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Safe boating tips

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Safe boating is a fun activity enjoyed by many in the Overland Park, KS area, but it’s important to be aware of safety tips and regulations. Fortress Insurance Agency has long been providing boat insurance to our clients and can assist with related queries. 

Here are a few tips from us to keep your boating experience safe and enjoyable:

1. Wear a life jacket at all times

 It’s the law in most states that children must wear life jackets while on the water, but everyone should be wearing one regardless of age or swimming ability. It could save your life!

2. Avoid alcohol

Alcohol impairs judgment and can put yourself and others at risk of an accident. If you do plan on drinking, make sure someone else is designated as navigator who isn’t under the influence so you can make it back safely. 

3. Have an emergency plan

Make sure you know how to contact emergency services in case of an accident or distress signal, and know where your nearest hospital is located in case of medical emergencies. 

4. Be aware of weather conditions

Weather can change quickly, especially near the shoreline where wind speed can significantly increase with little warning. Make sure you check local forecasts before heading out each time, so you’re aware of any approaching storms or high-speed winds. 

5. Familiarize yourself with boat navigation rules

To ensure everyone has a safe experience on the water, make sure you understand navigation rules such as right-of-way when operating around other boats and buoys that mark special water zones for safe navigation near shorelines or fishing areas. 

Get Boat Insurance Today

Remember to stay safe out there! With these tips in mind, you can enjoy your time on the water without having to worry about any potential risks associated with boating activities. For more tips, call us at Fortress Insurance Agency today. We serve the Overland Park, KS area boat owners with vital insurance coverage.

Safe driving tips for new drivers

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As a new driver, staying safe behind the wheel is essential. Here are some tips from us at Fortress Insurance Agency to help you stay safe on the road here in the Overland Park, KS area and everywhere.

Safe driving tips for new drivers

1. Always wear your seatbelt.

Wearing a seatbelt can drastically reduce your risk of injury in the event of an accident, so it’s important to always put it on before setting off. 

2. Avoid distractions while driving.

Turn off your phone and avoid eating or drinking while driving so that you can keep your full attention on the road. 

3. Obey all speed limits and traffic signals.

Not only is this important for safety reasons, but it can also save you from getting a ticket! 

4. Don’t drive when you’re feeling drowsy or fatigued.

Even if you feel like you could make it home, it’s not worth taking the risk – pull over in a safe place and take a nap until you’re feeling more alert and able to drive safely again. 

5. Check your mirrors often and practice defensive driving techniques.

By checking your mirrors regularly and being aware of other drivers around you, you can anticipate potential risks and take steps to avoid them safely. 

Get The Right Coverage For Your Needs

Following these tips will help keep you safe on the roads as a new driver! For more tips on how to stay safe while behind the wheel, or if you have any questions about your insurance coverage, please give us at Fortress Insurance Agency a call today. We are proud to serve the Overland Park, KS area and would be happy to answer all of your questions. 

What Exactly Does It Mean If a Car is Totaled?

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If you have been involved in an automobile accident, your auto insurance provider may inspect your car to determine if it can or should be repaired or whether to salvage the car, also known as totaling the car. At Fortress Insurance Agency, serving the Overland Park, KS area, we have discovered that there is a lot of misinformation about cars being salvaged or totaled.

Here are some of the questions you may have about a car being totaled and the answer:

What Exactly Does It Mean If a Car is Totaled?

If your car is totaled, it means that the cost to repair your vehicle exceeds the value of your vehicle. As such, your car is far more likely to be totaled if it is older, compared to if it is newer. This is because older cars tend to have a lower value, and car repairs can be pricey. 

What Happens If You Do Not Agree That Your Car is Totaled?

If you do not think your car is totaled, you can obtain a second estimate for repairs from another body shop and submit those estimated costs to your insurance company. They may decide to look over the new estimates and change their decision on totaling your car. However, if the repair costs are at or above the amount your car is valued at, your car will be totaled whether you agree or not. 

Contact Us Today

At Fortress Insurance Agency, serving the greater Overland Park, KS area, we are dedicated to helping local residents obtain the auto insurance policies that best protect them in case of an accident. While we cannot prevent your car from being totaled, we can help to ensure you are fully protected in case your vehicle is totaled. Reach out to us today to learn more about allowing us to help you find an auto insurance policy. 

