Tips for filing a homeowners insurance claim

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Homeowners purchase homeowners insurance to give them peace of mind that they will be covered in the event of a claim. However, being prepared to file a claim will help make the process less stressful and help ensure your claim is handled quickly. If you have questions about how to file a claim under your policy, reach out to an agent at The Owens Agency LLC today. 

Call you carrier right away 

It is imperative that you notify your insurance carrier of a claim right away. Place the contact information somewhere safe, so you do not have to search for it. Also, keep your policy number with the contact information, so you have it handy. Some policies have time limits in which you have to file a claim. 

Know your policy terms

Each year, when you go to renew your policy take some time to review the coverage terms. You will want to be sure to check your coverage limits, so you know the limit of any potential claim. 

Find a good contractor ahead of time 

Since you will want any repairs completed on the home by a reliable and reputable contractor, you will want to have their contact information handy in the event you need to file a claim. If you need to scramble at the last minute, you may not get the contractor you would prefer. Be sure the contractor works in the  Waldron, AR area, so they can get to you quickly. In the event, you need to file a claim, call your contractor and have them put together a detailed estimate for the work before the claim adjuster arriving. 

Take photos as soon as possible. 

Once you have called your carrier and your contractor, you will want to start documenting the damage. You should take photos and videos of all the damage. This is especially important if you need to make a change to the damaged area to protect the house before the adjuster arrives. 

If you would like to learn more about how you can best be prepared to file a claim, reach out to an agent at The Owens Agency LLC today. We proudly serve the Waldron, AR area.

Hit by An Uninsured Motorist? Am I Covered?

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If you’ve been involved in a car wreck, the first thing to do is file a report.  This will establish who is at fault for the accident.  What do you do though if you discover that the other person was at fault but doesn’t have auto insurance?  In some states, the rate of uninsured motorists is as high as one in seven (14%).  The agents at The Owens Agency LLC work with drivers in the Waldron, AR area to protect themselves from uninsured/underinsured motorists.

Some states have ‘no-fault’ auto insurance laws meaning that each person involved in accidents pays their own expenses.  In Arkansas, no-fault insurance is considered an add on to the required minimum liability insurance.   This is an option but you can also add uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage to your existing policy.  This will protect you if someone else causes an accident but doesn’t have the ability to cover your medical and repair costs.  After an accident where you are not at fault, you can try to file a claim with your insurance company though not all of them will pay.  Another option is to sue the driver who was at fault.  The reality, though, is that if they do not have insurance the chances are that they do not have many assets so the chances of recovering funds for repairs and medical expenses are low. 

Talk with your Waldron, AR area agent at The Owens Agency LLC.  They will explain the options you have for coverage against uninsured/underinsured motorists.  This will help you decide which option is the best for you and your family.  Visit the website to get started.  Then call or come by for a visit.  A short conversation will get you the protection you need for your family on the road. 

What do I need to know about trucking insurance?

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Owning a commercial truck in the Waldron, AR area can be a great investment and career path. When you own or work on a truck, you also need to remember that you are driving a very valuable asset and that you are hauling some very valuable materials. When you are looking to own or manage a truck, getting trucking insurance will be a very good investment. There are several things that you need to know about trucking insurance. 

It Can Save Your Business

One important fact to know about trucking insurance is that it could save your business. Trucking companies often rely heavily on the cargo that they are carrying. If your truck is vandalized, stolen, or involved in an accident that damages the cargo, it could be devastating for your trucking business. However, if you have insurance, you will receive coverage for your cargo which could save your organization. 

Likely Required

Trucking insurance is also something that will likely be required for you to carry. One part of trucking insurance is to carry liability insurance. This is the same type of insurance that could be required under state laws for all drivers. Also, if your trucking business has any type of loan from a bank, the lender will undoubtedly require that you have a full trucking insurance policy. This will help to protect their collateral when the loan is outstanding. 

If you would like to learn more about trucking insurance, The Owens Agency LLC is a great place to start. The Owens Agency LLC has been helping people all over the Waldron, AR area choose trucking insurance policies for a long time. They will be able to evaluate your situation and make sure that you get into the right policy that meet your needs. 

Do I need home insurance if I don’t have a mortgage?

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Your home is probably the single biggest investment that you will ever make.  When you have a mortgage, your lender will likely require you to have a home insurance policy to protect their investment but what about when you don’t have a mortgage? Is it still a good idea to have home insurance?  At The Owens Agency LLC in Waldron, AR our experienced agents can help you to decide if coverage is right for you. 

