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ASZ International, Inc.

200 Summit Lake Drive
Suite 220
Valhalla, NY 10595

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Category: Boat/Watercraft Insurance

How To Keep Kids Safe While Boating

Posted on by admin

Boating can be great fun for the whole family, but boat owners must know how to keep everyone safe while on the water. This includes any children that will be on your boat for any amount of time. At ASZ International Inc., serving Westchester, NY, and the surrounding areas, we are committed to helping you keep your boat and guests safe. Keep reading to learn more. 

Should Kids Come Boating?

There is no reason why children shouldn’t be able to enjoy time on your boat just like everyone else. However, when kids are on your boat, there are safety considerations you should keep in mind. Let’s look at a few safety precautions you should remember when kids visit your boat. 

Adult Child Ratios

As with most activities, keeping an excellent adult-to-child ratio on your boat is always a good idea. An adult-to-child ratio refers to the number of kids on the boat vs. the number of adults. You want to make sure that the adults are not too outnumbered. When this happens, it becomes more challenging to watch the children safely. If you feel uncomfortable with the number of children on the boat, recruit a few more adults to help keep everyone safe. 

Life Jackets for Everyone

This should be a non-negotiable rule for kids on your boat. Everyone gets a properly fitting life jacket. Ensure kids have one, even if you do not usually use life jackets. Even if this is an extra expense, it is worth it. 

If you want to learn more about boat safety or insurance, please get in touch with us at ASZ International Inc, serving Westchester, NY, and the surrounding areas. 

The Hardening of the Personal Insurance Market

Posted on by Marc Zettl
Umbrella Insurance word cloud collage, business concept background

How the Economy Affects Insurance Rates

Rising costs are a concern for both insurance companies and consumers. Inflation, higher interest rates, increased costs, and weather and climate events all affect the cost of insurance coverage.

Here’s a look at some of the factors that may be influencing what you pay.

Auto

  1. Supply chain shortages have made it difficult to repair vehicles efficiently and at a low cost. (1)
  2. Nearly 80% of collision repair shops are scheduling appointments 2 weeks or more into the future. (2)
  3. Driven by rising prices, the amount insurers paid to cover claims increased by $30 billion in 2021. (3)

Costs have increased:

  • 19.5% for motor vehicle repairs (4)
  • 9.9% for motor vehicle parts and equipment (4)

Home

Prices for materials continue to rise:

  • 12.5% Floor coverings (4)
  • 18% Drywall (5)
  • 14.8% Concrete products (4)

There are more frequent and severe weather and climate events, including wildfires and hurricanes. (6) The annual cost of natural catastrophes around the world is estimated at $123 billion. (7) There has also been a surge in nonweather-related water damage, such as plumbing leaks.

Each year:

  • There’s approximately $8.24 billion in these types of property losses. (8)
  • 1 in 60 insured homes has a claim caused by water damage or freezing. (9)

As we all navigate a changing economy, there are plenty of ways to save. Talk with your agent today to review your products and discounts.

References

[1] “Repair Costs & Labor Issues Affecting Insurers in 2023,” agencyheight.com/car-repair-costs (Jan. 9, 2023).

[2] “Crash Course 2022 Mid-Year Update: Gearing Up for What’s Ahead,” cccis.com/news-and-insights/insights/crash-course-2022-mid-year-updategearing-up-for-whats-ahead/ (May 31, 2022).

[3] “Countering inflation: How US P&C insurers can build resilience,” mckinsey.com/industries/financial-services/our-insights/countering-inflation-how-us-pand-

c-insurers-can-build-resilience (Aug. 25, 2022).

[4] Bureau of Labor Statistics/Nationwide Economics (December 2022).

[5] “CoreLogic Quarterly Construction Insights Q4 2022,” corelogic.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/12/QCI-Q4-22.pdf (accessed Jan. 26, 2023).

[6] “Global warming frequently asked questions,” climate.gov/news-features/understanding-climate/global-warming-frequently-asked-questions (Oct. 29, 2020).

