How Often Should You Review Your Home Insurance?

Posted on by admin

Your home insurance is a crucial part of protecting your largest asset and the things that matter most to you. At Irvington Insurance, we can help all of our Indianapolis, IN area customers cover their homes with the right types of policies for their needs. Whether you have a small starter home or something much larger, there are some great ways to protect it and keep it safe from harm. A good insurance policy is a significant part of that and can go a long way toward giving you peace of mind and helping you get back to living life instead of worrying.

Your homeowner’s policy should have periodic reviews, though, because your circumstances and situation may change over time. You could add to your house, remodel it, or bring in new belongings that would need additional coverage. No matter what kinds of changes your home and life undergo, you can sleep better at night when you know you have a good insurance policy protecting you. Generally, it’s a good idea to review your home policy every time it renews, which is typically once per year. Your agent will often ask about the policy at that time, but if they don’t, you can still ask for a review to make sure nothing needs to be changed.

Reach out to us today at Irvington Insurance, and let us help you with your home insurance policy. If you’re in the Indianapolis, IN area, we can provide you with the information you need to make an informed decision about your home’s coverage. Our knowledgeable agents will be happy to answer your questions, so you can feel good about the type and level of coverage you choose when you review your policy and make sure it’s the right one for your current needs.

Is basic auto insurance ever enough

Posted on by admin

Choosing your auto insurance coverage is a big deal. Making sure you have the right coverage is vital. At the same time, you don’t want to have more coverage than you need. Coming up with the right balance is not easy, and having an insurance agent you trust can make all the difference. At Irvington Insurance Indianapolis, IN, we are locally owned and have been offering customers our expertise for 13 years. 

You are required in the state of Indiana to carry liability insurance. You are also required to have uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage unless you decline it in writing. Liability coverage required is $25,000 per person with $50,000 total per accident and $25,000 for property damage. Uninsured and underinsured coverage matches liability. These are the basic requirement but are they adequate for you? 

The first thing to consider is the amount of liability coverage. If you own little or nothing, then basic auto insurance is fine, but this basic coverage won’t provide the level of protection you need if you have significant assets. Exactly how much liability coverage is right for you is something to discuss with your insurance agent. 

People count on their vehicles to go about their normal daily routines. If you could not easily repair or replace your vehicle with your own money, then having collision and comprehensive offers you needed coverage. 

Collision coverage repairs or replaces your vehicle if you are the responsible party in an accident. Comprehensive covers hazards that are beyond your control like storms, vandalism, and theft. It also includes glass coverage, which is one coverage almost everyone uses at one time or another. 

Your independent agent is the person to discuss your auto insurance needs with. In Indianapolis, IN, Irvington Insurance is the place to go. Give us a call or stop by our office for a no-obligation quote.

Three key resources when you’re purchasing a life insurance policy

Posted on by admin

Life insurance is a crucial investment to make to support your family in the future. As such, you need to research carefully to know that you’re choosing the right life insurance option in Indianapolis, IN. At Irvington Insurance, we’re here to help you meet your life insurance needs.

The following are three key resources you can use when you’re purchasing a life insurance policy. 

Your accountant

If you have an accountant, it’s a good idea to consult your accountant about your life insurance options. Your accountant helps you to manage your finances. Life insurance is an essential financial product. 

Make sure you ask for your accountant’s opinion on life insurance matters. Your accountant understands your financial situation thoroughly. This means that your accountant might be able to provide you with valuable insights regarding your life insurance needs and resources. 

Representatives from insurance providers

Don’t hesitate to ask questions of insurance providers from whom you are considering buying life insurance. It’s vital that you feel comfortable asking questions to representatives from your insurance company.

Asking insurance provider representatives questions to help you understand life insurance options doesn’t just make you more informed. It also gives you a significant opportunity to evaluate the customer service of individual providers before deciding which one to purchase from. 

The Internet

The Internet provides plenty of information on life insurance. You can use the Internet to conduct research to learn about how life insurance works and what types of life insurance are available. You can also use the Internet to get quotes on policies. 

We’re here to answer any questions you have about life insurance in Indianapolis, IN. Contact us at Irvington Insurance to inquire about our life insurance policy options. 

5 Ways to Increase Home Safety

Posted on by admin

Home safety is an important topic. By taking measures to increase the safety and security of your home, you may qualify for a discount on your home insurance. If you’re considering upgrading your Indianapolis, IN home to make it a safer environment, talk to your Irvington Insurance agent to see what upgrades will affect your home coverage. Here are just a few measures you can take to make your home a safer, more secure environment.

Declutter

Clutter is unsightly, reduces living space, and increases your risk of accidents. By decluttering your home, you can make it a safer environment.

Upgrade Window & Door Locks

Upgrading your window and door locks will make it more difficult for intruders to break into your property. Install deadbolt locks on exterior doors for extra protection against burglars and trespassers.

