When shopping around for car insurance, understanding the factors that influence the cost of premiums can help you negotiate the best price. Here’s what auto insurance companies look at when giving you a quote.
Your Driving History, Habits, and Usage
Your insurer will check your driving record to understand risk levels. They will look at the number of accidents you’ve been in, the tickets you’ve received, DUI incidents, or claims made by you. At times, these factors might make it tough to get car insurance. Working on improving your record is a good practice.
Agents also look at car usage patterns such as distances driven and whether you can park in a secure location. Longer distances and unsafe parking zones can increase costs.
Type of Car and Its Condition
Factors like the safety rating, size, and sturdiness of the car, year of manufacturing, etc. affect the cost of the premium. The most effective way to lower your auto insurance rates is by maintaining your vehicle and driving responsibly.
Another factor is the attractiveness of the car, like a sports car, it is more likely to get stolen, resulting in a higher premium.
Your Demographic Group
Your age, gender, marital status, and the neighborhood you live in influence your car insurance premiums. Statistically, research indicates that teenage girls meet with fewer accidents than male teens, while married people tend to be in fewer accidents than single people.
Your Credit Score and Profession
Typically, lower credit scores and certain types of professions attract higher premiums. Law enforcement officers and sedentary workers attract lower auto insurance rates, while delivery drivers may attract higher premiums.
Also, the higher your credit rating is, the more you stand to save on insurance. Working to improve your credit score can lower your auto insurance costs over time.
These are some essential factors that can influence your auto insurance rates. If you are looking for a comprehensive policy for your car, contact the experts at James Page Insurance. Our dedicated team is ready to help you with all your coverage needs today.
10 Flu-Fighting Foods That Will Keep You Healthy
LifestyleWhile the medical community tries to identify a cure for coronavirus, you can build your immunity to fight flu-like symptoms. Take a look at ten flu-fighting foods that will keep you fit and healthy.
What Foods Are Good for Fighting the Flu?
1. Mushrooms
Mushrooms contain glucans, a type of carbohydrate that gives it antiviral properties. Different varieties have varying amounts of glucans, so include the correct type in your dish.
2. Garlic
Garlic boosts your body’s natural killer cells and reduces the severity of flu symptoms. Raw garlic or aged garlic extract is the best form to consume.
3. Kiwi Fruit
If you are wondering which fruit is best for your flu symptoms, kiwi is what you need. One cup of kiwi gives almost 300% the average daily dose of vitamin C—a natural flu eradicator.
4. Greens
Spinach, kale, and other leafy vegetables have immune-enhancing nutrients such as vitamin C and E. It is best to eat them raw throughout your illness.
5. Pumpkin Seeds
Pumpkin seeds are the best vegetarian source of zinc that reduces the length of colds. Consume the seeds without 24 hours after the symptoms show.
6. Plain Yogurt
The probiotics, or healthy bacteria, in yogurt and other fermented foods increase the activity of the body’s killer cells. Unsweetened varieties of yogurt have the best effect.
7. Oatmeal
A hot bowl of whole oats contains the immune-strengthening beta-glucan fiber, which builds body immunity.
8. Spices
Pepper and horseradish can reduce symptoms such as sinus and chest congestion. However, you should avoid spices if you have a sore throat.
9. Broth
Broth helps you get rid of a sore throat and relieve congestion. You can add chicken or vegetables to the soup if you want.
10. Water
Staying hydrated is the simplest way to build immunity. Consuming adequate water can eliminate toxins.
While these ten flu-fighting foods will build your immunity, it is always advisable to protect yourself with life insurance. For assistance with your coverage needs, contact the experts at James Page Insurance.
Get the Best Auto Insurance at the Lowest Cost
PersonalWhen shopping around for car insurance, understanding the factors that influence the cost of premiums can help you negotiate the best price. Here’s what auto insurance companies look at when giving you a quote.
Your Driving History, Habits, and Usage
Your insurer will check your driving record to understand risk levels. They will look at the number of accidents you’ve been in, the tickets you’ve received, DUI incidents, or claims made by you. At times, these factors might make it tough to get car insurance. Working on improving your record is a good practice.
Agents also look at car usage patterns such as distances driven and whether you can park in a secure location. Longer distances and unsafe parking zones can increase costs.
Type of Car and Its Condition
Factors like the safety rating, size, and sturdiness of the car, year of manufacturing, etc. affect the cost of the premium. The most effective way to lower your auto insurance rates is by maintaining your vehicle and driving responsibly.
Another factor is the attractiveness of the car, like a sports car, it is more likely to get stolen, resulting in a higher premium.
