Blog Archives - Page 18 of 31 - Carr's Insurance Agency

Umbrella Insurance Policy in Waipahu, HI

Should I Have an Umbrella Insurance Policy?

November 30, 2018/in Blog, Umbrella Insurance/by Administrator

Anyone who wishes to protect themselves from major claims or lawsuits, or would like to protect their assets or earnings would benefit from an umbrella insurance policy. Insuring your future is what an umbrella insurance policy can help with by safeguarding your future earnings, your home or cash savings.

When Would I Use My Umbrella Insurance Policy?

A personal umbrella insurance policy covers you when your auto, home or other personal lines insurance policy is exhausted by a covered insurance claim.

Example: You get into a car accident where you are at fault. Your insurance policy covers you for $250,000 in 3^rd party damages. However, the other individuals in the car accident needed medical attention & their car was totaled. The total damages for the other party cost $350,000.

You are responsible for the remaining $100,000. If you have an umbrella insurance policy, it would then kick in to cover this excess liability. If you don’t have an umbrella policy, would you be able to foot the bill? If you cannot pay for the remaining balance, a court may issue your future wages to be garnished.

Similarly, homeowners need to protect themselves from a liability claim. Whether you’re hosting a party and serve too much alcohol, have a slip and fall accident on your sidewalk or your dog bites a neighbor, you can be held liable for medical bills, rehabilitation programs and lost wages.

How are you covered?

By purchasing an umbrella policy, you can be covered for the following items:

Bodily injury: Medical bills and settlement for injuries sustained to the third party.
Property damage: Damages sustained to the property of a third-party.
Other damage: Libel & slander, other claims expenses.
Legal fees: Hiring an attorney can be expensive. An umbrella insurance policy helps cover the cost.

There are countless situations that can occur and exhaust your current liability limits on your home or auto insurance policy. Good news: umbrella insurance policies are relatively inexpensive, typically starting around $155 per year. Contact an agent at our office for your personalized umbrella insurance quote today. We can help you determine how much coverage you need.

How to lower your risk for a liability claim when hosting a holiday party in Waipahu, HI

Hosting a holiday party? 3 Things to Keep in Mind.

November 5, 2018/in Blog/by Administrator

There are many factors that go into hosting a great holiday party. Whether it’s prepping your family’s homemade, traditional recipes, cleaning your home for guests or decorating for the perfect holiday festivity, hosting a party is a lot of work! At the same time, it can be fun & your guests may look forward to your party for weeks. While we wish parties could be all fun and games, there are some risks you should be aware of.

Alcohol

We all know and understand the risks of drinking too much alcohol. However, when you are the host of a party and serving alcohol, you could be liable if someone leaves your home after drinking too much and gets into a car accident. As a host, be aware of how much your guests are drinking and ensure they have a safe ride home. Even if that means calling a taxi or Uber for them.

Tripping Hazards

There are many ways a guest could trip and fall inside or outside your home. You can be liable and a home insurance claim may need to be placed if a guest is injured on your property. Here are a few things to consider to avoid a tripping hazard.

Have a clear walkway path from your driveway to front door. Ensure there are no extension cords, cracks in the sidewalk or an icy path where your guest could fall.
Clear toys, decorations or other objects from the hallways or stair case in your home.
Ensure your rugs aren’t bunched where a guest could trip.

Distracted Cooking

Did you know cooking is the number #1 reason for home fires? It’s easy to get distracted when you’re hosting a party and trying to cook your meal at the same time. However, don’t allow yourself to multi-task or leave the kitchen while heating elements are running. Other things to consider:

Know where your fire extinguisher is located in your home.
If a grease or oven caught fire, would you know what to do? For a grease fire, don’t throw water on it, but instead, smother it. For an oven fire, keep the door closed and turn off the oven.
If you like to deep fry turkeys, keep it at least 10 feet away from your home.

Holiday parties give lasting memories for not only the host, but the guests as well. However, being prepared is crucial to protect yourself from liability. For questions about your home or liability insurance, contact our agency!

