Showing posts with label Tague Insurance Agency. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tague Insurance Agency. Show all posts

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Be a Common Sense Host!!

Holidays and special events often include celebrations that bring together families and friends in private homes across the country. Food, fun, talk and spirits flow generously and, unfortunately, so do injuries and accidents. It’s not news to hear that increased drinking leads to increases in personal tragedies, but it’s important to get reminders that individuals must be responsible for their actions.

Hosts are very important with regard to any consequences of partying. Hosts are given the credit for the enjoyment that their guests experience at a party. On the dark side, party-givers are also asked to bear partial or full responsibility for guests who cause damage or injury on the way home from a gathering. In other words, they may be sued for contributing to losses caused by alcohol-impaired guests.

Although hosts are often found legally culpable for accidents; the brunt of responsibility has to be faced by the individuals who directly cause a loss. There would have to be strong evidence to support a host being held financially responsible, since any involvement is indirect. For example, Jane provides drinks to Barrie, who then plows into the side of Chris’ car and garage.

While a homeowners policy may offer coverage if a host has substantially contributed to a loss, an insurer may be able to deny a claim for a number of reasons, including:

A gathering involves the host making an income

The involvement of paid bartenders

The party is thrown as a fundraising event

A host’s knowledge that the guest was impaired and continued to serve liquor

The host failed to make arrangements for impaired guests (designated drivers, taxis, lodging, etc.)

Local or state law(s) related to providing alcohol

Hosts who take their responsibility seriously are those who make sure that parties are thrown responsibly, are done as a social (rather than business) event, and that the chances of sending drunken guests on the road are minimized. A good host will make sure that food is available, that a liquor supply under his or her control is cut-off and that impaired friends or relatives are prevented from endangering themselves or others. No celebration should end up with a lawsuit.

Questions about coverage for your special event? Contact your agent at Tague Insurance at 760-729-1143!

COPYRIGHT: Insurance Publishing Plus, Inc. 2001, 2010

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Insuring Your Bling

Most homeowner policies provide very limited coverage for jewelry. The reason for this is that jewelry is high-valued (especially in relation to its size), is easily lost or destroyed and is vulnerable to theft (as well as fraud). If you only own a modest amount of jewelry (say just a few hundred dollars), perhaps the limited coverage provided by a basic policy is adequate. However, when high values are involved, consider buying special insurance coverage (sometimes called a floater). A few options are available such as buying supplemental insurance that is attached to your homeowners or tenant's policy or purchasing a separate jewelry policy.



Discussing what is needed and expected from separate coverage is very important. Does the coverage consider jewelry values that increase over time? Does it cover mysterious disappearance (when you know the property is gone, but can't pinpoint when and how the property was lost) and other causes of loss, or just fire and theft? Discussing the coverage also helps you understand the steps you must take to make sure that you keep the maximum coverage in force and whether the coverage you receive is worth the additional price.


Documenting The Jewelry's Value
If the jewelry has just been purchased, a store receipt or certificate should establish the insured value. However, as time passes or circumstances change, the insured value must be reevaluated, perhaps by seeking an appraisal (expert opinion). Getting an appraisal that affirms your jewelry's current value is an excellent way to assure that your property is properly protected. Of course, make sure that you work with a competent appraiser (check their credentials and number of years of experience). It is also helpful to talk to a potential appraiser. Does she seem to have the necessary expertise? How willing and able is she to explain her work? There are several professional jewelry and appraisal associations that can give you information on appraisers and appraising methods. All of these items are important, especially since you have to pay a fee for an appraiser's services.



