Buying Car Insurance For The First Time

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You just bought your first car. The open road is calling your name. All you need now is the right car insurance plan. At Ashley Insurance, we happily serve guests of all ages and stages of life. If this is your first time buying car insurance, this is your go-to guide.

Buying Car Insurance for the First Time,

What You Need:

There are just a few things you will need to provide when you purchase your vehicle’s insurance. For starters, you will need to know about the different types of auto insurance you’d like to include in your policy. You will also need to provide some important details about your car, including the year, make, and model. Additional personal information and documentation will also be required:

  • Your valid drivers’ license
  • Date of birth
  • Address
  • Occupation
  • Marital status
  • Education level
  • Driving history
  • Insurance history

For future reference, your driving history affects your insurance rates. So does your location. While you may not have much control over the location factor, driving safely is the best way to ensure you receive the lowest possible rates after buying car insurance for the first time.

How to Buy Car Insurance for the First Time

Insurance Tips For First Time Car-Buyers

Anyone wondering how to buy car insurance for the first time could benefit from a tip or two. Here are just a few of the basics that will help you during the process:

  1. You can and should get insurance before you buy your car – All you need is the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number). If you already picked out the car you plan on buying, contact the dealership to find out the VIN and our experts will get you started.
  2. Cost varies – For first time buyers, car insurance typically costs slightly more than for experienced drivers. This is normal. Experienced drivers are considered at a lower risk level. As long as you drive safely, your rates will go down eventually!
  3. Compare quotes – All insurance companies are different. At Ashley Insurance, we offer great rates no matter your driving experience. Use our Get A Quote tool to compare rates across various insurance companies so you can ensure you are getting the right plan.
  4. Find out what is required – In some states, higher levels of insurance are required by law. Speak with our experts to create a plan with everything you will need. Skipping this step could leave you paying for unnecessary expenses.
  5. Purchase as much insurance as you can afford – While it’s not necessary for you to purchase every little bit of coverage, you should still try to make sure that your vehicle is as protected as possible. Our experts can help you figure out which types of coverage you may need. At the very least, those buying car insurance for the first time should purchase minimum liability coverage.
  6. Think carefully before changing your policy – Here’s a few ways you can intuitively time future auto insurance policy changes.

If you are a parent looking for tips on insuring your teen driver, click here!

Do I Need Insurance To Own A Car?

The short answer is, yes. In fact, car dealerships should not even allow you to leave the lot without car insurance. Dealerships aren’t as concerned if you are buying the vehicle outright, but those who are financing or leasing will often need to purchase comprehensive and collision coverage.

Car Insurance for First Time Buyers

Find the Right Auto Insurance Plan

Don’t let your car insurance cause you too much stress. This basic requirement is simple and affordable to acquire, as long as you have the right insurance company that is working for you. Contact the team at Ashley Insurance to hear about our low rates and receive more guidance about buying car insurance for the first time!

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I’m well over sixty. Should I invest in life insurance?

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Life insurance can create peace of mind for many people. It’s helpful to know that your family will have access to money in the event of your death. Your beneficiaries will have money to pay for living expenses and perhaps your burial as well. Life insurance has many benefits.

There are different kinds of life insurance that you can invest in to meet your needs as well. Our team at Ashley Insurance is dedicated to helping Easton, MD residents.

What is Life Insurance? 

Life insurance is designed to pay a beneficiary that you designate a set sum of money upon your death. It’s a contract between yourself and an insurance company where you pay a monthly premium in return for coverage. Your beneficiary can use the money they get in any way they choose.

I’m well over sixty. Should I invest in life insurance?

Life insurance may be a vital necessity if you’re sixty years old and don’t have one. At this age, if you were to pass away, you’d likely leave your family with debt or challenge their lifestyle.

You’re at a pivotal age where transitions and change may be rapidly occurring. Having the right kind of security in the form of life insurance can be extremely beneficial as you continue to age. It not only has the ability to create peace of mind for you but your family as well.

This is a time when you need to evaluate your life and your financial goals. Life insurance can help with this.

