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Small Savings Big Consequences The Value of an Independent Insurance Agent

We all want to save money on things like insurance. It is rarely used, so we feel like we can and should cut corners on coverage options that we don’t think are necessary or that we don’t understand. Heck if I am honest I considered doing that this very week myself, BUT I didn’t, and the reason why is because there is real value in insurance. But we must remember insurance is for the catastrophic. It is designed to protect you and your assets from ruin.  So, it’s for when you have a total loss and you are facing BIG losses that you don’t want to be skimping on things that can cost pennies a month. Enter the Value of an Independent Insurance Agent

 

Here are a few things for auto insurance.

 

  1. Liability limits – Do you know what the numbers 15/30/10, 25/50/25, 50/100/50, 100/300/100, or 250/500/100 mean? Did you know the cost from one to the other can be VERY little? When was the last time you increased your limits. GASP! Increase insurance?!? Many of us purchase state minimums when we are struggling college students, then later become business owners, professionals, or just increase what we are earning, and never adjust our insurance to protect us. This has particularly been an issue recently as more of us purchase our insurance online. Don’t cut corners on liability insurance ever, ever, ever. Medical bills are increasing and its almost criminal that the state minimum limits are so low, because they barely cover anything.

 

  1. Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist coverage – There are uninsured and underinsured driver’s everywhere (see point number 1). What if you get hit by one. We recently had a lady come into the office that had been hit by an uninsured driver on her way to Phoenix she sustained injuries that cost millions of dollars in medical bills. She didn’t have any uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. Heath insurance covered much of this, but uninsured and underinsured motorist is SO much more.

 

 

  1. Medical Payments – Medical payments is a no-fault coverage, meaning you don’t have to be at fault for it to pay out. But I have medical insurance, so. Do you car pool? Do have other people’s kids in your car? You see where I am going? If not, your medical payments coverage might be the only or best coverage they have. Even if you do have health insurance, medical payments can pay your deductible. With health insurance deductibles increasing more and more every year this can be a HUGE benefit.

 

The list can go on and on. I will spare you. But this much I will say. Changes to your policy are often made with the intent to save money, not being fully understanding the consequences until after a loss. So, my plead to you is that before you go changing your policy please ask your insurance agent for examples of how the coverage works and an example of when it would be used. Ask for the worse case they have seen. Yes, it can happen here, and yes it can happen to you.

What’s the answer? Look, if you need to save on insurance, ask us, let us shop for you. Sometimes in the best-case scenario you can save money AND increase your coverage. Imagine. That’s the benefit of an independent insurance agency, like Gila Insurance Group LLC.

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What’s the value of a 1-stock stock broker?

You wouldn’t buy a stock from a broker that just sold one stock. So why do you buy insurance that way? Unfortunately, so many real estate investors do exactly that. They go to an insurance agency that has one box (if you will) and one product. Sometimes investors fit in the box and other times, not so much. There are other options. Gila Insurance Group is an Independent Insurance Agent. What does that mean?  It means we represent multiple different companies. We have lots of different boxes and we work to find a policy that works for you. It means you fill out one application and get multiple quotes back. It means we have investor insurance options. It means we have investor insurance solutions. Options and solutions for you!

Are you just starting out and are doing your first flip? Or are you a seasoned long-term buy and hold investor with hundreds of properties under management? Here is what we have to offer.

For rehabbers: We work with Arcana, American Modern, Foremost, and Vacant Express. Each of these programs are a little different and can be modified to provide you with what you need.

Each includes:

  • Liability
  • Medical Payments
  • Coverage for the Dwelling

These Programs were designed with you in mind. For example, Arcana has no minimum earned premium. Meaning you get charged for just what you use. American Modern has a builder’s risk endorsement if you are adding on to the existing structure. Foremost allows you to have comprehensive coverage on the dwelling while its under renovation.

For buy and hold investors: We work with 9 different companies that work with Landlords. Some of these include CSE Insurance, Safeco, Travelers, Arcana, American Modern, Foremost, and American Reliable. Whether you have 1 or thousands we have insurance solutions that can help you drive down your cost with the coverage you need. Things like:

  • Liability
  • Coverage for the Dwelling
  • Loss of Rents

The key is to outsource the shopping to someone else. Someone like Gila Insurance Group. We have been working with investors for years and understand the struggles you face. In fact, we are investors ourselves and understand higher insurance costs mean lower returns and less cash in your pocket.

Don’t wait! Declare your independence by working with an Independent Agent or Broker like Gila Insurance Group LLC. Start your quote online now!

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Insurance is unfair!?

Insurance is unfair. Really. As amazing as it is and with all the incredible benefits it provides (if you have had a big loss you understand) it’s still unfair. Even with its affordable price (yes, I just said that) it’s really an incredible thing, but it’s also unfair. I mean, have you read your policy? Its incomprehensible! Yet also so simple.

Let’s address one of my insurance nightmares; “Sudden and Accidental.” Usually a policy covers things that are “sudden and accidental.” This is simple.

Suddenly and accidentally a fire started.

Suddenly and accidentally a tree fell through the roof.

Suddenly and accidentally the wind blew the shingles off.

The trouble is, there is one exception. This is incomprehensible.

Suddenly water started coming out from under my baseboards…

Or

Suddenly I noticed that my wall was squishy. When we opened it up there was ALL KINDS OF MOLD!

You call your company and tell your story, and they tell you,

“Sorry, it’s not covered.”

You irately respond with something like:

“What do you mean!?!”

They respond with something like

“Well, it wasn’t sudden and accidental. That leak has existed for a LONG time. Mold was growing. It was a maintenance issue.”

It had been there, but how are you supposed to know? See why it’s my nightmare?

Insurance companies like to insure stuff that is random and unpredictable and sometimes a leaky pipe is random when it bursts and floods the home with 3 inches of water. Other times, it’s an old house and the pipes are old and worn out so, they leak. You see the difference? Insurance companies don’t like to insure wear and tear, in fact it’s actually excluded. It’s part of the issue of owning the home. Stuff gets used, including the house. You have to fix, replace and repair stuff. Car Insurance does cover oil changes, and home insurance doesn’t like to cover stuff that is similar. But how are you supposed to know about the leak lurking behind your wall. You can’t, and it’s unfair.

[Enter the insurance equivalent of the Justice League]

Until now! Travelers Insurance Company has now come out with a coverage that you can buy that fixes this exact problem! Yes, you can now purchase a policy that covers that lurking leak. Ask us about the “Enhanced Water Package” from Travelers today and see how you can change unfair to fair on your insurance policy.

Don’t wait! Declare your independence by working with an Independent Agent or Broker like Gila Insurance Group LLC. Start your quote online now!

 

 

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