Arizona Insurance Agents

Insurance in the Arizona Desert

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Arizona Insurance AgentIf you live in the Arizona desert, you know you live in a unique location. I mean, really, how many times have you heard, yeah, but it’s a dry heat? No other place lights up the front yard cacti at Christmas time or fries eggs on the sidewalks, just because they can. ‘Chances are’ you will also find these things to be specific to living in the Arizona desert.

Here are some tips from an insurance agent’s perspective

  • Chances are, you have a pool. In the Phoenix metro area alone, 30% of single family homes have a back yard pool. Along with floaties and chlorine, you need to have adequate liability coverage.
  • Chances are, you drive through a construction area on your way to work. The starting, stopping, potholes and detours all take their toll on you and your car. Keep your air-conditioned car cool by knowing and providing sufficient protection for you and your family.
  • Chances are, you might have a boat, a jet ski, or a canoe. I know, weird that you move to a desert to buy watercraft, huh? Believe it or not, Arizona residents rank high on the list of boat ownership. We have a bunch of man-made lakes and year round boating, so why not? Just be sure that you protect your property as well as cousin Elmo, skiing behind you.
  • Chances are, you start your car to let it cool off, rather than warm up. You crack your windows, cover your dash, and put a towel over the steering wheel and ignition. The intense Arizona heat is hard on your auto and your body. Stay informed and protected.
  • Chances are, you have seen a scorpion, rattle snake, or gila monster. None of which are good for your health. Even if you have never seen Wiley Coyote or the Roadrunner, people in Arizona love the great outdoors. So when you are exploring that mine, hiking that canyon, or four-wheeling at Four Peaks, be sure you are always equipped with a first aid kit and training on snake bites, burns, and stings.
  • Chances are, you have driven beside a golf cart. Since the Valley of the Sun is the home to thousands of retirees, (Snow Birds) you may see golf carts driving on the road beside your pick up truck. Caution is required for these slow-paced vehicles.
  • Chances are, you have trouble getting a reservation for dinner in the winter in Arizona. This probably doesn’t have a thing to do with insurance, but I just thought I would throw this in.

In Arizona, we are proud of our landscape, our lifestyles, our homes, and our businesses. Protecting these things that are so important to us is essential. We know that its a dry heat, and that Santa wears a cowboy hat. We love our differences and protect them well. Chances are, your insurance agent is an important part of your life as well. Your insurance agent can discuss coverage to protect you and your family. Chances are, one day you will thank him or her!

How to Head-off Potential Claims on Your Homeowners insurance policy

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Now that you’ve purchased your homeowners insurance, it’s time to think about steps you can take to prevent, or lessen, future homeowners insurance claims.

Here are some tips that might help in keeping the homeowners insurance claims adjuster away:

  • Buy enough coverage: Find out what it would cost to rebuild your house in your area. Want to keep the same look to the house? Ask a builder for an estimate on the cost to rebuild. Don’t skimp on coverage, and forget about paying that little extra for that piece of mind for insuring your home and belongings.
  • Bring on the fire department: Ask your local fire station to come by your house and do a fire safety inspection- and include your kids when they come to your house. Spotting fire hazards and fixing them will certainly pay off in the long run.
  • Insure that Picasso: Okay, maybe you don’t have a Picasso hanging in your entryway, but you might have a few, so-called luxury items like jewelry and an heirloom desk sitting in the den. Make sure you have the ‘rider’ for coverage, if needed.
  • Water… water: Everywhere. If only you would’ve changed that leaky hose on the washing machine before you left on vacation. Do a survey of your in-house connections. Sprinkler system? Make sure the automatic timer is working correctly and not ‘hanging up’ for hours on that station by your basement window. 
  • Accidents waiting to happen: Walkways and steps invite all sorts of potential for liability claims from strangers or friends coming to your property. Make sure step rails and decking are in good repair. 
  • Wind and hail: It’s not uncommon, or rare, for a major onslaught of wind and hail to hit parts of Arizona. Heed warnings by battening down patio furniture, or screen doors…and even keep tree limbs trimmed back. 

It makes good sense to review your homeowners insurance coverage with your insurance agent at least once a year.

 

Home Insurance Hints to Keep Burglars Away

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Summer is approaching quickly in Arizona, which means the heat is coming on strong. For you, that means it is time for a short getaway, or maybe a lengthier vacation, for some time to cool off and refresh your body from the heat. As you’re getting ready to go, you are checking your to-do list before you head out. Clothes and shoes packed? Check. Toothbrush and toothpaste? Check. Sudoku puzzles and iPad charger? Check. Things are looking good, your bags are packed and you’re ready to go.

