Dino's Blog

Reducing your auto insurance

Dino Carbone (Elliott Insurance) — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 13:25:46 -0500

Owning a car can be costly over the course of a year. Few of us would be game to sit down and add it up! The purchase price of your vehicle is quickly forgotten about but the cost of gas and basic services goes on and can add up to a hefty amount over the year. When you include the insurance coverage in your calculations you might begin to wonder whether you can afford to run a vehicle at all. To reduce your costs you really need to tack it from every angle. Shop around for quotes when repairing or servicing your vehicle and make a mental note of the gas stations that seem to regularly offer cheaper gas. Shopping around for auto insurance is also a good idea but it's equally important to compare the level of coverage you will receive and ensure the policy is suitable for your circumstances.

Shopping around has never been easier thanks to the Internet. When it comes to auto insurance, we can provide you with an online quote and product information so you can compare us to our competitors. Our policies range from minimum liability to comprehensive. Our customer service assistants can even help you to decide on a level of coverage that will be cost effective and tailored to your circumstances - so you won't pay for more insurance than you need.

Contact Elliott Insurance Group for a free Connecticut car insurance quote. What are you waiting for?

Feel-Good Insurance

Dino Carbone (Elliott Insurance) — Thu, 28 May 2009 11:48:44 -0500

Insurance is supposed to make people feel warm and fuzzy about the future, right? Insurance provides that peace of mind we all need if something happens to yourself or someone in your family, as insurance will kick in and make things better. If you’re in an accident and your family car is out of commission, auto coverage will help you get it up and running. If your youngest child suffers chronically from an infectious disease paralyzing his ability to live normally, health insurance will ease the financial burden of doctor’s visits. And if you are to unexpectedly pass away, leaving behind a mountain of debt and a family in need of monetary support, life insurance will be there to help relieve their pain.

The economic meltdown that the US is currently dealing with is a threat to the peace of mind insurance offers us. Folks are now beginning to question the stability of the insurance companies and whether or not they are more interested in helping or hurting us. Also, if you do need to file a claim, will the insurance company actually pay it, like they should.

Elliott Insurance Group is dedicated to providing its clients with top insurance coverage. We will provide you with products that are affordable and reliable. We will develop a person, trusting relationship with you so you can feel comfortable knowing you are receiving the highest quality experience. Contact us today!

Life Change? Reevaluate Your Auto Insurance

Dino Carbone (Elliott Insurance) — Tue, 12 May 2009 10:33:01 -0500

A crummy economy, high gas prices, and routine automotive maintenance make owning a car difficult. Many folks are pinching pennies and looking for ways to save because of our country’s current financial depression. There are three major life-changers that may lend a helping hand to your quest for money-savings. Elliott Insurance Group has mentioned how you can save money with these three big life-changers.

Getting married. You might think that marriage is only a money spender. Well in most instances it is; the wedding itself, buying a home, starting a family, etc. But don’t neglect your auto insurance after you tie the knot. You and your spouse will probably be eligible for discounts on your insurance policy. Because you and your spouse will most likely put your cars on one policy, the insurance carrier may offer you a significant discount.
Getting divorced. Divorce is never a fun time for anybody. Whether it’s an amicable split or a disagreeable, divorce is an unfortunate event. And to make matters worse, your auto insurance is probably going to rise. But the good news is it’s a perfect time to evaluate your insurance rates and find an agency that will provide you with an even better rate. There are a lot of insurers out there. Take advantage of it. Shop around.
Retirement. Most retirees do not have the same needs as they once did and are spending a lot less time in the car and on the road. Also, many retirees decide to downsize to one vehicle because having multiple cars is just not necessary. Notify your insurance carrier when you retire and they can help you lessen your Connecticut auto insurance costs.

If you have any life changes that will affect your auto insurance rates, contact Elliott Insurance Group today. We will provide you with a policy that is affordable and reliable.