Best places to go boating

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Fortress Insurance Agency is located in Overland Park, KS and we serve clients all over Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, Oklahoma, and Texas. 

If you’re looking for a great place to go boating in Texas, you’ll want to check out one of the state’s many beautiful lakes. Lake Buchanan, Lady Bird Lake, Canyon Lake, Inks Lake, LBJ Lake, and Lake Travis are all great options. Each offers its own unique set of activities and scenery. So no matter what kind of boating experience you’re looking for, you can find it in Texas.

Best places to go boating in Texas

Lake Buchanan is a great place to go boating in Texas. It’s well-known for its clear, calm waters, which make it perfect for swimming, fishing, and kayaking. The lake is also home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, bald eagles, and ospreys. If you’re looking for a beautiful place to spend a day on the water, Lake Buchanan is definitely worth checking out.

Lady Bird Lake is another great place to go boating in Texas. It’s located in the heart of Austin and offers stunning views of the cityscape. The lake is a popular spot for fishing, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding. There are also a few restaurants and bars located on the lake’s shores, so you can enjoy a meal or drink while taking in the beautiful scenery. Lady Bird Lake is definitely worth a visit if you’re in the Austin area.

If those scenic locales are not near you, you might want to try one of these instead:

– Canyon Lake

– Inks Lake

– Lake LBJ

– Lake Travis

Get Boat Insurance Today

Be sure to stay safe on the water, and to only go out on a boat that is insured in case anything goes wrong. If you have additional questions about places to visit or your boat’s insurance, call Fortress Insurance Agency. We proudly serve the greater Overland Park, KS area, and in multiple states, including Texas. 

Three Considerations for RV Insurance

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You want to make sure your RV is properly insured, and you reach out to us at Fortress Insurance Agency in Overland Park, KS to discuss your options. Our experienced insurance agents are here to guide you through getting the right policy for your vehicle.

Here are some considerations to discuss:

Type of Camper

The type of camper you own will determine what kind of insurance is required. Most RVs are the pull-behind variety. In Overland Park KS you are only legally required to have RV insurance for motorized RVs. If you have a loan on your fifth wheel or pop-up, though, your lender may require it to be fully insured.

Personal Items

Your RV coverage doesn’t cover your personal effects within the camper itself. Those would be covered under your homeowner’s or renters’ policy. If your trailer will contain expensive items like high-end adventure gear or pricey electronics, it’s a good idea to secure additional coverage to protect them.

Primary Use

Most RV insurance is built to cover recreational use only. Many RV policies will not cover full-time RV living. It’s important to discuss your needs to get the right policy for your needs. Policy details you may wish to discuss with Fortress Insurance Agency when you are ready to create or adjust your RV policy include:

  • Personal liability: This refers to if you owe someone else for damages. This is not automobile liability. It may cover dog bites, but some policies have breed restrictions and reduce the limit for claims related to bites.
  • Contents: The things not glued, screwed, or nailed to your RV permanently.
  • Additional living expenses: Money to live on while your RV is being repaired for a covered loss.
  • Roadside service: Towing, tire replacement, and gas/oil delivery can be a huge boon to full-time RVers.

Get The Right Coverage Today

When you are ready to look at your RV insurance options, call us at Fortress Insurance Agency in Overland Park, KS. Our expert staff can answer all your questions and help you feel confident with the choices you make.

Should I Get Collision And Comprehensive Coverage?

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As a matter of state law, collision and comprehensive coverage are optional. However, you will be required to purchase these two auto insurance coverages in some business situations. At Fortress Insurance Agency we typically recommend that our clients get these auto coverages. If you are a driver in Overland Park, KS who is still on the fence about whether or not you should get comprehensive coverage, it’s best that you get them.

Here are situations where collision and comprehensive coverage are needed and where having them would be very beneficial.

Getting Collision And Comprehensive Coverage

1. If You Have a Car Loan or Car Lease

Nearly all lenders will require you to get collision and comprehensive coverage if you have a car loan. Most car leasing companies also have the exact requirement. This is so that you don’t ditch your car loan or lease if the vehicle is totalled or stolen. After paying off your car loan, it’s best that you keep the collision and comprehensive coverage.

