Most-forgotten Basics About Auto Insurance

Posted on October 15, 2021October 11, 2021 by admin

Whether buying auto insurance online or through an agent in Clarinda, IA, it’s never easy. With many coverages, insurance jargon, and myths surrounding car insurance, it’s always never straightforward with auto insurance.

The good thing is that you don’t need to be an insurance expert to understand auto insurance. Being in the know of the following basics of car insurance, as highlighted by Sump Insurance, will help you make an informed decision when shopping for car insurance.

Reading your policy document

Most people are quick to sign off their auto insurance plan without understanding their policy document in detail. Understanding your policy document in and out is the first place to start if you are to get the most out of your auto insurance policy.

Your policy document contains what’s covered and what’s not covered by your insurer. This way, you will not encounter surprises when filing a claim.

How insurance rates are determined

Ever heard someone say that red cars attract higher premiums? This is a blatant lie. Your car insurance rate is determined by factors like number of coverages, driving record, claim history, model of your car, your location, and personal details.

While each insurance company has its way of determining insurance rates, it’s pivotal to have a rough idea of what goes into your insurance premiums. This way, you can deter your rates from increasing for factors within your control.

State-required minimums aren’t enough

Each state has mandatory requirements for auto insurance. In Iowa, for example, drivers are required to purchase bodily liability insurance. Besides, underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage is compulsory but can be rejected through writing.

While observing the state’s requirement is superb, these coverages are never adequate. The limits are inadequate, and the coverages cover other people, but not you and your vehicle. As such, we recommend motorists to consider optional coverages, including:

Comprehensive coverage
Collision coverage
Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
Roadside assistance

Would you like to learn more about auto insurance? Don’t hesitate to contact Sump Insurance of Clarinda, IA.

Umbrella insurance FAQs

Posted on September 30, 2021October 11, 2021 by admin

Umbrella insurance is one of the most confusing types of insurance and most people have a lot of misconceptions about what it is and what it does. Even the name is confusing, it doesn’t insure your umbrella. What exactly does it do? For answers you can count on, Sump Insurance in Clarinda, IA is your full-service independent agency. Service is our specialty and we are dedicated to making sure we provide our customers with the best possible insurance experience.

What is umbrella insurance?

Umbrella insurance is excess liability coverage. It does not stand alone, it is an addition to another policy or policies that have liability coverage. An umbrella policy protects your assets from all the adversity out there much like an umbrella protects you from the storm. Umbrella policies start at around a million dollars and go up from there.

Who can benefit from umbrella insurance?

If you have assets, you can benefit from umbrella insurance. It can be added to boat insurance, motorcycle coverage, renters insurance, condo coverage as well as home and auto insurance. If you have more than just a basic life, you can benefit from additional liability protection.

Is umbrella insurance only for the rich?

No, this is one of the most common myths about umbrella insurance. If you have savings or own a home, you have enough assets to be in danger from a judgment against you.

Can I buy umbrella insurance alone?

No, umbrella insurance is additional liability coverage, so you must have a primary insurance policy that includes liability.

Do I need to get my primary liability policy from the same carrier as my umbrella insurance?

No, there is no requirement to get the umbrella policy from the same company. Shop around for the best deal, though with the same company, you might get a multi-policy discount.

If you want to discuss the benefits to you of umbrella insurance, contact Sump Insurance in Clarinda, IA.

Home Insurance Options for Clarinda, IA

Posted on August 16, 2021August 8, 2021 by admin

Your home is your castle. Why not protect it as you would a real castle from the risks that are outside? Some risks are inside your home as well. Fires, floods, tornadoes, and termites, are all examples of the types of enemies that can invade your home without much notice and leave it in ruins.

Do Your Homework

To make sure you have the right insurance, it will pay to do a little research to make sure you have covered all of the bases.

Clarinda, IA boasts a number of beautiful homes that grace the area in the most pleasing way. Tourists and locals alike enjoy seeing the lovely real estate. It would be a shame to see these homes at risk by not having enough coverage.

Sump Insurance wants to be your go-to for home insurance. They are pleased to serve the Clarinda IA area and they offer a number of options for homeowners to ensure that their castle is well-guarded from the enemies within and without.

Options for Home Insurance

Some of the most common options are listed below. Do your homework to find out more and visit a licensed agent as soon as possible.

Additional home insurance amounts through flood or umbrella insurance
Fire insurance
Insurance against unexpected events like storms or hurricanes
Theft insurance
Rental insurance for occupants of rental properties

These are just a few examples of what you can add or look into regarding your homeowners’ insurance. It’s important to cover your home completely and leave no stone unturned. Out-of-pocket expenses for home insurance can be more expensive than you can afford to deal with in the event of a tragedy or act of nature.

Visit with the staff at Sump Insurance today and rest easier tomorrow. We can help you have peace of mind for your home’s security.

