Should You Be Buying Bonds?

The stock market is a huge gamble. Cryptocurrency still feels too new. But you know investing your money is the smart thing to do. So, should you be buying bonds?

Why Choose Bonds?

Compared to other investments like stocks, bonds are a safe investment. This is because most bonds offer fixed coupon rates. You can also enjoy a short-term or long-term option, choosing to purchase bonds that mature in anywhere from one year to 30 years.

Buying bonds is also pretty easy. In fact, you can buy bonds directly from the federal government at the U.S. Treasury website.

Bond interest is paid twice a year, usually, except in the case of zero-interest bonds that mature after a pre-determined amount of time has passed. You can also re-sell bonds at any time to make a profit or to "cash out." 

Protection

There is no truly safe investment, nothing you can buy that will yield a definite return. But when it comes to investing, bonds are a less risky investment than some of the other options out there. To make your finances and your future even safer, turn to an insurance company like Freeland Insurance, serving Oklahoma City, OK. Insurance is one investment you can count on.

Insurance is the failsafe in life, the safety net. No matter how much money you have or how many investments you have, good insurance will help you when the unexpected happens. Markets crash. Recessions happen. The economy is unstable. But your investments and your finances don’t have to be. Companies like Freeland Insurance that serve the Oklahoma City, OK area provide you with the protection your need so you can make more investments in your own future.

Four Benefits of Umbrella Insurance

Umbrella insurance from Freeland Insurance can save the day during rainy times. While you may have a boat, home, or car liability insurance, these policies will likely fall short when faced with significant claims. Investing in umbrella insurance is a top financial shield when your primary policies get exhausted.

Many Oklahoma City, OK, residents mistakenly believe that umbrella insurance is only tailored for affluent individuals. This notion can’t be further from the truth. Umbrella insurance is suitable for anyone with assets or a livelihood to protect.

Benefits of umbrella insurance

Purchasing umbrella insurance from Freeland Insurance is of ultimate necessity because it yields numerous benefits, including:

  • It boosts your auto and homeowners’ insurance policies: Misfortunes can happen anytime. Calamities may strike abruptly when you are financially deprived. Robust umbrella insurance can salvage you when your primary policies are insufficient or depleted. Umbrella insurance can save you when you least expect it. Have you ever imagined what would happen if a visitor gets injured while in your house and your home insurance isn’t sufficient? Umbrella insurance can save the day in such cases.
  • It’s affordable: Most people think umbrella insurance is expensive because of its high coverage. The truth is that umbrella insurance is inexpensive because it takes over after the underlying coverage has been exhausted.
  • It protects you against lawsuits: You can be sued if you cause an accident. Lawsuits can be expensive, especially when not ruled in your favor. Umbrella insurance pays for expensive legal costs, including attorney fees and settlement costs.  
  • It cushions you from liabilities not covered by other policies: Unique liabilities like slander and libel aren’t covered by typical liability policies. Umbrella insurance covers these special liability claims, lessening your financial burden.

Are you searching for affordable umbrella insurance in Oklahoma City, OK? Please call or visit Freeland Insurance today and get more information about umbrella insurance.

Do you need flood insurance?

Many believe that their homeowner’s insurance will cover them in the event of a flood. However, most standard homeowner’s policies do not cover flood damage. If you live in an area prone to flooding, you may need a separate flood insurance policy. Freeland Insurance agents in Oklahoma City, OK  are ready to answer your questions.

What is Flood Insurance?

Flood insurance is a type of property insurance that covers losses and damage caused by floods. Flood insurance can be purchased through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or from a private insurer. NFIP flood insurance is available to homeowners, renters, and business owners who live in participating communities.

Do I Need Flood Insurance?

If you have a house or business considered at risk for flooding, your mortgage lender probably requires you to have a flood insurance policy. Even if you don’t have a mortgage, purchasing flood insurance is still a good idea if you live in an area susceptible to flooding.

