Service Center Archives - Dean Ballenger Agency Inc

Christmas Time with a Marine

December 6, 2018 by Brittany Vellani Leave a Comment

It’s no longer your “Leave it to Beaver Christmas” time, while it’s still a joyful time of the year, don’t let that deter you from being safe. We all need to remember there could be someone out there looking and waiting for us to be distracted. These days that distraction is most likely coming from our phones, but that isn’t the only distraction.

Now we have complied some tips to consider while you are finishing up for your Christmas shopping. You can take the Marine out of combat, but you can’t take the Marine out of the man. Things learned in service carry with them for a lifetime. Dean sat down for a moment to write up some tips, take a glimpse into what is like shopping with a Marine.

Mall Shopping

Tips from a Marine:

Starting with your parking spot, always be aware of your surroundings! We don’t always have a lot of options in busy parking lots, but at least make the effort to park in a well lit area.
Stow your phone away and have your key fob in hand when coming out of the store. Distracted shoppers are exactly what thieves are looking for in their next victim.
Pause for a second to check out your surroundings, take notice to people that may look out of place, is there anyone: someone sitting in cars looking a little suspicious, is someone looks like they are not there to shop, or if someone doesn’t appear to be waiting on a loved one to come out of the store. Your intuition may be right about someone, and they may just be waiting on you to deliver your presents. If you have a suspicion, push the panic button and let your vehicle beep several times. Other shoppers may think that you’re being silly but at this point you’re being safe and everyone is looking to your area. Let your car remote act as your bodyguard, especially if you are on a solo shopping excursion.
Going back into the store is another option if something looks or feels out-of-the-norm. You can always ask for someone to walk you out to the car, especially if you are alone. Don’t think of it as being a hassle, the true hassle would be if you were not cautious and got robbed. Two things can happen in this instance: first and foremost you safely get yourself and presents to the car, and second you allow someone else to do something nice that day making them feel like a hero.
Ever get a random note or an ad on your windshield after being in the store for awhile. Safety is about being proactive versus reactive, if you see a note on your vehicle don’t automatically stop and look it! Look around you, notice who’s looking, check your surrounding including your vehicle and then make the judgement if it’s a safe time and place to read the note. This tactic of leaving notes on the windshields has been used as a distraction by thieves for years.
Put all your presents in your trunk and save yourself a busted windshield and heartache. If you have an SUV make sure you pull the cover over so no one can see what’s in the back. Should your vehicle not have a cover, or trunk space is already filled then there is the old fashion method of covering your goodies with an old blanket. At this point you are trying to make it less obvious that you have a car full of presents, and prevent them from seeing exactly what is in the car.
While spraying mace into the thieves face while singing “We Wish You A Merry Christmas”, may seem like a courageous option, it’s probably not the best solution. If you do find yourself in that a compromising position, remember that your life is worth far more than any present. Let them have those presents keeping in mind that the best gift that you can give your friends and family is you being present on Christmas Day. You are irreplaceable!

The best advice you could follow is to go shopping with a friend. By merely adding more people to the situation you are less likely to become a victim. Oh, and it’s typically more fun!

We want to wish everyone a Safe & Merry Christmas.

Foggy Window Solution

October 30, 2018 by Brittany Vellani Leave a Comment

Chilly weather is looming and soon will come the snow. Instead of blasting the air-conditioner, we will be blasting the defroster to clear up the windshield while heading to work.

Have you ever got that pesky patch of fog on the window that you just can’t get to go away? This should help! Check those settings on your console and get it switch over so you can make your commute safely.

Defrost is on.
Air speed is turned up.
Double check your air recycle options!

Don’t recycle the air. Make sure it comes in from outside.

In the summer you may change this setting to keep the cool air in your vehicle and just recycle it. It keeps the interior of the vehicle cooler. However, in the winter it causes us much grief!

Make sure you have chosen the option to pull in fresh air. Those foggy windows won’t go away until it is getting fresh air. WHY, you ask?

