http://www.theagentron.com/ Description http://www.theagentron.com/blog.php?id=125 Is it time to consider earthquake insurance? By, Ron Nanosky, CEO and Owner of The Agent Insurance Services Earthquakes and California go together. Or at least that's what most of the country thought until Saturday, December 31, 2011 at 03:04:58 PM. With a magnitude of 4.0, the quake was centered just off Division Street, but was felt throughout Boardman, Poland, and Canfield with reports from as far away as Canada and West Virginia of residents feeling the quake. Unfortunately this isn’t the first earthquake our area has experienced. Saturday's quake is the eleventh to hit the immediate area since March 2011. Previous to March, there had never been a locally originated earthquake in the Youngstown area. Whether earthquakes are due to Mother Nature or in this case, because of the underground disposal of wastewater from natural-gas drilling site, it still can cause tremendous damage to your property. Although no immediate news of significant damage emerged, such a widespread impact raises questions about preparedness and insurance coverage. That's because earthquake damage is not covered under standard homeowners or business insurance policies. These policies typically exclude damage from earth movement such as earthquakes and sinkholes. However, it is common for property insurance to cover a fire that might be the result of an earthquake. It's a good idea to read your policy and know the exclusions. And if you think that you'll never experience an earthquake, consider that about 5,000 earthquakes a year occur in the United States, according to the Insurance Information Institute. Quakes of various magnitudes have occurred in 39 states since 1900 and damage has been recorded in all 50 states. So although you might not be in a prime earthquake area, we are not immune. Coverage for earthquake damages can be purchased as a rider to existing property insurance. Check to see if your insurer offers an earthquake damage rider. If not, you can shop around for a supplemental policy. The cost of earthquake insurance varies depending on your location, the type of building and its age. Older buildings cost more to insure as do those made of brick. Wood frame structures withstand quakes better, therefore cost less to insure. Like other insurance policies, earthquake coverage carries a deductible. That means the homeowner must pay for portion of the damages before the insurance policy covers the rest. Those who own a unit in a condominium can ask their insurer for earthquake coverage that would pay for losses if the building is damaged and the owners are asked to share in the cost of repair. Renters also have options. They can buy coverage that will protect their personal property and pay for living expenses if their building were to be rendered uninhabitable. Because earthquake damages can be so complete, it's important to keep an inventory of your belongings, especially of major appliances and furnishings. Many homeowners choose to make a video record of the rooms of their home, showing their furniture, televisions and appliances. There is a bright spot that most drivers may not be aware of. Cars with comprehensive insurance policies are covered for damage from an earthquake. It may seem like remote possibility, but be sure to review your coverage. Keep in mind that the most costly single earthquake in the U.S. was not in California, but centered in the Midwest near New Madrid, Mo. The 1812 quake measured 7.7 in magnitude and caused $100 billion in damage when measured in terms of current economic and demographic conditions. theagent@zoominternet.net (Ron Nanosky) Contests & Events Sat, 07 Jan 2012 07:58:40 -0500 http://www.theagentron.com/blog.php?id=124 Drive safe and SAVE up to 30% off your car insurance. Introducing our biggest discount ever: Snapshot®, only from Progressive®. It’s the new, way to save more than ever on your car insurance. You plug it in your car and it keeps track of your good driving habits so we can lower your rate, rewarding you for being a good driver. Big savings come in small packages. Stop by The Agent Insurance Services and pick up your Snapshot device. The Snapshot plugs in easily below your dashboard and submits data wirelessly. Progressive will automatically calculate your potential discount based on your individual driving habits, and you can access your data anytime through their secure site. theagent@zoominternet.net (Ron Nanosky) Did You Know? Fri, 06 Jan 2012 22:15:12 -0500 http://www.theagentron.com/blog.php?id=117 Stop by our agency and pick up your FREE Agent t-shirt! The spirit of this special season is all around us. In whatever ways you choose to observe the holidays and the New Year, I hope they include some well-deserved rest and time to catch up with friends and family. As a company, we enter our 13th year undeniably healthier than we have ever been. As we leverage our collective strength, I have absolutely no doubt that the power of our team of agents will make 2012 another great year. Thank you for your passion, determination and commitment to our company. Enjoy the holidays—you deserve it. Ron Nanosky, The AGENT theagent@zoominternet.net (Ron Nanosky) Contests & Events Wed, 30 Nov 2011 20:22:52 -0500 http://www.theagentron.com/blog.php?id=109 Fall in the northeastern United States is peak season for deer accidents involving automobiles. Deer are on the move more often now than the rest of the year because of fall breeding and the beginning of archery and rifle season, both factors cause deer to move about more frequently. