Category: Insurance

Umbrella insurance is not just for business owners, there a variety of different reasons why it also makes sense to hold personally.  High net worth residents in the greater Sandpoint, ID area are beginning to add umbrella policies to their personal insurance portfolios. If you are wondering if this is the right move for you too, contact the team at The Insurance Shop USA today and find out more. 

3 reasons why you should have a personal umbrella policy

The main reason why you need a personal umbrella policy is to protect you if your primary policy limits are ever met. Many people do not realize that once their policy limit is met they become liable for any loss exceeding that amount.

A second reason to add a personal umbrella policy to your portfolio is that as a high net worth individual or family, you can become a target for dishonest people who file frivolous or false lawsuits. While justice does often prevail in such cases, it can be slow moving and expensive to get to the end of the legal process.

Finally, you have worked hard to amass your holdings and it is important to protect all of your hard work and dedication. One accident or lawsuit can mean a serious change in your family’s fortunes. It makes sense to have the protection in place to shield you from such instances. 

If you are in the greater Sandpoint, ID area and are looking for an effective way to protect you and your family’s financial health it’s time to find out more about umbrella insurance. Contact the professional agents at The Insurance Shop USA today and find out how we can help you find the appropriate policy for your needs.

If you live in Sandpoint, ID, you have a lot of great housing choices. There are great neighborhoods, with easy access to the rest of the city. You can rent a house or apartment, buy a condo or buy a house. 

It can become confusing when you are trying to decide what kind of insurance to get, and how much coverage you will need. We at The Insurance Shop USA have clients in every kind of housing, and we are always happy to help with any questions.

Condos vs Rentals vs Houses

Your condo has some things in common with a rental property, in that you are only responsible for your own part of the property. You don’t have to insure the walls or outside property if you have a condo.

You do have an interest in the property because you own it, but you will only be expected to insure your own very specific location. Your insurance will protect all your belongings inside your condo, like your clothing, appliances, furniture, and electronics. Your window dressings, flooring, and other inside modifications will also be covered.

Why This Is Good News

Because you only have to insure your inside walls and personal property and belongings, you will be pleasantly surprised how inexpensive it is to get comprehensive coverage at your condo 

There’s no question that it can be confusing when there are so many kinds of insurance to protect your home, especially when there are so many similarities. If you live in Sandpoint, ID and have any questions at all, or if you want to discuss how you could make sure your own home is well enough protected, please don’t hesitate to give The Insurance Shop USA a call or drop in so we can help.

We’ve all been there- from roommate troubles to requesting seemingly endless repairs, landlord troubles are the worst. Luckily, Idaho has laws that protect renters from less-than-attentive landlords. It’s important that you know your rights. At The Insurance Shop USA, serving Sandpoint, ID, we know the troubles landlords can cause, and we know what’s legal and what’s not. 

– You have the right to privacy. Your landlord is required by Idaho law to give you notice before entering your rental unit. 

– You have the right to a safe living environment. Your landlord is required to keep fix smoke detectors, insect problems, crumbling or deteriorating walls and/or ceilings, heating issues, defective plumbing, etc. After you’ve notified your landlord in person (or sent them a certified letter) of a safety issue, the landlord has three days to fix the problem. If they fail to do so, you have the right to take your landlord to court. 

– You have the right to be notified about rent increases. In a month to month rental situation, your landlord must give you at least 15 days notice before a rent increase. 

If you’re dealing with a not so great landlord, we get it. While there are steps that you can take to move towards legal action, you should also protect yourself before things get to that point. At The Insurance Shop USA, serving Sandpoint, ID, we offer renters insurance, which can protect you in the event that your landlord’s lack of attention to their property results in damage to your belongings. It’s important to purchase a renters insurance policy before you actually need it. Call us to talk about your rental situation, and we’ll recommend a renters insurance policy that makes sense for your needs. 

There is a significant homesteading trend made up of those who are tired of the rat race and living in the big cities. They want to move away from the hustle and bustle to enjoy the calmer, country lifestyle found in rural Idaho. Many of them dream of homesteading as a way to become more self-sufficient, eat healthier foods and live a sustainable life that is more in touch with nature. There are plenty of young people from the Millennial generation who are thinking about going back to a simpler lifestyle of living off the land.

It is not easy to become a successful homesteader. There is plenty of hard work involved. However, for those with the right attitude and a bit of perseverance, it is possible to create a new life in rural Idaho for you and your family. You may want to try your hand at beekeeping, soap making, or raising goats for milk and cheese. For sure, you will enjoy the things that you can grow and then eat.

