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Many PA Homeowners Caught Without Flood Insurance Protection

Many homeowners throughout Berks County, Lancaster County, and elsewhere in Pennsylvania experienced surprising homeowners insurance claims in 2011 due to flooding. Sadly, many lacked proper flood insurance resulting in denied claims and financial hardships that could have easily been avoided.  From Reading PA to Allentown, from Lancaster to Erie, and Philadelphia to Pittsburgh, homeowners were caught uninsured, underinsured, and unprotected against flooding.

Over-the-ground flooding can cause severe property damage and often presents unique challenges to homeowners as they attempt to restore their homes and property, with or without the benefit of flood insurance coverage on their homeowner’s policy.

Flood Plains and Homeowners Flood Insurance – Don’t Be Fooled

As many Pennsylvania homeowners came to realize in 2011, flooding can occur outside of so-called flood plains, so acquiring flood insurance even if you are outside a flood plain can be the difference between financial protection and financial disaster when a surprise flood occurs. Hurricanes, tropical storms, and even thunderstorms can cause extensive flooding even hundreds of miles from the coast.

Property damage specialists at PuroClean offer the following tips for coping with a flood, minimizing property damage, and insuring a speeding recovery:

1. Get professional flood cleanup help quickly
2. Remove all water, mud, and sludge
3. Remove and properly dispose of contaminated porous materials (including carpet, padding, drywall, paper, cardboard, insulation, and particle board furniture)
4. Sanitize semi-porous materials (structural wood, solid wood furniture)
5. Use professional-strength EPA-approved products to sanitize the remaining salvageable structure, fixtures, and contents
6. Professionally and thoroughly dry the structure as quickly as possible using dehumidifiers and high-capacity air movers
7. Install one or more air scrubbers to remove harmful airborne particulates
8. Perform any needed repairs

To download PuroClean’s factsheet on recovering from over-the-ground flooding, click here. 

Avoid a Financial Upheaval by Adding Flood Insurance Protection to Your Homeowners Insurance Policy

Remember, a flood can cause a major upheaval in the lives of any homeowner. Be sure to carry the proper flood insurance on your Pennsylvania homeowners insurance policy. Then, whether you hail from Reading or Lancaster, Philadelphia or Allentown, Pittsburgh or Erie, you will be grateful that you had the foresight to plan ahead.  Your family will thank you as well.

Need flood insurance for your home in Pennsylvania or elsewhere? Contact the commercial and homeowners flood insurance experts at American Insuring Group near Reading PA.  We’ll make sure you’re covered with the right homeowners flood insurance to get your home and property restored quickly and thoroughly. Click the Contact link above, or call us at (800) 947.1270 or (610) 775-3848.

With the average homeowners insurance policy renewal premium rising by as much as 25% or more, most home insurance buyers are asking themselves how to pay less for a house insurance policy.

Big Storms, Big Damage, and Rising Homeowners Insurance Costs

Recent home insurance claims in Berks County, Reading, Allentown, Philadelphia, Lancaster, Harrisburg and elsewhere in Pennsylvania are paralleling the number of catastrophic storms to hit the U.S. recently. Homeowners insurance companies are filing for and receiving greater and greater premium increases for their policyholders.  The pricing trend will likely continue for the next couple of years. As a result, smart homeowners will be looking for ways to reduce their rising house insurance costs.

Act Now to Jump Start Your Homeowners Insurance Savings

A smart way to begin is by calling American Insuring Group for a homeowners insurance rate comparison based on over 2 dozen Insurance companies we represent.  Our professional staff will begin by getting quotes from these companies for the exact level of insurance protection you now carry.  Then our agents will ask some in-depth questions about your home's construction and other factors to make sure your house insurance policy covers your home for its full reconstruction cost. That’s key, because if your house burns down or is destroyed by a storm you need to be covered for the cost to rebuild it on your property, which is typically more than the cost to purchase a similar used home in your area.

After we find you the best homeowners Insurance policy quote from our long list of companies, we’ll ask additional questions to make sure you have the right home insurance coverage for your particular needs and lifestyle.

Let the Insurance Savings Begin!

