Buying an automobile, the next thing the auto owner would need to do is purchase auto insurance. While many first-time auto owners in Louisiana are concerned with finding the lowest premium, it might not be an appropriate decision. The cheapest car insurance in Lake Charles LA does not ensure adequate protection in the event of an accident or incident.  You will be better served speaking an experienced agent that takes the time to understand your needs before purchasing car insurance from one of the many insurance companies in Louisiana.  
 
Kelly Lee Insurance, an affordable auto insurance agency in Louisiana has expanded to over 50 carriers to provide its customers with quality options and affordable insurance.
 
We share below tips on reducing your auto insurance costs:
 
Compare Insurance Costs Before You Purchase Your Car
Don’t wait until you purchase a vehicle to shop the insurance for it.  When it comes to auto insurance, the car's price, cost to repair, safety records and likelihood of theft impact your rates.  Insurance discounts are available for cars with built in safety features, high crash ratings and lower risks of theft. Get the most affordable auto insurance in Louisiana by comparing it with other insurance providers.
 
Look for higher deductibles
While looking for auto insurance, compare higher deductibles.  By deductible, we infer the amount that you need to pay out of pocket before your policy kicks in.  The advantage of the higher deductible is that you can lower your premium costs substantially.  For instance, if you pay a $1000 deductible instead of $500, you can reduce your comprehensive coverage cost by 15 to 30 percent.  A point worth keeping in mind is that you need to be able to pay the deductible in the event of an accident or incident.  Consider putting the savings from a higher deductible into a savings account.   
 
Keep a good credit score
A good credit score has a positive impact on your insurance premiums.  Insurance actuaries have shown that individuals with a good credit score submit fewer claims, maintain insurance, and pay their premiums.  Timely payment of your bills tends to lead to a good credit score.  Keeping a low balance on your credit cards, while making consistent and timely payments is known to have a positive impact on your credit score.  Conversely, high balances on credit cards tend to have a negative effect on your credit score.  You can keep track of your credit score with sources such as CreditKarma for free.  You can sign up for suggestions for improving your credit score and notifications when something negatively affects it.
 
Low Mileage Discounts
To get affordable auto insurance in Louisiana you can take advantage of low-mileage discounts. Low mileage discounts are provided by the insurance companies in Louisiana to those drivers who drive lower than average number of miles per year.  If you have a low mileage rate, you can apply for low mileage discounts. These discounts can also be availed by drivers who carpool to work.  

Don't Overlook Personal Accident Coverage
With a personal accident cover, you can rest assured of adequate protection against physical loss or disability due to an accident.   Personal accident coverage can also protect passengers in your vehicle.
 
When shopping insurance coverage for a new vehicle, it is essential you consider your financial safety.  If you pay cash for a new vehicle, consider how much you could pay out of pocket for another new vehicle if you were in an accident and totaled this one.  An automobile is a substantial investment, and if you are financing the vehicle your lender will require you carry full coverage.  While affordable auto insurance in Louisiana is becoming more and more difficult to find, Kelly Lee Insurance will shop for the coverage you need at prices you can afford.  

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Workers comp insurance Louisiana covers traumatic injuries or any other illness that is faced during the period of employment. Louisiana workers compensation death benefits can be availed by employees across a wide range of industries and occupations. The major incidents witnessed as work-related injuries or diseases are as follows:

• Knee injury
• Shoulder or neck injury
• Fracture
• Heart or lung diseases
• Spine or back injury
  
  

Today, we will help you understand how worker’s compensation insurance benefits the employees when the injuries mentioned above or diseases are faced while on-the-job.

All in all, Louisiana workers comp insurance provides support and a degree of financial relief to the employees by providing the following benefits:

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Have you ever questioned why your auto insurance premium varies from what your friends and family members pay? 

One explanation is car insurance policies are not one-size-fits-all. Factors like your driving history, how often and far you drive and where you live affect the cost of your auto insurance. Below are some of the leading factors that impact your auto insurance premium.

