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Should you use an app that tracks your driving?

By Personal Insurance

Insurance companies want to incentivize their customers to practice safer and more cautious driving. One way that they do this is to offer a discount if you use an app that tracks your driving. These apps use your smartphone’s functionality to collect data on your driving – how often you drive, how fast you drive, they can even tell how short you stop! It’s important to weigh the pros and cons of these apps before agreeing to use one:

The Pros

• The most obvious pro of using a safe driving app is a lower premium. Even agreeing to use a safe driving app and downloading it to your phone may automatically save you money on your premium. From there, if you are deemed a “safe driver” by your insurance company, you may be entitled to even more savings. Be sure to connect with your agent to determine what constitutes a “safe driver.”
• Another benefit to using a safe driving app is it may actually make you a more careful driver. On most apps you’re able to view a summary of your driving habits and users have reported that seeing these metrics has helped them improve their driving.
• The apps are typically very easy to install and use. The days of having to install a third party piece of equipment in your vehicle are over. Your phone is usually all you need!
• Some apps offer additional benefits such as roadside assistance and theft tracking. Your insurance agent will be able to help you determine what added benefits are offered to you.
• A safe driving app will allow you to prove to your insurance company that you’re a safe driver, thus lowering your rates!

The Cons

•If the insurance company deems your driving as “unsafe,” they may add a surcharge to your policy. However, often times the company gives you a “test period” to see if the tracking app is right for you. Each company varies, so it is important to know the specific information for your company.
• Agreeing to use the app gives the insurance company access to certain data, sometimes including location data. It’s important to determine how much data you’re willing to share with your insurance company before you sign up.
• It’s possible that your insurance company may use the data from your safe driving app to assign fault in an accident claim. Driving apps may communicate certain data to your insurance company, but they don’t tell the whole story.

Reach out to an agent at American Insurance today to talk through the pros and cons of using a safe driving app!

 

 

The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal or insurance advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this site are for general informational purposes only. Information on this website may not constitute the most up-to-date insurance or other information. This website may contains links to other third-party websites. Such links are only for the convenience of the reader, user or browser; American Insurance and its employees do not recommend or endorse the contents of the third-party sites.

Readers of this website should contact their insurance agent to obtain advice with respect to any particular insurance matter.

5 Reasons to Carry Renters Insurance

By Personal Insurance

Renters insurance is a good idea to have when you’re someone’s tenant. Here’s why:

1. It protects your property
Renters insurance is the equivalent of homeowners insurance for tenants. If you have renters policy, your possessions will be covered if they’re damaged or destroyed. When you’re living in someone else’s property, you may not have a lot of control over the property itself, but you can protect your stuff if something goes wrong.

2. It protects you if something goes wrong in your home
Renters insurance policies include liability coverage. This means that if someone comes to the home that you rent, gets injured, and takes any legal action against you. Some policies may also cover medical expenses of anyone who gets injured in your home. Accidents happen all the time but having renter’s insurance will give you one less thing to worry about.

3. It protects your ability to have a roof over your head
Some renters policies cover the cost of alternate housing if the home you occupy is damaged or destroyed. A “loss of use” policy will cover the cost of a hotel, food, and other living expenses while your home is repaired or rebuilt after damage.

4. It protects you from a host of other issues
Someone breaks into your home, steals your credit card or check book, and goes on a spending spree? Covered by renters insurance. You borrow your friend’s tablet and a pipe bursts in your home and destroys it? Covered by renters insurance. There’s a power surge in your building and all your lamps and lightbulbs are destroyed? Renters insurance covers it.

5. And finally… it’s cheap!
All the benefits mentioned above will likely cost you less than $20 per month. Even more, if you bundle a renters policy with your auto policy, a lot of times the discount covers the full price of the policy!

Reach out to American Insurance today to discuss renters insurance policies that are right for you!

 

 

The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal or insurance advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this site are for general informational purposes only. Information on this website may not constitute the most up-to-date insurance or other information. This website may contains links to other third-party websites. Such links are only for the convenience of the reader, user or browser; American Insurance and its employees do not recommend or endorse the contents of the third-party sites.

Readers of this website should contact their insurance agent to obtain advice with respect to any particular insurance matter.

