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Beyond Bricks and Mortar: Five Benefits of a Home Insurance Policy

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Investing in your dream home where you plan to raise your family is one of the most significant investments you can make. Protect your homeownership investment with comprehensive home insurance from Taake Insurance Agency in Columbia, IL! 

Benefits of Home Insurance in Columbia, IL 

Benefit #1. – Protect Your Home’s Interior and Exterior 

A comprehensive home insurance policy can provide financial coverage for your home’s key interior and exterior features. Licensed insurance agents can provide coverage advice and policy options based on your circumstances. 

Benefit #2 – Reduce Expenses

One of the best benefits of having a comprehensive policy is that you’re protected from unexpected incidents of thefts, vandalism, effects of natural disasters, and other covered perils. Comprehensive insurance can reduce out-of-pocket expenses when your policy covers your must-have items and repair or replacement costs. 

Benefit #3. – Avoid Legal Blindsides

Accidents can happen regardless of where we are –including unexpected accidents on your property. With comprehensive home insurance, avoid being blindsided by legal and financial claims associated with accidents on your property. 

Benefit #4. –  Temporary Displacement Support

Repairs and clean-up from natural disasters, floods, vandalism, and break-ins can render a family homeless while they await restoration. Talk to a trusted insurance agent to learn how to add emergency living expense coverage to your home insurance policy. 

Benefit #5. – Sleep Easier

Most homeowners rest easier at night when they know their homes are safe and protected from unexpected perils that would normally render them homeless. Please don’t wait until it’s too late to protect your most prized possession from the unexpected.

Contact the insurance experts at Taake Insurance Agency in Columbia, IL, and get a free quote today! 

What happens if my Columbia, IL auto insurance maxes out?

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Illinois requires every vehicle driver to carry a minimum amount of coverage. That coverage is only for the other drivers and passengers and has limits per person and per accident. If you drive in Columbia, IL, Taake Insurance Agency can help you explore your options if you consider getting additional protection.

You Are Responsible For Any Damage You Cause

If you are found to be at fault in an accident, you are responsible for paying for all the property damage and medical bills. You are responsible if the other driver needs to rent a car. If there is a lawsuit, you are the one responsible.

You carry insurance so you will not have to pay for all that yourself. Your insurance will only pay out to the policy limits you have chosen.

What Happens When You Max Out?

After your insurance maxes out, you are still responsible for all of the damages. If you cannot pay, a judge can compensate the victim in other ways. For instance:

  • A judge can order that your wages be garnished until the damages are paid.
  • A lien can be put on your house to force you to pay.
  • The victim may be able to take your other assets, such as if you have money in a bank account.

Call Today To Discuss Your Options

Once you realize how much an accident could cost, you may feel vulnerable when driving. Most people with minimum coverage cannot pay for a serious accident. If you would like to discuss additional coverage or have any questions about Illinois auto insurance, please call Taake Insurance Agency Columbia, IL today.

How does remodeling affect home insurance?

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Remodeling a house to make it your home can be an enjoyable experience, especially when the work finishes. Still, remodeling increases your risk during the process and generally increases the value of a house, so you need to protect your investment during and after the remodeling project. At the Taake Insurance Agency, serving the Columbia, IL, area, our team will work with you to structure the home insurance coverage that protects your family during and after the project.

The Impact of Remodeling and Renovating

The typical home insurance policy offers basic protection during remodeling projects, but accidents can happen, so it is worth considering supplementing your policy during the work period. Some home insurance policies require homeowners to notify their insurance agent about their plans before beginning work. Due to the potential hazards and risk of injuries, homeowners should modify their home insurance coverage or acquire umbrella insurance.

After completing the work, remodeling projects often bring increased home size, enhanced fixtures or furnishings, or add touches that increase the home’s value, and you should update your policy to reflect those changes. Additions such as pools and hot tubs increase your risk and must be identified in the policy. Renovations that modernize your home’s wiring, plumbing, heating, or other system may reduce your risk. 

So, no matter the changes planned, it is best to discuss them with your agent in advance so you fully understand how they may affect your home insurance coverage.

Working with Taake Insurance Agency

Your home is likely one of your most significant investments and needs protection against unforeseen events. Our Taake Insurance Agency team proudly serves the Columbia, IL, area, and we want to help you with all your insurance needs. Call or stop by today to discuss your options.

Matching Health Insurance Options to Your Needs

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Health insurance is essential for everyone because it allows you to manage your health and well-being throughout your lifetime. People who carefully select their insurance can access the products and services they need to manage their conditions or stay healthy. If you would like to learn more about health insurance options, you can trust the insurance professionals at Taake Insurance Agency, serving the residents of Columbia, IL. 

