Author: agentinsure

Does Commercial Insurance Protect Business Owners From Losses Caused By Shoplifting?

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Retail business owners from the Oro Valley, AZ area need to understand the importance of protecting their company with commercial insurance. Old Pueblo Insurance wants you to learn what commercial insurance does and does not cover. The main concern for most retail businesses is shoplifting and other types of theft. Theft costs retail businesses millions of dollars each year. Companies often go to great lengths to reduce the risk of this type of loss. Installing security cameras and hiring plain clothes security officers are just two ways members of management try to protect themselves from shoplifters.

Shoplifting can cause devastating financial losses to a business. It is not covered by most insurance policies, however, burglary, robbery, and malicious mischief are covered by insurance because of the use of force and potential damage to the property. Shoplifting, on the other hand, uses no force and rarely results in physical damage to store property. Even though it is not covered by insurance, shoplifting remains a huge concern. It can often be prevented by employing protective measures like shoplifting awareness signals, increased security, and alarm systems.

The agents at Old Pueblo Insurance serve business owners in Oro Valley, AZ, and many nearby communities. They offer several commercial insurance options that can be used to protect your business from financial loss. Contact an insurance agent today to find out what your insurance covers and what you may need to do to keep your policy up to date. If you want to protect your business from financial loss, you need to have the right type of commercial coverage. Call our office today for a consultation and a thorough review of your policy.

 

Replacement Cost Vs. Market Value

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What does this terminology even mean?

As a car owner in Oro Valley, AZ, it is essential to understand the rather insurance-esque terms “replacement cost” and “market value” in order to be educated if you ever need to file an insurance claim.

The Replacement cost is in reference to the amount of money that it would take to completely rebuild or replace your car should disaster strike, be it a vehicular accident, the result of a storm, or even if it is a freak-mishap (a tree falling on the hood of your car while it innocently sits in the driveway). This figure is determined based on current prices for the labor, material, taxes, fees, and plans. Speak to an agent at Old Pueblo Insurance to discuss this, as well as the following.

Market value refers to how much your car would sell for in its current state: wear and tear and all. This type of value can be very hard to determine without the aid of an expert, as it changes according to the ebbs and flows of the car market, in addition to the car’s attributes on the inside as well as the outside. To get a round-about idea of the value of your car, you can always compare it to others of the same make, model, and year, this is not always the precise figure though. For a more accurate appraisal, a professional should be contacted. 

Contact an agent at Old Pueblo Insurance, serving the needs of those in the Oro Valley, AZ area, to discuss these terms in more detail, and as they pertain to you, in particular.

Creative Solutions to Maximize Home Storage Space

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If you’re struggling to find storage space in your home, there likely is space you haven’t considered.  Here are some smart ideas for your home in the Oro Valley, AZ area to unlock your home’s storage potential.

  • The vertical spaces behind closed closet doors are great spaces for slim hanging wire baskets. 
  • Adding shelves to any small space give you instant useful storage space.
  • Use a closet or pantry for a creative office space and add shelving to increase storage.
  • Two inexpensive bookcases with a small cabinet set in between them can create an attractive storage nook with a convenient bench seat.
  • Create storage under the stairs, and this can be done in a variety of ways.
  • If you have a small pantry, consider a roll-out pantry to triple the storage space.
  • Spray paint wooden crates and hang them on the wall in a staggered pattern to get clutter off the floor and create an attractive wall.
  • Hang towel rods in a pantry, closet or laundry room to hang wicker baskets from for organization.
  • Create a hanging storage area in your garage with wood cut into I-beams and storage containers that can slide into place.
  • Use tension curtain rods as cupboard dividers to store flat kitchen items and accessories or put one under the kitchen sink to hang spray bottle cleaners.
  • Hang a wire magazine rack inside your pots and pan cabinet to store pot lids.
  • Hang crown molding on the wall of the closet to store high heels.

Old Pueblo Insurance

The agents at Old Pueblo Insurance in the Oro Valley, AZ area are full of ideas to help you make sure your home is functional and safe for you and your loved ones.  Contact us today for homeowner’s insurance coverage ideas.

Should You Buy New or Used to Save on Auto Insurance?

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When buying a vehicle, there are different elements to keep in mind when it comes to how much you’ll eventually pay for auto insurance. Some of the factors include your current driving record, if you have any points on your license, how long you’ve been driving and so on. Of course, a good deal of the insurance costs revolves around the ability to purchase and obtain replacement parts and the age of the vehicle. At Old Pueblo Insurance, we want to help you save money on auto insurance, whether you live in Oro Valley, AZ or the greater Tucson area. 

Used Is Typically Less Expensive to Insure

Generally speaking, a used vehicle is less expensive to insure than a new vehicle. There is the occasional exception, but newer vehicles have more expensive tech in place. It is also harder to find used replacement parts, which means all repairs must utilize new parts. Buying a vehicle that is four or five years old can save a good amount on the sticker price and your insurance cost. 

