Common Myths About Flood Insurance

While living in Scottsdale, AZ, you always have to be prepared to deal with the possibility of flash floods happening during any rainy season. The best way to prepare for such natural challenges is by having flood insurance provided by the Homeowners Insurance Group in this region. However, before you can buy flood insurance, it is necessary to understand some common myths and avoid them where necessary. 

Home Insurance Covers Flood Damage

Many homeowners think that their regular home insurance policy covers possible damages that are caused by floods. However, this is not the case, and homeowners must look for additional alternatives to address flood damage. The best method to cover flood damages is to have supplemental flood insurance covering all the damages associated with floods. 

You Can’t Get Flood Insurance in High-Risk Flood Zone.

There is an argument that people who live in high-risk flood zones will not be getting flood insurance. However, this is just a myth. You can easily get flood insurance for your home or business in areas that have been categorized as a high-risk flood zone by Federal Emergency Management Agency. Most of the insurance companies categorize every area across the country as high-risk when it comes to flooding. 

Source of Flooding Doesn’t Matter.

When buying flood insurance, you should be very specific about the source of flooding because it plays a critical role when filing for a claim. Insurance companies will cover flood damages associated with flash floods from rains or melting snow. However, floods from damaged water lines and groundwater floods will not be covered by most of the insurance companies across the country. 

When you’re looking for flood insurance in Scottsdale, AZ, you need to understand such myths and get the facts right to avoid future problems. Homeowners Insurance Group will help you understand the facts behind flood insurance and prevent you from falling into possible traps.

Is Commercial Insurance Required in Arizona?

Owning a business can be stressful, but having adequate commercial insurance coverage can provide much-needed peace of mind. Like other states, Arizona requires that small businesses maintain two commercial insurance coverage types – workers’ compensation and commercial auto insurance. In Arizona, any business that consistently hires or employs at least one person, regardless of whether they are full-time or part-time, must carry workers’ compensation insurance. The only exception to the law is if your business employs independent contractors, casual workers, or domestic workers that only work from their home. In addition to workers’ compensation insurance, which helps pay for medical bills sustained from an injury or illness an employee contracts while working, Arizona businesses must also have commercial auto insurance on any business-owned vehicles. Keep in mind that if you require your employees to use their personal vehicles for work purposes, then commercial auto insurance will not cover them if in an accident. In these situations, having hired and non-owned insurance coverage will protect your employees while using their personal vehicles on the job.

In addition to workers’ compensation insurance and commercial auto coverage, businesses in Arizona may also want to consider additional coverage depending on the company type. While these coverages are optional, having the extra peace of mind is well worth the additional cost. For instance, if your business stores confidential and sensitive customer data on their own servers or in the cloud, then cyber liability insurance is a must because it helps pay for damages associated with a data breach or cybersecurity incident. 

At Homeowners Insurance Group in Scottsdale, AZ, our talented team of insurance experts can walk you through all your commercial insurance options, answer your questions, and personalize a policy that is perfect for your business. 

What are my life insurance options?

Those that are in the Scottsdale, AZ area should spend time carefully assessing their personal insurance needs. One form of insurance that all people here need to take seriously is life insurance. With this type of coverage, you will be able to provide financial protection to your dependants. All people looking for life insurance here will have several different options, which should be considered as they provide different benefits and advantages.

Whole Life Insurance

One of your life insurance options to consider is a whole life insurance policy. A whole life insurance plan will offer you protection for the rest of your life as long as payments continue to be made. One of the advantages of a whole life insurance policy is that some of your monthly premium payments will build up in an account that you can eventually liquidate. This can make it a good addition to your personal investment portfolio as well.

Term Life Insurance

Another great life insurance option to consider is term life insurance. When you get a term life policy, you will not have the investment benefits, but your monthly payments tend to be much lower. With term life insurance, you can also build a policy that is ideal for your situation. This includes choosing a policy that covers your needs in terms of coverage amount and length of coverage. 

There are many different life insurance options for the average person in the Scottsdale, AZ area. As you are looking for a new policy here, you should call the Homeowners Insurance Group team. The insurance team at the Homeowners Insurance Group can provide you with a lot of insight into your different insurance options. This can make it easier for you to choose a policy that gives the right coverage and protection.

7 Benefits Of Umbrella Insurance That Arizona Residents Should Be Aware Of

Based in Scottsdale, AZ, Homeowners Insurance Group assists the community by offering residents insurance coverage. We strive to help our clients find insurance policies that will cover them when they need it most.

