How do I know if my home is adequately insured?

Most homeowner policies offer replacement-cost coverage on the dwelling itself. In order to receive and be paid replacement cost on your home, the insurance policy requires your limit of coverage to be within 80% of full replacement at today's construction costs.

Over the course of time, many homeowners do extensive remodeling, make additions to their homes, add decks or screened porches, etc. When this occurs, many people do not think of contacting their agent to make them aware of the changes that may have taken place. As a result, were you to have a loss, you may be underinsured in order to collect replacement-cost coverage.

If you have forgotten to make us aware of changes, or if you feel you may be underinsured, please call us so we can review your values and help determine if you are adequately insured.

Are water backups in basements covered?

Water backup from the ground, sewer line, etc., is not covered under the standard homeowner's contract. A separate rider must be purchased in order to insure against some of this exposure.

The rider is available to provide coverage in the event of a "sump pump" failure. In addition, this rider also provides coverage for water coming into your house if a water or sewer line were to break outside your home. The policy will not pay for repair of the sump pump itself or repair of the broken water or sewer line. The rider will pay for the water damage as a result of these occurrences.

Coverage is purchased for a specific dollar amount. The maximum limit varies by company and ranges from $5,000 to $25,000.

Please call us to discuss this very important coverage and review any other questions you may have about your policy.

Whose name is on the title of your insured vehicle?

In order to be insured under an insurance policy in your name, the vehicle must be titled to you. If you are insuring a vehicle which is entitled to another person, you may not be covered at the time of a claim. Please telephone our office right away if this situation applies to you and your vehicles.

Have you hit a deer or had a broken windshield?

As our vehicles age, most of us decide to remove the physical damage coverages of comprehensive and collision. While you may continue to drive your car safely with a dent in the fender, if the windshield is cracked, it must be replaced. Comprehensive is the coverage which pays for broken glass, car-animal accidents, storm damage to the vehicle, fire to the vehicle, etc.

What about rental reimbursement?

If your car is damaged due to an accident, your comprehensive and collision coverages on your auto policy do not pay for the cost of renting a substitute car while repairs are being made.

This optional coverage must be specifically purchased. The approximate cost for this coverage is $10 to $15 per car, per six months. Your policy must have collision coverage on the car for which you purchase this coverage.

What if my home is not building-code compliant?

This optional coverage is not standard on most homeowner policies. In the event of a claim on your house, the insurance policy is required to replace the damaged property with like kind and quality.

Many older homes have not been brought up to today's building codes. The law and ordinance optional rider would allow you to upgrade to current building codes in the event of a loss. This coverage would apply toward any upgrades now required by law.

Typically, this important coverage costs an additional 10% of your current premium. Please telephone us if you want more information, or to discuss this optional rider.

Does my business package contain equipment breakdown coverage?

The more your business depends on equipment, the greater the need for equipment breakdown coverage. Equipment breakdown coverage pays for damage caused by such things as electrical arcing, mechanical breakdown of parts, power surges, centrifugal force, and more. Sure, you have property insurance, but property insurance policies do not cover a motor burnout, a short-circuited electrical system, or a mechanical failure. Also, most property insurance policies do not replace the income and expenses you incur as a result of equipment breakdown. The low-voltage circuitry in computers and other controls are susceptible to damage from electrical injury (power surges, shock, vibration and heat).

Check with us. The cost of machinery equipment coverage is extremely reasonable. We would be glad to discuss whether it has any application to your business. That's what we're here for--to answer questions and help you in any way we can with your insurance needs.

Am I required to have a workers' compensation insurance policy?

All private employers regularly employing one or more employees 35 hours or more per week for 13 weeks or longer during the preceding 52 weeks.

All private employers regularly employing three or more employees at one time.

Agricultural employers, if they employ three or more employees 35 hours or more per week for 13 or more consecutive weeks.

Householders employing domestic servants if they employ anyone 35 hours or more per week.

Over the years, many employers have tried to escape the required coverage by stating the people working with them are "independent contractors". Some of the tests used to determine if a business is truly a "sub-contractor" are: