No one should rush into purchasing their first home- or choosing their first homeowners insurance policy. You shouldn't purchase a homeowners policy until you find an agency you are comfortable with and a policy that you are confident in. Did you know that homeowners' insurance policy covers much more than just your actual home? Typically included in your homeowners coverage are protections for…

• The Structure of Your Home
  Usually your homeowner's policy will protect you from any damage that may occur that damages your property. Often, policies will protect you from loss that results from lightening, fire, theft, vandalism, smoke, etc.


• Your Personal Property
  Your personal possessions and property are usually protected within your homeowners insurance policy. In order to purchase the proper amount of coverage, you, as a homeowner, should keep a running inventory of your possessions. Make sure you take into account additions and deletions from your possession tally. Being diligent in keeping track of your things will save time you time if you actually have to file a claim.


• Liability
  Your homeowners policy also offers protection from costs associated with liability claims. Should an injury occur on your property, the liability coverage within your homeowners policy can take care of possible medical costs.

As a Pennsylvania homeowner, you should make sure that you are protected. If you have questions about your homeowners policy, or are unsure about your coverage, contact Humphries Insurance today. At out Virtual Insurance Office, you can learn more about your options, and get a free homeowners insurance quote.

When building a home, there's a lot to think about. At first, you have to focus on the large scale and find the right lot of land and the right contractor. Once the big decisions are made, you must decide on which doors look best, and what landscaping will work with your home's design. In all your excitement about your new home you may forget one important piece- a sprinkler system.

Some lawmakers in Pennsylvania believe the sprinkler system should be mandatory in all homes in the Keystone State. Although some local contractors feel that placing sprinkler systems in home is ill-advised due to possible accidents, a Pennsylvania state advisory board has approved the proposal to install systems in new single or double family homes built after January 2011. The new sprinkler systems may be somewhat costly, and may require an alternate water source- all of which can be sorted out buy your builder.

Although your builder can install the system the way you would like it, at a cost that you can afford, how would these sprinkler systems affect your homeowners insurance? Because of the sprinkler systems, a family may file claims as a result from any accidental activation of the water. Despite a possible increase in claims, insurance companies support the mandatory installation of sprinkler systems. These systems are a huge life-saving tool, with statistics showing that deaths resulting from residential fires where a sprinkler system is installed and working were slim to none. Your homeowners insurance premiums may also drop with the installation of a sprinkler system.

If you would like to learn more about your Pennsylvania homeowners insurance options, visit the Humphries Insurance Virtual Insurance Office right now.

With a new marriage and the start of a family, there is no question about it: you need more space. Thankfully, if you have good credit and stable employment, there has never been a better time to buy a home. With the current state of the economy, the real estate market has gotten pretty affordable. But, when you decide on your dream home, you will have the necessary expenses that accompany it: including homeowners insurance.

Often, talk about homeowners insurance begins being discussed when couples take the first steps toward beginning their lives together. With new steps in life, come more important purchases- like wedding rings, and expensive household items. The more expensive the purchase, the more you may feel the need to gain some extra protection for your new possessions. Since a home is usually the largest purchase a couple will ever make, it is typical to think about how to best keep it safe.

When you purchase a home, the value an insurer places on it will typically be less than market value. Although you may be concerned that your insurance may not protect you fully- don’t worry: your insurance won’t cover the land your house is located on and only needs to be sufficient enough to cover any possible repair, or replacement of the home. As you complete home improvement projects and make additions to your home, be sure that you are increasing your coverage to account for the increased value of your home. Be sure to choose a high deductible for your homeowners policy, as a high deductible will decrease the cost of your coverage.

Think you may need a bit more help deciding on your coverage needs? Humphries Insurance is here for you. Call us today at 1.800.292.8816 or visit our Virtual Insurance Office to learn more about your coverage options. Eager to protect your home immediately? You can get a free online homeowners insurance quote right now.

Marriage is a joyous occasion filled with all kinds of new and exciting experiences. In addition to the love and security that marriage brings, it also brings new responsibilities and concerns. If you have recently gotten married, you should be sure to take another look at your insurance policies.

When you get married, auto insurance is one of the things that couples typically combine. Chances are, you are both bringing your own cars into the marriage, with both having their own respective insurance policies. When you reevaluate your auto insurance plans, you may realize that you are now eligible for a discount. This possible discount provides you with the perfect opportunity to take another look at your existing coverages in order to see which company offers the best combination of price and service.

Now that you are combining households, it is also a perfect time to reevaluate your homeowners insurance coverage. In addition to combining plans or taking out a new plan to cover your new home, you may want to consider increasing your insurance for any new valuables received as wedding gifts.

After getting married, it is also important to review your life insurance needs. Becoming a couple means sharing responsibility with and for someone else. Life insurance is an excellent way to ensure that the surviving spouse is taken care of in the event of the premature death of the other spouse.

