Tag Archives: Bethlehem PA

When to Update Your Bethlehem Home Insurance

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Your home insurance policy likely sits in a drawer or on a file on your computer, and you only look at it if you absolutely need to. But what if you’ve decided to finally spring for a new couch or that 2-karat diamond you’ve had your eyes on? The problem is that these purchases can quickly cause the value of your home to sky rocket. As people settle into a property, it’s only natural to spend money on it. So how often should you really reassess your property?

Major Events 

Any time you do anything drastic to your home (remodeling your bathroom, adding an expensive garden, etc.), you’re going to want to call your home insurance agent. Saucon Insurance Agency serves the people of Bethlehem PA, and we’ve seen all the ways people go out of their way to give themselves a better home. The more people put in the effort, the better the city gets. It’s helpful to have home insurance to reflect it so everything can be repaired or replaced if a massive storm or major event destroys it. 

Once a Year 

But it’s not just major events that should cause you to think about your home insurance policy. You should be going over how your home has changed every year. You may have bought a new laptop or professional clothes. That adds up over time, so it might be time to get more coverage on your items. Saucon Insurance Agency can talk to you more about how your policy should work, and what you should be worried about when it comes to keeping your family safe. If you have questions or are looking for a few quotes to compare, give us a call today to start your search in Bethlehem, PA.

How to Save On Your Home Insurance Costs

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You are not boxed into paying a set price for your home insurance. There are a few different ways you can save on your home insurance costs, either by making a few different plan switches or by making some home improvements. Whatever you are looking for, Saucon Insurance Agency can help you save money insuring your Bethlehem, PA home. 

Up Your Deductible 

If you want to drop the amount you pay for the premium, the best way is to up the deductible. This will increase the amount of money you need to pay in order for insurance to kick in, but it will often substantially lower the amount you pay on your monthly payments. 

Security System Installation

A home security system is an excellent way to cut down on insurance costs. These systems reduce the chance of a break in. Most insurance companies also like knowing you are safe and sound. So, if you are ready to take the next step in home security, look towards a home security system. 

New Plumbing

If you live in an older home, your plumbing system may be significantly outdated. An outdated plumbing system makes your house susceptible to major plumbing problems further down the line. Anything from a burst pipe to leaks behind the shower can end up costing you tens of thousands of dollars in home repairs. By updating your plumbing, you may see a drop in insurance costs. Just make sure to inform your insurance provider of the updates. 

Whether you live in Bethlehem, PA or live somewhere else, the Saucon Insurance Agency is here to assist in protecting your valuable investment. With a handful of ways to save money on your home, follow these tips and you should see a nice drop off in your principal payments. 

The 50-50 Parking Lot Hit: What You Need to Know

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You’re sitting in your car in a parking space at the mall and start to back out. You’re checking behind you on each side — and then you feel an impact. It’s very common to have a slow-speed fender-bender in which two cars back out of parking spots at the same time and hit each other. But this dual responsibility changes how your insurance policy might treat the accident. Before you assume that the other guy was at fault and that his insurance will pay, contact your agent, such as Saucon Insurance Agency serving Bethlehem, PA, to discuss further steps.

50-50 Responsibility, 50-50 Payment

These accidents are often truly neutral in terms of blame. Both of you share equal fault, even if the two of you really didn’t realize you were both backing out at the same time. In situations like these, it’s common for insurance agencies to split the payments. In other words, you might get reimbursed for half of the costs of repairing the damage to your car, and the same would happen in the other guy’s case. It’s entirely possible that adjusters would find one person more at fault than the other, but unless there are witnesses, surveillance video, or damage that is clearly not the fault of one party, the adjusters often write the fault of the accident off as split between both parties equally. And if the hit was slow enough, the damage might not even top your deductible, in which case you’d end up paying for all of the repair to your car anyway.

Contact your agent after the accident, even if you and the other party decide to forget about trading information. An agency like the Saucon Insurance Agency, serving Bethlehem, PA, can advise you what to do next.

Be Prepared for a Power Outage

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Power outages in summer months are inconvenient, but they usually involve little more than buying ice and loading the food from your refrigerator into a cooler. Power outages during winter months in Bethlehem, PA can pose a greater risk to you and your family, so it is best to be prepared. Saucon Insurance Agency can provide guidance to help you prepare for major winter weather. 

