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Keeping your home safe during the holidays

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As the world heads toward the holiday season, it is essential to have a safety plan in place. Homeowners face many dangers both inside and outside their homes. At Focus Insurance in Eureka, MO, we are independent insurance agents. We work for our customers, ensuring that one thing they don’t need to worry about is having the correct insurance coverage.

Fire Hazards

Fires are a significant hazard that every homeowner faces. Before putting up holiday lights, ensure they are in good condition. If you have a live tree, keep it watered so it doesn’t dry out. Never leave burning candles unattended. Get your chimney and furnace cleaned to lower the fire risk. Have a fire extinguisher within easy reach when cooking in the kitchen or deep-frying a turkey outdoors.

Break-in Hazards

Many homeowners get distracted by all the activities during the holidays. You can never let your guard down, and your home security needs to be at its highest level. Always lock your doors and windows. If you are away for a few days, have someone look after your home. Don’t announce your plans on social media.

Carbon Monoxide Hazard

Ensure that the batteries in your carbon monoxide detector are working. This is a silent and very dangerous killer.

Trip and Fall Hazards

Be very careful with the placement of any extension cords. Decorations that are not usually out may require cords. They need to be placed along the wall so they don’t pose a danger. Be careful and have a spotter if you are using a ladder.

When you are ready to discuss your home insurance needs, call our office at Focus Insurance in Eureka, MO, to make an appointment.

Why You Need Boat Insurance if You Own a Boat

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Since boat insurance isn’t required like auto insurance is, many boat owners don’t believe they need to get a policy. However, it’s highly important for you to have this type of insurance. It’s essential to have this financial protection even when your boat isn’t out on the water. There are many different types of coverage that you can get in your boat policy. It’s a good idea to know what they are so you can choose the type of coverage you need. Contact us at Focus Insurance in Eureka, MO, to get started on a boat policy.

Boat Accidents

Unfortunately, boating accidents are common. It can be financially devastating when a boat accident happens and you don’t have insurance. You could be liable for several costs that come from the accident. These include the medical bills of the people affected, their lost wages, their legal costs, and the costs of their personal items lost in the accident. Without insurance, most people would be in a severe financial situation if this were to happen. It’s best to have coverage for both bodily injury liability and property damage liability. These are vital for your financial protection.

Other Coverage

If you’ve invested a lot into your boat, you may also want collision coverage. This covers the damage to your boat when it’s in an accident. There are also dangers to boats that exist outside of the water. You can protect against these with comprehensive coverage. All of these coverage types work together to keep you well-protected against financial harm that can come from an accident or other incident with your boat.

Get Boat Insurance in Missouri!

When you need financial protection for yourself and your boat, we’re here to help. To get started with boat insurance, contact us at Focus Insurance in Eureka, MO.

Reasons why your home insurance may be canceled and what to do

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Home insurance protects the largest investment you will probably ever make and is also mandatory if you have a mortgage. However, it can be quite distressing when your home insurance is canceled. At Focus Insurance in Eureka, MO, we are here to help when a cancellation happens.

Non-payment of premium

One of the most common reasons for home insurance policy cancellation is non-payment of the premium. Most carriers allow a grace period, and even if you have gone beyond that, if you are a long-standing customer or regularly pay on time, it is probably not a big issue. Getting it reinstated with your agent’s help should be rather easy.

Not maintaining your home.

Your home insurance company conducts periodic inspections. If they inspect the exterior of your home and notice maintenance issues, they will most likely send you a letter specifying what they expect you to do. If they don’t hear from you, there is a chance your policy will be canceled. Once you complete the repairs, you can send them a photo to show proof of your compliance.

You misstated facts in your application.

If you misrepresent facts on your application and it is discovered, your policy could be voided. You may also have a claim denied, receive a low payout, or even face an insurance fraud charge. It just isn’t worth it.

Regardless of the reason for the cancellation, speak to your insurance agent immediately to secure alternative coverage. You need to ensure that the mortgage company doesn’t enforce a policy on you as it would not be to your advantage.

When you need a new home insurance agent or a new carrier, Focus Insurance in Eureka, MO, is here to help. Give us a call to discuss your needs.

Are You Covered? With Umbrella Insurance You Won’t Have to Ask

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People rely and count on the protection insurance provides for many things. From protecting our homes, vehicles, and more, insurance is a security blanket for more than a few people. The assurance of protection makes insurance so valuable, but that is also where people begin to have questions. For questions about insurance coverage and options like umbrella insurance, people in and around the Eureka, MO area also turn to the friendly and professional team at Focus Insurance for answers and help.

Umbrella Insurance: The Assurance of Protection You Need

There are accidents, situations, and scenarios every day and everywhere where insurance provides the protection and help people need. Unfortunately, there are also many situations where those events’ results, outcomes, and expenses exceed standard policy limits. That also means people can be left in precarious circumstances without the coverage and help the situation demands.

