Hosting Guests for the Summer? Make Sure You Have Adequate Insurance Coverage

Posted on by agentinsure

As a homeowner, you’re responsible for the health and welfare of visitors on your property. For this reason, it’s wise to review your home insurance coverage before hosting guests for the summer. With adequate liability insurance coverage from Freeland Insurance, Oklahoma City, OK, you can protect yourself against any eventuality that may arise. Here are a few ways liability insurance can protect your interests.

Accidents

Liability insurance covers medical expenses for accidents your guests may have while on your property. Poor lighting, an uneven walkway or clutter on your stairs could cause a guest to trip and fall, making you liable for injuries that may result. Liability coverage protects you from having to pay medical bills out of pocket.

Food

When guests visit your home, you are responsible for health issues that may arise due to meals served on your property. Keeping menus simple and using fresh and healthy ingredients could help prevent health problems. You should also be aware of any food allergies your guests may have to avoid unnecessary trips to the hospital. Although you’re protected by liability coverage, you should do what you can to avoid a food-related liability claim.  

Alcohol

If you’re hosting a party, encourage guests to drink responsibly as you could be liable for their actions if they overdrink at your event. Serving alcohol to minors (those under 21 years of age) could result in legal action against you. If you’re not sure if your insurance covers liability for serving alcohol, talk to your Freeland Insurance agent. Your policy may have an alcohol exclusion you’re unaware of.

Home insurance protection from Freeland Insurance, Oklahoma City, OK, takes the worry out of hosting summer events so you can enjoy the company of family and friends to the full. 

When Things go BOOM in the Night – Fireworks Safety

Posted on by Jamie Larson

 

 

Firework Safety-

For most of us, the Fourth of July is a time to enjoy the company of family and friends, having fun and creating memories – whether at home or away in Oklahoma.

But for some families, the holiday is a nightmare. Homes each year in Oklahoma are damaged by wayward fireworks. Thousands of people are injured in accidents.

At Freeland Insurance, we want your holiday to be happy, but also safe. So here are some tips to help you protect yourself and your property on the Fourth.

Protecting yourself (and others)

  • To minimize the risk of injury, don’t use consumer fireworks. Attend a public display conducted by professionals in your city or elsewhere.
  • If using consumer fireworks, always follow instructions. Do not attempt to re-light “duds” or create homemade fireworks.
  • Never let children handle or light fireworks. Even sparklers, which burn at more than 1,000 degrees, can cause third-degree burns. Kids under the age of 15 account for approximately 40% of fireworks injuries, according to the U.S. Fire Administration.
  • A responsible adult should always be present when children – even teenagers – are around fireworks. More than half of fireworks injuries happen to those younger than 20 years old.

Protecting your home

  • According to the National Fire Protection Association, the best way to protect your home is to not use fireworks at home.
  • Remember, fireworks can cause grass fires and other types of blazes as well. Make sure you light fireworks in a safe area, away from homes and buildings, as well as other combustible material. Keep a fire extinguisher nearby in case of emergency.
  • Look out for tree limbs or bushes that could catch fire. Trimming vegetation to keep it away from your home is a good idea anyway, but it could save you from a catastrophic fire on the Fourth of July.
  • If your gutters have accumulated leaves, pine needles or other flammable material, clean them before using fireworks near your home.
  • Finally, if you won’t be home on the holiday, ask a neighbor to keep an eye on your house if others in your neighborhood will be using fireworks.

With some common sense and planning, the Fourth of July can be both safe and enjoyable for everyone. Whether you’re staying at home or heading out, we hope you have a wonderful time celebrating our independence!

Are You Required to Have Commercial Business Insurance?

Posted on by agentinsure

If you own a small business or are looking into opening one, you may be trying to learn more about commercial business insurance. One of the questions that FM Insurance, serving the greater Oklahoma City, OK area, is asked is whether you are required to have or carry commercial business insurance. Unfortunately, the answer to this is not a straight yes or no. You may be, or you may not be. Here is some more information about this.