Most Common Homeowners Claims and Tips To Avoid Them

By Personal Insurance

Approximately 97% of homeowners insurance claims are the result of property damage. Here are the most common types and tips from American Insurance on how you can avoid them:

1. Wind & Hail
The most common insurance claims that are filed have to do with damage from wind and hail. Make sure you inspect your roof before and after large storms and take note of any damage. Secure all outdoor equipment/valuables and install impact-resistant windows.

2. Water Damage & Freezing
Make sure to disconnect all hoses when you’re not actively using them. Cleaning your gutters may also help prevent any water damage to your home. When it’s cold outside, leave a few taps dripping so that your pipes don’t freeze and burst. Seal any cracks in the foundation of your house to prevent water damage.

3. Fire & Lightning
Unplug electronics and avoid using water during a lightning storm. Keep your grill at least 10 feet from your house to avoid fires. Make sure you don’t leave any candles or fireplaces unattended when lit. Test your smoke detectors periodically and replace any drained batteries.

4. Theft & Burglary
Invest in a security system like a doorbell camera or an alarm system. When you are on vacation leave a few lights on and ask a trusted family member or neighbor to collect your newspapers and mail. Make sure you lock your doors every time you leave and install a coded garage door opener.

 

Contact American Insurance for a homeowners insurance quote today!

 

 

The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal or insurance advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this site are for general informational purposes only. Information on this website may not constitute the most up-to-date insurance or other information. This website may contains links to other third-party websites. Such links are only for the convenience of the reader, user or browser; American Insurance and its employees do not recommend or endorse the contents of the third-party sites.

Readers of this website should contact their insurance agent to obtain advice with respect to any particular insurance matter.

Why should you use an Independent Insurance Agent?

By Business Insurance, Personal Insurance

While shopping around for insurance, there are many decisions that you will have to make. How much coverage is adequate? What is a reasonable price to pay? However, when it comes to choosing to use either an independent agent or a direct writer, it’s a no-brainer. Here’s why:

The Facts:

A direct writer is someone who works directly for one insurance company. When you’re working with a direct writer, they have an obligation to remain loyal to the company that they work for. A direct writer will work to get you the best price that their company offers, but that’s as far as they’re obligated to go.

An independent agent, on the other hand, has no loyalty to one insurance company over another. If you decide to work with an independent agent as opposed to a direct writer, it’s as if you have a personal shopper in the insurance marketplace. Your independent agent shops around in order to get you a combination of the best coverage and price possible. Their overarching loyalty lies with you, the customer.

It’s also important to note that there are no additional fees to work with an independent agent. Independent agents are paid directly by the insurance companies they work with. So you get the benefit of an insurance professional that can help advocate for you at no cost.

What this means:

An independent agent has the ability to get quotes from many different insurance companies which gives you much more freedom to pick a policy that’s right for you. You get more coverage options, more pricing options, and a licensed agent to help guide you through the process.

Reach out to American Insurance today to get a consultation with an independent agent!

11 Discounts that may save you money on your auto policy

By Personal Insurance

It is well-known that you may receive premium discounts on your personal auto policy for things like bundling with your homeowners insurance or staying accident-free, but here are some less well-known discounts that can keep some money in your bank account:

1. Anti-theft device: An anti-theft device is anything that makes it more difficult for a thief to drive away with your car. This can be as simple as a steering wheel or tire lock to something as advanced as a hidden “kill switch” in your car that requires a switch to be flipped before electricity can flow to the engine. If you have any kind of anti-theft item in your car, your agent may be able to get you a discount on your premium.

2. Auto-pay: Managing your account so that your monthly payment is automatically withdrawn gives your insurance company some assurance that you’ll be on-time with your payments. If you set up auto-pay on your account, you not only will always stay current, but you may be eligible for a reduction in your premium for it.

3. Good Student: Are you a student or do you have a student driver on your auto policy? If so, you may qualify for a Good Student premium discount. By sharing your/your student’s excellent report card with your insurance provider, you may be eligible to save an average of 7% on your premium – a humblebrag that may save you some money!

4. Students away from home: Are your great students away at college? This may also give your insurance company a reason to give you a break on your premium. If you have a student who lives over 100 miles away from your home, you’re on average able to save 15-30% on your auto policy.

