Our Insurance Blog
Top 5 Hidden Risks Your Home Insurance Should Cover (But Probably Doesn’t)
I’ve seen my fair share of home disasters. From basement floods to surprise hailstorms, it seems like Mother Nature is always trying to keep us on our toes. But here’s the kicker: many homeowners don’t realize that their home insurance policies might be leaving them high and dry when it comes to some of the sneakiest risks out there. So, grab a cup of coffee (or a cold Spotted Cow if it’s after 5 pm), and let’s dive into five hidden risks that your home insurance should cover, but probably doesn’t. 1. The Dreaded Sewer Backup Picture this: you’re hosting
Autumn Driving Hazards in Wisconsin: Is Your Auto Insurance Ready?
Ah, autumn in Wisconsin is almost here – a time when our beautiful state transforms into a breathtaking canvas of reds, oranges, and golds. But as any seasoned Wisconsinite knows, with this beauty comes a unique set of driving challenges. As we swap our iced coffees for pumpkin spice lattes, it’s time to consider whether our auto insurance is as prepared for fall as we are. Let’s dive into some of the season’s trickiest driving hazards and make sure you’re covered for whatever Mother Nature throws your way. The Sneaky Danger of Fallen Leaves Picture this: You’re cruising down a
The Hidden Home Insurance Crisis in Wisconsin: What You Need to Know Today
The home insurance landscape in Wisconsin is changing and changing very fast. If you don’t keep up you are going to be left behind! Gone are the days of companies offering $500 deductibles and replacement cost for your roof. Let’s start right there. Your Deductible is the Portion of a Claim That YOU Pay… So let’s use the following example: A storm comes through your neighborhood and hail damages your roof. That roof might be $20,000 to replace. If your deductible is $500 you would receive a bill for $500 from the roofing company once they are finished and that would
Top 5 Home Insurance Myths Debunked: What You Need to Know
Imagine this: you’re snug in your favorite armchair, sipping a warm cup of coffee, completely at ease because you believe your home insurance has every potential disaster covered. Suddenly, reality strikes—there’s a disaster, and hidden gaps in your policy come to light. It’s a nightmare, right? Here at Joseph Hoell Insurance Agency, we’re dedicated to preventing that nightmare from becoming your reality. We’re here to bust some of the most common myths about home insurance. Grab a chair and let’s dive in. Myth #1: Home Insurance Covers All Types of Damages It’s tempting to think, “I pay my premium, so
The Hidden Benefits of Comprehensive Auto Insurance
Ever been stranded on the side of a Wisconsin road, your car lifeless and the clock ticking away? The feeling of vulnerability can be overwhelming. Yet, most people think about auto insurance only in terms of the basics: collision coverage, liability, maybe personal injury protection. But life throws curveballs that basic insurance just can’t catch. That’s where comprehensive auto insurance steps in, filling gaps you didn’t even know you had. Roadside Assistance: Your Lifeline in Troubled Times Picture this: You’re driving home from a weekend escape in the Wisconsin Dells, and—bam!—your car grinds to a halt in the middle of
The 2024 Wisconsin Summer Boating Preparation Guide
A Warm Wisconsin Welcome to the Waters Greetings Wisconsin boating enthusiasts! Wisconsin boating season is finally here once again! With the ice breaking and the sun emerging, it’s time to transition from the cozy indoors to the thrilling outdoors. Preparing your boat for the summer season is a crucial step toward ensuring a safe season brimming with joy and unforgettable moments on our splendid lakes and rivers. This comprehensive guide is designed to walk you through the necessary steps to get your boat ready for the season, emphasizing critical areas such as maintenance and insurance to ensure you’re fully prepared
Updating Your Insurance Policy for 2024
As February’s chill begins to soften and the days stretch ever so slightly longer, we’re reminded of the inevitable: change. It’s a subtle nudge from nature that mirrors the transitions in our own lives. This seasonal shift is not just a sign that spring is near; it’s a metaphor for the evolving needs and circumstances that prompt us to reassess our anchors – like our insurance coverage. Update Your Home Insurance This Spring Imagine your home as it stands, perhaps still nestled under a thin blanket of snow, awaiting the thaw. Now, think of all the changes the past year
Wisconsin Holiday Road Trip Travel Safety Tips
Holiday Road Tripping: A Guide to Ensuring Safe and Joyful Journeys The holidays are a time for joy, family, and memorable road trips! As the season of festivities draws near, the thrill of embarking on family adventures takes a front seat. However, amidst this excitement, it’s crucial to weave safety into your travel tapestry. After all, what’s a holiday journey without peace of mind? While the festive season often brings increased traffic and distractions, a sprinkle of preparedness and a dash of safety can ensure your travels are as delightful as your destination. Traveling with family, especially when kids are
SECURA Insurance Withdraws from Personal Lines: A Guide for Policyholders Seeking Alternatives
Understanding SECURA’s Strategic Shift SECURA Insurance, a long-standing provider in the Wisconsin insurance landscape, has made a significant strategic decision to exit the Personal Lines insurance market. This move, unfolding over a 26-month timeline, marks a pivotal change for the insurer, which has served Wisconsin residents since 1900. The implications for policyholders and the industry are vast, requiring a deep dive into SECURA’s reasons and the broader market trends. The Forces Behind SECURA’s Decision In an industry grappling with economic inflation and the aftermath of severe convective storms, SECURA’s exit reflects the growing challenges faced by mid-sized insurers. Garth Wicinsky,
Busting Common Insurance Myths with Joseph Hoell Insurance
Hello, Wisconsin! Ever heard the saying, “Don’t believe everything you hear?” Well, that rings especially true when it comes to insurance myths. These myths can cloud your judgment and potentially lead you to make less-than-ideal insurance decisions. Today, we at Joseph Hoell Insurance are setting the record straight and debunking some of the most common insurance myths out there. Let’s get started! Myth 1: Red Cars Cost More to Insure The Truth Contrary to popular belief, the color of your car has zero impact on your insurance rates. Your insurance premiums are determined by factors such as your driving history,
