Life insurance FAQs

Many people are not very knowledgeable when it comes to life insurance. If you have lots of questions, you are not alone. In Astoria, OR, the knowledgeable agents at Linda Dugan Insurance are here to answer the questions that you may have and help you to come up with the right life insurance combination for you. 

Whole life or term, what to choose? 

Whole life insurance is insurance that lasts for your whole life. Once you buy it you can keep it at the same premium forever. It also earns dividends, so it is a way to accumulate some extra savings and you can borrow from the money you have. Term life insurance has a term. When the term is over, the life insurance is over, or at least it is over at the previous rate.  All you get is the death benefit, nothing more.

When to purchase life insurance? 

The obvious answer is before you need it. But, if you are young and healthy, the premium will be the lowest and that is a good time to invest in whole life insurance. When you have heavy obligations and the need to provide for dependents, that is the time to get term life in the amount you need. 

Do I need to buy life insurance if I get some from work?

Do you know exactly how much you get from work and the type of insurance you have? Will you be able to bring it with you if you leave their employ? This is something important to consider. What if you get sick and can’t work or the business closes? It is always best to be in control of something as important as your life insurance. 

Contact Linda Dugan Insurance in Astoria, OR when you have questions about life insurance.

Protect your OR company with a comprehensive commercial policy

The greater Astoria, OR area business community relies on Linda Dugan Insurance for all of its insurance needs. If you want to make sure that your OR company has the protection it needs, call us today.

The many benefits of a comprehensive commercial policy

With a comprehensive commercial policy, you will enjoy benefits above and beyond those provided by basic policies. If you want to make sure that all of your inventory, equipment, and cash flows are protected, it may be time to upgrade your current commercial policy. In fact, we recommend that all of our business clients carefully review their policies at least once a year for completeness. You never know what gaps there may be in your policy until you take a closer look.

Comprehensive policies can provide additional features such as cash flow interruption, key employee coverage, and a number of different benefits that can keep your company growing. Life is full of unexpected events, and many can be detrimental to your bottom line. When you have the right commercial policy in place, you can rest assured knowing that you have the protection you need.

As your company grows, so too will its insurance needs. Don’t become complacent with your coverage! The coverage that was a perfect fit when you were first starting out may no longer be sufficient for your needs. It only makes sense to learn more about your options.

Now is the right time to find out more!

If you are a business owner in the greater Astoria, OR area, it’s time to get to know Linda Dugan Insurance. We can help you find the right policy that provides your company with the protection it needs. Give us a call today to schedule a consultation and find out more!

Is Flood Insurance Mandatory in Oregon?

This might be a story you have heard before — floods damaging someone’s home, only for them to find out that home insurance doesn’t cover the damage! At Linda Dugan Insurance, we wouldn’t want you to go under the same predicament. We like to educate clients about the potential risks they face and offer them insurance solutions. Today, let’s look at flood insurance.

Flood insurance in Oregon

It’s natural for anyone to ask for the state’s requirements before making most decisions.  In line with this, many clients usually ask us whether flood insurance is required in Oregon. The short answer is no — no Oregon law requires you to carry flood insurance.

However, if your home is mortgage-financed, the lender may require you to purchase flood insurance if you are located in a flood-risk area. And even when you are located outside a flood zone, the lender can still insist you purchase flood insurance.

Why do you need flood insurance?

At Linda Dugan Insurance, we usually advise our clients to purchase flood insurance whether it’s mandatory or not. Why? You may ask. Flood insurance is a must-have investment because:

  • Home insurance doesn’t cover flood damage — yes, you may have home insurance, but it won’t protect you against floods.
  • Floods can strike anywhere — you don’t have to live near a water body for floods to strike. Because of rains, flash flooding can occur anywhere, and that’s why you need to be armed with flood insurance all the time.
  • Grants aren’t always given — it’s wrong to assume that the government will intervene whenever there is a flood. This doesn’t always happen, and even when floods are declared an emergency, you are given grants that you will pay back with interest.

Looking for flood insurance in Astoria, OR? Would you please look no further than Linda Dugan Insurance? Contact us today for a favorable quote.

How Boat Insurance Is Impacted Through Traveling Abroad

Linda Dugan Insurance is an independent agency. We work closely with multiple carriers throughout the West Coast. We are committed to helping our clients in Astoria, OR find policies that align with their needs. We offer unique policies that are designed to protect our clients in any situation. We look forward to helping you find coverage.

How Boat Insurance Is Impacted Through Traveling Abroad

During periods of warm weather in Astoria OR, many people enjoy heading out by the lake on their boats. Unfortunately, operating a boat may be more dangerous than it seems. There could be an accident at any moment. You could get caught at sea while serious weather is approaching. Consider the benefits of boat insurance. Boat insurance covers you while you’re on the water. You are protected if your boat is involved in an accident with another watercraft or object. You are also covered if your boat is stolen or damaged by severe weather. Liability coverage protects you if you are held responsible for damaging someone’s property or injuring another person. You are also protected if one of your passengers on the boat suffers an injury.

