Worried About Teenage Drivers?

One of the most common conversations I have with clients is about teenage drivers.  We’ve all heard the horror stories.  Your friends will warn you about the hundreds and even thousands of dollars they’re spending to let their kids drive.  But it doesn’t have to be this way!

With a little bit of knowledge and planning you can drastically cut your costs.  Here’s what you need to know.

1.     Buy an older car for cash.  

This probably isn’t what your teenager was hoping to get, but it’s the best way to keep your insurance manageable.  Liability coverage is much more affordable than full coverage with comprehensive and collision.
  

2.    Take advantage of discounts.

Allstate's Drivewise discount enables you and your teen driver to be rewarded for safe driving. As a parent, you can use the online metrics as a teaching tool or setup a a reward/punishment system with your teen. Click on our Drivewise link to learn more.

3.    Get good grades.

Good grades reflect a more responsible driver.  Drop off a copy of your teenager’s latest report card and see if they qualify.

Yes, young drivers will raise your insurance costs, but it doesn’t have to be terrible.  Schedule an appointment to sit down with Matt and discuss your policy specifically.  We’ll review all of your options and any discounts you can qualify for.  Call Matt Elwood at 360-452-9200 today to see what options are available for you and your teenage driver.

Want more information? Please visit my official Allstate Agency Website to get more information on the Allstate products and services I can offer in Port Angeles, Sequim or anywhere Washington State. 

Port Angeles Car Insurance Basics: What is Rental Reimbursement?

Rental reimbursement is an important part of your car insurance coverage.  Let’s discuss what it is and why you need it!

When you suffer an auto insurance claim, it’s not uncommon for your vehicle to need to go to the shop for a few days for repairs.  Even minor scratches or dings can require you to be without a vehicle for an extended period of time.

If you have multiple cars this is probably a mild inconvenience.  But if you only have one vehicle or limited access to others, then it could be a major problem.

Think about this...

If you were without a car for a week, how would you get to work?

How would you get the kids to school?

If you use public transportation to commute, what about going to the grocery store or the kid’s soccer practice?

If any of these things would be a major problem, then you need Rental Reimbursement!  This coverage pays for your rental car while your car is in the shop due to a covered claim.  

When you look at your policy, you’ll see Rental coverage listed as a “per day” coverage.  $50 per day.  $30 per day.  That is how much the insurance company will pay for that rental car, simple as that!

If you get a lower amount, but need a larger vehicle, then you’ll be responsible for the additional cost.  Let’s say you need a minivan to drive around your 4 kids, but only get enough Rental Reimbursement to cover a tiny economy car.  That additional per day cost will fall on your shoulders.

This is what we’re here for.  We’ll look at your individual situation, ask these questions, and recommend the right amount of coverage to make your life easy when those inconvenient situations occur.

Call The Elwood Benefits Agency today at 360-452-9200 to discuss your Car Insurance coverage. If you’re a current client, we’ll be happy to review your policy and let you know how much Rental coverage you currently have.

Not a current customer? Feel free to visit my official Allstate Agency Website to get more information on the Allstate products and services I can offer in Port Angeles, Sequim or anywhere Washington State. 

March Home Maintenance Tasks

Each month in 2014, we’ll be sharing a short list of tasks that you can do to help take care of your home, vehicle, and family.  Consider them a helpful reminder of what needs to get accomplished throughout the month to keep your important items protected.

Here’s the list for the month of March:

Order A Credit Report 

March is Credit Education Month.  One of the most important things you can do to protect your credit score (besides paying your bills on time) is to closely monitor your credit report.

The credit reporting agencies make mistakes.  That’s why you must be vigilant in reviewing your report each year and requesting corrections.  This is especially true if you’ve been the victim of identity theft.  Get a free copy of your report from all major credit bureaus each year at www.annualcreditreport.com.  You can also check your credit score for free at www.creditkarma.com.  

Make A Severe Weather Plan

Spring is known for strong storms.  That’s why it’s good to have a plan ready before the bad weather arrives.  Choose a place of shelter in your home (preferably with no windows or exterior walls) and gather up a small kit of supplies just in case.  Include water, batteries, and flashlights.  

