What Should I Look for in a Good Health Insurance Policy?

Posted on by agentinsure

Picking a good health insurance policy will be essential to you and your family. If you live in Catonsville, MD or the DMV area and are seeking health insurance, HBW Insurance Group is here to help. There are some key things to consider, with variables based on whether you are picking a singular, or family health insurance policy. Contemplate the below carefully when choosing your policy:

How Much Insurance Will I Need? – This can be tricky, as unexpected health issues can arise at any time. Considering the categories insurance plans fall under- Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum- you can calculate what you may need throughout the year.

The lower the medal, the higher the deductibles, fewer costs that are covered by the insurance and lower premiums you will pay. If you don’t have any current health issues or take prescriptions regularly, this may be the right type of policy for you. Conversely, Gold and Platinum plans will have higher monthly premiums, lower deductibles and more costs covered by the policy. These are good plans for people with ongoing health issues and require prescriptions. The silver policy lands right in the middle and is a good plan for someone with no ongoing health issues, but wants enough coverage to cover unexpected sicknesses and prescriptions. This can also be a good plan for a family, as families with children have more frequent doctor visits overall. 

There are a plethora of health insurance plans available and choosing the proper plan can seem overwhelming. You can minimize this feeling by practicing due diligence through research and comparisons of the plans you are interested in- to find the one that works for you. 

What Aspects Should You Consider Before Buying Life Insurance?

Posted on by agentinsure

Life insurance is a great investment and a safety net in your loved one’s future. However, purchasing one can be tasking because of the many factors one ought to consider. This article has simplified the factors to three simple steps. At HBW Insurance Group, we advise clients to choose an affordable and sufficient bundle for all your needs within Catonsville, MD. To know these factors, read on.

Carry out a Personal Assessment
Before heading to any agency within Catonsville, MD, it is wise to know what perils you want covered. Nonetheless, at HBW Insurance Group, we have agents who can inform you of the various insurance policies and the needs they meet. This will be important in giving you insights on the perils that could affect your family when you pass. Know whether you will need a lump sum settlement for your family, as an inheritance, or a policy that will cater for their debts and burial expenses.

Do Comparisons on the Offered Policies
After knowing your needs, compare the options offered. Life insurance policies vary especially in the rates offered and the resultant lump sum figure to be compensated with. A case in point, the term and cash value policies. Term policies are less profitable compared to the cash value policies that build up huge revenue over time. Alternatively, cash value policies are the common ones, and you can choose from whole life, variable or universal life insurance.

Review the Policy before Purchasing
At HBW Insurance Group, we take our clients through a vigorous process. This entails informing the clients on renewal guidelines, the clauses within their respective policies, essence of keeping their current policy until the new one kicks in and affordability. Reviewing your policy yearly to beat inflations is also advised. For more guidance, we are in Catonsville, MD and you can contact us any time.

 

5 Ways to Secure Your Home Before Going on Summer Vacation

Posted on by agentinsure

Summer vacation can be the highlight of the season. If you’re traveling far from home, take time to secure your property before leaving. With advanced preparation, you can keep your home safe from theft, vandalism, and intrusion during your absence. Here are a few ways you can safeguard your property while you’re gone.

Home Repairs

Before taking off on vacation, make vital home repairs that weaken your security such as cracked windows, faulty locks, broken screens, etc. Look around your Catonsville, MD property to see what fix it jobs are necessary to protect your property and get these done.

Landscaping

Make sure your yard work is up to date to include mowed lawn, trimmed hedges, weeded garden, etc. If you’re taking a prolonged vacation, pay someone to care for your landscaping while you’re gone. An unkempt yard is a sure sign that no one is home, which could attract the attention of thieves.  

Security System

Invest in a security system with motion detectors, window sensors, and security cameras to protect your property. You can also set up automatic timers for indoor and outdoor lights to give the impression that someone is home and looking after the property. 

Mail

Ask a neighbor to pick up your mail or have the post office hold your mail while you’re gone. Piled up mail is yet another sign that no one is on the property.  

Neighbor Checks

Ask a neighbor to keep an eye on your property during your absence. A conscientious, friendly neighbor can be your best deterrent against theft or vandalism. 

Summer is also a good time to review your homeowner’s insurance with HBW Insurance Group, Catonsville, MD, to make sure your policy is up to date. Adequate insurance coverage from HBW Insurance Group will keep your home safe from any eventuality.

Do All Businesses Need Commercial Insurance?

Posted on by agentinsure

Commercial insurance is a type of policy that was created to protect both the business and the business owner. Keeping this in mind, not all business owners are going to need a large commercial policy, but all can benefit from some sort of commercial policy. For those in the Catonsville, MD area, the agents with HBW Insurance Group can answer any questions you may have.

