What qualifies as a “flood” for a flood insurance claim?

Despite having both home and flood insurance policies, many people in Oro Valley, AZ, end up having their claims rejected for not knowing the difference between the two. So, how do you know if you have suffered a flood or water damage? While water does the same damage, water that floods your home is not always directly caused by floods. At Old Pueblo Insurance, we recommend asking your insurer to explain what qualifies flood damage to avoid filing the wrong insurance claim.

What is water damage, and what causes it?

Water damage is usually caused by man-made controlled activities like a tap left open, plumbing problems, broken pipes, flooded air-conditioning unit, or overflowing washing machine. For instance, if you left your taps open and the water failed to drain correctly, it could flood your home and cause damage to your carpeting, electronics, and appliances. Water damage is easier to fix because you only need to find where the fault is and fix it.

Examples of water damage include:

· Rain that enters your home through a leaky roof

· Kitchen that floods due to burst pipe

What is flood damage, and what causes it?

Flood damage is simply damage that is caused by a flooding event. In simple terms, it must rain more than enough to cause a flooding event. This can be a hurricane or a natural disaster where the downpour is too much and happens in a short period of time.

Examples of flood damage include:

· A river that breaks its banks and enters your home.

· Rain that enters your basement and cannot be absorbed by the ground.

Note that heavy rains don’t have to cause floods. If the water enters the house through open windows or a damaged roof, it is considered water damage and not flood damage.

For more comprehensive information about flood damage in Oro Valley, AZ, contact Old Pueblo Insurance.

How Does Umbrella Insurance Work?

Umbrella insurance is a type of coverage that works with other policies that you have. It is a unique type of insurance that can save you money while giving you more coverage for liability. If you need umbrella insurance, call us at Old Pueblo Insurance in Oro Valley, AZ for more information about this type of coverage. 

Existing Liability Insurance

Before you get umbrella insurance, you must have both auto and home insurance in place. Both of these types of insurance include several different types of coverage, and one of those is liability insurance. This coverage protects you against accidents and other incidents that happen in your home or because of your vehicle. If you are found to be liable for the accidents, the liability portion of your home or auto insurance will pay the medical and other bills that you owe. However, the liability maximum payout amount with these insurance types are relatively low. That’s where an umbrella policy comes in.

Umbrella Insurance

Umbrella coverage is like an extra layer of liability protection that is laid over your home and auto policies. When those policies have paid out their maximum amounts, the umbrella policy comes in and pays more liability up to its own maximum. The maximum is many times higher than the standard amounts from home and auto policies. And, it costs less to get an umbrella insurance policy than it would increase the liability coverage of your home and auto policies. 

Talk to an Insurance Agent

If you have home and auto policies and you want an umbrella insurance policy, call us at Old Pueblo Insurance in Oro Valley, AZ to speak to an agent about your insurance needs. 

How to Prepare Your Boat for Safety on the Water

If you own a boat in the great state of Arizona, it is a good idea to make sure you are prepared before your next trip in the water. Having a checklist and plan for emergencies before you get out on the water is always a wise move. Some important points to go over before and during a boat trip include:

  • Checking safety equipment like radios and flashlights
  • Let others know your plans
  • Check electrical equipment and wires
  • Having proper floatation tools and equipment available
  • Proper fuel levels
  • Boat registration
  • Local weather check

These are just some things to consider for overall safety while boating. Having adequate insurance is another layer of protection you may want to consider as well.

Old Pueblo Insurance in Oro Valley, AZ has experienced agents ready to help you with the best boat insurance to keep you and your investment protected in the event of an accident or disaster.

Do I Need Boat Insurance?

While boat insurance is optional in most cases, it makes sense to have some form of coverage. Liability is a basic form and other types of insurance from personal property damage to more customized coverage to help with towing and natural disasters. Experienced insurance agents can help you find the right level of coverage at the right cost for your valuable watercraft.

A Quality Insurance Agency in Oro Valley

Contact us at Old Pueblo Insurance in Oro Valley, AZ to discuss boat insurance or any other type of insurance you may be interested in. Our agents have years of collective experience helping owners of watercraft in Arizona get the best insurance coverage at affordable rates. We look forward to working with you today.

Exploring Motorcycle Insurance Storage Options During The Winter

Old Pueblo Insurance offers coverage to the Oro Valley, AZ community. We take pride in helping our clients secure the protection they need. We are ready to assist you and make things a little easier for you.