But, wait. Did you burglar-proof your home? The last thing you need to happen while you’re gone is to have someone break into your home and damage or steal your valuables, which would lead to a home insurance claim.

Let’s rewind back to that check list and let’s add some more steps to ensure that you don’t leave home with a huge sign on your house that reads “NO ONE HOME. BURGLARS WELCOME!”

What you want is to prevent any need to file a claim with your home insurance. To allow that, below are a few helpful tips for how to fool those burglars into thinking you are actually at home.

-Keep your mail and papers away

Call your local post office and your newspaper agency. Have both your mail and newspapers held while you are gone. Having a collection of papers on the lawn or mail spilling out of the mailbox are both obvious signs that someone might not be home. If you are unable to hold your mail and papers, an alternative would be to ask a trusted neighbor to come each day and gather your papers and mail until you get home.

-Turn your lights on and off

You might be wondering how this is possible if you are not at home. It’s actually pretty easy with some simple timers in place. Attach some timers to a few lamps around your house and set them to turn on and off intermittently throughout the day and evening. If a light is on, a burglar is less likely to come lurking nearby. At the same time, though, if a light is on non-stop, a burglar might get suspicious. Don’t forget to make sure they go off as well.

-Keep your grass clean-cut

Okay, IF you have grass, keep it trimmed. There are lawn-mowing services that you can call, or you can ask a neighborhood kid to mow your lawn and keep it neat while you are out of town. An unruly, overgrown lawn can be a tip off to burglars that your home is currently uninhabited.

-Keep your windows covered

Don’t leave any option for anyone to be able to peep inside your home. Close all drapes, shades, and blinds. It doesn’t matter how well-kept your front yard is, or if your lights are going on and off all night. If anyone can just walk up to your window and look inside, they’ll figure out pretty quickly whether or not anyone is home. Before you leave for your vacation, make sure all your windows are covered.

Why take any chances while you’re gone? You should be able to relax and feel confident that you took all precautions to keep your home and your valuables safe. Hold your newspaper, hold your mail, keep your lawn clean, set some timers, cover your windows, and enjoy your vacation.

For more information call your insurance agent and sit down for a policy review..

Insurance Tips: Don’t Let Wildfires Take You by Surprise!

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Anyone who knows the difference between a “Zonie” and an “Arizonan” can tell you what May brings: the beginning of wildfire season.  As the last traces of coolness head toward the mountains and beyond, homeowners in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa, Chandler  and Tucson and surrounding counties can look forward to the simple joys of burn notices, monsoons, and eventually, wildfires.

Last year, the Wallow Fire near Alpine burned more than 500,000 acres in Eastern Arizona, destroying homes and businesses, claiming the title of largest wildfire in Arizona history.  Arizona insurance adjusters were swamped with claims, and many home and business owners found out too late that they were underinsured.

Arizona Wild Fires

The reality of life in the desert is that sooner or later there are going to be fires.  According to the U.S. Seasonal Drought Outlook, drought conditions in Arizona are expected to persist or intensify through the end of July, 2012.

There are some tips to protect your home during drought seasons.  The Arizona Division of Emergency Management offers several tips to help homeowners protect their assets.

  • Housekeeping is your friend.  Old branches, dead leaves, overgrown or drying shrubbery, and clogged gutters are just a few of the hidden flash spots for wildfires.  By removing both organic and man-made debris to at least 30 feet from your home, you can create a defensible space around these structures.
  • Don’t skimp on storage.  Combustible or flammable materials need to be stored properly, in approved containers.  Also, remember to keep wooden structures like picnic tables and woodpiles a safe distance from your home.
  • Be aware of power lines.  It’s important to prune bushes around the house, removing dead leaves and branches.  But don’t forget any trees that may have branches hanging near power lines.  All it takes is one monsoon wind to turn that lovely tree into a fire trap.
  • Protect your most precious assets.  A house can be replaced.  But your family cannot be.  Always be aware of hazardous conditions, and make sure your family has a well-defined emergency procedure.  Identify more than one route to and from your home or neighborhood, and agree on a predetermined place to gather in times of disaster.

