top of page
Benchmarq Blog
The answers to insurance questions you've always meant to ask. Local guides to Northwest Arkansas. Updates and information on the insurance industry.
A Parent's Guide to Insurance Milestones: FAQs From Birth to Moving Out
One day you're figuring out how to buckle a newborn into a car seat, and before you know it, you're helping your college student compare apartment options and asking if they remembered to lock their car. Along the way, your insurance needs change, too. Lucky for you, we're giving you an instruction manual for what parents should know about insurance.
Here are some of the most common insurance questions parents ask as their children grow and what you should know at each stage.
How to Insure Your Mountain Bike in Northwest Arkansas
Whether you're riding after work, training for an event, or spending weekends exploring new trails, your mountain bike is more than just a hobby. For many riders, it's a significant investment.
The question is: if your bike is stolen, damaged in a crash, or involved in an accident, would you be able to replace it?
Does My Auto Insurance Cover Delivery Driving in Arkansas?
If you've started using your vehicle to earn extra income, you're not alone. Many drivers are supplementing their incomes through the Gig Economy - delivering groceries, food, packages, prescriptions, and other goods through platforms such as Walmart Spark, DoorDash, Instacart, Shipt, Roadie, Amazon Flex, and other delivery services.
However, when it comes to insurance, many drivers don't realize that using a personal vehicle for business purposes can affect how insurance co
All Posts
A Parent's Guide to Insurance Milestones: FAQs From Birth to Moving Out
One day you're figuring out how to buckle a newborn into a car seat, and before you know it, you're helping your college student compare apartment options and asking if they remembered to lock their car. Along the way, your insurance needs change, too. Lucky for you, we're giving you an instruction manual for what parents should know about insurance.
Here are some of the most common insurance questions parents ask as their children grow and what you should know at each stage.
Sarah Bennett
16 hours ago5 min read
How to Insure Your Mountain Bike in Northwest Arkansas
Whether you're riding after work, training for an event, or spending weekends exploring new trails, your mountain bike is more than just a hobby. For many riders, it's a significant investment.
The question is: if your bike is stolen, damaged in a crash, or involved in an accident, would you be able to replace it?
Sarah Bennett
Jun 43 min read
Does My Auto Insurance Cover Delivery Driving in Arkansas?
If you've started using your vehicle to earn extra income, you're not alone. Many drivers are supplementing their incomes through the Gig Economy - delivering groceries, food, packages, prescriptions, and other goods through platforms such as Walmart Spark, DoorDash, Instacart, Shipt, Roadie, Amazon Flex, and other delivery services.
However, when it comes to insurance, many drivers don't realize that using a personal vehicle for business purposes can affect how insurance co
Sarah Bennett
Jun 32 min read
Your Guide to Arkansas State Parks Near Northwest Arkansas
Whether you’re planning a Saturday afternoon outdoors or a family camping trip, here’s a local guide to Arkansas State Parks arranged from closest to furthest from
Northwest Arkansas. And because we're your local insurance guides, we've included coverage considerations for high-value mountain bikes and outdoor gear, ATVs, and recreational vehicles. Let's get going!
Sarah Bennett
May 2813 min read
When Should You Get an Insurance Review in Arkansas?
Here's the short answer: If it’s been more than a year since someone reviewed your insurance, there’s a good chance it’s time.
At Benchmarq Insurance, we talk to people across Northwest Arkansas every week who are surprised to learn their coverage no longer fits their life, or that they may be paying more than they need to. Insurance rates shift constantly, life changes happen, and policies that made sense three years ago may not make sense today.
Dan Cheek
May 187 min read
Best Lakes Near Bentonville, Arkansas (Within 1 Hour) + Boating Laws & Safety Guide
Here at Benchmarq Insurance, we love a summer lake day as much as you do. So, enjoy our local guide to lakes within driving distance of Northwest Arkansas. Also, learn about boating laws in Arkansas and insurance tips for this summer.
Sarah Bennett
Apr 307 min read
Spring Hazards in Arkansas: How to Prepare (and Avoid Claims)
Spring Hazards in Arkansas: How to Prepare (and Avoid Claims) Spring in Arkansas is a gorgeous time. The trees start budding, the trails fill up again, and weekends quickly shift from indoors to outside. Around Northwest Arkansas, that might look like afternoons at the park, bike rides on the Greenway, or finally tackling that growing list of home projects. But alongside all that fresh energy, spring also brings a predictable wave of insurance claims. This isn't because peopl
Sarah Bennett
Apr 23 min read
Spring Break Safety Tips for Your Home and Vehicle
Whether you’re hitting the trails, taking a road trip, or just enjoying a quieter week at home, Spring Break is a great time to reset.
It’s also a time when we tend to see more insurance claims, and most of them are avoidable.
