New Drivers License Expiration Dates and Renewal Periods in Washington

As of December 17, 2018, the Washington State Insurance Commissioner has changed when your Washington drivers license expires.

In keeping with the National Insurance Producer Registry's (NIPR) recommended best practices and to further the Insurance Commissioner office's commitment to being more uniform with other state insurance departments, Washington state has changed the expiration date for individual licensees from your birth date to the end of your birth month.

For example, if your birthday is March 2nd, 2018, in the past your license would expire on that day. Now it won't expire until the end of your birth month, in this case March 31st.

If your driver's license does expire before you renew it, you can still renew, but if it has been expired for more than 60 days, you'll have to pay a $10 late fee in addition to the renewal fee.

To renew your driver's license in Washington, it will cost you $54 for a standard driver license.

Increased Renewal Period

Prior to the effective date of the new rule change, licensees were able to submit their renewal applications and insurers were able to submit their appointment renewals 60 days prior to the expiration date. This is referred to as the "renewal window." 

Under the new rule change, this renewal window will extend to 90 days prior to the expiration date rather than 60 days. Insurers and licensees will receive email notification of their opportunity to access their license or appointment renewals.

If you have any questions about your license renewal, call 360-725-7144 or renew online at https://www.dol.wa.gov/driverslicense/renew.html

And if you also need to renew your auto insurance, call SAV-ON Insurance at 888-867-2866 and find out how much money we can save you or go online to www.sav-on.com and make an appointment at the office of your choice!

Scheduling Jewelry on Your Insurance Policy

Christmas time is a season of gift-giving, and some of it is in the form of jewelry.  This means that you might find yourself with a new diamond ring or expensive piece of jewelry. While it is a wonderful gift to get, you need to protect your new investment!

Many people spend thousands of dollars on beautiful jewelry but don’t take the time to find out how to insure it. And this can be a big mistake!

If you have homeowners or renters insurance, then your jewelry is covered as part of the contents of your home. But there can be problems...

1. We don’t know what it is worth.  It’s hard to get the full value of your jewelry back if you don’t know all of the specifics!  Weight, color, cut, size, and so forth are all factors in the value.  Ten years from now you might not even remember how much you paid. 

2. You probably have a large deductible on your homeowners insurance.  Typically your contents coverage deductible is around 1% of your home value.  So if your home is insured for $200,000, then your deductible is $2,000.  If your ring is stolen, you’d be responsible for the first $2,000 before insurance kicks in! 

But there is a simple solution to avoid all of these problems. SAV-ON homeowners and renters policies allow you to “schedule” jewelry for a small additional cost.

You bring in the receipt and appraisal of the item and we add all of that information to your policy.  (Sometimes we don’t need all of this, just call us first and we can let you know.) 

You will be charged based on the value of the item, but typically it’s less than $40 per year! (Sometimes much less, sometimes a little more.  It all depends on how much insurance is required.) 

Plus, scheduled items don’t require a deductible.  So if your ring is lost or stolen, you pay nothing out-of-pocket but get to replace your precious jewelry.

So next time you open a jewelry box and put a sparkling diamond on your finger, make sure that you are insuring your investment. 

Have questions about scheduling items on your homeowners insurance?  Call SAV-ON today at 888-867-2866 for assistance! 

Protect Your Belongings This Holiday Season

The holidays have officially arrived!  And for many of us that means shopping, gifting, decorating, partying, and traveling. And a whole lot of it!

Insurance agents are always on the look out for things that might put our clients at risk.  That’s why we wanted to share a few quick reminders this month to make sure you avoid any potential claim situations. 

1.  Be careful with a live Christmas tree. Real trees are beautiful, but can be hazardous when if they dry out. To prolong the life of your tree, water it daily and turn the lights off at night and when you won’t be home to avoid a house fire. Make sure the lights on the tree and any extension cords are in good condition. Frayed cords can short out and start a fire!