How to Select the Right Insurance Policy

Choosing the right insurance for your specific needs is essential for having access to medical care and options. The best way to determine the correct type of policy is to consider your medical history, family medical history, and any present conditions. 

For example, you’ll need regular medical care and attention from specialists if you have a health condition or disease. You’ll need to secure a policy to save on your co-payments and deductibles if you use your insurance frequently. 

In contrast, if you are a healthy individual with a low risk of developing diseases or degenerative conditions, you’ll want to save on your premiums instead. It’s also important to choose insurance that covers the care you require and allows coverage for procedures, treatments, and hospital visits that you know you’ll need in the future. 

The best way to know if you’re adequately covered is to consult with one of our licensed health insurance agents. They can help you determine which policies meet your needs and go over the terms and conditions so that you can make an informed decision. 

Find Out More Today

If you would like to learn more about the policy options we offer for health insurance or any of the other quality insurance products we offer, please get in touch with us today. At Taake Insurance Agency, we take pride in offering reliable insurance to the residents of Columbia, IL. 

Life Insurance Options in Illinois

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Our agents at the Taake Insurance Agency serving the Columbia, IL area know how important your family and friends are to you. This is why they want to ensure that you have adequate life insurance in place when you pass away.

You do not know when it will be time for you to leave this world, and a good life insurance policy will give you the peace of mind you deserve since you will know that your loved ones will be taken care of when that day comes.

There are several different types of life insurance policies you can choose from. Listed below are the three most common types of life insurance policies.

Life Insurance Options

Term Life Insurance

This type of life insurance policy will provide coverage during a certain term. The terms are usually 10, 20, or 30 years. It is a very affordable policy but only pays a death benefit to your beneficiaries if you pass away during the term in which it is in effect.

Whole Life Insurance

This type of life insurance is part of a permanent policy that provides lifelong coverage. It is a popular choice since it also includes a cash value component that grows over time and can be borrowed against or withdrawn. This means you can pay off large bills, such as a mortgage or vehicle before you pass away, which will help lessen the load of stress on your loved ones when they are grieving since they will not have to worry about how to pay the bills.

Universal Life Insurance

Universal life insurance basically combines a death benefit with an investment account. This means that you can adjust the premium payments and death benefit over time, and the cash value has the potential to grow while being tax-deferred.

Other Types of Life Insurance Policies

Other types of life insurance policies you can choose from include variable life insurance, indexed universal life insurance, final expense insurance, and group life insurance.

Get Your Life Insurance Policy Started

Call our agents at the Taake Insurance Agency serving the Columbia, IL area today to get your life insurance policy started!

Do You Need Commercial Insurance for Your Illinois Business?

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Owning your own business is probably a dream come true for you and your loved ones, which means you will want to protect it with an appropriate amount of insurance. Our agents at the Taake Insurance Agency serving the Columbia, IL area want to help you with all of your commercial business needs to protect the investment of time, energy, and money you have invested in your Illinois business.

Is Commercial Insurance Required in Illinois?

All drivers in the state of Illinois must have at least an auto liability insurance policy in place before they can legally drive a motor vehicle. This goes for your business also. This means that all vehicles owned by your business or personal vehicles that are driven for business purposes must have at least an auto liability insurance policy in place at all times.

Commercial Liability Insurance Coverage

It is very important for you to have commercial liability insurance coverage for your business and for your customers. This type of insurance is necessary to have in place in case a customer or a guest at your business is injured. This type of policy will help pay the person’s medical bills and other expenses and help you with legal fees if a lawsuit is filed against your business. Commercial liability insurance coverage will also help you out if you are involved in a libel, slander, or copyright infringement case,

Commercial Property Insurance

Commercial property insurance will come in handy if there is some sort of tragic event at your business, such as a fire, natural disaster, or vandalism. Also, if you have a business with inventory, this type of coverage will help you replace it if you lose it due to damage or theft.

Call for a Quote

To obtain a quote for a commercial insurance policy to protect your Illinois business, call upon our agents at the Taake Insurance Agency serving the Columbia, IL area today!

I just paid off my late model car. Do I still need full auto insurance coverage?

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As a driver, you’re only required to carry auto liability insurance. However, other situations may require you to carry more than the state-required minimum coverage. At Taake Insurance Agency, our team knows that understanding auto insurance can be confusing. It’s not easy to know what type of coverage you need. We’re here to help our Columbia, IL residents understand and explore their options.

State-Required Auto Insurance Coverage

All states require drivers to carry liability insurance. Liability insurance provides coverage for any accident where you’re deemed at fault. However, it doesn’t cover any personal injuries that you may incur. It also doesn’t cover any damage to your vehicle or personal property. Any insurance agent can help you determine if liability insurance is enough for your personal situation. If you have a car loan, lenders usually require you to carry full coverage auto insurance. 

I just paid off my late-model car. Do I still need full auto insurance coverage?

