The Benefits of an Annual Motorcycle Insurance Review

Many only think about motorcycle insurance when they buy a new bike. However, there is an advantage to working with your agent at Armorcrest Insurance Services in El Centro, CA once each year to double check that you have adequate coverage.

Things to consider are:

  • Changes in Replacement Value – Most motorcycles go down in value over time, except for the ones that are kept as collector´s items. Collector motorcycles can go up significantly in value each year. Motorcycle insurance coverage should be adjusted up or down to reflect any changes in replacement value.
  • Moving to a New Location – Insurance rates reflect the experience of insurance underwriters in the place where you live and work (if you use your motorcycle to commute to your job). It is important to inform your insurance agent if you are planning a move because it can change your rates, and you want to be sure you are properly covered in your new home.
  • How Secure the Bike is Stored – Storing a motorcycle inside a locked garage with security cameras and alarms is obviously safer than leaving it parked outside. Tell your agent if you plan to change how your motorcycle is stored.
  • Custom Equipment – Many bike riders enjoy improving their motorcycles with custom equipment. Additional equipment raises the value of the motorcycle and you need additional coverage to keep up with its increasing value.
  • Proper Maintenance and No Accidents – Keeping your bike properly maintained to avoid accidents is a responsible idea. An insurance review should be part of regular annual maintenance.
  • Security and Anti-Theft Tracking – If you add an alarm system or anti-theft tracking that uses GPS to find a stolen bike, it may help improve your rates. Ask your agent to be sure.
  • Additional Riders/Users – Casual use by an occasional rider is not usually much of a concern unless they are very young; however, if you plan to allow another person to use your bike frequently, it is best to either have them added to your motorcycle insurance policy or have them get a policy of their own. Work with your agent to receive advice about your specific circumstances.

Contact Armorcrest Insurance Services in El Centro, CA if you need new motorcycle insurance or if it is time for an annual review of coverage. We are specialists in providing the coverage that you need.

Is Boat Insurance a Necessity?

There is nothing better than cruising down the river or lake on a warm, sunny day in El Centro, CA. Whether you are floating in a bass boat, speed boat, houseboat, or pontoon, spending time out on the lake is an excellent way to relax and just take it easy. What you need to know, though, is that regardless of the type of boat you are in, it needs to be protected with the right type of boat insurance. Let’s take a quick look at several reasons why you should view boat insurance as a necessity. 

Accidents Happen on the Water

Even if you are very attentive when cruising down the river, through a lake, or around the ocean, you never know when another boat driver may make a mistake and enter into your line of travel. This is why it is so important to have boat insurance. The smallest of an accident on the water can lead to disastrous damages to your boat. With boat insurance, though, you can rest easy knowing you are protected. 

Storm Damage

Do you leave your boat on the water at a dock? If so, then you know how rough the water can sometimes get in a storm. It is during these times that you need to make sure you have proper protection against any storm damage that may occur. With boat insurance, you will have the protection you need. 

Sink Retrieval Expense

The cost of retrieving a sunken boat from the bottom of a lake or river can cost thousands. With boat insurance, you don’t have to worry about covering this full expense out of your pocket. Always make sure when you buy a boat insurance policy that it covers this type of event. 

To learn more about boat insurance, contact Armorcrest Insurance Services serving the San Diego and El Centro, CA area. Our Armorcrest Insurance Services agents can help you start a policy right away.

What You Need to Know About Buying Umbrella Insurance

There is no way to plan for when you might need extra insurance coverage beyond what your San Diego, CA area auto insurance or homeowner’s insurance covers. You also won’t know when you need insurance to cover things your other policies don’t, such as damages from slander or false arrest. Umbrella insurance is designed to provide that extra coverage. Here’s what you want to know about shopping for umbrella insurance.