The first thing to consider when thinking about taking out a commercial policy is the size and scope of the business and how much you would be affected if it shut down or if a law suit was filed. If you simply sell things from your home from time to time and have no large inventory and have no real potential for a lawsuit against you or your business, you may not need a huge policy. If you have a large amount of inventory, a store front, and customers that come into that store front as well as employees that work for you, you certainly need a comprehensive policy.

Creating an LLC, or a limited liability corporation, will help to protect you from lawsuits but it does nothing if your place of business burns down and inventory is destroyed. A commercial policy is going to protect you from three things, lawsuits, destruction of property, and replacing items if there is any sort of disaster. Commercial policies are always a good idea even if your business is not all that large yet. For those larger, more established businesses, a good commercial policy is entirely necessary.

If you live in the Catonsville, MD area and need more help with your commercial policy, contact the agents with HBW Insurance Group today to find out more. Commercial insurance does not have to be complicated with the right agent.  

4 Common Car Insurance Problems to Avoid For Claims

Posted on by agentinsure

4 Common Car Insurance Problems to Avoid For Claims

Introduction. Most policyholder mistakenly believes that buying a policy automatically makes them qualify for an insurance claim settlement. According to experts at HBW Insurance Group, once you file the claim there are certain behaviors or decisions that can still invalidate your claim. Here are four possible auto insurance mistakes that may delay or invalidate your settlement of a claim.

I. Failing to Act Quickly. From the moment an accident or incident occurs the clock begins ticking. Most insurance firms around Catonsville, MD have a set period within which you must report the incidence. You have to report the incidence and file the claim as soonest as possible. This makes it easy for the policy provider to follow up when the details are still fresh.

II. Failing to Provide Required Information. During the reporting of the incidence, you have to provide all the critical information that is required. Failure to divulge critical information could lead to delays or even eventual termination or denial of your claim. These include what happened, where, who was involved, how it happened, and the extent of the damages.

III. Withholding Information When Buying the Policy. Many policyholders lie so that they can pay lower premiums. However, this might come back to hurt you during the filing of the claim. Make sure you provide all the accurate information that you have during the buying of the policy. Lying might get your policy canceled or your claim denied.

IV. Failing to Buy Sufficient Coverage. According to Catonsville, MD, always keep in mind that a policy only covers the issues specified during the buying of the policy. In then end buying insufficient policy may make your claim to be denied. Therefore, you ought to take your time to consider the worst case scenario and try to buy a cover for them.

Better Coverage for Your Vehicle: Can You Afford It?

Posted on by agentinsure

Few people have an easy time staying within their monthly budget. As time goes by, expenses seem to mount at every turn. So when you think about your auto insurance, it’s easy to deem it one bill you couldn’t afford to spend more on. As understandable as that initial reaction might be though, HBW Insurance Group wants you to know why it could come back to haunt you. 

What Can You Afford?

A few extra dollars a month isn’t going to be pleasant to live without if you live in Catonsville, MD, there’s no doubt about that. But you have to take into account what you might pay without the right coverage. If you have liability only, do you know how you’ll get to work if you cause an accident? Liability will only cover the other driver. Do you know how you’ll pay for the repairs on your own or buy another car if the original one is totaled? Part of being a responsible driver is knowing that it’s better to pay a little more now than a lot more later. And while this exercise can be difficult because it means thinking about an accident, theft or property damage that hasn’t even occurred yet, the odds are too great that something will happen to your car over the course of your ownership to risk it to chance. 

Getting a Quote 

You have nothing to lose by getting a quote from HBW Insurance. We help the people of Catonsville, MD understand how insurance works to protect their savings rather than deplete it. It’s our pleasure to give you more information about finances, coverage levels and your overall protection, so call today to speak to one of our friendly staff members about our rates. 

How DIY Can Impact Your Homeowners Insurance

Posted on by agentinsure

Whether you have your dream home or not in Catonsville, MD, it’s understandable that you might take the DIY approach in some instances. While this can save you money, it’s important to know how it will impact your homeowner’s insurance.

Electrical Problems

Electrical is tricky and it’s why there are licensed electricians. If you end up starting a fire in your home because of DIY electrical work, it might not be covered on home insurance. To find out more about what is and isn’t covered, it’s a good idea to talk with an agent at HBW Insurance Group.

Plumbing

Plumbing issues tend to be complicated as well. You don’t want to run into an issue where you cause more damage than what was already in place. Professional plumbers will be able to assess the problem and let you know what needs to be done.

