Most standard homeowners, renters and business insurance policies do not cover damage from earthquakes. In an average year Indiana residents pay $31, 161 for additional earthquake coverage. That premium amount ranks us the 9th highest for additional premium paid to cover earthquake.
Continue readingMarijuana use is surpassing alcohol use among teen drivers, according to a recent study by Liberty Mutual and SADD(Students Against Destructive Decisions). 20% reported having driven under the influence of marijuana and 36% who responded yes said the marijuana did not distract their driving! On the other hand, 13% reported having driven under the influence of alchohol and 19% who responded yes said the alcohol did not distract their driving!
Continue readingDo you have a God-son/God-daughter?
Grandson/Granddaughter?
Nephew/Niece?
Or maybe you just want to protect your own child?
I strongly recommend you look into a children’s life insurance policy.
One of the best gifts/investments you can ever make for a child you care about!
If you started a child life policy with a face amount of $25,000, automatically at age 18 coverage would go to $37,500(with no increase in premium) and then at 25 the face amount would increase again to $50,000(again with no increase in premium)
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In nearly every case, the answer is no. The only exception to this might be if your home policy has a special endorsement.
Most home insurance policies give a very limited amount of coverage for your business property, such as a computer, etc.
Ultimately you need separate business insurance to cover your business risks.
If any of this information applies to you please let us know so we can make sure you are properly covered.
Hoping that your home insurance policy covers you in the event of a claim will leave you frustrated if your business experiences a loss.
Continue readingOur Commitment to You!!!
1. Respond to all communication in a timely manner
2. Always be accountable
3. Represent the most competitive and financially stable insurance companies
4. Keep you informed and educated through periodic emails/direct mail
5. www.wenc-insurance.com available 24/7 for claim reporting and payment options
6. Invest time and money into continuing education for our entire staff
Continue readingThe person who was at fault in the accident would have property damage coverage on their auto insurance that would apply to your front yard. Examples would be: replacing flowers, grass seed, plants, bushes etc.
It is important that you collect the information from the people involved in the accident so you can notify their insurance company.
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On your standard home policy under personal property, IT EXCLUDES THEFT OF PERSONAL PROPERTY DURING THE TIME YOU ARE RENTING THE HOME OUT. But you can add an endorsement! The endorsement does not cover theft by the tenant…only covers theft while the tenant is away…Example…tenant rushes to the game and forgets to lock the door and the house gets broken into…this is covered since theft isn’t done by the tenant.
Continue readingCommunication is something we all know is necessary to keep any relationship strong! The three most common forms of communication are in person, on the phone and thru email.
www.askwenc.com has tons of common insurance tips and answers to questions. You can also access billing & claim handling 24/7 there as well! We also have quarterly newsletters via US mail. Not to mention that we make contact upon every renewal, to make sure you are happy.
We understand that every client is unique on their preferred method of communication, which is why we do everything we can to make sure we are available thru multiple methods.
Congrats to Kelly Rynard winner of the 2011 Referral Reward Program!
Click here for my 2012 Referral Reward program
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Yes. Assuming you are current on all policy payments. Make sure you keep your address and beneficiaries up to date.
Continue readingDo you want to win my 2012 referral program, but don’t know how? The easiest way is by having a friend, family member or co-worker that already is with one of our companies. AAA, Travelers, Grange, Safeco, Auto Owners and Progressive to name a few…If they have a current agent that they are indifferent about, don’t like, or want better service, they can switch to us and keep everything else with their policy the exact same. Even better we will automatically review their coverage and pricing just to make sure improvements aren’t needed. They can’t lose, and you can win!
Continue readingThe #1 reason is being prepared for a disaster!
If you are affected by a fire, burglary, tornado or other loss, an inventory will provide you with the ability to remember and prove what you own(ed).
A thorough written report-supported by a detailed album of photos-will help you remember your belongings.
The insurance institute states that those with an inventory settle their claims faster and are able to maximize their settlement.
I recommend two options:
Continue readingIt depends!
A standard auto policy only covers certain territory:
1. Within any state, territory, or possession of the USA. 2. Any province of Canada.
There is no coverage in Mexico or Europe! If you are on vacation within the US or Canada your current auto policy coverage will transfer to the rental car MOST OF THE TIME. Always call to verify so we can make sure your situation is covered.
