Common Mistakes When Purchasing Home Insurance

Buying home insurance is an important way of keeping a home safe from damage, but many Collierville, TN residents don’t fully understand the buying process. That’s why we’re here to point out some common mistakes and why they should be avoided when buying home insurance.

Focusing Only On The Policy Cost

Trying to save money on policies by getting the cheapest possible one is a major mistake. Why? It often leaves you with inadequate coverage that may leave your home at serious risk. For example, if you fail to buy a “valuables insurance” coverage option, your collection of rare comic books will not be covered if they are destroyed in a fire.

Ignoring Flood Insurance

On that same note are the problems that occur if you ignore flood insurance. Floods in Tennessee are common due to the heavy rains in spring and fall, making it necessary to invest in this important additional coverage. Even if you’re in a low-risk area, a full 25 percent of all flood claims come from areas considered to be at a “low risk” for flood damage.

Failing To Check For Policy Updates

People who purchase home insurance need to ensure they have followed the latest policy updates. For example, people who buy a policy and then add a major change to their home, such as a pool or a second story, need to update their policy to cover these new additions to their home.

Making “Renters Insurance” Mistakes

If you rent out a home, its inhabitants need to get their own renters insurance to cover their belongings. Your policy will only cover your personal items in the home, as well as the home. This is a serious mistake because it can leave your renters in a precarious situation and may even lead to angry and financially devastating lawsuits.

Finding The Best Policy For Your Needs

Collierville, TN residents that want to avoid these simple mistakes should turn to Brock and Poole Insurance Agency. They offer a variety of great coverage options that can make your home insurance situation that much easier to manage.

Preparing for the Autumn in Collierville, TN

If you live in Collierville, TN, there are many things that you should keep in mind in terms of home insurance. In the state of Tennessee, the seasonal changes are not too extreme. However, you should still make sure that you prepare for the seasonal changes that do occur and prepare for the autumn and impending winter.

There are many things that you should do to prepare for the cooler weather that is coming. Your house will be under more stress because of the weather, as well as the consequences of that weather. You should make sure to clean out any leaves and other debris from the gutters, so that the gutters are not clogged. If they are clogged, this could cause damage to your water drainage systems, costing you money that is not going to be covered by your policy. You should also make sure that water pipes in areas that are exposed to cold temperatures are insulated, as any damage to these pipes will not be covered by your home insurance policy if they can show that you did not make an effort to keep your home adequately heated. You should also have sandbags that are ready in the event of a flood. Unless you have flood insurance, a flood will not be covered. Home insurance policies do not generally cover flooding. There are several more things that you should keep in mind, and you should look to your home insurance policy for a comprehensive idea.

If you want to make sure that you have all the information you need about home insurance as it applies to the autumn season in Collierville, TN, you should feel free to contact Brock & Poole Insurance Agency, Inc. The agents at Brock & Poole Insurance Agency, Inc. have the expertise to be able to give you any information you would want and answer your questions about home insurance in the state of Tennessee.

The Benefits Of Getting Your Home Ready For The Fall

If you don’t want to be bothered with a fall home checklist in Tennessee, you may want to rethink things. There are many benefits to spending some extra time in and around your home to get ready for the cooler weather.

Avoid a Fire

You can practice fire safety with a home checklist. This includes having the chimney cleaned, checking the smoke detectors for new batteries, and much more. This way, if there ever is a fire, you can be sure that the detectors will alert you and your family.

General Home Maintenance

A lot of what you do is good home maintenance. It will help you to keep your home running in tip top shape so you don’t have to worry about high replacement costs of anything. This includes cleaning the gutters so you don’t have to deal with rust and corrosion. It’s also important to make sure your roof is inspected so you don’t have problems with it once more leaves start to fall, and soon, snow.

Enjoy Peace of Mind

You want to know that all in your home is prepared to work through the fall and winter months. It’s why you want an HVAC technician to come and check out your central heat. It’s also why you should turn off your irrigation system to avoid frozen pipes in the deep of winter.

In the end, the fall checklist is designed to ensure you have less to worry about. You don’t want to wait until there’s a problem. Much of what you do can help you to get problems fixed before they become an issue.

Contact Brock and Poole Insurance Agency today to learn more about how to obtain quality home insurance to protect your home in the fall and the rest of the year.

 

What do you do after your road trip?

