6 Questions to Ask About Your Home Insurance

Getting a home insured in the Scottsdale, AZ area doesn’t have to be difficult. When you work with a trusted company like Alliance Insurance Partners, you can get the guidance and support you need to make sure your insurance requirements are being met. But it’s important to make sure you’re also an informed consumer. That way you can make educated decisions about the insurance policy and coverage limits you really need. Here are six questions you should be asking about your home insurance, so you can make the right decision. Your agent can help you answer these, along with giving you additional peace of mind.

  1. Do you have the level of coverage you need?
  2. What happens if the home’s value changes significantly?
  3. Should you keep your insurance if your mortgage is paid off?
  4. How often should you review and/or update your insurance policy?
  5. Are there supplemental coverage policies that are needed for a home in your area?
  6. Would a different company offer a better policy for your needs?

If you’re ready to get home insurance, or want to make a change to the coverage you already have on your Scottsdale, AZ area home, reach out to us at Alliance Insurance Partners today. We’re here and ready to help you get the policy you want, so you know your home is protected. By working with our knowledgeable agents, you can have all your questions answered so your home will be fully protected the right way.

Peace of mind is a great feeling, and it’s one that we’re happy to help you achieve with our insurance products. Don’t worry if you do not live in Arizona. We also serve New Mexico, California, Texas, Tennessee, Washington, Alabama, Indiana, Ohio, Colorado, Georgia, Wisconsin, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Nevada, Idaho, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, Oregon, Kansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Maine, Utah, Arkansas, Iowa, and South Dakota. Reach out to our offices for a quote and more information.

How Does Your Teen Driver Affect Auto Insurance?

Your Scottsdale, AZ teen needs to be insured and, unfortunately, having a teen driver is likely to raise your rates. The reasons why teen drivers are more expensive to insure is because new drivers are dangerous on the roads. As a group, teen drivers have more tickets and accidents than the average driver.

While a teen driver can have his or her own policy, it’s often cheaper to add them to an existing policy. The premiums are often based on the driving record of the policyholder. A teen driver won’t have a good driving record established, so adding the teen to an existing policy will help with that.

The type of car your teen will drive will also affect auto insurance levels. Premiums are based on the type of car as well. You are better off having your teen drive a car that costs less to insure, such as a four-door sedan or a crossover SUV, instead of a car with a much bigger and faster engine. You also want to keep in mind the various safety features that can benefit your insurance. There may be other discounts available, such as a good student discount for those that have a “B” average or better. Contact your agent and discuss these issues to find out more.

If your teen is not living with you and away for school, talk to an agent about a different rate if they aren’t going to be driving the car on a regular basis and just driving during breaks.

With a teen driver, you may want to consider an umbrella policy in order to have more coverage if your teen gets into an auto accident and you get sued. An agent at Alliance Insurance Partners can help you decide the right amount of coverage for your needs.

Contact Alliance Insurance Partners, serving Scottsdale, AZ, to get a quote on auto insurance for your teen driver.

How to Tell if a Long Term Care Policy Is the Solution You Need

Long-term health care is a difficult subject. Many of us would prefer not to think about it until we have to, but that is a surefire way to make things more expensive and difficult than necessary. If you take a few minutes out of your day, you can learn a few tricks that can help you tackle the challenges of long-term care in Scottsdale, AZ. Alliance Insurance Partners is always ready to help, and that starts with this quick guide.

You’re Still Healthy

Premiums for long-term care insurance tend to rise if and when you have been diagnosed with chronic issues. In many ways, it mirrors health insurance. With that in mind, the best way to save money, in the long run, is usually to start investing early. Obviously, coverages and needs can vary widely, but on average, the best time to start paying into a long-term care plan is somewhere in your 50s.

You Don’t Need 24/7 Coverage

Trying to stay in home when you need constant professional care is pricey. There’s no way around it. While these policies can mitigate some of the costs, they won’t make 24/7 care cheap. Long-term policies are usually at their best when they are less comprehensive. Many affordable plans can provide daily visits from a healthcare professional, but they won’t be there around the clock. For many conditions, one to two hours of care a day is enough. This is the vein where these long-term policies thrive.

You Consulted an Expert

Long-term care health plans are tricky at best. Usually, the optimal path for care and affordability will incorporate several different methods of providing. The combination approach to care will likely have an insurance policy handle only some components of the larger strategy. Your best bet is to consult an expert and get help exploring your options. For Scottsdale, AZ, residents, Alliance Insurance Partners is always willing to lend expertise and experience when you need it. 

Can You Purchase Disability Insurance If You Have A Preexisting Condition?

There have been significant changes in health care or medical insurance as related to pre-existing conditions. The agents of Alliance Insurance Partners in Scottsdale, AZ, will provide you with the latest information and guide you through the process of obtaining medical insurance.

