How Do I know what to Look For When Purchasing an Individual Life Insurance Policy in Maryland?

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When you’re going to be purchasing a life insurance policy, there are plenty of questions to ask yourself. How much you need, what kind of policy you want, and who will receive the benefits when you pass away are all considerations. You also have to focus on the cost of premiums, because you’ll be paying that amount for years and you don’t want to overextend yourself. An independent agent like us can help you find the right individual policy to meet all your coverage needs. That’s the best way to ensure your family is covered financially in the event of your passing.

Life in Laurel, Maryland can be very beautiful, and protecting it doesn’t have to be complicated or confusing. Your basic choice will be between a whole life policy and a term life policy, both of which have their own pros and cons. A term policy is usually for 10 or 20 years, and it requires the person to pay a premium each month. If the person dies during the life insurance term, the amount of the insurance is paid to the beneficiary. If the term expires before the person dies, there is no benefit.

In whole life, there is an accrual of cash value. Yes, the premiums are higher, but there is a benefit to the insurance if the person does not pass away. That is where the advantage comes in over term insurance. Some people like whole life policies because of that benefit, but others don’t feel that the extra cost of premiums is worth it. They prefer the term life policy because the cost is very minimal and the insurance will protect their family during the term of the insurance. For many people, that’s enough and it keeps their premiums low.

Is a Renter’s Insurance Policy still Required if my Landlord Carries Insurance in Maryland?

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Before you sign a lease to rent a Laurel, Maryland apartment, you better take a close look at all of the clauses. A landlord can require renter’s insurance as a condition before allowing you to move in as a tenant. He or she is not breaking any fair housing laws or Maryland statutes as long as he has the same policy for all tenants.

The landlord’s insurance does not cover your personal property like furniture or clothes that may be damaged, destroyed or stolen. Even though you may balk at the idea of being required to obtain renter’s insurance before you move in, it really is a good idea. Renter’s insurance only costs a few hundred dollars and it will cover all named perils like theft, fire, smoke and water damage. Should disaster strike, you could easily be out $5,000 or $10,000 if you have to buy all new things.

You do not have to buy a renter’s policy unless if your landlord does not specifically list it as a requirement of the lease. However, without this inexpensive coverage, anything that happens inside of your home, could be your responsibility. If a child throws a baseball through your big screen TV, your landlord is not going to pay to have it replaced.

Speaking candidly, as your independent agent, the main reason that many landlords want their tenants to carry such insurance is not because they care about you and want to make sure your property is protected. Landlords in Maryland are mostly looking out for their own interests. If a fire breaks out, a pipe bursts or something else happens to damage your property, you are more likely to sue the landlord if you do not have insurance of your own to cover the loss.

Are there any Additional Coverages I should know about being a New Homeowner in Laurel, Maryland?

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When you’re a brand new Laurel, Maryland homeowner, you might be at a little bit of a loss when it comes to what kinds of coverage you really need. That’s understandable, but we can help you get the right insurance policy. As an independent agent, we work with a lot of different companies. That’s good news for you, because it provides you with options that you wouldn’t have if you just picked one company, got a quote, and purchased a policy. It’s not just about money, either. It’s about choices and getting value for your dollar.

You might also need more than just a traditional home policy, depending on where in Laurel or the surrounding areas you live. Even though Maryland is far up the East Coast, it’s not immune to problems like hurricanes. There are also flooding concerns, and the possibility of severe winter storms. Talk to us about these issues, and let us take a look at the exact location of your home. We can advise you as to whether you’re going to need something beyond the standard coverage, or whether it’s not required but would be recommended.

If you have a mortgage on your new home, your mortgage company will let you know what kind of coverage (and in what amounts) you need. Of course, you can always purchase more than the minimum if you feel like you need more protection from perils. That’s the value of talking to an independent agent. You’ll get more information about your options and you’ll be able to see how one company compares to others. It may be possible for you to get a lot more insurance than you expected to be able to afford. That’s always good news when it comes to your budget and to protecting your valuable property.

Am I covered if I Borrow or Rent a Vehicle in Washington DC?

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Sometimes you find yourself in a difficult situation, where you need to rent a vehicle on short notice. You may also need to borrow a vehicle that belongs to a friend or family member at some point. In either scenario, you may wonder if you’re covered under your insurance policy. Most policies that are issued for people in Washington DC won’t cover them when they drive other people’s cars, and not all policies cover them in rental cars, either. It often depends on the extent of the policy.

