What do you need to know about your recreational toy insurance policy

Having a recreational toy or vehicle can be a lot of fun. While these vehicles can provide you with some great memories and a lot of exciting times, they are also valuable assets that need to be properly protected. Because of this, you need to make sure that you have recreational toy insurance in place at all times. There are several things that you should know about your recreational toy insurance policy.

Asset Protection

When you are shopping for recreational toy insurance, the first factor to consider is your asset protection. Recreational toy insurance will include a personal property coverage limit that will protect your toy against vandalism, theft, accidents, and a variety of other losses. If you have spent a lot of money on this toy, having recreational toy insurance is a necessity to protect your investment.

Liability Protection

While using a recreational toy can be a lot of fun, they also come with some risk. If you happen to cause an accident when using your toy, you could be held accountable. A full recreational toy insurance will provide you with the protection you need in these situations. Ultimately, this could save you a lot of time and money if you are about liable as the insurance company will support you and provide financial protection.

When you are ready to start shopping for your recreational toy insurance policy in the Astoria, OR area, one of the best places to start your search is with the Linda Dugan Insurance agency. The team at the Linda Dugan Insurance agency can help an Astoria, OR recreational toy owner pick out a policy that works best for them. Ultimately, this could help to ensure you and your recreational toy are properly protected.

Boat Insurance for When Your Boat Is Out of the Water

Boat owners need to be concerned with protecting themselves and their boat no matter where it is located. Consider this example, a boat is in its mooring tied down securely to the dock. A hurricane hits the area. The storm surge causes the boat to break free from the dock, careen on to the land, and smash through the large picture window of a luxury beach house. Yikes!

This is the kind of incident that causes all kind of problems with insurance claims. As the boat owner, you may be held responsible for whatever the boat damages, even if the situation is not under your own control. If you lack proper insurance, you may lose your boat and then get stuck with a huge repair bill for the damages.

Here is another example. You are towing your boat on a trailer. Traffic suddenly slows down unexpectedly. The car behind you does not have enough time to stop. It hits the boat causing it to break free from the trailer, fly into the air, and smash into another car. The driver of the car causing the accident is at fault. However, the at-fault driver has no insurance. You get sued by the car owner that was hit by the boat for the damages to the car that went unpaid.

At Linda Dugan Insurance, serving Astoria, OR and the surrounding area, these are the kinds of risks we want to protect our clients from. Even if you already have boat insurance, it is wise to get an insurance review.

Another common problem is that boat owners sometimes do not keep their boat insured when it is not being used and it is in storage. That is really risky. What happens if there is a fire that burns the storage building down? Or if the boat is stolen?

In general, it is a wise decision to keep your boat insured at all times, no matter if it is in or out of the water. Be sure to discuss with your agent the coverage that is adequate for storage, which depends on how and where it is stored. Also, talk over the coverage it has when being transported. Talk to your agent at Linda Dugan Insurance in Astoria, OR by calling 503-440-3909 or using the convenient online form to get a quote for boat insurance.

What Oregon Residents Need to Know About Flood Insurance This Spring

Flood insurance is something that many homeowners don’t think about until it’s too late. If you are a resident in the greater Astoria, OR area and would like to learn more about your flood insurance options, the team at Linda Dugan Insurance is here to help. Most home policies do not provide coverage from flood or other water damage, and it is important to understand exactly what protection your primary policy provides. Don’t be left wishing that you had comprehensive flood coverage after the damage is done!

Understanding Flood Insurance

This spring is a perfect time to review your current insurance policies and fill in any gaps that may be present. Many homeowners overlook flood insurance when building their portfolios. If you are in a flood zone, your mortgage holder will likely require a certain level of protection, but there are reasons for everyone to hold some amount of flood coverage. Water damage from flood waters can hit even if you aren’t in a flood zone, especially when there are heavy downpours that cause flash floods. If you aren’t sure exactly what type of coverage is right for your location, it makes sense to meet with a professional agent and learn more about your available options. 

Water damage can be difficult to clean up, and the ongoing damage can be severe. There are instances where flood waters can cause mold, mildew, and other unwanted situations. With the right policy, your family will be protected.

Flood insurance is something that you may not ever use but can really make a difference those times when you do need it. Astoria, OR residents are encouraged to contact Linda Dugan Insurance today and find out more about the flood insurance coverage options that are available. 

3 Tips for Getting Your RV Ready for Your Next Adventure

There’s nothing more exciting than packing up your RV and heading out on the open road. However, there are a few things you need to do before planning a big trip. Here are three tips from our Linda Dugan Insurance team on how to get your RV ready for your next adventure.

