CHEERS TO 2013!

NEW YEAR RESOLUTION:   Getting Your Insurance Coverage in Order for 2014   There is not a lot of time to think about insurance during the hectic rush of the holidays, but as you ring in the New Year, it is a good idea to evaluate your insurance coverage. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) offers these tips and reminders to help with your review.

Homeowners/Renter's Insurance This is a great time to update your home inventory and make sure your homeowners or renter's policy is up-to-date. While the decorations are out of storage, take some photos or video of your baubles. Do not forget to make note of any antique items and their value so you can talk with your insurance agent to ensure that they are properly covered. If you are starting a home inventory from scratch, the NAIC's free smartphone app, myHOME Scr.APP.book, takes some of the headache out of the process. Download the app from iTunes or Google Play. You can also download a paper version here.   Now that you have opened all your gifts, remember to add them to your home inventory, too. Include as many details as you can and take a photo of each item. Most basic home insurance policies have standard limits for big-ticket items like electronics, art, jewelry or sporting equipment. You may need special coverage, so be sure to call your agent as soon as possible to discuss changes for your policy.   If you want to review your insurance policy or declarations page before talking with your agent, take a look at this consumer alert to help understand the terminology.   Auto Insurance Winter can be a challenge for all drivers. Whether you are trying to escape the weather for someplace warmer or just preparing for the first drive to work in the snow, there are a few insurance items you should review.   To make sure you are winter-ready, check your auto insurance policy. Here is a quick reference on how to read your declarations page.   Make sure your coverage is appropriate for your life situation. Liability is the part of the policy that pays for any injury or damage if you cause an accident. If your liability insurance is too low, it is possible that you could be sued for any damages above your liability limits.   Also take a look at your deductibles for comprehensive and collision coverage. This is the amount you will pay if your car is damaged or totaled without fault of another driver. Raising or lowering this amount can affect your premium.   Before hitting the road, make sure you have a copy of your insurance card and your insurance agent or company's number in the car. It is also a good idea to have a way to record details of an accident if you are in one. The NAIC smartphone application WreckCheck walks you through the process of gathering information following an accident. You can then email your notes directly to your agent. Download the free app from iTunes or Google Play.   Health Insurance Many families recently went through the open enrollment process for their health insurance at work or Medicare Open Enrollment, which means you may have new insurance cards and paperwork coming in the mail. It is a good idea to get all this information together before winter illness or accidents happen.   Make sure to check your provider lists to verify visits to your doctor and any specialists are still covered by your policy, as in-network or preferred provider lists change from year to year. Also read through your documents and make note of your copays for in-network and out-of-network providers so you are not surprised later.   When you're planning a vacation away from home, check with your insurance carrier to identify urgent care centers and hospitals that accept your insurance coverage near your destination and along the way. Be sure to ask your carrier about applicable co-pays and deductibles if care is needed.   Click here for the explanation of some of the terms you may find on your health insurance paper work.

Smart Insurance Coverage This Summer

Sure, the risk of severe storms and natural disasters increases during the summer 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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

Head over to the Boccarossa Insurance Agency to find out how we can provide you with the coverage that fits your needs.

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.

The smartest homeowner's insurance move: a $100,000 deductible

Did you know you can shave hundreds of dollars off your annual homeowner's insurance bill by increasing your deductible? We don't just mean going from $500 to $1,000. Think big. $2,500. Already have a $2,500 deductible? Then think bigger. $5,000. $10,000. Or really big. Like $100,000.

"We have clients with deductibles of $100,000 fairly routinely on $5 million homes," says Mary Boyd, senior vice president and chief operating officer for ACE Private Risk Services. Some ACE clients with multiple homes and a "significant" net worth have deductibles in the millions of dollars, she says. What do they know that you don't?

When you choose a deductible, you're picking a number you're willing to spend out of pocket if you suffer a loss. It should certainly cover what you think of as run-of-the-mill outlays (when calling the insurer would be more of a hassle than writing a check to the repairman). But if you're comfortable with laying out even more at the time of a loss, over time you can really save money on premiums.

Choosing a low deductible is "a characteristic mistake," says Jack M. Guttentag, a professor emeritus at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania who runs MortgageProfessor.com. "What you want is coverage for the risks that you can't pay for yourself," he says. (A pine tree bisects your living room; a major electrical fire takes out your gourmet kitchen.) Pick the number you're willing to spend out of pocket based on your resources -- how much income you have coming in and how much money you have in the bank.

How much might you save with a bigger deductible? On a house insured for $1 million with a $2,500 deductible, a homeowner could save $1,000 a year by going to a $10,000 deductible at ACE (the premium and savings will vary depending on the house's location and other factors). Since the homes ACE insures typically suffer a loss about once every 20 years, this is a very good bet, says Boyd.

Ted Mitchell, a senior public relations specialist with MetLife Auto & Home says MetLife has seen a trend toward consumers choosing higher deductibles in recent years. While a typical homeowner's insurance policy deductible is $500 or $1,000, MetLife offers flat dollar deductibles of up to $10,000 (except in Texas which has percentage deductibles). But you don't have to go to the max for the savings to kick in. In one example, on a coastal Virginia house insured by MetLife for $1 million with a $1,000 deductible, a homeowner could save $300 a year by going to a $2,500 deductible or $600 a year by going to a $5,000 deductible.

To help minimize the chance (and severity) of a loss and your out-of-pocket tab for a high deductible, Boyd says homeowners should install the usual burglar and fire alarms but also consider installing more high-tech safety measures such as automatic leak detectors, battery backup systems for sump pumps, and lightning protection systems. You get additional credits on your premium for these efforts.

Your agent might use the savings opportunity to sell you other insurance, and that can make sense and still put you ahead of where you were before making the deductible changes. What if you have expensive jewelry? The ACE homeowner's policy covers up to $10,000 in jewelry with a maximum of $5,000 for a single item -- subject to your deductible. That means if you chose a $10,000 deductible and lost a bracelet and earrings worth $10,000, there would be no reimbursement. So you might want to consider insuring jewelry (and fine arts or other collectibles) under a valuables policy as an add-on to your homeowner's policy. With a valuable policy, no deductible applies in the event of a loss.