3 Things to Know About Home Security Systems

Home security systems are a great choice for homeowners and renters who want to protect their home and family from intruders and other unexpected events. Systems range from very basic to extremely complicated. At Ruddy Insurance Group, agents offer Niles, OH residents advice on how home security systems can benefit them in terms of both insurance and energy efficiency.

You Get What You Pay For

Surveillance cameras can start as low as $80 if you can find them on sale. Some of the more basic systems cost around $100 to start, while professionally monitored systems with all the bells and whistles can cost you well over $3,000 plus installation costs. Systems that are monitored professionally require contracts and monthly fees. 

DIY Systems Are Extremely Efficient

Many people opt for DIY systems because of their affordability. A do-it-yourself system means that you are in charge of the installation, monitoring, and moving of your system if you choose to sell your home. In most cases, monitoring is easy because it can be performed through an app that you download to your smartphone or other electronic devices. 

Home Automation and Energy Efficiency

Many of the more advanced systems offer home automation. When a home is fully automated, you can adjust your thermostat and control your lights through an app when you are not at home. 

Residents in the Niles, OH area can discuss the different home security options with an agent from Ruddy Insurance Group. Being fully informed about the benefits and advantages of having a home security system will help you choose which system not only fits your budget but allows you the best possible security. Call the agents at Ruddy Insurance Group today to find out how a home security system will affect your insurance.

What Basic Snowmobile Insurance Covers

Are you planning to get snowmobile insurance in the near future? You may be surprised to know that there are some differences from getting regular auto insurance. An established agency like the Ruddy Insurance Group in Niles, OH can assist you with such matters.

Snowmobile Insurance Considerations

In the state of Ohio, a snowmobile is considered in a different class from other types of motor vehicles. This means it’s subject to a different kind of insurance. Since it’s said to be a specialty vehicle, it’s best to discuss your particular needs with an insurance agent.

Important Notes for Motorsport Vehicle Insurance

There are some things to keep in mind to make sure you’ll get a better deal on your insurance costs. For one, you should keep your driving record as clean as possible because it will make the rates higher in most instances. Also, you can bundle insurance if you have more than one specialty vehicle on your policy. When it comes to choosing a snowmobile, it’s best to look into the models that are said to be more aggressive and cost more to insure.

Common Coverage for Snowmobile Insurance

There are a few common areas of coverage for this type of insurance. Collision coverage pays for any damages that are covered if you happen to get in a collision with another object or vehicle. Bodily injury liability coverage insures if you injure or kill another person while you’re operating your vehicle, possibly including the costs of getting legal defense. Property damage liability coverage is for the damages to another person’s property while you’re operating your snowmobile, as well as the possibility of coverage for legal defense. Comprehensive physical damage coverage is for covered losses that result from other kinds of incidents like theft and fire. 

Seek Help with Getting the Right Insurance

Talk to a representative at Ruddy Insurance Group today about getting snowmobile insurance. You owe it to yourself to go through a dependable agency in the Niles, OH area.

Does Boat Insurance Cover Sinking?

A boat owner will face a variety of threats over time, such as theft and fire, but one of the top issues to concern them is their boat sinking. Luckily, boat insurance is tailored to cover the most common threats to help give the boat owner peace of mind.

Don’t Risk Loss From Sinking

Boats can sink for several reasons, which is a concern for all sizes. Most boat insurance policies cover the possibility of it sinking, but offer a range of different provisions for what is included. In most cases, the hull and the motor is covered, but any personal belongings or additions may require policy add-ons to give complete protection. The best way to get full protection is to work with an insurance agent who can offer solutions to meet individual needs.

Work With An Established Professional

Boat insurance should be purchased with the help of an experienced insurance professional who can explain the coverage details and offer additional policy add-ons to meet specific needs. Because of this, a boat owner can get the blanket of protection necessary to avoid losses and gaps in coverage. Boat owners living in the Niles, OH area should speak with an insurance agent at Ruddy Insurance Group to get more information about available boat coverage options in their area. 

Boats are one of the most costly purchases someone will make in their lifetime. In some instances, their value can exceed the value of their car or even the home. Get top-quality insurance protection for those living around the Niles, OH area by working with Ruddy Insurance Group, and call or stop by for a consultation. 

5 Essentials of Car Insurance

When considering the 5 essentials of car insurance in Ohio, you might just want to meet the minimum liability requirements. On the other hand, you may wonder if the minimum insurance mandated by law will fully cover accident expenses. It’s up to you to decide what to include in your policy. Still, Ruddy Insurance Group of Niles, OH recommends five auto insurance coverage essentials even if not all are required by the state of Ohio.

