Dean Ballenger Agency Blog - Dean Ballenger Agency Inc

Why You Should Call Us When You Get a Ticket

February 15, 2017 by Dean Leave a Comment

auto insurance, speeding ticket, fender bender, auto accident, ticket, accident

What to do after a ticket or accident

It’s important to contact us anytime you have an accident or get a ticket

We get a lot of questions from you, our customers, about what you should do if you have an accident. Sometimes it’s a minor fender-bender and you don’t have a lot of damage, so you don’t call us to file a claim. It’s totally fine that you don’t file a claim anytime you get a scratch. We don’t want to file unnecessary claims for our customers. It can result in increased rates, and sometimes a non-renewal of your policy which nobody wants.

When do you need to call us?

Any time you have an accident of any sort where the police respond or you get a ticket, please contact our agency immediately! The responding officer should have told you that the state requires a form to be completed by your agent (us) within two weeks of the incident. This shows that you had an active policy at the time of the incident, which satisfies the state law that you must carry auto insurance. Even if the police officer takes your insurance information, we still have to file this form for you. The police don’t have access to any systems that show insurance information and they cannot file the necessary BMV paperwork.

If this compliance form isn’t electronically filed with the BMV within two weeks of any ticket or accident, your license can be suspended. No one wants that to happen! Any license suspension can be especially problematic if you have a CDL.

Why does the BMV need proof if the police copied my insurance information?

This is a frequently asked question. The insurance card shows that you had coverage on the date the policy started or renewed. It doesn’t show whether the policy is still in effect. Therefore, by submitting this form, you prove to the BMV that you had insurance in place at the time of the incident.

Please call us anytime you have an accident or get a ticket. We can give you guidance about whether you should file a claim, refer you to excellent, reputable body shops, and then file the BMV form as needed.

The Indiana Department of Motor Vehicles (BMV) has an excellent page on their website that describes what you need to do in case of an accident. The state recommends to call the police if there are any injuries or if the damage to the property appears to be more than $1000.

Please don’t ever be afraid to call us to let us know that you’ve had an accident or gotten a ticket. Calling us never puts anything “on your record” unless you aren’t filing a claim. We simply need to know when we need to file your BMV compliance form to prevent suspension of your license. Let us help you keep driving happily – and legally.

Young, Healthy and Single

August 10, 2016 by Dean Leave a Comment

Have you ever thought or dreamed if I was a NFL or NBA player or that when I am a successful business person, that you would give enough money to something you are passionate about to make a difference. You can do that, with Life insurance as well.

Even if you are Young, Healthy and Single there are many reasons for Life insurance. If you have student loans and/or a car payment and your parents co-signed for your loans? When you pass, unfortunately your debt doesn’t. That debt will be left on the co-signers shoulders to take care. This is generally a close family member such as a parent or sibling. The last thing you should want for them is to bear the burden of your outstanding debt. In some cases, such as school loan debt, this can be a substantial amount of money to pass off to the one who was trying to help you get your start in Life. With a life insurance policy, money will be paid out toward these outstanding debts. This will relieve the impact that would be left for your loved ones.

While you may not be married, does anyone depend on your income for any reason? Anyone who depends on your assets or income to live the way they do now, could be reason enough to have life insurance. This could be a child, a roommate or even a relative.

Many young singles consider life insurance to be for the older generation, as they are more likely to need it. However, most of us are much bigger risk taker while we are young. That is why you should take advantage of getting life insurance now, while you are healthy enough to qualify? At any moment a condition or illness could alter your health, leaving you ineligible for life insurance or with very high rates.

Your Uber Auto Insurance

July 21, 2016 by Dean Leave a Comment

Ride sharing services such as Uber and Lyft are booming with popularity. If you are thinking about being a driver for any ride-sharing service, contacting a insurance agent should be high on your to-do list. A simple phone call to a agent, could mean the difference between being fully covered and having no coverage at all. Uber Auto Insurance has evaluated how they do and do not want to step in with coverage.

