Back to School

August 1, 2018 by Brittany Vellani Leave a Comment

Although the temperatures may still be high and the calendar still says that it is summer, our neighborhood kids are headed back to school.

Buses are back on the roads near you.

There will be kids at bus stops all around our communities. Earlier in the morning middle school and high school students will be out at bus stops and driving, then the elementary students will make it to their bus stops a little later.

Not only should you be extra cautious driving during bus pick-up and drop-off times, but allow extra time during the morning for your travels as the roadways will be busier with the added school traffic.

Keep an eye out for the school zones too. We haven’t seen those flashing lights all summer but they are back on for another school year.

Best of luck to all the kindergartners just starting school as well as all other students returning for another school year. We hope it will be an amazing school year for everyone!

Renting a Moving Truck

June 28, 2018 by Brittany Vellani Leave a Comment

Calling all do-it-yourselfers! Moving can be stressful and expensive. There are many affordable options available for the go getters out there to get yourself or a loved ones moved. No matter where you turn you can find a rental place with a variety of options to fill your moving needs:

Do these moving scenarios ring any bells?

Your son calls and asks for your help moving across town to his new apartment.
Your daughter just landed a job five states away. You are making the big road trip together and you need to rent a truck.
You just bought a new riding lawn mower and it’s too big to fit in your car. Instead of paying a delivery fee and waiting until the mower can be delivered, you decide to get a rental truck from Home Depot and pick up your new toy right away.
Your Mom and Dad are downsizing and they need your help getting things moved to their new place.

Covered Vehicles

You’re asking yourself: Will I be covered when I rent a truck from U-Haul, Ryder, Penske, Budget, etc…?

We get it…insurance can be confusing, so here’s the answer to one of the most common questions we get here at the Agency. We’ve already covered what you need to know about renting a car, but what’s the deal when you need to rent a moving truck/trailer? Rental trucks come in many different sizes. Our guess is that whichever size you choose, you may be a little intimidated since the truck is much bigger than the vehicle you drive every day. Of course, the rental company will offer you an option to include additional insurance coverage in the rental agreement.

Do you need to get the insurance offered through the rental company?

The simple answer: the coverage you have on your personal vehicle with your current policy will provide the same coverage on your selected rental truck, provided the truck has only one rear axle (just like your own personal vehicle); double axle trucks are a different scenario. Your personal auto insurance will have you covered for liability claims and, if you have collision, and comprehensive coverage for any damage to the rental truck.

However, this question is not as simple as it seems. There are some advantages to using the rental company’s coverage, as it can sometimes eliminate your deductible or waive the cost of the loss of use. Keep in mind, these trucks are much taller than your average personal vehicle and may be something you are uncomfortable driving. Our rule of thumb is “if you’re nervous about driving it: get the extra insurance” saving yourself from the potential deductible should a loss occur.

We know you have heard “call before you dig;” we recommend you “call before you rent.”

One Rear Axle Vehicles

1 Rear Axel

Two+ Rear Axle Vehicles

4 Rear Axels

Contact your local agent for specific questions about concerning your policy and the truck you chose.

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.

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.

Coverage for Motorcycle Lovers

June 6, 2016 by Dean Leave a Comment

With temperatures hitting the 90’s this week, summer has officially arrived! One way Hoosiers thaw out from the harsh winter includes cruising on their motorcycles in the Indiana sunshine. So whether you are in the market for a motorcycle, or are just dusting it off from last summer’s adventures, contact your insurance agent to make sure the right coverage is in place.

Motorcycle insurance is similar to car insurance in many ways. Motorcycle policies include liability limits, property damage limits and deductibles of your preference, just like auto insurance. In addition to this coverage, some companies also offer “carried contents coverage” and “accessory coverage” for motorcycle policies uniquely. “Carried contents coverage” will cover any personal property that is damaged, destroyed or stolen that is on the motorcycle at the time of a loss. “Accessory coverage” includes any specialty additions made to the motorcycle. This includes sidecars, custom paint or plating and electronic equipment such as media players.

