No one likes paying higher rates on anything, but from time to time, you may see a premium rate increase on your insurance policies. It can be a bit of a shock. Here are a few common misconceptions about insurance premiums.

MYTH #1: My insurance premium will go down every year.

The Facts:

• Rates often increase due to broad changes in the marketplace.
• For example: there are more natural disasters happening across the U.S., the number of deaths from vehicular accidents has increased, and replacement parts for vehicles cost more.
• These changes impact rates at every insurance company.

MYTH #2: The longer I remain claim free/accident free, the bigger my discount will be.

The Facts:

• Typically, you will receive a claim free or safe driver discount if you haven’t had a claim or moving violation in three years. After this three-year period, additional years of safe driving have no impact on the discount.
• This also applies to discounts such as age of roof, age of dwelling, etc.

MYTH #3: If I switch insurance companies, I can get a better rate.

The Facts:

• Switching insurance companies too often can negatively impact your insurance score and increase your premiums in the long run.

To get the best value, we recommend re-shopping your insurance every 3 to 5 years.

What can you do about a rate increase?

Re-shop!

As an independent agency, we represent a number of different insurance companies and have the ability to find the best combination of price, coverage, and service to meet your unique needs. We are value hunters who look out for your pocketbooks, and we save you time by shopping on your behalf.

Reach out to your independent insurance advisor at Legacy Solutions Insurance to re-shop your coverage.

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Informational statements regarding insurance coverage are for general description purposes only. These statements do not amend, modify, or supplement any insurance policy. Consult the actual policy or your agent for details regarding terms, conditions, coverage, exclusions, products, services, and programs which may be available to you. Your eligibility for particular products and services is subject to the final determination of underwriting qualifications and acceptance by the insurance underwriting company providing such products and services.

Legacy Solutions Insurance, LLC does not make any representation that coverage does or does not exist for any particular claim or loss, or type of claim or loss, under any policy. Whether coverage exists or does not exist for any particular claim or loss under any policy depends on the facts and circumstances involved in the claim or loss and all applicable policy wording.

Legacy Solutions Insurance, LLC does not assume any legal liability for any direct, indirect, or any other loss or damage of any kind for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, product, service, or process disclosed herein.

Copyright © 2019 Legacy Solutions Insurance, All rights reserved.

A lot of changes have happened at Legacy Solutions Insurance over the past four years, from new ownership to a new office location to new agents. (And a new baby! Congrats, Ashley Urban!) 

We wanted to take this opportunity to share the history of our agency and introduce you to the people who are continuing to build on the success the agency has enjoyed since its founding.  

Agency History

June 2015

• Legacy Solutions of Kansas, LLC founded by Sean Morgan.
• Office located on South 4th Street in Manhattan, KS.

August 2016

• Agency renamed Legacy Solutions Insurance, LLC after being sold to the bank holding company that also owns Peoples State Bank.
• Office relocated to 2401 N. Seth Child, Ste. 140, Manhattan, KS  66503.

October 2018

• Sean Morgan and his family moved to Texas to begin a new chapter of their lives.

June 2019

• Jim Adams, a licensed insurance agent since 1992, named Principal/Agency Manager for Legacy Solutions Insurance.

Our Team

Ashley Urban

ashley@legacysolutionsks.com

• Ashley joined the agency in early 2016 as a newly licensed agent. 
• She has in-depth knowledge of the various carriers that are represented by Legacy Solutions and how they can be a strong financial protector for individuals and families as well as business interests. 

Chris Nelson

chris@legacysolutionsks.com

• Chris joined the agency in December 2016 as a newly licensed agent. 
• He has a customer-focused approach to finding insurance solutions thanks to his previous career with Manhattan Parks and Recreation, where he worked with athletes of all ages, parents, and coaches.

Megan Coultas

info@legacysolutionsks.com

• Megan joined the agency in June 2018 as our Customer Service Representative. Since then, she has become a licensed agent.
• Megan is very conscientious about her work and wants to please the customer. She provides insurance quotes, adds/changes vehicles, updates coverage, and more

Jim Adams

jim@legacysolutionsks.com

• Jim joined the agency in November 2018. Previously, he spent 3+ years at a similar agency in Lawrence and 20+ years as a commercial and agricultural lender.
• In addition to managing the agency, Jim focuses on commercial and agricultural products and customers.

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So your day is moving along, much like the one yesterday or the day before when all of a sudden . . .

