What is homeowners insurance?

Homeowners insurance provides financial protection against disasters.

 A standard policy insures the home itself and the things you keep in it.

Homeowners insurance is a package policy. This means that it covers both damage to

your property and your liability or legal responsibility for any injuries and property

 damage you or members of your family cause to other people.

This includes damage caused by household pets.

Damage caused by most disasters is covered but there are exceptions.

 The most significant are damage caused by floods, earthquakes and poor maintenance.

You must buy two separate policies for flood and earthquake coverage.

Maintenance-related problems are the homeowners' responsibility.

Something to think about.

Don’t become a burden to your family

You’ve worked your whole life to take care of your family and your obligations. Now, perhaps you’re not in perfect health; maybe you’ve been turned down for life insurance before. Yet you want to continue to take care of your family and your obligations after you’re gone — you don’t want to burden your family, the ones you care most about. You may think you’re stuck without options but 

Farmers may be able to help.

Now, you may qualify for up to $20,000 of permanent whole life insurance¹ with no medical exam — 

only 3 health questions to determine eligibility. Here is some information you may want to consider:

• You don’t have to be in perfect health — 
• If you’re age 80 or younger and still living independently you may qualify.
• Your policy builds cash value — 
• You may be able to borrow against your policy to cover unexpected expenses.
• Your rate will never increase —
•  Regardless of your age or health, your premium will never go up.

Call me to learn more so you can decide if this coverage may be an 

appropriate way to prepare for your family’s tomorrow.

http://www.farmersagent.com/rcorwinrey

http://www.facebook.com/CorwinReyInsuranceAgency

https://twitter.com/#!/ReneeCorwinRey

1339 Washington Way Ste C Longview, WA 98632

360-414-8754 (Longview Office)

1307 Harrison Ave Centralia, WA 98531

360-736-8090 (Centralia Office) 

What Type of Car Insurance Covers Theft?

Insurance Q&A: 

“What type of car insurance covers theft?”

Many consumers mistakenly believe that purchasing an insurance policy, no matter which one, will automatically cover any potential insurance claim they may have. This, sadly, is not the case and many of us learn the hard way that the policy we though put us in a magic bubble, does not provide coverage against every loss we may suffer.
Case in point; auto theft coverage. Thousands of cars are stolen each year, many of which are not insured, which leaves the victim high and dry.
What’s worse is that the top 10 stolen vehicles typically do not “fit” the type of vehicle that would prompt us to purchase the coverage necessary to reimburse us for our stolen car.
What do we mean? Well, only two of the top 10 stolen cars are model year 2002 or newer. This means they likely do not have an actual cash value, the amount you’d be reimbursed for a loss once your auto insurance deductible is satisfied, high enough to bother to pay for the coverage.

What Coverage Do I Need?

Coverage for theft of a motor vehicle falls under the comprehensive “cause of loss” on an auto insurance policy. This means you’d be out of luck if you purchased a liability-only auto insurance policy, which doesn’t include any coverage for physical damage to your vehicle.
You would simply have coverage for bodily injury and property damage you negligently cause to others.
Another common misconception is that collision coverage may pay for all “losses” to your vehicle, including a theft. This is also not the case.
Read more about the difference between collision and comprehensive coverage if you are not clear on the topic.
Tip: You may be surprised to discover that damage caused to your vehicle by animals (even if you “collide” with one) is covered by comprehensive coverage…not collision coverage. This is an important fact if you live in deer country, where hitting a deer with your car can be a common problem. In fact, collisions occur an estimated 1.6 million times per year! Go ahead and read that again.

Is Comprehensive Coverage Worth The Cost?