Install Security System

Install a security system to include alarm, sensors, and video cameras around your property. A security system will deter thieves and enhance the safety of your family. It can also qualify you for a discount on your home insurance.

Install Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detectors

If your Indianapolis, IN home doesn’t already have them, install smoke detectors in your kitchen and hallways close to your bedrooms to alert you of the dangers of fire. A carbon monoxide detector will protect you against carbon monoxide poisoning. These life-saving measures will make your home a safer place to live.

Lock Up Medications

If you have children in your home, lock up your medications in a safe location that’s well out of their reach. You don’t want your little ones getting their hands on pills that can endanger their lives.

You can’t go wrong by boosting the safety and security of your home environment. To learn more about home safety or home insurance options, contact us at Irvington Insurance.

What auto insurance is required in Indiana

Posted on by admin

Indiana has 12,000 miles of federal and state roads and 68,000 miles of county roads. You could take a lifetime to drive on all of them. As a driver in this state, you will need to have liability insurance on your vehicle. Indiana is a 25/50/10 state. What this means is you need to carry a minimum of $25,000 for each person injured in an accident up to a maximum of $50,000 and at least $10,000 for property damage. This is a bare minimum, and given the cost of vehicles today, you can quickly see how $10,000 would not cover the value of the car, leaving you paying the remainder out of pocket. At Irvington Insurance in Indianapolis, IN, we understand auto insurance, and we make sure that our clients have all the coverage they need. 

While the state does not require you to carry more than the basic amount of auto insurance, if you have an auto loan or a lease, you will have to carry both collision and comprehensive insurance. If you have assets, the minimum liability coverage is not enough to keep you protected. So, what insurance isn’t required should you carry? 

Collision coverage protects your vehicle and will repair or replace it for you if you are the at-fault person in an accident. If you are like most people, being without a car isn’t an option, and if your vehicle is relatively new, the replacement value is thousands of dollars. Collision insurance will also provide you with a rental car while your vehicle is being repaired. 

Comprehensive insurance protects you from damage to your vehicle from things other than another vehicle. It also covers you for theft and vandalism. 

Knowing the insurance required in Indiana will help you to understand what coverage is right for you. Stop by the office or give us a call at Irvington Insurance in Indianapolis, IN to make an appointment and get a free quote. 

What types of life insurance are available?

Posted on by admin

Anyone that lives in the Indianapolis, IN area will have a variety of different personal insurance needs. One form of insurance that a lot of people in this area should consider getting is life insurance. When you have a quality life insurance policy in place, it will ensure that you are able to provide financial protection for your family’s future if you were to pass away. There are two primary types of life insurance to consider.

Whole Life Insurance

One popular form of life insurance to consider getting is whole life insurance. With a whole life insurance policy, you are going to receive the coverage for the rest of your life as long as you continue to stay current with payments. With this form of coverage, your premium payments will be higher than with other options, but they will also accumulate in an account that you can liquidate. This helps whole life insurance to be a good investment alternative as well. 

Term Life Insurance

When you are looking for the most amount of coverage for a more affordable monthly price, a term life insurance policy is a great option. When you get a term life insurance policy, you are going to receive coverage for a predetermined period that can range to 25 years or more. While there are not investment benefits with this form of coverage, it does tend to provide more affordable monthly payments.

It is crucial to consider the benefits of both life insurance options. To help with this, those that are in the Indianapolis, IN area should call Irvington Insurance to discuss. The team at Irvington Insurance can help someone in this area to better understand the benefits of life insurance and the options that they have to ensure you find the right policy. 

Home Insurance Coverage Options for Indiana Homeowners

Posted on by admin

As an Indianapolis, IN homeowner, you can reap a variety of benefits from having homeowners insurance. There are a variety of coverage options available. Different factors are considered to determine your homeowner’s insurance rate, including your location, age, and construction of your home, home liability limits, and a variety of other factors. Here is what you need to know about home insurance coverage options for Indiana residents provided by Irvington Insurance.

Home Insurance Coverage Options for Indiana Homeowners

Indiana residents have a variety of options when it comes to homeowners insurance coverage, including:

  • Dwelling
  • Contents
  • Personal liability
  • Medical Payments to others
  • Ordinance or law insurance

Dwelling – Dwelling coverage is for your home’s structure. Items included in this coverage are built-in appliances and wall-to-wall carpet.

Contents – Contents coverage is insurance that covers the belongings that are not built into your home or attached to your home, including clothing, furniture, and similar items.

Personal Liability – Personal liability is the coverage that is used if a guest sustains an injury while in your home. This type of coverage also provides coverage if someone damages your belongings.

Medical Payments to Others – Homeowners insurance provides coverage for medical payments to other people when medical or funeral expenses occur. Medical payments are also covered if someone is injured on your property.