• Your car gets bumped in the parking lot at the grocery store.
• You’re the middle car in a four-vehicle accident. The first vehicle stops quickly, and the car behind you bumps yours because it can’t stop fast enough, and then you bump the car in front of you.
• A storm moves through with some small hail, high winds, and rain. Now you have a huge limb lying across your backyard.

You think, “I’ve got insurance! Let’s file an insurance claim to make everything right again – right?”

Usually, that’s the right answer, but you should talk with your agent before you dial the toll-free number to start your claim.

Things to Consider Before Filing A Claim

As independent agents, we pride ourselves on working hard on your behalf and walking with you through the claims and service process. We will listen to your description of what happened and ask questions like:

• What extent is the damage? (Or, estimated cost to repair?)
• Is the vehicle, home, or insured item usable in its current condition?
• If not, what will it take to make it usable and/or bring it back to its previous condition?
• What is your history of claims with this company and any other companies you previously used?
• Is the cost to repair the item or bring it back to its previous condition more than your deductible? If so, by how much?
• Considering the deductible, can you afford to fix or repair the damage?
• How will a claim affect your current insurance rates?

There is no one right answer. 

Everyone has a different risk tolerance, a different economic situation, and a different insurance history. We’ve seen several instances where someone had an estimated $650 repair cost. Their deductible was $500, so they had to decide if the $150 above their deductible was worth a potential premium increase. 

Even filing a claim where nothing is paid out by the insurance company is still a claim.

By filing a claim, you are subject to your rates being increased as soon as the next policy renewal period. If this happens, your independent insurance advisor will continue to shop around for the best coverage at the most economical price for you – but your claim history will be available for any carrier to see and take into consideration. 

So: file a claim when you need to, but be educated about the possible consequences this will have on your insurance rates in the future.

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Here’s a real-life scenario where proper documentation became incredibly important.

One of our clients was driving home from Texas when she got rear-ended on the interstate. The authorities were called, but the trooper decided not to file a report due to the minor amount of damage to both vehicles.

Our client reached out to her agent and was advised not to make a claim on her policy but to try to make a claim against the at-fault party’s policy if she wanted her vehicle repaired. At the same time, the at-fault party called our client’s carrier, MetLife, and tried to file a claim against her policy.

Overnight, the at-fault party’s story had changed, and she was now coming after our client for damages.

After gathering statements and collecting images, it became evident our client was not liable for the accident and the at-fault party’s claim was denied by MetLife.

Texas is a “Negligence Comparative” state. In the absence of a police report declaring fault, 51% of liability (fault) automatically falls to the party whose vehicle rear-ended the other party. This meant our client was able to maintain a clean record.

While Kansas is a “Not at Fault” state, liability still needs to be determined for a claim to be processed and paid out. Documentation, pictures, and even a video of the scene are extremely important in settling claims in these instances.

Sometimes, the damage is so minor that it may not make sense to file a claim. The at-fault party may elect to pay for damages out-of-pocket to maintain a clean record.

• 

Please reach out to your agent to keep you protected! Most car accidents are fairly black and white when it comes to determining how a claim should be handled. But every now and then, the situation gets tricky. Don’t ever hesitate to call us to talk through these types of situations.

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Print this card and keep it in your wallet.

Accidents can be stressful. This checklist will help you protect yourself and get the documentation you need.

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Ashley grew up in Topeka but has lived in Manhattan since 2008. She enjoys educating clients to ensure they are properly protected. Her keys to success? Be a good person and read/strive to learn every day! 

Ashley is adventurous and loves the outdoors. She plays soccer, softball, and Frisbee and goes hunting, hiking, kayaking, and scuba diving. She also enjoys sitting on a patio drinking wine, hanging out at tailgates, and cheering on the Cats with friends, family, and her husband Austin. She can’t wait to meet her baby girl, Atzie. (Due in June!) 

• Bucket list: Canoe/camp the entire Buffalo River
• Favorites: Soccer, hunting, traveling
• Something no one knows: Ashley loves modern Westerns

Chris has called Manhattan home since arriving at K-State in 2001. He enjoys networking with other professionals in the community and educating clients to ensure they are properly protected (while hopefully saving them $$!) His keys to success? Honesty, integrity, and hard work.

Chris has been married to Rhianna for 10 years. They have two daughters, Charleigh and Rylee. In his free time, Chris enjoys golfing, cheering on the Cats, and going to the movies. If he could change the world, he would cure cancer.

