Condo Insurance Louisville KY

You’ve taken the plunge and opted for condo life. Now that the papers are signed, it seems like everything is taken care of for you—building maintenance, roof repairs, landscaping, insurance, etc. It’s time to relax because everything is covered, right?

Not quite. The insurance policy provided by the condo association covers the building structure and common areas, but what about potential structural damage to your unit and covering your belongings? Without a personal condo insurance policy, you could be left high and dry if your unit floods, is damaged in a fire, etc.

Most condos need two insurance policies.

Condo Insurance Louisville KY

Master Policy: Generally provided by your condo association, this policy covers the physical structure of the building, including basement, roof, walls, elevators, lobbies, etc. Coverage usually includes both physical damage and liability. Get a copy of the policy so you know what’s covered.

CALL DICK WATTS INSURANCE IN LOUISVILLE FOR A CONDO INSURANCE QUOTE TODAY 502-245-3625

Personal Condo Policy: This will cover additional structural damage to your unit, including cabinets, appliances, personal belongings, and more. This also covers living expenses if you fall victim to a fire, theft, or other covered disaster. Many insurance carriers, offer enhancements that include personal property protection in your condo insurance policy.  Some condo insurance policies  will pay the full replacement cost of your belongings, not just what they are worth today. Every condo insurance policy is different, not everything is covered, consult your own specific policy for coverage information & details.

Condo Insurance Louisville KY

Umbrella Policy: If someone were to trip and fall inside or near your condo, they could sue both you and the condo association. Umbrella provides additional layers of liability protection and can protect against lawsuits that target both your current and future earnings.

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See how much you can save on reliable, affordable car insurance. Get your free quote online or over the phone and compare auto insurance rates in minutes

Car Insurance Quotes online Louisville KY

Save time and get an online car insurance quote from Dick Watts Insurance Louisville KY . It only takes about 6 minutes. Online car insurance makes your life easier

Car Insurance Quotes Online Louisville KY

Get an auto insurance quote free online Louisville KY from Dick Watts Insurance . Find advice on the right car insurance policy for your vehicle and coverage you need

Call Dick Watts Insurance in Louisville KY 502-245-3625

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Be Safe, Be Smart On A Long-Distance Road Trip

Whether you’re traveling alone, with a buddy or with your spouse and a car full of kids, there are few things more “American” than the long-distance road trip. Countless vacation travelers will drive the highways looking for fun and making memories with every mile. If traveling down the “holiday road” is in your plans, take the time to prepare for your trip. You’ll have a more enjoyable vacation if you plan carefully. Here are a few driving tips, courtesy of the Dick Watts Insurance Agency:

1) Maintain your car. Make sure your vehicle is up to date on its maintenance schedule, and be sure to check the battery and tires.

2) Plan your trip and know where you’re going. Call ahead for proper and safe directions to get you to your destination safely and have maps of the area on hand to help you navigate once you are off the main road. You’re more likely to make good decisions, even in dangerous situations, if you’re clearheaded and know where you’re going.

3) Be alert. Seems obvious, but driver inattention is surely the cause of a lot of accidents. If you stay focused behind the wheel and plan carefully, you will have a wonderful summer road trip.

4) Take precaution with a cell phone. Cell phones can be a lifesaver when you need immediate access to emergency services after an accident. Keep your phone within easy reach and get to know its features. However, use it prudently. Reports suggest that driving while talking on the phone increases accident rates.

5) Wear your seat belt. Whether or not it’s required by law in the state through which you’re driving, always wear your seat belt as a safety precaution.

6) Protect your car against theft. Help deter criminals from taking your car with steering wheel locks, switches that disable fuel or ignition systems, and electronic tracking devices.

7) If you’re in an accident. Taking immediate steps if you’ve been in an accident can protect your family and your car from further damage. Stop immediately and make sure your car is not blocking traffic. Turn off your car to keep it from overheating or catching fire. Warn oncoming cars using road flares or orange triangle reflectors. After you have protected yourself and your family, call your insurance company immediately.

