What You Need to Know About Boat Insurance

We all need to get outside and enjoy nature more. Boat ownership makes this possible for millions of people. Owning your boat provides a great way to spend time with friends and family in the great outdoors. In order to make the most of your boat ownership, though, it is important that your boat or watercraft is sufficiently insured. At Armorcrest Insurance Services serving El Centro, CA we know that the only way to make wise insurance choices is by having solid insurance information available. This is why we strive to provide our clients and even our future clients with great insurance education. Keep reading to find out what you need to know about boat insurance. 

Why Do I Need Boat Insurance?

If your state does not require that you carry boat insurance, it is still an important investment. Boat insurance not only protects the investment you made into your boat, but it can also help protect you financially on a bigger scale. If your boat is involved in an accident resulting in injuries to others, you could be held liable for their medical bills as well as any legal fees that might result from the incident. This could leave you financially vulnerable. A solid boat insurance policy, however, will protect you from this risk. 

What Does Boat Insurance Cover?

Boat insurance will provide coverage in the following areas:

Property Coverage- If your boat is damaged or lost due to fire, natural disaster, or theft, your policy will pay to have your boat repaired or replaced. This is an important way you can protect the investment you made into the boat. 

Liability- If someone is injured on your boat or because of your boat, this type of coverage will pay for medical bills or legal fees that might result because of the accident. 

If you would like to learn more about our services, please contact us at Armorcrest Insurance Services, serving El Centro, CA.

Why should I get umbrella insurance?

Having an appropriate amount of personal liability insurance coverage is very important. For a lot of people that are in the El Centro, CA area, a great addition to your personal insurance plan would be to get an umbrella insurance policy. This is an additional form of personal liability that is a good option even if you have home and auto coverage. There are a few reasons why people here should get this type of insurance. 

Coverage for More Scenarios

A reason that many people continue to benefit from getting umbrella coverage is that it can provide them with liability coverage for more scenarios. While home and auto policies do offer some personal liability coverage, it is not always enough insurance to cover all risks that you may have. With an umbrella insurance plan, you will receive a wider range of coverage for situations that may not be protected by your current plans. 

Coverage for Large Liability Claims

Even if you are properly covered with home and auto policies, the coverage that you have will have a limit. If you are ever involved in a situation that results in excessive damages and you are responsible, there is a chance they could be beyond your current policies. By getting an umbrella policy, you will receive the coverage that is needed on top of these base policies. 

There continue to be many great reasons to get an umbrella insurance plan. When you are in the market for a new plan and you are in the El Centro, CA area, it would be wise for you to call Armorcrest Insurance Services. The team with Armorcrest Insurance Services understands the importance of proper liability protection. They can then help you build a policy that is ideal for your situation. 

Why do I need condo insurance?

Owning a condo is a good housing option for people that are in the El Centro, CA area. When you are looking for a condo in this area, you also need to think about your insurance needs. There are many reasons that the typical person here will need to get condo insurance. 

Condo Insurance Coverage is Required by Association

A reason that a lot of people need to get condo insurance is that it will be required by their association. The majority of condo owners will be part of a larger condo association. If you happen to live in one, you will want to follow the rules that have been established. A very common rule that you will need to follow surrounds your requirement to get insurance. Due to the benefits that it provides to you and all other owners, you will likely be required to carry condo insurance at all times. 

Condo Insurance Required by Lender

You will also want to get a condo insurance plan because your lender will require it. Mortgage lenders want to know that their collateral is protected as well as possible. Along with this, they typically require that borrowers have insurance and even escrow for the payments each month. This ensures that you will not have a coverage lapse, which could jeopardize their security.

You will want to spend time considering your condo insurance needs when you are looking for a new condo. When you are looking for a new policy in the El Centro, CA area, you should speak with someone that is experienced and that you can trust. The team with Armorcrest Insurance Services is a great resource for all your insurance questions and needs. When you call Armorcrest Insurance Services, you will get the guidance that is needed to choose the right policy for your situation. 

How Does Condo Insurance Work?

Insuring Your Condo

Like every other large asset in your life, your condo needs reliable insurance coverage. It’s an important part of being financially responsible, and the bank generally requires you to have it. If you have a condo and need to get it insured, call us at Armorcrest Insurance Services in El Centro, CA to talk to an insurance agent who can tell you more about condo insurance. 

Condo Coverage

Condo insurance coverage is similar to home insurance, but it has a few key differences. Unlike home insurance, it does not cover the entire dwelling. It covers only the inside of your dwelling. The exception to this is for those who have made changes to the outside of the unit. These improvements would be yours to insure and to take care of. 

