Top 3 Reasons to Choose Safeco Insurance

Big savings

• Save up to 15% on your premium when you choose both home and auto policies with a Safeco package
• Companion discounts when you include a motorcycle, watercraft or personal umbrella policy
• You get a Single Loss Deductible, meaning if you experience a significant loss (like a fire or storm) that impacts your home and auto or motorcycle or watercraft, Safeco may waive all deductibles after the home policy deductible is paid

Convenience

• Your choice of a six month or annual auto policy
• Combined billing statements giving you a single bill for all your policies
• You may align renewal dates and receive policies in the same envelope affording you simplicity and less paperwork

Comprehensive protection, flexible options

• Choose from multiple coverage options for both your home and auto policies
• 24/7 claims service is fast, fair and hassle-free.  Simply call 1-800-332-3226 and Safeco will do the rest
• Strengthen your coverage with optional enhancements, like equipment breakdown insurance for your home and roadside assistance for your automobile

If you would like to learn more, please call Shelly at Ben Goodwyn Agency 972.618.0100  shelly@bengoodwynagency.com

 

Motorcycle Insurance Policies

According to the Motorcycle Industry Council, motorcycle sales for the major brands increased 7.2% in the first quarter of 2011, and motorcycle usage is growing nearly 5% per year.  The National Transportation Safety Board states that while motorcycles make up only 3% of all registered vehicles, they account for 13% of all vehicle fatalities.

A customer wishing to insure a motorcycle has two options: add it to an existing auto policy by endorsement, or purchase a separate motorcycle policy.  A separate motorcycle policy can ensure that customized accessories are insured to full value. Another way to customize a motorcycle policy is to include "seasonal" coverage for those who only use their bikes during warm months.

Driving history, credit score, location and age can affect insurability, as well as the cost of the policy. Policy holders can often receive discounts by completing a motorcycle safety course, wearing a helmet and joining a motorcycle organization.

Have fun riding, but make sure you have adequate coverage in the event of an accident.

Call Shelly at Ben Goodwyn Agency 972.618.0100 for more information.

Safeco's Safety Rewards for Auto Insurance

New Safeco Safety Rewards™ program makes it easy to receive discounts

Starting in July, Safeco Safety Rewards will allow you to highlight discounts that reward customers for safe driving habits and behaviors.

Recognizing customers with discounts improves loyalty and you told us that customers appreciate it when you offer clear, understandable discounts. That’s why we’re excited to announce Safeco Safety Rewards. This new program is part of our focus on improving the Safeco experience for you and your customers. By recognizing safe drivers with discounts – and making these discounts more visible – we make it easier for you to sell Safeco.

For the first phase of this new program, Safeco will bundle existing auto discounts under Safeco Safety Rewards and spotlight the value of these discounts. Later this year, Safeco will roll out new auto discounts, so stay tuned for more details!

Here’s a quick view of the existing auto discounts that are bundled in the Safety Rewards program.

Safeco Safety Rewards

• Diminishing Deductible
• Accident Forgiveness
• Teen Safety Rewards™  - Good Student Discount

Contact Shelly at Ben Goodwyn Agency 972.618.0100  shelly@bengoodwynagency.com for your insurance needs

Don't let a home loss be a more a pain than it needs to be

A standard homeowner's policy covers personal property, but only on an actual cash value (ACV) basis i.e., depreciated and only for the named perils of the policy. Two coverages available can provide additional protection and make it easier to recover from a loss. Besides adding key enhancements, they add great value, costing just an additional small percentage to the premium.

Personal property replacement cost coverage provides replacement of a lost or damaged item with an identical item (or comparable) with no deduction for depreciation. Because electronics and other items can depreciate quickly, this coverage can greatly benefit customers needing to purchase replacements. Should you lose an older television you would only be compensated for ACV which would be only a fraction of the cost of a new device (due to depreciation). With the replacement cost endorsement you would be better protected and returned to a pre-loss condition more quickly.

Special personal property coverage means all personal property losses are covered (unless specifically excluded). For example, a diamond bracelet is missing. Under a standard home policy, this would not be covered unless it is actually the result of a theft. With special personal property, mysterious disappearance is not excluded and as such the loss would be covered.

Contact Shelly at Ben Goodwyn Agency  972.618.0100  shelly@bengoodwynagency.com

Home Based Business Insurance Considerations

While the economy continues to struggle, more families are looking for ways to supplement their incomes. Some start home based businesses selling everything from cosmetics to energy drinks to vitamin supplements without thinking about the insurance implications.

The term "business" is specifically defined in the Insurance Services Office (ISO) Homeowners Form and includes "any trade, profession or occupation engaged in on a full-time, part-time or occasional basis".  It also includes any other activity engaged in for money or other compensation. There is an exception for activities for which no insured received more than $2,000 in total compensation during the 12 months prior to the policy inception.

The property section limits coverage to $2,500 for property used for "business" purposes. This includes inventory and samples stored at the residence and any other equipment used to support the business.

The personal liability section excludes ALL business activities (except the occasional rental of all or part of an insured location as a residence or part of an insured location for use as an office, school, studio or private garage). There is also coverage for someone under 21 self-employed in a part-time business. Samples of this could include babysitting or mowing lawns for family members (if they have no employees).

There are endorsements that will address the exposure.  Business property can be increased by endorsement. A more comprehensive solution is the Home Business Coverage Endorsement or similar stand alone product. These forms address not only the property and liability exposure, but also add coverage for loss of business income.

