Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Fire Damage?

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Purchasing a homeowners insurance policy protects you and your family’s home and belongings. In addition, most policies provide coverage to help replace or repair your home and its contents should they be damaged, destroyed, or stolen. As your most valuable asset in Overland Park, KS, you want your home to have all the protection available through your insurance policy. In addition, should a fire occur, your insurance policy should provide you the protection you need. 

To verify fire protection coverage or discuss more insurance options, call us at Fortress Insurance Agency today.

Should there be a fire, the following items are typically covered by homeowners insurance: 

Dwelling

Your homeowners insurance policy should cover the costs of repairs or rebuilding the structure of your home. Additionally, insurance typically covers any attached structures, such as a garage. If your home cannot be lived in, your insurance policy may also cover your hotel and food costs. 

Detached Structures

Also referred to as “other structures coverage,” your homeowners insurance policy may have coverage for detached structures on your property. These types of structures include sheds, detached garages, pools, and fences. 

Personal Property

Homeowner’s insurance typically covers personal belongings within the home, including appliances, clothing, and furniture. If these items are destroyed or damaged in a fire, your policy may help pay to replace or repair them. 

Other Coverage

Additionally, you may also be covered for damage to landscaping, such as trees and shrubs caused by the fire. 

Wildfire Damage

Depending upon the area, your policy may include coverage for wildfire damage caused to your property. 

To fully understand how much fire protection you have in your insurance policy, you must read it in its entirety. However, those in Overland Park, KS who still have questions about fire coverage should call our agents at Fortress Insurance Agency. We can help answer any questions you may have and get you the coverage you need. 

Do you need motorhome insurance in Overland Park?

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In the Overland Park, KS area, residents will find there are a lot of great recreational amenities that are available within a reasonable drive of town. Some of these can include national and regional parks, great camping grounds, and other fun activities. A great way to experience all that you can in the area is by getting your own motorhome. Along with your motorhome, you will also need a motorhome insurance plan for a few reasons. 

Protect Asset

A key reason that you should have motorhome insurance is to protect your asset. Buying a motorhome is a big investment and one that you will want to enjoy for a long time. If you get motorhome insurance, you can receive coverage that is needed to ensure you can repair your motorhome if you incur any types of losses including theft or accident damage. 

Liability Support

A motorhome owner is also going to need motorhome insurance for liability protection. Motorhome owners will take on a unique mix of liability risks that include risks of causing an accident on the road or when the vehicle is parked, and you have guests over. Fortunately, a full insurance plan can mitigate all of these risks. 

Those that would like to buy a motorhome in the Overland Park, KS area should always ensure they get the right insurance for it. This type of insurance is unique and there are a lot of factors to consider when looking for a new plan. As you are shopping for a new policy here, it would be helpful to speak with the Fortress Insurance Agency. If you do contact the Fortress Insurance Agency, you can learn a lot about your different insurance options so you can pick a plan that offers the right coverage. 

Let’s Talk About Kansas Motorcycle Insurance

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If you are involved in a motorcycle accident in Overland Park, KS, the limit of insurance coverage on your motorcycle insurance determines the amount of compensation you receive. Optimal motorcycle insurance can be the difference between you obtaining an excellent compensation package and walking away with uncovered liabilities after an accident. That being said, Fortress Insurance Agency is here to give you insights into Kansas motorcycle insurance to enable you to make an informed decision when shopping for coverage. 

Motorcycle insurance is mandatory.

Like your auto insurance, all Kansas riders are required to carry motorcycle insurance when riding on public roads. Failure to carry motorcycle insurance could result in fines and penalties, including license suspension.

State-required motorcycle insurance

The Kansas state requires all riders to carry the below minimum motorcycle insurance coverages:

  • Liability coverage: You should have bodily injury liability coverage to pay medical expenses for accidents you cause to others. Property liability coverage protects you against damages you cause to other people’s property. 
  • Personal injury protection (PIP) coverage: This coverage covers medical expenses, final expenses, and partial loss of income for you and your passengers when involved in an accident. 
  • Underinsured motorist coverage: This insurance plan covers medical costs for you when involved in a crash with an uninsured motorist at fault. Additionally, this insurance comes in handy in hit-and-run scenarios. 

Optional motorcycle insurance coverages

Given that motorcycle accidents can be catastrophic, you need more than the state-required minimums to get proper coverage. Here are additional insurance options that riders can consider:

  • Collision coverage: Pays for physical damages to your bike when involved in an accident.
  • Comprehensive coverage: Protects your bike against non-collision perils like theft, vandalism, fire, hail, falling objects, and other natural calamities. 

Are you looking for motorcycle insurance in Overland Park, KS? Please contact Fortress Insurance Agency for an affordable quote.