Benefits Of Umbrella Insurance

While you are assessing your assets and your insurance’s value, it’s important that you have a plan for the future. Umbrella insurance can assist you if an unexpected issue arises that requires serious attention. Here is a look at some of the key benefits of umbrella insurance.

Covers You In Potential Liability Issues

Umbrella insurance acts as a safety net if you are involved in a serious liability issue. The policy protects you if someone suffers a serious injury at your home. The policy is also beneficial if you have pets, as an accidental attack by your pet on a person or another animal is a serious situation.

If You Have A Young Driver

If you are the parent of a child who is learning how to drive, umbrella insurance is an asset if your child is involved in a serious accident where someone else is injured, or their car is totaled.

Verbal Controversy

If you say something about another person or business that is detrimental to their career, you may be held liable. Umbrella insurance will protect you during these instances.

You Are Renting Some Property

If you are renting some property or a vehicle, umbrella insurance will protect you if the rental property is seriously damaged.

You Have High-Risk Objects

If you have a swimming pool or trampoline, the likelihood that someone may be seriously injured is high. That’s why it is important that you have umbrella insurance.

You Are A Coach Or Leader

If you are a coach or leader of a team, umbrella insurance covers you in the event of a possible negligence issue.

You Frequently Travel Abroad

If you travel the World regularly, umbrella insurance is an asset that can help cover you even as you leave Scottsdale, AZ.  

Homeowners Insurance Group Will Assist You

Visit our website to learn more information about umbrella insurance.

How to determine if you live in flood zone

Even if you live in the mountains, you are at risk of dealing with flood damage, but some areas are riskier than others. Knowing how your Scottsdale, AZ home is marked helps you prepare yourself and your family better in case of a flooding event. While our flood insurance agents at Homeowners Insurance Group can help you determine whether your home is in a high-risk flood area or not, it is essential that you know how to check this yourself.

How to read the flood map

If you can read a flood map, it becomes easier to determine where your home stands and the risk level to help you prepare early. If your home is in a low-risk area, the flood map will typically mark it as an ‘area of minimal flood hazard’ in the geographic area. If it is in a high-risk area, it will be marked as a ‘special flood hazard area.’

The FEMA flood map

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has a tool that you can use to check the level of risk. This map service shows you the information you need to make smart choices such as floodways, flood zones, and your risk level. There is also other helpful infrastructural information about features like coastal barriers, levees, and base flood line.

Flood zones

Flood zones are labeled from A, B, C, D, etc.  Insurance providers across Arizona use these labels to identify the flood risk level and appropriately set flood insurance terms and rates.

Keep track of changes.

If you check your flood risk level today, come back after a few years and check again. With so much construction work going on, changes in floodplains, topography, and zone designations may be inevitable.

Knowing your level of flood risk helps you prepare yourself for a possible flooding event. For more information, feel free to contact the Homeowners Insurance Group in Scottsdale, AZ today!

What Does Commercial Insurance Cover?

Commercial insurance is one of the best options you have at protecting your business. It doesn’t matter the size of your company or how long it has been in operation. Commercial insurance will help provide financial assistance when it is most needed. But what does commercial insurance cover? We at Homeowners Insurance Agency have the answers for you. So, if you live in greater Scottsdale, AZ, or the surrounding Phoenix area, all you need to do is give us a call, and we’ll take care of the rest. 

Protects Your Stock and Equipment

With commercial insurance, you can protect your stock. This way, if any of it is damaged, you can recover the loss of these items. You can also protect the equipment used to make your merchandise, food, or whatever else you sell. Should the equipment run into problems, you’re able to cover it with insurance. 

Vehicles

Drive a vehicle for your business? Regular auto insurance will not cover it. However, commercial insurance will. It would be best if you had commercial vehicle insurance for the cars you drive for work. 

Worker’s Compensation

If your employees are injured on the job performing work-related tasks, you’ll want to take advantage of worker’s compensation insurance. This will cover medical expenses incurred from the injury. 

Protect Your Business with Commercial Insurance

There is no shortage of commercial insurance options out there. What is important is you find a policy that protects your business. It is possible to tailor form commercial insurance to your company so that it fits like a glove. Our staff here at Homeowners Insurance Agency can help get that perfect fit. So when you live in greater Scottsdale, AZ, we are here to help. All you need to do is pick up your phone and call us at your earliest convenience.