Find Out If Flood Insurance Coverage Is Right For You

If you live in a low-lying area where flooding is likely to occur, you will benefit from learning about flood insurance coverage. Review the coverage guidelines that follow. Then, contact a TruePoint Insurance agent who serves Savannah, GA, for more information about flood insurance.

Water Damage Costs

Consider the cost of repairing and replacing items that are water-damaged. Structural materials, furnishings, and household goods could be affected by a flood. Water damage restoration costs could be high, especially if you live in a large home or own many items.

Value Considerations

Assess the value of the contents of your home. Purchasing a flood insurance policy could be a smart move if you own artwork, jewelry, or other items of value. The policy would cover the cost of repairing or replacing any items damaged by water.

Risk Factors

Consider the location of your home. If heavy rain and poor drainage are concerns, having insurance coverage may be in your best interest. If you have ever endured flooding, consider the likelihood of this occurring again.

If you previously dealt with a lot of water damage, plus were responsible for paying for the cost of repairing or replacing items in your home, having access to a flood insurance policy will prevent any issues in the future. Your policy will protect your land and your home from flooding waters.

Contact TruePoint Insurance

Now that you have reviewed some reasons to obtain flood insurance, contact a TruePoint Insurance agent. An agent who serves Savannah, GA, will assess your residential land and home. They will recommend coverage that will protect your assets from water damage.

What Does Flood Insurance Cover?

If you live in the Savannah, GA area, the agents at TruePoint Insurance want you to know and understand the importance of flood insurance. Some people believe that flood insurance is automatically included in their homeowner’s insurance policies, but that is not the case. A flood insurance policy is created separately from your homeowner’s insurance policy and the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

What Does Flood Insurance Cover?

Flood insurance covers damages to your home that can occur when water enters your home. This can happen anywhere you live, not just in flood-prone areas. With today’s weather, more flooding events are occurring than ever, so it is a great idea to have a flood insurance policy in place.

When it comes to flood insurance, there are two different options you can choose from to include in your particular policy.

You can choose a flood insurance policy that will help cover any damage to the structure of your home and other areas of your home up to a certain dollar amount. This will help you make any necessary repairs to your home after flooding has occurred.

The second option, when it comes to flood insurance, helps you replace all of your personal belongings lost to water damage from a flood. These things can include your personal items, including clothing and toiletries, as well as household items, furniture, and even appliances that you have spent a lot of money on in the past.

Some flood insurance policies will even cover your stay at a hotel or some other location while your home is being repaired after a flood.

What is Not Covered Under Flood Insurance?

Some things are not included in a flood insurance policy. Those things can include the cash that you have at your home, jewelry that is made of certain precious metals, and even stocks and bonds. It is better to keep these types of items in a safety deposit box at another location rather than your home.

While your flood insurance policy will cover your home, garage, and basement areas, other things, such as sidewalks and trees, will not be covered. You can inquire with your trusted flood insurance agent to see if items like hot tubs, septic systems, decks, and swimming pools can be covered under your flood insurance policy.

Contact TruePoint Insurance

To get your flood insurance policy, contact the experienced flood insurance agents at TruePoint Insurance in the Savannah, GA area today!

Home Businesses (Retail)

Form some Americans, working from home is a considered godsend, home based businesses can also create hurdles.  Home-owners and business insurance are good examples.
Home -Based Retail Operations

A variety of businesses are routinely operated in homes. This article discusses aspects of particular operations. Refer to Home Businesses – Basics for background information on coverage as well as our other articles discussing different in-home businesses.

Retail – Persons with in-home retail operations must look beyond an HO policy for coverage.

Running a home-based business isn't right for everyone.  But if your one of those  suited to such endeavors you should review your homeowners insurance policy for gaps in coverage.
Home-Based Retail Business owner prepare packages

The Businessowners Policy (BOP) provides broad coverages for buildings, personal property, loss of business income and extra expenses incurred to remain in business (after a fire or other covered cause of loss), premises liability and medical payments. If you have more than $1,000 of goods in transit, you will need to add additional coverage. Goods stored at other locations must be added to the policy, normally as an additional location.

