The best auto insurance options for motorists in Oregon

If you are a motorist in Oregon, it is the law that you must have at least a liability auto insurance coverage. The minimum amount of insurance each driver must obtain is $25,000 per person for bodily injury and property damage liability, including $50,000 per crash for bodily injury to others and $20,000 per crash for damage to other people’s property. You must have at least $15,000 per person of personal injury protection and uninsured motorist insurance in the amount of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per crash for bodily injury but what other coverage options are available to Oregon drivers?

Collision insurance

Collision insurance is a level of auto insurance that includes coverage for repairs to your vehicle they may need to be made if you were involved in a traffic accident, no matter who is at fault. This type of coverage also covers property damage and any damage to the vehicle that is a result of the collision with other things besides someone’s vehicle on the road, such as trees, poles, and buildings. If your car is declared totaled by the auto insurance company, this type of coverage may provide a replacement vehicle of the same market value or a nice down payment for another vehicle.

Comprehensive insurance

Comprehensive insurance coverage will replace your vehicle if it is stolen or it is damaged by a natural disaster, such as a tornado, hurricane, or hail storm. This also includes damages sustained by your vehicle due to vandalism after a police report is filed.

These are just basic insurance categories and you can work with your trusted and experienced auto insurance agent to create the very best policy for you and your situation. She or he will have the skills and database to find the best insurance options for you so that you can drive with confidence and the peace of mind you deserve.

The staff and insurance agents at the Linda Dugan Insurance Agency in Astoria, OR are ready to serve you and all of your auto insurance needs by connecting you with the best insurance options in Oregon. Call for an appointment today!

Who Should Purchase Recreational Insurance?

If you own items with significant value, there is a good chance that there is a specific type of insurance available to cover it. This is true of recreational vehicles such as jet skis, ATVs, and even dirt bikes. If you currently own any recreational vehicles, you should make sure you have the right type of coverage in place. 

Recreational Insurance

If you don’t currently have recreational insurance in place, you should consult with an experienced insurance agent who can help you find the policies you need to prevent losses. Regardless of the type of vehicle or craft, you can protect it with top-quality insurance from a reputable agency such as Linda Dugan Insurance, proudly serving the Astoria, OR area. They can work closely with clients to help establish their current needs and help them discover insurance that works for their lifestyle. It’s the best way to get the right type of protection without gaps. 

An Agent Is There To Help You

One of the best ways to protect yourself from unpleasant surprises related to insurance coverage is to team up with a knowledgeable insurance agent. They are there to work with you and explain how each policy works including terms and limitations so you can make an informed decision. They can also help file paperwork, make changes to an existing policy, and even help file future claims. 

Anyone considering a recreational insurance policy purchase should call or stop by Linda Dugan Insurance to get more information and begin the process of finding a policy that can protect from a variety of losses. They are committed to helping the residents of Astoria, OR get peace of mind through reliable insurance products. 

Top 3 main benefits of having boat insurance in Astoria, Oregon

Boating is an everyday activity in Astoria, OR. Just like cars, boats are significant investments that need to be protected. While small boats like canoes, paddleboats, and kayaks may be covered under a home insurance policy, motor-powered boats require full coverage to protect them from damage. Linda Dugan Insurance recommends buying boat insurance even if you own a small non-motor-powered boat. Here are the three main reasons:

1. Boat insurance offers extensive coverage options
Accidents happen everywhere, and water is no exception. Every year, there are hundreds of boat accidents that lead to property damage and injuries amounting to thousands of dollars. Boat insurance provides extensive coverage that compensates for damage and injuries in case of an accident.

2. Protects what matters to you most
If you enjoy being in the waters, the last thing you want is to have your boat partner injured or your vessel damaged. You want to protect what you value most by purchasing high-quality boat insurance. Depending on the type of boat you are using, your insurance premiums could be higher or lower than for other boaters. But keep in mind that it is quality that matters.

3. Peace of mind
Boat insurance, like all other types of insurance policies, gives you peace of mind as you sail and go about what you love doing. You are not worried about boat accidents or losing your boat because it is well-protected.

While boat insurance may not be mandatory in Astoria, OR, boaters need to seriously consider purchasing boat insurance to help protect them from water perils. If you are a boat enthusiast looking to buy boat insurance, Linda Dugan Insurance agents can help you understand the requirements as well as what coverage suits you best. Feel free to contact us or visit our website for more information.

Do I need flood insurance in Oregon

If you live in the Astoria, OR area, you are able to benefit from the wide range of recreational options in the area and the great local economy. Due to these factors, this city can also be a great place to purchase a home. If you are going to buy a home in this area, it is important that you also consider your insurance needs. One type of insurance that you may need is flood insurance.

