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T.D. McNeil Insurance Services

110 Blue Ravine Rd, Suite 105,
Folsom, CA 95630

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Underlying Policy Requirements for Umbrella Insurance

For those based in and around Folsom, CA, umbrella insurance provides an extra layer of liability protection that extends beyond the limits of standard insurance policies, such as home or auto insurance. Certain underlying policies must be met before you can acquire an umbrella policy. Certain underlying policy requirements must be met before limitations can be met. These requirements must be put in place before the umbrella policy takes effect.

What Underlying Policy Requirements Mean

To be eligible for umbrella insurance, you must first hold specified amounts of liability coverage through your current insurance policies, such as homeowners, renters, or auto insurance. Termed as underlying policies, these primary policies must meet certain minimum liability limits before an insurance provider will issue an umbrella policy.

For example, an insurance company might stipulate that you have at least $250,000 in liability coverage on your auto insurance policy and $300,000 in liability coverage on your homeowners policy as prerequisites for purchasing umbrella insurance. If these limits aren’t met, the insurer might deny coverage or necessitate an increase in your primary liability limits before issuing the umbrella policy.

Why Underlying Requirements Exist

These underlying policy requirements are in place to ascertain that policyholders maintain sufficient insurance on their primary policies. Umbrella insurance is designed to provide excess coverage, not to replace or fill the gaps in your primary insurance. With these minimum requirements, insurers can mitigate their risk. They are assured that primary policies will cater to smaller claims, while the umbrella policy only comes into play for larger claims exceeding the underlying limits. By keeping your underlying policies up-to-date, you are eligible for legal protection umbrella insurance makes youT.D. McNeil Insurance Services For Better Understanding of Insurance

T.D. McNeil Insurance Services provides comprehensive information on insurance matters. Servicing locations in and around Folsom, CA, our agency is ready to help. Contact us today.

What Exclusions Does Flood Insurance Have?

What Flood Insurance Covers and Omits in Folsom, CA

For homeowners in Folsom, CA and the surrounding areas, adding flood insurance to their policy is crucial. This insurance provides protection against several types of water damage. However, it may not cover all water-related risks. Here, we’ll explain what to expect when you add this coverage to your insurance through T.D. McNeil Insurance Services.

Who Needs Flood Insurance?

Practically, every homeowner should consider flood insurance. Homes not located in designated flood plains can still experience flooding due to a severe weather event. With the changing climate and weather patterns, flood insurance is becoming essential even in areas where the U.S. government does not anticipate a flood. However, flood insurance policies aren’t standardized. Like many other types of insurance, you may need to tailor your policy to secure the coverage you need.

Typical Exclusions from Flood Insurance

When purchasing a flood insurance policy, it’s crucial to note that some risks and items may be excluded unless specified in a rider, which mandates additional payments. Commonly excluded components include decks, fences, landscaping, and pools. Other items that usually don’t receive coverage include vehicles, collectibles, cash, and heirlooms. You can typically protect many of these items through a rider on your homeowner’s policy.

Typical flood exclusions also include damage due to sewer backups and mildew and mold unless such instances are linked directly to a specific flood event. Damage from an indoor flood—such as a sump pump failure, a burst pipe in the kitchen, or an overfilled bathtub—requires specific language in the policy to be covered.

If you’re looking for specific flood insurance coverage near Folsom, CA, T.D. McNeil Insurance Services is here to help. Our agents can customize a policy to meet your specific needs.

Should I Get Life Insurance for My Child?

Here at T.D. McNeil Insurance Services in Folsom, CA, understands the challenges of contemplating the death of a child. However, child insurance coverage grants families financial security through various benefits, even when your children are alive. We will explore what these plans entail and what to consider when enrolling in one.

Understanding Life Insurance for Children

Generally, child life insurance is a type of permanent policy that serves multiple purposes. Its primary function is to provide the policyholder with a death benefit if the insured child passes away. While it’s a distressing scenario to imagine, these policies offer families financial security if tragedy strikes. Parents and grandparents often invest in these coverages as they build cash value over time, supporting a child’s financial future.

