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Common Mistakes to Avoid When Buying a Used Vehicle

There are a lot of advantages to buying a used car over a new one. Used cars, also known as pre-owned, are generally cheaper and more affordable. You’ll also be more likely to owe less on the vehicle than its value since most of the depreciation has already occurred. However, not all used cars are a good deal. To make sure you get the right model, avoid some mistakes buyers commonly make.

Not Checking the Blue Book Value

You don’t want to pay more for a vehicle than what it’s worth. You should check the Kelley Blue Book to determine the value of the vehicle based on its condition. It will be difficult to get a loan for more than the market value of the vehicle, and you don’t want to pay extra cash just to get the car.

It’s important to realize there are several different systems used to calculate value of a vehicle. Kelley’s Blue Book is focused on the value for buyers and sellers. Dealerships use a different system for calculating price because they must include enough to make a profit. Your car insurance provider will look at value differently as well because they are considering the value in relation to repairs that must be made after an accident.

Overlooking Potential Issues

No used car is perfect. It’s going to have some flaws, make some sounds and just not sound the same as a brand-new car. The lower price is your tradeoff for these issues. However, you don’t want to overlook some potential major problems in your goal of getting a good deal.

Make sure you take the car for a test drive. Listen to the engine and for any other sounds you might hear. Do a thorough inspection of the vehicle before you decide to buy it. If you don’t know much about cars, take someone with you who is knowledgeable. If you find some problems, it doesn’t mean the vehicle isn’t worth buying. You just need to know the cost of repairs as compared to the price of the vehicle. If it still looks like a good deal, you may choose to buy it even though it will need repairs before you can drive it.

Not Talking to Your Car Insurance Agency

Before you buy any vehicle, new or used, you should talk to your car insurance provider and request an auto insurance quote. Find out how much you’ll be paying in insurance, and ask what add-ons are available. Since it’s a used car, it may not come with a warranty. You may want to consider roadside assistance or other coverage for your vehicle.

Your insurance provider can also tell you about the safety ratings of the vehicle. This will be an important factor in your decision to buy or pass. Don’t forget to check the history of the car to find out if it’s been involved in previous accidents.

Do your due diligence and make sure any used car you’re thinking about buying is the right choice for you.

ASA Insurance provides excellent coverage for car and home insurance in the Salt Lake City area with the lowest rates to the English and Spanish communities. Affordable rates and superior service for all home, auto and business/commercial insurance needs.

Basic Tire Maintenance: What You Need to Know

Tires are one of the major components on your vehicle. They take a lot of abuse and put a lot of miles on them before being replaced. You can help them last longer and ensure a safer ride by doing the right maintenance on your tires.

Rotate Your Tires

Rotating your tires helps them last longer. The front tires wear differently than those in the rear. By rotating them, you allow the tread to wear more evenly, which will extend their life.

Most manufacturers recommend tire rotation every 5,000 to 10,000 miles. Check with the manufacturer of your tires to find out what the recommendation is. If you don’t know, you can also ask a tire service shop. Many people just have the tires rotated with every second or third oil change and make it a habit.

Check Tire Pressure

Another aspect of tire maintenance is making sure your tires are at the right pressure. Changes in weather, road conditions and other factors can affect the amount of pressure they hold. Even a slight loss of pressure can cause the tire to be more susceptible to a flat.

You can find the right amount of pressure on the sidewall of the tire. It’s measured by psi. Get a pressure gauge from an auto parts store or even a convenience store and check it once a month or even more often.

Keep Your Trunk Empty

You may use your cargo area or trunk to haul groceries and other items on a regular basis. However, you shouldn’t leave those items in the vehicle for longer than necessary. Continual weight on the tires, especially above what is recommended, can lead to tire issues.

This issue becomes a bigger problem if you don’t have the tires inflated correctly. It can cause them to wear more and end up with a flat. If you must carry heavy items in the cargo area, remove them as soon as you arrive at your destination.

Replace Tires Correctly

When it comes time to replace your tires, make sure the one you buy matches the other tires in size. A tire which is a different size will put added stress on the other tires. They don’t work as a team like four tires which are the same.

Most experts recommend changing two or all four tires at once to make sure each one lasts longer. If you can only replace two, put them on the front of a front-wheel drive car or on the rear of a rear-wheel drive car and rotate the others to the opposite end. This ensures that the newest tires are doing the most work to keep you safe.