Get The Right Coverage For Your Needs

If you have questions about life insurance as an older person, call us at Ashley Insurance. We’d be happy to help you explore your options in Easton, MD.

Proven Ways to Protect Your Business from Cybercrime

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Cybercrime is a growing concern for businesses of all sizes and industries. While we may never eliminate the threat, there are ways to protect yourself and your business from the risks of cybercrime. Here are some tips from Ashley Insurance to help protect your Easton, MD company from hackers, malicious software, and other cyber threats.

Proven Ways to Protect Your Business from Cybercrime

Encrypt Data, Networks, and Backups

Encrypting data, networks, and backups is crucial for any business looking to protect sensitive information. Encryption provides an extra layer of security by converting valuable information into an unreadable format, making it much more difficult for unauthorized users to access and read the data.

Regularly Update Systems and Software

For businesses, regularly updating systems and software is essential for maintaining a secure environment. Keeping systems up to date helps to reduce the risk of security breaches. Furthermore, by keeping systems current, businesses can benefit from improved compatibility and features, which can help to increase productivity.

Train Employees on Cyber Security Practices

Training your employees on cyber security is necessary to protect the business and its employees from potential data breaches and other malicious attacks. Cybersecurity training can help ensure that employees are well-versed in the best practices of cybersecurity, such as using secure passwords, recognizing phishing emails, and understanding how to maintain the security of confidential information. A knowledgeable workforce regarding cyber security can reduce the risk of data breaches, increase employee productivity, and protect the company’s reputation.

Invest in Cyber Insurance

Investing in cyber insurance for your business is an essential step towards ensuring its security and protecting against financial loss in the event of a cyber attack. Cyber insurance can cover various costs associated with a cyber attack, such as data recovery, ransom, legal fees, and computer expert services.

Get The Right Coverage For Your Business Today

Ashley Insurance in Easton, MD specializes in commercial insurance and offers various services to meet your needs. We understand that every business has unique needs, and we strive to provide customized solutions that work for you. Contact us today to discover more!

Why does someone need to have auto insurance?

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The Easton, MD area can be a great place to live, and owning a car will make it much easier to get around and enjoy all that it has to offer. If you are moving to this area of Maryland and need a car, it is also important that you have insurance for it.

There are multiple reasons why car owners need to have an auto insurance plan for their vehicles:

Insurance is an Obligation by Law

A reason why someone here will likely need to have auto coverage is that it is an obligation under the law. Anyone that lives in Maryland will need to have auto insurance if they want to drive their vehicle. At a minimum, you need to carry a certain level of liability insurance coverage. Further, you will need a full comprehensive plan if you have a loan that is secured by your car. 

Insurance Needed to Protect Car

If you are going to buy a car, you undoubtedly will want to protect it as well. One of the best ways that someone can protect their car is by getting auto insurance. If you have a full plan, including collision and comprehensive insurance, you will have support if you incur a variety of situations that could result in a loss. 

Contact Us Today

People throughout the Easton, MD area will need to have auto insurance if they are going to buy a car. When you are in the market for a vehicle and need insurance, Ashley Insurance is a great company to start your search with. There are a lot of important choices to make when evaluating your coverage needs and Ashley Insurance can help you further assess your insurance obligations and needs to help you build a new plan. 

Protect Your Summer Fun with Boat Insurance

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Do you love boating during the summer months? Do you have a boat or are you considering the purchase of one? If so, make sure you protect yourself and your loved ones with boat insurance. If you live in or near Easton, MD area, Ashley Insurance can provide you with the coverage you need.

You may wonder why you should insure your boat year-round, rather than during the summer months only. Basically, it may be more expensive to just insure it during the boating season.

