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What is underinsured motorist coverage Underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage is an optional coverage in an auto insurance policy that provides financial protection against accidents involving someone who does not have sufficient insurance coverage of their own. How does underinsured motorist coverage work Bella the Butler decided to purchase her auto insurance policy without underinsured coverage, thinking that it would be less expensive and more economical. Two months later while driving back home, her co-worker Gabriella carelessly crashed into her, resulting in several broken bones. Gabriella, also being a butler, did not have enough coverage to pay for Bella’s medical bills and ended up paying only 10% of the total amount, the rest 90% was paid by Bella, out of pocket. If Bella had underinsured motorist coverage, her insurance company would have paid for the difference amount and that would have been more economical and far less expensive. Here at AZ Insurance Team, we don't sell auto insurance policies without UIM coverage, because we care about your financial safety more than the premium payments. What is uninsured motorist coverage According to the Insurance Information Institute ‘s 2021 report it appeared that 11.8% of the drivers in Arizona do not have auto insurance. What would happen if you got severely injured in a car crash by a driver who doesn't have car insurance? You would have to pay for all the bills out of pocket. Uninsured motorist coverage (UM) is an insurance coverage that pays when an at-fault driver causes a car accident, doesn’t have insurance and hurts you In Arizona by law the minimum UM coverage amount is 25/50. For example, you are in a car accident and the person at fault does not have an auto insurance. You incur $40,000 in injury-related bills and are unable to work for one month. Your uninsured motorist coverage would not only provide coverage for medical bills but would also cover for lost wages. Contact Us | AZ Insurance Team | Auto, Home, Life, Commercial… Independent insurance brokerage located in Tempe, AZ. We offer auto insurance, homeowners insurance, life insurance, renters insurance, commercial insurance…

What is an insurance deductible? A deductible is a portion of the amount paid by the person responsible for the loss. All insurance companies require the insurance holders to pay deductibles for several reasons, the most important, one being to hold them responsible for some part of the loss. How does it work? Mo had been in a car accident and the car damages in total came out to be $8000. When he bought the insurance policy from the AZ Insurance Team, Mo decided to choose his deductible amount as $500. In this case Mo would only be required to pay the deductible amount and the insurance company would cover the rest. How to make a smart deductible decision? It is important to find the right deductible amount for your insurance policy, there are two main things to consider: 1.Your personal income 2.Long term financial benefit Tim and Cody decided to go to AZ insurance Team to get their auto insurance. Let us assume Tim’s yearly income is approximately $200,000 whereas Cody makes $50,000 a year. A smart financial decision for Tim would be to have a higher deductible, such as $1500, because the higher the deductible, the lower the insurance premium. Cody on the other hand should opt for deductible as low as $500, because if he went for a higher deductible and crashed his car, he would be liable to pay much more than he can afford. Contact Us | AZ Insurance Team | Auto, Home, Life, Commercial… Independent insurance brokerage located in Tempe, AZ. We offer auto insurance, homeowners insurance, life insurance, renters insurance, commercial insurance… https://www.azinsuranceteam.com/contact

Do I Need Business Insurance if I Work from Home? These days it seems like everyone has a side job, that’s because 29% of workers have some sort of side hustle; especially millennials-where 44% of 25-34 year-olds report having a side gig. Being your own boss, setting your own hours, calling the shots, and setting your own rates comes with many advantages. Most people are so busy growing their small business though that they don’t think about the risks. It’s important to get the right coverage for whatever work you’re doing. For example, you could be on the hook for expenses if you get into a car accident on the way to pick up a passenger while driving for a ridesharing service or if you are the victim of theft when your in-home stock of LipSense goes missing. What type of coverage should you get for your small business? 1. Rider to a homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy This is the most inexpensive home-based business insurance. It is an add-on or rider that expands a homeowner’s or renter’s policy to cover the company. The cost is usually minimal around $100 a year with about $2,500 of additional coverage for business property and may provide some liability coverage. This type of insurance may be appropriate for a one-person business without many business-related visitors or valuable equipment. For example, such coverage may work well for a Pampered Chef distributor or IT Works working from home. 2. In-home business policy These policies cover a broader range of contingencies, including theft of funds being taken to the bank for deposit or loss of critical documents. The plan usually covers up to 3 employees against theft. The cost often ranges from $250-500 and can cover as much as $10,000 in losses. It covers business equipment and liability for injury, which is important if people are coming in and out of your house for business purposes. 3. Business owner’s policy Entrepreneurs who need more than 10,000 of coverage should pay for a business owner’s policy. Coverage by this type of plan includes damage to or loss of business equipment and other assets, loss of critical records, liability for customer injuries, loss of income or a business interruption in case of power outage from lightning storm or natural disaster, other flood. Such a policy might also protect you if you asked an employee to run to the store and buy you stamps and they are in an accident. Many BOP’s start at around $500 and offer coverage up to $4 million. For those really taking their business seriously, this is probably your best option. Knowing what coverage is right for you and your side hustle is important. If you have any questions, need some extra guidance or would like to start your own policy, give us a call.