Winter Motorcycle Insurance Storage Options

As you travel around Oro Valley, AZ on your motorcycle, it’s important that you protect it. Motorcycle insurance allows you to protect your investment by covering any damages caused by a collision. You will also be protected if your motorcycle is stolen, damaged by a falling object, or set on fire. Liability coverage will protect you if your motorcycle causes someone to get injured or you damage someone else’s property. As the seasons change and the weather start to get colder, you will explore all of your storage options. You can add uninsured motorist coverage to protect you if you are involved in a collision with someone who does not have coverage. If you add any special accessories to your motorcycle, you can add extra coverage to cover those items if they are vandalized.

Even while you have your motorcycle in storage and you aren’t riding it, it’s important to maintain coverage because accidents can happen at any time. A falling object can put a dent on your motorcycle, or maybe the storage unit is damaged due to severe weather. You also have to think about unexpected situations, such as warm weather during the winter. Without insurance, you will not be protected if you ride your motorcycle and you are involved in a collision. If you continue to have coverage while your motorcycle is in storage, you will be protected if something happens.  

Old Pueblo Insurance Will Help You Protect Your Investment

Visit our website today to learn more information about motorcycle insurance

Why would I need motorcycle insurance in Arizona?

For most people that are in the Oro Valley, AZ area, having a mode of transportation is a necessity so they can get around town. For those that are in this area, the consistent warm and sunny weather all year can make it a great place to own a motorcycle. If you are looking for a motorcycle here, it is important to also spend time assessing your insurance needs. There are several reasons that you will need to get a motorcycle insurance policy here.

Insurance is a Legal Requirement

One of the reasons that you will need a motorcycle insurance policy in this area of Arizona is that it is a legal requirement. Anyone that would like to own a motorcycle and use a public road has to abide by the state’s requirements for liability insurance. This law requires that you carry a certain level of coverage, which ensures that you can pay for damages that may be caused during an accident.

Insurance is Needed Due to Lender Requirements

If you are going to purchase a motorcycle using a loan, you will also need a motorcycle insurance policy to comply with your lender. Anyone that is going to take out a motorcycle loan will be required by the lender to have full motorcycle insurance with comprehensive and collision coverage. With this protection, you will be protected against a variety of situations that could result in a loss.

There are plenty of reasons for someone to get a motorcycle insurance policy in the Oro Valley, AZ area. As you are looking for your next policy, it would be a good idea to call the team at Old Pueblo Insurance. The insurance team at Old Pueblo Insurance will assess your needs and help you get into the right policy for your situation. 

How a Whole Life Insurance Policy Works

Whole Life

A whole life insurance policy works very differently from a term life policy. Many people choose this type of insurance because of its financial benefits. If you are interested in starting a whole life policy, contact us at Old Pueblo Insurance in Oro Valley, AZ to talk to an agent about your insurance needs.

Continuous Life Insurance

With a whole life insurance policy, sometimes called regular life, the policy is intact for the rest of your life. As long as you keep making the premium payments as agreed, the policy can’t be cancelled by the insurance company. Many people like this benefit because the rates don’t go up as you get older. Using a term life policy is for one specific term as laid out in the contract rather than lifelong coverage. 

Cash Value

As you continue to pay your premiums, your whole life insurance policy will build cash value. This is a cash value that you can borrow against if you have a financial need for quick money. It can also be exchanged for an annuity to give yourself regular payments based on that cash value. If you choose to borrow against the cash value, the death benefit is reduced by the amount that was borrowed. 

Ownership

Whole life policies began because people wanted ownership over their death benefits rather than simply paying for someone else to own them. And today, whole life insureds still have ownership over these policies and the amounts they represent. 

Talk to an Agent

If you’re interested in this type of policy, call us at Old Pueblo Insurance in Oro Valley, AZ. Make an appointment with an agent to talk about all of the different types of life insurance and which may benefit you the most. 

Commercial Insurance Requirements in AZ

Whether you employ a few hundred people or just a couple, it is imperative that business owners understand the regulatory landscape that they operate in – particularly when it comes to insurance. Having adequate insurance covered is a necessity for legal operation, but also provides safety, security, and peace of mind for the business owner. Specifically for business owners in Arizona, any company that employs or regularly hires at least one employee – regardless of whether they are full-time or part-time – is required to carry workers’ compensation insurance. As a caveat, there are several exceptions for independent contractors, seasonal workers, and domestic employees that only work from their homes. In short, workers’ compensation insurance helps pay for the medical bills associated with an injury or illness sustained in the workplace. In addition to workers’ compensation insurance, Arizona businesses must also have commercial auto insurance on any vehicle that is owned by the company. Although it is not required, business owners that require their employees to use their personal vehicles on the clock are strongly urged to have hired and non-owned auto insurance as personal auto policies are generally excluded from business use. 

In addition to workers’ compensation and commercial auto insurance policies, businesses can also opt for coverage relating to losses due to cybersecurity incidents, professional negligence lawsuits general liability in the event that a visitor unaffiliated with the business is injured on company property. 

