Reasons to File a Homeowners Insurance Claim in TN

Getting homeowners insurance from Keltner Insurance can be an important step for protecting your home and property. When it comes time to file a claim for damages or for liability, you are going to need coverage. If you live in Memphis, TN, then you should get in contact with an agent to discuss options for home insurance. Read more to learn about the top reasons for filing claims on homeowners policies. 

Storms and Severe Weather Problems

Storms and the violence and chaos of weather is a top reason for filing a claim in TN on your home policy. Storms and bad weather can cause a lot of destruction quickly and you will need repairs. This is a good time to assess the damages from the storm, winds or bad weather. Next, hop on the phone to discuss the problems with your agent at Keltner Insurance. Damages can be caused to homes from wind, ice, snow, hail, debris, down trees or other issues related to weather. 

Water Damage to Homes

Flooding can do major damage to homes. Other types of water damage can also occur, however. This includes burst pipes, leaks and heavy rains that damage roofs and other parts of the home. Water damage accounts for many of the claims homeowners insurance policies cover. If you want to know more about what kind of coverage options are available speak with an agent. 

Fires

Fire is one of the most damaging elements on this list. Fire can destroy entire homes and ruin personal property. This remains a top reason for filing claims on the home insurance policy in Tennessee. Smoke is also harmful and can destroy peoples’ belongings. Find out more about policies for house insurance and how fire damage is covered by calling an agent. 

Why You Should Update Your Car Insurance Coverage

Car insurance protects you from financial losses in case your car gets into an accident. It is important to have the right type and amount of car insurance at all times. Get the help of a reputable Memphis, TN insurance agency such as Keltner Insurance to get auto insurance quotes that are customized to your needs. They will help you to review your auto insurance and determine whether or not it is time for an update. You could be missing out on new discounts or sticking with insurance coverage that no longer meets your needs. The following are some of the situations that may make it necessary to update your car insurance coverage.

Major Life Changes

Major life changes may force you to update your car insurance coverage. They include; marriage, getting kids and moving to a new home. If you are a new homeowner, you may get a homeowners’ discount. If you are getting married, you may need to include your spouse in your car insurance policy. You may need to remove an old spouse if you are getting divorced. If your child just got their driver’s license, you may need to include them in your policy. That addition may lead to an increase in your premium rates.

Before and After Buying a New Car

You may need to update your auto insurance while shopping for a car. It helps you to know the premium rates beforehand and come up with appropriate budget plans. It helps you to buy a car that you can afford to insure. Updating your premium after buying a new car protects your car in case of accidents. It is important to have your car insured from the first time you drive it. You never know when an accident could happen.

Contact Keltner Insurance for your auto insurance needs in Memphis, TN.

The Basics of Boat Insurance

If you’re thinking of purchasing a boat insurance plan, it’s important to understand the basics of this policy. For physical damage or total loss, the coverage includes the entire hull, fittings, equipment, furnishings and all permanently attached tools, as part of an agreed amount value policy or an actual cash value policy. These key policies also offer comprehensive liability protection to Memphis, TN boat owners, though you can also opt for a standard homeowner’s policy. There are some unique differences between this two main types of policies offered by insurance companies like Keltner Insurance.

Actual cash value policy – This coverage pays for replacement expenses minus depreciation value at the time of loss. In case a total loss occurs, boat pricing guidelines and other key resources are utilized to determine the boat’s estimated market value. A partial loss is normally settled by deducting depreciation percentage from the total repair cost. 

Agreed amount value policies – When you take this policy, it means that you and the carrier have agreed on your vessels value, and in case of a total loss, the insurer will pay this amount. This coverage also replaces old items with new ones after a partial loss without deducting the depreciation cost.

Physical damage exclusion can include damage from insects, animals (like sharks), mold, defective machinery, zebra mussels, machinery damage, or normal wear and tear.

Your boat insurance can also cover:

  • Property damage –This is the damage that may be caused to another individual’s property
  • Bodily injury –covers injuries caused to another person
  • Medical expenses –pays for injuries to the boat owner and passengers
  • Theft

Note that there are liability limits for each coverage, so it’s safer to ensure that your policy exceeds the set boat insurance limits in Memphis, TN.

For more information on boat insurance basics, be sure to contact Keltner Insurance today.

 

 

Do I need boat insurance for winter when I can’t use it?

Even if the weather in Memphis, TN was nice enough for boating year-round, other obligations would probably keep you from being able to go boating all the time. Between work and family, your time on the water is probably a lot less than you want it to be. 

