Tag Archives: insurance

5 steps to deter motorcycle theft

Summer is motorcycle riding season but also bike theft season. According to National Insurance Crime Bureau, of all thefts, less than half are recovered. The NICB study indicates there were 22,403 motorcycles recovered, a 42 percent recovery rate in 2020. Rick Drewry, our Senior Training Specialist for all-things Collector Car & Motorcycle, has several easy tips to help prevent your motorcycle from being stolen. 

  1. Lock it. Take the key out of the ignition which prevents your motorcycle from starting. Then lock the front fork lock, which will lock the front suspension. Locking the front suspension will push your bike in circles if someone tries to steal it. 
  2. Park under a well-lit area. If you stop for dinner while traveling, make sure your motorcycle is within sight. You could even ask for a window seat so you’re able to see your motorcycle.
  3. Trailer the motorcycle to your destination. Back the trailer up to a secure wall. If you have a ramp, the wall will keep it from opening up if someone tries to steal the motorcycle out of the trailer.
  4. Bring important documents. Keep your registration and insurance card in your purse or wallet, but not in the motorcycle. Keep your title at home.
  5. Keep track of accessories. Take photos or have a list of all your accessories in case there is a theft.

Don’t let motorcycle theft ruin your summer. Stay one step ahead with these tips to keep your two-wheeled beauty safe and sound.

For information only. Not applicable to all situations.

Sources:

https://www.nicb.org/news/news-releases/motorcycle-thefts-surge-30-percent-2020

Is your motorcycle coverage a perfect fit?

Not all bikes are the same. Insurance isn’t all the same, either.
Picking good motorcycle insurance is more than just choosing between comp and collision or liability-only. Here are four questions to ask yourself about coverages and options before you switch to a new policy or renew your current one.

Continue reading

End-of-the-year insurance checklist

At the end of each year, we are whisked through a series of holiday celebrations, all leading up to the most contemplative day of the year: New Year’s Eve. Whilst reflecting on our accomplishments and goals, it’s easy to forget about the logistics of updating our home insurance policies to include all of the newly acquired belongings in our lives and evaluate what’s new or old in our homes. We have created a seamless checklist to make this process a breeze, so you can focus on ringing in 2023 knowing you’re prepared for any surprises that life has in store in the upcoming year.

Continue reading

We’ll help pay to get your car out of harm’s way

When someone yells, “Get out of the way!” you should. In fact, we’ll pay you for getting out of the way. One of the benefits of your Collector Vehicle policy, is that we’ll cover part of the cost to move your vehicle(s) to safety when it’s threatened by a storm, wildfire, or other pending disaster such as a flood.

A little advance planning is needed. For a collector car, just drive or tow it away from the impending disaster. We’ll reimburse you up to $200 for that cost.

Your agent may provide you with a short form that lets us know where you are normally garaged, and where you expect to be during an emergency. Otherwise, it’s just a matter of acting quickly and then showing us your expense receipts later.

You may never need it, but this policy perk will save you both money and a headache if you don’t get out of the way when you can.

For information only. Not applicable to all situations.
Coverage is subject to policy terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions, underwriting review, and approval, and may not be available for all risks or in all states. Rates and discounts vary, are determined by many factors and are subject to change. Policies are written by one of the licensed insurers of American Modern Insurance Group, Inc., including American Modern Home Insurance Company d/b/a in CA American Modern Insurance Company (Lic. No 2222-8).

Earthquakes can happen anywhere. Are you ready?

People living in earthquake-prone areas are generally more aware of earthquake safety than others. Consider California and its history of earthquakes, for instance. Awareness of the risk is relatively high in the state, according to Munich Re. California’s building construction standards are among the strictest in the world, and many people and businesses participate in International ShakeOut Day, which has become a worldwide day of action and a helpful reminder of how to protect yourself and others during an earthquake.

Continue reading

Halloween hacks that protect against rental property nightmares

So, you’ve done the hard part and purchased a rental property. You’ve bought deadbolts, security devices, smoke detectors and fire extinguishers to keep your tenants safe. You’ve also created the perfect lease to outline the terms and conditions of what you expect from your tenants. If you haven’t talked to your American Modern® insurance agent about the right insurance coverage for your rental property, you could face some sleepless nights worrying about what could possibly go wrong.

Continue reading

7 golf cart safety tips

They’re not just for golf anymore! Golf carts can be found everywhere from retirement communities to college campuses. Some states have even passed laws allowing them to putter down public streets. But despite their lower speed, golf carts are legitimate vehicles that demand safe driving. Check out these 7 safety tips before you hit the road or the course.

