Transfer Discount
Ask The Insurance Expert: “What is a Transfer Discount” OR “What should I plan for when looking for new insurance?” When looking for new insurance there are many things to think about, one of them is how long it has been since you last changed policies. “What is a Transfer Discount?” The longer you have stayed with your last insurer, the larger discount you will get on your new policy. Commonly called a transfer discount, insurers like to know you are going to stay around for a while and reward those that have been with a previous insurer longer with a better rate. In general once you’ve been with an insurer for a year you not not see any negative impact and need at least three years to get the most benefit. Anything less than a year may not get you what you need. Getting the right insurance can be tricky. Take the hassle out of finding the best policy for your needs…we do all the leg work! It’s always worth looking into a new policy, but bring all the facts, plan ahead, and make sure to talk to an expert. “What should I plan ahead for?” This is especially important for parents with kids that will be driving. Let your agent know if you will have new drivers and/or a new vehicle in the family. This can drastically change policy rates.In some cases it can be better to wait and pay more for a few months to get the right coverage for the new driver. “A family called me a month ago to get a new quote, two adults, two cars, and their house. We put together a quote and they made the switch. They called me this week and said we have to add our son who just turned 16 and another car.” – Anthony Trunnell – Trunnell Insurance Services The price went up $1000 on the policy they just signed a month ago, they could have saved money by waiting because they would now be penalized by the ‘Transfer Discount”. The best policy for you now may not be the best policy if you need a change in the near future.
ASK THE INSURANCE EXPERT: Roof Damage
“A roofer is in the area inspecting roofs for recent damage, should I trust these guys if my roof is damaged?” When there has been a heavy storm in the area, the roof inspectors come out. You either get a knock at the door or a phone call with the message; “We’re in your neighborhood because of recent weather causing damage to roofs in the area. Would you like a free roof inspection?” Our advice is to say NO. If you think you have roof damage due to weather, find your own roofer. In fact, call your insurance agent first so you can find a roofer that has been vetted. “At Trunnell Insurance Services we suggest doing your homework before hiring a roofing contractor to repair any damage, especially when an insurance claim involved.” And never sign any type of agreement with a roofing contractor if they say “we’ll take care of everything”…The agreement may give them power of attorney and impose penalties if you do not do what they want. Strom Chasers – We don’t suggest doing business with them. Never sign anything with a roofing contractor. Ask about time frames, many roofers are backed up with jobs after storms. Find a local roofer you can trust. Call your insurance agent! Call 630-947-7980
Ask the Expert: I’m Buying a New Car.
Ask the Insurance Expert: I’m Buying a New Car “What should I know about the car I’m buying and how it will affect my insurance rates?” When the time comes to get a new vehicle, it’s a good idea to look into what it will do to your insurance premiums before you buy. Many factors go into what each type of vehicle costs to insure. From the cost of the vehicle to safety features, to how easy it is to get parts. If you want to know about a specific vehicle give us a call. If you want the cheapest car insurance…get a domestic mini-van! The cheapest type of vehicle to insure is typically a mini-van. Domestic brands usually cost less than foreign While a KIA and Hyundai can be less expensive than some vehicles, they are expensive to insure on average. For luxury brands, Mercedes Benz and BMW generally cost the most to insure, but it may surprise you that Lexus is generally the least expensive. Teslas cost a fortune to insure because parts are so scarce. Don’t be surprised if it takes weeks or months to get a Tesla repaired for a regular claim. Call us to ask about the vehicle you intend to buy! Call 630-947-7980 Where do other brands of vehicles fit in? There are so many factors it really is hard to make generalizations as we have above. The best thing to do is research! Look into the car you are thinking about in terms of safety and service. Vehicles in the same class (e.g. “midsize”) usually carry a similar insurance cost. Cars with more technology cost more to repair, but you’re also less likely to be injured. For example, each airbag in a vehicle runs approximately $1000 to repair. If 6 go off, you’re looking at $6000 just for airbags. A bumper with sensors costs more to replace than one without. If they are very safe and easy to maintain, you could be looking at low rates. While many foreign cars can be safe and inexpensive, oftentimes, parts and servicing the vehicle, can be double the expense of domestic vehicles.