Safe Driving: Age and Experience Matter

Dino Carbone (Elliott Insurance) — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 07:34:15 -0500

Ever since I got my driver’s license, I have had a fear of the senior citizens on the road; the small in stature, slower moving white-haired folks who go about their business, not bothering anybody. Many people, and I am guilty of this as well, assume that they are off in their own little world oblivious to the goings-on around them. But in actuality, it’s not the seniors of the world that we have to fear. In fact they give us little to sneer at when it comes to their driving skills. We should, however, be worried about the younger drivers and the reckless habits they often practice, specifically young males.

Young drivers are plagued by an attitude of invincibility. This, frankly, is scary. The accidents and related death statistics are frightening and need to be addressed as soon as possible. Teenagers, unfortunately, are overly confident behind the wheel and drive recklessly as a result. What they don’t know is that driving skills are acquired through age and experience (as many things are). Older drivers do have limitations that inhibit their abilities to drive safely, however, they are more aware and mature in dealing with these limitations.

Elliott Insurance encourages young drivers and parents with teenagers, to do everything possible to avoid accidents and auto insurance claims. Most accidents caused by young drivers are avoidable by simply following the rules of the road, of which they are aware. So when you’re hitting the road, be more aware of the new drivers instead of the old ones.

Elliott Insurance will provide you with a quote on Connecticut Auto Insurance today! Contact us or visit our virtual insurance office.

Getting a quick auto insurance quote

Dino Carbone (Elliott Insurance) — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 08:35:06 -0500

The internet has become the best resource for researching and even buying insurance products. With thousands of insurance companies across the country, it is more possible than ever to perform the necessary due diligence in order to choose the right products and the right insurers.

If you’re searching for Connecticut auto insurance, the internet will help you search as many carriers as possible, getting you the best deal and the lowest price on auto insurance. You can also visit Elliott Insurance Group’s virtual insurance office and research our many business and personal insurance products. There, you can get all the information you need to make an informed decision regarding your next auto insurance policy. If you are searching for auto insurance, you can expect to answer questions such as how old you are, how long you have been driving for, whether or not you have gotten in an accident before, and if so whether it was your fault. The insurer is interested in many facets of your lifestyle and your driving record to help you acquire the best and cheapest policy.

Elliott Insurance Group is an independent insurance agency dedicated to providing its clients with Connecticut auto insurance that is affordable and fully protective. We will help you shop the top carriers so you can make a purchase that is right for you, your family, and your driving needs. Visit our virtual insurance website to receive a quick and simple auto insurance quote or contact one of our knowledgeable agents today!

Homeowners Insurance Q & A

Dino Carbone (Elliott Insurance) — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 14:59:16 -0500

What is homeowners insurance and what does is cover?

homeowners insurance is the financial protection of your home structure and your possessions in it from natural disasters. A homeowners policy generally covers your home and the liability and legal responsibility you assume when an injury occurs on your property.

Are there different types of coverage offered?

Yes. Insuring a home is different than insuring a condo or a rented property. Also, coverage varies completely by how much you want to buy. For example, some policies offer fire protection of your home under the homeowners insurance policy while many do not. Some disasters are covered, some aren’t. The type of homeowners coverage you want will be up to you.

Can you own a home without purchasing home insurance?

Yes. It’s not like buying a car, but it is not recommended. If you use a lender, which most do, they will require you to have a homeowners plan. If you don’t, you are chancing your biggest asset to life’s disasters.

What factors affect home insurance policies?

Age of house, type of construction, location, location, location. If you are far from a fire hydrant or a fire department, your home will be more expensive to insure. If you are in a tornado alley, a windstorm or hurricane zone, or surrounded by flammable brush, your home will cost more to insure.

How can you save on homeowners insurance?

Raise deductibles
Combine policies, such as home and auto with same insurer
Make your home disaster resistant
Make your home safer with alarm systems and motion detectors
Seek discounts you qualify for
Maintain a good credit score

Elliott Insurance Group is an independent insurance agency dedicated to providing you comprehensive homeowners insurance at an affordable price. Visit our virtual insurance office today to get a quote or call our office to talk with a dedicated agent.