Understanding Condo Insurance: Your Shield for the Condo Lifestyle
Owning a condo is a unique blend of convenience, community, and investment. Unlike single-family homes, condos come with their own set of rules, amenities, and—most importantly—insurance needs. If you’re a condo owner, it’s crucial to understand the scope of coverage you need, especially when your Homeowners Association (HOA) also has an insurance policy in place. What Is Condo Insurance? Condo insurance, often referred to as an HO-6 insurance policy, is designed to provide financial protection for your personal belongings and the interior structure of your unit. It’s a different beast compared to homeowners insurance, which usually covers both the interior
Understanding the Basics of Homeowners Insurance: A Guide for Newbies
Introduction For many their home is not only their sanctuary, it’s also the most significant investment they will ever make. It’s not only practical to secure home insurance to protect your home and belongings, it’s also most likely a requirement to secure a mortgage. Many homeowners aren’t exactly sure what homeowners insurance is exactly and why it’s so important. In this article we’ll dive in and educate you on the basics of homeowners insurance. What is Homeowners Insurance? Homeowners insurance is insurance coverage that will protect you from damages and losses to your property and the assets in the home.
18 Best Road Trips in Wisconsin: A Complete Guide to Fun Day Trips in Wisconsin
Can you feel it? The irresistible lure of the open road, beckoning you to shrug off the chains of your daily routines and discover the magic that lies beyond. Your heart craves fresh vistas, thrilling adventures, and unforgettable memories. It’s a call to wanderlust that you can’t dismiss—and shouldn’t! So, load up your vehicle, round up your friends and family, and get ready to embrace the call of our guide to the best road trips in Wisconsin — a state blessed with scenic splendor, cultural richness, and an abundance of… cheese, cheese, and more cheese! Wisconsin is often an uncharted
The Parent’s Playbook: Outsmarting the Car Insurance Industry with These Genius Tips for Parents of Teen Drivers
Did you feel your heart drop when you first saw the sky-high car insurance premiums for your teen driver? You’re not alone! Parents all over the country face this uphill battle. That’s where our expertise comes in. We’re here to help you save on car insurance for your teen driver by revealing these genius tips the industry doesn’t want you to know about. And, as a cherry on top, we’ll even send you our New Driver Safety Toolkit when you request a free quote (Read until the end to learn more). Ready to unlock the secrets? Excellent! Let’s dive in
5 Essential Tips for New Homeowners
Congratulations on your recent home purchase! As a new homeowner, you’re likely excited and eager to make the most of your new investment. To help you settle in and protect your property, we’ve compiled a list of five essential tips for you to help yousave you money and ensure a smooth transition into homeownership. 1) Create a Home Maintenance Schedule Owning a home comes with ongoing maintenance responsibilities. Create a schedule to stay on top of home related tasks such as cleaning gutters, changing HVAC filters, and checking smoke detectors. Regular upkeep will prevent surprises from costly repairs down the
Your Progressive Insurance Agent in Germantown, WI
Many of you are searching locally for a Progressive Insurance agent in Germantown, WI and surrounding areas, and as a distinguished independent insurance agency, Hoell Insurance Agency takes pride in providing top-quality affordable policies from Progressive Insurance. In this article, we’ll explore the many advantages of partnering with a local independent insurance agent for your insurance requirements, as well as the numerous benefits that come with selecting Progressive Insurance as your go-to provider. The Perks of Partnering with a Local Agent Opting for a local agent for your insurance needs comes with numerous benefits, chief among them being the
The Best Home Insurance Agency in Germantown, WI, Serving all of Wisconsin
As a homeowner, protecting your property is crucial, and having the right home insurance policy is essential to safeguarding your investment. At Joseph Hoell Insurance, we understand that one-size-fits-all policies simply won’t cut it. That’s why we offer a range of customizable home insurance plans designed to properly cover your home in case of an accident, disaster, damage, and more. With numerous types of insurance and coverage options available, having a knowledgeable insurance agent by your side is critical. For years, Joseph Hoell Insurance has been serving homeowners in the Germantown area with the best homeowners insurance policies available. We
Joseph Hoell Insurance Agency: The Benefits of an Independent Insurance Agency
When it comes to choosing an insurance agency for any type of insurance you may be interested in, you have two main options: captive or independent. A captive insurance agency represents a single insurance company, for example, State Farm or Allstate. While an independent insurance agency, like Joseph Hoell Insurance, represents multiple major insurance companies. There are many benefits to choosing an independent insurance agency like ours: More Options By choosing a local independent insurance agency like Joseph Hoell Insurance, you gain access to a wide variety of insurance providers. This means that you can compare different policies and prices
Name: 10 reasons why…
Here are the top 10 reasons why to do business with my agency… 1. We offer insurance solutions to meet all of your needs – auto, home, renters, condo, life, motorcycle, atv, snowmobile, boat, and camper insurance. 2. You have a personal relationship with our agency and are not just a “number.” 3. You will receive timely responses to all sales, claim and service needs – you are our top priority today, tomorrow, ALWAYS. 4. Every client has a dedicated account manager to assist with all needs. You can meet with your representative face-to-face anytime. 5. We will perform periodic
The Insurance Company Screwed Me!