Security

Just as there are problems with DIY, there are also advantages. You can decide to install your own security system. If it’s monitored, you will also be able to save money on your insurance premiums because of taking an added safety precaution.

Fencing

Building your own fence might be easier than you think. As to whether you decide on aluminum, PVC, or another material, it provides a barrier around your property. This also serves as a deterrent to potential crimes on your property.

Ultimately, it comes down to knowing what you’re doing and following the various rules and regulations. If you do work that requires a permit, you need to pull the permit to follow city code. If at any point you’re not sure what you’re doing, it’s best to work with a contractor in Catonsville, MD.

For more information about obtaining home insurance and how to get an affordable premium, contact us at HBW Insurance Group today.

 

Things to Do Before a Winter Storm

Posted on by agentinsure

A winter storm is almost inevitable in Catonsville, MD. If you do not want to get caught unprepared, there are a few things you need to do. Use these tips to help prepare yourself and your home for the next winter storm.

Get Food and Water

You always want to have enough food and water in the home for each person so survive for a few days. When you are building your stockpile, make sure you choose items that do not require cooking so you can still eat even if you lose power.

Get Some Warm Blankets

In case you do lose power, you want to make sure you can stay warm. A big component of this is having enough blankets for everyone. If you do not have enough, go out and get some more warm ones just in case. 

Prep Your Fireplace

No matter what kind of fireplace you have, you should make sure you have everything you need to keep it going for a few days. Your fireplace is a great source of warmth and can really bring a family together on colder nights. 

Get Things to Melt Ice

Even after the storm is over, you may need to remove some of the ice that has built up. Make sure you get some items that can help you do that naturally. Some things to consider include cat litter, salt, or sand. 

Winter storms can be unpredictable. Help protect your investment and get a home insurance policy. If you do not have one or would like our office, serving Catonsville, MD, to take a look at your current policy, contact us today. We can get you a quote for a new policy that will meet your needs and meet your budget requirements. 

How to Prevent Home Water Damage

Posted on by agentinsure

Water damage inside a home is a common occurrence simply because people do not take the right precautions. Whether it is a small or large amount of damage doesn’t really matter. You will still have to take care of the damage as soon as possible to avoid further issues. For your home in Catonsville, MD, however, it is always better to prevent water damage than to fix it. Use these tips from HBW Insurance Group to prevent water damage in your home:

  • Watch Where You Plant. You may love having trees in your yard but you should make sure you place them in an area where they cannot interfere with water lines as they mature. 
  • Keep an Eye on Your Water Bill. One of the best ways to detect water damage before it gets too bad is by keeping an eye on your water bill. You should always keep track of your usage and if something seems off or your bills is larger without you actually using more water, it could be due to a water leak problem. Detecting this change quickly is key. 
  • Don’t Pour Grease Down Your Sink. You never want to do this because even if you pour it with cold or hot water, it can still create a block that will be a bigger issue for you later. Protect your pipes and don’t pour grease down them. 

Even with the best prevention methods, you may still find yourself with water damage. Sometimes, you cannot prevent it at all. To better protect yourself, your finances, and your home, make sure you have a good home insurance policy in place that have a water damage clause. Contact HBW Insurance Group, serving Catonsville, MD, today to ensure you are protected and to get a free quote. 

Repairs to Old Windows and Doors Protect Your Family from Intruders

Posted on by agentinsure

As a homeowner, keeping up with repairs and maintenance can be an unending struggle. Especially in an older house with rattling doors and windows. You realize the cold air is seeping in around the edges as the winter wind blows, but have you taken the time to determine just how secure the aging portals into your Catonsville, MD home are? HBW Insurance Group offers up some simple tips to help improve the security of your home while protecting your family.

Replace Loose Door and Window Locks

If the door knob to the back door has been rattling for years, now is the time to have it replaced. Burglars love to look for the easy way in. A loose lock indicates that perhaps the rest of the home is equally easy to invade. For a few dollars and a couple hours of your time, loose and broken locks can be replaced providing one more deterrent to the curious home invader.

Fix Broken Window Panes

There’s nothing that indicates that a home is an easy target more than an exterior that has been allowed to fall into disrepair. You don’t have to replace the window with a new one if the frame is still in good shape. However, by ensuring that all the glass is in one piece, you are telling a potential burglar that not only do you care for your home, you will make it hard for them to find anything of value inside as well.

So often homeowners put off the small maintenance tasks thinking they will replace the problem area sometime in the future. However, by spending just a few dollars to fix a broken window or door instead, you can end up saving money on improvements and protect your home against burglars. Ask your agent at HBW Insurance Group in the Catonsville, MD area for more tips on how to protect your largest investment against loss.