Why do I need an umbrella policy

Before you understand why you may or may not need an umbrella policy it is important that you understand what an umbrella policy is. Think about an umbrella then consider what it does, it protects you from the elements. An umbrella policy does the same thing for your assets, it adds an additional layer of liability protection above and beyond your homeowners or auto insurance policy.  The friendly agents at Hinman & Associates Insurance Reno, NV would be happy to discuss this important coverage with you.

Another name for an umbrella policy is excess liability insurance and it some ways it makes the purpose a lot clearer. In today’s world where suing seems to have become a national pastime, it kicks in when your homeowners or auto insurance limits have been reached. Typically umbrella policies give between one and five million dollars in excess coverage.

If you own a home, have savings or other assets, having an umbrella policy can protect these assets for you. You may not think that you have large enough assets to require this type of coverage but if you own a home of any size and would not like to lose that home to a lawsuit, then it is important to consider getting this coverage.

With a lawsuit, it is not only what you actually own today that is in danger but also what you may earn or own in the future. Owning some things make you more vulnerable to legal liability such as a swimming pool, trampoline or a dog. If you coach children’s sports, are a landlord or even are a volunteer for a non-profit, you can be sued for something you said, wrote or did. Why take a chance with your hard earned assets?

If you live in or near Reno, NV why not call Hinman & Associates Insurance to discuss your particular situation and whether or not an umbrella policy is something that you need to have.

 

4 Reasons Why You Should Sponsor a Whole Life Policy for Your Grandchild

As a grandparent, you want to give your loved ones everything they need to live up to their fullest potential. The right insurance strategy plays an important role in providing the things your family needs to thrive. Here are several reasons why sponsoring a whole life insurance policy from Hinman & Associates Insurance is an intelligent financial decision that grandparents can make for their grandchildren in the Reno, NV area.

  • Guarantee their education. A whole life policy accrues cash value over time. If you start a policy when your granddaughter is 8, it’s possible that she’ll have plenty of money for college when she turns 18. The best part is that she won’t have to sell or close her life insurance policy to get the cash.
  • Help them build a secure future. It’s more difficult for youngsters to get a start in life these days. Housing prices, education loans, and skyrocketing costs of living continue to push young people away from their economic dreams. The money in their whole life fund could help your grandchild avoid years of struggle.
  • Protect their parents from unforeseen circumstances. When a child passes away, grieving parents have plenty of stress on their shoulders. With a life insurance policy, they’ll at least be provided with enough funds to take care of final expenses.
  • Preserve their right to buy. As they grow older, children can develop diseases and habits that make it hard for them to qualify for high-quality policies. Buy them a policy early in their lives so they’ll never have to worry about being disqualified for premium policies.

Hinman & Associates Insurance provides life insurance policies for adults and children of all ages. Contact our representatives in the Reno, NV area for more information on life insurance.

Ways to Save on Auto Insurance

Driving can start to get expensive after a while. When you consider your car payment, maintenance, tags, and insurance, it can make you long for the old horse and buggy days. There are some ways you can save on your auto insurance. Here are a few tips from Hinman & Associates Insurance serving Reno, NV, and surrounding areas.

Drive Safely

This may sound like a no brainer, but many people suffer in the pocketbook because of the way they drive. A bad driving record and consistently lousy driving habits will eventually catch up to you in the form of high auto insurance premiums. Driving safely is not that difficult. Avoid distracted driving of any kind, follow the speed limit, stay calm in traffic, and follow the rules.

Take a Class

If you continually find it difficult to drive safely, you might want to consider taking a driving course. Even if you took driver’s ed in high school, brushing up on your driving skills is a good idea. Taking a driver’s course now as an adult could give you a new perspective on driving and safety.

Consider Your Car

If you are tired of paying high insurance costs, you might want to consider downsizing your car. Older cars have better insurance costs than new vehicles. This will also save you money if you are currently paying a car payment. Even a car that is only a few years old will have dramatically cheaper car insurance than a brand-new car.

Drive Less

Some insurance policies will give drivers an option of cheaper car insurance if they drive their car a minimum number of miles a year.

If you would like to learn more about auto insurance and how you can save money, call our friendly staff today at Hinman & Associates Insurance serving Reno, NV, and surrounding areas.

How Does Commercial Property Insurance Protect Your Business?

Commercial property insurance in Reno, NV can help cover your building if you are responsible for it, according to your lease, or if you own it. Not only does it cover the building, but it also covers the contents of the building. This can include furniture, fixtures, machinery, and equipment. Even when property is away from the premise, you will still have coverage.

There are a number of benefits of this insurance that can protect your business such as help with recovery after a loss. The longer your business operations are slowed, then the worse your situation will be. The right policy can help you get your business up and running and help you with some of the long-term costs that come with a disaster. By limiting the downtime, you can also help your reputation with customers and make sure they come back. Policies can also help with repair costs with damaged property. If the property can’t be repaired, it can be replaced. If you have a restaurant, then your commercial property insurance can help replace any damaged kitchen equipment after a fire. You can’t always control what happens to your business. Natural disasters, such as winter storms, hail, and fires, can happen at any time and cause sudden property damage.

Even with the coverage, you still need to be aware of certain things that aren’t covered under a typical policy that you may need endorsements for. An agent at Hinman & Associates Insurance can help you find the right coverage to make sure that your business equipment is protected. Commercial autos, signs not attached to the building, and outdoor fences won’t usually be covered. If you need coverage for these items, there are additional coverage options.

Contact Hinman & Associates Insurance, serving Reno, NV, to get a quote on commercial insurance. 

 

My Friend Had His Laptop Stolen From My House. Will My Homeowners Insurance Cover This?

Homeowners insurance covers the loss of personal property by other people while they are in your home. Anyone that visits you, therefore, gets basic coverage. If they lose their property or get injured, your home insurance can help compensate them to avoid lawsuits.

Should You Make A Claim?

It may not be in your best interest to make a claim for the lost laptop. It will affect your insurance record and is not worth it. You will be forced to make a deductible on the claim and the claim will be added to your report. Filling your report with unnecessary claims makes you appear as someone that is high-risk to the insurer. This may make your premium rates go higher. The deductible claim you pay could be almost as much as the cost of your friend’s laptop. File a claim for it only if your friend’s laptop is too expensive for you to replace. Consider the difference between your deductible and the cost of the laptop. If it is a lot, then it is okay to file a claim. If not, we advise that you protect your insurance record so it can be of use when you really need it.

At Hinman & Associates Insurance in Reno, NV, we write homeowners insurance quotes that are specific to the needs of individual clients. We understand that your home is a valuable investment and we are glad to help you protect it wherever you are in Reno or Spark and its surrounding areas. Our professionally trained agents will offer you the advice you need and answer any questions you may have. Hinman & Associates Insurance is committed to writing quotes that meet and exceed expectations.

Contact us now by phone or visit our office in Reno, NV to discuss a new quote.