Can I Get Auto Insurance Coverage with My Horrible Driving Record?

Whether you have a horrible driving record because you’ve been involved in multiple car accidents, you’ve had several citations, or even a DWI, you likely still need to drive to get to and from work and school. Having a bad driving record in Easton, MD can leave many people without options, and you might be wondering if you can get auto insurance with a horrible driving record. 

Is Your Driver’s License Still Valid?

Many people have embarrassing driving records but who can still obtain auto insurance coverage. As long as your driver’s license is still valid, an insurance agency will provide you with coverage. Coverage for people with several points can be expensive, especially if you’ve had a DWI. 

The Driver Improvement Program

The state of Maryland offers a driver improvement program for eligible individuals. This program allows you to take a course, and upon completion, points will be removed from your driving record. If your driver’s license is invalid due to too many points, you might want to contact your local DMV to inquire about this program if it hasn’t been offered. If you’re eligible for the program and you’re able to have some points removed, you’ll be required to pay certain fines and fees to have your driver’s license reinstated. 

As you can see, in some situations, it is possible to still obtain auto insurance coverage despite having a horrible driving record. You may have to pay substantially higher rates until your driving record has had time to improve. If you’re seeking a new insurance provider and an Easton, MD resident, call us at Ashley Insurance. At Ashley Insurance, we might be the insurance agency you’ve been looking for that can provide coverage regardless of your driving record. 

Boat Upgrades That May Require More Coverage

Adequate insurance coverage is essential when operating your watercraft. If you have chosen some upgrades for your boat, learn how these modifications may require increased coverage. Then, contact a representative of Ashley Insurance to assist with preparing your insurance policy.

Boat Insurance 

Boat insurance is a type of recreational insurance. It protects a watercraft from damage, vandalism, and burglaries. An individual liability policy will prevent you from incurring costs resulting from a boating accident that was your fault. A comprehensive policy will cover repairs to your boat and any other watercraft involved in an accident with your boat.

New Storage

How you store your boat could influence the type of boat insurance policy you need. Take note of the storage type, plus the location where you store your boat. You will need to supply this information when you speak to an agent who serves Easton, MD.

Modern Lighting

Modern lighting will increase visibility while you are using your watercraft. New lighting could make your boat easier to operate. It may also lessen the possibility of you being involved in a boating accident. After new lighting is installed, the upgrades could influence the type of insurance coverage you need.

Advanced Security

Alarm systems, surveillance equipment, and GPS trackers secure your boat care. Security advancements may qualify you for a discount on your boat insurance policy. 

Contact Ashley Insurance

Whenever you have changes made to your boat, they need to be reported to an agent who serves Easton, MD. By consulting with one of our agents who represent Ashley Insurance, you can obtain the specific type of insurance coverage you need while operating your watercraft.

The Complexities of Flood Zones

Ashley Insurance provides Easton, MD, residents and those in the surrounding area with excellent insurance options, including flood protection. Are you at risk if you live in this area? Let’s find out by looking deeply at the complex nature of flood zones.

Flood Zones Dictate Your Risk 

Every area of the country, including Easton, is classed in various types of flood zones. Most regions are safe, meaning you probably don’t need flood insurance. However, your risk of floods may vary and cause a higher danger of floods in some regions.

Risk Influences Insurance 

Even in areas of low risk, you might need flood insurance to keep yourself safe. After all, there’s always the danger of floods occurring without expectation, such as if a dam bursts. Your insurance needs and costs will vary depending on this risk, so keep yourself updated.

Insurance Keeps You Safe

Flood insurance provides a variety of protection types that can minimize your danger and keep you safe. As a result, it’s critical to understand your coverage and to take steps to choose based on your risk. Just a few ways that flood insurance can help you include how it:

  • Covers all the repairs to damaged areas of your home, such as impacted foundations and wells
  • Pays to replace items that you lost during the flood, including electronic devices 
  • It helps you with temporary relocation when your family needs to leave your home 

How to Discover Your Insurance Needs

If you’re curious about your flood insurance needs and unsure if you’re at risk, contact us today at Ashley Insurance to learn more. Easton, MD, has areas where floods are a real risk, so working with us can help you gauge your danger and ensure you choose a strong policy.

When to Get Life Insurance?

Life insurance is essential to financial planning, yet many in Easton, MD delay purchasing it. Understanding the right time to get life insurance can significantly affect your family’s financial security.

Marriage

Combining finances with a spouse often means sharing debts and financial responsibilities. It also involves becoming jointly dependent upon each other. Life insurance can ensure the surviving spouse isn’t burdened financially in the event of a tragedy.

Parenthood

The arrival of children is perhaps the most critical time to assess your life insurance needs. It’s crucial to ensure that your children are financially protected and can afford care, education, and living expenses if you’re not around.

Homeownership

Buying a home in Easton, MD, usually involves a mortgage. Life insurance can help ensure your family can keep the home if you pass away unexpectedly. Reevaluate your coverage when you first buy and anytime you upgrade your house.