For starters, where does your personal auto policy stop and an Uber insurance policy kick in? There are coverage gaps you want to know about. Let’s start with your first trip. You are driving around waiting and searching for a customer. The app is open but have not yet been matched with a client. This is where you the driver are left without coverage. At this point you are now working as a driver for hire. This means you no longer have coverage on your personal auto insurance policy. Since you have not yet matched with a client, Uber’s auto insurance has not yet kicked in either. If you get into an accident or quite literally anything happens, you are without coverage.

There is a remedy to this problem, by simply adding an endorsement to your personal auto insurance policy that cover this time frame. While your insurance company may not offer this endorsement, here are some of the companies that have stepped into the ride-sharing world. Erie Insurance, SafeCo Insurance and Progressive Insurance. Erie Insurance has a ride-sharing endorsement that only adds $9-$15 per month on average to an auto policy. The special thing about Erie’s ride-sharing endorsement is that it covers you before, during and after the hired ride. SafeCo’s ride-sharing endorsement adds 7%-11% of the annual premium. With a clean driving record, all in all this additional cost is very affordable to make sure you are covered at all times. The companies listed above that Dean Ballenger Agency used for your Uber Auto Insurance or Lyft Auto Insurance are rated by A.M. Best and are considered excellent.

Once Uber’s coverage starts, the limits are fairly impressive. Uber’s insurance will pay up to $1 million in liability limits per loss. Comprehensive and collision deductibles, however are $1,000. The insurance company that Uber uses is called James River Insurance Company and is rated A- by A.M. Best which is considered excellent.

If you or someone you know is an Uber or Lyft driver, be smart about your insurance. For any questions you have about this or any previous posts give us a call at 317-867-5433. And for additional reading, check out Hoosier Insurance Agency’s blog.

Play It Safe for the Summer

July 8, 2016 by Dean Leave a Comment

Summertime is a season of relaxation for many of us. Warm temperatures and long daylight hours means plenty of opportunities for time spent in the great outdoors with family and friends. Walking on the Monon, grilling out with neighbors or simply catching a tan in your backyard may be activities you look forward to every summer. While the opportunity for outdoor fun increases, so does the opportunity for outdoor liability. If you own a pool, trampoline or even a playground for your kids, now is the time to be extra vigilant. The Dean Ballenger Agency has some tips to help you protect yourself from potential liability claims this summer.

Have a pool?

Rules. Make sure that any friends or family you have over know the rules that you expect to be followed for your pool. These rules may include no running, no diving or no playing chicken. If you have children, make sure they are aware of these rules along with any friends they invite over. It may even be a good idea to make a sign and post it near the pool that lists what these rules are.
Cover yourself! Using a cover on your pool while it is not in use can prevent visitors both wanted and unwanted from falling in. Cover yourself by using a pool cover this summer
Fence it in. Fences can block uninvited or unwanted visitors from taking a swim without your permission. Consider having a self-locking fence to prevent catastrophes from kids wandering around for some fun during summer nights.

Have a trampoline?

Rules. Like with the pool, setting rules for the way the trampoline is used can help diminish the possibility for accidents and injuries. Rules such as no flips, no jumping at night or limiting the number of people allowed to jump at the same time can help create a safer environment.
Limit access. Many trampolines can be purchased with a net to help prevent accidents. A sturdy net can be the barrier between a guest and a broken bone. Additionally, a fence around the backyard will limit access to uninvited guests.
Location, location, location. Step back and look at your trampoline. Is it on a slope? Is there any sharp or dangerous equipment near by? Is it in the line of fire of the sprinkler? If the trampoline rests on a slope, gravity may not be your best friend in terms preventing liability claims. Make sure your trampoline is on a flat surface. Also, ensure that it is not near a fence with sharp peaks or any equipment such as a grill that reaches hot temperatures. In the event of someone falling off the trampoline, these would not be optimal things to land on. And of course, jumping on a wet surface versus a dry surface is easy math. The likelihood of slipping and falling increases greatly. Make sure your sprinkler is watering the grass, not the trampoline.

Have a playground?

