If you are a homeowner, keeping your home insured is essential. If you live in the Evergreen Park, IL, area, we invite you to visit us at Martin Insurance Team. In addition to serving clients in Evergreen Park, we also serve clients in the Cape Coral, Bonita Springs, and Naples areas. 

Can Home Insurance Be Canceled?

If you have a homeowners’ insurance policy, you may wonder if it can be canceled without your permission. The insurance company can cancel your policy during the first 60 days if their review of your risk causes them concern. After 60 days, the policy can be canceled only if you fail to pay the premium. Writing a check that bounces can be considered non-payment.  

Actions After Cancelation Notice

If you are notified that your policy is canceled, the insurance company must send a notice explaining the cancellation. Policyholders then have the right to appeal the cancelation. You must prove the insurance company didn’t follow the correct procedure to win the appeal. 

Appeal to Director of Insurance

If your policy is canceled for a reason other than non-payment, you have the right to appeal to the Director of Insurance. Your appeal must be filed 20 days before the cancelation date. If the state insurance office agrees you have a right to appeal, they will notify you of a hearing date.

Call Us Today for an Appointment 

If you need new homeowner’s insurance, we can review all your options. We will take the time to listen to you and determine your insurance needs. Residents of Evergreen Park, IL, will find our experienced staff at Martin Insurance Team ready to provide you with quotes from our many top-rated insurance carriers. Give us a call today for an appointment to discuss your insurance needs.

Are you a landlord in the greater Evergreen Park, IL region looking to protect your investment properties? Understanding the risks associated with rental properties is crucial for safeguarding your financial future. Martin Insurance Team is here to shed light on the importance of landlord liability insurance and the events it protects you against.

Slip and Fall Accidents

Slip and fall accidents can happen anywhere, including your rental properties. Whether a tenant or guest injures themselves due to a slippery floor or uneven surface, landlord liability insurance covers medical expenses and potential legal fees arising from such incidents.

Property Damage

Property damage is typical in rental units, from burst pipes to electrical fires. Landlord liability insurance helps cover the costs of repairs or replacements resulting from accidental damage to your rental property caused by tenants or unforeseen events like storms or vandalism.

Legal Expenses

Legal expenses can quickly add up in the event of a lawsuit filed against you as a landlord. Landlord liability insurance offers protection by covering legal fees, court costs, and settlements arising from lawsuits related to your rental property, such as wrongful eviction or tenant discrimination claims.

Loss of Rental Income

If your rental property becomes uninhabitable due to a covered event, such as fire or water damage, you may experience a loss of rental income. Landlord liability insurance can help bridge the gap by compensating for the income you would have received during the repair or rebuilding process.

Ready to safeguard your rental properties in the greater Evergreen Park, IL, area? Contact Martin Insurance Team today to learn more about our landlord liability insurance options and receive a customized quote. 

From time to time, we all need the help and support of others. It might be for car repairs, help with technology, or insurance services, but having people we can count on makes a difference. Regardless of what you need or why you need it, reliable and professional services are always welcomed. That is also why people from the Evergreen Park, IL, area turn to the professional and friendly agents at the Martin Insurance Team when they have questions or need help with options like umbrella insurance.

Covering What Your Standard Policy Doesn’t

What if that claim or those damages exceed the limits of your policy coverage? What do you do if you have expenses to deal with that go beyond what your insurance covers? The good news is that with the right umbrella insurance coverage plan, you will never have to find out. 

Are there gaps in your coverage? Does your home or auto insurance policy provide the necessary coverage and protection? Not sure? Then, let your local agents at the Martin Insurance Team help. From looking for gaps in your coverage to helping you understand your coverage needs and options, Martin Insurance is the team Evergreen Park residents rely on for all their insurance needs and solutions.

For All Your Umbrella Insurance Solutions

Do you live in the Evergreen Park IL area? Are you seeking reliable and professional insurance solutions for your coverage needs? Then look no further than the helpful and experienced agents at the Martin Insurance Team. Contact us to find out how we can help you and your family get the coverage you need and deserve today.

A tax-free retirement account is a type of insurance policy that offers individuals tax benefits and risk protection. It is also known as a TFRA account. Do not confuse it with a 401(K) plan because it is not a qualified plan. Tax-free retirement accounts are covered under Section 7702, and their purpose is to provide tax-free income for retirement. 

How does a tax-free retirement account work?

This account is funded with after-tax dollars. This makes it similar to a Roth IRA. Policy owners deposit their money into the account and pay taxes on all contributions they make. They also do not get any tax deductions. You may wonder how much money you can put into a TFRA account. It depends on the type of your account. However, there is a yearly commitment limit. 

