Basic Motorcycle Maintenance

Martin Insurance Team wants you to enjoy riding your motorcycle around Evergreen Park, IL and the rest of the state, so we want your motorcycle to last. Regular maintenance reduces your need to file claims. It can also help insure that when you need to file a claim due to an accident because of wear and tear contributed to the damage, insurance will not pay.
1.    Install a rear stand if your bike did not come with one. They will help you if you need to work on the drive chain or bike tires.
2.    Like owning a car, you need to change the oil regularly to protect the engine from overheating and part wear and tear.
3.    At each oil change, check for leaks.
4.    Check the tire pressure before you ride. Fill the tires to the appropriate PSI.
5.    Change the tires when the wear indicators show it is needed. 
6.    Insect your brakes, checking the brake pads and fluid. Also, check for leaks.
7.    Check your bearings since that could be what you are hearing if you notice an extra rumble when you ride.
8.    Lubricate your drive chain and make sure it is tight. The lubrication keeps it from binding up.
9.    Check your headlights and brake lights. Make sure the bulbs burn brightly and check the housing for cracks.

Visit Martin Insurance Team of Evergreen Park, IL to learn more about motorcycle maintenance and to check your insurance policy. Riding safely on Illinois roads also requires appropriate levels of insurance. Let us help you plan a policy that protects your investment while you ride the roads. 

What to include on a home inventory

When you own a home, protecting the content is very important. Your personal items may have sentimental value but they may also have financial value. If something happens to your home, you will want to be able to replace the contents. In order to get the correct value of your contents, you have to have the right policy with the right coverage. An inventory can also be very helpful. If you live in Evergreen Park, IL the Martin Insurance Team can help you to understand the ins and outs of a home inventory. 

Begin your inventory one room at a time. Write a detailed description of every single item. Write down a serial number for all items where this is applicable. With electronics and appliances, also write down the model number. If you have a sales slip for the item, this should be placed with the inventory. If you bought the item on sale, you need to know the replacement cost just in case it doesn’t happen to be on sale at the time of your loss. If you have expensive jewelry or antiques, you should have an appraisal of the items. 

Taking pictures of some of your more valuable possession is a very good idea. Don’t forget all the smaller items, imagine having to replace all your Christmas decorations or all of your kitchen implements. Take your time and include everything and then, and this is very important, put your inventory in a safe place. 

When it comes to creating your home inventory, you want to make sure that you include all the things that are of value. If you are in the Evergreen Park, IL area, why not stop by or give the office of Martin Insurance Team a call or visit our website. Our knowledgeable agents will be delighted to give you a no-obligation home insurance quote and answer any questions you may have. 

Martin Insurance Team Can Provide All of Your Auto Insurance Needs in Evergreen Park, IL

Are you new to purchasing auto insurance for yourself? Or has something changed in your life that changes your insurance and you are not sure about how to go about addressing it on your insurance policy? We take the confusion out of purchasing and keeping your vehicles covered for your protection and to abide by the laws in Evergreen Park, IL. 

Auto Insurance Can Be Simple to Purchase and Easy to Maintain 

Even if your life has had some major changes since you last purchased auto insurance, such as a new baby, a new state, a new financial situation, a marriage, or even a divorce, we can still make sure your insurance experience is straight-forward and no hassle. 

If you have never purchased insurance before due to your age, driving experience, or another reason, no worries we have your back and will walk you through the process easily. 

First, call our office or simply click "Get a quote" on our site. We will call you back if you click the button and you can discuss your insurance options with a representative. You should have your drivers license or state ID, vehicle information, and a few moments to talk to our agent. Once you have the coverage you desire you will be issued cards to prove it immediately. Then you only need to keep the premiums paid and you will not have to even think about insurance again until you need it. It really is that simple.

Our agents are trained to handle whatever situation life throws at you, so call our office and tell us your situation, and we will tell you the coverage you need for your vehicle at great rates. We serve Illinois with auto insurance and more. 

What Does Tax Free Retirement Insurance Offer for You?

If you are looking for a way to get retirement insurance that is tax-free, and you are in the Evergreen Park, IL area, you will want to talk to the Martin Insurance Team. There are a number of life insurance options that can offer you tax-free saving that can then be used in retirement. But you want to use these programs the right way, or you could end up without as much value in them as you were expecting. Here are some of the main things you need to know about this type of insurance, so you can make an informed choice.

Getting Tax Free Benefits Can Help You Feel More Secure

Paying taxes is not always fun, but it is necessary for most people. As you move into retirement, though, your income will generally be lower. With that in mind, you will want to focus on having fewer expenses. One of those expenses can be your taxes, and if you have tax free retirement insurance you could pay less money every year.

