Is boat insurance required?

Your boat spends more time in your driveway than on the water. Such is the reason you feel it unnecessary to purchase boat insurance. An indemnity plan for your water vessel may not be required in Memphis, TN, but such financial covering is essential. The agents at Keltner Insurance can help you understand why boat insurance is so important. 

What does boat insurance cover? 

Boat insurance works like auto insurance. A good plan typically covers:

  • The vessel;
  • Medical Bills;
  • Property Damage.

The extent that an insurance provider pays after an incident largely depends on your policy limits. Those who want cheaper monthly premiums may not have policy limits that pay for everything. Individuals who choose to pay more for insurance coverage, on the other hand, may find their plan pays out the maximum when the unforeseen happens. 

Is boat insurance always an option?

For the most part, boat insurance is not required in Memphis, TN. There is no state law that mandates water vessel owners to purchase a policy. There are, however, instances in which boat insurance may be required. 

Individuals who financed the purchase of their boat may need to buy a boat insurance plan that, at a minimum, covers the vessel. You may also view boat insurance as more of a requirement if you operate the vessel more often and with passengers. You are responsible for damages you cause to other boats as well as to individuals riding with you even if you do not have boat insurance as a financial cushion.  

How much boat insurance should you buy?

It is best to speak with an expert at Keltner Insurance when determining how much boat insurance to purchase. An agent can fully explain the benefits of a good policy as well as ensure you have the plan that best suits your lifestyle. Call Keltner Insurance today to get started with a quote for boat insurance.

5 Best Safety Tips for Motorcyclists

While there is no mistaking that motorcycles are fun, daring, and cool they are also dangerous and more likely to be in an accident than a car, truck, or SUV. When it comes to motorcycle safety, these are a few tips to always have at the forefront of your mind.

1. Motorcycle Safety Course

Keep in mind that in order to legally operate a motorcycle in Tennessee that is over 50cc, you must have a Class M license. Although it is not required by the state, all motorcyclists are encouraged to complete one of the many safety courses offered by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. 

2. Pre-Ride Inspection

Prior to embarking on your motorcycle, it is highly recommended that you do a visual inspection to check for anything from leaks to loose bolts to debris in the tires. 

3. Wear Protective Gear

As a general rule of thumb, you’ll want boots that cover your entire ankle, an abrasion-resistant jacket with additional armor, long pants, gloves, and a full-face helmet. Although an open face helmet may keep you cooler in hotter months, it is important to remember that nearly a quarter of all impacts during accidents start with the chin. 

4. Drive Defensively

While it may be tempting to weave in and out of traffic, don’t do it because other drivers may not see you. Instead, drive like no one can see you and give plenty of leeway to other vehicles on the road.

5. Don’t Skimp on Insurance

Not only is motorcycle insurance required in Tennessee, but you want to ensure you have enough coverage to protect yourself and any passengers if an accident happens. At Keltner Insurance in Memphis, TN, our friendly and talented team will help customize the perfect insurance policy for your needs. 

Exploring The Benefits Of Variable Life Insurance

Keltner Insurance serves the Memphis, TN community by offering residents different types of insurance policies. As an independent insurance agency, we have established successful partnerships with several insurance carriers throughout the South. We are committed to helping our clients protect the things that matter most.

Life Insurance

While it is uncomfortable, at some point you have to start thinking about your final days. It’s important to have a plan in place so that your loved ones won’t feel uncertain in the wake of your passing. Life insurance helps your family deal with your passing by providing a safety net.

The Benefits Of Variable Life Insurance

Variable life insurance is one of the most flexible types of life insurance policies on the market. You have several different options if you want to amend your policy due to evolving market conditions. The ability to adapt is a clear difference between variable life coverage and term life or whole life coverage. That’s why variable life insurance is regarded by many as having a higher upside compared to other types of life insurance policies.

While you research different policies, you’ll receive a prospectus, which outlines the different options and ways that you can amend your policy. You have a lot of freedom regarding your investment. Variable life policies have higher growth potential compared to other policies.

While researching different variable life insurance policies, you’ll have to evaluate your future. If you are already married with children, you have to approach things differently compared to if you are just starting a family. If you have financial investments through your employer in Memphis, TN, that is also something that you must take into consideration. You’ll have to evaluate your plans for the future.

Keltner Insurance Will Guide You Through The Process

Visit our website today to learn more information about variable life insurance.

Reasons To Have Commercial Insurance

If you are starting a new company, commercial insurance is one of the most important investments to make. The purpose of commercial insurance is to protect you as a business owner, your employees, and the company itself from severe financial losses. If you are still deciding whether you need commercial insurance or not, Keltner Insurance serving Memphis, TN has prepared the list of reasons why it is important to have this type of insurance:

  • Comply with state laws. The state of Tennessee requires every company that has 5 and more employees to carry workers’ compensation insurance. Workers’ compensation is the type of coverage that will pay the bills if one of your employees is injured at the workplace. In addition, all companies that have a commercial vehicle must have proper commercial auto insurance as well. 
  • Coverage of legal fees. It is quite common for a small business to become a target for lawsuits. For example, if your client or visitor falls on your commercial property and gets injured, you can get sued. Commercial insurance offers lawsuit protection, which means legal bills will be paid by your insurance company and will not drain your bank account. 
  • Recovery from a business property damage.  Commercial insurance also covers for all replacement and repairs if your commercial property and business equipment get damaged. It also provides coverage for losses related to vandalism, fire, or theft. 