2. Don’t leave gifts in your car! A lot of people don’t realize that items in their car are NOT covered by auto insurance.  While property off-premises is covered by home and renters insurance, it is typically subject to a much higher deductible.  If you must leave anything in the car, put it in the trunk and lock the doors.

3. Traveling out of town?  Don’t make it too obvious!  Leave lights on in the house (preferably on a timer), stop your mail, and leave your number with a trustworthy neighbor who will keep an eye on your home. Also, don't announce your travel plans on social media. It's an open invitation for thieves to ransack your home, knowing you won't be home for a few days.

4. Make sure to keep an updated insurance card in your car when you travel.  Not only is it good to have if you get pulled over, but all the information you need is in one place if you were to have a claim.

5. Need to contact us after hours or on the holiday?  No problem. Just call for after-hours assistance.

6. Received some special jewelry for Christmas?  Make sure to call SAV-ON so we can get it scheduled!  We’ll review all of your options to make sure it is properly covered and protected. 

And most important?  Have a safe and joy-filled holiday! We appreciate our wonderful customers!

Merry Christmas from all of us at SAV-ON Insurance Agencies! 

Tips for Driving Safely this Winter

Winter is almost here, and in the Northwest that means cold, fog and slippery streets. Add to that increasing darkness during the commute, and it makes driving much more hazardous for the next three months or more.

The American Automobile Association (AAA) has a number of driving tips that will help keep you and your family safe while traveling this winter.

Get a Vehicle Checkup

Just like your personal health, your vehicle needs a clean bill of health to survive the wintry weather and slick streets. Now is the time to take care of any problems with your vehicle's electrical system, battery, brakes, tires, exhaust, engine-cooling system and windshield wipers. You want to avoid a breakdown in inclement weather!

Make sure you fill your windshield wiper fluid now for the inevitable rain, slush or snow that will try to obscure your view of the road. Wipers can smear the windshield, and without fluid to wash it off, you could be blinded to the hazards in front of you.

Check your tires for excessive wear to make sure they will grip the road when it's wet or snowy. One quick way of testing the amount of tread left is to push a penny in the groove between the treads, with Lincoln's head facing down. If the top of Lincoln's head is visible above the tread, then your tires are too worn-out, and you need to purchase new tires.

Carry a Survival Kit

If you should get stranded, a survival kit will be very important to keep you safe and warm until help can arrive. This should include:

• A warm blanket
• Boots and insulated gloves
• Food and water
• A flashlight with extra batteries
• Ice scraper
• Small shovel
• Signal flares
• Jumper cables
• Sand or kitty litter (for helping your tires get a grip if you're stuck)

Make sure you have a cellphone and a charger with you, too, so you can call for help.

Check the Weather Forecast First

Before heading out on the road, make sure to check to see what the weather will be like, so you aren't caught in bad weather, heavy traffic or poor road conditions.

Once you're behind the wheel, slow down and leave plenty of distance between you and the vehicle ahead of you, in case of slippery roads or accidents. It's also more important than ever to not be distracted by phones, maps, children or pets. Your vehicle may not respond as quickly as normal, and any delay in your reaction time could spell disaster!

Finally, make sure your auto insurance is up-to-date, and covers you in the event an uninsured or underinsured driver hits you. Call SAV-ON today at 888-867-2866 or visit www.sav-on.com to make sure you're set for winter driving.

Source: American Automobile Association

 

Broken Unground Pipe or Buried Electrical Line? Homeowners Insurance Won't Help!

Broken underground pipe.

Many homeowners think that their homeowners insurance policy will cover anything that goes wrong on their property, but that is not true. In addition, underground sewer lines, water lines and electrical lines that run from the property line to the foundation of the house are not the responsibility of the utility company, but the homeowner’s responsibility. 

If you have a leak or electrical failure from a break in an underground pipe in your yard, you may be out hundreds – or even thousands – of dollars in out-of-pocket costs! That’s where Utility Line Insurance can protect you.