Next, we’ll show you all the ways we can save you big bucks on your house insurance, INCLUDING:

• UP TO A 15% DISCOUNT FOR INSURING YOUR AUTO AND HOME WITH THE SAME COMPANY
• UP TO A 25% DISCOUNT FOR INCREASING YOUR HOME INSURANCE DEDUCTIBLE
• UP TO A 15% DISCOUNT FOR HAVING A CENTRAL ALARM OR SPRINKLER SYSTEM
• UP TO A 10% DISCOUNT FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION
• UP TO A 30% DISCOUNT FOR BEING CLAIM FREE
• UP TO A 10% DISCOUNT FOR LONGEVITY WITH THE SAME INSURANCE COMPANY
• UP TO 20% DISCOUNT FOR UPDATING MECHANICALS

At American Insuring Group LTD, the BIG BUCKS savings run on and on and on!  Call today for your Homeowners Insurance quote today.  Remember our pledge: "If we can't save you money on your insurance, dinner is on US!"  That applies to your house insurance policy regardless of where you live, from Reading to Lancaster, from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh, or Erie to Allentown.

Call us at 1800-943-2198 and start saving big bucks today.

Oh, those car insurance commercials! Why do some companies spend hundreds of millions to persuade you to call their 1-800-cheap-car-insurance number to buy affordable car insurance?  They claim that 15 minutes could save you 15% or more, or that drivers who switched from brand X saved hundreds. What would that statistic look like for those Lancaster or Philadelphia PA car insurance customers who failed to find affordable auto insurance?

We’re Throwing Down the Gauntlet – Taking Off the Gloves! You’ll Get The Most Affordable Car Insurance in Pennsylvania – or Else

We’ve had enough! We know we can save you more than they can, but we can’t match the advertising dollars of those big car insurance companies. So we’re making a no-nonsense challenge to anyone seeking affordable car insurance in Lancaster PA, Philadelphia, Allentown, Harrisburg, York, Pittsburgh, Erie, or anywhere else in Pennsylvania: We’ll find you the most affordable Pennsylvania car insurance – PERIOD. 

Why are we so confident?  At American Insuring Group, providing affordable car insurance in Lancaster, Philadelphia, Reading, Allentown, or anywhere in Pennsylvania, is our specialty!  We eat, dream, and sleep this stuff. We represent over a half dozen “A” rated auto insurance companies, so we KNOW we can find you the best savings for your particular driving needs. 

Are You In? We’re Talking Affordable Car Insurance to YOU, Lancaster, Philadelphia, Reading, and All of PA!

Call American Insuring Group at 1-800-943-2198 and take the “dinner is on us” affordable PA car insurance challenge today, or click below for an instant online auto insurance quote.

The motorcycle season has arrived in Berks County, and affordable motorcycle insurance from American Insuring Group can be found just around the next turn!

Whether you hail from places close to Reading PA, or from cities like Philadelphia, Lancaster, Harrisburg, York, Allentown, Pittsburgh, or Erie, we can saddle you up with a truly affordable motorcycle insurance policy to give you more money for gas, food, fun, and the open road.

Like you, we love motorcycles. What can be better than the open road, the wind in your face, and the rumble and growl of a powerful street or off-road bike? But no matter what type of bike you own or your age, our experienced motorcycle insurance pros will quote you the coverage you need at the guaranteed best price.  That’s right, I said GUARANTEED!

WE GUARANTEE YOU THE MOST AFFORDABLE PENNSYLVANIA MOTORCYCLE INSURANCE. PERIOD. END OF STORY.

Our agency is an “Independent Insurance Broker” representing over a half dozen A-rated competing motorcycle insurance companies to give you the best motorcycle insurance protection at the most affordable price, not only for Reading, PA, but for all of Berks County and the rest of Pennsylvania, too.  Freedom on the road and freedom to save come to a crossroads at American Insuring Group, where we make the pledge, “If we can’t save you money on your insurance, dinner is on us”!  

Call us at 1-800-943-2198 or click above for an instant motorcycle insurance online quote to start saving on Pennsylvania motorcycle insurance for that bike you love riding, looking at, and thinking about. You know it’s true. 

