Frequently Asked Questions

We offer a range of insurance options including auto, home, flood, umbrella, liability, life, and business insurance.

Click the link below to fill out a questionnaire and one of our staff will contact you within 24 hours.

 https://form.jotform.com/242155659102150 

When you are applying for an insurance policy, we will need your full name, date of birth, Social Security Number, gender, marital status, occupation, telephone, number, email property address, and prior address(es) if you have moved within the past 5 years. All of this information is required by all insurance companies in order to determine the best premium for your policies.

Don’t worry, your information is safe and secure with us.

Insurance is really about protecting the things important to your life, both personal and business, against the unexpected. So, anytime you have significant events or changes in your life, it's time to think about your reviewing and updating your coverage. Here are some examples:

Personal

· A change in marital status

· A new baby

· New drivers in your household

· Kids going away to college

· A new job or starting a home business

· Changes in your income

· Paying off a car loan

· Buying a home

· Moving to a new apartment

· Home improvements

· Approaching retirement

· Purchasing jewelry, antiques, computer equipment or other expensive items

Business

· Starting a new business

· Increase your workforce especially if you exceed 10 full-time employees (or the equivalent of).

· Seasonal increases in inventory

· Loss of employees to other companies.

· Expansion plans - equipment, vehicles or physical plant

· Business owner approaching retirement

Please contact us if you have recently experienced any of these events or anticipate them in the near future.  We are glad to help to you evaluate your insurance and financial needs and provide solutions.

A deductible is an amount that you're responsible for in the event of a loss. This is the amount you pay out-of-pocket, and insurance covers the remainder.

 The main difference between a hip and gable roof are the slopes on its sides. On a hipped roof, all sides slope downward to the home's walls. Gable roofs only have two triangle-shaped slopes that extend from the bottom of the roof's eaves to the peak of its ridge. 

Here's a link to some photos that will show you the difference.

https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=560395082&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS926US926&sxsrf=AB5stBjr64dD-SXqnp-XjubbYlMWQz5B0Q:1693094590254&q=hip+vs+gable+roof&tbm=isch&source=lnms&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjy1v3sxPuAAxV8j4kEHZAYDtQQ0pQJegQIDhAB&biw=1360&bih=651&dpr=1

The typical homeowners policy has two main sections: Section I covers the property of the insured and Section II provides personal liability coverage for the insured. Almost anyone who owns or leases property has a need for this type of insurance. Usually, homeowners insurance is required by the lender to obtain a mortgage.

The dwelling and other structures on the premises are protected on an “all risks” basis up to the policy limits. “All risks” means that unless the policy specifically excludes the manner in which your home is damaged or destroyed, there is coverage. The policy limit for the dwelling is set by the insurance carrier based on the amount they deem it would cost them to rebuild your home in the event of a total loss. The policy limit for the other structures is usually equal to 10% of the policy limit for the dwelling.

Losses to your personal property are covered on a “named perils” basis. “Named perils” means that you have coverage only when your property is damaged or destroyed in the manner specifically described in the policy. The policy limit on the coverage is usually equal to 50% of the policy limit on the dwelling, but can often be decreased to lower the overall premium. Limits for the coverage for the additional expenses that the policyowner may incur when the residence cannot be used because of an insured loss is usually equal to 10-20% of the policy limit on the dwelling.

The coverage limit on personal liability is determined by the policyowner at the time the policy is issued, typically $100K or $300K. The coverage limit on medical payments to others is usually set at $1000 per injured person.

What is the difference between “actual cash value” and “replacement cost”?
Covered losses under a homeowners policy can be paid on either an actual cash value basis or on a replacement cost basis. When “actual cash value” is used, the policy owner is entitled to the depreciated value of the damaged property. Under the “replacement cost” coverage, the policy owner is reimbursed an amount necessary to replace the article with one of similar type and quality at current prices.

There are a number of things you can do to lower the cost of your homeowners insurance. The easiest thing to do is get a comprehensive review of your policy and needs from your local agent.

Sometimes, insurers offer discounts if there are deadbolt exterior locks on all your doors, or if your home has a security system. Be sure to ask us about any discounts for which you may qualify

Another easy way to lower the cost of your homeowners insurance is to raise your deductible. Increasing your deductible from $2500 to $5000 will lower your premium.