It sure is if your car is newer, but as discussed above, the most frequently stolen vehicles are “older” and not terribly valuable. Honda’s 1994 Civic tops the list. Kelly Blue Book estimates the value of this vehicle, with 100,000 miles on it, at a little under $3,000 in good condition and under $2,000 in fair condition – your insurer might believe the vehicle’s value to be much lower, especially as the mileage racks up.
Let’s assume you’re 19 year-old Honda Civic is in fair condition. Perhaps you purchase comprehensive coverage with a $250 deductible as part of your overall policy at a cost of $50 per year.
The maximum amount of money you would receive from your insurer if your vehicle is stolen may be $1,750. This is your $2,000 actual cash value, minus your $250 deductible. If your vehicle had 150,000 miles on it, this value may be as little as $1,200, which would net you $950 (after deductible) if your vehicle were stolen.
Does this make financial sense? Probably not. Assuming your car isn’t stolen every year, or the first year you paid for the coverage, that $50 coverage cost rises to a total of $100 after two years, $150 after three years…and so on. All while your car’s actual cash value is steadily decreasing, which means your insurer will offer to pay less if the car is stolen.
Tip: If you have a loan or a lease, your lender or financing company will require this coverage to protect their interest in your property.

Early Season Motorcycle Care

It’s that time of year again.

 The weather is getting warmer and you just can’t wait to get out on your bike.

 But, it’s been in storage all winter. 

So what do you need to do to get it road ready again? 

Here are a few quick tips on getting your motorcycle out of winter storage and ready to ride.

Before you start, you’ll need to remove the cover and any locks you used to secure the bike.

 If the bike is up on stands, lower it down to a position where you can work on it easily and safely. 

After that, use the following checklist to be sure your motorcycle is in good working order and ready to go before you take it out on the road.

·  ·         Clean the entire motorcycle with a mild detergent and water solution. Remove any metal protecting agents.

·         Remove any plastic or rubber covers that you put on the air box intakes, exhaust pipes and air box drain.

·         Make sure the battery is in good condition and fully charged. Be sure the vent hose is connected and routed properly.

·         Drain and replace the oil that was in the engine while the bike was in storage. Replace the oil filter if applicable.

·         Lubricate all areas as instructed in the operator’s manual.

·         Change the spark plugs.

·         Check the engine coolant and be sure it is at the proper level. Replace it if necessary.

·         If the bike is chain driven, inspect the chain and drive sprockets for excessive wear or loosening. Adjust if necessary.

·         If your bike is shaft-driven, inspect the oil level in the final drive unit. Make sure it is filled to the proper level.

·         Inspect the tires. Tires should not have cracks, bulges or excessive wear. Also tires should be inflated to the proper manufacturer’s specifications.

·         Inspect the brake pads or shoes. If they show excessive wear, they should be replaced.

·         If your bike is equipped with hydraulic brakes, check the fluid level to ensure it is at the proper level. Most manufacturers recommend changing this fluid at least once a season to eliminate moisture in the master brake cylinders. Moisture can cause corrosion and eventual brake failure. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendation on fluid type.

·         Inspect coolant hoses and brake lines for signs of deterioration or cracking. Replace if necessary.

·         Inspect all cables for ease of operation. Sticking, binding or broken cables should be replaced.

·         Inspect all electrical accessories for proper operation. Check the headlight, turn signals, reverse lights, horn and kill switch. Correct any problems.

·         Before starting the engine, slowly crank it over with the kick starter and listen for any abnormal noises. Also check for smooth movement.

·         Do a complete inspection of the bike. Then start it and let it run for a few minutes in a well-ventilated area. If there are any abnormal noises or anything seems unusual, have your bike checked out by a factory-trained mechanic.

·         Use a fuel system cleaner additive for a couple tanks.

·         Take the motorcycle safety class you signed up for.

·         Get ready to enjoy another riding season!     

Follow this list, and in one afternoon, you should be able to get your bike in great working order and avoid any immediate problems. However, you never know when something could go wrong. So in addition, you should make sure you have adequate insurance coverage with Towing and Roadside Assistance. There is peace of mind in knowing that if something goes wrong, you have a customized insurance policy to cover it. And if your bike breaks down and can’t be ridden, there is nothing that takes the place of Towing and Roadside Assistance to bring you gas, a battery or to tow your bike to the nearest repair shop. Some companies will even offer Trip Interruption coverage, in the event that your bike can’t be ridden due to a covered collision, to help pay for meals and accommodations if you’re far from home.