Life insurance: there’s a lot riding on finding the right policy. After all, if your loved ones should end up needing it, you want to know they will be properly covered. Therefore, targeting a life insurance policy that’s both affordable and offers quality protection is the right way to begin your search.  

Who Can You Trust?

Given all the life insurance advertising on TV, you may be tempted to call an 800 number for one of the big life insurance advertisers. The trouble is, if you do that you are not taking advantage of the price and coverage competition that occurs when quoting multiple insurance companies at the same time. 

And, if you try to quote multiple companies without the benefit of someone who understands the difference between the coverages offered by various insurance providers, then you risk missing something important in your coverage – something that may reduce important coverage needed by your loved ones.

Life Insurance Choices + Knowledge = Quality and Savings

The solution? Get help from a knowledgeable and trusted Pennsylvania life insurance broker in Reading PA or elsewhere who represents many competing PA life insurance companies, and who can guide you through the process of getting the right life insurance coverage at the right price.

That’s where your friends at American Insuring Group near Reading, PA can help.  Our professional agents are committed to helping you understand what life insurance coverage you need for your spouse and family, and to finding an affordable life insurance policy that is well suited to your needs.

At American Insuring Group, we represent virtually every life insurance company that is licensed in the USA, so you can “bet your life” you are getting the best coverage at the best price. Our unique website offers instant on-line life insurance quotes from all the major life insurance carriers.  Our lifelong pledge to our customers is this, "If we can’t save you money on your life insurance, dinner is on us”! 

Do it Right

So whether you’re located close to our Shillington office near Reading, PA, or near Philadelphia, Lancaster, Harrisburg, Allentown, Pittsburgh, or Erie, we can help. Call one our professional licensed insurance agents today at 800.943.2198 for high-quality, affordable life insurance.

You’ll be doing the right thing for your loved ones!

Small Business General Liability Insurance – What You Don’t Know CAN Hurt You

The number of small businesses operating from home has exploded in recent years due to downsizing and other factors. As a result, nearly half of all US homeowners are exposed to some type of business liability risk in their home. From the moonlighting laid-off contractor to the babysitter, to the part-time consultant, most small businesses operating from home have inadequate general liability insurance protection.

A business operating from home is almost completely excluded from liability insurance coverage in standard homeowners insurance policies, yet most small business owners mistakenly think they are properly insured.  The resulting lack of business liability insurance coverage leaves the in-home small business owner dangerously exposed to financial ruin from a lawsuit due to injury or property damage.

Do Your Business Insurance Homework

The key is to do your homework. Don't assume you have business liability insurance coverage under your homeowners insurance policy.  The annual revenue limitation for an in-home business to be covered under a homeowners insurance policy is a paltry $2,000.  Any higher, and most homeowners policies will exclude the exposure.  Even when operating for a time below the $2,000 revenue ceiling, there are limitations to what types of business exposures are covered under a homeowners insurance policy, and these often include many restrictions.

Purchase a Homeowners Insurance Policy with an In-home Business Liability Insurance Extension

Purchasing an in-home business liability insurance rider is the easiest and most economical way to cover your in-home business liability exposure.  Many homeowners insurance policies offer this rider for as little as $150 annually.  Some in-home business insurance exposures do not qualify for the homeowners rider. In such cases a stand-alone general liability insurance policy is the solution.

Need to upgrade your homeowner’s policy to properly insure your in-home business? Contact us for a free, no-obligation business insurance review at 1-800-943-2198.

Auto Liability Insurance limits are dangerously low under most Insurance policies

When you call our insurance offices located near Reading, PA, we review your individual needs and tailor a plan to provide the auto insurance protection you need at the best price. You will receive competitive quotes from at least three high-quality, price-competitive car insurance companies from our extensive list of competing insurers. This competition typically results in a lower price and higher level of protection than you can achieve from a single motorcycle, RV, truck, van, or car insurance company.

Car Insurance Coverage – How Much is Enough?