Tip #1: Have Your RV Inspected by a Mechanic

The most important thing you can do before your trip is to have your RV inspected by a certified and knowledgeable mechanic. Have them check things like oil levels, the engine, tires, and even the plumbing and septic systems. After all, proper maintenance now is a good way to keep from being stranded during the journey.

Tip #2: Make Sure You’ve Packed Everything You Need

Your recreational vehicle is your home away from home. That’s why it is so important to make sure you’ve packed everything you need for your trip. If you store extra linens, dishes, or other items during the off season, double check them to make sure they’re still in good condition and don’t need laundering or repair. Stock plenty of water, canned goods, and snacks. By taking a little bit of extra time before you leave, you can ensure your vacation is smooth.

Tip #3: Purchase Adequate RV Insurance

Another tip is to purchase adequate RV insurance. Coverage varies by individual type of recreational vehicle, size, and value, so talking directly with an agent is highly recommended. By making sure your recreational vehicle is completely covered, you can rest assured that any issues you encounter while on the road are handled.

Linda Dugan Insurance is proud to help drivers in Astoria, OR and surrounding areas with all of their policy needs. Please contact us today to schedule an appointment.

Life Doesn’t Stop When You Get Sick

Life is filled with exciting, difficult and unexpected moments. When those unexpected moments result in illness, injury or impact our health, we often find ourselves in need of help. That is what health insurance is for and it is there when you need it when you least expect it.

 Insurance to Get You Back On Your Feet

As parents, it is our responsibility. As adults, it is not only a requirement of the law but also part of being a responsible person. Having health insurance is simply a smart and mature decision to keep you and your family safe and protected from injury and illness. One report stated that the average cost of a work-related injury needing medical consultation was nearly $40,000. It doesn’t have to be an injury or major event to become costly either, such as an illness that results in missing a week or two of work. How does your budget look minus the next two weeks of paychecks? Fortunately, residents of Astoria, OR and the surrounding areas can take comfort in knowing that Linda Dugan Insurance is there, for emergencies just like these.

Health Insurance for You

It doesn’t matter if you have a family of five, work for or run your own business, there are health insurance policies designed to cover our family and friends in Astoria, OR. If you are looking for a new health insurance plan, have had changes in your work or family or just want to compare rates, contact us today. Don’t be left with medical bills you can’t handle. Don’t put yourself in the stressful situation of needing to cover lost time and wages or in a possible situation where you could face fines for being uninsured. The experienced and helpful agents at Linda Dugan Insurance are here for you and your insurance needs, when you least expect it and when you need us most.

3 Reasons Why You Need Umbrella Insurance in Astoria, OR

Umbrella insurance is added protection that goes above and beyond a standard insurance policy. For example, a homeowner’s policy may not cover all unforeseen events that could happen in or around your property. But umbrella insurance isn’t just for your home. Read on to learn some reasons why you should consider purchasing umbrella insurance in Astoria, OR for added protection when it comes to these three scenarios.

1. You Love to Entertain Guests in Your Home

You’re the perfect hostess, or so you thought. While friends and family love to come to your home for your infamous dinner parties, game nights, or other events you love to host, did you know that there could be danger lurking nearby? Take, for example, a guest of a friend falls down the stairs, slips on the patio, or suffers some other unfortunate event that leads to injury and decides to sue you. This is where your umbrella insurance kicks in. It will help cover the costs of the lawsuit that your homeowner’s insurance won’t cover. 

2. You Have Pets

Sometimes dogs bit and cats scratch. If a guest is at your home and has an unfortunate experience with one of your pets or if your pet gets lose and causes an injury, you could be sued. Without umbrella insurance, you may not be able to afford the attorney fees and other associated costs of a lawsuit.

3. You Have an Online Presence

Perhaps you have a blog or you’re an influencer on Instagram. Having an online presence puts you at risk for slander, which could ruin your reputation and any streams of income. However, with umbrella insurance, you will be able to file a lawsuit against the individual or institution who slandered you.

To learn more about umbrella insurance and how it can help you, contact Linda Dugan Insurance serving the Astoria, OR area. You can contact our friendly and knowledgeable agents at Linda Dugan Insurance at 503-440-3909.

Life Insurance and Living on a Limited Budget

If you work hard for a living but have to keep a close eye on your savings account, you might think that life insurance is an extravagance you just don’t need. However, if you have a family in the Astoria, OR area, you may discover that life insurance from Linda Dugan Insurance is something you really shouldn’t sacrifice. Let’s check out the basics of what it’s all about.

Who Benefits from a Life Insurance Policy?

Your life insurance policy can designate your spouse, live-in companion, parents, or even a lifelong friend as its beneficiary. Basically, whoever you think will be responsible for taking care of your final expenses and caring for your personal possessions is a good person to receive payment from the policy.

What Can the Money be Used For?