Life Insurance Has Tax Free Retirement Options

Many people use life insurance as a way to get tax free money in retirement. That is because some whole life plans come with the option to get cash out of the policy after you pay on it for a certain length of time. Before doing this, though, you want to make sure you are handling the proceeds the right way. It is very important to work with knowledgeable professionals to avoid tax penalties.

Working With a Trusted Agent Matters

By contacting us at the Martin Insurance Team today, we can help you and many other people in the Evergreen Park, IL area get the tax free retirement insurance they are looking for. Then you can have peace of mind, knowing that you understand your options correctly.

3 Factors That Influence Whether or Not You Can Get Disability

In Evergreen Park, IL, the agents of Martin Insurance Team are able to assist their clients in getting the disability insurance benefits they need when they can no longer work. The disability process takes time and you need to have the proper documentation to prove your claim.

Medical Documentation

Medical records are needed to prove that your medical condition exists and is severe enough that you can no longer function in the workplace. A medical diagnosis is that proves your condition has an adverse effect on your ability to work is one of the biggest factors in determining visibility. 

Inability to Perform Daily Tasks

Another factor is the inability to perform basic tasks that are needed to function in daily life. This can include preparing meals, caring for your environment, basic health and hygiene tasks like bathing or taking necessary medications. In many cases, this is grounds for immediate approval if based on a doctor’s recommendation. 

Inability to Perform Job-Specific Tasks

The inability to perform job-specific tasks that are associated with your career is also a factor. If it is determined that you can no longer function at your chosen profession and cannot successfully be trained for another job, you may be eligible for disability. 

Residents who live in the Evergreen Park, IL area are encouraged to call the agents at Martin Insurance Team if they have questions about disability and whether or not they may qualify. Schedule a consultation today and get the answers to your questions. They will guide you through the process so that you can move forward with your life. Get the peace of mind you deserve!

3 Tips for Choosing the Right Health Insurance Deductible

At the Martin Insurance Team, we know that it can sometimes be a bit difficult for Evergreen Park, IL residents to choose between high or low health insurance deductible. Here are three tips for choosing the right health insurance deductible for your needs.

Tip #1: Consider Your Current Health

The first thing to consider is your current health. While having insurance is great in case you have a sudden accident, it is important to take into account your general medical state first. Most people who rarely become ill should consider a higher deductible than those with chronic health problems.

Tip #2: Think About Family Planning

Are you currently pregnant or planning to have children within the next year? If so, you’ll want to think about having a lower health insurance deductible. Pregnancy comes with many types of prenatal care appointments and lab testing that can add up quickly—even before the delivery!

Tip #3: Look at Your List of Prescription Medications

It’s also important to look at your list of prescription medications before choosing a health insurance deductible. If you currently take numerous medications or those that cannot be ordered generic, it might be a good idea to consider a low deductible health insurance plan.

Of course, these aren’t the only things to consider when selecting health insurance coverage. You’ll also want to look at other aspects, such as maximum out-of-pocket cost and whether certain routine or preventative services are covered. In many instances, this can be a great way to save money without having to pay more than you have to for coverage.

Need further advice on choosing the right health insurance plan for your needs? The Martin Insurance team can help! Contact us today to schedule a no-obligation coverage review at our Evergreen Park, IL location.

 

3 reasons why comprehensive motorcycle insurance is a smart idea

If you are a motorcyclist in the greater Evergreen Park, IL area, you may be wondering what type of motorcycle insurance is right for you. The agents at the Martin Insurance Team believe that comprehensive insurance is often the right way to go. Check out these 3 reasons why we advise our bike clients to always consider a comprehensive motorcycle policy:

  1. Liability – when you are involved in an accident while on your motorcycle you may be held liable for damage or injury to people and property. The level of liability will depend on the circumstances, and it is always a good idea to protect your personal assets. Basic policies give you some peace of mind, but they don’t always provide adequate protection.
  2. Damages – while many motorcyclists opt for protection up to the value of their bike, things can be a lot more complicated in the real world. In the event that you are involved in an incident with an uninsured driver, you may not have the coverage you need with a basic policy. Don’t let someone else’s negligence have a negative effect on your life!
  3. Medical coverage – while a basic policy will likely cover the value of your bike, what about medical expenses. If you are involved in an accident with a passenger on your bike, the situation can get even more complicated. Comprehensive motorcycle insurance can provide the protection that both you and your passenger may need in the event of a mishap.