When you live in a rural area you will want to insure your homestead, ranch, and/or farm by talking with an agent at The Insurance Shop USA, serving Sandpoint, ID and the surrounding area. Those good folks will help you get the insurance coverage you need.

Insurance for a homestead includes the protection for the dwelling and possibly coverage for the animals and the equipment. You may need to have farm insurance as well if you plan on growing substantial amounts of crops for sale.

A farm insurance policy is a combination of a personal home insurance policy and commercial insurance with property and liability protection. One of the advantages of getting a farm insurance policy is, with the help of your agent, you can customize the coverage in many ways to provide adequate protection for all your needs.

Contact your agent at The Insurance Shop USA in Sandpoint, ID by calling 208-263-0888 or by using the convenient online form to get a quote on home, ranch, and/or farm insurance.

The Insurance Shop USA is your one-stop location for all of your insurance needs in Sandpoint, ID. Did you know that there is special insurance written just for Religious institutes? This coverage helps protect the institution from the unique situations that arise when hosting many parishioners, serving the community, and more. 

We Understand The Unique Needs of Religious Institutions 

More often than not, churches have influence and activities in so many aspects of the community that it is hard to fit the insurance needs into one box. From missionary service to volunteer positions, feeding the hungry, reaching out to the needy, or even just holding a community dinner on the grounds. No matter the scope of your reach, or the number of parishioners that gather on Sundays, part of running a religious institution include keeping the property safe no matter what occurs. This is where we come in. insurance for your church should not simply cover the building you gather in, we can make sure your vehicles and parishioners are covered in case something bad happens while you are in the act of serving your fellow man. Come in for a consultation, and we will provide your church with the exact coverage you need for a cost that is fair. 

Contact us to discuss your religious institutions’ insurance needs and to see what coverage we can offer you. You have the needs of the whole community on your shoulders. Let us protect your assets while you go about doing good for those around you in and around Sandpoint, ID. Call the Insurance Shop USA today, or come in for a consultation and quote. 

Living in Sandpoint, ID, your car is exposed to all types of weather. Proper maintenance will ensure that your vehicle consistently performs its best at all times, no matter what the temperature or weather condition. The agents at The Insurance Shop USA can offer tried and true maintenance tips to help you keep your car in top shape.

Engine and Drivetrain Maintenance

Maintaining your engine is essential if you want your car to last. This includes changing the oil every 3,000 to 5,000 miles and keeping a close on your coolant, brake fluid, and transmission fluid. When you take your car in for an oil change, have your entire engine checked to make sure everything is functioning as it should. This includes your fuel injectors and all of the electrical components.

Tire Maintenance

Your tires are extremely important, especially in the winter when snow and ice may be on the roads and highways. Always make sure the tires are at the proper air pressure. This will give you maximum traction and also help to improve your gas mileage. It’s also important to check your tires’ tread occasionally. Bald areas where the tread is completely gone or areas in which there is very little tread left are indicators that new tires are needed.

The agents at The Insurance Shop USA are always available to discuss all of your auto insurance needs. If you live in the Sandpoint, ID area, call and talk to one of their reputable agents today. They can review your policy to make sure you have just what you need and also provide you with maintenance tips to help you keep your car in good condition for years to come. Call today!

 

Agents of the Insurance shop USA located in Sandpoint ID will establish a wedding special event insurance package with insurance riders.  A wedding celebration is full of tradition and pleasant memories that the new couple will share with their future children.  While a wedding is an emotional investment, it is also a financial investment that the parties are willing to pay.  What could go wrong to risk this investment?  A sophisticated wedding planner is probably in the best possible position to understand the multiple risks of a wedding event that has gone wrong.

The wedding planner may need a lawyer because this person sometimes is the principal source of advice to those bearing the financial burden of a wedding event.  Not all the wedding risks are insurable, such as the bride or groom refusing at the last minute to be married or the financial loss of an engagement ring while the wedding ring may be insurable if the wedding does not go forward, but a rainy day is not covered. 

There are many parts at a wedding, that must run smoothly. Wedding risks are associated with 

• photography 
• the delivery, and integrity of the wedding cake, 
• timely arrival of the wedding dress, 
• a safe environment for the wedding reception,  
• the containment of alcohol consumption, 
• a safe limousine and competent driver,
• the rented place for the wedding reception was not available within days of the wedding, 
• vendors who fail to show up
• the caterer served spoiled food,
• slip and fall of guests at the reception
• bad weather and natural disasters

The types of insurance should include liability insurance, with riders, to pay medical costs for a guest who may be injured, liquor host liability insurance for drunken guests who harm others, cancellation or postponement coverage,  deposit coverage, and coverage if gifts are stolen.

