People frequently call to ask for insurance quotes for their home, auto, business and life insurance.

1. Some people don't call me first and unfortunately feel rushed, frazzled and frustrated by the time I first chat with them.
   

Before calling any insurance professional please first do so when you are in a good mood, patient and have time to answer all the questions. You're not ordering a pizza, there are many variables that will determine your quote. Bad or insufficient information will result in a bogus quote and may be a waste of your time and mine. Some missing information I can work around, just not the big things, like driver's license numbers from all the drivers and the vehicle information, for example. 

Prior to the call make sure you are ready to answer questions with the needed information at your fingertips. Understand that independent agencies, such as NCI search several carriers with the information you provide. Having to shop several different carriers means that I may need slightly more information then a typical captive carrier, which will only search for one quote. 

If you want an auto quote you can email or fax me your current insurance information to get an easy start on the following questions, see the contact page.
* If questions are not answered it may result in no quote being generated or the exclusion of certain carriers quotes.

The Questions..


Your Name (and other drivers in your household which will need insurance)
Phone #
Your Address (Physical and Mailing address) 
Previous Address (if you just moved in the last year)
Email Address (optional to email you the quote and possibly billing)
Desired Effective Date (discounts may apply, depending on when you want to start coverage)
Insured's date of birth
Diver's License number(s) of everyone to be insured in household
The original dates that diver's licenses were issued (it shows on the card or give best estimate)
Current insurance company
Length of time with that carrier (or best estimate)
Accidents of Moving Violations in the last 3 years (Think hard, some carriers will give a higher quote rate if you omit information here)
Annual Mileage (rough estimate)
Vehicle Year, Make and Model. 
Vin # is most accurate and will be needed prior to policy beginning.
Coverage limits Money amount you want your insurance to stop protection at; Such as 50/100/50 100/300/100 or 250/500/250? 
Comprehensive (to repair damage to your vehicle by non-fixed object collision accidents, fire, flood, theft or animal damage)  
Collision (to your vehicle)
Liability (For damage or injury you do to others) 
or Just Liability by itself ? (most anything can be fixed with duct tape, right?) 


Social Security Number is optional for a quote but it really helps with accuracy for the credit check portion. For added security this can be sent in a different text or email that doesn't include your name or full name. 


Interested in the Options?.... 


Ticket and Accident Forgiveness 


Roadside Assistance Coverage 


Windshield/Glass repair 


Rental Car Allowance 


Diminishing deductible


Theft & ID Protection

That may or not seem like a bunch of questions, but if you know all of this information you are ready to call, email or fax anyone for a quote.




I, and other insurance professionals will thank you for having your stuff together. 









    

Lately, if you live in the Pacific Northwest you have probably heard the growing chatter on the long overdue and expected five minute long, 9.2 Cascadia Earthquake. I mentioned earthquakes in an earlier blog in 2014. It's looking like it's going to be ugly. 

The news about the tsunami wave prediction has since gotten even worse and the government, which was once forecasting 35' tsunami wave height potential from the big Cascadia quake is now predicting 100 foot tsunami wave heights! 

Not that I need to alarm you, because this news should alarm you enough, but it's important to remember that wave height on tsunamis is not just a crashing wave, but a flood of water (up to 60 miles long) at that height, behind the wave. Tsunami waves may continue for many hours after the first wave strikes.

So, you may be thinking that there isn't much you can do to protect yourself from this disaster. Or you may consider flood insurance to be too expensive, not necessarily. There are options. 

The most common option people use to protect their home is through flood insurance, provided by the government (FEMA). Most people will typically try to cover their entire home's value, if possible up to $250,000 rebuild cost and $100,000 contents cost. Others, who are on a stretched budget can chose to insure less for less cost. The point here is that some coverage is always better then no coverage.

Another option for flood insurance is to procure coverage through a private insurance company, outside of  FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program. Flood insurance provided through a private insurance company typically costs more; but one can also insure their home for more than than FEMA's flood coverage limit of $250,000 (on homes) and there is often no 30-day waiting period, like the government's flood program. One could also decide to insure against landslides and earthquakes with the same company, for a bit more.  

My own house is at 100' elevation and near the hospital in Coos Bay, not a flood zone. After considering the projected 8'-14' elevation drop and the possibility for 100' tsunami waves, I found myself  purchasing flood insurance (last night). It's good peace of mind knowing I have one less thing to worry about.  

Remember your house is not protected from a major flood, unless you sought out and paid for a flood insurance policy. Don't assume that you are covered, unless you have proof that you are covered. 

Like I said in my blog regarding earthquakes, please don't wait for quake or a tsunami warning to call your insurance agent, it's too late at that point! Insurance companies prohibit agents from selling insurance in these last minute situations. Think about it now, while I have your attention and if you are interested in avoiding future financial calamity from natural disasters feel free to give me a call (or your agent) now to get a quote. 

While you are thinking about impending doom, please remember to stock up on your drinking water, food and emergency shelter supplies.