Wondering how motorcycle premiums compare to car premiums? Mostly, it comes right back down the same factors used to generate your car insurance rates. Factors such as your age, marital status, insurance history, driving record all play a role. Also similar to car insurance, the year, make and model as well as the garaging zip code will impact the premium amounts. Be sure to inform your insurance agent how much you drive the motorcycle, as well. The miles you ride (or don’t ride) can also change the rates.

Finally, our number one concern at the Dean Ballenger Insurance Agency is your safety. On top of having the proper insurance coverage, here are some additional tips to stay safe while on your motorcycle:

Wear bright colors – make yourself as visible as possible while on the road. While on a motorcycle, you can be significantly harder to see in comparison to cars on the road. Make sure you stand out by wearing brighter colors and reflective features at night.
Dress for the slide, not the ride – always be sure to wear long sleeves, long pants and closed toed shoes while on your motorcycle. Yes, it can be a little toasty in the warms summer months, but in the event you crash and slide against the pavement, your skin will thank you by staying attached to your body. Get the picture?
Wear a helmet – this should be a no brainer if you want to keep your brains! You may feel cool cruising down the highway with your hair in the wind. But the least cool feeling in the world has got to be feeling your skull hit concrete. Please wear a helmet, seriously.

When Getting Married Saves You Money

May 24, 2016 by Dean Leave a Comment

When couples exchange vows, combining their existing insurance policies doesn’t typically rank high on the post-wedding to do list. However, combining policies as a married couple can amount to savings that may have you calling your agent the second you say “I do.” Being listed as married versus single can decrease your rates up to 50%. Make sure your agent is on speed dial.

This drop in rates occurs for several reasons. Once you are married, insurance agencies view you as settling down and therefore a lower risk. Additionally, once two people are married, in most cases, the insurance agency will pull credit scores on both spouses and use the better of the two scores found. This could mean dramatic savings.

This may be a good time to shop your insurance, as well, since you are now both starting a new chapter of life together. If you are looking at purchasing a house together, a quality agent can coach you through the process of comparing homeowner’s insurance rates for older homes vs a newer homes. Often times, newer homes come with significantly lower premiums than older homes. This could mean budgeting more money toward a newer home versus budgeting that money toward insurance costs.

Distracted Driver Awareness Month

April 15, 2016 by Dean Leave a Comment

April serves as Distracted Driver Awareness Month across the United States. When it comes to texting and driving, or even just talking on the phone while driving, we are all at least a little guilty. It is easy to convince yourself that you are a good enough driver to be able to do both things at once. This, however, is dangerous thinking.

In 2011, at least 23% of auto collisions involved cellphones. That is 1.3 million crashes. According to one study, looking down at your phone to send a text while driving occupies a minimum of 5 seconds of your time. This means that if you’re traveling 55 mph, you’ve driven the length of a football field without looking at the road. In the moment, the distance doesn’t seem that significant. But in reality, it is a distance that could change your life and lives of those around you.

In many ways, texting while driving has also become a double standard – a trend that needs to be broken. If you think about it, you are likely much more comfortable texting behind the wheel with other passengers than you would be if another driver was texting while you were a passenger. Additionally, 77% of teen adults stated that they are confident they could text and drive safely. However, when asked if being able to text and drive safely should be part of completing a driver’s test, the reactions were quite different. Comments included “If this becomes law, I’ll stop driving,” “It’s impossible,” and the most haunting, “People will die.”

While auto insurance is there to protect you in the event of an accident such as this, we would much rather see you put down the phone for a few minutes in order to save yourself and those around you.

Source: http://www.textinganddrivingsafety.com/texting-and-driving-stats

When You’ve Gone Through Hail

April 1, 2016 by Dean Leave a Comment

Spring has arrived. Flowers are blooming, temperatures are rising and hail is falling. As beautiful as spring can be, it is also the time of year when 42% of all comprehensive auto claims are filed. This is due in large part to hail. The unpredictable weather that comes with spring results in unpredictable precipitation, such as hail, especially in the Midwest regions. Hail can also wreak havoc on homes, in some states resulting in over 50% of filed claims.