8) Make sure your auto insurance is up to date. Before you even leave the driveway, you want to be sure you’re protected when you’re on the road and far from home. An independent insurance agent or broker can provide the personal service and advice you need to travel in confidence.

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High school is full of defining moments for Louisville KY  teens and two of the highlights for most are prom and graduation.

However, this time of year often sees other, more tragic defining moments – serious car accidents involving teens who are distracted or even under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

At Dick Watts Insurance Louisville KY , we want to help make this season one to celebrate for you and your teen. So, with the help of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, here are some tips that can keep your teen safe.

First, encourage your teen to follow these general safe-driving rules:

Absolutely no alcohol

Always use seat belts

No cell phone use (including texting) while driving

Special circumstances

Of course, special events such as prom and graduation often present special circumstances. There may be dinner with dates before the dance, and parties before or after either event. It’s a good idea to discuss your expectations well before each event, putting some guidelines into place before your teen heads out for the night. Here are some ideas:

Make sure you know the itinerary of the evening, as well as who else will be with your teen. You should have contact information for everyone.

Have a way to contact your teen at all times. You may want to require them to check in with you once or twice over the course of the evening.

Set a curfew, whether they are coming back to your home or staying with a friend. If they are staying elsewhere, make sure the curfew will be enforced by a responsible adult.  provide a responsible, experienced adult driver. You also will be able to limit changes to the itinerary and contact the driver.

Prom and graduation in Louisville  are special times in a teen’s life. And just a little common sense will go a long way toward making sure your young adult is around to enjoy the other milestones that are sure to come.  Call Dick Watts Inurance for a car and home insurance quote 502-245-3625 

Safeco Insurance Teen Safety Rewards™

Safeco Insurance  Teen Safety Rewards can provide you a collection of tools, benefits and discounts to help your teen become a safer driver — as well as manage the cost of adding them to your policy. There are several discounts available, including the Good Student Discount, Driver Training Discount and more. Call Dick Watts Insurance at 502-245-3625 for more information!

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Health Insurance Louisville KY

A healthy body is a happy body, and there’s no better way to preserve your health and your family’s health than with a health insurance policy from Dick Watts Insurance in Louisville KY .

Let’s face it, medical treatments aren’t cheap. Without health insurance coverage you could end up paying off medical bills for the rest of your life. Health Insurance from Dick Watts Insurance can help you find an affordable healthcare plan that’s right for you. Call  for a health insurance quote 502-245-3625 and talk with one of our friendly agents today to learn more.

What are the major types of health insurance policies in Kentucky?
There are basically three major types of health insurance policies for Kentucky residents to choose from–consumer-directed, fee for service, and managed care.

These health insurance plans help cover your medical, surgical, and hospital expenses.  Every Health Insurance policy is different and therefore provides different coverage, consult your own insurance policy for specific coverages.

Consumer-directed
A consumer-directed health plan (a.k.a. “consumer-driven” or “consumer choice”) is a newer type of healthcare plan that’s designed to give you more control.

As part of the plan, you setup a health fund that can be used to cover medical expenses.

Fee for Service
A fee for service plan is a more traditional healthcare plan. It means you pay a fee to your provider for every healthcare service you receive. The benefit of this type of health insurance plan is that it allows for a lot of flexibility when choosing a physician or healthcare provider.

Managed Care
Members of managed care health plans generally enjoy more benefits like lower out-of-pocket costs. However, you can only receive treatment from physicians that participate in the managed care network. Typical managed care plans include health maintenance organizations (HMOs), preferred provider organizations (PPO), and point-of service (POS) plans.

Common Health Insurance Terms
When discussing health insurance with a Louisville Insurance from Dick Watts Insurance agent, it helps to understand some of the common terms you’ll run into. Below you’ll find definitions to some of the most common health insurance terms.

Deductible–the amount of money you pay toward medical bills before your insurance coverage begins.