If you have liability only on your auto policy, you want to select the insurance they offer at the rental car place to cover damage to the car since you do not have full coverage on your existing policy.
Continue readingAskWenc.com was created to be an online resource for current clients.
Now you have an online site dedicated to you and your insurance needs from insurance expert Scott Wenclewicz. It is a place you can get some of the most common insurance questions answered, along with valuable information you would never think of asking.
You will still receive your emails about every two weeks with helpful insurance tips, along with direct mail pieces about every quarter.
There may be a few “bugs” so let me know since we just launched 10/25/11!
You can look forward to much more content added in the future.
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“Sorry we will not renew your policy”
Believe it or not there are many people that get dropped from their insurance company for either too many claims; speeding tickets or they have someone in their residence or business with a DUI. Abandoned by their company, people scramble spending lots of time trying to figure out what insurance company will protect them again.
Rest assured that this will never happen to you! If ever you have had too many claims or violations and the current company you are with decides to non-renew your policy, we will be pro-active. Before you even get a notice in the mail, we will have already contacted you with a solution and a company that is right for you.
I write this because in just the last month I have 4 new clients that were non-renewed (abandoned) by their previous insurance company.
The benefits and value you receive by being insured with an independent agent are numerous, but peace of mind should be at the top of the list. You know that whatever lies ahead we will be there for you to make sure you are never left without the proper protection and advice.
Continue readingUnder Coverage C(personal property) for a renter/condo/home policy all companies have a limit for theft of jewelry.
The exact wording reads…$1,500 for loss by theft of jewelry, watches, furs, precious and semiprecious stones.
What do you do if you want to protect your ring? You can add an endorsement to your policy!
Typically, the additional premium to insured a wedding ring would be $7-$12/per thousand for the year. All you need is an appraisal/receipt of purchase.
There are two other benefits besides being covered for the full amount:
1-You have a zero dollar deductible for all the items on the endorsement
2-You would also be covered if lost and/or mysterious disappearance of the item(s)
Continue readingTake these steps immediately…
Fire/Smoke Damage
-Immediately turn off heating/air conditioning system to prevent migration of soot and odor to the remainder of the property. If you must use it, change the filter first.
-DO NOT let anyone touch or sit on draperies, bedspreads, upholstered furniture, etc.
-Call Hays & Sons Complete Restoration (317) 788-0911
Water Damage
-Turn off the source of water!
-Elevate furniture; use unstained wood blocks to prop up furniture.
-Remove anything lying on floor that might leave a stain.
-Call Hays & Sons Complete Restoration (317) 788-0911
Vandalism
-Be sure home is securable
-Immediately call Hays & Sons Complete Restoration (317) 788-0911
Access our website www.wenc-insurance.com to report the claim directly to your company, but the steps listed above will help prevent further damage.
Continue readingWhat??? That makes no sense, unless you have a loss…
On most Standard Property Policies(renters/condo/home/business) There is a limit on how much the insurance company will pay for cash that was involved in the loss.
Whether it be theft, fire or tornado the standard contract reads as follows:
SPECIAL LIMITS ON CERTAIN PROPERTY(Coverage C)
$200- Money, bank notes, coins and medals.
So no matter how much money was stolen or destroyed, only $200 will be reimbursed. Think twice about stashing money under your mattress!
Continue readingOf all the appliances in your home, the water heater and washing machine are the most likely to cause serious damage…
1 out of every 10 water-damage claims are traced to malfunctioning water heaters and washing machines. These two machines are more likely than Mother Nature to cause damage to your home.
In fact, water is the most common cause of home damage today, even more likely than fire!
My advice on reducing your chances of water damage:
Replace old water heaters. They do damage when they get too old and the tank rusts and bursts. Replace your tank once a decade.
Stainless steel hoses. Inspect standard rubber or plastic hoses used with the appliances and consider replacing them with stainless steel-braided or mesh hoses. A $10 braided steel hose can save thousands.
Turn it off before you leave. Don’t leave dishwashers and washing machines running if you leave the house.
Check attic air conditioners. At least once a year, go up to the attic or roof to check these appliances. Look for wear and tear or loose connections.
