Arizona Insurance

Protect Yourself Fully with the Right Auto Insurance Coverage

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The law in Arizona requires every automobile on the road to have auto insurance. Regardless, many drivers do not give their policy much thought, opting to carry the minimum coverage that the law allows. That is why it is essential for you to have sufficient coverage to protect yourself from drivers who may be under or uninsured.

The Risks Cannot be Ignored

You may be a conscientious and safe driver, but there are many drivers that are not. They are distracted, impaired, or not paying attention. An accident can happen to anyone, no matter how careful they are. The good news is that due to increased safety measures, traffic accidents in Arizona have decreased measurably in recent years. According to the Arizona Memory Project, there were 103,176 motor vehicle crashes in 2012, down from 120,557 crashes in 2008. This is a good trend, but there are still 282.7 crashes reported in Arizona every day (data provided by car accident attorney in Mesa AZ).

The Problem with Inadequate Auto Insurance Policies

Auto insurance can cover much more than just your car and other cars that may be involved in an accident. A high-quality policy also covers personal assets and property. Many seem to think that being involved in an accident is a chance to get rich. They will file frivolous lawsuits and outrageous insurance claims for personal injuries and property damages.

This can result in a judgment costing hundreds of thousands of dollars more than the coverage of the basic policy, leaving the guilty party to pay for the remainder. If this happens to you, the courts can force the sale of your home and other assets, as well as garnish your wages until the amount is paid in full.

Why You Need a Good Insurance Policy

You may have an antique or another high-value car, as well as your personal property inside the car. If you are involved in an accident with someone, and it is entirely their fault, their insurance company must pay up to the maximum amount of the policy.

The minimum auto insurance coverage required by the state of Arizona is $15,000 per person, $30,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $10,000 per accident for property damage. Since many people only carry the minimum required coverage, if your damages exceed this amount you will need to file a lawsuit to receive compensation. This will take considerable time and effort on your part, and you may still never receive any money.

You Can be Fully Protected

With the help of a reputable insurance agent and a premier insurance provider, you can be assured of coverage that is adequate to protect yourself, your family, and your assets in the event of an accident. High-quality auto insurance gives you peace of mind so you can own and drive a great car without having to worry.

To protect yourself against a potentially catastrophic financial loss in the event of an auto accident, you need to talk to the reputable and respected insurance agent, David Hansen. David has been serving the insurance needs of Phoenix, Glendale, Scottsdale, Tempe, Gilbert, Chandler, Goodyear, and Mesa, Arizona. David works with each client to help determine the right policy and coverage for meeting their needs.

Knowing what coverages are right for you is critical. Sitting down with your insurance agent and going through the appropriate coverages for your specific situation is key.

Get Insurance Against Fires This Winter

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AZ Insurance Tips Winter

It’s finally cold in Arizona, and this means you are bundled up for days indoors. Sure, it might not get as cold here in Arizona as it does in, say, the Dakotas, but that doesn’t mean that it won’t get chilly. And with that winter chill, some people might want to build a fire in their fireplace, or have a bonfire one evening. That’s why winter is the perfect time to check for fire hazards around your home and to fix them before they become a real problem.

So, what are some of the most common sources of fires around a home? If you’re checking for problems around your own property, you should look for:

  • Dead or dried-up vegetation close to your home. This is a true warning sign, as any old plants or dried up wood can very easily turn into a roaring blaze.
  • Leaves and sticks clogging your gutters. Old leaves, small twigs, and other debris can fall off trees or get kicked up to your roof by the wind. If they fill your gutters and dry out, they’re basically a tinderbox sitting right against your rafters.
  • Old, cracked, or leaking tanks and pipes. If you have gas utilities or even just a propane grill, be mindful that old tanks and pipes can give off gas fumes, creating a potential fire or explosion hazard.

If you find any of these risks around your own home, the first step is to remove the problem sensibly. For instance, many homeowners choose to dispose of leaves and old vegetation by – ironically – burning it. If you do this without looking for other risks first, flying embers and sparks could easily reach your home and create just the problem you were trying to avoid.

So, make sure you dispose of leaves and dried vegetation carefully, either by preferably composting or putting it in the trash, or – if you must burn – by a well-monitored and controlled fire. The best way to do this is to choose a remote, distant location from your home with no large vegetation nearby. If you can, dig a fire pit or a ring around the fire, or place a ring of large stones around the outside.

Also, make sure to check gas lines and old tanks for leaks and cracks. If you do find some, the safest thing to do is to call a professional and let them help you patch the leak. There are also many places where you can exchange old, obsolete propane cylinders for new ones full of fuel for only a small amount more than the propane costs.

Remember, stay safe this winter, and make sure to protect your home from fire. And if you’re curious about other ways to keep yourself and your home safe, check out our insurance website for helpful tips, ideas, and advice.

Insurance Agents Always Have Your Back

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We all like to think of life as void of mishaps. No one ever breaks a leg rock climbing to impress a girl, careens their Yukon off the desert highway because a bee flies into the vehicle, or drives their golf cart into the pool because… well, you use your imagination. At least this is our dream that gets us through the darkest hours of the night.

Arizona Insurance agents protect for car accidents.When dawn and reason return, we can all admit that some sort of “accident” is likely to befall us at some point in our lifetimes. When these hiccups appear on your radar, make sure you have one of the finest in your back pocket. No, I am not referencing an officer of the law here, although you might meet one depending on your type of misfortune. I am referring to one of the many dependable insurance agents awaiting your call.

Arizona is one of the most gorgeous places to call home, but it also offers a series of contrasts that can make life tricky. Where else can you have a 104 degree day followed by a 60 degree night, or some of the nation’s plushest golf courses abutting the most unforgiving desert? As a citizen of Arizona, you need to be aware of these distinctions and plan ahead for them. I am talking prevention here, the enemy of pitfall.

So, what exactly do you need to do to safeguard life, limb, and property in our unforgiving climate? You can divide these needs into two categories- people you love and stuff you love. First, think about the most important things in your life- the people. No one wants to talk about life insurance because death is icky. I get creeped out too, but buying life insurance just in case is not going to kill you. Plus, this is about your family, not you. You’ll be dead, so what will you care? Your loved ones are still going to have all the desires and necessities they do now, so take care of it. Life Happens is a nonprofit organization that provides a very non-threatening introduction to life insurance, such as why you need it and how much you need. Peruse this site and then contact your agent.

When you have conquered your own mortality and lived to tell of it, then you need to turn your attention to protecting the stuff. The major players here are of course your house and automobiles. Again, Arizona is unique in that we boast a large number of residents who may not reside here all year. If you are one of these individuals, be sure to appropriately prepare the home for your absence. Everything from taking your most valuable items to a bank’s safety deposit box, to turning off the water main, to hiring a landscaping crew to care for your yard, must be done before you leave. Even if you are not leaving during the summer or flying north, you must give the article “How to ‘Summarize’ your Arizona Home Before Flying North” a look. It has some very helpful hints, whether you are novice or veteran at the migration.

The rest of you need to make sure that your house and its contents are adequately covered. Spend time taking stock of what you have and communicate that earnestly to your agent. Agents are experts, so allow them to help you set the guidelines. Don’t forget to mention things like the number of bedrooms, building materials used, or whether you have a pool. Be thorough so your agent can provide you with the full coverage you need. The same goes for your cars. Auto policies can seem complicated on the surface, but the insurance agent can translate for you. In case you zoned out, the key to finding the appropriate home and auto insurance here is open communication with your agent.

So you won’t break a leg, drive your car off the road, or sink a golf cart. But if you do, you’d better have a dang good insurance agent.

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!