Make your house a haven for trick-or-treaters Halloween is one of the fall season’s most treasured holidays. Kids love to dress up, get together with friends, and go door-to-door in search of the biggest and best goodies. In these times of extreme caution due to Covid-19, it's important to celebrate Halloween safely. If your neighborhood tends to be teeming with little ghosts, goblins, superheroes and princesses, you’ll want to be sure your yard and stoop are safe and welcoming. A little pre-planning can prevent unfortunate accidents that could turn out to be tragic for kids and trying for you. Here are some pointers for ensuring your house is a safe place for trick-or-treaters on Oct. 31. Prepackage Treats: To avoid contact with others and cross contamination with candy, pre-package goodie bags of candy and treats and set them outside your door. Pets first. Many dogs, cats, and other furry family companions get scared when oddly dressed strangers approach their door in droves. Make sure your pet is in a safe and comfortable space or take them to a secure, relaxing offsite location for the evening. Clean it up. If your yard gathers stuff - like toys, rakes and other yard tools, hoses, tree branches, you name it - take the time to clean it up. Make sure your yard is free of potential hazards and create a clutter-free walking path well before dusk falls this Halloween. Light it up. Make sure you offer a well-lit path. You can do this using any type of yard lights, from solar, string, LED, existing outdoor lighting or glow-in-the-dark. Turn it off. When you’re done for the night, make it obvious by turning any and all inviting lights off. However, if you’re still offering candy in a bowl outside, do make sure to keep the path well-lit until your sweet treats are tucked away inside the house. We hope you enjoy a safe Halloween devoid of tricks and full of treats!

As consumers, we’re always looking for the best deals, but often times as you know; the cheapest product is rarely the best product. Every state has a set liability limit on auto insurance that every driver must carry at a minimum. People carrying minimum state coverage are definitely the ones you want to avoid getting into an accident with if it were possible to do. State Minimum Insurance in Arizona: Bodily injury liability coverage: $15,000 per person/$30,000 per accident Property damage liability coverage: minimum $10,000 Uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage: minimum $15,000 per person/$30,000 per accident Underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage: minimum $15,000 per person/30,000 per accident Here’s an Accident Scenario with you Carrying State Minimum Insurance: You hit a new F-150 head on and do $12,000 worth of damage to their truck and injure 3 people inside causing $34,000 dollars in medical bills. Your own vehicle is totaled and medical bill for a neck injury of your own is $7,000. What will state minimum cover in this scenario? $10,000 to fix the F-150 truck $30,000 to cover medical bills for the 3 injured people This leaves you owing a balance of $6,000 to the not at fault party. They can and will likely sue you for this money. You’re left owing thousands of dollars to someone else, you still have $7,000 in your own medical bills racked up and you’re without a car now (if you don’t have collision and med pay coverage, both of which are not required by law). Now, you have to take a bus, Uber, or bicycle to work to save up as much money as you can to get a new car, pay of your bills and a possible lawsuit. Things are not looking too good for you, all because you thought you could save a couple bucks by opting for state minimum coverage. Other downsides to state minimum insurance without an accident: Places that offer it usually require a steep down payment and other fees Often times it’s renewed on a month to month basis, meaning you can’t lock in your rate, which is especially bad if you get into an accident your rate will go right up What’s an affordable alternative for state minimum insurance? There are numerous insurance companies that will provide you with affordable rates and great coverages. Shopping with a broker is one of the best ways to quickly price shop rates and benefits without doing any real work yourself. Call your insurance broker today to get better coverage than state minimum at a price you can afford.