• Bucket list: Visit every active MLB baseball park
• Favorites:KSU sports, Mexican food, The Sandlot
• Something no one knows:Die hard fan of 90’s hip hop 

Jim uses his first-hand knowledge of farming to help clients with agricultural and commercial business insurance. He enjoys working alongside a great, energetic, high-integrity group of teammates. His keys to success? Honesty, approachability, responsibility and kindness. 

Jim and his wife have four children and three grandchildren. No pets, but his granddaughters have five horses and one donkey on their pasture north of town. In his free time, Jim likes to work on projects on his farm/ranch, go golfing and camping, and officiate Big 12 Conference football.

• Bucket list: Go on a guided bear hunt.
• Favorites: Football, ​Call Hall ice cream, and The Hunt for Red October.
• Something no one knows:Jim does his best thinking on a tractor.

Megan keeps the office running smoothly. She’s upbeat and delights our clients with prompt, friendly customer service. She also fills in as an account manager from time to time. Megan is incredibly thankful for the career experiences she has gained at Legacy. One year anniversary in June!

Megan has lived in Manhattan her entire life. If she could change one thing about the Little Apple, there would be more restaurants and entertainment venues on the west side. In her free time, she enjoys hanging out with friends, sleeping the day away, or decorating birthday cakes, cupcakes, and wedding cakes.

• Bucket list: Vacation in Ireland and Australia
• Favorites: Pink Bubblegum ice cream from Baskin Robbins, Twenty One Pilots
• Something no one knows:Megan can flip her eyelids.

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Legacy Solutions Insurance offers a range of insurance products, including Auto, Home, Motorcycle, Boat & RV, Life and Business. We represent a number of different insurance companies and can compare coverage and prices to find the best possible value for your individual circumstances.

Visit our website to get a quote or learn more:

http://www.legacysolutionsks.com/index.html

The legal definition of a flood is a general and temporary condition where two or more acres of normally dry land or two or more properties are inundated by water or mudflow.

Flood damage occurs when water outside the home flows and/or seeps into the home through the foundation, walls or windows.

• Flood damage is not covered under your homeowners insurance. You must have a separate policy to be covered for flood damage.
• Flood insurance does not cover personal property or home finishes below grade. That means anything in the basement (including drywall, flooring, cabinets, etc.) would not be covered.
• If you have a sump pump and find yourself with a flooded basement, you might be covered due to sump pump failure IF you have water back-up coverage. This is a separate endorsement, and there is usually a limit to the amount of coverage.

Purchasing Flood Insurance

Unless you reside in a flood plain, you are not required to carry flood insurance, but you can choose to do so if you please. 

Flood coverage can be purchased through the National Flood Insurance Program or through Private Flood Insurance.

Typically, there is a 30 day waiting period from the time you purchase your flood policy until it goes into effect. There are a few exceptions, including purchasing flood insurance in connection with the making, increasing, extending or renewing of your loan. 

Learn More

Flood insurance can be a very dynamic and confusing topic, so for more information, please contact your Insurance Advisor. 

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Kansans recognize the eerie green sky that appears before a tornado. But can you forecast potential issues with your home?

Use this seasonal maintenance checklist to help keep your property safe and potentially claim free.

Around the home:

• Check for loose roof shingles.
• Cut down overhanging tree branches that could fall on your home or other valuable structures.
• Is the siding and trim in place and secure? Is there any water damage?
• Is the soil near the foundation graded away from the home, so water flows away from the foundation? Do downspouts release water away from the foundation?
• Are gutters and downspouts in place, secure, clean, and clear of debris?
• Test outdoor faucets. Turn them on for a few seconds, then go inside and look and listen for water. Pipes often freeze and break, and you may not know it until it’s too late.
• Make sure your outdoor lighting works properly.
• Make sure fences are in good repair.
• Service your yard equipment.

In the home:

• Sign up for weather alerts and warnings.
• Have your air conditioner unit serviced.
• Clean out your dryer vent to prevent potential fires.
• Have your hot water heater serviced and flushed.
• Check smoke detector batteries.
• Make sure fire extinguishers work and can easily be accessed.
• If you have a sump pump, is it working properly? Do you have a backup power source for it?
• Are surge protectors in place for high value electronics?

Protect Your Home and Everything In It.

Get a home insurance quote today.

http://www.legacysolutionsks.com/home-insurance.html

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