Does Home Insurance Protect Against Plumbing Damages?

Home insurance is necessary to protect your property and yourself from financial losses related to covered risks. One particular risk that home insurance offers coverage against is sudden plumbing issues that cause damage to the home or its contacts. This is one of the many reasons individuals living in Astoria, OR should contact Linda Dugan insurance to help them get the coverage they need to have peace of mind.

Home Insurance Protection

Your home is one of the most significant investments you’ve ever made. It only makes sense to have coverage that adequately protects this investment and offers you the options to secure your property. When it comes to protecting your home against plumbing damage, your insurance company will cover the cost of the repairs if the plumbing problem is unexpected and unrelated to poor maintenance.

Individuals wanting the ideal level of coverage should consider totaling the cost of their home and its contents accurately to present to their insurance agent. The insurance agent can help assess the current situation and determine how much coverage is adequate to offer the highest level of protection. The agent can then begin recommending policies that match the client’s needs.

The insurance agent can help the customer match the ideal insurance policy, and assist with any changes during the policy’s effective date, or they can also help file claims if there’s a covered event.

Find Out More Today

Individuals living in Astoria, OR looking for reliable home insurance coverage should contact Linda Dugan insurance today and schedule a consultation with one of the insurance agents. Get the reliable insurance protection necessary to protect your home and your assets.

What items on your boat does your boat policy cover?

Insurance for your boat in Astoria, OR covers more than just the boat itself. In this blog from Linda Dugan Insurance, we explain what personal property and items installed on the boat, such as radar and other navigational equipment, the policy includes.

The typical boat policy covers everything you install on the boat, plus the personal property you and your guests bring. If an accident occurs, your next-door neighbor’s iPhone receives the same coverage as your radar as long as your neighbor goes boating with you.

Many boat owners install radar and other navigational items on their boats. The typical boat policy covers these items. All the appliances get coverage if you set up a kitchen in the hold with a mini-fridge, toaster oven, and microwave. The fishing gear you bring, clothes, and other normal personal property all receive coverage under the policy.

What isn’t covered?

If you make improvements to your boat after your policy purchase, those don’t receive coverage until you update your insurance policy. Permanent boat improvements like new flooring in the hold or galley or upgrading the furnishings, such as the beds, require updated insurance.

Essentially, personal property coverage applies if you can bring it and then take it with you. If you install it permanently, it adds value to the boat, so you need to update your boat insurance to cover the new value of the ship.

Contact Linda Dugan Insurance, serving Astoria, OR for more information on boat insurance. Let us help you update your coverage so your boat remains fully covered.

Do You Need Full-Year RV Insurance in Oregon?

If you’re an RV owner in Astoria, OR, you might wonder if full-year RV insurance is necessary. After all, you only use your RV for part of the year, so why should you have to pay for insurance all year long? The answer is simple: because it’s the best way to protect your investment. Here’s a closer look at the different insurance options available to RV owners and why full-year coverage is always the best choice.

Seasonal Coverage vs. Full-Year Coverage

Most RV insurance companies offer both seasonal and full-year coverage options. Seasonal coverage is typically less expensive than full-year coverage but provides less protection. For example, if you have a claim while your RV is in storage during the off-season, your seasonal policy probably won’t cover it. That’s why Linda Dugan Insurance always recommends opting for full-year coverage, even if it costs a little more.

What Does Full-Year RV Insurance Cover?

Full-year RV insurance policies vary somewhat in coverage, but they all provide comprehensive protection for your RV. This includes protection from weather damage, theft, accidents, and more. Some policies also include roadside assistance and emergency expense reimbursement, which can come in handy if you break down while on a road trip.

Why Full-Year RV Insurance is the Best Choice

In short, full-year RV insurance is the best choice because it’s the most comprehensive option available. It will protect your RV no matter what happens, whether you’re using it or in storage. And if you ever have a claim, you’ll be glad you have the coverage you need to get back on the road as quickly as possible.

If you’re an RV owner wondering whether full-year insurance is necessary, the answer is a resounding yes! Full-year coverage is always the best choice because it’s more comprehensive than seasonal coverage and will protect your investment no matter what happens. So don’t wait—contact your Linda Dugan Insurance agent in Astoria, OR today to get started on a full-year policy for your RV.

What Are the Benefits of Buying Health Insurance Outside of the Health Insurance Marketplace?

If you are looking to purchase health insurance, you have two options. You can buy health insurance from the health insurance marketplace, also known as Obama Care medical insurance, or purchase private insurance. Here at Linda Dugan Insurance, serving the greater Astoria, OR area, we can help you find the insurance plan that is right for you. Here are a few benefits associated with buying health insurance outside the health insurance marketplace. 

