If you are getting married in the Sandpoint, ID area soon, the last thing you want to think about is something going wrong on your big day. However, weddings are not immune to disasters, and a wedding policy will protect you in the event something goes wrong. The agents at The Insurance Shop USA are here to put together a wedding insurance policy that is right for you. 

What is Wedding Insurance? 

Wedding insurance will protect you financially in the event certain things go wrong. Some types of events that would be covered include:

External events that lead to the cancellation of the wedding.

Extreme weather that leads to extra expenses due to changes that need to be made to the wedding plans.

Issues with the vendors you hire or the event space you have booked.

Types of wedding coverage

There are two types of wedding converges, and you can choose to purchase them separately or together as a bundled package. 

Liability coverage 

Liability coverage covers damage to the venue that was caused as a result of your wedding. It will also cover the medical bills if someone is hurt or gets sick as a result of the wedding. You should also check with the venue to see if they offer any amount of liability coverage as part of the contract.

Cancelation or postponement coverage
Cancelation and postponement coverage will pay for the expenses, to cancel or change the date of your wedding due to a covered event. It is important to remember that this coverage will only apply to events that are beyond your control, so if you get cold feet, you will not be protected. 

You can also purchase additional coverages to add on to your policy, such as honeymoon coverage and stolen gift coverage. 

If you would like to learn more about wedding insurance, reach out to an agent at The Insurance Shop USA today. We proudly serve the Sandpoint, ID area. 

Liability insurance is something that all people in the Sandpoint, ID area needs to take seriously. Most people will already have liability coverage through their home and auto policies. However, there are situations in which this is not enough coverage. In some situations, someone may also need to get umbrella insurance coverage. There are several reasons why someone may want to have umbrella insurance, which is additional personal liability coverage.

Provides More Coverage on Top of Base Policies

The first reason why someone may want to have umbrella insurance is that it will provide additional coverage on top of someone’s base insurance policies. While you can get a lot of coverage under your home and auto policies, there is always a risk that you may need more coverage during a very bad accident. With an umbrella insurance policy, you will get coverage for liability in addition to the insurance you already have in place. 

Covers Other Situations

While a home and auto policy can cover a lot of situations, it does not cover everything. Those that are in certain professions that run the risk of being sued for slander, libel, or a wide variety of other situations should look into umbrella insurance. This form of insurance will cover these risks, which may not be covered by your base policies. 

If you believe that getting umbrella insurance is right for you, speaking with a team of professionals is always helpful. Due to the complexities of umbrella insurance, the team at The Insurance Shop USA can help someone in the Sandpoint, ID area determine their insurance needs. The professionals at The Insurance Shop USA will be able to review your personal situation to figure out whether umbrella coverage is a necessity and how much coverage you might need to have. 

If you are gearing up for a day on the water in Sandpoint, ID, these boat safety tips can keep your family and friends safe. Ask an agent at The Insurance Shop USA to see what safety measures can give you discounts on boat insurance.

Always Wear the Right Size Life Jacket: Don’t just stow your jacket and instead wear it. A tucked-away life jacket won’t help you in the event of an accident.

Protect Against Propeller Strikes: Make sure your passengers are accounted for and know where the emergency cut off switch is at all times. You can also consider other propeller safety devices, such as sensors and guards. When someone is in the water, make sure another person is on the propeller watch.

Carry Safety Equipment on Board: In addition to life jackets, you want to stock a fire extinguisher, throwable flotation devices, first aid kit, horn, flares, and a tool kit.

Make a Float Plan: This plan is a document you leave with a person onshore that describes your equipment, itinerary, passengers, and boat. It’s used in an emergency to help guide rescue and search teams.

Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: The colorless and odorless gas can cause death or other harm. Install alarms both inside and outside the boat and stay away from exhaust fumes. If you are in an enclosed cabin, circulate fresh air. The symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning and seasickness can be similar.

Brush Up on Boat Safety Basics: An operator error can be responsible for two-thirds of boating accidents. Make sure you understand all navigational rules and consider a boat safety class in Sandpoint, ID.

Don’t Boat Under the Influence: Alcohol can play a role in fatal boating accidents. The wind, boat vibration, and sun can accelerate impairment.

Contact The Insurance Shop USA to get a quote on boat insurance.

Although it’s something you may not want to think about, there could be a disaster on your wedding day in Sandpoint, ID.  Whether it’s damaging to your wedding gown, stolen wedding gifts or an unexpected cancellation, a wedding insurance policy through The Insurance Shop USA may help protect you against these types of disasters. What exactly is wedding insurance? Here are the answers to the most common questions about wedding insurance.