Can you repair or replace your home

If your home is destroyed or damaged by high winds, fire or vandalism would you be able to afford to pay to bring it back to its original condition?  Would you be able to replace your furniture, appliances, clothing and personal items? If the answer is no then maybe you can’t live without home insurance. 

Can you afford to stay someplace else

If your home is damaged and is unliveable would you be able to afford to live somewhere else for what could turn out to be months? If the answer is no then maybe you need home insurance. 

If you get sued

If someone is injured while visiting your home or if your dog bites someone would you be able to pay for the litigation and judgment that might result? If the answer is no, you may need home insurance. 

Protecting your home from all the unfortunate things that can happen also safeguards your investment and your assets. Things happen, some of them are bad. Talking to the knowledgeable staff at The Owens Agency LLC in Waldron, AR can help you to guarantee if bad things happen to your home, you have the coverage you need to repair or replace the home you love. Give us a call or stop by our office for a no-obligation quote.

 

 

 

3 Reasons to Never Go Without Auto Insurance Coverage

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No matter where in the United States you may live and drive, purchasing car insurance coverage is mandatory. That said, for residents of Waldron, AR, the following is a list of 3 reasons to never go without auto insurance coverage.

Fines

One of the top reasons you should never go without auto insurance is because you may be hit with costly fines. In many areas, you could be subjected to fines and often times, you must pay a certain fee for every single day you either drove with no insurance or after your insurance has lapsed.

Impounding

On another note, if you are either not offered the option to pay a fine or if you cannot afford to pay the fines, your car may be impounded for the same number of days you drove without insurance. Obviously, this could be a highly detrimental issue for those who have no other form of transportation. Therefore, you will definitely not want to drive without insurance if you do not want to have your car impounded.

Ticket and/or Towed

Lastly, if you are caught on the road by a police officer you will get a ticket and/or have your car towed. Driving without insurance is illegal because if you happen to cause an accident, you will likely have no way to pay for the damages. Therefore, if a police officer becomes aware of the fact that you are on the road without proper coverage, you will suffer the consequences.

Overall, for residents of Waldron, AR, purchasing a premium auto insurance policy is a must. Contact The Owens Agency LLC  today to find out how you can begin your policy and hopefully save some money as well. If you do not have proper auto insurance coverage, The Owens Agency LLC is an excellent option for purchasing a policy.

3 Tips for Buying Trucking Insurance in Waldron, AR

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Are you in the trucking business? If so, it’s important to have the right trucking insurance as this is one of the biggest expenses you company will have. For this reason, you’ll want to get the most for your money. If you’re looking for a new trucking insurance policy in Waldron, AR or need to revisit and existing policy, read on to learn about three important tips that will get you the right coverage and help you save money in the process.

1. Bundle Your Policies

One of the easiest ways to save money on a trucking insurance policy is to bundle it with your other policies under one insurance carrier. You can bundle commercial insurance, home insurance, auto insurance, umbrella insurance, and other policies you may have to get the maximum discount on your premiums. You may want to stick with your current insurance carrier or even switch your policies to a new one.

2. Compare Many Quotes

When purchasing any new insurance policy, it’s important to compare many quotes to find the right policy. The trusted agents at The Owens Agency LLC can help you do this. They will go over each trucking insurance policy with you in fine detail to make sure you understand the coverage and to help you decide on the best policy.

3. Work with a Reputable Agent

Insurance agents are a valuable resource when it comes to buying an all-important trucking insurance policy. The agents at The Owens Agency LLC are standing by to answer all of your questions and concerns and help you find the right policy at the right price. 

To learn more about buying a trucking insurance policy in Waldron, AR, contact our team today.

 

Why Renters Insurance is So Important, Especially for New College Grads

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Many college grads can become overwhelmed by their expenses and look for ways to cut costs. Even if you may think it’s an optional expense, renters insurance should not be cut from anyone’s budget, especially recent college grads. The team at The Owens Agency LLC is here to help the young people in the greater Waldron, AR area make sure that their possessions are protected. It’s important to remember that landlord insurance typically only covers the building itself and any common areas. There are a variety of different options available and there is likely an appropriate renter’s insurance policy for everyone.

Don’t Leave Yourself Unprotected

Many young people misunderstand how insurance works and think that their landlord’s policy will cover their unit. Unfortunately, this is typically not the case, as each unit must have its own policy in place. If you are living in an apartment or other rented space, it’s important to have an insurance policy in place to protect your possessions. A fully comprehensive policy can provide other benefits such as alternative living arrangements in the event that your home is uninhabitable. There is also coverage for theft and vandalism that can protect you from criminal mischief. If you are interested in obtaining a renters policy it makes sense to sit down with an experienced local agent to learn more about the available options and determine which policy and coverage levels are right for you. Don’t think that renters insurance is something that you can do without!