Your Personal Information and Driving History
Your gender, age, marital status, and whether you own a home all play a part in auto insurance premiums:

Credit History & Driving Record
Your credit history and driving record are two of the most impactful factors insurers consider when determining your premium. A safe driver with good credit tends to pay less than their counterparts. While a recent accident or infraction (such as a speeding ticket) on your driving record will cause an increase in your premium, the effects of past events will eventually decrease with time.
Age of Driver
Persons under the age of 25 have a greater risk of driving infractions and accidents than older drivers, which leads to higher insurance rates.

Gender
Gender is also a contributing factor to higher car insurance premiums. Statistically, a single man under 25 years of age has a greater risk of being involved in an accident and driving violations than their female equivalents.

Marital status
Owning a home and being married indicates responsibility and stability. This tends to lead insurers to believe you are less likely to engage in high-risk driving behavior and more likely to keep up with payments.


Type of Vehicle
There are a few vehicle considerations that can affect your insurance premium costs:

Safety Ratings
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration conducts safety tests yearly and rates new model vehicles on crash test safety and performance results. If the vehicle you are insuring has a below-average safety rating, you’ll more than likely pay more to insure it.  

Maintenance Costs and Repairs
Unreliable vehicles, known as expensive to maintain and repair tend to have higher insurance premiums.

Make and Model
Vehicles depicted as dangerous or luxurious frequently have higher auto insurance premiums, usually because they are disposed to occupant injury, damage, or theft. If your vehicle is deemed higher risk of theft or vandalism, investing in a tracking or anti-theft device could lower your premium. While installing an anti-theft device may seem expensive initially, in the long run, it could save you money.

Location
Urban living versus living in rural area can make a substantial difference in your auto insurance premiums. Generally, urban areas cause your premium to increase because more densely populated locations tend to have greater occurrences of theft, vandalism and auto accidents.

Where your vehicle is parked or stored can also affect your premium. Vehicles parked in garages are at a lower risk of theft and damage than those parked on the streets.

Your Policy
The way your broker helps you craft your insurance policy also determines your premium costs.

The following policy items have the greatest impact on your premiums:

• Policy Limit – The policy limit is the maximum amount your insurance will pay for a covered incident.
• Deductible - The deductible is the out-of-pocket amount you are willing to pay before your insurance coverage begins to help cover damage, loss, or medical expenses.  
• Additional coverage - Additional coverage is a dollar amount above your state’s minimum requirement. With an increase in coverage comes an increase premium cost.

Ways to Save on Insurance Premiums
Being a safe driver, have a clean driving record, being a good student, and bundling your auto policy with your other insurance needs (such as homeowners insurance) are all ways that you could receive discounts on your auto insurance. Discounts vary by insurance companies, but most reputable insurers offer these and possibly other incentives to their customers.

If you have questions or want a detailed breakdown of your car insurance in Louisiana, contact our Lake Charles Insurance professionals at (337) 656-0707.

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No matter if you are a weekend road warrior seeking adventure or looking for a cost-efficient way to get around town, there is nothing like riding a motorcycle.

As with any vehicle driven on a public road, you will need motorcycle insurance to protect yourself, your passenger, and others.  Motorcycle insurance in Louisiana can range in rates and benefits, so you will want to shop around to find the best protection for your bike.  Here a few things to understanding when shopping for motorcycle insurance in Lake Charles Louisiana.

Louisiana Motorcycle Insurance Requirements
At a minimum, Louisiana requires motorcycle owners to purchase a liability insurance policy.  Liability coverage pays for damage to others’ injuries or damages to their vehicle if you cause an accident. The least amount of liability insurance you must buy is $15,000 for bodily injury or death to another person; $30,000 for bodily injury or death of two or more people, and $25,000 in destruction or damage of their property.

We suggest you consider buying additional liability beyond Louisiana’s state minimum to protect your assets in case the accident exceeds your limits.  Minimum liability may not be enough to pay your legal expenses and claims if you are sued, and a plaintiff could go after your assets to make up the difference. Do check with your insurance underwriter to ensure your bodily injury liability policy covers passengers; some underwriters require a separate passenger liability coverage to insure them.

