Insurance Education

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

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.

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.

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

Learn what renters insurance covers, what it doesn’t, and how to choose the right policy in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, and Texas.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

Why replacement cost and not market value is the basis for your home insurance policy.

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.

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

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

The benefits of home insurance aren’t always obvious until you need them. Storms, fires, theft, and liability claims don’t announce themselves ahead of time. When they happen, the right coverage can protect not only your home, but your finances and peace of mind.

When you rent a home or an apartment, you might think that your landlord's insurance covers everything. However, that is not the case. While your landlord's policy protects the building itself, it does not cover your personal belongings. This is where renters insurance comes into play.

When something actually happens: when you have questions, experience a claim, or need guidance you can trust, there’s something reassuring about having a local insurance agency in your corner. Someone who knows the area, understands your lifestyle, and is just a call (or short drive) away. Here’s why so many people in NWA choose to work with a local agency and stay for years.