Summer Safety Tips

Smart Insurance Coverage This Summer

Sure, the risk of severe storms and natural disasters increases during the summers months, but there are also plenty of "hidden dangers" you may not always consider.  If you're not adequately protected against them, you could find yourself in the middle of an insurance storm.

Property Insurance Covers More Than Your Home

Home damage caused by intense thunder storms accounts for many homeowner's insurance claims over the warmer months, but so much more can go wrong in and around your home.

Things like bicycles, high-end camping gear, and the cameras you use to record your adventures are expensive items that can be damaged in a catastrophe or fall victim to theft. Luckily, they're often covered by your homeowners insurance or renters insurance policy. But as you accumulate these kinds of goodies over time, it's important to verify that your coverage levels still meet your needs—speaking to your insurance agent is an easy way to make sure your coverage is keeping up with your lifestyle.

Should the unexpected occur, you'll want to have all the information you need to file your claim.

Going Above and Beyond Your Policy Limits

What if a wayward sparkler on the 4th of July caused a burn or set a flammable item on fire? Or

how about a backyard BBQ where a faulty grill leads to mayhem?

Consider the additional level of protection that comes with a Personal Umbrella Policy. A personal umbrella policy provides liability coverage over and above your standard auto insurance or homeowners insurance. Basically, it offers protection against large and potentially devastating liability claims or judgments, kicking in right where your other liability coverage stops.

A personal umbrella policy's added protection is a great safeguard if you own a pool, but don't ignore the other potential dangers lurking around your house. Check out our article Is Your Backyard Safe for Summer? to help keep your summer fun accident-free.

Two-Wheeled Trips Call for Motorcycle Insurance

As the weather gets warmer, the open road calls. Unfortunately, so do nearly 100,000 annual motorcycle accidents and injuries. One way to protect yourself is making sure you use the right safety gear every time you ride. For help making smart decisions, check out our Tips for Buying the Right Motorcycle Gear.

Your auto insurance won't help you on a motorcycle. You'll need motorcycle insurance that protects your bike—and also protects you.

Your Home on Wheels Needs Fixed Protection

If your summer travel plans include an RV or motor home, remember that these special vehicles fall outside the coverage of your regular auto insurance. The good news is that motor home insurance offers specialized protection for you and your family, and even the contents inside.

Plan for Your 4-Wheeled Fun

Many people don't think to insure their all-terrain and off-road vehicles. While their relative size may be small, they can come with outsized price tags. And with so many dips, jumps, turns, and outdoor hazards (like tree limbs!), there's no shortage of things that can go wrong. Off-road vehicle insurance can help protect your investment whether you're riding on back trails in the woods or on the back 9.

Get Covered Before You Get Drenched

When you set out to boat, you've got more than just fueling your tank to think about. Fun on the water also means having the right safety equipment, emergency service plan, and wreck coverage ready in case you need it—read our What to Put in a Boat Safety Kit article to get a head start.

Water, water everywhere, but no flood insurance

What’s wrong with us? We’ve lost thousands of dollars of household goods and priceless remembrances because of torrents of water in our streets, homes and basements — yet we still don’t have flood insurance.

Some 81% of Americans know that the standard homeowners’ insurance policy doesn’t cover flood damage, but barely one in 10 has a flood-insurance policy, according to Bankrate.com.

What’s more, flooding is the No. 1 natural hazard in the U.S., according to the National Flood Insurance Program, a division of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Flash floods alone are the top weather-related killer in the U.S.

“Flooding is very common, and people need to wake up to the fact that they may need flood insurance,” says Doug Whiteman, insurance analyst at Bankrate.com, which recently asked people what they knew about flood insurance.

It’s something to consider ahead of this year’s hurricane season, which is roughly June 1 through Nov. 1 and is forecast to be a tough one.

Meteorologists at the University of Colorado warn that the tropical Atlantic has warmed unusually over the past several months, and there’s an “above-average probability” that a major hurricane will make landfall. They’re looking for nine hurricanes this year, four of which are expected to be major, and 18 named storms. Remember that it’s not always the hurricane’s winds that wreak havoc, but the storm surges and flooding that come with them.

