Author: AgentInsure

Little Known Factors that can Increase Home Insurance Premiums

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Citizens in Boise, ID need to make sure they are informed when it comes to home insurance premiums. While the location and the size of the home are universal factors that everyone understands, there are several important factors that fly under the radar when calculating home insurance costs. Do not neglect these factors when deciding what additions to add to a home.

First on the list is a trampoline. While kids love trampolines and need the exercise, insurance companies have started raising home insurance rates for homes with trampolines. This is because trampolines lead to thousands of hospital visits every year. People can bounce off of the edge and break bones. Limbs can get trapped in the springs and suffer significant injuries. When hospital visits occur, the insurance company is frequently on the hook for the bills. Therefore, insurance companies have started charging higher premiums for homes with trampolines.

Next, swimming pools can also lead to higher premiums. People commonly run around the pool deck and wind up falling on the edge, sustaining significant injuries that lead to hospital visits. Furthermore, people can drown in the pool. In fact, hundreds of people drown in pools every year. Many of these drownings take place in home pools. All of these are costs the insurance company might have to pay for. Therefore, homeowners with pools wind up paying higher home insurance premiums.

Lastly, even home decks can lead to a higher home insurance rate. People can fall off of the deck and hurt themselves, leading to more hospital visits. Because insurance companies understand the risk with home decks, they will charge higher premiums for homes with decks. Owners can mitigate these costs by adding a railing.

Home insurance rates in Boise, ID are heavily impacted by these little-known factors above. Do not overlook these facets of home insurance when making purchases for home use. An insurance company might decide to charge higher premiums.

Commercial Insurance: What Common Business Items Should be Insured

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Besides a physical business building or office space itself, no matter what type of business exists in the marketplace, there is primary property located on-site that is required for a store to function. Generally, this property is used on a daily basis; has a relatively high dollar value associated with it; and is necessary to serve your customers, clients, as well as, you and your employees. Whether you have an online market or bricks-and-mortar store, these operational items usually fall under four categories:

  • Machines
  • Technology devices: desktop and laptop computers, tablets
  • Inventory/Supplies
  • Furniture

To figure out what items in your business should be included under operational business property, just match the applicable work article under one of these categories. The style and brand of these items may vary according to the specific area of business. With this in mind, here is a list of common types of business provisions that fall under these property categories:

  • Machines: fax equipment, copiers, printers, lawn mower, and leaf blowers
  • Inventory: stock items and special order items
  • Technology devices: cash registers, computers, credit card reader, merchant account terminal,
  • Furniture: desks, chairs, tables, lamps

With a list of the business property, you’re ready to insure it against unpredictable risks associated with doing business, such as floods, fires, vandalism, and theft. These unforeseeable circumstances can disrupt your business flow and impact your bottom line dollar, leaving you in dire work straits. Commercial insurance provides coverage for these situations. It helps your business get back up and running by replacing or repairing any such lost or damaged items following an unpredictable occurrence to avoid a long term negative impact to it. At the Fuhriman Insurance Agency, serving Boise, Idaho, you’ll find a menu of commercial insurance coverage to fit your business risk protection needs. So go ahead and insure your business property, it could mean the difference of getting your business back on its feet or shutting the doors permanently.

3 Important Things to Consider When Buying Life Insurance

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Picking the right life insurance coverage can be a daunting project. Coverage options are varied and have lots of moving parts. It can be tempting to pick the least expensive coverage and forget about it, but it’s worth taking the time to understand your options and how they can impact your dependents after your death. Broken down into the simplest terms, there are three primary things to consider when buying life insurance.

1) When to Buy: The younger and healthier you are, the lower your premiums are likely to be. The downside is that you may end up paying more even with lower premiums with the extended period of time paying for them. If you plan on building a family, weight the benefit of a lower premium with the time you anticipate paying that premium to find the sweet spot.

2) How Much to Buy: The total value of your insurance coverage can be determined in two basic ways, needs-based or income-replacement. Needs-based takes into account the unique requirements of your beneficiaries while income-replacement is a simple calculation based on your annual income. Needs-based can provide more personalized solutions, but it does take more effort to calculate.

3) What to Buy: There are different types of life insurance policies available, the most common being term and cash-value (or permanent). Most go with term life insurance because it’s simple to understand and often has lower premiums – you simply pick your coverage amount and the duration coverage is in effect. Cash-value insurance can be a better option for some, but is a complex subject. It’s best to consult a professional to help you understand the way this investment-style insurance policy functions.

To help you navigate life insurance options and make the right decision for you and your family, contact Fuhriman Insurance Agency today for an in-depth discussion of their coverage options and a quote that suits your budget.

Teen Auto Insurance Woes in Boise, ID

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If you are a teenager or a parent of a teenager in Boise, ID, you probably know that your life is about to change. Teenagers often look forward to driving when they are old enough to get their licenses, and their parents often dread this day. Teens often think more about the excitement of being able to be behind the wheel and have that control and power, rather than focusing on what an enormous responsibility it is to drive a car. Insurance companies are aware of this as well, and they take this into consideration when calculating insurance rates where teenagers are involved.

