Navigate Your Risks with Boat/Watercraft Insurance Solutions

Posted on February 28, 2025February 26, 2025 by admin

Being on the water feels more like home than anywhere else for many people. When it comes to safety, though, it doesn’t matter if you were born part fish or merely an occasional boater, staying safe in and out of the water is important. For boat owners, protecting their seaworthy vessels is often more challenging on land than at sea. These are also a few reasons boat owners in the Oklahoma City, OK area turn to the friendly and professional team at S & S Insurance Services Inc. for all their boat/watercraft insurance needs.

Navigate Your Risks with Boat/Watercraft Insurance Solutions

Other boaters, low bottoms, and rocky edges are the types of concerns that most boaters can easily navigate. However, transporting, parking, and storing our boats and watercraft may not be as easy to navigate. Most people would be surprised to discover how many boat/watercraft insurance claims are filed due to accidents out of the water versus those on the water.

The good news is that the proper boat/watercraft insurance protection covers you on land or at sea. That is also why so many boat owners in the Oklahoma City area work with the professional and knowledgeable agents at S & S Insurance Services Inc. to help with their insurance needs and questions.

Insurance Solutions for Oklahoma City Area Boat Owners

Are you a boat owner in or around Oklahoma City, OK? Would you like to learn more about boat/watercraft insurance for your seaworthy vessel? We can help. Contact us to learn more and schedule an appointment with our proven and helpful team at S & S Insurance Services Inc. today for the protection you and your boat need and deserve.

“Apples to Apples” Home Insurance Quotes? Not So Fast! 🍏🚫

Posted on February 25, 2025February 25, 2025 by Richard Shaw

Are You Really Getting the Best Home Insurance Deal?

Shopping for home insurance can feel overwhelming, especially with rising premiums since 2022. Many homeowners are searching for lower rates, and unfortunately, some insurance agents take advantage of that by misrepresenting coverage to appear cheaper.

Recently, one of our clients reached out after receiving a quote from another agent that promised huge savings—but when we reviewed it, we found major coverage gaps that could cost them thousands in a real claim.

If you’re comparing home insurance quotes, this story might save you from making a costly mistake.

The $800 “Savings” That Wasn’t a Savings at All

A long-time client of ours emailed us about their home insurance renewal. Their rate had increased, like most policies these days, so they decided to shop around.

Another agent told them:
✅ They could save $600 with an “apples to apples” policy comparison
✅ They could save an additional $200 if they reduced their home’s insured value from $340,000 to $300,000

That’s a total of $800 in savings per year! Sounds great, right?

Not so fast. 🚨

The client wisely sent us the new quote to review, and here’s what we found:

5 Hidden Coverage Gaps That Could Cost You Thousands

Despite claiming to be “apples to apples,” the new quote was anything but. Here’s what was missing or reduced:

1️⃣ No Extended Replacement Cost Coverage

This is one of the most important coverages on a home insurance policy. It ensures that if rebuilding costs increase due to inflation or labor shortages, your insurance will still cover it.

Without this coverage, if rebuilding costs exceed your policy limits, you’re paying out of pocket.

2️⃣ Lower Coverage Limits Across the Board

The quote reduced liability limits, personal property protection, and other essential coverages, exposing our client to higher risks in a claim situation.

3️⃣ Five Essential Coverages Were Missing

The new policy excluded key coverages that the client’s existing policy included. This could mean no coverage for water damage, identity theft protection, or additional living expenses if they needed to temporarily relocate after a disaster.

4️⃣ Lowered Dwelling Coverage to Cut Costs

This agent manipulated the home’s insured value by downgrading materials in the quote.

5️⃣ Misrepresented Home Features to Justify a Lower Value

Our client had custom kitchens and bathrooms with high-end materials. However, the agent classified their home as having “standard builder-grade materials”—cheap countertops, prefab cabinets, and lower-quality finishes.

🚨 Why is this a problem? Come claim time, the insurance company would only pay for builder-grade replacements, NOT the custom materials the homeowner actually has.

How to Compare Home Insurance Quotes the Right Way

If you’re shopping for home insurance in the state of Oklahoma, here’s how to spot misleading quotes and protect yourself:

✅ Ask for a detailed breakdown of coverage (not just the price!)
✅ Look beyond the premium – cheaper isn’t always better!
✅ Check for missing or reduced coverages
✅ Verify that your home’s features are correctly listed
✅ Work with a trusted agent who explains everything clearly

💡 Pro Tip: If a quote sounds too good to be true, let an expert review it before you switch!

The Hidden Danger of “Cheaper” Insurance

In the event of a disaster, the wrong insurance policy could leave you paying out of pocket for repairs, legal claims, or even rebuilding your home.

Choosing a policy based only on price can cost you thousands when you actually need to file a claim.

That’s why it’s essential to work with an insurance agency you trust—one that ensures you have the right coverage before it’s too late.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Let a Low Price Fool You

The biggest lesson from this story? Not all insurance policies are created equal.

A lower price often comes with reduced coverage, and in the long run, a “cheaper” policy could cost you way more when a claim happens.

💡 Need a second opinion on your insurance quote?
Send it our way! We’re happy to review it at no cost and make sure you’re truly protected.

The Cost of Cutting Corners on Insurance

Posted on February 12, 2025February 12, 2025 by Richard Shaw

At our agency, we recently worked on a quote for a homeowner who ultimately decided not to purchase from us. The reason? They didn’t like what we had to tell them. But in insurance, the truth isn’t always what people want to hear—it’s what they need to hear.

Roof Coverage: The Hidden Risk

The first red flag we noticed in their current policy was that their shingles were subject to a roof payment schedule. This meant that if they ever needed to file a roof claim, their payout would be depreciated by over 50%, on top of their deductible.

We explained that their current insurance company actually offers an endorsement for full replacement cost, which would have protected them from this costly depreciation. However, they quickly told us that they used to have that endorsement—but after a rate increase last year, they called their agent to lower their premium. Their agent removed the endorsement, without explaining that it directly affected their roof coverage. The client mistakenly believed it only inflated the home’s insured value and didn’t realize the hidden cost of this change.

Underinsured by Over $100K

Unfortunately, that wasn’t the only issue. After reviewing their policy further, we discovered that their home was underinsured by over $100,000.

Their response? They didn’t believe it would cost that much to rebuild, so they were comfortable leaving it as is.

But here’s the reality: People almost always underestimate the cost to rebuild their home.

Most homeowners arguing these numbers have never built or rebuilt a home. Even as an insurance professional, I wouldn’t make an educated guess—I rely on Reconstruction Cost Estimators. These are tools purchased by insurance companies from independent organizations specializing in construction and labor data. These estimators ensure that homes are properly insured to value based on current material and labor costs.

The Real Takeaway

So what’s the lesson here?

If you call your agent and ask them to lower your rate, make sure you understand what coverages are being removed.

Many agents focus more on keeping your business (and their commission) than ensuring you have proper protection.

The cheapest policy isn’t always the best policy—it’s about making sure you’re covered when it matters most.

Get a Coverage Checkup

Your home is one of your biggest investments. Are you confident it’s properly insured?

If you’re unsure, let’s talk. We can review your policy and help make sure you’re protected, not just paying premiums. Contact us today for a coverage review!