Insurance for Apartment Complex Owners
Insurance for Apartment Complex Owners As an apartment complex owner in Naperville or the Chicago area, liability for your property and tenants is crucial. Trunnell Insurance Services has provided insurance coverage for apartment complexes in Naperville for almost 20 years. Call us today to see what we can do for you. Call For More Information – 630-947-7980 Our no-hassle service means we do all the work. Even if you already have coverage, let our experts take a look at your current policy and see if we can do better. Trunnell Insurance Services is located in Naperville and serves the entire Chicagoland area, including downtown apartment building. Insurance for Apartment Building Owners in Chicago and the Suburbs We work with apartment building owners throughout Chicagoland. Keep your investment fully covered with the best policy possible. There are a lot of factors that can affect the type of coverage you need. From square footage, the number of occupants, building material, and even proximity to the fire department. Our staff has the experience and resources to make your insurance needs easy. Give us a call to find out more. Call 630-947-7980 to get started! Building Owner Insurance Naperville – If you own a building in the Naperville area, you want it insured. We specialize in commercial building insurance. Mixed-Use Building Insurance Naperville – Own a mixed-use building in the Naperville area? Find the best rates for a policy that meets all coverage your needs. For Apartment Complex Insurance in Naperville and Chicago Call now to speak to a representative and get a quote. 630-947-7980 NapervilleChicagoRiver North Lincoln ParkWest LoopAndersonvilleWicker ParkBucktown Wheaton· Downers Grove· Bloomingdale· Lisle· Aurora· Bolingbrook· Glen Ellyn· More…
7 Tips for Saving Money on Auto Insurance
Automatic Braking and Crash Avoidance Technology The technology that goes into new cars today is amazing. It can also save you money on insurance premiums. Automatic braking and driver-assist technology make the roads safer…and you a safer driver. Be sure to mention if you have this tech in your vehicle. Discounts for Anti Theft Device Many insurers offer discounts when a car has an anti-theft device installed. You can usually save a few percent of your premium by having an alarm system in our car. Most of today’s new cars come with alarms installed as a standard, with older vehicles you may need to have a system installed. Telemetrics – Monitored Driving For safe and low mileage drivers, you may want to look into a usage-based policy. With a program like Snapshot from Progressive, you share your driving information with them in exchange for possible discounts if certain driving standards are met. This may be an option for a driver who drives less than 10,000 miles per year. This technology allows the insurance companies to make sure you are not on your phone, keep track of your millage, and monitor speeding and aggressive driving. Multiple Driver Discounts Having multiple drivers and multiple vehicles under the same policy allows insurance companies to offer you bulk rates. This is very common but does not always save money. Make sure each driver and vehicle is looked at individually, very high or very low-risk situations may be handled better with multiple insurers. Talk to your agent to see what drivers qualify to be under one policy. Look for Better Premiums If your policy is coming due and your premiums have gone up in the last few years, it is worth it to shop around for a better policy. If you work directly with one of the big insurers like State Farm you may gain new insight into what insurance is best for you by calling an independent broker. Be a Safe Driver The safer driver you are, the less likely you are to get into an accident. Over time this can drastically lower your auto insurance premiums. It will also save on car maintenance, fuel usage, and damage repair. Mobile phones are the newest danger to the roads. Follow the law and do not text while driving. If you need to use the phone, have a hands free set up. Call an Insurance Broker An insurance broker works with many insurers and will get quotes from all of them to find you the best deal. Do your research and find a reputable broker. Look at online reviews and their website. Call them and talk to them first without walking away with new insurance, make sure they are the right people to work with. Getting the right insurance can be tricky. Take the hassle out of finding the best policy for your needs…we do all the leg work!