Uninsured motorist coverage in Waipahu, HI

I Got Hit By Someone Who Doesn’t Have Insurance – Now What?

October 22, 2018/in Accident, Auto Insurance, Blog/by Administrator

According to a recent study by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, approximately one out of every 8 drivers in the United States are uninsured. That’s a staggering figure when you think about your chances of being struck by one. So, what can you do to protect yourself from an uninsured driver?

The good news is there is a line of insurance coverage specifically for uninsured motorists, called (you guessed it) Uninsured Motorist Property Damage & Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury coverage. This is an optional coverage that is available to most drivers. Let’s take a closer look at these coverages and see how they work.

Uninsured Motorist Property Damage

Uninsured Motorist Property Damage (commonly referred to as UMPD) pays for losses incurred to your vehicle when it is hit by an uninsured motorist. This coverage may also pay for damages associated with a hit and run driver.

Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury

Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury (commonly referred to as UMBI or UM) pays for your medical expenses when involved in an accident with an uninsured driver. UMBI may also cover your passengers who are in your vehicle during a covered loss.

Underinsured Motorist (UIM)

Underinsured Motorist Coverage pays for injuries such as medical expenses, lost wages and settlements from a driver who is at-fault and does not carry enough insurance to cover your losses.

You should also carefully deliberate the amount of insurance coverage that you need. Available options, limits and coverages vary by state. Each state has different requirements and laws when it comes to uninsured motorist insurance. Be sure to ask an agent in our office about these coverages if you’d like them. Contact us!

Fall Home Maintenance Checklist for your Waipahu, HI home

Five Things To Do For Fall Maintenance For Your Home

October 8, 2018/in Blog/by Administrator

With winter season approaching, now is the time to do a few simple tasks around your home. Not only can this prevent damage from occurring, but it can help keep your home exterior clean. Instead of giving you a long laundry list of things to check off, we go over the five most important.

Is My Home Safe?

This is simple question to ask yourself every spring and fall.

Do you have one smoke detector on each floor of your home? Do I need to change the batteries?
Do I own a fire extinguisher? If so, is it up to date?
Where is my first aid/at home emergency kit? Do I need to make any changes?
Can our family be okay if there is a major event like an earthquake, flood, tornado or other natural disaster?

Am I Protecting My Home From Water Damage?

Water damage can be a root cause of home problems. Sometimes they can be covered by your home insurance, but other times they are not. Regardless if they are covered, they are a terrible to deal with. Here are a few areas to check to lower your risk of water damage in your home.

Check your gutters & downspouts

Once most of your leaves have fallen from your trees, simply look for debris that could be collecting in your gutters. If you see leaves collecting, remove them in order to prevent clogged gutters. If your gutters are clogged during a rainstorm, it could cause damage to your roof or siding. Also, check if your gutters are damaged & are still attached to your home. Lastly, check your downspouts. Ensure they are draining properly instead of being clogged and pooling water near your home.

Check your roof

Loose or missing shingles on your roof can increase your risk for water damage. Make sure your shingles are in good condition before that winter storm hits. If you have a home with a flat roof, ensure it doesn’t have any buildup of leaves. When in doubt, refer out. If you aren’t sure what to look for, ask a professional.

Are exposed pipes still insulated?

Check the exposed pipes around your home to ensure the insulation isn’t ripped or torn. Uninsulated garages are very important to check. Many people assume it is “inside” but uninsulated garages can get as cold as the outdoor temperatures. Check there for pipes that need to be insulated.

Is Air Escaping My Home?

Check door and window seals for signs of deterioration. Use weather stripping or caulking around windows and doors to help keep warm air in and cold air out. You’ll also lower your energy bill. On another note, if air can get into your home, water can too.

Did I Replace My Furnace Filter?

To keep your furnace running efficiently, you need to replace the filter often. Some filters may need to be changed every month.

