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The Role of Estate Planning in Life Insurance

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Estate planning and life insurance often go hand in hand. One involves the distribution of assets after a person’s death, and the other is about providing a financial safety net for loved ones in the event of the policyholder’s passing. While they are often referred to in the same breath, they have slightly different purposes, and it’s essential to understand the role life insurance plays in estate planning.

Estate Planning and Life Insurance

Estate planning and life insurance protect your family and loved ones when you are no longer with them. Together, they secure your financial future and guarantee your assets will be distributed how you want. Therefore, you should ensure your life insurance policy and estate planning match up properly. 

Protect Your Assets and Your Loved Ones’ Financial Futures 

Your goal during estate planning is to put together a process of managing your assets in life and their distribution in death. Once it is cemented, you can use life insurance to fill in the gaps. You want a sum of money available to your loved ones to cover outstanding debts, funeral costs, and, if you have dependents, to help with their living costs. If you’re no longer here, the last thing you want is for the people relying on you financially to encounter financial hardship. 

Expert Service at Ruddy Insurance Group in Niles, OH 

At Ruddy Insurance Group in Niles, OH, our experienced agents can navigate you through this process, from choosing a life insurance plan to adjusting it over the years. We understand the role that estate planning plays in life insurance, and our focus is always on putting your needs first. 

To learn more about Ruddy Insurance Group in Niles, OH, call (330) 652-0202 today. 

How to Detect Water Leaks in Your Home

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At Ruddy Insurance Group, providing homeowners in the greater Niles, OH region with homeowners insurance, we have seen many types of damage done to a home. Water can be one of the most damaging things to a home. Hidden leaks can increase your water bill, cause significant damage to a home, and lead to mold growth. As such, you want to take steps to check for water leaks in your home. Here are a few of the ways you can do that. 

Check Your Water Meter

One of the best ways to check for hidden water leaks in your home is to turn off all the faucets in your home and ensure no water appliances are being used. Then check the number on your water meter and watch the meter. If the number increases when you know water is not being used in your home, you have a leak somewhere. 

Watch Your Water Bill For Increases

Another fundamental way to detect water leaks in your home is to monitor your water bill closely. If your water bill has unexpectedly increased and you have not been using extra water or had extra guests in your home, you may have a water leak. Hiring a plumber to do a plumbing inspection is the best way to look for and find a leak in your home. 

A water leak in your home can be costly and lead to severe damage. Unfortunately, you may be unable to find and prevent all water leaks. This is where home insurance can be beneficial. Here at Ruddy Insurance Group, serving the greater Niles, OH area, our insurance agents can work with you to ensure your home and belongings are fully covered in an emergency. Contact us today, and let us help you find the best policy for your needs. 

Protect Yourself From Liability With Snowmobile Insurance in Niles, OH

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Snowmobiling on the beautiful lakes, trails, and forests of Niles, OH, is an experience like no other. But before you hit the slopes, you must ensure you are adequately insured. Learn why snowmobile insurance is essential for protecting your assets and providing a safe ride and how the Ruddy Insurance Group can help. 

Protect Your Assets With Comprehensive Coverage 

Comprehensive coverage helps to protect your assets by helping cover the cost of repairs or medical bills if you cause property damage or bodily injury while riding your snowmobile. The coverage can also reimburse lost wages and medical expenses if injured while riding. Whether your snowmobile is damaged due to an accident or theft, comprehensive coverage will help keep it running smoothly and ensure that it is replaced quickly should it be totaled. 

Additional Benefits Of Snowmobile Insurance 

Snowmobile insurance also provides additional benefits such as coverage for personal effects (clothing, helmets, goggles, etc.), uninsured motorist protection (in case another rider injures you), and roadside assistance in case of a flat tire or breakdown. Additionally, many policies offer discounts for having multiple vehicles insured under the same policy and discounts for safety courses taken.  

At Ruddy Insurance Group, we understand the importance of protecting yourself from financial losses caused by unexpected events on the road or trail. Our experienced agents will work with you to find the best policy that fits your needs and budget so that you can enjoy every minute of your ride with peace of mind knowing that you are secure against any potential liabilities. Contact us today to get started! 

Protect yourself from liability with snowmobile insurance from Ruddy Insurance Group today!

Boat Insurance Coverage Options

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Unlike auto insurance, boat insurance is not required in most states, and Ohio is no exception. Even though you do not have to secure boat insurance, having some level of protection from a boat insurance policy is a good idea.

Boat Insurance Coverage Options

The agents from the Ruddy Insurance Group in Niles, OH want you to know about the different coverage options available regarding boat insurance policies.