Handle With Care
Once you're certain about the value of your jewelry and the adequacy of its insurance coverage, you need to properly handle your jewelry. After all, who wants to actually file a claim? If you own a significant amount of expensive jewelry you may want to look into other precautions such as:



* Get new appraisals every two or three years, sending a copy to your insurer
* Take photos of your jewelry from several angles; again, share copies with your agent or insurance company
* Consider a quality in-home security system, including a hidden vault or storage area
* Take care on where and when your jewelry is worn to try to avoid becoming a theft target
* Keep original receipts and all appraisals, especially if they demonstrate that the jewelry's value is appreciating
* Ask your jeweler whether they have access to "Gemprint," or a similar jewelry identification system that documents a jewel's distinctive markings much in the manner of fingerprinting.
* Consider storing jewelry that is rarely worn in a bank or saving institution’s vault. (Note that such special storage often qualifies for an insurance premium discount)


Again, your first step is to talk to an insurance professional since he or she shares your concern that you have the protection you need at a price you can afford. Your Tague Insurance agent can let you know what your options are for insuring your valuable pieces of jewelry, and can help you get a quote. Contact them at 760-729-1143, or visit them on the web at www.TAGUEINS.com for more info!



COPYRIGHT: Insurance Publishing Plus, Inc. 1999, 2002, 2008

Monday, August 1, 2011

The Business Owner Policy

If you own and/or run a smaller business, your insurance needs may be properly handled by a businessowner policy (BOP). BOPs are similar to a homeowners policy, offering both property and liability protection. Businesses such as retailers, wholesalers, small contractors, artisan contractors, dry cleaners, restaurants, offices and convenience stores (including those with gas pumps) are eligible for BOP coverage. All such operations may be insured by a BOP as long as they are not larger than 25,000 square feet in total floor area or have gross annual sales greater than $3,000,000 (per location). Cooking operations, due to the higher fire and other accident exposures, have significantly more restrictive guidelines, such as being disqualified for a BOP when it square footage exceeds, typically, 7,500 s.f.

PROPERTY COVERAGE
BOPs protect buildings as well as the following:

* building additions (completed or being built)
* indoor and outdoor fixtures
* machinery and equipment
* landlord furnishings,
* mowers, ladder, snowblowers, and similar maintenance property
* outdoor furniture
* floor coverings
* refrigerating appliances
* ventilating appliances
* cooking appliances
* dishwashing/Drying appliances
* clothes washing/drying appliances
* materials, equipment, and supplies
* temporary structures located near the insured premises

LIABILITY COVERAGE
The policy's protection for business personal property (such as office equipment, copiers, desks, etc.) applies whether the property is located inside or immediately outside the covered buildings. The category also includes property you own, lease or control (i.e., borrow or control) as long as the property is used by the business.

Businessowners liability coverage provides comprehensive protection for claims or suits made by other parties. Its liability section covers losses involving injury to other persons or damage to property that belongs to others. It also provides limited protection against personal injury (slander or libel), advertising injury and losses involving an operation's products or services.
Naturally, there are certain situations that are not covered by a BOP. For instance, there is no coverage for losses involving most vehicles, money and securities; illegal property (contraband), land, water, growing crops or lawns; or watercraft.

A BOP may be supplemented to provide additional protection. Property coverage options include adding insurance for accounts receivable, valuable papers and records, earthquake, spoilage, etc. Liability coverage can be expanded to handle additional business interests, limited vehicle liability, losses related to personnel situations, liquor liability and injuries to leased employees.
A BOP may be the answer to your company's coverage needs and it may be worthwhile to get more information on the BOP from the Tague Insurance Agency. You can also check out our website for information on obtaining a quote!