Almost daily we counsel people who come to us with auto insurance limits that are so low that they are literally risking their life savings and their financial future. The first question to consider is the total value of your assets, and whether you want to be fully or partially protected against loss.  If you are at-fault in an auto accident and sued, what award could you reasonably be facing?  Many people carry $100,000 of auto liability insurance protection per person for bodily injury.  Consider this: if you become responsible for permanent injuries to another, then a $100,000 limit for bodily injuries may be woefully inadequate, and could result in severe financial hardship for you and your family for years to come. Increasing your car insurance coverage to the proper level can make all the difference should a major accident occur.

For example, many people earn $100,000 or more annually, and if you are responsible for another's inability to work for the next 10 years, they may receive a $1,000,000 award for which you would be responsible.  With only $100,000 of auto liability insurance coverage, the injured party’s attorney will be going after your personal assets to cover the $900,000 balance. One accident could permanently change your financial future.

Beyond Bodily Injury Liability Protection

Bodily Injury Liability Insurance is the most important form of car insurance protection you need to review, but it certainly isn't the only one.  Property Damage Liability to cover an accident with an expensive car, van, bus or truck is almost as important.  Uninsured Motorist protection, Medical Expense, Loss Wage coverage, Comprehensive and Collision are all important auto insurance protections that you need to have reviewed and that you should understand.

Call American Insuring Group LTD for a free auto insurance review to ensure you have the right level of protection to guard against a life-changing financial loss. Our professional car insurance agents are available at (800) 943-2198.

For an instant online insurance quote for your car, van, truck, motorcycle, or RV, please click below. Located near Reading, PA in Berks County, we also serve Philadelphia, Lancaster, York, Harrisburg, Allentown, and points beyond. Call or click today.

Life Insurance quotes are a lot like a bowl of Cherries, just make sure you pick the ones that are ripe and delicious!

Whole Life Insurance - Yesterday's Most Popular Choice

Back in the good old days, getting life insurance quotes from the local life insurance agent was a pretty simple and routine task.  Typically Mom and Dad purchased a life insurance policy on all the kids at birth from the agent who came to the house every month to pick up the premiums due for Whole Life Insurance policies that were written on Mom and Dad when they got married. A Whole Life Insurance policy built a cash value by paying dividends and interest. These types of life insurance policies usually had a small death benefit and were very expensive. This is what a typical family purchased as recently as a decade or two ago.

Term Life Insurance is Popular Today, But is it Right for You?

Today almost all life insurance quotes are for Term Life Insurance.  Term Life Insurance covers the risk from premature death and usually the cost for the policy is set for a "Term" or period of time.  Common Term Life Insurance periods are 10 or 20 years.  The advantage of this type of Life Insurance policy is that it provides the maximum amount of death benefit at the lowest price. The disadvantage of Term Life Insurance is that there is no cash build-up to offset the increasing internal costs so at the end of the "term", the premium or cost increases dramaticallly. The concept behind term life insurance is the insurance company underwrites you for the "Term" and then has an oportunity to re-evaluate your health before they offer you another policy.

Another type of life insurance policy is a hybrid of Whole Life Insurance and Term Life Insurance known as "Universal or Interest Sensitive Life Insurance".  These type of policies combine the advantages of lower-priced Term Insurance with a cash value build-up to help offset the rising cost of the death benefit.

Sorting Out the Pits from the Cherries

So why not just buy "Cheap Life Insurance" from those companies that constantly bombard you with ads for low cost life insurance?  Why not call 1-800-Low-Cost-Life-Insurance and have them write the coverage you think you need?  The reason is your family is too important for that!  You need an Independent broker who represents many competing life insurance companies who offer many different types of life insurance policies for many different situations. More choices help ensure you get the best deal, and one that best meets your unique needs.

One big life insurance question that usually will not be discussed over the phone is "what are the different types of life insurance policies and which one is right for me"?  Only after a thorough discussion of your personal finances and only after a proper discussion of your needs and desires can an experience, professional, licensed agent make a proper recommendation of your life insurance needs. 