Recirculated air is just that, it is our breathe and air already in the vehicle being recycled. Our breathe has moisture in it. Water from snowy or wet boots is evaporating and making the air wet as well. That moisture is landing on our windshield and surrounding windows making it hard to see out. It’s just condensation.

Condensation and safe driving doesn’t go together. Check your settings on your console as the seasons are changing so you are ready. The morning is coming when you will head off to work or school and see someone driving down the road looking out a small clear area of the windshield as they are battling to keep clear. Be a good neighbor and share this free tip.

Condo & Townhomes

October 30, 2018 by Brittany Vellani Leave a Comment

Life is full of simple teachable moments and they can start with a phone call to our office 317-867-5433

We are here as your resource to explain things, after all we like this insurance stuff.

What included in your “Walls In Policy”

So the explanation we have today is about a “Walls In Policy”, also known as a HO-6 policy. What is an HO-6 policy? That’s the insurance jargon that is associated with a “Condo/Townhome Policy”. If you are getting a condo/townhome your lender will want to verify that you are properly insured.

Who’s Responsible for What?

The question that we hear the most is: Who is responsible for what? You, the Condo Owner, would be responsible for the inside, hence the “Walls In”. On the other hand, the Condo Association/Builder is responsible for the outside.

Our whole team stepped out of the office to get a inside out look into some condos that are in various steps of the building process. We are going to walk you through the process, so now our friendly explanation comes complete with pictures. Let’s look at each phase and breakdown responsibility from there:

The Building Process:

The Big Frame Up

First thing that goes up is the framework. The studs start to divide each room and each floor. Other things that are in place at this stage include the exterior and the roof. Should a loss/claim happen at this time, the things you see now are not your responsibility. If a claim was to happen once the building is finished, the builder Condo/Townhome policy would get you back to this starting point.

Framing the condo is responsibility of the Condo Association or Builder.

Filling in the Gaps

This is where your responsibility as the owner will begin. You see the drywall going up, the molding and the railing are in the early steps. Cabinets are being set into place and what was once a skeleton is now starting to look more like livable space. Soon to follow will be the flooring carpet, hardwoods, ceramic tile giving it that home look. Your responsibility for cost are starting to add up. You as the homeowner are responsible for all of this and is all figured into you new policy as “Replacement Cost”.

Any damage that may happen to all you see in this stage is covered b your insurance policy.

What if you come home and find a water leak from your dishwasher or a pipe burst while you are at work or on vacation. You return home to water all over your floor that has been sitting there seeping in. This could be a costly repair that you would be responsible for.

While a fire will damage almost everything it touches, in lots of cases the smoke damage and water damage from the fire department can exceed the cost of damage by the fire itself. The Condo Association would only take it back to “The Big Frame Up”, ensuring the structure is sound, but you would be responsible for those “walls in”.

Your responsibility starts here.

All Moved In

The builder is done, the movers have left. You walk into your furnished condo. The finished job will look something more like this: the ceiling are done, the recessed lighting is installed, the hanging lights are shining on the new counter tops, and all of your belonging are in their place. You are now fully responsible for everything you see in every room.

While a homeowners policy will automatically come standard with a certain percentage for your personal belongings. As the insured for a Condo/Townhome policy you get to determine the value stated under your “Personal Property”. You have flexibility to set this at a limit you are comfortable with, and adjust if need be.

Other coverage on your policy include but are not exclusive to are: Liability Coverage, Water Back Up, Scheduled Property.

All finished and your personal property is all moved in.

Now you should be ready to make an educated decision on the amount of coverage you will need for your new Condo/Townhouse policy. If you still have question, please feel free to call and talk to us!

Other things to consider as well: Contractors, Having an Open House, Claims

Goal Setting #2

January 17, 2018 by Dean Leave a Comment

Step 2

Are your goals written with selfish motives? How your goals are written and attained have a significant impression on your legacy. Your goals should be something to write home about.

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.

Different Rates for Different States

March 18, 2016 by Dean Leave a Comment

Surely at some point in your life you have driven out of your home state. Ever wondered if your car insurance follows you the same way it does in your home state? The answer may surprise you.

