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O'Fallon, MO 63366

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Senn Insurance Agency Blog

What Happens If I Miss A Payment On My Auto Insurance Policy?

You might receive a cancellation notice in the mail if you fall behind on your payments. If you want to keep your policy, you can usually pay the amount you owe plus any late fees to reinstate it. Some insurers also offer a one-time courtesy reinstatement if you fall behind on your payments and let your policy lapse for a certain period. Contact Senn Insurance Agency if you stay in O’Fallon, MO for questions. 

What Goes Around Lateness in Auto Insurance Payment 

Your policy will typically go into a "grace period" for a set time. Usually, 10–20 days, in which you can still make the payment, and the policy will remain in effect. After that, the policy will likely go into "suspension," which means that the policy is no longer in effect, and you will no longer be covered if you are in an accident. 

If you make the payment during the grace period and your policy has gone into suspension, it will typically go back into effect. If you do not make a payment on your policy when it is due, your insurer will likely notify you that the payment was not received. To avoid having your policy canceled, keep track of the due dates for your payments and prepare to make the next one on time. 

You will receive a mail notice if you are late on your payment or your account has reached its limit. If you do not take action and make the payment, the insurer will likely cancel your policy. You will have to purchase a new policy at the current rate. If you paid your bill late, but your account did not reach its limit, you may be eligible for a one-time courtesy reinstatement. 

If you want to change your policy mid-year, you must purchase a new one at the current rate. You may be eligible for a one-time courtesy reinstatement if you paid your bill late, but your account did not reach its limit. 

Final Words 

Your insurer may cancel your policy if you have not resolved the issue and made the next payment by the due date. If you have a paid policy, you may lose any no-claims or discounts you have earned. If you have a non-paid policy, your insurer may consider the policy void and not renew it when it expires. Get help with Senn Insurance Agency serving in O’Fallon, MO.

Tips for making your home a safer place

Home is your safe place. That is what most people feel and think. There are thousands of deaths every year in homes due to preventable accidents. Knowledge is power through falls, poisoning, or fires, and prevention is the best cure. At Senn Insurance Agency in O’Fallon, MO, we use our experience to give our customers exposure to our network of top carriers in the business. 

Falls

The main cause of death in the home for people over the age of 65 is falling. Young children are often injured this way as well. Reducing the risks of falls in your home is a great place to start making your home a safer place. 

  • Remove clutter
  • Keep stairs clear
  • Avoid throw rugs
  • Keep electric cords out of walkways
  • Have slip-proof bath mats
  • No-slip mats or stickers in showers and tubs
  • Add nightlights
  • Handrails on two sides of the stairs
  • Have adequate lighting in dark hallways

Poison

Children are the most vulnerable to poisoning in the home. Many things used regularly to clean are poisonous if ingested, and small children, especially, are prone to putting everything in their mouths. Install childproof locks on your kitchen cabinets. Never leave any medication where a child can reach it. Keep in mind that children climb and are very resourceful when putting it away. 

Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors

Having smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in your home is vital. It is also essential to make sure that they are operational. The batteries should be replaced every six months, and they should be tested. It is so simple to do and can save lives. 

Contact Senn Insurance Agency in O’Fallon, MO when you are ready to discuss your home insurance needs. 

What are the different types of life insurance?

Do you have questions about life insurance? The team at Senn Insurance Agency can help you explore your insurance options and determine which type of policy may be right for you and your family. We are proud to serve the insurance needs of the greater O’Fallon, MO community!

Different types of life insurance

There are four main types of life insurance that we would like to review today. If you would like to learn more, a local agent can answer all of your questions and help you find the right policy for your needs.

  1. Term Life – This is an excellent option for single people or those on a budget. It is essential to consider that the policies are for a defined period and expire after that term.
  2. Whole Life – One of the most popular types of permanent life insurance, a whole life policy has many benefits. You can set up such policies so that your premium will not vary throughout the policy’s life. It also builds a cash value, and your death benefit cannot change.  
  3. Variable Life – If you would like to utilize your life policy as a financial tool, several variable policies are tied to investment accounts. These policies carry a more significant amount of risk than a whole life policy.
  4. Universal Life – This is a less expensive policy type as no cash value builds over time. And your death benefit will not change.

Give us a call today!

Senn Insurance Agency is proud to work with the O’Fallon, MO area residents. If you have questions about life or any other type of insurance, give us a call or stop by our office today!

What You Need To Know About Auto Insurance

Auto insurance is a unique type of expense. Because it is required by law, it is helpful when you can find the best rates. At Senn Insurance Agency, serving O’Fallon, MO, and the surrounding areas, we can help educate you on important insurance topics such as this. Keep reading to learn more. 