What Does Flood Insurance Cover?

An NFIP policy protects your home or business from all types of flooding, including hurricane-related storm surges, riverine flooding, flash flooding, and mudslides. Coverage limits for building structures start at $250,000 and go up to $500,000. Limits for content coverage begin at $100,000 and go up to $500,000. Higher limits are available for both building structures and contents through private insurers.

How Freeland Insurance Can Help

Flooding can occur anytime and anywhere—even in areas that have never experienced flooding. If you live in Oklahoma City, OK, contact Freeland Insurance today to get more information and details.

Can You Purchase Health Insurance in Oklahoma City, OK Without a Job?

You can purchase health insurance without a job in Oklahoma City, OK, and other parts of the country. While it’s advantageous to have the ability to obtain a policy from your workplace, not everyone has this opportunity. For instance, independent contractors and freelancers must rely on individual health insurance to cover their medical costs. 

How Do I Obtain Health Insurance?

There are a few ways to obtain health insurance without a job. According to the subject matter experts at Freeland Insurance, you can purchase a policy through many commercial firms. Many offer the same programs provided by employers. The main difference is cost.

The company pays a portion of the premiums when you purchase a workplace policy. Conversely, you’re responsible for 100% of the subscription costs when you buy an individual policy. It’s this point that stops many from purchasing a health insurance policy. 

An alternative is to select a program through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace. Established in 2010 as an affordable location for health insurance, the space features programs with low deductibles and premiums. Some programs, like Medicaid, have zero premiums and minimal copayments. 

How Do I Quality for Medicaid?

Signed into law in 1965, Medicaid is government-supported health insurance for low-income individuals and families. Oklahoma City, OK residents qualify for Medicaid if their median annual income is at or below state and federally established values. 

There are many questions to answer about personal health insurance policies. Therefore, reaching out to those intimately familiar with Medicaid and the ACA Marketplace is best. If you need help deciding, reach out to representatives at Freeland Insurance to get the correct answers. 

Save for Retirement Using Life Insurance

At Freeland Insurance, we constantly remain on the lookout for insurance products that can help you better plan for your future. We can offer our Oklahoma City, OK customers an exciting option – a whole life insurance policy with a cash value savings account.

Whole Life Insurance with a Cash Value Savings Account

Some whole life policies offer a cash value account that lets you save money while paying the premiums on your life policy. The cash value account typically uses an index on the stock market to determine its annual earnings.

These policies provide the same life insurance protection as other options. Your named beneficiary or beneficiaries receive a death benefit when you die. The difference this type of policy offer comes from its utility while you’re alive.

How It Works

When you pay your premium monthly or quarterly, a percentage of the premium goes into a savings account. Some of these accounts offer a flat rate of interest earned. Others tie to a stock market index, such as the S & P, and earn at the same rate as it.

Some of the options tied to an index offer protection from loss, so you can’t lose the money you deposited into the account. You may not earn on it during a particular year, or it may only pay a flat rate, but you won’t lose the money you paid in even if the stock market does terribly.

Advantages of Cash Value Life Insurance

You can access the savings in multiple ways. These nifty policies let you borrow against them, so you can fund college for your child, buy a house, or renovate a home. You can also use this policy as collateral for a standard loan.

The cash value of the policy grows while you live. You can use it while continuing to pay premiums to keep your whole life coverage to protect the financial future of your family. Plan your family’s financial future by contacting Freeland Insurance in Oklahoma City, OK, for more information on this valuable life insurance option.

What Are Some Common Mistakes Businesses Make When Buying Commercial Insurance?

When it comes to buying commercial insurance, there are a lot of things to consider. Unfortunately, many businesses make common mistakes that cost them a lot of money. This blog post will discuss some of the most common mistakes made when buying commercial insurance and how to avoid them!

1. Not Shopping Around

One of the most common mistakes businesses make when buying commercial insurance is not shopping around. They may get a quote from one company and accept it without considering other options.

