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O'Fallon, MO 63366

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What New Homeowners Should Know About Buying Their First Home Insurance Policy

Buying Your First Home Insurance Policy: A Guide for New Homeowners in the Greater O’Fallon, MO Area

If you have recently purchased a home in the greater O’Fallon, MO area, having a home insurance policy is a critical step towards safeguarding your investment. Senn Insurance Agency offers some key factors to consider during this process.

Understanding Coverage Options

Typically, home insurance policies offer various types of coverage, including dwelling (covering the structure of your home), personal property (covering your possessions), liability (covering legal expenses if there’s an injury on your property), and additional living expenses (covering temporary housing if your home is uninhabitable). Understanding these coverage types will help you select a policy that best suits your needs.

Determining Coverage Limits

When deciding on coverage limits for your home insurance policy, it’s essential to consider the replacement costs of your home and possessions. If you underestimate, you could risk being underinsured in the event of a claim. Conversely, overestimating could lead to needless premium costs. Consulting with an experienced insurance agent can help you determine suitable coverage limits.

Considering Additional Coverage

New homeowners may need to consider additional coverage for specific risks not covered in standard policies, such as flood or umbrella insurance. Assessing these potential risks and discussing them with your insurance agent ensures comprehensive coverage.

Reviewing Policy Exclusions

Taking a careful look at the exclusions and limitations of your home insurance policy is vital. Regular exclusions could include damage caused by earthquakes, floods, or certain types of personal property. Knowing these policy exclusions can inform your decisions about seeking additional coverage options.

Purchasing your first home insurance policy is a crucial undertaking for new homeowners in the greater O’Fallon, MO area. If you need help understanding the available coverage options or selecting the right policy for your needs, contact Senn Insurance Agency today.

How do I know which kind of life insurance is best, depending on my age?

No matter how old someone is, they could benefit from having a life insurance policy. There are different kinds of life insurance, though, and you may get better benefits from one or another based on your age. If you are looking for life insurance in O’Fallon, MO, Senn Insurance Agency can help you look at all your options.

The Younger, the Better

The younger you are, the smaller your premiums will be. The premium is the monthly payment to maintain your policy.

Term life insurance is popular among young people because of the lower premium prices. If you choose a term life policy, you will decide how long you want your policy to last and how much insurance you want.

Term life insurance usually lasts between 10 and 30 years and is the less expensive option. The only benefit is that there is a death benefit paid out if the person who holds the policy dies. Some people add a term life policy to a whole life policy during certain financial situations, such as buying a new home.

Whole Life Insurance

Whole life insurance lasts forever or as long as you keep paying your premium. Unlike term insurance, there is a cash component where the policyholder can borrow money against the policy.

Many people choose whole life insurance after the age of 30 because it provides long-term financial security. For instance, older people can carry a policy that will help provide for the children, pay off the mortgage, and pay burial expenses.

Your circumstances are unique, and what might be best for you wouldn’t work for someone else. If you live in O’Fallon, MO, Senn Insurance Agency can help you assess your current situation to make an informed decision. Call today.

Three Important Steps to Take Following an Accident

Senn Insurance Agency, here in O’Fallon, MO, is proud to serve our community. If you have questions about insurance, our team is here to answer them. The right auto insurance policy can help you when you need it most. Let us help you with all your insurance needs, from auto to homeowners to life. 

Steps to Take Immediately After an Accident

If you are involved in an auto accident, there are a few steps to take immediately. The first of which is to get to a safe place. If you need to wait for a tow truck because your vehicle is inoperable, be sure to find a safe spot while you wait for them to arrive.

You’ll also want to seek medical help, even if you feel fine immediately after the accident. The most common injuries that occur due to an accident affect soft tissue areas like your neck. This type of injury can take hours or even days to show symptoms. It’s essential to have a medical check-up to ensure that you haven’t experienced this type of injury.

The next step is to call your auto insurance carrier to begin the claims process. You’ll want to start the process as soon as possible and get back on the road. Depending on the accident’s severity, you might also need to file a police report. Your local agent is an excellent resource during this time and can provide further direction as needed.

Give Senn Insurance Agency a call today!

If you live or work in the greater O’Fallon, MO area, you can count on the team at Senn Insurance Agency. Contact us today to learn more about how our services can help you. We look forward to helping you meet your insurance needs!

Preparing for a Home Insurance Claim: What You Need to Know

When the unexpected happens, having a solid understanding of the home insurance claim process can make all the difference. Being prepared can help you navigate the challenges of filing a claim and ensure a smoother recovery, whether it’s a burst pipe, fire, or structural damage. Here’s a list of the steps that you need to know:

  1. Document Everything: From the moment the damage occurs, document the situation with photos and videos. The more detailed notes you have, the better. This will serve as crucial evidence during the claims process, helping insurance adjusters accurately assess the extent of the damage.

