Weichert Realtors Press Release

MORRIS PLAINS, N.J., January 16, 2008 – When’s the last time you took a close look at your insurance coverage?   

According to Weichert Insurance Agency, Inc., an affiliate of Weichert, Realtors®, if it’s been more than a few years, a comprehensive insurance review should be on your list of potential ways to save money in 2008.

“Circumstances change, and consumers are well advised to consult with their insurance provider every three to five years to make sure they’re getting all the credits they’re entitled to,” said Christopher Oehrle, who heads Weichert Insurance.

He explained, “In an older home, replacing an outdated heating system and rewiring may qualify you for a lower premium on your homeowners insurance.  Or maybe you can save based upon your town fire department’s new, upgraded equipment.  Depending on the state you live in and your insurance company, there are all kinds of discounts available.”

Whether homeowners or auto insurance, an improved credit score can lower your insurance premiums as well.  Oehrle said that today nearly every insurance company uses a credit scoring system to determine how much you’ll pay for coverage.  Depending on the insurer, there may be 15 to 30 different credit-score tiers.  So if your credit score is higher than it was, you may be pleasantly surprised to find you now qualify for lower premiums. 

Often you can get an immediate savings simply by using the same insurance company for both your homeowners and auto insurance.  By doing so, with some insurance carriers you’ll qualify for a companion or package discount on both.    

Another area worth close scrutiny is your deductible, which is the amount you would have to pay before your insurance policy covers your loss.  On homeowners insurance, if you can afford to fund a $1,000 loss from your own pocket, raising the deductible from $500 to $1,000 would typically cut your annual insurance premium by 10 percent.  Increase the deductible to $2,500 and you’ll usually save another 10 percent.  Savings on auto insurance typically are even higher. 

An independent insurance broker, Weichert Insurance Agency represents more than a dozen different insurance carriers.  The company comparison-shops to get customers the most appropriate insurance coverage at the best available rate.  Now available in all states, Weichert Insurance Agency can provide a range of insurance products, including auto, homeowners, life insurance, flood insurance, and renters’ insurance, and protection for secondary homes, investment properties, boats, recreational vehicles, and valuable articles.  Excess liability coverage also is offered and recommended by Weichert Insurance Agency to protect assets in today’s litigious society.  

Homeowners insurance is one of the “core” one-stop-shopping services of Weichert Gold® Services, which provides a time-saving, single source for taking care of just about every need that might arise related to a home purchase or sale.

For questions about insurance or a complimentary insurance review, Weichert Insurance can be reached toll-free at 1-866-39AGENT.  

Weichert has nearly 18,300 sales associates in over 520 company-owned and franchised sales offices in key markets throughout the U.S.  A family of full-service real estate and financial services companies, Weichert helps customers buy and sell both residential and commercial real estate, and streamlines the delivery of mortgages and home and title insurance.  For more information, call Weichert's customer service center at 1-800-USA-SOLD or visit Weichert's Web site, www.weichert.com. Each Weichert franchised office is independently owned and operated. 

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