When Should I Consider Full-Time RV Insurance?

Posted on November 25, 2024November 22, 2024 by admin

Many RV owners think you need full-time RV insurance if you spend 365 days per year in the RV. The insurance standard is 150 days, not 365, so if you spend five months each year in your RV and do not have full-time RV insurance, you need different coverage than you have today. If you live in or near Foley, AL, contact our team at Southern Risk Associates. We’re here to help and ensure you have the RV coverage you need.

What Is Full-Time RV Insurance?

Traditional or short-term RV insurance functions like auto insurance. Full-time RV insurance has an auto component and adds coverage similar to a homeowner’s policy. For example, traditional RV insurance will cover components that can include:

Bodily injury and property liability
Comprehensive and collision for your RV
Medical coverage for you and injured passengers
Underinsured motorist coverage

Short-term RV insurance covers you while driving but does not cover losses when your RV is parked if you exceed the 150-day limit. If you exceed 150 days, a full-time RV policy will cover:

Bodily injury and property damage in and around your parked RV
Your possessions in your RV
RV HOA assessments for common area losses
Temporary lodging during RV repairs
Damage to adjacent structures, like carports and decks

As always, check with your insurance agent to confirm you have the proper insurance coverage before you need it. If you think you should have full-time RV insurance, talk to your agent to confirm you have the right coverage for your RV and other risks.

Working With Southern Risk Associates

Our friendly team at Southern Risk Associates serves Foley, AL, and can address your insurance needs. Stop in or call today to ensure you have the correct coverage for your RV.

Questions to Ask Before Getting Motorcycle Insurance

Posted on October 28, 2024October 22, 2024 by admin

If you’re considering motorcycle insurance in the Foley, AL, area, you might have some questions before investing in a policy. Here are the most common questions you should ask when obtaining your insurance policy.

1. Is Motorcycle Insurance Required?

In Alabama, your registered motorcycle must have minimum coverage. This means you must carry at least liability coverage in case you cause an accident. The lender will likely require you to carry full coverage until the loan is fully repaid for motorcycles that are still being paid off.

2. What Type of Coverage is Available?

When looking to get motorcycle insurance, it’s beneficial to know what types of coverage are available. Most policies include liability, comprehensive, and collision insurance components. While it’s best practice to get full coverage, as long as you have the minimum required, you can choose the rest of the policy.

3. Are There Additional Options?

You can add other types of coverage to your policy, such as roadside assistance and personal injury coverage. You can also adjust the amount of coverage you want on your bike, insuring it for more than the standard amount and thus having a more comprehensive policy.

4. Minimum and Maximum Limits

Before finalizing an insurance contract, make sure you understand your policy’s minimum and maximum coverage options. You need to know if you want to adjust them higher or lower. You should also understand how adding drivers to the policy or making other adjustments affects these limits.

If you’re seeking a personal motorcycle insurance quote today, contact us at Southern Risk Associates. We proudly serve those in and around the Foley, AL area.

Protection Against Cosmetic Damage to Your Watercraft

Posted on September 30, 2024September 27, 2024 by admin

Various factors like weather, accidents, or improper storage and towing practices can cause cosmetic damage to your watercraft. Ensuring protection against such damages is essential. Enhancing your boat insurance policy with added coverage could reap significant benefits.

Learning from Past Incidents

Past incidents involving your watercraft can provide valuable insights. Dealing with such instances personally often clarifies what coverage is missing in your current policy. For example, if your boat suffered severe body damage, you might be worried about future damage. Keep a record of all incidents that led to out-of-pocket costs and use this information as a guideline when choosing boat insurance coverage.

Addressing Current Watercraft Concerns

Before using your watercraft, you might want to address some concerns. If there are marks or scratches on your boat’s body, you might wish to have them repaired. After removing the damages, sealing your boat’s body could prevent additional cosmetic imperfections, reducing the chance of complex repairs in the future.

Proper Storage for Your Watercraft

Proper boat storage can maintain its condition and prevent potential cosmetic inconsistencies. Ideally, your boat should be placed inside a covered storage area. If this is not feasible, consider using a fitted cover designed to protect against rain and sun. Such a cover can offer substantial protection from the elements, prolonging the life of your boat.

Insurance Agent Services

Please schedule a consultation with one of our representatives at Southern Risk Associates. Our insurance agents serving Foley, AL can assist you with all your boat insurance questions and concerns, providing peace of mind.

Living in Your Motorhome? Here’s What You need to Know About Insurance

Posted on August 30, 2024August 23, 2024 by admin

Choosing the Right Motorhome Insurance in Foley, AL

A motorhome offers an excellent opportunity to explore the country or serve as an affordable housing option. Many individuals choose to live in their motorhomes to save on living costs and have easy travel access. If you’re contemplating living in your motorhome, there are certain aspects you need to know about insurance. At Southern Risk Associates, serving Foley, AL, and the surrounding areas, we’re here to assist you in making optimal insurance choices for your motorhome.