Another consideration is uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.  Louisiana drivers are known for carrying minimum insurance coverage; adding this coverage can help pay medical bills resulting from an accident caused by a driver who failed to carry insurance or who doesn’t have enough insurance.  Uninsured/underinsured insurance can also include property damage but check with the insurer as you might need to purchase it separately.

Motorcycle insurance options
Coverage options for motorcycle insurance in Louisiana is similar to the standard options you’ll find for auto insurance. In addition to uninsured/underinsured motorist and liability coverage, most insurers provide these options:

Collision: Pays to repair damage to your motorcycle, minus the deductible you choose.

Comprehensive: Pays if your motorcycle is damaged or stolen in an event other than an accident with another automobile.   An example would be a collision with and animal, your deductible still applies.

Medical payments (Louisiana MedPay): is a separate medical payments policy that pays for medical bills if you and your passenger is harmed in an accident. Unlike your personal injury protection, medical payments coverage will not cover lost wages and other associated costs.  Clearly, riding a motorcycle comes with additional risks, no matter how vigilant you are.  Medical payments coverage would come in handy especially if you or your passenger do not have health insurance, high deductible health insurance or simply not enough health insurance.

Most Insurance companies offer add-on options, although it varies.

Trip interruption coverage:  Can reimburse you for transportation, lodging, and food if your motorcycle becomes disabled in an accident more than 100 miles for home (this number can vary, check with your insurer regarding the distance required for approved claims).

Coverage for custom accessories, equipment and parts:  Louisiana insurers include various custom parts and accessories with your comprehensive and collision coverage – generally up to $3,000, this number can vary.  However, for many riders, part of the lure of owning a motorcycle is customizing it.  If the custom paint, chrome parts, or accessories you add are worth more than your motorcycle, you should consider purchasing custom parts coverage, available in increment up to $30,000.

Transport trailer coverage: 
Most insurance companies offer protection for transport trailers up to $7,500.

Roadside assistance:  This can be valuable as it includes labor and towing if your bike breaks down.

Motorcycle insurance lay-up periods
Most insurers offer what is called lay-up insurance for winter months when most drivers store their motorcycles away.  Throughout the lay-up period, your motorcycle insurance in Lake Charles Louisiana will safeguard against theft and other events known to happen while your bike is stored.   This coverage saves you money on your annual insurance policy.  Keep in mind that insurance will not pay if you drive your bike during the lay-up period and are involved in an accident.

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As the name implies, commercial insurance protects businesses, including the owners and their employees. Since every business is different, there is not an across the board insurance policy for all small business owners.

For example, a frozen yogurt shop has different insurance needs than that of a car repair shop or a digital marketing company. That is why many small businesses select a business owner's policy (BOP), which combines general liability insurance, crime insurance, commercial property insurance, general and additional coverages in a convenient package.

A business owners policy might be right for your business if:

• The business is located outside of your home
• You employ fewer than 100 employees with less than $5 million in annual sales
• You own/lease property or equipment that needs protection
• You would like to protect investments in your business

Commercial property insurance protects your business from a small to major loss.
Examples include:

• If a fire that destroys your building and contents inside
• A burst water pipe that damages important documents
• A storm that damages exterior collateral, like your outdoor sign
• Regardless if you own your building, lease office space, or work from home, business property insurance can protect your business's real assets.

Commercial property insurance can protect the future of your business by protecting the following:

• Business building
• Outdoor signage
• Furniture and equipment
• Business inventory
• Business fencing and landscaping
• Damage to others' property

General liability insurance helps cover attorney's fees, medical expenses, and damages you are found legally responsible. General liability insurance can cover defense costs, regardless of fault, and offers protection for judgments, court costs, and more.

GLI (General Liability Insurance) can be easily customized with a variety of options to best suit your business. Because business needs vary so widely, our agents work with you to determine the right type of commercial liability insurance for the various stages of your business. Endorsements are available to meet the specific needs of your business.