COPYRIGHT: Insurance Publishing Plus, Inc. 2004, 2008

Friday, April 1, 2011

Umbrella Coverage - Part 2

In part 2, we continue our discussion of how umbrella policies work. Umbrella coverage can be confusing! If you have questions or would like further explanation, don't hesitate to contact the personal lines department at Tague Insurance Agency! Umbrella vs. Excess Coverage A traditional umbrella offers broader protection, covering primary policies as well as a variety of, typically, uncovered exposures. For instance, you may have to go to court after being accused of slandering another person. The liability section of your homeowners policy may not cover this type of loss, called personal injury. An umbrella policy might include coverage for personal injury, so the loss is covered. You may also need a traditional umbrella to handle odd situations such as hobbies or activities that may increase the likelihood of facing liability losses. For example: · you have an in-home hobby of training guard dogs and a neighbor's child is attacked · you publish a newsletter on the Internet covering local or state politicians and one issue wrongly accuses a state senator of committing a crime · You collect rare instruments and, as a part of the hobby, you also repair and restore such property for other people. One day you drop an antique mandolin which shatters when it hits your garage's concrete floor Generally, umbrellas provide coverage for any amount of a loss that exceeds the primary policy's deductible. However, when handling a loss that is not covered by primary insurance, a special kind of deductible called a self-insured retention (SIR) may apply. An SIR is the dollar amount you have to pay before the umbrella coverage is triggered. Of course, umbrellas don't always work as named. Your policy may just provide additional amounts of coverage to supplement existing protection. This is how an excess policy performs. Excess policies respond the same way as a primary policy. In such cases, an umbrella may "follow the underlying coverage." This means that the umbrella covers ONLY the situations handled by its underlying coverage. Only a careful evaluation of the actual policy wording will reveal the extent of the additional protection. The best way to find out if extra coverage is necessary is to discuss your coverage needs with a professional insurance agent. See Part 1 for other basic information about umbrella coverage. COPYRIGHT: Insurance Publishing Plus, Inc. 1998, 2002, 2008

Saturday, March 19, 2011

The Scoop on Umbrella Coverage (Part 1)

If you've been wondering about umbrella insurance - what it is, how it protects you, and if you need it, this is a great place to start! The personal lines department at Tague Insurance can answer any questions you have about umbrella insurance and help you decide if it's right for you!

Let’s say you have a policy for your home and the cars driven by your family. You have just the right policy for the apartment you rent out to others as well as special coverage for your boating excursions. Your homeowner's policy even has a special, added coverage to handle the business that your spouse runs out of your home. Yes, it looks like you can be confident that you have all the coverage you need. But let’s take another look. Maybe you need an umbrella. An umbrella is the term for a liability policy that fits over your primary policies. Besides providing an additional (excess) level of coverage, it sometimes provides protection that is not available under your primary coverage.


Umbrellas are designed to be carried over a person's primary (also known as underlying) liability coverage. Primary refers to the fact that in the event of a loss, the liability portion of your auto or homeowner coverage is the first to respond. Umbrellas or excess liability policies respond to an eligible loss only after the primary insurance has paid its limit.


It's quite possible that your primary insurance limits provide more coverage than you'll ever need. However, circumstances could involve a type of loss that is not completely covered by a primary policy. For instance, your newly licensed child is driving the family car and slides on an icy highway. He ends up causing a chain collision damaging several cars and injuring a dozen drivers and their passengers. Or maybe you often volunteer to help transport members of your son's first grade class on field trips and you have an accident because you tried to beat a yellow light. If you don't have enough primary coverage, any shortage may have to come out of your personal assets.


Umbrellas generally provide additional liability coverage for the following underlying policies:


Personal Automobile
Homeowners / Farmowners
Recreational Vehicles
Watercraft
Personal Liability

The additional coverage may often extend to providing for related expenses, also on an excess basis, such as the cost of providing a court defense. Part two if this informative article will be posted in the next week or so. If you just can't wait, call Tague Insurance for your no-obligation Umbrella quote!

COPYRIGHT: Insurance Publishing Plus, Inc. 1998, 2002, 2008

Friday, November 12, 2010

Random - Tague Insurance Fan of the Week #16

Congrats to Kevin Bracker on being this week's winner!

Tague Insurance is having a great time with our fans and we are appreciative that you have chosen to be a Facebook Fan of our page. If you need a quote on insurance or have any general questions about insurance we would love to be a resource for your needs. Tague Insurance has been writing auto insurance and home insurance in Carlsbad, CA and San Diego County for over 40 years. During that time we have served thousands of clients and helped them save money on auto insurance and home insurance, as well as business insurance.

Enjoy the video from this week's drawing and enjoy your weekend:

Monday, November 8, 2010

Tague Insurance - Renter's Insurance Needs

If you are renting an apartment, condo, or home there are some very important things you should consider.

