Special Lines Archives - Liss Insurance Agency

Tips To Ensure Your ATV Is Properly Covered


Tips To Ensure Your ATV Is Properly Covered (NAPS)—When it comes to your all-terrain vehicle (ATV), it pays to keep your feet on the ground when it comes to insuring it. You may think it’s covered by your home-owners policy, Read more

RV insurance: Don’t hit the road without it


RV insurance: Don’t hit the road without it (October 2008) If you bought a tractor trailer, you wouldn’t add it to your car insurance policy. It’s a specialized vehicle and needs special coverages and claims handling. So why do more than Read more

Five Steps to Get Ready for Bike Season


Get ready for bike season in five simple steps There’s nothing like cruising down the open road on your motorcycle – the wind in your hair and a few bugs in your teeth. Before you hit the highways and byways this Read more

Service Centers Help Save Time and Money


Time is money: Save both Saving 5 cents a gallon on gas is great. But, if you have to drive 20 minutes to get to the station, is it really a savings? If a deal costs you valuable time, it’s Read more

Seven Shopping Strategies For New Car Buyers


Seven Shopping Strategies For New Car Buyers New car shopping can be a lot of fun, especially if you’re a car enthusiast. But others can find the experience stressful and tedious. Either way, there’s a lot to think about. According Read more

Shedding Light On Car Insurance Savings


Shedding Light On Car Insurance Savings It can be easier than you think to put the brakes on high auto insurance rates – as an independent agency, <Agency name> can help! We can review your policy and possibly help you Read more

Motorcycle Insurance 101: The Essentials


Motorcycle Insurance 101: The Essentials     (NAPS)—A motorcycle is a significant investment. Before you get your motor running and head out on the highway this season, you owe it to yourself to make sure your insurance is up-to-date and you’re properly Read more

Keep Your Cool While On The Road


Keep Your Cool While On The Road (NAPS)—With so many people on the road during peak vacation months, it may be a good time to brush up on what you should do in the event you’re involved in a crash. Here Read more

No Slip-Sliding Away: How To Stay On The Road


No Slip-Sliding Away: How To Stay On The Road (NAPS)—One thing is easy to foretell: Unpredictable weather can cause reduced visibility and hazardous driving conditions that make it challenging for even the most experienced drivers. Fortunately, there are ways to Read more

Eight Tips For The Road Ahead


Eight Tips For The Road Ahead Be Safe, Be Smart On A Long-Distance Road Trip Whether you’re traveling alone, with a buddy or with your spouse and a car full of kids, there are few things more “American” than the long-distance Read more

Tips To Ensure Your ATV Is Properly Covered

by Edward Pevnick in Special Lines

Tips To Ensure Your ATV Is Properly Covered

(NAPS)—When it comes to your all-terrain vehicle (ATV), it pays to keep your feet on the ground when it comes to insuring it. You may think it’s covered by your home-owners policy, but are you really protected? Your “toy” wasn’t cheap, and lacking the right type of insurance coverage could lead to a sticky financial situation.

“Owners should think of ATVs the same way they think of motor-cycles,” said Rick Stern, product manager, The Progressive Group of Insurance Companies. “You’d never consider getting on a motor-cycle without the proper insurance, and you shouldn’t ride an ATV without the right coverage either.”

If you’re not sure what to do about your ATV insurance needs, here are a few things to consider:

  • Your homeowners policy might not be enough. Most likely, your homeowners policy only covers your ATV if trouble occurs on your property. Anywhere else and you’ll be exposed. Look for an affordable ATV insurance policy that offers coverage no mat-ter where you are. Trail riders should be aware that many states require ATV insurance for vehicles operated on state-owned land.
  • What about theft? ATVs are portable and can be easy targets for thieves. You should consider ATV insurance that provides cover-age for things such as theft, fire and vandalism—just like the kind you can get for a motorcycle. Theft, fire and vandalism are covered by Comprehensive coverage, an optional physical damage coverage.
  • Consider uninsured and underinsured coverage. You never know what can happen in the great outdoors. This relatively inexpensive coverage protects you if another rider causes damage to you and he or she lacks adequate coverage.
  • Keep your rates low. You can do a number of things to save money on your ATV insurance, including maintaining a clean driving record, staying free of claims or choosing a less “sporty” ATV. In addition, most insurers offer a discount if you insure more than one vehicle on your policy, or have more than one policy with the company. This could mean additional savings on your car, motorcycle, boat or RV insurance.