The cash from a life insurance policy generally comes with no strings attached. However, if you have children it could help pay the rent or mortgage while they grow up and potentially fund a college savings account. It can assist the family through a period of adjustment by clearing credit card balances, pay off the car loan, or cover the wake and funeral. 

Providing Security at Crucial Moments in Life

If you are the sole source of income for your family, your death could create a tragic and traumatic period where the question of how to pay for food and utilities for the first year can be very serious. A life insurance policy provides the net that is needed to help your loved ones make it through an uncertain moment in their lives. 

Best of all, you don’t have to break the bank to purchase a life insurance policy in the Astoria, OR area. Give the friendly and understanding agents at Linda Dugan Insurance a call and ask us about all of your options today.

Commercial Insurance Add On to Consider

You have put a considerable amount of time and energy into your business, growing it from the ground up. With all of the time and energy you’ve put into your business you need to do what you can to protect it. One of the best ways to do this is to take out appropriate commercial insurance. With so many different commercial insurance add ons though you may not know what each does or what is right for you. If your business is in or around Astoria OR Linda Dugan Insurance is here to assist. 

Worker’s Compensation

If you have any employees this is a must. Should an employee injur themselves on the job while performing job related tasks you are required to cover medical expenses and other costs associated with the injury. This can quickly add up, which is why you need the insurance coverage. With the insurance coverage you can protecdt your own finances by having the coverage pay for the injury and costs associated with it. 

Data Breach

In the modern world of business there is likely a considerable amount of information stored online or on the cloud. It is your responsibility to take care of this information, so if there is a data breach and client data is lost, you will likely be held responsible. Data breach protection will help financially protect your business from potential lawsuits and other expenses that may be associated with such a problem. 

Commercial insurance is a critical investment of your business you need to make. There are a number of commercial insurance add ons to consider though, and what’s right for you will not always be right for the next business. So if you run a company in or around Astoria OR Linda Dugan Insurance is here to help. 

Hazards to the home in the Astoria OR area

Residents know that the state of Oregon has specific hazards tied to the weather and other local features. This is why a discussion about these potential problems with an insurance agent at Linda Dugan Insurance is crucial. Keep reading to find out more about what kinds of issues may threaten your home.

Because Astoria is an oceanfront community, hazards related to flooding and water damage are always a source of concern, especially with both the Pacific Ocean and Columbia River nearby. Keep in mind that Astoria is essentially surrounded by water.

If your home is in a flood zone, specific flood insurance coverage may be necessary. Generally, the closer a home is to the water, the higher the potential for damages over time, which is factored into insurance premiums. The Pacific Northwest is also known for heavy rainfalls that can become damaging if they are severe enough and cause water levels to rise. 

Not all damages are related to water, as high winds and snowfall are also common in Oregon. Winds can come directly off of the coastline and force debris to become projectiles. Much like during a hurricane or typhoon, this is a source of significant danger to the home. Snow and ice accumulations during the winter months can also cause slipping and sliding or structures to cave in during severe storms. It is important to be prepared each winter for serious blizzards and other weather events. 

For those who live in Astoria, OR and surrounding areas, please contact Linda Dugan Insurance for further information. A policy that takes your particular concerns into consideration can be created and offered to you.   

Auto Loan Amount VS. Insured Amount — How Much Coverage Do I Need?,

Trying to understand your Astoria, OR home loan amounts and insurance policy amounts can be difficult, and trying to determine the difference between what your auto loan amounts and insured amounts are can be tricky, too. At Linda Dugan Insurance, we know that you need to understand the difference in order to obtain the right protection. Here’s what you need to know. 

Loan Amount VS Insured Amount  

“Loan amount" is the amount of money you borrow from the lender and agree to repay. This amount sometimes includes more than just the amount of money you borrow – it can also include closing costs, fees, and points. The amount of your loan can differ significantly from the amount of your insurance coverage, which is the amount of policy coverage.  

Why The Difference? 

When you compare your loan amount with your insured amount, you need to consider the amount of money paid versus the money you’ll receive in the event of a claim. For example, if you still owe your lender $25,000, but your auto insurance covers the cash value of your vehicle, which is $20,000, the difference between your loan amount and your insured amount is $5,000. If you are involved in a collision and file a claim, you would receive the $20,000 cash value, but you would still owe your lender the full $25,000 due on your loan. 

What’s The Solution? 

In order to fully protect your loan amount, or you need what is called gap insurance in addition to your standard auto insurance policy, to cover the difference between the amount determined by your policy and the amount you still owe on your loan.  

There’s more to buying auto insurance than just buying standard coverage — you need the right amount of coverage for your specific situation. At Linda Dugan Insurance, we’re the Astoria, OR insurance experts. Give us a call today –we can help you choose the right policy for your unique needs.