Rare Models

Of course, there are rare trim models. Perhaps you purchase a Mustang Boss edition or another vehicle model with limited production. In this case, the limited production vehicle likely will cost more than a brand new vehicle. This comes down to the cost of replacement parts. With fewer models, there are fewer available parts. Manufacturers of the parts will charge more as well, which is what forces the insurance up. 

It doesn’t matter if you live in Oro Valley, AZ, Tucson or further out, Old Pueblo Insurance is here to help you save money on your auto insurance. If you want an affordable vehicle that also costs less in insurance, consider purchasing a used vehicle.

Increasing the Personal Value of Your Oro Valley, AZ, Home Insurance with a Documented Home Inventory

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When homeowners find they need to make an Old Pueblo Insurance claim for water damage or fire damage, they are relieved to find that the day they spent documenting an inventory of their belongings, purchases, remodels or upgrades on their home; with photos, paid bills, and detailed descriptions securely pay off. Time after time, insured homeowners report that they are so grateful that they took one day our of their busy schedule to do their part in documenting their insured belongings.

How to Create an Insurance Inventory in Oro Valley, AZ  

There is no magic formula for documenting your belongings for an Old Pueblo Insurance Home Inventory. The more itemized information you provide, the easier it will be for your insurance company to assess the replacement costs. Some important identification you need to list includes product names, serial numbers, photos, purchase dates, repair service policies, product descriptions, copies of paid receipts or a value estimate.

Some Oro Valley, AZ homeowners, find it easier to video, room by room, stopping at each item and verbally reviewing the information from serial numbers to receipts. The video should be thorough and slow enough for documenting each item with clarity. Be sure to include each room/closets, the backyard, front yard, driveway, and garage.

Some items could easily be missed, sliding-mirror closet doors, oversized wall mirrors or wall hangings. Document all upgrades like high-end kitchen appliances, flooring, light fixtures, and crown molding. Remember recent replacements like a new roof, air conditioner, washer & dryer, Jacuzzi, or tools like a lawnmower and chainsaw.

Document high-end items paintings, collectibles, jewelry, and investment paperwork – stocks, bonds, hidden currency, coins, in a special section. Keep a second copy in a fireproof lockbox.

3 Reasons to Update Your Homeowner’s Insurance

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As a homeowner, you have many responsibilities in taking care of your home. Reviewing your homeowners insurance to ensure you have adequate coverage should be on the top of that list. Changes in your home could affect your current policy, resulting in insufficient coverage or gaps. Here are just a few reasons why you should consider updating your coverage with Old Pueblo Insurance in Oro Valley, AZ.

To Add Coverage

If you’ve made major home improvements to your property, you’ll need to add them to your policy in order to protect them against damage or loss. By updating your policy, you ensure all renovations get the coverage they need.

In like manner, if you received costly gifts or bought expensive merchandise over the holidays, you may need to add an endorsement to your policy to protect these goods against theft, damage or loss.

To Increase Coverage

Major home renovations may increase the value of your property, requiring that you raise your coverage limits to cover the increase in the cost of repairing or replacing your home in the event of loss. Insufficient coverage could result in your having to pay for major repairs out of pocket.

To Receive a Discount

Home improvements that increase your home’s security such as upgrading window or door locks or installing a home security system could help lower your home insurance rates as they reduce the risk of theft or vandalism. You may also qualify for a home insurance discount by upgrading your HVAC system or improving your plumbing or electrical system as these upgrades reduce the risk of flood and fire.

By discussing these and other home changes with your Old Pueblo Insurance agent in Oro Valley, AZ, you can get a better idea of how to update your homeowners insurance in order to get the most from your coverage.

 

Three Tips to Keeping Your Tuscon Home in Top Shape Throughout the Year

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Keeping your home in prime shape requires maintenance anywhere, but Oro Valley, AZ, is home to some unique challenges. This short and easy checklist will give extra longevity to every part of your home, and providers like Old Pueblo Insurance may be able to offer discounts when your home is adequately protected from the seasons.

Manage Your Air Conditioner

Tucson summers are no joke. You’ll have the air running around the clock, and the unit is basically your lifeline for four months of the year. In order to keep it working at its best and your comfort levels sustainable, you need to give it some TLC. Every month, you should check that it is draining properly and that there are no excessive condensation points on the unit or in the vents. You also want to get it serviced annually, where the filters will be replaced and a professional can check for signs of wear. Staying on top of your air conditioner won’t just save you money in the long run; it could save your summer too.