Buying a new house can be one of the most exciting times in your life, while at the same time being one of the most stressful. It’s one of, if not the biggest, investments an adult makes and is a crucial factor in your quality of life from that moment going forward. As a result, it’s extremely critical that you are asking the right questions before take the plunge, both to the seller and to yourself. Here are five important questions to ask: How old is the roof? There’s a handful of signs that a roof may need to be replaced, such as cracked shingles, curled shingle edges, or that the roof just looks old and worn out. The cost to replace a roof made with asphalt shingles is far from pocket-change, averaging at $7,500. Here are the average lifespans of the popular roofing materials: Asphalt shingles: 15 to 20 years Wood shakes: 20 to 40 years Metal: 40 to 80 years Architectural asphalt singles: 24 to 30 years The costs to replace your roof are even higher if it’s not made of regular asphalt shingles or if you choose to invest in a different roofing material. It’s important to know the age of the roof, as a small difference in price of two houses you’re scouting may be eliminated by the cost of having to replace the roof the following year. Are there any previous infestations? Ask the previous owner if they had to deal with any infestations during their time at the home. If they have, it’s possible the problem has persisted or is likely to come back as it is difficult to completely eliminate pests and the conditions that attracted the pests in the first place may still exist. Are there any sewer issues? When trees and other types of plants get older, their roots can find their way into sewer lines causing them to clog. Sewer backup is a filthy problem that no person on this Earth wants to deal with, especially considering most regular home insurance policies don’t cover it. How are the utility systems? Utility systems can be very costly to repair or replace, making it extremely important to find out the age and quality of the current systems. Some things you should ask about include: Electrical Plumbing Water Heating Asking the previous owners about how much they typically paid for utilities is essential as well, as utility costs add up quickly. What is the neighborhood like? The neighborhood/area you live in makes a huge difference in you and your family’s quality of life. You’re not just buying a home; you’re also buying yourself into everything around it. Some important things to research are: Crime rates: Researching the crime rates in the area you’d be living in becomes even more important if you have kids, as no parent wants their children living in a dangerous neighborhood. Aside from your own research, asking the neighbors about how they feel about the safety of the neighborhood can provide you with good insight. Schools: Also very important if you have children, you’ll want to research the school district that you’d be living in. Even if you don’t have/don’t plan on having children, your future buyers may consider it a deal breaker if your house is in a sub-par school district. Lifestyle: How close if your home from the place you work, public transportation, restaurants, shopping centers, and from the things you enjoy doing? It’s important to consider whether moving into the home will make your life easier or more difficult.

Life can be unpredictable and the law can be complicated. LegalShield created a model for legal coverage in which you know exactly what you’re getting and precisely how much you’re paying for it. Once you sign up, you can sit back, relax, and know you’re covered by an entire law firm. Legal issues can be costly. Decades ago, the founder discovered that the hard way. So now they’re leveling the playing field. With affordable access to trusted legal counsel, you can focus more on the issue at hand, and less on whether you can afford it. LegalShield believes that by educating, protecting, and serving their members, they can improve their lives dramatically. With a law firm by your side, you can walk through life knowing you are protected every step of the way. Here’s what LegalShield helps with: Landlord Tenant Crooked landlord? Hazardous home conditions? Get your lease professionally reviewed. Consumer Finance Tax disputes. Audits. Debt collection. Fraud. Traffic Accidents happen. So do speed traps. But with a LegalShield Legal Plan, you’re covered. Estate Planning Death and taxes? That’s our bread and butter. They handle your will and power of attorney. Real Estate Whether you’re buying, selling or just planning ahead, they take the pain out of the process. Employment Wrongly fired? Mistreated at work? You are not alone, especially with LegalShield on your side. Collection Whether you’re owed a debt or facing litigation, they’ll help you get—and keep—what’s yours. Family Law Relationships are complicated. Let them tackle the technical stuff. Civil Litigation From arbitration to trial, they’re in your corner when you need them most. Criminal Get expert legal defense for covered criminal charges and they’ll help build your best case. If you’re interested in learning more about LegalShield click here! AZ Insurance Team