Homeowners can also use some of the following preventative measures to decrease their risk of suffering wildfire-related losses:

  • Replace roof with fire-resistant materials
  • Provide fire breaks to prevent the spread of fire
  • Provide fire roads to aid in firefighting
  • Install smoke detectors in your home
  • Teach each member of the family how to use a fire extinguisher
  • Regularly check fire extinguishers and smoke alarms to ensure they are in working order
  • Create a disaster supply kit  that includes the following items: a three-day supply of water (1 gallon per person), non-perishable food, a change of clothing, a medical kit that includes prescription medications, credit cards and important documents, personal hygiene products, extra eyeglasses, matches in a waterproof container, and a map of the area which includes important phone numbers.

Finally, ask a family member who lives outside of the area to act as your “family contact.” In times of disaster, this contact would be the go-to person to coordinate information, keep track of family members’ whereabouts, and maintain contact addresses and phone numbers.

Arizona is an amazing place to live, with abundant natural beauty.  While wildfires are to be expected, they don’t have to be devastating.  With preparation and common sense, you can protect your home and your assets from the dangers of summer.

We would also recommend that you take the time to sit down with your local insurance agent, and let him/her know your fears and get their expert opinion on any changes you should make to your home insurance policy.  If you don’t have a good relationship with your insurance agent, it’s time to find a new one!

The Lighter Side of Homeowner Insurance

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We saw this funny (fake, we hope) photo recently and tweeted about it. It cracked us up!Scottsdale Homeowners Insurance

You’d think it would be hard to find anything funny about life insurance, but it turns out that you can.

It’s like the old quote from the film Crimes and Misdemeanors (1989), “tragedy plus time equals comedy.” Whenever you talk about insurance that pays off only when someone dies, well, there’s a tragedy in that, so comedy just needs a little time to make it stick.

We were wondering if there’s any humor at all with homeowner insurance. It turns out that there’s plenty.

Indeed there’s a whole section on the humor site Funny or Die, devoted to homeowner stuff. There’s a bunch of great videos and more, not all of it appropriate for all audiences, but it’s worth taking a look at.

We looked around, however, and found that most of the homeowner stories out there aren’t funny at all. People don’t turn to the internet to post stories about how they had a problem and it resolved just fine. No, they go to the internet to complain.

And they do.

They often start with lines like this: “Surprisingly, my washing machine saga is NOT concluded today.”

The best way to avoid these kinds of not-funny stories is to make sure you have insurance that will really take care of you when something goes wrong. Sure, you could get some cheap insurance or inadequate insurance, but then when something goes wrong, all you’ll be able to do is go complain about it on the internet, and that won’t be funny (or fun) at all.

 

All We Want for Christmas Is…

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No matter what kind of business you’ve worked for, or what position you held, you have always dreamed of having the ideal client. Even if you are/were an employee for a major corporation and have never interacted with your prospects or customers, you are serving and working for those in your company. So, you can still imagine the perfect “client” in your head.

Well, with Christmas coming up, it seems appropriate that “the ideal client” should make it onto our Christmas list. The question is…what does our ideal client look/act like? Here’s our list (feel free to determine if you fit into this category):

Someone looking for their best policy – too many people looking for car insurance or home insurance merely seek out the cheapest prices. The clients we love best are the ones that want a perfect policy to meet their needs at the cheapest prices. Far too often we hear from individuals who chose their insurance based on the premium. When they had to submit a claim, they discovered that very little of their loss is covered by their cheap insurance.

We love helping people cover their needs, and they are nearly always astonished at the great rates we find them. But that’s one of the benefits of working with an insurance brokerage, we have all kinds of options and can shop for your insurance for you.

Someone who wants to understand their coverage – let’s face it, understanding your insurance policy is tricky. You might read your yearly statements and pretend you know what they say, but very few people do. There are all kinds of provisions, limits, and stipulations.

Naturally it’s not fun to try and figure all of it out. But do you really want to risk being surprised when it comes time to call the insurance company? The ideal client for us understands exactly what’s covered and can ask for additional coverage if they need it. Of course we’ll do our best to meet your needs. However, that’s a whole lot easier if you are part of that process.

Someone who bundles – you’ve seen the commercials about bundling your policies. And there’s a reason for it…when you bundle, you save. You see, insurance companies are benefiting more from your patronage so they’re more willing to split that money with you in the form of savings.

