Blog

Cyber Liability Insurance

ARE YOUR CYBER EXPOSURES ADEQUATELY COVERED? QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER 1. Does your business retain physical or electronic records of employees or other third parties with any of the following? • Social Security Numbers              • Driver’s License Info              • Tax Identification Numbers • Birth Dates                  &...

Rental Cars

Reasons to Purchase the Rental Car Damage Waiver The majority of what we have read from online consumer websites and have heard from the general public, suggests that you don’t need to purchase the Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) from the Rental Car Agency. People say that if you have a personal auto insurance policy (PAP) and/ or credit card coverage then the LDW is not necessary. NOT SO FAST! While many PAPs and some credit cards may provide/ extend coverage for physical damage ...

Better Boating Practices

Better Boating Practices   In 2014, there were more than 4,000 boating accidents in the U.S. The most common culprits? Operator inattention or inexperience, improper lookout, excessive speed and alcohol. To make sure that you and your family or friends do not become part of a statistic:   Stay dry on the water. Leave the alcohol on land and do your boating sober.   Learn to drive. Enroll in a boating safety course for everything you need to know about what to bring, what to do ...

Prep and Prepare

Prep and Prepare for Intense Summer Weather & Natural Disasters Only one out of five Americans has taken steps to protect their home from a natural disaster. Are you the one out of five who have, or among the four out of five who haven’t? If you don’t take measures to protect your property, the consequences can be damage, injury or worse. Sure, the damage might be covered by insurance. But, then, it might not. Consider this: · Flood and ...

Personal Umbrella

A couple hundred dollars a year is well worth the protection of adding an additional million dollars of protection for you and your family through a Personal Umbrella Insurance Policy.  FINANCIAL/INSURANCE TIPS FROM RON RICHARDS – CAMBRIDGE INVESTMENT RESEARCH. You don't have to be a Millionaire to be sued like one.  The more you own, the more you can lose if someone sues you. One claim or judgment can cause you to lose your savings, your personal property or even your ...

Uninsured/ Under-insured Motorists Coverage

Here at Ballenger Insurance we are always promoting higher liability limits and Uninsured/ Under-insured Motorists coverage (UM/ UIM). We came across a great article/ newsletter from a couple of well know and trusted attorneys here in the treasure valley, Bruce Skaug and Matt Andrew. They portray the extreme importance of higher limits and UM/ UIM coverage first hand. Please read the newsletter below: “This simple insurance tweak can save your bacon. Have you looked at your auto policy uninsured/ under-insured motorist coverage? Why do ...

Flood Insurance

With the crazy couple rain storms we've had over the last couple weeks, you may want to look into a Flood Insurance policy. While fire may be a more common concern among homeowners, your home could in fact be as much as ten times more likely to be damaged by water than by fire.* Significant sources of water damage to one’s property can come from weather-related moisture or flooding, including flooding from heavy rains, flash floods, dam and levee failures, tidal storm ...

Teenage Driving

Consider these sobering statistics on teen driving: Automobile accidents are the number one killer of our nation's youth. Drivers under the age of 20 were involved in 13% of all accidents, yet they account for only 5% of all drivers. 5,000 teenagers die each year from auto accidents. Alcohol is responsible for almost half of all teen motor vehicle deaths. 25% of all teen accidents involve speeding. Half of all teenage traffic fatalities occur between 6:00 p.m. Friday and 3:00 a.m. Sunday. In one year, drivers 19 and under were ...

Home Fires

Cooking is the cause of two out of every five home fires. Cooking has long been and continues to be the most common cause of home structure fires and home fire-related injuries. Whether preparing for a family dinner or a quick snack, practicing safe cooking behaviors can help keep you and your family safe. Never leave your range or cooktop unattended while cooking. If you have to leave the room, turn your range or cooktop off. Wear short, close-fitting or tightly rolled sleeves. Loose clothing ...

Do you have proper coverage for your Home-Based Business?

Do you have a home-based business? Half the businesses in the United States are based out of the owner's home. Most business owners believe their homeowner's insurance will protect them for a loss on their business, but the reality is that most homeowner's policies don't. Homeowner's policies provide very limited business property coverage, but no lost income or liability coverage. The business owners should read through their current homeowner's insurance policy to determine what is covered and what isn't. A trusted insurance advisor can't also ...

Insurance Myths

Good article out of the Insurance Journal written by Andrea Wells. 10 Insurance Myths. Insure.com said it recently surveyed 2,000 adults, half women and half men, from all regions of the country, asking them whether 10 insurance-related statements were true or false. All the statements were false. Insure.com also looked at who is more likely to believe a myth, men or women. In all cases except two, men were more likely to be duped by an insurance myth. Myth 1: I should buy insurance coverage for my ...

Advantages of an Independent Agency

Why go with an Independent agency (us) over an online service (Geico, esurance, etc.)? ·Insurance Experience! Agents know the "ins and outs" of insurance and we can help you get the coverage you need and make sure you're not paying for things you don't. Our agency has over 70 years of combined insurance experience. We specialize in helping you with coverages so you don't have to worry about it. ·Quotes from multiple insurance companies with just one call! We represent many different insurance companies ...