As entire neighborhoods throughout the Midwest grapple with heavy spring rains and flooding, just six months after Hurricane Sandy lambasted the East Coast from Florida to the New England states, we find that one in five homeowners still seems clueless about flood insurance. That’s true even after insurance agents reported a surge in new flood-insurance policies in New York and New Jersey post-Hurricane Sandy.

You must get a flood-insurance policy on top of your homeowners’ insurance. The basic homeowners’ policy underwrites your home’s structure, your personal belongings like furniture, clothes, electronics, and sports equipment, liability and additional living expenses if you cannot stay in your home because of damage from a fire, storm or any other insured disaster. All, of course, have limits — and one of them is if the home is flooded. In some high-risk areas, you won’t be able to get a mortgage without flood insurance.

There’s a good tool at Floodsmart.gov that will give you the risk level of your property and direct you to insurance brokers who can help you get coverage under the National Flood Insurance Program. The average flood-insurance policy will set you back about $600 a year, though costs vary widely.

Here’s what you should know about flood insurance:

• It covers physical damage to your property and possessions.

• You may need both building and contents coverage. Building insurance covers the home’s foundation and the equipment necessary to keep it running, like a furnace, water heater and circuit breaker. It will even underwrite carpeting, paneling and wallboard. Contents insurance covers items like a washer and dryer, a freezer and the food inside it.

• Flood insurance doesn’t cover moisture, mildew or mold that could have been avoided. Nor does it cover property outside the house, like the deck, sidewalks and hot tubs. Not all basements are covered either.

• The costs vary, depending on the design and age of the property, what the flood risk is and the amount of coverage.

• The coverage doesn’t start when your check is cleared. There’s typically a 30-day waiting period, which means if you’re looking to avoid this year’s hurricane season, now is the time to jump in.

Gov. Malloy Talks Mental Health Claims

Malloy Announces Plan to Reduce Insurance Denials

for Mental Health Services

The Connecticut Insurance Department and the UConn Health Center are collaborating to help families struggling to get mental health treatment paid through their insurance, according to Gov. Dannel Malloy.

Malloy said the department and the health center are developing a “user-friendly ‘claims tool kit’” for policyholders and providers, including out-of-network providers who operate on cash basis.

The goal, according to a news release from Malloy’s office, is to reduce the number of insurance denials.

“No one should have to overcome mountains of red tape when they are trying to access mental health services,” Malloy said. “This collaboration allows us to leverage the respective expertise of the Insurance Department and the UConn Health Center to put in place a common-sense approach to what can be a profoundly frustrating process. I commend the Insurance Department and the Health Center for their commitment to improving mental health care access for residents.”

Access to mental health services is part of the governor’s multi-prong plan to reduce gun violence in response to the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown in December.

“It’s been the Department’s observations that incomplete or incorrect information, coding errors, and other documentation issues are often the cause of claims denials requiring multiple appeals. We don’t want families having to fight to get the care they need,” Deputy Insurance Commissioner Anne Melissa Dowling, who oversees the Department’s health insurance initiatives, said.

Malloy said the claims tool kit, which should be complete this summer, is the first in a series of behavioral health projects the Insurance Department and Health Center are undertaking to assist consumers and providers.

Connecticut Commissioner Offers Advice on Preparing for Winter Storm

As the Northeast and New England states brace for a major blizzard, Connecticut Insurance Commissioner Thomas Leonardi is offering policyholders tips on preparing for the storm and filing claims if there is property loss.

“One of the most important things consumers can do right now is take stock of what they have. Take the time now to make a home inventory or update an existing one,” Commissioner Leonardi said. “This will be extremely helpful should the need arise to file a claim. Do not hesitate to contact the insurance department if you have questions or complaints.”

Commissioner Leonardi offered the following advice on what types of damages may or may not be covered. The commissioner said, however, that policies may vary in coverage. He recommended that consumers contact their insurance agent or the state insurance department with questions about the specifics of their policies.

• Snow removal: Homeowners insurance does not cover injuries to the homeowner during snow removal. However, snow removal professionals should be covered under their own liability policies.

• Ice dams: Interior or exterior damage caused by an ice dam on a roof is generally covered. However, many policies do not pay for ice dam removal.

• Frozen pipes: Most policies cover pipe replacement and water damage. However, coverage may not apply if the homeowner turned off the furnace for the winter without winterizing the home.

