Jason Fleming

Car Rental Insurance-You May Already Be Covered

Summer is the most popular time of the year for families to take vacations, but if your next vacation includes a trip to the rental car counter, you may be paying for insurance that you don't need. The Insurance Information Institute reports that in many cases, the coverage and deductibles on your personal auto policy also apply to a rental car obtained for personal use. If you don't have comprehensive and collision coverage on your own car, however, you will not be covered if your rental car is stolen or damaged in an accident. Contact your Farm Bureau agent to find out if there are any situations in which your auto policy would not cover a rental car.

In addition to your personal auto policy, many credit cards include some level of collision and theft coverage when you use the card to pay for your rental. These benefits are typically secondary to your personal auto insurance or the car rental company's insurance, meaning the credit card company will only pay claims after other insurance coverage has been exhausted.

Keep these tips in mind:

· If your current auto policy doesn't include rental car coverage, you may be able to add an insurance rider inexpensively.

· Coverage extended from a personal auto policy may not cover some additional charges imposed by rental car companies.

· When traveling on business, a personal auto policy typically will not apply.

· If it is a longer-term rental, there may be limitations on the coverage your auto policy provides.

When planning your next trip, be sure to contact your Farm Bureau agent to learn more about your auto coverage. Knowing more about your policy could save you money at the rental car counter.

Sources: "Do I Need Insurance to Rent a Car?", Insurance Information Institute, www.iii.org, visited March 11, 2008.

National Association of Insurance Commissioners, www.naic.org, posted November 14, 2007, visited March 11, 2008.

Tips brought to you by Jason Fleming, Career Agent with Farm Bureau Financial

Services. For more information on auto, home, life, college and retirement funding products and services,

call Jason Fleming at 763-780-6867

Products offered through Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company* and Farm Bureau Mutual

Insurance Company*/West Des Moines, IA.

*Companies of Farm Bureau Financial Services

What You Need to Know About Homeowner's Insurance

Here are a few tips to help you get the right coverage for your home!

· Consider insuring your home for replacement cost - not value. The cost of rebuilding your homeplus replacing its contents may cost more than the estimated value of the home. Insuring your home to replacement cost may save you some headaches in the future.

· Get additional coverage on items such as jewelry, artwork, computers and tools. Consider specialized insurance for items with high replacement costs or unique risks. This coverage, which may add a small amount to your monthly payment, may be a good fit for items such as fine jewelry, firearms and artwork if they are destroyed or stolen.

· Do an annual review of your property to ensure you have enough coverage. Doing an inventory of your personal belongings may help you uncover gaps in your coverage. Take the time to make a list or videotape your household items. You might discover you forgot to insure the new television you purchased or the antique ring you inherited.

· Having auto and homeowner's insurance with the same company could yield a better premium. Housing your entire insurance needs with one company could pay off. Tips brought to you by Jason Fleming, Career Agent with Farm Bureau Financial Services. For more information on auto, home, life, college and retirement funding products and services, call Jason Fleming at 763-780-6867.

Life insurance products offered through Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company*/West Des Moines, IA. Property-casualty insurance products offered through Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company*/West Des Moines, IA and Western Agricultural Insurance Company*/West Des Moines, IA *Affiliated, and companies of Farm Bureau Financial Services

Just got home from the extended families house from stuffing as much turkey in my mouth as possible. Just looking around the room made me realize how much I have to be thankful for. There are a ton of new youngsters all over the room. We are all healthy and doing great. I think this makes me realize how great life has been over the last year. Hope everyone's family is doing great!