Who needs general liability insurance?
General liability insurance coverage provides protection against:

• Lawsuits, settlements, and investigations
• Medical and injury damages and attorney fees
• Abuse coverage for liability

Incidents that are not covered by a standard general liability insurance policy:

• Auto-related coverage
• Employee injuries
• Intentional acts
• Crime-related losses

Crime-related losses are not usually covered by commercial property insurance. You may want to consider purchasing a commercial crime insurance endorsement for the following:

• Forgery or alteration coverage
• Employee dishonesty coverage
• Employee theft of money and securities coverage
• Burglary coverage
• Computer fraud

Commercial insurance definition
Simply put, commercial insurance is a single policy or multiple policies designed to protect business, the owners, and their employees. Most basic business insurance policies include coverage for property, commercial auto insurance, liability, crime and optional insurance coverage:

• Workers compensation
• Business interruption
• Equipment breakdown
• Cybersecurity
• Employee health benefits
• Dental - vision - disability - group life insurance
• Surety bonds for contractors

Commercial insurance FAQs
When determining the insurance coverage, your business needs, consider the following:

• Location
• Number of employees
• Years in business
• Gross annual revenue
• Whether your business rents or owns vehicles
• Whether your business rents, leases or owns the building(s) they operate from

Would you like information on commercial insurance in Lake Charles Louisiana for your business?  Call our office to discuss your unique bunsiness insurance needs (337) 656-2890.

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Click here to ediWhile owning a home is the American dream for many, renting has an advantage.  Renting relieves you of a dwelling's maintenance (think plumbing, electric, HVAC, roofing, and yardwork).  Renting also does not tie you to a single location with a mortgage for 30 years.  Still, most people do purchase expensive items that need protection from unforeseen circumstances - renters insurance is a way to do that.

Homeownership in the United States is at its lowest point in 51 years, more Americans are renting and need the protection of renters insurance, yet 60% of renters don't have policies, versus only 5% of homeowners who don't have homeowners insurance..

According to stats from the United States Census Bureau, homeownership peaked in 2004 at 69.2%, but only hit 62.9% in the second quarter of this year.  This makes homeownership the lowest since 1965, the year the census bureau started tracking homeownership rates.

Why should you consider renters insurance?
The owner of the property you rent usually has property insurance, but this will not help you if disaster strikes.  A property owner's insurance policy only covers the structure, not the contents of the home or building.  A renters insurance policy covers the things that you own when a covered disaster strikes, such as water damage from a flood or leak, fire, smoke, lightning, windstorms, vandalism or theft.
In addition, renters insurance can cover more than your personal property.  Below are seven additional coverages:

Living expenses after a disaster
If a disaster strikes and your rental unit is deemed uninhabitable during repair, a renters insurance policy includes "additional living expenses" coverage for temporary living arrangements.  The policy coverage can reimburse you for the extra expenses, like the cost of a hotel or renting another apartment.

Medical expenditures for injured guests
If a guest is injured at your home, renters insurance can pay the medical bills up to the policy limits you sign up for.  A typical renters insurance policy includes $1,000 to $5,000 in medical coverage, according to I.I.I. (Insurance Information Institute).  

Damages your dependent causes to others
Renters insurance provides liability insurance to cover property damage or injuries you or a family members cause others.  For example, if your toddler breaks your neighbor's antique vase, your renters insurance policy could pay to have it replaced.

Legal expenses in the case of litigation
If someone is injured on your rental property or is accidentally hurt by you or a family member and brings a lawsuit against you, the liability portion of your renters insurance would pay your legal costs and court awards, up to the insurance policy limits.  As with homeowners insurance, you can choose your amount of liability insurance when you purchase a renters policy.  Liability limits usually start at $100,000.

Dog bites
Most renters policies provide coverage on the off chance your dog bites someone, both at your home or off your property.  But, do check with the agent providing the policy, as occasionally some underwriters exclude or can limit coverage for dogs.

Things you have borrowed or rented
Your renters policy can also cover items "in your possession."  This can mean property you own or that you rented or borrowed.

Personal property away from home
Your personal items listed on the policy are covered away from home as well.  For example, if a thief steals your laptop out of your car or steals your suitcase from a hotel room, it can be covered under your policy. 
Off-premises coverage is limited to a defined percentage of your total coverage for personal items.    