You will need workers compensation coverage for any employee, even part-timers. You may need commercial automobile insurance if you deliver anything or if your vehicle is larger than a car, van or small pickup or if the vehicle is owned by a corporation.

Note: some insurance companies can offer amendments to your homeowners policy that can cover certain, in-home businesses.


COPYRIGHT: Insurance Publishing Plus, Inc. 2016

All rights reserved. Production or distribution, whether in whole or in part, in any form of media or language; and no matter what country, state or territory, is expressly forbidden without written consent of Insurance Publishing Plus, Inc.

Georgia Auto Liability Limits

Georgia Minimum Car Insurance Limits   

Understanding auto insurance and your insurance policy you must start with your state's auto insurance laws.
How much car insurance?

If you own a car in Georgia, the state requires that you meet certain financial standards. For most of us, that means that our vehicles be covered by an auto liability insurance policy.  Furthermore, the auto liability insurance limits must meet State mandated requirements.  

For most of us, the first thought when our car is involved in an accident is getting it back on the road.  How will we replace or repair our own vehicle?  For that, you need to have a collision and/or comprehensive insurance coverage. While this coverage is important, it is not the insurance coverage mandated by the State.

Georgia Auto Liability Insurance 

If you are involved in an accident and found to be at fault, you can legally be held financially responsible. This is why you buy personal auto insurance!   The Georgia minimum insurance requirements are aimed at protecting other drivers and passengers using the States roads and highways..Your auto liability policy protects other drivers. Specifically, it provides coverage for bodily injury and/or property damage that results from your actions.

As mentioned, you may be held responsible for the full cost of damages, With a personal auto liability insurance policy in place, your insurance company, subject to the specifics of the policy, will be on the hook.  However, their requirement ends once the policy limits have been paid.

What does that mean?

It means that the prudent thing is to develop a better understanding of what will happen if the cost of damages exceeds our auto liability policy limits.   As a mere insurance agent, I am not qualified to directly answer that.  But, commonsense would suggest that at a minimum, inadequately insured auto owners are leaving Pandora’s Box wide open. 

The Georgia minimum auto liability insurance requirements are:

• Georgia motor vehicle liability coverage minimum for bodily injury:

     o $25,000 for bodily injury liability coverage per person

     o $50,000 for bodily injury liability coverage per accident

•Georgia motor vehicle liability coverage minimum for property damages:

     o Georgia auto owners are at least $25,000 for claims made against       them as result of damaging the property of others

Georgia’s Car Insurance state-mandated minimums are most commonly stated as:

25/50/25

…or…

$25,000 (BI) per person / $50,000 BI per accident / $25,000 (PD)

Cheap can refer to a great deal or it could mean an inferer product.  Do you have a cheap car insurance policy?
Does cheap refer to a Good Deal or a Bad Deal?

Before asking an insurance agent for the “Cheapest Car Insurance, you got,” consider the following:

• Cheap car insurance more than likely means you are getting the state-mandated minimums.

• How far will those dollars go if you are the cause of a severe auto accident?

• Settlement cost seldom equal medical costs. Why? For one, pain and suffering. If you want an estimate for total settlement cost, a good rule of thumb is to multiple medical bills by 3. If your negligence was the cause of a car crash and the other party sustained $10,000 in medical expenses you are looking at $30,000 to settle the claim. $5,000 higher than the state minimum!

• How far will $10,000 go in an emergency room today?

• How far will the $50,000 per accident limit go if you hit a car with multiple passengers? What if you are the cause of a multiple car collision or if the other vehicle isn’t a car but rather a bus?

Cheap car insurance can cost you in more ways than you realize. Ever wonder how insurance companies come up with an auto insurance premium for you and your car?