What are the benefits of a TFRA account?

First, it offers excellent liquidity because you can access cash value without triggering any tax penalty. Another benefit you should know about is that it helps generate additional income. The amount of income will depend on the individual investment plan. Finally, another great benefit that a TFRA account has is that it is life insurance. That means beneficiaries can collect death benefits when a policyholder passes away. 

Do you want to know more about TFRA accounts? Do not hesitate to contact Martin Insurance Team, an insurance company in Illinois serving clients in Evergreen Park, IL, and other nearby areas. Our Martin Insurance Team team will answer all your questions and provide the information you need to help you make the right decision.

Home insurance is something people tend to purchase and then not think about again for years. However, your home insurance should actually change along with your home, as well as your life.

If you’re in or near Evergreen Park, IL, the Martin Insurance Team will be happy to review your policy with you and update it. But in the meantime, here’s a quick rundown of some of the most important times to review your home insurance.

It’s Been a Year or More

Even when nothing’s changed recently, homeowners should go over their policy and review it for possible changes once a year. It’s the best way to determine whether your needs are the same and prevent winding up underinsured in an emergency.

You’ve Improved Your Home

Remodels, upgrades, and additions all increase a home’s overall value. The same goes for decisions like having your home equipped with a security system. Any upgrade in home value should trigger a review of your insurance coverage.

You’re Facing Additional Liability

Your home insurance might not be the first thing on your mind when installing a pool or finally getting your kids that dog they’ve always wanted. But it would be best if you were still prepared for the possibility that the dog might bite a visitor or someone could get hurt in your pool at your next barbecue. Updating your policy is part of that.

You’re Facing Less Liability

Some life choices actually mean less liability and more insurance-related benefits for you. For example, a person who stops smoking is less of a fire risk. So, anytime you make similar life choices, you should consider whether they correlate to your insurance.

Suppose you’re unsure whether it’s time to reassess your Evergreen Park, IL home insurance policy, call the experienced agents of Martin Insurance Team. We’ll be happy to help you make sense of it all.

You know you need homeowner’s insurance, but you may not know if you have enough coverage. At Martin Insurance Team in Evergreen Park, IL, our skilled agents are here to ensure you have the coverage you need. 

The Right Coverage Matters

If your home is destroyed, your homeowner’s policy will determine how much money you have to replace it. Ideally, having enough to replace a home similar to your current one would be best. 

Dwelling Coverage

Dwelling coverage is designed to replace your home if it’s destroyed, which is known as a total loss. 

The cost to replace your home may be more than what you paid, and the average home prices in your area aren’t a great indication either. 

The best way to know if you have enough dwelling coverage is to get an appraisal from a local contractor or appraiser. 

If it’s been years since you had your home appraised or you’ve added to the structure of your home, there’s a good chance that you need more dwelling coverage. 

Contents Coverage 

You’ll also want to check your content coverage. If your home is destroyed, you’ll lose most or all of your possessions as well.

You may need to increase this coverage if you have accumulated valuable items since you took out your homeowner’s policy. You may also need to add a rider for very valuable items, like jewelry, antiques, and art. 

Lender Requirements 

Lastly, if you have a mortgage, you should ensure that your policy meets your lender’s requirements. This requirement will vary based on your mortgage company and the amount of your mortgage. 

Homeowner’s Insurance with Martin Insurance Team

If you need homeowner’s insurance in Evergreen Park, IL, contact us at Martin Insurance Team. We will discuss your needs and help you select the proper coverage. 

Home insurance is a complex subject, and the terminologies used can confuse anyone. So our team at Martin Insurance Team made a glossary for our neighbors in Evergreen Park, IL!

Deductibles:

Deductibles are the amount you pay out of pocket when filing a claim. Homeowners’ insurance typically includes a deductible. The deductible amount is set when you purchase your policy. If you have a higher deductible, you can lower your premium costs for your policy. When purchasing a deductible, you must consider the amount you can afford to pay out of pocket.

Endorsements:

Endorsements are upgrades or add-ons to your homeowner’s insurance policy. You can customize your home insurance coverage by adding endorsements to your policy. Endorsements offer coverage beyond what standard home insurance policies provide.

Exclusions:

Exclusions are specific events or circumstances your home insurance policy does not cover. Typical policy exclusions include flood damage, earthquake damage, and damage caused by neglect or normal wear and tear.

Policy Limits:

The policy limit refers to the maximum amount the insurance company will pay in case of a covered loss. Standard home insurance policies have limits on coverage for specific perils.

