Safeguard Your Property This Hurricane Season

hurricaneThe Atlantic hurricane season began in June, but with 10 of the costliest hurricanes on record arriving between August and October, now is the time to prepare for the worst by doing your best to protect your property.

Some of the most important actions home and business owners can take are trimming trees surrounding their properties and ensuring that any furniture and lightweight yard structures and decorations are secure.

The Weather Channel reports that the number of hurricanes and tropical storms rises dramatically in August, and peaks in September and October. But there are no concrete assurances when one of these great natural disasters will arrive. Among the biggest hurricanes the United States has experienced, Katrina, Irene and Andrew all arrived in August, Ike was in September and Sandy hit in October.

To prepare for these events, owners can take some straightforward precautionary steps to help protect their investments.

Trim nearby trees of their low-hanging or weak branches to prevent them from being torn off in a storm and thrown into homes and businesses. Try to keep branches from growing longer than five feet. Remove branches that are hanging over the edifice that could fall onto a roof during a storm. Remove leaves, sticks or other debris that can easily be blown around from yards, driveways or parking lots, including gravel or other rocks used in walkways or flowerbeds. Also, arrange with the local municipal authorities or a contractor to have tree limbs trimmed away from nearby power lines.

It may also be wise to consult an arborist or tree doctor about the roots of nearby trees, as the large amounts of rain that accompany hurricanes can loosen roots and possibly cause trees to fall into homes or businesses.

Items kept outside a structure should also be considered. Remove and store lawn furniture and place garbage cans and potted plants in a safe area out of reach of hurricane winds, such as in a garage or basement. Sections of fences or swinging fence doors should be secured.

As a leading provider of personal and commercial insurance coverage in Rhode Island, OceanPoint wants our clients to understand the risks of hurricanes and take the right precautions so that unexpected claims do not become necessary following heavy storms.

OceanPoint Insurance Agency is committed to providing clients with the best possible solutions to obtain protection and peace of mind. To learn more about how to protect your property during hurricane season, call us at 847.5200.

 

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Life Insurance Protects The Ones You Leave Behind

Life InsuranceUnderstanding your options is easier than you might think

Reviewing your life insurance coverage can often seem like a daunting task. While advance planning for a time when you are no longer here for your family is challenging, it is also one of the best ways to protect them.

OceanPoint Insurance is committed to helping you safeguard what matters most, and in recognition of Life Insurance Month we offer the following facts regarding life insurance.

Many people are often dissuaded from purchasing life insurance because they believe it is too expensive. This is one of the most common misconceptions. Depending on your personal needs and budget, there are several options available to you:

Term life – As the most inexpensive form of insurance, there are no cash values or dividends. Term policies are purchased for a specific period of time such as 10, 15, 20 or 30 years. If an insured loved one passes away during that time period, a beneficiary is paid the dollar value of the policy.

Whole life – A whole life policy is protection for someone’s entire life. Premiums, which insurance companies invest, stay the same during the life of the policy. There are cash values, and some companies pay policyholders’ dividends. The cost is higher, but it is considered more effective for estate planning.

Universal life – A valuable coverage and living benefit, universal life policy allows for more flexibility and is more of an investment vehicle, however, increased contributions may be necessary if the investment interest assumptions are not met.

Variable life – Offering more investment options than a universal life policy, a variable policy allows the policyholder the ability to select the investment options.

While no one chooses to leave their loved ones unprotected, being unprepared for life’s unexpected events can do just that. If something should happen, life insurance provides your dependents with income so they may continue to live comfortably. Options can also include coverage for medical, legal, and funeral costs as well.

At OceanPoint Insurance, we are dedicated to ensuring the safety and security of you and your family. For a complimentary review of your life insurance options, please call us today at 401.847.5200.

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Insurance For Your College Student is a Smart Investment

College StudentAs you already know, college tuition has risen dramatically over the last few decades. While the cost to send them to the school of their choice is considerable, so too is the expense of their personal belongings. Laptops, printers, furniture and clothing are just a few of the costly items your students will need to succeed in the college setting.

If their property was stolen or lost, is your child protected?

According to a survey administered by the Insurance Agents of America, Inc. (IIAA), more than 100,000 property crimes on college campuses are reported to police each year. On average, over $1,250 in student property is stolen per theft.  Unfortunately, if your child resides in a college dorm or university community, there are ample opportunities for theft or damage.

While the statistics are alarming, there are options available to help protect your child:

  • Review Your Homeowners Insurance Policy: In most cases, if the student lives in a dorm or college-owned property, their personal possessions are typically insured for loss, damage or theft under your homeowners policy. However, we urge you to review your current policy as some plans are limited in regards to coverage for contents.
  • Secure Renters Insurance: If your child does not live in college-owned housing, their property is not covered under your homeowners policy. To make certain they are insured against loss, we advise you to purchase renters insurance. For as little as $15 – $30 a month, you can ensure they are shielded from financial and emotional strain.

As your trusted insurance provider, we are available to assist you through all of life’s major milestones. For additional information on insuring your college student, please contact your OceanPoint agent today.

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