Tips to drive in the snow

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When the weather report predicts a snowstorm, many people panic, they rush to the store to buy bread and milk and spend hours trying to figure out how to drive in the snow. While it is important to be prepared for a snowstorm, it is also important to stay calm and use caution when driving in the snow. This post will give tips on how to operate in the snow safely.

The first step is to check the weather report before you leave. This will allow you to prepare your car for the conditions, whether stocking up on winter survival gear or adjusting your tire pressure. It is also a good idea to slow down and use extra caution while driving in snowy conditions, as road speeds can significantly affect your ability to maintain control of your vehicle.

When driving in the snow, it is also important to increase your following distance between cars. This will give you more time to react if you need to brake or turn suddenly, and it can help prevent accidents from occurring in icy conditions. Additionally, it is a good idea to know how to handle a skid in case you find yourself in this situation while driving.

It is vital to ensure your car is properly winterized to stay safe while driving in the snow. This may mean checking your battery, wipers, and headlights before heading out on the road and ensuring that your tires have enough tread and pressure for snowy conditions. Finally, having a passenger can help you stay alert and focused on the road ahead.

If you have any questions, give Com-Co Insurance Agency Inc. a call today. We proudly serve the Mount Prospect, IL area. 

Four Key Areas Covered by Condo Insurance

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It’s always a good feeling to be covered no matter where you live. If you own a condo, Com-Co Insurance Agency Inc. can provide you with condo insurance that gives you that sense of protection and comfort. Some people, however, believe their condo is entirely covered by the condo owners association (COA) policy. COA only covers damage and liability claims occurring in shared spaces. With that in mind, condo owners should invest in condo insurance. This insurance covers the areas below.

  • Personal liability coverage: Liability coverage covers you financially. If, for example, someone accidentally gets injured in your condo, the insurance will cover the medical expenses. The policy will cover the legal charges even if they decide to sue you.
  • Personal belongings: Condo insurance protects the possessions that are in your house. Your home has things you love, like clothes, electronics, furniture, appliances, and other items. If there is theft, your insurance will bear the cost of replacement.
  • Additional living expenses: Your home may suffer damage that may force you to move out while it’s undergoing repairs. In such cases, your insurance will pay for the additional living expenses like food and hotel.
  • Loss assessment coverage: Loss assessment is an essential feature in condo insurance when losses exceed the limit of the COA. Condo insurance shares responsibility with the COA for the common areas and exterior of your condominium. For example, if a common area gets damaged by floods, you split the cost with the condo association.

Condo Insurance in Illinois

There are enough reasons to purchase condo insurance. The condo association insurance only covers shared property and the building, but for anything else, you are liable. If you live in Mount Prospect, IL, and are searching for the right condo insurance, look no further than Com-Co Insurance Agency Inc. Contact us today for a quote.

How Much Home Insurance Do I Need?

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If you have a home insurance policy, you should buy a sufficient amount to ensure it comes to your rescue when disasters happen. It can be frustrating to find out you have insufficient coverage when filing a claim. So, how much home insurance is sufficient? It’s never always a straightforward answer because it differs from person to person. However, Com-Co Insurance Agency Inc. in Mount Prospect, IL provides general guidelines to help you understand how much home insurance you need.

Meet your lender’s requirements

If your home is mortgage financed, your lender may require you to maintain a specific amount of home insurance. Most probably, the lender will insist the home insurance amount be equal to or more than the outstanding loan. While complying with your lender’s requirements, always know this is just a minimum requirement. Always stick your neck out for other home insurance policies.

How much dwelling and asset coverage is enough?

Always assume the worst-case scenario when insuring your building structure. How much would it cost to rebuild your home from scratch? That should be the value used to insure your home. Similarly, insure your assets, assuming an instance where they are all wiped out. However, prepare a home inventory to ensure none of your stuff is left out.

How much liability insurance is enough?

This is usually tricky because you never know the number of liabilities you will meet at any point. Most homeowners typically have liability coverage of $100,000. While this may seem sufficient, it’s likely to fall short when faced with significant liability claims. We always advise our clients to consider combined liability coverage of $300,000 and above. But if you need higher liability coverage, we advise you consider umbrella insurance.

Still not sure about the amount of home insurance required? If you are in Mount Prospect, IL, please call Com-Co Insurance Agency Inc. for tailor-made advice.

Four Facts You Should Know About Umbrella Insurance

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Do you have umbrella insurance in Mount Prospect, IL? Most people don’t see the need for umbrella insurance, but after facing a significant lawsuit, that’s where most people regret not buying this coverage. Umbrella insurance saves the day when your underlying policies are exhausted. This way, you don’t have to sell your assets or cash out your savings to settle liability claims.

Now that you have decided to buy umbrella insurance from Com-Co Insurance Agency Inc., here are four facts you should know about this coverage.

Umbrella insurance is liability coverage.