Check for Sun Damage

Even for most of the winter, the sun will beat down on your house mercilessly. You want to inspect your roof and walls for signs of sun damage roughly twice a year. Cracks and crumbling are important signs of a problem, but the primary early indicator is bleaching. When you see things turning pale, you know that they aren’t long for this world. Getting your roof and walls repaired will prevent insulation leaks and protect you from the short but intense monsoon season. Most people who aren’t from the region underestimate just how violent the summer storms tend to be, and water damage is a common and devastating problem for the unprepared.

Maximize Shade

The sun creates vulnerabilities, and the storms blow them open, so you want to do things that can mitigate that damage in the first place. Shade is the obvious and attainable answer. Window treatments can help keep the heat out, but you can go much further. When manageable, large trees can cast healthy shade that protects your home and keeps the air conditioner from working hard. Extended overhangs and patios can have a similar effect, making summers less severe all around.

Check out the other hot tips from Old Pueblo Insurance to make sure you are the master of your Oro Valley, AZ, home.

 

Are Your Pipes Ready for Colder Weather?

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It may not get extremely cold here in Oro Valley, AZ, but that doesn’t mean it cannot happen. In the case that temperatures do drop below freezing at night, are your pipes ready? If not, you will likely wake up to an unfortunate situation that can cost you a lot of money and time. Use these tips to ensure that your pipes are ready for the colder weather.

Insulate Your Pipes

If you have pipes that are exposed to the outdoors, you should consider insulating them with covers for those colder nights. They will help your pipes retain warmth and prevent freezing. You can get some pipe insulation and covers from your local hardware store.

Let Your Faucets Drip

On those extra cold nights, letting one or two pipes continuously drip through the evening can help them prevent from freezing. The constantly moving water will keep them from freezing. Just be sure not to let them drop too much, or you will pay a lot of extra money on your water bill. A small drip is plenty.

Use the Heat Inside Your Home

If it is cold outside, you are likely already using the heat inside. When it is supposed to get below freezing outside, open up your cabinets that have pipes in them. This will allow the heat you are already using to get to the pipes and keep them warm all night long. It will not even cost you any more to do this.

The best way to protect your home from any unfortunate circumstance, including frozen pipes, is to have a great home insurance policy. If you are looking for a good policy, be sure to contact our office, serving Oro Valley, AZ, today for a quote that fits your needs.

What You Can Do To Get Fall Ready In Oro Valley

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You want to do all you can to prep your home for fall. The Oro Valley is a gorgeous area, though you are going to experience highs and lows in temperatures. Prepping your home can make it easier to overcome various obstacles that could otherwise take place.

Inspect Your Gutters

You may deal with a lot of leaves, so it’s best to have the gutters inspected and clean early on.

Explore Roof Conditions

The fall is a great time to have your roof checked out to ensure that there are no problems. If there are issues, will want to schedule repairs.

Have Your Gas Inspected

If you have a gas-fired room heater, this is the time you want to have it inspected. This way, you will be able to use it as the weather starts to get older.

Check the Fireplace

You may want to spend some time around the fire throughout the fall and winter months. To avoid issue, you should have it cleaned, which may include hiring a reputable chimney sweep.

Conduct a Home Safety Checklist

You want to do everything you can in order to keep your family safe on your long. The fall can be a great time to conduct a basic home safety checklist. This includes changing the batteries in your smoke detectors, removing any old newspapers and magazines that cause a fire hazard, inspecting fire extinguishers, and going over fire escape plans with the entire family.

Caulk Windows and Doors

It’s a good idea to do some extra weatherproofing as you prep for the fall months as well. This includes caulking windows and doors to ensure that there are no gaps.

Learn more about how to protect your home by shopping for home insurance with our independent insurance agents at Old Pueblo Insurance today.

 

How much life insurance do you actually need?

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Once you reach a certain age, the value of life insurance becomes abundantly clear–it’s something that is necessary, not optional. What isn’t as clear is exactly how much life insurance one should have. There are formulas that some financial experts suggest, such as two or three years salary, or some percentage of your net worth, or the total amount of your debt plus a certain amount. The bottom line, though, is that it is a personal decision for each person, and you need to carefully look at your goals to find how much life insurance you need.

At one end of the spectrum are people who just want to pay their funeral expenses. This is often the case of someone who is single with no children who simply doesn’t want to burden his extended family. In this case, a relatively small policy is all you would need, depending on the type of final wishes you have. With cremation and a small service, the amount is really small–as low as $1,000, but with a casket and a large service, that number can easily climb closer to 15 or 20 thousand.

The other end of the spectrum is the person who has a lot of shared debt–mortgage, car loans, etc. and perhaps shared future expenses like putting kids through college. In this case, you would likely want enough money on your life insurance to cover all of those debts and your aforementioned final expenses, leaving your partner or family with no financial worries. One nice trick to use is to have multiple term policies, with one expiring about the time you expect your shared debt to be paid off and the other lasting longer to cover other expenses. For more information and t find out what coverage is right for you, call Old Pueblo Insurance, serving Oro Valley, AZ,  today.