allstate insurance: Life Insurance protecting the ones you love. - 10/30/12 08:33 AM
A recent survey by LIMRA International shows that one third of adults in the U.S. have no life insurance.  Those with coverage, the study also showed, have far less than most experts recommend for a secure financial future for their families.  For most consumers, buying life insurance can be a tough decision, and myths about life insurance can confuse and delay consumers from purchasing a policy, potentially forcing their families to make financial sacrifices.
One of the many benefits of life insurance is to help protect loved ones who depend on you financially.  To determine how much life insurance you need, … (0 comments)

allstate insurance: Every 218th crash involves a Deer! - 10/10/10 01:04 PM
Well, it is that time of year again, that we start getting more phone calls about collisions involving a Deer. A large insurance company said it recorded 42,844 accidents involving Deer between July 2008 and June 2009 in Illinois alone. That puts Illinois at a rank of 31 on the national list for the likelihood of Deer-vehicle accidents. Of 2.3 million accidents involving Deer nationwide, West Virginia gad the highest rate, while hawaii is the lowest ranking state for such acciidents. Deer are not native to Hawaii, but were introduced there. As always, use precaution when driving at dusk when Deer … (4 comments)

allstate insurance: Homeowners Insurance and the use of deductibles - 10/04/09 09:36 AM
As the landscape of insurance has been changing over the years, my clients have been understanding the advantage of using higher deductibles on their Homeowners Insurance. In the last several years the midwest has sustained hail storms and flooding that we had not seen in many years. As a result, Homeowners Insurance premiums have increased significantly. My clients have found a great advantage in raising the deductible to $1,000 or even higher. In this way, the small claims do not get filed, which also ultimately can result in claim surcharges and the loss of claim free discounts. The savings on the … (0 comments)

allstate insurance: Small cars and auto insurance - 09/10/09 07:56 AM
Recently one of my clients traded in a Honda Accord for a Honda Civic thinking they would save money. When I changed cars on the policy we realized the 6 month premium would go up $100 rather than go down. Some smaller cars are less expensive to purchase, but more expensive to insure because of average repair cost as well as the high percentage of claims we have that are attributed to that type of car. We are more likely to have more claims on a Honda Civic if the type of person that buys that type of car has a … (0 comments)

allstate insurance: FHA Financing and Condo Insurance - 07/19/09 07:38 PM
It appears there is a new law with FHA financing that requires personal Condominium Insurance with Interior building property limits at a minimum of 20% of the purchase price of the Condo unit. This is of course also true with Townhomes that have a master policy and act under Condo Association guidelines. Now, while it only makes sense to have personal Condo Insurance of your own, the fact is that many people close and never buy it. That is because they are under the false premise that the Master Policy of the Association will cover everything they need. If you feel … (0 comments)

allstate insurance: Am I liable for guests that consume too much alcohol? - 07/04/09 09:16 AM
Well...it is very possible that you are! As I write this early in the morning on the 4th of July, I reflect on the many Holiday celebrations that will be taking place this weekend. Of course in today's society, everyone wants to sue everyone else whenever they can, and for whatever they can. The bottom line is that liability is based on negligence, and that is some action you take or fail to take as a reasonably prudent individual that can cause harm to another person. For example, if you have a picnic, and watch a guest have 8 or 9 … (0 comments)

allstate insurance: Who is covered driving my car? - 05/24/09 09:44 AM
Most of the major well known Insurance Companies allow for permissive use of your automobile. That simply means that anyone is covered driving your car as long as they have permission to use the car. This question often comes up because most insurance companies will print a line on the policy declarations stating the rating characteristics of the policy. It will say something like married male ages 25-49 or something similar, however this is just a statement of how the policy is rated, not a finite statement of who is covered driving the car. There are some companies that do exclude … (2 comments)

allstate insurance: More about Condominium Insurance...what happens when a loss originates in my unit that damages the common property? - 03/01/09 08:59 AM
Most Condominium owners are not aware of the consequences of a claim that originates in their unit, but damages common property covered by the association policy. A good example of this would be a resident that is not attentive in the kitchen and causes a grease fire. The fire most likely would damage kitchen cabinets, drywall, and other common building property. Most condo associations do have the master policy that would cover this damage, however most have a high deductible, for example $5,000. The association typically has a provision in the bylaws that assesses the deductible to the unit owner that … (0 comments)

