Do I need to buy collision insurance in Green Valley, AZ, for a rental car if I have auto insurance?

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There are plenty of times when you might need a rental car to get back and forth around the Green Valley, Sahuarita or Tucson area of Arizona. And of course, the rental agency may encourage you to buy collision insurance as you pick up your rental car. But do you really need this coverage when you already have your own auto insurance policy?

Keep in mind that most carriers extend personal auto insurance to include rental cars. Depending on the carrier and the state’s own policies, rental vehicles may be covered under liability or collision coverage. You may want to speak to your independent agent to find out such coverage works.

If you have a policy that covers only the state-mandated minimum liability or if you simply feel better about the peace of mind it brings, you may want to purchase additional coverage from the rental company. Otherwise, you’ll likely save money by using your own auto insurance to protect against the unexpected. If you’re using a credit card to rent a vehicle, your company may offer its own collision insurance coverage as a built-in perk.

Don’t forget that rental reimbursement coverage only applies when you rent a car due to your personal vehicle being unavailable as a result of an accident or other type of loss. This coverage may not provide protection against damage caused to a rental car.

If you’re still not sure whether you need collision insurance for your rental car, don’t hesitate to contact your Insurance Center of Green Valley agent for more information. As your independent agent, we can help you get on the right track when it comes to your auto insurance needs.

If my Boat gets Lit up in Green Valley, AZ, by Police Gun Fire to Catch a Fugitive, is that Covered by Home Owner’s Insurance?

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During a fugitive chase, police may shoot at the suspect to attempt to prevent injuries to the public. Unfortunately, that may mean that your boat can be lit up by gun fire if you happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Depending on the situation and the location of you boat, your homeowner insurance policy may offer some protection for your vessel in Green Valley, Arizona.

The Location of the Boat

Depending on where the gun fire takes place, it may or may not be covered under your home policy. If your boat is damaged during a chase through your neighborhood and your ship is in the front yard, then you may be able to make a claim on your homeowner’s policy. On the other hand, if your ship was on the water at the time, then you may need to make a claim through your boat’s insurance policy.

Coverage Amount

If you make a claim through the policy on your home, then the amount that you have available may be limited. Insurers have limitations on how much you can claim for property based on the amount of coverage you have on your house.

In many cases, the coverage amount will be limited to a percentage of your home’s value. The exact percentage may vary, so review your policy to determine if you are covered and how much you can claim for your boat.

Damage to your ship can be stressful and expensive, but solutions are available if authorities hit your boat while chasing a fugitive. Contact the Insurance Center of Green Valley to talk to an independent agent for more information about protecting your boat.

Can I get auto insurance using an international license in the Green Valley, Arizona?

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Whether you are visiting the Green Valley, Arizona for school, work, or vacation, you will need car insurance in order to legally operate a vehicle on the road. If you are from another country, you will need to take a few more steps to get coverage. However, with some planning, you can enjoy the same driving privileges as a citizens while you are visiting Arizona.

How to Get Insurance in the United States

In order to qualify for insurance, you first have to show proof that you are an authorized driver. Before your trip to the United States, you will need to obtain an international driver’s license from your home country. After your international license is issued, you can operate a vehicle in the United States. Next, you will need to decide whether you wish to purchase a vehicle or rent a car. Depending on the length of your stay, it is usually a better option to choose a rental that is easier to insure. Once you choose your vehicle, the next step is to get it insured and comply with any registration requirements.

How an Independent Agent Can Help

An insurance agent at Insurance Center of Green Valley is authorized to carry insurance policies from multiple insurance companies. The advantage of shopping for insurance with an independent agent is that you can choose a policy that is tailored to your individual needs as a driver. If you are an international driver, it is important to compare quotes so that you can receive an affordable rate on auto insurance. An independent agent can also help you determine whether you have the correct license and documentation to qualify for coverage in the United States.

You can browse our online quotes to find a policy that fits your budget or contact us today to speak with an independent agent.

Can a Non-Resident Foreigner get Auto Insurance from a US Company to Cover Rental Cars in Green Valley, AZ?

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When you are visiting Green Valley, Arizona as a tourist or seeing a family member, it may be necessary to rent a vehicle for the duration of your stay. Even if you are a non-resident foreigner who is visiting as a tourist to the area, it is possible to obtain auto insurance for the rental cars that are available.

Coverage From the Rental Company

Companies that offer rental cars may have insurance available for customers who are willing to pay the daily rates. The cost to cover the vehicle through the rental company may be high because it is usually based on a per-day basis rather than a per-month basis. Depending on the length of time that you plan to stay, it may or may not be an appropriate solution for your needs.

