Who needs to carry umbrella insurance

In the same way that an umbrella protects you from rainy weather, an umbrella insurance policy protects your finances for all the storms of life. An umbrella policy provides liability protection above the basic limits of your home and auto policy. Accidents happen and these days the resulting litigation can result in huge settlements and expenses. In Astoria, OR, Linda Dugan Insurance has experienced agents who can help you to decide if you need to carry umbrella insurance. 

Umbrella insurance known as excess liability insurance adds an additional layer of liability insurance.  If your assets are more than just basic this may be important protection that you need. Your home is most likely the largest investment that you will ever make. Normal limits of home insurance liability are pretty basic and can give you a false impression of security.

When someone is injured while visiting your home or in of an automobile accident where you are at fault, they can sue you for damages. Basic liability coverage could leave your assets in jeopardy.  An umbrella policy raises liability limits to a more financially acceptable amount.

If a case is filed against you, your umbrella insurance will offer assistance with legal costs which these days can be very high. Things such as a pet or a pool raise your risk level.  An umbrella policy can help to protect the assets that you have worked so hard to accumulate and also the future assets that you may accumulate. You will be able to sleep better at night knowing that you have secured your future. 

If you live in or near Astoria, OR why not stop by the office of Linda Dugan Insurance or give us a call. We have agents who are knowledgeable in umbrella insurance coverage and will be happy to discuss this with you.

How do I add dental coverage to my health insurance policy?

If you live in the oldest city in Oregon, you know that Astoria, OR is the best place to live. You can see cruise ships on the Columbia River and sea lions sunbathing on the Port of Astoria. 

Even if you live in paradise, you need to have the right healthcare coverage. If you already have a policy from Linda Dugan Insurance, you already got to compare the different benefits you can get with different policies. Unfortunately, you may have realized that you don’t have the kind of coverage you need for dental or vision needs.

Two Ways To Get Dental Coverage

There is an open market now for healthcare insurance, but there are still many rules and procedures which must be followed. When it comes to dental coverage, there are basically two ways to purchase a policy:

  1. You can purchase a standalone policy which just takes care of your dental needs.
  2. You can purchase a health insurance policy with dental coverage either included or as an additional benefit which can be added on.

The main problem is that if you already have health insurance, there are only certain times you can add on this extra protection.

Open Enrollment

Many people are familiar with open enrollment because of jobs which had open enrollment for healthcare toward the end of the year, usually from around the beginning of November to the middle of December. Even marketplace insurance has this same restriction, and you will probably have to wait for your open enrollment in Astoria, OR before you can obtain a dental policy.

Healthcare coverage is one of the most important decisions you make for yourself and your family. If you are just beginning your search, or if you just have questions about your current coverage, call Linda Dugan Insurance today.

Make sure your commercial equipment is covered

Owning a business can sometimes require a substantial investment in tools and equipment. If you have a lot invested in your company’s assets it only makes sense to have adequate protection in the event that they are lost, stolen, or damaged. There are many different commercial insurance policy options, and when you sit down with the team at Linda Dugan Insurance we can work with you to get the protection that your Astoria, OR area business requires.

Correct coverage for your commercial equipment

Owning a lot of equipment is part of operating a lot of different types of companies, and some of the inventory that you have maybe specialized and custom-made. Even with equipment that is not specialized, if it is necessary for your workflow, its value can be immeasurable to the health of your business.  Commercial equipment valuations can differ from other property calculations because adjustments must be made to consider the value of lost production in the event that they become inoperable due to a covered event.

There are many different nuances that must be taken into consideration when choosing your policy, and it makes sense to work with an agent who understands this reality. Don’t overlook how important this coverage can be until it’s too late. Imagine if the impact to your bottom line if there is an event that takes your equipment offline for days or even weeks at a time! Protect your equipment and your bottom line with the right insurance.

Your commercial equipment requires an insurance policy that takes its value into account while making allowances for depreciation. Linda Dugan Insurance is here to help you protect your Astoria, OR business. Call or stop by today to review the options that are available to protect your business equipment.

