Discounts....Are You Getting Them?

Discounts are the best way to save on your insurance premium each and every month.  But a lot of people are missing out on them!  With a little documentation, you could see great savings.

Security Discounts - Does your home have a security system or fire protection system?  Some of these devices will help you save big on your home or renters insurance.  If you have a certificate of installation (and even if you don’t), let us know and we’ll see if you qualify.

Driver Training & Defensive Driving - Did your child take Driver’s Ed?  Did you take a Defensive Driving course?  These classes will typically qualify for discounts!  Just bring in a copy of your completion certificate and we’ll get it added to your policy.

Teenage Driver With Good Grades - Good grades will help you save!  Some of our policies offer a discount for students who maintain a high GPA.  Give us a call to see the requirements for your policy. 

Payment Discounts - There are many different options when it comes to paying your premiums.  Some policies offer discounts for paying in full or a reduced installment fee if you put the payment on auto-draft.  We can advise you of all the payment options so you pay as little as possible.

Multi-Policy Discounts - When you have all of your insurance in one place, you save more!  If your auto and home insurance is spread out between multiple companies or agencies, let us help you consolidate.  You’ll be better protected (with less gaps in coverage) and save money!

The key?  Talk to your agent!  When we schedule regular annual reviews, we can review your policy discounts and make sure you are receiving the best coverage at the best price.  Call today to schedule an appointment.

Scheduling Jewelry On Your Insurance Policy

Valentines and proposals are in the air! And this means that you might find yourself with
a new diamond ring or expensive piece of jewelry in your home.

Many people spend thousands of dollars on beautiful jewelry but don’t take the time to
find out how to insure it. And this can be a big mistake!

If you have homeowners or renters insurance, then your jewelry is covered as part of the
contents of your home. But there can be problems...

1. We don’t know what it is worth. It’s hard to get the full value of your jewelry back if
you don’t know all of the specifics! Weight, color, cut, size, and so forth are all factors
in the value. Ten years from now you might not even remember how much you paid.

2. You probably have a large deductible on your homeowners insurance. Typically your
contents coverage deductible is anywhere from $500. to $5000. per claim. If your ring is stolen, you’d be responsible for your deductible before insurance kicked in!

But there is a simple solution to avoid all of these problems. Our homeowners and
renters policies allow you to “schedule” jewelry for a small additional cost.

You bring in the receipt and appraisal of the item and we add all of that information to
your policy. (Sometimes we don’t need all of this, just call us first and we can let you
know.)

You will be charged based on the value of the item, but typically it’s less than $40 per
year! (Sometimes much less, sometimes a little more. It all depends on how much
insurance is required.)

Plus, scheduled items don’t require a deductible. So if your ring is lost or stolen, you pay
nothing out of pocket but get to replace your precious jewelry.

So next time you open a jewelry box and put a sparkling diamond on your finger, make
sure that you are insuring your investment.

Have any questions? Call us and speak to a protection team specialist at 888-327-2663
or visit our website for more information.

Insurance When You Tie The Knot

February is all about love. In fact, it is estimated that as many as 4 million people will
get engaged on Valentine’s Day!

And with all of that love and wedding planning in the air, it can be hard to think about the
boring parts of a marriage.

So I want to make it easy for you. Here are a few things you need to think about in
regards to your insurance policies when you tie the knot.

1. Combine your auto insurance policies. If you both own a vehicle, the easiest thing
to do is combine your policies by adding your spouse and their vehicle to your policy.
We can take care of this in just a few minutes!

2. Make sure you and your spouse are listed on every policy. You both need to be on
the homeowners or renters insurance so you can get assistance if needed. Do all of
them at the same time and you won’t have to worry about it again.

3. Schedule an overall review. When you combine two households you will obviously
have more belongings! Speak with your agent and verify that you have enough content
and liability insurance to cover any new assets.

4. Purchase life insurance. It’s your honeymoon and you don’t want to think about
death, but now is the time to get this very important coverage in place. It doesn’t cost
much and will give you peace of mind that the person you love will be taken care of in
the future. It’s really the very best gift you can give to those you love.

The best part of this? It doesn’t have to be hard! In fact, one short appointment can take
care of every item on the list. Give us a call today at 888-327-2663 or visit our website to
schedule a review with one of our Protection Team Specialist!

