Is Boat Insurance Required if You Own the Boat Outright?

Owning a boat is a great way to spend your free time and is a great way to have some truly fantastic fun. For those that do own a boat, boat insurance, like car insurance, is something that everyone can benefit from. It is not required in all cases however and knowing what cases require insurance and which do not is the best way to determine if you need insurance or not. For those in the Overland Park, KS area, the agents with HighPointe Insurance Services LLC can help.

For the most part, if you own your boat outright and have no loans against it, you are not going to be required to have an insurance policy because the only person that is going to suffer if the boat is totaled is the owner. There are some cases however where you are required to have insurance even if you do own the boat. In some cases, the waterway that you are riding on is going to require insurance of some sort to help make sure you are protected and that other boater are protected as well. In this case, however, the waterway may also have their own insurance to cover any accidents.

Put quite simply, even if you do own your boat outright, it may be beneficial to have some sort of insurance policy on hand. Insurance is not something that only helps you when you do not own the boat fully or if you have a loan on an item. Insurance can help you at any stage and at any point and may help you recover if your boat is destroyed or you are injured.

For those in the Overland Park, KS area, the agents with HighPointe Insurance Services LLC can help you find the perfect policy.

Is Umbrella Insurance Right for You?

There are so many different types of insurance policies that are available in the market that it can get confusing. A lot of people do not know what kind of coverage they need or if a specific type of policy is the best option for them. One of these types of insurance policies that people do not know a lot about is the umbrella insurance policy. This guide from HighPointe Insurance Services LLC, serving Overland Park, KS, can help you determine if this is the right kind of policy to meet your specific needs.

  • It provides additional liability coverage. If you are someone that likes to throw parties at your house and have a lot of people over, then you may want to look into getting more liability coverage. The last thing you want to happen as a result of a party is for you to be sued by one of the guests because of something that happened at the party. This is when liability coverage comes in handy.
  • It can cover the gap. If you have a home or a car that is worth more than you can insure it for, an umbrella insurance policy will actually cover the remaining parts of your home or vehicle so you have full coverage at all times.

Understanding what an umbrella insurance policy can cover is just the beginning. If you still have questions about what it is or still do not know if you need one, then reach out to us here at HighPointe Insurance Services LLC, serving Overland Park, KS, today. We can help you explore your options and can even get you a free quote for coverage that will help to meet your needs as well as meet the needs of your budget.

Why You Need Condo Insurance

At HighPointe Insurance Services LLC, in Overland Park, KS, we know insurance can be overwhelming. While condo insurance may not be required by your building’s HOA, there can be a number of benefits to purchasing this important coverage.

Why Should You Purchase Condo Insurance?

Condo insurance can help replace your lost valuables after a storm or disaster. It can help pay to rebuild your and may even pay for alternate accommodations if you are forced to leave due to a disaster or other event.  

While the HOA’s insurance protects the common areas, it generally does not protect your individual unit.

Reasons to Have Your Own Condo Insurance

  • Fire or theft: If you are the victim of a fire or a burglary, your condo insurance policy will pay to repair or replace any damaged or stolen items.
  • Storms: If a tornado, hurricane, or other storm leaves you temporarily stranded, your policy will cover things like hotels and meals until you can get back into your unit.
  • Accidental injuries: If someone is accidentally injured in your condo, your insurance will help cover their medical bills and/or your legal fees.

Still not sure you need condo insurance? As yourself these simple questions:

  • Would you be able to replace all your possessions on your own if they were lost today in a fire or theft?
  • If your condo were damaged by a tornado, would you be able to pay for all the repairs your Condo Association doesn’t cover?
  • If your condo were suddenly uninhabitable, would you be able to afford a hotel?

If the answer to one or all of these questions is no, you should look into a condo insurance policy. Contact the independent agents at HighPointe Insurance Services LLC today!

Does Home Insurance Cover External Structures?

It is important to know exactly what your home insurance covers before you purchase your policy. One aspect of a home insurance policy that many people don’t consider is whether or not it covers external structures such as a shed, carport, or pool house. Having precise knowledge of your policy allows you to understand your coverage and losses you might incur as a result of damage to the structures.

Policy Coverage

Although there are no set guidelines for homeowners’ insurance coverage, as a general rule, most policies will cover an external structure as part of the primary policy. Before you make a home insurance policy purchase, you want to make sure that it does, in fact, provide coverage if you have an external structure with significant value, or with contents of significant value. Always discuss this issue with the insurance agent prior to buying insurance coverage. Some policies may also have stipulations on coverage of an external structure, which is why discussing the fine print is important. 

