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. 

What To Look For When Buying A Used RV

If you’re thinking about buying a used RV around Astoria, OR, it can be a lot to take in. There are a lot of different styles, sizes, features, and price ranges to consider. This can be overwhelming if you don’t know what to look for. We at Linda Dugan Insurance present this article to help you understand the different types of used RVs, their features, and their price ranges.

Know what you want before you start looking.

Taking the time to figure out what RV fits your needs will help you narrow your search and ensure you get precisely what you want. What is your budget? What features are a must, and what are you willing to live without? What size are you comfortable driving? All of these are important questions to ask yourself.

Research and shop around.

Online sites like Craigslist and eBay can be great resources for researching what types of used RVs are available in your area and give you a general idea of what you can expect to pay for. You can also score good deals on RVing forums. Also, check local dealers, who may offer some good discounts on used RVs they want to move.

While you are looking online, research the models you are interested in. Check-in with the owners and find out why they are selling. Sellers who might not be willing to discuss their RV’s history could be hiding something. Websites like RVchecks might have a vehicle history report if you have suspicions. Don’t buy a used RV that you’re unsure about, even if the price is right. You’ll probably end up spending more money on repairs and maintenance.

Note: Dealerships might have higher prices, but they often have better quality and have done thorough inspections.

Once you have purchased your RV, you’ll want to have it insured. That’s where Linda Dugan Insurance comes in. We can help all Astoria, OR find an RV insurance policy that fits their needs. Contact us today for more information.

Terms you need to understand before choosing your health insurance

Choosing your health insurance is not only difficult. It is one of the most important decisions you make every year. If you get it wrong, you will be living with that decision for 12 months. At Linda Dugan Insurance in Astoria, OR, we understand how important this decision is. As independent insurance agents, we are uniquely qualified to provide you with the choices you need and the information to make an informed decision. 

Deductible

These days you will likely hear a lot about high deductible policies. Before the health insurance policy kicks in, a high deductible policy means paying a designated amount, usually at least $1400 for an individual and $2800 for a family. If you meet the minimum, you can then set up an HSA (health savings account) tax-free to help pay for those expenses. 

Network

Every health insurance carrier has made contracts with providers to offer services to their customers. You may not be able to go outside this network if you want the insurance to pay for the service. When you choose your policy, it is vital to ensure your preferred doctor and hospital are within your network. 

Formulary

Another important aspect of your coverage is your prescription medication. The formulary is the list of medicines covered by that policy and what the co-pay will be. Drugs are listed in tiers, and some of the tiers also come with a yearly deductible.

Co-pay

This is the amount you are responsible for when receiving a particular service. This is after you have met the plan deductible. 

Contact Linda Dugan Insurance in Astoria, OR when it is getting near the time when you have to choose your health insurance and let us help you get the most for your money.

5 Benefits of home insurance in Astoria, OR

Buying a new home can be stressful. In addition to being a substantial financial commitment, owning a home is also a lot of work. Home insurance ensures your investment is protected and

Linda Dugan Insurance is ready to help. The agency can create a personalized home insurance policy that’s right for you. Located in Astoria, OR, our agency offers five reasons to carry home insurance.

Covers primary dwelling

Protect your home. This is the main role of insurance. If damage occurs, home insurance will reimburse for repair and replacement costs. Each policy will list what events are included. Review these with your agent.

Covers other structures

This protection reaches other parts of your property too. Garages, sheds, decks, fences, and other detached structures are also likely protected. Again, please consult your specific policy to understand its coverage limits better.

Protects belongings

What’s on the inside matters too. Your personal possessions are shielded from damage, destruction, or theft with home insurance. Appliances, electronics, furniture, and any other valuables are covered. Conduct a home inventory to assess the value of these items.

Provides liability protection

Liability is included in almost every insurance policy. This applies to any incident or accident on your property where you are found to be at fault or legally responsible. With this protection, legal fees and medical payments could be reimbursed.

Provides loss of use coverage

Prepare for the worst. This kicks in if a major accident or natural disaster forces you from your home. Loss of use casts a safety net over any costs associated with relocating temporarily. These added living costs include food, hotels, or even increased travel.

Contact Linda Dugan Insurance

Serving Astoria, OR, Linda Dugan Insurance can grant you security, safety, and peace of mind. Set up an appointment today.

What’s not covered by an auto insurance policy?

Most would agree that auto insurance provides drivers with many necessary benefits and protection. It covers many different situations, from liability and injury to property damage and many other areas. Conversely, specific situations and circumstances wouldn’t be covered by auto insurance. Linda Dugan Insurance agency takes pride in educating Astoria, OR residents about auto insurance and what’s not covered under a standard auto insurance policy. Our group at Linda Dugan Insurance is committed to eliminating any confusion associated with auto insurance. 

Natural Disasters

Damage to your car sustained due to a natural disaster isn’t typically covered under your auto insurance policy. Damage from natural disasters is typically covered under an insurance policy designed specifically for natural disasters, renters, or homeowners insurance. For example, auto insurance doesn’t cover damage to your vehicle from hail, flooding, and other severe weather conditions.

Personal Possessions Inside of Your Car

Auto insurance won’t cover damage to the possessions inside of your car as a result of an accident or some other situation. Typically, renters insurance, homeowners, or other specific insurance designed for the circumstance would cover the damage.

Commercial Use

A personal auto insurance policy will not cover damage sustained by your vehicle due to commercial use. Business insurance would be the appropriate coverage for a car used for commercial business. 

Normal Wear and Tear/Maintenance and Auto Accessories 

Most of us understand that auto insurance will not cover damage or issues from normal wear and tear or your vehicle’s recommended maintenance. 
Auto accessories aren’t considered part of the covered costs associated with auto insurance. Auto accessories must be purchased and maintained independently of auto insurance. 

Intentional Damage/Injury

Intentional damage to your car and intentional injury isn’t covered by auto insurance. Liability auto insurance provides coverage for injury or damage to another driver’s car. Understanding what your auto insurance will and will not cover is essential. Our agents at Linda Dugan Insurance company are invested in helping Astoria, OR drivers understand what’s covered. Give us a call. We’d be happy to answer your questions.