Legal Considerations

Auto insurance is unique because it is one of the few expenses required by law. You will need at least the minimum coverage to operate your vehicle legally. If you refuse or fail to keep proper insurance coverage, you could face legal consequences. 

Financial Considerations

In addition to the legal obligation you carry to keep your vehicle insured, there are also financial factors that you should consider when choosing the amount of coverage you will purchase. If you opt for minimum coverage, this is the minimum required by law to operate your vehicle. You will be held financially responsible for any damage to your vehicle. A liability policy will not pay for damage to your car if your vehicle is in a wreck or is damaged due to a natural disaster or burglary. If your vehicle is damaged or lost for these reasons, you will be responsible for paying for repairs or replacement of your vehicle. This could leave you financially vulnerable. 

Health Considerations

If you are injured in an accident, a solid auto policy can help pay for medical expenses. Without this vital coverage, you might struggle to pay for these important services. 

If you would like to learn more about car insurance or any other services, don’t hesitate to contact us at Senn Insurance Agency, serving O’Fallon, MO, and the surrounding areas.  

Demystifying Common Home Insurance Myths

Nothing is more devastating than buying any insurance based on misguided facts. It can be frustrating, especially when a disaster strikes, only to realize it’s not covered. If you are in the stage of seeking home insurance, we understand the confusion. With many myths peddled around, you can’t tell which one is true or false. Fortunately, Senn Insurance Agency is here to demystify some common home insurance myths to help you buy a home insurance policy based on facts. Let’s explore

Myth#1: Home insurance covers all damages

Standard home insurance doesn’t cover all the damages. While home insurance protects you from damages resulting from vandalism, fire, theft or other selected natural calamities, it excludes some damages. Be sure to go through all the exclusions to avoid surprises when claiming. For example, standard home insurance will not cover you from floods, earthquakes, acts of war, pest infestation, and many other exclusions.

Myth#2: Home insurance covers the house only

Home insurance does not cover the structure only but the contents too. It covers even the detached structures like a garage at an additional premium. And that’s not all. Home insurance offers liability protection and covers additional living expenses if your home becomes uninhabitable.

Myth#3: Home insurance covers your family medical expenses

Home insurance only covers medical expenses for your guests who get hurt within your premises. The policy does not cover injuries sustained by you or your family members.

Myth#4: Home insurance is not worth the investment

You’ve probably worked for years to save for that home. Imagine just one occurrence could reduce your entire investment into nothing. Where do you start? Think about the thousands of dollars you’ve invested in your home and see the value of investing in home insurance.

Home insurance in O’Fallon, MO

Every day, you hear of new insurance myths, making it impossible to exhaust them at a go. If you encounter confusing information about home insurance, seek clarification from a trusted insurance agent. For all matters do to with home insurance, contact us at Senn Insurance Agency.

Why Young Adults Should Invest in a Life Insurance Policy

Most people don’t give much thought to purchasing a life insurance policy until they are older. However, young adults in O’Fallon, MO should consider investing in a policy while they are still young. This is true regardless of their individual situation. Here are several reasons why young adults (in their 20s) should get life insurance now from an insurer like Senn Insurance Agency.

Life Insurance Is Normally More Affordable

Individuals tend to be quoted the best life insurance rates the younger and healthier they are. In the event that you wind up developing a severe or chronic illness or condition before you’re able to secure a life insurance policy, the chances are good that you will pay more for the policy. Signing up for a policy while you’re young and ultimately in good health will allow you to lock in a lower premium.

Life Insurance Helps to Replace Lost Income

Whether you live with a spouse, share an apartment with a friend, or have children, there is probably someone who relies on you financially in one way or another. If something were to happen to you, they would be left without your income to pay the necessary bills and other regular costs. A life insurance policy can cover various expenses until they are able to adjust to their new lifestyle.

Life Insurance Protects Your Family Members

Whether you have children now or plan to have them in the foreseeable future, life insurance can aid in related expenses like medical care, college tuition, the like. It can even help your spouse set up their future retirement. Even in the event that you believe these life events are decades away, it is best to plan for them as early as possible for your peace of mind, their peace of mind, and in case the unthinkable occurs.

If you need help figuring out which type of life insurance policy is best for your individual situation, contact the professionals at Senn Insurance Agency, serving O’Fallon, MO.

Missouri Auto Insurance – What You Need To Know About Auto Insurance

Missouri is nationally known as the "Show Me State" and if you operate a motor vehicle in Missouri, you should be able to show your proof of insurance to a police officer upon request.  Missouri (as with practically all other states) requires you to have auto insurance when operating your motor vehicle.  What kinds of auto insurance are available?  This question will be answered below.  You can purchase auto insurance from Senn Insurance Agency in O’Fallon MO.

