Ardent Insurance Blog

Insurance Journal Article Re: Caughlin Ranch Fire

2011-12-17T13:18:00.000-08:00

Caughlin Ranch Fire Article Link http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/west/2011/12/16/227928.htm

Reno Auto (Car) Insurance. Please visit our site.

2011-11-14T15:41:00.000-08:00

Thanks for visiting our blog. For Reno auto (car) insurance please check out our site at http://www.ardentinsurance.com/home.htmlhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

New Nevada Statutes Related To Driving on Nevada Roads

2011-10-20T15:29:00.000-07:00

Senate Bill 248 is one of two revisions to state laws the 2011 Legislature approved to make the roadways safer for bicyclists. Under Assembly Bill 328, the second revision known as the Vulnerable Highway Users Bill, motorists found at fault in a collision with a bicyclist or a pedestrian can be charged with reckless driving and face harsher penalties.

Uninsured Motorist Exposure Rising Dramatically

2011-09-27T10:01:00.000-07:00

High unemployment effect in NV has increased uninsured motorist exposure dramatically. Make sure your protected properly.

Please visit (or revisit) our website.

2011-08-24T19:55:00.000-07:00

http://www.ardentinsurance.com/home.html
Ardent Insurance has rededicated itself to providing better access to our clients and community (Northern Nevada). Also, please visit our social community and use our secure website to obtain free insurance quotations. Our clients can enjoy more informational resources (including a free monthly newsletter) that we will continually update.

Thank you for your interest.

Kevin Brunson

New Nevada DMV Law Effective 07/01/2011

2011-07-13T15:33:00.000-07:00

http://www.dmvnv.com/news/11012-new-insurance-liability-law.htm

Reno/Sparks Car (Automobile) Insurance

2011-04-21T11:46:00.000-07:00

As an independent insurance agency in the Reno/Sparks area we are dedicated to serving the personal lines (home, auto, recreational vehicles etc.) insurance market. Some agencies prefer to have there agency focus in the area of commercial insurance and we do write this business. We still enjoy helping people with their personal insurance, and we enjoy being able to offer a variety of different markets (insurance companies).

Rental Car Reimbursement

2011-02-08T11:24:00.000-08:00

The coverage covers renting an automobile if your car is not drivable and being repaired because of a covered accident.

We recommend this coverage when a client does not have other vehicles to drive if their primary vehicle is disabled for a period of time.

Insurance Agent Definition

2011-01-29T03:50:00.000-08:00

Definition: Insurance Agent - Individual who is licensed to sell insurance for one or more specific companies.

In our case we are licensed to sell insurance in three states: Nevada, California, and Arizona. We represent many different insurance companies.

We are a member with the Independent Insurance Agents of Nevada and we are a Trusted Choice agency.

We appreciate all the support from our past and current clients, and we look forward to our continued future client relationships.

Auto Insurance Rental Reimbursement Coverage

2011-01-20T15:17:00.000-08:00

Rental Reimbursement Coverage is designed for policy holders that cannot afford to lose the use of their vehicle(s), while it's being repaired. So if a policy holder does not have access to a vehicle when his or her vehicle is damaged due to a collision or comprehensive claim, this coverage is available.

A common coverage limit is $30/$900. This stands for $30 per day with a maximum of $900. Which means that the insurance company will pay for a rental car at the rate of $30.00 for up to 30 days. The lowest limits we typically see are $20/$600 and on the high end $50/$1500.

For policy holders that are dependent on their vehicles, rental reimbursement coverage is important. Typically the cost of $30/$900 is in the $30 dollar per six months range or $60 dollars a year. Which means for about $5.00 a month you can buy a coverage that can save you 100's of dollars.

Remember this coverage would only apply in the event of a collision/comprehensive claim. Issues such as mechanical breakdown would not be covered under rental car reimbursement coverage.

Christmas Tree Safety - Merry Christmas

2010-12-14T13:08:00.000-08:00

Make this Christmas is a great one but don't forget to be safe with your Christmas Tree. Make sure it's moist. Make sure your electrical circuits are not overloaded. Consider using timers to save money and to limit chance of fire. If you live in an older home pay attention to fuse boxes or circuit breakers. Don't forget to have a great time with friends and family this Christmas!!

Department of Nevada Motor Vehicles Dept. Website

2010-12-01T10:52:00.000-08:00

When you GOOGLE search DMV you receive many unofficial websites and in Nevada our official DMV website is a dot com. The DMV of Nevada website is http://www.dmvnv.com/.

Buying Auto Insurance Local Versus Online

2010-09-26T01:41:00.000-07:00

When you watch television and/or listen to radio advertisements about automobile insurance you hear a lot about saving money and little about value. The reality is the best of both worlds is waiting at your local independent insurance agency (www.ardentinsurance.com). As a Trusted Choice independent insurance agency our goal is to obtain the best insurance deal for your situation. In most cases we are simply matching the clients needs with the insurance company wants. Everyone wins. The insured obtains a great price, the right coverage, and someone to talk to if (some would say when) challenges arise. It's a long term relationship versus dating concept.

