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Common Home Riders You May Want To Add

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Home insurance comes with limits on coverage. You may think that a home insurance policy covers you for every single thing that could happen to your home, but you would be mistaken. That is not to say that you can not be covered for almost any eventuality, but to be covered, you need to add a rider, sometimes called an endorsement, to your basic policy. At Senn Insurance Agency in O’Fallon, MO, our experienced team can help you to understand what you need in the way of riders. 

  • Sewer or drain backup – This is something that you may never have thought about, or if you have thought about it, you assumed that your home insurance covered it. Having a sewer or drain back up into your home can cause a devastating amount of damage. This rider will cover the structure of your house as well as personal property. It will also help with the cleanup, which can be a tremendous job. 
  • Flood – Weather changes all over the United States have resulted in an increase in the number of areas that are vulnerable to flooding. Almost no home insurance policies cover flooding, and you need to make sure that if there is any risk at all, you add the coverage to your policy.  
  • Jewelry/Antiques – All home insurance policies have a set limit for jewelry and antiques. It is quite low compared to the possible value of even the amount of jewelry that the average person with an engagement ring might have.
  • Homebased business – If you are operating a business out of your home, your basic home policy may not cover the inventory and any business equipment you have in your home. 

These are just a few of the common riders you may want to add to your home policy. Senn Insurance Agency in O’Fallon, MO can help you to make sure you have all the coverage you need. Call the office or stop by for a no-obligation quote.

Should You Have More Than One Life Insurance Policy?

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Shopping for life insurance can be confusing, and you may have several questions. A common question that many people have is whether it is beneficial or necessary to have more than one life insurance policy in place? The best way to find out what the options are for your situation, and what steps you should take, would be with the assistance of a licensed life insurance agent.

Working with Life Insurance Agents

A life insurance agent is highly skilled in helping others find the life insurance protection they need to cover their loved ones or business partners if there is a covered death. In some cases, individuals can opt to have more than one life insurance policy in place. Sometimes they may want to select more than one type of coverage, which can create a more secure layer of protection. To get answers to questions about this type of coverage, work with an agent who knows how to help customers decide what steps to take to match their needs. You can count on Senn Insurance Agency, located in O’Fallon, MO, to give you the support you need to make the right decision. 

Obtaining Life Insurance

Once you have determined what your needs might be, or the needs of loved ones, you can begin exploring policy options with the assistance of a licensed life insurance agent. They will help you sift through the options and find out which policies and providers offer the most beneficial plans. They can also help you outline specific needs, so there aren’t gaps in coverage. 

If you are currently looking for life insurance, consult with Senn Insurance Agency, serving St. Peters and O’Fallon, MO, and get the answers you need to make an informed choice. Call or stop by today for more details. 

Car Insurance After a DUI

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If you have been found guilty of a DUI or DWI in Missouri, then it is all but guaranteed that your auto insurance premiums will increase. Don’t be left with inadequate coverage or paying for too costly of a policy, contact us at Senn Insurance Agency in O’Fallon, MO and our trusted and professional staff will be sure to answer all your questions. 

SR-22 Insurance

SR-22 is a vehicle liability insurance document that is required in the state of Missouri for any driver that has lost their driving privileges due to an uninsured car accident or conviction of a traffic-related violation like a DUI. It is important to note that the SR-22 is not an actual insurance policy but is a filling that is added to a person’s automobile insurance policy.

How Much Does SR-22 Insurance Cost?

Unfortunately, there’s no one size fits all answer for this question. The cost of the SR-22 add-on varies widely depending on several factors to include the number of traffic violations on a person’s driving record and how high-risk individual insurance companies deem a driver. At Senn Insurance Agency, we offer competitive rates and would be happy to answer any questions you have and walk you through the policy options.

How to Obtain SR-22:

If you already have auto insurance, it can be added to your policy. For individuals that do not own a vehicle, the process is a little more complicated but not impossible. Whether you are in O’Fallon, MO, or any other city in Missouri, you will need to show proof of automotive insurance to get an SR-22. So, you will need a non-owners insurance policy to proceed forward.

 

 

Tips to Winterize Your Home

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Winter can produce more than pretty snows and picturesque scenes. It can damage your home. Senn Insurance Agency of O’Fallon, MO wants you to avoid needing home repairs this winter.

You can prevent much of the potential damage by taking steps to prepare your home for the cold weather. Follow this checklist to ensure you’re prepared for anything winter sends your way.

