Budget Busted? Pay Off Your Debt in 2016

With the New Year just around the corner, a lot of people are busy making those annual goals and resolutions.  And 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 every 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 pay off 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.

That Extra Holiday Party Drink Could Cost You $10,000!

The average cost of a Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs (DUI) conviction is $10,000. Is it worth that extra drink at the party?

  The holiday season is upon us, bringing a packed social calendar filled with ugly sweaters, company holiday events and champagne toasts. Unfortunately, the number of alcohol-related car accidents spikes in the time between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day. In addition, local and state law enforcement officer across the nation are participating in a "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" campaign to prevent impaired driving by increasing the number of checkpoints during the holiday season.

Some sobering facts about impaired driving during the holidays:

• • 733 people died in accidents involving a drunk driver in December 2013.
• • An average of 572 lives were lost over the Thanksgiving weekend every year from 1998 to 2008.
• • There are typically 33% more DUI arrests during the time between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day.
• • Around 25,000 people are injured every year in accidents with drunk drivers during the holidays.
• • If you are hosting a party where alcohol is being served, you can be held financially responsible for any damage caused by impaired guests after they leave your event.

All it takes is a little pre-party planning to avoid a holiday tragedy. Some tips:

• • Take the keys from everyone when they get their first drink.
• • Choose one person in the group to be the designated driver, who will not consume any more alcohol.
• • Bring cash for a cab (or take a cab to the event).
• • Get a ride from Uber or Lyft.
• • Call a sober friend or family member to give you a ride home.
• • Stick with a "one drink per hour" rule if simultaneously eating food.

  Of course the best way to avoid an accident is to not drink any alcohol if you plan on driving home. Save yourself $10,000 (and possibly someone's life) just by planning ahead. If something does happen to you or a family member, SAV-ON Insurance will guide you through the entire claim process and get you back on the road as soon as possible.

  Most of us can't afford to spend $10,000 on court costs and attorney fees, so heed the advice of law enforcement to "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" this holiday season!

 Source: National General Insurance Co.

Be Thankful If You Have Good Insurance

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 SAV-ON 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. What beats having peace of mind that whatever happens, you'll be taken care of? There are enough things to worry about; let SAV-ON take care of the rest.

Rather than looking for a cheap bare bones policy, take the time to meet with one of our local agents. We'll find the best coverage that truly meets your needs while keeping the rate affordable. Ask us how we handle claims and keep in touch with annual policy reviews.

Top Ten Reasons to be Thankful for Insurance

10.  You don’t have to panic when a hail storm comes along (and you don’t have a garage).

9.  You can rent the apartment and know that your possessions are still protected, even if you don’t own your own home yet.

8.  You don’t have to empty your savings account when an uninsured driver hits your car.

7.  You don’t have to worry about losing your home to a lawsuit from an honest mistake.

6.  You can invest in nice things without worry that they’ll be stolen.

5.  You know that if a big storm comes, you can evacuate to safety without worrying about your home.

4.  You know that if you were to lose your spouse, you would be able to survive financially.

3.  You know that your assets are protected, even if you can’t predict the future.

2.  You know that even if there is a disaster, as long as your family is safe, everything will be okay. 

And the #1 reason to be thankful for insurance is...  You don’t have to worry.  We’ve got you covered.

This Thanksgiving, SAV-ON Insurance 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 at 888-867-2866 today for a free no-obligation quote.

Make Insurance Part of Your Financial Plan

There are many aspects to successful financial plans.  Most include a family budget, emergency savings, retirement savings, and…insurance!

So today, let's review the important parts of your insurance financial plan. It centers on protecting your possessions and your family.

Protect Your Stuff - This is what we think of first when it comes to insurance.  Fixing your car after an accident and replacing your belongings after a fire.  When you review your financial plan, you want to make sure that all of your valuable assets are protected.  Cars, homes, high priced jewelry or artwork, boats, motorcycles, ATV's, etc.  Protect it all and make sure that the deductible is reasonable and that you have full replacement cost coverage.  (We can explain all the details.)

Protect Your Money - Liability is a misunderstood coverage, but it's extremely important. When you are held responsible for an accident, your assets and money are at risk!  For example, what if your teenager caused an accident and your were sued?  What if you caused a major accident and didn't have enough liability coverage?  Good insurance can make sure that if this happens, you would be covered!  We look at how much you have to protect (total assets) and create a plan to cover it all.

Protect Your Family - You can protect all of your belongings, but the ultimate way to protect your family is with good life and disability insurance. If something happens to you, you don't have to worry about your family being protected.  You can plan to pay off debt, pay for college, or anything else that is important to you.

All of this might seem like a lot for think about, but it doesn't have to be. With a great insurance agent, you can meet once a year and trust that all of these things are taken care of.  Why not take a few minutes to schedule an insurance financial planning review with one of our agents?  Call SAV-ON today at 888-867-2866 and get started!