So next time you see or hear the advertisements about price go one step further and look for the best value. Call (775-284-8200) your independent insurance agency to discuss your options.

Automobile Collision Deductible

2010-08-02T16:55:00.000-07:00

Automobile collision coverage provides you protection in the event of physical damage to your own automobile (other than that covered under comprehensive insurance) resulting from collision with another inanimate object. Your deductible is the amount of money that you must pay out of your pocket before being reimbursed from the insurance company. The deductible is usually set as a fixed dollar amount. Such as: $250, $500, $1,000, $2,000 etc. The higher your deductible the larger the discount the insurance company will offer. Choosing higher deductibles is a strategy that allows you to save money on your insurance by SELF insuring smaller losses (loss amounts less than your deductible).

Comprehensive Insurance Deductible

2010-07-27T13:02:00.001-07:00

What is a comprehensive auto insurance deductible? Answer: Comprehensive is also sometimes referred to as “other than collision” since it pays for damages to your vehicle caused by perils other than a collision. For example comprehensive insurance covers damage to your car if stolen, damaged by animals, fire or flood.

Link: Faced with a loss - NV DOI

2010-06-29T11:51:00.000-07:00

Copy and Paste Link Below:
http://www.doi.state.nv.us/scs/faceloss.aspx

Living With FIre Link

2010-06-15T10:00:00.000-07:00

Check out this link (please copy and paste):
http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.livingwithfire.info%2F&h=a3318

Reprint: Nevada Insurance Chief Quits; Assistant Named Acting Commissioner

2010-05-22T14:04:00.001-07:00

May 13, 2010

Nevada Insurance Commissioner Scott Kipper resigned from the Nevada Division of Insurance after less than 17 months on the job, saying, "It's just time for a change."

Kipper's resignation is effective June 2. He started work in Nevada on Dec. 29, 2008, two months after resigning as Oregon's chief insurance regulator (BestWire, Jan. 13, 2009). He served for one year in Oregon after a stint as a deputy commissioner for the Louisiana Department of Insurance. Aside from taking some time off, Kipper is uncertain about his future prospects. He said he will be seeking other opportunities as a regulator, elsewhere in the insurance business or out of insurance altogether.

Kipper praised the Nevada insurance division staff and the state's "pro-business" climate. "The environment here is very good for insurers. It made it very easy to do my job," he said. "I think we struck a good balance."

While praising his predecessors for starting the effort, Kipper said he is proud of Nevada's surge in captive registrations (BestWire, Jan. 4, 2010). The state is now the fourth-largest captive domicile in the nation "with a bullet," he said.

Prior to his Louisiana post, Kipper was senior regional director of state affairs for America's Health Insurance Plans and as a government relations manager for General Electric Capital Assurance Co. He also worked as a health analyst for the National Association of Insurance Commissioners and spent 10 years in Wyoming state government and industry (BestWire, Oct. 17, 2010).

The Department of Business & Industry, which includes the insurance division, has launched a nationwide search for a new commissioner, Director Dianne Cornwall said. Chief Insurance Assistant Brett Barratt, the division's former counsel and hearing officer, will serve as acting commissioner.

Kipper succeeded Alice Molasky-Arman, the longest-serving insurance commissioner in Nevada history. Molasky-Arman joined Nevada-domiciled Western Insurance Co. as senior vice president of government relations, one month after retiring from the post she held through the tenure of three governors (BestWire, Oct. 31, 2008).

(By Sean P. Carr, Washington Correspondent: sean.carr@ambest.com)

Solvency: The Ultimate Consumer Protection Reprint http://www.doi.state.nv.us/

2010-05-11T13:03:00.000-07:00

KipperWith health care reform at the forefront of national debate lately, the Division of Insurance has been receiving numerous inquiries regarding the how, what and why of rate approvals for health insurance policies.

These questions are important to ask, and, as public servants, we are happy to continue to be a valuable resource on this topic. But I would also like to take a moment here on our Web site to shed some light on not just our recent review of rate approval requests, but the concept at the core of everything we do at the Division of Insurance: consumer protection.

Included in the Division's mission are our duties to protect the rights of Nevada insurance consumers and to ensure the financial solvency of insurers. What many people don't realize, however, is that these concepts go hand in hand.

When we approve an insurance company's rate adjustment requests, we take great care to make sure those rates are within the scope needed for that company to stay financially healthy, so it can continue to make good on its promises to consumers -- not just in the immediate future, but for years to come. Our highly skilled staff closely reviews all requests for rate changes so that companies will remain solvent and insurance will remain available and accessible for all Nevadans. We provide efficient and responsive regulation that encourages the competition necessary for consumers to have choices when shopping for all lines of insurance.

Currently we have more than 2,000 insurance companies licensed to do business in Nevada, and we are very proud of that fact. Insurance is an ever-evolving, growing and changing industry, and one about which we are very knowledgeable and passionate about. And we are always happy to share that knowledge and passion with you. We're here for you.