When you look for boat insurance at Keltner Insurance, you may wonder if you can obtain a policy that only covers the months you can really take advantage of your boat. It seems like a waste of money to pay for insurance when your boat is sitting in storage. If your boat is stored at home, your homeowner’s policy may even protect your boat somewhat. 

Unfortunately, there is probably a limit to how much your homeowner’s policy will pay if, for instance, there is a fire or your boat is stolen. After certain limits, you will be on your own, because the policy will specify what kinds of items are covered. If your boat is valuable at all, the coverage probably won’t be enough. 

If you still owe money on your boat, there is probably a clause that is part of the loan that says if you don’t carry insurance, your lender can attach a more expensive, less advantageous policy and add the money to your loan. That is a normal policy because it is still their investment too until you pay off the loan.

If you are in Memphis, TN and you have a boat you need to protect, it will probably surprise you how affordable it is. Call Keltner Insurance today for a free quote. 

Must Have Insurance Coverage for Your New Condo

Purchasing a condo is the first step towards setting up a new home. The next step is getting condo insurance to protect your investment. Although your condo comes with a master insurance policy, you still need protection for your individual unit. Master policies generally cover the outside of your building and surrounding common areas. An individual condo insurance policy from Keltner Insurance, Memphis, TN, will cover the interior of your home, protect your personal goods and provide you with liability coverage – must have insurance protection for all new condo owners.

Interior Coverage

If a kitchen fire scorches your condo walls or broken water pipes flood your floors, your condo insurance will help cover the cost of repairs so you don’t have to pay out of pocket. Interior condo insurance protects the ceiling, floors, light fixtures and floors of your condo against damage from fire, smoke, adverse weather and other catastrophes. As you never know when disaster will strike, it’s important to be prepared with the insurance protection you need.

Liability Coverage

Having a condo of your own makes entertaining that much more enjoyable. With liability coverage, you can celebrate holidays with family and friends without worrying about accidents occurring on your property. If a guest has an accident while visiting your condo, liability coverage will cover any medical costs. Liability coverage also covers damages to neighboring condos due to accidents you cause.

Personal Property Coverage

Last, but not least, personal property/condo contents insurance will protect your personal goods against theft or harm. If you get replacement cost protection, your insurance will pay to have your goods replaced if they’re totally destroyed or stolen. The more goods you own, the more important it is to protect your investments with adequate personal property coverage.

To learn more about condo insurance and all it has to offer, talk to a Keltner Insurance agent in Memphis, TN today.

How to Determine if You Need Life Insurance

Life insurance is a very popular type of insurance, especially as people get older. However, even if you have thought about life insurance, you may still be on the fence about buying it. A lot of people wonder if they actually need to have this coverage or not. If you have been trying to figure out if you should get life insurance, be sure to use this guide from Keltner Insurance, serving Memphis, TN, to help you decide if you really need it. 

  • You have someone who relies on your income. Whether you have a spouse, children, or both, if they rely on your income for survival, you should consider getting life insurance to help take care of them if anything happens to you. 
  • You have debt. If you have debt that you would leave behind, you do not want to burden your family with the added financial responsibilities. It is a good idea to have enough coverage to take care of this debt. 
  • You don’t have money saved up for a burial. Burials are expensive and if you do not have the money saved up for it already you should consider having a life insurance policy to take care of it so it is one less thing for your family to worry about. 

There are some specific situations where you really should consider purchasing life insurance and there are others where it is simply the smart thing to do. If you are still not sure or if you would like help finding the right policy or amount, be sure to reach out to us here at Keltner Insurance, serving Memphis, TN, today. We are always happy to help and will even provide you with a free quote for coverage that meets your needs and your budget. 

When to Claim Your Home Insurance

Be it as it may, not all damage that happens to your homestead needs the attention of the insurance company. Actually, it is far more economical to avoid filing an insurance claim for petty damages to your home. Needless to say, every claim you make can potentially increase your premiums. Hence, you should be more careful when you are planning to file a claim. There are quite a number of companies for house insurance such as Keltner Insurance in Memphis, TN.

When should you file an insurance claim?

  • If it is something precious to you

Insurance covers are mostly for what we cannot afford to lose such as the valuables that you cannot easily replace. These could include excessive damage to your house or theft.

  • Cost effective replacement

It is expedient to assess the cost of replacing the damage. If the total cost is supposedly less than the deductible amount, you should desist from making an insurance claim.

  • If you can afford it, don’t file a claim

Certainly, the insurance company will pay you less. If you realize that you can comfortably afford the repair yourself, do not make the claim.

  • Avoid multiple claims

Filing several claims within a short period of time will increase your premiums tremendously. You don’t want to be in the high-risk category of your insurance company.

What you need to know before filing a home insurance claim

  • Is the claim covered?