Your typical homeowners policy will not cover items outside the foundation, such as buried utility lines. And if the pipe breaks inside the walls of the home, your homeowners will cover the damage, but not the broken pipe itself. 

 

Utility line coverage provides protection in the event of an unexpected water, sewer or exterior electrical line failure, whether it happens between the property line and the home, or inside the foundation, as long as the failure is in an underground line.

Exterior Water Line – Protection for one underground water supply line from the meter or well (on property) to the outside of the home’s foundation.

Exterior Sewer Line – Protection for one underground main sewer line from the outside wall of the foundation to the property boundary.

Exterior Electrical Lines – Protection for each of the following (must be buried): electrical power line, fiber optic line, cable TV line, phone line – from the outside wall of the home to the property boundary.

Interior Water Lines – Protection for the water lines running throughout the interior of the home.

Interior Sewer & Drain Lines – Protection for sewer lines and gray water drain line leaks and failures running throughout the interior of the home.

Note that the coverage is for broken lines only; not normal wear and tear within the line. If a line becomes plugged due to normal useage,  it is not eligible for coverage.

The coverage is convenient and easy to use. It comes with 24/7 emergency response hotline and has a zero deductible! But, don’t wait until you have a problem; there is a 30-day waiting period, so it’s important to secure this protection before a line failure occurs.

Call SAV-ON Insurance today at 888-867-2866 and be protected from utility line failure. 
 

What Is Insurance Really For?

Thanksgiving has almost arrived. This is the time of year when we sit back and reflect on all the things that we are thankful for. What immediately comes to mind?

For most of us it’s things like our family, our home, and our good health. And guess what they have in common? All of these things are what insurance protects!

That’s why it is so important to us that our clients have excellent insurance coverage. It’s not just about having an ID card in your car so you don’t get a ticket, or fulfilling your mortgage company’s minimum loan requirements.

Insurance is there to make sure that if the worst happens, you can recover from it. It might not be easy, but we’re here to ease the financial burden after your house burns down or a loved one passes away.

All of those TV commercials that just tell you to find the cheapest rate are completely wrong! Of course no one wants to pay more then they have to, but it’s not the most important part of the equation.

Rather than looking for a cheap bare-bones policy, take the time to interview and meet with a local SAV-ON agent. Find out the best coverage that truly meeting your needs while keeping the rate affordable. Ask us about how the insurance company you choose handles claims. Know that SAV-ON is dedicated to keeping you up-to-date and schedules annual policy reviews to make sure you get the best coverage at the best price.

This Thanksgiving, SAV-ON Insurance Agencies is extremely thankful for all of our wonderful clients. If you need a local agent to look out for your most prized possessions, give us a call today at 888-867-2866 or visit www.sav-on.com for a free no-obligation quote.

And have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

 

Prepare Your Home for Winter Freezes

With winter fast approaching, now is a great time to prepare your home for the inevitable freezing temperatures at night.  Use the checklist below to give you ideas for keeping warm, preventing fires, and saving money.

• Have your furnace inspected and serviced by a professional at least once a year.

• Have chimneys and vents cleaned and inspected.  After a summer of non-use there can be pine needles, leaves and even bird's nests or other critters that have taken up residence and can block the flue. (In addition, built-up creosote is the leading cause of chimney fires.)

• Stock up on dry, seasoned wood for the fireplace or wood stove.

• Check the condition of your fireplace screen. Is it in good condition and secure? Faulty screens can allow embers to escape and start a fire.

• Get a covered metal container ready to dispose of cooled ashes.  (And keep it at least 10 feet from your home.)

• Review fireplace safety with your family, and have an escape route planned in case of smoke or fire. (Smoke inhalation is the leading cause of death in a house fire.)

• Make sure all portable space heaters have an automatic shut-off and are kept at least 3 feet away from anything that can burn (like bedding).

 • Never use a propane heater or barbeque grill to heat your home. These give off poisonous gasses that can be fatal.

• Test all smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms! 


Follow these tips and your home will be ready for winter and safe from fire hazards.  

