The Basics of Life Insurance: What You Need To Know

When it comes to life insurance, there are many things to know to make the best decision for you and your loved ones. Here are the basics of life insurance, i.e., what you need to know to get started.

What Is It?

Life insurance is a contract between you and an insurance company in its simplest form. You pay premiums, and the insurer agrees to pay a sum of money to your beneficiaries upon your death.

The money can help cover final expenses, debts, and other costs that your loved ones would have to bear after you’re gone.

What Are the Different Types of Life Insurance?

There are three main types of life insurance: term, whole-life, and universal-life.

Term life insurance

It’s the most basic and well-known type of life insurance. It is also the simplest to understand – you pay premiums for a set period, usually 10, 20, or 30 years. If you die during that period, your beneficiaries receive a death benefit. If you outlive the policy term, it expires, and you are no longer covered.

Whole-life insurance

This type of life insurance covers you for your entire life. The policy pays out a death benefit to your beneficiaries when you die. Whole life insurance also has a cash value component, which means that the policy builds up cash value over time. You can borrow against the policy’s cash value or even cash it out entirely if you need to.

Universal-life insurance

This is a type of whole life insurance, but with more flexibility. The premiums and death benefits can be adjusted to fit your needs, and the cash value grows at a variable rate.

Benefits of Having Life Insurance

The death benefit is the primary benefit of having life insurance. But there are other advantages as well.

For example, whole-life and universal-life policies have a cash value component that can be accessed while you’re alive. This can be used as an emergency fund or for other expenses.

Get Life Insurance in Chandler, AZ

These are the basics of life insurance. It’s important to understand the different types and how they work in order to make the best decision for you and your family. If you have any questions, speak with a professional at San Marcos Insurance Group in Chandler, AZ. We’re here to help.

Protect your commercial fleet with a comprehensive policy

When it comes to commercial insurance coverage, Chandler, AZ area business owners can rely on San Marcos Insurance Group. When transportation is a big part of your business, keeping your fleet protected is very important. We can help you with all of your commercial insurance needs, including coverage for your vehicles.

Keep your commercial fleet protected

If you count on your vehicle fleet to get the job done, you need to know that it is protected. Don’t find out after it’s too late that you didn’t have the coverage you needed. 

Any damage to your commercial vehicles can cause a huge impact on your firm’s ability to do business. You need to know that you will have options in place if any part of your fleet is rendered inoperable due to a covered event. With the right insurance in place, you can enjoy features like reimbursement for replacement vehicles while yours are off the road.

And, if any part of your fleet is totaled or stolen, or otherwise needs to be replaced, you will want to have protection in place. Because of all of these reasons and more, it is important to carefully review your insurance needs and options. You don’t want to think that you had a particular type of coverage only to find out that your policy does not include it. With the right policy in place, you can focus on your core business!

Count on us for all of your commercial insurance needs

Chandler, AZ area business owners can turn to the team at San Marcos Insurance Group for all of their insurance needs. We are here to help you keep your business protected! Give us a call today and schedule your consultation. We look forward to working with you!

Why You Should Increase Your Life Insurance Policy

Life insurance is important if you will be leaving anyone behind upon your passing. Of course, you can’t simply buy a life insurance policy and forget all about it. This is because some of the changes that occur in your life will warrant another look at your policy and a potential increase in coverage. San Marcos Insurance Group, serving Chandler, AZ, wants to share a few instances when you may need to increase your coverage.

When You Are Financially Responsible for an Ill Loved One

If you have a family member who you are taking care of medically and financially due to them becoming seriously ill, you may want to consider increasing your life insurance premiums. Think about it: who would take care of them if you pass away? Adding a cushion to your insurance policy will help ensure they are properly taken care of upon your passing in terms of medication, treatment, and even long-term medical care.

When You Get a Significant Raise at Work or Change Jobs

When you first purchased your life insurance policy, you likely took into account your income at the time. If your income has significantly changed since then, such as from a considerable raise or changing jobs, you may want to consider an upgrade in your current coverage. In doing so, you can ensure that your family is able to live within the same means they are living now even after you have passed on.

When You Have a New Child

Regardless of whether you are having your first child or your fourth child, a priority of yours should always be ensuring they are provided for. Increasing your life insurance coverage when a child is on the way is a good way to ensure your family does not have to deal with any financial burdens when they should be spending their time grieving your loss. Life insurance can help your family with day-to-day expenses, funeral costs, childcare, education, and more. 

If you are dealing with a situation that may warrant an upgrade to your life insurance policy, contact the agents at San Marcos Insurance Group, serving Chandler, AZ.

3 Things You Didn’t Know That Health Savings Accounts Often Cover

If your health insurance plan comes with a health savings account, you may be curious as to how you can use these funds. An HSA is specifically designed for those with higher deductibles, and these funds can be used for a number of different expenses. San Marcos Insurance Group wants to share some of these with Chandler, AZ residents so they can know what to expect.

