Fuhriman Insurance Agency

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.

Teen Auto Insurance Woes in Boise, ID

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If you are a teenager or a parent of a teenager in Boise, ID, you probably know that your life is about to change. Teenagers often look forward to driving when they are old enough to get their licenses, and their parents often dread this day. Teens often think more about the excitement of being able to be behind the wheel and have that control and power, rather than focusing on what an enormous responsibility it is to drive a car. Insurance companies are aware of this as well, and they take this into consideration when calculating insurance rates where teenagers are involved.

Because of the risks associated with teens driving cars, auto insurance rates often skyrocket when teens are added to plans. This can be very frustrating for parents, as well as the teens who are often made to pay the difference. As such, many parents simply opt not to tell the insurance companies that their teens are driving their cars, but this can be a big mistake. Even though no one is anxious to pay a higher insurance bill, it is important to disclose to your insurance company that your teen is now driving. Whether or not you tell them, they can very easily find out. They can find out that you have a newly licensed member in your household and revise your rates themselves, or they can drop you entirely.

If auto insurance for a teenage driver in Boise, ID is an issue for you, you can contact Fuhriman Insurance Agency to have your concerns addressed. The auto insurance agents at Fuhriman Insurance Agency are knowledgeable and can tell you everything that you need to know about teens driving as it pertains to insurance where you live.

Protect Yourself at Home and on the Road

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Everyone has liability insurance, so you should be covered for whatever comes your way, right? Wrong. If you’re held liable for damages or bodily injury in a catastrophic accident or are the subject of a lawsuit for personal injuries, the liability coverage that you were counting on is likely to be woefully inadequate for your needs. Also known as "excess liability" coverage, an umbrella policy can help protect you both at home and on the road. 

When Other Insurance Stops . . . 

Umbrella coverage takes over when other liability insurance stops–such as when you have a catastrophic, multi-vehicle accident on the interstate and it’s determined to be your fault or when your dog wanders off and bites a neighbor’s child resulting in significant medical bills. It never seems like these things could happen to you in Boise, ID, but they can and do–and it’s best to be prepared for any eventuality.

Broad Coverage

Umbrella insurance protects you from more than massive calamities, it can also shield you and your family members from incidents that may exceed your standard auto, home or other underlying insurance. Legal defense fees are also covered, which can be incredibly important in today’s society of litigation. Coverage extends throughout the world, so no matter where you are when a peril occurs, your coverage will follow you. 

Ready to learn more about umbrella insurance and how a policy can help protect your family from disaster? Contact Fuhriman Insurance Agency, your local Boise, ID insurance partner, to learn more about sheltering your family from all of the dangers that life can throw at you–expected and unexpected.

Umbrella Insurance in Boise, ID

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Boise, ID, also known as "The City of Trees" is considered one of the most livable cities in the country.  With so much to do in Boise, it’s no wonder there is a vibrant community with an economy that favors entrepreneurs.  If you live in Boise and own a business or other property, you may want to consider protecting your valuable assets with umbrella insurance.

Umbrella insurance goes above and beyond to protect your assets in the event of a disaster.  Even if you are as optimistic as the area of Boise itself, accidents can happen to anyone. Would you be covered with your current policy if someone were to accidently slip and fall at your place of business?  If you own a home, are you protected against all kinds of unexpected accidents?  Umbrella insurance, however, is not just for buildings. If you own a boat, and RV, or one or more personal or business vehicles, you can add umbrella insurance to these policies as well.

At Fuhriman Insurance Agency we love to discuss umbrella insurance with our clients.  If you have an existing policy with us or are in the market for a new insurance policy, we can give you all the information you need to make an informed decision about adding umbrella insurance to your policy.  Protecting your personal and business assets is a financially sound decision for you, your family, your employees, and their families.  Rest knowing that you can enjoy your boat or RV without any worry about accidents. Run your business without having to worry about what you would do in the event of an unforeseen disaster.  Contact Fuhriman Insurance Agency today. We got you covered.  

 

 

Tips to Make a Home Safer

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There are many ways to make a home safer that a homeowner should consider. Some just make good common sense. Others, like installing an advanced security system, may actually reduce the homeowner’s insurance premiums. Ask the agents at Fuhriman Insurance Agency about potential discounts.

Tips to Make a Home Safer

Security Issues
Besides having a security alarm system, make sure the entry door is strong and secure. When you are in the home the security system may be off. If the entry door is weak, it is a potential entry point for home invasions. Reinforce both the door and the door jam. Solid core doors with strong double-bolt locks that have reinforcement with a metal security gate are a good idea. 

Use strong windows and doors that lock properly. Make sure to lock everything when going to sleep. Use exterior security lighting triggered by motion-sensors. Lock pet doors when they are not in use.

If away from the home, ask neighbors to watch the property. Stop newspaper and mail delivery. Inform the security company. Use timers to turn lights and the television on and off at appropriate times to make it appear there is someone home.

Fire
Get rid of flammable materials, such as old boxes of papers. Keep the furnace/air-conditioning system well maintained. Have smoke alarms in every room that work properly. Check them frequently. Have fire extinguishers in the kitchen and around the house. Service them on a regular basis.

Slip and Fall Hazards
Get rid of clutter, especially things left on the floor. Put toys away. Remove loose rugs and wires that cross any walking pathways. Have adequate lighting in hallways and in staircase areas. Put pet food dishes in a place that is not in the walking areas.

Child Safety
Use childproofing to secure contents of storage areas. Keep medicines, household cleaners, and toxic chemicals out of reach. Install window guards so children cannot fall out. If you have a swimming pool, install a fence around it with a locked gate and use a security cover.

Landscaping
Cut back trees, if they have the potential to break or fall in a way that might damage the house.

Summary
These safety tips can help homeowners avoid problems. To make sure there is adequate homeowner’s insurance for the unexpected things that do happen, contact the agents at Fuhriman Insurance Agency. They enjoy helping new homeowners get insurance and offer reviews of existing coverage with helpful advice for homeowners.

Protect Your Business and Patrons with Commercial Insurance

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You read the headlines everyday: "Monster Storm Destroys Homes," "Killer Winter Causes Damage," and "Rising Waters Require Evacuations"

Weather keeps breaking records with its destructiveness.  You think you are prepared with your current insurance policy, but have you taken into consideration all that you stand to lose when Mother Nature destroys your place of business?

You probably have your company’s equipment and the physical building protected from damage. However, your customers leave their computers for repair, drop off valuable jewelry for cleaning, or have their wedding tuxedos waiting to be picked up at your location.  Not only are their physical belongings taking shelter under your roof, their personal information is stored in your computers and company files. Do you have the right coverage in place such that when a blizzard smashes your front window or collapses your roof, you have their best interests covered while protecting your future relationship with those who keep you in business.

Perhaps you bought your current policy when you were just starting out with only the minimum liability in place.  Business has been booming over the past decade and now you are responsible for much more inventory.  It is time to review your commercial insurance policies with a knowledgeable agent who is prepared to assist you in protecting the future of your business, covering the many contingencies that a wild storm may bring with it.

Fuhriman Insurance Agency serving the Boise, ID area is eager to take the time to review your current commercial insurance coverage and ensure you are prepared to weather any storm that may come your way.  Give them a call oat 877-342-7935 to make an appointment today.