 


RV insurance: Don’t hit the road without it

by Edward Pevnick in Special Lines

RV insurance: Don’t hit the road without it (October 2008)

If you bought a tractor trailer, you wouldn’t add it to your car insurance policy. It’s a specialized vehicle and needs special coverages and claims handling.

So why do more than half of RVers surveyed by The Progressive Group of Insurance Companies add their RV to their car insurance policy?

“We don’t know why, but we know why they shouldn’t,” says Cathy Pelfrey, RV product manager with Progressive.

 For example, what if …

 

 … your RV breaks down on a trip?

While a lot of car insurance policies offer roadside assistance, many may not include coverage for your RV. Even if your policy covers some roadside expenses, it may not cover them all. For example, it may pay for towing only up to the amount it costs to tow a car. RV tows can cost three times more. That means out-of-pocket expenses you’re responsible for paying.


… your RV is involved in a crash?

 Auto insurers typically have someone who normally handles car insurance claims inspect your RV. Specialty RV insurers train claims rep to look for damage and write estimates specific to RVs. They also work with repair facilities that know how to repair an RV and guarantee the work.

 

… the stuff in your RV is stolen?

 You may keep things inside your RV that you never keep in your car like jewelry, laptops and camcorders. Your auto policy won’t pay to replace these items if they’re lost, stolen or damaged. Specialty insurers offer “personal effects” coverage that will pay to replace them if they’re used with your RV.

 


Five Steps to Get Ready for Bike Season

by Edward Pevnick in Special Lines

Get ready for bike season in five simple steps

There’s nothing like cruising down the open road on your motorcycle – the wind in your hair and a few bugs in your teeth.

Before you hit the highways and byways this season, make sure your insurance policy is up to speed so that you and your bike are protected.

Here are a few tips from the experts at Progressive:

  1. Make sure your insurance policy is still in force. Some companies have a winter layaway period when some coverages are restricted. Check with your insurance company to see if you have any type of limited coverage.
  2. Update your policy. Let your insurance company know about any changes like additional riders, a new address or customized parts. A quick call to your independent agent can secure coverage that meets your needs.
  3. Cover customized parts. Parts such as chrome plating, a new paint job, saddlebags or special rims usually increase the value of your bike. If you’ve added custom parts or equipment, make sure they’re protected.
  4. If you don’t need it, drop it. If you own an older bike, check its value. Don’t pay for coverage that you don’t need. Consider dropping collision coverage if the premium equals 10 percent of the bike’s market value. Understand, however, that you won’t be covered if your bike overturns or collides with another object.
  5. Shop around. Prices can vary from company to company, so shop around. Another tip: If you purchase comprehensive and collision coverage, consider raising your deductibles. This can lower the cost of your physical damage coverage.

 


Motorcycle Insurance 101: The Essentials

by Edward Pevnick in Special Lines

Motorcycle Insurance 101: The Essentials

 

 

(NAPS)—A motorcycle is a significant investment. Before you get your motor running and head out on the highway this season, you owe it to yourself to make sure your insurance is up-to-date and you’re properly covered.

“Just as riding a motorcycle is much different than driving a car, riders should know that their motorcycle insurance needs are different, too,” said Rick Stern, motorcycle product manager, The Progressive Group of Insurance Companies.

Here are some tips:

Update your policy. First, verify that all your coverages are still in force. Be aware that some companies have a winter layaway period during which some cover-ages are restricted. Check with your insurance company to see if you currently have any type of limited coverage. Next, note any changes such as additional riders or a new garaging address. A quick call to your independent agent or insurance company will ensure coverage that reflects your current needs.

Consider additional liability coverage. If you have significant assets, it may be to your benefit to carry a higher limit just in case you are involved in an accident that causes injury to some-one else or damage to property.

Look into medical payments coverage. Medical payments coverage pays your medical bills as well as your passenger’s and is available in limits up to $25,000 in most states.

Make sure custom parts and equipment are covered. Additional parts such as chrome

 

plating, a custom paint job, saddlebags or special rims usually increase the value of your motor-cycle and may not be covered. If you’ve added any custom parts or equipment, you’ll want to check your policy or call your independent agent to make sure they’re covered.

Know your options. Rates can vary, so shop around to see if another company offers you a better rate or if you qualify for any discounts. If you have comprehensive and collision coverage, consider raising your deductibles. Doing so can help to lower the cost of your policy.

Choose a company that specializes in motorcycle insurance. For example, Progressive is America’s largest motorcycle insurer. Progressive agents and brokers understand the special needs of motorcycle owners and offer specialized coverages that are designed for them and their bikes.