Everyone hopes that no storm will be so severe as to flood one’s home. However, hope is not a plan. Linda Dugan Insurance, serving Astoria, OR would like to give some helpful suggestions to at least mitigate the damage that a flood might cause.

You should check FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center to see how much at risk your neighborhood is for flooding.

You should be on the lookout for flooding threats, such as heavy storms, paying attention to media reports.

Check the elevation of your house from the street level. If you have the funds, consider elevating your home higher. Even an extra foot or two may make all the difference. Raise your electrical outlets higher from the floor. Apply sealants to parts of the house that might admit water, such as windows and doors. Make sure that your gutters and drains are clear of leaves and other obstructions so that water can flow through them freely.

Place all important documents in a waterproof container, and place the container in a secure part of the house.

If a flood is imminent, move valuables, especially electronics such as computers and televisions, to higher levels of the house. Unplug everything to avoid shorts and possible fire hazards. If floodwaters are about to enter the house, turn off the electricity at the breaker. Consider using sandbags to block the entry of floodwaters.

And, finally, make sure that your flood insurance is current. Remember, your regular home insurance does not cover damage from flooding. Flood damage can cost thousands of dollars to repair. 

For more answers to questions concerning flooding and flood insurance feel free to contact Linda Dugan Insurance, serving Astoria, OR.

If you are a business owner in the greater Astoria, OR area, it’s time to find out more about umbrella insurance and how it can help protect your business. Linda Dugan Insurance is here to answer all of your questions and help you determine if an umbrella policy makes sense for your company. Owning a business takes a lot of hard work and dedication, and it’s important to protect all of your efforts. 

Umbrella Insurance Basics

Primary commercial policies have limits that once met render the coverage exhausted. If your company suffers a covered event that maxes out your policy maximums, you or your business can be held liable for any excess damage.

Depending on the ownership structure of your company, both your and business and your personal assets can be affected. It makes sense to have the necessary protection in place, should the primary policy be exhausted. This type of coverage is especially important for public-facing companies that may have to deal with slip and fall suits, or that have the potential for business-related liability. Don’t wait until it’s too late to find out that the policy limits on your property insurance policy are insufficient to meet all of your liability and coverage needs. 

Umbrella insurance is an effective tool to protect all of your hard work and to ensure that your company can weather the storms that come its way. Find out more about the benefits of commercial umbrella policies today, and rest easy knowing you have the protection you need.

Ready to learn more about umbrella insurance and how it can help protect your Astoria, OR area business? Give Linda Dugan Insurance a call today and set up a consultation to learn more. We are here to help!

While the Affordable Care Act did a lot of good for a lot of people, the fees that we had to pay for not having health insurance, when health insurance wasn’t always affordable, was one of the less popular features of the Act. That fee has been removed at a federal level, but where does that leave mandatory health insurance in Astoria, OR?

Long story short: You’re not required to carry any health insurance whatsoever on an individual level. Mandatory health insurance was never mandatory in the same way as, say, auto insurance, where you’re simply not allowed out on the street without it. Rather, you had to pay an extra tax as an incentive to get covered. Many states still have some form of taxation in place for people who do not carry health insurance, but Oregon is not one of those states. If you live in Astoria, OR and you don’t want health insurance, you don’t have to buy it.

But, it’s a different story for employers.

With under fifty employees, you can offer health coverage to your employees at your discretion. With fifty employees or more, working full-time or equivalent hours, you are required to provide health insurance for your team.

In short: On an individual level, nobody in Oregon is going to be required to buy health insurance. But employers with fifty full-time staff members or more will need to get their team covered.

That said, it’s not a great idea to go without health insurance. Get in touch with us at Linda Dugan Insurance and we’ll compare quotes to get you the coverage that you need. You want to make sure that you’re covered if something happens, so call us or go to the Linda Dugan Insurance website and let’s see what we can do for you.

The state of Oregon continues to be known as one of the best places in the country to start a small business. One city in this state that offers a lot of opportunities in Astoria, OR. If you are going to start a business here, there are a lot of opportunities for success. However, it is still important that you take the right steps to protect your business. One way that you can protect your business is by getting commercial insurance as it could protect your company in several different ways.

Ensures Business Assets are Protected

One of the reasons to get a commercial insurance policy is that it can protect your business assets. Businesses today require a lot of assets to grow and succeed. This can include making sure that your inventory, office equipment, capital items, and other assets. When you have commercial insurance, you will have the ability to repair or replace these items if you incur a loss due to theft or damage.

Liability Protection

When you have a commercial insurance policy, you will also get coverage for liability. If your business causes an illness or injury to someone, you could be held liable for the damages. With a commercial insurance policy, it will ensure you have the liability protection you need. 

As you are looking for a new commercial insurance policy in the Astoria, OR area, taking all important factors into consideration is very important. To ensure that you are making the right choices for your company, you should reach out to the team at Linda Dugan Insurance. When you speak with the team at Linda Dugan Insurance, you can be assured that you are going to receive the guidance you need to pick the right policy to protect your company. 

Located in Astoria, OR, Linda Dugan Insurance is committed to helping people find the insurance coverage that they are looking for. As an independent insurance agency, we have established successful partnerships with multiple insurance carriers in the Pacific Northwest. That allows us to serve our clients and help them receive the coverage that they are looking for, regardless of their situation. We want to make sure that our clients make informed decisions.

Life Insurance

Linda Dugan Insurance believes that everyone should analyze how beneficial life insurance is. Life insurance covers your loved ones so that they do not have to worry about your affairs after you have passed away.

Life insurance allows you to create an inheritance. If you are a parent, this is a great way to help ensure that your children have a solid foundation as they become adults. It also provides protection so that no matter what circumstances arise in the future, you will be prepared.

Whole life policies will provide extensive coverage over the course of your life. Term life policies last for a specific period of time. Once the term expires, you can renew your policy or choose another option.

If you are a business owner, a life insurance policy will also protect your business. The policy will cover your business after you pass away so that it can continue operating. Without the policy, your business could suffer losses that eventually lead to its closure.

Linda Dugan Insurance Can Assist You

We will sit down with you and discuss the advantages of each life insurance policy so that you can make the best decision for you and your loved ones. Stop by our office in Astoria, OR today!

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. 

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.

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.