5 Things to Know About Home Insurance

by Anna Smith, Sales & Service Specialist

Are you confused by homeowners insurance?  Maybe this will help – here are my Top 5 things to know about home insurance:

  1. Get Down to the Nuts & Bolts of the Policy. Insurance is like a foreign language, but knowing how to interpret your policy will save you in the long run.Always talk with your agent when you are in doubt of what your policy actually covers. Most insurance companies have built-in exclusions with their policies, and when you contact your agent you may be able to add coverage that you don’t currently have. Ask your agent or company what your Replacement Cost is on your home (cost to rebuild the home from scratch if you had a total loss). You may also find out that you might not be insuring your home for what it should be, some companies are allowed to insure homes for only 80% of the Replacement Cost.
  2. Dogs Aren’t Always a Person’s Best Friend.Looking to get a new pet for your home? Talk with your insurance agent or company first. Some companies have strict guidelines in place for dogs in the home and on premise due to a high increase of Liability losses that pertain to injuries sustained by your pet. This would also come into play even if you are only ‘dog-sitting’ for someone else. The company may also have a list of Ineligible Breeds that you may not be aware of, and could cause you to be non-renewed if a loss would arise. Ask to see if there is a list available from your insurance agent or company.
  3. Are You a Flight Risk?Many times homes become vacant or unoccupied due to several reasons. Maybe you got married and moved into your spouse’s home, maybe you have a relative that has passed away leaving an empty home, or perhaps you have relocated due to a new job? Life happens every day, so be sure to contact your agent if you have a situation come up that would leave you with a vacant or unoccupied home. Some insurance companies can deny a claim if you have moved out of your home for over 60 days; and on that 61st day you no longer have coverage in place. There are also some companies that will deny a claim if you are no longer occupying the home and another person now lives in it (evenanother family member).
  4. Best Rates Don’t Always Mean Best Coverage.When you first get your home insurance policy you do a lot of shopping for good rates, or what you believe to be good rates. Fact is, insurance rates are based on more than just the home itself. Insurance companies file rates within each state’s Department of Insurance where they are licensed to provide coverage, and they have to receive approval to get the rates they ask for. Sometimes companies will increase their rates so that they can maintain a higher level of acceptable insured risk, due to extremely high losses paid out for fraudulent claims. These companies can sometimes be the better company even if their rates are higher than another’s. They may also be able to provide more coverage for your home than the one with the lower rates.
  5. Discounts are Great Money Saving Items!Just because you pay a higher premium sometimes doesn’t mean you can’t get savings. Most companies will offer discounts for certain things, like having more than one policy with the same company, being a long-time customer, being a claims-free customer, or even paying the premium in full. Check with your insurance agent or company each year prior to renewing the policy, you never know what savings are available if you don’t ask. Who doesn’t love a good discount?

Homeowners Insurance is available through MAX in select US states.   Contact us or your MAX agent today!  We would be happy to help you find the proper coverage for your home.

Anna SmithAnna Smith

Anna Smith is a Sales & Service Specialist in MAX’s home office in Overland Park, Kansas where she works directly with members and Independent Agents.

When she’s not at work, she enjoys spending time with her daughters and pets. They keep her busy from morning until evening, but she loves their time together. Anna also enjoys cooking for friends and family, and shares many new recipe creations with her co-workers.

5 Tips to Prevent Claims this Fall Season

Fall may be a cooler time of year, but it can be pretty hot for claims. Here are some quick tips on how to prevent damage to your property this fall. Be safe!

  1. Have your wood burning stove or fireplace inspected by a professional. A professional should always inspect and clean your chimney on an annual basis. Now is the time to schedule your appointment.
  2. Drain and disconnect your hoses. Before freezing temperatures arrive, please remember to drain and disconnect your hoses attached to outside faucets. Why? You can prevent a pipe burst.
  3. Dispose ashes properly. Do you have a non-combustible metal container with a tightly fitted lid to put your ashes in after burning wood? Remember to only dispose the ashes after they have completely cooled.
  4. Do not leave a fire unattended. Whether you are having a fire inside, or are burning one outside, do not leave it unattended. It just takes one ember to pop out of the fire and catch anything nearby on fire. It’s that simple: do not leave a fire unattended.
  5. Use caution when burning leaves or trash. This has to do with #4 above. Leaving fires unattended can be dangerous to your property and also your neighbor’s property if a fire gets out of control. Always check with your local community to see if trash or leaf burning is even legal in your area, especially on high wind days.

Fore more safety tips from MAX, click here. MAX’s vision of creating and sustaining wholeness is lived out by our staff dedicated to provide you WOW member service. Learn more about MAX’s insurance products and mutual aid ministries program and become a member of MAX today!

