Three things Illinois homeowners should know about home insurance

Choosing the right Illinois home insurance policy is important for protecting the investment you make in your home. At George Ryan Jr. Insurance Group Inc we offer Bourbonnais, IL homeowners home insurance policies to meet their needs and protect their homes.

The following are three things you need to know about home insurance in Illinois.

Home insurance is required by Illinois mortgage lenders.

Carrying home insurance is not a legal requirement for most homeowners. However, it is generally a requirement of mortgage lenders.

This means that you need to invest in home insurance if you borrowed money to purchase your home. You will be required by your mortgage lender to continue carrying home insurance until your mortgage loan is paid off. 

You can choose between a replacement cost or an actual cash value policy.

One of the main decisions you need to make when you buy your policy is whether you want to invest in a replacement cost or actual cash value policy.

Generally speaking, a replacement cost policy will offer you more coverage. That’s because a replacement cost policy compensates you for claims without factoring in the amount of depreciation that has occurred in your home’s value over time. 

While replacement value policies offer more coverage, they also tend to be more expensive than actual cash value policies. 

It’s a good idea to reevaluate your home insurance coverage annually. 

Your home insurance needs can change over time. That’s why it’s a good idea to review your home insurance coverage every year. You may decide to purchase additional coverage or to take some types of coverage off your policy as your home’s value and your financial situation changes over time. 

Find the right Illinois home insurance policy with our help at George Ryan Jr. Insurance Group Inc. We can keep you informed about your home insurance options in Bourbonnais, IL. 

Access Reliable Auto Insurance Policies in Bourbonnais, IL

Vehicles nowadays have immensely helped in making work easier for the human race. A big percentage of people in Bourbonnais, IL use cars or vehicles for transporting people and business operations. It’s very important for you as a vehicle owner to insure your vehicle. We at George Ryan Jr. insurance Group Inc. aim at providing high standard insurance services for you. The policies outlined below are readily available at our firm:

Property damage policy

 There are different ways in which you use your vehicle, be it transport or business matters. Either way, accidents may be incurred. Damage of property may occur in many ways such as:

  • Collisions
  • Theft
  • Fire outbreak

We at Bourbonnais, IL, offer compensation for any property damage within the cars’ doors. George Ryan Jr. Insurance Group Inc. gives you and your family confidence while on the road anytime and your businesses included.

Motorists Coverage Policy

Motorist coverage policy involves all the cars you come into contact with on the road apart from your car. This policy protects you from being charged in case you cause an accident on the road. We advise our members and those people who are yet to purchase insurance coverage, to include Motorists coverage policy in their purchases, to escape these charges. The motorist coverage policy portrays care and compassion towards your fellow motorists on the roads.

Bodily injuries

Often, bodily injuries are accompanied by property damage. This is evident in cases of accidents. At Bourbonnais, IL, we cover the person behind the wheels. The other people who might be in the car during an accident fall under a different policy. If you purchase this policy, you get total compensation for resultant injuries from the accident. To get more details or need to ask questions, please contact us today.

Recreational Insurance Isn’t Only For RVs and Motor homes

If you own recreational vehicles and toys such as jet skis, ATV’s or snowmobiles, you should have Recreational Insurance. Do not assume your homeowners’ insurance or auto insurance policies cover these recreational items. 

On The Water

Illinois provides access to the Mississipi River and Lake Michigan. If you own a small personal watercraft such as a jetski, protect yourself and your passengers against financial loss caused by injury, liability, or theft. Other watercraft drivers may be inexperienced, underinsured, or intoxicated.  If you have questions about personal watercraft coverage, ask the insurance agents at George Ryan Jr. Insurance Group Inc., in Bourbonnais IL. 

On the Land

If you ride your ATV on any highway, roadway, or traffic right of way, you must have insurance meeting the minimum requirements of Illinois. Letting non-household members drive or ride your ATV is an excellent reason to have quality insurance coverage. Insurance is available for three-wheelers, four-wheelers, UTVs, and dune buggies. You will need liability insurance if you plan to ride your snowmobile on public trails, or if you drive a moped. 

A newer type of bicycle, the electric bike or pedelec, does not require insurance in Illinois. However, since the law classifies the vehicle as a bicycle, riders are not required to pass a driver’s test. If you ride your electric bike around other pedelec riders, you should consider purchasing insurance. 

Contact us for more information.

Make sure you have reliable insurance coverage for your small recreational vehicles. Allow the insurance professionals at George Ryan Jr. Insurance Group Inc. to assist you in finding the right policy for your situation. If you would like more information about Recreational Insurance, visit our Recreational Insurance webpage or contact our Bourbonnais, IL office today with your questions. We would love to provide you with a personalized quote. 

Will My Motorcycle Insurance Cover What’s In The Saddlebags?

A basic motorcycle insurance policy in Bourbonnais, IL only covers the bike itself. This means that anything that’s attached to the bike, even if it’s installed, like a new windscreen or customized gas tank, will not be covered.