Someone who communicates – the last thing you want to deal with is calling your insurance company. Whether you have a crack in the windshield, or get into a major accident, that call to the insurance company might feel intimidating. But if you’ve stayed in communication with us (about your change of address, the small stuff that you need to keep an eye on, or your policy needs and renewals), it sure makes things easier down the road. Then, we’re up-to-date on all your details and can get you all the help you need.

Obviously, we love all of our clients, but if Santa were to drop a few of these ideal clients under the tree for us, we sure wouldn’t complain. If this describes you and you haven’t called one of our agents yet, be sure to do so soon! We’ll do our best to make your holidays bright.

How to Ditch Your Insurance Guy (or Gal)

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If you take a look at your friends and family members, chances are you’ll find an insurance agent among them. Or, if you don’t know someone directly, you probably chose your agent because they were a friend of a friend.

We believe in helping out friends and family, but the fact of the matter is, times are tough right now and no one can expect your loyalty where money is concerned. You’ve got to save every dime you’ve got. And if you can get a better insurance rate somewhere else, well, maybe it’s time to consider that option.

Our insurance agents hear it all the time. When our agents talk to others about insurance, they often hear the phrase, “I’m not getting that kind of rate.” This is not surprising. Most people shop the major insurance companies and choose from those. But there are dozens of companies. So let’s say, hypothetically, that you have an agent give you some quotes on insurance. What do you say to your current agent? We’ve got a few ideas:

1. The boring but effective approach – tell them the truth. You can get a better insurance rate somewhere else. When they ask where, tell them where. That should bring the discussion to a halt.

2. The evasive approach – change the subject. Naturally your insurance agent will want to know why you’re canceling your insurance policy. Simply say, “You know… hey, did you see the game on Monday night?” Just be sure that you quickly reiterate your desire to cancel your policy before the conversation ends. If you can just send an email canceling your policy, that’s even better.

3. The joking approach – make them laugh. Your agent won’t be laughing when you decide to switch companies. But if you crack a joke, your agent will laugh, breaking the ice. They have to. Even if it’s a bad joke, they’re still hoping to change your mind. So tell your joke, get that policy canceled, and move on.

4. The hyperbole approach – exaggerate the great deal you’re getting. When your insurance agent wants to know why you’re switching companies, tell them you’ve found someone who can save you millions. No one can blame you for saving that kind of money. Saving money is the one thing almost all of us understand.

5. The avoidance approach – sadly, it may be time to block calls from your insurance agent. Who wants to explain that you just plain found a better deal – and you had to take it? Just be careful before you head to a party that you won’t be running into that friend or family member who used to provide you with insurance.

One of the reasons we are so effective is because we really do provide you with great rates and great customer service. Sure, everyone says that, but they are usually blocked from offering the kind of rates and policies we can get you.

Do yourself a favor, call an agent and find out if it’s time for you to say goodbye to your current insurance guy (or gal).

What We’re Grateful For

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First of all, this blog post has little to do with insurance. With Thanksgiving coming up, we simply wanted to mention some of the things that we are grateful for.

If you get on Facebook, you’ve seen your friends and family mentioning something they’re grateful for every day. Well, we’re not going to write a post each day of this month. So we’ll just use this one opportunity to tell you the things we appreciate most:

The chance to work in the insurance industry. Insurance agents have not always enjoyed a positive reputation. And, we have to admit, some people have given insurance a bad name. That’s why we’re grateful to be working here. We get a chance to work closely with our clients and make sure they are getting the best policies for their situation. We help people. It’s rewarding. And that’s definitely something to be grateful for.

Our clients. Obviously, we wouldn’t enjoy our jobs so much if we didn’t get the chance to meet people like you. Working in a service industry, we have to expect cranky, and sometimes mean clients. However, we’ve been seriously lucky. We love the people we work with/for. Another reason for gratitude.

Our families. We receive a lot of comments about the “young kids” we’ve got working in this office. But most of us have families. Families who let us work late hours so we can be available to our clients when they get home from work at night. We love our spouses. We love our kids. And we’re really grateful for ‘em!

The great State of Arizona. Okay, so super hot weather in the summer is not our favorite thing. But during the winter months, Arizona can’t be beat. Plus, Arizona offers a diversity of individuals to work with. So while we enjoy the sun and fun, we get to work with all kinds of people.

Safe drivers. Maybe this is because we have families, and maybe it has something to do with caring for our clients, but we’re grateful for drivers who take the time to play it safe. We hear far too many horror stories of car accidents and lives that are lost when drivers make silly mistakes.