Here are some reasons to keep your boat insured year-round:

  • It may be required. If your boat is financed, it is required by lenders to carry insurance year-round. Their investment needs to be protected during the off-season as well.
  • Risk exists out of the water as well. Boat insurance should offer protection from theft, fire, and vandalism, which can happen all year round. These events can occur more likely during the winter months when boatyards are unattended.
  • Even though your boat is in storage, it is still vulnerable to damage from natural disasters such as flooding, fire, and weather events. Having insurance coverage for your boat can prevent you from a huge loss.
  • Your homeowner’s policy covers damage to your boat while it is on your property. The amount of coverage offered is less than what you would receive with a boat insurance policy. Boat insurance typically covers:
    • Collision damage – covers replacement or repair of your boat in the event of a collision.
    • Property damage liability – covers damage to someone else’s boat, dock, or other related structures or property.
    • Bodily injury liability – this covers you in the event you injure another person in a boating accident and are being sued.
    • Comprehensive – covers you if your boat is stolen, damaged, or vandalized in an event other than a collision.
  • Canceling your boat coverage during the winter months and then starting it again before the boating season can be more costly than carrying it all year. Most insurance companies will reward their customers with a reduced deductible for each claim-free year. If a claim is made, you will end up paying the full amount of your deductible. Loyalty discounts are often given for maintaining your coverage and renewing annually.

Get The Right Coverage Today

If you live in or around the Easton, MD area, contact Ashley Insurance and start protecting your boat today.

Things You Need To Consider Before Purchasing Flood Insurance

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Flood damage is very common in the United States. Therefore, it is worth having flood insurance that will protect your property. However, many homeowners do not carry it, thinking that home insurance is enough. Unfortunately, the truth is that home insurance does not cover damage caused by floods, so it is recommended to purchase flood insurance as well. Consult with Ashley Insurance in Easton, MD for expert insurance advice.

If you are currently shopping for it, there are certain things you need to consider:

What Should You Consider Before Getting Flood Insurance?

  • The cost of flood insurance. It is based on a number of factors, including your flood risk, the age of your home, the level of coverage, and the deductible amount. It is also important to know that flood insurance is usually cheaper outside of flood zones. 
  • Flood history in your area. You should know the flood risk in your area before getting flood insurance to make sure you have enough coverage. You can find flood zone information in the MSL listing. If your home is located in a high-risk flood area, you may have to pay a year’s worth of flood insurance upfront as required by some mortgage lenders. 
  • How flood-proof your home is.  In order to minimize the chances of flood damage, you can make certain changes. For example, you can elevate your house to make sure water is not coming. However, you should understand that some changes are quite expensive. 

We Are Here To Help You Find Perfect Flood Insurance For Protecting Your Property 

If you are thinking of purchasing flood insurance to protect your home, Ashley Insurance in Easton, MD is ready to assist you. We will help you find a perfect flood insurance policy that will address your personal insurance needs and provide sufficient protection. Feel free to check out our website or call us to get all the detailed information you need. 

Reasons You Need Life Insurance

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While most people are counting their pennies these days, the truth is that you may want to consider getting at least a little life insurance. It may be worth the added cost, just in case. Consult with Ashley Insurance in Easton, MD to learn more about your options.

Here are some reasons why you need life insurance:

If your family relies on your income, you need to have life insurance

It will allow them to have time to make decisions, instead of having to make rash decisions that they may regret later. They may be able to keep the house, or at least come to their own conclusion about whether or not they want to sell the house. 

It can help pay funeral expenses

Most people don’t plan ahead when it comes to their funerals. Your family could have to pay out a few thousand dollars once you are gone. 

It may even help them pay off debt

Your family may be able to use your life insurance money to pay off their (or your) debt with the life insurance money. This can leave them on a much better footing when it comes to their financial health. 

Though you may not want to waste any money, think about your family’s future. Are they going to be lost without your income? Will they struggle to make ends meet? Can they pay for your funeral or even keep their heads above water? If not, you should seriously consider getting life insurance. Even if it just gives them a few months to make some decisions, it is going to be worth every penny! 

Give Us A Call

If you want to make sure that your family is protected, you need to speak to a professional. Don’t hesitate to contact us today at Ashley Insurance in Easton, MD.

Required Commercial Insurance in Maryland

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When you are a business owner in Maryland, there are types of commercial insurance that are mandated by state law that your business may need to keep. It’s important to make sure that you understand what is required for your business so that you keep operating legally. When you need commercial insurance for your business, call us now at Ashley Insurance in Easton, MD.