Did you know that you may be able to fully offset the cost of Renter's Insurance by combining your Auto Insurance and Renter's Insurance with the same company?
For example: one of our companies offers a basic Renter's Insurance policy for about $120 per year. The average savings on the combined auto policy usually runs about $90-$150 per year depending on the cost of the auto insurance. Tague Insurance can save you money today.

In addition to saving money you need to understand some of the important protection that a Renter's Insurance policy provides you. Take a look at the article below for some valuable information. Please feel free to contact Tague Insurance with any questions you have.

Renters’ Insurance Needs


Persons who live in apartments or rent a residence are fortunate. Most insurance companies can protect their assets and belongings by using a policy that is designed especially for tenants. Typical policies cover your possessions for common causes of loss, additional living expenses related to making other living arrangements, medical expenses for treating people injured on your premises and, of course, lawsuits.

Property Coverage

Protection under a standard renters policy is on an actual cash value basis (item’s replacement cost less depreciation).

Example: Stewart’s kitchen catches fire and his five year old refrigerator is destroyed. A new model of the refrigerator costs $750. His insurance company pays him $162, explaining that it’s the effect of five years of deteriorating value. Most companies offer coverage on a replacement cost basis if you purchase a separate endorsement.

Theft Limitations

Certain types of property are quite vulnerable to being stolen, therefore very limited coverage is available for items such as jewelry, furs, gems, gold, silverware, pewterware, money, securities, guns and accessories. Protection can be increased by adding additional coverage to the tenant policy or by purchasing a personal article floater policy.

Additional Living Expenses

A typical tenant policy provides a limit equal to 20% of your contents insurance limit. If your contents limit is $15,000, then your additional living expenses limit will be $3,000.

Liability Coverage

Liability insurance covers you for injury you cause to others and for damage to property that belongs to others. The policy also provides for the cost of a lawyer (if necessary) and most court costs. Examples of liability claims include: slips and falls; beaning a neighbor’s child with a baseball; hitting a golfer with your errant hook shot; or a friend breaking her hip when she trips on a skateboard your child left on the stairs.


COPYRIGHT: Insurance Publishing Plus, Inc. 1998, 2001, 2009

Saturday, October 30, 2010

Best Pumpkin Vote: Tague Insurance Fan of the Week #14

The Tague Team fan captains (Jen, Robin, and Tony) each had a baby pumpkin with which they could do as they chose. The goal was to get the most votes from our Facebook fans. Jen did a spectacular decorative carving on her pumpkin and the majority of voters chose her pumpkin. I guess our fans have an eye for beauty and skill!!!

Since Jen was the winning fan captain she drew this week's winning fan...watch the video below and stay tuned each week for the Tague Insurance Fan of the Week drawing.

Friday, September 24, 2010

Fan Crush - Tague Insurance Fan of the Week Drawing #9

Tague loves rewarding our Facebook Fans with our weekly Fan of the Week drawing. Congratulations to this week's winner. Please visit our Facebook Fan page and click the "Like" button. Being a Fan of Tague Insurance's Fan page does not allow people to access your private information. People only see what you post or make public. So you can become of Fan of Tague Insurance with comfort and confidence. Start enjoying the fun we have and maybe we will have a chance to quote your personal and business insurance. We have been saving our clients tons of money for years. In fact, Tague Insurance has been saving people money for exactly 40 years! Call us today to start saving on your auto, home, or business insurance.

Friday, September 10, 2010

Tague Insurance: Facebook Fan of the Week Drawing #7

Congratulations to our winner....you won a $25 Visa Card!!! Tague Insurance sincerely appreciates our Facebook Fans.

Spread the word to all your Facebook Friends to Like our page so they have a chance at winning.

*** Winners: please email your mailing address to info@tagueins.com so we can send out your gift card.

www.tagueins.com

Friday, September 3, 2010

Tague Insurance: Facebook Fan of the Week Drawing #6

This week Tague Insurance introduced the "Featured Fan" to help assist our staff in choosing the Fan of the Week winner. Thanks to our Featured Fan and congratulations to this week's winner!