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, there are an estimated 1.5 million deer-vehicle collisions nationwide each year, causing over a billion dollars in property damage, and more than 150 fatalities and tens of thousands of injuries. Ron Nanosky, CEO and owner of The Agent Insurance Service, hit his first deer this year and implies that it's important to keep in mind that collisions with deer are more than just a nuisance. They can lead to serious injury. "It's such a split-second decision" when a motorist is about to hit a deer, Ron said. "You should avoid it if you are able to safely, but I don't think there's a one-size-fits-all solution to every situation." Ron tells his clients that there is a definite difference between hitting a deer and hitting something else while trying to avoid a deer when it comes to automobile insurance. Hitting a deer is considered a "not-at-fault" collision, which basically means your insurance premiums can't increase. Swerving away from a deer and hitting something else, like a tree or another vehicle, is considered "at-fault." Depending on the size of the claim and other factors, swerving and hitting something else could ultimately result in a hike to your premium. Erie Insurance has tracked deer claims for more than 10 years. Overall, the number of deer claims has been declining statewide over the past decade, and conducts an annual campaign to raise awareness on this issue and reduce collisions. By creating awareness of the dangers and safety precautions, they can help drivers avoid accidents and stay safe. Most deer – vehicle accidents occur during October, November and December. Here are a few tips to reduce your risk of a deer collision: - Stay alert and maintain a safe distance and speed. - Use high beams when there is no oncoming traffic - Be especially aware around dusk and dawn - Never try to drive around a deer or swerve to avoid hitting one theagent@zoominternet.net (Ron Nanosky) Agent Blog Tue, 29 Nov 2011 21:25:42 -0500 http://www.theagentron.com/blog.php?id=96 SEPTEMBER IS LIFE INSURANCE AWARENESS MONTH September is Life Insurance Awareness Month and The Agent Insurance Services is proud to support this industry-wide effort. Life Insurance is a financial tool that protects against the risk that a person will die too soon and be unable to fulfill obligations to loved ones. Life insurance can pay off debts and loans, providing surviving family members with the chance to move on with the heavy burden of debt looming, it can give them a fresh start. It can keep families out of foreclosure, or fund a child’s college education. Life Insurance can keep a family business where it should be, in the family. Life insurance can provide a stream of income to help your family meet many important financial needs such as daily living expenses. If you think you don’t need life insurance, look at these frightening statistics: • According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 2.4 million people died in 2007 • 593,974 deaths in the U.S. are between the ages of 25 to 64 • 44,832 deaths in the U.S. are between the ages of 1 to 24 • Each year, a significant number of Americans die prematurely. The chances a 25-year-old male will die before reaching the retirement age of 65 is nearly 1 in 5; for a female, the odds are 1 in 9. When the person you love dies unexpectedly, insufficient life insurance can force surviving family members having to take measures to meet financial obligations, such as work additional jobs or longer hours, borrow money, withdraw money from savings or retirement accounts, and, in too many cases, move to smaller, less expensive housing. Even if you don't earn a salary doesn't mean you don't make a financial contribution to your family. Childcare, transportation, cleaning, cooking, and other household activities are all important tasks, the replacement value of which is often grossly underestimated. Could your spouse afford to pay someone for these services? With life insurance, your family can afford to make the choice that best preserves their quality of life. If someone depends on you, chances are you need life insurance, whether it’s your spouse, child or aging parents, life insurance provides cash to your beneficiaries after your death. If you died tomorrow, how would your loved ones fare financially? It's never easy when you lose someone you love. But your emotional struggles don't need to be compounded by financial difficulties. Life insurance helps make sure that the people you care about will be provided for financially, even if you're not there to care for them yourself. Celebrate the spirit of selfless giving by making sure you are protecting the ones you love. See how life insurance is one of the most selfless gifts you can give to your family. Make this September about showing how much you care. Give Kira, our Life Specialist Agent a call today. theagent@zoominternet.net (Ron Nanosky) Did You Know? Sun, 11 Sep 2011 20:17:55 -0400