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Do Drivers with Health Insurance Need Uninsured Motorist Coverage?

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Do Drivers with Health Insurance Need Uninsured Motorist Coverage?

Why drivers need uninsured motorist coverage, even if they have health insurance.

As a driver, you do not want to carry unnecessary auto coverages that increase your insurance rates.  This is why you may be wondering if you can go without uninsured motorist coverage.  While it may seem that this coverage simply overlaps your health insurance, this isn’t the case.  Here’s why all drivers can benefit from carrying uninsured motorist protection.

What is Uninsured Motorist Coverage?

If you get into an accident with a driver who is not carrying auto insurance coverage, then you have a situation on your hands.  Because the other driver does not have auto coverage of their own, they will not be able to file a claim to pay for your damages.  Additionally, because uninsured drivers usually do not have assets to seize, it’s unlikely that the driver will be able to pay for your damages out of pocket.

This is where uninsured motorist coverage kicks in.  Because the other driver is unable to cover your accident expenses, your uninsured motorist coverage will to pay for things like your car’s repairs and your medical treatments.

Do I Need This Coverage?

Many drivers do not want to secure uninsured motorist coverage because their injuries would be covered by their existing health insurance policy.  However, it’s important to understand that uninsured motorist coverage actually offers more benefits that your health insurance can.  For instance, if you are unable to work following the accident, then your uninsured motorist coverage would cover the cost of your lost wages as well as offer reparations for your pain and suffering.  These non-material expenses are something that basic health insurance will not cover.  With these additional benefits in mind, it’s easy to see why drivers benefit from carrying uninsured motorist coverage.

It’s important to note that uninsured motorist coverage is mandatory in some states, particularly those with a high concentration of uninsured drivers.  If you live in the following states, then you are legally obligated to carry this coverage:

  • Connecticut
  • Illinois
  • Kansas
  • Maine
  • Massachusetts
  • Minnesota
  • Missouri
  • Nebraska
  • New Hampshire
  • New Jersey
  • New York
  • North Carolina
  • North Dakota
  • Oregon
  • South Carolina
  • South Dakota
  • Vermont
  • Washington D.C.
  • West Virginia
  • Wisconsin

This is why drivers need to carry uninsured motorist coverage.  Do you have additional questions about your auto insurance?  If so, then contact the experts at James Page Insurance.  Our dedicated team is eager to get you the coverage that you need today.

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How to Protect Your Home from Thunderstorm Damage

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How to Protect Your Home from Thunderstorm Damage

Don’t let a thunderstorm cause damage to your home.

As temperatures start to get warmer, the risk for thunderstorms increases.  Unfortunately for homeowners, a thunderstorm can cause serious damage to their property and belongings.  To protect against thunderstorm damages, here are some of the precautions that you should take around your property.

  • Trim Trees

If you have trees near your home, then you should trim them as soon as possible.  This is because a thunderstorm can rip the branches off of your trees, causing them to fall onto your home and cause damage.  If the trees on your property are very tall, then do not attempt to trim them on your own.  The last thing that you want is to fall and injure yourself, so leave this task to the experts.

  • Bring in Outdoor Furniture

If a thunderstorm is on its way, then make sure that you bring in your outdoor furniture.  This includes things like patio chairs, barbecue grills, sports equipment, gardening tools, and so on.  By bringing these things inside, you reduce the chance of the wind sending them flying into your home and causing damage.

  • Install Storm Shutters

Because heavy rains and fierce winds can shatter your home’s windows, you should consider installing storm shutters over them.  Not only will this prevent damage to your windows, but it also protects your family and belongings from getting hit by broken glass or debris.

  • Invest in a Surge Protection System

During thunderstorms, electrical lines are left vulnerable.  This is because lighting strikes and falling trees can take out power lines and cause power.  Should this happen near you, then your home’s electrical system will probably get hit with sudden power surges.  These surges can cause damage to plugged-in appliances and electronics and can even start fires.  To protect against these risks, you should put your entire home on a surge protection system.  These systems ensure that a sudden influx of electrical power doesn’t shock or override your home’s electronics and outlets.

These are some of the precautionary measures that you should take to protect your home from thunderstorms.  Want another way to keep your home safe?  Then make sure you have the right homeowners insurance protections in place.  For assistance with all your home coverage needs, contact the experts at James Page Insurance today.

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How to Create an IT Disaster Plan for Your Business

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How to Create an IT Disaster Plan for Your Business

Help your business bounce back after an IT emergency.

Today, businesses are reliant on data, digital systems, and hardware.  In fact, without a functional IT system, your business’s operations would probably come to a screeching halt.  This is why it’s so important to have a plan for dealing with unexpected IT emergencies.  To ensure that your business can recover from a major system failure, here are some of the steps that you should take now.

