Category: Insurance

Summers in Tucson, AZ, practically demand that you spend time in the water, and if you’re a boat person, that’s even better. While you’re looking into boating options, you will probably have questions about coverage. One thing that we get at The Insurance House pretty often is what happens when a boat is damaged while being towed to the lake.

Auto Policy

Before we get into specifics, remember that every policy is different. Always check the details in your own policy before assuming any coverage.

With that said, in most cases, your auto policy will cover liability related to towing, even when you are towing a boat. So, if the boat causes damage or injury while you are towing it, your auto liability coverage still works.

Let’s be extra clear. The auto policy no longer covers the boat as soon as it is detached from your vehicle.

Another extremely important note is that an auto policy usually does not cover damage to your boat while you are towing it, even with comprehensive coverage.

Boat Policy

If you want coverage for the boat itself, that has to come from your boat insurance. Remember, there are many different kinds of boats and many different boat insurance policies.

You will want to specify that you tow your boat and that it needs coverage while on the road. The good news is that such coverage does exist and is rather common.

As long as you have such coverage, boat claims will pay out like any other policy. Submit the claim, and the insurance company will go through the red tape process. Then, you will get a payout. It will either help you fix or replace the boat.

The amount paid depends on the policy and the circumstances, but that is the gist of how boat coverage works while you are towing.

If you want to learn more about policies to ensure your boat’s protection, contact your representative at The Insurance House. We serve people throughout the Tucson, AZ, metro area.

The purpose and value of flood insurance are well known. However, there are still misconceptions about flood insurance. It’s common knowledge that property owners in a flood zone must purchase flood insurance to protect their property. If you live in the Tucson, AZ, area, we encourage you to bring your flood insurance questions to our agents at The Insurance House. We’ve been providing area residents with exceptional customer service since 1963. We love an opportunity to discuss your insurance needs and help you discover how best to protect your assets. 

Flood Insurance Myths and Facts

Some believe property owners in high-risk flood areas cannot buy flood insurance.  However, the NFIP (National Flood Insurance Program), founded in 1968, states that properties in high-risk areas are mandated to buy flood insurance. However, it may have a higher premium than insurance for property that isn’t in such an area. Another misconception is that people aren’t allowed to buy insurance if their property has previously been flooded. However, you can purchase flood insurance if your community participates in NFIP. 

You might be worried about flood insurance coverage for your basement. However, the NFIP allows the sale of flood insurance with basement coverage for cleanup expenses and for appliances that service the basement area. You should remember that if your basement has been refinished, the flood insurance won’t cover the replacement costs of the refinished walls or renovated floors.

Call Us Today for an Appointment 

If you live in a flood zone, don’t leave your property’s protection up to chance. If you live near Tucson, AZ, you are invited to contact our agents at the Insurance House to discuss your property needs. Call us today for an appointment, and let us show you how we can provide your ideal insurance solutions. 

Why is Life Insurance Important?

Life insurance serves as a crucial safety net that should always be an integral part of financial planning. At The Insurance House in Tucson, AZ, we can assist you in navigating the various policies that align with your unique needs.

Understanding Term Life Insurance

Term life insurance gets its name from its characteristic of covering a specific time period or ‘term.’ During this stipulated term, if the policyholder passes away, the insurance company pays the agreed-upon amount to the beneficiaries. But it’s important to remember that this policy type expires at the end of the term. The appeal of term insurance lies in its affordability and the financial security it provides during the policy period.

The Benefit of Reduced Cost

Compared to whole life insurance, term life insurance is significantly less expensive, making it an enticing choice for many. While it doesn’t inheritably build cash value like a whole life policy, economical pricing balances it out as it tends to align better with limited budgets.

How is it Different From Whole Life Insurance?

Unlike term life insurance, a whole life insurance policy garners a cash value, which the policyholder can borrow against if necessary. While term life offers protection during the allotted term, whole life insurance assures coverage throughout the policyholder’s lifetime. However, this extra benefit translates into a higher overall cost.

Obtaining Your Life Insurance Policy

Life insurance is a credible means of safeguarding your family’s financial future. Connect with us at The Insurance House in Tucson, AZ, to explore the right policy for you.

Boating enthusiasts are keenly aware that enjoying the water comes with a significant responsibility. Whether navigating serene lakes or cruising through rivers, the joy of being on a boat demands a commitment to safety and protection. Ensuring the security of your vessel year-round is crucial. This extends beyond the traditional boating season, requiring comprehensive coverage that shields against potential risks during the off-season or while your boat is in storage. Serving Tucson, AZ, and neighboring regions, The Insurance House recognizes that boat owners value reliable insurance choices. These options offer peace of mind for you and your boat.