2. When Your Car Requires Significant Repairs

You likely think that you don’t need collision or comprehensive coverage because you can always afford to do minor repairs to your car. However, if your vehicle is severely damaged during an accident, the cost of repairing it would be significant. If you have these two auto coverages, you can avoid paying for the expensive repairs out of your pocket since your car insurer will pay for it.

3. When Your Car Is Totalled or Stolen

Your car can be severely damaged through vandalism, an accident, or a natural disaster to the extent it can’t be repaired; thus, it will be totaled. Additionally, when your car is stolen, you might never be able to recover it. If you don’t have collision and comprehensive coverage, you will have to purchase a new car with your money. However, if you have these two policies, the insurer will compensate you, and you can buy a new vehicle.

Get Auto Insurance Today

Contact Fortress Insurance Agency for auto insurance deals in Overland Park, KS, and surrounding areas.

When Do I Need Commercial Insurance?

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Business owners have a lot of things to worry about – making sure their business is profitable, growing their customer base, and so on. But one thing that often gets overlooked is insurance.

Many small business owners assume that because they are not a big company, they don’t need commercial insurance. This is a huge mistake. Every business should have some form of commercial insurance, no matter how small it is.

Fortress Insurance Agency in Overland Park, KS can help you get commercial insurance for your business protection.

Here are some instances when you need commercial insurance:

When Launching a Business

One of the first things you should do when launching a business is to get commercial insurance. This will protect your business from any liability claims that may come up. If someone sues your company, commercial insurance will cover the legal fees and any settlements that you may have to pay.

Additionally, commercial insurance will also protect your business property. If your office is damaged in a fire or flood, your commercial insurance policy will cover the cost of repairs.

If You Hire New Employees

As your business grows, you’ll need to hire new employees. When you do, you’ll need to get workers’ compensation insurance. This type of insurance will cover your employees if they are injured on the job.

Additionally, workers’ compensation insurance is required in most states, so it’s something that you can’t afford to skip out on. You should also consider getting general liability insurance, which will protect your business if one of your employees is sued for something like discrimination or sexual harassment.

When You Purchase New Equipment

If you purchase new equipment for your business, you’ll need to ensure that it’s covered by insurance. Otherwise, if the equipment is damaged or stolen, you’ll have to pay out of pocket for the repairs or replacement.

Most commercial insurance policies will cover business equipment, so be sure to talk to your agent about this. You may need to purchase a separate policy if you have a lot of expensive equipment, such as computers or machinery.

Get Commercial Insurance Today

These are just a few of the times when you need commercial insurance. If you’re unsure whether your business needs this type of coverage, contact Fortress Insurance Agency in Overland Park, KS. We’ll be happy to help you assess your risks and choose the right policy for your business.

Don’t wait – get commercial insurance today to ensure that your business is protected.

4 Home Insurance Coverage Options to Consider

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Homes come in different styles, sizes, and shapes, but they all need protection. One way to protect your home is to have security dogs and install alarms, perimeter walls, and anti-theft doors. While these security measures are good, you need home insurance to protect your home even after disaster strikes. But since you may not be familiar with home insurance, confusion may reign when choosing policies.

Fortress Insurance Agency in Overland Park, KS is here to help you navigate this important insurance coverage.

Here are home insurance policies you can consider:

Dwelling coverage

Perhaps, this is the primary reason most homeowners invest in home insurance. Home insurance protects your building against various perils, including lighting, hail, vandalism, falling objects, fire, theft, etc. Should any listed risk damage your home, your policy compensates you up to the coverage limit.

Contents coverage

Home insurance protects your assets, too. Home insurance compensates you should fire, theft, and other risks happen to your belongings, including your clothing, electronics, fixtures, etc. If you want all your possessions covered, conduct a "room from room count" to ensure nothing is left out.

Liability coverage

It is one of the most underrated home insurance policies, yet it can save you from significant financial losses. Liability coverage protects you when third parties accuse you of bodily injury and property damage. And that’s not all. Liability coverage pays for legal costs when sued.