What Clarinda, IA Drivers Need to Know About Auto Insurance

Posted on July 30, 2021August 8, 2021 by admin

What are your minimum auto insurance requirements in your state? In Iowa, there is a minimum liability coverage including:

$20,000 of bodily injury or accidental death of one person in any accident
$40,000 due to bodily injury or death of 2 or more persons in any one accident
$15,000 due to injury or destruction of property in any one accident

Why Do States Put These Mandates in Place?

States put insurance minimums in place because those are the lowest numbers of injury, accidental death, or loss of property that the legislature believes should be covered in the event of an accident.

Remember, insurance was created to pay any liabilities you may incur due an accident that was due to your own negligence or some mishap due to your fault or misjudgment.

Iowa is a "fault" state, meaning the state does hold you responsible for your poor driving, but not the other driver. So you only pay if it is your fault. But unless you are a perfect driver, there is still a risk involved that threatens your financial situation.

Sump Insurance strives to help you cover not only the minimum state-mandated insurance requirements but also any other insurance coverage that you feel you need to protect your financial situation.

A good question to ask is: "Could I afford to lose the amount of money I might lose if I had a car accident taking this person with me to work or if I wrecked someone else’s car on the way home from ball practice, for example. Thinking of insurance as more than the paperwork you sign to get a policy is the first step. It’s important to think about the practical day-to-day applications of insurance that you might encounter, given the types of risks you have on a regular basis, to see how much insurance you might actually need.

Who is Sump Insurance?

Sump Insurance in Clarinda, IA services the Clarinda area and surrounding regions. We are experienced and friendly and we have the knowledge and expertise to get you covered for the most important risk areas you have and make sure you are meeting the minimums.

Contact Sump Insurance today and let us advise you on how to make sure you have the insurance you need to get you going down the road again with confidence!

Who Needs Umbrella Insurance in Clarinda IA?

Posted on June 14, 2021June 11, 2021 by admin

You have perhaps heard about umbrella insurance, but do you understand what it is and what it covers? Umbrella insurance is extra liability coverage that supplements the liability coverage in your auto, boat, or home insurance. In other words, umbrella insurance picks from where other insurance coverages leave off.

But do I really need umbrella insurance? Isn’t it for the rich and famous? If you find yourself asking these questions today, you have an answer. All you need to do is to keep reading as Sump Insurance of Clarinda, IA elaborates on who needs umbrella insurance. But first, let’s explore what umbrella insurance covers.

What does umbrella insurance cover?

Umbrella insurance is liability coverage. It covers other people but not you or your property. Ultimately, umbrella insurance protects you when others accuse you for:

Property damage
Bodily injury
Personal liability, including slander and libel

Additionally, umbrella insurance covers your defense costs, including legal processing costs, lawyer fees, and settlement claims.

Who needs umbrella insurance?

There is a popular notion that umbrella insurance is for the wealthy. While umbrella insurance protects those with significant assets, virtually anyone earning a livelihood needs umbrella insurance. Why? Everyone in America is at the risk of being sued. And if you have assets and earnings, they are on the line if you face significant liability claims exceeding your typical liability coverages.

While most people need umbrella insurance, if you are in the below situations, you need umbrella insurance today since the risk of being sued is high. You need umbrella insurance if you:

Own a dangerous pet that can bite
Chair a charitable organization
Own a boat, home, or vehicle
Coach youth sports
Participate in high-risk hobbies like hunting or skiing
Own a business

Buy umbrella insurance today!

Would you like to boost your auto, home, or boat insurance? Buying umbrella insurance saves the day when lawsuits come calling. If you are in Clarinda, IA and its environs, please speak to Sump Insurance for umbrella insurance coverage.

Hazards home insurance won’t cover

Posted on May 28, 2021May 30, 2021 by admin

When you have a mortgage, your lender will require you to have home insurance. They want to protect the building they have an interest in. You may think your home insurance covers you for anything that can happen, but that is not the case. Every home insurance policy has limits and exclusions, and it is up to you to know what these are. At Sump Insurance in Clarinda, IA service is our specialty. We make sure our customers have the insurance they need at prices they can afford.

Earthquakes

Earthquakes can happen unexpectedly and not just in California. But they are not covered on traditional home insurance policies. You are able to purchase insurance to cover earthquakes separately. This lack of coverage extends to other types of land movement such as mudslides and sinkholes.

Floods

Floods are one of the most damaging of natural disasters. If you have a burst pipe in your home, this type of flooding is covered but if the river near you rises and sends water into your home, you are not. The damage from even a small amount of water in your home is overwhelming. FEMA offers flood insurance through the NFIP that you can purchase and if you are in a flood plain, your lender will require you have it.

Termites

If termites invade your home and cause thousands of dollars in damage you are out of luck. As a homeowner, you are responsible for doing the home maintenance required to mitigate this sort of issue. Treatment for pests is your responsibility and if you don’t do it, you will pay to repair the damage.

Sewer backup

What is worse than a sewer backup? Having your home insurance deny the claim. If this is a concern, you can add a rider to your policy.

Contact Sump Insurance in Clarinda, IA to discuss your home insurance needs.

