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Standard Homeowners Insurance: Are You Covered?

Posted by David Ross on Tue, Jan 31, 2017

Standard homeowner's insurance covers the basics. Contact us to be sure you have all the coverage you need for your home in Reading, Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Allentown, York, Lancaster, PA and beyond.If you own a house, you have homeowners insurance. It’s required by the financial institution that holds your mortgage, and even if you don’t have a mortgage, you still need the coverage to protect your investment. With the median sales price of existing homes at a current level of $234,900, that’s a rather significant investment.

Even though almost every homeowner understands the necessity for homeowners insurance, few are aware of what is typically covered in a standard policy.

There are six areas of protection that make up your homeowners insurance. Make sure your policy has the right balance.

1.     Dwelling Coverage

If your house is damaged or destroyed in a covered peril—fire, wind, hail, or lightning—your insurance policy will provide the funds to repair or rebuild it. Keep in mind, however, that floods and earthquakes are not included in this coverage and will require separate polices to protect your property from them.

2.     Other Structures

This part of the policy covers what the name implies—any detached buildings on your property. Sheds, workshop, detached garage, and even fences are covered for damage or destruction from any covered peril. Your policy will usually provide 10% of the dwelling coverage as the limit for other structure protection. So, if you have set the cost of rebuilding your home at $200,000, then your other structure coverage will be $20,000.

3.     Personal Property

Personal property coverage, sometimes referred to as contents coverage, pays for replacing your possessions that were destroyed in a covered peril. In most policies, the coverage limit is set at 50% to 70% of the dwelling coverage limit. While $100,000 to $140,000 for a $200,000 house might sound like more than enough, you should perform a home inventory to be certain.

4.     Loss of Use

If your home is damaged or destroyed, you might have to look for a temporary place to live while repairs are being made. Loss of use coverage will help you maintain your standard of living by providing for hotels, restaurants, and other living expenses when your house is uninhabitable. Loss of use protection is set at 20% of your dwelling coverage limit.

5.     Personal Liability

This part of your home insurance policy protects you from lawsuits. Suppose a visiting neighbor falls because of a rotten floorboard on your front porch. Or your usually mild-mannered dog bites the utility meter reader and puts him out of work for a few weeks. You could be subjected to a lawsuit, in which case your coverage would protect you up to the policy limit, generally at least $100,000.

6.     Medical Payments

Medical payments insurance, commonly called MedPay, covers the medical costs of someone who is injured on your property and chooses not to sue. In the previous example, your neighbor and the meter reader were injured but this time did not file a lawsuit. Their medical costs were paid because of the MedPay section of your policy.

Keep in mind that medical payments coverage is the only part of your policy whose limits are not determined by your dwelling coverage. It typically pays $1000 per injured person, but you have the option to request a higher limit.

Go Beyond House Insurance Basics: Contact Us for the Right Coverage!

Standard-Homeowners-Insurance-Coverage.jpgWhat you have read here is Home Insurance 101. To ensure that you are adequately covered, talk to one of our experts at American Insuring Group. We will help you acquire a homeowner's policy that has the appropriate coverage for your situation at a great price. Contact us online or call us at (800) 947-1270 or (610) 775-3848.

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Homeowners Insurance Tip: What to Do After a Home Burglary

Posted by David Ross on Tue, Oct 06, 2015

Homeowner's insurance tips on what to do after a home burglary. Serving Philadelphia, Reading, Lancaster, York, Harrisburg, Erie, Pittsburgh, Allentown, Lehigh Valley, PA and beyond with high quality house insurance for homeowners and renters.It's every homeowner's worst fear. Imagine… You pull into your driveway after a lovely evening with your spouse and as you approach your front door – key in hand - you see broken glass and notice that the door isn’t shut completely. For a few seconds, you’re confused. Then, you realize that someone has obviously forced their way into your house. Your heart starts pounding and your mind begins racing. Your home has been burglarized. What do you do now?

You are now a statistic—one of the 3.7 million home burglaries that happen each year. Regardless of how much homeowner's insurance you have you will be angry, anxious, or maybe even panic-stricken. But there are actions you must take to minimize the effects of the burglary…and the order in which you do them is critical.

  1. Call the police and file a report

In the above scenario, it is best to retreat into your car and dial 911. You can’t be certain that the burglars aren’t still in your house, and you don’t want to be the one to confront them. If you’re already in the house and certain that the burglars are gone, call the police, but don’t touch or disturb anything, as it might be key evidence. When the police arrive, walk through your house and make a list of the items that were taken, and take pictures of any damage that was done during the burglary. Make one copy of the list for your homeowners insurance company and give the other to the police.