Your premium is the result of a number of factors. Every car insurance companies have their own unique formula. Each aimed at helping them attract clients and make a buck too. What you may find surprising is that many companies will penalize you if your current insurance limits are the state minimums. Never buy the state-mandated minimum without first considering the cost of better coverage. It’s likely to be less than you think and it will save you in the long run.

In the end, cheap auto insurance may wind up costing you more than you bargained for. Even if you never have an accident! Consider your options, prepare for the worst and be sure that you find an insurance agent the is willing to spend the time to help you through the process.

Internet Liability

Libel and slander have been around for almost as long as there have been attorneys and Judges.  The internet is just another medium were they can occur.
Libel and Slander can also occur online

Each day more people decide to create their own Websites, blogs or otherwise participate in social media activities. The reasons for having a Website or blog vary or other activities range from frivolity to earnestness. Personal Websites and blogs commonly describe the host, his or her family, and interests such as a particular hobby, sports, profession, humor, etc. Whatever the reason for creating a Website or blog, they, along with social network activity can represent an additional source of loss that may require additional insurance. The loss potential is directly related to the purpose and content found on the Website.

New Opportunity For Old Losses

Website liability is an extension of the age-old accountability for what you say or write. Such responsibility extends to household members; so it’s important to be aware of what a family’s little E-wizard may be doing. The types of losses that may be created by a Website, blog, or social media activity include:

  • Libel – knowingly publishing false information that harms a person’s reputation.
  • Invasion of Privacy – disclosing information that interferes with another party’s peace of mind.
  • Infringement – violating or interfering with another’s property rights or the right to pursue business

Oops, You May Not Be Covered

libel and slander insurance policy
Are you insured for libel and slander? Most aren’t!

Most homeowner policies protect against liability for tangible injury to another person or for actual damage to another party’s property. Liability created by publishing or broadcasting content typically involves a personal (or non-physical) injury that is not covered by a typical homeowner policy. While individuals may be able to add protection (such as add-ons to a homeowner policy or umbrella coverage), certain losses may still be uncovered because they involve intended acts or business activity.

Can You Protect Yourself?

The good news is you can take steps to eliminate or, at least, minimize the possibility of facing electronic publishing-related loss. The first step is to identify areas of concern. The key to understanding and addressing any possible Website liability is to focus upon:

  • the nature of the Website or activity
  • the Website or account’s contents
  • who may be harmed by the site or activity
  • how a party may be harmed

It is important that you think hard about these issues and approach the job objectively. Your building a site, blogging or using social media just for “fun” could end with you explaining the punch line in court. Two people can interpret information in radically different ways. Use a method of examining your Website that helps you view it through “fresh” eyes that won’t gloss over important facts. Asking the help of others could be a big plus.

Considerations For Your Web Site, Blog or Social Networking

If you or someone in your household operates or is building a Website, or is active with social media, you need to be aware that the site (or activity) could open you to legal situations. Here are some questions you should consider:

Who created the site or page?

Key consideration: depending upon the circumstances, a private party that created the site for you may share (or even own) the responsibility for damages caused by the site.

What is the purpose of your site or activity?

Key consideration: Is there ANY business activity or purpose? If so, you may have an immediate need to secure appropriate protection.

What content is found at your site or page?

Key consideration: Not only do you have to think about YOUR message, but you must think of other parties that appear at your site such as friends, companion businesses or even miscellaneous links.

Who do you intend to attract to the site and how do visitors use your page?

Key consideration: There’s a big difference in the type of people you’re targeting, such as inviting:

  • relatives to see baby pictures or family newsletters
  • customers to request product/service information or to place orders
  • hobbyists to distribute or solicit stories or advice
  • strangers to a forum for discussing sports, political or other topics

Is there anyone you would not want to see the site or page? Why?