You Can Purchase Health Insurance Any Time of the Year

The health insurance marketplace is only available for open enrollment for a few weeks in the winter months. Unfortunately, unless you have a qualifying life change, such as moving or having a new child, you cannot enroll in health insurance through the health insurance marketplace outside of open enrollment periods. When you select a private health insurance policy, you can enroll in that type of policy anytime throughout the year. 

You Have More Plans Available To You

The other significant benefit of purchasing private health insurance outside the health insurance marketplace is that you have more health insurance plans. Some health insurance companies do not offer health insurance through the marketplace or may limit the plans they offer. As such, you have more plans and insurance companies available to select from when you purchase health insurance away from the health insurance marketplace. 

If you are in the market for a new health insurance plan in the greater Astoria, OR region, the team at Linda Dugan Insurance would love to help you find the best insurance policy for your needs. Reach out to us today to get started. 

Three common misconceptions about umbrella insurance to be aware of

Umbrella insurance is an important type of insurance to carry for complete financial protection. Misconceptions are common when it comes to umbrella insurance. 

At Linda Dugan Insurance, we want our clients in Astoria, OR to be adequately informed about umbrella insurance. The following are three common misconceptions to be aware of about umbrella insurance. 

It costs a lot of money to purchase an umbrella insurance policy.

You shouldn’t forego umbrella insurance coverage under the assumption that it is too costly. Get a quote on an umbrella insurance policy, and you’re likely to find that this is one of the most affordable types of insurance available. 

You don’t need umbrella insurance unless you are a high-net-worth individual.

Umbrella insurance is often associated with very wealthy individuals. However, anyone with considerable savings can benefit from having an umbrella insurance policy.

Umbrella insurance coverage protects anyone who has more in savings than they carry in coverage maximums on their standard insurance policies. This makes umbrella insurance coverage advantageous to many consumers out there. 

No one needs umbrella insurance if they have home insurance.

Home insurance is very valuable to have. However, this doesn’t mean that home insurance offers so much coverage that it makes umbrella insurance unnecessary.

Umbrella insurance offers coverage in addition to that offered by a consumer’s home insurance policy. Although home insurance is helpful in the event of a situation like a lawsuit, home insurance has policy maximum coverage limits.

Umbrella insurance coverage takes over for lawsuits that cost more than the policy maximums on a consumer’s home insurance policy. 

Don’t believe misconceptions about umbrella insurance in Astoria, OR. Please message us at Linda Dugan Insurance to learn more about umbrella insurance.

The ABCs of Business Insurance Coverage

No matter what business you run, it’s essential to have the right insurance coverage in place. Not only will this protect your business from financial loss in an accident or lawsuit, but it will also give you peace of mind knowing that you’re prepared for anything. But with so many different types of business insurance available, it can be challenging to know where to start. To help you understand it all, here are the ABCs of business insurance coverage.

1. What is Business Insurance?

Business insurance is a type of insurance that businesses purchase to protect themselves from financial losses stemming from risks such as accidents, natural disasters, theft, and legal liabilities. In other words, it’s a safety net that businesses can fall back on if something goes wrong. 

2. Types of Business Insurance Coverage

Many different types of business insurance are available, each with its specific purpose. The most common types of coverage are property insurance, liability insurance, workers’ compensation insurance, and professional liability insurance. 

  • Property Insurance: Property insurance covers the physical assets of your business if they are damaged or destroyed by a covered peril (e.g., fire, windstorm, theft). 
  • Liability Insurance: The policy protects your business when you get sued for damages arising from injuries or property damage resulting from your business operations. 
  • Workers’ Compensation Insurance: This policy covers the medical expenses and lost wages of employees who are injured on the job. In most states, businesses must carry workers’ compensation insurance if they have employees. 
  • Professional Liability Insurance: Professional liability insurance protects your business from being sued for negligence, errors, and omissions. This type of coverage is significant for companies that provide professional services (e.g., accounting, consulting, engineering). 

3. How to Choose the Right Business Insurance Coverage

The best way to determine which type(s) of business insurance coverage you need is to speak with an insurance agent or broker who can assess your unique risks and recommend the right policies for your business. You should also review your insurance needs regularly (at least once annually) to ensure that your coverage is still adequate. 

Get Business Insurance in Astoria, OR

At Linda Dugan Insurance, we understand the importance of having the right business insurance in place. We offer a wide range of business insurance policies, and our experienced agents will work with you to find the coverage that best meets your needs. Contact us today to get started.

The Two Main Types of Life Insurance

Having life insurance in place is an excellent way to give yourself peace of mind about what will happen to your loved ones once you are gone. A life insurance policy pays a death benefit to your beneficiaries after you’re gone so that they are in a better financial position. Two main types of these are available in the insurance marketplace. You need to know about each to choose when you get your policy. Call us at Linda Dugan Insurance in Astoria, OR to find out more.