[7] “Global Average Annual Insured Losses from Extreme Events in Excess of $120 Billion, New Report from Verisk Finds,” verisk.com/newsroom/globalaverage-annual-insured-losses-from-extreme-events-in-excess-of-$120-billion-new-report-finds/ (Sept. 28, 2022).

[8] “WaterRisk: The first and only predictor of non-weather water claims,” locationinc.com/water-risk-data (accessed Jan. 26, 2023).

[9] “Facts + Statistics: Homeowners and renters insurance,” iii.org/fact-statistic/facts-statistics-homeowners-and-renters-insurance (accessed Feb. 10, 2023).

Catastrophic Events

Posted on by Marc Zettl

We are officially in hurricane season, and along with hurricanes also come disasters like flooding, severe storms, and even wildfires. Informing our clients on how to be prepared for events like this, through purchasing the right coverage, is something we strive to do. Though it may not seem like something that could happen to you and your home, you never know when a storm may blow through. According to Asta (2022), in 2021 there were 18 weather and climate disasters in which damages were around $1 billion or more.


Something important that all homeowners should know is that your homeowner’s policy might cover many natural disasters such as hail, windstorms, and lightning, but what it likely does not cover is floods, earthquakes, and/or tsunamis (Asta, 2022). Flood insurance is coverage we always suggest to our customers, as we feel it is very beneficial. We’re also able to provide standalone wind coverage. For our clients who live in coastal areas, this policy provides coverage for damage from hail and wind, regardless of whether the damage is from a named storm or an everyday storm (Orchid).


Now, although flood and wind coverage is something all homeowners should look into purchasing, it’s also an important thing for business owners to consider as well. Catastrophic events don’t just affect homes, they destroy anything in their path. As a business owner, you want to make sure you plan in advance by making educated choices on what insurance coverage you really need (Asta, 2022).


One final way you can help protect your home, business, family, and employees from catastrophic events is to have a plan of action. If a disaster does strike, your family members and employees should know the procedure. For example, where to take shelter in the event of a tornado, where the fire extinguisher and emergency exits are located, or where to meet if everyone must evacuate the premises (Asta, 2022).


If you don’t already have flood or wind coverage, give us a call today so we can get you a fast and easy quote!

References:
Asta, Donna (March 1, 2022) Planning for the Future with Catastrophic Insurance. Big I Independent Agent. https://www.iamagazine.com/magazine/issues/2022/march/planning-for-the-future-with-catastrophic-insurance
Orchid. www.orchidinsurance.com. Accessed July 5, 2022.

Getting a Personal Insurance Quote

Posted on by Marc Zettl

So, now that you have a little background knowledge on insurance, such as why it’s important to have, and which type of agent you should work with, it’s time to start thinking about getting insurance quotes. Before you start calling around to different agencies, you should first know what types of insurance you’re looking for. If you own a house, apartment, or condo, you will need homeowners’ insurance. If you rent a house, apartment, or condo you’ll need renters’/tenants’ insurance. If you own a vehicle or motorcycle, you’ll need car or motorcycle insurance. The list goes on…so take a minute to stop and think about the major things you own, rent or lease. If you’re still unsure of what coverage you need, plan to have a conversation with the agent you speak with, they can help guide you.

Next, do some research about agencies near you. Google and social media can be a good place to start. Once you find an agency, you may want to review their website and look over reviews. Once you’re ready to call, you may want to start by asking which specific carriers the agency works with. The more carriers, the more opportunity the agent will have to find you the best quote for your needs.

Many agencies will ask you questions like your first and last name, your date of birth, driver’s license number (if you’re looking for auto insurance), your marital status, and who your current carrier is. Here at ASZ International, we ask that you provide us with your declaration pages. This simply outlines the coverage you have in place right now, so we can make sure that when we look into a new policy for you, we are not giving you anything less. If you don’t want us to know how much your current premium is, we totally understand that, feel free to cross it out on your paperwork.