Key consideration: Answering this question honestly is critical. It can identify prime sources for possible legal action against you. It may also suggest what precautions you may take, including the easiest action such as eliminating the reference to a person, group or organization.

Does Your Site or Activity Create An Insurance Need?

After examining the key concerns about your Website, you should be prepared to take precautions which may include:

  • adding security features to your Website
  • changing the content
  • adding waivers or disclaimers about links or certain pages that appear on your site
  • adding user agreements to your site
  • creating guidelines on maintaining current and future content at the site
  • changing your homeowner coverage
  • buying additional or special personal or business liability insurance
  • adding or eliminating a guest book (if you have a guest book, pay close attention to what visitors say)
  • eliminating the Website

Once you’ve carefully examined your situation, a discussion with an insurance professional could be an excellent step to identify coverage needs which may include having to buy commercial coverage. The instant and widespread access represented by the Internet creates new perils for individuals. Don’t hesitate to seek the help of an insurance professional or even competent legal advice.


COPYRIGHT: Insurance Publishing Plus, Inc. 2016

All rights reserved. Production or distribution, whether in whole or in part, in any form of media or language; and no matter what country, state or territory, is expressly forbidden without the written consent of Insurance Publishing Plus, Inc.

Proof that your car insurance IS TOO HIGH?

Buying car insurance in Kentucky is expensive.  Only five states pay more to insure their autos.
Kentucky is one of the most expensive states for auto insurance.

If you live in Kentucky and own a car, then you’re paying too much for Automobile Insurance.

If someone is telling you otherwise, I’ve got some excellent advice for you. Stop listening to that person!  They obviously don’t have a clue about the cost of auto insurance in Kentucky.

.

Kentucky has the 6th highest car insurance in the US.
Proving that the cost of Kentucky Auto Insurance is High

The Proof

Which states would you expect to pay the most for insurance? States with bigger cities, and heavy traffic? Commonsense would lead most of us to expect to find New York, California, and New Jersey at the top of the list.  Using the same logic we can also add Massachusetts, Illinois, Florida, and Connecticut.  And while not a state, I would also expect to see Washington D.C. on a list of states with higher auto insurance premiums. 

Six states have average auto insurance rates that range from $1,750 to $2,500.  Starting with the most expense:

1. Michigan

2. Louisiana

3. Florida

4. Connecticut and,

5. New York  

6. Kentucky

For the most, this likely seems appropriate. But for many it  will be eye-opening to find how high car insurance is in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.  Surprisingly the residents of Kentucky pay more for auto coverage than California.  The same is true for Washington D.C., Maryland, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Illinois.

Who is this person that says you’re car insurance is not expensive?

Kentuckians on average spend $1,752 annually for auto insurance. That’s almost 30% more than the national average.  It is a fact; your auto insurance is expensive.

  • If you are a good driver in Kentucky, you pay too much for insurance.
  • If you’re a bad driver you pay too much.
  • Kentucky car owner’s that drive too fast, pay to much.                                                                     

 Compared with most other states, Kentucky auto insurance cost more.  While this is true for most residents, not everyone in Kentucky overpays.  Uninsured and underinsured drivers clearly don’t pay too much for car insurance.  But don’t read that to say that this group doesn’t have a hand in cost of car insurance in Kentucky.  Their contribution is significant.  Those that drive with inadequate auto coverage, raise auto premiums for everyone.  This increase in state demand for uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. Which in turn places upward pressure on the overall cost of auto insurance premiums.

Where you live has a big impact on how much your insurance cost.  Take a look at Kentucky.  Their very high auto insurance rates significantly impact home and auto packages.
It’s a fact that Auto Insurance is higher in Kentucky than it is in most states

The price for car insurance in Kentucky is high.  Some may try to argue this.  Beware of those that argue against the facts. 

Kentuckian plays about $400 a year more than the U.S. Average. Why is Kentucky auto insurance so expensive? 