Fortunately, there is help, and you can be prepared for the worst-case scenarios with the added protection of an umbrella insurance policy. Are you covered? With the right umbrella insurance solutions, you won’t have to ask. The first step is working with a trusted and proven agent to help with all your insurance questions and coverage concerns.

Get Umbrella Insurance in Eureka, MO

If you live in or around the greater Eureka, MO area and want to learn more about umbrella insurance, have questions, or want umbrella insurance, we can help. Our experienced and professional team is here to help with all your questions and to help you with all your umbrella insurance needs. Contact us to learn more and get the protection and assurance that only the umbrella can provide and that you deserve at Focus Insurance today.

Should I Buy Whole Life or Term Life Insurance?

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This may be the most often asked question among people considering life insurance, and it points out two different approaches to life insurance. Which one is right for you depends on your circumstances and goals. Our goal at Focus Insurance is to help those living in or near Eureka, MO, make the best insurance and other financial decisions.

Term versus Whole Life Insurance

Most people buy life insurance primarily to cover the financial needs of their spouse and dependents in the event the worst happens. They often buy coverage to ensure financial resources are available for the dependents to become adults and to keep their spouses from struggling financially.

Both term and whole life insurance can help address those goals. However, term insurance is similar to your auto or home insurance in that you buy coverage in a specific amount for a particular number of years. It provides a death benefit only during the policy period and then goes away, often not paying a benefit.

Whole life insurance, on the other hand, remains in force for life as long as you pay your premiums, so it always pays a benefit. It also builds cash value, like a savings account, making it more expensive than term insurance. Term insurance is sufficient for most, but whole life can help those with greater financial resources or those with certain obligations, such as disabled children who may need financial assistance.

Working with the Focus Insurance Team

The term versus whole life insurance choice depends on your circumstances and goals. Our Focus Insurance team, serving the Eureka, MO, area, can help you make decisions that best meet your family’s needs. Call us today at (636) 391-3900 to schedule an appointment, or click here for an online quote.

How Do You Know If Your Auto Insurance Policy Will Cover You on a Rental Car?

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Renting a car can be a convenient option, whether you’re traveling for business or pleasure. But before hitting the road in your rental, it’s important to understand what your auto insurance policy covers. At Focus Insurance, serving the greater Eureka, MO region, we want to ensure you’re well-informed and confident about your coverage.

Check Your Existing Policy

The first step is to review your current auto insurance policy. Most standard policies include coverage for rental cars, but the extent of this coverage can vary. Typically, if you have comprehensive and collision coverage on your own vehicle, these protections will extend to a rental car. This means that damages to the rental vehicle from accidents, theft, or natural disasters would be covered.

Liability Coverage

Liability coverage is another crucial aspect. This part of your policy covers damages or injuries you might cause to others in an accident. Generally, your existing liability coverage will apply to a rental car, ensuring you’re protected from financial responsibility for third-party damages and injuries.

Confirm with Your Insurer

Confirming the specifics with your insurance provider is always a good idea. At Focus Insurance, we’re here to help you understand your policy’s nuances and ensure you’re adequately covered.

Consider Additional Rental Car Insurance

Even if your policy provides coverage, you might want to consider additional rental car insurance the rental agency offers. This can cover gaps that your personal policy might not.

Renting a car should be a hassle-free experience. You can enjoy your journey without worry with the correct information and coverage. Contact Focus Insurance in Eureka, MO, today to review your auto insurance policy and ensure you’re comprehensively protected on the road.

Are Home Insurance Claims Public Record?

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If you’re looking for home insurance, selling your house, shopping for a home, or thinking about making an insurance claim, it’s important to know how the details of claims are reported. This information isn’t only available to your current insurer. Other individuals and businesses in Eureka, MO may have access to it, and you might be able to learn about claims made by home sellers.

Is It Public Record?

Your record of home insurance claims is similar to your credit report. When you apply for a new policy, an insurer can check for information about prior claims. They do so by obtaining your Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange report. Real estate agents can request this data from home sellers and share it with potential buyers.

Home and auto claims appear on a CLUE report regardless of whether the insurer approves or denies them. The information includes dates, loss types, claim amounts, and other facts. You can review your report once each year for free. This allows you to look for mistakes and request any needed corrections.

Buying a House

Claim data isn’t only useful to insurance carriers. This information could benefit you when you’re looking for a home to purchase. Ask a real estate agent to request claim data on a house you’d like to buy. This may help you learn about risk levels and prior damage and repairs. However, you’ll need the seller’s permission.