Shopping for Health Insurance

Dino Carbone (Elliott Insurance) — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 11:16:40 -0500

If you’re like me, visiting a doctor is not a pleasant experience, no matter how benign your reason for going. We all fear bad news from our doctors about our health or any unexpected issues that may be present within our bodies. Nobody wants to hear news that you have an infectious disease or a malignant tumor.

All too often, working people, with a health insurance plan, receive the horrible news that they are sick. They fear for their lives and hope that their health insurance policies will cover them throughout their recovery process. But unfortunately, many Health Insurance Plans do not cover all types of medical procedures and treatments. For example, if you are a cancer victim relying on your health policy to cover you in your recovery, it may not include radiation treatments or another necessary aspect of cancer survival. It is vital that you research and analyze the products you purchase to make sure you have the coverage you need.

Elliott Insurance Group is here to help you choose a health policy that you can feel comfortable with. We will guide you through the process of finding you comprehensive health policies at prices that will not break your bank account. Do not let an insurance plan fail you in the event of a health crisis. Contact Elliott Insurance Group to learn more about health insurance today or visit our website to get a free health insurance quote.

Why Every Business is Exposed to Employment Practices Liability

Dino Carbone (Elliott Insurance) — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 23:26:11 -0600

Every business is vulnerable to employment liability. Today, people sue at the drop of a hat, and they'll take any excuse they can. People get offended at things that aren't even happening and want to be compensated for it. Or what if something really does happen? You certainly can't control everything your employees do or say. What if your hiring manager discriminates against someone and that person files a claim? Either way - whether there is a real incident or not - protecting yourself with employment practices liability is vital to your business and could save you thousands.

Most of the time, people file claims for discrimination against race, gender, disability, pregnancy, and age, as well as sexual harassment. A few things that could cause an angry employee to sue:

A woman who has taken a pregnancy leave returns to her job, only to find that her position has been given away or is no longer needed.
A middle-aged employee is terminated after 25 years of service when his position is taken over by a computer.
A female employee is up for a promotion along with a male. The male gets the promotion, causing the female to file a claim for gender discrimination.
An employee is fired for poor performance, but files a claim because they believe they were fired due to an illness.
A would-be employee is not hired and files a claim because they believe they were discriminated against because of their race.

Don't risk losing thousands. As said before, people will take an opportunity to sue. For more information on employment practices liability, contact us today! We're Elliott Insurance, an independent agency based in Plantsville, Connecticut.

Difference and Importance Between E&O and D&O

Dino Carbone (Elliott Insurance) — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 22:43:41 -0600

Many companies these days are realizing how imperative it is to have additional business coverage for mistakes made by their staff. Everyone has heard of Directors & Officers insurance and Errors & Omissions insurance. But what exactly is the difference between the two types of insurance?

• Directors & Officers. This type of insurance covers negligent acts, omissions, or untrue statements committed by directors and officers which result in lawsuits. It reimburses the company when it indemnifies its directors and officers.

• Errors & Omissions. E&O protects people who give advice, make educated recommendations, design solutions, or represent the needs of others for a profit. It protects these people when they make a mistake or neglect to do something they should have done.

Insurance carriers often offer to include both of these in a BOP (business owners policy). It’s very important to your company to decide if you need protection against human error – which will happen eventually. Everyone makes mistakes; only some are much more serious than others.

With Directors & Officers Insurance, you’re protecting a huge chunk of your company. To find out more about Directors and Officers insurance, contact us today. We’re Elliott Insurance, an independent agency based in Plantsville, Connecticut.

Commercial Property Damage Scenarios: Are You Covered?

Dino Carbone (Elliott Insurance) — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 13:23:49 -0600

Imagine starting your own business and finally, finally getting it to the point where you’re starting to see a good amount of income. You’re doing just fine. You’re able to add more computers to your office and more employees. It’s beginning to turn into a real company.

Then, out of nowhere, your office is destroyed by an electrical fire or is severely damaged by a hurricane or earthquake. Your computers, products, files, records, and everything else is completely wiped out.

It doesn’t even have to be an entire office; it could be as simple as a leak causing water damage to books inside of your out-of-print bookshop, or a drunk driver crashing into your office sign.