VanderWerf Agency earns Premier Agency Award from MutualAid eXchange

(Cuba, MO, September 15. 2015) – VanderWerf Agency, Inc., of Cuba, MO has earned the highest award from insurance carrier MutualAid eXchange (MAX).

The MAX Premier Agency designation recognizes VanderWerf’s commitment to MAX’s fair, faithful and socially responsible insurance coverage and business practices.

“MAX is a company built on faith, strong values and service to others. That’s the kind of independent agents we look for and we’re proud to recognize VanderWerf Agency for being among the best of these,” said David Wine, CEO of MAX.

David VanderWerf has been an insurance agent for nearly 20 years and has owned his independent agency since 2006. “Our agency shares the same values that MAX represents,” VanderWerf said. “We live the values of fairness, faithfulness and social responsibility on a daily basis in our personal and professional lives.

In addition to this award from MAX, VanderWerf is the only Central Missouri insurance agency to win Dave Ramey’s Endorsed Local Provider designation. Outside the office Dave is active in the Cuba Lions Club and the Living Word Church in Leesburg.

To earn the MAX Premier Agency award the VanderWerf Agency met several criteria including:
• Commitment to the MAX values of
o Treating others as you would like to be treated
o Faith in a higher power, and
o Doing good in the world
• Support for MAX’s Mutual Aid Ministries program that provides emergency grants to faith communities, families and individuals who are facing extreme financial hardships.
• Ambitious sales and retention targets.

“MAX offers great products that work in small town and rural America,” VanderWerf said. “MAX really understands this market.”

VanderWerf Agency is located at 503 W. Washington Street, Cuba, MO 65453. Phone: 573-885-7019. FAX: 573-885-0639. Website: www.vanderwerfagency.com. E-mail: dave@vanderwerfagency.com.

MAX is headquartered at 4400 College Boulevard, Suite 250, Overland Park, KS 66211. To learn more about MAX and Mutual Aid Ministries, visit www.MAXInsurance.com.
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Photo:  Ashley Sansoucie , David VanderWerf and Shannon Bates from the VanderWerf Agency holding their MAX Premier Agency plaque.

Insurance Center of Harrisonburg Earns Premier Agency Award from MAX

(Harrisonburg, VA, September 8, 2015) – Insurance Center of Harrisonburg has earned the highest award from insurance carrier MutualAid eXchange (MAX).

The MAX Premier Agency designation recognizes Insurance Center of Harrisonburg’s commitment to MAX’s fair, faithful and socially responsible insurance coverage and business practices.

“MAX is a company built on faith, strong values and service to others.  That’s the kind of independent agents we look for and we’re proud to recognize the Insurance Center of Harrisonburg for being among the best of these,” said David Wine, CEO of MAX.

Daniel Layman and Mike Rodes are co-principles of the agency.  “Our motto is “Insurance with Integrity,” Layman and Rodes said.  “Our guiding principle is to treat our clients according to the Golden Rule.”

To earn the award the Insurance Center of Harrisonburg met several criteria including:

  • Commitment to the MAX values of

o        Treating others as you would like to be treated

o        Faith in a higher power, and

o        Doing good in the world

  • Support for MAX’s Mutual Aid Ministries program that provides emergency grants to faith communities, families and individuals who are facing extreme financial hardships.
  • Ambitious sales and retention targets.

Insurance Center of Harrisonburg is located at 981 S. High Street, Harrisonburg.  Phone:  540-433-1519.  Fax:  540-433-6847.  Website:  www.ICOH.com.  E-mail:  info@icoh.com

MAX is headquartered at 4400 College Boulevard, Suite 250, Overland Park, KS  66211.  To learn more about MAX and Mutual Aid Ministries, visit www.MAXInsurance.com.

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Photo:  Daniel Layman and Michael Rodes receiving plaque from Deana Richardson, MAX Virginia Sales Manager.

Prevent Water Damage: Don’t Start a Dishwasher When Leaving Home

Here’s a tip of advice on how to prevent water damage: Do not start your dishwasher and then leave home. A MAX member did this exact thing – started his dishwasher and then left home for a while. When he came back home, he discovered his dishwasher had malfunctioned and water had been escaping from the dishwasher for over four hours! Damage to the hardwood floors and subfloor had leaked down into his finished basement. The cost of repairs was in excess of $5,000.

Remember to start your dishwasher (and washing machine for that matter) and stay home while it’s running so if a malfunction arises, you are home to address the issue and hopefully prevent water damage to your home.

Would you like to read more safety tips on how to prevent damage to your home? Check these tips.

Is it time for a review of your homeowners insurance? It is our vision to create and sustain wholeness for all of our members. A MAX agent would be happy to assist you.

Are you new to MAX and wondering what we’re all about? Contact us for more information about insurance for your home or our other personal and commercial products. We would love to WOW you with our superior customer service.