If you’re concerned about protecting your belongings, give SAV-ON Insurance a call at 888-867-2866 to review your home insurance policy today!

Smoke from Wildfires Cause Problems for Your Vehicle, too

This summer, smoke from a number of wildfires in Canada and Oregon made the air quality in Washington unhealthy, causing people with breathing difficulties additional problems, and even the healthiest of people discomfort in the form of scratchy throats and burning eyes.

But, people aren't the only ones affected. Your car may be sputtering from the dirty air, too. Smoky air can clog up your vehicle's air filter and force your engine to work harder as it tries to take in oxygen. Mechanics in eastern Washington have even reported some air filter's are so plugged the car wouldn't even start!

Now that the smoke is dissipating, your breathing may be improved, but your car's air filter has still suffered damage and will need to be replaced. Give it the "sunshine" test by removing it and holding it up to the light. If you can't see sunlight through it, it's time to change it. 

Normally, filters should be changed once every 12,000-15,000 miles, but with all the smoke and ash in the air, it needs to be done much more frequently to keep your engine running smoothly. Replacing clogged filters will also save wear and tear on your engine and increase gas mileage, since your motor won't be working as hard to get air through the system.

Changing an air filter is very easy; they are generally located above the main block of the engine, inside a circular cover with a wingnut holding the top on, or a couple of clips on the edges. Simply removing the cover exposes the filter, which just lies loose in the tray. Take the old one out and put the new one in, then replace the cover and you're done. Or, for about $20 you can have it done at an auto tuneup shop.

Here's hoping that the coming rains will help extinguish the remaining fires and get all of us -- and our cars -- breathing easy again!

"Back to School" Insurance

As August draws to a close, it's time to start thinking about your kids going back to school or on to college! What does that have to do with insurance? Here are a few things to keep in mind.

Good Grades - Do you have a teenage driver in the house (or one about to be a new driver)? Many policies allow discounts for students with good grades. Don't forget to talk to your kids about the importance of keeping those grades up! These discounts can apply to college students, too.

Driver Training - There are different discounts available for Drivers Ed classes. We can review all the options and let you know which discounts will impact you the most.

Moving to the Dorm - Is your college student living in a college dorm this year? Your homeowners insurance may cover their belongings without additional coverage being needed. This is called Property Off Premises coverage.

Remember, any claims on their belongings would be subject to your deductible which is usually higher on home policies! Call SAV-ON and let one of our agents review your policy to check for the specific amounts of coverage included.

Moving To An Apartment - Let's say your college student has graduated from the
dorms and moved into an apartment on or near campus. In this case, your homeowners insurance would not cover their belongings and they would need their own renters insurance policy.

Renters insurance is very affordable and covers all of the contents of the property. It also provides liability insurance if someone were injured in the property or if the student causes a fire, etc. By making sure they are properly insured, you are also protecting yourself.

At SAV-ON, we work hard to make sure all of our clients have the right coverage at all times. The fastest and easiest way to make sure your student is receiving all the discounts they qualify for and that their belongings are covered at college is to schedule a review! Call us at 888-867-2866 or go online to www.sav-on.com to schedule a review your policy and situation and we'll make sure all of your questions are answered.

What To Do When Your House is Vacant

Vacant homes pose a higher risk for vandalism or damage.

Selling your home can be a stressful process, especially when it doesn't move quickly.  With a new job looming or some other matter that requires you to move right away, you may have no choice but to leave the home vacant for a short time until it sells. 

The problem?  Vacant homes fall under different insurance rules and can leave you at risk.  Homes are typically considered vacant when the utilities are shut off and/or furniture has been removed.

Insurance companies view a vacant home as a higher risk.  There are more opportunities for vandalism and no one living there to protect the home from fire or storm damage. 

So what should you do when moving?

First, you need to talk to your SAV-ON insurance agent and get the details on your policy.  Since policies vary by state and insurance company, there is no single right answer. 