• Tree Damage: In general, the policyholder of the property that is damaged by a falling tree – not the tree owner – should file the claim with his or her insurance company. The insurance policy covers the cost to remove the tree from the damaged property and the resulting damage, minus the deductible. If the tree damaged a covered structure, the claim would be made on the homeowner’s policy. If the tree damaged a vehicle, the claim would be made on the auto insurance policy.

• Storm power outages: An all-risk policy generally pays for damage caused by loss of power and appliances damaged by the outage. Check the policy to see if it covers spoiled food. Most policies will not pay for shelter when the homeowner loses power for extended periods of time unless there is damage to the home that causes it to be uninhabitable.

• Renters: Landlord’s insurance will pay for winter damage to building. It will not pay for damage to personal contents, which must be covered by the renter’s own insurance.

Before the storm, the commissioner recommends the following steps for consumers:

• Keep the policy and other important documents together in a safe place.

• Review the policy to understand the coverage – call the company or agent with questions.

• Create or update the home inventory. Take photos of the possessions and Note model and serial numbers. Assemble original sales receipts and/or appraisal documents.

After the storm, consumers are advised to take following steps if damages have been sustained:

• Call the insurance company’s 24-hour claims phone number as soon as possible; provide policy number and other relevant information and documents.

• Take photographs/video of the damage. Make repairs necessary to prevent further damage, but do not make permanent repairs until the insurance company inspects the damage.

• Save all receipts from temporary repairs.

• Keep a diary of all conversations, e-mails and other correspondence with the company.

Knowing How Much Coverage Is Right For You

When deciding how much insurance to buy, think about what assets you're protecting. When you purchased auto insurance, did you put a lot of thought into the limits you chose, or did you go with the minimum limits available without thinking beyond that? While choosing to purchase the minimum limits allowed in your state is perfectly legal, you should take a few minutes to determine whether those limits are enough. What is your financial situation? Can you afford to buy more than the minimum limits? How much can you afford to pay out of pocket if the need arises?

It's also important to consider your assets when deciding how much coverage is right for you. Your assets may include your house, vehicles, bank accounts, investments — even your wages. All of these can be fair game in a lawsuit if you don't have cash on hand to pay for damages you're liable for.

By definition, auto insurance protects you from accidents, theft and other unforeseen and unplanned circumstances. When you choose insurance, you're choosing protection so you don't have to pay for those damages out of pocket. That's why you should consider your assets to determine how much protection you need.

Why Do Your Assets Matter in Auto Insurance?

Though it doesn't happen often, if your auto insurance limits are exhausted in a covered loss, you personally could be responsible for any remaining bills that aren't paid by your insurance. If you don't have the money on hand to pay these bills, your assets could be at risk.

If your insurance limits are not sufficient to cover damage to property or personal injuries you're liable for, people involved in a claim with you can pursue you personally by filing a lawsuit for payment of their injuries and damages beyond what your insurance limits cover. If you lose the lawsuit, your assets could be at risk.

A lawsuit also can affect you in the long run if you're required to disclose it on a job or credit application, not to mention the possibility of garnished wages until you pay off the judgment.

What Events Can Exhaust Your Insurance Limits?

Several types of situations could exhaust your insurance limits — especially if you have the minimum required amounts. For instance, multiple-vehicle collisions or damage to several pieces of property can add up fast, and minimum limits may not cut it.

Consider the type of vehicle you may collide with in an accident, too. If you damage a luxury or high-end vehicle and you only have $10,000 in Property Damage coverage, your limits could be exhausted quicker.

Also, while Bodily Injury limits of $20,000/$40,000 may seem like a lot, they could be too little in accidents that involve multiple injuries. Medical bills, lost wages and other damages you're liable for can amount to more than those limits— and fast.

Higher Insurance Limits Can Lower Financial Fears

To protect yourself from heavy financial burdens, the best thing to do is consider your assets, your budget and your personal needs to determine the right amount of auto insurance for you. If you choose higher-than-minimum limits, you may spend slightly more up front, but this cost can pay off if you ever actually have to use your insurance coverage.

Letting Your Child Drive Someone Else's Car

Consider several factors before you allow your kids to get behind the wheel of someone else's car — or before someone gets behind the wheel of your car.

 

With school back in session, more students will be driving to and from school during the morning and afternoon hours. Parents know they can't monitor their kids at all times, but they can work with their kids to set ground rules before young drivers hit the road. One of these rules: What cars your kids can drive. Before you let your child drive someone else's car, or before someone outside the family drives your car, consider these factors.

