Welcome

Established in 1981, our company has grown to a full-service insurance agency. Currently, The Insurance Store Ltd. serves the insurance needs of many individuals and businesses throughout Iowa. Our office includes a state of the art computer system for record keeping. Our Primary Objective is to establish a relationship - a partnership - between you, the insurance company and our staff. We maintain a high standard of professional excellence in all that we do and establish a firm relationship of mutual trust and service with each of our clients.

We do not work for an insurance company; we work for our clients. We work on their side when they have a loss and follow through to see that they get fair, prompt payment and service. We represent a carefully selected group of financially sound, reputable insurance companies; therefore, we are able to offer our clients the best coverage at the most competitive price.

The Insurance Store Ltd. would like to offer you the opportunity to receive a no-cost, no obligation review and comparison of your insurance coverages. Find out how to get in touch with us on our Contact Us page.

Your Homeowners Policy: Please Read It

We, here at the Insurance Store, Ltd., encourage our customers to read their policy. Yes, it's very dry reading - somewhat like watching paint dry. Still, we think it's worth the effort. Then call us if you have any questions or concerns.

Listed below are items of homeowners insurance that can tend to confuse customers:

Flood: No homeowners policies cover damage caused by floodwaters, and some also exclude "surface waters" or water blown by windstorms, (though damage caused by windstorm is covered). Flood insurance is available at low cost by the National Flood Insurance Program (go to http://www.fema.gov for information), but damage is capped at $250,000.

Mold: Coverage for mold damage varies widely. Some companies limit coverage from $5,000 to $10,000 for damage caused by mold. Yet, some companies won't cover any damage from mold. And some companies limit coverage to a certain type of mold, if found in your house.

Dogs: Some insurers single out aggressive breeds for liability reasons, such as Pit Bulls, Dobermans and mixed wolf breeds. Other insurers state they can refuse to issue coverage if the dog (whatever the breed) has a history of biting.

Replacement Cost: Getting reimbursed for the actual cost of replacing a hail or wind damaged roof or burst pipes, as opposed to their actual depreciated value, does tend to raise premiums substantially. However this coverage comes in really handy where construction costs have risen rapidly or after a disaster when demand skyrockets. Replacement cost terminology may also be in your policy regarding the total value of your home should you have a total loss due to causes such as a fire or tornado.

In any aspect, customers are encouraged to do a little research on their own regarding the wording in their policies. Please don't be afraid to contact us should you have further questions.

Teen Drivers=Higher Crash Risk

Teen drivers have the highest crash risk of any age group. Per mile traveled, they have the highest involvement rates in all types of crashes, from those involving only property damage to those that are fatal. The problem is worst among 16 year-olds, who have the most limited driving experience and an immaturity that often results in risk-taking behind the wheel. Below are some of the top listed problems associated with 16 year-olds' driving.

Driver Error
Compared with crashes of older drivers, those of 16 year-olds more often involve driver error.

Speeding
Sixteen-year-old drivers have a higher rate of crashes in which excessive speed is a factor.

Single-vehicle crashes
More of 16 year-olds' fatal crashes involve only the teen's vehicle. Typically these are high-speed crashes in which the driver lost control.

Passengers
Sixteen year-olds' fatal crashes are more likely to occur when other teenagers are in the car. The risk increases with every additional passenger.

Alcohol
Although this is a problem among drivers of all ages, it's actually less of a problem for 16-year-olds. In 1998, 13 percent of fatally injured drivers had positive blood alcohol concentrations (BAC). Only 8 percent had a BAC of 0.10 percent or greater.

Night driving
This is a high-risk activity for beginners. Per mile driving, the nighttime fatal crash rate for 16 year-olds is about twice as high as during the day.

Low seat belt use
Teenagers generally are less likely to use safety belts than adults.

September Is Life Insurance Awareness Month

No one likes to think about dying. But if your loved ones will suffer financially when you die, it's a subject you have to address. You need to consider how your family would fare financially if, suddenly, you weren't there to provide for them. Where would the money come from to pay for your funeral, the monthly bills, the mortgage, the kids' education costs? These are the questions the life insurance industry wants all Americans to ask themselves during September, which is Life Insurance Awareness Month.

If you have any doubts as to how your family would manage without you, it's time for a life insurance check-up. Talk to a qualified life insurance professional - someone who will take the time to understand your financial goals and needs, and help guide you through the purchasing process.

It is estimated that more than 60 million Americans lack adequate life insurance coverage. If you're one of them, we urge you to use Life Insurance Awareness Month as an excuse to take charge of your situation.

There are lots of factors to consider when determining how much and what kind of life insurance to buy, and the purchasing process can be quite complicated. So when you're ready to shop, it's always a smart idea to seek assistance from a qualified life insurance professional.

Life Insurance Awareness Month is an industry-wide effort supported by many of the nation's leading life insurance companies. These companies have come together to advance a common objective - to make sure Americans are reminded of the need to take stock of their life insurance needs.

Don't gamble with your family's financial future for one more minute. Take charge of your life insurance situation today and rest easier knowing your loved ones would be taken care of if something were to happen to you.

We at the Insurance Store, Ltd. stand ready to assist you with your life insurance needs. Please give us a call.