Ensuring your boat’s safety is a paramount concern when responding to the allure of the waves. Extended coverage options offer a comprehensive shield for your vessel throughout the year. Tailored policies provide seamless protection, including coverage for accidental damage and unforeseen incidents during off-season pursuits. This encompasses liability coverage for unexpected events on the water and robust protection against physical damages, instilling confidence as you navigate various risks, regardless of the season.

Off-season protection is integral for safeguarding your boat during storage or winter months. Specialized insurance options are meticulously crafted to shield against theft, vandalism, or damages while your boat is docked or in storage. Recognizing the challenges of maintaining a boat during downtime, comprehensive coverage ensures protection against unforeseen circumstances.

Ready to set sail with confidence? Contact The Insurance House today to explore our comprehensive boat insurance options. Whether navigating rivers or relaxing on serene lakes in Tucson, AZ, and surrounding areas, we’re here to ensure your vessel is covered, providing you with the assurance to relish every moment on the water. Protect your investment—reach out to us, and let’s sail confidently.

Many homeowners in Tucson, AZ purchase a home policy and assume they have all the coverage they need. Unfortunately, many policies don’t provide coverage for floods. This can leave homeowners with a considerable expense.

The good news is that our agents at The Insurance House can talk to you about flood insurance so that you never have to worry about the unthinkable happening to your home.

Focus on Flood Preparedness

It’s essential to do everything you can to prepare for a flood. While you may not think it will ever happen, you should familiarize yourself with the flood maps of Tucson. Determine what zone you are in so that you know the likelihood of ever experiencing a flood.

Flood maps change from year to year, too. That means you could be in one now even though you may not have been in a major flood zone when you bought your home.

Knowing that a flood is possible, you can do everything possible to prevent significant damage. Even if damage occurs, flood insurance can provide you with the coverage you need.

How to Get the Right Policy

There’s a lot that goes into building the right policy. You don’t have to guess what kind of coverage you need – our professional insurance agents at The Insurance House can help you every step of the way.

We’ll ask important questions, such as:

• Where is your home located?
• How much is your home worth?
• What kind of deductible do you want?

Once we have the details, we can begin building a policy – and get you quotes from top insurance companies.

When you’re ready to start the flood preparedness process for your home, contact our office in Tuscon, AZ so that we can walk you through the various steps.

Being adequately insured is essential for all people who are in the Tucson, AZ area. While you will want to have liability support and protection for your valuable assets, you also need to consider getting life insurance. With a proper life insurance plan, you can provide financial protection for your dependents and receive other benefits. There are various factors to consider when choosing a new life insurance policy. 

Level of Coverage

A primary factor to consider when looking for life insurance is the level of coverage. A direct benefit of life insurance is that you can build it to provide financial protection to your dependents. The amount of financial security you need will vary significantly from one individual to the next. It would be best to consider all financial factors, including expected future expenses for dependents, your other financial assets, and other considerations to determine the right level of coverage. 

Type of Plans

You also need to consider the type of life insurance to obtain. The most common form of life insurance is term life, which will offer coverage for a specific period. Whole-life coverage will support your whole life and offer other financial benefits, but the premiums tend to be higher. It is essential to evaluate all options. 

Choosing life insurance is always an important decision. If you are looking at a new plan in the Tucson, AZ area, it would be ideal to call our team with The Insurance House. At The Insurance House, we know how important this coverage is. We can also offer the help that you need to assess your personal needs and the various options. This can ensure you are considering all important factors and building the right plan.

Although you’re not legally required to carry boat insurance in the state of Arizona, boat owners must do it anyway. After all, even careful boaters can get involved in accidents, and the right insurance will protect you from liability.

However, part of being a responsible Tucson, AZ boater means reviewing your policy frequently and understanding which factors can affect it. We at The Insurance House can help you make sense of the details, but in the meantime, here’s a list of examples to be aware of.

1. How You Use Your Boat

What you use your boat for matters regarding your insurance costs and coverage. For example, a boat owner who uses their vessel to tow parasailers or water skiers will likely be looking at higher rates than someone who uses their boat for recreational sailing or the occasional weekend spent fishing.

2. Safety Equipment

The more seriously a boater appears to take boating, the more benefits they’ll likely see regarding their policy or any claims they need to make. Every boater should ensure options like lifejackets (one per person), flotation devices, first aid kits, and similar items are onboard at all times.

3. Driving Records

Naturally, insurance providers will look at your boating history for clues about your responsibility. They’ll look at whether you’ve taken safety classes. They’ll also investigate whether you’ve made previous claims (and what type). But don’t despair if you’ve never owned a boat before. A clean driving record can be as beneficial as a positive boating history.