allstate insurance: Condominium Insurance....Why do I need it? - 02/28/09 09:05 PM
All too often we find a situation where a Condo unit owner lacks coverage on their unit....because no one forced them to buy it. Unlike a home, where the mortgage company mandates insurance to protect their interests, that does not happen on a condo. The master policy of the association provides coverage for the building, which is the collateral on the loan. Of course, coverage is necessary to protect the contents, as well as the building property not covered by the master policy. This would include upgrades or improvements. For example, if the kitchen has been remodeled, it is your responsibility … (0 comments)

allstate insurance: Long Term Care Insurance and the growing need for it in our society - 02/02/09 09:48 PM
Just a few years ago, the tax reform act of 2005 was passed. It basically said that in order for benefits to be available for Long Term care expenses, that the applicant could have very little in the way of assets, as it would be required to spend down assets before Medicaid would pay any benefits. So, if you own a home and have savings, do not expect Medicaid to be available for Long Term care costs. You should consider Long term Care if you would like to protect your assets...if you want to avoid burdening your family with extensive caregiving … (0 comments)

allstate insurance: Protecting your Home from Winter's wrath and freezing pipes - 01/28/09 08:20 PM
When the temperature falls below 20 degrees and strong Winter winds blow, potential for freezing pipes increases dramatically. Taking the appropriate precautions will go a long way in protecting your Home and the contents. 
Here are some basic things all Homeowners should do......
Detach all Garden hoses and if possible, shut off the water supplying the outside faucets. Keeping the hose on will trap water in the pipe, and this water will freeze and crack the pipe. 
Wrap pipes with insulation or heating tape
Caulk or weather seal windows to cut down on wind drafts
Tag the location of your water … (0 comments)

allstate insurance: Barrington insurance Deer Park Real Estate and Clue reports Why you need a C.L.U.E report - 01/27/09 06:55 AM
Many years ago, when the computer data base age came into being, Insurance companies developed a tracking system called CLUE. The Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange database tracks Homeowners Insurance claims, and it can provide valuable information for Buyers, Sellers, and Insurance Companies. For example I knew of a buyer that we gave a quote to for a new homeowners insurance policy, and in doing the quote I noticed there had been a large hail claim for the previous owner which paid for a new roof. In this case the seller had taken the $35,000 for the roof and decided to postpone … (0 comments)

allstate insurance: Potholes and your car - 01/18/09 09:24 AM
Well it is that time of year where we are receiving many calls from clients where they have suffered damaged tires, wheels or suspension from hitting an unavoidable pothole in the roadway. Unfortunately all insurance companies view this is as an at fault incident....no differently than if you were to run into a fence, parked car, etc. Of course many times while driving at night, the pothole creeps up at the last second, and there is no alternative but to hit it. Swerving to avoid it in most cases can create even worse consequences. Call your insurance agent if this happens, … (1 comments)

allstate insurance: Ice damming and water damage in your home - 01/15/09 08:26 PM
This is the time of year here in the Midwest, where our extreme weather creates havoc on our homes. As I write this today we have below 0 temperatures and periodically I here popping sounds coming from within the stucture of my home due to the extreme cold. As we begin to have warmer days and the snow melts, a condition called ice damming can easily occur in your gutters. Water then can be forced up under the shingles and into the attic causing damage to insulation and drywall. Most homeowners policies do cover this damage, subject to your deductible. If you … (0 comments)

allstate insurance: Why do Insurance companies link my credit score to my rates? - 01/14/09 08:43 PM
 
Since the year 2000 Allstate Insurance company has used a score called an IFS or Insurance Financial stability score.Most other major insurance carriers have followed in our footsteps.   This score is driven by your social security number. We go to extreme measures to protect your confidential information, and will not run the score without your permission. The theory is that if you have a good score, you are a more responsible person. Therefore the logic is by being more responsible you also are a better risk, as you are also more responsible in the way you drive your car and … (0 comments)

 
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Philip Rutledge

Barrington, IL

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