Co-pay–a specified amount of money you pay upfront for doctor visits and prescription refills.

Coinsurance–the percentage of medical bills you pay after meeting the deductible.

To learn more about health insurance, call Health Insurance from Dick Watts Insurance Louisville KY at 502-245-3625 and talk with one of our agents today. We’re right here in Louisville , ready to guide you toward a more secure future

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As thehe name implies, term insurance provides protection for a specific period of time and generally pays a benefit only if you die during the “term.” Term periods typically range from one year to 30 years, with 20 years being the most common term

Term Life Insurance Quotes Louisville KY

Term insurance is often a good choice for people in their family-formation years, especially if they’re on a tight budget, because it allows them to buy high levels of coverage when the need for protection is often greatest. Term insurance is also a good option for covering needs that will disappear in time. For instance, if paying for college is a major financial concern but you’re pretty sure that you won’t need life insurance coverage after the kids graduate, then it might make sense to buy a term policy that’ll get you through the college years.

Term Life Insurance Quotes Louisville KY

One of the biggest advantages of term insurance is its lower initial cost in comparison to permanent insurance. Why is it cheaper when initially purchased? Because with term insurance, you’re generally just paying for the death benefit, the lump sum payment your beneficiaries will receive if you die during the term of the policy. With most permanent policies, your premiums help fund the death benefit and can accumulate cash value.

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The Value of Health Insurance

Insurance protects you from high costs when something bad happens. No one plans to get sick or hurt, but most people need to get treated for an illness or injury at some point, and health insurance helps pay these costs. You get health insurance to protect you when you need medical care.

When you understand how health insurance works, it helps you be an informed consumer so you can find coverage that fits your needs

Health Insurance Quotes Louisville KY

What is health insurance?

Health insurance is a contract between you and your insurance company. You buy a plan or policy, and the company agrees to pay part of your medical expenses when you get sick or hurt.

Even when you need care that costs more than you pay in premiums and deductibles, insurance will cover the care you need. A standard health insurance policy may also gives you access to preventive care to keep you healthy, like vaccines and check-ups. Many plans may cover prescription drugs. Every insurance policy is different and provides different coverage, consult your specific insurance contract to determine coverage.

Health Insurance Quotes Louisville KY

What you pay for health insurance

You’ll usually pay a premium every month for health insurance, and you may also have to meet a deductible once each year before the insurance company starts to pay its share. How much you pay for your premium and deductible is based on the type of insurance you have.

Just as important as the premium cost is how much you have to pay when you get services. Examples include:

• How much you pay before your insurance coverage starts (a deductible)

• What you pay out-of-pocket for services after you pay the deductible (coinsurance or copayments)

• How much in total you’ll have to pay if you get sick (the out-of-pocket maximum)

What your policy covers is often directly related to how expensive the health insurance policy is. The policy with the cheapest premium may not cover as many services and treatments.

Call Dick Watts Insurance for a Health Insurance Quote in Louisville KY 502-245-3625

Health Insurance Quotes Louisville KY

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People take their pets on the road with them for lots of reasons: they help reduce stress and make their vehicle feel more like home. In fact, one in five owner-operators and professional drivers has a pet as a traveling companion.
Whether you’re staying local and taking short trips from job site to job site, or long-hauling across state lines, here are some tips that’ll give you peace of mind Fido or Fluffy are comfortable and safe when they’re along for the ride:

Before You Go

Get your pets acclimated to traveling by taking them for short trips. It’ll help them get used to the sudden movements and noises of being on the road. Be patient – it can take several weeks for them to feel comfortable.
Teach ‘petiquette’ to your pets. You want to be able to take them in and out of your vehicle easily. And you want them to behave in public and be reasonably quiet so you don’t disturb other travelers.
Pack for your pets with the following must-have items:

