Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage – Why Do You Need Them?

If you live in the Mesa, AZ area, and you are looking for an experienced auto insurance agency, we invite you to come and talk to us at Freedom Insurance Agency. We’re a neighborhood agency, and we’ve been working with Arizona drivers since 1999 to provide the best online automobile insurance available at the best possible price. We’d love the opportunity to discuss auto policy options with you. 

Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage

One aspect of auto insurance that Arizona drivers sometimes ask about is the uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. Arizona’s law requires every driver carry coverage for these types of drivers. To clarify: an uninsured driver is a driver with no auto insurance or whose insurance doesn’t currently include liability insurance. An underinsured driver has liability insurance, but the amount of their liability coverage isn’t enough to cover the injuries of you or your passengers. 

Although all Arizona drivers are required to carry liability insurance, not all drivers have liability insurance. You may be involved in a collision with a driver from another state or without current liability insurance. A recent estimate showed almost 13% of Arizona drivers are currently driving without insurance. If your car is hit by one of those cars, and the accident was the other driver’s fault, you need uninsured or underinsured coverage for your medical bills to be covered.

Schedule A Consultation Today!

At Freedom Insurance Agency, we’d love to have the opportunity to use our years of experience with auto insurance clients to help you understand the insurance laws. Buy your auto insurance from an agent here in Mesa, AZ. We can give you advice about these and other insurance questions. 

Why Flood Insurance Is So Important

Everyone should have flood insurance because of the unpredictable nature of flooding. Many people don’t get flood insurance because they have the wrong idea about where their flood protection should come from. However, if you own a home, you need to get this policy to protect the investment that you’ve made in your home and your belongings. When you need insurance in Mesa, AZ, call us at Freedom Insurance Agency.

Home and Flood Insurance

Many people don’t think about getting flood insurance because they assume their home insurance will pay for flood damage. However, home insurance doesn’t cover this type of disaster. If you have home insurance but no flood policy, you’ll have no coverage for the extreme damage that floods can cause. Flood insurance is backed by the government through the National Flood Insurance Program. This keeps funds available to policyholders who have damage from a flood so that you don’t have to worry about that. 

Flood Zones

There are many areas that are designated as flood zones. These are often rated with the amount of time that is average to have in between floods. This may be 25 years, 50 years, etc.  Often, these areas are beside bodies of water or prone to certain geological conditions. When a home is inside a flood zone, homeowners often seek out flood insurance. However, those areas are not the only ones that flood. Among flood claims, about one-fifth of them come from outside any flood zone. If you don’t go through the National Flood Insurance Program and get your flood policy, you could be surprised by a flood that causes excessive damage to what you own. 

Get Flood Insurance

If you don’t have a flood policy, it’s time to get started. Give us a call at Freedom Insurance Agency in Mesa, AZ.

Tips to improve the curb appeal of your home

Adding curb appeal to your home here in the Mesa, AZ area can be an easy and enjoyable way to make your home look more inviting and vibrant. Here are a few tips from us at Freedom Insurance Agency on how to improve the curb appeal of your home.

Tips to improve the curb appeal of your home

1. Improve Your Home’s Exterior:

Make sure your home’s exterior looks fresh and well-maintained. This includes giving the front of your house a new coat of paint, clearing away any debris, trimming trees or bushes that are overgrown, and replacing any broken windows or siding. 

2. Add Color to Your Landscaping:

Incorporate bright colors into your landscaping with some flowers, rocks, and other decorations. Not only is this cost-effective but it will also add some character to the front lawn or garden area of your property. 

3. Invest in Better Lighting:

Installing better lighting around the outside of your property will help create an attractive glow at night as well as provide improved security during the dark hours. Choose lights that match the overall style of your home for a cohesive look. 

4. Get Creative with Outdoor Decorations:

Place outdoor furniture pieces such as chairs, benches, swings, etc., around your property to give it more character as well as offer a place for people to relax and enjoy their time outdoors. Additionally, you can hang wreaths or flower boxes on windows for a classic look during different seasons of the year. 

Keep Your Home Insurance Updated

By following these simple tips, you can easily improve the curb appeal of your home in no time! For more tips, give us at Freedom Insurance Agency a call today. We are proud to serve the people of the Mesa, AZ area and would be glad to help.

Classic Car Insurance FAQs

When you have a classic car, you have unique insurance needs. At Freedom Insurance Agency in Mesa, AZ, we offer classic car coverage so you can protect your asset. 

Does My Car Qualify for Classic Car Insurance? 

Requirements for classic car insurance vary, but there are some standard requirements. 

Most vehicles must be at least 20 to 25 years old or older to qualify. If you have an exotic car or a valuable replica car, these will also qualify. Classic vehicles including military vehicles, hearses, and fire trucks also qualify. 

What are the Requirements for Classic Car Insurance?

