Why Is Title Insurance Important?

Let’s face it, buying a home takes a lot of hard work! With all the major decision-making and preparation going on it’s easy to overlook the small details that can end up creating huge headaches later on. While purchasing a home in Laurel, MD generally requires a title search to identify any potential problems such as liens or encumbrances, some faults aren’t immediately identified. That means you could end up paying for public records mistakes, sometimes for years!

Mid Atlantic Insurance Financial wants to help make your home-buying experience as stress-free as possible, so we’ve assembled this short guide about why title insurance is so important.

There are two types of title insurance, both are important.

If you are using a loan to help purchase your property, chances are the lender requires you to have a Loan Policy. A Loan Policy basically protects the lending institution from unforeseen problems with the title. It typically covers only the amount of money they are lending for the home.

In contrast, an Owners Policy is one that ensures you, the owner, from any future problems with the title for as long as you or your heirs own the property. This includes items that were not discovered during the initial title search. Such items include forgery, fraud, or false claims to the property by others. 

Title insurance takes time and skill.

There’s a reason most home buyers turn to a professional when it comes to getting their title insurance policy right. The process can take up to 100 different steps, sometimes more if problems do arise! Luckily most consumers won’t even have to go through this process, as their title pro will have it all taken care of before they present the policy.

If you’re interested in learning more about title insurance in Laurel, MD, don’t hesitate to contact Mid Atlantic Insurance Financial today! We will be happy to answer any questions you have and help get you started!

In Laurel, MD: When Is Comprehensive Insurance Required for a Vehicle?

In Laurel, MD, the agents of Mid Atlantic Insurance Financial offer all types of auto insurance to ensure you receive the type of coverage you need. Whether you are looking only for the most basic of policies, or require a comprehensive policy that protects you against a variety of risks, they can help you get exactly what you’re looking for.

The Benefits of Comprehensive Coverage

Comprehensive coverage protects you from financial loss if your car is damaged in any way except for a collision. Theft, flood, fire, and vandalism are some of the most common causes of damage. It also covers hitting an animal or if the car is stolen. Comprehensive insurance is designed to cover the small things that you normally don’t think of when it comes to auto insurance. Most people are worried about collisions or other types of accidents when in reality, it can be the smaller events that do the most damage.

When Is It Required?

If you own your vehicle, you can purchase whatever type of insurance you want. If you are leasing or have a loan on your vehicle, the lending institution will require you to carry full coverage to protect them from any type of loss if the vehicle is damaged or stolen. Full coverage is a combination policy that includes both comprehensive and collision, covering almost every type of damage that could detract from the car’s value. 

The agents of Mid Atlantic Insurance Financial offer residents of Laurel, MD comprehensive auto insurance coverage to protect them from financial loss and hardship. If you have questions about your existing policy or want to learn more about the different types of available insurance, call their office today so you can get answers.

Different Kinds of Life Insurance

Life insurance is a valuable investment for you and your family. It helps protect them when you are no longer around. However, there are different kinds of life insurance options out there, which is why we at Mid Atlantic Insurance Financial want to make sure you are educated on the potential opportunities available to you, whether you live in Laurel, MD or the surrounding area. 

Term Life Insurance

This is a straight forward form of life insurance. It only pays out what is known as "death benefits" as it requires the policy holder to pass on in order to pay. This does make term life insurance more affordable though, so if you’re on a budget or are not interested in the potential of withdrawing your investment early, this is usually the way to go. Term life insurance can also be purchased for set periods of time, such as 10, 20 or 30 years. 

Permanent Life Insurance

Permanent life insurance does vary from term life in that you can opt into not only death benefit protection, but there is an associated cash value to the life insurance policy. There is no time limit for when the insurance policy expires or is no longer good. As long as the premium is always paid the life insurance will stay active. There are several smaller categories of permanent life insurance available. 

Taking out a life insurance policy is one of the most important investments you’ll ever make. It provides your family with the protection they deserve while ensuring your peace of mind. There are different kinds of life insurance options out there, so if you ever have a question in Laurel, MD, make sure to contact our team at Mid Atlantic Insurance Financial. We are here to help. 

Breaking Down the Rate: What Factors Are Used to Determine Auto Insurance Premiums?

Auto insurance premiums include a lot of risk assessment and analysis as well as cost evaluations. Mid Atlantic Insurance Financial in Laurel, MD uses all of these cost evaluations, risk assessments, and driver information to get you an insurance policy to fit your specific needs.  If you currently quoting your insurance policy, you may find yourself asking, "exactly what factors go into determining a rate premium?" 

