NH insurance | Brownell Insurance

January 15, 2019 By Brownell Insurance Center

Auto Insurance Coverage. Every Car. Every Driver. Every Time.

Auto Insurance Coverage. Every Car. Every Driver. Every Time. We frequently hear from neighbors and friends that auto insurance is an option here in our great state. Of course, if you purchase a new vehicle, the lien holder will most definitely mandate appropriate coverage to protect the automobile, as their investment is on the line. If you do not have a lien are you then free to do whatever you want when it comes to coverage and accountability?

That is not exactly the way the state of New Hampshire sees it. While New Hampshire does not have a mandatory insurance law, the state does require you to pay for costs of bodily injury or property damage resulting from a car accident you caused. In fact, you must provide proof of financial ability to meet the costs of the at-fault accident, or risk suspension of your driver’s license until you can.

Luckily, most NH residents do decide to purchase insurance, keeping our uninsured motorist rate lower than that of the national average. While a policy may not be mandatory, it is extremely wise to protect yourself and others out on the roadways. For anyone choosing to purchase auto insurance your policy must include the following:

Liability Coverage
Your New Hampshire car insurance policy must include liability coverage, which will help you pay for costs associated with bodily injury or property damage to others resulting from an accident you caused.

Your liability insurance must meet the following minimums:

$25,000 for bodily injury, per person.
$50,000 for bodily injury, if multiple people are injured in an accident.
$25,000 for property damage.

Medical payments Coverage
Your policy must also include medical payment coverage to help pay for your own medical costs in case of a car accident. You must have at least $1,000 in medical payments coverage.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage
Although New Hampshire has a relatively low rate of uninsured drivers, your insurance policy must include uninsured motorist coverage to help cover your injuries and damage to your property that may result from being in an accident with an uninsured driver (or a driver whose insurance is not sufficient to cover your costs). Your uninsured motorist coverage must match your liability coverage amounts.

As previously mentioned, your bank or financial institution may require additional insurance under the terms of your loan. Typically, you will be required to also hold collision and comprehensive policies. Even if you are not making payment on your vehicle, but your car has some value, or it would be a large out of pocket expense to repair, it may still be in your best interest to select collision coverage.

Collision
This policy type provides coverage that helps pay for damages to YOUR CAR resulting from an accident.

Comprehensive
Provides coverage for damages to your car resulting from non-accident-related events, such as fire, theft, or vandalism.

We understand that selecting to right type and amount of insurance can be confusing and time consuming. Our expert agents are here to assist in understanding the laws, as well as the best providers to get you exactly the right coverage for your needs. If you would like more information, please contact our office for your FREE quote and consultation. Email Marie@brownellinsurance.com to set up your appointment.

November 15, 2018 By Brownell Insurance Center

Closing Up Your Vacation Home

Many of our clients enjoy glorious days seaside or at the lake throughout the summer. Owning a second home, whether on the water or in the mountains can provide a place for rest, relaxation and family time – but what should you do to protect your investment during the off-season?

First, your vacation home is an asset that needs protection, just like all your other valuable assets. Understanding the types of problems which might arise in your absence is the best way to avoid those issues before they happen. According to The Hartford, the most frequent issues arise due to bugs, rodents, mold, fire, frozen pipes, leaks, theft and vandalism and issues with your condo association, swimming pool care or lawn and landscape maintenance.

Having a solid homeowner policy in place for your vacation home is critical. In addition, you will want to consider the nuances of weather, upkeep requirements and available services in the area of your home. Depending on its location, that second home may have very different maintenance needs than your primary residence. Consider items like:

Water & Electricity
If you are closing your home for the winter, and do not expect to be there until warmer weather you can turn off both water and electricity. In New England we have frigid temperature during the winter months and blowing water out of the pipes before final closing is important. Broken pipes could result otherwise. If you do plan to visit the home over the winter, you will want to turn heat down, but not off. Keeping the home to a temperature controlled enough to avoid frozen pipes is the goal.

Pests
Unwanted rodents, bugs and moths can wreak havoc on your home – so be sure to take steps to prevent any damage from these types of pests. Inspect the perimeter of your home, as well as doors, windows and loose siding, ensuring that any gaps, holes or cracks are properly repaired before you leave for the season. In addition, we recommend that you cover mattresses with plastic, store bedding in sealed plastic bags (garment bags work nicely for large comforters, quilts and pillows,) clear off countertops and empty cupboards and refrigerator to eliminate the attraction to animals hunting for food and hang a few flytraps throughout the home to catch any flying bugs as temperature change and draw them indoors.

Weather
Even after you prepare your home to endure the long cold winter season, you must still consider other potential types of weather related hazards. Depending on the location of your home you may also need to consider the following: Flooding – be sure you have proper seals on doorways, basement windows and bulk heads, and lift all items off the floor using blocks or pallets just in case; Wind – Strong winds are a reality here in New England, and they can be very damaging, so remove any dead trees, trim branches and button down any outdoor equipment or furniture which could potentially become airborne; Ice & Snow – In large amounts this can also be very damaging to your home. Take steps to alleviate ice dams and prepare for extra weight on the roof and consider installing shutters to protect your windows from damage.

Property Management
Depending on your community, you may still need to plan for specific types of property maintenance in your absence. Items to consider when speaking to a local property maintenance or landscape business may include: Leaf clean-up, lawn mowing, snow removal and tree/branch clean-up after storms. In addition, it is wise to also consider steps to keep your home looking “lived-in” (such as installing timers for lights and discontinuing newspaper and mail delivery), and if you are leaving a vehicle behind, make sure it is covered securely and stored out of the way of possible snow plows and emergency vehicles.