Auto Insurance Basics

Every auto insurance policy will have a minimum amount of coverage for collision and a minimum amount of coverage for liability.  Some states offer a PLPD (Personal Liability & Property Damage) “bare-bones” coverage that will satisfy legal requirements to be able to drive a car legally in that state.  In these states, this coverage will pay out to the other driver in case of an accident.  You would either have to depend on the other driver’s insurance to cover your damages or have a separate rider of personal damage on your policy.

Different Limits, Different Premiums

As a general rule, the more coverage you get in terms of higher limits, the more in premiums that you will have to pay each month.  If you have a personal nest egg of money saved up, perhaps you can raise the limits of your liability to other drivers in case of an accident and keep the bare minimum of personal coverage for your own damages.

Other Add Ons

You’re not locked into whatever the agency offers in terms of coverage as you can add more coverage limits to your policy at any time.  You can also add services such as roadside assistance which helps you in case of a breakdown on the side of the road.

Find Out More

You can find out more about auto insurance by contacting Senn Insurance Agency in O’Fallon, MO today!

Does your home policy reflect the current value of your house?

Residents of O’Fallon, MO turn to the Senn Insurance Agency when it comes to their insurance needs. Our team understands how important it is for our community to protect their home and family. Our agents are trained to review current policies to ensure that they reflect current needs. If your policy is out of date, now is a perfect time to get the coverage you need.

Reasons why your home insurance needs may change over time

If you have owned your home for a long period of time, you may not have thought about your homeowner’s policy in quite a while. While this is understandable, it may have put you in an unwanted position. As your home value increases, so do your insurance needs. Oftentimes, our lives are busy and we simply renew our policies without reviewing them. This can lead to you and your family being underinsured. 

And, this is why we recommend our clients have a regular review of all insurance policies, especially those that cover something as important as your home. 

This is especially true if you have made any improvements to your house or property. Don’t wait to find out that you are underinsured after a catastrophe occurs. Make sure you have coverage that reflects your home’s current value and you and your family have the protection you need. 

Find out more today!

The team at the Senn Insurance Agency is here to help the residents of the O’Fallon, MO area with all of their insurance needs. Give us a call today and come meet with one of our helpful agents. 

Whole Life vs. Term Life Insurance

Life insurance can be difficult to decipher. There are a lot of new terms to learn, especially if this is your first policy. Senn Insurance Agency, which serves O’Fallon, MO, understands that you need to know which policy is best before you make a decision about insurance. Comparing whole life and term life insurance can help you make the best decision for your family.

Term Life Insurance Benefits

Term life insurance provides coverage over a set period of time. You determine the amount of time when you create the policy, which could last 10 to 30 years. If you pass away in this period, your loved ones can receive a payout. If you expect your insurance needs to change after a set period of time, this could be a fantastic option for your family. For example, you may determine you do not need a policy when your children are adults.

Whole Life Insurance Benefits

Whole life insurance provides coverage for the rest of your life. As long as you pay the premium for your policy, you will continue to be covered. When you pay a specific amount of money into your policy, your policy may accumulate a specific cash value that can grow with time. You may even be able to borrow money against your policy, and you can expect the premium to remain the same for as long as you keep it.

Get Help From an Insurance Professional

Are you in O’Fallon, MO and want to speak with an insurance professional? Senn Insurance Agency can help you choose between term life and whole life insurance. Call an agent today to discuss your options.

Does auto insurance cover a rental car?

As more and more Americans decide to vacation away from home, the question about insurance coverage and rental cars is bound to come up. When you rent a car online, you are only a few steps into the process when the matter of what type and how much insurance you want to take out on the rental vehicle. No one wants to pay for auto insurance they don’t need. At Senn Insurance Agency in  O’Fallon, MO, our experienced team is here to make sure you know the coverage that you have and don’t overpay. 

One answer is not sufficient for every person. A lot depends on the amount and type of auto insurance that you carry. If you have basic auto coverage, which is liability only, you will not have adequate coverage with a rental car. While that will protect you from being sued, it will not cover the rental car itself and if you have an accident, you could be left holding the bag for the entire repair or replacement cost for the rental car. 

If you are comfortable with the amount of liability coverage that you have on your personal auto policy, it should be right for a rental car. If however, you don’t have a new car, your collision and comprehensive coverage may not be enough for the car you are renting. Talking to your independent insurance agent about the limits of your personal coverage will put your mind at rest. 

Rental car companies offer collision damage waiver insurance which relieves you of responsibility in the event that you have an accident. If you can afford it, it takes the stress out of driving a rental vehicle. Cost versus stress, you have to decide what makes you more comfortable. 

Contact the Senn Insurance Agency in O’Fallon, MO for all your auto insurance needs.