The Strickler Express is Strickler Insurance’s Newsletter for friends and clients of Strickler Insurance. We have been sending out the Strickler Express since 1982. Contact us to learn more about insurance and request a free insurance quote.
The Insurance Marketplace
The insurance marketplace has evolved into a dynamic, diverse arena in which many insurers are flooding the airwaves, our inboxes, mailboxes and TV commercials with a promise to save money and make you happy. This has lead the consumer to think mostly about price and not about coverage or claims handling. As a result, consumers are getting shorted on some of the most important components of insurance. As an Independent Insurance Agent that represents many different carriers, our #1 priority is to make sure you have the best coverage at the best premium with a carrier who has a proven commitment to handling claims fairly and efficiently. We carefully interview and vet our carriers based on these three principles to ensure that we are living up to our
promise that we have been keeping since 1860.
Because we’ve been in business for 155 years, we’re able to attract and maintain highly rated and competitive carriers to meet your insurance needs. We do the shopping for you, which eliminates the hassle of doing it yourself. Our technology has improved dramatically over the years and now you can obtain an instant quote, file a claim or make a change to your policy directly on our website. We’ve grown to 3 offices in Pennsylvania and Maryland, and continue to add products and services to meet the needs of our clients.
As the insurance market place changes, our flexibility as an Independent Agent, who is not stuck with just one company, becomes your advantage. We assure you that we’ll be taking care of you both in coverage and premium, which we are committed to reviewing every year. We hope you take our renewal questionnaires as seriously as we do, so please take note of our renewal checklists and coverage summaries so we can adequately determine what is best for you.
At Strickler Insurance, we value your business and appreciate the loyalty you have shown us over the years. We look forward to continuing to serve you, your family, and your business.
Spring Ahead With Becky’s Home Maintenance Tips
Are you ready for spring? From cleaning out your gutters to inspecting your smoke detectors, use this checklist to help prepare your home for spring.
Inside:
____ Check your electrical outlets for potential fire hazards such as frayed wires or loose-fitting plugs. Make sure outlets, fuse boxes and extension cords are not overloaded.
____ Move your multi-purpose fire extinguisher to an accessible place and make sure it is filled and ready for operation.
____ Have your air-conditioning system inspected by a professional as recommended by the manufacturer.
____ Check your water heater for leaks and corrosion.
____ Clean or replace your furnace filter.
____ Clean the clothes dryer exhaust duct and space under the dryer. Remove all lint, dust, and pieces of material.
____ Inspect your smoke detectors. Make sure there is one on each floor of your home. Test them at least twice a year.
Outside:
____ Check for damage to your roof.
____ Clean gutters and downspouts to keep debris from accumulating.
____ Remove dead trees in your yard and keep healthy trees and bushes trimmed and away from utility wires and the home.
____ Safely store oil and gas for lawn equipment and tools in a vented, locked area.
____ Repair cracked, broken, or uneven driveways and walkways to provide a level walking surface.
Denise’s Thoughts on Umbrella Insurance Coverage
Imagine this, after attending a party you are involved in an auto accident where the other driver was killed. You are given a breathalyzer on the scene and you exceed the legal alcohol limit. You are an upstanding citizen with no past history of this type of situation but now you find yourself being sued for $1.25 million by the claimant’s family. You are legally liable for the damages. Luckily you have an umbrella policy to cover you…or do you?
While it’s easy to assume that only a rich person could need that much insurance coverage, you’d be surprised at how important an umbrella policy can be for an average member of the middle class. For example, if you have a car insurance policy with liability coverage, you may think you have enough protection in case of an accident. But a lawsuit like the one described above could quickly exceed the $100,000 or $300,000 insurance payout.
An umbrella policy provides an additional layer of insurance, typically $1 million or $2 million, above your auto insurance and your home insurance liability coverage limit. Although 85% of umbrella insurance claims are related to car accidents, the policies offer protection against accidents that occur at your home too. For example, in case someone falls down your stairs and sues you. Many people opt for an umbrella policy because they have a pool or a trampoline on their property and fear the consequences of a child getting injured.
Then there is coverage for incidents you may not have even considered such as accidents while you’re driving in another country, or while you’re on vacation and have rented a boat or jet ski. Another important feature of these policies is protection in a lawsuit against you for slander or defamation of character, or for decisions you have made as a volunteer member of a nonprofit board. If you regularly blog about controversial topics or rant on Facebook, an umbrella policy just might be a good idea to protect your assets from a litigious individual who believes you’ve damaged their reputation.
You may be assuming that if you don’t have $1 million to lose, you don’t need an umbrella policy. Unfortunately, if you are sued by someone who falls down the stairs at your home or whom you’ve injured in a car accident, you can be sued for more than just what you have in the bank. Your retirement funds, investments, savings, and even your future earnings are at risk if a judge allows someone to garnish your wages to pay off a settlement.
So if you think you may be safe, think again. Give us a call to discuss your options to ensure that you are fully covered. A $1 million policy could cost you as little as $150/year.
