Pro tips from an insurance veteran
KELLOGG — The insurance game can be a confusing one. Thankfully, there are people like Phyllis Towne out there to help you navigate it.
Towne, a 29-year veteran of the insurance game, is a licensed agent for Kellogg Insurance – which operates under the umbrella of the Rossi Insurance Group.
Kellogg Insurance provides a full menu of personal and business insurance products, including automotive, home, health, and life policies. She understands that people are always looking for the best deal when it comes to protecting their assets. However, when you’re looking for the best or lowest prices, what are you potentially missing?
“People tend to want the least amount of coverage to keep their premium low,” Towne explained. “However, things like uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage are commonly rejected but are fairly reasonable and make little difference in premium cost.”
While this strategy is common, Towne warns people to make sure they are checking all the necessary boxes when they are exploring insurance needs and options.
Much of the Silver Valley requires homeowners with mortgages to maintain flood insurance. However, according to Towne, flood insurance isn’t included in a standard homeowner’s policy and people tend to resist getting it.
There are a few products that Towne absolutely recommends, especially for larger families with teenage drivers.
“One thing people should always consider is an umbrella policy,” Towne said. “That gives excess liability over and above their base auto, home, or recreational vehicles. This is really most needed when there are young drivers in the house as the liability exposure is the greatest.”
Umbrella insurance is a personal liability insurance that extends beyond the limits of a homeowner’s standard policy.
Towne further explained how living in North Idaho presents its own set of potentially unique situations that could require additional coverage or increased prices for coverage.
“We are in an incredibly difficult market right now with the wildfire risk exposure in the Northwest and post-COVID prices still rising on things like building materials and auto parts,” she said.
Despite these concerns, Towne is adamant that the personal security of having proper insurance coverage provides is something people may not understand but should explore regardless of their financial situation.
“The best time to get insurance is any time,” Towne said. “We can't predict price increases but the risk of being without insurance can cost in the hundreds of thousands for catastrophic losses.”
Phyllis Towne can be reached at Kellogg Insurance at 208-783-1176. For more information visit www.kellogg-insurance.com, or visit her in person at 131 W. Cameron Avenue, Suite B, in Kellogg, Idaho.
