March Home Maintenance Tips

What do you need to do this month to keep your home running smoothly and your family protected?  Read below to find out! 

Change Batteries In Smoke Detectors - When the time changes, it’s a great idea to change the batteries in all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.  This way you always know that they are working and in good order!  The spring time change this year is on Sunday March 8th. 

Make A Severe Weather Plan - Designate a safe place in your home in case of bad weather.  Stock it with basic emergency supplies and throw in an extra flashlight and batteries too!

Check Your Credit Report - March is Credit Education Month.  When was the last time you checked to see that your credit reports were accurate?  If it’s been over a year, stop by www.annualcreditreport.com and order a free copy today. 

Review Your Insurance Discounts - Are you getting all the discounts you qualify for?  Call us to review your policy and see if there are any changes that need to be made.

And as always, give us a call if you have any questions or need assistance with auto, home, business, or life insurance.

NOTE:

Do you have your insurance information stored on your cell phone?  If you were to have an accident or a weather related claim, it’s great to have the claims phone number saved in your contacts!

Please check out our website at www.fowlkesinsurancesrvc.com

How to Insure New Jewelry

Valentines and proposals are in the air! And this means that you might find yourself with a new diamond ring or expensive piece of jewelry in your home. Many people spend thousands of dollars on beautiful jewelry but don’t take the time to find out how to insure it. And this can be a big mistake! If you have homeowners or renters insurance, then your jewelry is covered as part of the contents of your home. But there can be problems...

1. We don’t know what it is worth. It’s hard to get the full value of your jewelry back if you don’t know all of the specifics! Weight, color, cut, size, and so forth are all factors in the value. Ten years from now you might not even remember how much you paid.
2. You probably have a large deductible on your homeowners insurance. Typically your contents coverage deductible is around 1% of your home value. So if your home is insured for $200,000, then your deductible is $2,000. If your ring is stolen, you’d be responsible for the first $2,000 before insurance kicked in!

But there is a simple solution to avoid all of these problems. Our homeowners and renters policies allow you to “schedule” jewelry for a small additional cost. You bring in the receipt and appraisal of the item and we add all of that information to your policy. (Sometimes we don’t need all of this, just call us first and we can let you know.) You will be charged based on the value of the item, but typically it’s less than $40 per year! (Sometimes much less, sometimes a little more. It all depends on how much insurance is required.) Plus, scheduled items don’t require a deductible. So if your ring is lost or stolen, you pay nothing out of pocket but get to replace your precious jewelry. So next time you open a jewelry box and put a sparkling diamond on your finger, make sure that you are insuring your investment. Have questions about scheduling items on your homeowners insurance? Call us today for assistance at 703-556-7857!

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

LIFE INSURANCE IS FOR THOSE YOU LOVE

A lot of people put off purchasing life insurance because it seems like a hassle. You don’t want to do any sort of medical appointment. It’s an extra expense. And, for the most part, you just plain don’t want to think about death. But life insurance isn’t about you. It’s about the people you love. And what better time than February to think about love! So let’s get real. You do a lot for your family and if you have family members who depend on your income, then you need life insurance. And the sooner, the better. For one, life insurance is cheaper when you are young and healthy! With each birthday you’ll see your quote go up unless you lock in a great rate now. And you don’t want to look for life insurance after you’ve been diagnosed with an illness. Another great thing about life insurance is that there are a lot of options. And we’re here to discuss all of them with you. You can purchase a policy for the short term or even as a long term investment. It all depends on how much you can afford to spend and what your family needs are. Whatever your situation, sitting down and discussing your needs and budget with an agent is a great first step. Call us today at 703-556-7857 to set up a free, no-obligation appointment!

Please visit our website at www.fowlkesinsurancesrvc.com

Ask Your Insurance Agent: Are Items In My Car Covered?

Today I’m answering a question I hear all the time - “Are my personal belongings covered if someone breaks into my car?” Unfortunately, they typically are NOT covered! Your auto insurance covers your car from damage and accidents, but not the items inside from theft. But there are still ways to protect yourself. First, and most obvious, avoid keeping highticket items in your car in the first place. This includes things like your laptop, iPad, purse, etc. If you’re out shopping, keep your doors locked and lock most items away in the trunk. But this isn’t always possible. And so you also want to make sure you’re covered by carrying Renters or Homeowners insurance for your personal belongings. These policies include a certain amount of coverage for property off premises. These are subject to your deductible so make sure to discuss with your agent to see what kind of coverage you have currently. With a little bit of prevention and great insurance, you’ve won’t have to worry about items being stolen from your car. Have questions? Give us a call at 703-556-7857 to discuss them anytime!

Please check out our website at www.fowlkesinsurancesrvc.com

Ask Your Insurance Agent - What is Liability Insurance?