Often times, when hail strikes, storm-chasers are not far behind. Storm-chasers are general contractors and roof repair companies that seek business in areas that have recently experienced hailstorms. While this can be a convenient way to find a contractor, be sure that you are electing the most efficient and reputable company for your needs. Here are a few things to watch out for when interacting with these storm-chasers:

Do your research: Don’t make a hasty decision which may result in poor quality repair just because someone is knocking at your door. Do not feel pressured to choose the first company that comes knocking with an estimate. While you are free to choose the contractor of your choice, the insurance company cannot help you in the event you choose a poor quality company.
Consult your insurance agent: Many times, your insurance agent has a list of wonderful and highly recommended references for all of your repair and construction needs. Ask your agent if they’ve ever heard of the company that is attempting to offer you their services and if they can recommend anyone they personally know to be high quality.
Never let someone file a claim for you: Always file your own claims! Many contractors will offer to file a claim on your behalf even when they know there is not enough damage necessary to file a claim. Case and point – you have $1,200 worth of damage and $1,000 deductible, so your net check would be $200 and a claim on your record. This is not always the best choice for you, the policy holder.

What Progressive Insurance has to say about Independent Agents

March 27, 2016 by Dean Leave a Comment

About Independent Agent

Independent insurance agents are trained, licensed professionals who chose to dedicate their careers to helping people with their insurance needs.

In fact, many are members of Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America — the nation’s oldest and largest association of independent insurance agents and brokers.

Independent Agents Selling Progressive:

Offer knowledgeable advice and guidance for all your insurance needs – whether it’s auto, home, life, business or some other type of insurance.
Customize insurance policies to suit your specific needs.
Prepare competitive quotes from several competing insurance companies – including Progressive – so you can compare prices and coverage options to get the best value.

Independent agents will take care of your insurance needs — whether it’s helping you file a claim, reviewing your coverage, or helping you select new insurance coverage as your needs change.

Independent Agents Are Located Near You:

Independent insurance agents live and work in your community, and understand the things that affect your life and your home, life and auto insurance needs. They value the relationship they build with you and will work to serve your best interests.

There’s a good chance there are several independent agents in your neighborhood. And like most independent insurance agents, they probably choose to sell Progressive Insurance more than any other auto insurance product.

To Claim or Not to Claim

March 23, 2016 by Dean Leave a Comment

If you’ve had insurance for any amount of time, you’re aware that before your insurance company can pay out a claim, there is a deductible that must be met. This deductible can act as a great measure toward discerning whether or not a loss should actually be filed with your insurance company. Some of you may be thinking, “well isn’t that what insurance is for – my losses?” The answer is yes, but there are smarter ways to go about using your insurance properly so that it doesn’t get used against you.

Let’s consider your home policy. A big wind storm comes along and displaces some of your shingles. At this point people typically do one of two things. They either call up someone to come quote the damage or they call up their insurance agency to report a claim. In this situation, the first option is the wise one. If the roofing service quotes your damage at about $900 and you have a deductible of $1,000, the insurance company shouldn’t even be involved. However, too often homeowners will immediately call their insurance company without assessing the true cost of the damage, and end up filing a claim for something that was under their deductible amount all along. Since the claim was reported, however, it still will show up on their claim history and potentially raise premium costs. Contacting your insurance agent, not the company, as a resource for finding quality repair and free estimates could save you the cost of an unwise claim. Simply call in reference to a question, not a claim. Instead of $900, assume the cost was $1,100. At this point, it is over your deductible, so the insurance company technically could pay out for this claim. The question you will need to ask yourself is if making this claim will be worth the jump in premium and the amount of money that jump will accumulate to be over time. It may be wise to simply pay the extra $100 rather than risk losing your claims-free discount, or in some cases, cause a claims frequency trend and put yourself at risk of being cancelled altogether. When a catastrophic event occurs, insurance can come in to save the day. But with something comparably minor, don’t let your insurance policy work against you over time by claiming a loss within arm’s reach of your deductible.

Dean Ballenger Agency Inc

Independent Insurance Agent

For questions call (317)-867-5433