However, it’s essential to get quotes from multiple Oklahoma City companies to compare rates and coverage. This way, you can ensure you’re getting the best possible deal on your commercial insurance.

2. Not Reading the Fine Print

Another common mistake businesses make is not reading the fine print of their insurance policy. It’s important to understand what your policy covers and doesn’t cover so that you know what to expect in the event of a claim. You could be in for a nasty surprise if you don’t read the fine print.

3. Buying the Wrong Coverage

Another mistake businesses make involves buying the wrong coverage. There are many types of commercial insurance provided by professional companies such as Freeland Insurance, and it can be confusing to know which one you need.

However, it’s important to take the time to understand your business’s risks and needs to purchase the proper coverage. Otherwise, you could end up paying for coverage you don’t need, or worse, not having the coverage you need when you need it.

4. Not Reviewing Your Policy Regularly

Lastly, another mistake businesses make is not reviewing their policy regularly. Things change, and your business’s insurance needs may change as well. It’s important to review your policy regularly to ensure it still meets your needs. If it doesn’t, you can make changes or purchase additional coverage.

Conclusion

These are just a few common mistakes businesses make when buying commercial insurance. If you can avoid these mistakes, you’ll be well on your way to getting the coverage you need at a price you can afford.

If you have questions about commercial insurance or need help finding the right policy for your business, contact Freeland Insurance in Oklahoma City, OK. We’re here to help you get the coverage you need at a price you can afford.

What Does Financial Services Insurance Cover?

What Does Financial Services Insurance Cover?

Like most industries, the financial service sector is rapidly growing, leading to the emergence of new risks. Without a valid insurance policy, the risk of things going south is high in this competitive, highly-regulated sector. At Freeland Insurance in Oklahoma City, OK, we offer financial services insurance, and here is how this coverage protects your institution.

  • Cyber liability protection: Given the amount of personal data that financial institutions store, one cyberattack will likely cause untold financial consequences. While you may have installed risk mitigation measures, hackers may still be one step ahead of you, and data breaches can occur. Luckily, you can run to your insurance coverage to help you cushion yourself from the financial consequences of a cyberattack.
  • Professional liability: If a stakeholder sues you for negligence, missed deadlines, or incomplete work, you can run to your financial services insurance for protection.
  • General liability: Like any other business, financial institutions aren’t safe from liability claims. Luckily, financial services insurance can always bail you out when facing property damage, bodily injury, and advertising injury claims.
  • Property coverage: Your business must have invested in multiple assets to deliver seamless financial services. In light of this, you must invest in insurance coverage that protects your assets when the worst happens.
  • Worker’s comp insurance: This insurance protects your employees against illnesses and work-related injuries. This means that you don’t have to enter your pocket to cover medical costs for your injured or sick employees.
  • D&O coverage: This insurance protects individuals when they are sued because of serving as an officer or director of a financial institution.

One of the best ways to set your business apart is investing in financial services insurance coverage. This way, you will have taken care of your risks to concentrate on the most critical aspects of your business. To get financial services insurance in Oklahoma City, OK, please contact Freeland Insurance.

When Do Small Businesses Need Commercial Umbrella Insurance?

Small businesses are the backbone of the American economy. According to The U.S. Small Business Administration, there are 31.7 million small businesses in America, and they account for 47% of all jobs in the country.

These businesses face a wide range of risks every day. Many small business owners are surprised to find out that their carriers’ general commercial liability insurance does not cover all of these risks. This often results in a total loss for the company, especially if a large liability claim catches it off guard. Here we will talk about the most common types of risks that small businesses face and how they can be financially protected.

Commercial umbrella insurance is a policy that acts as an extension to your existing commercial liability policies. In addition to covering damages, lawsuits, and legal costs from general negligence claims as part of your existing carrier’s policy limits, it can provide additional liability protection beyond your existing limits. This can help prevent a financial crisis in the event of a catastrophic loss.