And what about losing profits while the damage is being repaired or you’re relocating? Are you covered for business interruption?

Whether it’s your entire office that gets destroyed or simply a few of your products, it’s important to protect the business that you’ve worked so hard for. Is your commercial property and inventory covered? Our commercial property insurance protects your company’s building, sign, furniture, equipment, inventory, and other things like landscaping. We also cover ranches and farms.

To learn more about commercial property insurance or business interruption insurance, contact us today. We’re Elliott Insurance, an independent agency in Plantsville, Connecticut.

Choosing a Home Insurance Agent in Plantsville, CT

Dino Carbone (Elliott Insurance) — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 19:16:23 -0500

Your Home Insurance is very important. If something happens to your home and for whatever reason you can no longer live in it, you’ll want and need a good home insurance carrier. There are few things you should seek out when looking for one, or working with an independent insurance agency to find one.

• Good feedback and/or a good reputation. Look for companies that have this positive reputation by checking out their websites, magazines ads, or newspaper ads. If your friends and family are satisfied with their policy, you can also ask them who they are insured by.

• Good customer service. When you call, do they sound irritated with you, or are they friendly? How quickly do you get answers to your emails? Do they satisfactorily answer your questions, or do they talk over your head? Good customer service is important because it reflects how serious the company takes your business. Go with a company that makes you feel welcome and secure.

• Easily accessible information. As a client of a good company, you should be able to find answers quickly through their literature or their website. Look for a company that carefully lists their services, contact information, FAQ’s, and anything else you might need.

• Willingness to work with you on your policy. It all comes down to you being comfortable with your home insurance policy. If you don’t feel that your needs are covered, or if you think that you’re being grossly overcharged, look for another company.

One easy option when finding a good home insurance carrier is to go to an independent insurance agency, like Elliott Insurance (ElliottInsurance.com), where they will listen to everything you need, then search out the best home insurance company that best meets your needs.

Elliott Insurance is an independent insurance agency in the Plantsville, Connecticut area. To learn more about Cheshire, Middletown, and Southington home insurance, contact them today.

Refresher Course: Auto Insurance in Cheshire, CT

Dino Carbone (Elliott Insurance) — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 15:57:58 -0500

If you ask some people why they choose to only purchase the state minimum for auto insurance, they’ll probably tell you it’s because they think they can slide by safely without ever getting into accidents. Well, by now, everyone knows that that is not true. No one is exempt from auto accidents. Old news, right?

The other reason that people normally give is that they aren’t even sure what kind of coverage they need, or what their options are. And no one wants to go talk to an agent.

If you know people like this, or if you are one of them yourself, here’s a little coverage crash-course for you:

• Bodily Injury Liability: This coverage is actually required in most states. It compensates the driver of the other car and its passengers when you get into an accident, as well as the passengers in your car.

• Property Damage Liability: Pays for the repair and replacement of the other guy’s car or property when you get into an accident.

• Personal Injury Protection: Pays for the medical and funeral costs associated with an accident for you and your family — regardless of whose fault it was.

• Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist: Pays for medical and funeral costs for you and your family when you get into an accident with either a hit-and-run driver or a driver who doesn’t have enough auto insurance. These policies usually cover bike and pedestrian accidents, too. Given the prevalence of uninsured drivers nationally, this coverage is essential.

• Collision and Comprehensive: Collision reimburses you for the full cost of repairs or replacement of your car after an accident. Comprehensive ensures your car’s safety if it’s damaged by a natural disaster, vandalism, or theft.

These are the basic coverage plans that are offered along with minimum Connecticut auto insurance. If you still don’t want to go in and speak with an insurance agent, you get an online quote at virtual independent agencies like ElliottInsurance.com. They have a tiny form for you to fill out stating the types of coverage you’d like, then they let you know how much it will be. It’s never been easier to shop for auto insurance.

Elliott Insurance is an independent insurance agency in the Cheshire, Connecticut area. To learn more about Cheshire, Middletown, and Southington auto insurance, contact them today.