  • Who commonly purchases umbrella insurance? A case can be made for most anyone to have an umbrella policy, such as a large law suite that wipes you out. Here are some situations that often carry an umbrella: property owner, owning significant assets and savings, those concerned about liability claims when traveling outside the country, or people that are involved in activities that increase chances of being sued.
  • When buying umbrella insurance, typical policies come in million-dollar increments. Many companies only sell an umbrella policy if you already have auto and/or property insurance, which can include a renter’s policy. 
  • Deciding on how much coverage you need can be tricky, but a good rule is to purchase enough to cover your net worth. This can also include potential earnings for the future.
  • If you think an umbrella policy will be too expensive, the truth is that they are quite reasonable. For example, a $1 million policy might run $150-$300 a year.
  • You can get an umbrella policy from most major insurance companies.

Armorcrest Insurance Services

Armorcrest Insurance Services provides insurance in the San Diego, CA area. We have a high customer retention rate because we strive for excellent customer service. Contact an Armorcrest agent today to discuss your insurance policies and explore how an umbrella insurance policy can protect you.

What are the Basics of Condo Insurance?

If you own a condo, it’s important to keep your premises in reasonably safe condition for the residents and visitors alike. Of course, you want to protect your investment as well. To do both, you will want to purchase condo insurance that covers you in the event of a disaster striking the condo and affecting its interior and exterior alike. If your dwelling is located in California, you will want to consider Armorcrest Insurance Services, which serves the El Centro, CA area and neighboring towns such as San Diego and Palm Desert.

Why Do You Need Condo Insurance?

Condo insurance, also known as condominium unit owners insurance, is required to cover personal property and areas of the unit that aren’t already covered by the insurance policy provided by the condo association. There are three different kinds of policies the association can offer, specifically one that insures only the primary building and common areas, one that covers the building and items that are not personal property, and a policy that insures the building, a particular unit, and any home improvements made to it. However, when you get a condo insurance policy from Armorcrest Insurance Services in El Centro, CA, you can enjoy even more peace of mind that your dwelling and personal property are protected in the event of a disaster.

If you are looking to purchase condo insurance for your home, get a quote from Armorcrest Insurance Services at your earliest convenience.

What Does California Condo Insurance Cover and What’s Not Covered?

Condo insurance in California provides coverage for all of the following:

  • Theft
  • Fire
  • Lightning
  • Windstorms
  • Hail
  • Freezing of the plumbing system

However, the insurance will not cover any of the following instances:

  • Bodily injury
  • Property damage
  • Ownership, operation, maintenance or use of motor vehicles, aircraft, and watercraft
  • Professional services provided or not provided

Our Staff is here to help guide you through the process of condo insurance and teach you what it includes. Reach out to one of our agents to address any questions or concerns you may have. Our office is open to visits, and we look forward to hearing from you soon.

Three Things Small Businesses Should Know About Commercial Insurance

Commercial insurance is extremely important for small businesses in El Centro, CA. If something negative were to happen to your business, you might not have the money to pay for the loss out of your own pocket. This may mean you have to shutter your business because of something that was out of your control. Commercial insurance helps to protect against these losses, helping you to stay in business. Here are three things Armorcrest Insurance Services thinks you should know about commercial insurance.

Commercial Insurance is Not Required

In most cities, commercial insurance is not required by law. However, this does not mean you should not have it. There are many benefits to having this type of insurance, especially if your cash reserves are low or you are struggling to build your business and turn a profit.

Commercial Insurance Covers Various Things

No two commercial insurance policies are the same. What they cover varies based on the policy. As such, you will want to carefully read your policy and see what is or is not covered. Never assume something is or is not covered.

Commercial Insurance is Often Called Business Insurance

There is no such thing as business insurance. If you hear someone using this term, odds are, they are talking about commercial insurance. The terms are used interchangeably because commercial insurance protects your business.

We know commercial insurance is important to small businesses. If you are in need of a new policy or are looking to get answers to questions you have, let Armorcrest Insurance Services, serving the greater El Centro, CA area, help. Call us now to schedule an appointment so we can discuss all of your insurance needs and put together a policy that is perfect for you.

Can A Defensive Driving Course Lower Your Rates In California?

Your results may vary, but generally speaking, a defensive driving course is a great way to save some money on your insurance. Armorcrest Insurance Services wants to inform you of the benefits of taking a defensive driving class in El Centro, CA.

