In response to the effects of Hurricane Michael, Taylor Agency will be closed Thursday, October 11th. We will return to normal business at 8:30am on Friday, October 12th.
Closed for Columbus Day 2018
Taylor Agency will be closed on Monday, October 8th in observance of Columbus Day. We will return to normal business at 8:30am on Tuesday, October 9th.
Closed During Hurricane Florence
Taylor Agency will close at noon on Tuesday, September 11th for the mandatory evacuation of Hurricane Florence. We will return to normal business at 8:30am on Monday, September 17th. Visit our Hurricane Resource Center for critical information you need right now.
Securing Your Home While You’re Away
Summer is coming to a close, which means that it is time to lock up those vacation homes! If you have a secondary home that sits vacant for any length of time (even if you rent it out during the cooler months), be sure to take the appropriate precautions in securing your home. Of course, always lock your doors and windows before leaving. These tips are also useful for your primary residence.Beyond the basic precautions, here are 3 more ways to help deter a burglar: time, sound, and visibility.
1.) Time
Make friends with your neighbors. Ask a neighbor to keep an eye on your home or even just check the mail every couple of days. The less time your home appears to be unattended, the less likely a thief will attempt to break in. You can also purchase light timers in which you are able to program your lights to turn on and off automatically. Again, this will make it appear as if someone is home.
2.) Sound
Make sure your alarm system is LOUD! Loud sounds will wake neighbors and draw attention to your home. Make sure you know what kind of alarm you have — local or central. A local alarm only alarms those within the home. A central alarm is monitored by a company and will report any activation from the alarm to the police department. Occasionally, certain types of alarm systems will provide a discount with your insurance. Speak to your insurance agent about any possible credits for having a certain type of alarm system.
3.) Visibility
Keep bushes trimmed to prevent good hiding spots. Install outside security lights that have motion sensors. The less visibility your home and yard offer, the less likely a burglar will attempt to break in.
As an added layer of protection, call Taylor Agency today to find out what kind of theft coverage is available to you!
Closed for Labor Day 2018
Taylor Agency will be closed on Monday, September 3rd in observance of Labor Day. We will return to normal business at 8:30am on Tuesday, September 4th.
The Umbrella Policy: 3 Reasons You Should Have One
“It is better to walk in the sunshine with an umbrella than to walk in the rain without one.” -Taylor Agency
Owning a business, home, car, or boat can bring lots of fun and great memories. But the more you have, the more you have to lose. Unfortunately, lawsuits have become the norm in our society. They are on the news, in the paper, and even blasted on social media. Businesses can experience a workers’ compensation claim or employment discrimination incident that can trigger a lawsuit. At home, a pool or auto accident can end with you getting sued.
You hope it won’t happen, but how do you protect yourself in the event of a lawsuit? An umbrella policy is extra liability coverage that can be added to your homeowner’s, commercial, auto, or other insurance. This is an additional layer of protection for your assets in the event that you or your property causes damage to another person.
To break it down, here are three major reasons to have an umbrella policy for a home, auto, or business:
- Added protection
- This policy adds protection to business or personal assets. The policy kicks in when the limits on your original policy have been exhausted, which is not hard to do in a lawsuit. Instead of having your home or car seized, your umbrella policy will pay the price up to its limits.
- Broader protection
- It also has broader coverage for a general liability claim that your general liability policy does not cover. Discuss the details of your general liability policy with your agent to find out how an umbrella policy will benefit you specifically.
- Affordable protection
- Most carriers will require you to carry a certain amount of liability insurance on your policy before selling an umbrella policy to you; however, when it is time to purchase an umbrella policy, it is less than $400 per year for $1 to $2 million of protection (Trusted Choice).
Talk to your agent today to find out how you can make sure that you and your assets are adequately covered with the addition of an umbrella policy!