If you own or plan to buy a home in Eureka, MO, the experienced professionals at Focus Insurance can help you obtain the proper coverage. Our independent agency has served the area for over two decades, and we offer policies from more than fifteen trusted insurers. Please call 866-241-7015 or 636-391-3900 to request a quote from Focus Insurance today.

Five Boating Tips for Riverfront Safety in Eureka, MO

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Boaters around Eureka, MO, are attuned to the marvelous riverfront vistas and the beckoning tranquil waters that invite local adventurers. Yet, amid this serenity, it remains essential to safeguard themselves, their passengers, and their treasured vessels against unforeseen circumstances. Uncover the top five riverfront safety measures courtesy of the experts at Focus Insurance in Eureka, MO.

1. Never Forego Your Life Jacket

Regardless of your confidence in swimming, donning a life jacket to protect yourself and passengers from unexpected interaction with river water is non-negotiable. Unforeseen currents and submerged hazards pose severe challenges even to the most proficient swimmer.

2. Prioritize Monitoring of Weather and River Conditions

Running through Eureka is the Meramec River, stretching 218 miles through the Missouri Ozarks. Ignoring rapidly varying river conditions and local weather alerts can pose significant risks to local boaters and anglers.

3. Perform Routine Boat Maintenance

Eureka’s boat enthusiasts should inspect the vessel’s body, lights, signals, and propulsion systems thoroughly before venturing into local waterways. Ensure to equip every expedition with a fully stocked first-aid kit, fire extinguisher, and emergency navigation instruments.

4. Be Conscious of River Traffic

The local riverfront experiences high traffic during peak seasons. To avert costly, damage-inflicting boating accidents, boat owners should exhibit a high sense of traffic consciousness and maintain a safe distance from other boaters sharing the same waters.

5. Invest in Comprehensive Boat Insurance

Arguably one of the pivotal safety measures for local boat owners is procuring comprehensive boat insurance catering to common and uncommon risks.

Contact the trusted insurance agents at Focus Insurance in Eureka, MO, to secure a boat insurance quote today.

Three Times You Should Invest in Umbrella Insurance

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The investment in umbrella insurance offers an added level of security to protect against liability claims made against you. Knowing when you need that extra support is critical. While not everyone will benefit from this type of insurance coverage, there are some instances in which it can be critically important to protecting your financial well-being.

At Focus Insurance, we help clients in Eureka, MO, purchase umbrella insurance that meets their needs, including those in the following situations.

1. You Have a High Net Worth

If you have a high net worth, meaning you have a significant amount of savings or other valuable assets, you should have umbrella insurance to protect those assets from claims made against you. Investing in extra coverage helps to minimize the risk of losing those assets if someone has a reason to sue you.

2. You Own Investment Property

Those who own investment property can also benefit from the investment in umbrella insurance. It allows you to protect against risks that could impact you should someone suffer an injury on or in that property. This could include guests using a rental property, for example. 

3. You Own a Business

Though commercial insurance is necessary for most companies, umbrella insurance can help business owners gain an extra level of protection that’s often critical. It helps protect your personal assets, too, from claims made against your business, and that can reduce a great deal of risk to both your personal and business assets.

Choose the Right Type and Level of Coverage for You

Umbrella insurance is not just for the wealthy or business owners but for anyone who wants added protection against the risks of lawsuits (which can happen to anyone). Discuss your needs with our team at Focus Insurance. We serve clients throughout Eureka, MO, and the surrounding areas.

Is the Life Insurance Offered Through My Employer Sufficient?

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Do You Need Additional Life Insurance Beyond Your Employer’s Plan?

Life insurance often seems like a subject most people would rather not think about, yet its importance cannot be overstated. After all, life is unpredictable; an unexpected event like an accident or illness could happen to anyone at any age. To provide peace of mind, many employers offer life insurance plans to their employees. If you’re an Eureka, MO resident contemplating whether your employer’s life insurance is adequate, here’s a helpful breakdown.

Do You Have a Family?

If you’re single, your employer’s life insurance likely provides enough coverage. However, if you have a family, you may need to pay extra for additional coverage or consider purchasing a separate policy. Families depend on your income for support, and the loss of that income due to an unexpected death can lead to financial hardship. Therefore, it’s crucial to ensure you have sufficient life insurance to cover ongoing expenses such as mortgage payments and bills. Any decision on coverage amount should take all potential costs into account.

While the life insurance offered by employers is generally enough for many, individuals with families or those in their later years might consider securing additional life insurance to meet their needs. If you’re considering purchasing more life insurance beyond what your employer offers, Focus Insurance is here to help. Serving Eureka, MO, and its surroundings, we offer comprehensive and reliable insurance solutions. Contact Focus Insurance today – we will provide you with a quote and explain our range of offers, ensuring you’re fully covered when it comes to life insurance.