Are All Insurance Agents The Same?

September 6th, 2010

Are All Insurance Agents The Same?

(NAPS)—To get the best deal on insurance, many people consult an insurance agent or broker. But did you know that there are different kinds of insurance agents and brokers—and the one you choose can make a big difference in the type of service you get and the choices you’re offered?
Here’s the difference:
Captive agents and brokers. Captive agents work with a specific insurance company, and as part of their business agreement with that company, they can offer only that company’s insurance products. They may also be required to sell other products from that company, such as annuities and investment plans.
Independent agents and brokers. Independent agents and brokers can offer products from many insurance companies. This helps them better serve your interests, as they can review multiple options to find a policy and rate that’s right for you. Insurance rates vary from company to company. Independent agents can put together a customized insurance plan.
If you’re ready to contact an independent agent to talk about saving money on car insurance, here are a few things to consider:
Has your life situation changed recently? Many factors determine auto insurance rates, not just vehicle year, make, model, body type and engine size. If you’ve recently moved, gotten married, had a birthday or experienced a similar life milestone, mention this to an independent agent or broker. You may be eligible to save money on your car insurance.

Is your car getting older? You don’t always need the same level of physical damage coverage on older cars as on newer ones. If you drive an older car, an independent agent or broker can advise you on what level of cover-age makes the most sense. Raising your deductible could save you money each year, too.
Do you have another type of vehicle that also needs cover¬age? If you have a motorcycle, boat, RV or other “toy,” you might save money by having it covered by the same company that insures your car. Talk to an independent agent or broker about it.
Another plus to working with an independent agent or broker is their ability to offer guidance for all your insurance needs—auto, home, life, business and more. They can customize a package of policies just for you.
To learn more or to find an independent agent visit www.lesliekays.com

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Get Your Finances In Gear For The New Year

September 6th, 2010

Get Your Finances In Gear For The New Year

(NAPS)—This time of year, thoughts turn to year-end financial matters: paying holiday bills, preparing your tax return and more. It’s also a great time to review the general state of your finances to see if you need to make any changes in the coming year.
Many people don’t consider the importance of insurance in an overall financial plan. But the fact is, no matter how hard you work to build wealth, failure to purchase adequate insurance can be your undoing. On the other hand, pay-ing for coverage you don’t need can also sap your budget. Finding the right balance can be a challenge.
That’s why now is a good time to sit down with an independent insurance agent and review your needs. Think of an insurance agent as a vital information source, one that can help think through an individual situation and can put together a package of policies, coverage and price that meets specific needs.
An independent agent can ask the right questions to help better determine the kind of insurance needed.
Because an independent agent can check prices from many different companies, he or she can help get the maximum coverage at reasonable cost.
Here are just a few of the questions to ask an independent agent as you consider an overall financial plan:
What type of policy is right for me? This depends on factors such as budget, the amount of coverage needed and the level of ser-

vice you want from an insurance company. Finding the appropriate level of coverage is important. You don’t want to overpay for coverage not needed, but you also want to keep in mind that the worst experience is to have a claim, then discover there’s not enough coverage.
How do rates from different companies compare? Independent agents are licensed to represent multiple insurance companies, so they can shop multiple companies to get the coverage you need at an attractive price.
Are there other ways to save? As a person’s situation evolves—he or she gets married, has kids, buys a new car—check in with an independent agent. Companies offer various discounts for such life changes, and this information could help the agent find additional savings.

Go to www.lesliekays.com and submit your quote request today.

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Keeping Fido Safe on the Road

August 31st, 2010

Keeping Fido safe on the road (June 2008)

Pet owners spend a whopping $40 billion on their furry friends each year. That’s enough to buy a gallon of gas for every man, woman and child in the United States … 44 times.
Insurance companies haven’t always viewed pets with the same passion as their owners. If you’re in an accident, generally everyone in the car – except your four-legged friend – is covered.