Don’t leave the protection of your belongings up to chance. Contact the team at The Owens Agency LLC today and find out more about all the renter’s insurance policies that are available to residents in the greater Waldron, AR area.

How To Choose A Health Insurance Plan

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Choosing a health insurance plan is of utmost importance. Particularly for your business, you want to make sure you’re able to offer your employees health plans that work for them and their families around Waldron, AR. At The Owens Agency LLC, we can help you to choose a plan that works best for your business.

First, you have to think about how much you want to contribute to the plans. Some companies help to reduce the premiums their employees pay drastically. Whether you want to contribute a little or a lot, it will make it easier to explore the best plans.

From there, consider whether you want to offer an HMO, a PPO, or a health spending account. In order to figure out what’s best, it might be helpful for you to conduct a survey with your employees. Get a focus group together to find out whether employees want their doctors within a certain network, what the desired monthly fees are for premiums, and more. By obtaining all of this information, it will be easier to narrow down the options.

You may also want to look at the add-on possibilities that are available. For example, dental and vision can be added to some health insurance plans, offering more comprehensive coverage for your employees. Your employees can choose to opt into these plans for added money or skip them entirely. However, offering them can make it easier to keep up employee morale.

The benefits package that you offer is important. Many employees choose where they want to work based on what is offered to them. As such, you need to take a close look at the plan that you’re offering.

Don’t hesitate to offer health insurance plans. Call to talk to one of our insurance agents at The Owens Agency LLC today. We’ll be sure to help you compare policies effectively around Waldron, AR.

 

What is business interruption insurance?

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You may have a business plan that is sound. What would happen, though, if an emergency occurs in Waldron, AR that caused your company to close for days or even weeks? Do you have enough savings to cover the closure? If the answer to the last question was in the negative, then you may want to consider business interruption insurance.

What is business interruption insurance?

Put simply, business interruption insurance is an indemnity plan that serves as a sort of umbrella for your company. The policy kicks in when your business has to temporarily close due to an unforeseen event such as a fire or flood. You will not lose the income that your company would have garnered during the closure thanks to business interruption insurance that covers the loss of revenue.

How does business interruption insurance work?

Business interruption insurance works like a standard assurance policy. You are covered up to your policy limits, which are based on the monthly premium you are willing to pay for assurance in Waldron, AR. Whereas a higher premium pays out more, the lower end of the bar does not provide as much of a financial cushion.

The amount of coverage that you choose depends on several factors, which are not limited to:

  • The type of business you operate;

  • How much revenue the company brings in on a daily basis;

  • How much saving you have in the bank to cover emergencies;

  • The number of years you have been in business.

Call The Owens Agency LLC

The Owens Agency LLC has been in the business of insurance for many years and understands the importance of financial security. Our team of experts can explain the ins and outs of business interruption insurance so that you fully understand what you are buying before making your purchase. Contact our office today to get started with a quote!

Home Insurance and Tree Damage, What You Should Know

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Tree damage is a constant concern for homeowners in and around Waldron, AR. It doesn’t help that different home insurance agencies deal with tree damage in different ways. However, The Owens Agency LLC wants people to know how tree damage and home insurance typically work.

Not All Tree Damage is the Same

Tree damage can occur in several different ways:

  • Falling branches that damage structures
  • Falling trees that damage structures
  • Leaning trees that damage utility lines
  • Trees growing into structures

In addition, many problems with trees can stem from other issues beyond your control. For example, if lightning strikes a tree, it can send branches falling onto your home. All of these can represent different types of incidents that an insurance company may or may not cover.

Not All Tree Damage Has the Same Coverage

Don’t guess or assume anything about tree damage and insurance. Make sure you go over your homeowner’s policy carefully. If in doubt, ask the insurance company directly what type of tree damage it will cover, and what it won’t cover.

Sometimes, you may have coverage but only if the damage comes about in a highly specific way. You don’t want to wait until the damage occurs to find out.

Not All Tree Damage is Unavoidable

Don’t wait for damage to occur before you try to make a claim with your insurance company. Do what you can to mitigate the possibility of damage from trees. Take care of trees on your property. Keep them trimmed and pruned. If they represent a clear hazard, have them removed.

Don’t let dead or diseased trees linger on the property. You can tell your insurance company about the trees on your property and what you need to do to mitigate their potential damage. In some cases, the insurance company may even help.

When looking for home insurance in Waldron, AR, make sure you ask about tree damage specifically. Contact the Owens Agency LLC today to discuss your options.