Fuhriman Insurance Agency

Benefits of Having a Basement

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When building a new home, one of the most important things you will want to consider is whether or not to build a basement. There are so many uses of a basement, which is why it is imperative to consider what you could use one for. Let’s take a quick look at why you should put a basement into the next home you build. 

Easy to heat and cool

Did you know heating and cooling a basement is much more energy and more cost-efficient than heating and cooling the other parts of your home? In fact, some people choose to build a new home in the form of a basement; this type of home is known as a basement home. The heating and cooling of this type of home tend to cost about 20 to 30 percent less than above the ground homes. 

Great way to add space

Adding a basement to your home is also advantageous because you can use it for just about any purpose. Want a space to throw darts? Shoot pool? Need space for an extra bedroom? No matter what you need the space for, you can likely use your basement. Some people even put full kitchens in their basement and rent it out as an apartment; this is a great way to earn extra income. Basements are also considered to be living square footage as long as the walls and floors are finished out; this means a basement increases the value of your home. 

To learn more about putting a basement in your home and the many advantages you will gain, contact Fuhriman Insurance Agency serving the Boise, ID area. 

Personal Factors Impacting Car Insurance Rates

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Most insured drivers are unaware that their personal information impacts car insurance rates. Unfortunately, the factors play a role so it is important you about those that are important. The following is a list that details said factors:

Car Year and Model

According to the Insurance Information Institute, auto insurance premiums are partially based on the sticker price of the car, repair costs, likelihood of theft and safety record. The cost to the insurance company for fixing a new high-end sports car will be significantly more than a mid-class sedan which shows in the premium.

Credit Score

Many insurance companies utilize credit scores and an indicator toward at-risk drivers which factors into the final rate. However, this practice is under attack as numerous states have been passing regulations with regards to credit information usage as a factor in setting car insurance rates.

Driving Profile

Although this should be of no surprise, factors like your violations and accident history have a major impact on your insurance rate. In the eyes of the insurance company, the less you drive, the less risk of a claim. This can be improved by consistent, safe driving and no moving violations. Find out more about your driving profile today at Fuhriman Insurance Agency, located in Boise, ID.

Essential Personal Information

Age, gender, and occupation all factor into setting your rates as insurance companies look for patterns of claims. A teenager is more likely to have higher insurance rates than a middle-aged driver since, statistically, teenagers have more accidents than 40-year-olds. Also, your occupation plays are role if it involves a lot of time on the road. Most insurance companies see that more miles put on your car, the higher the risk. Additionally, as a whole, women have fewer accidents than men and less DWI’s. Therefore, women pay less for auto insurance than men.

Location

The location that is registered on your driver’s license can impact the cost of insurance. Urban drivers pay a higher price than those in smaller towns and cities due to higher rates of theft, vandalism, and accidents. For instance, a driver in New York City is going to pay more for insurance than a driver in Boise, ID. Check with Fuhriman Insurance Agency today to determine how much of a difference there is in rates.

Insuring Your Auto In Boise ID? Why You Should Make Fuhriman Insurance Agency Your Top Choice

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If you live in the Boise, ID area or surrounding areas making Fuhriman Insurance Agency your choice is not only a great decision it is a sound choice. With a range of insurance options, we can handle anything that your life throws your way. We specialize in insurance options for every facet of your life.  

  • Renters Insurance
  • Umbrella Insurance
  • Home Insurance
  • Toys Insurance (WAIT –  we understand the double take more on our Toys Insurance in just a few)
  • Life Insurance
  • Auto Insurance

Now, About That Auto Insurance…

Making your life easier to handle is our goal. Our agents are available if you stop in to see us here in Boise. Call us, email us, fax us a note, for a quote. We are trying to make contact with you by any means. Insuring your auto with us makes it easier to take account of your policies all in one place. Your agent will help you stay on top of all of your insurance needs, so you won’t have to. 

Now, About That Toys Insurance…

When you hear the term Toys Insurance, you may think of getting a great policy for your Slinky, but it’s bigger than that. Our agency like to have fun all of the time and we know you do too. When you are thinking of insuring your RV (Recreational Vehicle), ATV (All Terrain Vehicle), Boat or Motorcycle we want you to think of your big toy as just that a toy. However, since you are responsible, you take care and insure your toys. With Fuhriman you will be able to just think of your fun with the toy and not the responsibility because we have taken care of that for you.     
 

Will a Home Warranty Replace Home Insurance?

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Home warranties are becoming more popular than ever. There are commercials for them airing often on television, which has more people considering investing in one. If you are considering purchasing a home warranty, you may wonder if this home warranty will replace your home insurance, or if they can be used in conjunction with one another. Here is a bit of information you need to know.