Call Shelly at Ben Goodwyn Agency for more information 972.618.0100  shelly@bengoodwynagency.com

Protect your dog from heat stroke

With another 7 day forecast of 100+ degree weather it is important to remember that dogs do not tolerate high temperatures as well as humans. They depend upon rapid breathing to exchange warm air for cool air. When the air temperature is close to body temperature, rapid breathing is not an efficient process. Heat stroke is an emergency that requires immediate recognition and prompt treatment.

Common situations that lead to overheating or heat stroke in dogs are:

1. Being left in a car in hot weather (especially with the windows closed).

2. Being confined on concrete runs; or chained without shade in hot weather.

3. Being a short-nosed breed, especially a Bulldog or Pug.

4. Being muzzled while put under a dryer (this can happen in a grooming parlor).

5. Suffering from airway disease or any condition that impairs breathing.

Heat stroke begins with rapid, frantic, noisy breathing. The tongue and mucus membranes are bright red, the saliva is thick and tenacious and the dog frequently vomits. The dogs' rectal temperature is high, sometimes over 106 degrees F.

If the condition is allowed to go unchecked, the dog becomes unsteady and staggers, has diarrhea that often is bloody and becomes progressively weaker. Coma and death may follow.

Treatment: Emergency measures must begin at once. Mild cases respond to moving the dog to a cooler surrounding, such as an air-conditioned building or car. If the dog's temperature is over 104 degrees F, or if unsteady on its feet, the dog should be cooled by immersion in a tub of cool water. If this is impossible, hose your dog down with a garden hose. For a temperature over 106 degrees F, or if the dog is near collapse, give a cold water enema. A more rapid temperature drop is imperative. Cool to a rectal temperature of 103 degrees F.

Heat stroke can be associated with swelling of the throat. This aggravates the problem. A cortisone injection by your veterinarian may be required to treat this.

Prevention:

1. Do not expose dogs with airway disease or impaired breathing to prolonged heat.

2. Restrict exercise during the heat of the day in summer.

3. Breed dogs in air-conditioned quarters.

4. Crate a dog only in an open wire cage.

5. Provide shade and cool water to dogs living in outdoor runs.

To most people, their dogs are like family.  Remember to treat them like family.  Shelly, Ben Goodwyn Agency 972.618.0100

Will you get full value if your home incurs a total loss?

We've all seen the news accounts of tornadoes devastating homes in even large cities.  Did you realize that when a total loss occurs, your homeowners coverage is designed to reconstruct your home under NORMAL conditions.  However, after a catastrophe, there is increased demand for building materials and labor and that can cause costs to rise significantly.

You can elect to get extended dwelling coverage at either 25% or 50% of your dwelling limit.  For example, if your home was insured for $100,000. Without extended dwelling coverage, you could incur significant out-of-pocket expenses or have to choose to reduce your rebuilding plans.  If you elected the 25% limit, coverage would increase to $125,000.

To see if you are properly insured for catastrophe, please call Shelly @ Ben Goodwyn Agency 972.618.0100  shelly@bengoodwynagency.com

Tips for Removing your RV or Boat from Storage

Get off to a good summer! Before you even leave the storage facility, review these tips:

• Remove covers from unit (and/or tires) and inspect entire unit (and all tires) for any damage. Get a detailed inspection for your boat to a qualified marina.
• Properly inflate tires prior to use.
• Check fluid levels and look for leaks.
• Check under the hood for any animals or birds that may have nested before starting the vehicle.
• Check all batteries and cables. Replace batteries in smoke detectors.
• Test headlights and brake lights.
• Be sure to replace boat plugs before putting in water.
• Ensure state certifies (registration) are current.
• Review your owners manual, or take the vehicle to a dealership or service location.

Visit Ben Goodwyn Agency @ bengoodwynagency.com or call 972.618.0100 for more information.  Ask for Shelly!

Boat Insurance

Protect your boat and its passengers. Leave your worries on the shore!

A boat owner's insurance policy can insure you against most risks of owning and operating your boat, its motor and its trailer.

These risks may include:

• Sinking
• Fire
• Storms
• Theft
• Capsizing
• Stranding
• Collision
• Explosion

The property covered under boat insurance includes equipment permanently attached to the boat as well as:

• Anchors
• Oars
• Electric trolling motors
• Extra fuel tanks
• Tools
• Detachable canopies
• Seat cushions
• Life preservers
• Skis and their tow ropes
• Dinghies.

It can also protect you against liability lawsuits, should you injure someone with your boat or damage their property.

Boat Liability Insurance coverage includes:

Boat liability coverage provides protection for legal liability because of an accident resulting from the ownership, maintenance, or use of your watercraft, including bodily injury, property damage and legal defense.

Boat medical payments coverage pays medical expenses up to the limits in the policy for you, your resident relatives and other occupants of the boat injured by an accident arising out of the ownership, maintenance, or use of the watercraft.

Additional boat insurance coverages include those for:

Newly acquired watercraft covers your newly acquired watercraft for damage caused by an insured loss.

Reasonable repairs covers repairs incurred to protect covered property from further damage.

Emergency service pays up to $500 for reasonable costs that you incur resulting from specified emergency service to your boat, motor or boat trailer.

Wreck removal pays the reasonable expenses you incur for any attempted or actual raising, removal or destruction of the wreck of your boat when damage is caused by an insured loss and removal or destruction is required by law.

Make sure to ask your independent insurance agent these questions:

• Are my trailer and boating supplies covered?
• Do I get discounts for completing boating safety courses? Which ones?
• Am I covered for both inland and ocean boating?
• Are there any unique exclusions or exceptions in my state/area?
• Are younger operators covered?
• Will I receive the actual cash value or replacement cost if my boat is totaled?
• What payment options are available?