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O'Fallon, MO 63366

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

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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

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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

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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?

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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?

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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

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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

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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.

Who Should Be My Beneficiary on My Life Insurance Policy?

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Choosing a beneficiary is an essential step in purchasing a life insurance policy. Here at Senn Insurance Agency, serving O’Fallon, MO, and the surrounding areas, we intend to help walk you through these types of important insurance decisions. Keep reading to learn more. 

Understanding Beneficiaries 

When you purchase a life insurance policy, one of the most important decisions you’ll need to make is who to name as the beneficiary. The beneficiary is the person to which life insurance benefits will be paid in the event of your passing. You should carefully consider who you are naming in this role on the policy. 

Common Beneficiaries 

You have the right to name anyone you would like as a beneficiary. However, some common beneficiaries are often chosen. For instance, married people often choose their spouse to be their beneficiary. Most married people purchase a life insurance policy to provide financial assistance to their spouses should they die. Another common person to name would be a child or children. 

If you do not have a spouse or children, you will want to consider another option. 

Things to Consider When Choosing a Beneficiary 

If you are not choosing a spouse or a child, you will want to consider who would use the insurance benefits properly carefully. The beneficiary on a life insurance policy is often responsible for paying for your final expenses if you have not pre-paid for those already. If there are other things that you would wish for the money to be used for, you should make sure you choose someone who is trustworthy and will carry out your wishes as you have requested. 

If you want to learn more about life insurance, please get in touch with us at Senn Insurance Agency, serving O’Fallon, MO, and the surrounding areas. 

 

Options for Covering a Car in Long-Term Storage

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What Are Your Options for Coverage of a Car in Long-Term Storage?

When you’ve decided to store a vehicle long-term without driving it, you might be tempted to go without insurance or keep paying your regular insurance premium until you resume driving it. At Senn Insurance Agency in O’Fallon, MO, we help our customers with various unique vehicle insurance situations. They can range from long-term storage, including military deployment situations, to classic cars driven for special occasions and valuable vehicles kept as an investment.

Your Car Has Value that Needs Protecting

Things can happen, even to a car in long-term storage. Without insurance, it’s up to you to manage repairs or accept the loss. Maintaining some form of comprehensive insurance can protect your vehicle from a wide range of risks and ensure that your investment is not inadvertently lost or reduced. Even if the problem is with the storage facility, having your own carefully selected coverage is wise.

Do You Need Liability Coverage if You’re Not Driving the Vehicle?

There may be options to adjust, pause, or modify liability coverage to get the desired protection without unnecessary extras. If your car is registered, though, the state of Missouri expects it to have at least minimum liability insurance coverage and provides penalties if not. At Senn Insurance Agency in O’Fallon, MO, we can help you coordinate registration and insurance issues together. Also, a full lapse in coverage can increase premium when coverage is resumed.

Storing your vehicle doesn’t have to mean continuing your full insurance coverage, but adjusting coverage is something you should consider doing with our experienced help. Give us a call. Let’s talk about your plans and how we can help!

 

Tips to prepare your house for a storm

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As winter progresses, so do storms and the potential for more severe weather in the O’Fallon, MO area. Preparing your home for a storm can help to minimize damages and protect your family from harm. Here are some tips from us at Senn Insurance Agency to help get you started:

  1. Secure outdoor furniture, decorations, and any other items that may be thrown around in strong winds. It’s best to store these items away in a safe place until after the storm passes. 
  2. Clear gutters of debris and leaves so that water can flow freely away from the house during rain storms. Additionally, trim any bushes or trees near windows, so they don’t become projectiles in high winds. 
  3. Check windows and doors for cracks or gaps which could let water or wind into the house. Apply caulk or weatherstripping to seal these areas up tight before the storm hits. 
  4. Ensure your home is equipped with surge protectors for electronic devices should lightning strike close by. This can minimize power spikes which can cause damage to delicate electronics like computers and televisions. 
  5. Ensure an emergency kit is ready with items such as flashlights, batteries, bottled water, first aid supplies, and non-perishable food items in case of prolonged outages or if assistance is needed from emergency services during the storm. 

By taking these steps, you will be better prepared when storms hit the O’Fallon, MO area and hopefully avoid major disasters or mishaps! For more tips on staying safe, call us at the Senn Insurance Agency today. We are happy to help!