Can You Set Up Renters Insurance Before You Move In?

If you are looking to move into a rental apartment, condo or home, you may be looking to obtain renters insurance. One of the questions that we are often asked at The Insurance Shop USA, serving the greater Sandypoint, ID area, is whether you can set up a renters insurance policy before you actually move in. Here is some information you will want to know. 

Wait Until You Have a Signed Lease

If you are looking to take out a renters insurance policy, make sure you have a signed lease in place before you attempt to get a policy. Many people make the mistake of attempting to take out a policy before the lease is a done deal. Unfortunately, until things are signed, they may fall apart. If you take out a policy and your lease falls through, you may be stuck with a non-refundable first payment and wasted time. 

Your Policy Can’t Start Until Your Lease Start Date

Next, it is important to understand that while you can set up your renters insurance policy before you actually move in, the effective date must match the effective date on your lease. Some people begin to move their belongings in a few days before their lease actually starts and try to start their renters insurance a few days early to protect the items they have moved there. However, your policy only protects you while are under an effective lease. If your lease is not yet valid, your policy will not yet be either. 

If you are preparing to move and looking for a new renters insurance policy in the greater Sandypoint, ID area, let The Insurance Shop USA help. Call us today to get a free quote or to get started putting the perfect policy for you together. 

Wedding Insurance 101: what it covers and why all bride and grooms should consider it

When people plan a wedding, there is so much time and energy spent on the important details such as the guest list, the food, the band and the flowers. With so much going on during the process, many couples neglect to think about protecting the significant financial investment of the wedding itself. However, there are some great insurance policies available to make sure one is protected financially in case something goes wrong on the big day.

Many people wonder what wedding insurance protects against. There are two types of coverages available in the marketplace. The first coverage is referred to as cancellation and postponement coverage. In the event, that your wedding must be canceled or postponed, this policy will protect you from any financial loss. It is important to note that this coverage is not meant to reimburse you should you decide not move forward but for reasons out of your control such as the venue closing or severe weather. If you are planning a winter weather in Sandypoint, ID,  it is critical to protect against a delay due to weather!

The second coverage available is a liability policy that will protect you financially in the event someone is injured at your wedding or damage is caused by one of your guests. You will also want to check the contract you have with the venue as many businesses will require this coverage. If it is necessary, you should share the contract with your agent at The Insurance Shop USA to ensure you are carrying the required limits.

No bride or groom wants to think of a situation in which a wedding could be canceled or a guest being injured. However, it is important to remember that a wedding is a significant financial investment and should be protected. If you would like to learn more about wedding insurance, please reach out to us at The Insurance Shop USA, we proudly serve the Sandypoint, ID area.

4 Types of Insurance You Might Need to Cover Your Farm

Coverage for your farm combines elements of a homeowner’s policy with commercial property insurance, as many farmers live where they work. If you farm in the Sandpoint, ID area, The Insurance Shop USA may have just what you are looking for. Here are some different types of insurance you may encounter when seeking coverage for your farm.

Crop Insurance

There are a couple of different kinds here.

  • Crop-Hail Insurance- This one is pretty self- explanatory. It protects your crops in the event of hail. Many farmers purchase this for high-yielding crops.
  • Multiple Peril Crop Insurance (MPCI)- In some cases government subsidies are offered to farmers to offset the costs of insurance. The MPCI is part of the Federal Crop Insurance Program. It covers loss of crops from a number of natural causes such as drought, moisture, disease and extreme cold. MPCI also includes price protection to cover farmers’ revenues in the event of a low crop yield or changes in the market.

Livestock Insurance

Much like crop insurance, livestock insurance protects your investment in your cattle should a covered accident occur. If a fire, blizzard or other natural disaster should strike, you will be covered.

Property and Casualty Insurance

This covers your property against things like theft and vandalism. It provides liability coverage if someone who works for you gets injured on the job. This may also be called commercial property insurance.

In the state of Idaho, if you have one or more employees, you must also carry Idaho Worker’s Compensation insurance.

Home Owner’s Insurance

Because farmer’s tend to live where they work, homeowner’s insurance should be a part of your package. Make sure that not only your Sandpoint, ID home but out buildings are covered. Depending on their use, out buildings may also be covered by commercial property insurance.

When your home and livelihood are both on the line, it is important to make sure you have the right coverage. Don’t be afraid to ask your insurance agent about discounts for bundling policies. And if you are looking for farm insurance in Sandpoint, ID, be sure to check out The Insurance Shop USA.

Do You Need Religion Institution Insurance?

A religious institution performs a truly priceless service for a community by helping to bring everyone together with one common purpose. The leaders there share in all the major celebrations in one’s life, from beginning to end. They give members advice and guidance during difficult times, and they help to instill a set of values about how to treat ourselves and one another. It’s worth taking the time to protect an organization, so see if you need religion institution insurance for your organization in Sandpoint ID. 