Let’s take a look at an example of a situation where small businesses need commercial umbrella insurance.

In the event of a large liability claim, your commercial insurance policy will likely not cover all of the costs associated with the settlement. This is most often the case for small business owners who have a hard limit on how much they are insured. For example, if you have a $1 million commercial liability policy, but you end up with a $2 million settlement resulting from a large lawsuit, your carrier will only pay out the first $1 million. Your umbrella insurance policy would pick up an additional 1 million dollars subject to the limits of your policy.

Commercial umbrella insurance is an essential product for small businesses. It can provide additional liability protection and help you avoid a financial crisis in the event of a large claim in Oklahoma City, OK. Call Freeland Insurance to learn more today.

How do you know if you have to buy flood insurance?

When you purchase a new home, at least new to you, you may or may not need to purchase flood insurance in addition to your homeowner’s insurance. Many people in Oklahoma City, OK as us at Freeland Insurance, “How do you know when you must buy flood insurance?”

Typically, this need gets brought up by your bank. Few individuals purchase homes outright, so when you obtain a mortgage, your bank provides you with a list of fees and purchase requirements. If the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) designated your home as lying within a flood zone, you will find out in your mortgage documents.

If you must purchase flood insurance, you can also find this information in your home sale and closing documents. When a home is situated within a map zone that requires flood insurance, the home seller must reveal this information in the listing or sale documents. It is one of the items the law requires the home seller to reveal during the sale process. This makes it very important for you to read all documents related to the home purchase before signing them.

You can also ask the home seller or the real estate agent outright. The law requires them to answer you directly and admit if the property does require flood insurance.

Don’t worry. Flood insurance does not cost that much. The laws are written the way they are to protect consumers from purchasing without full knowledge of what they are buying. They also have to tell you things like if a death occurred in the home or a fire.

You need to know in advance that the home requires flood insurance because, like home insurance, you have to own the policy before the bank will let you take possession of, i.e. move into, the house. Since the bank really owns the home until you pay the mortgage, they require you to assume the risk of the unpaid mortgage by buying insurance. This reduces their risk of loaning you the money to buy your new home.

Contact Freeland Insurance serving Oklahoma City, OK to obtain your flood insurance today. Let us help you find the right National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policy for you.

What You Can Do When You Age Out of Your Parents’ Health Care Coverage

Health insurance is designed to help you cover various medical expenses, including preventative care and sickness. As of right now, children can stay on their parent’s policy until the age of 26. If you’re almost 26 years old, you do have health insurance options. Freeland Insurance, serving Oklahoma City, OK, shares some of these options.

Employer Insurance Plan

If you are currently employed with a company that offers employee health benefits, you should reach out to your supervisor or Human Resources department to find out how you can sign up. As a general rule, there will be several options available, and your premiums will be taken directly out of your regular paycheck.

COBRA

COBRA coverage allows you to petition the employer or health insurer of your parent’s health insurance policy to stay on their current plan for as many as 36 months following the day you turn 26 years old. You will need to fill out an election form and submit it to the necessary party. 

Catastrophic Insurance

These types of health insurance plans are designed to offer protection against some of the worst situations. This health insurance plan is permitted for individuals under 30 years of age and anyone who is facing undue financial hardship. 

Usually, preventative care is covered, as well as expenses greater than the deductible, which ensures you don’t go into financial distress. However, when it comes to emergency care, you will be responsible for paying for these services out of your own pocket until the deductible has been reached.

Medicaid

Oklahoma is one of the states that offer Medicaid expansion. This expansion makes it easier for more people in the state to qualify for insurance coverage, especially if you are on a low or limited income. As long as your income is a certain amount below federal poverty, you may be eligible for Medicaid health insurance. 

With any of the aforementioned options, there may be certain stipulations to meet that vary from state to state, so you should speak to a professional insurance agent with Freeland Insurance, serving Oklahoma City, OK residents.