Can Traffic Tickets Affect Your Insurance Premiums?

Posted on July 30, 2018July 30, 2018 by admin

Drivers who live in or near the Columbia, SC area should always be aware of their driving record. Many people don’t realize that an accident isn’t the only thing that will affect your insurance premiums. The agents at Michael Taylor Agency understand the frustration when a driver gets a ticket. They can help you, as a driver, understand what happens with your driving record when you get a ticket or citation.

Maintaining a Good Driving Record

Maintaining a good driving record involves obeying traffic laws, driving the posted speed, and trying not to receive a citation or be involved in an accident. OnStar offers a safe driving app that will allow you to see how well you score against other drivers regarding hard braking, speeding, and using your turn signals. This app can be downloaded onto your phone if you have OnStar in your vehicle. It’s a great way to find out if there are any areas where you need a little improvement.

Tickets vs. Accidents

Just like accidents, tickets can also have an impact on your insurance premiums. One ticket may not make a huge difference, and in some cases may be overlooked. Receiving several tickets for the same type of offense, however, starts to identify a pattern that could eventually be costly.

At the Michael Taylor Agency, the agents are always available to discuss your insurance options. If you live in Rock Hill, Columbia, SC, or any of the surrounding communities, call and schedule an appointment. They will help you understand the legal ramifications of receiving multiple tickets as well as how it can affect your eligibility when it comes to applying or renewing an insurance policy.

Home Insurance for First Time Buyers: What You Need to Know

Posted on June 29, 2018June 29, 2018 by admin

Like the rest of the country, the housing market around Columbia, SC is booming. The insurance experts at the Michael Taylor Agency want to make sure you’re ready to take the big step into home ownership. This information will help first time home buyers get the most out of their home insurance policies.

Go for full coverage right from the start. After the downpayment, relocating fees, and other expenses associated with a new home purchase, many buyers think they can save a few dollars each month by purchasing bare-minimum home insurance coverage. But what happens if someone is hurt on your property or a natural disaster ruins your home before you’ve had the chance to build equity or replenish your savings? Buy as much coverage as you can to protect your investment from the unknown.
Look before you buy. The condition of your home is the biggest factor in your premium payments. Thoroughly inspect the grounds before making an offer. Scrutinize the plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems. Check the foundation and general structural integrity of the buildings. If you aren’t confident in your construction knowledge, hire an independent construction contractor to walk the property with you.
Consider additional coverages. If you plan to use a portion of your residence to run a home business, you may benefit from a commercial policy. Hobby farms, day care centers, and consultant’s offices should consider adding liability insurance to their portfolio.

Get all of your insurance needs filled in one place. Insurance agencies often give discounts to subscribers with multiple policies. Combine your home, auto, and business policies to realize noticeable savings on monthly premiums. The Michael Taylor Agency serves the insurance needs of those who live or work in the Columbia, SC area. Contact us today to discuss your unique insurance needs.

Retirement insurance: How it works

Posted on May 18, 2018May 10, 2018 by admin

In the U.S., "Retirement insurance" refers specifically to the payments made by the Social Security Administration for those who have reached the age of sixty-two. This is where you collect on your benefits after a lifetime of paying into social security. The payments are generally modest but enough for most retirees to get by, or to help them with some supplemental income each month. However, this shouldn’t be the entirety of your retirement insurance plan. Michael Taylor Agency can help Columbia, SC retirees to live a much more secure life post-retirement.

So the question is, then, what other insurance is important in your retirement years?

Different people will, of course, have different priorities, but for most, retirement insurance will come down to life insurance, property insurance, auto insurance, and possibly an umbrella policy. Life insurance is especially important if you have dependents or want to be able to help your family out when you’re no longer around. Making sure that you have enough coming to your family for funeral expenses and other arrangements can be a very big help. An umbrella policy can also be very helpful as it offers an extra reserve of coverage to dip into when your other policies reach their limit.

It has been shown that while retirees often take in less income than they did at a younger age, they are better at saving and spending money than ever before. A lifetime of experience goes a long way in financial planning. Michael Taylor Agency can help you to devise the plan you need to make sure that your family in Columbia, SC are taken care of.

When Should You Choose Term Life Insurance?

Posted on April 20, 2018April 20, 2018 by admin

At the Michael Taylor Agency, residents who live in or around the Rock Hill and Columbia, SC area can have all of their questions concerning life insurance answered quickly and efficiently. There are several types of life insurance which can make a person unsure of which type they need. Whole life and term life are two of the most common and are the easiest to understand.