Your Demographic Group
Your age, gender, marital status, and the neighborhood you live in influence your car insurance premiums. Statistically, research indicates that teenage girls meet with fewer accidents than male teens, while married people tend to be in fewer accidents than single people.
Your Credit Score and Profession
Typically, lower credit scores and certain types of professions attract higher premiums. Law enforcement officers and sedentary workers attract lower auto insurance rates, while delivery drivers may attract higher premiums.
Also, the higher your credit rating is, the more you stand to save on insurance. Working to improve your credit score can lower your auto insurance costs over time.
These are some essential factors that can influence your auto insurance rates. If you are looking for a comprehensive policy for your car, contact the experts at James Page Insurance. Our dedicated team is ready to help you with all your coverage needs today.
Term Life Insurance Riders: What You Need to Know
PersonalTerm life insurance is where a sum is paid to beneficiaries in case the insured person passes away within the term. The payoff is known as a death benefit. However, you can get life insurance riders on your policy by paying a bit extra.
Should I Buy Riders with Term Insurance?
Riders for term insurance give you additional coverage options apart from the death benefit. While it isn’t mandatory to get them, you would be missing out on some key add-ons for extra security.
Here are some top insurance riders you can get:
Guaranteed Insurability Rider
With these life insurance riders, you can increase your sum assured without having to undergo a medical exam. You are eligible for the guaranteed insurability option when certain landmark events occur like a new baby, marriage, and home improvement.
Waiver of Premium Rider
The insured may be unable to pay regular premiums due to an illness or injury. If the term insurance policy has a waiver of premium rider, the insured will be exempt from paying the premium until they return to work.
Accidental Death Life Insurance Riders
Also known as “double indemnity rider,” your beneficiaries will be entitled to an increased payout if you die due to an accident. This increased benefit can be as much as double the basic sum assured.
Accelerated Death Rider
Under the accelerated death riders for term insurance, you can get death benefits if you are diagnosed with a terminal illness. Treatment of such conditions is shockingly expensive, and you can save your family from huge debts after your demise with this rider.
Disability Waiver Rider
Under this rider, you can get coverage if you were to become disabled and unable to earn an income for your family.
Return of Premium Rider
This rider guarantees you the return of the total amount of premiums paid at the end of the term. If you pass away, your beneficiaries will receive the total amount of premiums paid in addition to the death benefit.
These are a few term insurance riders that you can add to your policy. To learn more about the terms and conditions of riders, contact our experts at James Page Insurance today. We are happy to answer all your insurance questions.
All You Need to Know About Freelancer Commercial Insurance
BusinessFreelancing is becoming increasingly common across the United States—about 35% of the American workforce belongs to freelancers. A full-time freelancer is, in effect, a small business owner and susceptible to the same risks as any enterprise would be. So, a freelancer also needs business insurance.
Why Do Freelancers Need Insurance?
You can get commercial insurance to protect yourself in the following scenarios:
Sometimes, your clients may insist on a liability insurance policy in place for your freelancing business.
What Insurance Do Freelancers Need?
If you’re looking to buy insurance for your freelancer job, consider the following options.
General Liability Insurance
This type of commercial insurance for freelancers will cover you if someone gets injured on your premises and sues you. It also includes libel and copyright infringement.
Professional Liability Insurance
The other name for this insurance is “errors and omissions.” It will cover your legal expenses if a client claims that they suffered financial loss due to your negligence.
Cyber Liability Insurance
This type of commercial insurance for freelancers covers the expenses incurred due to data breaches or theft of the client’s sensitive information and associated legal fees.
Property Insurance
A property insurance policy covers the loss of any property or equipment you own that is part of your freelancing business through events like fire and theft.
Commercial Auto Insurance
If you use your personal vehicle to visit clients, it may not be covered for business purposes. Hence, commercial auto insurance can keep you covered.
Health and Disability Insurance
Since you don’t have an employer to take care of your health benefits, you need to make your own arrangements. A suitable health and disability plan will cover you at times of ill health or in case of disability.
These are the different types of commercial insurance for freelancers. As a freelancer, you are liable for insurance and should get the best policy for your needs. If you have any additional questions about business insurance, contact the experts at James Page Insurance today.
Useful Swimming Pool Safety Tips for Summer
PersonalWith the onset of the summer, there’s nothing more pleasant than to dive into your home swimming pool to cool down. However, you need to follow certain precautions to avoid any unprecedented events.
Let’s take a look at some of the safety tips for your home swimming pool this summer.