A number of factors can affect the cost of your automobile insurance – some of which you can control and some that are beyond your control.

The type of car you drive, the purpose the car serves, your driving record, whether the driver has had any recent accidents or tickets, and where the car is garaged can all affect how much your automobile insurance will cost you.

Even your marital status can affect your cost of insurance. Statistics show that married people tend to have fewer and less costly accidents than single people.

1. Most importantly, stay calm. Getting upset, or worse yelling and screaming, solves nothing. Even if the other person isn’t calm, you should remain calm.

2. Don't move an injured person -- unless they're in immediate danger.

3. Don't move your vehicle unless it impedes traffic. This alters the scene and could have negative impacts on a claim.

4. Don’t leave the scene of an accident even if you are capable of doing so. Wait for the police to arrive as they provide an objective witness to the event, and wait for them to say it’s okay to go. If you leave because the other driver says it’s okay that won’t protect you if they later file for injuries. If you leave, they may not and you could be accused of a hit and run. Keep in mind that some injuries don’t show up immediately. 

5. Don't blame the accident on anyone -- including yourself. Give your full description of the accident only to the investigating police officer.

6. Exchange information with the other driver. Immediately note the license plate number of other involved vehicles, color and model just in case someone refuses to give you insurance information.

7. Contact our office immediately – don’t assume we’ll find out another way. It’s always better to hear from you or someone you designate to call us.

We'll certainly do more than just sell you an insurance plan. We'll advise you on how to use insurance wisely to meet your financial and business goals. We begin by sitting together and looking at how your business approaches and manages risk, then we'll develop a risk management plan just for your business.

It means identifying the factors that are a financial or property risk for your business, then figuring out the best way to navigate those risks. Succeeding in business is all about managing risk. Insurance is one component of a risk management strategy -- but it is not the only solution.

We have many insurance products to serve the needs of all our clients. We can choose among insurance companies to help our clients find just the right coverage -- whether this means one policy from one company, or a variety of policies from specialized providers.

If you live in an apartment or a rented house, renters insurance provides important coverage for both you and your possessions. A standard renters policy protects your personal property in many cases of theft or damage and may pay for temporary living expenses if your rental is damaged. It can also shield you from personal liability. Anyone who leases a house or apartment should consider this type of coverage.

A renters policy provides named perils coverage. This means that the policy only pays when your property is damaged or destroyed by any of the ways specifically described in the policy. These usually include:

• Fire or lightning
• Windstorm or hail
• Explosions
• Riots
• Aircraft
• Vehicles
• Smoke
• Vandalism or malicious mischief
• Theft
• Falling objects
• Weight of ice, snow, or sleet
• Accidental discharge or overflow of water or steam
• Freezing
• Sudden and accidental damage from artificially generated electrical current
• Volcanic eruptions (but this doesn’t include earthquake or tremors)
• Renters coverage applies to your personal property no matter where you are in the world. This means you’re covered when you are on vacation as well as at home.

Why do some apartment complexes require tenants to have renters insurance?
Owners of apartment complexes buy insurance policies for their liability and to cover their buildings and personal property. However, these policies do not cover any of the tenant’s property or liability. By requiring their tenants to have renters insurance, the apartment owner is assured that the tenants will not mistakenly believe the apartment complex owner’s policy will provide coverage for a tenant’s property or personal liability. 

Although this type of requirement benefits that apartment complex owner, there are benefits to the renter as well. 

We recommend that you purchase renters insurance regardless of what your landlord requires.

The personal umbrella liability policy is designed to increase your liability protection. This single policy acts as an “umbrella” over all of your other personal liability policies – home, auto, boat, RV, etc. – so you have a higher personal liability limit than what would otherwise be available. In certain circumstances, an umbrella policy may provide personal liability coverage that is otherwise excluded from your other policies. For example, an umbrella policy provides coverage anywhere in the world, whereas your auto policy usually provides coverage in the US and Canada only.

It used to be that the only people who needed personal umbrella liability policies were wealthy individuals who had sizable amounts of personal assets that would be at risk in a lawsuit.

However, in our very litigious society, even individuals with modest incomes and assets are often subjects of large lawsuits. Since they are even less able than a wealthy individual to pay large damage awards, they recognize the need to have coverage limits greater than what can be obtained from their homeowner or auto policies.