Liability Insurance

Condo insurance also covers your liability toward third parties. That means that if someone is in your home and gets sick or hurt, you bear the responsibility for the fault. This could result in a lawsuit against you. With liability insurance to cover the incident, you don’t have to be sued and pay it all out of pocket. 

Possessions in Your Condo

Your condo coverage will also cover all of the possessions you have inside your unit. It’s a good idea to take a basic inventory of the items you own in case there is a calamity that ruins or destroys them. Take pictures around your condo, photographing each room that has your belongings in it.

Getting Condo Insurance

If you need condo insurance, or you want to switch companies for a new policy, contact us at Armorcrest Insurance Services in El Centro, CA. Make an appointment with an agent to discuss your needs and the type of coverage your bank requires for you to keep on your condo.

Am I required to carry commercial insurance in California

Owning a business in California comes with the same challenges as owning a business anywhere in the United States. Risks are part of any business and as a business owner, your job is to mitigate those risks as much as possible. Each business is unique and has its own unique set of risks but some risks are pretty universal to any business. Having a trusted insurance agent can help make sure you have the type of insurance you need to protect your business. Armorcrest Insurance Services in El Centro, CA strives to help our clients understand the meaning of protection and how to provide it for their business. 

Commercial insurance consists of many different lines. Only two of them are required by law in California. If the company owns vehicles, they need to be covered by commercial auto insurance and workers need to be covered by workers’ compensation insurance. While these are the only two kinds you are required to buy, there are several others you should have. 

Commercial property insurance protects the building you own or lease. It includes coverage of fixtures, equipment, and machinery. It also includes furniture, inventory, raw materials, and records. Some of the covered perils are fire, theft, windstorm, and vandalism. 

Commercial liability insurance is one of the most important types of coverage. It protects your business from legal action against it. No one likes to think about being sued but the reality is every business is at risk. It can be from someone hurt while visiting your property or by one of your products or services. It is more comprehensive than this in scope and offers wide protection. 

If you have questions about commercial insurance coverage at Armorcrest Insurance Services in El Centro, CA we have answers. Come by our office or give us a call and lets us give you a no-obligation quote. 

Do I need renters insurance in California?

In the state of California, there are a lot of great places to live. One area of the state that you should consider due to the nice weather and a strong local economy is El Centro, CA. When you come to this area of the state, you may choose to rent instead of buying a home. Renting is often a good idea as it provides you with more flexibility. If you are going to rent your home, you do still need to get a proper insurance plan. There are several reasons you may need to have renters insurance here. 

Required Under Lease

In the vast majority of situations, people that are in California are going to need to have a quality renters insurance policy in order to comply with their lease obligations. The landlord will likely have exact specifications that need to be met. In many cases, you will need to provide evidence of a full renter’s insurance policy before you move into the home.

Provides Necessary Protection

Another reason that you will need to get renters insurance is that it can provide you with the necessary protection you need to have peace of mind. With a renters insurance policy, you are going to receive liability coverage protection and coverage for your personal assets. Both of these forms of coverage could prove to be very valuable in some challenging situations. 

There are plenty of reasons why someone in the El Centro, CA area will need to get a renters insurance policy. If you are looking for this insurance coverage here, you should spend time speaking with Armorcrest Insurance Services. The team at Armorcrest Insurance Services can answer your questions and give you personalized guidance and support needed to choose a policy for your next home. 

Three things your motorcycle insurance policy should cover

It’s important for you to understand the coverage you get from your motorcycle insurance policy in El Centro, CA. At Armorcrest Insurance Services, we’re here to help you meet your insurance needs. 

The following are three things your motorcycle insurance policy should cover. 

Motorcycle insurance covers medical bills.

Any motorcycle insurance policy needs to include liability coverage to meet legal requirements. This liability coverage will cover the costs of medical bills resulting from any accident that the policyholder is deemed at fault for. 

When it comes to personal injury coverage, your California motorcycle policy should have at least $30,000 in total personal injury coverage per accident. 

Motorcycle insurance covers property damage.

In addition to requiring medical bill coverage, state insurance requirements in California also include property damage coverage. You will need to have liability coverage with at least $5,000 in property damage coverage.

For greater financial security, it’s a good idea to invest in additional property damage coverage over the minimum requirements set forth by law. 

Motorcycle insurance can cover damage to your bike if you buy collision coverage. 

There are many additional types of coverage that you have the option of purchasing. One example is collision coverage. If you do invest in collision coverage, your motorcycle insurance will cover damages to your own bike.

If you neglect to buy collision coverage, you will have to pay out of pocket if you damage your bike in an accident. That’s why it’s always a good idea to add collision coverage to your policy. 