Enclose the Pool Area
One of the essential safety tips for your swimming pool is to ensure that the pool area is enclosed to prevent people or animals from accidentally falling into the pool. Install an active alarm system as well to detect any motion in the pool area.
Supervising Children
Never leave small children alone without supervision. If you are in a group, you can take turns to keep an eye on the children.
Keep Adequate Life Saving Gear at Hand
Place ropes, lifebuoys, and life jackets along the poolside in case you run into emergencies. A great safety tip for your home swimming pool is to invest in proper flotation devices for new swimmers. Nevertheless, keep in mind that the best way to prevent accidents is to get proper swimming lessons for children (and adults).
Mark the Depths
Ensure that the deep water is clearly marked by a floating buoy line. That way, only those who are confident swimmers will venture into the deep end. Enforcing diving restrictions is also an important safety tip for your home swimming pool. Only allow diving at designated areas, if at all.
Get Proper Drain Covers
Pool drains have powerful suction that can lead to fatal entrapment accidents. Use VGB-compliant drain covers and inspect them periodically for any damage. A useful swimming pool safety tip this summer would be to tell your children not to play around the drains at all.
Make sure to follow these pool safety tips for a safe swimming experience. If you are not covered, you may want to check the possibility of getting your home swimming pool covered. For assistance with all your home insurance needs, contact the experts at James Page Insurance today.
Guard Your Gems with Jewelry Insurance in the Best Possible Way
PersonalHaving jewelry is nice, but what if your precious gems get lost or stolen? Although jewelry insurance is part of your homeowner’s policy, it is advisable to learn more about protecting your gems.
Here’s how you can guard your gems with jewelry insurance:
Make a List
Identify the jewels that you would like to get insured by making a list of all the valuable gems in your house. Many companies have a lower limit to compensate for the value of a particular gem. Start with those of the highest value, and then move downwards.
Get an Appraisal
A certified gem expert will be able to put a value to all your jewels. You will need to provide your insurer with a copy of each gem’s valuation certificate in case of a claim. Get an appraisal done every two or three years to keep the value up-to-date.
Locate Your Receipts
If you have the original receipts and certificates of your gems, keep them in a safe place. They will help verify the price, location, and other important details in the claim process.
Check Your Coverage
If you want to guard your gems with jewelry insurance, study your homeowners insurance carefully. However, if you don’t have a homeowner’s policy, you can get standalone plans on jewelry, especially for engagement and wedding rings. You can get jewelry insurance by adding a rider to your existing renters insurance.
Cost of Jewelry Insurance
The general rule of thumb is to fix jewelry insurance premiums at 1-2% of the jewelry value. It is usually added as a “floater” to your existing homeowner’s insurance policy. The cost will depend on the frequency of use and security setups like burglar alarms and safe deposit boxes.
You can also avail of extra jewelry insurance coverage for sentimental and high-value gems. In such a case, you will pay higher premiums. Hence, depending on the circumstances, jewelry insurance can cost from $5.00 to hundreds of dollars per month.
These are some effective tips about jewelry insurance that you can use to protect your prized possessions. If you are looking to get the right coverage for your belongings, contact the experts at James Page Insurance today. We are ready to assist you with all your insurance needs.
How to Secure Your Business During the COVID- 19 Outbreak
BusinessThe spread of COVID- 19 has forced many businesses to temporarily shut down or have their employees work from home. Such prevention measures are unavoidable to make sure everyone is safe. However, most people are concerned about the safety of their businesses.
Here are some crime prevention tips for businesses during the COVID- 19 outbreak:
Alarms and Security Cameras
Installing an alarm monitoring system makes your workplace more secure. Make sure your alarms function well, and the emergency contact list is updated.
Security cameras play a vital role in the overall security of your workplace. Install a surveillance camera that can be accessed remotely and records the activities of a particular area.
Lighting and Business Sign
Make sure both exterior and interior lights are switched on, especially around the premises. Don’t forget to replace the faulty bulbs with the new ones.
A handy small business crime prevention tip is displaying signboards outside your company. For example, you can use “24 hour surveillance” or “No cash on-premise” signs.
Secure Costly Items
Store your valuable and expensive items safely. Take them home or keep them away from access. You can close the windows to keep all your essential objects out of sight and safe.
Get Ideas from Near-by Businesses
Don’t keep rocks or any other heavy objects near the premises that intruders can use to break windows. Also, talk to your neighboring businesses to learn how they are protecting their costly items and ensuring their business security. You can get some ideas from them or help them with your own ideas.