How does Kentucky compare to other states in our region? To the north, Kentucky borders, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio. Each of these states is ranked as one of the ten least expensive U.S. States for car insurance. The average auto premium for the three is $973. Compared to these three Mid-Western states, Kentuckians are paying almost $800 a year. 

Why are we still listening to the nuts that still think we aren’t paying too much to insure our personal auto?

If you would like to have an insurance agent look you in the eye and tell you:

 â€śYes, you are paying too much to insure your car,” then try TruePoint.

Want to learn about factors that make Kentucky auto insurance the 6th highest in the U.S.?

Give us a call at (502) 410-5089.

Serious about lowering your auto insurance cost?  Then get your insurance documents together.

Call or drop by, and we will do our best to help you reduce the value of your home and auto insurance.

Gun Liability – It’s Complicated

Guns aren’t tools, always treat them with respect

In 2010, during a party that involved minors drinking alcohol, one guest was shot and killed when a gun, being played with by its owner (another party attendee) went off. The parents of the deceased sued the parents of the gun handler. The latter requested coverage from their homeowner insurance company. The company denied coverage and, eventually, a court ruled that no obligation existed under the insurance policy. The company was released from the lawsuit.

Homeowners coverage, like other insurance policies, is intended to protect against losses that are accidental. Often, accidental losses can be readily determined, but incidents involving firearms are complicated.

Accidental discharge of a gun can be a crime

When one person injures another, both the act and the intent are considerations of whether an incident is an accident. In the shooting incident mentioned above, it was determined that the gun handler was guilty of negligently handling the gun and was jailed. Since a court determined the incident was a crime, it did not qualify as an accident. A loss caused by a crime is ineligible for coverage.

When a loss involves firearms, it is often treated far differently than other circumstances. Consider the following:

Jim is hosting a party at his house for a bunch of high school friends and Fran is one of the persons attending it. Jim, well known to his friends as the group’s clown, is fooling around with an item. Fran, who is nearby, is seriously injured. Later, Fran’s family sues Jim’s parents and they file the lawsuit with their insurance company.

Scenario one – Jim recently became interested in tennis. He brings out a very expensive tennis racket he just received. He brags about how light and powerful it is and he demonstrates strokes. When he demonstrates a backhand, Fran is passing behind him and she is hit, suffering a broken nose and several shattered teeth!

Scenario two – Jim recently became interested in firearms. He brings out a very expensive pistol he just received. He brags about how light and powerful it is and he demonstrates how it is supposed to be handled. When he demonstrates how to aim it, the gun fires and Fran is struck. The bullet hits and fractures her shoulder.

In both scenarios, the injuries are a result of Jim’s immature and careless action. In both situations, no harm was intended. In both instances, Fran is seriously injured. In all likelihood, the losses will not be handled similarly. A tennis racket is a piece of equipment that is intended to be used for a particular sport. It is used for hitting tennis balls and other uses are considered unusual and, for the most part, not dangerous. This loss has a very high chance of being treated as an accident.

A gun is a weapon. It is used for both defensive and offensive purposes and, by nature, is capable of extremely serious, often deadly harm. It is considered to be a dangerous instrument. Therefore, the stakes are far higher whenever a gun or other firearm causes a loss. In many instances, even when harming another party is completely unintended, acts involving firearms also involve far more accountability and may not be classified as accidental. In the shooting scenario, the chance is very high that the loss would be denied.

Because of the danger inherent in guns, it’s important to be aware that losses involving them are often ineligible for insurance protection. That makes it critical that their ownership is treated seriously and every possible precaution against unintended injury be taken.


COPYRIGHT: Insurance Publishing Plus, Inc., 2016

All rights reserved. Production or distribution, whether in whole or in part, in any form of media or language; and no matter what country, state or territory, is expressly forbidden without written consent of Insurance Publishing Plus, Inc.