You've just made a new start, why not take another look at your insurance options? Humphries Insurance Group can walk you through your insurance options and make you aware of any discounts that may be available to married couples. Visit http://www.humphriesinsurance.com/ to learn more or to get a free quote.

You love your motorcyle. It's fast, it's fun, and you look great riding it. And most likely, you're very protective of it.

If you've had your motorcyle stolen before, you know how frustrating the situation is. Hopefully you were covered by motorcycle insurance. If you've never had your motorcycle stolen, congratulations; you're very fortunate. Here are a few tips on how to keep your bike from getting snatched away from you.

Obviously, if you have a garage, keep your motorcycle there. You would be surprised how many people just leave their bikes in the driveway when they have a perfectly good garage. If you are using your garage, consider getting a garage alarm and/or a powerful garage lock. You may also be able to use your self-storage unit, or at the very least, keep a cover over it.

Lock your motorcycle up. It's best to use a disc lock or a bike U-lock, or a chain. Secure your motorcycle to a heavy object, preferably one that doesn't move or cannot be lifted at all. Loop the chain through the frame instead of through the wheel, and tighten the chain as much as you can to prevent a thief from cutting through it. To to put the lock in a hard-to-see place.  

Get an alarm. Just like a car alarm, a bike alarm will sound off at the touch of a thief. You can also get alarms that notify you if someone is touching your bike. For example, if you're in a noisy restaurant and can't hear the alarm, this type of alarm would be useful.

Be careful whereyou ride and who you show your bike to. It's not a good idea to ride in dangerous neighborhoods or areas, and no matter how awesome your bike is, you shouldn't just leave it in your driveway or yard just so people can envy it. It's just asking for trouble.

Be smart about where you park. Try to park in open areas, where nothing can conceal a thief stealing your bike. When going to restaurants or visitng friends, etc., try to park in front of a window, and at hotels, try to park in view of the hotel desk operator.

Don't let anyone have a test ride who you don't know or trust. Period.

Over 73,000 motorcycles were stolen in 2008. Don't let your bike become a statistic. For more information on motorcycle insurance and safety, contact us today. We're Humphries Insurance, based in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania.

Many construction contractors know that a number of projects require them to provide surety bonds which will guarantee their performance of the contract. Therefore, surety bonds are important in order to maintain a steady flow of projects for these contractors.

These surety bonds can be required by any client, from federal, state, or local government agencies to private owners.

Here are the four basic types of contract surety bonds:

• A bid bond provides financial confirmation that the bid has been submitted in good faith, and that the contractor intends to enter into the contract at the price bid and provide the required performance and payment bonds. This bond can be executed either in a dollar amount or percentage.
• A performance bond protects the obligee from financial loss should the contractor fail to perform the contract in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract documents.
• A payment bond guarantees that the contractor will pay all subcontractors, labor, and material bills. A performance and payment bond is rarely executed for less than 50%, and most frequently 100% of the contract price.
• A maintenance bond guarantees for a specified period of time after completion of construction work that the contractor/principal will maintain his or her work in accordance with the contract warranty provisions.

Qualifying for a bond is very much like obtaining bank credit. The surety bond providers will want to know the contractor well before approving the bond, and financial strength and a good credit rating can result in a better rate.

If you're interested in obtaining a surety bond, contact us today. We're Humphries Insurance, based in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania.

Did you know that lots of homeowners policies won’t cover swimming pools due to their high risk of accidents? This goes especially for pools that include slides and/or diving boards. Fortunately, you can purchase umbrella insurance or excess liability insurance to cover your swimming pool when your homeowners policy does not include it. However, it’s still a good idea to keep your pool as safe as it can possibly be.

Here are a few tips on making sure your pool area is a place for fun, not worry:

• Possibly the Number One Rule: never, ever leave children unsupervised near the pool, not even for a quick moment.

• If your pool has suctions of any kind, warn people and especially children not to go near them. They can be very dangerous.

• Take precautions for children that don’t know how to swim (floaties, etc.).

• Install or build a fence around your pool and always make sure it’s locked. If you have a pool, a fence is an absolute must.

• Excessive alcohol and swimming don’t mix! If you or a guest is drunk, they should not go in the pool.

• While supervising teenagers around the pool is unnecessary, it’s a good idea to at least be at home if there are more than three or four using the pool.

• Never dive into the shallow end or allow anyone else to. Warn children of this danger especially.

• Make sure your pool is tightly covered when it’s off-season.

• Consistently check your pool for dangerous things that may be at the bottom (glass, rubber, rope, etc.).

A pool is a place to have fun, not accidents. Make sure to follow these safety rules along with many others that come with the responsibility of having a swimming pool. We suggest that if your homeowners policy doesn’t cover your pool, you get umbrella coverage to back yourself up. If another parent’s child were to get injured at your pool, it could cost you thousands of dollars.

Umbrella coverage also protects you for a number of other things. To learn more about excess liability insurance, contact us today! We’re Humphries Insurance, an independent agency based in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania.

