Life insurance FAQs

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Life insurance is something everyone needs but few people to understand. You can read about it on the Internet but that may not leave you feeling as if you are protected. With an independent insurance agent who has taken the time to get to know you, you can count on getting the information you need to make an educated decision. At Fortress Insurance Agency in Overland Park, KS, we believe in building relationships with our clients that allow us to offer them more choices and sound advice. 

Is there a best time to buy life insurance?

The obvious answer is before you need it. But since there is no definitive time when it will be needed, it is best to be proactive and have it well before you think you might need it. When you are young and healthy, you will get the most bang for your buck so it is a good time to start. 

Do I need my own life insurance if I get some from work? 

Yes, you do. Can you guarantee you will always work for this company? What if you get sick? Will you be able to keep your policy? Do you want your employer to be in charge of your family’s future?  Think of employer life insurance as the bonus that it is, the frosting on your financial cake. 

How much life insurance do I need?

Only you can answer that question. How much per year will your family need and for how many years? Multiply that by your yearly income and you have a place to start. 

Can my life insurance be canceled?

The most common reason for cancellation is the nonpayment of the premium. Another reason is lying on your application. Tell the truth and pay your premium and you are pretty safe. 

Contact Fortress Insurance Agency in Overland Park, KS when you are ready to discuss your life insurance needs. 

Your Guide to Auto Insurance

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At Fortress Insurance Agency, we have helped many Overland Park, KS area residents understand their auto insurance policy. If you’re new to car ownership, it is essential to read this information to understand better your level of coverage and what kind of policies you may need.

Basic Insurance Coverage 

When buying auto insurance, you pay a premium every month that helps create a specific coverage level. And your limitations or deductibles indicate how much you have to pay before your policy goes into effect. Your primary coverage option includes:

  • Liability coverage for bodily injury or property damage 
  • Supplementary payments related to your accident’s legal state 
  • Expenses to repair your vehicle 
  • Comprehensive coverage that pays beyond collision situations 

However, your policy may also include many other additional coverage types that you can tweak to get the help that you need. Understanding your options here will help to ensure that you choose the best coverage option for your needs as a person. 

Additional Options 

Adding extra policy coverage to your insurance helps to protect you against common problems that may otherwise affect you. Just a few additional options that you can add to your policy include:

  • Medical payment coverage for you and your family 
  • Uninsured policies to protect from other drivers 
  • Underinsured coverage to protect against other drivers 
  • Operational losses if your policy is for a business vehicle 

Often, these extra coverage options must be added to your policy. Your premiums and deductibles may go up or down, depending on your insurance company. Make sure you balance your needs in a way that makes sense for you. 

Get the Coverage You Deserve 

If you need a high-quality auto insurance policy, please contact Fortress Insurance Agency to learn more. We serve the Overland Park, KS area and will do what we can to help you here.

What Does Commercial Property Insurance Cover?

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Commercial property insurance helps protect you by providing coverage for the physical property belonging to your business. In Overland Park, KS, business owners can find peace of mind knowing their business property is protected against damage and income lost due to the damage. For additional information about protecting your business with a commercial insurance policy, call the experts at Fortress Insurance Agency today. 

What is Commercial Property Insurance?

To understand what commercial property insurance covers, you must first understand what the policy is. Commercial property insurance is purchased by businesses or corporations and is a specific type of insurance protecting the company’s physical property. The policy covers tangible land, capital equipment, and contents of the building owned by the company. There are stipulations to the policy, which define specific types of coverage and compensation amounts. 

What Does Commercial Property Insurance Cover? 

Different types of commercial property insurance cover other things, such as the cause of damage and the property insured. For example, most policies cover accidental damage and damage caused by fire. However, additional coverage may need to be added for damage-causing perils, such as flooding and storm damage. Additionally, a commercial property insurance policy provides reimbursement to a business owner for income lost and expenses incurred due to damage to their property. 

How Does Commercial Property Insurance Work?

Commercial property insurance works similarly to homeowner’s property insurance. The business owner pays a premium for insurance coverage, and when damage occurs, the owner files a claim. Then the insurance adjuster assesses the claim and evaluates if it falls under the scope of their insurance policy. 

Protect your Overland Park, KS business property today by calling Fortress Insurance Agency for additional information about commercial property insurance coverage. 

Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Fire Damage?

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Purchasing a homeowners insurance policy protects you and your family’s home and belongings. In addition, most policies provide coverage to help replace or repair your home and its contents should they be damaged, destroyed, or stolen. As your most valuable asset in Overland Park, KS, you want your home to have all the protection available through your insurance policy. In addition, should a fire occur, your insurance policy should provide you the protection you need. 

To verify fire protection coverage or discuss more insurance options, call us at Fortress Insurance Agency today.