Exchange Students – Homeowners Coverage

This article briefly discusses how a homeowner policy responds to coverage for exchange students. Please be sure to read the companion article, “Exchange Students – Automobile Coverage.”

Opening your Eyes, that's about to happen for your family with your new exchange student.  But waiting until they get here to open your eyes is a big risk.  Find out before hand the changes that you will need to make to your insurance.
You have an Exchange Student, Now What?

Note: Check with your exchange student program coordinator to see what kinds of coverage are automatically provided for the child. But don’t take anyone’s word; get copies of documents that prove the coverage situation.

An exchange student in your care who is younger than 21 years is automatically insured under a homeowners policy, treated as if the child were a relative. An exchange student’s property is covered while located at or away from your home. Off-premises coverage is normally limited to 10% of your policy’s Personal Property limit, subject to a minimum of $1,000. On-premises, the policy’s full content limit is available. If your homeowner’s policy had a $70,000 limit for Personal Property, up to $7,000 would be available to handle damage or loss to an exchange student’s property while it’s away from your home, say while at a summer camp. Liability coverage that applies to your family also applies for damage and bodily injury caused by an exchange student who is younger than 21 years of age.

Do you know how to prepare for an exchange student?  You need to!
how to prepare for an exchange student.

If the exchange student is older than age 21, then the policy treats the student as a guest. A policy owner can volunteer to extend his insurance coverage to include a guest’s property while at your residence premises or even while you and the guest are at some other location. However, it is sometimes difficult to determine whether an older exchange student is a guest or a tenant – someone who is paying you a reasonable rent for staying in your home.

Hosting an exchange student creates questions you should discuss with an insurance professional who can help make sure your coverage needs are met.


COPYRIGHT: Insurance Publishing Plus, Inc. 2017

All rights reserved. Production or distribution, whether in whole or in part, in any form of media or language; and no matter what country, state or territory, is expressly forbidden without written consent of Insurance Publishing Plus, Inc.

Insuring A Timeshare Residence

Who ‘s responsible for insuring your Timeshare?

As a lucky owner of a timeshare arrangement, you may have a special coverage need. While insurance is readily available for individually owned seasonal or secondary residences, buildings, vacant land, or personal property; a timeshare arrangement may not be handled by standard homeowner coverage forms. Coverage gaps may exist because typical timeshare arrangements involve:

  • real property with multiple owners
  • living units that are often furnished with personal property that may be jointly or severally owned
  • living units which are occupied by several individuals or families who have control of all of the property during their time of occupancy
  • special agreements or stipulations that govern the property’s use.

Here are some steps to prepare for a discussion of your coverage situation:

Do you need timeshare insurance?  It depends, the following should leave you with a better understanding.
Do you need insurance for a Timeshare?

1. Collect all of your timeshare-related paperwork, especially the contract that describes your ownership interest and obligations in the timeshare property.

2. Be open to securing more than one policy to cover the jointly owned property, any personal property that’s located at the residence, the joint liability exposure and any special assessments or liability assumptions agreed to under any contract.

3. Be reasonable about coordinating coverage needs among the timeshare’s other owners. Doing so will help make certain that all needs as met at the time coverage is initially purchased and later, should coverage circumstances change.

4. Be flexible. Proper coverage may have to be provided by a specially modified personal insurance contract or even some form of commercial coverage may be necessary.

Since coverage needs can vary substantially from one arrangement to the next. It is important that you discuss your current coverage needs with a qualified agent. Don’t leave the meeting with any unanswered questions. Ask that any points be fully explained to you in order to make sure that you’re protected adequately and affordably.


COPYRIGHT: Insurance Publishing Plus, Inc. 2016

All rights reserved. Production or distribution, whether in whole or in part, in any form of media or language; and no matter what country, state or territory, is expressly forbidden without written consent of Insurance Publishing Plus, Inc.