Sarah Bennett
Mar 192 min read
Why Did My Insurance Go Up in 2026? 6 Reasons Insurance Rates Rise
The good news is that understanding the reasons behind rate changes, and knowing your options, can help you feel in control and even uncover potential savings. Let’s walk through the seven most common reasons insurance rates rise and what you can do about each one.
Sarah Bennett
Mar 113 min read
How to Make the Right Choice When Switching Insurance Agencies
Switching insurance agencies can feel like a big step. Maybe your rates have gone up at your current agency, you’re not getting the service you expected, or maybe you just want someone local who can help you understand your coverage better. Making the right choice when finding new insurance coverage comes down to more than just finding the lowest price. The best relationship between a client and an insurance agency or insurance agent is built on trust, service, and having som
Sarah Bennett
Mar 54 min read
Renters Insurance Coverage Details: A Simple Guide for Renters in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, and Texas
Learn what renters insurance covers, what it doesn’t, and how to choose the right policy in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, and Texas.
Sarah Bennett
Feb 34 min read
An Ice Storm, A Viral Insurance Claim Denial, and a Hard Lesson for Small Business Owners
A viral video showing a small business owner facing a denied insurance claim after an ice storm has sparked fear and frustration across social media. While the details of the claim aren’t public, the situation offers important lessons for business owners about understanding coverage, documenting inventory, and having ongoing conversations with a local insurance agent before severe weather or power outages occur.
Dan Cheek
Feb 25 min read
Everything New Residents Should Know About Being Insured in Arkansas
Auto Insurance in Arkansas Home Insurance in Arkansas Renters Insurance in Arkansas Understanding Local Risks FAQs for New Arkansas Residents If you’re new to Northwest Arkansas, or to the Natural State in general, welcome. You picked a great place to land. Maybe you came for a job with Walmart, Tyson, J.B. Hunt, or one of our region’s fast-growing startups. Maybe it was the trails, the schools, or the idea of living somewhere that feels both energetic and neighborly. Around
Sarah Bennett
Jan 295 min read
The Truth Behind Letting Your Pipes Drip (and 9 Other Smart Ways to Winterize Your Home Before a Southern Snowstorm)
Winter storms in Northwest Arkansas hit differently. Homes here aren’t built for prolonged freezing temperatures, which means even a short cold snap can lead to burst pipes, water damage, and preventable insurance claims. A little preparation goes a long way. Here at Benchmarq Insurance, we're local, and our people are here riding out the storm with you.
Sarah Bennett
Jan 223 min read
What Do I Really Need for an Insurance Quote?
What You’ll Need for a Quote — and for a Smart Coverage Review
Quick FAQs for New NWA Residents
Do I need a lot of information to get an insurance quote?
No. We can start with just a few basics and build from there. The more details you share, the more accurate your quote will be — but you don’t need everything on day one.
Sarah Bennett
Jan 172 min read
Hidden Fire Hazard: Is Your Dryer Vent Putting Your Home at Risk?
You probably don’t think much about your dryer beyond the convenience it provides. Load the clothes, press a button, and about an hour later you have warm, fluffy laundry. But behind that cycle is a hidden fire hazard many homeowners don't realize exists: the dryer exhaust vent.
Dan Cheek
Dec 29, 20254 min read
What is Replacement Cost and What Does it Mean for My Home Insurance Policy?
Why replacement cost and not market value is the basis for your home insurance policy.
Dan Cheek
Dec 23, 20254 min read
Replacement Cost vs. Actual Cash Value on Roofs: What This Means for Your Home Insurance
Roof claims are one of the most common, and most stressful, parts of home insurance. They’re also an area where small wording differences in a policy can create very large financial consequences after a storm.
Dan Cheek
Dec 9, 20253 min read
How to Prevent Winter Claims and Protect Your Home from Freezing Temperatures
How to Prevent Winter Claims and Protect Your Home from Freezing Temperatures At Benchmarq Insurance, we care about helping you protect what matters most. As temperatures drop, frozen pipes and water damage become a common winter claim, and many of those losses can be prevented with simple preparation. When water freezes it expands, which increases pressure inside pipes, especially in unheated or poorly insulated areas. A burst pipe can cause major damage that may not be imme
Sarah Bennett
Nov 17, 20252 min read
Introducing Benchmarq Insurance: New Name, Same Trusted Team
After almost 15 years as the Dan Cheek Allstate Agency, I’m excited to share that we’re moving forward with a refreshed personal brand: Benchmarq Insurance. Why the Name Change? Over the years, our agency has continued to grow. We wanted a name that reflects the level of care, professionalism, and commitment we bring to every interaction. It also represents our scope across Arkansas and the surrounding states we serve. Benchmarq represents our goal: to be the benchmark for pe
Sarah Bennett
Nov 10, 20253 min read
bottom of page