At Old Pueblo Insurance in Oro Valley, AZ our talented team of insurance professionals are ready to answer your questions to assist in customizing a commercial insurance policy that exceeds the needs of your business. Give us a call today to schedule a no-obligation consultation.

Is Home Insurance Required in Arizona?

Home insurance is not a requirement in Arizona, but it is a smart investment for homeowners in the state. A home policy from Old Pueblo Insurance will protect your home and belongings from theft or damage in a disaster. Home insurance can also covers liability issues if someone gets hurt while visiting your property. Here’s why you should consider insuring your property.

Dwelling Protection

You never know when your home will be struck by disaster. If a fire or tornado were to destroy your abode, would you have the finances to rebuild on your own? Home dwelling coverage protects your home in Oro Valley, AZ against disasters like fire, windstorms, rainstorms, lightning strikes and more so you don’t suffer financial ruin. We recommend you purchase sufficient dwelling coverage to replace your home in the event of a total loss.

Protection for Belongings

Home property insurance protects your belongings against theft or disaster damage. If you have expensive goods, you’ll appreciate the protection that property coverage has to offer. If your goods are stolen or destroyed in a covered peril, property insurance will compensate you for your loss.

Liability Protection

Liability insurance protects you financially if someone is accidentally injured on your property. Injuries may range from kitchen burns to slip and falls, dog bites, pool accidents, and more. If you’re held responsible for the accident, liability insurance will cover the victim’s medical costs. Liability insurance will also cover your legal fees if you’re sued for damages. 

If you have a mortgage on your Oro Valley, AZ home, home insurance may be required by your mortgage company. Otherwise, home coverage is optional. Smart homeowners will recognize the importance of home coverage in protecting their valuable investments. To purchase the home insurance you need, call or visit Old Pueblo Insurance.

Three things to be aware of regarding comprehensive auto insurance coverage

Having adequate auto insurance coverage is important because it keeps you out of legal and financial problems as a driver. You need to understand your various auto insurance options to find the right option for your needs. At Old Pueblo Insurance, we offer auto insurance coverage to those residing in Oro Valley, AZ.

Comprehensive auto insurance coverage is one type of coverage you can consider. The following are three things to be aware of regarding comprehensive auto insurance coverage.

Comprehensive coverage gives you ultimate insurance coverage for your vehicle.

There are a lot of limits to both liability and collision auto insurance coverage. If you want to be covered for additional expenses that might result from your driving, you can invest in comprehensive auto insurance coverage. Comprehensive coverage can give you greater peace of mind. 

Comprehensive insurance covers damage from fire, falling objects, vandalism or theft.

Before you purchase comprehensive insurance coverage, you should probably be aware of exactly what it will cover for you.

Basically, comprehensive auto insurance covers any type of damage that other types of car insurance won’t cover. This includes damage caused by fire, falling objects, vandalism, or theft. 

Comprehensive insurance does not refer to coverage for regular accident damage to a vehicle. 

You need to purchase collision insurance in addition to comprehensive insurance if you want to be covered for accident damages. Collision coverage covers the costs of damages to your own vehicle in an accident, while liability coverage covers damage you cause to another vehicle or the property of another party. 

Make sure you purchase both types of coverage to protect yourself against damages to your own vehicle. 

We can provide you with more helpful information about auto insurance coverage at Old Pueblo Insurance. Contact us to explore your auto insurance options in Oro Valley, AZ. 

Can I Get Umbrella Coverage?

Have your assets grown above what your insurance can cover? You may want to look into umbrella coverage. Umbrella coverage works along with your current insurance plans to extend coverage beyond the limits of your other plans. It is a separate plan that you purchase to extend your coverage instead of changing all of your other insurance plans. The agents at Old Pueblo Insurance, which serves the Oro Valley, AZ area, can help you determine the best level of coverage for your needs. 

Insurance plans can be confusing. However, signing up for a new plan shouldn’t be stressful. Old Pueblo Insurance can help you through the process, taking the stress out of deciding what plan works best for you. If you already have existing coverage, but need to add more to cover your assets, think of an umbrella coverage option. Boost the coverage you already have in order to gain the security you need for your own peace of mind. Umbrella coverage will help you stay afloat in the event that an injury or accident happens on your property or with your equipment. Your policy can help with attorney fees, wage garnishments, and more business-related expenses. 

If you are from the Oro Valley, AZ area, and need to add umbrella insurance, contact an agent at Old Pueblo Insurance. There are so many more reasons to add umbrella coverage than listed here, and if you have assets that need protecting, it may just be that last piece of insurance you need to protect yourself and your family from serious financial risk. Stop by The office at Old Pueblo Insurance and speak with an agent, or give them a call and add umbrella coverage to your current plan today.