Step 1: Assemble an Emergency Kit

Be sure to include:

  • Water and food
  • Extra blankets and clothing
  • Battery or solar powered radio
  • Alternative power sources for phones and medical equipment 
  • Flashlights with extra batteries
  • Rock salt (ice melt), kitty litter, and shovel
  • Heat source– ventilate safely
  • Generator and gas– never run indoors to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning

Step 2: Take Action

Make contact with the power company to determine estimated time before power is restored. If it is going to be more than a few hours, it is time to act. Gather family members, extra clothing, and blankets in a central room, preferably a room with a stove or fireplace. Close off extra rooms to keep heat where it is needed. Keep water pipes from bursting by letting water trickle. Be sure you know how to turn off the main line. Do not open the refrigerator or freezer. Freezer food will last about 2 days if undisturbed. Food in the refrigerator only has about 4 hours before it becomes questionable. If outside weather permits, place food in a cooler and use snow to keep it cold. 

Step 3: Know When to Go

Ideally, you have what you need to stay warm and nourished for about a week. If that’s not the case, know when it’s time to seek help. Many local radio stations and news apps will announce shelter locations. If you are unable to drive out, contact emergency services.

The agents at Saucon Insurance Agency encourage you to be prepared for the possibility of a power outage, especially since Bethlehem, PA is no stranger to surprise winter weather events. 

 

 

Winter Driving Safety

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Winter is here, which means cold weather and plenty of ice and snow for Bethlehem, PA. While we all have places we must go each day such as work, school, and other activities, there are times when this can be dangerous during the winter. At Saucon Insurance Agency, our hope is that all of our customers and their families stay safe when driving throughout the winter. Here are some safety tips to use throughout the season.

Safety Tip #1: Keep Up with Local Weather Reports

It is not a matter of if, but when the roads will ice over in Bethlehem, PA. We recommend that you make it a habit to regularly check the local weather reports. If the roads are too treacherous for driving, make the smart choice and stay home. It is also good to get familiar with weather terminology. Terms such as advisory, watch, or warning are used to let you know the severity of an upcoming storm.

Safety Tip #2: Winterize Your Vehicle

Have your vehicle inspected by a local mechanic, or examine it yourself. It needs to have adequate amounts of antifreeze to prevent freezing. Your tires should have plenty of tread or they may need to be replaced. Make sure that your thermostat and defroster are in good working order so you stay warm while on the road.

Safety Tip #3: Keep an Emergency Kit in Your Car

If you are stranded in the cold, an emergency kit will come in handy. Your kit should include essentials such as a first aid kit, flashlight, batteries, blankets, warm clothes, water, and snacks.  Call your insurance agent as soon as possible if you need assistance while on the road. At Saucon Insurance Agency, we hope you stay safe and warm all season long.

How Much Home Insurance Should I Buy?

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Home insurance should fit your home and your lifestyle. Buy too much and you’ll be throwing money away each month. Buy too little and you won’t be covered in the event something happens. For that reason it’s necessary to do a thorough inventory that takes into account the following:

The Structure of Your Home

Estimate the cost of rebuilding your home by determining local construction costs, the home’s square footage, and the style and type of materials your home is built from.  

Personal Possessions

Policies typically provide coverage for personal possessions that’s equal to between 50% and 70% of the value of the home. If you have valuable possessions such as artwork, jewelry, antiques, etc., you may need to secure additional endorsements to cover these items. Remember, when calculating possessions it’s important to insure them for their replacement cost, not their intrinsic value.

Liability to Others

Always make sure you are covered against lawsuits for bodily injury or property damage. This is especially important if you have features such as swimming pools, ponds, potentially dangerous pets such as dogs,  or other attractive nuisances. Generally speaking, it’s a good idea to carry $300,000 to $500,000 in coverage if any of these are present on the property.

Relocation Expenses

Consider the cost of relocating to a hotel or temporary home if a fire, flood, or other event makes the home uninhabitable. When calculating how much you will need, estimate your daily living expenses + the cost of area hotels or housing and any additional transportation expenses a temporary move would require. 

Homeowners in Bethlehem, PA should carry enough homeowner’s insurance to protect them from potential accidents or damage. Saucon Insurance Agency can help determine the appropriate level of coverage and any endorsements that are advisable.