Motorcycles are fairly popular in Illinois, with over 300,000 people owning them in the Garden State according to the Department of Transportation. So if you live in Evergreen Park, IL or surrounding areas, you may already be well used to seeing them. But since Illinois tends to have stricter driving laws than other states in general, just how old does one have to be to ride a motorcycle? Martin Insurance Team has the answer. 

The Basic Requirements

Technically speaking, a person has to be at least 17 years old age in order to legally ride a motorcycle in Illinois. That said, those who are under the age of 18 will need a parent or legal guardian’s signed consent to apply for a motorcycle permit. A successful vision test, proof of residency, $5 fee and successful passing of the written motorcycle knowledge test is required for everyone to get a motorcycle permit, also referred to as a "learner’s permit". Those under the age of 18 are also required to enroll in a basic rider course. When it comes to getting an actual motorcycle license, those under 21 will have to hold their permit for at least six months before taking and passing a road test. For those over 21, the holding period is three months. 

What if I’m From Out of State and Already Have a Motorcycle License?

Since age laws for riding motorcycles vary by state, it is very possible that you could be new to the Evergreen Park, IL area (or the state in general) and have a license from a different state despite being underage in Illinois. In this case, you can simply transfer the license credentials by visiting the Illinois Motor Vehicle Commission within 60 days of moving (or before your license expires, whichever comes sooner) and pay the applicable fees. Please feel free to contact Martin Insurance Team to learn more. 

When it comes to taking care of your family, you are likely relying heavily on your income. This is something that is completely normal in Evergreen Park, IL. However, something that many people do not like to talk about is what can happen if you can no longer work to support yourself. It is a scary thought but it can become less scary if you have disability insurance from Martin Insurance Team. Having disability insurance can help you when you can’t work due to a disability and that is just one reason to consider getting the coverage. 

• It is inexpensive. Disability insurance is a great policy not only because of what it can provide you if you are disabled but it is also not a lot of money to get a policy. And think about the value of it: if you can spend less a little bit now for a good chunk of money when you are disabled, the result is definitely getting the coverage. 
• It will be harder to get it if you already need it. One of the things about disability insurance is that it can be very difficult to obtain if you are already in need of disability insurance. It will also be more expensive. If you want to best protect yourself, you should get the coverage now before you ever need it or think you may need it. 

As you can see, disability coverage is something that would provide you with the great benefit if you were to have it. If you are not sure about the coverage or what you should get, be sure to reach out to us here at Martin Insurance Team, serving Evergreen Park, IL, today. We will help you explore options and will even provide you with a free quote for coverage. 

Traveling the world on a motorcycle can be an experience like no other. To get the most out of your traveling and to take in the most spectacular views, it’s suggested to skip the tourist route and hit the open road. There are many destinations that are built for two-wheeled enthusiasts. Here are a few you don’t want to miss out on while traveling.

 

Traveling on a motorcycle is a cheap and fun way to explore this beautiful world. Adventure is just around the corner, so get out there and discover. And don’t forget that one of the best ways to make sure you keep yourself and your motorcycle protected while enjoying the open road is with motorcycle insurance. Not only can this type of insurance be of the utmost value in helping cover medical expenses in the event that you were injured during a motorcycle accident, but it can also help protect against theft of your bike. If you would like more information on motorcycle insurance, please contact Martin Insurance Team today serving the area of Evergreen Park, IL.

As you transition into retirement, you may have less financial obligations and money for insuring yourself and your family. This is the reason you should consider a tax free retirement plan. Since you may have children who can support themselves, it’s easy to get uninterested in your retirement insurance. Perhaps your housing costs have reduced because you’re downsizing. However, there are some expenses that may increase, for instance, healthcare.

Tax-free retirement insurance plans from insurers such as Martin Insurance Team in Evergreen Park, IL can help you live a more comfortable life during retirement. This can only be achieved by arranging and planning the finances early enough and getting the right insurance coverage. Below are benefits of tax-free retirement insurance.

Safeguard assets and property

If you don’t have a retirement plan, you may be tempted or compelled to liquidate your assets to support your retirement lifestyle or your family during emergencies. When you build a retirement fund, it will be easier to safeguard your assets and property and pass the legacy on to your children and grandchildren.

Handle transitions easily

Life comes with many changes that may require immediate execution in constricted time frames. If you have a retirement plan, it will be easier for you to accommodate these changes even at your old age.