Specialized Insurance

Some insurance policies for cars can be specialized based on the situation and the type of vehicle that you rent. An auto policy for a rental car is not the same as a policy for a personal vehicle because you are not required to show proof of ownership. The insurer understands that you are renting the car and will provide basic coverage based on the state laws.

You may be required to send a copy of your driver’s license from your home country to qualify for coverage. The pricing and method of providing coverage may vary based on the length of time that you plan to rent the vehicle.

Even as a foreigner who is visiting the state as a tourist, it is possible to rent a vehicle as long as you have an appropriate license. Contact the Insurance Center of Green Valley to talk to an independent agent to learn more about your options.

How do I protect my business if I die or become disabled in Green Valley, Arizona?

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Owning your own business offers you a lot of flexibility in your lifestyle. You can work when, where, and how you want. But, what would happen in the event of your death or a serious disability?

There are two types of insurance policies that every small business owner should consider purchasing: life and disability.

Life insurance is designed to protect your assets after your death. Having a policy could help your business operate until it is either sold or a replacement for you is found. This can often take weeks or months, so having a policy is important. This type of insurance can also help cover any debts owed by the business, which would be passed on to your family after your death. Life insurance can also help a your family pay for everyday expenses that are no longer covered by the income from your company.

Disability insurance is available in short term and long term policies. This type of insurance is similar to life insurance, but different in that it pays out if you are seriously ill or injured and unable to work. Funds from this type of policy can be used to help run the business or take care of everyday expenses.

As you can see, both insurance policy types are incredibly important. Each business owner will have different needs in terms of the amounts of each policy, which an independent agent can help you decide.

As your local independent agent, we would be happy to speak with you about your business insurance and other commercial insurance needs. Tucson, Sahuarita, Green Valley, and other Southern Arizona business owners can contact us via telephone today.

If we are without power due to winter storm, will Green Valley, Arizona homeowners insurance cover a hotel for us to stay-in until the power is restored?

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While it is not very likely that you will get a big snow storm in Sahuarita or Tucson, Arizona, it is not uncommon to get a winter storm with strong winds and rain in the Green Valley area of the state. If one of those winter storms should strike and knock out all your power, you may want to pack up the family and find temporary lodging in a nearby hotel.

Living without electricity is certainly an inconvenience, but in most circumstances, your Arizona home insurance policy will not cover the cost of your hotel room. Most homeowners policies do contain a provision, or you can add a rider, that will provide reimbursement for loss due to an extended power outage. You may be compensated for food spoilage and even for damage to your electronic equipment.

However, each home insurance policy and provider is different. While one insurance company might be more lenient and cover the costs of a hotel room after 24 hours without electricity, another might not honor a claim until 5 days have passed since you first were without power.

Personal circumstances, such as having a sick or elderly parent in the home may be taken into consideration by your home insurance provider. If you, or someone in your household relies on electricity to operate important medical equipment, your circumstances may be considered serious enough to get reimbursed for the cost of a hotel room.

It is important to review your insurance policy before a situation arises where you might need to temporarily move away from your home. If you have any questions about these matters, please give us a call. An independent agent will be able to answer your questions and possibly add a rider to your current home insurance policy to provide this extra protection.

My landlord claims that I have damaged the apartment and is keeping a part of my security deposit. Will the Green Valley, Arizona renters insurance cover this loss?

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Buying renters insurance for your Green Valley, Arizona apartment is almost always a good idea. Renters insurance is very affordable and it will help cover damage or loss to your personal possessions.

If someone breaks into your apartment in Sahuarita and steals your television and laptop computer, you can file a claim with your insurance company. If you suffer a kitchen fire in the apartment you are renting in Tucson, renters insurance will compensate you for your burnt curtains and any other personal contents in your home. Appliances that came with the apartment are usually covered by the landlord’s insurance policy, but may also be covered by your renters insurance.

When your lease ends or you vacate your apartment for some other reason, you are entitled to get your security back from the landlord. As long as there is no damage to your apartment, beyond normal wear-and-tear, you usually will have your deposit returned within a week or two after vacating the apartment.

Your landlord is permitted to keep part or all of your security deposit if you damaged the apartment beyond the general definition of normal wear-and-tear. If, for instance, you put a bunch of holes in the wall, or your dog had a few accidents on the carpet, a part of your security deposit may be used by the landlord to make the repairs and clean the carpet.