5. Green/Hybrid car: Green features are becoming more and more prevalent in newly manufactured cars. If your car has an eco-mode, low-rolling resistance tires, LED lights, runs on electricity, or several other environmentally friendly features, you may be able to save money on your auto premium. You can save the environment while saving money – win/win!

6. Marriage: Insurance providers typically provide a discount to drivers who are married. If you and your spouse have good driving records with few accidents, it may be beneficial for you to combine your auto policies and save. Ask your insurance agent if this benefit may apply to you.

7. Organization Memberships: Your insurance provider may give you a discount on your auto policy if you are affiliated with certain organizations. Here’s a list of the most popular affiliations: AAA, AARP, collegiate alumni associations, wholesale clubs like COSTCO and BJ’s, business groups, honor societies, teachers’ groups, etc. If you belong to a group, chances are there’s an insurance provider that wants to give you a discount!

8. Advance-Quote (purchase) discount: By shopping around for a new auto policy well in advance of your current policy’s expiration date, you may be eligible to save an additional percent on your premium. You don’t have to shop around months in advance either – some providers may apply this discount if you have as little as 7 days left on your current policy. It pays to think ahead – literally!
9. Education credit: Completing any kind of driver safety course may save you money on your auto premium. You can also earn an extra discount on your premium if everyone in your home under the age of 21 completes a driver education course. Reach out to your agent to see what courses may be available to you.

10. Defensive Driving course: Specifically completing a Defensive Driving course will not only make you more alert on the roads, it may be cause for your provider to give you a discount. Many of these courses are offered online with low registration fees. Taking this course may get you as much as 10% off your auto policy and in some cases, you may be able to remove points off your license by taking one.

11. Pay in full: By paying your auto premium in full up-front, you are eligible for many kinds of savings. You’ll save on monthly charges associated with your auto policy, you’ll never be charged a late fee, and you’ll be able to take one monthly bill off your list!

Contact American Insurance today to find out how we can save you money on your auto insurance in New Jersey!

N.J. governor issues emergency grace period on nonpayment cancellations

By Personal Insurance

Gov. Phil Murphy issued Executive Order 123 on April 9, 2020, to prohibit the cancellation of property/casualty, life and health insurance policies for a certain period of time.

Specifically, the executive order prohibits the cancellation of any property/casualty or life insurance policy for a period of at least 90 days. This includes any policies that are financed by a premium-finance company.

The order also prohibits the cancellation of health insurance policies, including dental plans, for a period of at least 60 days.

Read More

Insurance in Springfield NJ, Edison NJ, Kenilworth NJ, and the Surrounding Areas

By Personal Insurance

Have you recently met with an accident? Or has the structure of your home collapsed due to a disaster? As there are events that can take a heavy financial toll on you as well as your loved ones, the least you can do is to be prepared for the worst. And that is the reason why every individual and business must possess 3 main insurance coverage i.e., Auto insurance, Homeowners Insurance, and Business Insurance. And if you are looking for reliable assistance on getting the right insurance coverage in areas like Cranford NJ and East Brunswick NJ, then come to us, at American Insurance, as we will provide you with the aforementioned policies and more along with the much-needed guidance by our licensed insurance agents. Read More

Homeowners Insurance in Edison NJ, Union NJ, Old Bridge, and the Surrounding Areas

By Personal Insurance

American Insurance offers best value homeowners insurance throughout Cranford NJ, East Brunswick NJ, Edison NJ, New Jersey, Old Bridge and Scotch Plains. Best value insurance is reliable and offers the best coverage at the lowest price. American Insurance can help protect your financial investment in your home. It does not matter whether you have a free-standing home, a vacation home, a condo, an apartment or even a home under construction. They can help you with the right homeowner’s insurance. Read More

Good Reasons to Invest in an Auto Insurance in Cranford NJ, East Brunswick NJ, Edison NJ, Kenilworth NJ, New Jersey, Old Bridge

By Personal Insurance

Every human being regrets when they come up with an incidence, where they actually realize that they could have saved themselves from the trouble, if they had been more alert.  Predicting the future is impossible and at times, random bad luck may put a person in an inopportune situation. But, some preparation indeed can make a difference. Read More