Liability Boat Insurance

Similar to auto liability insurance, boat liability insurance will cover any damage caused in an accident to someone else’s property or injuries they may sustain in an accident deemed to be your fault. This liability coverage can also cover the passengers on your boat or the other person’s boat.

Comprehensive and Collision Insurance

Whether you paid cash for your boat or borrowed the money to purchase your boat, comprehensive and collision insurance are two types of coverage options you will want to have to protect the investment you made in your boat. Comprehensive insurance will cover your boat if a fire or natural disaster damages it. Collision insurance will help you out if you collide with another boat or a stationary object. For example, if your boat hits someone’s dock and causes damage, your collision insurance will help you pay for those damages.

Contact Us

Before winter ends and spring is upon us, contact the agents at the Ruddy Insurance Group in Niles, OH to create a boat insurance policy that works well for you and your situation. Call today to start your policy so you can have the peace of mind you deserve this summer while relaxing on your boat!

Make Sure Your Loved Ones are Financially Secure with a Life Insurance Policy

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Do you ever wonder if your family would be financially secure in the event of your passing? The Ruddy Insurance Group, which serves the area in and around Niles, OH, could help.

The death benefits your loved ones would receive can help pay off the mortgage, debts, and final expenses.

Life insurance is for everyone. If you think you are too young to need it, think again. Accidents and illnesses can occur to anyone at any time.

There are two kinds of life insurance: term and permanent. With term life, you pay a certain premium for a defined amount of time, for example, ten years. If you pass within that time, the death benefit amount is paid to your beneficiaries. But when the term ends, you must get a new policy. A permanent or whole-life policy lasts your entire life.

Benefits of term life:

  • Lower cost
  • Easy to understand
  • It can be converted into whole
  • If you no longer want it, you can discontinue it without losing anything other than the premiums you have already paid

Benefits of whole life:

  • It is permanent life insurance
  • It has a savings element, or cash value element that you can borrow against or withdraw
  • Can provide estate planning benefits that have tax advantages

Typically, it is best to purchase life insurance when you are young and healthy. The rates will be lower because:

  • Longer life expectancy
  • Less likely to have a severe disease
  • Premiums will likely be paid for more years

Don’t leave your loved ones wanting. The death benefit that a life insurance policy could provide will help your family at a time when they need it. Ruddy Insurance Group can give you a no-obligation quote and answer any questions. Contact our team today. You will be glad you did.

Making your Ohio home safer

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Home safety is a vital concern for most homeowners. Many accidents happen in the home, most of which are avoidable by taking a few simple steps. At Ruddy Insurance Group in Niles, OH, we are dedicated to providing our customers with the highest level of customer service. As independent insurance agents, we can provide more choices and work hard for our customers to ensure we find the right policy for them. 

Password your internet network

To keep your private information private, it is essential that your internet network has a password so that strangers cannot hack into your network. Choosing a strong password that you don’t use anywhere else is safest. 

Install a home security system

Many options are available for home security. Many are DIY and affordable, or you can opt for an installed system that is monitored. It can be as simple as a doorbell camera and motion detector lights, or you can have all your windows and doors alarmed. 

Use your door and window locks.

To keep your home safe, use the locks with your windows and the deadbolt on your door. Special lock bars can be used to secure patio doors. 

Protect against fire

Fire is a risk for any home, and there are several things that you can do to help keep your home safe from this hazard. First, make sure that you have smoke detectors on every floor. An annual chimney and furnace cleaning can help as well. 

Clean up fall hazards

One of the most significant risks to safety in the home is falls. Keep hallways and stairs clear of obstacles, cover extension cords, avoid throw rugs, and always have a spotter if you must climb a ladder. 

Contact Ruddy Insurance Group in Niles, OH if you are looking for a new home insurance policy. 

Taking your classic car out on the road? Double check your insurance protection first

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If you are a classic car enthusiast in Niles, OH, or the surrounding area, Ruddy Insurance Group is here to help with all of your insurance needs. We understand how much effort goes into acquiring and maintaining a classic car, and we want to help you protect it! Contact our office to find out more. 

Appropriate protection for your classic car

Before you take your classic car out on the road, be sure that it is properly insured. Unlike other vehicles, classic cars are often a major financial investment. Another difference is that they are typically not a primary transportation vehicle. This means that you probably don’t drive your classic car as often as your other vehicles.

Many classic car owners only use these vehicles for Sunday drives or to participate in classic car shows. Whichever end of the spectrum you find your use, it’s important to have appropriate protection for your classic car. Now is an ideal time to take out your classic car insurance policy and give it a full review.

When selecting a classic car policy, you will want to consider the value of the car, how often it is driven, and where it is stored. These factors can all impact your decision about which policy is right for your needs. Don’t think of this policy in the same way that you think of your regular auto insurance policy, as they are quite different.  

