By KK January 18, 2013
Great to have a local GEICO office where you can speak to friendly, knowledgeable people in person. They made my insurance change simple and easy. They took the extra time to explain every option to me, and through their excellent service they were able to save me a ton of money! ...read more
By dimndnruf1 January 18, 2013
i went to the local office in syracuse to see if i could save money on my car and home insurance. i went to the office without an appointment. there was a receptionist at the front counter who welcomed me to te office. i advised her i would like to sit with someone and get some quotes. she then interduced myself to Joshua in the office. he was very friendly and very professional. i sat with Joshua for about 30 minutes. by the time we were done i saved 800.00 per yer, and even better i had more coverage. this was actually a very pleasant expierience. i will recommend it to all my friends and family. ...read more
By Judy Dean September 27, 2011
My daughter and I have been customers of Betts Strickland & Munro for many years. Recently I changed my auto insurance to a local agency in Rochester....big mistake. They made error after error. Today, I am switching everything back and look forward to working with Betts Strickland and Munro again. They have earned a Five Star Rating. If you have insurance needs, give them a call and ask for Karen. ...read more
NO BS INANCE INSIDER SECRETS By SteveDonigan The No BS Insurance Guy DoniganInsurance Agency www.DoniganInsurance.com (315) 4-INSURE sdonigan@twcny.rr.com 8 Mistakes Car Insurance Buyers Make That Cost Them Money You're shopping around for auto insurance. What do you need to know? Well, there are lots of tips - at least 8- that can save you money. Many or all of these money-saving ideas may apply to you. 1. You Insure Your Home With A Different Company-Do you have a homeowners or renters insurance policy? If so, is it with the same insurance company that provides your auto insurance? If the answer is no,you're paying toomuch- for both policies. Almost every insurance company that sells auto insurance wants its policyholders to also buy homeowners or renters insurance from that company. Many of these insurers offer multi-policy discounts. These discounts are at least 10% and some insurers apply the discounts to both the auto and the homeowners/renters policy. * Tip. Talk to your agent about multi-policy discounts. 2. Your Driving Record Has Improved -It's no secret that the better your driving record, the less you will pay for auto insurance. But did you know that most people who qualify as "good drivers" and are eligible for discounted premiums? Some good drivers pay a lot more than others, however. Many auto insurers are actually a collection of several insurance companies in which each caters to a certain type of driver. The worst drivers go in one company, the best in another, and a lot of people wind up in one of the middle companies. These middle people pay less than the worst drivers, but more than the best. The thing is, many of these middle people have driving records that are just as good as those who are insured by the companies that offer the lowest rates. Yet these middle people are paying more. Why? The usual reason is that they don't know any better. No one told them which insurance company in the group had the best prices. And, probably, no one told them there was even a group of insurance companies. If you have a spotless driving record, there's no reason you shouldn't be paying the lowest price a group of insurance companies has to offer. *Tip. Make sure you're getting the best discount for your current driving record. Talk to your agent. And remember, be a safe driver. It will save you money. 3. High-Profile, High-Cost -The type of car you drive is a major factor in what you pay for insurance. Is your vehicle a magnet for thieves? Is it more expensive to repair than most cars? If the answer to either of the last two questions is yes, you're paying more than the average car owner for insurance. *Note. To get detailed information on your vehicle(s) - or a vehicle you're thinking of buying - write to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety at North Glebe Rd., Arlington, VA 22201 and ask for the "Highway Loss Data Chart." 4. Your Deductible Is Too Low - The deductible is the amount you pay before insurance kicks in if you have a claim. For example, if you have a $250 deductible and you have an accident in which your car sustains $1,000 in damage, you pay the first $250 and your insurer pays the balance, $750. The lower the deductible you choose, the more you pay. If you have assets, you can probably afford to absorb at least $250 and probably $500 if you have a claim. * Tip. If it's been years since you've had an accident, you may be better off raising your deductible and paying less each year for insurance. 5. You've Got CoveragesYou Don't Need -Let's say you have an older car, one not worth very much. There's really little point in having collision and comprehensivecoverages. You don't have much to protect. Remember, too, that you have to subtract your deductible from any potentialpayoutyou might get. *Tip. As a general rule, any car worth less than $3,000 shouldn't have collision and comprehensive coverage. Between the deductible and the extra expense of thesecoverages, the cost is probably greater than the benefit. How much is your car worth? An auto dealer can tell you, or there are plenty of books that have values of vehicles going back many, many years. 