What to look for when shopping for renters insurance coverage
Consider how much renter's insurance coverage you will need before you purchase a policy.  The question at hand is – how much can you afford to pay out of pocket to replace all of your items if they were lost to a natural disaster, stolen or if you were sued for liability.  Then choose liability limits high enough to protect any savings and property you could lose if you were sued or natural disaster strikes. Then shop quotes from a number of insurers, be sure to include the insurance company that provides your car insurance.   Most of the time, insurers offer multi-policy discounts of up to 20%.  

Better yet, look for an insurance broker that writes for several insurance companies and allow the broker to shop renters insurance in Lake Charles Louisiana for you.

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​Car Insurance in Louisiana
While Louisiana is called the Bayou State, don’t let that fool you. Louisiana has thousands of miles of roadway to travel. So, whether you are buying a new car or looking for coverage for your 10-year-old vehicle, we make getting a quote on car insurance in Louisiana easy and informed. You will want to keep the information below top of mind as you look for auto insurance coverage that's right for you.

Louisiana's Department of Transportation and Development makes it very clear that every driver must have car insurance. You'll need to keep proof of that insurance somewhere convenient in your car or wallet.  

Without proof of insurance, you’ll likely be issued a citation if you are ever pulled over. The office will also require your vehicle registration; the absence of proof of either insurance or registration is justification for issuing a citation.   

What is the Louisiana Car Insurance Minimum Requirement?
To legally operate an automobile in Louisiana, you are required to carry the following:

• Bodily injury liability minimum legal obligation is $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident.
• Property damage liability minimum legal obligation is $25,000.

Optional, but highly suggested Louisiana Car Insurance Coverage

• Medical payments minimum legal obligation is $1,000.
• Uninsured motorist bodily injury minimum legal obligation is $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident.

Are there other coverage options I should consider?
While there are several additional coverage options available to drivers in Louisiana, it is quite common for a Louisiana car insurance policy to include uninsured/underinsured motorist. 
This coverage kicks in to protect you from drivers with no insurance (it happens) or minimal insurance coverage.


What does full coverage mean?
A "full coverage" Louisiana auto insurance policy typically refers to collision and comprehensive coverage. Full coverage insurance is essential for those with newer cars and will be required if you financed or leased your new vehicle


Driving without auto insurance in Louisiana!
Driving without car insurance in Louisiana can have serious repercussions. If you allow your coverage to lapse, your license will indeed be flagged at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Flagging your license prevents you from renewing your registration. In addition, the state of Louisiana may also fine you for the absence of coverage. If you allow your insurance to lapse for 1 through 30 days, the fine is $50 per violation, the fine increases to $150 after day 30, and to $300 after day 90.


What Parents should know about their teen driver in Louisiana.
Louisiana participates in a graduated licensing system. Teenagers, starting at age 15 years old, and older can obtain a learner's permit after successfully completing a state-approved drivers education course, comprising 30 hours of in-classroom training and an additional 8 hours of actual driving. When the permitted driver reaches the age of 17, they may take the Louisiana driving test. 
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Pending passing the driving test, he or she is eligible for the long-awaited unrestricted license. Typically, insuring a young driver is expensive, sometimes cost-prohibitive. Consider shopping around for their car insurance in Louisiana, if you are still unsuccessful, consider adding your young driver to your insurance policy.  

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 A guide to renters insurance:
 
Once you find your dream rental and you are all set to move in, there is one last thing you need to consider – Renters Insurance in Louisiana.  Even if the neighborhood is great and the risk of break-in low, there is always a risk of a natural disaster like hurricanes, floods and fires.
 
Most of us try to rent our apartments or homes in the safest neighborhood in the city.  While that is a great start towards protecting your belongings, it doesn’t protect you from all mishaps.  Renters insurance in Louisiana can help with more than just your personal property.
 
Why do you need renters insurance?
 
Many consider renters insurance as an additional financial burden, and that insurance is meant for expensive items we own like house, car or shop. Most of the time, it is avoided since it involves a cost, and you may feel home insurance should be done by the landlord. As a matter of fact, the landlord may have insurance, but that only covers the structure of the home. It doesn't cover the things that belong to you.  In order to protect your belongings you’ll need to invest in a renters insurance policy in Louisiana.
 
