Understanding Flood Insurance

Oklahoma City, OK residents who need flood insurance but don’t know where to begin should reach out to one of the skilled professionals at Freeland Insurance. We’ll help walk you through the process of understanding flood insurance, including the following: 

Contents Coverage and Property Coverage are Different
It’s important to note that the insurance coverage for any building that you own and the insurance coverage for any property inside of that building is different. You’ll need coverage to cover both your individual property and the building, appliances, carpeting, and more. This also means that it’s possible for renters to carry flood insurance, it just needs to be contents coverage. An insurance agent can help you sort out the differences, so that you know for sure that the specific items you’re most concerned about are covered by the insurance policy that you purchase. 

Many Providers Have a Thirty Day Waiting Period
Many providers that offer flood insurance have a waiting period of up to thirty days for coverage. This means that you’ll need to be covered well before any type of flood, storm, or other natural disaster. If you live in an area where flooding is common, be sure to purchase your coverage in a timely fashion so that you’re thoroughly covered when a flood occurs and you need it most. 

Homeowners’ Policies Typically Exclude Floods
Many basic homeowners’ policies do not include flooding damage. If you live in an area that’s prone to flooding, storms, or hurricanes, it’s important that you purchase this extra insurance before you need it, so that you’re covered in the event of a natural disaster. Otherwise you could be responsible for a larger bill than you can easily manage. 

Don’t be left without flood insurance when you need it most. Contact a friendly professional at Freeland Insurance to learn more about the precise coverage you need. We service the Oklahoma City, OK area and are happy to schedule an initial appointment with you at your earliest convenience. 

The Benefits of Private Health Insurance

Choosing whether to rely wholly on the public health insurance system or take out a personal health insurance policy is not a straightforward process. However, the premiums that come with private health insurance will bring you these valuable benefits:

Access to a Private Room

In a public hospital, you will most likely be placed in a room with four to eight other patients with varying conditions. With private insurance from Freeland Insurance, you can request a private room, which, if available, will allow you to ail in private. A private ward can also let your partner stay with you in case you’re expecting a child.

Excellent Dental Care

Dental procedures are generally not covered by Medicare; not even basic treatments like clean and scale. You will, therefore, have to choose between an expensive private dentist’s office or state-run dentists’ offices with long waiting lists. On the other hand, a private health cover will cater to part or all of the cost of dental treatments, from check-ups to major procedures like root canals.

Shorter Waiting Times

If you require a surgery that is essential but not life-threatening, for instance, a hip replacement, you will not have to wait long to have it done. Most public facilities in Oklahoma City, OK have long waitlists as the specialists are often overwhelmed. With private insurance, you can obtain services in a less-busy private facility of your choosing.

You Can Choose Your Doctor

In the public system, the doctor or surgeon that attends to you is the one on call. However, if you have seen the same specialist for a while and would like to see them, you can see them in a private healthcare facility.

Freeland Insurance offers private healthcare insurance for clients in Oklahoma City, OK. Visit their website today for more information.

What types of life insurance are available for me?

Those that live in and around the city of Oklahoma City, OK need to make sure that they have proper insurance coverage. One form of insurance coverage to take seriously is life insurance. There are a variety of different options to consider when you are looking for a new policy. 

Term Life

A very popular life insurance option that a lot of people choose is term life insurance. When you get this form of insurance, you are able to build an insurance policy that is right for you and your situation. This will include the amount of coverage that you need and for how long you need it. In many cases, the premiums for a term life policy can be more affordable than those with other forms of life insurance.

Whole Life

Another option that you have is whole life insurance. As opposed to having coverage for only a specific period of time, you can get a whole life insurance policy that will remain in effect for the rest of your life. When you get this type of insurance, you can also use it as a conservative investment option. When you make a payment, a portion of the payment will build and accrue in an account that you can liquidate or post as collateral in the future.

There are clearly many options available when you are looking for life insurance. Due to this, it is important that you fully understand all of your options. When you are looking for this type of insurance coverage, you should speak with the team at Freeland Insurance. The insurance team at Freeland Insurance can help anyone in the Oklahoma City, OK area better understand their options and build a policy that is ideal for their situation.

Do You Need Commercial Insurance Before Starting a Business?

Are you planning to start your own business? There definitely are many things you’ll have to do to be prepared so you don’t run into any trouble. You should think about commercial insurance and get help from a reputable agency such as Freeland Insurance of Oklahoma City, OK.
General Liability Insurance
This is the basic insurance that most businesses should have. It protects a business from claims arising due to property damage, advertising and personal injury, as well as bodily injury. It can be used for lawsuits, coverage if there’s been damage to others’ property, and if customers become injured.
Workers’ Compensation Insurance

If you have 5 or more employees who are not related by blood, your business will need to carry workers’ compensation insurance. This will cover any injuries that happen on the job and provide the cost of medical care, lost wages, and more. It also can be used in the instance that a worker’s family decides to sue your company and will cover legal costs.
Other categories that fall under crucial business insurance include the following:

  • Commercial auto insurance (if you use a vehicle(s) primarily for business purposes, will have employees driving them, etc.)
  • Commercial property insurance (covers not only your place of business but any property used in business activities such as tools, machinery, furniture, etc.)
  • Commercial flood insurance (this is ideal if you’re located in an area that’s at risk for flooding)
  • Business insurance packages are great if you would benefit from having a bundled group of basic policies

The information out there on commercial insurance be a lot to process. Make it easier by contacting Freeland Insurance, which serves the Oklahoma City, OK area. You’ll be pleased when you see the results. 