6. Are You Getting The Discounts You Deserve -Auto insurance companies offer several discounts for a variety of reasons. The car has automatic seat belts, air bags, anti-lock brakes, anti-theft devices, etc. The driver is a good student, which is especially valuable if you have teenage children who will be on your policy. * Tip. Make sure you are taking advantage of all the discounts available to you! 7. Credit Where It Is (Or Is Not) Due -Is your credit record better than your driving record? If you have a good credit record, you could be eligible for discounted premiums from several auto insurance companies. * Fact. Many insurers now use your credit history as a major factor in determining what to charge you for auto insurance. In some cases, with some companies, you could save money by shifting your business to an insurer that uses credit as a rating factor - even if you have a so-so or poor driving record. There is another side to this coin. If you have a poor credit history, you could save money by moving your auto insurance to a company that does not use credit as a rating factor. Most insurers do not look at your credit report at your renewal if your credit has improved since you purchased the policy you could be eligible for the cheaper rate. * Tip. Regardless of your credit status, you should talk to your agent to make sure you have the best situation given your credit record, good or bad.8. Ratings Criteria Surcharges and Points are Incorrect - your mailing and/or place of garaging is correct each vehicle is properly classified all discounts to which you are entitled have been applied the make and model of your vehicle(s) are correct the age/birthdatesof the drivers are correct the dates of any chargeable accidents and convictions identified are correct (effective 11/27/2010) Surcharges are specifically not permitted if for example: your vehicle was struck in the rear, without a moving violation conviction against you your vehicle was struck while it was legally parked you as the insured or your insurer is reimbursed or obtains a judgment of 1/2 or more on a property or physical damage claim the total damage caused by the accident is less than $2000 and there were no injuries you have a single minor moving violation of the Vehicle&Traffic; Law, other than those excepted by the Insurance Law the accident occurred while the insured was driving an employer's vehicle in the course of business claims are made under comprehensive or towingcoverages* Tip. Call the SteveDoniganAgency at 315-4-INSURE or go towww.DoniganInsurance.com Whatever your driving record or coverage needs, you should shop around, or let an experienced insurance professional shop around, for the best deal for you. There are literally thousands and thousands of coverage options from hundreds and hundreds of insurance companies. In addition, not only should you try to get the best deal you can, you also need to make sure you have all the coverage you want/need. Using an Independent Insurance Agent is usually your best bet to get the most value for your auto insurance dollar. AtDoniganInsurance, we take a personal interest in our customers. We like to share information that comes to help you protect yourself and your family from financial loss. If you have any questions, regarding this information or your insurance coverage, please don't hesitate to call me at (315) 4-INSURE or e-mail me personally atsdonigan@twcny.rr.com You can visit us on the web atwww.doniganinsurance.com ...read more
By Donigan Insurance November 11, 2010
NO BS INANCE INSIDER SECRETS By SteveDonigan The No BS Insurance Guy DoniganInsurance Agency www.DoniganInsurance.com (315) 4-INSURE sdonigan@twcny.rr.com 8 Mistakes Car Insurance Buyers Make That Cost Them Money You're shopping around for auto insurance. What do you need to know? Well, there are lots of tips - at least 8- that can save you money. Many or all of these money-saving ideas may apply to you. 1. You Insure Your Home With A Different Company-Do you have a homeowners or renters insurance policy? If so, is it with the same insurance company that provides your auto insurance? If the answer is no,you're paying toomuch- for both policies. Almost every insurance company that sells auto insurance wants its policyholders to also buy homeowners or renters insurance from that company. Many of these insurers offer multi-policy discounts. These discounts are at least 10% and some insurers apply the discounts to both the auto and the homeowners/renters policy. * Tip. Talk to your agent about multi-policy discounts. 2. Your Driving Record Has Improved -It's no secret that the better your driving record, the less you will pay for auto insurance. But did you know that most people who qualify as "good drivers" and are eligible for discounted premiums? Some good drivers pay a lot more than others, however. Many auto insurers are actually a collection of several insurance companies in which each caters to a certain type of driver. The worst drivers go in one company, the best in another, and a lot of people wind up in one of the middle companies. These middle people pay less than the worst drivers, but more than the best. The thing is, many of these middle people have driving records that are just as good as those who are insured by the companies that offer the lowest rates. Yet these middle people are paying more. Why? The usual reason is that they don't know any better. No one told them which insurance company in the group had the best prices. And, probably, no one told them there was even a group of insurance companies. If you have a spotless driving record, there's no reason you shouldn't be paying the lowest price a group of insurance companies has to offer. *Tip. Make sure you're getting the best discount for your current driving record. Talk to your agent. And remember, be a safe driver. It will save you money. 