Continue readingHere are some helpful hints to spot potential fire hazards at your residence:
Bedroom
-Smokers in bed cause 10,000 fires a year and smoking is the leading cause of death in residential fires
-Make sure no clothing or other items are near lights, especially in the closets
Kitchen
-The #1 site for home fires
-Keep fire extinguishers in the kitchen near an exit door and check expiration dates
Attic
-Danger-Combustible items in concealed spaces
-Never leave wiring or cabling exposed
Exterior
-Special attention to chimney’s-make sure you have a chimney screen; hot ashes can escape and ignite your roof or trees on fire
-Have your chimney cleaned every year
Basement
-Your primary heat and power sources are prime for fire hazards
-Never store paints, solvents and gasoline near heating equipment
Garage
-Arson is leading cause of garage fires
-To deter arson, keep your garage door closed and locked
Homeowner/Condo/Renter Insurance cover fire loss; however prevention can be very simple by following these tips.
Continue readingYou might think only wealthy(who defines wealthy anyway?) people need the added protection an umbrella policy provides.
But in today’s society, lawsuits-and large jury verdicts-are very common. Anyone with assets should CONSIDER carrying an umbrella policy($200-$300/yr for $1 million)
A personal liability(umbrella) policy sits over your existing auto and homeowners policies and shields you from claims that exceed your underlying policy limits.
For example, say you are required to pay damages of $700,000 from an auto accident you unintentionally caused. Your auto policy has a liability limit of $300,000.
But, fortunately, if you carry a $1 million umbrella policy, it will cover the $400,000 in damages that exceed your auto policy’s limit.
Continue readingIn case you don’t know or forgot exactly what areas we specialize in and the companies we represent…
Below is a list of all the companies, with access to many more through brokerages if needed.
Companies:
AAA
Auto-Owners
Grange
Progressive
Safeco
Travelers
Arlington/Roe(brokerage, access to several more companies for business insurance primarily)
Market Share(brokerage, access to several more life insurance companies)
Below is a list of the areas that we specialize in:
Products:
Auto
Business
Home/Condo/Renters
Life
Motorcycles/Boat/RV’s
Continue readingThere are many kinds of life insurance, but they generally fall into two categories:
Term insurance, the most affordable type of insurance when initially purchased, is designed to meet temporary needs. It provides protection for a specific period of time (the “term”) and generally pays a benefit only if you die during the term. This type of insurance often makes sense when you have a need for coverage that will disappear at a specific point in time. For instance, you may decide that you only need coverage until your children graduate from college or a particular debt is paid off, such as your mortgage.
Permanent Insurance, by contrast provides lifelong protection. As long as you pay the premiums, and no loans, withdrawals or surrenders are taken, the full face amount will be paid. Because it is designed to last a lifetime, permanent life insurance accumulates cash value and is priced for you to keep over a long period of time.
Give me a call to discuss which type of life insurance is better because the kind of coverage that’s right for you depends on your unique circumstances and financial goals.
Continue readingWhen we enlist the services of any professional, aren’t we really looking for someone we can trust-someone proven who comes highly recommended and is willing to go the extra mile?
Working by referral is the commitment we have made to provide you with unsurpassed service whenever you need us, and to maintain long-term relationships that will offer added benefits for years to come.
Our primary sources of new business are referrals from people who know and respect us. Since we don’t have to spend excessive amounts of time prospecting and promoting Wenclewicz Insurance, we can focus our time and resources on the tasks that benefit you most, and always deliver truly exceptional service.
We want to earn your confidence and your referrals; therefore we have a vested interest in making sure that you are completely satisfied. Our goal is that you will be so impressed that you can’t wait to tell your friends and family about us and the fantastic service you received.
Continue readingThe aftermath of a loss is the worst possible time to find out your property is underinsured, yet many are in this predicament following the record-breaking 2011 severe thunderstorm season.
It has become common for replacement costs to exceed a property’s market value, which makes it tough to understand the importance of insuring a property to its full replacement value.
Market Value-is the current price at which a property can be bought or sold and varies on supply and demand.
Replacement Cost Estimate-is the approx cost to rebuild with materials of like kind and quality.