 

Whose Insurance Applies?

If your child's friend drives your car and wrecks it, whose insurance covers the damages? The answer varies depending on the state you live in. In most states, insurance coverage follows the car— not the person driving it — in the event of an accident. However, if damages resulting from the accident exceed the amount allowed by your policy, then the driver's insurance may be considered as secondary or supplemental insurance to the insurance on the car.

 

For instance, let's say your policy has $10,000 in property damage liability coverage. Your daughter lets her friend drive your car to her mom's house 30 miles away. In the process, she causes a three-car collision, which results in $20,000 of damage to the other vehicles and property.

 

In most states, the insurance you have on your car will cover the damage, but since you only have $10,000 of coverage, the friend's insurance policy may kick in and pay for the remaining $10,000 of damage. However, in some states, you could personally be held responsible for any remaining damages beyond your insurance limits if your child's friend doesn't have car insurance, even though you or your child weren't driving at the time of the accident.

 

It's also possible that if your insurance company pays for damage in an accident, they may pursue the friend's insurance company to pay back the damage. They won't attempt to recover any money that you pay out of pocket, though. Again, this is both situational and based on your state's laws, so there's no single answer to the question. Your best option is to check with your insurance company to find out how insurance works in your state.

 

Before your child's friend drives your car, make sure you and your child think about the following:

· Whose insurance will pay for the damage?

· Who will ultimately be responsible for paying any out-of-pocket expenses?

· If your insurance pays, are you willin  to take the risk, including possibly paying more for insurance when your policy renews? If not, you may want to rethink letting anyone outside of your family drive your car.

Should You Update Your Policy?

If you know your child's friend drives your car regularly, it may be best to add that person to your auto insurance policy. Similarly, if your child regularly drives a roommate's vehicle, it may be best to add your child to the roommate's policy.

 

Often, insurance companies may require that you add a driver or car to your policy if the person or car isn't already on it. This helps ensure that proper coverage is afforded in most situations.

See What Auto Insurance Covers - and What it Doesn't

If you've ever been the victim of a vehicle break-in, you know how troubling it can be. Someone has invaded your privacy and stolen your belongings, then left you to pick up the pieces.

You can make a claim on your auto insurance policy to fix the damage as soon as possible, but do you know what items your auto insurance actually covers in these unfortunate situations?

Common Items Stolen From Vehicles
Break-ins often happen when a burglar spots valuable items inside a vehicle. Common items that are stolen include:

· Car stereos

· Cell phones

· CDs

· Laptops

· Small electronics

· Wallets or purses

Of these items, do you know which ones are covered by your insurance policy?

What Auto Insurance Covers
Under most auto insurance policies, damages due to theft will be covered under Comprehensive coverage. If you're the victim of a break-in, first check your auto policy to see if you have Comprehensive coverage. If you do, you can see what items are covered in the event of a theft.

Of the goods listed above, typically only car stereos would be covered by your auto insurance policy — and even those aren't guaranteed to be covered.

All of the other items — cell phones, CDs, electronics, purses, wallets, etc.— would probably be covered by your homeowners (or renters or condo) insurance policy, if you have one.

Some insurance companies will cover sudden, direct and accidental loss to your vehicle and its custom parts or equipment. Custom parts or equipment are items that are permanently attached or installed to your vehicle. The operative word here is "permanently."

Going back to the statement that your stereo may not be covered, here's why: If you have a stereo that's made so the entire unit (not just the face) can be detached from your vehicle, the stereo would not be considered part of the vehicle, nor would it be considered custom parts or equipment. This is also why the other loose items that are not permanently attached to your vehicle likely would fall under your homeowners policy instead of your auto policy.

If a burglar breaks a window, scratches your door, breaks the lock or does other damage to the vehicle itself, that damage would be covered by Comprehensive coverage if you have it on your policy. With Comprehensive coverage, you would pay a deductible that you chose when you purchased your policy, and your insurance company would pay for the remaining related damage.

Deter Thieves From Breaking Into Your Vehicle
You can take specific measures to prevent someone from burglarizing your vehicle, such as installing an alarm system, keeping the doors locked, and closing the windows. But you also can take these preventive steps to deter thieves:

    · Make sure you don't leave valuable items, such as your purse, cell phone, keys, etc., in plain sight — even if you're just running inside to drop off some groceries.

