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Saks Insurance, LLC

Tag: property

  • Are Your Trees in Trouble?

    Are Your Trees in Trouble?

    Tree Dangers

    Trees are a great way to help keep your house cool during the summer while also helping to increase the value of your home. However, if you do not properly care for your trees, they can cause serious and expensive damage to your house. Make sure to look out for these signs of trouble in the trees in your yard.

    • V-shaped forks in between branches are more likely to split in two and cause damage than U-shaped ones.
    • Trees that are leaning significantly or look one-sided are at danger at falling onto your property and causing damage.
    • Any limbs that can come in contact with overhead power lines can cause damage to your property, as well as cause damage to the power in your whole neighborhood.
    • If you find any cracks in major limbs or in the trunk of the tree, it can mean that there are structural issues with the tree.
    • Mushrooms that are growing from the bark of the tree can be an indication of a weakened or decaying tree.
    • Branches that cross over each other can rub against each and interfere with each other’s growth, which can weaken the tree overall.
    • Branches that hang over the roof of your house are much more likely to fall and damage your house.

    One of the best ways to prevent problems with your tree is to regularly prune it. However, over-pruning can lead to a significantly weaker tree. If you find that you have a damaged, diseased, or dead tree in your yard, can help to limit the spreading of any diseases, as well as reducing the possibility that the tree will damage your property.

    Having the right homeowners insurance policy can help to make sure that you and your home are protected in case of any damage that occurs. Contact Saks Insurance Agency in Mesa, Arizona for all your home insurance needs.

  • Tips to Help Keep Your Teen Driver Safe on the Road

    Tips to Help Keep Your Teen Driver Safe on the Road

    female driver looks out the car windowIt’s an exciting time in teens’ lives when they first begin driving, but it’s also an extraordinarily dangerous time. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for kids and young adults ages 14 through 18.

    Despite this, the NHTSA says just 25 percent of parents have a serious talk with their kids about the key components of safe driving. So, with National Teen Driver Safety Week coming up October 19-25, here are five recommended rules to spell out before your teen gets behind the wheel:

    1. Absolutely no alcohol.
      There is no legal limit for alcohol when it comes to teen drivers. Having any amount of alcohol in their system is illegal for all those under 21, everywhere. On average, according to the NHTSA, 25 percent of deaths in motor vehicle crashes involve a teen driver with a blood-alcohol content of .01 or higher.
    2. Seat belts required.
      Drivers and passengers ages 16 to 24 historically use seat belts less often than other groups. Let teens know that seat belt use is non-negotiable. It’s the easiest way to protect themselves in a crash. And, set a good example by buckling up yourself.
    3. Never speed.
      Teenagers may like to push the limits, but the road isn’t the place to do so. Speeding doesn’t simply put them at risk for a ticket. It increases the risk of a deadly accident as well.
    4. No calls, no texts.
      It’s never a good idea for anyone to call or text while driving, but, because teens lack experience behind the wheel, distracted driving is all the more risky. Reaction times are slower when someone is distracted. Even worse, sending or reading a text means a driver’s eyes aren’t on the road.
    5. Only one passenger (or zero, depending on your state’s licensing guidelines for young drivers).
      As the number of passengers rises, so does the risk of a fatal crash, the NHTSA says. Think back to when you were a teen driver — how different were your actions when you had friends in the car versus when you were alone?

    Let young drivers know that driving is a privilege and that you’ll take away the keys if they don’t drive safely. Having regular conversations about safety, practicing driving together, and leading by example go a long way in ensuring your teen makes smart decisions when they get behind the wheel.

    But there’s another simple step you can take to get on the same page about your family’s rules of the road. Create a Parent-Teen Driving Agreement that puts your rules in writing to clearly set expectations and limits. Work with your teen to outline hazards to avoid and consequences for breaking rules.

    Keep it on the fridge and update it as your teen gains experience and more driving privileges.

    Link to Parent / Teen Driving Agreement http://www.cdc.gov/parentsarethekey/pdf/patk_2014_teenparent_agreement_aap-a.pdf

    Contact Us!

    At Saks Insurance, LLC, we can work with you to make sure you’ve got the coverage you need, while at the same time using all possible credits and discounts to make that coverage affordable. Just give us a call at 480-545-1144 or send us an e-mail to service@saksinsurance.com. We want to help you meet your goals, and make sure what’s important to you is protected!

  • Landlord Insurance Basics

    Landlord Insurance Basics

    If you rent out your property, you need a specialized insurance policy, tailored just for landlords.

    Landlord insurance will protect damage to your property, other structures located on your property such as garages or sheds, and your personal property if your rental is furnished. There are numerous policies available to landlords that can protect them from any unforeseeable event. For example, fair rental income coverage can protect you from the income you lose in the case that your rental property becomes unlivable. Another form of coverage that may interest you as a landlord is inflation protection. This will adjust your policy to make room for changes in inflation.

    Additionally, landlords need to consider their increased risk for liability. The liability protection that comes with a landlord insurance policy will protect you against any legal action taken against you by providing compensation for any legal fees or damages.

    If you have any questions about a landlord insurance policy, please call us.  As an independent insurance agency serving Arizona for over 20 years, we put our customers first! We make it our mission to find you the best coverage, and the most affordable price. Contact our knowledgeable insurance professionals today for any and all of your insurance needs!