Career Advancement

As your career progresses and income increases, financial responsibilities and lifestyle costs tend to increase. Updating your life insurance policy to match your current standard of living and new income is essential.

Retirement Planning

Life insurance can be a tool for estate planning, providing tax-efficient ways to pass wealth to the next generation. Whether this is the right way to transfer wealth requires assessing your personal situation, which we at Ashley Insurance can help with.

Life Insurance That’s Right for You

Life insurance is not just about age but about life stages and responsibilities. As your life evolves, your insurance needs change as well. At Ashley Insurance, we understand the complexities of life insurance and can guide you through choosing the right policy for your stage in life. 

Teen Drivers and Auto Insurance: Tips for Parents

Adding A Teenager To Your Car Insurance

A New Road Of Opportunities

Teenagers reaching driving age is a major milestone, but insuring a teenage driver can also bring about significant changes to your auto insurance policy. Adding a teenager to your car insurance can be expensive due to their limited experience and higher risk factors. However, there are ways to make this transition smoother and more affordable. Let’s explore valuable insights and strategies to help you navigate the world of auto insurance for teen drivers and don’t forget to reach out to an agent at Ashley Insurance when you’re ready to make a move.

1. Understand the Factors Affecting Teen Auto Insurance

  • Discuss the risk factors associated with insuring a teenage driver, including their limited experience and higher accident rates.
  • Explain how these factors influence insurance premiums.

2. Consider Your Policy Options

  • Explore policy options like adding your teen to your existing policy or purchasing a separate one.
  • Discuss the pros and cons of each approach.

3. Take Advantage of Discounts

  • Seek out common discounts available for insuring a teenage driver, such as good student discounts and driver’s education discounts.
  • Explain how these discounts can help reduce insurance costs.

4. Encourage Safe Driving Habits

  • Offer tips on promoting safe driving habits among your teen, including the importance of obeying traffic laws and avoiding distractions.

5. Choose the Right Vehicle

  • Explain how the type of vehicle your teen drives can impact insurance rates.
  • Offer guidance on selecting a safe and budget-friendly car.

6. Comparison Shopping

  • Emphasize the importance of shopping around for the best insurance rates.
  • Provide advice on how to effectively compare insurance quotes.

7. Set Clear Expectations:

  • Discuss the importance of setting clear rules and expectations for your teen driver.
  • Explain how adherence to these rules can positively affect insurance rates.

8. Monitor and Adjust

  • Stress the need to regularly monitor your teen’s driving habits and adjust your policy as needed.
  • Share insights on how your teen’s driving record can impact future insurance rates.
Insuring A Teenage Driver

Be Ahead of the Curve

As the parent of a teen driver, managing auto insurance costs from insuring a teenage driver can be challenging, but it’s not impossible. By understanding the factors influencing insurance premiums, exploring your policy options, and encouraging safe driving habits, you can navigate the road to affordable auto insurance for your teen. Additionally, taking advantage of discounts, choosing the right vehicle, and practicing vigilant monitoring will help you keep both your young driver and your budget on the right track. Contact our trusted team at Ashley Insurance to learn more!

Ready to add your teen to your auto insurance? Get a no-obligation quote today!

Do I need commercial insurance for my Easton, MD home office?

Even if you already have renters or homeowners insurance, you probably need commercial insurance for your Easton, MD home business. If your business is involved in an incident that could potentially involve a legal claim, your personal insurance will not cover it. Ashley Insurance can help explain your options to ensure you have the protection you need.

Questions To Ask Yourself

Here are some questions you can ask yourself to decide whether you need personal insurance and what kind:

  • Do clients visit your home as part of your business activities?
  • Do you keep your work materials and equipment, including your laptop, in your home?
  • Do you employ others to assist with your business?
  • Would unrelated damage to your home, such as a fire, interrupt your business?

If you say yes to any of these questions, you face risks you could protect with the proper coverage.

Different Kinds Of Commercial Insurance For Your Home Business

There are several different kinds of insurance you may want to consider. The most common insurance, and one that almost everyone needs, is general liability insurance. This protects you from damages and injuries to third parties. Even if you use your personal vehicle for work, you should have auto insurance, as your personal policy will not pay for work-related claims.

If you have a home office, your business may be based on offering professional services. Professional liability insurance, or errors and omissions (E & O) insurance, will protect you if you make a mistake due to negligence. Worker’s compensation insurance is usually required by law if you have employees for your Easton, MD home office.

These aren’t the only kinds of protection you get. Please feel free to call Ashley Insurance so we can help you assess your risks.

My car is ten years old. Is full coverage auto insurance a wise investment?

Maryland’s drivers are legally required to carry auto liability insurance. However, some circumstances may require a driver to carry more than liability insurance. It can be challenging to determine how much auto insurance you truly need. Our Ashley Insurance team understands that navigating auto insurance can be confusing for many Easton, MD drivers. As a result, we’re here to help. 

What are the benefits of Auto Insurance?