We’re nearing the end of RV season, and one of the things you need to do to get ready for fall is make sure that your RV is ready for the new season, especially if you won’t be using it in the off-season. Here are a few things you should do to keep your RV in good shape (and legal) until you’re ready for next summer’s family trip.

Have an inspection

Take your RV to a reputable mechanic or dealer to have an inspection. An inspection will identify any problems with your RV that occurred during your summer travels. If you let problems sit through the off-season, they can end up to be major problems when you get your RV ready next summer. Taking care of these problems when you shut your RV down for the season will keep you from having bigger expenses next season.

Thoroughly clean your RV

Once your RV is at home or before you take it to storage, make sure you do a thorough job of cleaning it inside and out. Cleaning it inside will help prevent any unpleasant surprises next year. The inside-to-outside cleaning will also help keep your RV in good condition to minimize potential problems that would need to be repaired next year.

Speak with your insurance agent

If you are storing your RV for the off-season, the type of insurance you need may depend on how it is being stored and where. This will help ensure that you have the proper coverage for your RV, even when you’re not using it.

For more information about RV insurance in the off-season, contact your local agent at Brock and Poole Insurance Agency today.

Tennessee Commercial Insurance

Owning a business can mean the freedom to be your own boss, the joy of serving others and the satisfaction of personal success. In some circumstances, however, it can also mean unique legal issues and liability concerns. At Brock and Poole Insurance agency, we understand the legal needs of Tennessee business owners, and help our clients deal with these contingencies every day through appropriate commercial insurance coverage.

Depending upon the type of business or attraction you own and/or manage, your commercial insurance coverage needs may vary. For businesses like small retailers and general services (accounting, dry cleaning, etc.), your commercial insurance coverage may focus predominantly on general liability coverage and protection from things like product liability, libel, slander, property damage, etc. An amusement park or fitness center business, for example, may require more advanced coverage that protects you in the case that one of your patrons is injured or otherwise harmed on your property. If you own a home-based business, you may also be surprised to learn that certain business-related aspects may not be covered by your homeowner’s insurance (or even by available homeowner’s insurance riders). 

Because of the variability of coverage based on the type of business activities, products and services you provide, it is important to discuss all possible legal concerns and coverage options with an expert insurance agent. If you are a Tennessee business owner or are considering opening a commercial enterprise in the Collierville, TN area, make sure that you’re appropriately insured. The knowledgeable agents at Brock and Poole Insurance Agency can help you identify the best commercial insurance coverage policy for your needs at the right price for your wallet. 

Types of Motorcycle Insurance

It is essential that any operating vehicle, be it car or motorcycle, be properly insured before it takes to the road. That being said, finding the right insurance coverage can be difficult and confusing.  Brock and Poole Insurance Agency can help you understand the levels of coverage that are available and decide which level of insurance is right for you.

There are several different coverage options when it comes to motorcycle insurance just as there are with car insurance. The first and most obvious is going to be full coverage. This is going to be required in most states if you have a lien against the bike and owe money to any lending agency for it. This is to protect the interest of the company that loaned you the money.

If there is an accident, full coverage will cover the cost of the loan so that you can purchase another vehicle and so that no one loses a ton of money. Most full coverage policies are also going to have specific options like paying medical bills, how much money is paid out in the event that the bike is totaled and so on. You can find out more about this specific type of coverage for your state from your insurance agent.

The other common type is liability insurance. This is only going to cover a certain amount of money and will help take care of your medical bills and of the bills of the person that is involved in a crash with you. This is going to be the type of insurance you may have if you buy the bike outright and owe no money on it.

No matter what type of insurance coverage you opt for, it is always easier if you have an agent on your side to help you get through the process. 

Tips For Prepping for Summer Boating

Summer is a great time for many people. There are more things to do as the days get longer and the temperature heats up. A popular thing to do, especially if you live by the water, is to spend a lot of time on your boat. While you may want to get out there right now because it is a great day, there are a few things you need to do in order to prep your boat for summer fun. Use our tips to get started so you can have a great summer on your boat.

  • Get a tune up on your boat. If you have been letting your boat sit all winter, then you should probably get a tune up to make sure everything is working well. 
  • Check your battery. Another thing to check if your boat has not gotten any use is the battery. Make sure it has enough charge and if it doesn’t, you may want to get a new one. This is also true if you o a few weeks in between uses this summer. 
  • De-winterize your boat. If you winterized your boat before winter, you need to de-winterize before you use it.
  • Make sure you have your safety supplies on board. Make sure you have life jackets that are in good shape. Check your fire extinguisher. Make sure your first aid kit is stocked. We know you don’t want to use it but you need to have it ready just in case. 