  1. Check Licensing Requirements: Do you need a driver’s license to drive a golf cart? It depends on where you live. Find out what’s required in your state before getting behind the wheel.
  2. Stay Inside: Those open sides may be tempting but it’s important to keep all arms and legs inside the vehicle at all times, except when signaling. 
  3. Signal Turns Manually: Golf cart turn signals are small and hard to see. Always use hand signals to indicate you intent to turn.
  4. Don’t Overcrowd: Only carry the number of permissible passengers, which will typically be the number that you have seats and seatbelts for. No one should be sitting on the floor or someone’s lap.
  5. Yield to Pedestrians: Just like when you’re in a car, pedestrians have the right of way. Be sure to follow all the rules of the road and stop and let them cross before carrying on with your drive.
  6. Stay Sober: Alcohol can seriously impede your ability to safely operate any vehicle, including golf carts. Depending on your state, you could even receive a DUI for driving a golf cart under the influence.
  7. Consider Insurance: Golf cart insurance isn’t just a good idea for accidents, in some states it’s mandatory. Talk to your insurance agent about golf cart insurance.

For informational purposes only and may not be applicable to all situations.

Coverage is subject to policy terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions, underwriting review and approval, and may vary or not be available for all risks or in all states. Rates and discounts vary, are determined by many factors, and are subject to change. Policies are written by one of the licensed insurers of American Modern Insurance Group, Inc., including but not limited to American Modern Property and Casualty Insurance Company (CA Lic. No. 6129-1.)

Your collector car & hurricanes: What you should know

August and September are prime months for hurricanes. Your state’s emergency management agency, or the local Red Cross office, can provide detailed emergency planning information for your life and home. But what about your special car? Here’s some advice.

Continue reading

We’ll help pay to get your boat, yacht, or car out of harm’s way

When someone yells, “Get out of the way!” you should. In fact, we’ll pay you for getting out of the way.  One of the benefits of your Boat or Yacht policy, or Collector Vehicle policy, is that we’ll cover part of the cost to move your vessel or vehicle to safety when it’s threatened by a named storm, wildfire, or other pending disaster such as a flood.

A little advance planning is needed. For smaller watercraft you should contract with hauling company to get it to on-land storage when threatened (of course you will need to make that kind of arrangement well in advance). For larger watercraft, it’s much easier just to navigate out of harm’s way in advance. Either way, we’ll reimburse you up to $500 for the cost and a higher reimbursement limit is available as an optional endorsement.

For a collector car, just drive or tow it away from the impending disaster. We’ll reimburse you up to $200 for that cost.

Your agent may provide you with a short form that lets us know where you are normally moored or garaged, and where you expect to be during an emergency. Otherwise, it’s just a matter of acting quickly and then showing us your expense receipts later.

You may never need it, but this policy perk will save you both money and a headache if you don’t get out of the way when you can.

For information only. Not applicable to all situations.
Coverage is subject to policy terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions, underwriting review, and approval, and may not be available for all risks or in all states. Rates and discounts vary, are determined by many factors and are subject to change. Policies are written by one of the licensed insurers of American Modern Insurance Group, Inc., including American Modern Home Insurance Company d/b/a in CA American Modern Insurance Company (Lic. No 2222-8).

Mid-year insurance checklist

With the year halfway through, summer is the perfect time to take a step back and reflect on the past few months. Take this opportunity to evaluate any changes you’ve made throughout the year that may warrant an update to your insurance policy.  To help you out, we’ve compiled a checklist so you can make sure your policy and property are ready for whatever the rest of the year holds.

Be sure to share this checklist on your social networks:

CS_N_18125_Mid-YearInsuranceChecklist_FINAL

For information only. Not applicable to all situations.

Coverage is subject to policy terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions, underwriting review, and approval, and may not be available for all risks or in all states. Rates and discounts vary, are determined by many factors and are subject to change. Policies are written by one of the licensed insurers of American Modern Insurance Group, Inc., including American Modern Home Insurance Company d/b/a in CA American Modern Insurance Company (Lic. No 2222-8).

Check all your boxes with our insurance checklist

We know how life can get, so we totally get how easy it is to forget to update your home insurance policies when things change. But don’t worry! We’ve put together an easy checklist you can use to take inventory of everything you need to make sure you’re covered.

Continue reading