Have you ever looked at your insurance policy and wondered just exactly what it is you
are paying for?

Everyone knows that they are legally required to carry liability insurance. But many
people don’t really understand what that means or how it works.
In simple terms, liability insurance pays to fix damage that you cause to someone else.
On your auto insurance policy, this is split into three pieces. Here is an example:
Bodily Injury: 50/100
Personal Property: 50
Let’s say that this was your coverage amount and you hit another car in an accident.
Your insurance would pay up to $50,000 per person for injuries up to a total cap of
$100,000. And it would pay up to $50,000 in property damage to fix the other car.
Remember, liability only covers the person that you hit. It doesn’t cover your vehicle or
anyone inside your car.
There are many different amounts of liability coverage. We work directly with our
clients to determine how much you need. This will vary based on factors like how many
assets you have, your income, and home value.
Not having enough liability insurance is one of the biggest financial mistakes you can
make! Carrying only the state minimum of 25/50/20, could leave you open to a
lawsuit. Think about those cars you’ve seen on the road worth easily over $40,000! If
you don’t have enough property damage coverage, then you are at risk.
There is also liability coverage on your homeowners or renters insurance. It pays if
someone is injured on your property due to your negligence. One common example is a
dog bite. This is another time when it’s good to have enough liability insurance!
Hopefully this clears up any questions you have about how liability insurance works. If
you need help determining the right amount of coverage for your family, give us a call
for a no obligation review and quote.

Please check out our website at www.fowlkesinsurancesrvc.com

JANUARY HOME MAINTENANCE

Here’s what’s on the list for January:
Make A Home Inventory - January is all about getting organized, right? So what better
time to document what you own in case you were to suffer a serious insurance loss (like a
fire). Grab your cell phone and make a short video of each room in your home, focusing
on big ticket items. Many times, it’s difficult for our clients to remember every little
possession after the shock of a large claim. You’ll be glad you took the time to make the
videos if you ever need them.
Deep Clean Your Dryer Vent - A large percentage of home fires begin in the clothes
dryer! Lint builds up in the vent and hose which can spark a fire. Unhook the hose and
vacuum the area well on a regular basis to keep your home protected.
Organize Your Warranties - Do you have a big pile of warranties, product documents,
and receipts stuffed in your desk drawer? Do you even own those items anymore? These
days, many owners manuals can be found online without taking up valuable drawer
storage. Also consider scanning and keeping a digital file of your receipts and warranties
for easy storage and retrieval if needed.
Check Your Circuit Breakers - How often do you actually look in the breaker box?
Open it up and make sure the labels are correct and readable. Also stash a spare
flashlight (with working batteries) close by in case of a power outage.
Gather Your Tax Documents - It won’t be long until you’re filing your 2014 taxes.
Start gathering up all the documents you or your accountant will need. Need a copy of
your insurance policies or premiums? Call us at 703-556-7857 and we’ll be happy to help!
Know Your Deductibles - When was the last time you reviewed your deductibles? This
is what you would pay out of pocket in the event of an insurance claim. It’s a good idea
to keep this amount in your savings account so it’s available when you need it. Feel free
to give us a call to review all of your insurance policies in detail.
January is a great time to get organized for the new year! Let us know if we can help in
any way!
Happy New Year!
Please don't forget to check out our website at www.fowlkesinsurancesrvc.com

YOUR INSURANCE RESOLUTIONS

2015 has arrived! And with it come resolutions and goals for a fresh start over the
coming months.
If one of your resolutions for this year was to get organized, then here are some tips on
how to get financially “fit” in 2015! At least as far as your insurance goes...

1. Set up a meeting with us! Each year, we like to do a policy review with every client.
We look at all of your policies and update your information. Insurance needs tend to
change with major life events so if you got married, had a baby, changed jobs, retired, or
anything else in 2014, you probably need a review. Many times you qualify for new
discounts or we can point out ways to help you save (like getting a multi-policy
discount!)
We can schedule this meeting over the phone or in the office, whichever is easier.
2. Get a life insurance quote. For some reason, life insurance is one of those things that
gets neglected. People know deep down that they need it, but often never get around to
actually purchasing any.
Many times you can get a basic term life insurance policy for $30 a month or less.
(Depending on age and health status, it varies for everyone!)
3. Organize your insurance documents. Keep a file with a copy of your current auto,
home, and life policies in one easy-to-find place. When your renewal comes in the mail,
you can throw out the old copies. Some people also like to keep a copy of their life
insurance with their attorney or in a fire safe. We can always help you get a copy if you
need it!
4. Put a current insurance card in your glove box and throw out the six old ones that
are likely crumbled up in there. :)
That’s it! Take care of these items and you’re on your way to being organized and
properly covered in 2015!

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