Are Rodents Nesting In My Home?

Rodents tend to nest in your crawlspace, attic and even in your walls. Walk the perimeter of your home & any access points in your garage to make sure you do not have any cracks or holes for rodents to enter. Also, check your vents along your foundation for holes or deterioration. As the weather gets colder, rodents are always looking for a warmer place to live.

Also, remember rodents love a food source. If you are storing food or bird seed in your garage, make sure it’s properly stored in a sealed container.

While preventative maintenance can get easily get pushed on the back burner when life gets busy, it’s still important to make the time to do it.

If you have questions about your condo or home insurance, contact Carr’s Insurance. We have years of insurance experience and can help you insure everything from your home to your auto or motorcycle. We live where you do and are an independent insurance agent, so we can help you find the right company to fit your needs. You can also check out our website, 24/7.

Are You Prepared For a Disaster?

September 25, 2018/in Blog/by Administrator

September Represents National Preparedness Month

Are you prepared for a disaster? Recent articles online, in the newspaper and commercials on televisions remind us that disasters are just a moment away. It is easy to think that’s a good reminder, yet fail to act on our preparedness. The fact is: disasters happen. It’s best to learn the skills & be prepared.

Ready.gov does a great job at summarizing how to prepare for disasters and teaches simple skills you should have that could help you or your loved ones if a disaster strikes.

What’s Your Plan?

Discuss the following questions with your friends, family or household to determine your emergency plan.

How will I receive emergency alerts and warnings?
What is my shelter plan?
What is my evacuation route?
What is my family/household communication plan?

After determining your plan, practice it!

What Life Saving Skills Do You Have?

There are a wide variety of skills you should have that can save a life. Here are a few to target.

Learn first aid & CPR.
Own a fire extinguisher, know where it’s located & most importantly, understand how to use it.
Know how to shut off your water, electricity & natural gas.

Do You Understand Your Insurance Coverage?

Yes, having insurance is your first step to protection, but do you know exactly what you are covered for? Did you know flood damage to a home is the most common disaster a household can face? If your home floods, are you covered? If you do not understand the details of your insurance coverage, call our office!

Are You Saving For an Emergency?

We all know the concept of saving for a rainy day, but the question is, are you doing it?

Have a savings account and contribute to it monthly if possible.
Consider owning a safe in your home & keeping cash in it. During a disaster, ATM’s or credit cards may not work.
Store all important personal, household & medical information in your safe (or a place you’ll remember).

Examples:

passport or photo ID
birth certificate
social security cards,
marriage or divorce license
military ID & military discharge record
pet ID tags
pet microchip info & proof of pet ownership
insurance policies
lease or rental agreement
mortgage or real estate deeds of trust
immunization records
medication list or other medical information a physician may need

If you want a detailed document of everything you would need to prepare for a disaster or emergency, print this form out & follow the checklist.

Don’t wait until it’s too late. Learn the skills & know what to do before a disaster strikes.

If you have questions about your insurance coverage or want a quote for flood insurance, contact Carr’s Insurance. Our agents will shop to find the best insurance for your specific needs.

Car Insurance for high risk drivers in Hawaii

I’m Considered a High Risk Driver – What Can I do to Change That?

September 12, 2018/in Blog/by Administrator

If you’re searching for a new auto insurance policy and the company or agent tells you you’re “high risk” what exactly does that mean and what can you do to improve that?

While there is no real definition of what a high risk driver is, high risk drivers typically fall into one of the following categories:

Too many speeding tickets or moving violations
Accidents on their CLUE report
Suspended driver’s license
DUI/DWI or other major violations like reckless driving
Excessive Speed violation
Fatal accident history

Even if you don’t fit the criteria listed above, you may still experience higher than normal insurance premiums because of your:

Credit history
Age (new driver or elderly)
Exotic or Sports car
Lapse in your insurance coverage

Being a high risk driver does mean you’ll experience higher premiums. Additionally, many insurance companies will refuse to insure you or limit your available coverage you may purchase. The best remedy to fixing your high risk status is to clean up your driving habits. Over time you can regain your status as a preferred driver and get better insurance premiums and more choices.