Securing a Child Life Insurance Policy

Parents and grandparents, with parental consent, can work with a licensed agent to choose and secure child insurance coverage. Children in good health can easily be covered following a medical records check or a physical examination. Those with chronic conditions or those who were born prematurely may face a waiting period before a policy takes effect.

Life insurance for children is a permanent policy covering them for life. However, you can terminate it by discontinuing premium payments via cash surrender, which reimburses policyholders the policy’s cash value at cancellation. You can also take out loans against its cash value.

Plan for Your Child’s Financial Future

While it’s vital to financially plan for the tragic event of a child’s passing, an insurance policy can also be a valuable investment, ensuring their future insurability. Whether you’re a parent or grandparent, contact T.D. McNeil Insurance Services in Folsom, CA, to learn more and get a quote.

Motorcycle Insurance Tips for Navigating the Best Routes in Folsom, CA

Folsom, CA is a picturesque town where cyclists have access to some of the most scenic routes in the Golden State. These routes wind through the Sierra Nevada Foothills and are perfect for those looking to explore nature and seek tranquility away from the rush of the city.

Here are some tips from T.D. McNeil Insurance Services to enhance your ride when you’re exploring the following areas near Sacramento:

  • Sierra Nevada Foothills
  • Placerville Loop
  • Mosquito Ridge Road
  • Sacramento River Delta

Conduct Pre-Trip Inspections

Safety should always be a top priority for local cyclists and those journeying through Folsom, CA. Prior to your trip, inspect your bike. This should include checking your bike’s tires and brakes and making sure fluid levels are correct. Don’t forget to invest in safety gear like impact-resistant helmets, jackets, and dust-resistant goggles or glasses for a clear, unobstructed view of the road.

Plan Your Ride Around Local Traffic Patterns

Considering factors like local weather and peak traffic times can save you both time and frustration when planning your trips. Early morning rides are ideal for biking enthusiasts who wish to take advantage of cooler temperatures before the heat of the mid to late afternoon rolls in.

Ensure Your Ride with Comprehensive Motorcycle Insurance

Obtaining comprehensive motorcycle insurance from a reputable local insurance agency is the best way to protect your ride fully. A comprehensive policy can include coverages to cover costs and damages associated with both collision and non-collision-related accidents.

A licensed and knowledgeable local insurance agent at T.D. McNeil Insurance Services can provide coverage options and offer you a motorcycle insurance quote when you contact our office today!

Explore with Confidence: Folsom Residents Need Motorhome Insurance

At T.D. McNeil Insurance Services offers residents in Folsom, CA, the motorhome insurance they need to explore confidently. If you’re ready to go on new adventures and discover new life in joys, having motorhome insurance you can count on will enable you to live in the moment without being bogged down by worries of what-ifs and oh nos.

Why Motorhome Insurance is Important

Motorhome insurance is important because RVs and other recreational vehicles are big investments that can lead to significant damages if there is an accident or incident. Thus, it is a good standard practice to ensure extensive motorhome coverage.

California law requires that no matter where you plan on going with your motorhome if it is registered in California, you have to have at least a bare minimum of coverage. You must have at least $15,000 in bodily injury per person, $30,000 in total bodily injury, and $10,000 in property damage of liability coverage. This applies to any motorhome that can move under its own power.

What Motorhome Insurance Protects

While you have to have liability insurance, a motorhome policy can offer a wide range of other coverage, depending on your needs and the level of protection you want. Higher levels of coverage are critical if you plan on going on many or long trips. Those who use their motorhomes as their primary home generally want the most coverage. If you use your motorhome less often, higher levels of coverage may be less appealing to you, but what is right will depend on your overall circumstances and personal desires.

Some coverage types you might want to have include:

  • Collision coverage for any damage that comes to your vehicle from accidents with objects or other vehicles
  • Comprehensive coverage for non-collision related damages like natural disasters, vandalism, or other issues beyond your control
  • Bodily damage and property damage liability cover a range of expenses like medical bills, property expenses for someone else’s medical bills, or property damage.