In order to determine if your coverage will protect you, come see us or give us a call. As an independent agent we work with a lot of companies, and we can find one that will provide you with the kind of coverage you need. We can also help you if you already have a policy with us and just have a question about it. No matter whose car you’re thinking of using, that person’s insurance will often cover what’s called an "occasional driver." That would be someone like you, who only borrowed the car for a little bit and doesn’t really drive it often.

Despite the fact that the other person’s auto policy will probably protect you, and that you can get insurance through the rental car company for a high price, it’s much better to know specifically what your policy covers. That way you don’t have to worry at all about whether you’ll be protected in the event of an accident. Even something as simple as getting pulled over for a minor traffic infraction can turn into a big deal if you don’t have insurance or you aren’t covered on the car you’re driving. Don’t take the chance. Just get in touch with us and make sure what kind of coverage you have so you can enjoy your drive.

Commercial Insurance Coverage Options in Maryland

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When you live in Maryland and want to open a business, one of the things you want to be sure about is your commercial insurance coverage options. We can help you with that. As an independent agent, we work with a lot of different companies. That lets us compare prices and show you different policy options. Price matters, of course, but there’s more to the issue of insuring your business than just how much it costs. You also have to focus on the value that you’re getting for the money, and you need to make sure the coverage you’re getting is right for you.

When you open a business in or around Laurel, the type of business you’re getting into will affect what policy you need. Some home-based businesses, for example, don’t really need anything beyond the regular homeowners insurance. Other businesses that are operated in a person’s home will need a business policy because of customer liability. All businesses that are not run from home have to have commercial policies that protect the business from liability and that also protect the building if the company owner also owns that building. Many businesses rent their spaces, though, and don’t need to insure the structure itself.

Liability is the most important part of business insurance. If someone is injured by your product, or if a person is hurt on your property, you’ll have to make sure your insurance will pay for the damages. You could still be sued, but having good insurance is one of the best ways to avoid lawsuits and to avoid the loss of your business through financial problems. You can’t plan for everything when you own and run a business, but by talking to an independent agent like us you can focus on protecting yourself from many of the financial problems that come from a lack of insurance coverage.

What you need to know about Property Damage Coverage in Laurel, Maryland?

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When you have property that’s your own, like a home or a car, you obviously want to protect it so you don’t have to worry about damage. Unfortunately, you can’t always keep damage from occuring – and that’s why you have insurance. Your Maryland property can be repaired or replaced, but only if you have the financial ability to do so. If you protect your Laurel home and your auto with a good insurance policy, you’ll be able to get back what you’ve lost if something should happen to the material things you hold dear.

The best way to get the right property damage coverage is to come see us. As an independent agent, we can work with a lot of different companies to get you the best rates for the most comprehensive coverage available to you. You can link your home and auto policies together and get a discount, and if you have other specific property needs we can talk about how best to insure them, as well. You need to know that property damage coverage isn’t always going to protect everything, and that there are some kinds of disasters that won’t be covered under a standard policy.

There are riders and additional policies available for things like hurricanes, earthquakes, and floods. Whether you need additional policies, and whether you need riders for specific types of property, are things we can help you determine. If you have a grand piano or expensive jewelry, for example, you may want to have additional coverage specifically for those kinds of items, to make sure you have enough coverage to protect you in a property disaster. The same is true with your car policy. Collision and comprehensive insurance are good choices, because they provide you with more protection and peace of mind than just the minimum liability.

What are the Liability Insurance Requirements for Drivers in Washington DC?

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Just like all of the states, if you live in our nation’s capitol, you are required to carry a minimum amount of liability insurance. Washington DC is a no-fault District which means that you must carry both liability insurance for damage you may cause to another person or vehicle and also carry uninsured motorist coverage in case you are injured or your property is damaged by another driver who does not have insurance.

Under the Washington DC Compulsory No-Fault Motor Vehicle Act, drivers must maintain minimum auto liability insurance of 25/50/10. In other words, you must have $25,000 in bodily injury liability coverage in case you injure the driver of another vehicle and a total of $50,000 in bodily injury liability coverage for all other individuals who may also require medical attention. In addition, the minimum requirements are $10,000 for any property damage that you may cause.

Because Washington DC auto insurance is no-fault and not like some other states where auto liability insurance is based on tort law and the at-fault driver bears the financial burden, drivers are also required to carry uninsured motorist liability coverage. This coverage protects you, the driver, in the event you get into an accident with an uninsured driver.

Uninsured bodily injury liability coverage minimums are $25,000 for a single person injured in an accident by a driver with no insurance and $50,000 for all people who may be injured by the uninsured driver in that same accident. Uninsured property damage liability is $5,000.

