May Insurance Tips

 

Summer is on it's way! Before we know it there will be Memorial Day barbecues and weekends at the lake.

 

That's why now is a great time to review extra insurance coverage on all your summer toys. Read below for things to consider and review with your insurance agent before the big items come out of Winter storage.

 

RV - Your motorhome or travel trailer needs insurance coverage, especially if you'll be driving or pulling it this year. Even if you don't have a loan on your RV, you will want it covered for theft or damage. Whether they are parked on a lake lot for the season or driving cross country, we offer RV policies to fit your needs. Just call us for a quote.

 

Boat - The same thing goes for your boats and jet skis. You've made a big investment and it's important to protect them. Not only should you worry about damage to your boat, but also make sure you have the proper amount of liability coverage. Don't forget your life jackets!

 

Motorcycle - Ready to hit the road for a long drive? Remember to brush up on your safety skills and always wear a helmet. Don't forget to make sure your motorcycle has liability coverage just like your vehicle! We can help you determine what coverage you need.

 

Swimming Pool - If you own a pool, then you need extra liability coverage including a Personal Umbrella Policy. Don't skimp on your coverage and make sure you have the pool area secured and safe.

 

Summer is a lot more fun when you know that your high price recreational items are properly insured and protected. Take the time to call us for a quote or to review your current coverage. Call 615-793-9000 today!

 

 

 



Auto Insurance for New Graduates



So you just graduated and are ready to go out on your own. You've figured out your rent and have your own car, but now you need insurance. Where to begin?

 

Here's a few things you need to know...

 

First, you must have liability insurance. It's required by the state and pays to fix the vehicle of anyone you might hit or to fix property that you might damage in an accident. Liability coverage fixes the other person's car.

 

If you want your car to be covered, then you'll need comprehensive and collision. It costs a bit more, but protects your vehicle. You'll be required to have this if you are paying off a car loan.

 

You always want to make sure your insurance is paid in a timely manner. If not, you run the risk of not being covered if you have an accident and receiving a ticket for not having proof of coverage (which can get very expensive!).

 

If you are afraid you can't make the payment on time, call us at 615-793-9000 and let us review your policy and discuss your options.

 

How can you lower your insurance cost? Having a good credit score, not having tickets or accidents, and having regular insurance reviews will keep your cost manageable. Let Webb Pickard Insurance & Investment Services work with you to create an affordable plan that will protect you while also giving you the most bang for your buck.

 

Give us a call at 615-793-9000 to get started today!

 

 



Insurance Basics When You're Buying a Home

Many of our clients begin house hunting during the Spring and Summer months. And, while you may know all the basics to getting a mortgage and finding the perfect house, many people have no clue where to begin in looking for homeowners insurance.

That's where we come in!

Home buying is a long and sometimes stressful process, but the insurance doesn't have to be. Here's how to make it incredibly simple.

When you find the right home and have an accepted offer, let your lender know that we'll be handling your insurance.

They'll typically send us the loan information, but you can speed up the process by calling us and letting one of our agents get all of the important details. We'll need to know things like what year the home was built, how many square feet, what construction materials, and other items like that.

Then we'll contact your lender to determine the closing date and the mortgagee clause. (You don't need to worry about this! Just let us know who is taking care of your loan and we'll handle the details.)

We'll get all of the insurance documents to your lender before the closing date and you'll be ready to go!

To save a little extra on your home policy, let us know about any security systems or if you'd like us to quote your auto insurance at the same time.

Home buying can be stressful, the insurance side is really simple with the right communication and team. Call us at 615-793-9000 today to discuss your new home.

Insurance for Your Boat

It won't be long now before you're back out on the water. Are you counting down the days?

While everyone loves to hit the lake on the boat, there are a few things you need to take care of first.

Are you properly covered?

A lot of people skip boat insurance in order to save money. However, that's a very risky idea!

First, without coverage, you're risking all the money you spent on your boat. Would you drive your expensive car without insurance? Probably not!

Second, boats are a liability exposure. That means that they open you up to lawsuits. If you were to have an accident and damage someone's boat or personal property, then you could be held responsible.

With the proper insurance coverage, you'd be protected! In fact, we typically recommend that clients with a high level of assets purchase extra liability coverage.

All in all, purchasing boat owners insurance is a simple way to give yourself a lot of peace of mind. Who wants to worry about insurance when they are out on the water?

Call us today at 615-793-9000 for a free quote on your boat or watercraft.

April Home Maintenance Tasks

 

April has arrived and brought Spring with it! There is no better time than now to get focused on home maintenance and Spring cleaning. Here are a few things you can do in April to protect (and organize) your home.

 

Check for Damage - Winter can be really hard on your home. A quick inspection around your property can reveal a lot of home improvement projects! Look for any damage to your roof or outdoor window screens and doors. Make note of chipped paint or areas that are in need of general maintenance. Decide what you can do yourself and what will require a professional.

 

Spring Clean - Now it's time to tackle the inside of your home. Start working on clearing out and donating unused items (think tax deduction next year!). This could be the perfect time to take inventory of any high value items that need to be documented for your insurance, like guns, artwork, and jewelry.

 

Organize Your Tax Documents - You probably just finished your taxes in the past few weeks. Were all of your documents easy to locate? What could make the process even easier next year? Update your filing system or schedule a meeting with your accountant and get prepared now.