Domestic or Personal Service Workers

Insuring personal service workers:  
Gardener
Personal Gardener

It’s quite likely that you face many demands…a job, family, hobbies, volunteer work, children’s school, and recreational obligations. Those items don’t cover chores, such as the lawn and garden, house cleaning, repairs and on and on. Like many of your peers, you might find that you just don’t have the time to get all of it done. Also, like many of your friends and neighbors, you may be “outsourcing” some of your responsibilities. Increasingly, people are hiring others to either assist or to take over duties such as:

  • child-rearing
  • gardening
  • decorating
  • housecleaning
  • laundry
  • grocery shopping
  • personal errands
  • child-transport
  • minor home repairs
  • lawn maintenance
  • meal preparation
  • exercise

While such help used to fall under the auspices of butlers, maids, and nannies, today, individual specialists are providing similar services on either a part-time or full-time basis.

Personal Services and Personal Liability

There is no need for concern for some businesses.  Lawn care, limo  services, as well as a few other personal service provides have their own insurance.
Many service providers have insurance

When personal services are provided by employees of a commercial business, such as a limousine service, laundry service or a lawn care company, there’s generally no need to worry about being held liable for injury to another person or for damage to their property.

Example: The Burlies never had time to take care of their lawn. As their grass grew thinner and the weeds spread, Mr. Burlie decided to sign-up for the “Green Thumb” package from Lucy’s Lawn Services. One afternoon, a Lucky Lawn specialist arrived at the Burlie’s home, unraveled a hose and began to spray weed killer. A few minutes later, Stevie, who lived several homes away from the Burlies, came rushing by on his skates. Stevie didn’t see the hose until it tangled his wheels and sent him headlong onto the cement sidewalk. In this instance, Lucky’s Lawn Services would be responsible for the injuries.

However, as individuals are hired by Joe and Jane America to perform personal services, the responsibility for injuring other people or damaging the property of others may begin to fall upon Joe and Jane. In these cases, will Joe and Jane have any help in paying for damages or injuries?

Homeowners Insurance to the Rescue

Looking for insurance to protect you from claims related to personal service providers.  Check your homeowner's insurance first,.  You may already have it.
Homeowner’s Insurance

A person who employs the services of another may be held legally liable should the “employee” cause an accident. Can the average person who is guilty of nothing more than trying to make their lives a little less hectic depend upon their homeowner’s insurance for protection? Well, coverage depends upon the details surrounding an event. Generally, a homeowners policy will exclude coverage for losses that are related to the covered person’s (insured’s) business or when other coverage, such as workers compensation or disability insurance, should apply to the loss.

If you use a handyman you should request a certificate of insurance.
Handyman

Example: Molly Kelp really likes her neighbors’ son, Peter, who is home from college. Molly knows that Peter is struggling for money to keep attending school, so she occasionally hires him to do jobs around her home and yard. One day, she asks him to trim the branches of a tree that is in the front of her home. The branches are low enough to disturb traffic in the street. Peter jumps down from the ladder he’s using for the job at the same time that a car is passing by. The ladder tips over and crumples car’s hood as well as smashes out the windshield. The driver slams on his brakes and is severely cut-up in the process. In this case, Molly’s homeowner policy may apply to the damage and injury caused by Peter. Why? Because the work was strictly related to maintenance of Molly’s residence and premises. If Peter caused an accident while carrying a ladder to paint Molly’s law office which is housed in a converted bedroom of Molly’s home, the loss would be excluded from her policy.

Do Your “Homework” On Personal Services

If you’re not sure about what happens when a person you hire causes a loss, you need to do your homework. Discuss the details with an insurance professional and bring a copy of your insurance policy. Between the two of you, you should be able to make sure that your needs are covered.


COPYRIGHT: Insurance Publishing Plus, Inc. 2015

All rights reserved. Production or distribution, whether in whole or in part, in any form of media or language; and no matter what country, state or territory, is expressly forbidden without written consent of Insurance Publishing Plus, Inc.