In addition to meeting the above requirements, your vehicle must not be your "daily driver" or primary vehicle. If you drive your vehicle to car shows, exhibitions, and occasional recreational drives, you meet this requirement. 

You must also store the vehicle in a secure location. Generally, this means it’s stored in an enclosed and locked space, like a garage. 

What is Agreed Value?

Agreed value means that you and your insurer agree on a value for your vehicle before your policy begins. Standard insurance policies offer the actual value of your vehicle in the event of a loss. This takes factors like depreciation into consideration. 

An agreed value policy allows you to insure your vehicle for the amount you choose, which allows you to protect your investment. 

What Does Classic Car Insurance Cover? 

Classic car insurance covers many of the same events as standard auto insurance, including damage to your vehicle and liability coverage. Optional coverage may include roadside assistance, accessories, and the ability to keep your salvaged vehicle in the event of a total loss. 

Reach Out To Us

If you need classic car insurance in Mesa, AZ, contact us at Freedom Insurance Agency. Our agents will discuss your policy needs and help you select the best insurance for your situation. 

Exploring the Benefits of Recreational Insurance in Arizona

Are you planning on exploring the beautiful backroads or waterways in Arizona? Add peace of mind to your adventure by investing in recreational insurance to cover your outdoor vehicles. 

Learn about the benefits of recreational insurance from the Freedom Insurance Agency in Mesa, AZ. 

What is Recreational Insurance? 

Recreational insurance is specialty coverage that protects vehicles used for outdoor activities. 

This specialty insurance can provide financial protection and year-round insurance for the following outdoor vehicle types: 

All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs)

Most standard auto or home insurance policies won’t cover insurance for off-road vehicles. Get recreational insurance to reduce the chances of liability when ATV accidents happen on public or private lands.

Boats

Arizona boaters who love boating, fishing, waterskiing, and jetskiing can get recreational insurance to cover their boat, personal property, and boating equipment. Boating insurance add-ons include coverage for boating accessories and emergency boating assistance services. 

RVs

Camping enthusiasts who love to camp out in their RVs, travel trailers, and motorhomes can benefit from having their recreational vehicle and its contents covered by RV insurance. RVers with recreational insurance are eligible to apply for comprehensive, collision, and liability coverage for RVs.

Motorcycles

Bikers who want to feel safe when enjoying the local desert scenery can breathe easier when they have recreational insurance for motorcycles. (Comprehensive, collision, and liability coverage.) 

How to Get Recreational Insurance in Arizona 

If you’re preparing to hit the open road in your RV or the open waters in your boat, make sure you have the best recreational insurance before your trip! 

Licensed insurance agents at Freedom Insurance Agency in Mesa, AZ can talk to you about available options in your area. 

Contact a knowledgeable insurance expert and get a free recreational insurance quote today!

Tips to Help Your Renters Insurance Claim Get Approved

By the time you’ve suffered a loss or damage in your rental, it’s too late to go back and wish you‘d gotten renters insurance. If you’re in a rental home or apartment, you definitely need renters insurance, which you can get from Freedom Insurance Agency serving Mesa, AZ. If you do need to make a claim, here are some helpful tips that can make your claim more likely to be approved.

TipsFor Renters Insurance

Document Your Possessions

Take an hour to go around your rental with your phone camera or video camera. Record all of your possessions, including those that are stored away in closets, jewelry boxes, etc. Make sure to also record or take photos of sports equipment that you keep on your deck or patio or in a storage locker on the property of your rental unit.

Make an Official Police Report

The chances of the police actually finding your lost or stolen item are slim. However, insurance companies expect you to do due diligence and report the loss officially. This way, if the goods are found, the insurance company can recoup their cost for paying out the claim.

Get an Accurate Replacement Value

When you make your claim, the insurance company may ask you for an estimate of the replacement value. You can get this by gathering your original receipt or purchase information and by looking online to see how much the item sells for. It’s helpful to get three sources to compare the current selling price. This will give you sufficient backup to support your replacement cost estimate.

Reach Out To Us

Whether you’re already in a rental unit or you just moved into a new rental house or apartment, Freedom Insurance Agency serving Mesa, AZ can get you set up with renters insurance so you can be sure your valuable possessions are protected.

Hitting the Road: How is Full-Time Motorhome Insurance Different from Vacation Use?

Are You One of a Million Full-Time RVers?

According to the RV Industry Association, there are a million RVers in the USA living as "full-time nomads." If you’re one of them or live six months or more in your RV each year, we’re with you at Freedom Insurance Agency in Mesa, AZ. The insurance needs of the full-time RV life are different from occasional vacation use.

When you’re taking a trip every now and then, your insurance is similar to motorist insurance for your car or another vehicle. Once you make RV life your lifestyle, the coverage that includes typical homeowner-style elements can make your life much easier.

What are the Concerns of Full-Time RV Life?

