What Happens When a Party Guest is Injured on my Property?

Party With Caution

One of the joys of owning a home is the freedom to invite friends and relatives over for parties whenever an occasion calls for such. However, parties that involve friends of friends and people you may not know can go south quickly when a party goer is accidentally injured on your property. What you may find out quickly is that you may be at fault for a significant amount of money if you don’t have the proper coverage included within your policy. Your insurance experts at Mid Atlantic Insurance Financial serving Laurel, MD will assist you in determining the type and level of insurance needed to ensure that you don’t find yourself in a situation like this. 

Be Aware of the Potential Dangers in Your Home

As a homeowner, it is important to realize what parts of your home may pose an injury risk to house guests. This is especially true when children are involved. Children tend to be unpredictable at times, especially during the excitement of a party. What may seem like a safe part of a home for an adult, may be extremely dangerous to children. This can include stairs, heavy furniture that isn’t anchored to a wall, or exposed electrical outlets for younger children. Speaking with your Mid Atlantic Insurance Financial agent and sharing details about your home will guarantee that your insurance agent will help you make the best decision.

Pool Owners 

 Homeowners in Laurel, MD with a pool should consider liability coverage a necessity as part of a home insurance policy. Due to the unpredictability of others when it comes to using a pool, homeowners can never be too cautious when it comes to this part of their home. Working to ensure that your pool is as safe as possible, at all times will prevent most accidents, but nothing is ever fooled proof. Being sure that you have the proper coverage included within your home insurance policy will prevent the severe damage of any party fouls.

5 Reasons You Need Home Insurance in Laurel

Home insurance is something most people buy because they feel they have to. They only find out how necessary the purchase was when something goes wrong and they’re forced to deal with the consequences. If you live in Laurel, MD though, Mid Atlantic Insurance Financial can help you understand why you should answer any questions you have now. 

1. Support With No Strings 

When bad things happen, you may be forced to rely on the kindness of your loved ones or a neighbor. While it’s excellent to have resources to turn to, it’s also nice to be self-sufficient. Having home insurance can fill in the gaps when you need it most. 

2. Better Home Prices 

When you sell your house, home insurance is part of the other careful maintenance you’ve done to improve your property. Buying more coverage is similar to picking out more expensive bathroom fixtures when you’re remodeling. 

3. Better Safety 

Neighborhoods that look great tend to be avoided by the criminal element. When everyone is aware of what’s happening on their property, there’s less of a chance you’ll experience a break-in. 

4. Random Scenarios Can Be Covered 

If your mailman slips on your top step and injures his back, you can be covered if he tries to sue you. There are a number of things that can happen on your property, and home insurance can fight against practically all of them. 

5. You Have Someone to Call 

Mid Atlantic Insurance Financial can help you figure out all of these facts and more, both now and if something goes wrong. For a quote or to have your questions answered, call us today to speak to an agent who can help you decipher what you need and what you don’t in Laurel, MD.

Prepping your vehicle for warmer weather driving

Just as you winterized your vehicle, early spring means another round of special maintenance to keep your vehicle running smoothly and safely. So, spring into warmer weather driving with these simple tasks.

* If you put winter tires, also known as snow tires, on your vehicle, take them off now that the weather has changed. You need to switch back to normal tires for warmer weather. They better withstand the road heat of late spring and summer.

* Inspect the tread on your regular tires. Use a penny. Insert it in the center tread. If you see the top of Lincoln’s head, replace your tires. If you see between the beginning of his forehead to his eyebrows, your tires have good tread. Conduct the test on each tread.

* Have an all fluid check conducted. Get an oil change. 

* If you installed winter windshield wipers, now is the time to switch back to regular wipers. The heavier winter wipes make your car work harder to clear the windshield. They are also designed for solid substances like ice and snow. Regular wipers clear rain better.

* Get a tune-up. Have a mechanic check the battery, starter, the engine mechanical, powertrain control, fuel, ignition and emissions.

* Check the hoses and belts. A small tear or worn spot on a belt makes your car work harder. That means it uses more gas and creates more engine wear and tear. Spending a few dollars to replace a hose or belt at the first sign of wear can save you hundreds down the line. 

We at Laurel, MD, Mid Atlantic Insurance Financial hope these tips help you spring safely into warmer weather driving.

Does Getting Married Have an Impact on Your Auto Insurance Rates?

Your wedding day is one of the biggest days in your life. You are making a pledge to be with someone for the rest of your life. But after getting married, the happy couple may find themselves busy combining their lives together. The bride may change her name with social security and with her local DMV. And the couple may change their life insurance policies and bank account information. If you have recently gotten married, a trip to your auto insurer may also be warranted following the wedding.

After getting married, you and your spouse may want to combine your auto insurance policies, if you have not already done so. Adding two cars to one insurance policies, rather than having separate policies for each car, is often cheaper. In addition to combing your auto insurance policies and starting one together, both you and your spouse may be eligible for a married couple discount. Many people do not realize that married individuals pay a bit less for auto insurance than those with similar cars and driving records who are single. You may find yourself wondering why this is.

Plain and simply, studies have shown that those who are married are less likely to get in an automobile accident than those who are single. As such, your risk factors are lower when you are married. The auto insurance company can then pass along a discount your way thanks to your reduced risk factors.

If you are looking to save some money on your auto insurance policy, Mid Atlantic Insurance Financial, serving the greater Laurel, MD area, can help. You offer fair and reasonable rates and will let you know what discounts you may qualify for. To get a price quote, give us a call now.

Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements for Maryland Drivers

Like many other states, every driver in Maryland is required to purchase auto insurance, or they could face stiff penalties. They’re also required to carry a minimum amount of liability coverage, which includes both property damage and bodily injury. And these amounts are $15,000 and $30,000 respectively. Maryland drivers are also required to carry a minimum of $60,000 in liability coverage for two or more people.