A renters insurance policy in Louisiana can provide peace of mind in case of disaster, like fire or flood. Even if a disaster happens on another floor of your apartment building, if the building is deemed unlivable you’ll need to find somewhere else to stay, renters insurance in Louisiana can provide coverage for loss of use.  
 
 Renters insurance doesn't cost much!
 
In terms of cost, renters insurance is relatively cost-effective.  Depending on the monetary value of your possession, it normally runs below than $1 a day, which is pretty low if you compare it with the kind of coverage it provides.
 
 Identifying the correct policy:
 
Renters insurance in Louisiana can be purchased from a variety of available options that depend on where you live and your age. While there are incremental policy dollar amounts, you should consider the cost and condition of your higher-priced possessions, some items may require a rider due to their value. 
 
If you happen to have an existing renters insurance policy and are moving to a new place, your existing policy should carry over, but you need to register the new address with your insurance agent and the new address may affect your current rates. 
 
In case you are considering taking out a new renters insurance policy in Louisiana, you need to decide how much coverage you need ahead of time.  Consider taking an inventory of your belongings, assets, and property that could be lost or destroyed in event of a mishap. Assign a value to each and add up the list.  Next decide how much you could afford to pay to replace everything on the list. Don’t allow your deductible to exceed the dollar amount you can comfortably pay out of pocket.  With your personal property value in hand, call Kelly Lee Insurance and allow one of their experienced insurance agents to shop your renters insurance for you.  

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When you are shopping for auto insurance, you will find there are several coverages available depending on your needs and your state insurance requirements.  All states require liability insurance; this covers the other driver if you are in an accident, and it was your fault.  Liability is the more expensive section of full coverage but can be purchased alone if you own your car outright.  It is important that you understand what you are paying for when purchasing car, truck, or motorcycle insurance, so we have defined the three sections of your auto insurance below.

Auto Liability Insurance (Car, Truck, Motorcycle, or SUV)?
Liability insurance covers repair costs to others when you are at fault in an accident, and it also provides for the medical needs of the innocent party. Liability can also provide coverage to property damage other than vehicles.  If you accidentally accelerated instead of hitting the brakes and ran into someone’s fence or home, liability can be applied to the damage done to the fence or house.

Liability insurance also contains legal defense in case the accident ends up in a liability lawsuit.  Covering your defense costs has a benefit to you and your insurance company.  While protecting you, the insurer also protects itself by ensuring you are not defending yourself in a lawsuit for which they are financially liable.

Understanding Auto Liability Insurance Limits
Liability insurance is available starting at a state minimum and can be increased in increments.  Limits means the most an insurer will be liable for if you are involved in an accident.  Liability insurance limits are displayed as three numbers, like this 10/50/25.   Each number represents limits in the thousands as follows:

The 10 represents $10,000 in bodily injury per person injured.
The 50 stands for $50,000 maximum bodily injury coverage per accident.
The 25 equals the maximum of $25,000 in property damage per accident.

If the accident causes damage or injuries above the liability insurance limits you choose, you can be held personally responsible and sued for the rest.   That’s why purchasing the lowest liability limits in an attempt to save money is ill-advised and can have financial implications for years to come.  

Let’s say that you are in an accident where you hit a new base-model Infinity QX80 and it is totaled in the accident.  The Infinity QX80 starts at $67,000.  The 3rd number ($25,0000) in our example above represents the most the insurance company is required to pay; you are responsible for the difference between your liability limit of $25,000 and the $67,000 it would cost to replace the vehicle.  You are now looking at covering the difference of $42,000 out of pocket.

Now, if purchased liability insurance coverage at 100/300/100, the insurance company would cover the cost of purchasing the new vehicle up to $100,000.  We recommend taking the time to speak with a knowledgeable insurance agent to discuss needs and allow them to help you determine the best coverage for your situation.  The minimum liability insurance coverage varies from state to state, for example, Louisiana Liability requirements are 15/30/25, and our neighboring state Mississippi is 25/50/25, while Texas is 30/60/25.

Need insurance in Louisiana? Call the knowledgeable agents at Kelly Lee Insurance for competitive quotes on your insurance needs.