Do not file a claim for anything if you do not have coverage for these claims. You should ensure that whatever claim you are filing should be covered by your home insurance company.

  • There is a potential increase in premiums

Filing a claim can potentially increase your premiums tremendously. If you are not prepared to handle an additional increase in premiums then you can reconsider your stand on filing a claim.

For more information about house insurance, contact Keltner Insurance in Memphis, TN or read more about house insurance from their blog.

Insuring All Of Your Employees Properly

There are many new businesses in Memphis, TN that need employee insurance. If you are one of them, contact us at Keltner Insurance. We can help to provide you with a guide towards getting the kind of policies outlined below.

Getting Health Insurance

First of all, your employees need high-quality health insurance. Try to find company plans that suit your business size and type. There are many bundles available on the market, so don’t be afraid to do a little shopping to find one that is right for you.

Workers’ Compensation Insurance

Just about any business is going to need a workers’ compensation insurance policy in place. These types of policies help to provide you with cash when one of your employees is hurt on the job site. This cash gives them the ability to recover without suffering from financial difficulties.

Unemployment Insurance Taxes

Paying unemployment insurance taxes ensures that your employees are safe if you have to let them go for any reason. These policies usually kick in if you pay at last $1,500 in wages during one quarter of a calendar year. The insurance rates will vary depending on the size of your business, so make sure that you talk to your state officials first.

Disability Insurance

This type of insurance is different than workers’ compensation because it kicks in if your employees are injured or sick outside of something that happened during work. It helps to make sure they get the rehabilitation that they need to manage their treatment and get back to work. Shop around a bit to find the best rates.

Let Us Help You Get Total Employee Coverage

If your Memphis, TN company needs the kind of high-quality insurance your employees deserve, contact us at Keltner Insurance. We can find a policy that works well for you.

Does Motorcycle Insurance Cover Any Motorcycle Accessories?

When you are purchasing motorcycle insurance, it is important that you understand what is and is not covered by the policy. One of the questions that we at Keltner Insurance, serving the greater Memphis, TN area, are often asked is whether motorcycle insurance covers any motorcycle accessories. 

As a general rule of thumb, motorcycle insurance does not cover any motorcycle accessories. The policy typically only covers factory issued items that come with your motorcycle. If you add any new tires or rims, saddlebags or accessories, like stem covers, these are not covered by your regular motorcycle insurance policy. However, this does not mean that there is not a way to protect or cover them. 

If you have accessories on your motorcycle that are pricey, you may want to consider an add-on policy that covers motorcycle accessories. Accessory add-on policies allow you to cover any accessories that you add on to your motorcycle, as long as you include them in the policy. When you take out the policy, you will be asked to include a list of add-on accessories you have that you wish to cover. You will then need to update the list as you make changes to your bike. This is the best way to ensure that all of your add-ons and accessories are covered in the event of theft or an accident. 

If you are looking to purchase a new motorcycle insurance policy or are looking to purchase an add-on policy to cover your motorcycle accessories in the Memphis, TN area, Keltner Insurance can help you. Contact us today to schedule an appointment to sit down and discuss your insurance needs and let us find you the coverages you need to fully protect your motorcycle and accessories. 

Does RV Insurance Cover Contents?

If you are going to hit the open road in an RV, there are some things you should know before purchasing insurance. It is the law that you must maintain a minimum liability coverage in every state, but depending on the circumstances, you may need to consider what the insurance will cover and if your contents are also covered.

Covering Your Assets

If you are planning on having personal belongings with a high dollar value on board your RV, you are going to want to choose comprehensive insurance. Comprehensive insurance will cover you in the event of theft or fire, for instance, and will provide protection up to the covered dollar amount. If you have liability only, you are only going to cover any damage you cause to another vehicle. Make sure that you take into consideration the dollar amount of belongings such as stoves, refrigerators, and other belongings that will have a high cost to replace.

Living In Your RV?

If you are going to live in your RV, you are going to want to purchase full-time insurance. This is a complete insurance package that is designed to protect your RV much like homeowners’ insurance protects individuals who own a house. When you carry full-time insurance, you need to worry less in the event of an incident where you need complete protection. The cost for this coverage can vary, however, based on the class type you need. Luxury RVs would require class A for instance, and class B would be for travel trailers, campers, and vans. Class C is designed for cargo vans and other similar situations. For more information on RV insurance, or help with deciding which type is best for your needs contact Memphis, TN, Keltner Insurance.

Get helpful service from knowledgeable insurance agents from Memphis, TN, Keltner Insurance. Get out there and enjoy life in your RV without having to worry about your insurance coverage.