Important considerations to make when buying life insurance

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The uncertainty and development of terminal illnesses today have led to an increase in insurance purchasing. Many people in Overland Park, KS consider life insurance policies to protect their families once they’re no more. However, life insurance is a complex topic as there are many considerations to make before making any purchasing decisions. At Fortress Insurance Agency, we recommend speaking to a financial advisor and an insurance expert to help you choose a coverage that meets all your needs.

Your age and gender

When it comes to life insurance, your age and gender determine your premium rates. Insurance companies assume the younger you are, the healthier you are and the lower the chances of death.  Additionally, the younger you are, the cheaper the policy. There is also a belief that females live longer than males.

Health status

A life insurance policy will require you to take a physical exam to determine your health status. Of course, the healthier you’re, the lower your premiums will get. Smoking, drinking alcohol, and other unhealthy habits that affect your body also negatively impact your life insurance plan.

Budget

It’s always essential to know how much you are setting aside for insurance. Think about your present and future needs before making any decisions. The last thing you want is to terminate or abandon your policy due to financial challenges.

Policy duration

How long you intend to pay for your policy is critical in setting your budget. Determine your goals, calculate the time you need to achieve them, and buy a policy that matches that duration.

Feeling confused about which type of life insurance to buy in Overland Park, KS? Worry no more because you are at the right place. Our dedicated team of professionals at Fortress insurance Agency can help you find a policy that matches your needs with all the above considerations in mind. Talk to us.

 

What auto insurance are you required to carry in Kansas

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Before you hit the road in Kansas, it is important you know exactly what auto insurance you are required to carry. Every state has different requirements when it comes to the type and amount of insurance you must have. Ignorance of the law won’t protect you if you are stopped and don’t have the necessary converge. You can count on your local independent insurance agent to make sure you have the insurance mandated by the state of Kansas. In Overland Park, KS, that is Fortress Insurance Agency. We have years of experience meeting the varied needs of our customers. 

Kansas is a no-fault state, and that changes the requirements for auto insurance. In addition to liability coverage, you must have personal injury protection and uninsured/underinsured coverage. This may cost a little more, but it is valuable protection, so worth the cost. The liability requirement is 25/50/25, which means $25,000 for injuries to one person in a crash, with a total of $50,000 for all injuries in the crash. The second $25,000 is for damage done to the property, including the other vehicle. The PIP coverage includes required coverage for various expenses, including disability, medical, and burial expenses, which your insurance agent can explain. The uninsured/underinsured coverage matches the liability coverage. 

After you have the insurance required by the state of Kansas mandated auto insurance, if you have an auto loan, you will need to meet the lender’s requirement, which means purchasing collision and comprehensive coverage to protect the car they own a portion of. Once you have the title to the vehicle, you may choose to dispense with this additional coverage. However, that is not always the best choice, especially if the vehicle’s cash value is more than $3,000. Paying for any repairs or replacement of your vehicle may be a financial hardship. 

Contact Fortress Insurance Agency in Overland Park, KS for your auto insurance needs.

Does an Online-Only Business Need Commercial Insurance?

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Some in the Overland Park, KS business community assume that commercial insurance is there to protect the business’s actual physical properties. That is the store, the inventory, and so on. In truth, that’s only a fraction of what commercial insurance covers.

The most important feature of any commercial insurance policy is going to be your liability protection. This is the policy that kicks in and covers the damages if someone is injured or otherwise suffers losses on your business premises or as a result of your products or services.

With that in mind, you can see how such a policy would benefit an online-only business. Even if you don’t sell any physical goods, even if your services don’t involve visiting anyone’s house or handling their property, it’s easy to imagine, say, an app with a bug in it that makes it susceptible to hackers.

So yes, an online-only business does need commercial insurance. It’s not about the size of your business or how much money you’re making. It’s about the risk you’re taking on.

Insurance policies offered by certain platforms will cover some small businesses. If you make grocery money on Etsy, for instance, you might not have many risks to consider. But as soon as you’re taking on risk on your own, your Overland Park, KS business needs protection.

If you have any questions or you’re looking to get covered, get in touch with Fortress Insurance Agency. Call or explore the Fortress Insurance Agency website and see what we can do to protect you and your business with a great policy at a fair price.

How to create and store a home inventory

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Homeownership brings many risks, and about one in twenty homeowners file an insurance claim every year. When a claim relates to the home’s content, having a home inventory can make the process move along much smoother. At Fortress Insurance Agency in Overland Park, KS, we have years of experience providing a personalized assessment of your insurance needs and ensuring you have the correct protection. 

Creating a home inventory takes quite a lot of effort, but if you ever need to file a claim, you will be very grateful. You have several options for how to create your inventory. You can do it digitally, or you can do it manually with a pen and paper. Both are functional and provide the needed information. The object is to make sure you create an inventory with as much detail as possible. Go from room to room in your house and document what you have in each room. Open drawers and closets, leave nothing unturned.