Each state has what is referred to as state minimums when it comes to auto insurance. These are the minimum liability and property damage limits allowed by the state, and believe it or not, each state is different. This means that your own coverage and the coverage of those around you can change with each state line you cross.

Let’s explain this a little deeper. Let’s say you are driving to Pennsylvania to visit some family next week. On the way to Grandma Sue’s, a distracted driver hits you. Your car is totaled. You’re late to Grandma Sue’s. But luckily, everyone is unharmed. Not luckily, though, this driver has the Pennsylvania state minimum coverage limits. In Indiana, state minimum would mean that driver’s policy would pay $10,000 toward replacing your vehicle. But, in Pennsylvania, this means the driver’s policy will only be paying $5,000 toward replacing your vehicle. Chances are, neither of those numbers are making you very comfortable. This brings us back to the information from the previous post about having uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. Having this coverage as a part of your auto policy may be even more necessary when traveling out of state.

Now let’s look at the other side of the coin. Let’s say someone from Pennsylvania is driving to Indiana to see Uncle Bob and his cornfield. He is in such a rush to see Uncle Bob that they blow through a red light and hit you, again totaling your vehicle. This time, you’re hurt. Really hurt. And so is your car. His state minimum coverage in Pennsylvania isn’t going to even begin covering your expenses. It will only pay $15,000 per person’s injuries, $30,000 liability for the whole accident and $5,000 for the car itself. But, because they were in Indiana territory, their coverage limits expanded to fit Indiana’s the second they crossed the state line. Now, their policy will pay $25,000 for bodily injury, $50,000 liability for the whole accident and $10,000 for the car itself. While state minimum coverages can expand from state to state, this is by no means adequate coverage for a devastating injury or loss. All this being said, this situation will never work the opposite way. Meaning, your coverage limits will never drop, only expand, when travelling into other states.

If you have any questions concerning this article or any other previous post, please contact us at (317)867-5433 or info@insurewithdean.com.

It’s Not All About You

March 14, 2016 by Dean Leave a Comment

When it comes to thinking about car wrecks, hit and runs and even fender benders, it’s easy to exclude yourself from the equation, convincing yourself you are a great driver and would never be part of something like that. And it’s easy to see how one could see things that way – an owner of a spotless driving record, never had a claim, and maybe you even drive more carefully than Grandma Sue on Sunday mornings. At the end of the day, though, it doesn’t matter. It’s not all about you.

Sure, your coverage is to cushion you in the event of a poorly executed blind spot check, a lead foot at the stop light or even black ice, but it’s also there to protect you from others and the mistakes they may make while driving. As unfortunate as it is to think, you really don’t know if that person driving next to you cares as much as you do. Statistics tell us that over 1 in 10 drivers in Indiana have no auto insurance whatsoever. Next time you are driving down I-465, look around you. Within your line of vision, at least one of your neighboring drivers does not have car insurance. Now, if they happen to be the one who hits you, are you protected from them? This is where uninsured and underinsured protection comes in to save the day…assuming you have it of course.

Let’s put this in perspective. You are driving down I-465. It’s a sunny day, your windows are down and you’re happy as a clam. Suddenly, you notice a car in the other lane starting to swerve and before you know it, the hood of that same car is in your passenger’s seat. The owner of this car, Debbie Dingbat, has successfully totaled your $20,000 baby and likely your soul in the process. Ms. Dingbat informs you she has no insurance. None. Zero. At this point you are thinking one of two things: thank goodness my agent explained uninsured motorist insurance with me – I have that and this will be okay. Or, I’ve never heard of uninsured motorist insurance but I hope maybe that was just included in the cheap rates my online company promised me. Hint: it’s not included. If you find yourself in the second group, you are now officially on the hook for the entirety of the $20,000 you just watched fall apart. Oh, and is your car paid off? Better hope so, because if not the bank will still be expecting payments on your now un-drivable vehicle. Without uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, your insurance company does not pay a dime toward your loss. It’s time to start thinking about uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.

If you have any questions concerning this article or any other posts, please contact us at (317)867-5433.

For questions call (317)-867-5433