If you are a business owner from Memphis, TN or any surrounding area and you are looking for proper commercial insurance to protect your company, let Keltner Insurance help you. We are an independent insurance agency serving three states – Tennessee, Mississippi, and Arkansas. Do not hesitate to give us a call and find out how we can help you protect your business and yourself. 

What Memphis TN Homeowners Need to Know About Owning Multiple Properties

It is not uncommon to own multiple properties.  Some people have rental properties to generate extra income. Others, have a home on the market that is vacant, or under construction. Tennessee is full of mountains and lakes. Owning a cabin can be an excellent way to destress and unwind on the weekends. Some individuals have vacation homes outside of Memphis, TN, and maybe in other states or jurisdictions. Second-home, rental property insurance, cabin insurance, and vacant property insurance are all options that one must consider when in these situations. Keltner Insurance can assist you if you need assistance obtaining the second property insurance that best fits your needs. 

Assisting Multiple Property Owners in the Memphis, TN Area

Second-home, cabin, and vacation home insurance have different needs than a primary residence. As they are unoccupied most of the time, there are additional risk factors. These properties are more susceptible to burglaries, theft, and vandalism. Pipes bursting due to various weather conditions and the possible presence of mold, also contribute to needing additional coverage. A qualified insurance agent in the Memphis, TN area, can assist you with obtaining the correct insurance that fits your needs.

Explaining Vacant Home Insurance 

Vacant house insurance is available for properties that may be left unattended more often than a primary residence. There are certain questions to ask yourself to see if this type of insurance is necessary –  

  • Do you have a property that is vacant for a minimum of 90 days and up to 3 years?
  • Is your second property on the market, or foreclosure?
  • Do you have a property under renovation?

 

Some home insurance policies do offer vacation home insurance, dwelling, and second property insurance. It sometimes can be attached to an existing homeowner’s insurance policy. Some insurance providers, however, are wary of the risks involved in adding this type of insurance to your policy.

Rental Property Insurance 

When you have a tenant living in a residence that you own, getting rental property insurance can be a wise choice. It can protect you from the various risks that are associated with renting your second property to someone else. There is a high degree of liability involved. You are responsible for the building as well as other possible situational occurrences. A property owner may be liable for any injuries that occur in the residence that your tenant or their guests incur. Damage to belongings is also another reason to get rental property insurance. Contact Keltner Insurance for more information on obtaining insurance for multiple properties. 

Guide on Finding Perfect Auto Insurance

Owning a car is great but it also comes with certain responsibilities. One of them is getting proper auto insurance. Car insurance is not only a legal requirement but is also protection of you, as a driver, and other parties, including other drivers, passengers, and pedestrians. Finding perfect insurance based on your budget and needs might be hard. Therefore, Keltner Insurance serving clients in Memphis, TN prepared a short guide with a few tips on getting a perfect car insurance plan:

1. Consider the condition and age of your car

If your vehicle is 10 years and older, not in the best shape, or has high mileage, you may not need full coverage. However, if this is your only car and losing it will be a significant financial hardship for you, you still should consider having full coverage. In order to make the right decision, it is one of the first things you will need to discuss with your insurance agent. 

2. Check Loan or Lease Conditions

If you have recently purchased or leased a new car, you may have to have full coverage on the vehicle. Failing to do so might result in high penalties. Therefore, make sure you read the loan or lease conditions carefully before getting certain coverage. 

3. Shop Around

Even if you found a great car insurance plan, it is still recommended to shop around and compare at least three offers from different insurance companies. You can also seek out relatives and friends for their experiences with their insurance companies, especially if they have filed a claim. 

Finding a perfect car insurance policy for your vehicle is a challenging task. Therefore, Keltner Insurance would like to assist you and help you to make an informed decision. Our clients’ satisfaction is the number one priority for us, so we always do our best to find a perfect insurance plan for each of our clients. If you are a resident of Memphis, TN or any surrounding area, give us a call to discuss the options with our insurance agent. 

Who would benefit from getting motorcycle insurance?

The Memphis, TN area has many great days of warmth and sunshine. This can make it a great opportunity to get around town on your own motorcycle. If you do get a motorcycle, you should make sure that you get a proper insurance policy. When you have this form of insurance, it could benefit you in several different ways. 

Those that Want to Protect Assets

One group that will benefit from a motorcycle insurance policy are those that want to protect their assets. A motorcycle can be a big investment, based on the option that you choose when you decide to buy. If you would like to be able to repair or replace your motorcycle following an accident or theft, you will want to have a full motorcycle insurance policy with both collision and comprehensive coverage. 