Should there be a fire, the following items are typically covered by homeowners insurance: 

Dwelling

Your homeowners insurance policy should cover the costs of repairs or rebuilding the structure of your home. Additionally, insurance typically covers any attached structures, such as a garage. If your home cannot be lived in, your insurance policy may also cover your hotel and food costs. 

Detached Structures

Also referred to as “other structures coverage,” your homeowners insurance policy may have coverage for detached structures on your property. These types of structures include sheds, detached garages, pools, and fences. 

Personal Property

Homeowner’s insurance typically covers personal belongings within the home, including appliances, clothing, and furniture. If these items are destroyed or damaged in a fire, your policy may help pay to replace or repair them. 

Other Coverage

Additionally, you may also be covered for damage to landscaping, such as trees and shrubs caused by the fire. 

Wildfire Damage

Depending upon the area, your policy may include coverage for wildfire damage caused to your property. 

To fully understand how much fire protection you have in your insurance policy, you must read it in its entirety. However, those in Overland Park, KS who still have questions about fire coverage should call our agents at Fortress Insurance Agency. We can help answer any questions you may have and get you the coverage you need. 

Do you need motorhome insurance in Overland Park?

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In the Overland Park, KS area, residents will find there are a lot of great recreational amenities that are available within a reasonable drive of town. Some of these can include national and regional parks, great camping grounds, and other fun activities. A great way to experience all that you can in the area is by getting your own motorhome. Along with your motorhome, you will also need a motorhome insurance plan for a few reasons. 

Protect Asset

A key reason that you should have motorhome insurance is to protect your asset. Buying a motorhome is a big investment and one that you will want to enjoy for a long time. If you get motorhome insurance, you can receive coverage that is needed to ensure you can repair your motorhome if you incur any types of losses including theft or accident damage. 

Liability Support

A motorhome owner is also going to need motorhome insurance for liability protection. Motorhome owners will take on a unique mix of liability risks that include risks of causing an accident on the road or when the vehicle is parked, and you have guests over. Fortunately, a full insurance plan can mitigate all of these risks. 

Those that would like to buy a motorhome in the Overland Park, KS area should always ensure they get the right insurance for it. This type of insurance is unique and there are a lot of factors to consider when looking for a new plan. As you are shopping for a new policy here, it would be helpful to speak with the Fortress Insurance Agency. If you do contact the Fortress Insurance Agency, you can learn a lot about your different insurance options so you can pick a plan that offers the right coverage. 

Let’s Talk About Kansas Motorcycle Insurance

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If you are involved in a motorcycle accident in Overland Park, KS, the limit of insurance coverage on your motorcycle insurance determines the amount of compensation you receive. Optimal motorcycle insurance can be the difference between you obtaining an excellent compensation package and walking away with uncovered liabilities after an accident. That being said, Fortress Insurance Agency is here to give you insights into Kansas motorcycle insurance to enable you to make an informed decision when shopping for coverage. 

Motorcycle insurance is mandatory.

Like your auto insurance, all Kansas riders are required to carry motorcycle insurance when riding on public roads. Failure to carry motorcycle insurance could result in fines and penalties, including license suspension.

State-required motorcycle insurance

The Kansas state requires all riders to carry the below minimum motorcycle insurance coverages:

  • Liability coverage: You should have bodily injury liability coverage to pay medical expenses for accidents you cause to others. Property liability coverage protects you against damages you cause to other people’s property. 
  • Personal injury protection (PIP) coverage: This coverage covers medical expenses, final expenses, and partial loss of income for you and your passengers when involved in an accident. 
  • Underinsured motorist coverage: This insurance plan covers medical costs for you when involved in a crash with an uninsured motorist at fault. Additionally, this insurance comes in handy in hit-and-run scenarios. 

Optional motorcycle insurance coverages

Given that motorcycle accidents can be catastrophic, you need more than the state-required minimums to get proper coverage. Here are additional insurance options that riders can consider:

  • Collision coverage: Pays for physical damages to your bike when involved in an accident.
  • Comprehensive coverage: Protects your bike against non-collision perils like theft, vandalism, fire, hail, falling objects, and other natural calamities. 

Are you looking for motorcycle insurance in Overland Park, KS? Please contact Fortress Insurance Agency for an affordable quote.

Important considerations to make when buying life insurance

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The uncertainty and development of terminal illnesses today have led to an increase in insurance purchasing. Many people in Overland Park, KS consider life insurance policies to protect their families once they’re no more. However, life insurance is a complex topic as there are many considerations to make before making any purchasing decisions. At Fortress Insurance Agency, we recommend speaking to a financial advisor and an insurance expert to help you choose a coverage that meets all your needs.

Your age and gender

When it comes to life insurance, your age and gender determine your premium rates. Insurance companies assume the younger you are, the healthier you are and the lower the chances of death.  Additionally, the younger you are, the cheaper the policy. There is also a belief that females live longer than males.