Auto Insurance Isn’t Adequate

The first important point is that auto insurance usually isn’t sufficient for a motorhome. Given their size, motorhomes pose different risk factors for accidents and damage compared to regular vehicles. You need a tailored insurance policy for your type of vehicle to ensure proper coverage in case of an accident.

Living in a Motorhome: A Unique Insurance Situation

In addition to needing specific insurance for motorhomes, you also need to consider how living in the motorhome changes your coverage needs. Consult with an insurance representative about how this lifestyle change impacts your coverage. You’ll want a policy that considers your personal belongings as well as the value of the vehicle.

If you’d like to learn more about motorhome insurance, please contact us at Southern Risk Associates, serving Foley, AL, and the surrounding areas. We’re eager to answer your questions and help you choose the insurance products that best suit your needs.

What Will a Flood Insurance Policy Cover for My Home in Foley, Alabama?

Posted on July 30, 2024July 26, 2024 by admin

Living in a high-risk area like Foley, AL, protection against flood damage is essential for every home, regardless of size and precise location. Unfortunately, regular homeowners’ insurance policies seldom cover flooding, so acquiring suitable flood insurance for your house or property is crucial. Knowledge about what your flood insurance will cover is a stepping stone to finding the right policy for you and your properties, and the expert team at Southern Risk Associates is here to help.

Personal Property

A flood insurance policy for your home in Foley includes coverage for personal property. This will protect valuable items, electronics, furniture, and other personal belongings from loss or damage due to a flood.

Structure and Building Coverage

Once you have a flood insurance policy set up, the following areas of your home will be protected from potential flood damage:

HVAC: Your home’s HVAC system and included ventilation systems throughout the property are covered.
Plumbing and Electrical: Plumbing systems and electrical wiring are covered by flood insurance policies if they are damaged or destroyed due to water damage or flooding.
Structure: This covers the dwelling and structure of your home, including the foundation, roof, walls, and even certain built-in home appliances.

Southern Risk Associates is here to help when you decide to invest in flood insurance for your Foley, AL, home. We will work with you to find the best flood policy based on a risk analysis and comprehensive assessment of your home. To learn more about your options for flood insurance in Foley, AL, contact Southern Risk Associates to speak directly with one of our experienced insurance agents today.

I just paid off my car. Do I still need full coverage auto insurance?

Posted on June 28, 2024June 28, 2024 by admin

Car insurance is both a necessity and a luxury. Drivers in every state are required to carry auto liability insurance. However, aside from state laws, some drivers must have more coverage in addition to liability insurance. For example, anyone financing their vehicle must carry auto liability insurance plus other forms of auto insurance. Our Foley, AL team at Southern Risk Associates is committed to helping drivers get the coverage they need to suit their unique situations.

What are the minimum insurance requirements needed to drive in Alabama?

Alabama’s drivers must carry at least $25K in auto bodily injury liability coverage per person and $50K for two or more people. Drivers must also have $25K in property damage coverage. Of course, drivers can invest in more coverage, but these are the state-required minimum amounts.

I just paid off my car. Do I still need full auto insurance coverage?

Once you’ve paid your auto loan in full, you are no longer required to have anything more than the state minimum auto liability coverage. However, there are circumstances when it’s best to maintain full coverage. The amount of insurance you carry should be directly related to your car’s value. Once your premium exceeds the value of your car, you should eliminate full coverage auto insurance. Your car’s value will likely depreciate if you’re in a car accident. This means that your car will be "totaled" or considered a total loss. Newer cars benefit from full insurance coverage because their value often exceeds their insurance premiums. If you have questions about auto insurance, call us. We’d be happy to help you explore your options.

Comprehensive Condo Coverage in Foley: Insights from Southern Risk Associates

Posted on May 31, 2024May 31, 2024 by admin

Have you considered your condo insurance? When living in Foley, AL, you may focus on furnishing your place to be as comfortable as possible. However, you never know what could happen…

At Southern Risk Associates, we aim to offer some insights to ensure you have the coverage you need.

Don’t Assume Your Condo Association Fees Protects You

One of the biggest (false) assumptions people make is that their condo association fees include insurance. They don’t. Your monthly or annual fees cover building amenities, landscaping, security, and probably insurance for the building. None of that is for you, specifically.

If there’s a break-in at your unit or damage to your unit from a neighboring place, you’re not covered. That could lead to a significant cost for you.

By choosing a condo insurance policy, you can focus on the coverage you need, no matter what might happen.

Consider Your Coverage

Living in Foley, AL lets you enjoy the historic downtown area, the many attractions, and more. Unsurprisingly, you chose to live where you are, but are you protected against anything and everything?

It would be best if you had an insurance policy that allows you to file a claim for it all, including:

Fire
A water leak/flood
A break-in
Someone getting hurt in your condo

There’s nothing worse than filing a claim only to find out that you don’t have coverage. This is why it’s important to work with an agent. You can learn about some of the top issues that could happen, and a policy can be built to your specifications.