Don’t let the word “umbrella” confuse you. Umbrella insurance doesn’t cover all your risks — it’s liability coverage. This means that this policy covers you when accused by third parties of causing property damage or bodily injury.

It’s super-affordable

Most people often think umbrella insurance is expensive because it gives high and broad coverage. The reality is that umbrella insurance is quite affordable because it takes over after the underlying policy has been exhausted.

It has no geographical limitations.

Your car or home liability insurance only protects you within the borders of the US. However, this isn’t a limitation of umbrella insurance. This coverage covers you anywhere in the world as long as you are up to date with your premiums.

It has exclusions and limitations.

Like most insurance policies, umbrella insurance has exclusions. Typical umbrella insurance won’t cover the below:

  • Own injuries
  • Damage to your property
  • Intentional or criminal acts
  • Breach of contract

Please refer to your policy document if you want to learn more about your policy’s exclusions and limitations. You could also get in touch with your insurance agent for more clarification.

Purchase umbrella insurance today!

Would you like to boost your home, auto, or boat insurance with umbrella insurance? Please look no further than Com-Co Insurance Agency Inc. We offer comprehensive yet affordable insurance policies.

Are home insurance and homeowners’ insurance the same thing?

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When you visit Com-Co Insurance Agency Inc. serving Mount Prospect, IL for home insurance, you may experience a little surprise to find out how many types of home insurance exist. The policy you purchase depends on the type of home you own.

Home insurance describes a category of insurance that includes homeowners, condo, renters, mobile homes, historical homes, and dwelling insurance.

Let’s take the obvious first. If you purchased a condo, you’d need a condo insurance policy. That type of home insurance covers "from the walls in" of your condo, meaning that it covers the interior of your condo and its balcony or patio. Condo insurance covers physical, structural damage, liability, and personal property damage.

Mobile home insurance covers only your mobile home with physical, structural damage, liability, and personal property damage. If you operate a home-based business, you’ll need to add a home business endorsement to any home policy.

A homeowners’ insurance policy covers a home you own for the same types of coverage as mobile home coverage. It does so for an increased amount, though. You can determine the number of perils you want this policy type to cover. Typically, these range from 10 to 16 or all perils coverage.

Historical home coverage falls within the category of homeowners’ insurance. Only the homeowner can purchase it. It covers the home for fewer perils but increases home replacement value.

Dwelling insurance, too, qualifies as homeowners’ insurance, but landlords can purchase it. It doesn’t cover personal property since the renters’ insurance policy does that. It only covers liability in the home’s public areas, such as the yard and front walkway.

Only an individual renting a residence can purchase a renters’ insurance policy. It covers none of the structure of the building but does fully cover the renter’s personal property and liability.

Contact Com-Co Insurance Agency Inc. serving Mount Prospect, IL for the home insurance policy that best serves your needs.

What Does Auto Insurance Cover?

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If you own a car, you need auto insurance. However, there are different types of auto insurance you should know about. At Com-Co Insurance Agency Inc in Mount Prospect, IL, we offer the auto insurance options you need. 

Liability Auto Insurance 

All vehicles are required to have a liability insurance policy. Liability insurance will cover the damages if you are involved in an accident that is declared your fault. 

This includes damage to the other person’s vehicle, and medical expenses due to accident injuries, up to the coverage limits. 

Collision Coverage 

Liability insurance covers damage to the other person’s vehicle. Collision coverage, on the other hand, covers your vehicle. It will pay to repair or replace your car in the event an accident is your fault or no fault. 

Lenders often require collision coverage. This helps protect their collateral in case of an accident. However, even if you aren’t required to have collision coverage, it can help protect your investment. 

Comprehensive Coverage 

Comprehensive coverage also covers your vehicle. However, instead of protecting you during an accident, it protects you from damage when your car isn’t moving. 

This typically includes vandalism, theft, and storm damage. For example, if your car is damaged by hail, this would be covered under comprehensive coverage. 

Like collision coverage, comprehensive coverage is typically required if your vehicle has a lien. 

What Isn’t Covered by Auto Insurance? 

Full coverage insurance includes liability, comprehensive, and collision coverage. However, some things aren’t covered under these policies. 

These include expenses due to normal wear and tear on your car, mechanical breakdowns, and some types of intentional damage. 

Auto Insurance at Com-Co Insurance Agency Inc 

If you need auto insurance in Mount Prospect, IL, contact us at Com-Co Insurance Agency Inc. We will help you choose the right policy for your needs.

Finding the right insurance to protect your Illinois home

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Mount Prospect, IL area residents have long turned to Com-Co Insurance Agency Inc. for their insurance needs. If your home is underinsured, or you want to make sure you have the right coverage, give us a call today.

The right insurance for your home

Like most Americans, your home is probably the most significant financial investment you will make during your lifetime. Because of this, it is vital to make sure that you have the proper protection for your needs. Having the right insurance takes a little effort, but it is worth it.