Get The Information You Need

You should purchase your policy from an insurance agency that is knowledgeable and takes pride in delivering excellent customer service. Your financial security may depend on the terms and conditions outlined in your insurance policy. Reputable insurance providers such as HighPointe Insurance Services LLC serve Overland Park, KS, and the surrounding areas and are happy to sit down with potential customers one on one to clearly outline the details of each policy and answer any questions they may have. 

Get the coverage you need to protect your investment and prevent financial loss in the future. If you live in or near Overland Park, KS, you should call or stop by HighPointe Insurance Services LLC to speak with one of their knowledgeable, friendly agents today.

3 Things You Should Know About Commercial Insurance In Kansas

The state of Kansas has a job sector that includes more than 50 percent of small businesses. A recent survey showed that among the state’s 237,000 companies with fewer than 500 employees, nearly 60,000 of them served as income sources for a significant number of residents. Around 180,000 small businesses were one-person operations that, nonetheless, contributed to the overall economy. 

HighPointe Insurance Services LLC understands the value of entrepreneurship in Overland Park, KS. Such is the reason why the indemnity company offers a variety of packages for small business owners. Here are three things you should know about commercial insurance in Kansas before you invest in a policy. 

1. Commercial liability insurance protects you and your assets
It only takes one lawsuit to demolish all of your hard work if you lack proper assurance to cover costs. The average commercial liability plan pays for:

  • Property Damage
  • Bodily Injury
  • Advertising Injury
  • Legal Defense and Judgments
  • Personal Injury

2. There are no minimum requirements for commercial liability insurance
The state of Kansas does not require business owners to carry a commercial liability indemnity plan. It is, however, in the best interest of the entrepreneur to protect himself since a plaintiff only needs to prove himself as 49 percent or less at-fault to win a lawsuit against a business. 

3. The amount of coverage you obtain depends on the type of company you operate
It is a good idea for small business owners to invest in an insurance policy that covers at least $500,000 in overall damages. You may, however, need to purchase a higher coverage plan if you operate a high-risk company that patronizes customers on a daily basis. Retail stores generally obtain commercial liability insurance up to and exceeding $1 million. 

Your business is Overland Park, KS contributes much to the community. Let the agents at HighPointe Insurance Services LLC ensure that you are adequately protected against the unexpected. Contact us today for a quote!

Does Motorcycle Insurance Go Down Over Time?

When a person purchases a motorcycle, one of the first things they will want to do is put insurance on it. And while putting insurance on it at first may seem like it is expensive, truth is, as time passes by, there is a good chance that the monthly premium rate will go down. Here is a quick look at two ways to make sure your motorcycle insurance goes down as time passes by instead of up. 

Avoid Speeding Tickets

One of the most common ways that people endure an increase in their monthly insurance rate is by getting a speeding ticket. The more speeding tickets a person has, the higher his or her rate will be, especially when these tickets are acquired in a small amount of time. For those who have only one speeding ticket, it is important to ask about traffic school and check to see if this will keep the ticket off a person’s driving record, which will keep the insurance company from raising the person’s insurance rate. 

Avoid Accidents

Another way to avoid an increase in your monthly insurance rate is to avoid getting in an accident. You, of course, never try to get in an accident, but just be mindful and be extra careful when driving to help prevent an accident from having. Even a small fender bender can cause your rate to go up, so you will want to avoid them at all costs. 

 

If you have questions about your motorcycle insurance and would like to learn more about keeping your rate as low as possible, please don’t hesitate to reach out to HighPointe Insurance Services LLC serving the Overland Park, KS area. 

3 Reasons Why You Need RV Insurance

Do you own an RV in Overland Park, KS? If so, you know how much fun it can be to cruise around the country, just enjoying time with your family. However, you also need to make sure you protect the investment you have made. The best way to do this is by purchasing adequate coverage through HighPointe Insurance Services LLC. 

Protect Your RV

One of the main reasons you need to purchase an RV insurance policy is to protect it. The fact is your RV represents a large investment. It can be damaged by hail, falling trees, accidents and more. If you don’t have insurance coverage, then you may have to cover the damage and other issues out of your own pocket. 

Protect Your Assets 

Additionally, with RV insurance you can protect everything inside your RV. Also, if you happen to be in an accident, without insurance, and have to cover the damages and medical costs of the person you hit, then this can result in all of your assets – cars, home, savings and more – being liquidated to cover the costs. Don’t let this happen. It is easy to purchase RV insurance in Overland Park, KS. 