Monitor your tires regularly and keep them in good working order. Bad tires make a vehicle dangerous on the road. This can lead to a blowout and an accident that not only costs with repairs and car insurance but in injuries. Learn how to maintain your car’s tires to protect you and those who ride with you.

What You Should Know About Gap Insurance

When you buy a new vehicle, you may be offered what is known as gap insurance. This policy isn’t just for brand-new cars but any vehicle still under warranty. You can only get this insurance when you purchase the vehicle, which adds pressure to your decision. You need to understand what the insurance is and when you might need it and when you should skip it.

What is Gap Insurance

Gap insurance isn’t the same as car insurance. You typically purchase it through your dealer when you buy a vehicle. It covers the difference between what your car is worth and what you owe on it if it’s totaled in an accident.

Here is an example. You buy a brand-new vehicle and drive it for a year. You get in a serious accident after that first year which totals your vehicle. The car has depreciated so that now it’s only worth $15,000 but you still owe $18,000 to the finance company or bank. Your car insurance provider will pay out the $15,000 for the value of the car. If you have gap insurance, it will pay the other $3,000. It may even give you enough for a down payment on another car.

When You Need It

Gap insurance is only good if you total your vehicle and owe more than the value. If you pay cash for your vehicle or you have enough of a down payment that you owe less than what it’s worth, you probably won’t need gap insurance.

If you keep enough money in savings, you may not want to purchase gap insurance. Many people roll the insurance in with the cost of the vehicle for their loan. That means they’re paying interest on the insurance, which makes it even more expensive. You get the best value on this product if you can pay cash for it.

How to Get Gap Insurance

Many people purchase this type of insurance through the dealer when they get financed for their new vehicle. It’s usually offered as part of the financing package and only adds a minimal amount to the monthly payments. This can be an attractive deal to a buyer who is concerned about their budget.

What you may not know is that you can purchase gap insurance through your car insurance agent. Most car insurance providers offer this type of coverage when you get auto insurance. It’s also usually a lot cheaper than going through the dealer.

If you’re shopping for a vehicle, you should contact your car insurance provider to get a quote for a new policy anyway. At that time, ask about the cost of gap insurance. You can determine the least expensive option if you feel you need coverage.

Gap insurance is a valuable product for people who must finance their vehicles. However, it can be a costly purchase. Make sure you compare prices and talk to your car insurance provider to get the best deal if you need this type of coverage.

What You Need to Know About Car Insurance Points

If you’re shopping for car insurance, your rates will be determined by several factors. One of the biggest factors for your premium will be car insurance points. While you may not be able to change them right away, you need to understand them and how they impact your search for cheaper car insurance quotes.

What are Insurance Points?

Points are given to you for traffic violations or accidents where you’re at fault. They are added to your driver’s license. If you get enough points, your license could be suspended until they are removed. Points are removed when enough time lapses without a new violation.

Insurance companies will look at your driving record when they quote rates to you. If you fail to tell them about any accidents or traffic violations, your premiums may be higher than the original car insurance quotes once the points are added in.

Points on your license may not be the same as insurance points. While insurance providers look at your driver’s license points, they may assign a different value to each offense. However, points on your record will likely count against you when you’re getting car insurance quotes.

How to Get Rid of Points

The points will fall off your record once enough time has lapsed. This can be a couple of years or even longer with some insurance providers. Another option is to attend a driver safety course. It must be one approved by the insurance provider, but it can help you save money on your car insurance by reducing the rates.

A safety course may be required or recommended in traffic court as part of your penalty. It can also reduce the number of points added to your license.

How to Know Your Points

You may not be sure of what information is listed on your driving record. Before you shop for car insurance, you can get a copy of your driving record by contacting the Secretary of State’s office. Once you see what is listed, you’ll know what to mention when you’re shopping for car insurance.

Car insurance providers will ask different questions. Some may want to know about your record for the past year or two years while others will go back farther. If you don’t include this information on your quotes, you won’t get an accurate price. Once you sign up for a policy, the price will go up if the provider finds more incidents than what you listed.

Not all incidents increase your points. If it was your first ticket or if it was a nonmoving violation, you may not get any points for the incident. If the accident wasn’t your fault, you won’t be penalized with points.