The Progressive Group of Insurance Companies now recognizes Fido and Fifi as family members. A Progressive policy with Collision coverage now extends to cats and dogs. The coverage pays up to $500 if your dog or cat is hurt or dies as a result of a car accident.

And, best of all, the coverage is free.

“We know how much our customers love their dogs and cats. Many of us have pets, too, and we feel the same way,” said Geoff Souser of Progressive. “Progressive has a long history of product and service innovations that prove you can teach an old dog new tricks. Knowing that most people think of their pets as family members, it felt like the right thing to do.”

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Uncovering Auto Insurance Myths

August 31st, 2010

Fact vs. Fiction: Uncovering auto insurance myths (March 2008)

Like a teenager eager to try a new video game, playing before reading the rules, many drivers buy insurance without really understanding what they’re buying.
In the rush to feel “covered,” they can skip the details. That can lead to frustration.
Following are five insurance myths heard by some of the more than 13,000 claims people at Progressive, one of the country’s largest auto insurance companies:

Myth: I bought “full coverage” so everything’s paid for.
Reality: There is no such thing as “full coverage.” In most states, only liability insurance is mandatory. There are a lot of other coverage options out there, so select what you need and can afford based on your personal situation.

Myth: I need three estimates before my wrecked vehicle can be repaired.
Reality: Not necessarily. Very few insurers actually require this, although some might. If you decide to use a shop that’s in an insurance company’s “network” of pre-approved shops you may just have to get an estimate from that shop.

Myth: My insurance premium always increases if I’m involved in an accident.
Reality: It depends. Your rate can increase, decrease or stay the same. The information about your accident is combined with other information about you, your car and your driving history to determine your rate.

Myth: If I lend my car to someone and he/she crashes it, I’m covered.
Reality: Not so fast. If you or your friend don’t have optional physical damage coverages, damage to your vehicle generally won’t be covered.

Myth: If I buy a new car, my auto insurance company automatically knows; and my new car is covered.
Reality: No. Most insurance companies require that you notify them or your agent within a specified number of days. Generally, you have 30 days to add the new vehicle to your policy.
“Insurance can be complicated,” says Chuck Crist of Progressive. “It’s not something people deal with every day. So the more informed you are, the better choices you’ll make.”

Contact www.lesliekays.com for more information or call 866-367-1788

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Putting Insurance Companies to Work for You

August 31st, 2010

Putting Insurance Companies To Work For You

(NAPS)—Car insurance may be one of the last things that comes to mind when you think about saving time, but the insurance company you choose can actually have a big impact on your time should trouble strike.
If you’re in an accident that results in a claim, you could spend days handling the claims/repair process yourself.
That’s one reason it’s a good idea to check out insurance options that can save you time. For instance, the concierge-level of claims service offered by The Progressive Group of Insurance Companies is a unique claims repair option that takes only 15 minutes to complete. Simply drop off the damaged vehicle at one of Progressive’s facilities offering this service and a claims representative handles the entire claims/repair process for you— from start to finish.
Here’s how the process works:
You can call or go online to report a claim—anytime of the day or night—and schedule an appointment to bring the vehicle to a nearby facility offering the concierge-level of claims service.
In about 15 minutes, you’re in a rental car (if included on your policy) with assurance that you’ll receive updates from your claims representative.
Your claims representative prepares a repair estimate and

contacts an auto body shop that has met strict quality requirements. Progressive and the shop reach an agreement on the cost of the repairs and the shop trans-ports the vehicle to the facility to begin repairs.
When work is finished, the vehicle is returned to the insurance facility, where your claims representative and the body shop inspect the repairs.
After the insurance company is satisfied with the repairs, you are called to pick up your car. You inspect the repairs and, if satisfied, drive off with a guarantee on those repairs for as long as you own the vehicle.

Throughout the process, you receive updates via phone or online. For more information, visit www.lesliekays.com or Call 866-367-1788

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