Your renters insurance does not cover any damage you do to the apartment. You can not use it to pay for the damage so you get all of your security back. To find out more about renters insurance, please give us a call. An independent agent can answer any questions you may have and find you a very affordable policy.

Difference Between Insurance Score and Credit Score in Green Valley, Arizona

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When you are looking for insurance in Green Valley, Arizona, you may wonder about the differences between scoring measurements. Although a credit score may seem straightforward and simple, in many cases it is confused with other numbers. An insurance score is not the same because it considers more than just the risk of late payments.

Credit Rating

A credit rating and score is developed by your history of making payments, the debts that you owe and similar financial data. Although the credit score is part of determining your how you score when looking for insurance, it is only one factor. The credit rating is based solely on your financial history, which is not enough to determine the full extent of the potential risks you pose to the insurer.

Insurance Scores

An insurance score is not the same as your credit rating. Although your credit rating is part of the score, it is a small part. The insurance score will also factor in your driving record, any claims you have made on your insurance in the past and the potential risks you may face based on statistical data and any further records that you may have.

Factors like a DUI charge, filing a claim or facing a lawsuit that is paid by your insurer due to liability protection are all part of your score. The credit rating and your financial history is a small part of the scoring process because it helps determine the risk that you may pay your premium late.

Ultimately, insurance scores are more comprehensive than a credit rating because it factors in more data about your potential risks. If you want to learn more about the scoring process, then contact us today to talk to an independent agent.

Will my Green Valley, Arizona homeowners insurance cover my business if I work at home?

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Today, it is quite common for people who live in Tucson, Sahuarita and the Green Valley area of Arizona, to operate a small business from the comfort of their own homes. Almost any type of business is susceptible to disputes and some of those disputes can lead to lawsuits.

Your homeowners insurance policy will probably not cover any items that are only used for your business. It may cover items like a desk, chair or computer that you use while conducting business, because that is considered part of the contents of your house.

If, for example, you have a business selling computers you build from scratch in your home, your homeowners insurance will not cover any claims made against you or your company if a dissatisfied customer decides to sue.

In order to be covered for certain liabilities you may incur, you will need to buy a separate general liability business policy. While it is improbable that someone is going to come to your home office to conduct business, it is actually more common than you might think.

Some individuals in Tucson operate a tax service or bookkeeping service and regularly welcome clients into their homes. Others may operate a landscaping business in Sahuarita and set appointments, bank and do all of the administrative tasks of their business out of a home office.

Nothing is ever completely black or completely white. Most situations fall into a gray area. If a man falls on an uneven pathway and breaks his arm while delivering a present from your Aunt Tilly, your homeowners insurance policy would cover any claim for liability. What would happen if the delivery man was bringing 10 boxes of inventory for your home business?

As your independent agent, we have the answers to all of the questions you may have about homeowners insurance and home businesses. Please contact us and an independent agent will be happy to help you get the right insurance coverage for your home-based business.

Can a tourist purchase a car in the Green Valley, Arizona and insure it himself?

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If you’re visiting the Green Valley, Arizona area as a tourist from another state, it’s simply a matter of having the vehicle purchased in your name and insured under your current auto insurance policy. Some states may require you to purchase a transit permit that’s valid for a short period of time. You typically have 30 days from the time of purchase to transfer the vehicle’s title in your name and register the vehicle with your home state.

If you are a tourist from another country, purchasing a car for short term use turns into a much more complicated task. There are several issues at hand that may prevent you from legally using the vehicle during your stay:

  • Most states prohibit the use of temporary addresses in place of a permanent address when registering a vehicle. As it is unlikely that a tourist will have a permanent U.S. address, it becomes very difficult to have the vehicle properly registered and plated.
  • It’s also illegal to use someone else’s address to register the vehicle. If you’re caught, civil penalties may be involved.
  • The previous owner can’t and in most cases won’t allow you to use their plates to drive the car. In ordinary practice, sellers are almost always obligated to remove their license plates from the car when the vehicle is sold.

In addition, very few insurance companies offer short-term auto insurance for tourists in the U.S. for this particular purpose. If you do manage to find a willing insurer, the agency in question may require you to have an international driver’s license on hand in addition to the driver’s license of your home country. In the end, it’s usually a good idea to rent a vehicle during your stay.

Don’t hesitate to give us a call if you have any specific questions about your current car insurance policy. As your independent agent, we can help you regardless of your particular circumstance.

Disclaimer: “ The content of these blogs do not represent any type of specific coverage’s offered by the agency.”