Will my premium be lower if I have improved security such as good-quality locks or smoke detectors fitted?

After buying your current home insurance policy, chances are you’ve also been looking for opportunities to lower your monthly premiums even further. Improving your home’s security is one of the best ways to lower your premium and there are several ways you can reduce the overall cost of your homeowners policy, all while making your home safer for you and your loved ones.

For instance, the addition of something as simple and affordable as a set of dead-bolt locks may offer a small decrease in your homeowner’s insurance premiums. Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors installed throughout your home or a state-of-the-art burglar alarm or sprinkler system that also alerts police and fire/rescue officials may offer significant discounts, as well.

At the same time, you’re also enhancing your home’s ability to protect you and other occupants from a wide variety of threats. These range from intruders and carbon monoxide poisoning while you’re at home to burglary attempts while you’re away on vacation.

While exploring your options, it’s a good idea to read the fine print to see if your addition qualifies your policy for a discount. Some discounts can’t be used with others or only apply to certain situations. Also, keep in mind that these discounts may be combined with others to maximize your home insurance policy’s bang for the buck.

Don’t hesitate to shop around for a policy that best suits your needs. As your independent agency, we’re always ready and prepared to help you find and compare quotes online from multiple insurance carriers. Get in touch with us and speak to one of our agents to discover more ways to reduce your home insurance premiums.

Do I need to file a claim with my auto insurance if I wish to seek medical coverage for the injuries sustained?

If you have been hurt in an auto accident, you may be wondering about how the medical end of the auto insurance claim will work. This is actually a question that only your insurance agent can actually answer since every policy is different. Since your policy is created based on the needs you explained to the agent at the time you signed up for your policy.

If you were hurt in an accident that was the fault of another person, your medical coverage will usually be handled by the responsible person’s insurance policy. In the event that you were injured by another person who did not have liability insurance, or a person who did not have adequate liability insurance to cover all your medical bills, then your insurance agent may advise you to file a claim with your own insurance company for the medical damages.

If you were hurt in an accident that was your own fault, medical coverage can usually be covered by your own policy if you have comprehensive coverage. This is the type of coverage that handles medical bills incurred by you in the event that another person is not responsible.

When you need medical care it is important that you seek it out as soon as possible. Of course it is important to file your auto insurance claim quickly as well, but don’t delay any necessary medical care. Call your insurance agent and ask him about what type of medical coverage that you have in your car insurance policy.

Never get caught without the auto coverage you need. You can call our independent agents or get live comparative quotes online in just minutes for free!

Is liability for injuries to outsiders within the insured premises covered?

Selecting a homeowner’s insurance policy that is appropriate for your goals, concerns and plans can seem easy, but there are several factors to consider before you make a final decision. Depending on the insurance plan and the coverage that you purchase in Bethlehem, PA, injuries to outsiders on your property may or may not be covered.

Liability Protection

In general, liability protection on a home will usually provide some coverage for outsiders within the insured premises. Injuries to outsiders refers to any accident or injury that occurs in your home and involves a guest or visitor.

Even though many policies may have limitations on the coverage amount, most plans will offer protection for any guest or visitor to your home, even if they do not live on the property. Basic liability may mean that the insured premises covered injuries and damages to personal belongings when guests fall, are pushed or otherwise are injured when they visit your home.

The Premises

Identifying when an individual is covered against injuries can seem complicated, especially if you are not sure whether the injury took place on your property or not. Depending on the plan and the property that you own, the area that is considered the premises may vary.

Usually, the premises refers to the house and any property that you own. That may include a garage, shed or the front and back yard of your house. Read your policy if you are not sure if a particular location is covered under your plan.

When you purchase a homeowner’s insurance policy, the liability protection will usually provide coverage for your family as well as any outsiders who are visiting your home if an accident occurs. Contact us to talk to an agent for more details about your policy.

How soon do I need to report a car accident with no one else involved to an insurance company?

It’s not uncommon for motorists to be involved in accidents involving only their own vehicle. In Pennsylvania alone, there were approximately 759 single vehicle fatalities in 2012 according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. However, most single-car accidents in Bethlehem, PA and the surrounding area are relatively minor, with no injuries and equally minor cosmetic or nonexistent damage to the car itself.

No matter how minor the accident, you should report it to your insurance agent as soon as possible. It’s also important to take written notes as well as pictures (if possible) of the accident scene, as memories can fade and having concrete evidence could be a big help during the claims process.