1. Liability

Bodily injury/death coverage of at least $25,000 for one person or $50,000 for more than one person will satisfy Ohio requirements. You also need a minimum of $25,000 property damage coverage according to this state’s mandatory insurance laws. It covers the costs of damages and injuries to others but not for you.

2. Comprehensive

This coverage provides you peace of mind in case of unexpected weather or other causes of damage besides a vehicle crash. You can ask about a variety of other scenarios (i.e. winding roads, theft, and vandalism, or animal accidents) to make sure all your protection needs are met.

3. Collision

This could save you from shelling out money you may not have for a new vehicle. It also can possibly provide you funds for repairable auto damages. This extends beyond what basic liability insurance offers.

4. Underinsured/uninsured motorist

It never hurts to make sure you can pay for damages in case someone else does not have insurance. This kind of coverage also prevents unpleasant surprises associated with finding out another driver does not have enough insurance.

5. Personal injury/medical

Hopefully, you would not need this after an accident, but you have the option of adding it to your policy. It could pay for any injuries you have, and it could cover some post-accident medical costs. It pays more for you rather than just for people in the other vehicle(s) involved in an accident.

You may need more information about specific policy inclusions. Ruddy Insurance can answer all your questions about auto insurance in Niles, OH. Contact us anytime to find auto coverage that works for you.

3 Tips for Buying Life Insurance in Ohio

Life insurance is something that everyone should have. Why? Because this policy will help take care of things after you pass. For example, your burial expenses and debts can be paid; your family can have extra income to help them financially; and the money can even be used to pay for your kid’s college tuition, wedding, or whatever is needed. If you don’t already have a life insurance policy in Niles, OH, you’re thinking about acquiring a new one, or you want to add to an existing one, here are three tips to help you choose the right policy and save money in the process.

1. Work with a Reputable Agent

To guarantee you purchase the right life insurance policy for you or another family member, work with a reputable agent who will help guide you through the process and help you make an informed decision. The agents at Ruddy Insurance Group are standing by to answer all your questions and concerns about this type of policy.

2. Compare Several Quotes

A reputable agent will help you compare several life insurance quotes from different insurance companies. They will go over the fine detail of each to make sure you understand what each policy offers and at what price.

3. Bundle Your Insurance Policies

Did you know you can bundle your life insurance policy with other insurance policies to save money on your premiums? It’s true, and a reputable agent will help you maximize these savings.

To learn more about life insurance, contact the team at Ruddy Insurance Group, serving the Niles, OH area today. Our team will help you find the right policy at a price within your budget.

 

How much home insurance do you need?

A good home insurance plan in Youngstown, OH works so that you only have to worry about rebuilding after devastation hits your family. You do not have to concern yourself with many financial aspects when you have the right insurance plan.

The agents at Ruddy Insurance Group understand the consequences associated with tragedy. They can, therefore, help you find the homeowner’s insurance plan that works best for your family. Read on to get a better understanding of how much home insurance you may need. 

The basics of coverage

The best home insurance plans replace your possessions as well as the structure of your home. Excellent policies also pay for personal injuries that occur on your property and reimburse living expenses associated with relocation. You may want to consider purchasing more coverage if your home insurance policy does not provide these things. The last thing that you want is to get caught in a natural disaster while underinsured in Niles, OH. 

The details of coverage

Your dwelling coverage should be enough to purchase a new home of equal or greater value to the property that you presently own. It can be challenging to calculate the replacement cost of your current home, which is why the agents at Ruddy Insurance Group are here to help. As a general rule of thumb, you should factor in new building codes in your area as well as the rising costs of building structures from scratch when determining replacement costs. 

Another factor associated with a good homeowner’s insurance plan is personal property. While there are items that are simply irreplaceable, your plan should at least offer a workable payout amount for sentimental possessions. Consider a umbrella policy if you have highly valuable items. You can discuss this with an agent.

Call us today!

We know home insurance plans and are eager to help you find the right policy in Youngstown and Niles, OH. Call us today to get started with a quote!

Does Classic Car Insurance Cover Accidents?

Classic cars are a wonderful thing, they bring much enjoyment and fun to those that own them. That being said, typical insurance simply does not do justice when it comes to caring for your classic car. For those that live in the Niles, OH area, the agents with Ruddy Insurance Group can help you to get the coverage that you need.

Classic car insurance covers a great deal, including the cost of recovering after an accident? If you do have a classic car your classic policy will do a few things that normal car insurance simply does not do. For starters, classic coverage helps to cover the total value of your classic car. With normal car insurance, if your classic car is in an accident you are not going to be able to get the full amount for your car, even if it is fully destroyed. This means that if your classic car is valued at $60,000, you are not going to have to worry about depreciation, you are going to get the full $60,000.

