Author Archives: AgentInsure

Can a Non-Resident Foreigner get Auto Insurance from a US Company to Cover Rental Cars in Green Valley, AZ?

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When you are visiting Green Valley, Arizona as a tourist or seeing a family member, it may be necessary to rent a vehicle for the duration of your stay. Even if you are a non-resident foreigner who is visiting as a tourist to the area, it is possible to obtain auto insurance for the rental cars that are available.

Coverage From the Rental Company

Companies that offer rental cars may have insurance available for customers who are willing to pay the daily rates. The cost to cover the vehicle through the rental company may be high because it is usually based on a per-day basis rather than a per-month basis. Depending on the length of time that you plan to stay, it may or may not be an appropriate solution for your needs.

Specialized Insurance

Some insurance policies for cars can be specialized based on the situation and the type of vehicle that you rent. An auto policy for a rental car is not the same as a policy for a personal vehicle because you are not required to show proof of ownership. The insurer understands that you are renting the car and will provide basic coverage based on the state laws.

You may be required to send a copy of your driver’s license from your home country to qualify for coverage. The pricing and method of providing coverage may vary based on the length of time that you plan to rent the vehicle.

Even as a foreigner who is visiting the state as a tourist, it is possible to rent a vehicle as long as you have an appropriate license. Contact the Insurance Center of Green Valley to talk to an independent agent to learn more about your options.

How do I protect my business if I die or become disabled in Green Valley, Arizona?

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Owning your own business offers you a lot of flexibility in your lifestyle. You can work when, where, and how you want. But, what would happen in the event of your death or a serious disability?

There are two types of insurance policies that every small business owner should consider purchasing: life and disability.

Life insurance is designed to protect your assets after your death. Having a policy could help your business operate until it is either sold or a replacement for you is found. This can often take weeks or months, so having a policy is important. This type of insurance can also help cover any debts owed by the business, which would be passed on to your family after your death. Life insurance can also help a your family pay for everyday expenses that are no longer covered by the income from your company.

Disability insurance is available in short term and long term policies. This type of insurance is similar to life insurance, but different in that it pays out if you are seriously ill or injured and unable to work. Funds from this type of policy can be used to help run the business or take care of everyday expenses.

As you can see, both insurance policy types are incredibly important. Each business owner will have different needs in terms of the amounts of each policy, which an independent agent can help you decide.

As your local independent agent, we would be happy to speak with you about your business insurance and other commercial insurance needs. Tucson, Sahuarita, Green Valley, and other Southern Arizona business owners can contact us via telephone today.

If we are without power due to winter storm, will Green Valley, Arizona homeowners insurance cover a hotel for us to stay-in until the power is restored?

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While it is not very likely that you will get a big snow storm in Sahuarita or Tucson, Arizona, it is not uncommon to get a winter storm with strong winds and rain in the Green Valley area of the state. If one of those winter storms should strike and knock out all your power, you may want to pack up the family and find temporary lodging in a nearby hotel.

Living without electricity is certainly an inconvenience, but in most circumstances, your Arizona home insurance policy will not cover the cost of your hotel room. Most homeowners policies do contain a provision, or you can add a rider, that will provide reimbursement for loss due to an extended power outage. You may be compensated for food spoilage and even for damage to your electronic equipment.

However, each home insurance policy and provider is different. While one insurance company might be more lenient and cover the costs of a hotel room after 24 hours without electricity, another might not honor a claim until 5 days have passed since you first were without power.

Personal circumstances, such as having a sick or elderly parent in the home may be taken into consideration by your home insurance provider. If you, or someone in your household relies on electricity to operate important medical equipment, your circumstances may be considered serious enough to get reimbursed for the cost of a hotel room.

It is important to review your insurance policy before a situation arises where you might need to temporarily move away from your home. If you have any questions about these matters, please give us a call. An independent agent will be able to answer your questions and possibly add a rider to your current home insurance policy to provide this extra protection.

My landlord claims that I have damaged the apartment and is keeping a part of my security deposit. Will the Green Valley, Arizona renters insurance cover this loss?

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Buying renters insurance for your Green Valley, Arizona apartment is almost always a good idea. Renters insurance is very affordable and it will help cover damage or loss to your personal possessions.

If someone breaks into your apartment in Sahuarita and steals your television and laptop computer, you can file a claim with your insurance company. If you suffer a kitchen fire in the apartment you are renting in Tucson, renters insurance will compensate you for your burnt curtains and any other personal contents in your home. Appliances that came with the apartment are usually covered by the landlord’s insurance policy, but may also be covered by your renters insurance.