Plan for unforeseen costs

Sometimes, situations may arise and force you to spend a lot of money like additional medical bills or your family’s unexpected financial needs. When you plan for retirement, the savings you build will serve as a safety net in times of need or during unpredictable situations.

Benefit from returns on reinvestment

Ideally, retirement planning begins when you start earning. This helps you set aside certain affordable amounts of money for a long period, helping you gain from the compounding effect. This is the reason people are encouraged to plan for retirement early enough.

If you reside in Evergreen Park, IL, you can contact Martin Insurance Team for more information on retirement insurance.

 

 

To hit the road on your motorcycle on a beautiful day can give you the feeling of ultimate freedom.  There are certain responsibilities that come with motorcycle ownership, however.  Similar to owning and operating a vehicle, all motorcycles in Illinois must carry insurance.  The team at The Insurance Outfit serves motorcycle owners throughout the Evergreen Park, IL area.  They will work with you to get the coverage you need whether the bike is your primary mode of transportation or for pleasure on the weekends.  

While liability insurance is mandatory for bike owners, the agents at Martin Insurance Team can discuss additional plans that provide options for more coverage.  It is important to understand that with liability insurance only, your medical expenses will not be covered should there be an accident.  Liability insurance covers the damages and expenses of injured parties should it be determined that you are at fault for the accident.  Additional coverage, such as personal injury protection, will cover your medical expenses.  Uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage is also available.  This provides protection if there is an accident with someone who does not have insurance.  Other policies will provide for the repair or replacement of the motorcycle due to an accident.  There are a wide variety of insurance tools available to you.  

The agents at The Insurance Outfit know that motorcycle owners in the Evergreen Park, IL area enjoy their bikes.  They also know what it takes to stay protected while on the road.  There are many types of policies available that provide coverage beyond basic liability coverage.  While this may seem daunting, they will work with you to get the coverage that you need.  Before you hit the open road, spend some time with your agent at Martin Insurance Team!

One of the most important types of insurance that someone can have is health insurance. Health insurance will provide you with a variety of types of coverage in the event you are sick or injured and is also required by law. The cost of your health insurance will vary based on a variety of different factors.  

Risk Factors

One factor that will greatly impact the cost of your health insurance coverage is your set of risk factors. Health insurance providers determine your premium costs based on a variety of factors including your age, pre-existing conditions, and overall current health. Those that are young and healthy will typically have much lower cost than those that are older and dealing with current health issues.

Deductibles

Another major factor that will influence the cost of your health insurance is your deductible. A deductible is a certain amount of money that you will have to spend out-of-pocket each year before receiving full health insurance coverage. Generally speaking, the higher your deductible is, the lower your premiums will be.

Types of Coverage

The types of coverage you have included in your health insurance policy will also have a big impact on your total costs.  Certain policies allow you to choose exactly where you can receive your healthcare while others will restrict you to a network.  Those that require you to belong to a network will typically cost less on a monthly basis.

For those that are in the Evergreen Park, IL area and in need of health insurance, speaking with Martin Insurance Team would be a great option.  Martin Insurance Team will be able to help people in and around Evergreen Park, IL to find a great health insurance policy that will provide good protection and at a reasonable rate.  

There are a variety of life insurance policies you can choose in Evergreen Park, IL, but the two main types are term and permanent insurance. They both come with a variety of benefits and disadvantages, so it helps to know more about the basics before moving forward with one type over the other. Martin Insurance Team wants you to know more about each type of insurance so that you can choose the right one for yourself and for your family. 

How to Decide

The two biggest questions to ask yourself about life insurance is how long you want it for and whether or not you want to rely on it as a financial tool. Term life insurance is for a set amount of time, so people usually choose it to support their children while they’re still minors. Once they hit a certain age and can provide for themselves, the life insurance policy is terminated. Permanent life insurance is exactly what it sounds like, and it’s usually chosen by people who want to care for their spouses in Evergreen Park, IL forever. However, it can also be used as a savings account if the policyholder hits a financial crisis that they need to take care of. 

Other Considerations 

Term life insurance is generally less expensive than permanent insurance, but there’s also no way to draw funds out of the policy either. Because of this, some people will choose permanent life insurance as a form of additional back-up that they can always count on — even if they don’t have any dependents. For more information about how to make the best decision, call Martin Insurance Team today. We’re here to serve the people of Evergreen Park so they can have the best possible protection. 

