Services That Are Considered Preventive Health Care

There are so many great benefits that you receive when you have health insurance coverage, and they do not just help during illnesses. There are also benefits that can help to prevent illnesses before they even start. Those are called preventive health care services. Here is more information on them, courtesy of Linda Dugan Insurance serving the Astoria, OR area.

Checkups

It is a good idea to have a thorough checkup, and the good news is that annual exams are often included in health insurance coverage. A checkup can be a great way to assess overall health and determine if any further tests or treatments are needed. It is common for the health insurance policy to have a list of preferred local doctors and other providers.

Immunizations

Immunizations for illnesses like flu, tetanus, measles, chicken pox, TB and more are typical preventive health care benefits. The immunizations recommended varying based on factors like the patient’s age and individualized needs.

Tests and Screenings

A variety of medical tests and screenings are commonly included in health insurance policies. They include screenings for cancer, diabetes, heart issues and much more. Some tests assess levels of key nutrients in the body.

Counseling

A unique preventive benefit relates to counseling, including counseling for lifestyle issues. An example of this would be a stop-smoking program.

It’s definitely better to prevent health issues before they arise rather than trying to treat them after they occur. Preventive health care services can help make it possible to do just that. If you need information about health insurance, please feel free to contact Linda Dugan Insurance serving the Astoria, OR area.

Can I use umbrella insurance to cover gaps in coverage with my auto insurance policy?

You thought that you cleared that corner but, several minutes and an accident later, you realize that your judgment was wrong. You caused the incident and are now worried that your auto insurance policy will not cover the full cost of the exotic car you just hit. They may sue. Will your umbrella insurance policy cover this fiasco in Astoria, OR?

There is a policy for that!

As the agents at Linda Dugan Insurance will tell you, an umbrella assurance policy will pay for gaps in various indemnity plans that include auto insurance. You can just consider your umbrella plan as the net that catches you when your standard assurance policy falls short.

How does umbrella insurance work?

Umbrella insurance works alongside your auto policy to ensure that you do not have to pay for expenses out of your pocket. In a real case scenario, you would have to foot the bill for the additional $5,000 if the expenses to repair or replace someone’s vehicle cost $15,000 and your policy covered a maximum $10,000 per incident. Medical bills are another factor that could bring you to financial ruin without an umbrella policy to provide additional coverage where your standard auto insurance plan falls short.

Umbrella assurance is not meant to go alone

You should not obtain umbrella insurance with the thought that the plan will stand alone. Instead, consider a policy as something that further protects your finances in the instance of you having an expensive and untimely accident in Astoria, OR.

The agents at Linda Dugan Insurance can help you understand the ins and outs of umbrella insurance. Contact them today to learn more about obtaining a policy and to get a quote!

Understanding Life Insurance and What Kind is Best

It can be somewhat intimidating to think about the different kinds of life insurance available and make good decisions about the coverage needed. This is why it is important to talk with an agent at Linda Dugan Insurance, serving Astoria, OR and nearby areas, to get some help understanding what life insurance is adequate for your needs.

Types of Life Insurance

Here are some basic differences regarding different kinds of life insurance:

  • Whole Life: This type of life insurance provides protection for loved ones if a person dies, can pay some part of the benefits if a person becomes permanently disabled, and serves partially as an investment. Whole life insurance is meant to be kept for a long time. Over time it builds up cash value, which can be used to borrow against or to pay premiums for future insurance.
  • Term Life: Term life provides insurance for a specific time period and does not accumulate cash value.
  • Universal Life and other investment styles: Universal life is a hybrid policy that combines term life with a savings component. Ask your agent about the life insurance types that have investment characteristics.

Insurance for Different Stages of Life

The type and the amount of life insurance protection needed to provide adequate coverage depend on a person’s age, marital status, and the number of children they have. Younger, single people have only the basic life insurance needs that are necessary to cover the cost of a funeral. When a person gets married or has a significant other in their life, it is time to consider life insurance to help them if something happens to you.

Once a person has children, it becomes imperative to have adequate life insurance coverage. As an adult, who loves their children, having life insurance gives you peace of mind when thinking about providing a secure future for your kids. As you get older, when your kids grow up and move away from home, life insurance needs are reduced.

Make an appointment to talk about life insurance with your agent at Linda Dugan Insurance in Astoria, OR if you need a new policy or to review existing policies to make sure you have adequate coverage.

The Importance of Small Business-Commercial Insurance

Small businesses are a huge sector in the business world and for them to be successful, a commercial insurance is vital. If you are ever wondering the importance of acquiring the insurance, we will cover the essence of it adequately. For the residents of Astoria, OR, visit Linda Dugan Insurance to get a commercial insurance for your small business. A commercial insurance is important for your small business due to the following reasons.