There can be large disparities between the two values in many markets. Consider the following:
City Sale Price Reconstruction Cost Percentage Difference
Cape Coral-Ft Myers, FL $91,800 $238,600 159.9%
Phoenix-Scottsdale, AZ $126,700 $205,700 62.3%
Las Vegas, NV $128,300 $201,300 56.9%
Sacramento, CA $169,400 $243,000 40.1%
Cost is always a factor in insurance purchasing decisions. But you should always make sure that saving money doesn’t come at the expense of adequate insurance coverage.
Continue readingOn average dogs bite 4.7 million people every year, and 800,000 of those bitten seek medical attention.
According to the Insurance Information Institute(III), dog bites accounted for about 25 of all homeowners insurance liability claims last year. The III said insurers paid out $412 million for dog-bite claims in 2010.
A dog-bite claim in 2010 cost $26,166 on average!!!
Check with us to make sure you are properly insured through your homeowners and/or personal umbrella liability policies. In some cases Vicious dogs(Chow/Doberman/Pit Bull) or Dogs with prior bite history, you have limited or no coverage depending on what company you are with.
Some tips to help minimize your liability exposure:
-Train and socialize your dog.
-Spay/Neuter your dog, sterilized dogs are much less likely to bite.
-Never let your dog run at large.
-Keep you dog away from strangers.
-Don’t have a dog…Thanks Mr. Obvious
Continue readingIf you have to REPLACE the window/windshield your comprehensive deductible would apply (most of the time the damage doesn’t even equal your deductible, so you would be out of pocket)
If it can be REPAIRED without replacing, MOST insurance companies we represent will waive your deductible (they will do it for free)
I highly recommend Safelite, they have 3 locations in Central Indiana and they are experts that insurance companies would send you to anyway.
A typical front windshield costs anywhere from $200-$300 to completely replace!
See below for their website and locations in Central Indiana (they are national):
www.safelite.com
North
4625 West 86th Street, Indianapolis – (317) 614-4200
Downtown
711 West Henry Street, Indianapolis – (317) 888-5558
East
7360 Pendleton Pike, Indianapolis – (317) 541-8400
Continue readingIt amazes me how many people think buying on-line is the way to go. It makes sense though right? By cutting out the middle man(insurance agent) the insured gets a better deal.
Wrong. Not only is the insured probably not getting the best price, there are many other things the insured is missing out on as well.
Price? We have the best price on 72% of our quotes to new clients. And that is just on price alone….
Coverage? On-line you have no idea what coverage you should or shouldn’t have. We always make our recommendations and then let our clients DECIDE what is best for them. Most of my clients are amazed at how minimal some extra coverage costs that can really protect them in a time of need.
Service? Forget about it. You get zero service when you buy on-line instead you get an 800 # to call. We return calls and emails promptly. If you have a claim we follow up to make sure things are going smoothly. For the client that really likes on-line accessibility our website has links to every company we partner with for on-line payments and 24/7 claim reporting.
Relationship? We meet face to face with new clients. We meet either at our office, the insured’s place or somewhere in between. It isn’t necessary to get the policy going, but within a week of starting it we like to meet to discuss the coverage in detail and help answer any other questions. We call or email upon renewal to make sure the client is happy and if we need to add/delete coverage. FYI, almost no agent I have met call or email upon renewal!!! BUT we do, it is important to keep an open communication line with all of our clients and make sure they are still receiving the best value possible.
According to Jana Bell, Director of Operations at HomeInsurance.com, “Customers who work with a licensed agent before purchasing their insurance policy have a better chance of finding the right coverage and qualifying for all available discounts.”
Continue readingEach year holiday season fires injure 2,600 individuals and cause more than $930 million in damage, according to the U.S. Fire Administration.
Continue readingI cannot tell you how many times a prospect will want to compare apples to apples on coverage. It does make sense, that is the only way to compare insurance plans right?
Wrong!!!
Although you can try and compare the coverage and see the price difference, there are multiple factors you should consider with your insurance plan.
Relationship + Service + Price + Coverage = Best Value
What if your current coverage is not right for you? How much could that end up costing you in a claim that was not covered?
What about having a local agent that you know and trust? How much is your peace of mind worth?
What about having an agent that is responsive to your questions and calls to review coverage upon renewal? How much is an agent that is accountable worth?
What about having an agent that can shop 7 companies when your life changes? How much is your time worth?
