Frequently Asked Questions

 

Automobile Related

  • That depends. Liability protection that you carry for personal injury and property damage will provide some protection while you are driving a rental car. Damage to the rental car would be covered under Collision and Comprehensive Coverage, if your policy has it. The rental car company may also try to recover damages for lost income while the rental car is out of service. Your auto policy may or may not protect you against this claim; the best way to know is to look at your policy or ask us to review it for you. Credit card companies often provide protection against these kinds of rental car claims so you should check there to see what the provisions and restrictions might be. Finally, you can purchase a Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) from the rental car company. This isn't actually insurance, but rather a release from financial liability you might otherwise be charged with as a result of damaging the rental car. The CDW is expensive at $8 to $12 a day. This would amount to over $4,000 a year for very limited coverage. Still, if you do not have protection via your auto policy or credit card, paying the CDW over a few days may be a better option than being personally accountable for damages to your rental car.

  • You can file a claim in several ways. The best way is to contact the insurance company directly. For contact information by carrier, click here. You can also complete the File a Claim Form on our website or call us.

  • Your policy will normally adjust for differences in other state requirements if you have the required minimum coverage for your state. Personal policy protection is only applicable in the United States, U.S. territories, and the provinces of Canada.

  • That depends. A business auto policy by itself won't extend to rented autos unless you have amended it. You can get protection for situations where you rent autos if you add Hired Auto Liability and Physical Damage Coverage.

  • The claim process has a few variations but these are the essential steps once the claim has been submitted to the insurance company:

    You will be contacted by an insurance company adjuster to gather detailed information about your claim.

    Often, someone from the isurance company will inspect your auto or property for damage or will ask you to provide evidence of value and ownership for loss to property that is not a vehicle or real property.

    An estimate is prepared.

    A check is delivered.

    Sometimes differences in actual and estimated damages arise, especially after repair work has been undertaken. Every attempt is made to resolve these differences and sometimes a supplemental check is prepared.

    It is the responsibility of the insurance company to settle and pay your claim and the responsibility of your agency to make sure that it is done quickly and fairly as possible with a minimum of uncertainty and bother for you. We monitor claim progress closely and communicate with you throughout to make sure you are satisfied.

  • If you own, lease (long term), or own your vehicle then you will file a claim with your insurance company. You will have to pay any deductible amount. Payment for your loss will include payment to the finance or leasing company, if any. If you cause damage to other vehicles or property, your insurance company will handle that with little or no involvement on your part, in most cases.

  • In most cases the other driver's insurance policy would respond and reimburse you for damages to your vehicle, property, or injuries. In some cases, as when you or your passengers are injured and the other driver has inadequte or no insurance, coverage from your own policy may apply (Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist Coverage).

  • Generally, the answer is no. One claim is not a cause for concern on the part of insurance companies. However, if there are a pattern of claims, you may have resulting premium increases or cancellation. So if you have a claim that is the third in three years, for example, that will be viewed differently than having one claim only. Individual claims that are suggestive of gross negligence can also result in significant premium increase or cancellation. An example might be an auto accident accompanied by reckless driving or driving under the influence conviction.

  • Your automobile policy protection is extended to anyone you grant permission to drive your car. You do not need to explicitly provide permission, the other person only needs to have a reasonable belief that they are driving with permission.

 

Homeowner’s Related

  • Many natural disasters, such as hurricanes or tornadoes, are covered in a homeowner policy. Others, like earthquake and flood are not. Let us know if you have concerns about your protection from loss due to natural or even manmade disasters; we'll be happy to review your insurance program and let you know what, if any, changes you might want to consider.

  • The association master policy is for coverage to the structure, which you don't need. However, to get protection for your own possessions and for legal liability related to your unit, you need your own policy. Many condominium associations will assess unit owners for master policy deductibles. That's another reason why it is important that the coverage in your policy match up well with the association master policy.

  • A standard homeowner policy provides coverage equal to 10% of the limit for Coverage C of a homeowner policy or $1,000, whichever is greater. This coverage is useful for protecting you while traveling and for other temporary situations. If you have property in excess of these amounts away from home or property that is kept away from your residence premises for extended periods, you should consider additional protection.

    The 10% limitation for household property, is for property at an insured’s residence premises...there is no limitation for property carried on vacation or stored in a storage unit with the exception of when the contents limit is on the property.

  • Homeowner policies specifically exclude reimbursement for damage caused by flood. Your home may be a significant distance from a major body of water but still be exposed to flood risk if your home was built on a flood plain. The National Flood Insurance Program has a flood risk indicator on their website. All you have to do is enter your property address and you will get an indication of the degree of flood risk you face. Our agency can get flood coverage for you. For an indication of the cost, the National Flood Insurance Site also has a 'quick quote' table of premiums to give you an idea.

  • Renter’s policies provide several benefits. A renters policy will provide compensation for many types of loss to your personal property. Renter’s policies also include liability protection. This can be especially important. For example, a fire, caused by your negligence, could damage a large number of rental units and the property contained within them. Liability coverage will normally cover your legal obligations to compensate other parties in cases like this as well as other instances where you are legally liable for damage of loss.

  • Typical policies provide coverage for you and your relatives that live with you. So, if your roommate is not a relative you will not be protected under his or her policy. Renters policies are very afforable, starting at not much more than $150 a year and they provide liability protection as well as coverage for your personal possessions.

 

Boat Related

  • If you have a homeowner policy your boat might be covered but there are limitations. Automobile policies do not extend coverage to boats. Boat coverage can sometimes be increased by modifying a homeowner policy but a separate boat policy may be needed.

 

Life-Insurance Related

  • You should review all of your insurance needs at least once a year. If you have a major life change, you should contact your insurance agent or company representative. The change in your life may have a significant impact on your insurance needs. Life changes may include, marriage or divorce, a child or grandchild who is born or adopted, significant changes in your health or that of your spouse or domestic partner, taking on the financial responsibility of an aging parent, purchasing a new home, a loved one who requires long-term care, refinancing your home, and coming into an inheritance.