Please tell all your FB Friends to come and Like our page. All Tague Insurance Fans have a shot at being the Featured Fan and or winning the Fan of the Week drawing!!! Spread the word.

Friday, August 27, 2010

Tague Insurance Fan of the Week Drawing #5

Tague Insurance congratulates this week's winner. Remember to tell all your FB Friends about our Tague Insurance Facebook page and ask them to become a Fan.

Fan of the Week Winner Week #5...watch the video to see if you are a winner! If you did win please email your mailing address to info@tagueins.com so we can send out your $25 Visa card. Have a great weekend and please tell your FB Friends to Fan our page.


Friday, August 20, 2010

Tague Insurance: Fan of the Week Drawing #4

Tague Insurance congratulates this week's winner. Remember to tell all your FB Friends about our Tague Insurance Facebook page and ask them to become a Fan.

Fan of the Week Winner Week#4...watch the video to see if you are a winner! If you did win please email your mailing address to info@tagueins.com so we can send out your $25 Visa card. Have a great weekend and please tell your FB Friends to Fan our page.






Become a Fan of Tague Insurance today and you could be a winner in our Fan of the Week drawing! Go to www.facebook.com/tagueinsurance

Tague Insurance: Fan of the Week Drawing #3

Congratulations to the winner of our Week# 3 drawing! Please tell all your Facebook Friends about the Tague Insurance Fan page so they can have a chance to win as well. We want to get to 1000 Fans in the near future and we need your help to get there.




Check out Tague Insurance on Facebook at www.facebook.com/tagueinsurance

Tague Insurance Facebook Fan of the Week - Drawing #2

Tague Insurance congratulates our winners from the week two drawing! Please tell all your Facebook Friends to become a Fan of Tague Insurance on Facebook. We are trying to have a little fun with insurance. Check out the video below to see who won:



Check out Tague Insurance on Facebook at www.facebook.com/tagueinsurance

Tague Insurance launches Facebook Page With A Bang

Tague Insurance wanted to kick start our Facebook outreach to our clients and prospects by holding a 100 Fans in 10 Days incentive. We gave out $150 in prizes to five lucky winners. Go check out our Facebook page to see the video and details of this incentive.

Become a Fan of our Tague Insurance Facebook page for a chance to be one of the weekly winners!

Status Update:
The drawing is complete...the winners have been selected! Thank you to all our FB Fans. Watch the video below for the drawing and winners. If you are a winner please send an email to info@tagueins.com with your mailing address so we can send out your winnings. Reference: Facebook Winner http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=scHYzNv5lks



Check out Tague Insurance on Facebook at www.facebook.com/tagueinsurance

Sunday, June 27, 2010

Tague Insurance - Homeowner Policy Coverage

When you own a home it is important to have a basic understanding of the coverage on your home insurance policy. Tague Insurance wants to make sure that you have an opportunity to get some understanding of the main coverage items. The article below is a very basic yet understandable overview of a few key coverages.


Homeowners Coverage – Part 1

Generally, a homeowners insurance policy includes at least six different coverage parts. The names of the parts may vary by insurance company, but they typically are referred to as Dwelling, Other Structures, Personal Property, Loss of Use, Personal Liability and Medical Payments coverages. They are usually presented as policy sections and are often labeled Coverages A through F. This article discusses Coverage Parts A, B, and C, which protect property.

Coverage A, Dwelling

The homeowner policy's first coverage section protects your house and any attached structures, such as garages, decks or fences. The typical policy covers your home when it is damaged by many perils (also known as causes of loss) including fires or storms. However, the following causes of loss are usually excluded from coverage under the homeowners policy:

Earthquake
Flood
Faulty maintenance
Damage from insects or vermin
Wear and tear, gradual damage or deterioration
Coverage B, Other Structures

This coverage section protects structures that are not attached to the home, such as a detached (separate) garage, storage or utility shed, playground equipment and swimming pools.

Coverage C, Personal Property

This covers your possessions, whether they are at your home or away with you on vacation. Personal property is often covered on a named peril basis. This means that only the causes of loss listed in the policy section are covered. The coverage is also subject to limitations and exclusions. Types of property having significant value, such as jewelry, fine arts, collectibles, etc., may require special protection. Talk to your agent about scheduling (adding) coverage on a floater which broadens and extends coverage for high-valued possessions.