Ordinance or Law Insurance – Ordinance or law insurance coverage can help you rebuild your home, so it’s up-to-date on current building codes after a complete covered loss.

Here at Irvington Insurance, we provide insurance coverage for home, life, and auto. We are dedicated to providing our customers with quality customer service and insurance. Contact us to learn more about the insurance solutions we provide. We look forward to hearing from you.

3 basic auto insurance rules to keep in mind as a first time driver

Posted on by admin

Shopping for your first car in Indianapolis, IN can be an exhilarating experience. However, there is a not- so- fun part that involves shopping for auto insurance. A car is a huge investment; you want to ensure that you are adequately covered in case you get into an accident so that you don’t have to seek financial help from bank loans. At Irvington Insurance, we recommend conducting proper research and seeking insurance advice from experts before settling on a specific insurance deal.

1. Understand your auto insurance coverages

As a first-time insurance buyer, you may need to invest some time into research for auto insurance. This will help you focus on your needs and budget. Evaluating your coverages also helps keep you one step ahead of your insurance provider. 

2. Not sticking to your budget can be costly

Car insurance rates and coverage options are pretty much similar in most states. The basic auto insurance policy is quite affordable, and it covers most of the critical aspects. If you are tight on budget, consider buying what matters to you most and ignore new optional coverages that will only cost you more. Remember, the more coverages you get on your policy, the more costly your policy gets.

3. Your driving habits are key

Your driving record is a significant determinant of how much your insurance company will charge you. Young drivers are generally perceived as less experienced and, therefore, are likely to be charged more.

Purchasing insurance for your first toy is not an option but a legal requirement. Adhering to the traffic rules put in place as well as keeping your insurance coverages updated are some of the important steps that can help you stay safe on the roads as a first-time driver. For more information on auto insurance, speak to an Irvington Insurance expert in Indianapolis, IN today!

 
 
 

How Do I Choose a Life Insurance Policy in Indianapolis?

Posted on by admin

Many of those that are in the Indianapolis, IN area are going to need to have a good life insurance policy. When you are shopping for life insurance, it can be overwhelming to choose the type and level of coverage that you need. If you are in the market for a life insurance policy, there are several tips to consider that could help you to pick the best policy for your situation. 

Considering Options

One factor that you need to consider when picking a life insurance policy is the type of policy that would be right for your situation. The two most common forms available today are term and whole life insurance. A term life policy will give you coverage for a specific term and, typically, has more affordable premiums. With a whole life policy, your premiums will be higher, but you can also consider it a conservative investment alternative. 

Determining Coverage Needs

Another factor to consider is your future coverage needs. This can be a tricky challenge to come up with. When you are trying to figure out your coverage needs, you will need to consider all of the future expenses that your dependants could incur. This could include the costs of housing, raising kids, retirement, or even future higher education costs. You can then offset this by using assets that you currently own to determine your needs. 

Ultimately, picking a life insurance policy is a big decision. When you are shopping for life insurance, you should contact the team at Irvington Insurance. Our insurance professionals are experienced in helping people choose the perfect life insurance policies. Irvington Insurance in Indianapolis, IN will work with you to determine what coverage is appropriate for your needs and can help you get a quote.

Essential Spring Maintenance Tips that Positively Impact Your Homeowner’s Insurance

Posted on by admin

Spring is a time of renewal and rebirth. Get your Indianapolis, IN home ready for the sun with these essential maintenance tips from Irvington Insurance. Besides making your residential property cleaner, safer, and more comfortable, these tasks could also positively impact your homeowner’s insurance premiums and options.

Landscaping

Before you get into the garden for your first spring planting, take some time to look at the trees and shrubbery that line your property. Call a professional service to help you trim back unruly trees that are invading your neighbors’ property, remove large branches that could fall and cause damage, or dead plants that play host to invasive insects.

Foundations

The winter freeze could leave tiny cracks throughout the foundation. Over time, these small fissures can widen and become a big problem. Inspect the edges of your foundation for holes and other damage. Have it taken care of immediately to avoid big structural issues that could trigger an expensive claim.

Roof and Gutters

The time between the spring thaw and the summer heat could leave your roof soaking in a pool of stagnant moisture. This can seep in the creases between tiles and contribute to the breakdown of your roof. Get a good look at the roof and gutters, paying close attention to holes, missing tiles, and soft spots. Clean your gutters and check them for damage as well. Your local handyman can easily fix small issues before they get out of hand.

Basements

Winter gets into your home too. Your basement is one of the most vulnerable parts of your home’s interior. Thoroughly inspect your plumbing and foundation from the inside of the basement for leaks, cracks, mold, and other signs of damage.

Start the new season with a customized home insurance policy that is as fresh as your newly cleaned home. Contact the agents at Irvington Insurance in Indianapolis, IN for a free quote on your residential property.