on how close vital supplies are. Keep an emergency supply kit in stock according to the Red Cross guidelines, calculating the number of people as your typical number of employees and an average number of guests.

2. Develop and Implement Disaster Plans

Panic is dangerous in already tense situations. Keep people calm by having a clear plan of action for every type of disaster, eliminating the question of what to do from their minds.

3. Look for Disaster Readiness Resources

Our country does its best to look out for others, especially when circumstances veer out of control and into chaos. For example, small business owners may be eligible for disaster relief loans in the wake of an incident, but you’ll need to apply in order to take advantage of them. Check on the local, state, and federal levels for resources, and keep their contact information in your disaster prep kit from step one.

4. Seek an Outside Readiness Assessment

It can be hard to see where your disaster plans are lacking, especially if you don’t have any experience in managing similar situations. Once you’ve taken your first steps towards preparedness, call in an outside viewpoint like the Red Cross’s Ready Rating service to see how your company does.

5. Cover Your Business Assets with Commercial Property Insurance

The quickest way to recover from a disaster is to have the appropriate insurance plans in place. To give your business coverage against the overzealous winds of change, ask Saucon Insurance Agency for a quote on acquiring property insurance for your assets.

How safe are motorcycle passengers?

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Riding with a motorcycle passenger is legal in all 50 states and can be done safely on larger bikes with a passenger seat. However, there are several things that a passenger and driver need to do to make the trip as safe as possible. Here are a few tips to make the ride safer for everyone involved.

1. Sit Still

Let the rider get on the bike first. Then, when they are ready, the passenger can get on. Once they are on, both should find the most comfortable position they can safely have and stick to that. Moving around while the bike is in motion can cause the bike’s balance to shift, which in turn can make it fall.

2. Take a Safety Course

If there is a nearby Motorcycle Safety Foundation course, or other type of bike course, take a ride together and go through the beginner training course. It will help both parties understand exactly what to do when riding up and down the roads, and will give both the confidence to ride together.

3. Helmets

Both the rider and the passenger should have good, protective clothing and proper helmets. Loose clothes, open-toed shoes, and short sleeve shirts can cause further injury in an accident. Riding without a helmet makes either person 40% more likely to be killed in case of an accident. Safety always takes precedent over comfort.

If you plan on heading out with someone else on your bike, make sure your coverage includes your passenger as well. Contact the experienced agents at Saucon Insurance Agency today to help get you on the road safely with the right coverage today.

Living Under the Umbrella In Style

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Congratulations on the promotion! All y of work is finally paying off.  You’ve moved into the home you always dreamed of and this year, you leased a slip at the marina for your new boat.  Life is good. However, living the high life comes with its own risks.  When you own more, there is more to lose.

You may know the price paid for the five bedroom home with three car garage, but what of all the other investments that went into making it the perfect paradise away from the office? Pools, security systems, lawn tractors, cleaning services and even the personal chef hired for special occasions all come with a price tag.  How do you intend to protect your way of life that you sacrificed for years to achieve.

Regular homeowners insurance fit the bill while you were driving a leased econobox and bought your furniture at the discount store. With possibly a $100,000 limit on medical payments, you felt reasonably protected. But now should a disaster happen to a guest visiting your home, and their long-term prognosis is grim and expensive, your deep pockets provide an attractive and lucrative source to cover all their expenses after your insurance policy maxes out.

The house, cars, boat, and all the extra perks could vanish while you are still earning enough to fund a well-earned lifestyle.

Umbrella insurance is designed to cover the gap between the customary limits of your home and auto insurance and protect your home, savings and way of life due to unfortunate circumstances.

Your new found wealth should coincide with a visit to your insurance agent to discuss your existing coverage and how umbrella insurance would add peace of mind.  Visit the folks at Saucon Insurance Agency to find out more today.