Author: AgentInsure

Accidental Death and Dismemberment: Is it health insurance?

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Benefit Insurance Services of Myrtle Beach, SC knows the ins and outs of health insurance and we want you to, too. Your employer may include <a href=“https://www.insurance.com/life-insurance/coverage/accidental-death-and-dismemberment-insurance.aspx”>accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D)</a>  insurance in your benefits package or you may have just heard of it and wondered what it covers. This blog explores the coverage of accidental death and dismemberment insurance, one type of health insurance that also provides life insurance benefits. It is both.

If you die as a result of an accident, AD&D pays your beneficiary the full benefit of the policy which makes it similar to a life insurance policy. However, if you incur injuries that result in the loss of a limb,  your eyesight, hearing, limb or speech, AD&D pays the amount specified in the policy. This provides a significant lump sum payout to fund health care, including your hospital stay, long-term care or rehabilitative care. The dismembering event must occur within months of the accident date. You also must be able to prove that the injury was a direct result of the accident.

Typically, you will receive a 50 percent benefit for the loss of one hand, foot, limb, sight in one eye, hearing or speech. Similarly, with partial or complete paralysis, policies pay 25 to 50 percent. If you lose two limbs, the policy pays the full benefit. 

While we at Benefit Insurance Services of Myrtle Beach, SC hope you never need your accidental death and dismemberment insurance, it does provide a safety mechanism that pays for a lengthy hospital stay as well as rehabilitative care. It also provides a significant benefit if you die in an accident which can provide your beneficiary with income to live on after your death.

Can I Add a New Roommate to an Existing Renters Insurance Policy?

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If you have never had a renters insurance policy before, you may have a plethora of questions about this type of insurance policy. Here at Benefit Insurance Services, serving Myrtle Beach, SC, we often hear questions about who can be added to the policy and when. If you are wondering if your roommates can be added to an existing renters insurance policy and when they can be added, here are the answers you are looking for. 

Can Roommates Be on a Renters Insurance Policy With You? 

Roommates can be on a renters insurance policy together. The roommates do not have to be related, they simply have to be sharing a space together, such as a condo, house or apartment. Many insurance companies require all people who are trying to get coverage together to be listed on a rental lease together. As such, you cannot simply add your boyfriend who sometimes sleeps over to your policy or a friend who is just crashing on the couch. 

Can You Add New Roommates to an Existing Renters Insurance Policy?

Roommates may come and go. One roommate may move out, and a different one may move in. If you are in the middle of a renters insurance policy, you may wonder if you can add or change the roommates on the policy. Insurance companies will allow you to add or remove covered individuals in the event of move-in and move-outs. 

You are able to have roommates on a renters insurance policy with you, and you are able to change the people listed on the policy when needed. Having a lease that lists the covered parties is important. If you are in the market for a new renters insurance policy in the greater Myrtle Beach, SC area, let Benefit Insurance Services help you. Call us now to learn more. 

Protect your home from wind and water this storm season

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Myrtle Beach, SC is one of the most beautiful places in the country to live, and the team at Benefit Insurance Services is proud to serve this wonderful community. We would like to take this opportunity to remind our clients and neighbors that it’s time to think about protecting your home from wind and water damage this storm season. Remember that your primary home insurance policy may not provide coverage for these types of damage causes, and a supplemental policy is necessary. We are happy to review your current coverage with you and make sure that you have adequate protection from different types of damage.

Make sure that you have adequate protection from wind and water damage

Damage from wind and water might not be covered by your primary policy as there are a lot of different guidelines when it comes to the causes of damage. Some types of natural causes could be covered by your regular policy while others might not be. For example, there are different guidelines for water damage caused by floods and damage caused by rainwater or storms. It’s important that you understand how this affects protecting your home. It’s a good idea to review all of your coverage options and determine which policies are right for you and your situation. There are too many instances when people find out that their policy doesn’t provide the coverage they need; don’t let this happen to you and your family.

Now is the perfect time to sit down with the helpful agents at Benefit Insurance Services and review the coverage that you have for your Myrtle Beach, SC area home. Call or stop by our office today, and we will make sure that you understand your coverage options. 

Does Commercial Insurance Cover Injury to the Business Owner?

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Commercial policies are a great idea for any business owner that is going to have inventory, customers, and employees. That being said, your commercial insurance may cover more than you think. For those that live in the Myrtle Beach, SC area, the agents with Benefit Insurance Services can help you find the policy that works best for you.

Commercial policies cover the business, injury to employees on the premises, and injury to patrons at the premises as well. Your policy may also cover damage that is associated with vandalism, with theft, and may also cover fire damage. On top of all of that, you can also make a claim against your own commercial policy if you are injured on the property. There are some considerations to make, however. If you are injured in your own business it may be better to just use your own health insurance to help cover costs and it may not be completely beneficial to use your commercial policy.