I Already Have Home Owner’s Insurance. Should I Shop Around?

When you purchase a home the mortgage usually has a number of other expenses packaged into it. Typically this includes your property tax as well as insurance. While you can’t change your mortgage unless you attempt to refinance and your tax rate won’t change unless the value of your property changes, you can adjust your home owner’s insurance. Home owner’s insurance is not one size fits all, and often times this is something you might rush into when initially buying the house. However, you aren’t forced to maintain the same insurance if you don’t want to. In fact, you may want to shop around. If you live around Oklahoma City, OK and want to know more, our staff at Freeland Insurance is here to help. 

Should You Shop Around When You Already Have Home Owner’s Insurance

It never hurts to look around. Additionally, as you have grown with your home and your family makeup has changed you may find there are other insurance coverage options you should consider. When you want to adjust your home insurance there’s never a better time than to begin shopping around and looking for other options that might be a better fit. 

Find The Right Home Owner’s Insurance 

You may not be completely satisfied with your home owner’s insurance, or perhaps you’re interested in finding out what else is out there. Whatever the reasoning might be, it is a good idea to consider the homeowner’s insurance from other providers. Our staff here at Freeland Insurance is here to assist you with all of that. So, if you want to know more about the home owner’s insurance options and which might fit your personal needs, we are here to help you when you call greater Oklahoma City, OK home. We’re just a phone call away. 

Do I need to carry comprehensive and collision auto insurance

Oklahoma like most other states only mandates that drivers carry liability insurance. They require $25,000 in bodily injury coverage per person and $50,000 per accident and $25,000 in property damage. If you have a car loan, your lender will require that you carry additional insurance which protects their investment. If you live in or near Oklahoma City, OK Freeland Insurance has years of experience in auto insurance and is here to help you choose the best insurance for you. 

The answer to the question do I need to carry comprehensive and collision insurance is simply no, you don’t. Before you decide to drop your coverage you need to ask yourself a few questions. 

Do I count on my car to get to work?

Do I have the money to repair or replace my car if I needed to do it out of pocket?

What is the value of my car?

Your answer to these three questions will determine whether or not you should carry collision and comprehensive insurance. Most people count on a car just for the normal activities of daily life. If you have access to public transportation or don’t really need your vehicle then you probably don’t need anything beyond the required liability insurance. 

If a repair of perhaps thousands of dollars or a complete replacement in the case of theft or a vehicle totally destroyed would not be a hardship for you then you probably don’t need comprehensive and collision coverage. 

If your car is only worth a couple of hundred dollars then no, you don’t need collision and comprehensive coverage. However, if it is worth thousands of dollars, it is probably a good idea. 

Talking to the experienced team at Freeland Insurance in Oklahoma City, OK can set your mind at rest and guarantee that you have the coverage that is right for you. Stop by the office or give them a call for a no-obligation quote. 

What is Financial Services Insurance?

Financial services insurance is designed to meet the unique needs of financial institutions and other businesses in the financial services sector. At Freeland Insurance, in Oklahoma City, OK, we offer financial services insurance for many businesses and institutions.

Who Needs Financial Services Insurance?

Businesses that have an impact on the client’s financial future will need financial services insurance. These include financial advisors, stockbrokers, investment advisors, and debt counselors. Those involved in bookkeeping or accounting and insurance agents may also need financial services insurance.  

What is Covered Under Financial Services Insurance?

Financial insurance coverage will vary based on your specific industry and associated risks. It is normally customized to meet your needs. Professional liability is one common type of insurance for financial services. A mistake for a financial services business can be very costly, and lawsuits add to the cost of damages. Professional liability protects against lawsuits due to accusations of misrepresentation, negligence, and fraud. 

Cyber liability insurance is often recommended as well. Financial services businesses often handle sensitive information, making them a target for hackers. Cyber liability can protect your business in the event of a data breach from hackers, employee error, and malicious software. 

Management liability insurance can include many subtypes. Directors, officers, and liability coverage. These policies protect businesses and management from claims resulting from the day to day operations of the business.  Fiduciary coverage provides liability protection from employment claims related to company benefit plans. Employment practices liability coverage protects companies from costs related to employee-related disputes including sexual harassment and wrongful termination claims. 