If you are planning an exciting vacation by traveling abroad on your boat, you have to do some research. If you are operating your boat on foreign waters, research the country’s maritime rules. You may need to obtain a permit or visa in order to operate your boat on foreign soil. There is no clear jurisdiction regarding international travel. Check your policy to see if the navigational limits still apply. The navigational limits outline the areas where you can operate your vehicle and still maintain coverage if something happens.

Linda Dugan Insurance Will Help You Protect Your Assets

Visit our website to learn more information about boat insurance.

Do You Need RV Insurance for Towable RVs?

If you drive a vehicle that tows an RV behind it, you may wonder if that towed RV needs its own insurance policy. It’s a good question that is commonly overlooked.

Linda Dugan Insurance serving Astoria, OR knows that you have insurance questions. If you want to know if your towed RV needs its own policy, here’s what you need to know.

Towable RVs May Be Covered By Your Auto Policy

When you have an RV that you tow, your auto insurance policy may already cover it. However, in many cases, only some coverage applies to the RV. For example, you might have collision coverage, but it may not cover the personal belongings inside the RV.

Towable RV Lenders May Require RV Policies

You may also need RV insurance for an RV that you tow if you are paying a loan on it. Lenders may require that you have special insurance that covers the replacement cost of the RV if it is totaled. Lenders also often require that you have comprehensive and collision coverage for your RV, even if you do not have it for your car.

Motorhomes Require Separate Policies

Everything changes if you get an RV that you can drive. When you operate an RV separately from another vehicle, it must have its own insurance policy. At the very least, you need to have liability insurance to cover any damage you cause.

Get RV Insurance to Protect Yourself

Linda Dugan Insurance, which provides insurance services to the residents of Astoria, OR, can help you determine what kind of insurance policy is right for your RV. Contact an insurance professional today to get the right policy.

Three Myths About Flood Insurance

Flood insurance is one of the many riders that can be attached to a current property insurance policy. This type of policy offers protection against damage that occurs from a flood. However, many Astoria, OR property owners may be confused about flood insurance due to the fact that there are so many myths that surround this particular type of coverage, leading individuals to not invest in it.

To help clear things up a bit, the team at Linda Dugan Insurance has put together some information that will help you in determining whether flood insurance is right for your individual situation.

Flood Insurance Is Standard with Your Homeowner’s Insurance Policy

Many people assume that their homes are properly protected under their home insurance policy in the event of a flood. However, most insurance companies specifically exclude this type of damage from the standard home policy. To ensure your property is properly protected against this hazard, a rider for flood insurance will need to be purchased for an additional fee.

Flood Insurance Isn’t Necessary Unless You Reside in a Flood Plain

A flood can occur absolutely anywhere. You do not need to live in a flood plain. In fact, roughly 20 to 25 percent of all flood claims are actually for properties that are outside of the designated flood danger areas. For example, if you live near a dam or levee, your property could be at risk.

Flood Insurance Isn’t Needed Because FEMA Disaster Aid Is Available to Everyone

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Disaster Aid will only apply if the United States President declares the flood as a natural disaster. Even then, though, you generally have to repay the aid that you receive. However, flood insurance will pay regardless of the disaster status of the flood. In addition, you won’t have to worry about paying your insurance company the money back.

If you still have questions about flood insurance for your Astoria property, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Linda Dugan Insurance is here to help you understand the various insurance options available to you, whether it is flood insurance or another form of insurance. Give us a call today!

Reasons to Review Your Commercial Insurance Policy Annually

Unforeseen events can often lead to numerous changes within a business, a factor that can further expose your venture to new risks. If you operate a business within Astoria, OR, adjusting your insurance needs to fit your new operating scope should be your next course of action. Below, Linda Dugan Insurance explains why it is crucial to review your commercial insurance annually.

Helps You Identify if You Have Adequate Coverage

If you are constantly experiencing growth in your business, you will likely need additional equipment and new employees on board. Such changes could expose you to significant safety risks, with claims associated with employee injuries and machine breakdowns resulting in uncovered expenses. Renewing your insurance helps you track emerging concerns while also allowing you to identify areas that need additional protection. 

Helps You Take Advantage of Savings

Discount opportunities can often present themselves when you least expect them to, opening up room for savings on your policy. By reviewing your commercial insurance annually, you can identify periods when such discounts are available and ways to take advantage of them. This can mean bundling policies together, helping you cut back on high costs in the long run.

Helps You Keep Up to Date With Changes in Legal Regulations

While you may have control of your internal business operations, areas such as legal regulations will often be out of your control. Changes in the legal framework could require you to implement additional policies, with failure to do so resulting in fines. Renewing your commercial policy will be crucial in helping you avoid such legal troubles, allowing you to stay on the right side of the law throughout your business operations.

Whether you need commercial insurance designed with legal compliance in mind or need to upgrade your coverage, Linda Dugan Insurance is here to help you with your policy. Call us today to help you get the appropriate coverage for your Astoria, OR business.