Actual Cash Value vs. Replacement Cost

Commonly, protection under sections A and B is provided on either an actual cash value or a replacement cost basis. Actual cash value is defined as replacement cost minus depreciation. Replacement cost is the actual cost to replace the structure, regardless of depreciation. Check your policy to see which type of coverage you have. Coverage under section C is usually provided on an actual cash basis. However, your agent may be able to add replacement cost to your possessions just like that found in Coverage A.

Please be sure to read Part two, which briefly discusses other coverage.

COPYRIGHT: Insurance Publishing Plus, Inc., 1996, 2003, 2010

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Tague Insurance - Insuring A Safe Summer

The article below has some great information on things you should consider as Summer approaches. Tague Insurance is here to help our clients obtain the insurance coverage they need to protect their families and businesses. San Diego County is a wonderful area with tons of fun Summer activities to do so make sure that you "insure" a safe Summer!



Are You Liable For Summer Fun?

Ready, Set, Summer!
Summer generally arrives with a huge surge in personal activities. School ends and parents start searching for leisure and recreational activities for themselves and their children. The activities range from elaborate vacations or summer-long camps to simply buying play and sports equipment (or getting it out of storage) and renewing park and pool passes.


Summer Fun's Dark Side
It is important to remember that good, clean fun can also have consequences when things go wrong. Using sports equipment such as tennis racquets, baseballs, baseball bats, Frisbees, lawn darts, or horseshoes has the potential to harm others. Danger accompanies the operation of skateboards, bikes, mopeds, go-karts, and radio-controlled cars, helicopters and planes. An even larger area of concern may involve inviting friends over to use your driveway, play equipment or swimming pool. The potential liability comes from either you having fun at the expense of other persons or their property, or failing to take precautions that persons you've invited to your residence (or other places) are safe to enjoy themselves.

How To Preserve Your Fun
The easiest way to prepare for your summer liability is to ask yourself some questions:
What can I do to keep other persons safe from my activities?
Am I prepared to be responsible for people I hurt or property I damage?
How do I make my home and yard safe for fun-seeking visitors?
Am I keeping my guests to various events safe?
While accidents happen, many can be prevented by making sure that you and your children enjoy your activities responsibly. Operating bikes safely and in low traffic areas reduces the chance that others will be hurt. The proper use of games and equipment also make the likelihood of having someone injured more remote. In other words, it's important that your family uses sports and game equipment safely and appropriately. Adult supervision is critical for potentially dangerous activities such as the use of motorized recreational equipment, trampolines, and swimming pools (including small wading pools). It's also important to make certain that guests you invite for camping or hiking trips are watched after carefully. In many instances, you are responsible for the safety of your guests when you invite them to enjoy outdoor activities, particularly boating or other activities involving water-related equipment.

Home Inspection
Another way to reduce the chance of others being hurt is to do an inspection of your home and yard. Do you have an adequate fence (with secure or self-locking gate) to protect young children from a pool when you're not around? Is your playground equipment well-maintained and strong enough to support the weight of the children using it? Is your yard and driveway free of tripping hazards? Are dangerous items such as tools, chemicals and lawn equipment kept out of reach of children? If you can answer "no" to any of these questions, you're inviting trouble.

Insurance Plays A Role
When accidents happen, they may be followed by medical expenses and, more seriously, lawsuits. You must be protected against such financial consequences. Don't assume you have coverage, especially when an activity involves motorized or powered equipment. You may have to add coverage to your homeowner policy or even buy special coverage for mini-bikes, mopeds, boats, all-terrain vehicles, etc.

So make safety a part of getting ready for summer fun. It's also smart to include a visit or call to your insurance professional to make sure you have the right coverage to support a fun summer.
COPYRIGHT: Insurance Publishing Plus, Inc. 2000, 2005


If you need to review your auto insurance, home insurance, or business insurance please contact Tague Insurance today. We are a local independent Carlsbad CA Insurance agent who has been writing insurance in Carlsbad and San Diego County for over 32 years! We love helping our clients get the protection they need by insuring the things that are most important to them.