Great Reasons For Astoria Residents to Get Life Insurance

Ensuring that you are properly covered by insurance is very important. For those that are in the Astoria, OR area, one important type of insurance to consider is life insurance. There are several important reasons why someone would benefit from having life insurance and should consider getting a quality policy. 

Peace of Mind

One of the main reasons why all people should get life insurance is that it can provide you with peace of mind. When you have people that you care for, you will want to make sure that they are taken care of. This is especially important if you have people that depend on you. Even if you don’t have dependents, having some insurance to cover your debts and other obligations after you pass away would be very helpful to those that are in your life. 

Form of Investment

Another reason why you should consider getting life insurance is that it can be a great form of investment for consumers. Today, whole life insurance is a popular option as it will provide you with life insurance benefits as well as the ability to build some liquid assets. Whole life insurance products can provide you with attractive rates given the low-risk investment they provide to those who open up an account. 

For people in the Astoria, OR area, now is the best time to start shopping for life insurance. If you have any questions about your life insurance options, you should contact the team at Linda Dugan Insurance. The professionals at Linda Dugan Insurance could help you to learn more about the different life insurance options that you have. They can also help you figure out what level of coverage you should get to make sure you are properly covered. 

Why insurance needs differ for teenage drivers

Teenage drivers are still learning the ropes of safe driving and vehicle maintenance. Because of this, it only makes sense that their coverage needs will differ from their adult counterparts. The team at Linda Dugan Insurance understands how important it is to protect the younger drivers in the greater Astoria OR area, and we are here to help! We understand what it takes to keep your teenagers safe and your family protected from the liability that can occur.

Why insurance needs differ for teenage drivers    

Teenagers are teenagers, and they aren’t always as cautious as they need to be. In many instances, they can be easily distracted, and they just don’t have the experience that can help them to overcome these challenges. When you have a teen driver on your family policy you will want to make sure that you have adequate coverage for dents and dings that can occur with inexperienced drivers. It is also a great idea to look into roadside assistance features as you will want to make sure that are able to get help in a timely fashion in the event of an accident or mishap. Teen drivers aren’t bad drivers, they’re just inexperienced. With time their driving skills will improve, but in the meantime, it is important to protect them and keep your family safe from liability issues. The right auto policy will take all of these factors into consideration and provide the right type of coverage at appropriate protection levels. 

Want to find out more about your options for a family auto insurance policy that covers teenage drivers? Call or stop by Linda Dugan Insurance today, we are here to answer any insurance questions that you may have about teen drivers in the greater Astoria, OR area.

This Risks of Being Underinsured for Your Home

Many homeowners may feel that their homes are adequately insured. However, there are a plethora of homeowners, or unfortunately former homeowners, who have endured great loss when a travesty occurred. These people found out the hard way that they’re homes weren’t adequately covered when a natural disaster hit, someone was injured on their property, etc. Having said this, the following includes some risks of having an underinsured home:    

1. A Possible Increase in Emergency Home Repairs’ Costs 

Homeowners sometimes must repair or replace different parts in the home to maintain current standards and codes after an emergency. So, comprehensive coverage is required.  

2. No Adequate Coverage of Flood Damage

It’s imperative to have proper coverage for floods especially if living in a flood zone area.  Additional coverage may still be needed even with the maximum protection of FEMA flood insurance. 

3. Not Enough Coverage for Expensive Items

Expensive items, such as jewelry, electronics, antiques, and classic cars, may not be covered in a standard policy.

4. Possible Cancellation of Your Policy

If you must file a claim and is underinsured, your insurer could totally cancel your insurance policy. 

5. Possibly Obtaining a High Deductible after An Accident

After being involved in an accident, you could have a deductible costing about $3,000 to $5,000 instead of a $500 deductible.  

6. Filing Claims Can be Horrific

If you are underinsured, the claims process can be terrible. 

Conclusion 

It is crucial to ensure your home is adequately covered. If you live in the Astoria, OR or surrounding areas, various incidents ranging from frozen, busted pipes in the winter to floods/tornadoes, don’t risk being underinsured. With Linda Dugan Insurance, they can guide you step-by-step to ensure complete coverage. With several years, these insurance experts know the ins-and-outs of the insurance industry. Located in Astoria, you should contact them today. 

 

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.