It’s the Law 

If you drive – anything – on the roads in the state of Kansas, it is illegal to do so without adequate insurance coverage. If you do, you are putting yourself and others on the road at risk. 

If you need insurance for your RV, then you should contact an agent at HighPointe Insurance Services LLC. Here you can talk with professionals who can help you get the coverage you need to protect your property, assets and yourself if an accident or other issue occurs . 

 

Why invest in motorcycle insurance?

Are you a motorcycle owner? Are you confused on which insurance company to contact and more so, are you convinced of the importance of having an insurance cover? These are questions most people ask themselves when faced with a dilemma of whether to invest in motorcycle insurance or not.

Overland Park, KS, High Pointe Insurance Services LLC is an insurance company that is here to serve you. We have been in the insurance business long enough to know its importance as well as which type to offer depending on your needs. We have some of the best practitioners who are very patient, knowledgeable as well as experienced. All you need to do is contact us or visit our offices to get the best insurance services.

Let us look at some of the reasons why you should invest in a motorcycle insurance policy.

Avoids financial devastation

We understand that buying an insurance policy can be tricky since you have to spend money. However, that is not always the case. In the long run, it saves you a lot of money as well as stress.

If you get involved in an accident and the court orders you to pay the other party, the insurance coverage takes care of the expenses. What if you have no insurance? You will be forced to use your savings to cover the losses, and that can cause finance challenges.

It is a legal requirement

In most parts of the world with Overland Park, KS included, motorcycle insurance is a legal requirement. You are expected to have an insurance cover before using a bike. So, if you do not want to attract penalties or fines, it is only wise for you to invest in an insurance cover.

HighPointe Insurance Services LLC is here to guide you through the entire insurance process. So, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Can I buy short-term boat insurance?

Suppose that you own a boat, and you only like to take it out a few weeks each Summer, leaving it in the garage the rest of the year. Is it possible to buy short-term insurance, or do you need to keep it protected all year long? What are your options in Overland Park, KS?

Unfortunately, you’re not likely to find an insurer that offers month to month insurance. State, local and federal law surrounding insurance typically mean that even if an insurer wanted to offer such a policy, they wouldn’t be allowed to.

This means that, unless you can afford to insure the boat yourself, or you’re willing to run the risks of piloting it uninsured (which is difficult to recommend for a range of legal reasons), your options are relatively limited here.

You can buy a six month policy from many insurers. This will keep you covered through all of the Summer and a few extra months on top of that, which may be incentive to get out there and do a little more fishing next year. But if you really can’t find time to spend more than a few weekends a year out on the water, this is still a big commitment for a part-time hobby.

You can simply cancel your insurance after a month, but this presents a number of difficulties. You’re generally going to be required to pay a large portion of your insurance policy up front, and it can be hard to say goodbye to that money when you’re not actually completing the policy. Some states require a sixty day cancellation period before you can stop payments.

Ultimately if six months is too much of a commitment, the smartest choice may be to sell the boat, and simply rent one with a short term policy when you’re ready to hit the water. Or, get a 12 month policy from HighPointe Insurance in Overland Park, KS and make the most of it.

 

Am I covered if I damage my boat on land?

Being able to take your boat out on the open water is a great way to spend a weekend.  Whether you like to fish, swim, or participate in water sports, boating is a wonderful way to spend time with family and friends.  Just like a car, a boat must be insured to help cover any damage that may happen to your boat or as a result of your boat.  But what happens if you damage your boat while it is out of the water?  Luckily, the experts at HighPointe Insurance Services LLC, serving residents in Overland Park, KS, are here to help answer this question.

Typically, boat insurance covers damage that happens to the boat while it is in the water.  This can include damage to your boat or damage to other property or boats in the water.  If your boat is damaged while you are moving it to the water it will be covered solely by your auto insurance.  This is because the boat is attached to your car at the time damage occurs.  If your boat is damaged while it is in your house or driveway, certain home insurance policies will cover the damage.  Depending on your home insurance you may be able to add additional coverage to make sure your boat will be protected.

While owning a boat is certainly fun, there are some tricky questions that can arise when it comes to coverage.  If you have any additional questions regarding your boat insurance reach out to the professionals at HighPointe Insurance Services LLC.  Our team, serving the residents of Overland Park, KS, are more than happy to help.  We are available to answer any questions you might have or help you set up a new insurance policy for your boat.