The agents of the Insurance shop USA located in Sandpoint, ID will advise you how to cover any wedding risks that insurance will cover.  Please call for an appointment!

 

 

 

 

Umbrella insurance is a kind of coverage that can affect total coverage for your home, cars, and other assets. This can be very helpful for people who experience significant losses due to an accident or disaster, beyond what a standard policy would protect. Umbrella insurance often includes different kinds of coverage against accidents that can protect against various kinds of civil lawsuits. This can be very beneficial for business owners or other high profile individuals who have greater exposure due to their net worth or number of transactions. The state of Idaho also recommends that businesses dealing with high-risk activities may want to look into umbrella insurance. There are also limitations on umbrella policies which may prevent policyholders from receiving additional protections if their business fails, work contracts are not paid, or their personal property is lost. Because this is a more complex type of insurance reserved for those who think they may be subject to higher losses, it is important to discuss the specifics with a knowledgeable insurance professional in the Sandpoint, ID area.  

Those who suspect that the standard insurance policies may not cover large enough amounts for additional damages or lawsuits may want to look into an umbrella policy to provide more comprehensive coverage. Please contact The Insurance Shop USA to learn more about umbrella insurance, how it benefits you, and reasons why you may need coverage to protect various kinds of assets. Our agency serves Sandpoint, ID and surrounding areas with plans that cater to the needs of the local community. Visit The Insurance Shop USA website for contact information and give us a call when it is convenient for you.  

When it comes to owning a boat or watercraft you need to know the water laws and requirements for the vehicle. In the state of Idaho you do not need to have boat insurance, but this doesn’t mean you should. In many cases, it is far better to have boating insurance than to avoid it. If you own your boat in or around Sandpoint, ID The Insurance Shop USA is here to help you find the right boating insurance for your vessel. 

Some Marinas Require Boat Insurance

While the state may not require boat insurance some marinas and docks do require it. So unless you want to limit yourself to where you can take your boat and where you can dock, it is a better idea to invest in boating insurance, no matter what kind of vessel you own. 

When Does Boat Insurance Cover You

Boat insurance doesn’t just cover you when you’re out on the water. It also protects you when you are towing the boat to the final destination or when it is in storage. In fact, your boat is more likely to be damaged during prolonged storage or when in transit than when on the water. Due to this, it is important for you to protect your investment. You don’t want to be forced to pay for all damages and repairs out of pocket. 

No matter what kind of vessel you own it is important for you to protect it with boating insurance. This boat insurance doesn’t just protect it when it is in water but when it is in transit or in storage. So whether you live in Sandpoint, ID or in the surrounding area, The Insurance Shop USA is here to help you find the right boating insurance for your vessel. 

Are you currently renting a home? Do you need a renter’s insurance policy? The Insurance Shop USA has the policy you need. Renters insurance can protect your belongings in the event of a tragedy and also allow a relocation coverage if you are required to leave your home. 

Protecting Your Belongings

Unfortunately, landlords are not required to cover those renting from them and their belonging in policies. If you do not have a policy, then everything you own is at risk. Several tragedies can result in renters losing all of their belongings and have to replace them out-of-pocket, which could be very expensive. The tragedies below are situations that are covered under a renter’s insurance policy.

• Accidental Fires
• Burglary/ Theft
• Structural damage

Accidental fires happen every day in the USA, and while there are methods to prevent, accidents can still happen. In the event of an accidental fire, all of your belongings that are insured can be replaced under a renter’s insurance plan.

Burglary and thefts are also situations in which renters cannot control and most items are not recovered. While you can utilize all prevention from burglaries, unfortunately, theft can still happen. Whether the theft takes place in the home or in your vehicle, if items insured on your policy are stolen, renters insurance will cover these items.

Structural damage is another tragedy that most renters often do not consider. While it is the responsibility of the landlord to maintain the property, sometimes something as simple as a pipe bursting or a structure collapse can require tenants in an apartment building to leave immediately and relocate, causing damage to their items. 

Relocation Coverage

If you are forced to relocate due to an accidental tragedy, renter’s insurance can cover the cost of your relocation fees. If you are required to relocate, your landlord is not responsible for finding a place for you or covering the cost. Attempting to replace lost items and pay for temporary relocation can be stressful on a household. 

Come Visit Us Today!

Located in Sandpoint, ID, The Insurance Shop USA has a renter’s insurance plan just for you. Contact us here to schedule an appointment with an agent today!