Month: March 2023

Place to Go Boating in Maryland and Safety Tips

Posted on by admin

When you live in or near Easton, MD the best places to go boating are on the Tred Avon River, Miles River, or Choptank River.  They are a reasonable distance from Easton.

Whether you’re thinking about buying a boat for fishing or pleasure, the Ashley Insurance Agency in Easton, MA has  insurance that protects you from accidents, liability, equipment damage, and expenses. Boat insurance provides you with peace of mind.

Where To Go Boating In or Near Easton    

There are several boat launch ramps along the Tred Avon River near Easton. The Bellevue Park Boat Launching Ramp near Easton offers docks and 12 parking spaces for boat trailers. Permits must be displayed on vehicles. The Easton Point Boat Launching Ramp runs along the Tred Avon River and offers docks, paved parking for 22 boat trailers, and portable restrooms. Vehicles must have a ramp permit or face limitations on the type of boat that can be launched. The Kingston Boat Launching Ramp in Easton is for smaller boats. It has five paved parking spaces, docks, and a 13-foot launch. 

The Neavitt Landing Boating Ramp is on Broad Creek, which provides access to many points along the Choptank River. It has a wide launching lane, paved parking for 8 boat trailers, and portable restrooms. The Windy Hills Boat Launching Ramp is near the Choptank River, it has a narrow launching ramp, and five paved parking spaces suited to smaller boats.

Wye Landing Boat Launch is a good access point for the Miles River. It has a large parking lot, docks, and portable restrooms. They installed solar lights for the evening in the warm weather. 

Ocean City, about 62 to 72 miles away from Easton has many state parks and beaches that allow boating on the Atlantic Ocean. Our agency can assist with recommending boating locations,  and marinas  depending on where you live, the type of boat,  and how far you want to drive. 

Safety Requirements for Boats In Maryland

Personal floatation devices must be on motorized and unmotorized boats for the safety of passengers, including life jackets and throwable PFDs. Boats must have day and night  distress signals,  lights, fire extinguishers,  ignition safety switches, registration, permit, a certificate for safety courses, ventilation muffler, horn, and license. This depends on the type of commercial boat you operate.

Reach Out To Us!

Contact Ashley Insurance in Easton, MD to learn about the type of boat insurance that can protect your property and family and friends. 

First-Time Buyer’s Guide to Home Insurance

Posted on by Katie Schisler

You’re buying your first home? Congrats! Now put the stress ball down, because the experts at Ashley Insurance are here to help with all-things insurance. We have a full-transparency policy, meaning we don’t hide anything from you. Our team created this guide to make buying home insurance for the first time as easy as possible. By the time you’ve finished reading, you’ll have all the information you should know before buying homeowners insurance for the first time, and OUR SECRET TO SAVING YOU MONEY! Let’s jump right in.

What’s Included in Homeowners Insurance?

The majority of first-time homeowners purchase single-family homes. That means your policy will likely be an HO-3. This standard policy protects your home and personal belongings, as well as your liability as a homeowner. An HO-3 policy typically includes:

  • Dwelling coverage – To protect the main structure and attached structures, such as a porch or garage.
  • Other structures coverage – To protect any detached structures, such as a shed or pool.
  • Personal property coverage – To protect your personal items, such as clothing and furniture.
  • Liability coverage – To protect you from legal liability and fees if someone gets injured on your property.
  • Medical payments coverage – To help pay for medical expenses if a guest gets injured on your property.
  • Additional living expenses – To help pay for lodging, food, parking, and other expenses in the event of a covered peril damage.

Open Perils vs. Named Perils

There are two different losses covered by home insurance: open perils and named perils. Your home and structure are both ‘open perils,’ meaning coverage is included for any disaster, unless your policy states otherwise. Named perils include coverage for losses specifically listed in your policy. 

If you have an HO-3, your personal property is on a named-perils basis. Common perils include:

  • Fire damage
  • Water damage
  • Ice & snow damage
  • Wind damage
  • Theft
  • Vandalism
  • Freezing Pipes

There may be some exclusions depending on where you live, but an Ashley Insurance expert will let you know in-advance so there are no surprises. Additional policies, such as flood insurance, may be able to cover some of these exclusions.

Cost of Home Insurance For First-Timers

Everyone’s insurance rates are different. It all depends on your location and risk level. Insurance.com reported the average cost of homeowners insurance in Maryland at $1,694 a year or $141 a month. The national average is $2,777 a year. Get a quote from Ashley Insurance to find out how much it will cost you to buy home insurance for the first time.

When To Buy Homeowners Insurance

Your home insurance should begin immediately after closing on your first home. Your risk begins as soon as the home is in your name. Keep in mind that while your home insurance policy will not be effective before your closing date, it should be put into effect on that date. Provide your mortgagee clause and closing date to your Ashley Insurance agent, and we’ll help you get everything in place.

Get All Your Questions Answered

These are just a few things to keep in mind before you purchase home insurance for the first time. When you work with Ashley Insurance, your agent will ensure that you have everything you need and explain every aspect of your policy in detail. If you have any questions or concerns, just ask your agent. If you are ready to buy homeowners insurance for the first time, click the link below to get a quote!