Tuesday, January 12, 2016

It's Easy! Earn Rewards for Referring Your Friends and Family to SAV-ON Insurance!

Oksana Tserger of Everett (far right) was our 2015 Grand Prize winner of a 32" HD TV!
We want more great clients like YOU! That's why we have our Referral Rewards program at SAV-ON. There are three ways to win, and you qualify simply by referring someone to us for a free rate quote!

Here's how it works...

Every time you send a friend or family member to our agency for a rate quote on any type of insurance, we give you two lottery tickets, whether they end up getting a policy or not.

In addition, your name is entered for our monthly drawing of a $50 gift certificate at a local restaurant. At the end of each month, one name is drawn and the winner is notified.

Finally, all entries from the previous 12 months are entered into our Grand Prize drawing for a 32" HD TV. At the end of November, a winner is drawn from the entries and is notified to come to our nearest office and pick up their new TV just in time for Christmas!

There is no purchase required, and you need not be present to win.

It's a simple as that! We can't wait to send you a reward! Refer someone today and get qualified for all the prizes! Call us at 888-867-2866 or go to the SAV-ON website for details.


Tuesday, January 5, 2016

The 5 Biggest Mistakes When Buying Insurance

Insurance can be a tricky purchase.  Auto lienholder happy?  Check.  Mortgage lender happy?  Check. Life insurance policy in force? Check.

But this simply isn't enough!  Some things on your insurance policy deserve a little more attention.  As an insurance agency,  here are some of the BIGGEST coverage mistakes we’ve seen.

Mistake #1:  Buying Only The Required State Minimum Liability Insurance

Every state has a minimum amount of liability insurance that is required in order to drive.  But it’s typically nowhere near enough coverage!  Choosing only the minimum liability insurance could leave you open to a lawsuit, garnished wages, or potentially losing an asset, like your home.

Discuss different liability amounts with your SAV-ON agent to see what is necessary based on your income, net worth, and liabilities.  (Thankfully, it won’t near as much as you might think!) 

Mistake #2: Not Insuring Your Home For Replacement Cost

Many people think they only need enough coverage to insure their home for the amount they paid for it.  Not true!  You need to be insured for the amount of money it would cost to REPLACE your home.

If a fire or tornado destroyed the house, you would need insurance to replace it.  The total cost could be tens of thousands more than the house would have sold for on the housing market.  If you’re currently only insured for the cash value of your home, you could be at risk! 

Mistake #3: Buying Life Insurance Through Work

Most people tell us that they have life insurance through work and aren’t interested in purchasing their own coverage.  This is also a mistake.

The problem?  The majority of us don’t stay at jobs for 30 years anymore.  And if you develop health issues and leave your current employer… you might not be able to get coverage again, or at a much higher premium!

When you purchase your own life insurance (which is extremely affordable), you are covered no matter where you work or what health problems you might develop in the future.  It’s the smarter choice!

Mistake #4: Buying The Cheapest Policy

It’s tempting to shop for insurance and just pick whatever is the cheapest, but it’s usually not the best idea.

First you want to make sure that you’re buying from a reputable company.  You want a solid insurance carrier that you can trust to pay your claims. 

And you want to make sure you’re comparing apples to apples.  Does the cheaper policy only insure your home for cash value instead of replacement cost (like mistake #2)? Does one company exclude water leaks but another cover them?  Big details can be hidden in the small print!

Mistake #5: Not Using An Agent

Best way to avoid ALL of these mistakes?  Work with an insurance agent! 

We know all about insurance and can find the right coverage for your specific situation.  We’ll make sure your liability limits are high enough, that your home will be replaced after a loss, that you won’t lose your life insurance when you change jobs, and that you aren’t buying an inadequate policy that doesn’t protect you.

Call SAV-ON today at 888-867-2866 for a quote, and get peace of mind knowing you've got the right coverage at the best price!


Tuesday, December 29, 2015

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.


Tuesday, December 22, 2015

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.

Friday, November 20, 2015

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.

Tuesday, October 27, 2015

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!


Thursday, September 24, 2015

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.