Within 24 hours you will need to file a report with the police. This puts the incident on record, which is the first step in filing an insurance claim. The report is also needed in the investigation, and this may lead to apprehending the offenders and recovering your property.

  1. Contact your homeowners insurance company and file a claim

File an insurance claim with your carrier as quickly as possible, while the details are fresh in your mind. The list of stolen and damaged property that you supply should include a value for each item and receipts, if possible. There may be an insurance adjuster assigned to your case, and any documentation--in addition to the police report--will help him or her work through the details. While FBI statistics show that only about 13% of break-ins are solved by law enforcement, filing a well-documented claim should enable you to recoup a fair amount of your loss.

  1. Clean up

Once the burglary has been properly documented, you can clean up. Your emotional healing will begin with the physical act of putting things in order. Remove any appliances or furniture that can no longer be used, clean up anything that has been broken, and repair and paint over any damage to the walls. You might want to consider changing the previous look of a ransacked room by rearranging furniture or painting the walls a different color. All of this can be emotionally challenging, but these are important steps for moving on after a break-in.

  1. Plan for the future

Restoring order to your home, while difficult in itself, is easier than restoring your sense of security. Being burglarized causes emotional trauma, and being proactive about your future can help you recover. Here are some of the steps you can take:

  • Buy or upgrade door and window locks
  • Install motion-sensitive lights outside your doors
  • Put your lights on timers, both inside and outside
  • Consider a home security system with alarm monitoring—the system should include door and window alarms along with motion detectors

Having the Right Homeowner's Insurance Helps Your Peace of Mind

Contact us for help in buying the right homeowner's insurance for your peace of mind.To ensure that your valuables are properly protected in the event of a home burglary, click here to contact us, or give us a call at (800) 947-1270 or (610) 775-3848 to review your homeowner’s insurance policy.

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Home Prices Are Up. Do You Need More Homeowner's Insurance?

Posted by David Ross on Tue, Mar 25, 2014

House prices are up. Should your house insurance coverage rise too? Tips on homeowner's insurance from American Insuring Group, serving Reading, PA, Philadelphia, Lancaster, York, Harrisburg, Allentown, Bethlehem, Pittsburgh, Erie, Pennsylvania and beyond with quality house insurance for over 25 years.2013 was a good year for the real estate industry.  The price of homes increased by more than 20% in certain hotspots, and experts predict that home prices will continue to rise in 2014 – albeit, at a more moderate rate of 3-5%.  This is great news if you’re a realtor or if you’re trying to sell your home.  But you might be asking yourself, “Does this mean I need to reevaluate the insurance coverage on my home?  Does this mean I have to pay higher house insurance premiums?”

Market Value vs. Replacement Cost Value

Before we answer this question, you need to understand the difference between “market value” and “replacement cost value.”  Market value is how much you should be able to get for your home if you were to sell it.  This value is based on location, the value of the land, and other real estate trends. On the other hand, replacement cost is what it would cost to replace your home if it was completely destroyed – if you had to rebuild it from the ground up. 

Why Did You Purchase Homeowner’s Insurance?

Now think about why you purchased your homeowner’s insurance.  Wasn’t it to protect you and your family against unforeseen disasters?  If a storm rips the roof off your home, you want to be able to replace it.  If your house is completely destroyed by a fire, you need to have the resources to rebuild it, so you and your family have a place to live.  Plus, most disasters that can affect your home don’t affect the land itself.  If a tornado blows through your home or a tree lands on your roof, the value of the land your home rests on isn’t affected. 

Therefore, you should insure your home for what it would cost to repair or replace it, not what someone else would pay for it.  So, if the market value of your house increases because of the real estate market, there’s no need to re-evaluate your homeowner’s insurance.  Plus, most homeowner’s insurance policies have an inflation guard that automatically increases the value of the property by 3-5%.

When Considering Insurance on Your Home, Remember the Upgrades!

Now, if you make improvements to your home, such as an addition or a major renovation, it can affect both the market value and the replacement cost.  In that case you should contact your insurance agent, so you can make sure that your entire investment is protected in the event of a disaster. 

Get a free homeowner's insurance quoteIf you’d like to take a look at your homeowner’s insurance to be certain your home has sufficient protection, contact American Insuring Group at (800) 947-1270 or (610) 775-3848. We'll help you get the right level of quality insurance at the right price, quoting several competing insurance providers in the process.