One of the most important coverage features you might need while living in your RV long-term is providing somewhere you can live if your RV needs damage repairs. You’ll also need to think more about liability issues, even shared liability if you’re part of an RV park HOA. There are typical concerns of visitors to your home experiencing an injury, and inadvertent harm to others’ property by your RV’s occupants that causes damage, which your standard homeowner’s policy would be designed for in "stationary life."

Other Areas Full-Timers Think About

Coverage for your personal property, medical expenses, and any coverage required by your lender if you have an RV loan may be important. In the event that your RV is totaled, there are several kinds of insurance available that can make sure you’ll still be able to afford a new replacement RV, even if the value of your RV has declined over the years. Don’t forget RV-scale roadside assistance and towing. 

For expert assistance, reach out to Freedom Insurance Agency in Mesa, AZ!

Understanding RV Insurance and Mold & Mildew Coverage

If you own an RV in Mesa, AZ, you may want to consider purchasing RV insurance. Not only can it help protect your RV from theft and damage caused by accidents, but some policies even cover mold and mildew.

Freedom Insurance Agency can help you understand what exactly RV insurance covers and whether or not mold and mildew are included. We want you to know the facts so that you can make the right decision for yourself.

Does RV Insurance Cover Mold & Mildew?

Mold and mildew can cause serious damage to an RV over time if left unchecked. Unfortunately, most standard policies do not cover these types of damage. However, there are some insurers that offer special add-on packages that include additional coverage such as mold and mildew protection.

It’s important to check with your insurer to see if this type of coverage is available. It can be invaluable in protecting your investment from costly repairs down the road.

Give Us A Call

When it comes to understanding the ins and outs of RV insurance in Mesa, AZ, it’s important to know what kind of coverage is available and what it includes. Generally speaking, most policies do not include protection against mold and mildew due to the fact that these types of damage can be difficult to predict or prevent. However, some insurers offer special add-on packages that can provide peace of mind knowing that these potential risks are covered should something happen down the line.

Contact Freedom Insurance Agency today. We can explain all the available options so that you can make an informed decision about which type of policy best fits your needs.

Does Your Motorcycle Insurer Care if You Wear a Helmet?

In Mesa, AZ, state law dictates that you must wear a helmet if you are under eighteen years of age. This means that legal adults are not obligated to wear them. Now, we don’t need to tell you that wearing a helmet is the wiser choice. It will save your life one day. But suppose that, for one reason or another, you’re riding without a helmet and you get into an accident. Would this invalidate your motorcycle insurance claim?

Your Insurer Will Probably Honor Your Claim, But…

What it really comes down to is whether you’re breaking any laws. Since you’re not required to wear a helmet in Arizona by law, your insurance provider won’t require that you wear one, either.

But, the fact that you were not wearing a helmet at the time of the incident may result in a lower payout than you might have received had you been wearing one. Insurance payouts aren’t always a yes-or-no equation, and if your provider feels that you’ve been lax in your approach to safety, they might not be willing to accept full responsibility for your injuries.

So, the short answer is that if you call on Freedom Insurance Agency following a helmetless motorcycle accident in Mesa, AZ, we’ll cover your bike, we’ll cover liability costs and anything else you’re signed up for. But we might draw the line at head injuries sustained without a helmet.

Give Us A Call

Our advice is to wear your helmet at all times, even if you think it’s going to be a short trip. If you call Freedom Insurance Agency for a policy today, you can be sure we’ll have your back, but you’ve got to take measures to protect yourself, too.

Things to Know About Boat Insurance if Your Vessel is in Storage

Keeping your boat in storage during the off-season is often necessary, and it’s important to understand the hazards involved and the need for sufficient coverage. It isn’t a requirement for Mesa, AZ residents to purchase boat insurance, but many lenders will require that you have indemnification while you carry a balance. 

How Boat Insurance Helps

Homeowners’ insurance will cover some vessels, but there is usually a limit in size to what is included. Canoes or sailboats that travel less than 25 miles per hour can often fall under home insurance when stored on your property, and your Freedom Insurance Agency agent will be able to give you more specific details. 

Your boat can face perils on land, such as a fire to the unit in which it is contained, damaging the structure and body of the watercraft. In addition, expensive equipment can be affected as well. Your vessel can be a target of vandalism or of theft, and it’s important to inventory the customized features you have added to your boat and to record the value these impart.

Winter storms can damage your storage facility or cause leaks and subsequent water damage that can create issues with mold. It’s important to be aware of insect populations or of small burrowing animals that can wreak havoc on electronic systems, chewing through wires. Even falling trees can pose a hazard, as can the ice storms that sometimes accompany them. 

Repairing or replacing a boat can be costly when subject to perils in storage, and a good insurance policy can help alleviate out-of-pocket expenses. 

Contact Us Today

Mesa, AZ residents can depend on Freedom Insurance Agency to meet their indemnification needs. We invite you to call us, reach out online, or stop by our office to find out more information today!