Explain the situation to your agent.  Ask what coverage is included and what is excluded (specifically for vandalism).  And find out what changes can be made to protect your home.

Selling a home doesn't always follow a quick timeline.  If you're facing the possibility of leaving your home vacant, contact SAV-ON Insurance at 888-867-2866 and find out how to best protect yourself and your property.  We love to help our customers!

It's Time to Insure Your RV, Boats and Motorcycles for Summer Fun

Summer is on its way.  Before we know it there will be Memorial Day barbecues and long weekends at the lake or at some campground in the Cascades.

That's why now is a great time to review insurance coverage on all of your summer toys.  Read below for things to consider (and review with SAV-ON) before the big items come out of winter storage.

RVs - Your motorhome or travel trailer needs insurance coverage, especially if you'll be driving or pulling it around this year.  Even if you don't have a loan on your RV, you will want it covered for theft or damage.  Whether they are parked on a lake lot for the season or driving across the country, we offer several RV policies to fit your needs.  Just call us for a quote.

Boats - The same thing goes for your boats and jet skis.  You've made a big investment and it's important to protect them.  Not only should you worry about damage to your boat, but also make sure you have the proper amount of liability coverage. In Washington state, you will also need to make sure you have a Boater's License card, since it is required for everyone born after 1955. And don’t forget your life jackets!

Motorcycles - Ready to hit the road for a long drive?  Remember to brush up on your safety skills and always wear a helmet.  Don’t forget to make sure your motorcycle has liability coverage just like your vehicle!  We can help you determine what coverage you need. 

Swimming Pool - If you own a pool, then you need extra liability coverage including a Personal Umbrella Policy.  Why?  Because there is a lot more risk of someone being injured when you have a pool.  Don’t skimp on your coverage and make sure you have the pool area secured and safe. 

Summer is a lot more fun when you know that your high-priced recreational items are properly insured and protected.  Take 15 minutes to call SAV-ON Insurance at 888-867-2866 for a quote or to review your current coverage. 

Spring Home Maintenance Tasks

April has arrived and brought spring with it (finally)!  With the longer daylight hours and warmer temperatures, there is no better time than now to get focused on home maintenance and spring cleaning.  Here are a few things you can do in April to protect (and organize) your home.  

Check For Damage - Winter can be really hard on your home.  A quick inspection around your property can reveal a lot of home improvement projects!  Look for any damage to your roof or outdoor window screens and doors.  Make note of chipped paint or areas that are in need of general maintenance.  Decide what you can do yourself and what will require a professional. 

Spring Clean - Now it’s time to tackle the inside of your home.  Start working on clearing out and donating unused items (think tax deduction next year!)  This could be the perfect time to take inventory of any high-value items that need to be documented for your insurance, like guns, artwork, and jewelry.  Take photos or make a quick video of those items and store it in a secure (and fire-proof) location.  

Many cities have hazardous material events, where you can bring in old batteries, computers, and other difficult-to-dispose-of equipment and materials. Contact your city hall and find out when they will be having this event, then load up your car or truck with all those items and get rid of them!

Clean up the Outside - Grab a rake and get rid of all the dead leaves and debris that has found its resting place in your yard. Put down some fertilizer to get your dormant grass greened up for the season. Rent a pressure washer and clean up all the dirt and grime that has built up on your concrete driveway and sidewalks.

Organize Your Tax Documents - You probably just finished your taxes in the past few weeks.  Were all of your documents easy to locate?  What could make the process even easier next year?  Update your filing system or schedule a meeting with your accountant and get prepared now, while your taxes are still fresh in your mind.

Car Maintenance - April is Car Care Month.  If you’ve been putting off an oil change or a tune-up, get it scheduled now.  Your car will run better and maintain it’s value longer! If you have snow tires on your car, get them switched out with your regular tires. It's also a good idea to replace worn tires in the spring, so you're ready for summer travel.

Spruce Up Your Porch - How does your front porch look these days?  Could it use a little extra care?  Buy a new welcome mat, plant a pot of flowers, and make sure you can easily read your house numbers.  