If you have questions about your auto insurance or want a quote, contact Carr’s Insurance Agency. We live where you do and are an independent insurance agent, so we can help you find the right company to fit your needs. You can also check out our website, 24/7.

Hurricane Preparedness & How to Report a Claim

August 24, 2018/in Blog/by Administrator

Learn about hurricane preparedness and safety tips to help protect your property in the event of an impending storm.

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/HAW2/english/intro.shtml National Hurricane Center Preparation Guide

As of Tuesday, August 20, 2018, Hurricane Lane is a category 4 storm. Now is the time to take precautions and prepare. Below are some resources for tracking the storm and Contact Information for Emergency Resources.

Below are the numbers where you call to implement a claim or for any questions or concerns you may have if we are not available to answer our phones due to Hurricane Lane.

Progressive 800-876-5581
DTRIC 888-443-8742
RLI Insurance 808-533-1515
Universal North America 866-458-4262
Universal Property 866-995-6207
I CAT 866-789-4228
Pac Specialty/McGraw 800-962-1172
Foremost 800-527-3907
Grundy/Phyl Insurance 877-438-7459
Liberty Mutual 1-800-290-8308

Emergency Resources

Government Resources:
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

Federal guidelines only allow housing assistance when a primary residence is impacted by a presidentially-declared disaster. Most disaster assistance from the Federal government is in the form of low-interest loans.

Non-Government Resources:

A Rodent Made a Nest In My Car and Caused Damage – Is it Covered?

August 20, 2018/in Blog/by Administrator

Prevent Rodent and Rodent Damage in Waipahu, HI As cooler weather approaches at night or you park your car outside during the winter months, chances are that sooner or later a rodent will find its way inside of your warm vehicle. Rodents like rats, mice and even squirrels can make their way up inside of your engine compartment to stay warm. After all, it is toasty and warm inside there and you left the vehicle in the driveway overnight.

Rodents can do major damage to vehicles. In fact, some of the more common reported damages include chewed wiring, chewed up upholstery (used to make nests) and rodent feces.

If your vehicle is damaged by a rodent you’ll want to review your insurance policy to see if there is a “rodent clause.” Comprehensive insurance coverage is your best bet for getting rodent damages covered, however, some insurance companies define animal damages in comprehensive coverage as “collision with an animal” and have a specific clause that excludes rodent damages such as chewed wiring etc. The best course of action is to ask your insurance agent when you purchase your policy, or if you already have a policy in place to ask them about it. If dealing with rodents is something you think you may have to deal with, selecting the appropriate company as well as the appropriate coverage can make all the difference.

If you have questions about your auto insurance, contact Carr’s Insurance Agency. We have years of insurance experience and can help you insure everything from your home to your auto or motorcycle. We live where you do and are an independent insurance agent, so we can help you find the right company to fit your needs. You can also check out our website, 24/7.

Do I need rental car insurance in Hawaii?

Do I Need to Purchase Rental Car Insurance?

August 7, 2018/in Blog/by Administrator

When you are on vacation renting a car, you will most likely be asked if you want to purchase insurance for the car. Sometimes purchasing that insurance policy is needed, but other times you may already be covered with your own auto insurance policy. Some individuals even have insurance benefits through their credit cards.

Auto Insurance

Do you need to buy their rental car insurance coverage? Before going on vacation, reach out to your licensed agent with questions regarding your auto policy. An auto insurance policy can be unique to the driver. Many times, if you have collision, comprehensive and liability coverage on your auto policy, this would cover your rental car too as a temporary replacement vehicle. If you find you’re only covered for a specific amount, contact your credit card company to see if they can fill the gap.

Rental car insurance options can include: liability, personal accident, collision damage, personal effects coverage. Let’s take a closer look at each one.