Fall Home Maintenance Tasks

Every month, we share easy tasks you can do to keep your home in tip-top shape all year long.  So here are a few simple tasks you can do in October to prepare your home for the cool fall weather!


Check Gutters -  Take a few minutes to make sure your gutters are clear.  With rain and falling leaves, gutters will be working overtime.  By making sure they’re clear now, you’ll avoid water damage later on. 

Clean The Dryer Vent - Lint accumulating in the dryer vent can cause a house fire.  A couple of times per year, unplug the dryer and thoroughly vacuum the area around the dryer vent and hose.  Remember to check the outside vent too! 

Gather Firewood - Will you be burning a wood stove or fireplace this winter?  Start gathering up dry firewood now and save yourself from the task when it’s cold and rainy outside. Rain-soaked wood won't do you any good!

Seal Your Windows - Before the rain and cold start seeping in through any cracked or worn window frames, reseal the edges with all-weather caulk. This will save you money on your fall and winter heating bills!

Plant Fall Flowers - Your summer flowers may have wilted since the arrival of colder evening temperatures, but that doesn't mean you can't have an attractive garden! Now is a great time to start planting some fall flowers.  Mums make a great addition to your front porch! 

Save On Homeowners Insurance - Homeowners Insurance is an important part of protecting your belongings.  To make sure you have the best coverage, call SAV-ON today for a free, no obligation quote.  888-867-2866.
 

Make Sure Your Tires are in Good Shape as Wet Fall Weather Approaches

Tires are one item on your vehicle that many people take for granted until something bad happens due to tire failure. As the weather starts to get colder and wetter this fall, tires play an important part in keeping you on the road and out of the ditch.

Tire Pressure
It's important to have all of your tires inflated to the proper pounds per square inch (PSI). Under inflation can lead to premature tire wear and failure. The proper amount of inflation is specified by the vehicle manufacturer and is shown on the door edge, door post, glove box door or fuel door. It's also listed on the owner's manual.
You should...

• Check tire pressure about once a month or before long trips
• Check when tires are cool. It's best to check before driving, as tires need at least 3 hours to cool.
• Inspect tires to make sure there are no nails or other objects embedded in them. Even if they haven't punctured the tire at that time, continuing to drive on these could put a hole in the tire and cause a flat. Also, check the sidewalls to make sure there are no gouges, cuts, bulges or other irregularities.

Keep in mind that tire inflation pressure increases in warm weather and decreases in cold weather by 1-2 psi for every 10 degrees of temperature difference.

Alignment
Have your tire alignment checked periodically, as specified by the vehicle's owner's manual, or right away if you feel your vehicle "pulling" to one side or the other. Also, have your tires balanced. Tires wear will increase dramatically if your alignment is off.

Tire Rotation
It's important to have your tires rotated approximately every 5,000 to 8,000 miles to prevent uneven tire wear. Most vehicles are now front-wheel-drive, and so the front tires wear at a greater rate than the rear. By rotating the front to the back (and switching the front left tire to the right rear, and the front right tire to the left rear), your tire life will increase substantially.

Worn tires can't channel water away from the surfaces as effectively.

Tire Tread
After there is  2/32 of an inch or less tread left on a tire, it is illegal to drive on them. Traction, especially in inclement weather, is dangerous. Worn tires can "hydroplane" in wet weather and cause the vehicle to lose control of the road, as the tread that would channel the water away from the tire is gone. An easy way to check this is to put a penny upside down into a tread groove. If part of Lincoln's head is covered by the tread, you're OK, but if you can see all of his head, then you need to buy a new tire.

Fall and winter means more challenging driving. Make sure you have properly functioning tires that are fully inflated and have plenty of tread to carry you safely through the upcoming bad weather.

And remember, if SAV-ON Insurance can help you with any of your insurance needs, call us at 888-867-2866.

Have an Insurance Claim? We're There for You.

Insurance claims can be a stressful process.  At SAV-ON Insurance Agencies, we've worked with our clients after car accidents, home fires, storm damage, and even a death in the family.  Insurance claims are tied to the most stressful events in our lives.

That's why it's extremely important that you work with an agent and a company that you trust.

After an insurance claim, you will be assigned an adjustor by your insurance company to evaluate your loss.  Depending on the type of claim, they will examine the property and gather more information.  The adjustor will determine the settlement amount and answer any questions you may have.

So what happens if things don't go smoothly at first?  Maybe you don't agree on the amount or can't get the right documentation?

That's where we come in.

Our job, as your agent, is to also be your advocate.  Our office goes to work to help you communicate with your adjustor if there is a problem.  That means that when you need help, we're there.

Yes, sometimes you can get cheaper rates with unknown companies.  And you might like being able to buy online without talking to an agent. But when it comes down to those stressful moments during the claims process, it's great to have someone you know on your side.

You need someone you can depend on when you have a claim. Call SAV-ON Insurance Agencies office today at 888-867-2866 and let us protect your family and property.