These are some of the crime prevention tips that you can follow for your business. Apart from following these tips, buying commercial insurance can be an added advantage to secure your business. To learn more about business insurance, contact the experts at James Page Insurance today.
Here’s How You Can Slow Down and Connect Yourself to Nature
LifestyleStaying lonely or busy in work can affect your emotional well-being, health, and your relationships with others. Try to connect yourself with nature and break the monotony of your hectic life. Here’s how you can get started.
Get Some Fresh Air and Sunlight
Spend some quality time with your family in your garden or patio to experience and cherish nature. This will soothe your mind and rejuvenate your body.
Step Outside
Come out so that you can notice what is happening around you and your environment. This will increase your awareness of your surroundings.
Bring Nature Inside
The best way to slow down and connect yourself to nature is to bring some plants inside your home. Simple gardening tasks like watering plants and trimming the grass can uplift your mood and relieve your anxiety and stress.
Use Natural Products
Natural products have pleasant fragrance and amazing antioxidant properties. A bath or spa with organic products will slow you down and rejuvenate your body and mind.
Eat Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
Include fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet. Apart from replenishing your body with the required vitamins and minerals, it will also improve your gut function.
Go for a Short Drive
Go for a short drive to enjoy the nature. Letting the fresh air come in through your car window will calm you down and soothe your mind.
Play or Meditate Outside
Instead of watching TV and playing with gadgets, come out of your home and play some outdoor games with your kids. This will help you stay connected with them as well as to the great outdoors.
With these tips, you can slow down and connect yourself to nature. Do you need help with your life insurance coverage? Contact the experts at James Page Insurance. We are ready to help you with all your life insurance needs.
Mental Health and Social Distancing Tips During the Coronavirus
PersonalThe coronavirus pandemic has changed our routine life. Practicing social distancing, even in the company of your close friends and family, can make you feel lonely. The lack of connection can impact your mental well-being.
Here are some social distancing and mental health tips that can help you during this public health emergency.
Avoid Emotional Distancing
We need the company of our loved ones, especially in these difficult times. Contact your best friend or any of your family members if you feel lonely. It will help you get rid of loneliness that may lead to depression or anxiety.
Establish a Routine
Create a routine and stick to it. This can help you balance your mental health and social distancing. However, do not stress yourself with back-to-back activities. Stay relaxed and comfortable while doing your routine tasks.
Workout and Meditate
Exercising 30 minutes every day can relax your mind and rejuvenate your body. You can also do meditation to build self-awareness and keep the stress at bay.
Begin a Hobby
The best way to balance social distancing and mental health is to begin a hobby. It could be reading, painting, gardening, or knitting. Hobbies can help you get rid of negative emotions and make you happy and relaxed.
Listen to Music
Listening to soothing music can relax your mind. Wear headphones and listen to your favorite music or songs that can keep you rejuvenated and relaxed. However, make sure to keep the volume of your headphones low.
Go for a Short Walk
Walking is the best way to stay fit and relaxed. You can walk around your home or in your garden.
Follow these social distancing and mental health tips during COVID- 19. Looking for another way to protect you and your family? Contact the experts at James Page Insurance for all your insurance needs.
How CARES Act Loans Will Save Small Businesses
BusinessThe COVID- 19 outbreak has affected the global economy, especially small businesses like never before. The federal government has enacted CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) to help small enterprises survive the pandemic.
Here is what you need to know about CARES Act loans for small businesses:
Types of Loans
There are currently two types of loans available: Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) and Paycheck Protection Loans (PPP). EIDL offers up to $2 million, whereas PPP offers up to $10 million. You can apply for both loans, but you cannot use them for the same purpose.
Small businesses, non-profits, and veterans can qualify for the loan, irrespective of their location.
Forgiveness Amount
After your loan is approved, you need to track your expenses for eight weeks and document them to the lender.
They will forgive the portion of the loan used for expenses after reviewing your documents. This portion becomes a grant that you do not need to repay. The interest rate for the remaining loan is 1% for a two-year term. There is a 6-month moratorium on the first payment and no prepayment penalty.
If you have requested a $10,000 grant in EIDL, the amount will be subtracted from the forgiveness amount.
Minimum Requirements for Maximum Relief
The SBA is trying to provide support to as many small businesses across the country as possible. The SBA will be lenient even if you do not have a good credit score. Also, you don’t need a personal guaranty or property to secure a CARES ACT loan.
An initiative by the government to help small businesses, CARES ACT loans will help you survive during the pandemic. Having the right commercial coverage is another way to keep your business safe. For assistance with all your business insurance needs, contact the experts at James Page Insurance today.