There are a few individuals who are required to carry business insurance. If you use vehicles for your business, you are likely required to obtain commercial auto insurance. If you own the building in which you do business out of, and it is not used primarily as your place of residence, you are likely required to obtain commercial property or building insurance. If you have taken out a business loan to start or fund your business, the lender may require you to obtain a commercial business insurance policy to protect their investment or stake in your business. And in some cities and counties, there are laws that state you must have a minimum commercial business insurance policy to obtain a business license in that city or county. If any of these apply to you, you are required to obtain a policy. If any of them are not applicable to you, you may not legally be required to obtain a policy.

While having business insurance may or may not be required, it is always strongly recommended that you obtain a policy to protect the investment you have made in your business. To learn more about commercial business insurance or to obtain quotes today, contact FM Insurance, serving the greater Oklahoma City, OK area.

Summer Travel Can Mean Rental Car’s

Posted on by Jamie Larson

Do you need rental car insurance?

 

You’ve probably been at the rental-car counter, listening to the representative ask if you want to purchase the company’s insurance. And the thoughts start racing through your head. “Is this a rip-off? Doesn’t my regular auto policy cover me? What about my credit card? Why didn’t I figure this out before I left on my trip?”

 

At Freeland Insurance, we are here to help. And while not every situation is the same, we’ve got some general tips that will help you make an informed decision the next time you’re standing at that counter.

 

  1. Know your personal auto policy.

Because insurance policies vary, it’s a good idea to give us a call — before you rent a car — to make sure you have the coverage you need. In many instances, your personal auto policy will provide coverage for a rental car — but that coverage may be limited to the value of the car you own, rather than the one you’re renting. Of course, if you don’t have a personal auto policy, you’ll need to purchase coverage from the rental company.

 

And keep in mind that in the event of an accident, many rental companies will charge fees beyond repair costs. They may assess a loss-of-use fee for each day the car is unusable, as well as charge you because the value of the car has decreased. Not all insurance policies cover these fees.

 

  1. Also know your homeowners or renters policy.

If you’re traveling with expensive electronics or other valuable items, you probably want to consider what coverage you’ll have in the event they are stolen. Your personal auto policy and/or credit card coverage likely won’t provide protection for this scenario.

 

  1. Check your credit card protection.

Most credit cards will also provide some coverage, but often payment is limited to reimbursement of your personal auto policy deductible (after that policy pays for repairs). Generally, loss-of-use and other fees are not covered, but it’s important to check with your credit-card provider to determine their policies. And while some cards may offer additional protection for a fee, usually coverage is limited to damage to the car, not liability for any injuries to others. Remember, to receive any sort of benefit from your card, you must use that card to pay for your entire car rental.

 

  1. Consider any unique circumstances.

Are you renting a car in a foreign country, or for more than a week? You’ll definitely want to get confirmation of coverage from both your insurance carrier and credit card company because different rules might apply. Also, no matter where you are, vehicles such as trucks, RVs or exotic sports cars often aren’t covered under standard agreements. And if you’re using a car for business purposes, your personal coverage might not apply. Finally, if multiple people will be driving the car during your trip, make sure your coverages will apply to them.

 

  1. Learn about the insurance offered by the rental car company.

According to the Insurance Information Institute, rental companies offer four main types of coverage.

A Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) relieves you of responsibility if your rental car is damaged or stolen. This may also provide coverage for loss of use.

Liability Protection provides protection from lawsuits if you are sued after an accident.

Personal Accident Insurance covers you and passengers for medical bills after an accident. You may not need this if you have adequate health and auto coverage.

Personal Effects Coverage protects you if items are stolen from your car. You generally are covered for this under your homeowners or renters policy, but keep in mind that the loss must exceed your deductible for you to receive payment. If you have a high deductible, it may make sense to purchase this coverage from the rental company.

 

When you go on vacation, you don’t want to stress out about insurance. So give us a call before you leave. Then, when you head over to the rental-car counter, you can stop worrying about your coverage — and start enjoying your trip!

 

 

Do You Know What to Do If You Are on the Road During a Weather Emergency?

