I need a home insurance binder, what is it?

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RI Home Insurance Binder

What is an insurance binder?  How do I get an insurance binder?

You are purchasing a home or refinancing your mortgage and need a temporary binder as proof that you have an insurance policy.  Your home insurance binder needs to meet the requirements of your loan.  The binder must prove that your bank is listed as a mortgagee on your insurance policy.  Your bank or mortgage company is requiring a binder because you have a mortgage on your home.  The binder provides your lender with verified temporary proof that you have insurance.  A binder also gives a summary of the coverage that is provided by your insurance policy. Continue reading →

Insurance for Your Dog?

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does your dog need insurance

You probably don’t think your dog would ever bite someone, let alone cause a serious injury, but dog bites are more common than you might realize. 4.5 million occur every year in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and most victims are young children.

Keep in mind that it’s not just bites that cause injuries. Dogs can knock down pedestrians or cyclists, too, which often leads to severe medical issues as well.

Those injuries also have a bigger impact on homeowners insurance than you might realize. The Insurance Information Institute says dog-related claims accounted for more than $600 million in insurance payments in 2016.

Continue reading →

How to Choose the Right Life Jacket

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Choosing-the-right-life-jacket

You can lower your risk of drowning by wearing a life jacket — but it can’t be just any life jacket. To truly be effective, a life jacket needs to be the right type and fit correctly.

You probably know you should wear a life jacket when you’re on the water, and you probably know it’s important for kids to wear one, too. (For kids, life jackets typically are required by state law; in states with no law, the U.S. Coast Guard requires anyone under the age of 13 on a moving boat to have one. Continue reading →

Essential Safety Tips for Nighttime Boating

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In the Ocean State, we love boating and it is likely you own a boat or as the saying goes, you know someone with a boat. If so you’ve probably thought about spending some evenings on the water — especially in the summertime.

It’s a great thought to take the boat out on Narraganset bay or on a lake in Glocester, Smithfield, or Burrillville. But, when you’re boating after dark, you need to think about staying safe, even as you enjoy the stillness of the water and the starry sky. Continue reading →

The Dangers of Distracted Driving

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dangers-distracted-driving

Distracted driving is any activity a driver engages in that shifts their attention from driving.

There are three main kinds of distractions:

•   Visual – taking your eyes off the road
•   Manual – taking your hands off the wheel
•   Mental – taking your mind off the task of driving

Driving safely is every driver’s responsibility. The use of cell phones, texting and other electronic devices including GPS navigation aids all pose great risk. The same goes for fatigue, eating or drinking, grooming, noisy passengers, misbehaving children, searching for radio stations, reaching for an object, and unrestrained pets. Continue reading →

Medicare and Your Health Plan Options

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medicare-health-plan

Medicare and Your Health Plan Options

If you’re like most workers in Rhode Island, you are eagerly awaiting your retirement and ready to bask in its glow. It’s also a time where new worries about paying for healthcare arise. In fact, healthcare is often cited as one of the top three concerns retirees have about leaving the working world behind.

Having a thorough understanding of Medicare is extremely important, particularly for anyone who is turning or has turned 65. Medicare is a complex topic with various plans and enrollment specifications. As the number of people eligible for Medicare grows, confusion about Medicare likely grows as well. Continue reading →

Summer-homeowners-tips

SUMMER SAFETY TIPS

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Here are some helpful tips to keep your home and property safe during the summer months:

Vacation

vacation

Protecting your home from theft and damage while you’re away can save needless worry while you’re off relaxing. Update your designated emergency contact with our office – you’d be surprised how often a neighbor or family member has moved or changed phone and email contact information. Advise your alarm company and local police should you be gone for an extended period of time. Lock all windows and doors, set timers on interior lights and consider Apple Valley as a trusted “neighbor” with whom you can leave your vacation address and telephone number so you can be reached in case of an emergency. Continue reading →

Hands-Free Cell Phone Use While Driving

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hands-free-while-driving
Hands-free cell phone use comes to Rhode Island

A bill criminalizing the usage of any “non- hands-free personal wireless communication device” was signed into Rhode Island law by Gov. Gina M. Raimondo.  This was one of the bills to make it past the Governors desk despite the budget dispute embroiling the General Assembly. The law will go into effect June 1, 2018 and prohibits usage of a phone to your ear while driving a vehicle, with a $100 fine if caught. Now is the time to equip your vehicle with bluetooth, ear pieces and other hands-free ways to use your cell phone for emergencies or navigation, as other New England states uphold these bans (CT, NH, NY and VT). Reminder that in both RI and MA, texting behind the wheel is not allowed by law.

 

Please note, this article was written to help you in general terms.  Please consult an insurance professional to discuss your specific situation as it relates to things discussed in this article.

David Brush, CIC

Nancy Mendizabal, CIC

Apple Valley Insurance

Greenville, RI

Apple Valley Insurance helps people and businesses with insurance needs.  We are a locally owned Smithfield, Rhode Island independent business that enjoys working with fellow small business owners.  We serve all of Rhode Island and have many options, providing personal and business insurance programs.  Contact us for a review or if you are concerned about having the right insurance coverage.

Summer-Toys_insurance

It’s Summer… Are Your Toys Covered?

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Our Rhode Island summer is fleeting. Back when we were kids, summer school vacations seemed to last forever.  As adults we realize there are only three short months to enjoy the Great Outdoors. Now is the time for motorcycles, boats, golf carts and more summer “toys” to come out of their winter hibernation to take advantage of the warm and sunny weather.

Many homeowners believe that their home or personal insurance policy covers their recreational toys but, in actuality, most don’t provide adequate or any coverage in the event of a claim. In some instances, specialty policies are available to help cover any gaps in coverage. Continue reading →