Dental Fillings

It doesn’t take long for dental work–even the simple procedures–to add up. For instance, you are probably out a few hundred dollars just to fill one cavity. The good news is that your health savings account plan will foot the bill.

Corrective Eyewear

The funds in your HSA can help to cover the cost of prescription eyewear. It should cover the cost of eyeglasses or contact lenses. The money in this plan can also be used to cover vision fees, copays, and more that may not be covered by your standard health insurance policy or separate vision insurance policy.

Breastfeeding Supplies

Your health savings plan account can reimburse you for the money you spend on breastfeeding supplies, such as pumps, nursing bras, gel pads, and more. To ensure you are eligible for reimbursement, make sure to save the receipts from purchase. At the same time, you should speak to your health insurance agent ahead of time to obtain a list of items that are covered under the plan.

If you would like to learn more about health insurance and health savings accounts, reach out to San Marcos Insurance Group, an insurance company that serves Chandler, AZ and surrounding areas. 

Commercial Insurance Options to Consider as a Winery

Although incredibly fun and rewarding, owning and operating a vineyard and winery can be a bit complex. One reason for this is the potential risks that you face with your business. With that being said, it is important to speak with an insurance agent at San Marcos Insurance Group to ensure you have the proper commercial business protection for your Chandler, AZ winery.

Liability Insurance

This kind of insurance is great for wineries, as well as all other businesses, as it is designed to protect you from court expenses that stem from a potential lawsuit from a customer. Many businesses tend to overlook the importance of liability protection but consider a few things. 

What would you do if an individual slips and falls while in the wine tasting room? Or if a customer claims a health problem cropped up after consuming your wine? Liability insurance will protect you in these instances.

Crop Insurance

When you’re making wine, you also have grapes that you must take care of and pick. These grapes, the butter of your business, need sufficient protection in the event of a disaster. When it comes to your grapes, there are so many different things you have to consider, including insect infestations, vine infections, and natural disasters. By investing in crop insurance, you will be able to recoup some of your losses.

Equipment Insurance

Just as you have grapes to make wine, you also have equipment. For instance, if you are a bigger business, you may have a grape harvesting machine so you don’t have to hand-pick the grapes yourself. In the event this equipment breaks down, will you be able to cover the cost of repair or replacement with no problem? Your insurance agent can help you identify the exact type of equipment insurance you need to ensure you are protected.

Whether you are a new winery or a seasoned business in Chandler, AZ, San Marcos Insurance Group can take care of you. Contact us today to discuss specifics.

When Should You Change Your Health Coverage?

Your health coverage plan makes a huge difference in your ability to care for yourself. At some point, you may find yourself in a position where you need to change your health coverage. This can be a confusing time, but answers are available.

San Marcos Insurance Group, which serves Chandler, AZ, can help you find health coverage if you think it is time to change your healthcare policy. These are some of the reasons why you might need a new health insurance policy.

You’ve Aged Out of Your Parent’s Plan

The law allows many adults to remain on their parent’s health insurance plans until they turn 27 years old. After your birthday, you should look for new coverage for yourself.

Somebody on Your Plan Has Died

If you have a plan covering the family but somebody passes away, you can remove him or her from your insurance plan. This can be an emotional process, but it can save money on your premium.

You’ve Welcomed a New Child

Whether you gave birth this year or you adopted a child, you need to add this child to your insurance plan. An insurance professional can help you do this the correct way to ensure your child is completely covered.

You Moved to a New State

When you move to a new state, you need to change your insurance plan. You can enroll in a new plan even when the marketplace is closed if you’ve moved from one state to another.

Get the Right Health Coverage For Your Needs

San Marcos Insurance Group provides coverage in Chandler, AZ, helping you find the right insurance. If you need a new healthcare policy, contact the office to learn more.

Is Commercial Insurance all About Liability Protection?

If you own a business in Chandler, AZ, you can’t avoid business liabilities. For this reason, you must buy general liability insurance from San Marcos Insurance Group. Liabilities form a significant component of risks facing a business. Think of advertising injury, property damage, bodily injury, and so on — indeed, the ubiquitous nature of liabilities means businesses must cushion themselves with commercial insurance.

But is commercial insurance all about liabilities? Definitely not. Commercial insurance is broad and covers other facets of your business. Below are additional areas covered by commercial insurance.

Property protection

Your business owns assets, right? If you don’t have a building, you have properties like inventories, computers, furniture, fixtures, and so on. And because accumulating these assets has taken time and resources, you need to protect your assets with commercial property insurance. This way, you don’t have to start from level zero when perils like fire, theft, and hail devour your assets.

Employee protection

Workers’ comp insurance protects your employees from illnesses and work-related injuries. Besides, this coverage covers your employees’ partial loss of income if they can’t resume work due to their injury or sickness.