Cleaning up the Bowl by Planning for the Future

Too many consumers buy a life insurance policy that they "think is right for them" but is often not thought through.  One big question your agent should ask you when getting life insurance quotes is "what needs will you have after the Term Life Insurance expires"?  The last place you want to be is facing a mortgage or need for an income to a spouse and finding your term life insurance is going to be canceling the policy due to the term expiring or finding out that the price for a new term policy will be skyrocketing at the end of the term.  I cannot stress enough the importance of having an experienced agent review your individual needs and help you develop the best life insurance plan for you and your family. 

Please contact American Insuring Group LTD today for a free, no-obligation personal review of your life insurance needs. One of our agents will design a life insurance plan just for you and your peace of mind. Call today at 800-947-1270 or email me at david@aigltd.com. 

INSURING YOUR CASTLE

The biggest and most important investment the average american family will make in a lifetime is his or her home.  The all-American dream is owning a home. Of course, choosing the right house insurance to protect that cherished home is an extemely important decision. 

Most homeowners insurance policies are similar in the types of perils that are insured.  The typical homeowners insurance policy is written under a form HO-3 "Special Form Perils" policy.  This policy typicallly insures your home against all direct perils with "named exclusions". This which means that if the cause of loss is not excluded, then the peril is covered. Standard exclusions are:

FLOOD, EARTHQUAKE, SINKHOLE, NUCLEAR, WAR, WEAR & TEAR

GUARD AGAINST THE PITFALLS OF CHEAP HOME INSURANCE

Even if most insurance companies cover the same perils, (things that can happen to your home), it doesn't mean all policies are equal.  The problem with cheap home insurance is that you often do not have a comprehensive policy, and, tragically, often this goes undiscovered until you have a claim. 

WHAT IS THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE?

Often we see new home buyers getting house insurance quotes from companies insuring the dwelling for the purchase price.  Although your lender will be fine with insurance covering the dwelling amount provided it is at least equal to your loan amount, dwelling amount coverage will not be adequate in the event of a loss.

An Example of the Pitfalls of Underinsuring Your Home:  

Mr. & Mrs Smith just purchased their first home, an underpriced beauty in an older neighborhood.  Their real estate agent congratulates them for having achieved the American dream. They sign an agreement of sale and call the 1-800-cheap-home-insurance number they hear every night on TV.  Since they are purchasing their home for $100,000, the agent on the other end has no idea of the neighborhood or specific features of Mr. & Mrs. Smith's dream home. 

The agent quotes the Smith's a standard house insurance policy, and suggests insuring the dwelling for the amount they paid for the home ($100,000).  The bank is fine with the quote and accepts the policy because the dwelling is being insured for what the Smith's are paying for the home, which more than covers the bank loan. Settlement goes through and the Smith's feel safe and secure.

Six months later, a northeaster slams the area and knocks out power to the Smith's home.  Candles are lit to shed some light in the home and boy, what a mistake.  Next thing you know, a call to 911 and the Smith's evacuate their dream home with just the clothes on their backs. 

The house is a total loss!  Everything is gone.  The Smith's call up 1-800-cheap-insurance to file their claim as they sit in their hotel room worrying if they made a good decision with their homeowners insurance policy. 

A few days later, the Smith's find out that the home they purchased for $100,000 will actually cost $225,000 to rebuild at today's costs for materials and labor.  They start to get a sick feeling when they realize their cheap home insurance is not going to even remotely cover their loss. 

WHY YOU SHOULD BUY FROM A LOCAL "INDEPENDENT" INSURANCE BROKER

What could the Smith's have done differently to get the proper homeowners insurance coverage?  First, they should have contacted a local, independent insurance broker who could have gotten homeowners insurance quotes from a number of house insurance companies, resuting in the best price available.  Secondly, an experienced local agent would have encouraged the Smith's to consider the age, area and square footage of the home in calculating a proper rebuilding cost for the home. 

Thirdly, an experienced independent agent would know the "out of the ordinary" local perils that could damage the home such as a sinkhole, earthquake, or  surface water runoff.   For example, homes in a low lying areas should homeowners insurance policies with an extention of coverage for sewer back-up & sump pump overflow. 