How many of you have heard this line before?!? I know I have. I talk to hundreds of people each year and you would be SHOCKED how many times you hear that… Thankfully, I do not hear it often about me, my agency, or my agency partners. The sad reality is the insurance company doesn’t screw you. The person who set up your policies did. They did not go over what was important you. They did not do a comprehensive review of your coverages. They did not make sure you were covered and covered right. They may have saved you
Why Should I Choose an Independent Insurance Agency?
Consumers sometimes ask, “Why should I go with an independent insurance agency for my insurance needs?” It’s easier than ever to hop into insurance company websites and find a free quote, which leaves many consumers wondering about the benefits of choosing an independent insurance agency. While online quotes can be convenient, there’s nothing like a personal, tailor-made insurance policy. Besides providing the right coverage, independent insurance agents can shop around to find the right insurance price. We’re going to explore in depth the benefits of choosing an independent insurance agency, what it is, and why you should consider choosing an
Does Your Credit Score Affect Your Homeowners Insurance?
Does Your Credit Score Affect Your Homeowners Insurance? “Will my credit score change my insurance rates?” This is a common question we hear at Joseph Hoell Insurance Company in Germantown, WI. Many people don’t know the answer to this question and are surprised to learn credit is one of the factors impacting the price of their homeowners insurance. Credit history is frequently used by insurance companies to set rates. Past financial information such as missed bill payments is analyzed to generate a credit-based insurance (CBI) score. A CBI score is a number to describe your overall credit stability to the
How To Get Affordable Auto Insurance
How to Get Affordable Auto Insurance Finding the right auto insurance coverage at the right price doesn’t have to be complicated. At Joseph Hoell Insurance in Germantown, WI, we’re experts on how to find affordable auto insurance. We help guide clients through the process and enjoy giving helpful tips on how to get the best coverage without breaking the bank. Here are some of our top tips to get affordable auto coverage: 1. Get auto insurance discounts. Car insurance companies offer a range of discounts to different groups of people. Some groups like veterans, military personnel and drivers with a
How much does homeowners insurance cost?
At Joseph Hoell Insurance Agency, we get questions about how much homeowners insurance will cost often. While it’s a simple question, the answer can be a bit more complex. There are a variety of factors which affect the cost of homeowners insurance. Let’s explore some of these factors in more detail. One of the most influential factors is where you live. If you live in an area prone to flooding or hurricanes, for instance, you’ll need additional coverage which will impact your homeowners insurance rate. Finding a local insurance agent is ideal because they’re familiar with the insurance costs in
Are you renting? An inside look at Renters Insurance.
If you rent your home, apartment, or condo you NEED renters insurance. A lot of people think renters insurance just covers your “stuff”. While that is true it does so much more than just that. And the best part of renters insurance? It averages $120 per year or just $10 per month. We have all seen that friend or family member or maybe a coworker who has a Gofundme set up for them because of that fire that destroyed all their personal belongings. I always find that interesting because the average Gofundme raises less than $1,000. $1,000 is NOT going
Our Top 3 Frequently Asked Questions
1. If I rent a car am I covered? Yes, in most cases you are. Your coverage from your auto policy will transfer to that rental car. Now remember if you do not have full coverage, also known as collision & other than collision (comp) on your personal auto policy you would not have that on the rental. Something to consider though. IF you are in an accident there are things NOT covered by your personal auto policy. The biggest of those “things” not covered is when the car is disabled. If the rental facility was collecting $50 per day
Independent Insurance Agents in Wisconsin
Why Choose an Independent Insurance Agent? Whether you are shopping for socks, a vacuum, a TV, a bike, or a car it makes sense to go to several different stores, websites, or places of business because that assures you get the best deal and that you get the most/best product for your hard-earned money! Stopping in at 10 dealerships when you are looking for a car can take hours even days. Going from website to website looking for a vacuum can take time and you might not even be getting what you really need or want in the long run.