Protecting Your Pipes

When the temperatures drop below 32 F, it can cause your pipes to freeze. You need to protect them by wrapping your pipes with insulation. This keeps them from bursting. 

Weatherproof in Fall

Before winter hits full-on, weatherstrip your doors and windows. This blocks cold air from entering your home. If you do not already have a storm door, install one for extra cold weather blockage.

Block the Cold

Block cold air from entering your home by caulking around the windows, too. Also, install foam outlet protectors. In the attic, check for drafts. You may need more insulation. The attic is the largest area of heat loss in a home.

Fireplace Inspection

Have your fireplace inspected before you build the first fire of the season. This will clean out all animal nests and eliminate the buildup of creosote.

Switch to a Programmable Thermostat

You can switch to a programmable thermostat to ensure your heat doesn’t run when you do not need it. Set it to cycle on just in time to warm the house for your return from work.

Bring in Potted Plants

Before the first cold snap, also known as, the first freeze, you must bring potted plants inside.It is good to do this before the temperatures hit 45 degrees.

Outdoor Equipment and Cold Weather

Bring your outdoor furniture and grills inside. Store them in the basement or an outdoor storage building.Disconnect your propane tank from your gas grill, if you own this type. Cover the grill, but cover the tank separately.

Winterize your home now so you do not need to come to see Senn Insurance Agency of O’Fallon, MO. Come visit it us, but winterize so it does not need to be to file a claim on your home owner’s insurance

5 Reasons to Consider Getting Life Insurance

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Whether you’re single or married, life insurance can be a boost to your financial portfolio. Life insurance benefits can be used in multiple ways to help loved ones financially upon your unexpected demise. At Senn Insurance Agency in O’Fallon, MO, we can help you choose the policy and coverage best suited to your needs. Here are just a few of the many reasons to consider life insurance at this point in your life.

Financial Support for Those You Love  

If you’re married, life benefits can help support your spouse and family after you’re gone. Life benefits can supplement your family’s income to pay for daily living, school needs, medical bills, childcare, and more. As a single, you can support aging parents in their golden years or help put a younger sibling through college to give him or her a better start in life.

Pay off Outstanding Debts

Life insurance benefits can help pay off a mortgage, car loan, credit card debts, or private student loans, so your spouse or family isn’t left with this burden after you’re gone.

Pay Your Funeral Costs

If you’ve made no provision for your funeral, life benefits can be used to pay this expense, saving your loved ones thousands of dollars to cover this untimely cost.    

Support Favorite Charity

By naming a favorite charity as your beneficiary, you can support a good cause to better your community after you’re gone.

For Peace of Mind

Having a life insurance policy can give you peace of mind that loved ones will be well taken care of upon your untimely demise. You can’t predict your future. You can, however, make your family’s future easier with the extra support that a life insurance policy has to offer after you’re gone.

For quality life insurance coverage at affordable costs, contact Senn Insurance Agency in O’Fallon, MO.

Safe Driving Tips for Teens

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That’s your child behind the wheel, all grown up and anxious to embark on their latest adventure. They have the keys in their hand and a grin that won’t stop spreading. You’ve taught them well, and you trust them to make sound decisions, but a little last-minute review never hurts. Senn Insurance Agency has the 411 on what you need to discuss with your teen driver before they ever back down the driveway:

Buckle Up

In O’Fallon, MO,  law enforcement can’t stop your teen driver simply because they aren’t wearing their seat belt. This means that seat belt enforcement needs to come from Mom or Dad. Set serious penalties for teens who refuse to buckle up because six out of ten people who died in Missouri car crashes in 2016 were not wearing their seatbelts. 

Keep the Phone in the Glove Compartment

O’Fallon, MO has a ban on cell-phone usage while driving for anyone under the age of 21. This is good news for parents, but without follow-up at home, it probably won’t be enough incentive for your teen. Make sure the phone stays in the glove compartment. Be sure to model that same example when you’re behind the wheel as well, because your teen is likely watching.

Leave the Car for Lunch

No eating or drinking in the car while driving. Not ever. No excuses. Require your teen to leave the car for lunch, or to at least park somewhere safe before chowing down. Most people don’t realize it, but eating and drinking behind the wheel is a form of distracted driving that can lead to serious injuries, especially for rookie drivers.

At Senn Insurance Agency, we have the answer to your teen driving questions. Give us a call today for more information. 