  2. Go Over Your Policy: Understand the coverage limits, deductibles, and any particular requirements related to the type of damage you’ve encountered. This will empower you to make well-informed decisions throughout the claims process.

  3. Every Moment Counts: Don’t hesitate—time is crucial. If you encounter damage, quickly contact Senn Insurance Agency, serving O’Fallon, MO, and the surrounding areas, to report the incident and initiate the claims process promptly.

  4. Partner With The Adjusters: Insurance adjusters will assess the damage and determine the amount of compensation you’re entitled to. Cooperate fully during their inspection, providing any necessary documentation and answering questions truthfully.

  5. Temporary Repairs: If you need to make temporary repairs to prevent further damage, keep detailed records of all expenses. Your insurance policy may cover these costs, so providing accurate documentation for reimbursement is essential.

In times of crisis, being informed is crucial. Ensure you have a copy of your insurance policy readily available, and familiarize yourself with the claims process details. For added protection for your home, contact Senn Insurance Agency, which serves O’Fallon, MO, and the nearby areas. Contact us today.

Four common misconceptions about life insurance

At Senn Insurance Agency, we’re here to assist consumers in O’Fallon, MO with meeting their life insurance needs. 

Unfortunately, consumers sometimes have misconceptions about life insurance. Here are four of the most common misconceptions out there about life insurance. 

Life insurance is not affordable for most consumers.

It would be best if you didn’t make any assumptions about how expensive life insurance is. It would be best to get quotes on life insurance policies to be accurately informed about how much it will cost you and your family to get life insurance coverage. 

The life insurance coverage that you get through your employer is adequate.

Many employers offer life insurance coverage to employees. However, it’s important to know that the coverage offered by employers is not always adequate for a family’s needs.

It might be essential for you to invest in added coverage that goes beyond what your employer offers if you want to ensure your family is financially secure. 

You can’t get life insurance if you have a chronic health condition.

While it might be harder to get life insurance if you have health issues, it’s not impossible. If you’re worried about health issues, shop around, and you should be able to find a no-medical exam policy that meets your needs. 

You don’t have to worry about missing one life insurance premium payment. 

It’s essential for you to make every life insurance premium payment on time. If you miss a payment, your policy could lapse, and your family could be without coverage. 

If you need life insurance, you can get a quote on a policy from Senn Insurance Agency. We’re here to help consumers in O’Fallon, MO when it comes to meeting their life insurance coverage needs. 

Don’t Text and Drive

As of August 28, 2023, texting and driving in Missouri officially became illegal. Bluetooth and talk-to-text are acceptable, but hands on the wheel means hands off the phone. Previously, the law only applied to young drivers under the age of 21, but now it’s all drivers. For now, driving while texting is only a secondary violation, but starting in 2025, a first-time violation will lead to a fine of up to $150. This can increase to $500 for any repeat convictions within two years. Missouri is only the 49th state to ban texting and driving for all ages. And it’s about time. 

Don’t Get Distracted

Would you drive the length of a football field while blindfolded? You do that if you look at a text for 5 seconds while doing 55 mph. Driving is something that requires your full attention. Letting yourself get distracted can lead to disaster. Even if you get lucky and no one is killed or hurt, your car could be damaged, sued, and your insurance rates could go up. In every state but Montana, you could get arrested.

The Numbers Are Going Up

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there has been a 12% jump from 2020 to 2021 in fatal car crashes that involve at least one distracted driver. There have been confirmed 3,522 people killed across the U.S. by distracted driving. Sadly, the numbers may be underreported. 

Senn Insurance Agency Serving O’Fallon, MO. 

We at Senn Insurance Agency hope you will drive safely. If you are in O’Fallon, MO, and need auto insurance, call us, and we’ll take care of you. 

Will my homeowners’ insurance pay for the repair/rebuild of my she-shed?

Homeowners’ insurance creates peace of mind for many people. This type of insurance contains different types of coverage to cover a wide variety of situations that homeowners may face. Many homeowners would be unable to financially handle unexpected events, accidents, and damages to their homes or property. The Senn Insurance Agency team is dedicated to helping O’Fallon, MO homeowners understand the benefits of homeowners insurance.

What is homeowners insurance?

Homeowners insurance is designed to provide a wide variety of coverage for your home. It’s designed to provide liability coverage and coverage for your home and belongings. Your homeowner’s insurance covers your home’s exterior, interior, foundation, personal belongings, and any other structures on your property. Of course, your insurance has specific terms regarding what types of circumstances and incidents your policy covers. If your home, personal belongings, or structures become damaged, you can file a claim with your homeowner insurance for repair or replacement. Depending on your homeowners’ insurance terms, you may or may not need to pay a deductible. 