Get Great Homeowners Insurance - The best way to protect your home?  Having the right amount of insurance!  Let SAV-ON Insurance give you a no-obligation review of your current policy.  Call to 888-867-2866 or go to www.sav-on.com to schedule your appointment today.

Protect Your Family During Severe Spring Weather

While winter is finally loosening its grip on the Pacific Northwest, March can still pack a punch! You've undoubtedly heard the saying, "March comes in like a lion, and leaves like a lamb". While that isn't always true, there's a good reason why March is known as Severe Weather Preparation Month.

Spring arrives soon, but before then spring storms can blow in quickly and and cause lots of damage. Is your family prepared?

First things first, make sure you have designated a safe place to go to if the weather gets bad.  It could be a basement, closet, or room with no windows or outside walls.  Make sure this space is cleared out enough that you could easily get your family inside if needed.  (You don’t want to be clearing out the closet if there is a tornado!)

Next, put together a small emergency kit.  What would you need if the power was out?  Consider putting in flashlights, extra batteries, canned food, and plenty of water.  (Don’t forget supplies for your pets too!)

Flooding

If it's flooding you're concerned about, there are steps to take to stay safe:

• Listen to the radio or television for information.

• Be aware that flash flooding can occur. If there is any possibility of a flash flood, move immediately to higher ground. Do not wait for instructions to move.

• Be aware of stream, drainage channels, canyons and other areas known to flood suddenly. Flash floods can occur in these areas with or without typical warnings such as rain clouds or heavy rain.

If you need to evacuate: Turn off utilities at the main switches or valves if instructed to do so. Disconnect electrical appliances. Do not touch electrical equipment if you are wet or standing in water.

If you have to leave your home, remember these evacuation tips:

• Do not walk through moving water. Six inches of moving water can make you fall. If you have to walk in water, walk where the water is not moving. Use a stick to check the firmness of the ground in front of you.

• Do not drive into flooded areas. If floodwaters rise around your car, abandon the car and move to higher ground, when water is not moivng or not more than a few inches deep. You and the vehicle can be swept away quickly.  If your vehicle is trapped in rapidly moving water, stay in the vehicle. If the water is rising inside the vehicle, seek refuge on the roof.

• Do not camp or park your vehicle along streams, rivers or creeks, particularly during threatening conditions.

Keep emergency phone numbers in your cell phone contacts, including the phone number for SAV-ON Insurance!  You could even save a note in your phone with your policy numbers too, since you may not be able to search for them during the storm.

While we can’t prevent bad weather, it’s always great to be as prepared as possible. If you live in an area that is prone to flooding, call SAV-ON at 888-867-2866 about obtaining flood insurance. If you end up with flood damage, you will be glad you did!

Take care of your family first and know that we’ll be there to protect your belongings.  

Insurance Tips When You 'Tie the Knot'

February is all about love.  In fact, it is estimated that as many as 4 million people will get engaged on Valentine’s Day!  

And with all of that love and wedding planning in the air, it can be hard to think about the boring parts of a marriage.  

So I want to make it easy for you.  Here are a few things you need to think about in regards to your insurance policies when you 'tie the knot'.

Combine your auto insurance policies.  If you both own a vehicle, the easiest thing to do is combine your policies by adding your spouse and their vehicle to your policy.  We can take care of this in just a few minutes!

Make sure you and your spouse are listed on every policy.  You both need to be on the homeowners or renters insurance so you can get assistance if needed.  Do all of them at the same time and you won’t have to worry about it again.

And if you combine your auto and homeowners or renters insurance with the same company, you can save even more with a multi-policy discount!

Schedule an overall review.  When you combine two households you will obviously have more belongings!  Speak with your agent and verify that you have enough content and liability insurance to cover any new assets.  

Purchase life insurance.  It’s your honeymoon and you don’t want to think about death, but now is the time to get this very important coverage in place.  It doesn’t cost much and will give you peace of mind that the person you love will be taken care of in the future.  It’s really the very best gift you can give to those you love.  

