Hopkinsville KY Archives | Raymond Nelson Insurance

How to Protect Yourself from Car Theft

With car theft on the rise, it’s important to protect your car and valuables. Raymond Nelson Insurance has some tips on preventing your car or car parts from being stolen.

Car theft and car parts theft is on the rise.

According to Claims Journal, car theft is on the rise.
- This is partially due to the rising costs of automobiles plus the fact that so many parts, such as the catalytic converters, are in demand.

Here are some tips to keep your car and belongings safe:

- Lock your vehicle. This may seem obvious, but many people forget to lock their car doors. Always lock all doors and windows before leaving your car, even if you’ll only be gone for a few minutes.

- Park in a safe area. When choosing a parking spot, find a well-lit area with plenty of foot traffic. If you must park on the street, avoid parking next to alleys or other secluded areas.

- Don’t leave valuables in your car. If you must leave something valuable, ensure it’s out of sight. Don’t leave items like laptops, phones, or purses on the seat or dashboard where they can be easily seen.

- Install an anti-theft device. Many anti-theft devices are on the market, from steering wheel locks to GPS tracking systems. Consider installing one to deter thieves.

Following these simple tips can help protect your car and belongings from theft. Remember, prevention is the best defense against theft. Stay safe out there!

At Raymond Nelson Insurance, we go the extra mile to find the coverage that best protects what matters most, the business you’ve built and the people you love. We always take the time to get to know each client and serve their best interests. Call us today at (270) 885-1800 or contact us online for more information.

Staying Safe During Spring Severe Weather

Spring weather in Hopkinsville can be unpredictable. Raymond Nelson Insurance wants to prepare you for sudden weather changes with these severe weather tips:

Getting your home ready

Ensure your gutters and downspouts are cleaned. Heavy rains should flow freely off your roof and drain well away from your home.
Prune tree limbs and branches.
- In high winds, these branches can snap off and damage your home or power lines.
- Tree Trimming Tips
Secure patio furniture and other yard items that could become projectiles in heavy winds.
- Outdoor trampolines can be blown several yards away and cause damage to property and people.
Keep blinds and curtains closed to help protect against broken glass.
Protect your vehicle from hail damage by tying down heavy blankets over it.

Emergency kits:

A basic kit should include the following:
- Flashlight with fresh batteries
- Battery powered weather radio
- First aid kit*
- Sanitizing wipes
- At least a 3-day supply of canned or dried food and water.
- *The Federal Emergency Management Agency has a list of emergency supplies.

Homeowners Insurance

Homeowners insurance typically covers wind damage and damage from hail and wind-driven rain that gets inside your home.
Make sure you’re covered before these spring storms hit.
Speak with your Raymond Nelson Insurance agent to ensure you have the proper coverage for all your insurance needs.

At Raymond Nelson Insurance, we go the extra mile to find the coverage that best protects what matters most, the business you’ve built and the people you love.

Our agents have over 100 years of combined experience helping people protect their businesses, homes and families. We provide all lines of coverage and pledge to use our expertise to find you insurance that is both affordable and gives you the complete coverage you need. Our top priority is compassionate, personalized service.

We always take the time to get to know each client and serve their best interests. Call us today at (270) 885-1800 or contact us online for more information.

Life Insurance Through Your Employer…Is It Enough?

Having life insurance is a wise decision and having it through your employer is a great benefit, but are you getting enough coverage for your family? Raymond Nelson Insurance has some answers.

Is it enough?

Research shows that one of every three families would be in financial hardship in less than a month if they lost a primary wage earner.
That amount increases to 70% within six months.
You need enough life insurance to replace your paycheck for as long as needed.
- For example – until your children leave home or your mortgage is paid off.
- To see how much insurance you’ll need, use this calculator.

What if you lose your job?

Group life insurance is an employee benefit that ends when your employment ends.
If going to a new job, you might not be able to get group insurance right away, or maybe not at all if it’s not offered.

No extra benefits

Group coverage may be affordable but it’s also pretty basic.
Unlike group insurance, getting your own life insurance can get you more benefits like:
- Life insurance that lasts a lifetime.
- The ability to get part of the death benefit early in cases such as terminal illness diagnosis.
- And another feature can extend coverage to other members of your family.
- Find out about Term Life vs Whole Life insurance HERE.

For these reasons, you might want to consider your employee group benefit as a supplement to your own individual policy.You can tailor your insurance policy to suit your life and customize it to meet your needs.

Speak with your Raymond Nelson Insurance agent to ensure you have the proper coverage for all your insurance needs.

Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Burst Pipes?

One of the hazards of winter weather is frozen pipes that burst and cause damage to your home. Are you covered by your homeowners policy?

Coverage with exceptions

Most homeowners insurance will cover pipes that burst because of sudden and accidental damage.
But, the exception would be if the damage occurred because of homeowner negligence.
If there was negligence (if the burst pipe happened because the pipes were old or there was a lack of maintenance), then coverage would be denied.

What’s covered?

Generally, coverage would include the following:
- Accidental discharge or overflow from plumbing, air conditioning, or automatic sprinkler system.
- However, it can also cover frozen pipes if proper precautions* are taken to prevent them from freezing.
Though some insurance might cover the damage caused by the water, they may not protect the actual pipes or that burst.
Here’s what to do if a pipe bursts.

*Proper precautions

The homeowner must take all measures, such as insulating the pipes or turning the water supply off during winter.
The homeowner must prove that every precaution was taken to prevent pipes from freezing.
How to prevent pipes from freezing.

Three types of coverage

Personal Property Coverage
- This will cover the damaged property from burst pipes, such as property in the basement.
- The coverage amount would depend on the policy.
Dwelling coverage
- This would cover any part of the home that has sustained damage.
- This coverage would cover the repair or replacement of damages to property.
Use coverage
- This covers expenses incurred above normal living expenses, such as staying in a hotel while repairs are being done.

Speak with your Raymond Nelson Insurance agent to ensure you have the proper coverage for all your insurance needs.