Insurance

3 Questions To Ask Before Buying Motorcycle Insurance

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Are you planning on owning a motorcycle soon?

If so, you’re probably shopping around for motorcycle insurance in Mishawaka, IN, and wondering what your coverage might entail. Before you purchase a policy, here are three questions you should know the answers to. These answers aren’t specific to any Kevin Dennis Insurance Agency policy, in particular, so you can apply them to whichever type of coverage works best for you.

1. What Is the Minimum Liability Coverage I Need?

In the state of Indiana, the following minimum liability is required in order to register your bike with the Department of Motor Vehicles. The absolute minimum coverage you can legally ride with is:

  • 10 thousand dollars to cover property damage
  • 25 thousand dollars to cover bodily injury for one person per accident
  • 50 thousand dollars for bodily harm per accident for multiple people.

The state of Indiana also requires you to carry liability coverage for uninsured and underinsured persons, in case you are injured in an accident by someone who has insufficient coverage.

2. Does My Insurance Coverage Change Based On Whether I Wear A Helmet While Riding My Motorcycle?

In Mishawaka, IN, you can legally ride your motorcycle with or without a helmet as long as you are 18 years or older. That is the state law regarding helmets.

However, this does not necessarily apply to private insurance policy requirements. For instance, your insurer might require you to wear a helmet in order for your coverage to be in effect. You should ask your insurance agent whether no helmet at the time of an accident means that your coverage is void.

3. Do I Need Motorcycle Insurance To Ride My Motorcycle in the state of Indiana?

In order to register and ride your bike in Indiana, you have to show proof of motorcycle insurance at the state’s Department Of Motor vehicles. If you don’t have adequate coverage and therefore cannot register your bike, you are not legally allowed to ride it.

Are you ready to insure your motorcycle? Contact a friendly agent at the Kevin Dennis Insurance Agency to explore your options. We’re standing by to help you today.

Insuring Your Commercial Fleet

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Indiana state law requires that company vehicles from small cars to 18 wheelers carry, at the very least, a minimum amount of liability insurance. Company vehicles which carry passengers or haul a significant amount of weight may require a much higher limit of liability then personal vehicles. Most Commercial Fleet Insurance policies cover “named drivers” only. Kevin Dennis Insurance Agency in Mishawaka, IN serves businesses throughout Indiana and has extensive experience insuring commercial vehicles. We will develop a personalized commercial fleet insurance plan to ensure the protection of your company’s assets in case of a significant motor vehicle accident involving one of your company’s vehicles.

Indiana Commercial Vehicle Minimum Liability Coverage

Indiana state law requires a minimum liability coverage amount of 25/50/25 for all drivers. This translates to coverage of $50,000 for bodily injury for all persons injured or killed in an accident if multiple persons are injured, $25,000 coverage for bodily injury if one person is injured and $25,000 coverage for property damage.

Optional commercial Vehicle Coverage

Some optional coverages include comprehensive coverage, medical payments coverage, and collision coverage:

  • Comprehensive coverage covers damage to your vehicle other than from a car accident. This pays for repairs or replacement of the vehicle and includes theft, damage from vandalism and fire damage
  • Medical Payments coverage covers accident-related medical or funeral costs of any covered driver or passenger without taking fault into consideration
  • Collision coverage covers costs to repair your vehicle when involved in a collision

Call or Contact us Online Today for a Free Commercial Fleet Insurance Quote

Call today at 574-254-7070 or contact us at https://www.bettercoverages.com for a free commercial fleet insurance quote. Kevin Dennis Insurance Agency, serving clients throughout Indiana, stands ready to work with you to provide affordable and comprehensive commercial vehicle coverage. 

Choosing a Motorcycle Coverage That Offers Protection When You Need Medical Attention

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Just like vehicles and motorcycle auto coverage in Mishawaka, IN comes in different packages that range from the very basic to full protection known as a comprehensive policy. For anyone who has driven for a long time knows, the question of a crash isn’t an "if," situation, it’s a "when." However, until the accident occurs, many riders only see the cost in a policy and typically lean towards less expensive choices that usually only provide liability protection. Or maybe they choose a step up with a policy that has a bit more property protection. Either way, none of these base coverage packages do more than provide the minimum in medical coverage for the driver or those involved, and that can be a real problem.

Unlike someone who is driving a car, a motorcycle rider is entirely exposed. So even if the accident is not the fault of the rider, he or she can easily be put into intensive care by the simple nature of the impact physics involved and a lack of body protection. And that can turn into some costly medical bills after the fact, both for immediate treatment as well as rehabilitative care after the fact. This is why every motorcycle rider who has the option should always look at the medical portion of coverage first before settling on anything else in a motorcycle policy.

Kevin Dennis Insurance Agency has worked with motorcycle riders for years, helping them find the right protection that focuses on getting them back on the road and healthy in Mishawaka, IN. You use a helmet to protect your brain when riding; use a good policy to protect everything else. Kevin Dennis Insurance Agency can help today. Give us a call.