Auto Insurance Coverage Options in Oregon

By law, all Astoria, OR drivers must carry auto insurance. Having auto insurance protects you and your vehicle in the event of an accident or theft. Like homeowners insurance coverage, it is possible to customize auto insurance by selecting the different coverage options available. Additional information about coverage options available in Oregon is available by calling Linda Dugan Insurance. 

Required Auto Insurance

Drivers in Oregon are required to carry auto insurance, and it mandates the minimum coverage all drivers must have. Below are details about the minimum insurance coverage required in Oregon: 

  • Liability Coverage: Covers the other driver’s medical expenses and property damage in the accident when you are at fault. 
  • Personal Injury Protection: Covers some of your medical expenses from an accident, regardless of who was at fault. 
  • Uninsured Motorist Coverage: Covers damage caused when hit by an uninsured or underinsured driver. 

Optional Coverage

Of course, you must carry the minimum insurance coverage set forth by Oregon law, but other coverage options are available to help provide additional coverage. These different options make it possible to customize your insurance coverage, providing you the protection you and your vehicle need. Some optional insurance coverage available in Oregon include: 

  • Collision Coverage: Helps pay for your own vehicle’s damage caused by an accident that was your fault. 
  • Comprehensive Coverage: Covers damage to your car not caused by an accident but by other incidents, such as fire, floods, storms, and hail. 
  • Higher Bodily Injury Limits: Standard auto insurance limits what it covers, and adding higher bodily injury limits provides additional coverage for medical bills.
  • Higher Property Damage Limits: Like higher bodily injury limits, this add-on coverage increases the amount paid for property damage. 

Ensure you have enough auto insurance coverage for your vehicle in Astoria, OR. Call the agents at Linda Dugan Insurance today to learn more about auto insurance options available in Oregon. 

Who should buy toy insurance?

Recreational toys are fun to have but come with significant responsibilities. One of the most critical responsibilities is making sure that they’re adequately covered with a toy insurance policy in the event of an accident. However, not everybody in Astoria, OR needs toy insurance as toys mean different things to different people. However, at Linda Dugan Insurance, we define toy insurance as a policy divided into two categories–valuable and luxury collections and other pretty expensive toys like RVs, boats, motorcycles, and ATVs. If you own one or several of such items, you need toy insurance. So why do you need it? Read on to find out!

Protecting your assets

Your toy is an expensive asset that may cost lots of money to replace if not adequately covered. You want to make sure that you can still get a new one in case anything happens. A toy insurance policy provides you with peace of mind as the coverage protects your assets against fire, burglaries, loss, and other natural disasters.

Liability 

Accidents happen everywhere in Astoria, OR, but that shouldn’t be a problem if you have the right toy insurance. Since the policy has many coverages, liability coverage should be your priority. Whether you have passengers or not, your toy may lead to unending lawsuits in the event of property damage or bodily injury. Remember, you’re supposed to be financially responsible, especially if you drive a luxury vehicle or motorcycle.

Replacement

When buying toy insurance, make sure that the policy can replace parts or the entire item in case of a loss. You should buy the policy if you’re not ready to part with your toy due to accidents.

Linda Dugan Insurance is here to help

Toy insurance definitely has some clear advantages. The last thing you want is to use your savings to buy a new yacht when the current one is totaled.  For all your toy insurance needs, feel free to contact our insurance agents, and they will be happy to help.

Do I Need Insurance on a Boat Trailer?

While owning a trailer boat in Astoria, OR, is a thrilling experience, getting the right insurance cover can be a hilly task. Most people do not see the essence of purchasing boat trailer insurance, thinking that it is unnecessary with regular insurance in place. However, that is a mistake to avoid at all costs. The standard insurance policies do not compensate you if your trailer gets stolen. Linda Dugan Insurance has become the leading institution, offering the residents advice on the best boat policy options. Such a scenario will force you to dig deeper into your pocket or savings, which can be avoided by purchasing boat trailer insurance.

How Far Does Boat Insurance Go in Covering My Trailer?

A regular insurance cover will only protect your trailer up to a particular stage. That said, never be entirely comfortable sailing without boat trailer insurance coverage. Find out the limit of your auto insurance policy concerning your boat trailer to avoid making mistakes. Auto insurance covers trailers, but not in all scenarios. Without a proper understanding of the terms, there are high chances of making wrong decisions.

What Does My Boat Trailer Police Cover?

Your trailer boat insurance policy will cover you from liabilities and physical destruction. Liability coverage compensates you for the injuries caused by your boat trailer and any property destruction that it may cause. It takes care of your medical bills and the fee needed to pursue legal justice. With physical damage, the policy overs the vessel from destruction triggered by fire, vandalism, collision, to mention a few. In addition, the insurance covers your trailer from theft.

The insurance coverage you choose covers your vessel from physical damage when off show and in the water. It is advisable to purchase boat trailer insurance for ultimate protection. The option is superior compared to the standard policy.

Contact Linda Dugan Insurance today for a decent insurance policy to secure your trailer boat in Astoria, OR.