Your Credit Score

Maintaining a good credit score is important in many aspects of your life, and car insurance is no different.  Claims reporting has shown that drivers who maintain a higher credit score file insurance claim less frequently than those who may have fair to bad credit.

Your Past Driving Record

One of the largest factors that help to determine your premium rate is your past driving record.  If you have a past history of speeding tickets or at-fault accidents you will usually be charged a higher rate as you will be considered at higher risk for a claim.  Most insurance companies use three years of driving history when determining rates.  If you have severe risk factors, such as DU’s or reckless driving, you could pay significantly higher rates.

How Much Annual Mileage You Put on Your Car

The more miles you put on your car each year, the more likely you are to end up in a motor vehicle accident.  Less time on the road means you are less likely to file a claim and your insurance company will reflect this risk in your monthly premium.

Your Age

Statistical data has shown that differing age groups are more likely than others to get into car accidents.  More mature and experienced drivers are often more likely to be better defensive drivers and react faster.  Therefore teenagers and young adults will garner the highest premium rates.  

The Kind of Car You Drive

There are three main factors insurance companies look at when it comes to the kind of car you drive.

  • The Cost of Repair and Replacement – Your insurance company will look at what the parts will cost in the event of an accident as well as replacement value if and accident results in a total loss.
  • Safety Features – Your insurance company will look at the features that can protect the driver, the car, and the passengers in the vehicle.
  • The Amount of Damage it Can Cause – Cars that have a higher chance of inflicting significant damage in an accident will typically see higher rates in their liability insurance.

Your Selected Coverage

A significant portion of your premium will be determined by the features and coverages that you choose with your policy.  Lower deductible rates, replacement value, and towing and rental reimbursement are all features that can increase your monthly premium.

If you are looking to find ways to reduce your current insurance premium, or are shopping for a new policy, contact the experienced agents at Mid Atlantic Insurance Financial in Laurel, MD today for an estimate.

 

 

Managing life changes: Navigating unexpected events

Life comes with unexpected changes from relocation to job changes to major illnesses, and these changes can impact your life in a wide variety of ways. In order to get through these difficult moments, you have to be prepared and have a plan in place to work through the challenges so they don’t become overwhelming. Managing life changes before they occur can help make them much easier to work through. 

There are many ways a sudden, major life change can impact your life. A job loss, illness, or death can have both an emotional and financial impact. Because of that, it can be hard to get through these life events successfully. You have to deal with the emotional challenges of the life change as well as the financial. The good news is that there are plans you can put in place to protect yourself and your family when major life events occur.

Insurance should be a component in your plan to manage major life changes. Insurance can help protect against financial strain if you or a family member becomes seriously ill or injured or in the event of a death in the family. By helping alleviate some of the financial burden that comes from a major life change, you and your family are free to deal with the emotional challenges. This can help make major life changes easier to manage.

There are many types of insurance that can help you manage major life changes that may arise in your life. For more information about insurance to protect you and your family during major life changes, contact Mid Atlantic Insurance Financial today.

Do single people need life insurance?

A lot of people make the assumption that if they’re single, they don’t need to be bothered with life insurance. The truth is that anyone who has loved ones who would suffer as a result of their death needs to have a life insurance policy in place to protect them.  If the following situations apply to your life, then you need to have life insurance.

  1. You don’t have enough assets today for your final expenses. If your estate can’t cover your funeral, then it will have to be paid for by someone else. Small policies are often sold to singles specifically for this reason. Fortunately, they are relatively cheap.
  2. You have relatives who depend on you. Kids and/or elderly parents that rely on you for financial support will be effected by your death. Life insurance funds can be used to replace child support payments as well as provide funds to attend college. They can also provide lifelong care and/or someone to take over the tasks you normally do for your parents. 
  3. You own a business. If your death would be the end of your business, then you need to be insured. While many banks will insist on a policy if you have a business loan, it’s also a good idea to keep a policy that will compensate your employees and provide them with some severance as they look for new jobs.

If any of these circumstances apply to you, then call the agents at Mid Atlantic Insurance Financial. They have years of experience helping people find the life insurance policy that is right for them at a price that fits into their budget

The Easy Way to Update Your Insurance

For years, insurance companies have been trying to make the entire process of buying and even renewing your insurance policies as easy as possible.  Like with most things though, insurance companies rely on you regardless of whether you live in Laurel, MD or anywhere else.  You are the one who is responsible for providing the insurance company with all of the pertinent and critical information.  For that reason, we have put together a list of some of the information that you will need if you are buying a new insurance policy or just renewing and/or updating an existing policy.