 

Do I Need a Commercial Policy for Every Vehicle?

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Business owners face a lot of challenges, and operating in Mishawaka, IN does not spare you from any of them. A unique set of challenges arise for any business that owns and operates motor vehicles. Issues of specialized commercial insurance can be convoluted, especially if you own multiple vehicles. To make things easier, Kevin Dennis Insurance Agency is here to make things clear for one of the most confusing components of commercial insurance: multiple policies. If you aren’t sure how many or what kind of policies you might need, you’re in the right place.

Operating a Fleet

Coverage will always vary from policy to policy, but many insurers offer fleet options. When you go this route, you can have a consolidated policy that covers every vehicle in your fleet. Whether you want to think of it as one policy or multiple is up to you. This is the typical route taken by businesses that use multiple vehicles with multiple drivers, but it is not the only situation that exists.

Unique Vehicles

Some businesses have specialty vehicles that may require specialized licensing to operate. If you employ such vehicles alongside traditional cars or trucks, you might find your situation is a bit more complicated. Again, things vary by policy, but many insurers will separate the specialty vehicles from the more standard ones. This could require you to have multiple policies to insure all of your assets.

Whatever the particulars of your Mishawaka, IN, business happen to be, you’ll find that a conversation with your Kevin Dennis Insurance Agency representative is usually the best first step. We can help you understand the peculiarities that often arise with commercial insurance and help you find a policy package that best fits your needs.

Should I Get Collision and Comprehensive Coverage for My Motorcycle?

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Riding a motorcycle can be a very exhilarating experience and a fun way to enjoy a commute. While they are a lot of fun to drive, a motorcycle is also an asset that needs to have proper insurance. In the state of Indiana, all drivers are required to carry liability insurance on their motorcycle. However, while collision and comprehensive insurance coverage are not required, there are several situations in which having this type of coverage would be beneficial.

Loan or Lease

If you have a loan or lease on your motorcycle, having collision and comprehensive coverage is likely a requirement. Since collision and comprehensive coverage will provide you with coverage in the event you are in an accident, or if the bike is stolen or damaged, the lender will likely need you to maintain this type of coverage until the loan is paid off.

Replacement Cost

Another factor to consider when deciding whether or not to get collision and comprehensive is the replacement cost of the motorcycle. A motorcycle’s value and price can range significantly from one bike to the next. If your motorcycle is valuable and would be too expensive for you to replace, then getting collision and comprehensive coverage is a necessity.

Risk Factors

Finally, those in the Mishawaka, IN area need to consider their specific risk factors. If you live in an area that is prone to vandalism or theft, having additional insurance coverage would be beneficial. A full collision and comprehensive policy will help to address these additional risks that occur in your area.

For those that are in the Mishawaka, IN area, meeting with Kevin Dennis Insurance Agency to discuss your insurance needs can be very beneficial. Kevin Dennis Insurance Agency will be able to help educate you on the topic of motorcycle insurance and get you started with a policy. Reach out to our agents to get a quote.

Business Interruption Coverage and Its Importance With Commercial Insurance

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It is essential for every business to stay open, allowing customers to flow in to buy products and services.  What happens, though, when you are unable to operate your business as expected?  It could be due to a severe weather event, major construction, or some other reason that could force your business to close.  Serving the Mishawaka, IN area, business interruption insurance is often a topic among Kevin Dennis Insurance Agency clients.

Understanding the Coverage

Business interruption insurance is also known as business income insurance.  It is a type of insurance that will cover you for the loss of income to your business following a significant event.

The coverage will protect you if you are losing income as a result of forced, involuntary closure.  It could also help you beyond just closing if you have to rebuild the business following a disaster.

Common Coverages

The coverages typically included with business interruption insurance are net income you would have earned, as well as coverage for regular operating expenses, cost to minimize the loss, as well as extra expenses as you restore the business.

Loss of Income is Crucial

Small businesses need income to continue to flow in the day-to-day.  Once the income stops coming in, it can be challenging to keep the lights on.  The value of paying an added premium for business interruption coverage is that if closure happens, the income will be replaced.  The cash flow will continue so that the business doesn’t have to miss a beat.

Business interruption insurance should be a consideration for all businesses.  If your company is forced to close its doors, the coverage will help to replace the income you have lost as a result.  Serving the Mishawaka, IN area, the Kevin Dennis Insurance Agency can help educate on business interruption insurance and its value.

Empty Nest Syndrome – Impact to Car Insurance?

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Kids grow up fast and even though as teenagers they can be a primary reason that auto insurance goes up in Mishawaka, IN, eventually they move out of the house. And that can mean big savings on a car insurance when the kids are officially on their own and living elsewhere. An auto insurance policy typically has to be crafted with all the real risks in mind for a car covered. And that includes all the legal drivers in a household, not just the driver stated on the insurance policy as the premium payer. It’s a well-known fact that teens have a higher probability of accidents with far less experience on the road, so coverage for a car in a family home is going to go up to compensate for this risk being possible on a covered car. The only way to avoid it, quite frankly, is to specifically agree that a teen cannot drive the car at all, and that’s not realistic in most family homes.