Business insurance, including financial services insurance, is a complex subject that requires an understanding of the business and the risks involved. Freeland Insurance agents in Oklahoma City, OK are happy to help you select the right coverage for your financial services business. 

How Does Umbrella Insurance Work With Other Insurance?

Businesses of all sizes face many risks that they need to mitigate as a survival strategy. America is one of the most litigious countries in the world. If you own a business, you are going to deal with lawsuits regularly. Virtually every business in America is involved in some form of litigation every year.

Small Businesses are More Vulnerable

For smaller businesses, this risk is so great that one major calamity may wipe them out. The challenging part of making sure the business and its owner have adequate insurance protection is determining what the potential risks are, to reduce or eliminate them.

Some risks are unknown and the amount of any potential claim is also unknown. One strategy to avoid risk is to carry plenty of insurance in all categories and have very high policy limits for claims. However, this is not a recommended strategy. There is a better way to achieve the same thing.

The Effectiveness of Umbrella Insurance

Umbrella insurance does two things, which are: 1) it extends the policy limits of underlying policies, and; 2) it covers some risks that do not have coverage by other insurance.

For example, a business may have general liability insurance, product liability insurance, and commercial vehicle insurance. It is more cost-effective to have an umbrella insurance policy that covers claims from all of those types of insurance that are higher amounts than the individual policy limits. Think of umbrella insurance as a backup of those other policies.

Moreover, umbrella insurance is customizable to fit the particular needs of a business. It can cover claims for defamation, cyber-security risk, harassment, and discrimination in the workplace. Work with your agent at Freeland Insurance, serving Oklahoma City, OK and the surrounding area, to get a complimentary and comprehensive commercial insurance review, along with recommendations for umbrella insurance.

Summary

Having adequate insurance coverage for the business is not something to put off because a sudden change of events can occur at any time. To get an insurance review and a quote, contact your agent at Freeland Insurance in Oklahoma City, OK.

Cleaning up after a Flood

One day, the flood happens. The storm you hoped never hit occurs. The winds remain high for hours. Rain falls in torrents. The storm rages so fiercely the rain slants sideways as it pours down. You moved everything of value to your upper floors before evacuating before it got worse. As you watch the newscast, you wonder what your home looks like and how you will ever clean it up. You have flood insurance, but you know the policy is not going to clean the house for you before you return.

Freeland Insurance of Oklahoma City, OK wants you to understand your flood insurance policy. You can get everything started before you return home.

Your first step is to contact the insurance company. Start your insurance claim over the phone. We can visit the property with you to survey the damage while you still remain in your hotel. In fact, you may have a policy that pays for your hotel and living expenses.

Your flood insurance will pay for the home’s contents, its structural damage or both, depending on which policy you chose. Renters typically choose the contents only option.

Insurance typically covers the cleanup work. You will need a professional team to conduct this cleanup. They will bring high-speed fans into the home to dry it. They will also treat all surfaces and the HVAC for mold and mildew damage.

These cleaners will also examine the wallboard to determine the level of damage to it. You may need to have the wallboard removed and replaced. While the wall remains open, the cleaning crew will examine the 2” by 4’ framing to ensure it has not sustained water damage and that it does not have mold or mildew damage. If it does, they will also sanitize and clean it for mold and mildew.

These cleaning processes can take place while you stay in a hotel. You will return to a pristine, restored home that protects your health. Contact Freeland Insurance of Oklahoma City, OK for help getting the flood insurance coverage you need or to learn how to make the best use of your existing policy.

Does my health insurance cover me in a foreign country?

Who doesn’t love to travel? Planning a vacation that takes you outside of the United States is a dream come true. With packing and booking, there are lots of things to think about. One thing that may have caused you some concern is whether or not your health insurance will cover you when you travel outside the country. It is a legitimate concern especially if you have any health issues and even if you are young and healthy, accidents do happen and it is important for your peace of mind to know whether you can count on your health insurance to cover you. At Freeland Insurance in Oklahoma City, OK we are here to answer your health insurance questions. 

The simple answer to this question is probably not. If you are on Medicare the answer is definitely not. In the case where your health insurance might include some coverage, you would need to pay for whatever services that you receive upfront and then submit the bill to the insurance carrier when you return. Think about what this could mean. You might have to place thousands of dollars on a credit card. Cases have been recorded where travelers were not allowed to leave the country they were visiting until the medical bills have been paid. A pretty scary thought. 

If you are going to travel outside of the United States even if it is to Mexico, Canada or Bermuda, it is important that you make sure that in the event that you get hurt or sick that you have medical coverage. Travel health insurance policies are available and are relatively inexpensive. Considering all the headaches they can save you from if you do get sick when you are in a foreign country, they are worth every penny. 

At Freeland Insurance in Oklahoma City, OK  we can tell you what coverage you have on your health insurance and make suggestions for what coverage you need. Give us a call or stop by, we will be happy to help make sure you are protected.