The insurance company has complete control over the coverage, and if the person wanted a better health care policy, then they could merely seek another offer from another company. However, with the election of President Obama, the Affordable Care Act was passed creating a public/private health insurance system. One of the most popular provisions of Obamacare was a pre-existing condition clause that favored the consumer.   

Historically, an insurance company can deny health care insurance to a person who had a pre-existing medical condition unless that was a significant increase in premium which would be considered a surcharge. Insurance companies varied in their surcharges for the same pre-existing condition. If the company decided that you had a pre-existing condition, your policy would be limited by a medical exclusion rider. However, there is or maybe was a short-term disability policy that does not exclude pre-existing conditions which are referred to as a "Guaranteed Issue" disability insurance.

With the passage of the Affordable Care Act, Insurance company’s were not permitted to exclude pre-existing conditions from their health insurance policies. The 2016 election of Donald Trump has brought on significant uncertainty as to whether President Trump’s health care policy dramatically limited Insurance companies from excluding pre-existing condition. President Trump has stated that Obamacare’s pre-existing policy has not been changed.

Alliance Insurance Partners in Scottsdale, AZ is ready to provide you with a reliable healthcare insurance policy. Please call for a consultation.

Motorcycle Insurance, Required in Many States and Important for All Bikers

There is nothing like hitting the open road on a motorcycle. The wind, the sunshine, all giving you an experience like none other. Like all assets you own, you want to protect them. Motorcycle insurance is the layer of protection you need, and understanding the basics of the policies is pivotal. Whether you are someone who rides a motorcycle on occasion or as your primary form of transportation, motorcycle insurance is a necessary purchase to protect the bike and yourself on the road. Our team at Alliance Insurance Partners in Scottsdale, AZ is ready to help walk you through everything your motorcycle policy should cover.

States Require It

The vast majority of states will require anyone on a motorcycle to have basic liability insurance. The liability insurance is going to cover you if you cause injuries to someone else, or to someone else’s property. The minimum requirement in most states is for motorcycle insurance to include this type of protection.

Additional Requirements

Additional requirements may also exist if you do not own the bike outright. If you are leasing the motorcycle or if you have it financed through a company, you may also be required to purchase coverage to protect you and the bike further.  

Added Coverage

It is always best to go beyond the essential liability protection when talking about motorcycle insurance. Collision coverage is one option that you are likely going to want to consider. The collision coverage will pay in the event that you have damage to your bike from an accident. Comprehensive coverage, as well, will protect it if there is theft or vandalism to the bike.

Individual coverages will also exist and our team at Alliance Insurance Partners in Scottsdale, AZ can walk you through all of the options. Motorcycle insurance is essential and even required in many states. Have an awareness of the basics of the policies to help determine what will meet your needs whether you live in Arizona or one of the many other states we serve. Reach out to our offices for a quote and more information.

How Umbrella Insurance can Provide Extra Insurance for Large Expenses and Lawsuits

Your basic commercial liability insurance may not be enough if you are in a high-risk business. Every day headlines announce multi-million-dollar settlements for bodily injury and property damage. Ask a professional from Alliance Insurance Partners in Scottsdale, AZ whether your business would benefit from umbrella insurance.

What is Umbrella Insurance?

Umbrella insurance provides additional coverage to support your general liability insurance in Arizona or any other state. Umbrella insurance is available to supplement your home, auto, or business coverage. If you go over the limit on your other insurance coverage, an umbrella policy covers the remaining amount up to the umbrella policy cap.

Business owners buy umbrella policies to protect their assets from court judgments involving accidents for which they or an employee was at fault. It covers bodily injury, death, and property damages. When you settle a claim or receive a judgment from a court case, your umbrella covers the cost.

Who Should Buy Umbrella Insurance?

Professionals of all types and lines of work use umbrella policies. This policy isn’t just for the wealthy. In fact, the less you have, the more you need additional protection. Most umbrella claims come from vehicle accidents. Most people will be in at least one accident in their life, so it’s not hard to understand. However, some at-risk people would primarily benefit from this insurance. If any of these apply to your business, contact Alliance Insurance Partners in Scottsdale, AZ for more information.

  • Certain dog breed owners
  • Manufacturers and drug producers
  • Business owners of all size businesses
  • Medical, legal, and consultant businesses
  • Real estate fields, including realtors, landlords and property owners

Contact Us

Contact Alliance Insurance Partners today for more information on your additional commercial insurance needs and to set up an appointment for a quote.

 

Does It Ever Flood In Arizona?

When you call Alliance Insurance Partners for a policy on your Scottsdale, AZ home, you may be surprised when they mention flood insurance. So that brings up an important question: does it ever flood in Arizona? Well, you’d be surprised.

A History of Floods

In 2017, severe flash flooding hit Cold Springs, leaving some of the people affected dealing with hypothermia. The flash floods also hit Mayer, AZ, a very dry desert city, bringing walls of mud and water to the town.