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Worst States for Wind & Hail Damage by Property Insurance Claims

Posted by David Ross on Wed, Jul 10, 2013

Get the right homeowner's insurance or commercial property insurance to protect against damage from wind, hail, and more. Buy insurance from American Insuring Group, serving Reading, Philadelphia, Lancaster, Harrisburg, York, Allentown, Bethlehem, State College, PA and beyond.It's Not Just About the Midwest

Wind storms and hail are known for causing severe damage to private property throughout the U.S.  Although hail damage is more frequent throughout the Midwest and Great Plains states, the mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions are also surprisingly susceptible.

$3.9 Billion for State Farm Alone

According to State Farm, its 2012 wind and hail damage insurance claims cost the company and those insured over $3.9 billion combined.  To view a series of photos showing examples of wind and hail damage for each of the states above, click here

2012 HAIL AND WIND CLAIMS BY STATE

Are You Covered for Wind and Hail Damage?

Is your homeowner’s or commercial property insurance properly protecting you from the risks of damage due to wind, hail, and other forces of nature? Contact us today for an insurance check up.


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Beware: Your Homeowners Insurance is Weaker Than You Think

Posted by David Ross on Sat, Apr 27, 2013

Chances are that your current homeowner’s insurance policy is weaker than you think in terms of the financial protection it offers. That’s because many insurers have been steadily changing their coverage to increase deductibles and to add new loopholes protecting the insurance company from excessive loss. To make matters worse, homeowner’s insurance rates have climbed 69% over the past 10 years and now average approximately $1,000 per year.

Learn why house insurance costs have increased 58% in Pennsylvania and the US. Advice for homeowners in Reading, Philadelphia, Lancaster, York, Harrisburg, PA and beyond.Why the Big Homeowner’s Insurance Cost Increases?

So why are insurers raising home insurance rates, cutting coverage, and increasing deductibles in Reading, Philadelphia, Allentown, Lancaster, and all across Pennsylvania and the US? Is it nothing more than unbridled greed? Hardly. Insurers are experiencing factors beyond their control that are driving up costs. The biggest factor alone, the weather, has resulted in a 58% increase in the number of catastrophic weather events in the past five years vs. the prior five, climbing from 602 to 953 according to insurance industry data. Of course, along with each disaster comes a series of insurance industry payouts to policy holders. 

Another factor driving these changes is that states have denied insurers’ requests to increase their rates to the full extent needed to capture the true increases in weather-related payouts. As a result, insurers have resorted to shifting a much larger percentage of the cost of homeowner’s claims to their customers in an effort to remain solvent, and this has been done by cutting coverage. Many homeowners are on the hook for far more of the cost of repairs than they were five years ago.  Homeowner’s insurance is among the least profitable forms of insurance, and, as they say, you can’t get blood from a rock, so something has to give, and that has been both the extent and cost of coverage.

Get Help: Homeowner’s Insurance Coverage Varies Widely

Have an independent insurance agent review your homeowners insurance policy in Berks County, Reading, Lancaster, Philadelphia, Harrisburg, or elsewhere in Pennsylvania.Because house insurance coverage varies widely among insurers, and given that the specifics of what is covered and what is not are often buried in the insurance policy fine print, it is wise to seek the advice of an independent insurance agent to help you make sense of the coverages, deductibles, and loopholes within policies offered by various insurance carriers. An independent agent is uniquely positioned to help you find the best policy for your needs and budget because he or she represents multiple competing carriers, rather than just one. Don’t rely solely on an insurance company’s reputation or marketing. Instead get the facts so you can make an informed purchase.

We Can Help

Are you and your family in a precarious position? Arrange for a homeowner’s insurance review with an independent agent. Why not make an appointment today? You’ll sleep better knowing you did the smart thing. Call us at (800) 947-1270 or (610) 775-3848, or click below to contact us.

Contact American Insuring Group near Reading, PA for Homeowners Insurance advice.

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Homeowners Insurance Tip: PA Residents Won't Pay Hurricane Deductibles on Sandy-Related Claims

Posted by David Ross on Fri, Nov 02, 2012
PA Governor says no deductible for Hurricane Sandy claimsAccording to WFMZ-TV: "Gov. Tom Corbett announced Thursday that Pennsylvania homeowners will not have to pay hurricane deductibles on insurance claimsstemming from damage caused by Hurricane Sandy.