Continue readingThe correlation between the unemployment rate and uninsured motorists is notorious. The Insurance Research Council reported the % of uninsured drivers increased from 13.7% to 16.1% in 2010.
That is almost 1 out of every 5 drivers that do not have car insurance!!!
What does this mean to you? It is now more important than ever to make sure you have the proper uninsured motorist liability limits and uninsured motorist property damage limits. These protect your for both bodily injury and damage done to your vehicle by an uninsured motorist.
I recommend AT LEAST $100,000 per person/$300,000 per accident for Uninsured motorist bodily injury.
For Uninsured motorist property damage I recommend AT LEAST $10,000 or the current value of your vehicle whichever is higher.
Continue readingWith increasing job instability and the value of paychecks and investments going down, you may be tempted to cut corners on your insurance, while there are many smart ways to save money on insurance, the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.) alerts consumers that there are also mistakes that could result in being dangerously underinsured.
“Consumers should not try to save money by reducing or dropping necessary coverage. This could result in a financial disaster if there is a fire, hurricane, severe winter weather or other catastrophe.”
Four mistakes you should avoid:
Insuring a Home for its Real Estate Value Rather than the Cost of Rebuilding
Insurance is designed to cover the cost of rebuilding a home. It is not linked to the sale price of the home. Homeowners should be careful to purchase enough insurance coverage to completely rebuild their home and replace their belongings. My tip:Consider a deductible of at least $500. If you can raise the deductible to as much as $1,000, you may save over the long run.
Selecting an Insurance Company by Price Alone
When shopping for insurance, it is important to select a company that is financially sound and has a reputation for outstanding customer service. Check the financial health of an insurance company by using ratings from independent rating agencies. My tip:We only represent A or A+ rated companies. We answer questions and handle claims fairly and efficiently, it just so happens that we have competitive rates as well!
Only Purchasing Legally Required Amount of Liability Protection for a Car
In our litigious society you will likely need more liability insurance than the state requires because accidents generally cost more than the minimum limits. If you are found legally responsible for bills that are more than your insurance covers, you will have to pay the difference yourself, and these costs could wipe you out. We recommend at the very least having $100,000 per person/$300,000 per accident. And you should consider purchasing an umbrella or excess liability policy. My tip:Our companies offer discounts for features that reduce the risk of injuries or theft. These include air bags, anti-lock brakes, daytime running lights and anti-theft devices. Also as a general rule, it does not make sense to pay comprehensive or collision on a car worth less than $1,000 as any claim payment you receive would not substantially exceed your premiums minus the deductible.
Neglecting to Purchase Renters Insurance
Renters insurance covers personal possessions in the event there is a fire or other insured disaster. It will not only pay to replace your belongings, but also provides coverage for additional living expenses and liability protection in the event someone is injured on your property. With the average policy costing only about $120 per year, it is also affordable. My tip:We always try and put your renters insurance and auto policy with the same company. Many times the savings will pay for your renter’s policy.
Continue readingWhat??? That makes no sense, unless you have a loss…
On most Standard Property Policies(renters/condo/home/business) There is a limit on how much the insurance company will pay for cash that was involved in the loss.
Whether it be theft, fire or tornado the standard contract reads as follows:
SPECIAL LIMITS ON CERTAIN PROPERTY(Coverage C)
$200- Money, bank notes, coins and medals.
So no matter how much money was stolen or destroyed, only $200 will be reimbursed. Think twice about stashing money under your mattress!
Continue readingThese simple tips will save you hundreds of dollars. Sure the water damage is covered on your policy, but your deductible still applies and replacing the broken pipe is not covered. Not to mention the headache involved!!
Continue readingYes, we are an Independent Insurance Agency.
But, why should you care?
Some people think it doesn’t really matter where they buy their insurance. But this misconception could be costing them money, service and protection.
Here are some important points about purchasing insurance from an independent agent:
Continue readingChange happens all the time and can affect you in many ways. Obviously as your agent I want to make sure that with the changes in your life, one thing will always stay the same.
What is that one thing? You will always get the best value for your insurance dollar.
Possible changes in your life affecting your insurance needs:
Continue readingEffective July 1st, 2011 it is now illegal to text behind the wheel. You can be ticketed for texting or sending emails while driving, and can face up to a $500 fine.
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