A commercial policy is in place to protect the business and the business owner but is often better used to protect those that come to your business and those that work there rather than yourself. You can always use your own personal health insurance to help cover costs and can then use money from this type of policy to help cover any costs associated with losses that are a result of your being injured on your own property. It is always best to take the time to find the best solution possible before you make any sort of claim against your commercial policy. For those in the Myrtle Beach, SC area, the agents with Benefit Insurance Services can help you to find the policy that works for you and your needs.  

Does my Auto Insurance Cover Driving in Other Countries?

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Are you planning a trip to the Bahamas or the British Virgin Islands from Myrtle Beach, SC? If so, you may wonder if your insurance is going to cover your rental car. This is a good question and something our team at Benefit Insurance Services is here to answer.

Understanding Rental Vehicle Insurance

The answer to this question is pretty simple and straightforward – no, your insurance policy won’t cover your rental vehicle when you are in the Bahamas or the British Virgin Islands. This has confused and concerned some of our clients and customers in the past. However, there is no need to worry. There is a good way to ensure you are fully protected, even when driving a rental vehicle.

Getting Insurance Coverage for Your Rental Vehicle

When you rent a vehicle in another country, the rental company is going to offer you insurance coverage. This is something you should pay for. In most cases, the cost for this additional coverage isn’t going to be much and will provide you with the protection needed while you are using a rental vehicle.

Keep in mind, there are usually going to be different levels of insurance coverage, and the more coverage you choose, the higher the price is going to be. You are going to have to determine the right coverage amount for your rental vehicle.

Contact Us for Help

If you are confused about whether your existing insurance policy covers rental vehicles when you travel from Myrtle Beach, SC to other countries, then call us. Our team at Benefit Insurance Services is ready and able to help and answer any questions you have and ensure you get the coverage needed to protect you and your rental vehicle while on vacation.

 

3 Ways To Ensure Your Motorcycle Is In Ship Shape

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Now that you have your new motorcycle, your first thought probably revolves around the excitement of taking the bike for its initial spin. But while you prep your bike for its maiden journey by purchasing your Benefit Insurance Services Motorcycle policy, it’s time to think of a maintenance plan for your new beauty.

Naturally, you want your bike to run and last as long as possible, and your goal is to keep it in the best condition year-round. Here are some tips to help you preserve your motorcycle no matter how much you ride it.

Check Tire Pressure Regularly

Ideal tire pressure makes for perfect riding conditions. Over-inflated tires can pop easily, while under-inflated tires can throw your bike off balance. Either scenario is dangerous.

Consult your motorcycle’s manual to find out the appropriate tire pressure for your vehicle. Then, make a point of checking your tire pressure every week at the very least. Ideally, you should check the pressure after each ride.

Remember to change both tires at the same time. Even if just one tire needs replacing, changing them both keeps your bike well-balanced. Don’t wait until your tires are bald to replace them. They should still have some tread in them by the time they are taken off.

Check And Replace Your Oil Regularly

Riding your motorcycle in Myrtle Beach, SC on dirty engine oil can damage your entire engine.

Your oil lubricates all of the gears and keeps your engine running smoothly. Consult your owner’s manual to find out how often the oil should be topped off or replaced on your particular vehicle.

Even if your bike doesn’t use up that much engine oil, topping it off isn’t always the best choice. You should replace it instead. Do so on a regular schedule. If you just top off a dirty oil reservoir with new, clean oil, that can eventually damage your engine as much as if you never added new oil in the first place.

Check and Tune Up Your Engine

Cleaning the engine itself is as crucial as regularly changing your bike’s oil. When you tune up your engine, make sure to clean the spark plugs and the carburetor every 900 miles or so. Be sure to maintain valve clearances as well.

Keeping your engine nice and clean will reduce fuel consumption and will keep your bike running faster and safer.

Are You Ready To Ride?

Now that you learned how to maintain your bike, it’s time to protect it as well. If you haven’t already done so, contact us here at Benefit Insurance Services so that we can help you purchase a worthwhile motorcycle insurance policy. We are here in Myrtle Beach, SC, ready to assist you in protecting your most precious asset.

Important Features to Look for in Your Myrtle Beach, SC Condo Insurance Policy

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If you are looking to purchase a vacation condo in the greater Myrtle Beach, SC area, or live here full-time, there are several features to look for when choosing your condo insurance policy. The team at Benefit Insurance Services is here to help condo owners in our area find the insurance policy that is right for them. If you are unsure what to look for when choosing your coverage, keep reading and learn more about a few important features that a comprehensive policy can offer.

Make Sure Your Condo Policy Includes These Features

Most condo association policies cover all common areas and the building structure itself. When you are choosing your individual policy makes sure that you have coverage for all damage that can occur in your unit, even if you aren’t at fault.