Term Life Insurance

This type of life insurance is the least expensive of the main types and fits into more people’s budgets. It is insurance that is only good for a specific term of time. This may be 20 years or so. During this term, the policy is good and will pay out if you die at that time. However, it will expire at the end of the term, and you will have to find a new insurance policy at that point if you still want to be covered by life insurance. 

Whole Life Insurance

This type of insurance is more expensive but has some essential benefits. It isn’t good only for a specific term. Instead, it stays good for your entire life even if you become quite advanced in age. This type of insurance also has a cash value that many people appreciate having available. It’s an amount that you can borrow if you ever have a financial need for it. It is paid back just as any other type of loan would be. 

Protect Your Family With Life Insurance

To get a life insurance policy of either type, you can call us at Linda Dugan Insurance in Astoria, OR.

My car sustained flood damage. Will my auto insurance cover the damage?

Determining what’s covered by a particular insurance policy can be confusing. For example, if flood waters damage your home, will your homeowner’s policy cover the damage or flood insurance? Our team at Linda Dugan Insurance knows that it can be confusing to determine what type of insurance covers a particular incident or situation. This is why we’re committed to helping Astoria, OR residents understand what’s covered by various insurance policies. 

What Insurance Policy Covers What?

This is the burning question that can be outright confusing to determine. This is why guidance from an insurance agent can be beneficial when deciding what covers what. For example, if you live in a flood zone, it may be wise to purchase flood insurance because often, flood-related damage isn’t covered by a standard homeowners policy. Conversely, an auto insurance policy may cover things unrelated to collision-based accidents. Navigating the insurance world can be confusing without the right help and guidance. A licensed insurance agent can offer guidance to help you determine what coverage types would benefit you most based on your lifestyle, preferences, and even where you reside.

Will My Auto insurance Cover my Car’s Flood Damage?

Many may be surprised that auto insurance won’t typically cover damage from floods. A flood insurance policy covers damage your car sustains in a flood. People often assume that auto insurance will cover any damage your vehicle sustains. However, there are specific situations when a traditional auto insurance policy wouldn’t cover damage caused by some natural disasters. If you’re confused about what insurance would cover particular types of damage, call us. One of our agents can clear the confusion.

Why You Need Boat Insurance

States mandate their own insurance laws for required coverage. In Oregon, boat insurance isn’t required, but it’s recommended that all boaters have boat insurance to protect themselves. Boats are an expensive investment, and you must also protect them. If you’re in Oregon and have a boat that isn’t insured, call us at Linda Dugan Insurance in Astoria, OR to find out more and get started. 

Accidents While Boating

When you have your boat on the water, it’s possible for it to get into a collision. When this happens, and you are at fault, you will be held responsible for all the damage caused by the accident. This can be highly expensive, and it can be challenging for many people to come up with. To prevent an accident from ruining you financially, there is boat insurance. This coverage can protect you against your liability when you cause an accident. With this coverage, you can go boating with better peace of mind. 

Other Boat Insurance Coverage

In addition to liability coverage for your boat, there are other types of boat coverage that you can use to protect yourself against several expenses. If you get comprehensive boat insurance, this protects your boat against other accidents and events that can happen when it isn’t on the water. Another coverage type is property damage coverage, which will pay for lost items due to an accident. If you have bodily injury liability, it will pay the medical bills for other parties who get into an accident with you. 

Get Boat Coverage

When you own a boat, getting boat insurance is the smart choice. Call us at Linda Dugan Insurance in Astoria, OR when you have a boat and need insurance coverage.

How Does Toy Insurance Work?

When you have toys that are worth real money, you need to protect those assets with toy insurance. It’s essential to have this insurance in case the worst happens, and your collection is lost. Call us at Linda Duggan Insurance in Astoria, OR to get started when you need toy insurance for your important items.

Types of Toy Insurance

There are different categories of toys that can be insured. One of these is valuable collections of toys. These may be new, vintage, antique, etc. Another category is recreational toys such as ATVs. These toys tend to be expensive, and it’s essential to protect them with toy insurance. The toy insurance you get will cover your toys against a wide range of risks. Recreational toys may require various types of coverage to cover them adequately. This may include collision insurance, liability coverage, etc. 

Getting Your Toy Insurance

The process often depends on the insurance company when you have valuable toys that need protecting. Sometimes, this can involve getting an appraisal to determine what the toys are worth. If an appraisal isn’t required, you will declare the value of the toys for the insurance policy. Knowing what your items are worth is vital to getting enough coverage for them. Once your coverage is in place, you will have better peace of mind knowing they are well-protected. 

Get Your Toy Insurance

Accidents and other incidents can happen to your toys, and it’s vital to have toy coverage just in case something happens to what you value. If you have valuable toys and want to ensure they are protected against a wide range of events, give us a call at Linda Duggan Insurance in Astoria, OR to find out more and get started.