Liability: Insurance coverage if you damage another car, property and medical bills for the other party if you’re found liable for the accident.

Personal Accident: Coverage for accidental death, medical expenses and ambulatory costs of you and your household members in the vehicle.

Collision Damage: Coverage to repair the rental car in the event you are involved in an accident.

Personal Effects: Insurance that covers personal items lost or damaged such as cell phones, purses and computers.

Roadside Assistance: Coverage for roadside incidents such as lost keys, lockouts, fuel outages and flat tires.

Always check with your licensed agent to review your policy BEFORE going on your vacation to ensure you know what coverage options you may or may not need. Furthermore, be sure to understand the terms and conditions of the insurance policy you’re purchasing if you decide to buy coverage from the rental agency.

Knowing the details of your insurance policy can help you fully understand your coverage, give you peace of mind, as well as save you money.

If you have questions about your insurance, call the insurance agents at Carr’s Insurance Agency in Waipahu. We have years of insurance experience and can help you insure everything from your home to your auto or motorcycle. We live where you do and are an independent insurance agent, so we can help you find the right company to fit your needs. You can also check out our website, 24/7.

Going on a Road Trip This Summer? Consider Packing These 15 Items.

July 25, 2018/in Blog/by Administrator

Summer time is a great time to go on a road trip! Whether you are exploring a National Park, traveling through a state or going across the country, being on the road is memorable. Road trips are fun, but you want to be sure you are prepared for any unfortunate bumps in the road that can occur. It can be as simple as storing a few essentials in your trunk to get you out of jam.

Here are some things to keep in your car at all times:

1.) First Aid Kit

Even if you aren’t going on a road trip, this is nice to have in your trunk at all times. It might come in handy for you or someone else in need.

2.) Flashlight

This is another thing to always keep in your car, especially if you find yourself driving at night time often.

3.) License, Registration, a Copy of Your Car Insurance and Car Manual

Again, this should always be in your car stored in your glove box.

4.) Jumper Cables

Nobody wants to wake up to a dead car battery. Jumper cables can fall into the “always have in my car” category. It’s much easier than trying to hunt one down when you are in a pinch.

5.) Snacks

This can’t be stressed enough! Even if you plan to be on the road for long hours, consider packing meals in a cooler. You can always stop at a rest stop to picnic if you want to stretch your legs. If you aren’t packing a cooler, pack snacks that don’t require refrigeration like dried fruit, nuts, jerky, fruit, bars, etc.

6.) Water Bottle

Having extra water in your vehicle during summer can literally save your life if you become stranded on a hot day in a remote location.

7.) Phone Charger

If your car only has one outlet for a phone charger, consider getting a USB plug that can charge multiple devices at once. If you have a few outlets, pack a few cords! Portable chargers can come in handy too.

8.) Polarized Sunglasses

Driving in the sun is always best with polarized sunglasses.

9.) Wet Wipes & Napkins

Wet wipes and napkins are always nice for keeping your hands & face clean or cleaning up a spill in your car.

10.) Trash Bag

Keep your car clean from your snacks and other garbage with a simple trash bag. You could place things in a small can or just have a bag.

11.) Paper and Pen

Great for taking notes or writing down important information on your road trip.

12.) Blanket and Pillow

This may be nice for those long hours in the car! A blanket and pillow can add comfort to your drive.

13.) Sunscreen

Even if you aren’t outside, wearing sunscreen while driving is important for those sunny days.

14.) Cash

This works nice if you find yourself needing to pay to park or buying from businesses that only accept cash for payment.

15.) Entertainment

Especially if you are traveling with kids, being in the car for long hours can be exhausting! Think of electronics, activity or coloring books, small toys, play games like I Spy, the alphabet or license plate game.

For adults, consider podcasts or audiobooks, trivia cards or an app, word search or just a really good music playlist!

Regardless of what you do pack in your car, enjoy the American Road Trip! Be sure to get plenty of rest along the way and enjoy America’s roadside attractions.