In a nutshell, auto insurance can protect you financially and legally if you cause damage to someone else’s vehicle or property. It also covers the other driver’s medical expenses in case of an accident where you are at fault. Additionally, you can buy insurance that will pay for the repair or replacement of your own vehicle and your personal injuries. However, liability insurance is the only type of insurance that most states require drivers to have, but if you have an auto loan, you may need more coverage.

My car is ten years old. Is full coverage auto insurance a wise investment?

No. The value of your car continuously depreciates as time passes, and you increase your car’s mileage. As a result, a vehicle that’s a decade or more old is usually not a wise investment for full coverage insurance because the insurance cost usually exceeds the car’s appraised value after an accident. If you have questions regarding how much auto insurance you need, call us. We’d be happy to help.

Why You Need Boat Insurance

You know how much goes into boat ownership if you’re a boat owner. There’s a lot to do to take care of your boat. One of these is to get a boat insurance policy and keep it for as long as you own your boat. Getting a policy as soon as you buy your boat is a good idea. This policy will protect you as well as others. If you don’t yet have a boat policy, call us at Ashley Insurance in Easton, MD. 

Boating Accidents

Like auto accidents, boating accidents are common and can have devastating results. They can cost you massive amounts for the injuries and damages they cause. If you are judged at fault for a boat accident, you are responsible for all those costs plus expenses like lost wages and legal fees. All of this can be extremely difficult to handle financially. The best course of action is to have a boat insurance policy to pay these bills. Paying just the property damage and medical bills alone can be extremely expensive, and there may also be more bills to pay. When you have boat liability coverage, this will pay for an accident you caused, so you won’t have to.

Other Coverage

Like auto insurance, it’s essential to have liability coverage, but that isn’t the only type you need. There are also comprehensive and collision coverages for boats. Comprehensive coverage pays for the problems that happen out of the water. Collision pays for the damage done to your own boat in an accident. Getting both plus liability is the best way to stay protected. 

Get Boat Insurance

If you’re a boater, don’t go without this insurance. To get started, call us at Ashley Insurance in Easton, MD. 

Can You Be Required to Purchase Flood Insurance?

One of the questions that we at Ashley Insurance, in the greater Easton, MD area, are often asked is whether you can be required to purchase flood insurance. 

Flood insurance is a type of coverage specifically designed to protect property owners from the financial consequences of flood damage. While homeowners’ insurance policies typically cover various perils, such as fire and theft, they often exclude flood-related losses. Whether individuals can be required to purchase flood insurance depends on several factors, including location and regulatory guidelines.

In certain situations, the purchase of flood insurance may be mandatory. For instance, if you live in a high-risk flood zone, as determined by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), your mortgage lender may require you to obtain flood insurance as a condition of getting a loan. This requirement aims to safeguard the homeowner and the lender from potential losses resulting from flooding. Furthermore, some local jurisdictions may enforce mandatory flood insurance for properties within designated flood-prone areas. These regulations aim to mitigate the financial burden on communities and promote responsible development practices in flood-risk regions.

It is crucial to note that flood insurance requirements vary by jurisdiction, and it is advisable to consult with local authorities, insurance providers, or legal professionals to determine the specific obligations in your area. Even if flood insurance is not mandatory, it is often recommended for homeowners in moderate to high-risk flood zones. Flood damage can be devastating, and recovery costs can be overwhelming without proper insurance coverage. Therefore, purchasing flood insurance voluntarily can provide significant peace of mind and financial protection in the face of potential flooding events.

If you want flood insurance, Ashley Insurance, serving the greater Easton, MD area, would love to help you. Contact us today to learn more.

Three things you shouldn’t assume when it comes to life insurance

There is a lot of misinformation out there about life insurance. If you want to meet your family’s financial needs, you shouldn’t believe misinformation and make inaccurate assumptions about life insurance. We can help you meet your life insurance needs in Easton, MD at Ashley Insurance.

The following are three things you shouldn’t assume regarding life insurance. 

Buying life insurance is not worthwhile.

Just about every family can benefit from life insurance. Without life insurance, your family’s financial security cannot be guaranteed. 

If you neglect to purchase life insurance, your dependents can face financial difficulties if you pass away unexpectedly. Plan for the unexpected with life insurance coverage. 

Life insurance is not for accumulating savings.

Term life insurance is a type of life insurance that does not accumulate cash value. However, other types of life insurance, like whole life insurance, get cash value.

Whole and universal life insurance offers both a death benefit and a savings component. Therefore, they allow you to accumulate savings while ensuring that your dependents will have financial support if you pass away. 

Only old people need life insurance.

You don’t have to be elderly to benefit from having life insurance. Anyone can benefit from carrying life insurance if they support dependents.

If you invest in a life insurance policy, you’ll have more peace of mind because you’ll know that your dependents will have money to live on if your income is no longer there to provide support.  

Ashley Insurance can give you a quote on a life insurance policy. Consumers in Easton, MD can contact our insurance company today to secure their family’s financial future.