Online protection

Do you store sensitive customer data? Does your business have an online presence? If yes, you need cyber insurance to safeguard your business against malicious online activities. This coverage covers notification costs, negotiation costs, legal charges, and other cybercrime-related costs.

Whether you own a traditional, online, or home-based business, commercial insurance is the safety net you turn to when the unthinkable happens. While it covers your business against liabilities, it offers much more protection beyond liabilities.

Get commercial insurance today!

Would you like to own a business that will stand the test of time? If yes, then you need to consider commercial insurance. If you are in Chandler, AZ and its environs, please get in touch with San Marcos Insurance Group for an affordable business insurance quote.

What are the benefits of having health insurance in Chandler?

People that live in the Chandler, AZ area are going to want to ensure they continue to have access to quality healthcare. One way that you can ensure you will have access to the care that you need when you need it is by getting health insurance. Several benefits, in particular, come when you get a quality health insurance plan here. 

Access to Affordable Care

A key advantage of having health insurance here is that you can gain access to affordable care. Being able to see a doctor, receive medication, and have procedures done when necessary continues to be very important. One way that you can ensure you are able to get access to this care without spending way too much money is by having health insurance. A proper insurance plan will help to drastically limit your costs in some cases and ensure you have access to healthcare providers. 

Ensure Compliance

You should also get a health insurance plan to ensure you are in compliance with any requirements you may have. For the past several years, all people have been required to carry health insurance. Those that do not have this coverage will be in legal violation and could incur penalties. Evidence of coverage typically needs to be provided at the end of the year when taxes are filed. 

You should always have proper health insurance in place when you are in the Chandler, AZ area. If you are looking to build a health insurance plan here, you should call San Marcos Insurance Group. There are a lot of choices that you need to make when building health insurance. The San Marcos Insurance Group team can offer the insight you need to understand your options and then build a health insurance policy that is ideal for your situation. 

Types of liability coverages to consider for your business

Starting and running any business in Chandler, AZ involves taking major risks, which is why you may want to focus on different insurance policies to protect it. At  San Marcos Insurance Group, we recommend having adequate liability to protect your clients and workers. So, if it’s your first time buying insurance for your business, here are the top 3 liability coverages to consider.

General liability insurance

Often known as business liability, general liability helps cover against claims from other people due to property damage or injuries. It also protects you against reputational harm and lawsuits that could result from late deliveries, poor quality products or services, as well as errors made by your workers.

Professional liability insurance

Professional liability insurance was first designed for people offering professional services,  such as attorneys, carpenters, engineers, accountants, realtors, and insurance agents. However, today any business person in Chandler AZ can get this policy to protect what they do as it protects the end product or the service offered if found faulty. For instance, if you sell a hair product that ends up damaging your clients’ hair, the policy can help pay for legal fees if you’re sued.

Employer liability

Employer liability is a critical component of workers’ compensation that helps pay for additional legal fees if your worker sues you for injuries beyond workers’ compensation. For instance, if one of your chefs gets injured when cooking, workers’ compensation will help pay for their injuries and replace their lost income. However, suppose the chef decided to sue you for not providing protective clothing. In that case, employer liability can help cover the legal fees.

Your business needs liability insurance. Don’t wait till it has grown to buy a commercial policy. It might be too late. If you have any questions or have trouble choosing your ideal liability coverage, feel free to speak to an agent at San Marcos Insurance Group, and they will be happy to help.

Health Insurance FAQs for Families

Feeling overwhelmed with health insurance options? It seems like health insurance plans are always changing and evolving. Figuring out which type of health insurance is best for your family can be challenging. At San Marcos Insurance Group, serving Chandler, AZ, we aim to provide you with the information you need to make the best choices. We’ve prepared these FAQs to help you better understand health insurance for families.

When Can I Sign Up For Health Insurance?

You can sign up for a new health insurance plan, or change an existing plan during open enrollment. Open enrollment is a specific time frame each year. You will need to speak with your employer or an insurance representative to determine when open enrollment is active. 

Why Are Multiple Types of Plan Offered?

One of the most confusing aspects of health insurance is the many different types of coverage available. There are different types of coverage available because different families have different types of medical needs. A family with intense, ongoing medical issues will need a more intensive type of insurance coverage. A family with very few medical issues will not need as many services. Insurance companies provide different types of coverage so that you can choose the one that will best suit your family. This ensures that you are not paying for services you do not need, but you are getting the services you do need. 

Which Coverage Should I Choose?

If you are feeling overwhelmed by the different types of coverage available, and are not quite sure how they are different, you should talk with a representative. An insurance representative will be able to walk you through the details of each plan and help you pick the one that is best for your family. 

If you would like to learn more about our services, please contact our office at San Marcos Insurance Group, serving Chandler, AZ.