Take on New Journeys Stress-Free

Motorhome insurance is important for Folsom, CA, residents, which is why T.D. McNeil Insurance Service wants to offer the level of coverage that each person wants or needs for their unique circumstances. Request a quote, and we can help you start new journeys protected by quality insurance policies matched to your needs.

Four rules to follow when you buy RV insurance in California

RV owners in Folsom, CA, can rely on us at T.D. McNeil Insurance Services for their insurance needs. However, it’s important to follow a few key rules when purchasing RV insurance in California.

Here are four important RV insurance rules to keep in mind. 

Know how much your RV is worth.

You should insure your RV for its full value so that you won’t face any financial loss if it’s totaled. That’s why it’s important to be aware of how much your RV is worth when you purchase a policy.

Tailor your policy to your RV usage.

Some RV owners only use their RV during certain times of the year. If you don’t use your RV during certain seasons, you should make sure that the RV insurance coverage you buy is adjusted accordingly.

Many RV insurance providers offer policies that can be adjusted to only offer storage coverage for times of the year when the policyholder is not taking the insured RV out on public roads. 

Meet California’s liability requirements.

By law, motorists must carry at least $30,000 in total bodily injury liability coverage. Ensuring your RV insurance policy meets all California liability coverage requirements is essential. 

Compare your options to get the right policy for your needs

You have a lot of options to consider when you buy RV insurance. Compare your options before you buy a policy. You can get quotes from numerous RV insurance providers and choose the most valuable policy. 

If you need a quote on an RV insurance policy in Folsom, CA, call us today at T.D. McNeil Insurance Services!

Why Can’t You Fix Tires With Sidewall Damage?

Getting a flat tire is bad enough, but it only gets worse when you find the damage is to the sidewall. T.D. McNeil Insurance Services in Folsom, CA, wants you to know that no matter how simple the damage is if it’s on the sidewall and not the tread that contacts the road surface, you’ll have to replace your tire. This is due to how tires are constructed, and it’s essential that you understand why.

What Makes Sidewalls Unrepairable?

Sidewalls are flexible, allowing tires to handle expansion due to heat during use and to add some cushioning as the tires travel over uneven surfaces. A perfectly rigid tire would make for an uncomfortable ride, no matter how good your shocks or struts were. The flexibility also helps the tire handle the weight of the car and all its passengers and cargo. However, that flexibility would destroy any patch or plug used on the sidewall, leading to a blowout while driving.

That makes sense, but it raises the question of why a repair to the tread is OK when the tread is constantly rolling over the road and hitting rough surfaces. The tread section is thicker and stronger than the sidewall, and most tires now contain steel cords that keep the tread section more stable than the sidewall or shoulder. A repair stands a better chance of remaining strong and in place if it’s in the tread section. And remember, only puncture-type damage can be repaired; anything longer than that requires tire replacement.

T.D. McNeil Insurance Services in Folsom, CA, can help you with auto insurance and repair claims. Contact us today to discuss coverage.

Boat Maintenance Essentials

To ensure your boat’s optimal performance, safety, and longevity, it is important to follow the recommended maintenance guidelines for the vessel. According to the insurance professionals at T.D. McNeil Insurance Services in Folsom, CA, proper boat insurance and regular boat upkeep are the smartest ways to avoid expensive repairs and find stress-free and worry-free adventures where you may be headed.

Essential Boat Maintenance Tasks

Like any machine, routine inspections are the foundation of adequate boat maintenance. Before you depart, check the boat for signs of corrosion or damage in the areas around the propeller, hull, safety equipment, etc. Identifying an issue can help avoid more costly problems later on. Regular maintenance is essential for –

  • The Engine – the heart/power of the vessel.
  • The Drive train/Propeller – is another essential component that requires routine inspection.
  • The Safety Equipment – check life jackets, fire extinguishers, flares, and related safety gear.
  • The Electrical System – a properly working system is necessary to power important equipment on board and ensure passengers’ safety.
  • The Bilge Pump – removes excess water to keep the boat afloat.