Iowa Drivers, This is What You Need To Know About Auto Insurance

Posted on April 29, 2021April 29, 2021 by admin

When you think of it, there are many ways auto accidents can occur. A blown tire, reversing into a wall, falling objects, crashing into another vehicle, and so forth. And even when you are careful, accidents can still happen. A distracted or careless driver can crash into you. Given that we can’t prevent vehicular accidents entirely, drivers need auto insurance for optimal coverage.

Not sure where to start? Here at Sump Insurance, located in Clarinda, IA, we will help you navigate Iowa’s auto insurance landscape. Here are things you should know about Iowa auto insurance.

Auto insurance is mandatory in Iowa State.

You know this, but we will say it nevertheless: auto insurance is mandatory in Iowa, and the state requires you to carry the below minimum coverages:

Bodily injury liability: Pays for medical expenses for injuries caused to third parties in a vehicular accident when you were at fault. The state requires you to carry a minimum of $20,000 for an accident involving one person and $40,000 for an accident involving more than one person.
Property damage liability: This covers property damage to other persons, but not you — for instance, you crashing into their car or reversing into their house. The minimum coverage required is $15,000 per accident.

There are other auto insurance coverage options.

While the state requires mandatory liability coverage, other car insurance policies exist to cover your vehicle against theft, vandalism, falling objects, hail, and other perils specified in your policy. Some of these coverages include:

Collision coverage to pay for damages to your car
Comprehensive coverage to cover your vehicle against theft, fire, and other risks
Medical payments to cover for medical costs arising from a vehicular accident
Road assistance to bail you when stranded on the highway

Auto insurance premium varies

Yes, your car insurance premium won’t be exactly like your friend’s, even though you have the same car model. Car insurance companies in Iowa use the below factors to compute your premium:

Your age
Credit scoring
Your occupation and education level
Marital status
Gender
Zipcode
Claim history

Having the right auto insurance coverage can save you huge bills later on. Thankfully, for Clarinda, IA residents, you can get optimal auto coverage from Sump Insurance. Contact us today, and we shall take care of your car insurance needs.

Understanding Umbrella Insurance

Posted on March 30, 2021March 30, 2021 by admin

It’s doubtful that you would ever lose a liability lawsuit for an amount greater than your existing insurance policy. However, if this occurs, you’re at risk of losing your own personal savings in a final settlement ruling. Thus, understanding umbrella insurance is vital to avoid financial demise. Speak with Sump Insurance of Clarinda, IA on how umbrella insurance works to your advantage.

What is Umbrella Insurance?

Umbrella insurance is a method of gaining significant liability coverage against claims that go over the limits of an individual’s (home, auto, boat, and others) insurance policy. The coverage is supposed to pick up where the other policies have left off. Often, umbrella insurance covers all injuries to another party and any damage to their personal property. However, this type of coverage isn’t available for an insurer’s personal assets.

The liability coverage found in umbrella insurance doesn’t protect the policyholder but other family members who live with them. Before agreeing to any policy changes, get the requirements needed to be considered a family member. Some umbrella insurance agreements come with set age limits for those parties under consideration.

The Importance of Umbrella Insurance

In our ever-growing litigious world, umbrella insurance becomes a valuable protection tool if your name appears on a pending liable lawsuit. Most scenarios of this nature involve being sued and the case outcome going against your side. The final judgment could ruin you financially forever.

To discover the importance of umbrella insurance in your life, take a look at your personal assets’ total value. If the amount is quite significant, then adding umbrella insurance for more liability coverage is wise. It’s the type of protection needed to eliminate any chance of losing your personal assets in a possible lawsuit.

In the end, umbrella insurance is a small price to pay for peace of mind. Take the time to speak with an employee of Sump Insurance of Clarinda, IA, as they can show the differences in various coverage options. Schedule an appointment today!

How to prevent house fires

Posted on February 28, 2021February 28, 2021 by admin

Nothing can be quite as destructive as a house fire. Even if the fire department gets to your home in time to save the structure, the resulting fire and water damage can be immense. The potential for loss of life is also sobering.

So, any measure that can be taken to prevent a house fire ought to be taken. The first thing you need to do is install smoke alarms and change the batteries at least annually. It would be best to have a fire extinguisher ready to put out fires before they get out of control.

It would be best if you kept your stove and oven clean. Do not leave cooking food on your stovetop unattended. Keep nothing flammable near your fireplace. Make sure that a lit fireplace is not left unattended. Be careful when using candles for that romantic dinner with your spouse or significant other. Ensure that power cords for any of your electronics are not chewed or frayed. Replace them immediately if they are.

Ensure that any flammable liquids are properly stored and secured. These include hairspray and shaving cream, along with cleaning products. Air conditioning filters and the lint trap in your dryer should be cleaned regularly. If you use a space heater, make sure that it is located away from anything that can catch fire.

It’s not a good idea to smoke under any circumstances. However, if you must smoke, do so outside. Soak the cigarette butts in water before disposing of them.

For any more questions about house fires and home insurance, contact Sump Insurance, serving Clarinda, IA.