Are Auto Insurance Rates Based on the Value of the Car Only?

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Having the right coverage on your car is a necessity that you should take very seriously. Having the right coverage can be difficult, however, if you are not aware of what type of coverage you need or what level of coverage you need. For those in the Hershey, PA area, the agents with Options Insurance Agency can help you find the coverage that works for you. 

There are a few different factors that determine the overall cost of your monthly car insurance premiums. The first is the value of the car. This affects cost based on the fact that a more expensive car is going to cost more to replace and therefore needs more coverage. More expensive cars are also more likely to have loans out on them which means that they need to be covered in full. Another factor that affects cost is the age of the driver. Those that are over the age of 25 are going to get a lower rate while those over the age of 50 are likely to get an even bigger discount. Still, another factor that affects the cost is the amount of coverage. When you have full coverage you can expect to pay more than when you have only liability coverage. 

These are not the only factors that affect the overall cost of the insurance policy you choose. Marital status, college degrees, owning a home, children, and more are all going to affect the overall cost of your policy. On top of all of that, your driving record is also going to affect cost. It is important to talk with an agent to find out how much your premium is going to be and to find the best rate possible. For those in the Hershey, PA area, the agents with Options Insurance Agency can help tailor your perfect policy. 

Insuring your Teen Driver, Coverage to Consider

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Before you let your 16-year-old buy a souped-up hot rod, make sure you can afford the insurance coverage. When you have teen drivers in the house, it’s an automatic given that your rates will increase. So, talk to your Options Insurance Agency representative in Hershey, PA before co-signing for a car. 

Each state has its own minimum car insurance requirements for all drivers. This coverage provides limited protection, so make sure you understand what’s covered and what’s not.

Find Out if Your Teen Qualifies for a Discount

Most Pennsylvania insurers offer discounts to teen drivers who show responsible behavior trends in other areas. For example, if your son or daughter has at least a B average in high school, you can probably get a discount. Completing a drivers education course also shows responsible behavior and that’s rewarded by many insurers. 

Of course, just like adults, your teen should work on building up a good driving record to qualify for optimal rates. 

College Kids Save on Insurance

If your teen is ready to head off to university and doesn’t have a car, you’re probably going to get a break on your car insurance. 

Choose the Car Wisely

Ask your Options Insurance Agency representative for a list of cars that get the best insurance rates. Then, match it up to used cars in your area that is within your teen’s budget. This saves you from unwanted surprises down the road. 

This is a very exciting time for your son or daughter, and they should enjoy their new independence in Hershey, PA. You can enjoy it with them if you’ve done your research ahead of time. 

Home Insurance: Know the Facts

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If you own a home in Hershey, PA, you should protect it with insurance coverage. Home insurance not only protects your structure but your personal belongings. A home insurance policy from Options Insurance Agency can protect you against theft, fire, storms, or other natural disasters. Here are some of the most important facts you should know about homeowner’s insurance.

Coverage

You can personalize a home insurance policy to meet your individual needs. If you own an expensive home, you may want higher limits on property damage to fully protect your investment. Valuable goods can be protected with additional coverage from an insurance rider. You can also choose the type of protection you want to match the risks you face where you live. The more coverage you have, the less you’ll pay out of pocket in the event of a disaster.

Deductible

You can choose the deductible on your home insurance policy. This is the amount you’ll pay before your insurance takes over. A high deductible reduces the price of your policy. You should have financial resources to pay that deductible, however, without it hurting your budget.  

Actual Cash Value or Replacement Cost

When insuring your home and belongings, you can choose between actual cash value or replacement cost coverage. Actual cash value covers the cost of repairing your home or replacing goods after depreciation. With replacement cost, your insurer will cover the cost of replacing your home or goods without taking off depreciation. A policy with replacement cost coverage will cost more but could pay off big time in the event of a major loss.

Discounts

You can get discounts on your home insurance by bundling home and auto policies. Home upgrades that improve your security, plumbing, or electrical systems could also make you eligible for a discount on your policy.

To learn more facts about home insurance, contact Options Insurance Agency in Hershey, PA.

Does a Pet Daycare Need Commercial Insurance?

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People who choose to open up their own pet daycares in Hershey, PA tend to have a deep passion for working with animals. They want pet owners to have the option to leave their pets with a trustworthy babysitter while at work or away on vacation. There are a variety of services offered by most pet daycares, and if you are the owner of one, it is imperative that you maintain proper insurance on your business. Let’s look at whether or not a pet daycare needs commercial insurance from Options Insurance Agency. 

Workers’ Compensation

There are many types of insurance that you may need to invest in when operating a pet daycare. For starters, if you have employees working for you, then you will need to purchase a workers’ compensation policy. This will allow you to have peace of mind in knowing if an employee gets injured while performing a work-related duty, your insurance can cover such things as the employee’s lost wages and more. The exact types of coverages that workers’ compensation insurance provides can be found in the fine print of the policy. 

General Liability and Umbrella Insurance

You’ll also want to buy general liability insurance. This way, if someone gets injured while on your business property, you can rest easy knowing you can’t be held responsible for bodily injury or property damage expenses. It is possible, however, for the limits of your policy to be exhausted, which is why considering an umbrella insurance policy is always a smart move to make. 

Business Owners

Another type of valuable insurance a pet daycare can purchase is a business owners policy, which usually includes general liability coverage as well as various forms of specific property damage coverage.

If you would like to learn more about the types of insurance that a pet daycare needs, please contact the Options Insurance Agency, serving the Hershey, PA area, today. 

Does my Home Insurance Cover Flood Damage?

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One of the most confusing situations a homeowner may find themselves in is having a flooded home. Some floods are caused by a leaking water heater, a broken appliance, frozen or burst pipes, or an overflowing pool or sink. These are covered by home insurance, but some situations are not covered. You may need a special coverage from an insurer like Options Insurance Agency in Hershey, PA for flood damage.

When doesn’t a home insurance policy cover flood damage?

The following are situations that your standard home insurer will not cover in case of flood damage:

Rising water from heavy rains or storm

Essentially, any flooding that’s caused by nature is not covered under your home insurance plan. Flood insurance is the only coverage that will protect personal belongings and appliances that are damaged due to floods, but it won’t cover the structure (floors or ceilings). Once you take out a flood plan, you still need to get coverage for protecting your possessions (home insurance).

Damage caused by unresolved maintenance problems

While your homeowner’s coverage will help with the cost of repairing or replacing the damaged possessions, the coverage will not protect you if the damage came from a maintenance issue that you had not resolved. Problems can include a continuous leak near a faucet or any other plumbing fixture.

Water backup from a drain or sewer

You won’t be covered by your homeowner’s policy when water backs up into your house via an outside drain or sewer. However, you can buy an additional water or sewer backup coverage that can help in this kind of event.

Although it’s important always to carry out routine home maintenance to prevent water damage, you need to have flood insurance coverage to protect your possessions in case of floods caused by nature. Contact Options Insurance Agency that serves the Hershey, PA area for more information and a quote.