Now the tedious part is over. Your agent will begin to look into quotes for you. Again, if you work through an independent agent, they will plug your information into a comparative rater which will populate many different options. This is beneficial to you as it will allow you to compare coverage apples to apples with more than one carrier.

If you’re ready to start looking into quotes, download our app by clicking here and then following the on-screen instructions. We would be more than happy to assist you in finding the right coverage for you and your family!

Independent Agents vs Captive Agents

Posted on by Marc Zettl

When looking for insurance, it can be incredibly stressful trying to decide which provider is right for you and your family. The entire process can be overwhelming, from narrowing down a provider, to getting the right coverage you need, and of course trying to stay within an affordable budget. Many people do not even know where to begin, and if that’s how you feel, don’t worry, you’re not alone.

This is where insurance agents come into play. First, let’s go over the difference between a captive insurance agent versus an independent insurance agent. A captive insurance agent is contracted to work for one insurance company and can only sell that one specific company’s policy (West Bend, n.d.). For example, if you reach out to a Nationwide insurance agent, they would only be able to get you quotes with Nationwide. Whereas an independent insurance agent is contracted to work with a variety of insurance companies and can sell policies from multiple providers (West Bend, n.d.). For example, if you reach out to us here at ASZ International, Inc., we can get you quotes from many different carriers like Nationwide, Lemonade, Erie, Travelers, and more, and then we compare them, apples to apples for you. This way you know exactly what each company has to offer, and it allows you to make a more educated decision on which policy is absolutely right for you.

Working with an independent insurance agent, in our opinion, is much more beneficial. Not only does your agent have the ability to go to different carriers who sometimes vary in the coverage they provide, but they can also shop around for you to see where they can get you the right coverage at the most affordable price. Another benefit is that when it comes time for your renewal, your agent will keep an eye out to see if they can get you a cheaper rate with another carrier. If they can, they’ll switch your coverage over and continue to be your assigned rep. Which leads me to another benefit of working with an independent insurance agency, not having to wait on hold or talk to a 1-800 representative. Instead, you get to call a real person, who is there to support, educate, and guide you throughout the whole process.

Here at ASZ International, that is exactly the kind of people we strive to be. We are here to work with you and for you. We don’t work for any specific insurance company, that’s not our job. Our job is to help you, the policy holder.



Reference:
West Bend. (n.d.) Does Your Insurance Agent Have Your Best Interests At Heart? The Silver Lining. https://www.thesilverlining.com/common-topics/independent-agents-versus-captive-agents

The Basics and Benefits of Insurance

Posted on by Marc Zettl

Let’s talk about insurance, and why it’s so important. Do you own a home, apartment, vehicle, or any type of personal belongings? If you do, then you want to make sure those things are protected in case of a loss. When you buy insurance, you’re transferring the cost of a potential loss or accident to the insurance company in exchange for a fee. You’re buying yourself protection at a fraction of the price of what it would cost to get back those belongings. If you suffer a loss that is covered by your policy and you file a claim, insurance is there to help you pay for that loss based on the terms of your policy (Grange Insurance, n.d.).

Insurance not only provides protection against theft and damage from perils like fire and water, but it also protects you from the financial responsibility that could result from a visitor or guest being accidentally injured on your property. In a nutshell, insurance is very important. Though it is something you hope you never have to use, because nobody wants something bad to happen to them, it is something that you don’t want to be without if you end up suffering a loss.

So how does insurance work? When you purchase insurance, you are known as the policyholder. When multiple policyholders purchase insurance with the same insurance company/carrier, the insurance company uses the money collected from the policyholders and other investments, to pay for its operations and claims made by its policyholders (Grange Insurance, n.d.). So when you buy insurance, the payments you make are in exchange for being covered from certain risks (Araujo, 2021).

Next, we’ll dive into how to choose the right insurance provider for you and your family.