It’s a good idea to check your record before you shop for car insurance. While you can’t get rid of those points, you’ll know what to expect and when to expect things to improve. Points can hurt your insurance rates but they don’t last forever.

How At-Fault Claims Work in a No-Fault State

Utah is one of only a few states that follow the practice of no-fault. However, drivers must carry car insurance in Salt Lake City and the rest of the state to protect them in case of an accident. It often seems complicated and confusing for a person who moves here to file a claim, but it’s quite simple once you understand how these no-fault claims work.

The Coverage You Need

First, you should know what coverage you need to have in Utah as required by law. You still must carry liability insurance of at least $25,000 per person and $65,000 per accident as well as $15,000 for property damage. Because it’s a no-fault state, you’ll also need to carry personal injury protection or PIP of at least $3000.

This is the least amount of coverage you can have with your auto insurance policy. However, you can carry more and probably should since accidents often result in damages well over these amounts. If you’re involved in an accident and the damages are more than what you’re covered for, you may have to pay the rest out of pocket.

How to File

In most instances, you’ll need to file with your own insurance company. Regardless of who is at fault, you’ll use your PIP coverage to pay for your own medical expenses from any injuries you receive.

Once you’ve used up your coverage from the PIP, you may be able to file a claim against the other person’s liability insurance for any additional expenses you have. This only works if the other person was at fault. Otherwise, you’ll have to go through your health insurance or pay the costs yourself for your own injuries if you’re the person at fault.

If you’re the person responsible for the accident, the other person may file a claim against your insurance company if the damages are above their PIP.

While all of this sounds rather complicated, it really isn’t all that complex on your end. Your job is to file a claim with your own insurance company, and they can determine what will be paid and who is responsible for what costs.

What You Need to Know

You should always get good details and information from the other parties involved and any witnesses even if you will be filing with your own insurance provider. It’s a good idea to contact the police and have them file a report that the insurance carrier can use in the claims process.

Do not admit fault at the scene even if you think the claim will be handled under the no-fault portion of the policy. Make sure you call your insurance provider as quickly as possible after the accident. Delays in reporting can result in delays for your claim or even denials.

Handling a claim in an accident for a no-fault state isn’t that different from any other claim. Just make sure to get all necessary information and contact your insurance provider to guide you through the process.

What is No-Fault Car Insurance and How Does It Apply to You?

If you’ve lived in Utah very long, you probably know it’s a no-fault state when it comes to car insurance in Salt Lake City and the rest of the state. If you’re new here, you may not be sure what this term means and how it will apply to you as a driver. It’s an important part of auto insurance in Utah, so you should have a basic understanding of this part of your coverage.

What No-Fault Means

Utah is one of only a handful of states that uses no-fault coverage. The idea is it will result in fewer lawsuits because everyone is responsible for the damage to their own vehicle regardless of who is at fault.

If you’re involved in a collision with another person, each party will report the accident to their own car insurance. It will pay for medical costs through what is known as personal injury protection or PIP. You’re required to carry a minimum of $3000 of coverage for PIP in Utah. It provides protection for you and your family members who are injured in a car accident.

What Happens When PIP Runs Out?

In an accident, $3,000 isn’t a lot of money, so you may wonder what will happen once your medical costs have exceeded that amount. Once you’ve used up your PIP coverage, you can file a claim against the other driver’s insurance company if they were at fault.

No-fault doesn’t mean no one was at fault, but it requires you to seek coverage from your own insurance provider before filing a claim against the other driver. The idea is fewer people will file minor and frivolous claims if it must be against their own policy first.

You’re still required to carry liability auto insurance in Utah. In fact, you must have the following amount of coverage if you’re a resident of this state:

$25,000 for injury per person

$65,000 maximum for injury per accident

$15,000 for property damage per accident

Remember, these are the minimums required by the state. You can take out a policy with higher limits. In fact, this is advisable if you travel a lot or live in an area with a higher rate for accidents. A major accident will max out your coverage pretty quickly if you only carry the minimum.

Once you’ve used up your policy’s coverage limits, you’re the person who is responsible for any other costs in the accident if you’re found to be at fault. Don’t just look at the cost of having liability insurance. Think about the cost of not having it.