• Food; bring enough with you so you don’t have to buy on the road. Switching brands can upset their stomach so consider getting a national brand of commercial pet food because, if you do run out, it’ll generally be available wherever you’re traveling
• Non-tip, non-slip food and water bowls
• Collar or harness, and a leash
• Toys and treats
• Bed or blanket
• Litter box or plastic bags for waste disposal
• Clean-up supplies; if they shed, try duct tape to keep your vehicle fur-free
• Pet first-aid kit; some of the same treatments you use at home can be used on your dog or cat like a weak (3 percent) solution of hydrogen peroxide and antibiotic cream to clean and treat minor scrapes or cuts
• Identification and shot tags*
• Medical records, especially a current record of their shots
• Your vet’s contact information

*Microchipping your pets isn’t a must, but it’s an added precaution. You’ll have peace of mind that rescuers will have your contact information and your pet’s medical information in case he or she gets lost.
Check with your insurance company to see if your pets are covered in case of an accident. Progressive Insurance Pet injury coverages protects your dogs and cats if they’re in your vehicle and injured in an incident like a crash, theft, fire, or flooding. It’s free if you havecollision insurance coverage on your policy. Every insurance policy is different, consult your own insurance policy for specific coverage and/or exclusions

On The Road

Call Dick Watts Insurance in Louisville KY for a free car insurance quote 502-245-3625

Keep a routine-stick to your pet’s standard feeding and bathroom schedule as much as possible.
Have your pets ride securely in a crate or by wearing a harness. And, don’t let them ride with their heads out of the window.
Keep fresh water available at all times. Avoid letting them drink from puddles in the parking lot or streams alongside the road. If you’re going to use the free water at the fuel pumps, make sure it’s potable; meaning it’s safe for drinking and washing. A good rule of thumb: if you wouldn’t drink it, don’t let Fido drink it either. If you can’t leave water out, give them a drink whenever you stop or let them lick on ice cubes.
Play with and exercise your pets regularly.
Give them regular bathroom breaks. Many rest stops have designated areas where your pets can do their business. If you’re on someone else’s property, like a customer’s yard or a job site, ask permission.
If you’re leaving them in your vehicle, speak to them when you leave to reassure them that you’ll be back soon. When you take them with you, keep them leashed at all times so they don’t run off or bother other travelers.
If it’s hot out, take steps to avoid them getting heatstroke like leaving your air conditioning on or taking them with you. Keep in mind: on an 85-degree day, even with the windows slightly open, temperatures inside your vehicle can climb to 103 degrees Fahrenheit in 10 minutes and 120 degrees in 30 minutes.
If they get sick, ask for help at a rest stop or gas station. The people who work there are probably local so they can refer you to the closest emergency clinic or vet. You can also ask the local or state police for help.

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The Value of Health Insurance

Insurance protects you from high costs when something bad happens. No one plans to get sick or hurt, but most people need to get treated for an illness or injury at some point, and health insurance helps pay these costs. You get health insurance to protect you when you need medical care.

When you understand how health insurance works, it helps you be an informed consumer so you can find coverage that fits your needs.

What is health insurance?

Health insurance is a contract between you and your insurance company. You buy a plan or policy, and the company agrees to pay part of your medical expenses when you get sick or hurt.

Even when you need care that costs more than you pay in premiums and deductibles, insurance will cover the care you need. A standard health insurance policy may also gives you access to preventive care to keep you healthy, like vaccines and check-ups. Many plans may cover prescription drugs. Every insurance policy is different and provides different coverage, consult your specific insurance contract to determine coverage.

Health Insurance Louisville KY

   

Call Dick Watts Insurance in Louisville for a Health Insurance quote 502-245-3625 

Health insurance helps you pay for care

Did you know the average cost of a 3-day hospital stay is $30,000? Or that fixing a broken leg can cost up to $7,500? Having health insurance can help protect you from unexpected costs like these.

Your insurance policy will show what types of care, treatments and services are covered, including how much the insurance company will pay for different treatments in different situations.

Health Insurance Louisville KY

What you pay for health insurance

You’ll usually pay a premium every month for health insurance, and you may also have to meet a deductible once each year before the insurance company starts to pay its share. How much you pay for your premium and deductible is based on the type of insurance you have.

