Below are some of the more frequent questions we receive as an agency. If you have a specific question please do not hesitate to give us a call or email.
Insurance is a way to protect yourself or your belongings from unexpected events that could cause financial loss or damage. It works by spreading the risk among a large number of people who pay a relatively small amount of money called a premium. In exchange for this premium, the insurance company agrees to provide financial assistance if a covered event occurs.
Here’s a simple example to help illustrate how insurance works: Let’s say you have a car and you buy car insurance. You pay a premium to the insurance company, typically on a regular basis (monthly or annually). If you have an accident and your car gets damaged, the insurance company will help cover the cost of repairs or replacement, depending on the terms of your policy.
Insurance can cover various things like health, home, car, life, and even business-related risks. The specific coverage and terms vary depending on the type of insurance and the policy you choose. The insurance policy outlines what events are covered, what is excluded, and how much the insurance company will pay in case of a claim.
It’s important to note that insurance is based on the concept of pooling risk. By spreading the risk among many policyholders, insurance companies can afford to pay for the losses of the few who experience them, providing a safety net for individuals and businesses.
In summary, insurance is a way to protect yourself financially against unexpected events. By paying a premium to an insurance company, you can transfer the risk of potential losses to them, allowing you to have peace of mind and assistance when you need it most.
The answer is, it depends.
Different insurance companies will have different formulas on determining your insurance premium; one of which can be claim frequency and severity. It is our recommendation to discuss your specific claim with our claims manager to see if turning in a claim makes sense. However, all possible liability claims need to be turned in; as the insurance company needs to be put on notice.
An adjuster is a representative of the insurance company that helps settle a claim. They are not employed by us. We do not settle claims as this is done by the adjuster. However, we will assist in making sure a covered claim is paid fairly and promptly.
Many venues that are rented for special occasions such as weddings and graduation open houses require proof of coverage for up to $1,000,000 in liability insurance to cover property damage and bodily injury accidents that may occur during the event. Many Homeowners policies will provide coverage for these types of events. An excess / umbrella liability policy is also a good idea and will comply with the requirement for $1,000,000 in liability coverage.
If you are hosting an event where alcohol will be served, your homeowners policy will cover this “host liquor liability” as long as you do not charge money for the alcohol. If alcohol will be served it is recommended to transfer the liability by hiring a bartender or caterer who carries their own liquor liability coverage. If you do decide to have a cash bar or if the venue requires to be listed as an additional insured on your policy, we can provide you with a separate Special Event Liability policy to cover this exposure.
For specific events and how coverage would be afforded under your policy please contact us.
Scheduling involves placing specific items with a specific value on your homeowners insurance. It can also be called an “Inland Marine” policy. This allows coverage for items that may be leaving your premises and would then be lost or stolen. They can also be set at specific deductibles. The most common items to schedule are jewelry, bikes, cameras and fine arts.
Replacement cost is the amount it costs to rebuild a home or structure. This amount can also include demolition. This value can be significantly different than an appraisal. Reason being, the cost of materials to rebuild can outweigh a home or structure’s market value. When insuring a home or structure the insurance company needs to know the replacement cost. There are tools that our agents use to help approximate this value.
Yes, it is the State law for all owners of a vehicle to have auto insurance. It is your choice if you wish to insure for physical damage if there is not a lender involved.
Broad form collision allows you to not have to pay your deductible if you are not deemed at fault in an accident. There are also options to choose “regular” and “limited”. These options should be discussed with your agent.
All payments should be directed to the insurance company unless specifically stated by your representative. Please see our “billing” section if you wish to pay by phone or have a question on your billing account.