THE AMERICAN INSURING GROUP DIFFERENCE

At The American Insuring Group LTD, our licensed professional agents will take the time to properly advise you on the house insurance you need and the optional coverage available.  We strive to give our clients exceptional advice and professional customer service so they know they will be covered in the event of a claim. We review your home insurance quotes in detail and explain each item of coverage and how it applies in real life.  All homeowners insurance policies have limitations and conditions, so our agents will take the time to explain them and discuss whether your needs justify a modification of the house insurance policy.   

It's always a good idea to get a second opinion on your home insurance policy.  Call American Insuring Group, LTD today at 1-800-947-1270.

Understanding Commercial Insurance Can be One Tough Job!  

Being a small business owner today is a tough job!  Between rules and regulations, licenses and taxes, and banking and commercial insurance, it sometimes seems you need your own board of directors just to help manage your business!

At American Insuring Group, Small Business Insurance is our specialty.  We can help you, the business owner, understand not only what commerical insurance protection your company needs, but also what business insurance is required of you to satisfy legal requirements.

Our office represents over a dozen "A" rated general insurance companies that specialize in small business insurance and we have access to dozens more specialty commercial insurance companies that fill specific small business insurance needs for our clients.

So How Many Types of Liability Insurance Are There?

The commercial insurance needs for a business owner can be daunting.  First, there is Public Liability Insurance that is a must to protect the business from lawsuits and claims for injuries or property damage to others.  But Public Liability Insurance isn't that simple.  What type of liability insurance protection do I need?  Is Premises Liability Insurance enough?  What if I leave my business location and go to someone else's home or business location?  Does my Liability Insurance cover me there as well?  What about when I finish a job and leave?  Do I have Completed Operations coverage if sometime later, after the job is finished, someone is hurt by my work or property damage is caused?

Are you a business owner who makes something, sells something, or just handles products someone else makes?  Do you have Product Liability Insurance coverage included in your General Liability Insurance coverage?  What if you harm someone's reputation or cause someone to lose sales, and they look to you for compensation? Personal or Advertising Injury Liability coverage protects the business owner from these claims.

What if an employee claims that you fired them under false pretense?  Or they make an allegation of harassment against you?  Employment Practices Liability Insurance is the protection that any business owner who employs someone must have to be protected.

There are many extentions of Public Liability Insurance the business owner should understand and use to be protected from the unexpected.  At American Insuring Group LTD., our licensed agents have the understanding and experience in Commercial Insurance to help you determine your insurance risks and to identify the insurance solutions to properly cover your businss. 

Workers Compensation Insurance - Are You Operating Legally?

Then, there is Workers Compensation Insurance for the small business that employs people. Most states require the business owner to cover employees for work related injuries.  What if you are a corporation without any employees?  States consider a corporation to be its own entity, and even you, the owner (officer), are considered an employee. Therefore you must either have Workers Compensation Insurance coverage or have the proper exclusion paperwork filed with the Department of Labor and Industry. At American Insuring Group, our licensed staff can help you with all the forms necesasary to be legal. 

Not only does Worker Compensation Insurance cover medical bills and lost wages for employees who get hurt during working hours, but there is a second business insurance coverage that is included with most policies.  Employer's Liability Insurance covers the business owner if an employee presents a claim against his employer for alleged negligence for his injuries.  An example of this is an employee who cuts off his finger on a machine.  Workers  Compensation Insurance would pay medical bills and lost wages, but if he claims the business did not properly maintain the equipment and now he must live life without a finger, the business owner would have protection from such a lawsuit under Employer's Liability Insurance.

Liability Insurance and Worker's Compensation Insurance covers only some of the insurance needs for the business owner. Other types of coverage include: Property Insurance protection, Van Insurance for your business vehicles, Umbrella Insurance for excess insurance protection, Bonding for the contractor's needs and Group Medical Benefits for your employees.

We Can Help You Make the Right Liability Insurance Decisions for Your Business

At American Insuring Group LTD, we take the time to understand your business so we can make sure every exposure to risk is discussed and covered by our small business insurance policies.  Call us today at 800-947-1270 or email me at david@aigltd.com. I would love to meet or talk to you and help you understand your business insurance needs.  If you already are covered by insurance, a second opinion may often uncover coverage gaps or missing insurance coverage that is needed.