Posted on by agentinsure

People generally plan to be at home or in a safe location during extreme weather conditions. However, sometimes it is not possible for a variety of reasons. If you find yourself on the road during a weather emergency, we at FM Insurance want you to have the peace of mind of knowing the steps to take to increase your safety in any event.

Steps to Take if You are on Road in Weather Emergency

  • Remain calm. This is key, in many situations clear thinking can be the difference between life and death. It can be harder than it sounds but reminds you often to stay calm and think out your options.
  • Keep your car stocked with supplies such at drinking water, meal bars, a first aid kit, and even an extra cell phone for emergency calls.
  • There is no one answer as to whether you should pull over or drive out of the weather, you must make this choice at the time but remember to never drive through standing water and if you do choose to pull over do so slowly and turn on your flashers.
  • Follow instructions that any law or emergency personal gives. Even if your house is just a few miles away or whatever valid reasons you have for not listening, you may not have all the information.
  • If you see a tornado, it is recommended that you duck and cover inside your car after parking it in a low area such as a ditch. Do not leave your car and remember that an overpass is not a shelter to seek out.

Contact us at FM Insurance if you are in Oklahoma City, OK and the surrounding areas for great rates and fast quotes.

The Best auto insurance for teenage drivers

Posted on by agentinsure

Oklahoma City, OK is a city that requires most of the residents to have cars if they want to get around, which means that all of these drivers will need some form of auto insurance. Ideally, policies should be set up with a local broker like FM Insurance, who serve the Oklahoma City area. And some of the most important drivers to insure are the newest ones, the teenage drivers, who are more prone to having accidents than anyone else. Below are the best auto insurance policies for teenage drivers in a place like Oklahoma City, OK.

LIABILITY INSURANCE

Liability insurance covers other people who are involved in an accident or other people’s property when the accident has been deemed the fault of the teenaged driver. Which means that this type of policy is definitely needed since teenagers are usually at fault. While it’s only required to have a minimum amount of liability insurance coverage, the more you have will protect the teenager and you from having to go out of pocket to cover expenses or even having to pay for a possible future lawsuit.

COLLISION INSURANCE

Collision policies for a teenager will be a higher premium for sure, but will add an extra layer of insurance protection that you will be glad you have. It will fix damage to your own vehicles that may be the teenagers fault, as well as protect them from medical issues that may arise from an accident. If you can afford it for your teenager’s insurance policy, this is an excellent addition for the safety and security of them and their vehicle.

PERSONAL INJURY PROTECTION

You want to keep your teenager safe on the road, as well as others who may be injured in the event of an accident. So having personal injury protection on their policy is a good idea, to ensure all medical costs would be covered in the event of an accident.

What Home Insurance Companies Don’t Tell You

Posted on by agentinsure

Home insurance companies don’t always tell you everything you need to know. If this means that as you look for home insurance in Oklahoma City, OK, you need to do your due diligence. It will allow you to get the insurance policy that will give you peace of mind throughout the year.

Basic Policies Don’t Include Everything

Every home insurance policy will cover protection to the home, your belongings, and liability. However, a basic policy may not cover the full extent of your belongings, such as if you have expensive artwork or art collector of something. At FM Insurance, our insurance agents will take the time to learn more about you and your home in order to build a more customized policy so that it does include everything needed to provide financial protection.

Not All Claims are Accepted

When you file a claim with the insurance company, is not automatically accepted. Often, research will be done in order to determine whether everything happened the way you said it happen or it additionally, if you don’t have the coverage within your policy, you would be financially responsible for everything.

Deductibles Vary

Just as with every other type of insurance, you will have to pay a deductible before the insurance company pays anything. Deductibles can vary from policy to policy. This is why it’s important to know what yours is so that if you need to file a claim, you know how much you will have to pay out-of-pocket.

There are plenty of things you should ask when you are seeking home insurance in Oklahoma City, OK. The more you know, the easier it will be to develop a better home insurance policy. If insurance companies aren’t disclosing everything, it is within your right to ask questions and learn more about what is being offered to you. Contact FM Insurance today to learn more about home insurance policies.

