What is Umbrella Insurance and Who Needs It?

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The majority of people have no idea what umbrella insurance is but that does not mean that they do not need it. When it comes to umbrella insurance, it can be pretty easy to determine if you need to get a policy or not. Continue reading to see what it is, help determine if it is right for you, and if you need to consider getting a policy.

  • If you have assets that are high value, an umbrella insurance policy can take over where your current policy falls short. You may not know it, but your auto and home insurance policies have maximum coverage limits. If you have assets that are worth more than that maximum coverage amount, then you should consider an umbrella insurance policy. These policies will cover you when your other policies no longer can. Take a look at these two values to see if you are fully covered or not. 
  • Umbrella insurance policies can also cover your liquid assets such as your checking account, savings account, and even your retirement account. Banks and other establishments only cover your liquid assets up to a specific amount. You may want to check with your banking institutions to make sure you are covered completely by them.
  • If you are a high profile individual in your community, you may want to consider this type of policy. It can provide you with insurance for personal injury such as libel, slander, wrongful conviction, and even false arrest. While most people do not need this, you can judge if you may.

For more information about umbrella insurance policies, be sure to contact us at ALLConnecticut Insurance today. We will also take a look at your asset values and current insurance plans to see if it is the right option for you.

What You Need to Know About Your RV Insurance

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Your RV can be a lot of fun, and a great way to travel around the country. But you want to make sure you take good care of it, and that includes regular maintenance and a review of your insurance policy. If you’ve just purchased an RV and need to insure it, you’ll want to make certain you’re getting the kind of coverage that will work for you. For those who already have an RV, reviewing your policy periodically is a great idea so you can make sure you keep your policy up to date with your travel needs and finances.

As you shop around West Hartford, CT for the right RV and the right insurance policy, you need to know that state minimum coverage may not be enough for your plans and goals. You will be following what the law requires, but you won’t get a lot of protection for your RV itself. State minimums may also not be enough to pay all of your medical bills and related expenses if you end up in an accident, so you want to work with your insurance agent to make sure you’re getting the right level of coverage to meet the needs you have.

When you need RV insurance in West Hartford, CT, it’s time to contact ALLConnecticut Insurance so you can have peace of mind. With knowledgeable agents and policy options to choose from, you can get the kind of insurance you want for your RV. You’ll also get answers to your insurance questions and someone who will be happy to go over your policy with you to make sure you understand everything. The more you know the easier it will be for you to get the insurance that’s going to work for you, so you can go and enjoy your travels.

Does my small business need commercial insurance?

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Business owners in West Hartford, CT are well aware of all the things that can go wrong and cause them to lose money.  Fortunately, commercial insurance can help business owners to plan for and control the damages from these disasters.

While nearly every large corporation and business carries commercial insurance to protect itself from natural disasters, employee errors, and accidents, small business owners can be reluctant to purchase this insurance.  Often, they mistakenly believe that this is an expense they can skip in order to save the company money.

In fact, small businesses often need commercial insurance more than there larger competitors.  While large companies can rely on large stores of cash to cover their mistakes and accidents, a small business can be completely wiped out by a small disaster.

It’s also important to be aware of the types of insurance that your business is required to carry.  For help with this, call one of the agents at ALL Connecticut Insurance.  If your business has a company car, they can help you to set up a commercial auto policy.  They will also talk to you about the amount of inventory your business carries, the type of heavy equipment you own, and other factors that can influence how much insurance protection you need.

No matter how careful you are, every business can be prone to natural disasters and accidents.  A bad storm or a single act of vandalism shouldn’t have the power to destroy everything you have worked to build.

If you’re a business owner who is considering purchasing commercial insurance, contact the agents at ALLConnecticut Insurance.  They have years of experience helping business owners find the insurance that is right for them.

You Can Save Gas and Money With These Driving Ideas

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Saving money and gas takes more than driving around town to find the lowest prices. In fact, you probably spend more gas than you think using that method. There are, however, some great ways to save gas and money in the process. Follow these tips for better fuel efficiency as well as saving money by filling up less often. 

