Why Do My Insurance Rates Go Up?

As an agent for over thirty years, I’ve had this question asked many times. Sometimes people ask me because they haven’t made any claims or received any tickets. They’ve been good as gold and bam…here comes their renewal with higher rates. The clients say things like, “My car is getting older…shouldn’t the rate go down?”, or “I’ve been with my company lots of years…shouldn’t my rate go down?” Both are valid points. So, why in spite of these points do our rates go up? Let’s look closer.

1. More cars on the road. The U.S. has more than 254 million.

2. More accidents. The U.S. has more than 6.2 million crashes per year.

3. Smart cars lead to more expense with mechanical repairs…a 2.7% increase in cost.

4. The average claim payout has increased by 32% to more than $15,500 per bodily injury claim.

5. 74% of drivers use Facebook while operating their vehicle.

6. 36% or more of all drivers text and drive leading to distracted driving habits.

7. 16% of all fatal claims are from distracted drivers.

8. 431,000 people are injured from distracted drivers.

Because of the increase in claim payouts, insurance companies have no choice as far as raising prices. We can all do our part in practicing safe driving habits, and we can exclude using social media and text during our car rides. Also, I advise having our agency shop your insurance every three years to make sure your rate is competitive. I’ve found people who move their insurance too often tend to have higher rates because insurance carriers look for longevity in a customer. Lastly, call us for advise. After all, that’s what you’re paying us to do.

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Essential Tips to Tackle Rising Home Insurance Premiums

By Jan Norby • October 6, 2025

As you may have noticed, home insurance premiums are on the rise, and it’s crucial to take proactive steps to manage these costs effectively. In Southern Oregon, we are faced with wildfire dangers which are leading many insurance companies to raise their rates. Here are some tips that can help you navigate the situation: 1. **Review Your Coverage**: Take a close look at your current policy. Are you certain about the amount of coverage you're maintaining? Consider whether you're willing to give up essential coverage just to save a few dollars. Using an insurance agent can help guide you in the right direction. 2. **Adjust Deductibles and Other Structures**: Increasing your deductible can lower your premium, but make sure this is a feasible option for you in case of a claim. A $5,000 deductible can save substantial premium, but make sure you can pay the deductible if a claim arises. We also need to make sure you have adequate coverage for other structures such as barns, garages, carports, shops, and cottages, or perhaps you have too much coverage that can be adjusted down. 3. **Re-shop Your Policy**: We can assist you in exploring options with other insurance carriers we represent that might offer better rates without compromising on coverage. Keep in mind re-shopping can raise your rates if done too often. We recommend every two to three years. 4. **Seek Professional Guidance**: Getting expert advice can provide valuable insights into how to optimize your policy and reduce costs. Insurance Services is here to make ensure financial hardship is not in your future due to a sudden loss. We can make recommendations based on your needs to form fit a policy to you. 5. **Look for Discounts**: Don't forget to ask about any available discounts; many companies offer savings for bundling policies or having security features in place. The purchase of inexpensive water alarms can also offer discounts and save you from making an expensive claim. 6. **Invest in Home Improvements**: Upgrades like installing a new roof or upgrading your electrical or plumbing can significantly lower your premiums over time. 7. **Improve Your Credit Score**: A better credit score often translates into lower insurance rates, so focus on strategies that can enhance your creditworthiness. 8. **Location Matters**: Lastly, remember that rates tend to be lower within city limits compared to rural areas, so consider this when evaluating your options. This is partly because of the proximity to a fire station and the fact city limits have fire hydrants versus outside city limits. Many more companies can compete for your home insurance because the risk of heavy fire damage is lower inside city limits. Outside of city limits can even mean some properties have fire scores so high none of our insurance companies will return a quote. Taking these steps not only helps manage rising costs but also ensures you're adequately protected without breaking the bank. If you'd like assistance with any of these strategies or want to discuss further options, please don't hesitate to reach out to anyone on our staff.

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What is Business/Commercial insurance?

By Jan Norby • April 12, 2023

Over the many years of my career, business owners have asked me, “What’s the right way to protect my business?” I understand their air of concern because they’ve invested their hard earned money into a going concern. They want to be sure they’re protected in the event of an accident or catastrophe. Business/Commercial insurance protects businesses, including business owners and their employees. Because a wide array of businesses exist, these policies are designed specifically for small business owners according to the type of risk/exposure they have. For instance, a Contractor would need a different type of insurance than a Log Truck Driver or a Hot Shot Driver. That’s why many small businesses choose a business owner’s policy (BOP), which combines commercial property insurance, general liability insurance, crime insurance, and other optional coverage into one convenient package. Business owners also have the option to choose coverage based on their specific industry such as: *Commercial Auto Insurance *Business Interruption Insurance *Business Interruption Insurance *Business Interruption Insurance *Business Interruption Insurance When it comes to choosing insurance, most business owners want to know how their business can be protected by the right coverage mixed with a fair price. In addition to what we’ve already discussed, one of the biggest factors in determining how much insurance coverage is needed depends on the business type. Other important considerations include: *Location of business *How many employees are present *Years in business *Gross annual revenue *Whether the business owns or rents vehicles *Whether the business owns, leases or rents the building(s) they operate from If you’re considering business/commercial insurance, please give my office a call and ask for Toni. She’s our senior commercial agent, and she will be able to answer your questions and advise you on the best direction to protect your assets.