Credibility

When you insure your business, potential customers and investors will feel that your business is trustworthy. This is important because it will help you get customers and also land great deals from people who are willing to invest in it. A customer will feel safer doing transactions with a business that is well covered.  In the long run, the business prospers.

Law

If your small business has employees, the law will demand a commercial insurance to cover for workers compensation, people with disability and unemployment.  If you fail to acquire the insurance, the business could be fined. The amount of money used to cover the fines could prove to be more costly than acquiring the insurance policy.

The future is uncertain

It is everyone’s wish to see their business grow and become prominent in the future. However, the future is always uncertain and no one knows for certain what is going to happen. For this basic reason, a commercial insurance is required in case there is a disaster. The insurance policy will give you the peace of mind to operate the business. In case anything was to happen, you will be well covered.

Acquiring loans

Not everyone has the required budget to fund their business until it is successful. To deal with budget limitations, the business will look for a lending institution to help with the finances. With a commercial insurance policy, the lender will probably give you the money. If you don’t have one, they will be very reluctant because they will feel their money is unsafe. If you reside in Astoria, OR, visit us at Linda Dugan Insurance to get a commercial insurance for your small business.

3 Reasons to Examine Your Health Insurance Policy

Health insurance in Astoria, OR can be extremely frustrating to muddle through, even as some insurance carriers try to make it a little easier. Instead of using as many technical terms, they may begin to stress more of the costs of choosing someone out-of-network, or which services don’t have a co-pay. And yet, even with these efforts, it’s not always easy to know what you’re signing up for. Here are three reasons to look over your policy again. 

1. You May Be Covered for Far Less Than You Think 

From high deductibles (to catch outside services) to your specific network, you may not be covered for nearly as many kinds of treatment as you believe. If you happen to have an emergency while you’re out of town, you’re not likely to have many options about where you go and who treats you. It’s only after you return home and receive a bill that you realize nothing was actually covered by your policy. 

2. You Don’t Want to Find Out Too Late 

Finding a bill in your mailbox is the worst possible time to realize what your health insurance covered. Taking the time to look over it now, even if it takes some time to go over each clause, is a far better strategy. Linda Dugan Insurance has seen too many people end up finding out the truth later when they should have taken the time to address it all sooner. 

3. You Can Get Your Questions Answered 

Taking the time to go over your insurance policy now gives you a chance to ask the questions you don’t want to ask later on. Linda Dugan Insurance has been helping the people of Astoria, OR get their questions answered for years, and we can help you too. 

Why Should I Invest in Umbrella Insurance?

Being properly covered by insurance is extremely important for all people. When you are considering your insurance needs, one of the most important types of insurance that you should also consider getting is umbrella insurance. This type of insurance is essentially additional liability coverage insurance that is in addition to your standard home or auto policies. There are several reasons why you should consider investing in an umbrella insurance policy.

Provides Coverage for Additional Risks

One of the main reasons why Astoria, OR residents should consider investing in umbrella insurance is that it will provide coverage for additional risks. While you can have a lot of financial coverage on your home or auto policies, the situations in which you are covered are still fairly limited. With an umbrella insurance policy, you will receive coverage for a variety of additional risks including the risk of slander or libel.

Additional Financial Coverage

An Astoria, OR customer will also receive more financial coverage when they have an umbrella insurance policy in place. When you are shopping for an umbrella insurance policy, you will be able to select the dollar amount of coverage that you want. This coverage can then provide you with additional liability insurance coverage that will come in handy if you are sued for liability and the damages exceed the amounts set forth in your home or auto policies. 

If you believe that you could benefit from the additional coverage provided by umbrella insurance, reaching out to Linda Dugan Insurance could be a great option. The team at Linda Dugan Insurance will be better able to explain all of the advantages of having umbrella insurance and they will be able to help find you a policy that provides you with the right level of umbrella coverage for your situation.

What Types of Ways Are There for Paying for Life Insurance?

If you have been thinking about buying a life insurance policy but you don’t know how you are going to pay for it, it is pertinent that you come up with a plan for a budget so that you can make the premium payments. You can ask anyone and you will hear over and over how important it is to invest in life insurance. Not only does it provide you with peace of mind in knowing you can leave your loved ones financially protected if you were to pass away but it’s also a great way to invest money if you buy a whole life policy that comes with a cash value. For now, Linda Dugan Insurance serving the Astoria, OR area would like to share two tips for budgeting for a life insurance policy. 