Home Security
An unoccupied home is a burglar’s dream! More than 70% of all home break-ins happen while the occupants are away. While it is true this can happen even if you are out for a few hours, an unmaintained lawn, unlit driveways and uncollected mail can be tell-tale signs of an unused home. Thieves look for these kinds of clues when targeting households for burglarizing.

Lastly, make a final walk through both inside and out to ensure all items have been taken care of. It can be easy to overlook the storing of outdoor furniture and cushions, grills, hoses, and other accessories. Also, be sure to store garbage cans away from the house, lock sheds, outdoor cabinets, and garage doors, as well as all house windows. Lastly, set the alarm, and make sure all doors are locked and secure. Here are a few additional tips from This Old House.

Moving from your summer home back to your primary residence (and then back again) is much easier when you have the peace of mind knowing you have made all the appropriate preparations. If something does happen in your absence, your insurance agent can assist you in the process to remediate. Be sure to keep an updated policy in a convenient spot for emergency access.

October 15, 2018 By Brownell Insurance Center

FEMER: Durable Protection for The Entire Family

This FEMER is NOT the strongest bone in your body, but it is the strongest formula to keep you protected – long term.

You plan for everything. Your career, your family, your home expenses, your children and grandchildren – your future. It’s hard to imagine that your future may not include YOU. These unforeseen circumstances happen every day. If your family suddenly had to continue without you – could you say confidently that they have everything they need to live comfortably?

If you have considered a life insurance policy to help protect your loved-ones, then you are moving in the right direction.

If you have considered a life insurance policy to help protect your loved-ones, then you are moving in the right direction. To figure out how much your family would require continuing to live the same lifestyle you all enjoy today, use the following formula to determine precisely what those needs would be.

F

Final Expense – The average funeral and burial costs range from $8,000 to $10,000 for the most basic services. Additionally, any outstanding credit card debt, and some types of loans may also need to be re-paid at that time. Without life insurance, your family would likely have to pay these expenses out of their own pocket.

E

Emergency Fund – Many families do not save enough money to get them through the next six-months, let alone cover their monthly expenses for an extended period. As part of your planning, it is best to obtain a policy which might cover a full two-years’ worth of total family expenses. This allows for those left behind to transition into a new life, with less stress and strain during the mourning period.

M

Mortgage – The death benefit can aid with things like mortgage payments, care of disabled loved ones and basic needs like food and child care. Review your mortgage commitments and plan for enough to carry your family through – or pay the home off entirely if possible.

E

Education – As a parent you of course want the best for your child. This includes ensuring a successful future – which will likely include some higher education. While most students maintain part-time employment while in college, the loss of a parent may force them into a more full-time job. A proper life insurance policy allows your children to focus full-time on getting that diploma sooner rather than later, and not having to choose between going to class or holding down a job.

R

Retirement – What would your spouse do without you – or the social security benefits you both planned on should you no longer be alive to collect them. Planning now for your spouse’s financial future if you were not here to help support them starts with a carefully selected life policy.

Once you have considered all the items just mentioned, you can better calculate the amount of money your family will need to live out the family dreams. You can tailor your policy to meet specific needs of your family, and account for unique nuances your family may require. A life insurance policy can help give you peace of mind that your affairs are taken care of no matter the needs of the family.

To help you better plan for your future, and the security and safety of your family, Brownell Insurance is offering a FREE no obligation consultation. Email Marie for more information or to schedule a time to speak. Marie@brownellinsurance.com.

October 8, 2018 By Brownell Insurance Center

Would equipment breakdown break your small business?

In this technological age machine failure could cripple your productivity.

Would equipment breakdown break your small business? If you are a small business owner, you likely already know that business insurance is the only way to protect your company from unforeseen tragedies. You have a business property protection policy to cover the office space, a business liability to protect your business if ever sued for causing harm to a person and/or damage to property, and if you have employees, a worker’s comp policy to prevent losses due to accidents that happen on the job. These are all great, and you should be able to rest easy at night knowing you have the basics covered.

If your small business revolves around technology, specialized equipment or machinery which enable your team to complete their daily work, you may be surprised to know that most basic business policies will not cover the time lost should such equipment fail.

Would a week without your process control technology destroy your production team? How about a few days without your printing press, or digital printer? Customers will probably not be sympathetic when their deadlines are missed! Unfortunately, these things do happen in business EVERYAY!

If being without that key machine or piece of tech would drastically impact your business, you might be interested in learning more Business Equipment Insurance. That down time while equipment is repaired or replaced, is only part of the problem. You may also have to pay for the servicing, in addition to lost revenue as your business grinds to a halt. Business equipment insurance eliminates that risk by covering your equipment repair costs and reimbursing you for lost income.

Think your small business is safe from this type of loss because you invested in high-end equipment, or you employ expert operators? According to Trusted Choice, the Top 10 Reasons for Business Interruptions are not even related to faulty equipment at all. Instead, they are more likely a result of:

Weather related events
Fires
Broken water pipes
Network loss due to severed fiber or communication lines
Intermittent or total power failure
Human error
Earthquake
Intentional security breach caused by hacking or computer virus
Lost or corrupted data caused by damage to physical devices, network failure or user error
System failure that triggers failures in other parts of a system

While equipment breakdown insurance comes in a variety of types, some specific to industry, most will cover to fix or replace failed equipment, reimburses for labor and time costs to fix inoperative equipment, compensate for lost business income, account for loss of materials or goods, such as spoiled food, due to equipment shut down.

To learn more about business insurance and equipment breakdown coverage contact Rick Brownell Jr. for all the facts and options, as well as a FREE no obligation quote. RickJr@BrownellInsurance.com