  • Know Your Risks

To develop an effective IT disaster recovery plan, you need to know which cyberthreats to prepare for.  One of the best ways to determine your risks is by working with a cybersecurity auditor.  They will be able to review your security systems and protocols to identify weaknesses in your plan.  Additionally, the auditor can help you develop risk mitigation strategies to address your most pressing cybersecurity risks.

  • Back-Up Your Data

Backing up your company’s data frequently will minimize your losses during a major IT disaster.  To ensure that your backups are effective, you need to determine which files need to be backed up, where they will be backed up to, and who is responsible for handling the backups.  When you have a secondary cache of your business’s most important information, an IT disaster will be much less damaging to your company’s operations and reputation.

  • Create an IT Disaster Recovery Team

Should an IT disaster strike, you need to take action immediately.  This is why it’s important to put together a response team ahead of time.  Your IT disaster recovery team should consist of IT and operations employees who are always ready to jump in should an issue arise.  Each team member should have a designated role to avoid miscommunication and inefficiency.  By having a ready-made team to deploy, your business can minimize the losses associated with an IT disaster event.

These are some of the suggestions that you should try to create an effective IT disaster recovery plan for your business.  Want another way to protect your company from disaster?  Then make sure you have the right business insurance in place.  For assistance with all commercial coverage needs, contact the experts at James Page Insurance today.

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jamespage

Dispelling Common Myths About Electric Cars

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Dispelling Common Myths About Electric Cars

Don’t believe these lies about electric vehicles.

As electric cars become more popular, so do the misconceptions about them.  Sadly, these mistruths often prevent drivers from giving these eco-friendly vehicles a fair chance.  To ensure that you aren’t making unfair assumptions about electric vehicles, here is the truth behind some of the most common myths.

“They Don’t Have Enough Range.”

Many drivers believe that electric cars cannot hold their charge long enough to travel long distances.  In reality, the average American drives about 40 miles a day.  Even the shortest-range electric vehicles can travel double that on a single charge.  Generally, electric vehicles have the ability to get anywhere from 150 miles to 310 miles on a single charge.

“They Cost Too Much to Maintain and Repair.”

Many drivers write off electric vehicles because they believe that they are too expensive to maintain and repair.  While it’s true that electric cars do require unique parts and specialty technicians, this cost is offset by the fact that they do not require as much maintenance.  Unlike standard cars, electric vehicles do not require regular oil changes or tune-ups.  Additionally, electric vehicles have fewer moving parts that require servicing or replacement.  Because they are so low maintenance to own, electric vehicles are also very cost-effective.

“They Are Too Slow.”

Many drivers hold the belief that electric vehicles are glorified golf carts.  However, you may be surprised to learn that most electric cars are actually quicker than standard gasoline-powered cars.  This is because an electric motor generates 100% of torque instantly.  This means that electric vehicles can actually reach their top speeds in a fraction of the time it takes gas-powered cars to get there.

This the truth behind common electric car myths.  Interested in getting an electric vehicle?  If so, then make sure you protect it with the right auto insurance.  For assistance with all your car coverage needs, contact the experts at James Page Insurance today.

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jamespage

Why Your Home Insurance Rates May Have Gone Up

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Why Your Home Insurance Rates May Have Gone Up

Factors leading to home insurance premiums increases.

As a homeowner, you understand why your insurance rates increase after filing a claim.  However, it’s important to know that your claims history isn’t the only thing that affects your rates.  Here are some of the other factors that can cause your homeowners insurance premiums to increase at renewal.

  • Increased Likelihood of Extreme Weather Events– In recent years, the number of wildfires, windstorms, hurricanes, tornadoes, and other extreme weather events have increased significantly. As the frequency of these damaging events increases, insurance companies must increase their rates so they can keep up with resulting home insurance claims.
  • Increasing Local Crime Rate– When calculating your premiums, your home insurance provider will look at the local crime rate to determine how likely you are to become a victim of theft or vandalism. If your local crime rate has increased over the past year, then your insurer will consider you a higher risk to insure.  As such, they will also increase your premiums.
  • Increasing Cost of Repairs and Replacements– As the cost of emergency cleanup services, skilled trades, personal belongings, and home values increase, so does the amount of money that insurance companies have to pay to address policyholder claims. Insurance companies will increase policy premiums to offset the higher cost of claims.

These are some of the reasons why your homeowners insurance rates may have increased this year.  Do you have additional questions about your home coverage?  If so, then contact the experts at James Page Insurance.  Our dedicated team is eager to assist you with all your home insurance needs today.

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How Homeowners Can Protect Their Homes This Winter

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How Homeowners Can Protect Their Homes This Winter

Preventing damage to your home this winter.