Premiums:

The premium is the amount you pay for home insurance coverage, typically annual, semi-annually, or monthly. Your premiums are determined by the coverage and level of protection you desire. Various factors, such as geographic region, construction materials, credit score, and house age, influence the premium amount. It is essential to keep your premiums affordable without compromising the coverage that you need.

Did we miss a term you want to define? If you live in the Evergreen Park, IL, area and have questions about your home insurance, contact the Martin Insurance Team.

Landlords are liable for many things. While being a landlord can be rewarding financially, they still have to shoulder considerable risks. Fortunately, however, landlord liability insurance and other insurance policies can help reduce risks. This way, property owners can enjoy peace of mind while they serve their local communities and build their businesses. Are they looking for landlord liability insurance? Contact Martin Insurance Team, serving Evergreen Park, IL, and beyond.

Landlord Liability Insurance 101

First, your general homeowner’s insurance policy may not cover any rental properties you own. Often, landlords must instead take out separate insurance policies to cover rental properties.

Since the risk profile and liabilities for a rental property may be different from a private, personally-owned dwelling, costs and terms between homeowners’ and landlord liability insurance policies often differ. This is true even for the same exact house or other building.

If a tenant is injured on your property, say suffering a slip and fall in the parking lot, you might ultimately be found liable as a landlord. If you have the right insurance policies, they can provide protection during many events. Of course, it is essential to closely vet the terms and conditions when considering any insurance policy, including a landlord liability policy.

A landlord insurance policy may also cover damage caused by adverse weather events, like lightning or a tornado. However, many insurance policies will only cover certain weather events, so make sure you ask an insurance agent about any gaps or other risks.

Before purchasing a property to use as a rental property, it’s wise to take a holistic look at all the risks involved. Examining risks doesn’t mean you need to shy away from them, far from them. However, it would be best to have a good grasp of the challenges involved before making any significant decisions. This way, you can consider how to mitigate risks from the get-go.

Want to learn more about landlord liability insurance and other insurance policies? Folks living in or near Evergreen Park, IL should swing by and chat with the Martin Insurance Team.

At Martin Insurance Team in Evergreen Park, IL, we are happy to help business owners, and homeowners navigate the insurance process. No matter your questions, we can answer them all at our office or over a convenient phone call. If you have difficulty differentiating personal umbrella insurance and business umbrella insurance policies, we’ve listed some key differences below.

What is business umbrella insurance?

Business umbrella insurance provides coverage that extends commercial insurance policies. For example, if you have commercial auto insurance, business umbrella insurance can help increase the mileage of the policy by covering liability expenses beyond the commercial auto insurance policy’s limit. For general commercial liability insurance, a business umbrella policy can be helpful in the same way.

What is personal umbrella insurance?

For homeowners and personal vehicle owners, personal umbrella insurance can give you an added amount of liability protection on top of your current home insurance or car insurance policy. While you already need to have a home or car insurance policy to add umbrella insurance, it can be helpful if you anticipate a high risk for liability or want more coverage than your existing policy provides.

What is the difference between personal and business umbrella insurance policies?

As you can probably tell, the main distinction between personal umbrella insurance and business umbrella insurance is the types of policies under them. For commercial insurance policies, you will want to add commercial umbrella insurance. You will want to add personal umbrella insurance for all personal insurance policies.

If you still have difficulty telling these insurance policies apart, our staff at Martin Insurance Team in Evergreen Park, IL is here to answer all your questions over the phone or in person!

As a business owner, you, unfortunately, carry the risk of liability for anything bad that happens at your business or as a result of your goods, services, or employees. This can feel like a heavy responsibility, but here at the Martin Insurance Team serving Evergreen Park, IL, and the surrounding areas, we want to help protect you from that liability with solid insurance services. Keep reading to learn more about general liability insurance. 

What Is General Liability Insurance? 

General liability insurance is a type of insurance policy that can help pay for expenses that arise for a business owner if someone is injured at your business or because of your goods or services. It can also help cover the repair or replacement cost if your property is damaged. 

Why Do Business Owners Need This Type of Coverage?

Carrying the responsibility for these types of liabilities could mean financial hardship for your business. When held liable, you must pay for the expenses arising from the incident. Depending on the extent of the costs, it could financially mean disaster for your business. 

Liability coverage will help pay for these expenses, so your company is not negatively affected. 

If you are a business owner, it is vital that you remember that when it comes to liabilities, it is not a matter of if they will happen but rather when they will happen. You need to have the protection you can count on when liabilities hit. 

If you want to learn more about commercial insurance services or general liability insurance, please get in touch with us at The Martin Insurance Team serving Evergreen Park, IL, and the surrounding areas. We will happily answer your questions and find an exemplary insurance service.