 

 

Is Your Auto Insurance Up to Date?

Posted on by agentinsure

When it comes to auto insurance one of the worst things that can happen is for your insurance to be out of date. This can mean one of two things, either the insurance has expired, or your insurance no longer covers what you need it to cover. There are a few different ways to check your coverage and to make sure your coverage is up to date. For those in Oklahoma City, OK, your coverage needs may be different from someone that lives in another part of the country.

The first way to check your coverage is to simply look at your insurance cards. These cards will display the date that the card expires, the coverage expires, and when you need to get a new card and to renew your coverage. You can pay for your premiums in a variety of ways and in a variety of different increments as well. Most people simply pay monthly to help offset the cost but you can also pay your premiums for 6 months or for a year.

It is always helpful that if you are not sure how to check your coverage, that you talk with an agent to help you determine when your coverage lapses and when it needs to be renewed. You can also check online if your agency has a website and find out when your coverage expires. You should also take the time to find out when you need to up coverage, add more coverage, or change your coverage to keep it up to date and to make sure your coverage is going to work if you are in an accident. Your coverage is important and if you live in the Oklahoma City, OK area you need to make sure your coverage is perfect for you.

Home Renovations and Insurance Coverage

Posted on by agentinsure

Planning for an Oklahoma City, OK home renovation comes with a number of permit applications, tasks, reminders, and resources to arrange to make sure everything falls into place per plan. However, one that many people tend to forget is the simple task of checking the coverage on their homeowner’s insurance before making any big renovations. And when something goes wrong, the lack of coverage becomes apparent after the fact.

Homeowner’s insurance in Oklahoma City, OK doesn’t automatically adjust just because a change is made to a home. It is not designed to be an automatic, umbrella-type insurance protection. Instead, homes are evaluated and insured based on their current condition. However, because many homes fall into similar categories of use and risk, the initial evaluation process often seems to come across as automatic to the homeowner.

Big changes that need to be checked ahead of time include the installation of a backyard pool, replacing the house roofing system, changing a room to be a business office with significant structural changes like a business entrance door, or building out a room by removing walls or putting in an expansion. The other big component player involves kitchen and bathroom system replacements as they frequently involve putting in gas and power appliances and changing the plumbing which can all be source of damage when not installed properly.

It’s also important to notify one’s policy provider because doing so can trigger big savings, according to FM Insurance. For instance, a new roof can produce a 10 to 20 percent reduction in insurance costs because the external protection has been upgraded with a new, long life barrier.

When notifying, it’s not enough to just call up and say a renovation is occurring. Photos and documentation are frequently necessary to update a policy correctly. To go over the process and know exactly what is needed for a home upgrade, contact FM Insurance for more information.

Reasons Why Employer Sponsored Life Insurance May Not Be Enough

Posted on by agentinsure

Life insurance has become a very popular benefit that many employers are offering their employees. While it is a nice benefit to have, it is a mistake to rely completely on the life insurance your employer is providing to you. Instead, it is very important to consider getting additional life insurance from another source. Continue reading to discover a few reasons why you may want to get more than what your employer offers as basic benefits.

  • If you leave the company, your life insurance is canceled. While having life insurance through your employer is a great benefit to have, if you ever leave the company, whether it is y choice or not, you lose the life insurance they purchased on your behalf. It does not come with you to your new position or after retirement.
  • You can only get the option the employer has chosen for you. By sticking with the plan your employer has for you (and we are not saying you should decline the insurance offered to you), you only get the option that they have chosen for you. You do not get to choose the life insurance plan that you want.
  • Your employer likely does not provide enough coverage. Many employers offer life insurance that is equal to one to two times the annual base salary. This may seem like a lot but it is recommended by experts that you have at least five to seven times your annual base salary.

If you are interested in getting more life insurance and exploring your options, be sure to contact FM Insurance serving Oklahoma City, OK. You can get a quote for additional life insurance that fits your budget as well as take a deeper look into the policy your employer has for you.