But, you can get all of those accessories covered with an "add on" rider. This will cover things like new seats, custom rims, and so on, and saddlebags.

It probably won’t cover anything that’s in the saddlebag.

Whatever you have in the saddlebags, those aren’t permanent fixtures on the bike. Your maintenance tools, a change of clothes, camping gear, whatever it is, it’s something that you can easily take right out of the bag and into your home, down to the lake, wherever it is you’re headed. So that’s not going to be covered on your motorcycle insurance policy.

Those items will be covered on your home insurance policy, renters policy or condo policy, as long as they are included in your insurance inventory. These policies provide protection even when you’re away from home. So if you’re on a long road trip and you come out of your motel room one morning to find someone’s looted your saddlebags, you’re covered, just so long as you’ve included those items on your home inventory.

On the other hand, if your bike is stolen, you’ll need to file two claims: One with your motorcycle insurer, and one with your home insurer. The saddlebags will probably be covered by your motorcycle insurer, as long as you’ve purchased an add on the rider, while their contents will be covered by home insurance.

If you’re still shopping around for motorcycle insurance before you head out on your next road trip out of Bourbonnais, IL, get in touch with George Ryan Jr. Insurance Group Inc. Here at George Ryan Jr. Insurance Group Inc we can compare several quotes to get you the policy that fits your needs.

Do You Really Need Flood Insurance?

Flood insurance is one of those kinds of insurance that you don’t really need until you really, really need it. Realistically you can say that about most kinds of insurance (outside of those you are legally required to have). Hopefully, you never need flood insurance. However, it is a form of protection that can help you save thousands, if not tens of thousands of dollars, in repair damages. So while you don’t need flood insurance by law, having it will offer you peace of mind. If you live in greater Bourbonnais, IL our team here at George Ryan Jr. Insurance Group Inc is here to help you find the flood insurance that’s right for you, your property, and your budget.

Flooding Can Happen A Number Of Ways

When you think of flooding you probably picture Florida homes filling with water after a major hurricane. Naturally, in Illinois this isn’t a problem you’ll face. However, flooding can occur in other instances. A pipe might burst in your basement during the winter. Or a crack in the foundation might cause the basement to leak and eventually flood. Flood and water damage can occur if there is a fire in your house as well, due to the amount of water needed to put the fire out. 

Protect Your Home With Flood Insurance

While not a required form of insurance, it can be a huge financial saver if you ever experience flooding. From a burst pipe to water from fire damage, there are all kinds of reasons why you will want to take out flood insurance. If you want to know more about it and what might work for your particular Bourbonnais, IL property, our staff at George Ryan Jr. Insurance Group Inc is standing by and ready to assist you. 

Benefits of Comprehensive Insurance for Your Illinois Condo

If you are a condo owner in the Bourbonnais, IL area or are considering a move to the area, it’s time to give the team at George Ryan Jr. Insurance Group Inc. a call. We are here to guide you through the sometimes confusing process of choosing the right condo insurance. We recommend that our clients understand the benefits of a comprehensive policy before they make their final decision about condo protection. 

Consider these benefits when choosing your condo insurance

With a comprehensive condo insurance policy, you will have the protection you need in the event of damage or destruction to your unit.

  • Peace of mind. It’s easy to relax and enjoy life when you know that you have the protection you need.
  • Coverage if you have to relocate. One of the greatest benefits is the coverage of alternative housing in the event that your condo becomes uninhabitable. This will be a stressful time, and knowing that you won’t have to come out of pocket for these expenses can help ease some of that stress.
  • Protection even if you don’t cause the damage. Condo owners are responsible for all damage to their units, regardless of who has caused it. If your neighbor lets their tub overflow and their negligence causes damage to your unit, you will still be responsible. It’s important that you have the proper amount of coverage for your unit to protect you should damage like this occur in your unit.

Want to learn more? Contact the team at George Ryan Jr. Insurance Group Inc. today and find out how you can protect your Bourbonnais, IL area condo. We are here to help you sort through all of the available policy options and find the coverage that is right for you. 

What Types of Damage Does My Landlord Insurance Cover?

In Bourbonnais, IL, landlords can talk to the agents of George Ryan Jr. Insurance Group Inc if they have concerns regarding the insurance they have for their rental properties. Landlords must protect themselves from various types of loss, especially when it comes to damage. Two of the most common types of damage that landlords must deal with are destructive tenants and storm damage. While storm damage normally is found on the outside of the home, damage caused by tenants can be much more severe.

Destructive Tenants

This is one of the main reasons landlords go the extra mile when it comes to landlord insurance. While many repairs may be minor, there are cases when tenants do everything they can to leave an impression. This type of damage can be extremely costly and could cause extensive financial loss without sufficient insurance coverage. In some cases, the apartment or home may have to be completely renovated to make it livable again. 