Evaluating Your Assets 

Religious institutions that operate out of the most famous cathedrals in the world already know they need some form of insurance. With all of the art and history, they keep under their roof, there are so many reasons to make sure that it’s protected from vandalism, theft, or natural disaster. But there are other organizations that aren’t quite so straight-forward. Let’s say you hold a community bake sale and one of your members is injured or robbed. Do you have a way to step in and provide help?

The Insurance Shop USA has seen how devastating it can be not to have any coverage at all (or the wrong level of coverage.) Religious leaders take on a lot of liability when they work with any given neighborhood, so it helps to have safeguards in place if something does go wrong. 

Seeking Help 

When you seek help for your insurance needs, make sure you have all the details in front of you. The Insurance Shop USA serves the people of Sandpoint ID so they can understand if they need insurance, and what type of policy will work best for their goals. Let us give you a helping hand if you think you may need religion institution insurance when you call us today. 

Health insurance benefits for your family

To have a productive and happy family, you need to protect them from any health problems. You need to be sure that even if one of your loved ones fall sick, they can get the best treatment without having to worry about the expenses. We as The Insurance Shop USA, are committed to serving the people of Sandpoint, ID with the best service because we understand the importance of family.

We have different health insurance options to cater for your needs depending on your preference. We can insure your health as an individual as well as that of your family. All you need to do is see one of our specialists to get guidance in choosing the best cover for you and your family.
But what is the importance of getting a health insurance cover for your family? Here is a glimpse of some of the benefits of insuring the health of your family.

  • Accessibility to medical care

As long as you have a medical insurance cover, you and your family can access the best medical care services regardless of your background. Also, with a health insurance cover, you can get a timelier care compared to a person with no cover.

  • Peace of mind

With a medical insurance cover, you can relax wherever you know that your family is protected. You don’t have to be there for them to get medical services. You just need to call your insurance company, and everything you need such as an ambulance is availed to you. You don’t have to worry which hospital to go.  You can just visit any hospital of your choice or one that you think can provide the best services.

If you are in Sandpoint, ID , You have the opportunity to get health insurance from The Insurance Shop USA which is an insurance company that cares for you. Don’t hesitate: Contact us today or visit our website to get more information on the benefits of health insurance

Why Product Liability Insurance is an Important Commercial Insurance Policy

As a business owner, you have an assortment of insurance options available. Some coverage your business will not need, while other forms are vital in protecting your business. Depending on the kind of company you run you may want to consider Product Liability Insurance. At The Insurance Shop USA, we want to help educate you and make sure your Sandpoint, ID business is properly protected. That is exactly why you need to know why Product Liability Insurance is an important commercial insurance policy. 

What is Product Liability Insurance

If your company produces or manufacturers products for sale, this is an insurance coverage you need to consider. You likely do everything in your power to ensure the highest quality product is constructed within your business. However, there may be times where the product causes some kind of health or safety problem with a consumer. Whether they simply did not handle it properly or it is just a one-off defected product, a customer may be able to sue your company due to the damage or health concern it caused. Without Product Liability Insurance, you may be left paying for legal fees and settlements out of pocket. Based on the situation, this can add up. 

Product Liability Protection

As is the case with many other forms of commercial insurance, this is not one size fits all. You can have it tailor constructed to fit your business needs. 

Depending on the kind of business you run, Product Liability Insurance may be a valuable investment for your company. At The Insurance Shop USA, we want to help educate you on the insurance coverage and point you in the right direction for your insurance needs, regardless of if you run a Sandpoint, ID business or one in the surrounding communities. 

Top Reasons to Purchase an Umbrella Policy Today

While many have been fooled into believing that only the wealthy need umbrella coverage, that couldn’t be more inaccurate. Essentially extra liability insurance, umbrella insurance provides an array of benefits to people from all walks of life. Are you considering purchasing an umbrella package but need a bit more convincing? The following is an overview of the top reason to purchase an umbrella policy today. 

Provides Coverage for an Array of Claims 

One of the top reasons to purchase an umbrella policy is that they protect you from an array of lawsuits. While most policies fall short, umbrella packages even cover lawsuits associated with slander, false arrest, and much more. 

Protect Your Assets

In addition to that, umbrella packages also indirectly help to protect your accumulated assets. This is due to the fact that costly lawsuits often come at a price that exceeds one’s general coverage. By purchasing an umbrella package, you are ensuring that your money and other assets are safe in the event that you are subject to a massive lawsuit of some sort. 