Vehicle Insurance

When it comes to your vehicle, most of the time, people will have a good idea of what type of information they will need.  Such as your license plate number.  However, that isn’t the only sort of information you will need.  Some of the other pieces of information include but are not limited to:

  • If you are renewing or updating your insurance you will need to know your current policy number.
  • The VIN (Vehicle Information Number) of your car.
  • If there is a lien on the vehicle, you will need to know the name and address of whoever holds the lien.   Most of the time this will be a dealership or bank.
  • If you happen to be purchasing a new or used vehicle, you will need the insurance company to show the dealer and local DMV proof of insurance.  You will need the fax numbers or email address of the dealer and DMV.
  • If you are clearing up DMV issues such as a suspension of licenses or even an SR-22, you will need a case number.

If it is time for you to renew, review or update your vehicle insurance, call or visit a Mid Atlantic Insurance Financial agency as soon as possible.  

Your Local Food Bank Could Use Your Time and Talents

The Washington, DC area is full of hustle and bustle, and that can make it easy to forget that there are still people there who need assistance. Giving back to the community can be a great way to be reminded of that, and one of the ways to give back is through volunteering your time and talents to the local food bank. Even in areas of the country where some people have so much, there are definitely people who have very little.

By providing them with some food that they otherwise couldn’t afford, they can get a good meal and have the strength to get through their day. Whether it’s a homeless person who doesn’t have any money for food or a family who’s just a little short on funds and trying to make it through until the next payday, getting help from the food bank can make a big difference. While these organizations often have enough food to give out, they may not have enough people to hand out the food and help all the people who come through the doors.

When you offer your time and talents to your Washington, DC food bank, you give help and hope to many people who need it and who make up a part of your local community. Another way you can help your community is by supporting the local businesses there, like getting your insurance from Mid Atlantic Insurance Financial. When you support local businesses, they are better able to survive and thrive. That can lead to them also helping the local area, which is a winning situation for everyone involved.

3 Reasons to Work with an Independent Insurance Agent

Navigating your maze of insurance options can be an undertaking. With so much at stake, choosing the wrong option can have severe consequences. Fortunately, in your quest to find the best insurance coverage for your family, you have a partner by your side the entire time—independent insurance agents.

At Mid Atlantic Insurance Financial our independent insurance agents are proven experts. They help you on your journey in becoming insured by providing you with the following three benefits.

They Explain Difficult Concepts

Insurance jargon can be confusing. From deductibles to indemnities, our independent insurance agents help you understand what each term. They also help you understand how your choices affect your finances. Armed with insider information about insurance, you can choose the best insurance for your family.

They Are Consultants during the Sale

Our insurance agents act as your consultants, providing you with information so that you can make an informed decision about your coverage. We want you to be satisfied with your insurance policy and will equip you with the tools you need to make an educated decision.

They Are Your Partners after the Sale Too

All too often customers are on their own when they purchase insurance from companies, but at Mid Atlantic Insurance Financial we are your partners the entire time you are our customers. Whether you are interested in updating your insurance in the future, or you simply want to add more insurance, we are here for you.

Our independent insurance agents are not salespeople, but consultants. They help you understand and choose the best insurance for your family, regardless of your situation. When you are ready to get insurance, call one of our agents or get a free quote online.

3 Insurance Risks Every Small Business Owner Needs to Know

If you own a small business, one of the key components to success is by making sure you are prepared for the unexpected. Here are three insurance risks that every small business owner needs to know.

Risk #1: Liability Claims

Liability claims encompass more than just slip-and-fall cases or instances where a customer is injured while visiting your business location. These types of incidents can include situations where your employees accidentally damage someone else’s property, someone becomes ill from a product you created, or something entirely different. The key to understanding liability risk for your business begins with knowing that anything that injures a person or thing physically, emotionally, or financially could be constituted as a claim. With such a wide variety of different scenarios, it is important to make sure your business has adequate coverage for the industry you are in.

Risk #2: Damage to Property

Another insurance risk to be aware of is damage to property. We all know that storms, fire, theft, and vandalism can happen at any time. But if your small business were to have to replace all the tools and equipment necessary for everyday operations, would it be able to afford to do so? Preparing for the unexpected in this case means making sure your insurance policy covers as many critical items as possible.

Risk #3: Employee Injuries

From the moment you hire your first employee, you encounter the chance of an on-the-job injury. In our state, worker’s compensation insurance is required for all employers. But making sure you have this important coverage is only one small portion of managing this risk. Constantly remind staff about workplace safety procedures and have a strict guidance policy in place.

Find out more information about how a commercial insurance policy can help your business. Please contact our team at Mid Atlantic Insurance Financial today for further details.