Here at the Martin Insurance Team, serving the greater Evergreen Park, IL area, one of the questions we are often asked is what age should someone begin to think about buying life insurance for themselves or for their spouses or partners. Unfortunately, there is no one size fits all answer and age alone should not be a determining factor for when a person should buy life insurance. Here is what you need to know about buying your first life insurance policy. 

As a general rule of thumb, if anyone depends on you for your income or services you provide, you should have life insurance. For most people, this occurs when they move in with a life partner, get married or have a child. Without the income that you have coming in, someone else, such as your spouse or child, would be unable to live the life they have become accustomed to. Likewise, if you provide a service, such as watching your children rather than working, your spouse or partner may be put into a tight position if you were to die and they would have to pay for child care. As such, you should take into account whether anyone is dependent or reliant on you or the money you have coming in. If they are, now is the perfect time to purchase your first life insurance policy. 

When you are ready to purchase life insurance in the greater Evergreen Park,, IL area, Martin Insurance team can assist you. Contact us today to inquire about various policies and let us help you to find the one that best meets your needs, including policy limits, terms, conditions and the cost of the policy. 

Long-term disability insurance protects you in the event that you’re disabled for longer than 90 days. There’s a 25 percent chance that you’ll experience a disability period of 90 days or longer over your entire career. This type of insurance usually costs about one to three percent of your annual salary, however, there are a variety of factors that influence the actual price. If you’d like to get a quote or ask questions to a knowledgeable representative, contact Martin Insurance Team, which serves Evergreen Park, IL.

Factors That Affect Long-term Disability Insurance Cost

Coverage amount refers to how much money you’ll receive each month that you’re not getting a paycheck. As you pay your premiums after taxes, the money you get from your long-term disability policy is tax-free. It’s recommended to have a coverage amount at about 60 percent of your gross (before-tax) salary.

Benefit period refers to the length of time that your benefits will last. The longer this period is, the more your premium will be. On average, long-term disabilities last for three years, so it’s a good idea to use that number as a baseline. If it’s affordable, it’s recommended to choose a benefit period of at least five years.

Waiting period refers to how long you have to wait after becoming disabled before receiving your benefits. The shorter your waiting period is, which is referred to as the elimination period, the higher your premium is. Also, the longer the waiting period is, the less your premium is.

Age, health, your occupation, and location are also factors that influence your premium. The older you are, the more expensive your policy will be, and the younger you are, the cheaper your policy will be. Likewise, the healthier you are, the less your premium will be. If you have a risky career, your policy cost increases, as the chance of injury is greater. Finally, location is a factor, too. Generally, premiums are higher in states where people file more claims, but this isn’t always the case.

If you want to get a long-term disability insurance quote today, call Martin Insurance Team, which serves Evergreen Park, IL.

Motorcycles are a great way to have fun on the road. But in case of an accident, your insurance specialist will be there to help. The Martin Insurance Team in Evergreen Park, IL will answer all your questions about your bike.

Even if you have your eye on a trike or moped, there is good news: motorcycle insurance will likely cover it. Motorcycle insurance covers motorcycles and the following vehicles:

-mopeds
-scooters
-sport bikes
-high-performance bikes
-custom bikes
-ATVs
-Cruisers
-Motocross bikes
-Vintage bikes
-Off-road bikes
-Touring bikes

What Is Included In My Motorcycle Insurance Plan?

Most insurance packages require two parts. These are bodily injury coverage and coverage for property damage. Both of these come into action if your are ever found to be at fault after an accident.

Comprehensive and Collision Coverage

Comprehensive coverage will help you in the even that your bike is stolen. It will also help if are in an accident where you are not at fault. Collision insurance kicks in when you are in an accident with another vehicle. This type of coverage will help you repair your bike and replace your helmet and riding gear.

Total Loss Coverage

In the even that your bike is totaled, total loss coverage will pay for your bike at it’s current suggested retail price.

Coverage for Medical Payments

This type of coverage will help you pay your medical bills in the event that you are injured in an accident.

Optional Equipment

If you have made customizations to your bike, you will be able to cover them up to $30,000 for models less than 25 years old.

If you have any questions about motorcycle insurance, be sure to contact the Martin Insurance Team in Evergreen Park, IL.