"Insurance deductibles could have added significant costs to Pennsylvanians already struggling to clean up and rebuild after Hurricane Sandy," Corbett said. "Insurance companies have deployed catastrophe teams to Pennsylvania and they have been advised that hurricane deductibles should not be applied to any homeowner's insurance claims.""

For the full article, click here

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Minimize Insurance Claims After a Storm – Homeowners Insurance Tips

Posted by David Ross on Tue, Jul 10, 2012

The storm season is here, and it pays to be prepared with the right homeowners insurance policy. Homeowners insurance is designed to protect you from severe financial loss when your house is damaged. Major home damage in Reading PA, Berks County, Lancaster, Allentown, Philadelphia and other parts of the eastern U.S. often occurs due to flooding.  Fortunately, today’s technologies can restore your home to pre-flooding condition, especially if you act quickly when water damage occurs.

Homeowners insurance Berks County, Reading, PA, Lancaster, Philadelphia, Allentown, Harrisburg, Lancaster, State College, Pittsburgh, Erie, York, PennsylvaniaDo you know what to do or who to call when major storm damage occurs? Be sure to contact your homeowners insurance agent as soon as possible, and to take plenty of photos of the damage.  Remember to watch for fallen power lines and standing water that may be electrically charged. Plumbing, roofing, and electrical systems and appliances should all be checked by a qualified professional.  For more information, request our free report.

Get Your Valuable Free Report: What to Do After the Storm

In addition to providing helpful details on what to check and who to call, your free homeowner’s report will explain:

  • 2 things you can do to speed your insurance claims process
  • How to protect yourself against contractor scams after the storm
  • The key plumbing, roofing, and electrical items to check for when assessing damage

To receive your free report, courtesy of PuroClean, click here.

American Insuring Group is proud to offer you the guaranteed lowest prices on high-quality, affordable homeowner’s insurance from a multitude of competing home insurance carriers. With over 25 competing brands of insurance, we guarantee the best deal on homeowners insurance, as well as insurance for your car, life, health, or business. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation quote, or click for an > instant homeowner’s insurance quote.

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How to Prevent Mold in the Home - Homeowners Insurance Tips

Posted by David Ross on Wed, Jun 27, 2012

We purchase homeowners insurance to protect our homes, and for the peace of mind that house insurance protection can bring. But what can we do when mold builds up in our home, and how can we prevent it in the first place?

Homeowners insurance for Reading PA, in Berks County, Lancaster, Allentown, York, Harrisburg, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Erie, State College and beyondHomeowners in Pennsylvania, and in eastern and southeastern states in general, tend to live in humid climates with plentiful rainfall. This combination makes these homes more susceptible to moisture and mold buildup, especially in older homes with porous foundations.  Therefore, homeowners must take extra care to watch for signs of moisture and mold, and to act quickly to resolve such problems before they become a serious health threat.

Is Mold in My Home, and What Can I Do?

Simply put, if you can see it or smell it, then you have mold, and should take immediate action to remove it.  The first step is to find and eliminate the water source.  Then the mold must be cleaned with a detergent solution and all materials must be thoroughly dried. Depending on the scope of the problem, professional help may be required, which may be covered under your homeowner’s insurance policy (contact us for details).

Get Your Free Report on Eliminating Mold in the Home

Our free homeowner’s report will show you:

  • 4 Ways to Stop Water Buildup in the Home
  • 4 Tips for Keeping Your Home Dry and Humidity Low
  • 3 Keys to Eliminating Mold

To receive your free report, click here.

American Insuring Group specializes in affordable homeowners insurance from high-quality carriers. We offer over 25 competing brands of insurance to guarantee the best deal on the right insurance for your home, car, life, health, or business. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation quote, or click for our > instant homeowners insurance quote.

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PA HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE – SAVE BIG BUCKS TO OFFSET INCREASING PRICES

Posted by David Ross on Sat, May 05, 2012

Home insurance quotes for Allentown PA and affordable house insurance for all of Pennsylvania, including Bethlehem, Lancaster, York, Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Pittsburgh, Erie and beyond.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.


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Your House is Your Castle, Defend It with Homeowners Insurance!

Posted by David Ross on Sat, Mar 03, 2012

INSURING YOUR CASTLE

House insurance for homeowners in Reading, PA, Lancaster, York, Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Allentown, Bethlehem, MD, NJ, NY, and beyond

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

Trusted Choice House Homeowners Insurance Agent serving Reading, PA, Philadelphia, Lancaster, Harrisburg, Allentown, Bethlehem, PennsylvaniaWhat 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.

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