Rules. Like with pools and trampolines, it can never hurt to lay down some rules for how and when the playground can be used. Make sure your children are aware of these rules along with any friends they have over.
Limit access. Fences seem to be a trend here, don’t they?
Be a responsible owner. Inspect the playground occasionally to make sure no parts have broken, edges have sharpened or rust has taken over. Making sure that the playground is on flat, firm ground is crucial as well.
Empty nest means empty yard. If your kids are long gone and no grandchildren are making use of the playground, get rid of it. Getting rid of a playground set may not rank high on your to-do list. However, if no one is using it, there is truly no reason to have it. The only purpose it could serve now is opening you up to a liability claim.

From all of us at the Dean Ballenger Agency, have a fun, safe summer! If you have any questions about this blog or blogs past, feel free to call us at 317-867-5433.

Who Let the Dogs Out?

June 24, 2016 by Dean Leave a Comment

Included as a part of your homeowner’s insurance is what is called general liability. Most people hear this phrase and are unsure how this coverage works or where it really applies. Well, do you own a dog? If you do, general liability could be an extremely important part of your homeowner’s policy. Dog bites and other dog-related injuries accounted for over one-third of all homeowner’s insurance general liability claims dollars in 2015. This amount totaled over $570 million, with the average claim amounting to $37,214. This number, however, does not truly reflect the amount of dog bites that occur each year. It is estimated that up to half of all dog-related injuries are not reported due to the victim being in close relation to the dog owner (such as a relative, friend or close neighbor). Unfortunately, half of these dog bites are suffered by children under 13. So, how can you go about preventing a dog bite from occurring with your own pooch? Check out these tips to stay out of the dog house!

Keep the dog social. Early socialization can be extremely important toward preventing dog bites. If a dog is accustomed to being around people, the presence of people will not scare it. Get your dog familiar with those it will be interacting with on a regular basis, such as family members, a vet or even a postal worker. Often times, dog bites occur out of fear, but if a dog is familiar and comfortable the humans it interacts with most, the chance of it biting will decrease.
Avoid making the dog protect himself. Many dog bites also occur as a result of the dog being pestered, poked or prodded too hard or just one too many times. If a dog is experiencing pain, its instincts will trigger and it may bite simply in self-defense. Educate your children about how to act around a dog so that they do not provoke it to the point of pain.
Beware of mothers. Dogs that have recently given birth have a maternal instinct that will make even the friendliest dog bite. If a mother dog feels as though her pups are threatened or in danger, she will stop at nothing to protect them. If you do not plan on breeding, spay/neuter your pets to prevent this instinct from surfacing in your dog.

At the end of the day, you are financially responsible for your dog and its actions. Even one occurrence could lead to your insurance company cancelling you, or worse, your dog needing to be put down. Keep in mind, in Indiana it is considered a Class C infraction to allow a dog to stray from its property without being under the reasonable control of a person. This could lead to liability due to negligence. It is important to make sure your dog is trained, socialized and fenced when necessary.

Celebrate Flag Day With Us!

June 10, 2016 by Dean Leave a Comment

On Tuesday, June 14, 2016 the United States will celebrate Flag Day. While this day is certainly considered a day of patriotism and American pride, it has a deeper history and meaning. Flag Day not only represents the day the United States flag was adopted, but also the day the United States Army was born. The creation of the Army occurred in 1775 and the adoption of the flag followed two years later in 1777.

How is Flag Day observed? The week of Flag Day itself is designated “National Flag Week” and during this week the president will issue a statement encouraging U.S. citizens to fly the American flag proudly. Government buildings will display flags publicly during the week and some organizations throughout the country will host various celebrations including parades. There is also a National Flag Day Foundation which will hold an annual observance on the 14th. In addition to a parade, this observance consists of a ceremonial raising of the flag, the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance and the singing of the National Anthem.

Stop by the office during National Flag Week and receive a complementary American flag booklet. This booklet explains the the meaning, usage and history of our American flag. Take time this week to reflect on the freedoms we get to experience as U.S. citizens and fly a flag!