Additional living expenses coverage

If a peril in your policy damages your home, home insurance covers the cost of accommodating you in a hotel or residence similar to your home. This way, you don’t have to rely on your friends and relatives for shelter when disaster strikes.  

Medical payments

This policy covers minor medical costs for non-household members who sustain injuries while on your property.

Give Us A Call

Want to invest in home insurance in the greater Overland Park, KS community? Don’t hesitate to get in touch with Fortress Insurance Agency for a competitive quote.

Top Myths About Motorhome Insurance Debunked

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If you’ve ever considered buying a motorhome, you’ve probably researched the best way to insure your vehicle. And with so many options out there, it can be tough to know what’s true and what’s not when it comes to motorhome insurance. To help you make the best decision for your needs, we’ve debunked some of the top myths about motorhome insurance. Fortress Insurance Agency in Overland Park, KS offers this guide in insuring your motorhome. 

Top Myths About Motorhome Insurance Debunked

Myth 1: You Don’t Need Insurance if You’re Not Driving It

One of the most common myths about motorhome insurance is that you don’t need it if you’re not driving the vehicle. However, this simply isn’t true. Even if your motorhome is parked, it’s still at risk for things like theft, vandalism, and weather damage. It’s important to have coverage in place even when you’re not using the vehicle.

Myth 2: Your Auto Insurance Will Cover Your Motorhome

Another myth about motorhome insurance is that your auto insurance will cover your motorhome. However, this is not the case. Auto insurance policies typically exclude coverage for RVs and other recreational vehicles. So if you’re planning to use your motorhome, you’ll need to purchase a separate policy specifically for it.

Myth 3: Motorhomes Are Not Worth Insuring

Some people believe motorhomes are not worth insuring because they’re not worth as much as a traditional home. However, this isn’t necessarily true. The value of your motorhome will depend on factors like the make and model, age, and condition. It’s therefore important to get an insurance policy that covers the full value of your vehicle.

Myth 4: All Motorhome Insurance Policies Are the Same

Another myth about motorhome insurance is that all policies are the same. However, this simply isn’t true. There are various policy types available, and each one offers different coverage options. Ensure you compare policies before buying to ensure you’re getting the right coverage for your needs.

Get Motorhome Insurance in Overland Park, KS

Now that you know the truth about motorhome insurance, it’s time to get your own policy. Fortress Insurance Agency offers comprehensive coverage for all types of RVs and motorhomes. Contact us today to get a quote. We’ll help you find the perfect policy to protect your vehicle.

How Can I Lower My Motorcycle Insurance Rates?

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Most states in the US, including Kansas, require your motorcycle to be insured to be able to ride it on public roads. If you are a bike owner in Overland Park, KS, high motorcycle insurance rates by drowning the feelings of freedom and adventure that are synonymous with the experience.

Here’s how you can lower your motorcycle insurance rates:

1. Take a Motorcycle Safety Course

If you take a motorcycle safety course, your motorcycle insurance provider will perceive you as a rider who is less likely to be in an accident or suffer severe injuries if you are involved in an accident. This is because you have a better understanding of motorbike safety precautions, such as wearing the correct proactive gear, thanks to the motorcycle safety course you took. Thus, they reduce your insurance rates.

2. Add Security Features to Your Bike

According to 2017 statistics, more than 44,000 motorcycle thefts happened in the US. Installing security features like a chain wheel lock and tracker to your bike means that it’s less likely to be stolen, and it can easily be recovered if it’s stolen. This will result in the reduction of your motorcycle insurance rates.

3. Get the Right Coverage

If you ride your bike less frequently, we at Fortress Insurance Agency recommend you get low mileage motorcycle insurance which has lower rates. Additionally, it’s likely that you don’t ride your bike during winter; thus, you should consider motorcycle insurance coverage that offers a significant discount on the premiums during the off-season months.

4. Maintain a Clean Riding Record

If you frequently get involved in motorcycle accidents, your insurance rates will be higher. However, you can get lower rates if you maintain a clean accident-free riding record.

If you are shopping for motorcycle insurance in Overland Park, KS, come to Fortress Insurance Agency, and our benevolent team of experts will help you. Contact us today.