The best part of this?  It doesn’t have to be hard!  In fact, one short appointment with SAV-ON can take care of every item on the list.  Give us a call today at 888-867-2866 or go online to www.sav-on.com to schedule a review with one of our friendly agents!

Pay Off Your Debt in 2018

The New Year is only a few weeks old, and a lot of people are busy making good on their annual goals and resolutions. For many, improving their finances is at the top of the list.

Getting out of debt can be a big and almost overwhelming goal.  It’s not a fast process and it takes a lot of dedication, but it is worth it in the end!

So where do you begin?

First start by getting an accurate picture of where you stand.  Gather up all of your recent debt statements.  This includes credit cards, car loans, student loans, any personal loans or other big ticket items, and your mortgage.

Run your credit report.  You can request a free copy ever year at www.annualcreditreport.com from all three credit bureaus.  This is a great time to check for any mistakes and make sure that every debt on your credit report is included in your list.

Make a debt payoff plan. Create a spreadsheet with all of your debt information.  Include the name of the debt, total balance, interest rate, and minimum payment.

Now figure out what order you want to attack your debt. Some organize them from lowest to highest balance, while others prefer to pay off the debt with the highest interest rate first.  

Whatever you decide, here’s the trick: Once you payoff your first debt, combine that payment with the second debt.  Now you’re paying a lot more then the minimum and it just keeps growing as you go!

Look for ways to keep throwing money at your payoff.  Sell unused items around the house, have a yard sale, clip coupons, or get a part-time job.  Just do whatever it takes to keep your momentum up! 

Get the whole family involved.  Make getting out of debt a family goal!  Put your payoff on the fridge and count down.  Let the kids help with the family budget.  When everyone understands what you’re working toward, they’ll be more likely to cooperate when the budget is tight. 

And how can you find a few extra dollars toward your debt payoff?  Save on your monthly insurance costs!

SAV-ON can help! Call us at 888-867-2866 for a quote on your auto, home, business, and life insurance today.

New Year - The Perfect Time to Get Organized!

Make A Home Inventory

January is all about getting organized, right?  So what better time to document what you own in case you were to suffer a serious insurance loss (like a fire).  

Grab your cell phone and make a short video of each room in your home, focusing on big ticket items.  Many times it’s difficult for our clients to remember every little possession after the shock of a large claim.  Make sure to save the video to your hard drive or the Cloud, so it will not accidentally get deleted from your phone! You’ll be glad you took the time to make the videos if you ever need them.

Deep Clean Your Dryer Vent

A large percentage of home fires begin in the clothes dryer!  Lint builds up in the vent and hose, which can spark a fire.  Unhook the hose and vacuum the area well on a regular basis to keep your home protected.

Organize Your Warranties

Do you have a big pile of warranties, product documents, and receipts stuffed in your desk drawer?  Do you even own those items anymore?  These days, many owners manuals can be found online without taking up valuable drawer storage.  
Also consider scanning and keeping a digital file of your receipts and warranties for easy storage and retrieval if needed.  

Check Your Circuit Breakers

How often do you actually look in the breaker box?  Open it up and make sure the labels are correct and readable.  Also stash a spare flashlight (with working batteries) close by in case of a power outage.

Gather Your Tax Documents

It won’t be long until you’re filing your 2017 taxes.  Start gathering up all the documents you or your accountant will need.  If you find you need a copy of your insurance policies or premiums, call SAV-ON at 888-867-2866 and we’ll be happy to help!  

Know Your Deductibles

When was the last time you reviewed your deductibles?  This is what you would pay out of pocket in the event of an insurance claim.  It’s a good idea to keep this amount in your savings account so it’s available when you need it.  

Feel free to give us a call @ 888-867-2866 or go to www.sav-on.com. We can setup an appointment to review all of your insurance policies in detail.  

January is a great time to get organized for the new year!  Let us know if we can help in any way!  

Happy New Year!