Health status

A life insurance policy will require you to take a physical exam to determine your health status. Of course, the healthier you’re, the lower your premiums will get. Smoking, drinking alcohol, and other unhealthy habits that affect your body also negatively impact your life insurance plan.

Budget

It’s always essential to know how much you are setting aside for insurance. Think about your present and future needs before making any decisions. The last thing you want is to terminate or abandon your policy due to financial challenges.

Policy duration

How long you intend to pay for your policy is critical in setting your budget. Determine your goals, calculate the time you need to achieve them, and buy a policy that matches that duration.

Feeling confused about which type of life insurance to buy in Overland Park, KS? Worry no more because you are at the right place. Our dedicated team of professionals at Fortress insurance Agency can help you find a policy that matches your needs with all the above considerations in mind. Talk to us.

 

What auto insurance are you required to carry in Kansas

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Before you hit the road in Kansas, it is important you know exactly what auto insurance you are required to carry. Every state has different requirements when it comes to the type and amount of insurance you must have. Ignorance of the law won’t protect you if you are stopped and don’t have the necessary converge. You can count on your local independent insurance agent to make sure you have the insurance mandated by the state of Kansas. In Overland Park, KS, that is Fortress Insurance Agency. We have years of experience meeting the varied needs of our customers. 

Kansas is a no-fault state, and that changes the requirements for auto insurance. In addition to liability coverage, you must have personal injury protection and uninsured/underinsured coverage. This may cost a little more, but it is valuable protection, so worth the cost. The liability requirement is 25/50/25, which means $25,000 for injuries to one person in a crash, with a total of $50,000 for all injuries in the crash. The second $25,000 is for damage done to the property, including the other vehicle. The PIP coverage includes required coverage for various expenses, including disability, medical, and burial expenses, which your insurance agent can explain. The uninsured/underinsured coverage matches the liability coverage. 

After you have the insurance required by the state of Kansas mandated auto insurance, if you have an auto loan, you will need to meet the lender’s requirement, which means purchasing collision and comprehensive coverage to protect the car they own a portion of. Once you have the title to the vehicle, you may choose to dispense with this additional coverage. However, that is not always the best choice, especially if the vehicle’s cash value is more than $3,000. Paying for any repairs or replacement of your vehicle may be a financial hardship. 

Contact Fortress Insurance Agency in Overland Park, KS for your auto insurance needs.

Does an Online-Only Business Need Commercial Insurance?

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Some in the Overland Park, KS business community assume that commercial insurance is there to protect the business’s actual physical properties. That is the store, the inventory, and so on. In truth, that’s only a fraction of what commercial insurance covers.

The most important feature of any commercial insurance policy is going to be your liability protection. This is the policy that kicks in and covers the damages if someone is injured or otherwise suffers losses on your business premises or as a result of your products or services.

With that in mind, you can see how such a policy would benefit an online-only business. Even if you don’t sell any physical goods, even if your services don’t involve visiting anyone’s house or handling their property, it’s easy to imagine, say, an app with a bug in it that makes it susceptible to hackers.

So yes, an online-only business does need commercial insurance. It’s not about the size of your business or how much money you’re making. It’s about the risk you’re taking on.

Insurance policies offered by certain platforms will cover some small businesses. If you make grocery money on Etsy, for instance, you might not have many risks to consider. But as soon as you’re taking on risk on your own, your Overland Park, KS business needs protection.

If you have any questions or you’re looking to get covered, get in touch with Fortress Insurance Agency. Call or explore the Fortress Insurance Agency website and see what we can do to protect you and your business with a great policy at a fair price.

How to create and store a home inventory

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Homeownership brings many risks, and about one in twenty homeowners file an insurance claim every year. When a claim relates to the home’s content, having a home inventory can make the process move along much smoother. At Fortress Insurance Agency in Overland Park, KS, we have years of experience providing a personalized assessment of your insurance needs and ensuring you have the correct protection. 

Creating a home inventory takes quite a lot of effort, but if you ever need to file a claim, you will be very grateful. You have several options for how to create your inventory. You can do it digitally, or you can do it manually with a pen and paper. Both are functional and provide the needed information. The object is to make sure you create an inventory with as much detail as possible. Go from room to room in your house and document what you have in each room. Open drawers and closets, leave nothing unturned.

When it comes to detail, add the brand name, model name or number, the serial number, and purchases. In other words, don’t say three vases, say one Lennox 18 inch vase, one eight-inch blue pottery German vase, and one hobnail milk glass bud vase. Take pictures of anything valuable. Having an appraisal or receipt really helps. Make sure backup records are attached and stored with the inventory. Don’t forget to visit the attic, basement, and garage. 

Where you store your inventory is important. Consider the possibility of your home being destroyed by a tornado or a fire. It might be tough to locate the inventory if you haven’t taken the right precaution. If possible store it off-site in a safety deposit box. At the very least, store it in a fire and waterproof box. 

Contact Fortress Insurance Agency in Overland Park, KS for all your insurance needs.