Month: April 2014

My four-wheeler that I purchased for my son was stolen two days later. Will it be covered under my policy?

Posted on by AgentInsure

After purchasing an ATV for your son, it is important to buy insurance coverage for the vehicle. Since the policies in Maryland can cover a variety of different situations, your plan may or may not cover the vehicle from theft.

Basic Liability Plans

A liability policy on an ATV is similar to the coverage you can expect for any other vehicle. It will protect against high-cost property damages if you or your son accidentally crash into someone else’s property. It can also protect against high-cost medical bills if you accidentally cause an injury.

Since the policy is designed to address liability, it may not offer any protection for the vehicle. A theft may not be covered with a basic policy because it does not protect the vehicle from most situations.

Comprehensive ATV Insurance

A comprehensive plan will usually offer protection against most situations that may arise. Theft is usually covered if you have the right type of comprehensive policy, but the amount of coverage that you may obtain can vary.

Some insurers may offer the full replacement cost of the vehicle if it was stolen while others pay the cost of a comparable model based on the year and estimated value. It can also be calculated as the replacement cost after subtracting any depreciation rates. After only two days, the amount that you may receive may be similar to the amount you paid for the vehicle.

It does not matter how long you have owned the vehicle if it is stolen and you have protection for that situation. As long as you have a policy and it is active, you can make a claim. Contact us to talk to an agent for more information.

If I have my car financed, do I need to purchase auto insurance?

Posted on by AgentInsure

The auto loan company holds a lien on your vehicle when you finance it through their company. This lien denotes the financing company’s interest in the vehicle, which does not get released until you have paid off the loan in full. Because of their interest in the vehicle as an asset, insurance lowers the risk of them losing out on their money due to an accident or another issue.

A common requirement for getting a car financed is auto insurance coverage. Since the financed vehicle secures the loan you have with the company, it’s in their best financial interests for the vehicle to have insurance coverage on it at all times. Some financing companies may mandate a specific amount of auto insurance above and beyond the state required minimums to properly protect their interests. Ensure that you have the right type of insurance to meet the financing company’s needs.

If you fail to hold auto insurance on the car while it’s still financed, the financing company has several paths they can take. They may choose to repossess the car, as your financing is contingent on adhering to all of the contract terms. A repossession damages your credit and, if the car is sold for less than the loan amount, still leaves you on the hook for the difference in payments.

The financing company may also purchase coverage on your behalf for the vehicle. This coverage is far more expensive than the plans you can purchase directly, and it’s added to your loan. When the amount gets added to your loan, you pay interest on the insurance as well as the car payment.

What is not covered on my property according to my homeowners policy?

Posted on by AgentInsure

Insurance policies do differ depending on the carrier and the level of protection you choose. However, the plan for your property and home in Maryland will most likely have some common items and situations that are not covered. You can choose to add separate insurance or riders for the additional protections.

Property Exclusions

Certain items on your property may be excluded in a regular home insurance policy. These items include trampolines, tree houses and large swimming pools. The concern for the company is not so much the cost of the item, but the liability for injuries. You should consider an umbrella policy for liability protection.

While your personal property is covered against normal perils, most policies have a dollar limit on the coverage. High value items including expensive jewelry, fine art and coin or stamp collections require additional insurance.

If you rent out a room in your home, the renter’s possessions are not covered. If you are running a business from your home, your inventory may not be protected. If your business is conducted in a separate structure on your property, it will not be covered. While separate structures, like garages or sheds are protected, business use changes the category.

Events

Floods and earthquakes are two of the perils that are not covered understand standard homeowner’s insurance. If your car is broken into and damaged on your property, the damage may or may not be covered. However, most home policies will cover personal possession inside the vehicle.

Please contact us with any questions regarding your homeowner’s insurance. We will be glad to help you understand what is covered and what is not. You do not need surprises and do not want to get caught without enough coverage. You can also compare quotes online to select the best insurance plan for your unique needs.

Do I get coverage for any damage by pets under my home insurance policy?

Posted on by AgentInsure

Selecting a home insurance policy means that you may need to consider the possible damage that your pet can cause to the property. Unfortunately, most home insurance policies will not protect your property from any damages that your dog or cat causes. Damages from pets are your responsibility unless the particular situation is mentioned and covered in your policy.

Common Coverage

Most insurers do not offer coverage to protect your property from pets; however, you may have liability protection in case your pet causes damages to another individual’s property or injures a guest in your home.

Coverage that is related to a dog or cat may be limited, so read your plan thoroughly to determine the situations that are protected. Generally, you will not have protection against common damages to your personal property, so it is best to train your pets to limit the risks.

Differences Between Policy Options

Even though many insurers may not offer protection against damages that your pets cause to your home, it is possible that some insurers may offer solutions to help ensure that your home is safe.

Determine your current protection plan by reading your policy and learning about the situations that are covered. In some cases, you may have slight coverage for damages caused by a dog or cat if it meets certain situational factors. Otherwise, it may be necessary to purchase additional protection to ensure that your house is property protected.

Dogs, cats and other pets can cause damages to your home, but that does not always mean that you have no options. Depending on the plan that you purchased, it may be possible to seek assistance for the repairs. Contact us to talk to an agent for more details.