To get a good idea how much the cost of an auto policy can change once the kids have moved out, the Kevin Dennis Insurance Agency staff are available to provide quotes from various providers. They can run a comparison with the current market, detailing just how much of a difference a policy can change by with a rewrite. So if you’re a Mishawaka, IN driver whose just about to see the kids off to college and empty out the house, give Kevin Dennis Insurance Agency a call. You’ll be amazed at what a quick analysis is likely to find in terms of market options available for auto coverage.

What You Need to meet Proof of Motorcycle Insurance in Mishawaka, IN from Kevin Dennis Insurance Agency

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When you’re riding your bike down a stretch of open highway, you want the peace of mind that comes with great insurance coverage. Also, motorcycle drivers in Mishawaka, IN need an insurance policy to prove financial responsibility in case of an accident involving damage or personal injury. In fact, Indiana requires all drivers to have certain coverage to pay for damages caused by uninsured and underinsured drivers. Kevin Dennis Insurance Agency is there for you and our agents can answer your questions on motorcycle insurance and establish financial responsibility.

Ways to Establish Financial Responsibility

You can prove that you can pay for potential liability on your motorcycle by buying liability insurance from a licensed insurance company. Liability coverage is just one way to show financial responsibility. You can also prove it by placing a deposit with Indiana’s state treasurer, establishing a trust fund or obtaining a bond issued through a surety company. These options all involve tying up resources unnecessarily. The easiest and ultimately most affordable way to prove that you can cover property damage and personal injury in a motorcycle accident is by obtaining motorcycle insurance.

Types of Coverage to Consider in Regard to Meeting Financial Responsibility

Ultimately, what’s included in your policy is an individual choice. If you ride your bike long distances for work or recreation, you may need more than just liability, comprehensive and collision coverage. Additional options include total loss coverage, medical payments coverage, and uninsured motorist coverage. You can also consider roadside assistance, towing and labor coverage.

Contact Us

Feel free to contact your Kevin Dennis Insurance agent for the best coverage options needed to meet your financial responsibility requirements in Mishawaka, IN. Set up an appointment today for a quote on liability and other coverage that you need to protect your motorcycle and yourself.

Does Motorcycle Insurance Cover Accessories?

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There are many different types of motorcycles. From high-performance bikes to vintage bikes, regardless of the type that you have invested in, you will want to make sure you invest in the right type of insurance coverage too. In addition to protecting your bike with insurance coverage, you may be wondering if it is possible to protect your motorcycle accessories. Let’s take a quick look at the answer to this question.

Can my motorcycle accessories be covered by motorcycle insurance?

Yes, the accessories that you have added to your motorcycle can be protected with insurance coverage. However, you will need to let your insurance agent know that you have added these accessories to your bike and that you want to make sure they are protected under your insurance policy. There is a good chance that your insurance coverage will increase as a result, but it probably won’t be by much. Your standard policy likely does not provide accessory coverage, but for a small increase in your monthly premium, accessory coverage can be added. Do remember, though, that the more expensive the accessories, the bigger the increase in your monthly premium rate will likely be.

What are the different types of accessories that are covered?

The exact accessories that will be covered under your policy will depend on the exact policy that you invest in. Most times, however, you can have anything from sidecars to custom paint jobs insured under an accessory policy. You will want to speak with your insurance agent to let them know the accessories you have added the value that you want to insure them at.

To learn more about accessory motorcycle insurance coverage, please contact Kevin Dennis Insurance Agency serving the Mishawaka, IN area.

Top claims made under home insurance policies in Indiana

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As a homeowner it is not only essential to carry a homeowners insurance policy it is important to make sure you have adequate coverage for the claims that are most likely to occur in the area in which you live. Below we have put together a list of the most filed claims in the Mishawaka, IN area. If you are unsure if you are adequately insured for these types of losses a specialist at Kevin Dennis Insurance Agency will be happy to review your current policy.

In Indiana, the most common claim made under homeowners policies are losses caused by wind and hail. It is impossible to control the weather, but there are things you can do to lessen the damage caused by wind and hail in addition to making sure you have adequate insurance coverage. Make sure to park your car in a protected area in the event of a hail storm. If strong winds are expected put away patio furniture that could be blown around and damage your home.

The second most common claim filed in Indiana is the result of water damage. Water damage is often caused by melting snow or ice or the result of freezing pipes. If there is a significant snowstorm, be sure to have your roof cleared of snow to prevent damage to the roof. In the winter make sure your outside hose bibs are turned off, and your pipes are properly insulated to avoid pipes freezing and bursting. It is important to keep in mind that water damage caused by flooding may not be automatically covered under your policy. If you have concerns about flooding in your area, you should consider purchasing flood insurance.

If you are interested learning more about homeowners insurance and whether or not your policy offer adequate protection, please reach out to an insurance specialty at Kevin Dennis Insurance agency. We proudly serve the Mishawaka, IN area.