Call or stop by today!

Ruddy Insurance Group is the insurance team that Niles, OH area residents can rely on. We are a full-service insurance agency that is here to help you protect your classic car. Give us a call today and schedule an appointment to learn more.

Why All Renters Need Renters’ Insurance

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When you are a renter, it’s essential to protect yourself with renters’ insurance. This type of insurance policy provides several different types of coverage within it to protect you from several possible risks. With this insurance in place, you will also have better peace of mind because you know you’re protected. Most landlords today require this insurance, so you’ll likely have to get a policy. If you need a renters’ policy in Niles, OH, call us today at Ruddy Insurance Group.

Liability Protection

One of the ways that renters’ insurance protects you is by covering your liability as the renter of the property. You have liability on the property because you rent it and are responsible for what goes on there. You are likely liable for an accident that happens to anyone who enters your property and experiences an accident there. When you have renters’ insurance, the policy will pay for the resulting bills from the accident. This can save you thousands on paying for lost wages and medical bills. 

Possessions Protection

Another type of coverage you get from these policies is protection for all your belongings inside your home. With this protection, a significant event that destroys your things doesn’t have to bankrupt you. Instead of spending thousands on replacing it, your policy will pay for the replacements. You are vulnerable to many damaging events if you don’t have this coverage. This coverage means you’ll have peace of mind because you are well-protected against these events. 

Get A Renters’ Insurance Policy

When you rent, you need to be protected. To get your renters’ policy in Niles, OH, you can call us at Ruddy Insurance Group.

Three Tips to Keep Your Passengers Safe on an RV Road Trip

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Taking an RV trip is a great way to see the country and spend time with family or friends. However, being aware of the safety hazards of driving an RV is essential. Here are three tips from Ruddy Insurance Group of Niles, OH to help keep your passengers safe on your next RV road trip.

Do not distract the driver.

Distracting the RV driver can be dangerous because it takes their attention away from the road. Even if the driver is not looking at the passenger, they may still be distracted by the conversation. This can lead to accidents.

Stay seated when the RV is in motion.

Passengers should stay seated when the RV is in motion for several reasons. First, it is a safety precaution in case the RV hits a bump or makes a sudden stop. Second, depending on the size and weight distribution of the vehicle, it helps keep the RV stable and prevents it from tipping over. Finally, it is more comfortable for passengers to stay seated rather than standing or moving around while the RV is in motion.

Be aware of the safety limitations of your RV.

When traveling in an RV, passengers need to be aware of the safety limitations of the vehicle. It is important to wear seatbelts when available and to limit the use of the bathroom while the car is driving. This is because RVs are not as stable as other vehicles on the road and can be more prone to accidents, which can be more dangerous to unsecured passengers.

Ruddy Insurance Group offers RV insurance in Niles, OH to protect your investment on the open road. Whether you are a full-time RVer or enjoy the occasional weekend getaway, we have the coverage options to suit your needs.

Five Things You Need to Know About Motorcycle Insurance

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Anyone who’s ever been on a motorcycle knows the unique sense of freedom and adventure that comes with it. But before you can hit the open road, you must ensure you have a few key things in place, including protective gear and motorcycle insurance. Here are five things you need to know about motorcycle insurance.

1. There Are Different Types of Coverage

One of the most important things about motorcycle insurance is that different types of coverage are available. Each type of coverage is designed to protect you in different ways. For example, liability insurance covers damage you may cause to someone else or their property. In contrast, collision insurance covers damage to your motorcycle resulting from a collision with another vehicle or object.

2. You Might Need More Than the Minimum Coverage

While the minimum coverage required by law in most states will vary, it’s important to note that this is usually the bare minimum and may not provide adequate protection in the event of an accident. In some cases, you may need to purchase additional coverage to protect yourself fully.

3. Motorcycle Insurance Rates Can Vary

Regarding motorcycle insurance, rates can vary significantly from one company to the next. It’s important to shop around and compare rates before deciding which company to purchase a policy from.

4. You Can Bundle It with Other Types of Insurance

If you own other types of vehicles, such as a car, you may be able to bundle your motorcycle insurance with your other policies for a discount. This is something to consider if you’re looking to save money on your overall insurance costs.

5. Never Ignore the Fine Print

As with any insurance policy, it’s important to read the fine print carefully before signing on the dotted line. This will help you better understand what is and isn’t covered by your policy.

Get Motorcycle Insurance in Niles, OH

Keep these five things in mind when shopping for motorcycle insurance, and you’ll be well on your way to being adequately protected on the open road. Ruddy Insurance Group can help you find the right policy for your needs. Give us a call today to get started.