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.

 

Your Life Has Changed; Has Your Insurance Caught Up?

Life insurance serves the important purpose of covering funeral and other costs associated with the death of a loved one. One smart move is to get life insurance coverage while you are young. However, as your life changes, you may need to update the coverage of your life insurance. You don’t want to saddle family members with unexpected funeral costs that might have otherwise been covered. Consult with an agent at The Insurance Shop USA for a discussion of your life insurance coverage options. Serving the Sandypoint, ID area, we can provide quotes for affordable life insurance coverage that will serve your personal needs as well as those of your family. Funeral costs are high, and other financial obligations that you leave behind for your family to manage might include medical bills or other debt. You don’t want to do that to them. You can make sure your family is well taken care of when you are gone.

Family members depend on each other. If you or a spouse dies, how will this affect the survivors? How will income, debt management, personal care, and the general household be managed? Life insurance gives survivors the opportunity they need to grieve before they have to face such pressing questions. The Insurance Shop USA can help you plan accordingly so that dependents and other family members don’t have to face even bigger challenges than the ones that come naturally with the loss of a loved one.

While it’s important to have life insurance when you are younger, it’s important to review your policies regularly as your live changes. The Insurance Shop USA can discuss the best options available in coverage and rates to serve you and your family.

Quick Tips on How to Make Your Cleaning Products Work More

Cleaning products are all around us and used everyday for their primary purpose. However, many of these packaged chemicals have the capability of being used for more than just sanitizing and cleaning up dirt.

Cleaning your windows is almost synonymous with the use of Windex or a similar alcohol-based window cleaner. However, this same product works extremely well in shining up metallic equipment furniture like chrome and brass. Windex also works as an effective stain remover, but only the clear version. The blue Windex will obviously leave a blue stain.

Laundry detergent, the dry powdery type, makes for an effective oil stain cleaner in the garage. Pour a bit of the detergent on the oil dripping and let it sit. If the stain has been there a while, moisten it with water and scrub into the cement a bit. Then let sit for 24 hours before washing away. The oil will be significantly gone if not completely removed.

If you’re an artist or painter, you will love fabric softener sheets. Put a sheet in a cup of water with the brushes, and the chemicals on the sheet will cause the latex paint to come right off the brushes, allowing them to be used again and again. Dryer sheets also make an excellent air freshener for a vacuum cleaner by placing one in the vacuum cleaner bag before using.

Ammonia is one of the harshest cleaning chemicals available, but the fumes alone can rip grease off of metal oven parts. Many folks take some ammonia, but it in a plastic bag with the oven range part, and let it sit outside for a night tied up. The next day, the range part is lost all of its gunk and is ready to wash off for a clean oven use.

The Insurance Shop USA, serving Sandypoint, ID, is in the business of selling insurance, but that doesn’t stop them from sharing great ideas on living as well, including those that give you more bang for the buck.

 

Taking the Pain Out of Updating Your Insurance

It doesn’t matter where in the States you are, be it Sandypoint, ID or even somewhere up in Alaska, the fact is, you need to make sure that your home and vehicle insurances are up to date.  Let’s talk about why it is important to do this. 

Most of the time, people tend to think that once you purchase a home insurance policy, you are done.  However, there are times when it is critical to update it.  When are those times?  Let’s see.

  • Have you made any renovations or home improvements?  Has your bathroom or kitchen had a makeover?  Have you recently added a storage shed?  All of these things are reasons for you to make sure that your homeowner’s insurance is up to date.
  • Do you have the proper amount of coverage for your vehicle and/or home?  Take a peek at your policy and see how much protection you have in the liability area.  This is the part of your policy that deals with bodily injury or property damage claims.
  • If you are missing out on savings, you might want to update your policy.  It is always a good idea to review your policy – be it home or auto – to ensure that you have a working knowledge of your coverages and to take advantage of any savings opportunities.
  • Have you recently bought a big ticket item?  If so, believe it or not, it can impact your current insurance policy.