Do you have questions about motorcycle insurance in El Centro, CA? We’re happy to answer any questions that you have. Contact us at Armorcrest Insurance Services with your inquiries and questions on motorcycle insurance policies. 

Things To Consider While Researching Boat Insurance Policies

Based in El Centro, CA, Armorcrest Insurance Services LLC offers different insurance policies to the Imperial Valley Community, as well as the rest of California. We realize that every one of our clients is unique, which is why we take the time to help them find the insurance coverage that directly meets their needs.

Boat Insurance

Boat insurance gives you a layer of protection while you are operating your boat and enjoying the beautiful weather. The policy covers you in the event that your boat is damaged or if any of your belongings are stolen off the boat as well. Here are some things to consider while researching different boat insurance policies.

You Are Covered If Disaster Arises

You never know what challenges you may experience while you are spending time on your boat. If unforeseen circumstances arise, it’s important to have protection. Boat insurance protects you in the event that your boat sinks or capsizes. You are also protected in the event that there is an accidental fire or explosion.

Collision Coverage

Collision coverage protects your boat in the event that it is involved in an accident and suffers physical damage. Liability coverage is also important, as you’ll be protected if your boat causes damage to another watercraft.

Storage

During the winter months when you are unlikely to use your boat, you may be able to add coverage to your policy. However, it would likely be for storage only, so you may be at risk if you take the boat out during this time period.

Extra Coverage

You can add umbrella coverage to your policy to have an additional layer of protection. The coverage ensures that you will be able to receive help in the event of an emergency.

Armorcrest Insurance Services Wants To Help You

Stop by our office in El Centro, CA and we will help you find the coverage that you need.

How Does an Umbrella Policy Work?

Umbrella insurance is simply defined as a type of personal liability insurance policy that covers the policyholder when a claim is in excess of what typical insurance policies for automobiles or homes will pay.  These policies cover not just the policyholder, but other members of the household or family as well.  Umbrella insurance protects you by providing additional coverage if the cost of a lawsuit against you goes above the protection of your primary auto, homeowner, or renters’ insurance.  For example, umbrella policies usually cover libel, slander, false arrest, and invasion of privacy.  Incidents, where you file a claim on these policies, do not have to involve your actual property or vehicle. You are also covered worldwide by an umbrella policy.  In the El Centro, CA area you may want to contact an agent at Armorcrest Insurance Services about umbrella coverage if any of the following apply to your household or lifestyle:

  • You have a teenage driver.
  • You own a dog.
  • The children in the household have a trampoline.
  • You have a swimming pool.
  • You own rental property or properties.
  • You employ household staff.
  • You have a hot tub. 
  • You host large gatherings or parties on your property. 

Typically to be eligible for an umbrella policy your insurance company may require you to purchase and maintain specific minimum underlying liability limits on your original home or auto insurance.  Not all insurance companies offer this kind of policy. Visit us to start your search for an umbrella policy then in the El Centro, CA area contact an agent at Armorcrest Insurance Services who can help you purchase the right umbrella policy.  Anyone in need of extra coverage to pay expenses the usual policy will not pay should ask about an umbrella policy.

Condo Upgrades that Will Increase Its Value

Updating your El Centro, CA condo is a great way to enhance its looks, boost security, and increase its value. The following upgrade ideas from Armorcrest Insurance Services can make a marked difference in the looks and function of your condo without depleting your budget.

Granite Kitchen Counters

Replacing old kitchen counters with granite countertops will refresh your entire kitchen and boost your condo’s value. Granite counters are practical, durable, and beautiful, making them a smart addition to your kitchen environment.  

Upgrade Appliances

Upgrading major appliances will also raise your condo’s value while giving you products that offer better use and versatility. Consider stainless steel appliances with smart features to get the most from your investment.   

Tweak Your Bathrooms

The right “tweaks” can make a common bathroom a more elegant environment. Depending on your current setting, consider replacing old cabinets, upgrading to marble counters, adding recessed lighting, updating faucets, and putting in a rainfall shower to give your bathroom a sleek, modern touch. Investing in new accessories like designer hand towels, soap dispensers, and bath mats will help complete the look you want.

Upgrade Condo Windows and Doors

Older condos can receive a facelift by upgrading windows and exterior doors. New, energy-efficient windows will reduce the noise level in your condo and enhance security. An ornamental, steel door will reinforce security and add a welcoming touch to your El Centro, CA condo. Make sure your exterior doors have deadlocks for protection against theft and intrusion.

Once you’re done, remember to add upgrades to your condo insurance so they will be protected along with the rest of your structure. If your condo is damaged by fire, lightning, or other covered peril, condo dwelling insurance will help cover your losses. For optimal protection, contact Armorcrest Insurance Services to update your condo insurance today.