Liability insurance can protect you if a visitor to your home has an accident or becomes injured in some way. Make sure that you are protected from any liability if someone should be harmed in your residence. No one wants to see a friend get hurt, and the situation can be made worse if there is a serious injury involved. Make sure that you have the protection you need to deal with any situation.

Many primary policies enforce a single-item value limit and will cover items up to a certain point. If your jewelry, electronics, or art collection exceed these policy limits ask your agent about a personal articles policy or other supplement coverage. 

Ready to obtain the right condo insurance policy for your Myrtle Beach, SC condo? Call or stop by Benefit Insurance Services today and let one of our professional agents help you get the coverage that’s right for your needs.

Does flood insurance only help in natural disasters?

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If you live in Myrtle Beach, you are probably already aware of the dangers water can pose to the local properties. Myrtle Beach, SC has several areas which are vulnerable to flooding, with most of the area flooding caused by ocean water or extreme rain that may go along with tropical storms or thunderstorms. 

If you live in an area which is higher, or which isn’t in one of the most vulnerable areas, you may not think you need flood insurance. Most people associate flood insurance with natural disasters,.Myrtle Beach has been affected by several major storms in the not-so-distant past, like Hurricane Bertha in 1996 and Hurricane Floyd in 1999. At Benefit Insurance Services, we understand how frightening those kinds of storms can be.

Flooding is considered a natural disaster, but it doesn’t have to happen because of a tropical storm or hurricane. Flooding is actually the most common natural disaster and can happen because of other more common acts of nature. The minimum requirement to be covered under flood insurance is that the flooding covers more than one property or at least two acres.  

One thing to keep in mind is that there is usually a waiting period after you buy flood insurance, usually at least 30 days. If you buy it because you see a storm coming, you probably won’t be covered for any damage caused by the flooding.   

There are several sources of flooding possible in Myrtle Beach, SC, and you want to be protected. If you own your home, you can purchase a policy to cover your property and possessions. You can also purchase a policy to cover your personal possessions if you are a renter. If you have any questions or would like to talk about purchasing a flood insurance policy, please call Benefit Insurance Services today.

How Much Renter’s Insurance Do You Really Need?

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People who rent or lease a space to live in, should seriously consider purchasing renter’s insurance. It is a policy designed to cover contents that you own in the event of loss from a variety of threats. Most people know that renter’s insurance is a good idea, but exactly how much renter’s insurance is enough to provide adequate coverage?

Renter’s Insurance

Renter’s insurance is fairly simple and is usually offered for coverage in the amount of $100,000 unless otherwise specified. Anyone who has contents that exceed that amount of value should consider asking if there are additional coverage options available through their carrier. Additional insurance products may be necessary to cover high cost collections, jewlery, and art. In order to discover that amount that works for a specific situation, calculate the value of all large ticket items such as appliances and electronics. Make sure to keep receipts for these items, as well as photos to help expediate the claims process. 

Finding Reliable Renter’s Insurance

Anyone who is considering purchasing renter’s insurance should work with an established insurance agency with representatives and agents who know how their products work and can guide clients in the right direction when it comes to selecting the right coverage. Residents in and around the Myrtle Beach, SC area should check out Benefit Insurance Services to provide quality renter’s insurance products. Their agents can work closely with each client to help them understand terms and conditions and even help them file a claim. 

Anyone who is searching for renter’s insurance should call or stop by Benefit Insurance Services serving the residents of the Myrtle Beach, SC area, to discover options that can protect their belongings from a variety of potential incidents. 

Must you Have Health Insurance on Dependents?

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Health insurance is a hot topic and everyone wants to know just what is required and what is not. There are a few different ways that you can broach the topic of health insurance and one is to look at what is required if you have dependents. For those that live in the Myrtle Beach, SC area, the agents with Benefit Insurance Services can better answer all your insurance questions.

So, do you have to have insurance on a dependent, short answer, yes. It is required by law that all people have health insurance and that means dependents as well. If you have children or adults that are dependent on you, it becomes your responsibility to take care of their insurance needs. It is your duty to make sure that your dependents have health insurance of some sort. In most cases, major medical health insurance companies are going to offer family plans where you can add your legal dependents for a fraction of the cost so that they are insured.

If you cannot afford to insure your dependents or you cannot afford to insure yourself, you can opt for government-sponsored insurance in the state in which you live which will cover both the adults and the dependents as well. Insurance is something that all people need and that is required by law to making sure that you have the proper insurance is a must. If you have questions about insurance, about what sort of policy you need, and about what policies you are eligible for, you can always ask an insurance professional. For those that live in the Myrtle Beach, SC area, the agents with Benefit Insurance Services can help you to find the policy that works for you and your dependents alike.