The term “no-fault” may be misleading. It doesn’t mean you can never be held at fault for an accident or that you won’t have to pay for expenses associated in an accident where you are at fault. It’s important that you carry enough coverage to protect you from a major incident. However, you also need to know that you will file with your own insurance provider for many minor incidents.

How Liability Coverage Works with Home Insurance

Liability coverage is one of the most important components in home insurance. It protects you from accidents that may be your responsibility. However, many homeowners don’t really understand liability coverage or what makes them liable.

Accidents That Occur on Your Property

Accidents can happen anytime on a property. A visitor could slip and fall on your sidewalk or tumble down the stairs. They may get bit by your dog or fall off a trampoline. An insurance policy protects you by paying for medical expenses in such a situation if you’re deemed to be responsible.

Not all accidents that happen will be deemed to be your fault. When you have an insurance policy, the provider will investigate the incident to determine responsibility. You aren’t left on your own to prove that you weren’t at fault. For instance, someone falls down your stairs. If they just tripped for no reason, you may not be able to be held liable. However, if there was a broken step, you could be found to be responsible. That’s when your policy would kick in and pay for the person’s medical expenses.

Your home insurance in Salt Lake City would pay for medical care, lost wages and even pain and suffering for the injured party if you’re found to be responsible. This policy protects you from having to pay out of pocket.

Limits on Liability Coverage

Your policy will only pay up to a certain amount. Once that amount is reached, you will have to pay out of pocket for any additional expenses. For this reason, it’s important to have enough coverage or to purchase an umbrella policy.

You’ll also need to know what is covered. If you own a swimming pool or trampoline, it may need to be specifically listed in your policy. It may need to meet specific requirements such as a fence or netting around it for protection. You should check with your agent to find out restrictions on your policy. Always alert the agent about any changes, such as if you get a dog or buy a pool or trampoline for your property. You don’t want to find out you are lacking coverage when you file a claim.

You must follow any city or suburb regulations. If you have a swimming pool and aren’t allowed one where you live, you may not be covered because you broke the rules. It’s important to know these details before making a purchase or filing a claim.

You may wonder how much liability coverage you need. Think about medical costs and the expense of care for a major accident. A fall may not be as costly as a drowning incident or dog attack. Figure out what risks you have on your property and choose a limit accordingly. Remember that you are still liable even after reaching the limits on your policy.

Liability coverage is an essential component of house insurance. Be prepared for worst-case scenarios with the right amount of coverage for your needs.

Temporary Living Arrangements in a Disaster

You’ve heard the stories of how people were homeless when a hurricane struck their area. Flooded homes left many without a place to sleep. They were rescued from the flood waters and put in shelters or stadiums until they could return home. When those people found their houses uninhabitable due to the flooding, they had to find a place to live until repairs could be made.

It’s not just with natural disasters that you could end up looking for temporary housing. A major fire or other catastrophe could create your own personal disaster with no place to live. You need to know that you can stay somewhere until your home has been repaired.

Loss of Use Coverage

Home insurance plans have what is known as loss of use coverage. You need to make sure your policy includes it or have it added before you need to file a claim. It’s also known as additional living expenses and covers the costs of temporary living when the person can’t stay in their home.

The coverage may be included in your basic policy or you may need to add it for a small fee. It’s important to check out the details of your policy with your agent to know for use.

What It Covers

Loss of use coverage is part of your house insurance that covers a hotel stay or even temporary rental in an apartment until your home has been repaired or rebuilt. It may also pay for food costs that you incur during this time because you can’t cook and eat in your own kitchen.

You may get help with transportation costs if it puts you at a distance from your home. For instance, in a flood you may need to find a hotel several miles from the disaster area which would mean a longer commute to work.

Limits on Coverage

Some policies for home insurance limit the amount of money paid for these expenses. They may even require you to stay in a specific hotel. For example, you wouldn’t be able to pick out a five-star hotel or eat at an expensive restaurant during this time. There may be a dollar limit for total expenses or a limit on time.

You may be reimbursed for your expenses rather than having the insurance provider pay for the actual costs. Don’t assume that you can charge your expenses and have the provider pay the creditor directly. Most of the time, you’ll need cash to pay for these charges and you’ll get the reimbursement later.

Loss of use coverage is a valuable part of your insurance policy. Make sure it’s included or have it added. Know what the limit is so you can keep your expenses as affordable as possible. The time to ask questions is when you take out the policy, not when you need to use it in a claim. It’s important to know what you need in home insurance in Salt Lake City so that you’re prepared when disaster strikes.