Classic car insurance is something that any classic car owner needs in order to help to protect their investment and make sure that their car is not going to be destroyed and they are going to have to pay to replace it on their own. Classic car insurance works to help protect your car from damages, accidents, and more and is essential if you do have a classic car that is worth a great deal of money. For those that live in the Niles, OH area, the agents with Ruddy Insurance Group can help you find the type and amount of coverage that you need for your classic car to be fully protected and fully covered in the case of an accident.   

If Black Mold Is Found in an Apartment, Who Is Responsible?

In Niles, OH, the Ruddy Insurance Group works with its clients who have been exposed to black mold while living in their apartment. In most cases, black mold and its safe removal is the responsibility of the landlord. There are many instances in which renters are unaware that black mold has even started to grow in their apartment. 

Contact Your Landlord Immediately

If you find black mold anywhere in your apartment, it is up to you to notify your landlord immediately. Once they are aware of the situation, it is up to them to take the appropriate action to have the mold removed and also to prevent it from coming back. This process can take several days which means you may be required to get a hotel room while they work.

Loss of Use Insurance

Having Loss of Use insurance included in your policy will ensure that you have the money you need to get a hotel for a few nights while your apartment is unlivable. You may have to replace some of your belongings if the mold has worked its way into your living area. Your insurance agent will have to work with you to determine the extent of the damage. 

At Ruddy Insurance Group, the agents work with residents who live in or near Niles, OH to make sure their apartments or rental homes are safe to live in. This means controlling black mold and preventing it from doing irreparable damage in terms of their health and well-being. When you have questions about black mold or what your responsibility is to your landlord, call and schedule a meeting with your agent today!

Who Is Responsible if my RV is Damaged by Another Vehicle in a Campground?

RV owners in Niles, OH need to make sure their RVs and other recreational vehicles are properly insured before leaving for a campground or other recreational area. Carrying your own insurance is the best way to protect yourself from financial loss if your RV or other recreational vehicles are damaged in any way. The agents at Ruddy Insurance Group will ensure that you are fully covered.

Who Is At Fault?

In Ohio, the person at fault is liable for any damages they may cause or injuries a person may receive during an accident. Even if the accident occurs on campground property, the at-fault driver’s insurance will be required to pay for the damages to your RV and any injuries that resulted from the accident. In some cases, the police or an insurance investigator may have to be called in to determine who is at-fault and responsible for the repairs.

Is the Campground Liable?

Depending on the circumstances, the campground may also share a portion of the liability. If your RV is parked and it is damaged by falling trees or debris, the campground will be liable. If it can be proven that the campground created a situation in which the accident that occurred was unpreventable, their insurance will also be held responsible.

The agents at Ruddy Insurance Group provide the residents of Niles, OH with the highest quality RV insurance possible. If an accident occurs, the agents will always be there to help sort out who is at fault as well as what caused the accident. Call the agents at your earliest convenience to find out if your RVs and recreational vehicles are properly insured.

What Happens When You Change How Your Motorcycle is Used or Stored?

If you have a motorcycle or you are planning to get one, it is important to make an insurance review part of your regular maintenance program. If there have not been any significant changes in how the motorcycle is used or stored, then an annual review is sufficient. Your agent can help to make any adjustments needed for replacement value or other routine things to keep your insurance up-to-date.

However, if anything substantial changes, then you should immediately consult with your agent at Ruddy Insurance Group, serving Niles, OH and the surrounding area.

Here is a checklist of things that might change, which are important reasons to have a motorcycle insurance review:

  • Change in Use: An example of this would be if you take a part-time job and use your motorcycle to make deliveries. This a commercial use that requires a different type of motorcycle insurance. Another example would be, if you get a new job and your commute distance, riding on your motorcycle to work, is further.
  • Change in Riders: If you allow other people to ride your motorcycle, they may need to be put on your motorcycle insurance policy as an authorized operator.
  • Storage and Parking: If you are going to park your motorcycle in a different place that might increase the security risk, let your agent know before making this change. For example, if you have been keeping your motorcycle in a locked garage and you need to park it out on the street instead, be sure to inform your agent.
  • Custom Work: If you add any custom features to the motorcycle, this is a good reason to upgrade your insurance coverage to make sure it provides adequate protection for the increased value.
  • Moving: Moving to a new location will require policy changes for your motorcycle insurance.

These are just a few of the common things to consider to make sure you always have adequate motorcycle insurance. Contact your agent at Ruddy Insurance Group in Niles, OH by calling 330-652-0202 or use the convenient online form to get a motorcycle insurance review and a quote.