  • Get regular maintenance. When you keep up with the regular maintenance on your car, like getting regular oil changes and filter changes, you are really keeping your car as fuel efficient as possible. Making a point to stay on top of these regular maintenance issues will keep your car functioning to the best of its ability and will save you money in gas in the long run.
  • Upgrade to a newer car. If you have an older car or one that is over 10 years old, then it is time to get a new car. This is not just so you can get a better looking car but because newer vehicles are much more fuel efficient which means that will save you more on gas over the long run. Do yourself a favor and get a newer car that will get you further per tank of gas.
  • Drive with care. For people who like to drive by accelerating fast and breaking just as quickly, there is a lot more money spent on gas. That is because these actions alone can use up to 33 percent more fuel on the highway and 5 percent more in the city. Slow it down and drive with more care to go farther on a tank of gas.

Saving money on gas is great but saving money on auto insurance is even better. Contact ALLConnecticut Insurance serving West Hartford, CT to see if you can get a better deal. 

Is Your Boat Insurance Policy Up to Date?

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If you own a boat, you should have an insurance policy that covers this watercraft, no matter what size or age your boat is. Your policy should cover damage to your boat, damage to property and injury to people if an accident or incident occurs. While there are minimum coverage requirements in many states, it is advisable to purchase more than the minimum amount required. It can be difficult to find an insurance policy to cover a boat, as many auto insurers will not underwrite these types of policies. However, it is still possible to find a quality insurance policy from a reputable insurer at a price that won’t kill your budget.

Once you obtain an insurance policy for your boat, it is important to review your policy on a regular basis to ensure that you have appropriate coverages at the best price possible. It is typically recommended that you review your boat insurance policy once per year, at the start of each boating season. Adjust your coverage amounts and deductibles so you have the coverage you need. You can also take this opportunity to shop around and see if you can get the same policy at a lower price from another insurer. Having appropriate coverage for your boat and those who enjoy your boat with you doesn’t have to be a huge hassle or cost you a great deal.

If you live in the West Hartford, CT area and you need to purchase a new insurance policy for your boat or update an existing policy, ALLConnecticut insurance can help. Visit online today to obtain a quote or purchase a policy so you can enjoy your boat during the warm months without worry over what you will do in the event of an accident or incident involving your boat.

 

Spring Clean Your Home With Recycling

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Spring is the perfect time for you to clean up your home, ditch the winter junk and just freshen up the entire home. However, it doesn’t mean you should just toss everything into the trash. There are plenty of items you can recycle. So, while you clean your home, make sure to recycle what you cat. At AllConnecticut Insurance, we not only want your home to be beautiful, but we want to beautify all of West Hartford, CT. 

Old Electronics

Old electronics often are tossed in the trash. From bulky computer monitors to cell phones and random pieces of equipment, you probably just want these items out of the house. However, electronics cause more problems in local landfills than almost anything else. With the chemicals leaking out to the plastics sitting around for tens of thousands of years, you want to avoid placing these in the trash. Your local electronics store will offer recycling programs to help rid these objects. 

Toilet Paper Rolls

These are actually some of the most obvious items to recycle, yet are also some of the most often missed. After all, toilet paper rolls, paper towel rolls and other such rolls are made out of cardboard and can easily be tossed into the recycling. So, while going through the house cleaning everything up with the paper towel, make sure to add those rolls into the recycling. 

Plastic Shopping Bags

Many countries are no longer offering plastic shopping bags due to the amount of plastic used. It is best to save these plastic bags after individual shopping trips and then bring the bags back to the store. Most grocery stores have bins for returning plastic bags. Also, consider picking up a reusable shopping bag for future visits to the stores. 

5 Tips For Conserving the Gas in Your Vehicle

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Every automobile owner is aware of the many expenses involved in owning a vehicle. Many expenses can’t be controlled, but there are some that can. Gas is one of these expenses that can be controlled, and here is a list of 5 ways to conserve gas, which can save you money:

Go the speed limit

By adhering to the speed limit, regardless if you’re driving around town or on the highway, you can conserve your gas. You won’t have to worry about being pulled over by law enforcement, and you can simultaneously conserve gas.

Check your tires

Ensuring that you have adequate tire pressure at all times is another important way to conserve gas. If you drive with tires that have even slightly less than normal levels of air, your gas will be used up much more quickly.

Keep your air filter clean

If your air filter is dirty, then adequate levels of air flow can’t be achieved, resulting in your vehicle working harder. When it works harder, it’s also using more fuel in the process.

Don’t waste fuel

If you’re in the car waiting for someone who is running errands, turning off the engine until they return is a good idea. Also, limiting the morning warming time to under one minute can conserve gas.

Use the correct oil

If you use motor oil that isn’t appropriate for your vehicle, not only can it cause your car to function less than optimally, but it can also result in your car working harder, causing your fuel to disappear quickly.