Dealing with Nature for Your Home Insurance Policy

You’ve just bought a beautiful home out in the country, surrounded by trees in an oasis. Now, you can sit back and enjoy the view as you relax in your new surroundings. However, you might not realize that someday you may have to deal with nature as you discover damage to your property. How will this impact your home insurance policy?

Animals and Damage to Your Home

If you live where wild animals run around, such as raccoons, deer or other creatures, you have to deal with their destructive natures. While minor issues such as an overturned garbage can may not seem like a big deal, a family of raccoons taking up residence in your attic is a major problem.

If you discover these animals have caused damage to your home, you may wonder if the repairs are covered by your home insurance policy. Most policies won’t necessarily contain a provision for damage from animals, but it may be implied.

Most people think of the coverage for vandalism, but this may not always fit. If the wording says things like intent to cause harm or done with malice, it wouldn’t describe the animals’ behavior. You’ll need to review your policy to see what provisions would support your claim if a wild animal comes into your home and causes damage.

You also want to take care of any issues immediately. Otherwise, you may not be covered because the insurer will view the problem as neglect on your part. If the damage is caused over time, you may have trouble getting it covered.

Trees and Damage to Your Home

If your dream home is located among the trees in a beautiful wooded area, you may find you have other issues to deal with. That 100-year old tree sitting outside your bedroom window may look wonderful, but it might not be stable. A big windstorm could blow it right over onto your house.

Of course, a scenario like this is covered by insurance as long as you have the right policy. However, there are other situations where you might wonder about your coverage. For example, if a tree limb drops onto a detached garage or shed, you should also be covered, but you want to make sure all outbuildings are included in your policy. If you added a new building and didn’t inform your agent, you may not be covered.

If the tree falls over and didn’t cause any damage, you need to find out if your insurance provider will pay for removal of the tree. Some policies do cover this situation, but you can’t assume it’s the case.

Another situation which may impact your home insurance in Salt Lake City is when your tree falls on a neighbor’s property and causes damage. Your insurance company will probably have to pay for the repairs and cleanup since the tree was your responsibility.

Living in nature can be relaxing and rewarding, but it’s also important to realize it brings about new issues and responsibilities. Talk with your insurance agent to think through various scenarios and make sure you are covered for all potential incidents.

How to Make Traveling with Your Family Safe and Fun This Summer

It’s about that time of year when families will be taking their summer vacations. Whether it’s a trip across the state or across the country, you want to be safe if you’re driving. Even a minor fender bender can cause your Salt Lake City car insurance policy to go up.

Don’t Drive When You’re Too Tired

It’s tempting to keep going if you’re close to your destination, but car accidents happen more frequently when the driver is tired. You aren’t as alert and may not make decisions as quickly as you should. If you’re getting tired or sleepy, let someone else drive or take a break and stop for a few minutes.

Pack in Moderation

Some people like to take everything they think they might need on their trip. The result is less room in the car for the passengers. Learn how to pack light while still bringing all the important stuff for your trip.

Plan for Fun Stops

Do some research beforehand to find out where you will be driving. Look for fun places and activities along your route so you can stop and give the kids a fun break. Even if you’re on a tight budget, you can look for free activities that won’t take too long. Your kids will appreciate the break.

Keep Kids Entertained

You’re going to be spending a lot of time in the car so you want your kids to be entertained. Even if they bring along video games or a tablet for entertainment, they will probably get bored. Find other options to keep them happy. Younger kids might like coloring books while older kids will enjoy games that the entire family can play. Bring books for the reader, puzzles and small toys for young children and plenty of snacks for everyone.

Bring Important Papers

Make sure you have a copy of your car insurance policy and card in case you get in an accident. You don’t want to be in a situation where you don’t have the information to provide if you’re involved in a collision. You’ll want to call your car insurance provider as soon as possible instead of waiting until you get home.

Know Your Coverage If You’re Renting a Car

Make sure your car insurance policy covers you if you rent a car for your vacation. Most rental companies offer daily insurance, but many people turn it down since they have their own car insurance. Just make sure your policy covers you in a rental car. Don’t forget to factor in the deductible if you should have an accident while you’re gone.