When it comes to detail, add the brand name, model name or number, the serial number, and purchases. In other words, don’t say three vases, say one Lennox 18 inch vase, one eight-inch blue pottery German vase, and one hobnail milk glass bud vase. Take pictures of anything valuable. Having an appraisal or receipt really helps. Make sure backup records are attached and stored with the inventory. Don’t forget to visit the attic, basement, and garage. 

Where you store your inventory is important. Consider the possibility of your home being destroyed by a tornado or a fire. It might be tough to locate the inventory if you haven’t taken the right precaution. If possible store it off-site in a safety deposit box. At the very least, store it in a fire and waterproof box. 

Contact Fortress Insurance Agency in Overland Park, KS for all your insurance needs. 

 

When is motorhome insurance necessary for me?

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Anyone that lives in the Overland Park, KS area and would like to have a way to tour the state and country should consider getting a motorhome. These can provide you with a safe mode of transportation and plenty of great memories. Along with this, you should also consider your insurance needs for this asset. 

When You took Out Financing

One common situation that will warrant getting motorhome insurance is when you have taken out financing to buy it. Anyone that purchases a motorhome will quickly find that the cost can preclude making it possible to finance with just cash. Fortunately, you can often take out a loan to buy it. While financing a motorhome makes sense for many, there are motorhome insurance rules that you will need to follow. It is important to read this section of your agreement and to comply with it.

When Needing Liability Coverage

Another situation when you will want to have motorhome insurance is when you will need liability coverage. Those that choose to drive their motorhome in the state will be required to carry proper insurance for it at all times. The state will require any motorhome operator to at least have liability coverage. This way, you will be able to pay for damages that you may cause during an accident. 

When you are shopping for a new motorhome or motorhome insurance policy in the Overland Park, KS area, you will want to get proper guidance and support. The team at Fortress Insurance Agency can help you understand your various needs and options. If you choose to call Fortress Insurance Agency, you can get insight into the unique risks that owners have. They can then help you build a new policy to mitigate these risks and concerns. 

Road safety tips for motorcycle riders in Kansas

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Let’s just be honest that motorcycles are fun, cool, and fuel-efficient ways of getting around. However, it is also true that motorcycles are among the riskiest modes of transport, especially for new owners in Overland Park, KS.

Motorcycle related accidents are likely to be 30 times more fatal than car accidents, and that’s why Fortress Insurance Agency recommends buying adequate motorcycle insurance to help keep you safe. So what are the safety tips for new motorcycle riders in Overland Park, KS? Read on to find out.

Wear protective gear before heading out

Riding a motorcycle is nothing like driving a car. Your body is not only exposed to the windy and cold outdoor temperatures but also at risk of getting injured when you collide with other objects. That’s why motorcycles come with helmets with face shields to cushion your head from injuries.

Always keep distance

The rule of keeping a distance applies to all motorists. As a motorcycle rider, keeping a distance of several meters away can save you from reckless car drivers or inexperienced drivers who may underestimate their speed and knock you.

Embrace defensive driving

Never assume that other drivers can see you. Always ride defensively by keeping a good distance and staying out of a driver’s blind spot. If you need to make a move, such as changing direction, give a proper signal, and watch for direction changing vehicles.

Follow traffic rules

Not adhering to traffic rules is one of the causes of most motorcycle accidents. Many motorcycle owners tend to violate these rules, risking accidents, and putting other drivers’ lives at risk. Keep your speed low; remember, the faster you go, the longer it will take you to stop. Learn motorcycle traffic rules and regulations to avoid penalties or even jail terms.

Operating a motorcycle requires unique skills. However, traffic laws and insurance coverages apply to every rider. If you need a customized motorcycle insurance policy, contact Fortress Insurance Agency, and we will help create a policy that fits your needs.

A Guide To Help Kansas Residents Find Life Insurance

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Fortress Insurance Agency serves the Overland Park, KS community, and the surrounding areas by offering residents a variety of insurance options. We strive to help our clients find the insurance coverage they need while offering excellent customer service in the process.

Life Insurance

Planning for the future is difficult for several reasons. One of the most painful things to plan for is passing away. While it may be uncomfortable, it’s important that you have a plan in place for how you would like your affairs to be handled after you pass away. With that being said, think about the benefits of life insurance. Life insurance helps you outline a plan for your assets’ future while also providing comfort to your friends and family. The policy will help alleviate some of the burdens that your friends and family may have after you pass away.

While you are researching different policies, it’s important that you analyze the differences between each one. Universal Life has flexible policy options. Whole Life provides coverage through your entire lifespan. Term life provides coverage over a specific time period. You also have the option to customize your policy into something that directly addresses your individual needs.

Obviously, your life may evolve, which should factor into the decision on which policy to choose. For example, while you are single now, that might not be the case in the future. Life insurance can help you ease your future spouse and children’s transition after you have passed away. Even if you have a policy through your employer, it is important to research your own personal coverage.

Fortress Insurance Agency Will Help You Prepare For The Future

We proudly serve the Overland Park, KS community. Contact our office to learn more information about life insurance policies.