Frequently Asked Questions

When speaking with your agent to set up your policy, any valuables you are concerned about and our agent can review your policy and recommend changes to ensure your valuables have proper coverage.

No. You do not need a new home appraisal during the renewal or coverage change process.

A deductible is an amount that you're responsible for in the event of a loss. This is the amount you pay out-of-pocket, and insurance covers the remainder.

 By using an agent to purchase insurance, the policyholder receives more personal service. An agent with whom there is direct contact can be vital when purchasing a product and absolutely necessary when filing a claim. A local, independent agent is able to deliver quality insurance with competitive pricing and local personalized service.  

A number of factors can affect the cost of your automobile insurance – some of which you can control and some that are beyond your control.

The type of car you drive, the purpose the car serves, your driving record, and where the car is garaged can all affect how much your automobile insurance will cost you.

Even your marital status can affect your cost of insurance. Statistics show that married people tend to have fewer and less costly accidents than do single people.

 If you live in an apartment or a rented house, renters insurance provides important coverage for both you and your possessions. A standard renters policy protects your personal property in many cases of theft or damage and may pay for temporary living expenses if your rental is damaged. It can also shield you from personal liability. Anyone who leases a house or apartment should consider this type of coverage.

 There are a number of factors you should consider when purchasing any product or service, and insurance is no different.

Here is a checklist of things you should consider when you purchase homeowners insurance:

• Determine the amount and type of insurance that you need. The coverage limit of your house should equal 100% of its replacement cost. If your policy limit is less than 80% of the replacement cost of your home, any payment from your insurance company will be less than the full cost to replace your home – you’ll have to pay the rest out of your own pocket. Also, decide if the personal property and personal liability limits are adequate for your needs.
• Determine which, if any, additional endorsements you want to add to your policy. For example, do you want the personal property replacement cost endorsement, an earthquake endorsement or a jewelry endorsement?
• Once you have decided on the coverage you want in your homeowners insurance policy, consult us. We will be able to help you determine if there are any gaps in coverage you might not have been aware of, explain the details of the policy’s exclusions and limitations as well as recommend an insurance company that will live up to your expectations.

 Covered losses under a homeowners policy can be paid on either an actual cash value basis or on a replacement cost basis. When “actual cash value” is used, the policy owner is entitled to the depreciated value of the damaged property. Under the “replacement cost” coverage, the policy owner is reimbursed an amount necessary to replace the article with one of similar type and quality at current prices 

 Starting your own business means taking on some degree of risk. As a business owner, you already have the passion and drive to take on new challenges, but you'll also need to protect the value of the assets you purchase for your company. Insurance can help you recover when things go wrong. From property losses related to items such as fire or theft, to liability issues should someone sue – or threaten to. With the proper policies in place, you'll gain peace of mind and feel more comfortable in your new role as an entrepreneur. 

• Commercial property insurance, which covers your buildings and other structures, as well as the contents of those buildings.
• Commercial auto insurance, which provides protection for vehicles owned by your business, or for vehicles driven for business purposes that are not owned by your business.
• Commercial general liability insurance, which protects your business assets in the event of a lawsuit.
• Professional liability insurance, which provides protection for businesses that provide professional services, such as accountants, lawyers and more.
• Bonds, which provide performance guarantees for the services you provide.
• Workers compensation insurance, which offers financial protection should an employee get injured or sick while on the job.

Errors and Omissions (E&O) insurance helps protect against the costs of allegations made by clients for inadequate work, negligent actions or failure to provide the expected level of service. 

 You can purchase liability insurance as a separate policy or include it as part of full coverage. If you cause an accident and the other driver sustains injuries or property damage, liability coverage can help you pay for the expenses. However, if you, your passengers or your car sustain any damage, a liability-only policy won’t provide you with coverage.

A liability-only policy contains two types of insurance: bodily injury and property damage.

• Bodily Injury Liability- Protects you from costs resulting from injuries sustained by the other driver and their passengers if you caused an accident.
• Property Damage Liability- Protects you from expenses if the other driver’s car or personal items are damaged.

All states have car insurance laws requiring car insurance to operate a motor vehicle, and some require you to carry proof of insurance with you when driving.

Each state has its own minimum insurance requirements. Purchasing a policy meeting these minimum limits allows you to drive legally, but there are advantages to paying for increased coverages.

Having increased limits may cost more, but it also provides additional protection when you’re on the road. However, it doesn’t automatically mean you should purchase full coverage car insurance. You can also opt for add-on coverages, such as uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage or personal injury protection insurance.

Full coverage car insurance provides protection for your vehicle and injuries, not just the other driver’s. Comprehensive and collision insurance, both included in a full coverage policy, help you pay for damages from collision and non-collision-related incidents.

• Comprehensive- Protects you from expenses if your car gets damaged from non-collision events. These may include vandalism, fire or even theft.
• Collision- Protects from costs caused by damages to your car if you hit an object or if another driver crashes into you.

Just because it’s called full coverage car insurance doesn’t mean it protects you from everything that could happen while you’re on the road. Full coverage car insurance covers the other driver and their car and you and your vehicle. Although it isn’t the norm in all states (or with all insurers), some auto insurance providers consider uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage as part of full coverage car insurance.

Some drivers confuse comprehensive and full coverage insurance because of the terminology, but these are not synonymous. Comprehensive insurance is one of the coverages included in a full coverage policy, along with collision insurance. Typically, you purchase comprehensive and collision coverage together, but this isn’t always the case.

While you may spend more on full coverage in the short term, there are several long-term advantages of carrying this coverage.

You might not feel it right away, but having full coverage car insurance provides more financial security in the future. This policy ensures that your carrier reimburses you for costs associated with damages to your vehicle, which could sometimes come from the most unlikely circumstances beyond your control, such as having a tree branch fall on your car.

It also comes in handy if, in an accident, an uninsured driver hits you. If you only have liability insurance, you’ll have to pay for repairs out of pocket. A full coverage policy with uninsured motorist coverage will help you pay for expenses up until its set limits.