Inexpensive

Relatively speaking, umbrella packages are an inexpensive way to achieve coverage. Due to the nature of umbrella packages, they are fairly inexpensive in comparison to other packages because they are only used once your regular coverage has been exhausted. Moreover, given that they protect against some potentially costly lawsuits, the money you pay to maintain the policy is often miniscule as compared to the amount they may pay out.

Overall, if you are seeking a high quality umbrella package, The Insurance Shop USA is the way to go. Offering an array of customizable packages to fit budgets of all kinds. Contact hem today and see how they can help you gain coverage and save! 

You Insure Your Home,Why Not Your Boat?

 Congratulations! You’ve added a beautiful new boat to your possessions.  You are looking forward to enjoying it for many years of cruising around on the lake. Life is good. You own a beautiful home, the kids’ education is taken care of, and you are reaping the rewards of hard work. However, when you signed on the dotted line for your latest luxury purchase, did you stop and add insurance from the Insurance Shop USA for it?

You Wouldn’t Leave Your Home Unprotected

The yacht sitting in the marina cost as much as a vacation home. If you bought a second house, you would protect the investment with home owner’s insurance. Boats are often perceived as extras or luxury items, but they empty banks accounts just as fast as a house when a storm damages it. It only makes sense to add boat insurance in case of vandalism, theft or accidents.

Repairing Boats Gets Expensive

Repairs to your new weekend toy are going to be more expensive than for a lawnmower or other small item. Repair shops require specially trained technicians that use unique parts and products. Why risk facing a huge repair bill after a fire sweeps through the marina when boat insurance can offer affordable deductibles in case of sudden loss. 

Operating a Boat Comes with Risks

On a holiday weekend, the lake is crowded with folks like you out to enjoy the sunshine. As the waters become harder to navigate, the possibility of sustaining damage due to a water collision rises. Your auto insurance protects you from fender benders.  Boat insurance offers the same kind of reassurance for your personal ship.

Protect your investment and your personal finances by investing in boat insurance with the Insurance Shop USA. Give them a call today.

 

What Does Umbrella Insurance Cover?

Umbrella insurance is a type of insurance that most people do not know much about. It can have a lot to do with your auto insurance and homeowners insurance policies, though, so it may be worth looking in to. Not all people need to have an umbrella insurance policy so it is important to know what it is and what it can cover. Continue reading to learn more about umbrella insurance policies and learn if it is the right option for your needs. 

  • An umbrella insurance policy, when put in the most basic terms, covers your assets when your other insurance policies stop providing coverage. You may not have ever noticed it, but your policies have limits on them and if you have assets that are worth more than the coverage allows for on your auto an homeowners insurance policies, then getting an umbrella insurance policy to cover the difference is always a good idea.
  • It can also cover your savings accounts, checking accounts, and retirement accounts. Depending on how much you current have in them, you may want to opt for more coverage than the banks or other agencies can provide to you. They also usually have a limit to the amount of coverage they provide so you want to make sure all of your assets are protected.
  • An umbrella insurance policy protects you from personal injury such as libel, slander, false arrest, and wrongful conviction. This may not be something many people need to have but if you are a prominent member of your community, you may want to consider it.

If you are interested in learning more about umbrella insurance policies or taking a look at your current coverage and getting a new quote, be sure to contact us at The Insurance Shop USA today..

Know the difference between cash value and cost to replace

When buying insurance on your home, it is important to understand the terminology, and what is meant by various coverage. Usually people have the belongings insured as well, which insurance on the contents. Insuring the contents of your home may be part of, or could be separate from, the policy on the home itself. The kind of insurance you choose can affect the price you pay for your policy. Idaho has one of the lowest average prices for homeowners insurance in the nation.

That’s good news for customers in and around Sandypont, ID., and the Insurance Shop USA is here to help make sure you have the best homeowners policy for your situation.

When you get a policy, that includes insurance on your contents, you will have to decide between "cost to replace"  and "actual value" for coverage.  Basically replacement cost is what it would cost today to replace the item that was destroyed or stolen, without regard to its condition. Cash value would be the cost to replace, minus depreciation, which is the decline in value due to age or use.

Often it works like this.  Say you have a sofa damaged by a fire. If you paid $1,000 for the sofa five years ago, and the same sofa costs $1500 today, you would get a check for $1,500 if you had cost to replace coverage.  Some insurance companies pay the actual value at the time, and pay you the difference when you give them the receipt for the purchase.  If you had cash value insurance, and that $1,000 sofa from five years ago is worth $600 now, you would get a check for $600. A cost to replace policy costs more, so that might enter into deciding which one to get.

Come visit us at the Insurance Shop USA, and speak with one of our agents to help you make sure you have the coverage you need for your situation. Come by our offices, or give us a call, to make sure your coverage is up to date, or if you are needing insurance for the first time.