Just as important as the premium cost is how much you have to pay when you get services. Examples include:

• How much you pay before your insurance coverage starts (a deductible)

• What you pay out-of-pocket for services after you pay the deductible (coinsurance or copayments)

• How much in total you’ll have to pay if you get sick (the out-of-pocket maximum)

What your policy covers is often directly related to how expensive the health insurance policy is. The policy with the cheapest premium may not cover as many services and treatments.

5 things to know about health insurance

1. There are many kinds of private health insurance policies. Different kinds of policies can offer very different kinds of benefits, and some can limit which doctors, hospitals, or other providers you can use.

2. You may have to pay coinsurance or a copayment as your share of the cost when you get a medical service, like a doctor’s visit, hospital outpatient visit, or a prescription. Coinsurance is usually a percentage amount (for example, 20% of the total cost). A copayment is usually a set dollar amount (for example, you might pay $10 or $20 for a prescription or doctor’s visit).

3. You may have to pay a deductible each plan year before your insurance starts to pay. For example, let’s say you have a $200 deductible. You go to the doctor and the total cost is $250. You pay the first $200 to cover the deductible, and then your insurance starts to pay its share.

4. Health insurance plans contract with networks of hospitals, doctors, pharmacies, and health care providers to take care of people in the plan. Depending on the type of policy you buy, your plan may only pay for your care when you get it from a provider in the plan’s network, or you may have to pay a bigger share of the bill.

5. You may see products that look and sound like health insurance, but don’t give you the same protection as full health insurance. Some examples are policies that only cover certain diseases, policies that only cover you if you’re hurt in an accident, or plans that offer you discounts on health services. Don’t mistake insurance-like products for full comprehensive insurance protection. Full health insurance usually covers most medical problems

Call Dick Watts Insurance in Louisville KY 502-245-3625 for a Free Health Insurance quote (Every health insurance policy provides different insurance coverage, consult your own health insurance contract for specific coverages that are available) 

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Boat Insurance Quote in Louisville KY 502-245-3625 Dick Watts Insurance

Every summer, our team gets calls from customers after a fun weekend on the water takes a turn for the worse. Often, these accidents could have been prevented with just a few simple precautions. Here are a few tips safety tips that you may want to keep in mind.

Don’t let an accident wreck your fun!

Life Preservers Aren’t Just for Kids. It’s not enough to just have life jackets on board — wear them! In an accident, people rarely have time to reach for a life jacket. This rule applies to adults, not just children: More people in their 30s die in boating accidents than any other age group. Life vests have come a long way in style. Today, you can even get vests for your water-loving dog!

Watch the Back of the Boat. Carbon monoxide kills in minutes. So tell your passengers where your exhaust pipes are located and turn off your engine when people are in the water, and don’t let passengers “ski” or “teak-surf” by holding on to the back of the boat. Both Washington and Oregon made teak-surfing illegal in the last few years, after several tragic deaths. Carbon monoxide detectors are standard on most new boats; older boats install devices for less than $100.

Alcohol and Boating Don’t Mix. More than 50 percent of drowning’s result from boating incidents involving alcohol. You don’t drink and drive, so don’t boat and drive.

Boats Need TLC Too. When you’re out on the water, make sure your gas tanks are vented and bilges are free of vapors, oil, waste and grease. Carry a charged fire extinguisher. Have your boat’s operating systems checked yearly by a certified marine technician. The Coast Guard Auxiliary and United States Power Squadrons also offer free vessel safety checks. 

Experience Counts! The U.S. Coast Guard says that operator errors account for 70 percent of all boating accidents. Make sure anyone who drives your boat is properly trained. 

Sites for Information:

Coast Guard: www.uscgboating.org

Coast Guard Auxiliary: nws.cgaux.org/

Call Dick Watts Insurance at 502-245-3625  for a boat insurance quote in Louisville KY .

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