Buying a used vehicle as opposed to a brand new one can be an excellent money saving opportunity. You’ll be paying significantly less due to how quickly a car’s value depreciates and you can still get a great, reliable vehicle. In reality though, there is a lot that can go wrong that can result in some buyer’s remorse. Following these seven steps will help ensure that the process is a breeze. 1. Set a budget: Starting with deciding how much you want/can spend. Whether you're going to finance or pay out of pocket setting a limit will help to narrow down your options. A general rule-of-thumb is to not spend more than 20% of your monthly income on car payments. It's also beneficial to consider the other costs of the vehicle, such as changes in your insurance rate and any maintenance that will have to be done. 2. Research several different make and models: Now that you've set your budget, you're ready to begin researching cars that fit your price range. Decide on what you're looking for in a car: number of seats, size, gas mileage, etc. and then research potential models that fit your needs. Look up consumer reviews to get an understanding of how other drivers feel about the vehicle and to find any problems they've had with the same model. Buying a vehicle is a large investment and as a result there's nothing wrong with doing "too much" research. You want to know as much as you can before picking prospects. One thing to consider is purchasing a certified pre-owned (CPO) vehicle. CPO vehicles will be in excellent condition, have gone through a multi-point inspection, and have extended warranty protection. 3. Make a list of prospects: After you've done extensive research, start picking your prospects. If you're buying your car from a dealership this step becomes even more important because walking in with a blank stare will make you look like a defenseless elk to the salesman’s wolf tactics. Knowing what you want will make the process run smoothly and protect you from being pressured into making a purchase you'll regret. 4. Obtain a vehicle history report: A vehicle history report (VHR) will provide information about the vehicle's past including past ownership, title and accident history, and whether the vehicle has been flagged as a lemon. Your dealer may provide the VHR or you may have to order it online from sites like CARFAX and AutoCheck. 5. Test-drive/inspect the vehicles: Test-driving a vehicle is the only way to know for sure that it is right for you. It helps you determine how comfortable you are in it and gives you the opportunity to do a self-inspection. Some things to inspect include: Brakes: Do they seem to work well? Are they squeaking at all? Tires: Look at the quality and make sure that they are wearing evenly. Uneven wear can be a sign of tire alignment or suspension issues. Leaks: Check under the car for leaks of any kind. Black fluid leaking can be a sign of an oil leak, pink/red fluid can indicate a transmission leak, and green fluid may indicate an anti-freeze leak. Air Conditioning: Is the A/C cold or even working at all? Lights: Check that the interior and exterior lights to make sure they all work properly. Shaking/Vibrating: If you have the chance, be sure to drive the car at higher speeds as well as some issues may not be noticeable at lower speeds. Shaking/vibrating when going fast can indicate a number of potential problems. Check under the hood: You don't have to be a car expert to notice red flags. Be sure to check while the engine is running as well to check for ticks and hisses. Doing your own inspection before having it done professionally is important as finding issues that are deal-breakers will save you the money and time it takes to have a mechanic inspect it. 6. Have a mechanic do an inspection: Have a trusted expert look at the vehicle and identifying any and all problems with the car. This gives you knowledge about the present condition of the vehicle and provides you with the information needed to assess what repairs need to be done now and what may need to be done in the future. 7. Negotiate a price: Whether you're buying from a dealership or a private seller, the listed price is very negotiable. Two steps to take before trying to negotiate include researching how much the make/model/year vehicle typically goes for using a site like Kelley Blue Book, and to find out any potential problems with the vehicle that you can use as leverage to bring the price down. Of course, it's rude to suggest a price significantly lower than the listed price. Start with a price that's below your budget but around what the vehicle typically goes for given the information you have about the vehicle’s history and condition. Negotiate with the seller and if you arrive at a price that is below or at your budget and near what the car usually goes for; pull the trigger.

There are several types of property insurance that protect different things. Some types of property insurance include builder's risk, course of construction, and vacant home. While all of them are important to have, what’s the difference between them? Builders Risk: Builder's risk insurance is coverage that protects a person's or organizations insurable interest in materials, fixtures and equipment being used in the construction or renovation of a building or structure should those items sustain physical loss or damage from a covered cause. It is important to carry builder’s risk insurance on any construction or renovation project. Course of Construction: Course of construction is similar to builder’s risk in what it covers, however it is more commonly used on construction projects where the build is from the ground up to the roof, not just a renovation. Vacant Home with Renovation Endorsement: Vacant home insurance is used to cover your investment property or home while it is unoccupied during a non-structural fix and flip. This protects you against accidents or named perils, such as fire, lightning, and hail. A standard homeowner’s or landlord policy often will not provide you with the correct coverage you need for a fix and flip. Homeowners Insurance: Homeowners insurance is a package policy. It covers both damage and losses to your property and your liability or legal responsibility for any injuries and property damage you or members of your family cause to other people. It also covers theft of your personal belongings up to your limit. Because nearly everyone will need homeowners insurance at some point, finding ways to save money on your homeowners policy is definitely a priority. Flood insurance (from natural disasters) is never included in a homeowner’s policy and is actually a separate policy you can acquire. Landlord (Rental Property) Insurance: Landlord insurance is needed anytime someone who is not an owner is the sole occupant of a home. This policy is very similar to what is covered in a homeowners policy except there is no coverage for burglary or theft of any personal property. Also, the liability coverage is only for the premises versus a homeowners or renters liability coverage that will travel with you anywhere in the world. It’s important to know the difference between various types of property insurance policies so that you’re covered in the way that suits your needs best. If you have any questions or would like some expert advice on the matter, contact your agent.