Not Provided by Base Coverage

One reason why you may need flood insurance is that it is not provided by your base insurance coverage. While a home insurance policy can provide you with great coverage, the amount of flood protection you get can be limited. If you are concerned that your property is at risk of flood damage, getting an additional flood insurance policy is a good idea.

Required By Your Lender

Another reason why you may need flood insurance in the Astoria, OR area is that it is required by your lender. Today, FEMA maintains a map of the entire country that determines which area is at risk of flood. If you are in an area that is considered a higher risk, the lender will likely want you to carry flood insurance. This way, their collateral will be protected if your home is damaged or destroyed by floodwaters.

Choosing the right flood insurance policy is a big decision and one that is often required. If you are searching for a new policy and would like some assistance, you should call the team at Linda Dugan Insurance. When you do contact the team at Linda Dugan Insurance, you can receive great guidance and support that could help anyone to get into a policy that provides the right type and level of coverage. 

Three things to know about how umbrella insurance works

Some consumers neglect to purchase a good umbrella insurance policy in Astoria, OR simply because they don’t understand exactly how these policies work. At Linda Dugan Insurance, umbrella insurance is one of the types of insurance we offer.

Consumers should know the following things about how umbrella insurance works.

Umbrella insurance covers costs if you are involved in an accident that costs you more than your existing insurance maximums.

You were probably already aware of the fact that your auto and home insurance policies have some coverage limits. Perhaps you have wondered what happens if you’re sued or involved in an accident that costs you more than these limits. 

Such a scenario can easily deprive a consumer of all of their savings. However, umbrella insurance will cover a policyholder for amounts over the coverage limits of their existing policies. Umbrella insurance offers consumers complete peace of mind regarding their liabilities and many of their financial risks. 

Umbrella insurance protects both property and possessions. 

Some auto and home insurance policies will only protect the property of the policyholder. However, umbrella insurance coverage will apply to not only the policyholder’s property but the policyholder’s possessions as well. 

Umbrella insurance coverage extends to the policyholder’s additional household members. 

Another huge advantage regarding how umbrella insurance policies work is that they typically extend their coverage to all of the household members of the insured individual. The coverage provided is not limited to the policyholder alone. This significantly increases the amount of coverage such a policy provides. 

Contact us at Linda Dugan Insurance if you’re looking for the right umbrella insurance policy in Astoria, OR. 

How Much Healthcare Insurance Should The Average Person Have?

Healthcare insurance is an insurance product that can have a wide variety of benefits. In most cases, those who have chronic health problems need this type of coverage to help provide protection and stability. Even those who are relatively healthy can experience the unexpected and health insurance can protect them from losses. 

How Much Life Insurance Is Enough?

Determining how much insurance is enough for each individual can be complex. When choosing from different options it is important to understand the policyholder’s average needs when it comes to doctor and hospital visits. For example, those who have frequent medical needs will require more comprehensive coverage with lower co-pays. Premiums and deductibles heavily influence which type of policy and how much coverage is the best for each situation. To determine which works for potential policyholders, consult with a licensed health insurance agent.

Get Help Finding Coverage

Don’t shop for healthcare coverage without the help of a skilled healthcare insurance agent. They know the ins and outs of healthcare coverage and can identify current and future needs, then provide policy options to meet those needs. People who are searching for adequate healthcare insurance coverage can count on Linda Dugan Insurance, serving the resident of Astoria, OR, for advice and guidance during the insurance shopping process. Get the insurance products necessary to have comprehensive coverage and peace of mind.

Healthcare coverage can be confusing without the help of a licensed health insurance agent. Call or stop by Linda Dugan Insurance today to find out more about options and to get answers to any questions. The residents of Astoria, OR have an agency they can turn to for complete customer service with exceptional insurance products. 

What type of life insurance should I buy?

Answering the question "what type of life insurance should I buy" is not simply a matter of saying one type or another. Life insurance is not one size fits all or one type fits all. Deciding what type of life insurance is best for your particular circumstances and time of life is something that is best discussed with your insurance professional. In Astoria, OR that is Linda Dugan Insurance where our experienced staff can help you to make a decision that makes sense to you. 

Before you decide the type of insurance you should buy you need to understand the different types of life insurance available and what you expect from that insurance. 

Whole life

Whole life insurance covers you for your entire life. It accumulates cash value and is a valuable asset and part of overall financial planning. It is, however, the most expensive type of life insurance. 