Taking a vacation in the car with kids can seem like a daunting task. But it can also be a memorable experience that you’ll look back on with a smile if you plan ahead. Make sure your kids have fun and you stay safe. Don’t forget about reviewing your car insurance so an accident doesn’t ruin your vacation.

How to Switch Car Insurance

Car insurance is a big deal. It costs a lot to keep your car insured. If you can find a cheaper policy, take it. Just make sure you have the right coverage and that you don’t have any lapses in coverage. Here is the best way to switch car insurance in Salt Lake City.

Consider Your Situation

Before you shop for new car insurance, look at how you drive and what insurance coverage you need. Gather all information that will be necessary when getting car insurance quotes. This includes information about any secondary drivers and limits on your coverage. Know your credit score and driving history so you can see where you can save money and where it will cost you extra.

Shop Your Options

Get quotes from all insurance providers for your area. Don’t just look at the big companies, but check with independent agents. Since they offer multiple providers, they can be quite competitive on pricing.

Make sure you are looking at similar policies when you compare the monthly premiums. Just because one company offers a policy with the minimum required coverage limits, it doesn’t mean that every policy has the same type of policy. You want to ensure you aren’t overlooking a policy with higher coverage just because it costs more.

Check for Discounts

Not all insurance companies offer the same discounts. Look for ones that have discounts for which you qualify. Some will give you a reduction in rates if you belong to certain clubs or work for specific employers. When you add in these discounts, you can save quite a bit of money.

Sometimes it’s better to call providers to get quotes. They may be able to offer you a better deal than what you’ll find with online quote sites. You can tell the agent how much insurance coverage you can afford, and they can work to find a policy that fits your needs.

Start Your New Policy Before the Old One Expires

Make sure you have your new policy set up to cover you before your old one is set to expire. You’ll need to call the current provider so that it doesn’t automatically renew. However, you don’t want to have a window of time where you aren’t covered.

It’s a good idea to have the two policies overlap a day so you don’t lose any coverage if you’re out driving. If your current policy has an end date, let it lapse at the end of the coverage period. If you’re switching in the middle of your current policy, make sure you know when the new one will start. Generally, it is the day when you make your first payment, but you don’t want to assume you know when it will begin.

It’s a good idea to review your options and find the car insurance which offers the best price. However, you need to know the right way to switch insurance providers so you don’t lose out on any coverage.

Car Insurance and Auto Theft

If you purchase comprehensive car insurance in Salt Lake City, you are likely covered if your car should be stolen. You might want to make sure there are no exclusions you aren’t aware of because theft is a common issue, especially in larger cities.

Avoid Car Theft

The first step for any car owner is to take steps to avoid being the victim of car theft. One of the most basic things you can do is always lock your car. Many thefts occur at the victim’s home, so keep your car locked even when you have it parked in your own driveway.

Park in well-lit areas when you go out at night. Avoid parking near trees, dumpsters or other areas where thieves can access your vehicle without being seen.

If you live or work in a high-crime area, you might want to consider installing the latest security equipment. However, you don’t want to rely on it to prevent theft because thieves are adept at disabling these gadgets.

If Your Car is Stolen

Report your situation to the police immediately if your car is stolen. You’ll also need to call your insurance company. Don’t assume that an older car will be less appealing to thieves. They like these models for the parts while newer cars also appeal because they are popular.

Be prepared that your car won’t be recovered without damage. If it takes more than a few hours to locate your vehicle, it may be stripped, wrecked or suffer other damage.

Have the Right Coverage

While comprehensive coverage on your Salt Lake City auto insurance policy will pay for damage or replacement, it’s not the only coverage you need. If your vehicle has been disabled, you will need roadside assistance to have it towed to the nearest repair shop.

You also need rental car insurance so you can get where you need to go while your car is being repaired or even before it’s been found. Otherwise, you won’t be able to go anywhere or will have to pay for the rental car out of pocket.

If you are financing your car, you want to make sure you have gap insurance. If your car is damaged beyond repair or a total loss for some reason, you’ll want to pay off your loan even if your car is valued at less than what you owe. Gap insurance pays the difference between the value of the car and the amount of the loan. Sometimes, it even includes $1000 or so for the down payment on a new vehicle. If your car has been totaled, you won’t have it as a trade-in and may need cash for a new vehicle.