In some states, the discount is automatic:

If you pass a defensive driving course and get your certification, then your insurer is required to offer a specific discount. This discount may be a percentage or a set amount removed from the base cost. This is before any other discounts and penalties are applied, so the discount itself is not affected by any other factors directly.

California is one of the states mandating these discounts. These discounts tend to be smaller for older drivers more so than for younger drivers. If you’re over fifty-five, you’ve already got more experience under your belt than a defensive driving course can deliver so the benefits may be relatively minimal. If you’re under twenty-five, a defensive driving course can be a major boost to your relatively limited experience on the road.

If you are paying a little more than you’d like due to marks on your driving record, a discount for passing one of these courses can help to make up for that. You may even have points removed from your record following completion of the course and it will give the illusion that the speeding ticket never happened.

Different insurers will offer different discounts over the state-mandated minimum, but in El Centro CA, all insurers are required to carry these discounts by law. The courses are usually pretty cheap to attend, can be completed in under six hours, and will save you quite a bit of money over the course of the year. 

Call our agents at Armorcrest Insurance Services to find out more about how a defensive driving class can benefit you. Our offices are open to visits to find out more about your auto insurance or use our online rating tool to get quotes for your auto or home policies.

Understanding How Auto Insurance Works in Different Scenarios

Do you know what happens if your car is hit by a whiplashed tree branch? How about if your car is hit by an uninsured driver? Do you know what type of personal support you’ll get from your insurance carrier if you do happen to need help? Many drivers, unfortunately, don’t know these answers until they’re already in the midst of a rather complicated situation. Before that happens to you in El Centro, CA, Armorcrest Insurance Services wants you to learn more about how insurance works in different situations. 

More Coverage, Less Hassle 

All insurance policies have their own rules to them, and it’s, unfortunately, impossible to go over every variation. However, the general rule drivers should know is that the more coverage they have, the less time they’ll spend on the phone and the less of their own money they’ll spend on the repairs. Those who aren’t covered by their insurance will still need to make the repairs if they hope to stay safe when on the road. If you don’t have access to vehicles, there’s a lot at stake. Rather than trying to find rides to get to work after an accident, it’s worth getting better coverage now for less hassle later. 

Help and Support 

When you call an insurance company, do you have to tell your story to 5 different people? Do you feel like you’re speaking to into a vacuum? Armorcrest Insurance Services serves the people of El Centro, CA and gives them the help they need to find the right policy, but we also help people after something has happened. Whether it’s a major weather event or a one-off accident, we’re here to help. Give us a call today to talk to one of our agents. 

 

Items to Check to Keep Your Car Running Right

If you own a car in the El Centro, CA area, you want to keep it in shape to get you safely to your destinations. Checking these simple items can keep you on the road and help you notice something that might become a serious problem sooner or later. It takes a few minutes to check most of these and it will help keep you safe and your car running right.

  • Check the oil- your vehicle cannot run without it. It’s easy to do yourself by pulling out the dipstick, wiping it off, re-insert, and remove it to check the level.
  • Check the tire pressure- an easy way to do this is by using a tire pressure gauge. You can purchase one or go to an automatic tire pressure check and fill system.
  • Check the power steering fluid- this is something you can check yourself. Trying to drive without it makes the car difficult to control.
  • Check the antifreeze or coolant level- the car relies on this fluid to help it run properly and not overheat.
  • Check the tire tread- look for bulges or lumps in the sidewall of the tire. Have your tires rotated regularly and replaced at the recommended mileage.
  • Check the lights on the car– make sure they are all working properly.
  • Have your brakes checked regularly- if you hear them squealing, pulling to one side, or chattering when in use, replace the brake pads and check your rotors.
  • Have the wheel alignment checked– if the wheels are pulling to one direction, this may be because of your vehicles alignment. It will keep you safe and save on incorrect wear on the tires.

At Armorcrest Insurance Services in the El Centro, CA area, an agent can help you find the right auto insurance to cover you in case something goes wrong.  Contact an Amorcrest Insurance Services agent today or get a quote for your automobile with our online rating tool.