Life Insurance Is For Those You Love

A lot of people put off purchasing life insurance because it seems like a hassle. You
don’t want to do any sort of medical appointment. It’s an extra expense. And, for the
most part, you just plain don’t want to think about death.

But life insurance isn’t about you. It’s about the people you love. And what better time than February to think about love!

So let’s get real. You do a lot for your family and if you have family members who
depend on your income, then you need life insurance. And the sooner, the better.

For one, life insurance is cheaper when you are young and healthy! With each birthday
you’ll see your quote go up unless you lock in a great rate now. And you don’t want to
look for life insurance after you’ve been diagnosed with an illness.

Another great thing about life insurance is that there are a lot of options. And we’re here
to discuss all of them with you. You can purchase a policy for the short term or even as a
long term investment. It all depends on how much you can afford to spend and what your
family needs are.

Whatever your situation, sitting down and discussing your needs and budget with an
agent is a great first step. Call us today 888-327-2663 or visit our website to set up a free, no-obligation appointment!

February Home Maintenance Tasks

Each month in 2015, we’ll be sharing a short list of tasks that you can do to help take care
of your home, vehicle, and family. Consider them a helpful reminder of what needs to
get accomplished throughout the month to keep your important items protected.

Here’s what’s on the list for February:

Purchase A Fire Extinguisher - If you don’t have a fire extinguisher in your kitchen,
now is the time to get at least one. Plan a family meeting and teach everyone in the
household when and how to use it. It’s an easy way to prevent a small kitchen fire from
getting out of hand.

Schedule High-Value Jewelry On Your Insurance Policy - Did your Valentine
surprise you with a new piece of jewelry? Make sure it’s covered! While your
Homeowners or Renters policy will cover jewelry, there are some limitations. Get an
appraisal and bring it in so we can discuss the best course of action. (This also applies to
artwork, guns, and other collectibles or antiques.)

Seal Up Drafty Windows - Feel cool air blowing in around windows or doors? Seal
them up now! You’ll be glad you did when those summer air conditioning bills arrive.
Newlywed Insurance Review - Did you get married this month? Call us to schedule a
newlywed insurance review! We’ll look at your individual policies and discuss how best
to combine them for your new household.

Show The Love! - There is no better way to show your family how much you love them,
then with the proper amount of life insurance! We can give you a quote on an affordable
term policy and help you get this important coverage in place quickly.

We LOVE our clients! Let us know if we can assist you in any way with your auto,
home, business, or life insurance.

Farcone Insurance Protection Team specialist!

Ask Your Insurance Agent: Are Items In My Car Covered?

Today I’m answering a question I hear all the time - “Are my personal belongings
covered if someone breaks into my car?

Unfortunately, they typically are NOT covered! Your auto insurance covers your car
from damage and accidents, but not the items inside from theft.

But there are still ways to protect yourself. First, and most obvious, avoid keeping high-ticket
items in your car in the first place. This includes things like your laptop, iPad,
purse, etc.

If you’re out shopping, keep your doors locked and lock most items away in the trunk.

But this isn’t always possible. And so you also want to make sure you’re covered by
carrying Renters or Homeowners insurance for your personal belongings. These policies
include a certain amount of coverage for property off premises. These are subject to your
deductible so make sure to discuss with your agent to see what kind of coverage you have
currently.

With a little bit of prevention and great insurance, you’ve won’t have to worry about
items being stolen from your car. Have questions? Give us a call at 888-327-2663 to discuss
them anytime!

Ask Your Insurance Agent: What is Liability Insurance?

Have you ever looked at your insurance policy and wondered just exactly what it is you
are paying for?
Everyone knows that they are legally required to carry liability insurance. But many
people don’t really understand what that means or how it works.

In simple terms, liability insurance pays to fix damage that you cause to someone else.

On your auto insurance policy, this is split into three pieces. Here is an example:

Bodily Injury: 50/100
Personal Property: 50

Let’s say that this was your coverage amount and you hit another car in an accident.
Your insurance would pay up to $50,000 per person for injuries up to a total cap of
$100,000. And it would pay up to $50,000 in property damage to fix the other car.