Even with all of the prepping, if you do not have a good boat policy, you should not be out on your boat. To explore your boat policy options or even take a look at your current policy, please contact us at Brock and Poole Insurance Agency. We will be happy to assist you.

Packing a Family: Tips to Ease the Stress

The stress that comes with the process of buying and selling a home is stress enough but then comes the added pressure of packing a home, especially if you have a family with children. However, with a few tips, in place, packing can be a breeze.

Develop a Plan
Plan ahead and make a list of rooms and items in the home that can be packed first and will not be needed for everyday use.  Wait to pack toys and items in the children’s room until last as this is what will help keep them busy as you pack items in the rooms.

Allow Time for Packing
Once you have a plan in place as to how you plan to pack each room, you can then figure out how much time you will need based on the quantity of items and type of packaging those items will need. Each day, have the children watch a movie or do an activity which will allow for you to have a chunk of time to pack.  

Let the children help
Have older children pack their own items and decide what items or clothing they no longer want.  If they are having a hard time making decisions, give them a limit of how many items, such as 5 large or 10 small items, they must decide to donate or give away.

When moving, home insurance needs can change based on the type of home, size, and area that you are moving to.  In order to ensure that you have the best  type of coverage for your needs, contact Brock and Poole Insurance Agency today to see the services we offer or to compare quotes.

ATV’s for First Time Riders: Tips for Safety

Owning and riding an all-terrain vehicle, or ATV, is an adventure that the whole family can enjoy and with safety rules in place when learning to ride, that enjoyment can last for years to come.

Choosing an ATV
When purchasing an ATV for children who are new to the sport of riding, choosing an ATV that will fit the size of a child is important for the safety of the child. ATV’s designed for children usually are not as heavy as an adult ATV which allows the child to have control over the movement of the ATV.  They also have a smaller engine and an automatic transmission and therefore don’t go as fast. 

Equipment
Helmets, goggle, boots and gloves are essentials for riding as they will protect your body from injury in the event that you wreck.  If nothing else is purchased, a helmet is the most important piece of equipment to invest in.   

It’s Time To Ride
When riding an ATV for the first time, it’s a good idea to ride slowly and get a feel for how the ATV speeds up, how to make turns smoothly and how to bring the ATV to a stop without doing so abruptly.

When purchasing an ATV, it’s wise to do a bit of research as to what your homeowner’s insurance policy covers.  If you are not riding on your own property, the policy may not cover the ATV and in addition, some states require additional ATV insurance.  To make sure you are fully covered, call Brock and Poole Insurance Agency, servicing the Collierville area today at 800-396-9667 to see if you have the coverage you need.

Ways to Give Back that Feel Great

Looking for a way to make yourself feel great? That doesn’t necessarily mean going to the spa to get a facial or getting a new outfit, it can mean doing something for someone else in your community, and there are many ways to do so. 

1. Visit the Department of Veteran Affairs

You may want to offer to take a veteran to dinner or just sit with one and chat. You’d be surprised how many interesting stories they have to tell. There are other organizations besides the Department of Veteran Affairs that help those who served our country. 

2. Adopt a Pet  

Go to your local animal shelter or pet rescue center and adopt a pet. These homeless felines and canines have nowhere to go and no one to love them. You can be the one to provide both. Some of them have suffered from being in an abusive situation or near starved to death. You have the option to foster a pet, or you may opt just to donate to the facility. Remember, they rely on donations and can’t feed or nurture these animals without the generosity of others. 

3. Donate Your Unused Clothing and Other Items

Not everyone has the ability to afford clothing, furniture and other items; therefore, they make do with what very little they have. Anything you have that’s in decent condition and you’re not using can go to someone else in need. It doesn’t have to be in perfect condition either. Plus, you’ll free up space in your home, so it’s a win-win situation for everyone. 

4. Know Someone Who’s Lonely?

Maybe you have an elderly neighbor that nobody comes to visit. Even if they’re not the most pleasant of people, go spend a little bit of your time with them. It will make all the difference. 

Brock and Poole Insurance Agency gives back to the community and encourage you to do so as well. If you’d like to know more about their insurance, contact them at 901-854-9775 today.