Many people follow the guidelines set forth by their bank or lending institution and figure that those coverage parameters meet their needs. While your bank has a vested interest in protecting your homes, your needs are not always fully aligned with theirs. This can cause homeowners to be underinsured in certain situations.

A situation like the above example is why we advise our clients to review their insurance needs themselves and check their policies at least once a year to ensure that they continue to meet those needs. Your home policy should cover the catastrophic and liability needs that you have. And, if you have specific needs outside of what your primary policy covers, then it makes sense to add supplemental policies to your overall insurance bundle.

We want to work with you!

Com-Co Insurance Agency Inc is proud to serve the Mount Prospect, IL area, and we would welcome the opportunity to work with you too! If you have any insurance needs or concerns, you can turn to us. Give us a call today, or feel free to stop by our office to find out more.

Homeowner insurance facts for property owners

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Mount Prospect, IL homeowners can rely on Com-Co Insurance Agency Inc for their insurance needs. If you want to ensure that you have the protection you need, we can help! And, if you’re purchasing your first home, make sure you give us a call today!

Homeowner insurance facts

Many people are surprised to learn that there are no governmental requirements for home insurance. Most people have this type of coverage due to requirements set forth by their lenders. Because of this, many folks follow the guidelines set forth by their bank and don’t give it too much more thought.

While this approach is great for the bank, it doesn’t always ensure that the homeowner has the protection. If you want to make sure that your homeowner’s policy meets your needs, it’s time to sit down and take a closer look. One thing that may be missing is adequate coverage for your personal belongings.

The main purpose of home insurance is to protect your house, but it also needs to provide protection for your belongings. Don’t overlook this vital fact! As more and more people are working from home, they also have electronic equipment and devices for which they are responsible. Other items such as art and jewelry can also require additional coverage not included in your basic policy.

Now is a great time to take a closer look and make sure that your home, and your belongings, have all the protection they need!

Find out more today!

Com-Co Insurance Agency Inc is here for all residents in the Mount Prospect, IL area. If you have any questions relating to insurance, give us a call or stop by our office today!

How to Know If You Need Umbrella Insurance

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Think of umbrella insurance as a security blanket and additional peace of mind should you be sued because of an at-fault accident or incident. Umbrella insurance is designed to ensure that you never lose your savings should the worst-case scenario strike and offers additional liability coverage above and beyond the limits you have on common policies such as auto, homeowners, RV, and boat insurance. Umbrella insurance covers a variety of situations, from your dog attacking another person, to a slip and fall incident with a neighbor at your home, to the party that your teenager throws, resulting in the arrest of an underage attendee. As you might have seen from these examples, umbrella insurance protects more than just the policyholder. Other members of your family or household are included. 

Deciding whether you need umbrella insurance starts with calculating the total value of your assets, including emergency savings, investment accounts, 401Ks, college savings accounts, and home equity. If that figure exceeds your total liability on existing insurance policies, you strongly recommend that you have an umbrella insurance policy. Additionally, if you participate in activities that put you at a higher risk of incurring liability, such as employing a maid or nanny, hosting large parties, owning an aggressive dog breed, or being a well-known public figure, umbrella insurance is also a must.

At Com-Co Insurance Agency Inc in Mount Prospect, IL, we can help you make sense of your situation to make an educated decision on if umbrella insurance makes sense for you and your family. Give us a call today to learn more and schedule a no-obligation consultation with our knowledgeable team. 

Things home insurance doesn’t cover

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As a homeowner, protecting your investment is a top priority. Your home is probably the biggest investment you will ever make. Most people believe that they are protected when they purchase home insurance. The truth is, you are protected but not from everything. Home policies have exclusions. At  Com-Co Insurance Agency Inc in Mount Prospect, IL, we want to make sure that you have all the coverage you want and need. 

Owner neglect

Your insurance carrier expects that you will maintain your home and property. That means replacing your roof when it gets old and leaks, getting insect or rodent treatment if your home is invaded by either. If you allow your home to become rundown and then expect your home insurance to pay for damages that result, you will be disappointed. 

Flooding

Flooding is a biggie and as the world warms up, more and more flooding occurs every year. A traditional home insurance policy does not pay for damage that results from flooding unless it is from a burst pipe in your home or your roof is damaged by a tornado or hurricane. Surface flooding isn’t covered but you can get a policy from the National Flood Insurance Program. 

Earth Movement

Quite a few different things come under the heading of earth movement including earthquakes, landslides, mudslides, and sinkholes. These are mostly not covered and you need to read your home insurance policy carefully. You can, however, get coverage for all of these things separately. 

Certain Dog Breeds

Some breeds of dogs are considered such a risk that your home insurance won’t cover them. If you are adding a new pet to the family, check with your agent about the breed so you won’t get an unpleasant surprise. 

In Mount Prospect, IL, you can count on Com-Co Insurance Agency Inc to help you to get the right home insurance for you and your home.