Remember, liability only covers the person that you hit. It doesn’t cover your vehicle or
anyone inside your car.

There are many different amounts of liability coverage. We work directly with our
clients to determine how much you need. This will vary based on factors like how many
assets you have, your income, and home value.

Not having enough liability insurance is one of the biggest financial mistakes you can
make! Carrying only the state minimum of 15/30/05, could leave you open to a
lawsuit. Think about those cars you’ve seen on the road worth easily over $40,000! If
you don’t have enough property damage coverage, then you are at risk.

There is also liability coverage on your homeowners or renters insurance. It pays if
someone is injured on your property due to your negligence. One common example is a
dog bite. This is another time when it’s good to have enough liability insurance!

Hopefully this clears up any questions you have about how liability insurance works. If
you need help determining the right amount of coverage for your family, give us a call at
888-327-2663 for a no obligation review and quote.

January Home Maintenance Tasks

Each month in 2015, we’ll be sharing a short list of tasks that you can do to help take care
of your home, vehicle, and family. Consider them a helpful reminder of what needs to
get accomplished throughout the month to keep your important items protected.

Here’s what’s on the list for January:

Make A Home Inventory - January is all about getting organized, right? So what better
time to document what you own in case you were to suffer a serious insurance loss (like a
fire). Grab your cell phone and make a short video of each room in your home, focusing
on big ticket items. Many times, it’s difficult for our clients to remember every little
possession after the shock of a large claim. You’ll be glad you took the time to make the
videos if you ever need them.

Deep Clean Your Dryer Vent - A large percentage of home fires begin in the clothes
dryer! Lint builds up in the vent and hose which can spark a fire. Unhook the hose and
vacuum the area well on a regular basis to keep your home protected.

Organize Your Warranties - Do you have a big pile of warranties, product documents,
and receipts stuffed in your desk drawer? Do you even own those items anymore? These
days, many owners manuals can be found online without taking up valuable drawer
storage. Also consider scanning and keeping a digital file of your receipts and warranties
for easy storage and retrieval if needed.

Check Your Circuit Breakers - How often do you actually look in the breaker box?
Open it up and make sure the labels are correct and readable. Also stash a spare
flashlight (with working batteries) close by in case of a power outage.

Gather Your Tax Documents - It won’t be long until you’re filing your 2014 taxes.
Start gathering up all the documents you or your accountant will need. Need a copy of
your insurance policies or premiums? Call us at 888-327-2663 and we’ll be happy to help!

Know Your Deductibles - When was the last time you reviewed your deductibles? This
is what you would pay out of pocket in the event of an insurance claim. It’s a good idea
to keep this amount in your savings account so it’s available when you need it. Feel free
to give us a call to review all of your insurance policies in detail.

January is a great time to get organized for the new year! Let us know if we can help in
any way!

www.farmersagent.com/jfarcone

Happy New Year!

Your Insurance Resolutions

2015 has arrived! And with it come resolutions and goals for a fresh start over the coming months.

If one of your resolutions for this year was to get organized, then here are some tips on
how to get financially “fit” in 2015! At least as far as your insurance goes...

1. Set up a meeting with us! Each year, we like to do a policy review with every client.
We look at all of your policies and update your information. Insurance needs tend to
change with major life events so if you got married, had a baby, changed jobs, retired, or
anything else in 2014, you probably need a review. Many times you qualify for new
discounts or we can point out ways to help you save (like getting a multi-policy
discount!)

We can schedule this meeting over the phone or in the office, whichever is easier.

2. Get a life insurance quote. For some reason, life insurance is one of those things that
gets neglected. People know deep down that they need it, but often never get around to
actually purchasing any.

Many times you can get a basic term life insurance policy for $30 a month or less.
(Depending on age and health status, it varies for everyone!)

3. Organize your insurance documents. Keep a file with a copy of your current auto,
home, and life policies in one easy-to-find place. When your renewal comes in the mail,
you can throw out the old copies. Some people also like to keep a copy of their life
insurance with their attorney or in a fire safe. We can always help you get a copy if you
need it!

4. Put a current insurance card in your glove box and throw out the six old ones that
are likely crumbled up in there. :)

That’s it! Take care of these items and you’re on your way to being organized and
properly covered in 2015!