Auto Insurance Terms You Should Know

If you need auto insurance in Astoria, OR, you must first start by knowing some commonly used terms. This way, Linda Dugan Insurance will help you choose the right type of auto insurance you need.

If you don’t work in the insurance industry, you might feel confused when some of these terms are thrown around. Does it mean that you need to know every term related to auto insurance? Of course not. What you need to know are the most common and important terms.

Why these terms? You won’t know if you have the right coverage or getting the right deal if you don’t understand them.

1. Deductible

An auto insurance deductible refers to the amount of money your will pay to cover car damage before the insurance company pays your claim. A good example is where you file a claim of $1000 but have a deductible or $300. This means the insurance company will only pay $700.

However, there are several facts you need to know about auto insurance deductibles. They include: 

  • Not every type of auto insurance attracts a deductible
  • The higher your deductible, the lower your premiums
  • A deductible is mandatory if you’re the at-fault driver

2. Premiums

If you’re buying auto insurance, this is a term you must know.

The only reason your insurer pays your claim is that you pay for the coverage. The payment could be monthly, after six months, or annually.

The amount you pay as the premium will vary depending on different factors. They include:

  • How long you drive
  • Age of your vehicle
  • Your driving record
  • Type of auto insurance coverage

Learn More About Auto Insurance

There you have it! Two basic terms that you must know before buying auto insurance in Astoria, OR. However, you need to go into details and know how these values are determined. Linda Dugan Insurance is your reliable partner when purchasing auto insurance. Check out our website to learn more about these terms and many others.

Why should I get toy insurance?

The Astoria, OR area is a fun place to live if you enjoy spending time in the great outdoors. When you are going to try to enjoy the environment as much as possible, getting a recreational toy can be a great option. Those that do get a recreational toy need to make sure that they get the right insurance for it. There are a few different reasons why you should get a toy insurance policy.

Insurance Offers Protection Against Liability Risk

A reason that anyone should get a toy insurance plan is that it can offer protection against the risk of a liability claim. When you operate your recreational toy, there will always be a chance that you could cause an accident that leads to damage. When you have proper insurance, you will have the coverage that is needed to mitigate the risk that you will have to pay for damages in the future.

Insurance Covers Assets

You will also want to get a toy insurance policy as it will cover your assets. Anyone that is going to get a recreational toy will want to know that they can repair or replace it if an accident occurs. With a full toy insurance plan, you are going to have the coverage needed to protect your asset so you can continue to enjoy it in the future. 

When you want to get a toy insurance policy in the Astoria, OR area, it is important to evaluate your needs and options. The team with Linda Dugan Insurance can help you to do this. When you do call Linda Dugan Insurance, you can learn a lot about your different options. They can help you then build a policy that will offer you the right type and level of coverage for your recreational toy. 

Why should I get boat insurance in Oregon?

Those that are in the Astoria, OR area will love living in a beautiful climate. For people that are in this location of Oregon, investing in a boat to use can open up many opportunities for fun. Anyone that does invest in a boat here should make sure that they get the right insurance coverage for it. There continue to be many reasons to get a full boat insurance plan when you are in this area of the state.

Insurance is Required

A reason that a lot of people will choose to get this insurance is that it could be a requirement. Depending on where you want to dock and use your boat, there could be local or private rules in place that govern your insurance needs. Further, if you have taken out financing to buy a boat, your lender will want you to maintain coverage at all times.

Insurance Protects Boat

If you buy a boat, you will want to be able to enjoy it for a long time. A good way to ensure that you are able to do so is by getting insurance. With a boat insurance plan, you are going to get the coverage needed to repair or replace your boat. This can offer peace of mind as well. 

Those that are going to get a boat insurance plan in the Astoria, OR area may find that they have many different questions. A great company to speak with when you are looking for boat insurance is Linda Dugan Insurance. Choosing a new plan will require a lot of thought and consideration and Linda Dugan Insurance can make it easier for you. The team here can help you assess your situation and pick a plan that is right for you. 

What Protection Does Flood Insurance Provide?

Flooding is a common event in Oregon, putting homeowners at risk of financial loss due to flood damage. If you live in an area that’s prone to flooding, it’s important you prepare by purchasing flood insurance. With flood coverage from Linda Dugan Insurance, you can get compensation for damage to your home or loss of personal goods due to flooding. Here’s what you can expect from a typical flood policy.

Flood Insurance Coverage in Astoria, OR

Standard flood policies offer two types of protection – building coverage to protect your home and contents coverage for your belongings.

In addition to your home structure (ceiling, walls, flooring), building insurance covers your electrical system, plumbing, furnace, water heater, home appliances, carpeting, cabinetry, built-in bookshelves, paneling, window blinds, and more.