Did you know that 55% of Americans don't plan accurately for retirement costs? Because of this, many Americans must rely on their Social Security benefits which are around $1500 a month. In many cities, $1500 a month will barely cover rent let alone any groceries or medical costs. According to GOBankingRates, these are the 5 cheapest cities for retirement based upon the cost-of-living index: 5. Grand Ledge, Michigan This town is just under 8,000 people and is known for their small town feel and many outdoor activities. Total monthly costs: $1,264 Livability score: A- 4. St. Johns, Michigan St. Johns is famous for it's mint farming and is known as the mint city of the world! An endless supply of mint chocolate chip can be found here, as well. Total monthly costs: $1260 Livability score: A- 3. Vandalia, Ohio A suburb of Dayton, Vandalia is a business hub that is a great location for those who enjoy traveling. It has easy access to many highways and is close to Dayton International Airport. Total monthly costs: $1247 Livability score: A+ 2. Turtle Creek, Pennsylvania This city is known for its parks and great restaurants. With a population of around 5,000 there is a small town, community feel. Total monthly costs: $1240 Livability score: A+ 1. Tallmage, Ohio This city is centered around the Tallmadge Church and offers plenty of history for its residents. There is a population of around 17,000 and many shops and restaurants within the town. Total monthly costs: $1238 Livability score: A+

Flood insurance is more important than you may think. The United States has a low rate of homeowners having flood insurance even when there are increasing risks of flooding. Here are some common misconceptions people may have about flood insurance. "I don't need flood insurance because there is a low risk of flooding." Many people assume they wouldn't need flood insurance due to a lack of flooding near their home. However, a 2019 Verisk analysis shows that over 50% of homes in the United States are at risk of extreme flooding. "Flood insurance is too expensive." Flood insurance prices vary from state to state. With the right insurance brokerage, you will be able to get the best rates that will protect you in case of a disastrous flood. Since the Covid-19 pandemic, you can even get a virtual inspection for an insurance quote. "Flood insurance is too confusing." Now is the time where getting flood insurance can be a transparent and easy process. New technology and data can accurately determine your home's flood risk, thus getting the right amount of flood insurance for your home. Protecting your property and belongings is a homeowner's responsibility. No matter where you live, researching what flood insurance policies are right for you will ultimately benefit you in the long run.

AZ Insurance Team owner, Charlotte Burr, discusses the importance of attending Defensive Driving School Say you just got a speeding ticket and are wondering what your next steps would be. You can do one of the following: Pay the hefty fine Attend Defensive Driving School Fight the ticket Out of the three options, we would highly recommend that you attend Defensive Driving School: a simple four hour course, which can even be done online. The other two options can be tiresome, expensive, and quite frankly, just unnecessary. AZ Insurance Team owner, Charlotte Burr, talks about the importance of attending Defensive Driving School and its correlation to your insurance rates. What most people don’t realize is that even a really small ticket (like a speeding ticket) can significantly affect your rates, causing you to pay far more than what you would like. It’s important to try to keep your driving record as clean as possible so you can keep your driving privileges in the state of Arizona. Click this link to contact the Defensive Driving School, one of our local vendors. Keep in mind, however, that you will only have a short period of time after your violation to complete the course. If you exceed the allotted time frame, you will be asked to pay the fine, your insurance rates will increase, and your driving record will be adjusted accordingly. Be sure to contact AZ Insurance Team, located in Tempe, Arizona, at 480-535-5709 for the best Auto Insurance Rates. We will be happy to walk you through highly cost-effective options following your auto violation.