The Benefits of Life Insurance for Children

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It can be challenging to think about your children passing away at an early age. As such, many people do not think about buying life insurance for their children. However, at Old Pueblo Insurance, serving the greater Oro Valley, AZ area, we encourage you to if you can afford to do so because there are benefits to doing so. Here are a few of the benefits of purchasing life insurance for children.

You Protect Your Child Against Future Health Conditions

One of the biggest benefits to purchasing life insurance for your children is that it may help to protect their ability to purchase life insurance if they develop in future health conditions. Many insurers will deny coverage or increase the price if a person has or has had certain conditions like cancer or diabetes. If your child already has life insurance, they can typically carry the policy with them throughout life, which may help them out if they develop a health problem as a child.

The Insurance Makes an Unbearable Time Slightly More Manageable

The other major advantage to purchasing life insurance for a child is that it can make an unbearable time slightly more manageable. You do not want to think about your child dying, but accidents happen and kids get sick. If this were to happen to your child, could you afford the type of funeral you want to give him or her? If not, you may want to look into purchasing life insurance so you do not have to worry about money if you find yourself in this position.

If you are looking to purchase life insurance for your children in the greater Oro Valley, AZ area, let Old Pueblo Insurance help. Contact us today to get answers to any questions you may have or to obtain a quote.

Hidden Termite Terrors and how to prevent them

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At Old Pueblo Insurance, serving the Tucson and Oro Valley, AZ areas, we know all about termites and what they can do to your house, value, and insurance.   

Homeowners insurance doesn’t cover termite damage. However, it can cover damage to things, like electronics, covered by homeowners insurance that is caused by a collapsing structure, such as a wall or a roof that had the termite damage.

The good news is termite damage can be prevented with regular maintenance and inspections. Protecting your home can not only keep your family safe, but it can save you thousands of dollars.

  • There are 45 kinds of termites in the U.S.
  • Termites are social insects. So, if you see one, he has friends.
  • Termites live in dark places.
  • In recorded history, termites have never developed resistance to any pesticide.

It’s always advisable to have a professional inspect your house, but there are three main signs you can look for on a monthly walk around your house.

Check for the three top signs of termites moving in with you.

Wood Damage

It seems obvious, but termites are after wood. If you see long tubes in wood near the ground or trees nearby, it might be termites

Mud Tubes and Tunnels

Wherever the land meets your house, you could find mud tubes the size of pencils.

Discarded Wings

Near the ground, if you find a pile of discarded wings, this is a sure sign a swarm has moved in and colonized.

Old Pueblo Insurance, serving Tucson and Oro Valley, AZ, is there to answer any questions you might have about your homeowner’s insurance and what is covered. Give us a friendly call for details

 

 

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.