Tague Insurance Agency
2801 Jefferson Street
PO Box 429
Carlsbad, CA 92018

Phone (760) 729-1143
Fax (760) 729-8617
info@tagueins.com
www.tagueins.com

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Getting a CLUE from Tague Insurance Agency

Source: Safeco Insurance Company




Getting a CLUE

A little detective work can reveal a lot about a property's history, and could save you from unexpected surprises later. Before you buy your dream home, order a loss report. The five years of claims history the report offers can give you a better perspective on your biggest financial investment.

It's Called CLUE, But It's No Mystery
Most insurance companies, including Safeco, use the
Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange (CLUE) to see if a home has had significant losses in the past five years. The information helps consumers decide whether to insure a house, and if so, for how much. CLUE reports are available online. Buyers and sellers can request a copy as they begin the home-buying process.

The Internet Accelerates Information Sharing
Before CLUE, insurance companies would call the home's previous insurer, or insurers, to find out if damage was repaired. Internet technology made this information sharing much faster and more convenient for everyone. Now, a CLUE report is readily available to insurers and consumers, and accelerates the insurance application process.


The Earlier You Find Out About Risks, the Better
If you're buying a house, it's a good idea to request the CLUE report at the same time you make your initial offer. That way, if there has been serious damage or repair to the house, you can let your home inspector know what to look for. CLUE reports also help home sellers. Reviewing the report before listing a house allows a seller to be completely honest or make sure repairs have fixed the original problem.


Calls Are Tracked, But Not a Factor
In some states, CLUE reports may include calls homeowners have made about potential claims, even if no payment occurred. At Safeco, these "claims without payment" are not a factor in the acceptance or pricing of new policies.



We hope the information from Safeco Insurance regarding CLUE reports was helpful. If you would like to get more information about auto or home insurance please contact Tague Insurance Agency at 760-729-1143. Tague Insurance is located in Carlsbad, CA and proudly serves the insurance needs of San Diego County.

Tague Alliance is a sister company of Tague Insurance and Tague Alliance currently has 52 member agencies located throughout Southern California. No matter where you live or work in Southern California we have professional insurance agents who can help you save money on your car insurance, home insurance, and business insurance.

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

9 Ways To Save On Car Insurance

The circle of safety: How Do You Get the Most for Your Money? 9 Ways to Save Money on Your Car Insurance...

By Tague Insurance Agency

9 Ways to Save Money…

so you’re shopping around for auto insurance. What do you need to know? Well, there are lots of ways – at least 11 – that you can save money. Many of these money-saving ideas may apply to you.

1. One Insurer, Multiple Policies – Do you have a homeowners or renters insurance policy? If so, is it with the same insurance company that provides your auto insurance? If the answer is no, you’re paying too much – for both policies. Almost every insurance company that sells auto insurance wants its policyholders to also buy homeowners or renters insurance from that company.

These insurers offer so-called multi-policy discounts. Usually, these discounts are at least 10% and some insurers apply the discounts to both the auto and the homeowners/renters policy.

* Tip. Talk to your agent about multi-policy discounts.

2. Good Driver, Good Price? – It’s no secret that the better your driving record, the less you will pay for auto insurance. But did you know that most people qualify as “good drivers” and are eligible for discounted premiums? Some good drivers pay a lot more than others, however.

Many auto insurers are actually a collection of several insurance companies in which each caters to a certain type of driver. The worst drivers go in one company, the best in another, and a lot of people wind up in one of the middle companies.

These middle people pay less than the worst drivers, but more than the best. The thing is, many of these middle people have driving records that are just as good as those who are insured by the companies that offer the lowest rates. Yet these middle people are paying more. Why?

The usual reason is that they don’t know any better. No one told them which insurance company in the group had the best prices. And, probably, no one told them there was even a group of insurance companies. If you have a spotless driving record, there’s no reason you shouldn’t be paying the lowest price a group of insurance companies has to offer.

