Newsletter

In 2015, the Coast Guard counted 4,958 accidents that involved 726 deaths, 2,813injuries, and approximately $42 million dollars of damage to property because of recreational boating accidents.  Where cause of death was known, 76% of fatal boating accident victims drowned. Of those drowning victims with reported life jacket usage, 85% were not wearing a lifejacket.  Source U.S. Coast Guard

Nothing can hinder or ruin your boating pleasure like an accident.

Watercraft insurance policies can cover damage to your boat, motor, trailer, and personal effects in the boat.  Available coverage includes liability, medical payments, coverage for injury to a water skier, and damage to the boat itself, sometimes called hull coverage.  Availability varies by state and by insurance company.  Even though boat insurance premiums are low, shopping your rate can sometimes save a substantial amount.

Watercraft Safety Tips

• Did you know that the majority of drowning victims are the result of boaters not wearing their lifejackets? Make sure that your family and friends aren’t part of this statistic by assigning and fitting each member of your onboard team with a life jacket prior to departure. Wear it!
• Have operable boat lights.  Always test boat lights before the boat leaves the dock and carry extra batteries.
• Always check local weather conditions before departure; TV and radio forecasts can be a good source of information.
• Never allow passengers to ride on gunwales, seatbacks, or outside of protective railings, including the front of a pontoon boat.  A sudden turn, stop, or start could cause a fall overboard.
• Know your boat's capacity and how to properly load it.  An overloaded or improperly loaded boat can cause safety problems.
• Have a working marine radio on board at all times and know how to use it.
• Ventilate after fueling. Open the hatches, run the blower, and check for fuel fumes before starting the engine.
• Be a safer boater! Take the Online Boating Safety Course - all of the information is free. Click here to check it out.
• Infants and young children are at a higher risk for hypothermia, so if you are taking a baby on a boat, just take a few extra precautions to keep your baby warm.
Source discoverboating.com

As the summer vacation season approaches, thoughts turn to fun in the sun, getting on an airplane, or camping.  However, did you know that one in five people suffer an injury while on vacation? Food poisoning is the most common way people are injured on vacation (CDC.com), car or bike accidents are second, and skiing accidents are third.  We all want our family vacations to go perfectly, but even with the best intentions, things can happen. 
A greater concern may be how your health insurance applies when you travel. With all the changes in health insurance coverage, you may need special travel medical insurance.  If you are traveling abroad, your health insurance may not provide any coverage.

Why Consider Travel Medical Insurance?

Travel medical insurance provides you with peace of mind for a wide range of situations, including medical evacuation.  If your current health plan is not a multi-state plan, you would not have coverage for traveling into another state. Some plans allow you to get requests and referrals out-of-state, some plans have separate out-of-network cost sharing amounts, and some don't cover any costs beyond an emergency.

When Should I Buy Travel Medical Insurance?

The best time to buy is before you leave for your vacation.

What Does Travel Insurance Cover?

Remember, each policy may offer different terms and coverage. Here are examples:

1. Trip cancellation coverage reimburses you for pre-paid, non-refundable expenses if you need to cancel your trip before you depart.
2. Medical expenses while traveling abroad.
3. Medical expenses while on a cruise.  For cruises, your health insurance from home may not cover you if you are traveling on a foreign-flagged ship.
4. Emergency evacuations.
5. 24/7 phone assistance.

The US State Department periodically issues warnings about traveling to at-risk countries. If you are visiting one of these countries, your medical insurance will likely not be honored unless you buy supplemental coverage.

At Dave Reed Insurance we believe our greatest asset is the relationships we build with our clients and we are dedicated to being the right choice for all of your insurance and financial needs. We take pride in our ability to tailor a comprehensive package that maximizes your insurance protection while minimizing money out of your pocket.

Questions to consider about your auto insurance

As the spring and summer approaches, many of us will be renting a car as part of our vacation or business travel. It will be important to consider a few items before you decide whether or not to purchase the rental car insurance. If you have any questions about your auto insurance coverage, call our office and we can help you through the process.

Do you have auto insurance now?

In most cases, if you have the right personal auto insurance you may have the coverage you need without buying the rental coverage. If you do not have auto insurance, you may want to purchase the rental coverage.  Or, if you have personal auto but do not have Comprehensive/Collison coverage, you may want to consider paying for rental car insurance.

Does your credit card provide extra coverage?

Many credit card company offer coverage if you use their card to pay for the car rental. This coverage often applies over any other valid insurance.

Are you traveling on business?

Your employer may provide the coverage if you are traveling on business. 

At Dave Reed Insurance we believe our greatest asset is the relationships we build with our clients and we are dedicated to being the right choice for all of your insurance and financial needs. We take pride in our ability to tailor a comprehensive package that maximizes your insurance protection while minimizing money out of your pocket.

Buying Homeowner’s Insurance

With all the options you have these days buying the right kind of homeowner’s insurance can be confusing. Some advertisements want us to believe that purchasing homeowner’s insurance should only take 7 minutes! Making purchases too quickly can cause mistakes.  Taking time to consider your options can save you money and future headaches. We found at least five mistakes people sometimes make when purchasing homeowners insurance.

1. Not having the right value for your personal property Most people under-value their personal belongings. We recommend you complete a home inventory to make sure you have the correct value on all your property. Remember, the insurance covers what it costs to replace the item not what you paid for it.

2. Improper value on jewelry and other high value items. Most homeowner’s insurance policies have limitations on jewelry, guns and other collectibles. Make sure you identify these if they are over $1,500, (this varies so call us for a review).
 
3.Not fully understanding your policy exclusions. Every homeowner’s policy has exclusions. Flood and earthquake are not included in a standard homeowner’s policy. Wear and tear is also excluded.
 
4. Using the wrong deductible. Increasing your deductible will lower your homeowner’s insurance premium; however, make sure you have the resources to pay the deductible in the event of a loss. If you increase your deductible to $2,500, do you have the $2,500 to pay the deductible? We can help you understand how deductibles work and set the right one for your individual situation.

As insurance professionals we will happily guide you through the purchasing process. Please call us at  888-600-7333 today!

One of the many advantages of using an insurance agent is that we understand your risks and can design a homeowner’s policy that provides the insurance coverage your family needs. There are many different insurance companies and kinds of coverage from which to select. Call our office to make sure you have these things covered:

Unique Things Covered By Homeowner’s insurance

1.That $5,000 diamond ring. Most homeowner’s polices have limitations on jewelry. If you have jewelry valued over $1,500 you will need to endorse your policy.

2.Hotel stays after a covered loss. If you have “loss of use” coverage on your homeowner’s policy, it will cover the costs to house your family in a hotel, or other location, while the repairs to your home are being completed. Subject to policy terms.

3.Dog bites. If you have a dog, your homeowner’s insurance can cover liability arising from your dog biting a third party. Certain breads may be excluded.

4.Food in your refrigerator. Homeowner’s insurance can also cover all the goodies in your fridge. Say a big storm knocks out the power and everything in your fridge spoils. Well, don’t worry. Your homeowner’s coverage will likely step in to help. Coverage may be subject to your deductible.

5.Imported oils and other special foods. If a covered loss cause’s damage to expensive imported foods, your homeowner’s policy can provide coverage; as long as you are not running a business out of your home.
Please check with our office regarding these items. All coverage will be subject to your actual policy terms and conditions.

At Dave Reed Insurance we believe our greatest asset is the relationships we build with our clients and we are dedicated to being the right choice for all of your insurance and financial needs. We take pride in our ability to tailor a comprehensive package that maximizes your insurance protection while minimizing money out of your pocket.