Term Life Gives You More Options

Term life gives you the most options. You can choose the length of time you want the policy to be in effect. Some people may only want their policy for 10 or 15 years, while others may want a 30 or 40-year policy. Your needs are specific to your circumstances so you will want to have the coverage that protects your interests. You also have the option to borrow against your policy or cash it out once it reaches maturity. If you want to leave it in place, you can convert it to a whole life or permanent policy.

Term Life Is More Affordable

Because of the different options you have when it comes to the term of your policy, your premiums are often much more affordable than with a whole life policy. People who have children and are concerned about making sure their needs are met if an emergency occurs are often the ones who opt for a term life insurance policy. Simply put, it doesn’t take valuable resources away from the family, and it offers financial support when they need it the most.

In Columbia, SC, the residents of the Michael Taylor Agency can answer all of your life insurance questions and make sure you have the right type of policy that best suits your family’s individual needs. Reach out to our offices for more information.

What Can Happen If You Don’t Have Auto Insurance?

Posted on March 30, 2018March 30, 2018 by admin

When you own a vehicle in Columbia, SC, you also need to have an auto insurance policy in place. It is illegal to drive without the state minimum amounts of coverage on your vehicle. Whether you just got a vehicle and you need to get coverage or your current policy is about to end, you need to make sure you get coverage as soon as possible. If you do not, here at Michael Taylor Agency, we know that the penalties can really cause a problem for you.

South Carolina is a state that uses AILR which stands for Automobile Insurance Liability Reporting System. With this system, if you were to cancel or let a policy lapse, the insurance provider will immediately notify the DMV of the cancelation. With this new system in place, there is no hiding from the government. The DMV will send a letter, and you will have 20 days to prove that you do have sufficient coverage. If you fail to do so, you face having your license and vehicle registration suspended, and you may lose your right to operate any vehicle. You will also have to pay at least $200 in reinstatement fees to bring all of these things current when you do get adequate insurance coverage.

As you can see, you want to make sure that you have at least the minimum about of coverage through an auto insurance policy. This is not something that you want to leave to chance. If you do not currently have a policy in place, are not sure if your current policy meets the minimum requirements, or if you are simply looking for a new policy, make sure you contact us at Michael Taylor Agency, serving Columbia, SC, today. We can provide you with a free quote for coverage and can make sure that you have the minimum amount of coverage as soon as possible.

3 Home Insurance Myths: What is the Truth?

Posted on February 14, 2018February 13, 2018 by admin

Do you know what your home insurance policy will protect you from?

Owning a home is perhaps the most significant investment you will have to make in your entire lifetime. However, being a homeowner comes with both pride and security. In this article, we debunk the top three common myths about home insurance

Myth #1: Your Home Insurance Covers Earthquakes and Floods

There is a common myth that standard homeowners insurance protects you against earthquakes and floods, which is false. The truth is that many natural disasters are not covered under your standard policy. This is the reason why specialty earthquake and flood insurance policies are sold differently. These are unique insurance policies that are usually underwritten by a private insurer, such as Michael Taylor Agency in Columbia, SC, and will protect your home and belongings against damages due to floods or earthquakes.

Myth #2: Home Insurance Policies Fully Cover All Injuries that occur in Your Home

This is another misconception on standard home insurance policies. While the truth is that most visitors who come to your home are typically covered by the policy in the event of an accident inside your house, all family members and those who live in the home are not covered by this home insurance policy. Injuries to family members can be covered by separate health insurance policies from Michael Taylor Agency in Columbia, SC.

Myth #3: You May Not Need Home Insurance

Most people tend to believe that home insurance is unnecessary unless it comes from a bank or mortgage holder. However, this is not the case considering both the financial and emotional investment you have put in your home. You never know what might happen hence the need to protect your home. The homeowners’ insurance doesn’t only protect your home, but it also covers your belongings and possessions.

For more questions on what home insurance can and can’t cover, please reach out to our agents in Columbia, SC. We are looking forward to hearing from you!

Michael Taylor Agency

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Can Traffic Tickets Affect Your Insurance Premiums?

Home Insurance for First Time Buyers: What You Need to Know

Retirement insurance: How it works

So the question is, then, what other insurance is important in your retirement years?

When Should You Choose Term Life Insurance?

What Can Happen If You Don’t Have Auto Insurance?

3 Home Insurance Myths: What is the Truth?

Do you know what your home insurance policy will protect you from?

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