You can control the coverage, the coverage levels, and the deductible you pay.

Remember, you don’t have to build your comprehensive condo coverage on your own. Call us at Southern Risk Associates today so that we can help.

Residential Security Enhancements and Their Bearing on Your Insurance Policy

Posted on April 30, 2024April 30, 2024 by admin

Security enhancements may prevent theft, vandalism, and damage from the elements. Increasing the security that your property is equipped with could lessen your risk factor, resulting in changes to your insurance policy.

Personal Assessment

Conduct a thorough inspection of the land and home that you own. Assess the points of entry that could lead to a burglary or an act of vandalism.

Keep track of weak points that could benefit from security enhancements. For example, a door with an inferior locking system should be recorded.

Your notes will guide you when shopping for installation security materials both on your land and within your residence.

Installation and Testing Processes

Have your new security equipment professionally installed and inspected. By hiring someone to complete these steps, you will be certain that all the equipment is working properly.

This will allow you to rely heavily on the enhancements without worrying about the equipment failing when you need it most.

Maintenance Essentials

Schedule times to inspect security equipment, calibrate materials that require this process, and replace worn-out materials. Completing routine maintenance will prevent mishaps that could lead to your property being stolen or damaged.

If you decide to pursue additional security enhancements to protect your land and home, have your home insurance policy modified to reflect your selected changes.

Contact South Risk Associates

You may still have some concerns about how security enhancements will affect the insurance coverage you need. If so, contact one of our Southern Risk Associates.

An agent who serves the Foley, AL, region will provide you with more insight into how security enhancements will affect your existing insurance coverage.

Exploring Alabama’s Outdoors: Your Guide to Recreational Insurance

Posted on March 29, 2024March 26, 2024 by admin

Living in Foley, AL, you’re surrounded by incredible parks, rivers, and more. You may be itching to explore it all, and that’s why you’ve invested in some kind of recreational vehicle. Before you start exploring the outdoors too heavily, be sure that you have recreational insurance. Learn about the possibilities with the help of Southern Risk Associates.

Consider Where You Travel

Where you travel makes all the difference when you’re looking at recreational insurance. This is due to the miles you’re traveling and where you may be parking every night.

Insurance companies look at distance. The further you go, the more risks you’re likely to experience. Insurance companies also consider potential security issues. It will matter if you regularly park your RV or trailer in national parks versus RV parks.

Be prepared to talk to an insurance agent about where you’re traveling and even the frequency of your travels.

Consider What Your Recreational Vehicle Consists Of

Recreational vehicles vary dramatically. Some have engines, while others will be hitched to your existing vehicle. As such, the coverage matters.

If you don’t have an engine on your recreational vehicle, you don’t have to have insurance, according to Alabama state law. However, it’s still a good idea so that you have thorough protection.

If you have an engine, it is your vehicle and requires the same liability policies as a car or truck.

Customize a Policy with the Help of Southern Risk Associates

You’ll have the opportunity to customize your recreational insurance policy. At Southern Risk Associates, we can help you every step of the way.

We’ll talk to you about such additions as:

Liability
Comprehensive
Collision
Uninsured motorist
RV towing

When you’re in or around Foley, AL, call us at your earliest convenience to discuss what policy will work best for you.

Am I Required to Get Renters Insurance?

Posted on February 28, 2024February 21, 2024 by admin

People who buy a home with a home loan are typically required by their mortgage lender to get homeowners insurance. Homeowners who drop their homeowner’s insurance may be forced to purchase insurance through their mortgage lender. But, if you’re renting an apartment, are you required to get renter’s insurance?

The professionals at Southern Risk Associates, servicing Foley, AL, are here to answer your questions about renters’ insurance. If you’re shopping for a renter’s insurance policy, we can also help you find the right policy for your needs. Here’s what you need to know about getting a renter’s insurance policy for your home.

Most Apartment Renters Are Not Required to Get Renters Insurance

Apartment renters don’t have a mortgage company telling them what to do, so many people who rent an apartment aren’t required to get renter’s insurance. However, landlords sometimes require renters to get a renter’s insurance policy.

If renter’s insurance is required, it will be in the lease you sign to get the apartment. If you’re currently shopping for an apartment, check with the landlord to see if this will be required for the property you’re considering.

Benefits of Renters Insurance

Many benefits of renter’s insurance may lead you to want this type of insurance for yourself.

Reduced financial liability if a covered event occurs. Your renter’s insurance policy can pay to repair damages in the event of a covered event, which reduces your financial liability.
Peace of mind. Renter’s insurance can help you feel more comfortable knowing that you have some financial protection when a covered event occurs.

Need Renters Insurance? Contact Us Today

At Southern Risk Associates, servicing Foley, AL, we can help you get renter’s insurance. Call today to make an appointment and learn more about our renter’s insurance policies.

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