Change Batteries In Your Smoke Detectors

Such a small task can be a lifesaver if you were to have a home fire.  Plan to switch out batteries at every time change.

Get A Life Insurance Quote 

According to a survey by the Life Foundation, 33% say they don’t have enough life insurance, including one-fourth who already have a policy!  

If this is you, call us today at 360-452-9200 for a free, no-obligation quote on affordable life insurance from Allstate. 

Protect Your Kids (And Grandkids)

March is Poison Prevention Month.  Go through your home and look for any hazardous chemicals or cleaning supplies that could be easily accessed by a child.  

Kitchen and bathroom sink areas and garages are especially dangerous.  Lock these items in a cabinet or place in an area out of reach.  Also make sure to have the phone number for the local poison control center in case of an emergency.  

Start Landscaping

Yes, it’s probably a little early for this one...but who isn’t ready to get outside after a long winter?  

Landscaping can add thousands of dollars in value to your home.  Start planning your spring flowers and garden now.

These should keep you busy all March long!  Let us know if we can assist you in any way with your auto, home, or life insurance.  Call the Matt Elwood Allstate Agency at 360-452-9200 or stop by our office at 707 E Front in Port Angeles.  

How To Prevent Frozen Pipes In Port Angeles

This current winter on the Olympic Peninsula has been relatively mild, except for a couple cold snaps in early December and February that brought the temperatures into the teens.

However, all it takes is one cold day for your pipes to freeze and burst resulting in a costly homeowners insurance claim.

Click HERE to read more from the Allstate Insurance Blog on how to protect pipes before a freeze and steps to take when the temperature drops!

For a free review of your homeowners policy, please call Matt Elwood at 360-452-9200 or learn more at www.allstate.com/mattelwood

Allstate Insurance When You Tie The Knot

February is all about love. In fact, it is estimated that as many as 4 million people will get engaged on Valentine’s Day!

And with all of that love and wedding planning in the air, it can be hard to think about the boring parts of a marriage.

So I want to make it easy for you. Here are a few things you need to think about in regards to your insurance policies when you tie the knot.

1. Combine your auto insurance policies.

If you both own a vehicle, the easiest thing to do is combine your policies by adding your spouse
and their vehicle to your policy. We can take care of this in just a few minutes!

2. Make sure you and your spouse are listed on every policy.

You both need to be on the homeowners or renters insurance so you can
get assistance if needed. Do all of them at the same time and you won’t have to worry about it again.

3. Schedule an overall review.

 When you combine two households you will obviously have more belongings! Speak with your agent and verify that you have enough content and liability insurance to cover any new assets.

4. Purchase life insurance.

It’s your honeymoon and you don’t want to think about death, but now is the time to get this very important coverage in place. It doesn't cost much and will give you peace of mind that the person you love will be taken care of in the future. It’s really the very best gift you can give to those you love.

The best part of this? It doesn't have to be hard! In fact, one short
appointment can take care of every item on the list. Give us a call at 360-452-9200 to schedule a review with one of our agents today.

Life Insurance Is For Those You Love

A lot of people put off purchasing life insurance because it seems like a
hassle. You don’t want to do any sort of medical appointment. It’s an
extra expense. And, for the most part, you just plain don’t want to think
about death.

But life insurance isn’t about you. It’s about the people you love. And
what better time than February to think about love!

So let’s get real. You do a lot for your family and if you have family
members who depend on your income, then you need life insurance. And
the sooner, the better.

For one, life insurance is cheaper when you are young and healthy! With
each birthday you’ll see your premium go up unless you lock in a great
rate now. And you don’t want to look for life insurance after you've been
diagnosed with an illness.

Another great thing about life insurance is that there are a lot of options.
And we’re here to discuss all of them with you. You can purchase a
policy for the short term or even as a long term investment. It all
depends on how much you can afford to spend and what your family
needs are.

Whatever your situation, sitting down and discussing your needs and
budget with Matt is a great first step. Call The Elwood Benefits Allstate Agency at 360-452-9200 to set up a free, no-obligation appointment today!

We work with many families in Port Angeles, Sequim and all-around Washington State! Matt is also licensed to sell life insurance in the State of California, license #0D52980.