3. High-Profile, High-Cost -The type of car you drive is a major factor in what you pay for insurance. Is your vehicle a magnet for thieves? Is it more expensive to repair than most cars? If the answer to either of the last two questions is yes, you're paying more than the average car owner for insurance. *Note. To get detailed information on your vehicle(s) - or a vehicle you're thinking of buying - write to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety at North Glebe Rd., Arlington, VA 22201 and ask for the "Highway Loss Data Chart." 4. Your Deductible Is Too Low - The deductible is the amount you pay before insurance kicks in if you have a claim. For example, if you have a $250 deductible and you have an accident in which your car sustains $1,000 in damage, you pay the first $250 and your insurer pays the balance, $750. The lower the deductible you choose, the more you pay. If you have assets, you can probably afford to absorb at least $250 and probably $500 if you have a claim. * Tip. If it's been years since you've had an accident, you may be better off raising your deductible and paying less each year for insurance. 5. You've Got CoveragesYou Don't Need -Let's say you have an older car, one not worth very much. There's really little point in having collision and comprehensivecoverages. You don't have much to protect. Remember, too, that you have to subtract your deductible from any potentialpayoutyou might get. *Tip. As a general rule, any car worth less than $3,000 shouldn't have collision and comprehensive coverage. Between the deductible and the extra expense of thesecoverages, the cost is probably greater than the benefit. How much is your car worth? An auto dealer can tell you, or there are plenty of books that have values of vehicles going back many, many years. 6. Are You Getting The Discounts You Deserve -Auto insurance companies offer several discounts for a variety of reasons. The car has automatic seat belts, air bags, anti-lock brakes, anti-theft devices, etc. The driver is a good student, which is especially valuable if you have teenage children who will be on your policy. * Tip. Make sure you are taking advantage of all the discounts available to you! 7. Credit Where It Is (Or Is Not) Due -Is your credit record better than your driving record? If you have a good credit record, you could be eligible for discounted premiums from several auto insurance companies. * Fact. Many insurers now use your credit history as a major factor in determining what to charge you for auto insurance. In some cases, with some companies, you could save money by shifting your business to an insurer that uses credit as a rating factor - even if you have a so-so or poor driving record. There is another side to this coin. If you have a poor credit history, you could save money by moving your auto insurance to a company that does not use credit as a rating factor. Most insurers do not look at your credit report at your renewal if your credit has improved since you purchased the policy you could be eligible for the cheaper rate. * Tip. Regardless of your credit status, you should talk to your agent to make sure you have the best situation given your credit record, good or bad.8. Ratings Criteria Surcharges and Points are Incorrect - your mailing and/or place of garaging is correct each vehicle is properly classified all discounts to which you are entitled have been applied the make and model of your vehicle(s) are correct the age/birthdatesof the drivers are correct the dates of any chargeable accidents and convictions identified are correct (effective 11/27/2010) Surcharges are specifically not permitted if for example: your vehicle was struck in the rear, without a moving violation conviction against you your vehicle was struck while it was legally parked you as the insured or your insurer is reimbursed or obtains a judgment of 1/2 or more on a property or physical damage claim the total damage caused by the accident is less than $2000 and there were no injuries you have a single minor moving violation of the Vehicle&Traffic Law, other than those excepted by the Insurance Law the accident occurred while the insured was driving an employer's vehicle in the course of business claims are made under comprehensive or towingcoverages* Tip. Call the SteveDoniganAgency at 315-4-INSURE or go towww.DoniganInsurance.com Whatever your driving record or coverage needs, you should shop around, or let an experienced insurance professional shop around, for the best deal for you. There are literally thousands and thousands of coverage options from hundreds and hundreds of insurance companies. In addition, not only should you try to get the best deal you can, you also need to make sure you have all the coverage you want/need. Using an Independent Insurance Agent is usually your best bet to get the most value for your auto insurance dollar. AtDoniganInsurance, we take a personal interest in our customers. We like to share information that comes to help you protect yourself and your family from financial loss. If you have any questions, regarding this information or your insurance coverage, please don't hesitate to call me at (315) 4-INSURE or e-mail me personally atsdonigan@twcny.rr.com You can visit us on the web atwww.doniganinsurance.com ...read more
By Donigan Insurance November 04, 2010
Selling long-term health care insurance can increase an agent’s book of business. Many agents specialize in health care insurance once they learn the proper sales techniques. An agent should develop a script to use to explain the benefits of a long-term health care insurance policy to a client. ...read more
Many renters prefer to find an insurance policy online instead of calling different local insurance agents. The renter will need to figure out how much coverage to buy before looking online for a policy. Obtaining a quote from different online sources will allow the renter to compare different insuran... ...read more