When your lease ends or you vacate your apartment for some other reason, you are entitled to get your security back from the landlord. As long as there is no damage to your apartment, beyond normal wear-and-tear, you usually will have your deposit returned within a week or two after vacating the apartment.

Your landlord is permitted to keep part or all of your security deposit if you damaged the apartment beyond the general definition of normal wear-and-tear. If, for instance, you put a bunch of holes in the wall, or your dog had a few accidents on the carpet, a part of your security deposit may be used by the landlord to make the repairs and clean the carpet.

Your renters insurance does not cover any damage you do to the apartment. You can not use it to pay for the damage so you get all of your security back. To find out more about renters insurance, please give us a call. An independent agent can answer any questions you may have and find you a very affordable policy.

Difference Between Insurance Score and Credit Score in Green Valley, Arizona

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When you are looking for insurance in Green Valley, Arizona, you may wonder about the differences between scoring measurements. Although a credit score may seem straightforward and simple, in many cases it is confused with other numbers. An insurance score is not the same because it considers more than just the risk of late payments.

Credit Rating

A credit rating and score is developed by your history of making payments, the debts that you owe and similar financial data. Although the credit score is part of determining your how you score when looking for insurance, it is only one factor. The credit rating is based solely on your financial history, which is not enough to determine the full extent of the potential risks you pose to the insurer.

Insurance Scores

An insurance score is not the same as your credit rating. Although your credit rating is part of the score, it is a small part. The insurance score will also factor in your driving record, any claims you have made on your insurance in the past and the potential risks you may face based on statistical data and any further records that you may have.

Factors like a DUI charge, filing a claim or facing a lawsuit that is paid by your insurer due to liability protection are all part of your score. The credit rating and your financial history is a small part of the scoring process because it helps determine the risk that you may pay your premium late.

Ultimately, insurance scores are more comprehensive than a credit rating because it factors in more data about your potential risks. If you want to learn more about the scoring process, then contact us today to talk to an independent agent.

Will my Green Valley, Arizona homeowners insurance cover my business if I work at home?

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Today, it is quite common for people who live in Tucson, Sahuarita and the Green Valley area of Arizona, to operate a small business from the comfort of their own homes. Almost any type of business is susceptible to disputes and some of those disputes can lead to lawsuits.

Your homeowners insurance policy will probably not cover any items that are only used for your business. It may cover items like a desk, chair or computer that you use while conducting business, because that is considered part of the contents of your house.

If, for example, you have a business selling computers you build from scratch in your home, your homeowners insurance will not cover any claims made against you or your company if a dissatisfied customer decides to sue.

In order to be covered for certain liabilities you may incur, you will need to buy a separate general liability business policy. While it is improbable that someone is going to come to your home office to conduct business, it is actually more common than you might think.

Some individuals in Tucson operate a tax service or bookkeeping service and regularly welcome clients into their homes. Others may operate a landscaping business in Sahuarita and set appointments, bank and do all of the administrative tasks of their business out of a home office.

Nothing is ever completely black or completely white. Most situations fall into a gray area. If a man falls on an uneven pathway and breaks his arm while delivering a present from your Aunt Tilly, your homeowners insurance policy would cover any claim for liability. What would happen if the delivery man was bringing 10 boxes of inventory for your home business?

As your independent agent, we have the answers to all of the questions you may have about homeowners insurance and home businesses. Please contact us and an independent agent will be happy to help you get the right insurance coverage for your home-based business.

Can a tourist purchase a car in the Green Valley, Arizona and insure it himself?

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If you’re visiting the Green Valley, Arizona area as a tourist from another state, it’s simply a matter of having the vehicle purchased in your name and insured under your current auto insurance policy. Some states may require you to purchase a transit permit that’s valid for a short period of time. You typically have 30 days from the time of purchase to transfer the vehicle’s title in your name and register the vehicle with your home state.

If you are a tourist from another country, purchasing a car for short term use turns into a much more complicated task. There are several issues at hand that may prevent you from legally using the vehicle during your stay:

  • Most states prohibit the use of temporary addresses in place of a permanent address when registering a vehicle. As it is unlikely that a tourist will have a permanent U.S. address, it becomes very difficult to have the vehicle properly registered and plated.
  • It’s also illegal to use someone else’s address to register the vehicle. If you’re caught, civil penalties may be involved.
  • The previous owner can’t and in most cases won’t allow you to use their plates to drive the car. In ordinary practice, sellers are almost always obligated to remove their license plates from the car when the vehicle is sold.