What is Wedding Insurance?

A wedding insurance policy is designed to protect your investment from circumstances that are beyond your control and to reimburse the expenses incurred as a result. For instance, if the limousine driver doesn’t show up and you need to hire another one on the morning of your wedding at double the price or if the reception hall goes out of business a few weeks before your wedding day and you lose the deposit; you’ll have to book another venue and pay another deposit. These types of financial losses are how wedding insurance can provide protection.

What Does it Cover?

There is generally a specified maximum amount of coverage that can be claimed under each section of your policy and there is also a deductible. After paying the deductible, most wedding insurance policies cover:

• The wedding or reception site, if they are unable to accommodate you due to an unforeseen cancellation, such as a fire, electrical outage or the business, is closed down
• A weather condition that prevents the bride, the groom or other essential relatives whose presence at the wedding is essential from reaches the place where the wedding is taking place. Your wedding insurance may cover rescheduling the wedding and its details.
• Vendors that do not show up, such as the caterer
• If an injury or illness prevents the bride or groom from participating in the wedding
• If the wedding is postponed because of military personnel being shipped out at a moment’s notice or if the bride or grooms company suddenly relocates them to another city for their job.

Wedding insurance policies do not cover a change of heart, jewelry, watches or semiprecious gemstones. The insurance may cover your wedding rings, but your engagement ring will probably not be covered. Keep in mind that every wedding and every insurance policy are different, so be sure to talk with your agent to be sure you fully understand the policy.

To learn more information about wedding insurance, residents of Sandpoint, ID should contact The Insurance Shop USA.

Umbrella insurance is a policy that goes above and beyond the other coverage that you have in place.  A homeowner’s policy protects should someone be injured on their property.  Homeowners are able to manage their risk, even if they have a pool or trampoline, with a policy that gives them liability coverage.  Also, if there is a disaster, they are able to make repairs and pay for medical expenses with their insurance coverage.  But all policies have a cap on what they will payout.  When a policy is maxed out, the homeowner is responsible for the difference.  For many, this is simply not a viable situation.  An umbrella policy kicks into effect when other policies have been exhausted.  At The Insurance Shop USA in the Sandpoint, ID area, the team is ready to discuss how an umbrella policy can protect you financially. 

Insurance is an important piece of asset protection.  While you may feel adequately covered, consider the following scenario.  If someone falls on your property and breaks a bone due to your negligence, you are responsible for their medical care.  They will also have the right to sue you for damages.  In the end, if their expenses are $300,000 but your homeowner’s policy only covers $200,000, the homeowner is responsible for the remaining balance.  With an umbrella policy, however, the extra amount will be taken care of.  Umbrella policies also cover incidents of invasion of privacy, slander, and libel.  These are not typically covered by other policies. 

The team at The Insurance Shop USA works with community members throughout the Sandpoint, ID area.  They’re ready to help you understand the finer points of umbrella insurance policies and whether it is right for you.  Call or visit today to get your insurance questions answered and the coverage you need. 

It may be a tempting idea to not carry boat insurance all year if you put the boat away in storage; however, this is not an effective strategy for many reasons. The risk taken for not insuring a boat while it is in storage is not worth it. You might save a little in the short run but if something happens you will regret it.

Reasons to Have Boat Insurance All Year

Here are some reasons why it is a wise strategy to carry boat insurance all year:

1. Boat Loan Requirements — If you still owe money on a loan for the boat then always having it insured may be a requirement of the lender.

2. Marina Requirements — If you moor the boat at a marina, boat insurance may be a requirement.

3. Off-Season Risk — The risk of vandalism, fire, and theft is still there during the off-season and may even be higher because there is less supervision of a boat placed in storage.

4. Weather Damage — Severe weather is more likely to damage a boat during the winter months.

5. Home Insurance Limits — It is unlikely that there is sufficient insurance coverage for a boat under a typical home insurance policy. Ask your agent at The Insurance Shop USA serving Sandpoint, ID and the surrounding area to conduct an insurance review for you to be sure.

6. Loyalty Benefits — Depending on your boat insurance underwriter, you may get a benefit for maintaining your policy without making a claim for a consistent period. It may actually be more costly to cancel a policy and then have to get a new one each year.

Work with your agent at The Insurance Shop USA in Sandpoint, ID to get a review of your boat insurance and a quote for boat insurance that provides adequate protection.