Understanding Commercial Insurance Coverage

Workers’ Compensation Insurance

While there are a few exceptions, generally within Maryland every business that has any number of employees must carry workers’ compensation insurance for them. Even just one employee, even if they are only part-time, requires that you have this insurance. This coverage protects both you and your employees by paying for medical bills that are due after a workplace injury or an illness caused by the workplace. This insurance also pays employees disability benefits when needed. 

Commercial Auto Insurance

When a Maryland business owns a vehicle, it is required to have a commercial auto insurance policy to protect it. The policy is required to have different kinds of coverage within it, including bodily injury liability and property damage liability. The amounts required for both of these coverage types are relatively low, however, and it’s often recommended that Maryland business owners get more than the minimum amount of coverage to protect their businesses. If you run a trucking company, there may be other insurance coverage that you need in order to comply. If you use a personal vehicle to perform work tasks, it’s recommended that you get a policy called hired and non-owned. This can be the coverage you need in these instances, as personal insurance often won’t pay for accidents that happen while performing work tasks. 

Get Commercial Insurance

If you need commercial insurance, don’t wait. Call us today at Ashley Insurance in Easton, MD.

Insuring Your Family’s Teen Driver

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As your teenager approaches the age of 15, you need to contact Ashley Insurance serving Easton, MD about adding your teen to your auto insurance.

Adding Your Teen to Your Policy

This process requires phoning our office to inform us that they’ve acquired their learners’ permit. While adding them takes just a phone call, you might experience a little "sticker shock" at the cost of adding them.

That cost comes from their lack of driving records and the risk levels of teens. Teenaged drivers comprise one of the largest groups who incur accidents. They lack experience in driving, and they take too many risks. That increases the insurance underwriter’s risk, and your premiums increase.

How can you reduce the premiums?

You can make your teen take a defensive driving course along with their school’s driver’s education course. Another option includes sending them to a driving school course.

You can also place a monitor in their vehicle from the insurance company that records their driving record. The insurance company regularly reviews this data to determine how the driver manages risk. You need to wait until they obtain their own vehicle, though, because you must guarantee that each monitor applies to just one driver.

Purchasing Their Own Policy

At 16, your teen can purchase their own policy. This process typically occurs when they buy their first car. The insurance cost belongs to them solely when they buy their own policy. If they purchase a used car of more than a decade in age, it makes the most sense to obtain liability and bodily injury coverages. If your teen bought the car for about $1,000, there’s probably no reason for comprehensive or collision coverage. That’s the opposite of your own vehicle insurance because you probably purchased a new vehicle.

Contact Us for More Information

When you need to decide how to handle insuring your teen for driving, contact Ashley Insurance serving Easton, MD. We’ll help you determine the most affordable way to insure them.

Is Boat Insurance a Worthwhile Investment?

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In these challenging economic times, you are certain to question every item you spend your money on. If you own a boat, you might question whether it’s worth writing a check to your boat insurance company. After all, boat accidents are rare, so the chances of damage or injuries when using your boat aren’t as high as in cars. While there are many excuses you can come up with not to buy boat insurance, at Ashley Insurance in Easton, MD, we always say one thing: buy boat insurance, or you are one calamity away from a financial mess.

If you have trouble writing that boat insurance check, here are reasons why boat insurance is worth every penny.

It protects you against liability claims.

Yes, boating accidents may not be as frequent as car accidents, but when you are at fault for one, it can be the start of your financial ruins. If you cause an accident that leads to bodily injury or property damage, you could be sued, messing up your finances. If you don’t have boat insurance, you will have to settle legal and settlement costs from your pocket.

Protects your boat

Purchasing a boat doesn’t come easy. For many people, it has taken years to accumulate enough savings to purchase a water vessel. For others, they may have taken a loan that will have to be paid over the years. Whatever route you have taken to finance your boat, it’s always a good idea to protect your asset with boat insurance.

Emergency assistance

If your boat breaks down miles away from the shore, it can be panicky and costly to get you to safety. However, if you have the right boat insurance coverage, help is always one call away.

Convinced that boat insurance is a worthwhile investment in Easton, MD? If yes, please get in touch with Ashley Insurance for an affordable quote.