There are many other ways to save on the maintenance of your vehicle, including shopping around for insurance. You can contact AllConnecticut Insurance to obtain a quote, which could possibly save you more than you ever thought possible.

After An Accident, Look For These Fender-Bender Fraud Warning Signs

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The moment an accident happens in West Hartford, you want to be on the lookout for fender bender fraud warning signs. While you would like to think that everybody is honest and accidents happen, this is not always the case. Unfortunately, what we see in movies and on TV about people claiming fraudulent activity in car accident is the reality, too.

Statistics

The statistics are important to understand. Many of the people who are trying to commit fraud will target the elderly as well as those with high-end vehicles. This is because they think that they can win easily, and potentially when a lot of money. This means that if you fall into one or both of the statistics and you are involved in a fender bender, you want to be extra wary.

Everything’s Fine

The people who act as though everything is fine are generally the ones you want to be concerned about. People who are genuinely upset about their vehicle want to get the cops involved and want to make a big deal of things. The ones that simply want to trade insurance information and drive off are the ones that are likely going to be the ones to contact your insurance company, claiming all sorts of fraudulent thing.

Courtroom Antics

If you end up in a courtroom because of the fender bender, look for certain antics, such as the person coming in with a cane, a wheelchair, or a neck brace because many times, a fender bender isn’t enough to cause the kinds of injuries they are claiming to have.

It’s important to have good insurance on the roads. Call and talk to us at AllConnecticut Insurance today. One of our independent insurance agents can answer questions and help to find quotes for an affordable policy.

 

 

West Hartford, CT: You Can Give Back to Others

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Giving back to others isn’t difficult. Most people think it’s about money, but often it’s about time and talents, instead. Volunteering your time to organizations like Meals on Wheels, or giving blood to help save lives, can be great ways to get to know people throughout your local community, along with finding a sense of purpose. If you’ve just moved to West Hartford, CT, you may not know anyone there. That can be stressful, but it doesn’t take long to meet people and make some friends.

A good place to start is to volunteer with organizations that are important to you, so you can get involved with others who share your interests in the kinds of things that you feel matter in your life. It’s often much easier to make friends when they are people who have similar interests. That helps you form a connection, and can also have you feeling more at home in a new place. You might want to consider adopting a pet from a West Hartford shelter, too. Adopting shelter pets saves lives, and gives you a furry companion to help you get settled into your new location.

When you think about giving back to others, also consider getting your insurance from a local agency like ALLConnecticut Insurance. When you do that, you keep more money in your community and help a business there see a larger degree of success. That’s good for you, the business, and the entire local area, and you’ll get the personalized service you expect from a local insurance agent, too. It’s an excellent way to help give back to the area.

4 Ways to Make House Sitting a Positive Experience

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Staying at someone’s home while they are gone can be a nerve wrecking experience if you aren’t sure what to expect. Thankfully, there are a few things you can do to promote a good outcome for both you and your host. Here are four ways to make house sitting a positive experience.

#1: Be Clear About Expectations

When house sitting for someone else, it is very important to be clear about any expectations they have for you while they are away. Ask plenty of questions, such as whether or not you’re responsible for getting the mail, putting out the trash cans on the curb, or watering plants. By keeping this discussion open from the beginning, you can ensure that you are both happy with the final outcome of the stay and that nothing is missed.

#2: Ask Plenty of Questions

Asking plenty of questions prior to your host leaving is also an important way to make the overall experience positive. Inquire as to where they keep spare toilet paper, clean towels, and extra pillows, but also consider things like how to set the pilot light and where the breaker box is located. If you are taking care of animals in their absence, find out the name and phone number of a local veterinarian.

#3: Do What You Say You Will Do

Many homeowners have hired people to watch their homes while they were away, only to find out the other person didn’t hold up their end of the bargain. For a positive experience, don’t be this kind of house sitter! If you say you’re going to pick up the mail every day and feed the goldfish seven times, do it exactly as you mapped out in the beginning.

#4: Leave Things Better Than When You Found Them

Who doesn’t like coming home to a clean house? As a house sitter, it is important to leave things better than when you found it. Wash towels, remake the bed, and put away any dishes that you’ve used during your stay. Your host will definitely thank you for doing so.

For homeowners, it is also important to ensure you have proper insurance coverage before you leave on your adventure. To learn more or obtain a no-obligation policy quote, please contact us at ALLConnecticut Insurance today.