If you’re planning to move out of the state of Maryland or are planning to cancel your auto insurance policy, you are required to return your license plates to an MVA branch office, and you may have to provide your registration and other information in certain circumstances. This will apply if you are planning to move in or out of the state.

If you’re new to the state of Maryland or are in the market for an auto insurance policy, Mid Atlantic Insurance Financial in Laurel, MD has quality agents who have served the area for many years, and we have a variety of carriers from which to choose. So, you can be sure to find a policy that will meet your needs and fit your budget.

Penalties for Driving Uninsured in Maryland

Maryland drivers could face certain penalties if they don’t have an active auto insurance policy that meets the state’s minimum coverage requirements, which can include fines or a suspension of their auto registration. Their vehicle could also be impounded, and they could receive a citation from a law enforcement officer.

It’s against the law to drive without auto insurance in the state of Maryland, so it’s important to keep an active policy at all times. Otherwise, you could face the following penalties:

•    A $150 fine for the first 30 days, and an additional $7 for each one after that (with a maximum fine of $2,500).
•    A suspension of your vehicle’s registration and it could be impounded if you drive while it’s suspended.

If you don’t respond to any insurance notification from the MVA, your case will be transferred to the Central Collection Unit (CCU), and it will result in a 17% collection fee and an interception of your most recent income tax return.

Be sure to speak to an agent at Mid Atlantic Insurance Financial in Laurel, MD. We can help you get an auto insurance policy that will meet Maryland’s minimum state requirements, and we can get it to you at a price that you can afford.

 

Mid Atlantic Insurance Financial: Home Insurance

Mother nature isn’t always kind. Regardless of where you call home, we’ve all lived through thunderstorms, hail, hurricanes, floods, and many other natural disasters. These events taught us that nature isn’t always our friend. Hopefully, we also learned the importance of home insurance. 

Home insurance policies protect our homes, which for most of us, is the most expensive and significant piece of property we own. We depend on home insurance to provide the money we need to repair our roofs, siding, and the exterior of our homes. We also need to protect the structure and foundation of our property when our neighborhood is hit by a flood or a hurricane. While not everyone is in a region where flooding or hurricanes are a concern, many others are. Don’t ignore these serious threats to your home. Call an agent and ask if you’re in a flood plain or at risk for property damage from a hurricane. 

Mid Atlantic Insurance Financial also covers losses due to a fire. You never know when your home will fall victim to a lightning strike or an electrical fire. Don’t wait for that to happen. Prepare yourself and your home for the worst. 

Home insurance is vital to our families and our communities. Don’t choose just any insurance company; work with a company you can trust. Mid Atlantic Insurance Financial offers affordable home insurance policies. They’re experienced staff will work with you from day one. They’ll help you find the best policy for your family, without losing sight of your budget. 

So, if you’re in the market for quality home insurance, look no further than Mid Atlantic Insurance Financial in Laurel, MD. Contact them or visit their office today to speak with an experienced representative. You, your family, and your home will thank you. 

Home Insurance Add Ons You Need in Maryland

The exact kind of home insurance you need will vary based on where you live. The home insurance you need in Texas varies from that in California, and both are different from what you need in Laurel, MD. At Mid Atlantic Insurance Financial, we want to make sure you are properly protected for any situation. Here are few of the home insurance add-ons you should consider when living in the area. 

Flooding Insurance

From rainfall to melting snow, you may be surprised as to how often flooding occurs in Laurel, MD. Additionally, heavy storms can creep up the coast and cause other problems connected with the sudden downpour of water. As flooding occurs more frequently than many realize, this is an insurance add-on you need to look into. 

Technology and Computer Coverage

This is similar to what renters pay when opting in for renter’s insurance. Your home insurance policy protects the house but it may not protect everything inside the house (make sure to discuss this when going over your policy to know exactly what your current policy covers). If you have valuable electronics, computers and other forms of technology, you should look into this kind of coverage. 

Personal Umbrella 

This is an add-on that most homeowners should look into. With personal umbrella insurance, it can protect you against potential lawsuits from both people you know and those just walking past your home. 

Every property is different. Even those properties located specifically in and around Laurel, MD. The property you have may need a different policy add on to properly protect it and to safeguard your investment. Whatever your property is, at Mid Atlantic Insurance Financial we are here to assist. So whether you have questions regarding insurance policies or are ready to begin protecting your home, give us a call. We’re here to help.

3 Things You Can Do To Lower Your Insurance Rates In Laurel MD

The very best thing that you can do to keep your insurance rates low is to simply be a safe driver. However, there’s a lot more to it than that, isn’t there? Safe driving is a foundation for low insurance costs, but it’s only a starting point. Insurers, on average, are taking a bigger risk on, for instance, a teenager who lives in the city than a forty year old who lives in the country. Some of us are lucky enough to be part of just the right demographics so we’ll never be paying very much for coverage, but for the rest of us, we need to find ways to offset insurance risk factors. Here are a few ways you can lower your rates in Laurel, MD.

Consider Insurance Costs Before Buying A Car

The car you buy can have a huge impact on what you’re paying each month for insurance. A reliable compact for instance may cost a third or less than a model that has known safety issues. Of course this might not be an option but it is worth considering if you can.

Ask for Higher Deductibles

The higher your deductibles, the less you’re going to be paying each month.

Take Any Discounts You Can Get

Different insurers will offer different discounts, so make sure to ask about everything from anti theft device discounts to discounts for advanced driving courses. These discounts could wind up saving you hundreds throughout the year.

Mid Atlantic Insurance Financial can help to connect you to an insurer that’s right for you, but there is actually quite a bit that you can do on your own time to ensure a lower rate.