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So you’re buying a home. Congratulations! Buying a house – whether it’s your first time or your tenth – is a big accomplishment. But, as you likely know, it’s also a lot of work. The home buying process can take quite a while, and you’re likely aware of the many steps and requirements your lender and escrow officer will require. One big part of buying a new home is getting a homeowners insurance policy.

Homeowners insurance is a policy that provides financial protection against disaster like floods, wind storms, earthquakes, poor maintenance, etc. Depending on your insurance carrier and your policy, there may be exceptions to what is covered in your homeowners insurance policy.

Homeowners Insurance – Required by Your Lender

If you’re taking out a mortgage to buy your home, your lender will require – well, a lot from you! You probably already have an idea of the paperwork involved in securing your loan, but your lender will also require that you have a homeowners insurance policy in place before you close your loan.

Don’t worry; buying a homeowners insurance policy isn’t difficult – especially at AMS. We’ll work with you to determine your needs and meet the requirements of your lender. Often, you’ll pay your homeowners insurance premium at the close of escrow, along with a number of other settlement fees. However, this may vary depending on your transaction.

While your lender may give you a homeowners insurance premium quote when you receive your Good Faith Estimate, you are free to shop around to find a policy that suits your needs and budget, along with the requirements of your lender.

Buying a home is an exciting time! And if you’re like many Americans, it’s the biggest investment you’ll ever make. While homeowners insurance may be a “requirement” of closing your mortgage, it’s also a great investment tool because it helps protect a really valuable asset – your new home! Give us a call today and we’ll help you find the right homeowners coverage for you.

If you’ve ever looked for a new car insurance policy, you know that shopping around can really help you find the cheapest rates. But sometimes those cheap rates aren’t really all that they seem. If you’re looking online for cheap car insurance in Las Vegas, you’ll want to keep the following “red flags” in mind.

Low-ball Estimates

So you filled out an online form and got a ridiculously cheap quote. Great, right? Well, maybe not. Some “quick and easy quotes” don’t paint a complete picture. It’s possible that the company may be luring you in with a low-ball quote, only to add on a number of costs and fees later in the underwriting process. For instance, your quoted coverage may not stand up to all state requirements, may include hefty deductibles or lack some areas of coverage altogether. Be sure you know exactly what is reflected in your quote and compare that with your own car insurance requirements.

Information Theft

We don’t want to scare you, but some of those online care insurance quote generators may not have your insurance needs in mind at all. In fact, they could just be repositories for personal information that is then sold to third parties for marketing and advertising purposes. Unless the site offering the quote service is reputable and trustworthy, you should be wary of supplying your private information.

Fraudulent Sites

You probably generally use common sense when researching a purchase. But when you’re trying to get Auto Insurance in Las Vegas, it can be easy to brush aside that common sense in favor of projected savings! Steer clear of websites that include red flags: poor spelling, no mention of credentials or affiliations, rock-bottom insurance prices, or quote generators that do not ask relevant questions. Make sure that the common sense portion of your brain isn’t overcome by the portion that wants to save money!

Finding cheap car insurance in Las Vegas doesn’t have to mean sacrificing coverage

Ready to get cheap car insurance in Las Vegas without compromising coverage or giving away private information? Give us a call today.

If you’re, well, anyone, chances are you’re always looking for ways to get cheap auto insurance rates. We understand that shopping around for the best insurance can be confusing at best and excruciating at worst! That’s why at AMS Insurance, our agents work with our clients to make sure that they’re getting the cheapest rates possible.

While you may not realize it, quite a few factors contribute to those auto insurance quotes. You probably already know that your driving record can affect your auto insurance rates. Did you also know that your demographics, neighborhood and credit score can as well? Here are four ways you can get cheap auto insurance rates today:

1. Take advantage of your age: If you’re over the age of 25, make sure you’re getting an age-based discount. Generally, the lowest premiums for car insurance are awarded to drivers between the ages of 25 and 55. If you have a teenage or elderly driver on your policy, you may want to look into separating your insurance.
2. Choose low-crime neighborhoods: Did you know that if you live in a neighborhood with a high crime rate, you’re more likely to have higher insurance rates? Moving to a neighborhood with lower crime rates can help you save money.
3. Drive a different car: The make and model of your car will affect your auto insurance rates. The newer the vehicle, the more expensive to repair and replace. But some older cars are less reliable, so those can also raise your rates. A less expensive, more reliable car will generally get you the best rates.
4. Go for a bigger deductible: You might cringe at a $1,000 deductible, but if you have a long history of safe driving, it may pay off in the long run to increase your deductible and lower your monthly Auto Insurance Las Vegas premium.

Last but not least, your best way to save is to call AMS today! We can help you take advantage of discounts you may not even know about!

If you have stars in your eyes this February, you’re not alone. In fact, nearly 10 percent of married couples got engaged on Valentine’s Day. We know that planning the ultimate proposal can be intimidating. You’re looking for the perfect diamond in the perfect setting for the perfect woman.

When you find that perfect ring, make sure it doesn’t become a liability! Insuring an engagement ring can give you peace of mind. And with the current trend of spending two months’ income on that rock, you could probably use it! After all, what could be worse than losing two months’ income because of a carefree swim in the ocean, casually washing hands, or changing clothes at the gym?  We’ll give you the 411 on getting financial protection for that romantic – and expensive – gesture.

Policy Rider

If you currently have a homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy, it may not guarantee coverage for big-ticket items like fine art and jewelry. To cover your new bling, consider getting a personal property rider for your policy. A ride acts like a mini policy that extends the coverage to your existing policy. If you do decide to get a jewelry rider, be sure you keep it updated when and if you move. For example, your fiancé may live at one location now, but will be moving in with you after you get married.

Questions to Ask

Just like you asked a million questions when you picked out that ring, you should ask a few more when you’re insuring it. Depending on the carrier, your coverage may change. You may want to ask what type of losses are covered (i.e. stolen or lost), how you’ll be reimbursed (a check or a replacement), whether a deductible is required and how much, how the insurer requires proof of loss, and if there are any circumstantial exceptions to coverage.

Be Careful!

While an insurance policy can help protect you financially from losing that precious bauble, we know that engagement rings hold more sentimental value than most other possession. Protect your “emotional” investment by keeping it in a safe when you’re not wearing it, and making sure to put it in the same place each time you momentarily take it off.

Getting engaged this Valentine’s Day? Tell us your story!