If you are in the greater Evergreen Park, IL area and would like to learn more about the different options that are available for motorcycle insurance, call or stop by. We are proud to serve all of your insurance needs here at Martin Insurance Team.

In Which Instances Is It A Good Idea To Purchase Transportation Insurance?

Transportation insurance is designed to protect commercial trucks and fleets of various sizes. This type of insurance coverage is designed to protect business owners and companies from special risks and threats posed to hauling cargo. So, when is it a good idea to purchase transportation insurance for a company or business owner?

Transportation Insurance Coverage

Anyone who is planing to haul valuable cargo, especially across state lines, is encouraged to purchase transportation insurance. In the event of a loss, the cargo is covered to prevent financial losses by the policy holder. For example, if a truck is carrying valuable cargo and it is stolen, the insurance will provide protection. It is a sensible solution for transporting valuable cargo, especially for companies who are in the business of cargo transportation or who work within a variety of markets involved in retail or wholesale distribution. 

Finding The Right Insurance Provider

They key to protecting valuable cargo during transportation is to work with an insurance provider that can offer options that completely protect valuable products in between destinations. Agents who offer these products must be able to explain in detail how each policy covers cargo and can provide coverage from outlined risks. Anyone who is in the market for transportation insurance and who lives in the Evergreen Park, IL area should contact Martin Insurance Team for more information about different insurance products that can offer coverage that works for specific needs. 

Business owners and companies located in the Evergreen Park, IL area should call or stop by the office of the Martin Insurance Team and learn how they can provide high-quality insurance products designed for transportation.  

Should I buy life insurance if I already get it through work?

If you live and/or work in Evergreen Park, IL, you probably get a small insurance policy through your employer for free. This kind of insurance is usually a basic group life insurance policy, and you probably have the opportunity to add supplemental insurance to get a higher amount.

There are advantages to buying insurance through work:

  1. It’s convenient, and you probably only have to fill out paperwork provided by your company.
  2. You won’t find a better rate.
  3. It’s easy to get accepted, even if you have a condition like a heart problem that would keep you from getting accepted on your own.

However, there are also good reasons to speak to  Martin Insurance Team about purchasing your own life insurance policy, either on its own or, more likely, in addition to the policy, you can get through work.

  1. If and when you ever leave that company, it is unlikely that your life insurance policy will follow you. Even if the company you are getting the policy through lets you convert it to an individual policy, the price will probably go up drastically.
  2. Your next employer may not offer life insurance at all. 
  3. If you only have life insurance through your employer, you are limited as to what kind of options you have to choose from. Term life insurance, which is only payable as a death benefit, is usually the kind of life insurance offered by employers.
  4. Your work policy might not have a limit as high as you need.

Clearly, there are advantages to the group policies offered by employers in Evergreen Park, IL. You should never say no to free coverage, but you should also consider that if you are depending on that policy, you might be in trouble when you are older and trying to policy on your own. If you want to discuss the policy that would best help you and your family, call Martin Insurance Team today.

Ways to Keep Your Home Safe

Besides keeping windows and doors locked, there are other ways to keep your home safe in Evergreen Park, IL.  By keeping your home safer you may be able to lower your home insurance premiums, since your home is less at risk. Speak with an agent at Martin Insurance Team about using these techniques to save on home insurance.

Look at the Front Door for Potential Weaknesses: The front door is important as your home’s entrance and exit. It should be a steel front or solid hardwood door to prevent intruders from kicking in the door. You can also get a doorway reinforcement kit, which can help strengthen any weak spots.

Use Timers: Burglars will target homes that are dark in the evenings and a lot of break-ins happen during the day when people are at work, so set timers to fool intruders into thinking you are home when you aren’t.

Be Careful of Sliding Glass Doors and Windows: Intruders can lift some sliding windows and doors off the tracks. Use a shower curtain rod in the track so intruders can’t slide it open if they are able to get past the lock. You can also use window-sensing alarms.

Use Light: The outside of your home should be lit in order to discourage any burglars. Set exterior lights on a timer so they turn on when it gets dark. For inside, be sure there is a light near windows and you should be turning on lights when you are home, as well as away.

Take Caution during Vacations: Anything that can indicate you are on vacation can be a sign to burglars. Things like ads being piled up or mail build up is a clue that you aren’t home, so have a neighbor pick up the mail or put a temporary stop for mail delivery.

Hide Your Valuables: Keep blinds closed and don’t advertise what you have in your home. If a burglar does get inside, they are going to quickly grab what they can. Don’t hide valuables in usual hiding places and get more creative.

Visit Martin Insurance Team, serving Evergreen Park, IL, to get a quote on home insurance.