My she-shed burned to the ground. Will my homeowners’ insurance pay for the repair/rebuild?

Yes. Your homeowner’s insurance will pay for the repair or rebuild of your shed if the incident/damage is covered. The repair or replacement of your she-shed is covered by "other structures coverage." However, any personal belongings damaged in the fire are (covered) replaced or repaired by personal property coverage. Understanding homeowner’s insurance can be confusing. A licensed insurance agent can help you explore your homeowner’s insurance policy. If you have questions, call us. We’d happily answer your questions and help you explore your options.

Who should get a life insurance plan in Missouri?

Everyone in the O’Fallon, MO area should take their personal insurance needs seriously. One type of coverage that many overlook is life insurance. While someone may not consider their life insurance needs, it is a very important form of coverage everyone should consider getting. There are various scenarios when someone wants a full life insurance plan.

When Trying to Provide Financial Coverage

A situation when someone will want to have a life insurance plan will come when they are trying to provide financial coverage for those that they care about. One of the main benefits of having a life insurance policy is that you can build and customize it to provide your dependents with financial support if you pass away in an accident. Having life insurance will allow you to ensure your dependents have the financial assistance they need to maintain their current lifestyle. 

Alternative Investment

A whole life insurance is a good tool for those who want to save for the future and receive life insurance support. With a whole life insurance policy, some of the payments you make each month will go into an account that grows in the future with interest and can be liquidated. At the same time, you will receive life insurance support. 

It is very important for those in the O’Fallon, MO area always to have life insurance. If you are comparing policies for this type of coverage, it can be helpful to start the search by calling us at Senn Insurance Agency. When you call our Senn Insurance Agency team, you can receive beneficial guidance that will inform you about your options and help you select an ideal policy. 

Safe driving tips for new drivers

Safe driving is a skill that all drivers should continually practice and perfect. New drivers, especially, need to be aware of the potential dangers of the road and know how to stay safe.

Here are a few tips from us at Senn Insurance Agency for new drivers to keep in mind when behind the wheel here in the O’Fallon, MO area, and everywhere: 

  1. Always be aware of your surroundings. Pay attention to what other cars do around you—especially when turning or changing lanes. 
  2. Don’t speed or drive too fast for the conditions. Remember, even if you are within the posted speed limit, driving that quickly doesn’t mean it is safe—especially in bad weather or heavy traffic. 
  3. Follow the rules of the road and always obey traffic signs and signals. This includes stopping at stop signs and red lights, signaling before turning or changing lanes, and yielding to pedestrians at crosswalks. 
  4. Always wear a seatbelt and make sure all passengers are buckled up too! Seatbelts save lives and help protect drivers from serious injury in the event of an accident. 
  5. Avoid distracted driving activities such as texting while driving or eating behind the wheel (or any other activities that take your eyes off the road). Focus on driving safely! 

New drivers should focus on mastering these tips early on so they can stay safe on the roads for years to come! For more information, or if you are a new driver and need auto insurance, call us at Senn Insurance Agency today. We are proud to serve the O’Fallon, MO area and would be happy to help you find a policy that meets your needs and budget.

Tips for Protecting Your Home While On Vacation

Most people look forward to their vacation months in advance as it is often one of the few opportunities to catch a few consecutive days of stress-free living. Before leaving on vacation, the insurance professionals at Senn Insurance Agency offer these protection tips for your property or home in and around the O’Fallon, MO vicinity.  

Lock Doors & Windows

Make sure the property is secure. Consider extra security like a deadbolt.  

Install a Home Security System

Home security is now more affordable than ever. You can have alarms on windows and doors.

Use Light Timers

Set timers for lights or TVs/Radios to deter potential thieves.

Have a Friend/Family Member Keep an Eye on Your Empty Home.

Ask someone to check the property regularly while you are away.

Hold Mail & Newspapers

A pile of folded and unread newspapers is a sure sign the residents are not home. Put the mail on hold or ask your neighbor to get it.  

Lay Low on Social Media

Vacations are exciting, so people share their experiences with friends and family live and online. Avoid these pots until you are home to avoid tipping off a potential burglar.  

Secure valuable items

Consider storing valuable items in a safe or other safe location. Finding an appropriate safe can protect your items from storms, fires, and theft.

Don’t Leave a Hide-A-Key

This method is not secure and may increase the chance the property is burglarized.

Install an Outdoor Senso- Light

These lights switch on when sensing any movement.

The Take Away

The last thing you want after a vacation is to come home to an issue that may have been preventable by being cautious. For information on further protecting your home and family in the greater O’Fallon, MO area, call the professionals at Senn Insurance Agency at 636-987-7798 or online.