Because of the risks associated with teens driving cars, auto insurance rates often skyrocket when teens are added to plans. This can be very frustrating for parents, as well as the teens who are often made to pay the difference. As such, many parents simply opt not to tell the insurance companies that their teens are driving their cars, but this can be a big mistake. Even though no one is anxious to pay a higher insurance bill, it is important to disclose to your insurance company that your teen is now driving. Whether or not you tell them, they can very easily find out. They can find out that you have a newly licensed member in your household and revise your rates themselves, or they can drop you entirely.

If auto insurance for a teenage driver in Boise, ID is an issue for you, you can contact Fuhriman Insurance Agency to have your concerns addressed. The auto insurance agents at Fuhriman Insurance Agency are knowledgeable and can tell you everything that you need to know about teens driving as it pertains to insurance where you live.

Protect Yourself at Home and on the Road

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Everyone has liability insurance, so you should be covered for whatever comes your way, right? Wrong. If you’re held liable for damages or bodily injury in a catastrophic accident or are the subject of a lawsuit for personal injuries, the liability coverage that you were counting on is likely to be woefully inadequate for your needs. Also known as "excess liability" coverage, an umbrella policy can help protect you both at home and on the road. 

When Other Insurance Stops . . . 

Umbrella coverage takes over when other liability insurance stops–such as when you have a catastrophic, multi-vehicle accident on the interstate and it’s determined to be your fault or when your dog wanders off and bites a neighbor’s child resulting in significant medical bills. It never seems like these things could happen to you in Boise, ID, but they can and do–and it’s best to be prepared for any eventuality.

Broad Coverage

Umbrella insurance protects you from more than massive calamities, it can also shield you and your family members from incidents that may exceed your standard auto, home or other underlying insurance. Legal defense fees are also covered, which can be incredibly important in today’s society of litigation. Coverage extends throughout the world, so no matter where you are when a peril occurs, your coverage will follow you. 

Ready to learn more about umbrella insurance and how a policy can help protect your family from disaster? Contact Fuhriman Insurance Agency, your local Boise, ID insurance partner, to learn more about sheltering your family from all of the dangers that life can throw at you–expected and unexpected.

Umbrella Insurance in Boise, ID

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Boise, ID, also known as "The City of Trees" is considered one of the most livable cities in the country.  With so much to do in Boise, it’s no wonder there is a vibrant community with an economy that favors entrepreneurs.  If you live in Boise and own a business or other property, you may want to consider protecting your valuable assets with umbrella insurance.

Umbrella insurance goes above and beyond to protect your assets in the event of a disaster.  Even if you are as optimistic as the area of Boise itself, accidents can happen to anyone. Would you be covered with your current policy if someone were to accidently slip and fall at your place of business?  If you own a home, are you protected against all kinds of unexpected accidents?  Umbrella insurance, however, is not just for buildings. If you own a boat, and RV, or one or more personal or business vehicles, you can add umbrella insurance to these policies as well.

At Fuhriman Insurance Agency we love to discuss umbrella insurance with our clients.  If you have an existing policy with us or are in the market for a new insurance policy, we can give you all the information you need to make an informed decision about adding umbrella insurance to your policy.  Protecting your personal and business assets is a financially sound decision for you, your family, your employees, and their families.  Rest knowing that you can enjoy your boat or RV without any worry about accidents. Run your business without having to worry about what you would do in the event of an unforeseen disaster.  Contact Fuhriman Insurance Agency today. We got you covered.  

 

 

Tips to Make a Home Safer

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There are many ways to make a home safer that a homeowner should consider. Some just make good common sense. Others, like installing an advanced security system, may actually reduce the homeowner’s insurance premiums. Ask the agents at Fuhriman Insurance Agency about potential discounts.

Tips to Make a Home Safer

Security Issues
Besides having a security alarm system, make sure the entry door is strong and secure. When you are in the home the security system may be off. If the entry door is weak, it is a potential entry point for home invasions. Reinforce both the door and the door jam. Solid core doors with strong double-bolt locks that have reinforcement with a metal security gate are a good idea. 

Use strong windows and doors that lock properly. Make sure to lock everything when going to sleep. Use exterior security lighting triggered by motion-sensors. Lock pet doors when they are not in use.

If away from the home, ask neighbors to watch the property. Stop newspaper and mail delivery. Inform the security company. Use timers to turn lights and the television on and off at appropriate times to make it appear there is someone home.

Fire
Get rid of flammable materials, such as old boxes of papers. Keep the furnace/air-conditioning system well maintained. Have smoke alarms in every room that work properly. Check them frequently. Have fire extinguishers in the kitchen and around the house. Service them on a regular basis.

Slip and Fall Hazards
Get rid of clutter, especially things left on the floor. Put toys away. Remove loose rugs and wires that cross any walking pathways. Have adequate lighting in hallways and in staircase areas. Put pet food dishes in a place that is not in the walking areas.

Child Safety
Use childproofing to secure contents of storage areas. Keep medicines, household cleaners, and toxic chemicals out of reach. Install window guards so children cannot fall out. If you have a swimming pool, install a fence around it with a locked gate and use a security cover.