4. Where You Boat

Where you enjoy your boat matters, as well. For example, a Tucson, AZ boater who generally stays inland (as opposed to boating off the coast) represents a lower risk, so they’ll enjoy the benefits of that. The type of boat they own can further affect this factor.

Knowing the shot from every angle is essential before making big decisions about your boat or policy, so always discuss things with a professional insurance agent first. We at The Insurance House can help! Get in touch today, and let us know what we can do for you.

Homeowners insurance from us at The Insurance House is a must for anyone who owns a home, but do you need to add flood insurance on top of that? The answer is a resounding yes! While homeowners insurance will cover most disasters, floods are not typically included. If your property here in the Tucson, AZ area is damaged by flooding, you will have no coverage unless you add flood insurance. 

Many things, including heavy rainfalls and snow melt, can cause flooding. It can also occur due to blocked drainage systems or broken levees. Floods may damage your home and your possessions, including furniture and electronics. All of this could cost thousands of dollars in repairs and replacements, so it makes sense to purchase flood insurance to ensure you are protected from such disasters.

Even if you don’t live in an area prone to flooding, taking precautions against potential water damage from rising water levels or flash flooding is still important. Flood insurance can provide peace of mind knowing that your most valuable asset — your home — is covered in case of a natural disaster. 

Ultimately, purchasing flood insurance on top of homeowners insurance is essential for any homeowner to protect their property and pocketbooks from unexpected floods.

For more information or to find a flood insurance policy that is right for you, call us at The Insurance House today. We are proud to serve the Tucson, AZ area and would be glad to help you find a policy that meets your needs and budget.

When you contact The Insurance House for a life insurance policy, you might experience a surprise when your insurance agent asks what kind of life insurance you want. That’s because life insurance offers many options, boiling down to whether you want whole life insurance or a term policy.

Whole Life Insurance

Typically, individuals over the age of 30 years choose whole life insurance. For a small premium payment each month or quarterly, a whole life insurance policy covers them for accidental death and death by natural causes. The policy remains in force as long as the individual pays the premiums. That means you could purchase a whole life policy at age 31, and as long as you pay premiums on it, it will pay your beneficiary when you pass away, even if that occurs when you’re 101 and living in a retirement home in Tucson, AZ.

Term Life Insurance

Individuals under the age of 30 typically choose term life insurance. They purchase a policy upon graduation from high school or college and pay the monthly premiums for the term of the policy. These terms or periods range from 10 years to 40 years. The policy only pays in the event of the person’s death if they remain current on their premiums and pass away during the coverage term. That means if you purchase a 10-year term life insurance policy at age 18, then pass away at age 27 in an accident, as long as you remain current on the premiums, the policy pays your beneficiary. On the other hand, if you don’t renew the term policy and pass away at age 29, the policy does not pay because it wasn’t in force at the time of your death.

Why Choose Term Over Whole as a Young Person?

Term policy premiums cost a little less than whole policies. Insurance agents recommend that young people choose the term policy to save money on their monthly premiums, then deposit the savings – the difference between the cost of the whole premium and the term premium – into a savings or retirement account.

Contact Us Today for a Life Insurance Policy

Contact The Insurance House for more information on your life insurance options. Let us help you find the perfect policy for your situation.

Owning a boat in Tucson, AZ is an exhilarating experience, but it comes with several responsibilities. One of the most important is ensuring your boat is adequately protected while on the water. Let’s look at some of the best ways to protect your boat so you can enjoy worry-free trips.

Secure Your Boat When It’s Not in Use

When your boat isn’t in use, ensure it’s secured in a secure area, such as a garage or storage facility. This will help protect it from vandalism and theft. Invest in good-quality locks for any hatches, compartments, and other openings that are not always visible outside. Also, consider supporting a security system for more protection when you’re away from your boat. Ask your Insurance House agent how your policy works when your watercraft is in storage or out of the water.

Stay On Top Of Maintenance

Regular maintenance is vital to keeping your boat running smoothly and avoiding significant problems down the line. Make sure you service your engine regularly according to manufacturer specifications. Before each voyage, check all necessary parts, like lights and bilge pumps, to ensure they function correctly. This will reduce the chances of an unexpected breakdown or accident while on the water.

Invest In The Right Insurance Policy

Having the right insurance policy is essential for protecting yourself financially if something goes wrong while out in the water. Investing in a comprehensive insurance policy will cover any damage or loss that may occur due to weather, accidents, theft, and more. Plus, if you have a loan on your boat, your lender will probably require you to carry specific types of insurance.

If you need assistance finding an insurance policy that fits your needs in Tucson, AZ, reach out to The Insurance House today! We would be happy to help!