Those that Want to Protect Against Liability

Another situation when you will want to get a motorcycle insurance policy is when you want to protect against liability. There is always a risk that you can cause an accident when you are operating a motorcycle. If this does occur, having insurance will be helpful as the liability insurance component will ensure you have coverage for the damages that you cause, which could drastically reduce any out of pocket costs. 

As you are searching for a motorcycle insurance policy, it is important that you speak with a team that you can trust. The insurance team at Keltner Insurance has helped people all over the Memphis, TN area to find insurance policies that provide the right coverage that you will need to protect your asset. Keltner Insurance will be able to work with you to ensure you get a policy that provides the right protection and gives you peace of mind.

How Does Liability Apply to Condo Owners?

There are a lot of great places to live in Memphis, TN, and some of them are condos. If you’re a condo owner (or looking to become one), you might have questions about how insurance works between you and the condo association. Liability can be a tricky thing, so Keltner Insurance is here to help you break down the primary responsibilities. 

Where Did Things Go Wrong?

The primary way to determine liability is to look at the location of the problem. Where and how were the person(s) and/or property hurt or damaged? Someone slipping in your condo’s shower is different from someone slipping on a wet driveway. If the problem happened in an area that is solely owned by you, you will likely be assigned total liability.

If the problem happened in a joint area, such as your driveway, then liability will likely be split between you and the condo association. If the problem happens on condo grounds but can’t be tied to you personally — such as in a condo clubhouse — then you will likely not be assigned any liability at all.

But, There’s a Catch

There’s a catch that is important to understand. If you are not found liable and the association is, there’s a good chance that you’ll still be paying the deductible. Your own condo insurance should remain unaffected by the ordeal (which is a good thing), but most condo associations will split liability deductible fees across members. The standard practice is to have everyone in an affected area pay part of the deductible. So, if the problem happens only on your driveway but you aren’t found liable, you’ll still probably be paying that deductible. If it happens in a common hallway, all of the owners who use that hallway might have to split the cost. This is a normal business practice, and it may even be defined in your contract.

If you have more intricate questions about condo liability, consider talking to your Keltner Insurance representative. They can help you navigate the ins and outs of condo insurance for residents of Memphis, TN. 

Is RV insurance required in Tennessee?

Your motorhome is not just another vehicle in your garage or driveway. An RV is an investment that serves as both a home and an automobile. You need the right type of insurance plan to guard yourself against a significant loss in the instance that your RV is stolen or damaged in Memphis, TN. The agents at Keltner Insurance can help you find the right policy. 

Is RV Insurance required in Tennessee?

The state of Tennessee requires all drivers who operate vehicles in the city or on the highways to show proof of at least liability insurance. Your indemnity plan should pay for no less than $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident, for bodily injury and $15,000 for property damage. 

You may consider buying more than the state minimum if you have a motorhome since liability insurance only pays if you are responsible for damages. A liability indemnity plan does not cover instances where you are not at fault but the responsible driver lacks the insurance needed to cover your losses. 

How much RV insurance do you need?

In addition to standard auto insurance, you should also consider coverage for the appliances inside of your motorhome. A traditional auto insurance plan does not provide protection if your RV catches fire because of a gas leak connected to the stove. The best motorhome insurance plans, however, offer full coverage against such accidents. 

Call Keltner Insurance for help!

The agents at Keltner Insurance can help you find the RV insurance policy that fits your lifestyle. They can also explain how you can purchase enough coverage to protect you when on the road all while saving money during the months that you do not travel with the family. Call Keltner today to get started with a quote for RV insurance.

You’re Renting Your First Apartment: Now What?

Moving into your first apartment is an exciting life event. No doubt you are pretty high right now on the feelings of independence and freedom. Don’t forget, however, that along with this freedom comes some new responsibilities. You may think that renting means all the responsibilities are on your landlord, but this is not the case. At Keltner Insurance, serving Memphis TN, we love taking the time to educate people on topics such as renter’s insurance. So, if you have not given renter’s insurance much thought, now is the time to get educated.

Why Do You Need Renter’s Insurance?

There is a terrible misconception among renter’s that their landlord’s property insurance is sufficient to protect your belongings in the event of damage. This is not the case. Your landlord’s property insurance will not cover the loss of your personal belongings. If there is damage to your apartment due to fire, flooding, weather or burglary, your furniture, and personal belongings will not be covered under your landlord’s property insurance. 

In order to protect the value of your personal belongings which are inside the apartment, you need renter’s insurance. 

How Does Renter’s Insurance Work?

Your renter’s policy can be customized to suit the value of your personal belongings. Because everyone’s personal belongings are different, you will need to speak with an insurance representative in order to learn how much renter’s insurance you need. 

Once you have purchased a policy, your belongings will be covered in this amount. This is the best way to protect the investment you have made into furniture, electronics, clothing, jewelry and other things that hold value to you. 

If you would like to learn more about renter’s insurance, please contact our friendly staff at Keltner Insurance, serving Memphis, TN.