Term life 

Term life insurance is what the name implies, insurance that lasts for a certain term. It can be a short term or for as long as 30 years. Some term policies can be renewed for an additional term but they accumulate no cash value and make sense for large amounts of coverage for young families. 

Universal Life

Univeral is a hybrid.  It has flexible payments with part of it going to investments so that there is accumulated cash value and it lasts for your entire life as long as you keep up your payment. You decide how much you save. Unlike whole life, your premiums can increase over time. 

Deciding what type of insurance is a big deal. It will affect your lives and budget for years to come. The experienced agents at Linda Dugan Insurance in Astoria, OR look forward to sitting down and talking to you about your life insurance needs. Stop by our office or give us a call. 

 

Why does an Astoria OR business need commercial insurance?

If you have an interest in starting your own small business and being your own boss, finding the right place to start and grow your organization is very important. One great place for any small business owner is Astoria, OR. This area of Oregon has a great local economy and has a variety of policies that are favorable for businesses. If you are going to start a company in Astoria, OR, you need to have commercial insurance. 

Allows for Insurance Compliance

One reason why you will want to have commercial insurance is that it will allow you to comply with a variety of different agreements that you sign. Depending on how your business is capitalized and operated, you could have lenders, landlords, and investors that all want you to have commercial insurance due to the protections it provides to all stakeholders. Having a quality and full commercial insurance policy will help you to comply with this requirement

Keeps You Solvent

Even if you are not required to carry it, commercial insurance is a great option as it will help to keep you solvent during challenging situations. The commercial insurance will provide you with both property and asset protection as well as liability protection. This means you will have coverage if your assets are damaged in a fire, if they are stolen, or otherwise damaged. You will also have coverage if you are sued for liabiltiy. In either situation, it can help to keep you afloat during the hard times.

Choosing the right commercial insurance policy is a big choice. Because of this, you should call Linda Dugan Insurance to discuss your insurance needs. The team at Linda Dugan Insurance can help anyone to pick a policy that is right for their organization and gives the necessary types of protection. 

Insuring a Cabin, Lake Home, or a Vacation Home

If you are one of the lucky ones to own a home and also own a cabin, lake home, or a vacation home, do yourself a favor and do not risk your good luck by having your second home under-insured. Many people do not carry adequate home insurance, which puts them at risk of having a financial setback that may be substantial if something goes wrong. In many ways, owning a vacation home is even more challenging because there are additional risks if you leave a home empty or rent it to others.

Do you need a separate home insurance policy?

Depending on your insurance carrier, sometimes you can add a second home to an existing home insurance policy. Other times, the vacation home will need a separate home insurance policy.

If the vacation home is rented out for any part of the year, that is considered a commercial activity and you need special insurance coverage that is used for business. Each circumstance is different, so work with your agent at Linda Dugan Insurance, serving Astoria, OR and the surrounding area.

What about a caretaker?

There are also insurance considerations if you have a caretaker for the property that is different if they live on the property or if they just visit it to work on it. You may create an employer/employee relationship by having a caretaker work on the property and that means you might need workers’ compensation insurance. If the caretaker lives in a separate building structure on the property, like a guest house or in worker’s quarters, this structure may need insurance coverage as well.

Summary

Before buying a cabin, a lake home, or a vacation home or if you already own one, contact your agent at Linda Dugan Insurance in Astoria, OR by calling us to get an insurance review and a quote for home insurance coverage of the new place.

Choosing an auto insurance deductible

One of the most important aspects of an auto insurance policy is the decision regarding how costs will be shared to pay for damage to the vehicle. This is generally factored into the deductible amount in every car insurance policy. Linda Dugan Insurance provides these services to the Astoria, OR area. 

The differences in deductibles

After a vehicle is involved in an accident and repairs must be made, the deductible essentially functions as an agreement between the driver and the insurance company about how costs will be divided. As a general rule, drivers who are willing to pay more after an accident happens should choose a higher deductible, while those who want to pay little or nothing out of pocket should go for a policy with a lower deductible. Policies with lower deductibles will usually have higher initial costs for the consumer. Usually, drivers with newer or more expensive cars generally want to have lower deductibles in most cases, while those with cars that start to become older and more worn will be less concerned with minor damage or the possibility of a car becoming a total loss after an accident. 

You deductible is also important because collision insurance is required if a car is financed by a bank or a loan. This means that every driver who has a loan must also have collision insurance and figure out what kind of deductible will work best for them. 

Talk with an auto insurance expert today

Contact an agent at Linda Dugan Insurance who serves Astoria, OR area for more information. They can tell you more about choosing a deductible or answer any more questions you may have about car insurance.