Additionally, it is important to maintain a clean vessel because it helps enhance its overall look and protects the surface materials from deteriorating or corroding.

  • Wash your boat regularly with water/mild soap. Focus on those areas prone to dirt, salt, and grime buildup organically.
  • Remove marine growth collected from all underwater parts (including the hull) to make sure you optimize fuel efficiency and the boat’s performance.

Contact a Leading Folsom, CA Boat Insurance Agency Today

Proper boat maintenance ensures a safe, enjoyable, and trouble-free boating experience. For more information about how to protect your boat and investment, contact a staff member at T.D. McNeil Insurance Services at 916-983-2561 or online.

Umbrella Insurance for Surprise Business Liability

At T.D. McNeil Insurance Services, we remind our customers in Folsom, CA that insurance is for surprises, as well as for covering the routine risks and responsibilities that life brings. That’s especially important for our business customers, who often have significant assets, either personal or as part of a legal entity like a corporation, that may be at risk in a liability situation.

Coverage for Surprise Liability Your Business Encounters

Umbrella insurance helps cover surprise liability situations for businesses as well as individuals, going beyond the basic limits of commercial or vehicle liability coverage. It also helps organize a response to surprise liability situations when you’re still dealing with the feeling that this situation shouldn’t be happening. Someone might have what seems like an unreasonable expectation of compensation for a situation or simply be trying to leverage that situation for gain.

Sometimes, they may be trying to shift the blame, to protect themselves, and to make it official to put you on the hook for damages. However, if you see a situation that caught you off guard, with umbrella insurance, you can recover from the shock and get started on handling it.

Making Wise Business Choices for Success

At T.D. McNeil Insurance Services, we stand behind our business clients with insurance that backs them up in Folsom, CA when they experience unexpected liability situations. These days, it’s hard to know when you’ll be on the spot, and it’s good to know you’re not alone when facing a problem you didn’t expect in your line of business.

Your umbrella insurance policy is an excellent way to respond to our uncertain world confidently and wisely. You’re saying, whatever comes my way, I’ll handle it and keep on track. Come and talk with us, and our insurance professionals can help.

4 Tips for Buying Flood Insurance

If you live in Folsom, CA, chances are that flooding may have an impact on your life. The Folsom area is moderately at risk of flooding in the next few decades, meaning that insurance is in greater need than ever before. With T.D. McNeil Insurance Services, homeowners can have the coverage they need to protect themselves against flooding.

Here are some tips for purchasing flood insurance.

1. Choose Public or Private Insurance Based on Your Needs

In California, homeowners can purchase public insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or a private company. The NFIP is a federal government program managed by FEMA and covers specific coverage. Private insurance carriers create their own policies and can offer additional coverage. 

2. Purchase Flood Insurance Sooner Than Later

Typical homeowner’s insurance varies in coverage, but they rarely include protection against flooding. Purchasing separate flood insurance provides buyers with the assurance that they are fully protected if disaster strikes. 

3. Check a Variety of Insurers

Shop around for many flood insurance policies before making a decision. Some insurers provide shorter wait times for the coverage to begin. This difference can be critical in protecting your home from flooding. There are also differences in pricing and covered expenses, so look at the insurance options in your area. 

4. Check Your Flood Insurance Coverage

Remember that your flood insurance likely doesn’t cover earthquakes, even if a flood causes them. Carefully check your policy before purchasing.

Whether choosing federal or private insurance, flood coverage is a necessity. Contact T.D. McNeil Insurance Services today for your flood policy needs in Folsom, CA. 

Our Partners
  • foremost
  • Hudson
  • Kemper
  • Liberty Mutual
  • Mercury
  • Metlife
  • National General
  • Personal Umbrella
  • Progressive
  • Safeco
  • Stillwater
  • The Hartford
  • Travelers