One reason to report car accident to insurance straight away is to take advantage of your collision insurance coverage and its ability to cover the costs of repairing or replacing your vehicle. However, if the estimated cost of damage is lower than the deductible, then you may be better off paying for the repairs out of your own pocket.

Another reason is that most auto insurance policies feature a clause requiring the insured to report any and all accidents, but such clauses are often hard to enforce. Local, county and state law enforcement officials may also require you to submit a collision report for accidents with either bodily injury or a set amount of property damage to any one person’s vehicle or other property. This information may be passed on to your insurer depending on the circumstances.

The longer you wait to report a car accident to your insurer, the less likely you’ll be compensated for any damages. As your independent agent, we can help you report collisions and other events involving your vehicle quickly and accurately. We can also help you realize big savings on the latest auto insurance plans available.

Does automobile insurance have different coverages for personal injury and medical bills or is this combined into one?

You got into a car accident and incurred injuries and medical bills. Now that you’re patched up, you’re wondering what aspects of your car insurance actually covered the bills. If you get into an accident with someone who holds insurance, their liability coverage takes care of your injuries and medical bills, although it doesn’t cover additional expenses while you’re out of work. Personal injury coverage, on the other hand, is an addition to your automobile insurance policy that you get specifically to cover medical bills, costs associated with personal injury, and lost wages. Personal injury coverage includes all of this under one policy rider, instead of requiring you to pay separately for personal injury and medical bill coverage. 17 states require automobile insurance to include personal injury coverage as part of the state minimum insurance.

Some advantages to adding personal injury coverage to your automobile insurance include protection against uninsured drivers, dealing with an inability to work due to an accident, and covering any gaps in medical bill payments from the other driver’s insurance. Other related items that this coverage pays for includes childcare costs, maintenance services, and medical travel expenses. Having the peace of mind that an accident isn’t going to turn your life upside down due to your missing work makes this coverage worth it.

It also doesn’t matter who was at fault for the accident. If you have personal injury protection, it covers you no matter what the accident situation was. Not all states offer personal injury protection specifically, but you can also find it under the name auto medical payments coverage.

My recreational vehicle was manufactured in another state. Will my policy pay to move it to the manufacturer for repairs if I have a covered loss in Bethlehem, PA?

Because recreational vehicles require special expertise, it is important that they are repaired at an authorized facility. If you bring your recreational vehicle to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, you might have to transport your vehicle out of the state in order to have it serviced by qualified professionals. Keep these tips in mind if you need to contact your insurance company for help moving your vehicle to another state.

How Your Recreational Vehicle Policy Works

If you are in an accident, you will need to move your recreational vehicle to a repair shop so that an appraiser can complete an estimate on the cost of the damages. Because recreational vehicle require special expertise to repair, many insurance companies will assist with cost of transporting your vehicle to a manufacturer, even if it is out of state. However, it is important to keep in mind that your insurance company might settle for a qualified facility that is closest to the scene of the accident.

How an Independent Agent Can Help

An independent auto insurance agent can help you determine which insurance companies will provide the best coverage for your recreational vehicle in the case of an accident. Though it’s overlooked, the transportation fees of moving your vehicle to the manufacturer is an expense that can really add up. Also, if your recreational vehicle was manufactured in another state, yet your insurance company will only reimburse you to move it to the closest qualified facility, you might still be left to pay the tab if you have a preference for taking your vehicle to the manufacturer.

An independent agent can help you determine which companies will meet your preferences and provide the best coverage for moving your vehicle in the case of an accident. Contact us today to find the best policy for your recreational vehicle.

Can a tourist purchase a car in the Bethlehem, PA and insure it himself?

If you are visiting Bethlehem, Pennsylvania for an extended period of time, you might be interested in purchasing a vehicle just for your trip and then reselling it before you leave. While you can certainly find good deals on used cars, finding insurance might be a trickier proposition. Before you purchase a car for your vacation, keep the following points in mind.

Insuring a Car if You Are From Another State

If you are visiting Pennsylvania from another state, there are some challenges you will face in insuring a vehicle that you buy just for your vacation. First, you will need to register your vehicle locally before you can operate it. Second, you might have difficulty finding an insurance agent that will allow you to insure the vehicle without a valid state license.

Additionally, when you are purchasing insurance to drive in the Bethlehem areas, you will need to make sure that the insurance policy that you do purchase is compliant with Pennsylvania insurance laws. The downside is that the insurance laws in Pennsylvania might be more expensive to comply with than the requirements in your home state.

