College Apartments & Renters Insurance

Back to school is approaching fast, and for those of you with children away at college or university, you may have questions about how best to insure their possessions while away. Theft is usually the main concern that parents have. Thinking about how much it would cost to replace a laptop or musical instrument can add to the parental anxiety that usually accompanies a child going away.

While possessions in dormitories and residence halls are generally covered under a parents' property policy, when the student moves into an apartment with roommates, renters insurance is strongly recommended. Aside from providing coverage for their clothing, computers, iPod and other personal possessions, renters insurance provides them with critical coverage for their personal liability.

According to the NFPA, in 2006 fire departments responded to 4,290 fires in campus housing. These fires caused an estimated $29.1 million dollars in property damage. Since two-thirds of all college students live in non-dormitory housing, the need for these students to protect themselves financially is critical.

In years past, most college students went without any form of insurance to protect themselves in the event their unit was damaged due to fire. Thus, if the student's apartment was damaged, landlords could file suit to collect damages and the student could find themselves with a judgement against them for thousands of dollars.

In recent years, more and more apartment complexes are requiring their tenants to carry renters insurance with liability coverage. However, not all college campus apartments carry this requirement. The onus then falls on the parents to make sure their student is fully protected while living in off campus housing.

The good news is that renters insurance is extremely affordable. For premiums usually less than $1 per day, you and your student can rest more easily, knowing that they are correctly covered and protected.

Making sure your student carries renters insurance can help with the short term concerns of how to replace possessions, and also help avoid the long term financial consequences of fire or other unintentional property damage.

Beating The Heat Safely

The recent weather in our area has featured high humidity, high temperatures and abundant sunshine with little rain. With summer at its height, people around our area are looking for ways to beat the heat. Swimming pools, dog parks, trampolines, boating and other outdoor activities are popular ways to enjoy the summer.

Swimming pools in particular are popular ways for families to beat the heat. With swimming pools, however, it is important to keep safety in mind at all times. According to the CDC, in 2007 there were 3,443 accidental drownings in the United States, which averages out to about ten per day. At least one out of five fatal drowning victims are children aged 14 and younger.

Following simple safety steps can help prevent tragedy. If you have a pool on your property, be sure to secure access to the pool via a fence with a lock or other pool barrier. Keep the area well lit at night, with safety and rescue gear available nearby, and make sure to never allow young children to swim unattended or near the pool unsupervised. Keep your pool area clear of balls and other toys, as this can prevent children from entering the pool area unsupervised, or leaning over the water to grab a ball.

If you take your children swimming, make sure to not rely on air-filled or foam toys as primary sources of safety gear. Most swim toys such as noodles and water wings are not designed to be safety flotation devices. Life jackets for younger children are recommended. If your child is preschool-aged, an adult should be within reach of a child at all times. Older children should have a swim buddy and never swim without adult supervision. Adults, when supervising, should not engage in distracting behavior such as mowing the lawn or playing cards. Finally, enrolling your child in formal swim lessons can teach them both how to swim, and how to act responsibly and safely around bodies of water.

If you have a swimming pool, make sure to protect yourself. Talk with your agent about ways to prevent risk ,and properly cover yourself in case of accident. By engaging in simple safety steps, you and your family can avoid risk and injury to yourselves and others, and safely enjoy summer weather.

The Importance of Policy Reviews

One of the most common concerns consumers of any service have is cost. Customers deserve and demand quality products and services at market-competitive prices, and one of the most important jobs of an insurance professional is to strike a balance between benefit and cost.

The most effective way to ensure that you are receiving both from your insurance package is to schedule a full policy review with your agent. Sitting down in person and reviewing the current setup, and discussing important life events such as birthdays, graduations, and retirements in order to identify possible necessary changes can save you and your family time, stress, and money.

During a policy review, an agent will discuss current coverage and suggest adjustments that can prove critical should the unexpected occur. Additionally, if you and your family are looking to trim the budget, your agent can look closely at your discounts, to make sure every possible option is explored.

Policy reviews can ensure that you and your family have the coverages you need at a cost you can afford. Don't leave yourself with a coverage gap! Call your agent today and schedule a time to meet and discuss your policies!

The Benefits Of Working With An Agent

The insurance marketplace has become an extremely competitive environment over the past decade. The emergence of carriers that conduct their business almost exclusively via call center or Internet has highlighted the need for agencies to demonstrate their value in new ways.

While the premium difference one can occasionally see by choosing an online-based carrier is one factor to consider, working with a local agent can provide substantial benefits beyond simply premium costs to you and your family.

Local agents can be helpful with the claim process. A good agent can walk you through the process step-by-step, keeping you informed of your options and addressing any questions or needs that arise. Given that an insurance claim is the biggest moment of truth you can have with a carrier, there is significant value in dealing with the same person throughout, rather than a call center team.

Additionally, the relationship with a local agent can assist during aspects of the billing process as well. An involved local agent can identify discounts that could help save you money, can identify potential rate changes and work with you to find solutions that both fit in your budget and provide proper coverage for you and your family.

Finally, working with a local agent can provide you peace of mind. A local agent is able to know you and your family beyond a policy number, and is able to know your family's unique needs. They can grow with you and your family, and you can rest assured knowing that when you call to ask a question, file a claim, or pay a bill, you are more than just a number on a screen.