Contents insurance covers all your personal goods to include clothes, furniture, small kitchen appliances, electronics, washer & dryer, portable AC units, and area rugs. It also covers valuables like original artwork and posh jewelry up to the limit of $2,500.

If your home and possessions are important to you, take the time to protect these valuable investments with flood coverage.

Importance of Flood Coverage

As a homeowner in Astoria, OR, there are numerous reasons to consider purchasing a flood insurance policy. First, floods aren’t limited to flood zone areas – they can occur anywhere. That’s why it’s important to be prepared with flood coverage.  

Second, it doesn’t take much floodwater to cause extensive damage. Even a few inches of standing water can cause disastrous results. Third, home insurance doesn’t cover flooding. Without flood coverage, you could wind up paying for flood damage on your own.

Where to Purchase Flood Insurance

For your convenience, you can purchase flood coverage locally from Linda Dugan Insurance. We’ll help you determine the coverage best suited to your needs.

Is RV Insurance Required in Oregon?

You are ready to head out on the highway in your new RV, otherwise known as a recreational vehicle, but to do it with the peace of mind you deserve, you will need to obtain the proper RV insurance policy. The agents at Linda Dugan Insurance in Astoria, OR have the knowledge and experience with RV insurance to put you on the right road.

RV Liability Insurance

The state of Oregon, like nearly every other state in the United States, requires that all RV owners have at least a liability insurance policy that will cover injuries to people sustained in an accident deemed to be your fault and any property damage you may cause. Also, you must have liability insurance that will cover anyone that is visiting your RV and is injured in some type of mishap, such as a fall.

Collision Coverage

Collision insurance will cover damages and injuries that can occur if you are involved in an accident with another vehicle or an object. For example, if you back your RV into a camper at a campground you are staying at, this part of your insurance policy will cover damages to your RV and the other person’s camper.

Comprehensive Coverage

This type of insurance will cover your RV if it is damaged or destroyed due to a fire, vandalism, or natural disaster, such as a tornado. Comprehensive insurance will also help you replace your RV if it is stolen and can also cover your personal property inside your RV.

Call for a Quote

To obtain the perfect RV insurance policy that fits your situation, call upon the RV insurance agents at Linda Dugan Insurance in Astoria, OR today!

Who should get health insurance?

Those that are in the Astoria, OR area should spend time every so often considering their personal insurance needs. One form of insurance that all people here need to get is health insurance. This type of insurance can provide you with access to affordable healthcare. There are several reasons why everyone in this area should get health insurance coverage.

Insurance Gives Access to Care

The main reason that people in this area of Oregon should get health insurance is that it will provide them with access to affordable care. If you are ever become sick or hurt and need to see a doctor or have a procedure, the cost can be significant if you do not have health insurance. Additionally, those that are not insured are far less likely to see a doctor for regular visitations, which can encourage a less healthy overall lifestyle and will preclude you from getting important prescription medication. 

Insurance is a Legal Requirement

Another reason that everyone should get some form of health insurance is that it is now a legal requirement. For the past few years, all people have been required by law to have insurance for themselves and their dependents. If you do not have the right coverage in place, you will be penalized at the end of the year as you will need to provide evidence of insurance coverage when filing your taxes. 

There are a lot of options to consider when looking for health insurance in the Astoria, OR area. When you are looking for your next policy, you should call Linda Dugan Insurance. The health insurance team at Linda Dugan Insurance understands the complexities that come with a health insurance policy. They can help you understand your options and choose the right policy for your situation.

Three advantages you’ll enjoy by investing in umbrella insurance today

Taking out an umbrella insurance policy can benefit consumers in Astoria, OR in numerous ways. We provide umbrella insurance coverage at Linda Dugan Insurance. 

The following are three advantages you can enjoy by investing in umbrella insurance today.

Umbrella insurance offers greater financial security.

You face financial risks if you don’t carry umbrella coverage. You could face a liability lawsuit that could end up costing you a great deal.

Umbrella insurance provides you with financial security. With this type of coverage, you keep your finances more stable regardless of what happens down the road. 

Umbrella insurance protects your net worth.

Those who have a lot of assets to protect are especially at risk of being targets for lawsuits. Unfortunately, your net worth can be severely decreased or even wiped out quickly if you face a lawsuit.

With umbrella insurance coverage, you’re protecting your assets. If you do face a costly lawsuit, your umbrella insurance coverage will cover the costs. This way, you don’t have to pay out of your own pocket and lose your hard-earned assets as the result of a lawsuit. 

Umbrella insurance prevents unexpected financial setbacks.

It’s good to be able to plan for the future. Unfortunately, your plans for the future can fall apart quickly if you face a lawsuit and you don’t have umbrella insurance coverage.