Insuring a Car if You Are an International Tourist

If you are a driver from another country, insuring a vehicle that you purchase in the United States will be especially difficult. Most insurance companies will require that you have a valid driver’s licence from within the United States before your insurance application can be processed. If you are from another country, it is important to recieve advice from an independent agent who can help you locate the insurance companies that will work with tourists from out of the country.

How an Independent Agent Can Help

Despite the pitfalls of purchasing an auto for your vacation, there might be reasons that you would prefer to obtain your own vehicle rather than rent a car. If you contact us, we can make obtaining insurance during your vacation a smoother process by helping you determine the best course of action for insurance for your vehicle.

I Don’t Have Any Major Business Assets in Bethlehem, PA. Why Do I Need Insurance?

Most businesses need insurance, including those in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. By working closely with your independent agent, you will be able to learn which types of insurance are right for your specific needs. Most importantly, you need to consider what risks your business faces and, as a result, which types of insurance are necessary to protect against those risks. Every business is different.

No Assets?

If your business does not have assets, you still may need insurance. For example, you will likely need liability coverage. Virtually all businesses need this type of protection. It helps to protect your business, and in some cases your personal assets, from lawsuits that may occur when a product or service does not meet the needs of the customer. If you are a contractor, for example, a mistake on the job, even by an employee, may cause damage to the property or even injure the client. When this happens, and the client suffers losses, you may be responsible for those losses. A single lawsuit can often times lead to costly fines and lawsuits.

In addition to this type of commercial insurance, your business may also need workers compensation. If you have employees, this may be a requirement within your state. Even if it is not a requirement, having workers compensation coverage can help ensure every employee is protected should someone become injured.

It is also important to talk to your independent agent about your need for coverage that covers your losses, such as damage to inventory or events that close your business for a short period of time. Even if you do not have major assets, your business may still need insurance protection. By talking to your agent, you can learn more about the types of insurance that may be right for your individual situation.

I own a business in Bethlehem, PA, that has been forced to shut down because of a power outage. Am I covered for these losses?

If a storm hits the Lehigh Valley and causes a power outage, your focus should be on simply staying safe until the bad weather passes. Of course, lost revenue could negatively affect your business and even your ability to pay your personal bills. But with the proper insurance coverage, you can put these concerns out of your mind and pass the time as pleasantly as possible until your power is working again.

Commercial insurance is intended to protect businesses from property damage and other losses, much as homeowners’ insurance protects individual homes. If your Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, business is forced to shut down due to a power outage, you’ll worry about how you are going to cover the loss of business during this time. One possibility is that your commercial insurance will cover those losses. However, it isn’t safe to assume that it will. Talking to your independent agent and developing a commercial insurance plan with the appropriate types and amounts of coverage before a power outage occurs is the best way to make sure that you don’t suffer from lost revenue.

Utility interruption coverage falls under your business interruption coverage. It covers the loss of revenue you experience from not being able to operate your business for a period of time. However, business owners should keep in mind that, depending on their policy details, they may be without power for up to three days before their utility interruption coverage kicks in. Physical damages that occur from the power outage, however, fall under property damage coverage. Discuss both utility interruption coverage and utility services direct damage coverage with your independent insurance agent to make sure you have all the coverage you need before the next blackout or downed power line occurs.

Can a Learner Driver in Bethlehem, PA be Added to an Existing Auto Insurance Policy?

Teaching a driver with a learner’s permit in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania to drive will require insurance for that individual. If you want them to drive your car, then you will also need to add the individual to your policy. Fortunately, it is not hard to add a driver to your auto insurance policy.

Evaluate the Situation

Even though it is possible to add an individual to any auto policy, it may not be necessary if you are only taking the individual out for a one-time excursion. A driver who is not actively operating the car on a regular basis will still be covered under your policy if you take him or her out once.

If you plan to teach the individual to drive from the foundation, then you will want to add him or her to your policy, even if you do not live in the same house. Any individual who drives your car regularly must be added to the existing coverage plan.

Contact the Insurer

The only way to add a learner driver to your current insurance plan is by informing your insurer about the situation. Tell your insurer that you want to add the individual to your plan and then provide any details that are requested. The insurer will need to know the name, age and other details before they can provide coverage.

It is possible to add a new driver to your current policy if you are planning to teach the person how to drive. You should expect your premium to increase, though the exact rate will vary between insurers. When your insurance plan is no longer appropriate or when you cannot add a new driver to the plan, working with an independent agent can help. Contact us to talk to an agent for more details.