Ready to make sure your child is safe behind the wheel? Take the first step by CLICKING HERE and getting The Ultimate Teen Driving Guide for Parents today.

The Basics of Homeowners Insurance

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Homeowners’ insurance covers a multitude of items, but most people only think of it as related to covering repairs. Senn Insurance Agency of O’Fallon, MO wants you to understand how important this policy is to your home and finances. It does cover property damage to the home from numerous perils, but also for liability if somebody gets hurt on the property, damage to other structures on the property and the contents of the home. It also covers losses from theft, one of the most common forms of property damage.

A standard homeowners policy covers common natural hazards, called perils in the insurance industry. These include fire, hail, wind damage, tornado, theft, and frozen pipes. There are things that homeowners’ insurance does not cover also. These include flood, earthquake and, in Florida and Texas, hurricane damage. These require a separate policy for coverage. Flood insurance comes from the National Flood Insurance Program. You can obtain earthquake and hurricane, sold as wind insurance, from regular insurance carriers.

Some insurance carriers cover sinkholes under their homeowners’ policies, while others do not. It’s a more common problem than one might think. While they can occur almost anywhere, according to the US Geological Survey, the states experiencing them most frequently include Florida, Texas, Alabama, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Pennsylvania.

Because of the wide range of protection it provides to your property, lenders require you to carry homeowners’ insurance while you carry a mortgage on the home. Call or visit Senn Insurance Agency of O’Fallon, MO to learn more about how homeowners’ insurance protects your home and your home business financially. Learn more about protecting your home on our website.

What Is Universal Life Coverage?

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Universal life coverage is a specific type of insurance that will give out a certain amount upon death. This may sound like general permanent life insurance, but there are a few differences. Senn Insurance Agency wants the people of O’Fallon, MO to understand the benefits of this coverage before deciding whether it’s for them. 

The Savings Component 

Like permanent insurance, there is some degree of savings with universal life coverage. The funds that fall under savings are invested under a fixed interest, which can help the insured predict precisely what will happen month after month. People who opt for this plan typically do so because it’s one of the more flexible types of life insurance. If any drastic changes occur, it’s often easier to alter the terms of a universal plan than a permanent plan. For example, if a person wants to switch funds between the life insurance and the savings portion, it’s a relatively simple process. 

Understanding Universal 

The insured is allowed to make changes to their policy, but they do need to be aware that this can ultimately change the death benefits. These changes may even affect the cost of the premium as well. Otherwise, this plan comes with more than a few perks for its holders. For one, people have some certainty in knowing that everyone will be financially protected (regardless of external events). Even if the benefits change, there’s no mystery behind the final number. Also, all money earned within the policy is tax-deferred. The same interest rate can be applied to the ever-accumulating cash value without being interrupted by taxes. 

If you want to learn more about the benefits of universal life coverage, call Senn Insurance Agency in O’Fallon, MO today. We’re here to explain the critical types of coverages so you can understand your options. 

Ways to Protect Your Home in the Summer

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There are a number of ways to protect your home in O’Fallon, MO during the summer months.

Insulate: Many people think of insulation for the winter but it’s equally as important in the summer. Just as cold air creeps in, so too does hot, sticky air. To beat the heat, start in the attic. Inspect every part of your home to make sure insulation is installed correctly to not let the cool air out.

Combat Direct Sun: Wooden decks can be dried out by the intense summer sun, which can lead to cracks and shrinkage. Ultraviolet rays will break down wood fibers so be sure to add a UV protected sealer to an outdoor deck. If you want to use a stain, know that the darker the stain, the better protection it can offer your wood.

Choose the Right Paint: Bad weather can be dangerous to the exterior of your home. Harsh UV rays can cause the paint to peel, fade, or chip. Rainy and humid conditions can help mildew and mold take root. Extreme temperatures will force the exterior to expand and contract and shorten the life of the paint.

Seal Leaks: The rainy season can wreak havoc on a home and you want to make sure it’s waterproof. Check your gutters to make sure there aren’t any crack left over from winter. Make sure downspouts are pointed away from the home so water doesn’t flow into the foundation and endanger the basement. Look in the interior to see if there are any signs of water damage on ceilings and walls.

Check Your Home Insurance: You should be checking your home insurance yearly and summer is a great time to do it. Let your agent at Senn Insurance Agency know if you have had any major home improvements to figure out if you need any additional coverage.

Contact Senn Insurance Agency, serving O’Fallon, MO, to get a quote on home insurance.