References:
Araujo, Mila. (2021, July 12). Get the Basics to Learn How Insurance Works. The Balance. https://www.thebalance.com/basics-to-help-you-understand-how-insurance-works-4783595


Grange Insurance. (n.d.). What is insurance and why is it important? The Grange Guide to Insurance. https://www.grangeinsurance.com/tips/what-is-insurance-why-is-it-important

Benefits of liability insurance for boat owners

Posted on by admin

Liability insurance for boat owners is vital, no matter what craft you have. The team at ASZ International Inc. has the experience and knowledge that Westchester, NY area residents rely on when it comes to all of their insurance needs.

Benefits of increased liability protection for boat owners

Liability protection is a no-brainer for boat owners. There are many different scenarios where you can be held responsible for damage, injury, or loss. For example:

  • Your boat is involved in an accident that causes injury to a passenger.
  • A vessel you are piloting causes damage to another craft or someone’s property.
  • Any mishap that occurs when you are transporting your boat to or from the water.
  • Someone slips and falls on your boat while it is in the marina.

This is just a very short list of the many situations that can cause a liability headache for a boat owner. If you want to avoid such an experience, liability insurance can help. When you have adequate liability protection, you can be covered for the expenses that occur in the above or similar mishaps.

While exact financial protection is dependent on the policy and coverage level that you choose, having robust liability protection is always a smart idea! If you think it’s time to take a closer look at your current boat insurance policy, give our office a call today to set up an appointment.

Let us help you find the right coverage for your needs

ASZ International Inc. is here to serve the insurance needs of Westchester, NY, area boat owners. If you would like to find out more about the range of available boat insurance policy options, give us a call today!

Explaining The Benefits Of Boat Insurance

Posted on by admin

ASZ International Inc. provides coverage to the Westchester, NY community. We treat our clients like family. Establishing these personal relationships makes it easier for us to make sure that our clients find the policies they need to protect their assets. We will work with you to help make your life a little easier.

The Benefits Of Boat Insurance

During warm summer days in Westchester, NY, you may be one of the thousands of people who enjoy heading down by the lake to enjoy some fun. If you plan on operating your boat, you should be aware that you face possible risks on the water. That’s why boat insurance is an asset.

Boat insurance gives you a layer of security while you’re out on the water. The policy covers any physical damage to your boat due to a collision. You can also add extra coverage so that you are protected if your boat is damaged due to a natural disaster, severe weather, or a flying object.

Boat insurance also includes liability protection. If you have guests on your boat, liability protection covers you if someone gets injured. If you cause accidental damage to someone else’s property, you are also protected. You can add extra coverage to protect any accessories you have on your boats, such as an anchor or custom equipment. Extra coverage ensures that those items are fully protected if something happens.

You can also add emergency assistance coverage. This protects you if your boat suffers engine failure or another mechanical issue that you’ll receive urgent help. While you’re out on the water, remember that you’re not completely covered if you operate your boat in certain areas.  Your policy will outline the places that are off-limits based on your coverage.

ASZ International Inc. Will Help You Find Coverage

Visit our website to learn more information about boat insurance.

Protecting Your Boat Adventures with Boat Insurance in Westchester, NY

Posted on by admin

During the summertime, being able to enjoy the weather is what many individuals decide to do. Some people end up going to the lake to cook, swim, play sports, and have a good time. At the end of the day, having fun is a great thing, but we are here to protect you and your boat along the way. 

ASZ International is based in Westchester, NY, and believes in taking a different approach as an insurance company. As an agency, focusing on the fact that insurance is a crucial investment and a commodity is a better viewpoint. Protecting the investment that individuals make for their boat should be taken with the utmost care.

What are some of the things that you should focus on when searching the market for boat insurance? 

Bodily injury liability is one of the most important details of your coverage. Seeing that there is typically more than one person on a boat during the summer, protect yourself from medical expenses, just in case any injury happens on your boat. Property damage liability is also vital in the worst-case scenario that you are at fault for causing damage to someone else’s boat, docks, structures, or property. Collison damage is important in case you need something replaced on your boat or the boat repaired.  

Would you like to talk to one of our agents about boat insurance options available for you? Please feel free to contact us via phone call during our business hours at (800) 694-0279. ASZ International in Westchester, NY is ready to help you find the policy you need and start you off with a quote.


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