In addition, very few insurance companies offer short-term auto insurance for tourists in the U.S. for this particular purpose. If you do manage to find a willing insurer, the agency in question may require you to have an international driver’s license on hand in addition to the driver’s license of your home country. In the end, it’s usually a good idea to rent a vehicle during your stay.

Don’t hesitate to give us a call if you have any specific questions about your current car insurance policy. As your independent agent, we can help you regardless of your particular circumstance.

Disclaimer: “ The content of these blogs do not represent any type of specific coverage’s offered by the agency.”

Will my Insurer Provide a Cancellation of my Green Valley, Arizona Home Insurance Policy if my Dog Bites a Neighbor?

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A dog bite is a serious concern for any pet owner, but it can also have potential consequences on your home insurance when an incident occurs. Although your home insurance provider may decide to cancel your coverage if a neighbor is bitten by your dog, the situation also plays a role in the decision to drop your coverage in Green Valley, Arizona.

Reason for the Bite

Although you are liable for the actions of your pet, it is possible that certain situations are not your fault. If your neighbor attacks your dog, then the bite is an act of defense and a court of law will not hold you responsible. Your neighbor has engaged in a criminal offense and you are not responsible for their injuries. The same is true of any action that is related to the defense of an owner, your personal property or the life of another individual.

The reason that your dog bit a neighbor can play a role in the appropriate solution, including the ability to retain your coverage.

Differences Between Providers

Although some insurance providers may refuse to maintain your coverage if your dog bites a neighbor, other insurers are willing to maintain coverage. In some cases, your premium may increase and dog bites may no longer be covered, but the company may be willing to maintain different plans based on your concerns and the reasons that your dog bit another individual.

Dog bites are potentially dangerous, which is the reason that certain breeds can make it hard to find home insurance coverage. Fortunately, different companies have a variety of policies available. To learn more about the options that are available for your needs, contact us to talk to an independent agent today.

Does Premium Increase if my Vehicle’s Windshield is Damaged in Green Valley, Arizona?

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Windshield damage can occur at unexpected times. It may occur during an accident, as the result of the weather or even due to a tree branch falling on the windshield. Regardless of the reason that the damage occurs, the impact on your premium can vary.

Repairs by the Company

When a car insurance company pays for the damages to the vehicle, it may result in an increased monthly payment. If you make a claim on your insurance it means that you are explaining the situation to the company. When that happens, you may discover that the accident or the situation will increase your premium in Green Valley, Arizona.

Differences Between Companies

Although auto insurance rates may increase when you make a formal claim, the exact impact and the amount that you pay each month may vary. In some cases, the changes are minor and you will not see a dramatic impact on your premium. In other cases, you will see an obvious difference in the price.

Each company is different, so the exact impact on your auto insurance premium may vary. Some companies may even offer a forgiveness plan that prevents your premium from increasing, even when you are involved in an accident. That means that the exact details of when your premium is impacted by the policy may vary. You may or may not see an increase to your premium.

Car insurance policies are not the same, so each company can offer a variety of options when you are protecting your vehicle. Depending on the situation and your policy, the impact on your premium may vary. While some insurers may increase the premium, others may forgive the first incident without an increased rate. To learn more about the impact of vehicle damage to your policy, contact us to talk to an independent agent.

In Green Valley, AZ, Is Pest Infestation Covered on My Home Insurance Policy?

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A pest infestation is not usually covered on a Green Valley, AZ, home insurance policy. Here’s why: the state of Arizona considers pest infestations to be preventable and to fall under the category of regular home maintenance problems rather than disasters. So, as homeowners, it’s best to keep pests at bay from the very beginning – but expect to pay for pest control services without the assistance of your insurance provider. In some cases, you can obtain a sort of insurance through a pest control company. For termites, some companies offer a termite bond that covers you for termite damage if it occurs in spite of the regular home inspections and treatments you commit to.

Although pest infestation is normally excluded from the events covered by Arizona policies, there can be a grey area when it comes to some of the damage related to an infestation. For example, if a beam collapses and causes the roof of your house to cave in, it’s possible that some of the damage could be covered. If the beam’s wood was compromised by termites but the roof itself wasn’t, then the beam wouldn’t be covered but the roof may be. However, that depends on the details of the policy and how they’re interpreted.

It’s best to tackle the pest problem before it becomes severe, even though this often means doing so independently of your home insurance coverage. And a pest infestation doesn’t necessarily mean termites – birds, raccoons, rats, and bats are among the other pests that could invade your home and should be removed promptly. Red ants, scorpions, and spiders are also potential pests to be on high alert for in Green Valley. Do your best to prevent damage from pests, and ask your independent agent if you need information on your particular policy and its stipulations regarding pest infestation.