 

Car Maintenance - April is Car Care Month. If you've been putting off an oil change or a tune-up, get it scheduled now. Your car will run better and maintain it's value longer!

 

Spruce Up Your Porch - How does your front porch look these days? Could it use a little extra care? Buy a new welcome mat, plant a pot of flowers, and make sure you can easily ready your house numbers.

 

Get Great Homeowners Insurance - The best way to protect your home? Having the right amount of insurance! Let us give you a no-obligation review of your current policy. Call 615-793-9000 to schedule your appointment today.

 



March Home Maintenance Tasks

Today we are sharing a short list of tasks that you can do to help take care of your home, vehicle, and family. Consider them a helpful reminder of what needs to get accomplished throughout the month to keep your important items protected.

Order A Credit Report - March is Credit Education Month.  One of the most important things you can do to protect your credit score (besides paying your bills on time) is to closely monitor your credit report.

The credit reporting agencies make mistakes.  That’s why you must be vigilant in reviewing your report each year and requesting corrections.  This is especially true if you’ve been the victim of identity theft.  Get a free copy of your report from all major credit bureaus each year at www.annualcreditreport.com.  You can also check your credit score for free at www.creditkarma.com. 

 

Make A Severe Weather Plan
- Spring is known for strong storms.  That’s why it’s good to have a plan ready before the bad weather arrives.  Choose a place of shelter in your home (preferably with no windows or exterior walls) and gather up a small kit of supplies just in case.  Include water, batteries, and flashlights.

Change Batteries In Your Smoke Detectors - Such a small task can be a lifesaver if you were to have a home fire.  Plan to switch out batteries at every time change.  This month, time will “Spring forward” on March 9th. 

Get A Life Insurance Quote - According to a survey by the Life Foundation, 33% say they don’t have enough life insurance, including one-fourth who already have a policy! 

If this is you, call us today at 615-793-9000 for a free, no-obligation quote on affordable life insurance.

 

Protect Your Kids (And Grandkids) - March is Poison Prevention Month.  Go through your home and look for any hazardous chemicals or cleaning supplies that could be easily accessed by a child. 

Kitchen and bathroom sink areas and garages are especially dangerous.  Lock these items in a cabinet or place in an area out of reach.  Also make sure to have the phone number for the local poison control center in case of an emergency. 

 

Start Landscaping - Yes, it’s probably a little early for this one, but who isn’t ready to get outside after a long winter? 

 

Landscaping can add thousands of dollars in value to your home.  Start planning your spring flowers and garden now. 

These should keep you busy all March long!  Let us know if we can assist you in any way with your auto, home, business, or life insurance.  Call Webb Pickard Insurance at 615-793-9000 or stop by our office at 5258 Murfreesboro Rd., La Vergne, TN  37086.

 

 

 

Tips For Saving Money On Groceries

We already work hard to help you save money on your personal insurance (while getting the very best coverage).  Groceries are also one of the biggest items in most family budgets.  They’re a necessity, but it can be hard to make a plan.  Without careful management, your grocery budget can quickly get out of control. 

Here are a few simple ways to plan ahead and save money! 

Menu Plan - Menu planning is the easiest and most effective way to cut your grocery budget.  When you plan your meals in advance, then you know exactly what items you need and can easily stick to a list and a budget. 

If you plan on shopping weekly, go ahead and make a list of your family’s favorite dinner meals.  Then plan lunches, breakfasts, and snacks.  Shop through your refrigerator and pantry first to see what you already have on hand.  Then make a list and stick to it! 

Make A Standard List - We all have certain items that we purchase every single time we go to the store.  Milk, bread, and orange juice might be a staple in your home.  Make a basic list that you start from every week.  That way you know what needs to be replaced without wasting a lot of time starting from scratch. Estimate the prices of the items on your list. That will give you an idea of how much this trip will cost and help you stay within budget.

Check For Sales - Most grocery stores put out their sales flyer each Wednesday.  The majority are also listed on the store’s website!  Pull this up while making your menus and plan around what is on sale.  Great price on chicken?  Put that on your meal plan!  You’ll save money and create variety in your meals.

Purchase In-Season Produce - Produce can be expensive, but is important in creating healthy meals.  Lower your cost by only purchasing produce that is in season.  Search online for lists of seasonal produce to help you plan. 

Use Coupons - Many grocery stores will offer great coupons in their weekly circular or via their frequent shopper programs.  Make sure you sign up for those free cards that are scanned at checkout since they can save you tons of money! 

Check out the coupons in the Sunday paper as well.  Don’t just buy items because you have a coupon!  Make sure it is something you will actually use first or you won’t save much in the long run.

Skip Pre-Cut Items - Prepared and Pre-Cut foods can cost twice as much as those you prepare yourself.  For example, wash and cut your own carrots rather than buying a bag of baby carrots.  You’ll save money and still get great food.

Shop As Little As Possible - The more you go in the store, the more you will spend.  Skip the temptation by limiting your grocery shopping as much as possible.

The key to saving on groceries is to be prepared! Check sales and coupons, plan menus, and don't go in the store without a list. These are just some ways you can trim your budget in 2014!

And, if you're still looking to save on your insurance in Tennessee, give Webb Pickard Insurance & Investment Services a call at 615-793-9000 for a free quote!