When faced with a loss - Reprint

2010-05-08T12:32:00.000-07:00

How You Can Make the Claims Process Easier
Important, but sometimes difficult, filing a claim can be one of the most frustrating processes during a crisis or following a major disaster. Delays in the claims process was the No. 1 complaint of insurance consumers in 2007, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). It is critical that at these times, you are prepared with the information your insurance company needs. To help you avoid problems getting your claims paid, we offer these tips:
Know Your Policy
Understand what your policy says. The policy is a contract between you and your insurance company. Know what's covered, what's excluded and what the deductibles are.
File Claims as Soon as Possible
Don't let the bills or receipts pile up. Call your agent or your company's claims hotline as soon as possible. Your policy might require that you make the notification within a certain time frame.
Provide Complete, Correct Information
Be certain to give your insurance company all the information they need. Incorrect or incomplete information will only cause a delay in processing your claim.
Keep Copies of all Correspondence
Whenever you communicate with your insurance company, be sure to keep copies and records of all correspondence. Write down information about your telephone and in-person contacts, including the date, name and title of the person you spoke with and what was said. Also, keep a record of your time and expenses.
Ask Questions
If there is a disagreement about the claim settlement, ask the company for the specific language in the policy that is in the question. Find out if the disagreement is because you and the insurance company interpret your policy differently. If this disagreement results in a claim denial, make sure you obtain a written letter explaining the reason for the denial and the specific policy language under which the claim is being denied.
Don't Rush into a Settlement
If the first offer made by an insurance company does not meet your expectations, be prepared to negotiate to get a fair settlement. If you have any questions regarding the fairness of your settlement, seek professional advice.
Auto and Homeowners Claims
Auto and homeowners policies might require you to make temporary repairs to protect your property from further damage. Your policy should cover the cost of these temporary repairs, so keep all receipts. Also, maintain any damaged personal property for the adjuster to inspect. If possible, take photographs or video of the damage before making temporary repairs.
Other Tips for Filing Auto or Homeowners Claims:

* Don't make permanent repairs. An insurance company may deny a claim if you make permanent repairs before the damage is inspected.
* If possible, determine what it will cost to repair your property before you meet with the claims adjuster.
* Provide the claims adjuster with records of any improvements you made to your property.
* Ask the claims adjuster for an itemized explanation of the claim settlement offer.

Accident and Health Claims
Ask your physician to provide your insurance company with details about your treatment, medical conditions and prognosis.

If you suspect a provider is overcharging, ask the insurance company to audit the bill and verify whether the provider used the proper billing procedure.
Contact Your State Insurance Department
If you have an issue with your insurer about the terms of the claim settlement, you should contact the Nevada Division of Insurance Consumer Services Section for assistance. In Northern Nevada, please call (775) 687-4270; in Southern Nevada, please call (702) 486-4009.

For more information about auto, home and health insurance options, and tips for choosing the coverage that is right for you, visit the NAIC’s consumer resource, www.insureUonline.org.

Distracted Driving Link

2010-05-06T12:16:00.000-07:00

(Please copy and paste)
http://www.distraction.gov/stats-and-facts/#examination

Consumer TIps Link - SAFECO

2010-05-03T15:24:00.000-07:00

(please copy and paste)
http://www.safeco.com/insurance-101/consumer-tips

Healthcare gap lessened for to-be college grads

2010-04-22T11:57:00.000-07:00

Link (if you cannot open copy and paste):
http://www.rgj.com/article/20100422/BIZ/4220329/1071

What Alarms Americans Most About LTC (Long Term Care)?

2010-04-14T19:45:00.000-07:00

Link (copy and paste):
http://insurancenewsnet.com/article.aspx?id=179217&type=TopNews

Is in-flight theft, on the rise?

2010-03-30T15:14:00.000-07:00

In a tough economy there are more people attempting to steal your high-value personal items. It is easy for criminals to spot items if passengers take things out in the full view of the isle, and then put them away in overhead compartments. Thieves take opportunities during the flight while passengers are sleeping or away from their seats (especially during trans-continental or red-eye flights). Criminals seize opportunities to remove items that they can get quickly, from overhead bins, and then casually disembark the plane with your valuables.

Personal items such as lap tops, electronics, designer bags, expensive jackets, cameras, passports, etc., should be kept at your feet during a flight. If you have items they must put in the overhead compartment, place them in larger locking case or bag. It is important that you have a strategy before air travel to protect yourself from theft. Check your bags before you leave the plane and report missing items immediately. Your chances of recovery are much better than if you report the loss once you have left the plane or the airport.

From an insurance standpoint many of these items may cost enough to matter, let’s say $400.00 to replace. But are less than your deductible on your homeowners or renters policy. As insurance agents we typically hear about these items after the loss, but the best time to think about protecting your personal items is before someone as the chance to steal them from you.

For more information call us at 775-284-8200 or visit us at http://www.ardentinsurance.com.