Month: January 2022

Basic Terms About Auto Insurance

Posted on by AgentInsure

Every car owner in Laurel, MD understands that insurance is important. However, insurance jargon can be confusing, which leads to some people making mistakes when buying. To make sure you understand a policy before buying, Mid Atlantic Insurance Financial helps you understand important insurance terms in the list below.

  • At-fault accident: This is an accident where you are either partially or fully liable.
  • Auto insurance quotes: This is an estimate of what the insurance company will charge you for buying insurance.
  • Claim: A request to your insurance company to cover the expenses resulting from an auto accident.
  • Premium: This is either the monthly or yearly cost of your auto insurance.
  • Underwriting: A process by the insurance company to evaluate how risky you are. It is based on factors like age, location, type of vehicle accident history, etc.
  • Bodily injury liability coverage: A type of auto coverage that covers the medical expenses of a third party after they have been injured in an accident where you are at fault.
  • Collision coverage: It helps cover repairs to your vehicle from a collision accident such as hitting a tree or another vehicle.
  • Comprehensive coverage: Pays for any damage to your vehicle as long as damage is not collision-related. This includes losses like natural disasters, theft, and vandalism.
  • Limit: It is the maximum amount that your insurance policy will pay after an accident.
  • Deductible: The amount that the insurance company requires you to pay before they can start paying.
  • Policy: This is a contract stating the insurance coverage, terms, premiums, and deductibles.
  • Uninsured/ underinsured motorist coverage: If you get hit by a driver who does not have insurance or their coverage is not enough to cover the resulting expenses, uninsured and underinsured coverage help cover those expenses.

These are some of the basic insurance terms that you need to know about. Now that you understand, buying insurance should not be so difficult. You can also contact us at Mid Atlantic Insurance Financial of Laurel, MD, for assistance. We will break down the process for you, ensuring that you are aware of the policy you are buying.

How High Winds Can Damage Your Laurel, MD Home

Posted on by AgentInsure

Homeowners in Laurel, MD are no strangers to high winds and the damage they can cause. However, you don’t want to sit around and wait for damage to occur. Instead, you should take preventative measures to ensure your home is ready to withstand high winds, which includes having the proper insurance coverage from a home insurance company like Mid Atlantic Insurance Financial.

Wind Speeds and Their Potential Damage

Many people assume that only hurricane-force winds can cause severe damage to a home, but even minor winds can cause serious problems for homeowners.

  • 20-25 mph Winds – There is a low risk of damage with these winds, but this doesn’t mean that no damage can occur.
  • 25-30 mph Winds – These winds will cause most trees to move, and branches may start to break and potentially cause damage. There is a good chance that shingles could be blown off the roof.
  • 30-40 mph Winds – Anything outside that is not secured will start blowing around and could potentially cause damage to your property.
  • 40+ mph Winds – There is a high chance that structural damage to your home will occur. The higher the wind, the greater the risk of damage to your home.

Protecting Your Laurel MD Home from High Winds

You can start by covering your windows and doors to prevent them from being broken by strong gusts of wind and/or debris. You should also secure any loose items outdoors, including gazebos, storage sheds, and the like. There are also ways to secure siding and shingles, so speak to a local contractor about how to do this.

Of course, regardless of how many preventative measures you take, it is still possible for your home to suffer damage from serious winds. This is where both home insurance and windstorm insurance come into play. For more information, contact Mid Atlantic Insurance Financial, serving the Laurel, MD area.