Because winter weather conditions are the harshest that you will face all year, it’s important to protect your home from the elements.  To prevent damage caused by freezing temperatures, wind, snow, and hail, here are some of the precautions to take around your home.

  • Keep Your Home Heated– Homeowners should keep their home heated to at least 65° F, even when there is no one present in the home. Keeping your home warm will ensure that the plumbing running through your walls doesn’t freeze and burst, causing significant water damage.
  • Let Your Faucets Drip– If you live in an area where the temperatures drop below freezing, then you should leave the faucets inside your home to drip slightly. This keeps the water in your pipes moving, which reduces the chances of it freezing and causing your pipes to burst.
  • Close Your Fireplace Flue– When your fireplace is not in use, you should make sure to close the flue. Leaving your flue open will allow cold air, water, and even vermin to enter your home.
  • Clear Snow and Ice from Your Walkways– If you receive heavy snowfall or if temperatures drop below freezing, then you need to remove the snow and ice that accumulates on your driveway and the walkways leading up to your home. Shoveling the snow and salting your walkways will ensure that visitors do not slip and injure themselves while on your property.
  • Check Your Roof– During the winter months, ice dams can form on your roof and near your gutter downspouts. These dams can cause water to build up on your roof, increasing your chances of serious water damage.  So, make sure you routinely check your roof for ice flows and clear them away, so water is able to drain off your roof.
  • Keep Your Garage Door Closed– Most homes do not have heated garages. This leaves the plumbing running through your garage susceptible to freezing temperatures.  The best way to keep your pipes insulated is by opening your garage door as infrequently as possible.  This will keep warm air trapped inside your garage.

These are some of the precautions that you should take around your home to avoid winter damage.  Want another way to keep your home safe?  Then make sure you have the right homeowners insurance in place.  For assistance with all your home coverage needs, contact the experts at James Page Insurance today.

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jamespage

Traveling Safety Tips for the Holidays

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Traveling Safety Tips for the Holidays

Stay safe as you hit the road this holiday season.

If you are planning on traveling this holiday season, then safety should be at the forefront of your mind.  Whether you plan to drive, fly, or take public transportation, there are things that you can do to protect yourself and your loved ones.  Here are some of the traveling safety tips that you should employ.

  • Get Your Car Serviced

If you are driving to your holiday destination, then the last thing that you want to deal with is car trouble.  To ensure that your car can handle the road trip, make sure that you schedule an appointment to have it professionally serviced.  Additionally, make sure that you have updated your car emergency kit so, if you do experience minor car trouble, then you can quickly make the repair and get back on the road.  Make sure that your first aid kit is also well-stocked so you can treat minor injuries or illnesses along the way.

  • Take Breaks

Driving for an extended period of time is stressful and tiring.  When you have to focus on the road for too long, your mind tends to wander, and you can actually fall asleep behind the wheel.  To keep yourself and others around you safe, make sure that you pull over and take frequent breaks during a long trip.  If you have other drivers in the car, then consider switching out with them.  This will ensure that the driver is fresh, alert, and able to focus on the task at hand.

  • Stay Hydrated

Whether you are driving, flying, or taking some other mode of transportation, it’s important that you stay hydrated.  A lot of times, the stress of traveling makes us forget about taking care of ourselves.  However, getting dehydrated can make you grumpy, and can also cause headaches and drowsiness.  To ensure that you are alert and at peak condition, make sure you keep drinking throughout the duration of your trip.

  • Wash Your Hands

If you are flying or taking public transportation, then make sure that you wash your hands with soap and water as often as possible.  Unfortunately, the holidays overlap with cold and flu season, and many people may be sick or carrying disease-causing germs.  Because you cannot really avoid coming into contact with others when taking planes, trains, or buses, the best you can do is ensure that your hands are clean.  Carry around hand sanitizer just in case you are unable to wash your hands.  Be particularly careful to wash up before eating or touching your face.

These are some of the safety suggestions that you should employ while traveling this holiday season.  Want another way to protect yourself and your loved ones?  Then make sure you have the right personal insurance in place.  For assistance with all your coverage needs, contact the experts at James Pages Insurance today.

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jamespage

Best Commercial Insurance for Your Holiday Party

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Best Commercial Insurance for Your Holiday Party

Business insurance to protect you from holiday party risks.

Throwing a holiday party is a great way to get into a festive mood and reward your employees for all their hard work.  However, hosting a company event can expose your business to serious risks.  To ensure that you have the protection that you need, here are some of the commercial coverages that you should secure ahead of your party.