Does Arizona experience flooding at the same rate as say, Florida? Not exactly, but that’s part of the danger. We’re not as prepared, we don’t know how serious flooding can be, and we’re not expecting floods, even though there is a very real threat that it could happen. The science behind flooding and monsoon rains can be complicated, safe to say that the hot air of Arizona doesn’t help. When the conditions are just right and a cold front clashes with our warmer climate, it can unleash devastating storms.

So what if a flood never hits your home? Well sure, that’s not entirely unlikely. But insurance isn’t for the problems that you know you’re going to face; insurance is for the what-if’s, the maybe’s, and the possibles. Insurance is to protect us against disasters and accidents that may not be incredibly common, but that are not entirely impossible. This is why you need to call Alliance Insurance Partners and make sure that you’re covered against anything that might happen, and yes, that includes floods in even the driest desert towns. Even safe drivers carry auto insurance, and even Arizonans need to be prepared for a flood.

How Does Condo Insurance Differ from Home Insurance?

While some people may use these two types of insurances interchangeably, they are very different regarding what they cover and how much they cover. If you have a condo, then you do not need home insurance because it will not meet your needs. These are just a few ways the two differ according to Alliance Insurance Partners, serving Scottsdale, AZ.

  • Home insurance covers more liability. With a home, you need to have liability coverage for the structure as well as the land and any other items that you have on that property. This is not the case with condo insurance where you only need coverage for the dwelling. If you have home insurance instead of condo insurance, you are paying too much for the excess liability insurance. 
  • You may need extra insurance for anything not covered by the building. Most condominiums have insurance coverage for the communal areas, but if there are things that are not covered by them, then you will need to make sure that you have this coverage in place. Home insurance will not cover things like this on its own, which is why condo insurance is the best option. 
  • You need to protect yourself from your neighbors. Another thing that home insurance likely does not cover are any damages caused by a tenant. If they cause damage to your property because of an accident, you want your condo insurance to kick in. 

Now that you understand how the two are different, you need to make sure you have the right kind of coverage in place for your condo. Contact Alliance Insurance Partners, serving Scottsdale, AZ, to get started with your condo insurance quote today.

How Much Life Insurance Do I Need?

One of the most important financial responsibilities that people share is the need to have life insurance. When looking for life insurance, those that are in the Scottsdale, AZ area may struggle with determining how much they need. Several different factors should be considered when determining the amount of life insurance to choose.

Your Income Needs

The first thing to consider when building a life insurance policy is how much of your income will your dependents need going forward. Generally speaking, if you have children or other dependents, you should have at least ten times the number of your annual living expenses in a life insurance policy.

Debt

Ideally, your life insurance policy should also have an amount of coverage that will help to pay off any debt that you have. If you have credit card debt, a mortgage, student loan debt, or any other type of debt, it would be a good idea to have life insurance left over to pay off these balances. This will help to reduce the number of expenses your family has and can give everyone a clean financial start.

Future Goals

When you are looking to get a life insurance policy, you also need to consider your future financial goals. If you are planning on paying for retirement or future education cost, you should figure out how much more money you will need to fund these goals for your dependents.

When you are looking for life insurance, a great idea would be to reach out to the Alliance Insurance Partners in Scottsdale, AZ. The Alliance Insurance Partners are an experienced insurance group that can help you better understand your insurance needs. They can also help you start the application process for life insurance and even provide you with an initial quote. We also provide life insurance to over 28 different states. Talk with one of our agents to learn more.

How Does Commercial Insurance Protect Your Business?

As a small business owner, you face risks daily that can cause setbacks to your enterprise. Knowing how to handle these risks is essential to the success of your business. Through commercial insurance coverage, you can not only protect a new business but help it expand and grow. Here are just a few of the many ways commercial insurance from Alliance Insurance Partners in Scottsdale, AZ can benefit your business.

General Liability Coverage

General liability insurance protects you against lawsuits in the event a customer suffers injury or property damage due to services or products your company provides. If a customer experiences accidental injury or property damage on your business property, liability coverage will foot the bill for expenses incurred and cover the legal expenses of a lawsuit if it should arise.

Business Property Coverage

If your property, equipment, or goods suffer damage or loss, business property coverage can help cover repair or replacement costs, protecting you from financial loss.

Business Interruption

Business interruption coverage kicks in when you have to close down your business temporarily due to a disaster that causes severe damage to your property. This coverage can help cover lost income, employee wages, rent payments, and the expenses of relocating to a new location while your old one is being repaired. This financial compensation can help you move forward.

Commercial Auto Coverage

If your business uses company vehicles for transporting products or people, commercial auto coverage can protect your drivers and business vehicles in the event of an accident. Commercial auto covers damage to your company’s vehicles and damages or injuries sustained by other drivers in accidents your employee’s cause.

These are just a few ways commercial insurance can protect your business. For more information on commercial coverage and costs, contact Alliance Insurance Partners in Scottsdale, AZ. We provide policies for over 28 states throughout the U.S.