A large number of our clients buy policies that exceed the mandatory minimum requirements. The most popular liability policy is 100/300/50. It does not raise your premiums by too much and you will have much better coverage. If you would like to find out what coverage is best for you, give us a call and talk with an independent agent who can fill you in on all the details.

Why wait in long lines at the MVA? Mid Atlantic Tag & Title can issue yours Fast!

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Ask anyone in Laurel, Maryland why they dread renewing their vehicle registration and they’ll tell you it’s the long lines. Waiting in line for up to hours at a time for tag and title service seems part and parcel to the MVA experience. In today’s fast-paced world where time is of the essence, chances are you’ll find yourself inconvenienced and frustrated at your local MVA office. Fortunately, Mid Atlantic offers a unique service that should make the aggravation of getting your registration done a thing of the past.

As an MVA-approved title service agency, Mid Atlantic Tag & Title provides a wide variety of services that would normally be handled at the MVA, save for licensing. These services include registration renewal, tag and title duplicates, tag returns and vehicle registration for new residents. Mid Atlantic is not only authorized to issue and renew plates, but the majority of their services can be done over the counter, saving you plenty of time and frustration. Mid Atlantic’s office hours are also designed to accommodate people whose busy schedules require a fair amount of flexibility. The end result is fast, professional service that makes skipping the MVA worthwhile.

Both auto dealers and the general public can benefit from Mid Atlantic’s tag and title services. Getting new plates, renewing stickers and receiving duplicate title and registration is made much easier and faster. Mid Atlantic is also a one-stop shop for auto insurance, thanks to its access and ability to compare prices among over a dozen well-known insurance providers. As your Maryland independent agent, we can give you the run-down on Mid Atlantic Tag & Title’s MVA-approved services, as well as offer you more ways to keep more money in your pocket when it comes to your insurance.

Tips on Preventing a Car Robbery in Laurel, Maryland

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If you are a car owner, you know there are a lot of things you have to think about. One of the most difficult to have to handle is dealing with a stolen car. Instead of dealing with the repercussions of that, it is generally easier to work at preventing the auto theft from occurring in the first place. Follow these tips and you will be less likely to deal with a car robbery in the Laurel, Maryland area.

  • Keep your car locked. It may seem like common sense advice, but keeping your doors locked will prevent a lot of robberies from occurring in the first place.
  • Make sure you arm your car alarm. Even though many people do ignore them, a thief is less likely to pursue a car that is beeping at full volume than one that does not.
  • Choose a car that is less flashy. The flashiest cares are the ones most often targeted for theft. It is possible to have a very nice car that will not garner as much attention from thieves, just use common sense.
  • Do not park off by yourself. If you park out in the middle of nowhere you are more likely to be targeted by thieves.
  • Bring your car in your garage at night. If you have garage space anyway, it makes sense to use it.
  • If you are working late, try to park close to the front of the lot. More thefts occur in the early dusk hours than anytime.

As you can see, there are many ways you can go about reducing your risk of car robbery. Adding full insurance coverage that protects in case of theft is another great way that you can protect yourself. Talk to us about the options available and we can do a live quote comparison and find you the best possible price on your insurance as well.

Maryland Homeowners: Knowing what is Covered on your Home Insurance Policy for Natural Disasters

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If you’ve lived in Maryland for awhile, you probably know that natural disasters happen in the area. The geographic location of the state makes it vulnerable to several different types of natural disaster. You may have even experienced an earthquake, a hurricane, a flood, a blizzard or even some other type of natural disaster wile you’ve lived there. With so many ways for mother nature to damage your home, it’s good to know just what, exactly, is covered by your homeowners insurance and what kind of damage you might end up paying for out of your own pocket.

Your home insurance coverage will take care of most emergencies like fire, normal damage from wind, ice and snow and such. It will also often cover damage from smoke, burst pipes, roof leaks and electrical problems. However, sometimes it will fall short in a major natural disaster. In particular, earthquakes, floods and hurricanes are often not covered by normal home insurance, especially in areas like Maryland where these kind of events happen fairly regularly. You can, however, purchase special coverage for each of these types of natural disasters if you are especially concerned about them.

If you’re unsure of what is covered by your home insurance policy, it’s always a good idea to check with your insurance agent or an independent agent in your area. If you live near Laurel, Maryland, and you are thinking about getting a new homeowners insurance policy, you need to call us. As an independent agent, we can get you live comparative quotes on home insurance coverage. This insures that you get the best deal on the coverage you want, even if you want to include extra coverage for natural disasters like hurricanes and floods.