  • Host Liquor Liability Insurance

If you are planning on serving alcohol at your holiday office party, then you need to secure host liquor liability insurance.  This type of coverage will protect you if a party guest drinks too much and causes property damage or injury to while in an intoxicated state.  While the injured party may hold your company responsible for the damage, your host liquor liability insurance would ensure that their property repairs or medical treatment are covered.  Additionally, if the injured party decides to sue, then your host liquor liability insurance will offer coverage for your legal fees.

  • Excess Liability Insurance

Excess liability or umbrella insurance is a good form of coverage to secure in preparation for your holiday party.  Excess liability insurance is a supplemental form of coverage designed to kick in when you have exhausted the coverage limits of your other liability policies.  Having excess liability insurance ensures that your company does not have to pay out of pocket for any damages or injuries that a partygoer might cause during the course of your holiday party.

  • Vendor Insurance

Hiring a vendor or caterer to work your holiday party is like hiring a contractor to work for your company.  As such, you need to make sure that they have their own insurance coverage so your company cannot be held liable for their mistakes or negligence.  Before hiring party vendors, ask them to provide proof of insurance.  In some cases, you may also want the vendor to list you as an additional insured on their liability policies.  Taking these steps will ensure that your company is not held liable for the losses the vendor accidentally causes or the injuries that the vendor’s staff may incur while working your event.

This is the commercial coverage that you need to protect against holiday party risks.  Do you need help securing the right insurance for your company event?  If so, then contact the experts at James Page Insurance.  Our dedicated agents are ready to get you the coverage that you need today.

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jamespage

Business Owners Should Ask These Questions About Their Insurance

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Business Owners Should Ask These Questions About Their Insurance

Understanding your commercial coverage.

Many business owners attempt to make coverage decisions for their company even though they are not familiar with the insurance industry.  This is problematic because making uninformed coverage decisions can leave you exposed to many risks and can end up costing you a lot of unnecessary money.  That being said, you may not know where to begin when it comes to educating yourself.  One of the best ways to start learning is by speaking to an experienced insurance expert and asking them some important questions.  Here are some of the things that you should ask your insurance representative.

  • Do I have enough coverage?

To protect your business, you need to set your coverage limits high enough that your company has a chance of recovering after a catastrophic disaster.  Taking steps like calculating your business’s assets and totaling the cost of equipment, supplies, inventory, and other property can help you determine how much coverage you need to safeguard your business.  If you own your commercial building, then you should also account for the cost of completely rebuilding the property should it be destroyed in an accident.

  • What does my policy not cover?

Before signing off on a commercial insurance policy, you need to know what types of perils are excluded from coverage.  Once you know about your policy exclusions, you need to consider how likely you are to face these risks.  If your business stands a good chance of encountering an excluded peril, then speak to your insurance provider and see if you can secure a policy endorsement or separate insurance policy to get the coverage that you need.

  • How do I file a claim?

Business owners need to know how to file a claim to ensure that they are getting all the coverage they are entitled to.  The best way to access the coverage that you need as soon as possible is by filing a claim as soon as the incident occurs.  Knowing how the claims process works ahead of time will save you valuable time during an emergency.

These are some of the questions that you should ask about your business insurance.  Do you need help with your commercial coverage?  If so, then contact the experts at James Page Insurance.  We are ready to assist you with all your insurance needs today.

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Tips to Help You Avoid Family Conflict This Thanksgiving

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Tips to Help You Avoid Family Conflict This Thanksgiving

How you can alleviate family tensions this Thanksgiving weekend.

While the holidays are all about spending time with your loved ones, being around family can often turn into bitter arguments.  With Thanksgiving right around the corner, you probably want to avoid conflict with your family members as much as possible.  Here are some of the things that you can do to keep things civil this Thanksgiving.

  • Have a Set Schedule

Before you head to your family’s house, let them know ahead of time how long you will be staying.  Alternatively, if you are hosting, then make sure your invites come with a defined end-date.  When you limit the time that you have to share space with your family, this can help you avoid unnecessary conflict.

  • Ignore Criticism

Everyone has that one relative that loves to nitpick everything that you do.  Whether they choose to make snide remarks about your weight or take jabs at your career choices, you should expect what’s coming.  Rather than letting yourself stew over their rudeness, let their petty commentary roll off your back and forget about it.  They are likely feeling insecure about some aspect of their life and are attacking you for validation.  If anything, you should feel bad that they have to stoop so low to feel better about themselves.

  • Remind Yourself That You Love Your Family

While dealing with family is undoubtedly stressful, it’s important to remember that, at the end of the day, you all love each other.  Try to look past the inconvenience and annoyance that you feel and remember all the good that these people bring to your life.  Having a more positive outlook will help you remain calm this holiday season.

These are some of the things that you should do to keep tensions at a minimum this Thanksgiving.  Want another way to be stress-free this holiday season?  Then turn to the experts at James Page Insurance for the easy insurance experience that you deserve.

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