Renters insurance isn’t too pricey, but there are still ways to save on it. Here are a few tips on saving on your renters insurance:

Compare quotes and shop around. We do this step for you! We’ll find the best rates for your needs. We can tailor a policy to fit your lifestyle.

Keep a good credit score. A good credit rating is helpful for almost all types of insurance, and renters is no exception.

Buy your renters insurance from the same company as your auto insurance. Combining policies will get you a discount.

Secure your condo with safety devices and alarms, such as dead bolts, security systems, window locks, and fire alarms. We also give discounts for this.

Quit smoking! Did you know that accidents due to smoking account for over 23,000 residential fires annually? Because of this, you may be able to get a discount if you’re a non-smoker.

Raise your deductible. The higher your deductible, the bigger your discount. Look for discounts such as senior discounts and group coverage. Sometimes employers or business associations offer group rates for renters insurance. Seniors may also be eligible for a discount.

Stay loyal to your carrier. Some insurance companies give out “loyalty discounts” to customers who have been customers for awhile.

Check your policy annually. We all accumulate, and your policy should be updated in accordance with your changes.

Review these tips and put them to use! For more information on renters insurance, contact us today! We’re Humphries Insurance, an independent agency based in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania.

You’re sleeping comfortably in your bed one night, only to be awakened by your town’s tornado sirens. The abrupt storm rips a large part of your roof off and destroys half of your upstairs.

You return from a night at the movies to find that your front door has been kicked in and someone has stolen your computer, your television, your stereo, and your most expensive clothes.

As the shock of disaster wears off, the victims will begin thinking about their home insurance. You may not know quite what to do in such a situation:

• First things first: you’ll need to call your insurance provider. Do not begin cleaning up the mess yet.

• If a repair needs to be made immediately (e.g., a hole in the side of your house), go ahead and fix it, but save the receipts so that your home insurance can reimburse you.

• Before cleaning up the mess, carefully look around and make a list of the damaged/stolen property. If you’re dealing with damage and not theft, it’s best to keep the damaged items instead of throwing them out. This will move your reimbursement along more quickly.

• Attempt to identify structural damage, and take photographs of it. A few other tips to remember:

• Flood Coverage and Earthquake Coverage are not typically included on a average home insurance policy; if you live in a high-risk flood/earthquake area, you should strongly consider adding these coverages on.

• Update your homeowners policy every year, or whenever you renovate or purchase something very expensive.

• An Umbrella Policy will increase your Homeowners Liability.

Hopefully, you will never find yourself in the unfortunate situation of home damage or theft. However, if you do, these are good tips to keep in mind.

 

Humphries Insurance is an independent insurance agency in the Blue Bell, Pennsylvania area. To learn more about Blue Bell, Collegeville, Norristown, and Ambler home insurance, contact them today.

Every car owner needs auto insurance, whether we think we do or not. No one can be certain that the other drivers that we share the road with are being as careful as we are. However, there are a few things you can do to keep the cost of your policy down a bit.

The first and most obvious way to minimize your auto insurance cost is to be a good driver and have a good record. Everyone knows that, right? But here are a few more that may help you out:

• Getting a new car? Before you buy it, whether it’s new or used, check out what the insurance cost is going to be. Auto insurance policies are based partly on the car’s sticker price, as well as the cost to repair it, its general safety record, and how likely it will be to get stolen.

• Ask for higher deductibles. Deductibles are what you pay before your insurance premium kicks in. When you ask for higher deductibles, you can lower your cost.

• Reduce coverage on older autos. You can consider opting out on collision and/or comprehensive coverage for older cars. If your car is worth less than 10 times the premium, getting that insurance may not be cost effective. If you’re not sure how much your car is worth, you can check online at Kelley’s Blue Book.

• Look into multi-policies. Lots of insurance companies or agencies will give you a discount if you “bundle” different types of coverage, or if you have more than one car insured with them.

• Check out an independent insurance agency. Independent insurance agencies, like HumphriesInsurance.com, work with multiple insurance carriers, so they can seek out the companies that will have the best prices for you. The other good thing about agencies are that they can “tailor” a policy for you.

• Maintain a good credit record. Establishing a solid credit history may cut your insurance costs, since insurers are increasingly using credit information to price auto insurance policies.

• Check out group insurance. Insurance companies sometimes offer discounts to car owners who get insurance through a group plan from their employers or business and alumni groups.

• Take advantage of low mileage discounts. Insurance companies sometimes offer discounts to car owners who drive a lower-than-average number of miles a year. Low mileage discounts can also apply to drivers who car pool to work.

Check into these different options for saving yourself money on your premium. They may be very helpful.

 

Humphries Insurance is an independent insurance agency in the Blue Bell, Pennsylvania area. To learn more about Blue Bell, Collegeville, Norristown, and Ambler auto insurance, contact them today.