With umbrella insurance coverage, you minimize the chances that you’ll face a severe financial setback. You have coverage to fall back on if an unexpected accident occurs for which you are held liable. 

We can provide you with more helpful information on the many advantages umbrella insurance coverage can offer you in Astoria, OR. Contact us at Linda Dugan Insurance to learn more. 

What type of life insurance should I get?

Anyone that lives in the Astoria, OR area will have many different types of insurance that they need to obtain. One very important form of insurance that anyone here needs to consider getting is life insurance. This form of insurance will provide protection to your dependents. There are two common forms of life insurance you should consider when picking your next policy.

Term Life Insurance

A very common form of life insurance that many people choose today is term life insurance. When you get a term life insurance policy, you will be able to build a policy based on your personal needs. This will include having a coverage amount for a defined period of time, which could range for over 25 years. Compared to other forms of coverage, this is the more affordable option in many cases. However, coverage will end once the term of the policy is over.

Whole Life Insurance

Another type of insurance that you can consider getting is whole life insurance. When you get this insurance, you will obtain coverage for the rest of your life if you want to have it. While premiums tend to be more than with term life, some of your payment will grow and accrue in an account that you could liquidate in the future. This can make it a good addition to any financial plan.

As you are shopping for life insurance in and around Astoria, OR, you should call Linda Dugan Insurance. Choosing a new policy is never easy and you are bound to have a lot of questions. If you do call Linda Dugan Insurance, you can learn a lot more about your different options. This could help to ensure that you choose a policy that is right for your situation. 

Commercial Insurance Requirements in Oregon

Owning a small business is not for the faint of heart with many people staking their livelihoods on the success of their company. Consequently, it is imperative that business owners protect their most important and likely largest investment by choosing a commercial insurance policy that best fits their needs and includes enough liability coverage to protect themselves against a worst-case scenario.

Specific to Oregon, business owners are required to carry commercial insurance to protect both their business, employees, and third parties. No matter whether you have full-time or part-time employees, you are required to have workers’ compensation insurance which helps pay the medical bills associated with an employee’s workplace injury or illness. Additionally, if your business owns any vehicles then you must have commercial auto insurance meeting at least Oregon state minimums for liability coverage. Although not required, if your employees utilize their personal vehicles for business use, then their auto insurance is unlikely to cover them while on the clock making it imperative that you purchase hired and non-owned auto insurance.

At Linda Dugan Insurance in Astoria, OR our friendly team of knowledgeable insurance experts will take the time to learn about your business so we can recommend a customized commercial insurance policy that exceeds your expectations. After hearing your needs, we can help make recommendations about additional policies like cyber liability insurance or malpractice coverage that may make sense for your business. Shopping for insurance does not have to be complicated and we strive to make it a simple process so give us a call today to learn about our commercial insurance policies and we promise to deliver exceptional service in a timely fashion.

Add-ons to Home Insurance

Few people do as we counsel and consult with an insurance agent to create a custom homeowners’ insurance policy. That is why we at Linda Dugan Insurance wanted to offer this blog to explain the add-ons to a standard home insurance policy your Astoria, OR home might need. While a standard homeowners’ policy covers the major named perils and provides for an average person’s liability level that may not fit your life and your needs.

This blog explains the three most common options a homeowner has to increase coverage of a standard homeowners’ policy. You could add the following:

  • other structures coverage,
  • increasing liability coverage,
  • adding liability coverage for a home-based business.

Other Structures Coverage

Your property consists of more than just your house. You also have a driveway, walkway, and perhaps a porch, patio, fence, retaining wall, shed, workshop, pool house, swimming pool, etc. Your home policy can cover these, too. Some standard policies include a tiny bit of other structures coverage – about 10 percent of the house’s total value. This may not cover your other structures completely though. If your home valuation put its value at $150,000 you would have about $15,000 of cover for other structures. If a derecho or tornado struck your property, tearing down your workshop, fence, and swimming pool, you would not have enough coverage to re-build all three and replace the equipment inside the workshop.

Increasing Personal Property Coverage

You might need to increase the level of personal property coverage for your home. You would need added coverage if you have an expensive hobby like photography or vast audio-visual equipment for a home theater. Storing family heirlooms or expensive jewelry on the property provides another reason to add to your property coverage. Doing so ensures that your insurance covers your loss in full if a named peril like a tornado occurs.

Adding to Your Liability Coverage

If you run a home-based business or regularly hold meetings at your home for your business, increase this coverage. Your standard home liability covers personal visits, but not conducting business from your home. Your insurance agent can tailor the coverage to include business coverage.

You can protect your Astoria, OR home and Linda Dugan Insurance can help. Contact us today for more information on customizing your home insurance.