Having your car stolen can be a big hassle and costly expense if you don’t have the right coverage with your auto insurance. Protect yourself by knowing what coverage you have. Make sure you do all you can to prevent theft of your vehicle and take action if it should happen to you.

What You Need to Know about Home Insurance and Swimming Pools

Whether you’re shopping around for a new home or you’re considering installing a swimming pool in your back yard, you’re making a big decision which could have an impact for years to come. While you may be focused on how much fun it is to spend those hot summer days in the water, you don’t want to forget about the responsibility of owning a pool and how it will affect your home insurance in Salt Lake City and elsewhere.

Liability

You will be liable for any accidents that occur in or around the swimming pool. If your kids invite friends over for a pool party or you have little children playing outside, you want to make sure you’re protected from any potential accidents.

You should let your insurance company know you’re installing a pool. If you’re buying a property, the carrier will ask about a pool when you get property insurance quotes. A swimming pool on the property may raise your rates, but you want to have enough coverage if you ever have to file a claim.

You can potentially reduce your rates if you have a locked fence around the pool. You might want to ask your agent what other steps you can take to make the swimming pool safer and lower your insurance premiums.

Don’t skimp on insurance because of high premiums. A drowning accident can result in an expensive lawsuit, especially if it leads to death.

Damage to the Swimming Pool

A storm comes through your neighborhood and tree limbs are knocked down. Your homeowner’s insurance policy will probably provide coverage for those tree limbs to be removed. It may cover any repairs to the pool as well. However, you shouldn’t assume this is the case. You’ll want to find out before something happens if your pool is covered by the same limits as the other structures on your property.

It’s also important to understand that some issues won’t be covered. For instance, if your pool freezes and causes damage, you’ll most likely be liable for any repairs. If the pool leaks and causes water damage to your home, you may also have to pay out of pocket for any repairs. It’s a good idea to discuss these exclusions with your insurance agent. They may alert you to potential problems you aren’t aware of from their experience in dealing with claims.

Added Coverage

You may decide that your home insurance policy just isn’t enough for your peace of mind. You can get an umbrella policy to cover you for additional expenses in a serious accident. People often purchase them for $1 million or more to cover for serious injuries or damages that go well beyond their standard policy.

Having a swimming pool can be rewarding and enjoyable, but it comes with certain responsibilities. Make sure you’re prepared before you install that pool or buy that house with a pool in the back yard. With the right amount of home insurance, you can enjoy it with no worries.

Natural Disasters that Can Affect Your Home Insurance in Salt Lake City

You go through life seldom thinking about home insurance in Salt Lake City. You got your coverage when you bought your home, and never gave it another thought. Then, life happens. A natural disaster occurs and your home and life are impacted. You wonder if you had enough insurance to take care of the expenses left from the catastrophe. It’s now too late to do anything about your coverage.

Don’t wait until disaster strikes to begin thinking about your home insurance. Consider the major disasters that could occur and make sure you’re protected for each one.

Flooding

While hurricanes aren’t an issue in Utah, incessant amounts of rain can lead to flooding. Most insurance policies don’t cover water damage to a home caused by flooding. You may need to ask for a separate policy for flood insurance if there’s a risk to your home.

To know if you’re at risk, think about where you live in proximity to rivers, creeks or lakes. You may even want to research and find out when was the last time a flood occurred in your area. If it seems possible, you should talk to your insurance agent about getting the necessary coverage.

Earthquakes

Salt Lake City lies along the Wasatch Fault, which has the ability to create an earthquake of at least a 6.0 magnitude. With this size of earthquake, you could expect a lot of damage to your home, depending on how it was built.

Most standard homeowner insurance policies don’t cover earthquakes. You would need to purchase additional insurance that specifically covers earthquakes. While it may never happen, you don’t want to wait until after the disaster to think about the costs you’ve incurred.

Avalanches

One of the disasters unique to only a handful of states is the risk of avalanches. The most significant danger is for a person to be buried under the snow if an avalanche should occur. However, homes that are located in the area of a possible slide are also at risk for damage. Most standard policies won’t cover this kind of natural disaster, which means you’ll need special coverage.

The snow from an avalanche can reach speeds of well over 50 miles per hour. It can cause damage to anything in its path. If a home is located somewhere down the mountain, it could be impacted.