Get Your Priorities In Line

Sure, that $2 McChicken and small fry from McDonald’s might be quick and convenient for lunch each day, but this is costing you $60 a month. What if you chose a healthier lunch option that you can bring from home and instead of spending the money at McDonald’s, you invest it in an insurance policy? Budgeting for a life insurance policy starts with getting your priorities straight. 

Set a Goal and Stick to It

If you want to invest in life insurance, you can set a goal to set aside $50 a month to pay for your premium. When you set goals, studies have shown that they become much easier to meet rather than trying to accomplish something without putting a plan in place.

If you would like to learn more about budgeting for life insurance, please contact Linda Dugan Insurance serving the Astoria, OR area.

Is it Time for Your Commercial Insurance Policy Review?

As Your Business Grows, So Should Your Coverage

Commercial insurance policies provide coverage for many different aspects of your business- from liability and property damage to business interruption coverage. As your business grows its value is also increasing. We recommend that all of our commercial clients in the greater Astoria, OR area sit down with one of the agents at Linda Dugan Insurance each year to review their policies and discuss any changes that may need to be made.

One of the foundational pieces of the commercial insurance coverage puzzle is Commercial General Liability Insurance, sometimes referred to as CGL. This policy type will protect your business from the risk that can come with owning a business. This protection from claims brought forward by customers or employees will likely need to grow with you as your business expands. Similarly, as your inventory, commercial assets, and any commercial buildings and vehicles that your company owns an increase in value, so too should your coverage.

Whether you are concerned about your increased liability coverage needs or want to explore a Key Person policy, your annual policy review is the perfect opportunity to make sure that all of your commercial insurance needs are being met at the appropriate coverage level. Our team is highly knowledgeable of commercial insurance and how to implement a portfolio strategy that provides you with the breadth of coverage to protect your business interests. Contact us today and schedule your commercial policy review!

The team at Linda Dugan Insurance is here to protect your business interests in the greater Astoria, OR area, and help you to protect all of the hard work that goes into owning a business. Contact us today to schedule your annual review of your commercial insurance needs.

Partnerships and Business Insurance

A partnership in Astoria, OR is a common form of business structure in small businesses. A step up from the sole proprietor or single owner type company, the partnership is both an ongoing agreement combining different owners as well a unique management form with its own set of rules. As a result, partnerships are not all exactly alike nor do they follow a default form. So when it comes to commercial insurance, a lot depends on how the partnership treats coverage, who needs it among the owners, how the partnership liability is shared, and who is responsible for paying the associated premiums. These details frequently need to be spelled out in partnership agreements in some form, whether combined with other expense responsibilities or in specific language of partnership responsibility.

While it’s easy to assume that a partnership would have equal parts, in many cases there might be majority partners and minority partners. Law firms in Astoria, OR are good example of this kind of ownership distribution. That in turn has an impact on both how much a given single partnership is responsible for coverage as well as how much he or she can depend on the others to provide their share of the same. Because nuances are common from company to company, it’s important for the partnership to work with a qualified expert like those at Linda Dugan Insurance. In many cases commercial insurance policies need to be crafted to match the specific details of a given partnership and the needs of the partners involved. General plans won’t serve the business well and will often create more problems than solve them. Call Linda Dugan Insurance for more information to establish the right commercial insurance plan for your partnership.

 

 

Term life insurance in Astoria, OR

If you are the main source of your family’s income, it is important to purchase a term life insurance policy as a means of planning and securing their future. Undoubtedly, no one wishes to plan for their death since the thought of it is scary but such planning can save your family from financial stress upon your death. 

Why you should buy Term Life Insurance
Life insurance helps in replacing your income once you die helping your family manages their living costs and pay any existing debts. Examples of these debts include house mortgages which can be fully settled using the money from term life death benefits. This will save your family from financial stress. Due to its low cost, term life insurance policy is the most dominant type of life insurance in current times according to Linda Dugan Insurance, Astoria, OR. 

Benefits of term life insurance
Term life insurance is a simple type of life insurance whereby you are aware of what your beneficiaries should expect. Also, this insurance is affordable since it offers large coverage for the lowest initial premium. The initial premium will also be fixed to ensure that they don’t alter before the end of your insurance term. Finally, the beneficiaries will receive a tax-free death benefit package if you pass-on during the term of your policy.

Term vs. Whole Life Insurance
Often, a question will arise on whether you should opt for whole life or term life insurance, but it all goes down to your specific situation. Notably, whole life is just one form of permanent life insurance, and you should review the situation at hand before settling on an insurance policy.

As seen above, purchasing a term life insurance is a good way of ensuring that your loved ones are protected from financial burden upon your demise. At Linda Dugan Insurance which is based in Astoria, OR, you will get to learn about the benefits associated with this policy. It is high time you visited our company.