Give us a call 

CORWIN-REY INSURANCE AGENCY

                     1339 Washington Way Ste C   Longview, WA 98632                                             

  360-414-8754 (Longview Office)  

    

1307 Harrison Ave   Centralia, WA 98531                  

  360-736-8090 (Centralia Office) 

http://www.farmersagent.com/rcorwinrey

http://www.facebook.com/CorwinReyInsuranceAgency

For any of you needing a agent in Colorada give The Schmisek agency a call. 

Mike Schmisek - Farmers Insurance Agency   

 http://www.coloradosbestinsurance.com

 http://www.farmersagent.com/mschmisek

Stranger Danger

Heidi and Teri partnered with the Longview Police Department and 

taught a class on Stranger Danger at the Longview YMCA .
 We educated them about being safe and our M.I.L.K. program .

Why is m.i.l.k.® Important?

Law enforcement states that in a missing child situation, rapidly distributing a current photo can be the difference between a fast recovery and a prolonged search . . . Unfortunately, most parents are not prepared for this type of crisis. In fact:

~ Over 2,000 children are reported missing every day ~

~ 40% of the parents of a missing child cannot immediately supply a current picture ~

~ 34% the of parents do not know their child’s correct weight, eye color or height ~

These statistics may sound outlandish, however, if you were placed in an emergency situation, could you instantly provide a current photo of your child along with vital statistics including height, weight, eye color, gender, date of birth, nick name, distinguishing marks and identifiers such as eye-glasses or contact lenses, braces on teeth, pierced ears and other unique physical attributes along with your contact information? The m.i.l.k. Digital ID contains all this important information.

Protect your most valuable assett – Your Children!

In addition to establishing an immediate means for locating and distributing this vital data, every 6 months the software reminds you to update the photo and identification information in your m.i.l.k. Digital IDs. This ensures that in the event of an emergency, the most current information is readily available.

Parents tend to go too far or not far enough in teaching kids how to protect themselves. Here are ten stranger danger tips for keeping your child safe from stranger abduction or attack.
Speaking To Strangers

• It may be a mistake to tell children that they should never speak to strangers. Kids may picture strangers as dirty or mean looking people. Many child molesters and predators are people who aren't strangers at all. They are known by the child, relatives, neighbors, acquaintances, teenagers, someone who the child doesn't suspect. A child should know how to ask someone trustworthy for help.
• Children shouldn't live in fear of everyone new they see, since most people are not abusive. If parents teach fear of strangers, will the child be able to find help if he is lost or has been abducted?

Finding Help

• Give your child confidence. Let him know he can fight, bite, kick, struggle, but best of all scream and holler for help if being hurt or abducted.
• Teach your child to trust certain people. If he is in danger he might ask another child, a security guard or policeman in uniform, a woman with children, a store clerk, a school teacher or church leader. Teach the child how to ask for help.
• Teach him the number of a trusted friend to call and help him. Teach the child his address and numbers he should contact to get home if he gets lost. Teach him how to call free from a pay phone and how to call 911 and get help.

Habits for Keeping Safe

• He should know that there is safety in numbers. Tell you child to stick to places where more people are out and about in places that are well lit, especially if he feels threatened. He should learn to use a password should you ever change plans and send someone unexpected to get him. He should not go anywhere with a stranger who does not know the password.
• Protect your child by taking his photo often and having recent fingerprints. Store where you will find them easily if ever needed.
• Don't put the child's name on his shirts, jackets, backpacks or belongings where a predator will easily find it.
• Teach the child that he should never give identifying information over the internet or phone or inform someone who calls that he is home alone.
• Volunteer in the child's school and in the community so you will know who is there. Meet the people who live around you in the neighborhood. Meet the child's friends and teachers so that you will have more insight if something is amiss.
• Your child should be wise to the fact that it is okay to say "no" to anyone who tries to do anything that he feels uncomfortable with. He should know never to accept gifts, candy or toys from a person without getting a parents permission. Always make sure that your child knows that he will not be punished for things that have made him uncomfortable. You don't want him keeping secret his creepy encounters with strangers.

Protecting your child is an important part of parenting. Use these tips to build confidence and help your child know they are safe.

Thanks for having us Trish Potter.

Also thanks to Cindy Turpen & Sargent D.Wells from the Longview Police Dept.