Do You Know What Your Insurance Doesn't Cover?

     When you buy homeowners and motor vehicle insurance, you probably file your policies away without looking at them. And, chances are, you don't take them out again until you need to file a claim. However, it's worth taking a few moments to review your policies before you suffer a loss. That's because insurance policies generally carry exclusions—restrictions on what is and is not covered. Here are some common exclusions you may find in your coverage.

Homeowners Insurance

     Flood and earthquake damage is generally excluded from standard homeowners policies. To cover flood damage, you must purchase special flood insurance. You can add earthquake coverage, although premiums may be expensive and deductibles high.

     Most homeowners policies cover water damage that is sudden or accidental, such as that from a storm to your roof or from burst pipes. However, damage due to gradual deterioration, such as that caused by a continual plumbing leak, may not be covered.

     Also, your policy may exclude business-related activity in your home. If you own a home-based business, you may need to buy separate insurance to cover business equipment and personal liability for visitors while on your property.

Motor Vehicle Insurance

     Many people assume they are covered when they drive a car they don't own, but this is not necessarily true. If you share a residence with someone whose car you drive, it's always best to be listed as a driver on that person's policy. If you use a vehicle belonging to someone with whom you do not share a residence, coverage may depend on how regularly you use the vehicle. Even if you use the vehicle as seldom as once a week, the insurer may consider this "regular use" and exclude you from coverage in the event of an accident.

     If you're unsure of your policies' exclusions, feel free to give us a call. We can help you understand what your insurance does and does not cover, and assist you in securing any additional protection you may require.

Winter Weather—
Be Prepared!

     Regardless of whether you live east or west of the Great Mississippi, with winter comes the unpleasantness of severe weather. Although you may be used to preparing your home for the drop in temperature, you shouldn't forget your car. One way to best protect one of your most expensive possessions is to store a kit of essentials in the trunk, including the following items:

• A usable spare tire and jack
  
• A flashlight with extra batteries
  
• Jumper cables
  
• First aid kit
  
• Non-perishable foods
  
• Tool kit
  

     And, if you live in the snow belt of America, you may want to consider these additional items:

• A shovel
  
• A bag of salt (cat litter is just as effective)
  
• A blanket
  
• Tire chains
  

     You never know when the next severe weather system may hit, so it is best to be prepared should an emergency situation arise.

Complete Your Collection with Insurance

     The vacation of a lifetime can turn into an unforgettable nightmare if you return to discover your home has been burglarized—particularly if you discover the burglar who cleaned out your home also made off with your prized doll collection. You know your other possessions would be covered by your homeowners policy, but would that also cover your dolls?

     If you're a collector who has put years, and possibly a lifetime, into developing a beloved collection, you could find it vanished in an instant if fire, theft, or other disaster occurs. While most homeowners insurance policies cover collectibles, such as dolls, baseball cards, antiques, and stamps, an especially valuable or unique collection may require additional coverage. This is where a personal articles floater can help you broaden the protection of your homeowners policy.

Where to Begin?

     How do you know if you need a personal articles floater? First, get an appraisal to determine your collection's value. Update it regularly and keep it in a safe place outside your home, together with any pertinent sales receipts. Another good idea is to inventory your collection with a camera or video camera. This documentation provides proof of ownership and can help expedite your claim if loss or damage occurs.

     If your hobby turns into a profit-making venture, you may not be protected by either your homeowners policy or a floater. For instance, if you improve your collection by buying and selling dolls, you would probably need a business owners policy.

     A collection that starts out modest can grow over time to represent a considerable investment of time, money, knowledge, and love. To be sure your valued collection is fully protected, call or stop by to discuss your needs.

What to Do After an Auto Accident

     Even the best drivers may find themselves involved in an auto accident at some point. If you experience this situation, it's important to know what to do. An accident can leave you feeling shaken and out of control, or you may be faced with serious injuries or property damage. Even if the incident is only a minor "fender-bender," it could very well set your nerves on edge. Here are some specific steps to take immediately after a motor vehicle collision:

1. Stay calm. Don't accuse the other driver or accept blame. Leave it to the police and your insurer to determine who was at fault. Focus your attention on dealing with the situation at hand.

2. Assess injuries and call for help. Even before you call the police, check to see if anyone at the scene is injured. If so, try to assess the severity of the injuries and seek medical attention immediately.

3. Leave the scene "as is." It's best to leave an accident scene untouched until the police arrive. However, if your vehicle is obstructing traffic, you may need to move it to prevent further damage.

4. Notify authorities. Call the police. If you do not notify them at the time of the incident, contact them as soon as possible after it. Having a record of the accident, even if it was only minor, can help protect you from any unfounded claims that may arise later.

5. Obtain information on the other driver(s). Take down the name, address, telephone number, license number, insurer, and insurance policy number of every driver involved in the incident. Also, note each vehicle's year, make, model, and license plate or registration number. Ask to see each driver's license and registration. These two documents provide most of the information you'll need. If the other driver does not own the vehicle, request information on the owner. Keep a checklist of this information in your glove compartment to help remind you of what to ask.

6. Identify eyewitnesses. If possible, obtain the names, addresses, and telephone numbers, of any eyewitnesses.

     Finally, give us a call. Remember, we're here to help. If an accident occurs, we can let you know what follow-up actions to take. We can also begin preparing your claim and tell you what to expect. We hope you'll never experience an auto accident. But, if one should happen, we're just a phone call away.