    · Avoid advertising your CD collection by keeping jewel cases hidden or at home or by foregoing the use of a CD case that straps to your sun visor.

· Detach your stereo face if your car is equipped with one.

Following these simple steps can keep your car from catching a burglar's eye in the first place — and keep your possessions in your possession.

Know How To Make A Storm Claim

Know what to do before you have to make a claim because of a hurricane or heavy storm.

Storms abound in the summer months, and hurricanes or tropical storms can appear on the radar well into this time of the year. Since it's the heart of hurricane season, take precautions — if you haven't already — to protect your belongings, including boats and other vehicles, from damage caused by hurricanes or other heavy storms. Here are a few things you can do ahead of time to help you plan for an evacuation. That way, if you have to evacuate, you can focus on the safety of you and your loved ones during that time.

 Take Vehicles With You if You Can

 

Cars, motorcycles, RVs — no matter what you own, bring it with you if you have the means.

 

Not only can RVs serve as a comfortable shelter, they can accommodate several people. Don't forget to keep safety in mind while you stay in your RV: Remember to have safety accessories, such as fire alarms and carbon monoxide detectors, installed and checked first.

Boats and motorcycles can be trailered behind your car or RV, too.

Secure Your Boat, RV or Other Vehicles Staying Behind

If you're not able to bring your car, boat, RV, motorcycle or other type of vehicle with you, follow these measures to secure them:

· Park vehicles indoors when possible.

· If it's not possible to park inside, choose higher ground that's located close to a sturdy building for more protection. Make sure your vehicle is secured away from trees, poles or other large objects that could fall on it.

· Secure RV awnings so the wind won't tear them away.

· It's best to remove your boat from the water and move it inland before a storm hits. Boats left unsecured can not only be damaged by wind or flying objects from hurricane forces, but they can float away if waters rise. If it's secured properly, your boat is much more likely to survive a storm inland than on water. To secure it, have extra lines, chafe protection, fenders, anchors, port plus, duct tape and extra batteries.

 

Remember this simple tip: If you can't take it with you, make sure you secure it as safely as possible. Prepare for a claim, too regardless of whether you have a car, motorcycle or luxury RV, these tips can prepare you — and help expedite — any claims you might have to make after a hurricane or heavy storm.

· Verify what kind of insurance coverage you have.
If you've taken all the precautions but still find yourself in a situation where you have to make a claim after a storm, it’s vital that you have Comprehensive coverage. Comprehensive coverage covers damages resulting from high winds, flooding or other weather-related factors. With this coverage, you'll likely have to pay a deductible out of pocket, but deductibles often start as low as $50.

 

· Don't just take important documents with you. Waterproof them, too.
If you have to evacuate, you should take documents — including your insurance papers — with you in a waterproof bag or container. Even if you don't have to evacuate, it’s a good idea to keep these documents in a waterproof container, to help minimize time spent on the phone or working through a claim if you have to make one after the storm. With select insurance companies, you can also access important documents online. So, if you don't have your papers on hand, you can find them online by logging in to your policy any time.

 

· Report damage as soon as possible.
If any of your vehicles are damaged, report the damage as soon as you can. The sooner your insurance company knows about it, the sooner it can begin resolving your claim. Some insurance companies offer 24-hour claims reporting by phone or online, so you can access your company and your claim at any time. If you're not sure whether your company has 24/7 service, make sure you have a phone number for your agent or your company on hand to report the claim during business hours.

 

· Take pictures of everything.
Pictures can help your insurance company identify and find your vehicles if they've floated or flow away during a storm. They also can provide insight on items attached to your vehicle that may have been lost or damaged during a hurricane or heavy storm.

 

Make Safety Your Top Priority

Your safety should always be your major concern when preparing for and evacuating because of a hurricane. Remember to give yourself plenty of time to implement your evacuation plan, and make sure your family members or others who plan to leave with you also know the drill. You may even want to practice a couple of times to ensure things run as smoothly as possible.

Following these tips well before a storm hits your area can help you stay calm during an evacuation. Plus, knowing you've done what you can to prepare for a storm, as well as for any claims you might have to make afterward, can provide much-needed peace of mind during turbulent times.