Thursday, May 21, 2015

What College Graduates Need to Know About Auto Insurance

You’ve proudly watched your child graduate from college (and celebrated the last of the tuition bills!)  Now they’re searching for their first “real” job and ready for a new phase of life.  

This is what you and your new grad need to know about their insurance.

First, in most situations, they can remain on your auto insurance policy as long as they are living in your household.  If they’ve moved back home while job hunting, you can keep them on the policy.

But once they move out, it’s time to look at other options.  Some of this will depend on who is the owner of the car and if you’re living in the same state.  The best option is to talk to one of our agents to discuss your particular situation in detail.

Remember, regular on-time insurance payments can help establish credit history and serve as a reference when renting an apartment. 

If your graduate is moving out on their own, you’ll also want to get some information on Renters Insurance.  It will protect their belongings and protect you from any liability for damage they might cause to a residence (even if it’s just an accident, like a small kitchen fire.)  In most cases, a parent is a co-signer for a lease and needs to make sure this protection is in place. 

The end of college marks some big transitions into adulthood.  Help your new graduate to make smart financial decisions and establish a great start.  We can help!  Schedule a personal review and quote today. Call us at 703-556-7857.


Please don't forget to check out our website at www.fowlkesinsurancesrvc.com

Image courtesy of David Castillo Dominici at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Wednesday, May 20, 2015

The Biggest Risk to Your Home (and how to prevent it)

Most people think the biggest risk to their home is a fire or a bad storm.  It’s why they buy insurance (and the fact it’s required by their mortgage lender). 

But in reality, the biggest concern is protecting your assets from a liability claim.  Consider this...

Warm weather has arrived and everyone is beginning their yard work. Mowing, planting
flowers, and digging those vegetable gardens. There is a lot of work to be done.

So let's say that you dig a large hole in the front yard so you can plant a new tree. You
walk away for a moment and while you're gone the kid next door runs through the yard,
falls in the hole, and breaks his ankle.

Unfortunately, you could be held responsible for his injury. But not to worry, your homeowner's liability insurance is made for these kind of situations. It will pay if someone is injured on your property. It's also the coverage that protects you if the dog bites your child's friend (as long as it's not a restricted breed) or if your cousin falls down your front steps.

If you have a large number of assets, then you'll want higher liability coverage. If the
injury exceeds your liability coverage amount, then you could be sued for the difference.
Work with us to determine the amount of coverage that you are comfortable
carrying.

No one can protect themselves by just being careful alone. There are too many
possible scenarios that you could never avoid. But with the right insurance coverage,
you'll never have to worry.

Call us today at 703-556-7857 for a free review and to discuss how much liability coverage you need. 

Please don't forget to check out our website at www.fowlkesinsurancesrvc.com



Thursday, May 7, 2015

Insuring Your RV, Boats, & Summer Fun

Summer is on its way.  Before we know it there will be Memorial Day barbecues and long weekends at the lake. 

That's why now is a great time to review insurance coverage on all of your summer toys.  Read below for things to consider (and review with us) before the big items come out of winter storage.

RV - Your motorhome or travel trailer needs insurance coverage, especially if you'll be driving or pulling it this year.  Even if you don't have a loan on your RV, you will want it covered for theft or damage.  Whether they are parked on a lake lot for the season or driving cross country, we offer several RV policies to fit your needs.  Just call us for a quote.

Boat - The same thing goes for your boats and jet skis.  You've made a big investment and it's important to protect them.  Not only should you worry about damage to your boat, but also make sure you have the proper amount of liability coverage.  Don’t forget your life jackets! 

Motorcycle - Ready to hit the road for a long drive?  Remember to brush up on your safety skills and always wear a helmet.  Don’t forget to make sure your motorcycle has liability coverage just like your vehicle!  We can help you determine what coverage you need.  

Swimming Pool - If you own a pool, then you need extra liability coverage including a Personal Umbrella Policy.  Why?  Because there is a lot more risk of someone being injured when you have a pool.  Don’t skimp on your coverage and make sure you have the pool area secured and safe. 

Summer is a lot more fun when you know that your high price recreational items are properly insured and protected.  Take 15 minutes to call us at 703-556-7857 for a quote or to review your current coverage. 

Please don't forget to check out our website at www.fowlkesinsurancesrvc.com