Our Veterans. No, we didn’t write a special post for Veteran’s Day, but that doesn’t mean we’ve forgotten about them. We are extremely grateful for a free land and the men and women that give their lives to keep us free.

This Thanksgiving, we hope you all find yourselves safe and surrounded by family, friends, and good food.

If We Had a Mascot, What Would It Be?

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My Son

Super Insurance Agent in Training

Apparently, when you’re a big time insurance company, it’s a requirement to have a mascot represent you. Geico has the Gecko. Progressive has Flo. Allstate has Mayhem, although maybe that’s an anti-mascot. Hmmm. We could list a whole bunch of others. But, well, we’d rather focus on ourselves.

Thanks to our wonderful clients, and of course our amazing employees, Arizona Capital Insurance (formerly OMNI Insurance) is making quite a name for ourselves in the great state of Arizona. That being the case, we debated and decided it might be time for us to have our own mascot.

However I have no idea what or who our mascot should be. That’s where you come in. Below you will find a list of things about Arizona Capital Insurance. Based on this information, we’re hoping you can help us come up with some good ideas.

Okay, here we go…

  • Arizona Capital Insurance is an Arizona-based insurance agency. Translation: cactus, road-runners, a burning sun, etc. may inspire you somehow.
  • We offer all kinds of insurance in AZ: home, auto, life, business, renters, watercraft, and recreational vehicle insurance.
  • The company has roots dating back to 1959.
  • We have amazing insurance agents who go well above and beyond the call of duty for their clients.
  • We use social media to stay connected with our clients because we have a vested interest in you, your needs, and your lives.
  • Our primary goal is to get you the very best policy available. We do the shopping for you so you don’t have to. But we are highly opposed to the idea of a mascot who shops – unless it’s shopping for great rates!
  • After getting some great rates for their clients, a few of our agents may have delusions of being superheroes. Important to know as a super-hero mascot may be a great fit.

If you need a few more ideas, then be sure to visit our website. Okay then, the word is out. You know a little bit more about us. So, we’re ready for the creative genius in you. Any ideas for a mascot? Be sure to include your ideas in the comments below and just maybe the winner will get an extra cool prize.

Yes, that is my kid in the picture above. I am just glad he had his undies on the right way! -James

Meet More of Our Staff

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Last week, we introduced you to some of our great employees at our Arizona insurance agency. Today, we’ve got another handful to introduce. And next week, you’ll meet even more.

Why? Well, not to brag, but our insurance agents have a reputation for being friendly, helpful, and sympathetic. So we think you deserve to meet the people behind the company.

So, meet:

Christian

Christian originally planned to be a firefighter. However, after September 11, 2001, the competition to become a firefighter skyrocketed. Anxious about his future, Christian talked to a few of his own friends who were pursuing careers as insurance agents. He’s been an agent for 9 years now.

Here’s what Christian said about working as an insurance agent:

Many people think insurance agents are a dime a dozen and there isn’t any difference from an agent with State Farm, Farmers, Allstate, or any other independent local mom and pop shop on the corner. This is why I love working as an insurance agent. This agency is 180 degrees different from those other insurance agencies.

Christian is passionate about protecting his client’s assets. He knows you can call an 800 # and get coverage from a Lizard, Cave Man, or talking cartoon, but he takes the time to educate his clients and help them understand why they should carry the coverage he suggests. He wants to be the agent looking out for their best interest.

Christian enjoys outdoor activities, traveling, and studying the stock market.

Karen

Karen is an Account Manager who has been with our insurance agency for just under a year, but she has been in the insurance industry for 12 years. She started out in the billing department at an independent insurance agency in Indiana.

Karen’s favorite thing about her job is: talking to a variety of people every day and using her customer service skills and insurance knowledge to help her clients. About working in the insurance agency, Karen said she loves the integrity and honesty of the company and everyone in it. It’s nice knowing I am working for some of the ‘good guys,’ she said.

When she’s not working, Karen can be found riding on the back of her husband’s motorcycle, working on their house, hanging out with friends, and patiently waiting for football season to start. Go Bears!

Karen first met her husband while jumping on a trampoline when they were 18 and 12. It wasn’t until 11 years later that they met again and started dating. Chocolate and sugary treats are her weakness, and she describes herself as loyal, friendly, energetic, patient, and bold.

Ready to work with a new insurance agent? Then check out Independant Insurance Agency and work with people you’ll want to work with!