Most lenders require you to carry full coverage auto insurance if you’re financing your car. Liability coverage isn’t enough. However, many drivers are uncertain about continuing full coverage auto insurance once they’ve paid their car loan in full.

More often than not, if you own a late-model car, you should continue to carry full coverage auto insurance. Especially if you can’t afford to pay for auto accident repairs out of pocket. Generally speaking, many insurance companies recommend continuing to carry full coverage if your car’s value exceeds the cost of your deductible and your full coverage auto insurance policy. Many late-model car owners couldn’t replace their cars without a full coverage auto insurance policy. If you have questions regarding how much auto insurance you need, call us. We can help you explore your options.

How to make your home a safer place

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A safe home is what most homeowners strive for. The danger in your home can come from within and outside. Knowing what your risks are, you can take the preventative action that is required. At Taake Insurance Agency in Columbia, IL, we have offered our customers security and peace of mind since 1977. As independent insurance agents, we can also provide more choices. 

Security

Security is an integral part of making your home a safer place. It needs to be safe from threats outside. Begin with a basic security system. They come in a wide variety of options. You can have an installed system that is monitored, or you can install a system yourself. Many of the new systems can be monitored by you with your cellphone. Some are as simple as a doorbell camera. In addition, having motion sensor lights can help keep the exterior of your home lit. 

Windows and doors have locks, and it is essential that you use them. That means every door and window in your home. 

Safety

Making your home safe requires a little diligence on your part. Some important things need to be handled on a timely basis. Your chimney should be cleaned every year. The batteries in your smoke detectors need to be changed every six months and tested regularly. 

Poison chemicals should be kept in a locked cabinet out of the reach of children and pets. If you use poison to treat insects or weeds, do not let children or pets play in the area until it is safe. Also, keep any medication out of the reach of pets and children. 

When you are in the market for home insurance, contact Taake Insurance Agency in Columbia, IL, to talk to one of our experienced agents. 

Easy ways to cut calories from your diet

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When it comes to cutting calories from your diet, there are plenty of easy and practical ways to do so. Here are a few from us at Taake Insurance Agency to help get you started here in the Columbia, IL area: 

1. Eat more fruits and vegetables- Fruits and vegetables are naturally low in calories and can be a great way to fill up without overloading calories. Make sure to aim for at least five servings per day! 

2. Skip sugary drinks- Sugary beverages like soda, energy drinks, and juices can add lots of extra empty calories to your day. Opt for water or unsweetened teas instead. 

3. Limit processed foods- Processed foods tend to be higher in calories than whole foods, so try to opt for these healthier options as much as possible. 

4. Watch your portion sizes- It’s important to remember that even healthy food can have too many calories if you overeat! Try using smaller plates when eating to make sure you’re not overeating. 

5. Don’t skip meals or snacks- Skipping meals or snacks forces your body into starvation mode, which can cause you to gain weight instead of lose it! Ensure you’re eating regularly throughout the day to stay full and energized while still managing your calorie intake. 

By following these simple tips, you will be well on your way toward cutting calories from your diet efficiently and sustainably! For more health tips, call us at Taake Insurance Agency today. We proudly serve the Columbia, IL area and want to help you lead a healthy life.

Protect Your Illinois Small Business With Commercial Insurance

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For small business owners, commercial insurance protects their business and its assets. Whether it’s liability coverage or property insurance, having the correct type of Insurance can make all the difference in protecting what you’ve worked so hard to build.

What Is Commercial Insurance?

Commercial insurance is an insurance policy specifically designed to protect businesses from financial losses due to damage or destruction of property, injuries on company property, legal claims against the company, or lost income due to unforeseen circumstances. The right kind of coverage can provide peace of mind for business owners and employees alike, knowing that their hard work and investments are protected in case of an unfortunate incident.

Types Of Commercial Coverage Available

At Taake Insurance Agency, we offer various commercial insurance policies tailored specifically for small businesses in Columbia, IL.

  • Property & Liability Insurance– This covers damages caused to your building and liability coverage for third-party injuries sustained on your business premises. This also includes coverage for any lost income due to power outages or other mishaps beyond your control.
  • Business Interruption Insurance – If a natural disaster or other catastrophic event causes you to lose revenue, this policy helps cover those costs, so you’re not left high and dry when needed most.
  • Product & Professional Liability – If a product fails to perform up to the standards expected in the industry, this policy protects against any litigation costs associated with such an occurrence. Additionally, professional liability covers any mistakes made while providing services if they lead to financial losses on behalf of the client.

No two businesses are exactly alike – each has its own set of individual needs based on factors like size and scope of operations, along with industry requirements that must be met for a company to survive and thrive in today’s competitive marketplace.

Contact Taake Insurance Agency to learn more!