| Personal Perspective Newsletter - October 2016 |
|
| You Lent Your Car to Your Friend... |
| 
So you let your friend borrow your car, and he had an accident. Will your auto insurance policy pay?
If the accident causes bodily injury to another person or damages their property, the accident could result in a liability claim due to the negligence of the at-fault driver. Even if you are not the driver, your policy will normally still cover the claim. That is because your auto policy includes coverage for accidents when other persons are using your car with permission.
Should your friend or a passenger sustain an injury in the accident, your policy would normally pay the cost of medical expenses up to a specified dollar amount. The coverage you need in order to be insured for such expenses is often called "Medical Payments," and the amount your insurer will pay is listed on your policy.
Regardless of who is driving your car at the time of the accident, your policy will normally cover the cost of the damage as long as you have insurance for the car. The coverage you would need for damage resulting from an accident is often called "collision" or "physical damage."
Take a look at your auto insurance policy for coverage types and amounts, often on the front page of the document from your insurer. If you are wondering about the extent of your protection or the amounts your insurer will pay in case of an accident, give your agent a call.
|
|
| Sewage: A Word That Commands Your Attention |
In addition to health risks, a backed-up sewer can cause thousands of dollars in damage to your home. While many home insurance policies do not automatically cover the damage associated with a backup, most can be modified to do so for an additional cost. Following are a few common causes of sewer backup, according to the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.):
Aging systems.
Sewer lines are, on average, over 30 years old.
Combined pipelines.
In some locales, storm water drainage lines are combined with sewer lines, so heavy rains can cause system overload.
Tree roots.
Roots from trees and shrubs find a crack in the line, enter and grow, thereby causing leaks and flow problems.
Blockage to the main line.
If not detected in time, sewage from that line can back up into the buildings connected to it.
In addition, the I.I.I. offers an important reminder that property owners are responsible for maintenance and repair of the pipeline that connects their property to the sewer's main line. Many homeowners insurance policies do not automatically cover sewer backup, so ask your agent how to add this coverage. It is a highly affordable option that can save you thousands of dollars if a sewage backup occurs.
|
|
|
 Distractions, Distractions
Distracted driving is the cause of a high percentage of auto accidents. For this reason, in recent years, many community awareness movements have attempted to educate drivers on the dangers associated with texting and driving.
Using a mobile device to engage in any activity, including a seemingly harmless game or social media site, can take eyes off the road and create a dangerous distraction with potentially serious consequences. For example, the popularity of a recent online game, similar to a scavenger hunt, sent tens of millions of users wandering into streets and other areas hoping to earn points by locating digitally created characters on their phones. Unfortunately, reports of injuries associated with the game soon followed, including distracted pedestrians wandering off sidewalks and into traffic as well as auto accidents due to drivers playing the game.
Emphasize to your young drivers the importance of paying full attention to the road at all times-then follow that good advice yourself!
|
|
|
| Connecting Your Home to the Internet? |
The Internet of things (IoT) is a frequently used term to describe the evolution of in-home physical devices such as appliances, buildings and other property that, through embedded software and electronics, share data with other devices or computers. While such technology has its perks (e.g., increased energy efficiency or tailored interactivity of appliances), new risks will also emerge. For example, a cyber attack that renders appliances in the home unusable or gives hackers access to your pay-per-view accounts could soon be a reality for millions of consumers.
Unfortunately, most standard insurance policies are designed with tangible losses in mind (e.g., a lightning strike damages an appliance or a tree falls on your garage). Thus, the hazards from IoT compatibility might not be covered.
If you have IoT in your home or are considering adding the technology, it's important to get the right homeowners insurance coverage to match.
|
|
Thank you for your referrals!
If you're pleased with us, spread the word! We'll be happy to give the same great service to all of your friends and business associates.
|
| Home ∙ Auto ∙ Motor Home ∙ Motorcycle/Recreational Vehicle ∙ Boats/Jet Ski Rental Property ∙ Personal Umbrella ∙ Jewelry Floater Health ∙ Medicare Supplement ∙ Life ∙ Disability ∙ Business Protection |
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