A Home Warranty Will Not Replace Home Insurance

A home warranty often covers many of the things that a home insurance policy will not cover. This includes replacing an air conditioner if yours dies due to old age or covering repair costs for your appliances. A home warranty does not protect your home against many of the things that home insurance does, such as theft, hail damage or a pipe bursting and flooding your home.

A Home Warranty Does Not Suffice Your Home Insurance Requirements

If you have a loan out on your home, you are required to carry home insurance. A home warranty does not meet this requirement.

You Can Have a Home Insurance Policy and Home Warranty At the Same Time

You are allowed to have both a home insurance policy and home warranty at the same time, and in fact, many people do. A warranty covers items that a home insurance policy may not and vice versa. As such, it may make sense to have both at the same time.

When you have questions about your home insurance policy or are looking for a new one, let Fuhriman Insurance Agency, serving the greater Boise, ID area help. Give us a call and let one of our friendly and knowledge agents answer your questions or give you a free price quote.

5 Ways to Decrease Your Home Insurance Premiums

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The cost of homeowners insurance in Boise, ID can vary depending on several factors that may seem out of your control.  While some factors are determined by things you can’t do anything about, such as location, the material your home is made from, or the rates of home insurance in the marketplace, there are things you can change.  Here are 5 ways you can decrease your home insurance premiums.

  • Deductible – Raising your home insurance deductible, the amount you pay towards a loss, can decrease your home insurance up to 25%.  If you put this amount of money in a savings account, you can make money by keeping a higher deductible amount set aside.
  • Security – Improving home security can save up to 5%.  For example, adding smoke detectors to each level of the home, having fire extinguishers in easy access areas, installing burglar alarms, and deadbolt locks will all help.
  • Rebuilding Cost – Don’t confuse the home’s rebuilding costs with how much you paid for your home.  Remember, the land isn’t at risk for damage, so you only need insurance for the cost of rebuilding the home.
  • Good Credit – Maintaining a good credit history can decrease home insurance rates because insurance companies use credit information in determining rates.
  • Loyalty – Using the same insurance company for your insurance needs can make you eligible for up to 15% in discounts depending on what’s insured.

Fuhriman Insurance Agency

If you own a home in the Boise, ID area, you want to work with a community trusted company like the Fuhriman Insurance Agency.  Our independent agents will help you explore your home insurance discount options.  We can also give you helpful suggestions of things you can do to give you more discount opportunities.

Hiring a Contractor to Prep Your Home for Winter Weather

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Your house is designed to protect your family throughout the year, but it was also intended to have routine maintenance conducted in order to hold its integrity against the weather. Autumn is always a good time to consider what work may be beneficial toward maintaining your house as a home, simply because summer storms and winter freezes cause different issues which build on each other. Repairing damage from summer storms prepares your house against the upcoming winter weather.

Typically, your insurance isn’t going to cover routine maintenance charges. With that concept in mind, it never hurts to speak to your insurance agent when discussing maintenance or upgrades to your home with a contractor. Your contractor may be able to justify legitimate damage which allows your insurance agent to offset at least part of the cost. The agent, on the other hand, may be able to suggest a minor change in how the job is approached which allows the contractor to bill the insurance company for some or all of the work to be conducted.

Typical winter preparedness includes a few minor tasks such as cleaning the gutters, inspecting your furnace, and assuring your siding and windows are doing their jobs of keeping heat in and cold out. When you hire a contractor to prepare your home for the upcoming winter weather, you should also speak with a representative from Fuhriman Insurance Agency. Even if the repairs aren’t covered by your current policy, the fact you take such great care of your home might be a consideration toward future insurance expenses. Furthermore, preemptive maintenance always pays for itself by preventing more expensive damage which can happen later if the house isn’t prepared against the weather.

 

How To Determine Coverage For Your Auto Insurance In Boise

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Determining coverage for your auto insurance policy in Boise, ID is easier than you might think. It pays to work with an independent insurance agent from Fuhriman Insurance Agency so that your various questions can be answered along the way.

What You Drive

The type of car that you drive in Boise, ID is going to impact the kind of coverage that you may want. When there are more safety features in your car, it may not be necessary for you to have certain types of coverage. Then again if you are financing or leasing your vehicle, you may be required to have certain types of coverage because of what the lien holder wants you to have. This could include adding comprehensive and collision coverage so that there’s more financial protection in place.

Your Past Driving Experiences

If you have been involved in a variety of accidents over the years, you may want to have additional coverage. This is because you are likely to exceed standard coverage for property damage and/or personal injury liability. Your goal should be to have insurance take care of all of the expenses rather than having remaining money to pay out-of-pocket.

One of our independent insurance agents at Fuhriman Insurance Agency will be able to guide you to choosing the best coverage for your policy.