The items just discussed are just a sample of the things that can have an impact on your insurance policy.  Check with The Insurance Shop USA to review your home and auto insurance policies today.  You never know when you will need it and it needs to be up to date when you do.
 

Tips on Keeping Your Car Clean While Keeping the Earth Green

With the warmer weather on the near horizon many turn their thoughts to spring cleaning. Out with the old and in with the new. Automobile enthusiasts and regular folks alike want their car to reflect this attitude as well. 

There are many new products on the market that will help you keep your car clean while maintaining your commitment to a green Earth. Eco-friendly products have been around for several years and continue to improve as new technologies are developed. Although washing your car yourself will save on water and product usage, there are waterless cleaning solutions available as well. Just a little web-surfing will net a plethora of alternatives to maintaining your vehicle with no regard to your environment.

  • The Driveway Dandy – self-washing is an overall tour de force as it is a win – win- win! Car washing is  fun, great on the body as you get to exercise, great on the environment as you get to choose the amount of water expended and cleaning product employed,     
  • The Driveway Dandy goes viral – With the spring and summer coming there is absolutely no reason not to get the entire family and community involved in washing their own vehicles. Make it a neighborhood event. Depending upon your proximity with your neighbors, you may be close enough to shoot the breeze while you wipe the grime off of your auto – the greater the participation; the greater the impact on the environment. 

As you consider bringing new things to bear with the spring consider reviewing your insurance policy for your car. Many get caught in the web of stale insurance that does not offer competitive values. Contacting the team of professionals at the Insurance Shop USA will be an awesome step in spring cleaning your outdated policy.

Tips for Getting Your Boat Ready for Summer

You have probably already noticed that it is getting warmer outside and if you have a boat, you are ready to get it out on the water for some summer fun. Before you get it out to enjoy the longer days of summer, there are a few things you should do in order to get it in tip-top shape for the coming months. Use our tips to make sure everything is in order for your boat.

  • De-winterize your boat. You likely took the time to winterize your boat before the cold weather and if you did, you need to make sure you de-winterize it before you use it this summer.
  • Get a tune up. One of the best things you can do for your boat before using it all summer is get a tune up done to make sure everything is in working order and fix any issues that may be there after not using it for a while. You may even want to make this a yearly thing you do before summer.
  • Check your battery. If you have not used your boat in some time, especially during the winter months, then you should check your battery to make sure it still has power. If it doesn’t, make sure you replace it so you don’t get stuck on the water with a dead battery.
  • Check your life jackets and fire extinguisher. Safety is very important so check these two things to make sure they are in good condition and working properly just in case you need them this summer. 

As always, you should also have a great boat policy on your boat to protect you from anything unexpected. If you do not have one or would like to explore a new option, please contact us at The Insurance Shop USA today. 

Tools You Should Always Have in Your Vehicle

There is no question that driving can be fun; however, it is also a necessity. Most people rely on their vehicles to get them to work, school and to run errands. In order to make sure you are safe while driving in Sandy Point, ID be sure you have the following items with you at all times. This will allow you to handle any emergency situation that may come up while on the road.

Rags

It is a good idea to keep several lint-free, clean rags in any vehicle to wipe the dipstick for your transmission or oil and check the levels. These rags can also be used to clean the inner part of your windshield if it becomes cloudy.

Spare parts

If you have decided to replace the spark plugs, you should save the old ones if they have not become too worn. Throw them in your toolbox to use as a replacement if needed. This goes for your older air filters or other gizmos that may need to be replaced. Keeping a few extra screws, bolts and nuts can be beneficial.

Spare tire

This one may seem obvious, but it is essential to make sure you have a spare tire with you at all times. This will ensure you can change out a flat tire if needed.

Lug wrench

This is an essential tool for changing a tire and something you should keep in the trunk or truck bed at all times. If you don’t have this, it will be impossible to change a tire.

Take some time to make sure you are safe on the road. This includes purchasing quality insurance coverage. If you need vehicle insurance, contact The Insurance Shop USA today to learn more.