Landscaping
Cut back trees, if they have the potential to break or fall in a way that might damage the house.

Summary
These safety tips can help homeowners avoid problems. To make sure there is adequate homeowner’s insurance for the unexpected things that do happen, contact the agents at Fuhriman Insurance Agency. They enjoy helping new homeowners get insurance and offer reviews of existing coverage with helpful advice for homeowners.

Protect Your Business and Patrons with Commercial Insurance

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You read the headlines everyday: "Monster Storm Destroys Homes," "Killer Winter Causes Damage," and "Rising Waters Require Evacuations"

Weather keeps breaking records with its destructiveness.  You think you are prepared with your current insurance policy, but have you taken into consideration all that you stand to lose when Mother Nature destroys your place of business?

You probably have your company’s equipment and the physical building protected from damage. However, your customers leave their computers for repair, drop off valuable jewelry for cleaning, or have their wedding tuxedos waiting to be picked up at your location.  Not only are their physical belongings taking shelter under your roof, their personal information is stored in your computers and company files. Do you have the right coverage in place such that when a blizzard smashes your front window or collapses your roof, you have their best interests covered while protecting your future relationship with those who keep you in business.

Perhaps you bought your current policy when you were just starting out with only the minimum liability in place.  Business has been booming over the past decade and now you are responsible for much more inventory.  It is time to review your commercial insurance policies with a knowledgeable agent who is prepared to assist you in protecting the future of your business, covering the many contingencies that a wild storm may bring with it.

Fuhriman Insurance Agency serving the Boise, ID area is eager to take the time to review your current commercial insurance coverage and ensure you are prepared to weather any storm that may come your way.  Give them a call oat 877-342-7935 to make an appointment today.

How to organize your linen closet

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Although there are probably a number of closets in your house, the one that everyone seems to use is the linen closet.  While it can seem as if storing towels and sheet sets shouldn’t be that hard, it’s easy for this closet to become disorganized very quickly.  Fortunately, there are ways to get it under control and keep it from becoming a mess again.  Try these tips to get your linen closet organized again.

  1. Assign a place for everything.  Use sticky notes to label what is going to go on every shelf.  As you organize, you’l be able to refer back to these labels and stick to an organization plan.
  2. Keep kids’ items where the kids can reach them.  Even if this takes up more room, your closet will stay organized if your kids don’t have to jump to reach the towels and sheets that they need.
  3. Make bed “kits”  Matching sets of sheets should be folded together.  Not only will this make the closet neater, but it will also prevent family members from tearing apart the neatly folded stacks in search of a pillowcase or top sheet.  You may also want to consider doing the same for towel and washcloth sets.
  4. Place the “good” linens at the top of the closet.  This will prevent kids from grabbing the guest towels to dry off the dog after his bath.

As you’re cleaning out your linen closet, you’ll probably come across some things you forgot your had, and get rid of a lot of stuff.  That means that you’ll need to change your insurance policy.  Call the agents at Fuhriman Insurance Agency to make sure that your homeowner’s or renter’s policy is up to date.

3 Apps to Keep Teens Safe While Driving

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Slug: /monitor-teenage-drivers

One of the scariest situations a parent faces is making the decision to hand over the car keys to their teenager. The news stories about tragic car accidents that are caused by teenagers texting and driving or driving carelessly are downright frightening. Fortunately, there is a variety of cell phone apps available to help you monitor your teenagers driving.

DriveMode

DriveMode by AT&T is available for iPhones and the Android. When the app is activated, it automatically sends a text message to the sender that the person being sent a message is currently driving. The app also silences alerts for emails, texts and phone calls as well as blocks web browsing and all outgoing calls unless they are an emergency. The app allows you to input 911 and five additional phone numbers on an emergency list. The app must be activated each time your teenager drives, so you or your teen will need to turn it on and off during each trip.

Safe Driver

Safe Driver is a free app for iPhones that monitors your teenagers driving behaviors through the GPS and accelerometer installed in the phone. The app sends alerts and updates to you whenever your teenager is driving over the speed limit, accelerates too quickly and/or brakes too hard. The only problem with this app is that it may drain the battery quickly if the accelerometer and the GPS are continually used.

DriveScribe

DriveScribe is a free app available for Android and iPhone that monitors and alerts you in real time of any unsafe driving habits. Once the app is activated, it will use the phone’s speakers to let your teenager know they are exceeding the speed limit. Another benefit of this service is that you earn points with each trip you or your teenager makes. The points are earned for good driving habits and accumulated points can be used for gift cards through the DriveScribe website.

If you do a little research, you will find that there are a wide range of apps available that can give you a little piece of mind each time your teen gets behind the wheel. In order to ensure you are getting the most out of the apps, it is important that you talk with your teen and discuss the importance of them not disabling the apps. Be sure to talk with teens about the dangers of texting and driving, speeding and getting distracted by talking with passengers while they are driving.

Now that you have a teenage driver in the family, don’t forget to contact Fuhriman Insurance Agency to review your current auto insurance policy and add your teen driver if necessary.