Exploring Coverage

Some coverage is more important than others. You are required to maintain a certain level of liability insurance for the state of Idaho. Additionally, you may want to explore various other options, including:

  • Collision
  • Comprehensive
  • Uninsured
  • PIP
  • Rental car coverage

Not all insurance companies offer the same coverage options, nor do they offer the same level of customer support. This means it’s important to make some comparisons – and one of our agents can help you.

 

 

 

3 Reasons to Rethink Your Home Insurance Policy in Boise

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Your home insurance is one of the best measures to save you money, but you probably don’t think of it like that. Savings to you probably means what’s in the bank and how often you forego an expensive purchase. Here are three reasons to start rethinking how you see your insurance policy in Boise, ID, so you can give it the time and attention it deserves. 

1. Your Home Is an Investment 

And likely the best one you’ll ever make. No matter what type of neighborhood you live in, there’s a lot to be said for taking care of what you have. When you buy coverage that extends to protect you against a variety of both natural and man-made events, you’re taking care of the value within. 

2. Consequences Are Severe 

 Just one event could leave you feeling entirely helpless when it comes to your home and what to do about it. If you don’t have hotels near you or a friend to call, it’s generally your insurance policy that can either help or hurt you. This kind of predicament is not something you will want to face alone, so getting comprehensive coverage is really a move to keep yourself from experiencing the worst. 

3. It Pays to Save 

As stated at the beginning, you should really look at home insurance as a way to save. If you can’t cover reconstruction costs or replace the contents of your home without breaking a sweat, then this is the time to look for more coverage. Fuhriman Insurance Agency serves Boise, ID, and can help you determine the next steps, whether you’re looking for a new policy or shopping around for a different one. Give us a call today for more information. 

Commercial Insurance: What Common Business Items Should be Insured

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Besides a physical business building or office space itself, no matter what type of business exists in the marketplace, there is primary property located on-site that is required for a store to function. Generally, this property is used on a daily basis; has a relatively high dollar value associated with it; and is necessary to serve your customers, clients, as well as, you and your employees. Whether you have an online market or bricks-and-mortar store, these operational items usually fall under four categories:

  • Machines
  • Technology devices: desktop and laptop computers, tablets
  • Inventory/Supplies
  • Furniture

To figure out what items in your business should be included under operational business property, just match the applicable work article under one of these categories. The style and brand of these items may vary according to the specific area of business. With this in mind, here is a list of common types of business provisions that fall under these property categories:

  • Machines: fax equipment, copiers, printers, lawn mower, and leaf blowers
  • Inventory: stock items and special order items
  • Technology devices: cash registers, computers, credit card reader, merchant account terminal,
  • Furniture: desks, chairs, tables, lamps

With a list of the business property, you’re ready to insure it against unpredictable risks associated with doing business, such as floods, fires, vandalism, and theft. These unforeseeable circumstances can disrupt your business flow and impact your bottom line dollar, leaving you in dire work straits. Commercial insurance provides coverage for these situations. It helps your business get back up and running by replacing or repairing any such lost or damaged items following an unpredictable occurrence to avoid a long term negative impact to it. At the Fuhriman Insurance Agency, serving Boise, Idaho, you’ll find a menu of commercial insurance coverage to fit your business risk protection needs. So go ahead and insure your business property, it could mean the difference of getting your business back on its feet or shutting the doors permanently.

3 Important Things to Consider When Buying Life Insurance

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Picking the right life insurance coverage can be a daunting project. Coverage options are varied and have lots of moving parts. It can be tempting to pick the least expensive coverage and forget about it, but it’s worth taking the time to understand your options and how they can impact your dependents after your death. Broken down into the simplest terms, there are three primary things to consider when buying life insurance.

1) When to Buy: The younger and healthier you are, the lower your premiums are likely to be. The downside is that you may end up paying more even with lower premiums with the extended period of time paying for them. If you plan on building a family, weight the benefit of a lower premium with the time you anticipate paying that premium to find the sweet spot.

2) How Much to Buy: The total value of your insurance coverage can be determined in two basic ways, needs-based or income-replacement. Needs-based takes into account the unique requirements of your beneficiaries while income-replacement is a simple calculation based on your annual income. Needs-based can provide more personalized solutions, but it does take more effort to calculate.

3) What to Buy: There are different types of life insurance policies available, the most common being term and cash-value (or permanent). Most go with term life insurance because it’s simple to understand and often has lower premiums – you simply pick your coverage amount and the duration coverage is in effect. Cash-value insurance can be a better option for some, but is a complex subject. It’s best to consult a professional to help you understand the way this investment-style insurance policy functions.

To help you navigate life insurance options and make the right decision for you and your family, contact Fuhriman Insurance Agency today for an in-depth discussion of their coverage options and a quote that suits your budget.