* Tip. Make sure you’re getting the best discount for your driving record. Talk to your agent. And remember, be a safe driver. It will save you money.

3. The Beauty of Mass Transit (Coaster, Sprinter, Trolly, Car Pool) – Do you drive to and from work? If you do, you are literally paying a premium to do so. Insurance companies charge you significantly higher premiums if you drive to work. And, the longer your commute (in miles, not minutes), the higher the premium.

* Tip. Some drivers should consider mass transit. Yes, there’s a price there, too. But you will reap the savings of gas and lower insurance costs.

4. High-Profile, High-Cost – The type of car you drive is a major factor in what you pay for insurance. Is your vehicle a magnet for thieves? Is it more expensive to repair than most cars? If the answer to either of the last two questions is yes, you’re paying more than the average car owner for insurance.

* Note. To get detailed information on your vehicle(s) – or a vehicle you’re thinking of buying – write to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety at 1005 North Glebe Rd., Arlington, VA 22201 and ask for the “Highway Loss Data Chart.”

5. Raise Your Deductible – The deductible is the amount you pay before insurance kicks in if you have a claim. For example, if you have a $250 deductible and you have an accident in which your car sustains $1,000 in damage, you pay the first $250 and your insurer pays the balance, $750. The lower the deductible you choose, the more you pay. If you have assets, you can probably afford to absorb at least $250 and probably $500 if you have a claim.

* Tip. If it’s been years since you’ve had an accident, you may be better off raising your deductible and paying less each year for insurance.

6. Drop Unnecessary Coverages – Let’s say you have an older car, one not worth very much. There’s really little point in having collision and comprehensive coverages. You don’t have much to protect. Remember, too, that you have to subtract your deductible from any potential payout you might get.

* Tip. As a general rule, any car worth less than $1,000 shouldn’t have collision and comprehensive coverage. Between the deductible and the extra expense of these coverages, the cost is probably greater than the benefit. How much is your car worth? An auto dealer can tell you, or there are plenty of books that have values of vehicles going back many, many years.

7. Discounts, Discounts, Discounts – Auto insurance companies offer several discounts for a variety of reasons. The car has automatic seat beats, air bags, anti-lock brakes, anti-theft devices, etc. The driver is a good student, which is especially valuable if you have teenage children who will be on your policy.

* Tip. Make sure you are taking advantage of all the discounts available to you!


8. Taking the Defensive – Many insurance companies also offer discounts to those who have taken defensive driving courses recently.

9. Low-Cost and High-Cost Areas – Are you planning to move? If you are, you should take into account the cost of insurance. Generally, the more urban the area, the higher the premium. The costs can vary even within a community.

* Fact. Rates can really vary from state to state and zip code to zip code. If you’re living in New Jersey, Massachusetts or Hawaii, you’re paying several times more, on average, than you would in North Dakota, South Dakota or Idaho. Here in California we are ranked about middle of the states for the cost of car insurance. For car insurance in Carlsbad, Ca you are paying less than an individual living Los Angeles. There are fewer accidents and claims and crime in Carlsbad, Ca that allow the insurance companies to charge less for car insurance in Carlsbad than in Los Angeles (all things being equal). Always remember that car insurance costs more when an insurance company has more at risk. So living in a less populated and lower crime area will generally mean a lower cost for car insurance.

Whatever your driving record or coverage needs, you should shop around, or let an experienced insurance professional shop around, for the best deal for you. There are literally thousands and thousands of coverage options from hundreds and hundreds of insurance companies.

In addition, not only should you try to get the best deal you can, you also need to make sure you have all the coverage you want/need. Using an Independent Insurance Agent is usually your best bet to get the most value for your auto insurance dollar.

At Tague Insurance Agency, we take a personal interest in our customers. We like to share information that comes to help you protect yourself and your family from financial loss. If you have any questions, regarding this information or your insurance coverage, please don’t hesitate to give us a call at 760-729-1143 or email us at info@tagueins.com. Don’t forget to visit www.tagueins.com for more insurance resources.