Storm Damage

Another type of damage involves the weather. While you may be able to reduce your risk of damage because of destructive tenants, the weather is beyond your control. In order to keep your properties in the best possible condition, storm insurance provides you with the best opportunity to make repairs in a timely fashion.

The agents of George Ryan Jr. Insurance Group Inc offers landlords in the Bourbonnais, IL area insurance coverage that meets their needs. If you want to learn more or simply have questions about your existing landlord policy, call and speak to one of the agents as soon as you can. Get the peace of mind you need today!

 

Renters insurance in Illinois

37% of residents in Illinois rent their homes, amongst which students make up for the highest percentage. Only 44% of these renters have renters insurance. While the law does protect the residents from certain issues with the landlord, mostly are living without any protection in case a lawsuit or accident occurs. For example, the landlord could easily sue the tenant on a fire that damaged the apartment or house. One liability case is all the takes to wipe out everything you have own. The state of Illinois, just like most states, requires you to have renters insurance. The policy that your rented property owner has will not cover you for most situations. You need renters insurance to secure your assets, your family and yourself.

One reason renters don’t have renters insurance is because of lack of understanding of why renters insurance is important and because of the fear that renters insurance is going to be very expensive. Most people do not even seek a quote on the renter’s insurance and just assume it will be outside their budget. The cost of renters insurance is lower because the risk is lower for example renters typically do not have a yard or swimming pool that could potentially injure someone. Renters insurance covers personal property from fire, theft, vandalism, etc. There is liability coverage in case there is any bodily injury or property damage to someone else at your premises.

It can get a bit complicated and you should definably seek expert advice. One such insurance expert is George Ryan Jr. Insurance Group Inc. serving Bourbonnais, IL. They can guide you to how best to avoid common pitfalls in renter’s insurance and guide you to a suitable policy for your rented property. The contact information for George Ryan Jr. Insurance Group Inc. serving Bourbonnais, IL is available on the website.

What You Should Know about Choosing a Life Insurance Beneficiary

Once you’ve committed to buying life insurance from George Ryan Jr. insurance Group Inc. in Bourbonnais, IL, the next step is selecting a beneficiary. Choosing a beneficiary is an important aspect of the life insurance process as this individual will receive the proceeds from your policy. Here are some important facts you should know about choosing a life insurance beneficiary.

One or More

You can choose one or more beneficiaries for your life policy and you can divide the benefits equally or choose specific amounts or percentages for each.

Individual/Charity

Your beneficiary can be an individual such as a family member, friend or colleague, or it can be an organization/charity. By selecting a local charity, you have a chance to give back to your community after your demise. You can also designate that life benefits to be put into trust for your minor children.

Backup Beneficiary

Your primary beneficiary is your first choice for receiving life benefits when you’re gone. If this individual passes on before you or doesn’t want the benefits for some reason, you should designate a backup beneficiary for receiving these funds.

Purpose of Life Policy  

Consider the purpose of your life policy when choosing a beneficiary. If you want financial security for your spouse and family, they should be your primary beneficiaries. If you want to support aging parents, your parents should be named as beneficiaries. Choose wisely so your benefits can be put to good use and fulfill the purpose of purchasing your policy.

Keep Policy Current

Update your policy as needed to keep your beneficiary current. This ensures your proceeds go exactly where you want them to when you pass on.

To learn more about choosing a life insurance policy, beneficiary or coverage, contact George Ryan Jr. Insurance Group Inc in Bourbonnais, IL.

Is the Life Insurance Policy Through Your Job Adequate?

Many companies offer employees life insurance. A group policy can be an excellent perk, especially if you’re single, young, and healthy. 

That said, your employer-provided life insurance may not adequately cover you and your family. If you live in Bourbonnais, IL, talk to an agent at the George Ryan Jr. Insurance Group Inc to determine whether your employer-provided life insurance is enough coverage for you. 

What Is Employer-Provided Life Insurance?

Employer-provided life insurance is a policy offered to a group of people, like a business, instead of an individual. Your employer may pay all or a portion of your premium.

What Are the Benefits and Downsides to a Group Policy?

There are advantages to employer-provided policies. Your coverage is typically guaranteed, and usually, there is no medical exam. Enrollment into the plan may be automatic.

There are also disadvantages. Your employer owns the policy. Your life insurance coverage may stop if you are fired or quit. Additionally, most employer-provided policies provide a set amount of coverage instead of allowing you to pick a policy coverage that fits your needs.   

Do You Need More Than Your Employer-Provided Life Insurance?

The amount of life insurance you need depends on your current circumstances. If you have dependents or are married, your employer-provided policy may not provide enough security for your family. If you currently have a mortgage or co-signed debts, you may need more coverage to ensure that your loved ones can cover these financial obligations. 

There are many factors involved in determining whether your employer-provided life insurance is the only life insurance policy you need. Contact the George Ryan Jr. Insurance Group Inc of Bourbonnais, IL today to discuss whether additional life insurance will help you and your family.