Category Archives: Insurance
Don't Reject the Medical Payments Coverage!
Money-saving gurus everywhere these days tell you how to save money on your car insurance. They recommend you reject certain coverages to save money. Before you cut back, you should understand what you are giving up. One coverage often targeted is Medical Payments. Don’t reject the medical payments coverage and leave yourself open to an expensive bill just to save a few dollars!
What is Medical Payments Coverage?
Medical payments coverage is offered as part of a personal automobile insurance policy. Currently, the most popular limit offered is $10,000. Some carriers still offer up to $100,000 for a nominal amount. The cost can be as little as $8 dollars for a six month period.
What does Medical Payments cover? Medical bills for you and any other human occupants of your vehicle in the event of an accident due to bodily injury.
This could be very handy if you or your passengers don’t have health insurance. Another benefit could be that your paying your injured passenger’s medical bills could head off them filing a lawsuit against you. And there’s more…
The aspect of the coverage that most people are not aware of is that it covers you if you are injured by a motor vehicle while you are a pedestrian. You don’t even need to be in your vehicle. Let’s say you are walking down the street and you are struck by a car. This coverage would pay, along with any other coverage that might apply.
We had a customer who, unfortunately, lost his life a few years ago while on a business trip out of state. He was riding a bicycle and was hit by a car. His wife, among other things, collected the full amount of $100,000 from the medical payments portion of their policy.
So don’t reject the medical payments coverage until you do some research or call us for an explanation of the coverage. We can help you understand what you may be giving up. Then, you can make an informed decision.
Posted: Cynthia
Categories: Car Insurance, Cars, Home Insurance, Insurance, Liability Insurance, New Jersey, New York, New York Insurance, Personal Insurance, Pound Ridge NY, Renters Insurance, Safety
What is Off Premises Theft Coverage?
What do you do if your car is broken into and your briefcase, dry cleaning and your favorite guitar are stolen? Can you claim it under your auto insurance? No! You need Off Premises Theft Coverage!
It’s On Your Homeowner’s Insurance
Your personal property is not covered under your car’s insurance policy. One way to cover your belongings is with the Off Premises Theft endorsement.
Off Premises Theft coverage can be added to your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy. It will cover you for theft of your belongings that are TEMPORARILY away from your home. Examples of this would be property in your vehicle or at a vacation condo or hotel. Let’s say you are on vacation and your camera is stolen from your hotel room. Off Premises Theft could pay for this loss, less your homeowner’s insurance deductible. The limit of coverage is usually 10 percent of the personal property limit on the home policy.
You Need To Ask Your Agent
You will want to ask your insurance agent about the cost to add this endorsement. The endorsement may already be part of your policy. If you would never consider making such a claim, you may be able to remove it and lower your premium.
Avalon Agency is an independent insurance agency serving the tri-state area for over 50 years. Please visit us at www.avalonagency.com or call us at 914-234-5678 for a quote!
Posted: Cynthia
Categories: Car Insurance, Connecticut, Home Insurance, Insurance, New Jersey, New York, New York Insurance, Personal Insurance, Pound Ridge NY, Renters Insurance, Uncategorized
Fire Insurance
Fire Insurance has an interesting history. You can look back as far as King Hammurabi or the 1666 great fire of London which sparked (no pun intended) the idea to offer fire insurance for buildings and homes.
History of Fire Insurance
Fire was the primary peril covered in early insurance policies. American insurance companies followed the British model, but not for another hundred years. It seems that the lives of those who were brave enough to venture to the new world were far too dangerous a risk for the UK companies at that time.
My family has been involved in the volunteer emergency services since 1998. Fire stands out in our minds as a prevalent threat to homeowner’s and business owners alike. Most of you may consider theft or weather damage more likely to cause a loss. It’s a matter of perspective, but having both the insurance and the fire service experience under our belts, we can’t help but put fire at the top of the list.
A Devastating Loss
This call came in around 3:30pm one afternoon in 2012. It was a structure fire at a private home. When I heard it come over the radio that the fire was through the roof, I knew the house was lost.
What the FD rolled up on
Credit to www.lohud.com and The Pound Ridge Fire Department for the photos of the fire.
The cause of the fire was never confirmed due to the amount of damage. It’s always so sad to see a beautiful home lost like this. It just punctuates the importance of keeping your home insurance current.
Some Recommendations
You should have smoke alarms on every level and wing of your home. Fire extinguishers should be located where all household members and guests can access them. You can install a central station fire alarm system and have it monitored so that the authorities can be called automatically if a fire breaks out. You should practice escape routes with your loved ones so they know them in the event of a fire. If a fire starts, GET OUT OF THE HOUSE. Then call 911.
We want to help make sure you have the right amount of coverage. Call us for a free Homeowner’s quote and comparison of your current coverage.
Posted: Cynthia
Categories: Business Property Insurance, Connecticut, Firefighting, Home Insurance, Insurance, New Jersey, New York, New York Insurance, Personal Insurance, Pound Ridge NY, Renters Insurance, Safety
Motorcycle Rider Safety
There are over 314 million people living in the United States and they own over 9 million motorcycles. Let’s talk about motorcycle rider safety.
What causes most motorcycle accidents? There are many possible causes.
The most frequent cause is the inability of vehicular motorists to see motorcyclists. Motorcycles are smaller than cars and drivers tend to look for other cars, not bikes. As a result, estimating the distance and oncoming speed becomes more difficult. Those who primarily drive cars are also not used to the driving patterns of motorcyclists and so this also becomes harder to judge.
Over 40% of all accidents occur at intersections where a car driver is making a left turn in front of a motorcycle. Another common scenario is a driver is making a left turn on a four lane road. The car in the closest oncoming lane stops, but the motorcycle in the oncoming far lane decides to run the yellow light. Other common situations are when an oncoming driver rear ends a motorcycle or if the motorcyclist runs into the back end of a vehicle.
Another thing to keep in mind is the blind spot. Cyclists riding alongside a lane of cars may be out of the view of the drivers. This could lead to an unsuspecting driver colliding with the motorcycle as they try to change lanes.
Road conditions can affect a motorcycle rider far more than cars. Road obstructions such as potholes, fallen tree limbs or railroad tracks can be challenging. An icy or wet road or a road with sand on it can also present a perilous situation for riders. Larger vehicles such as vans or trucks that can block a rider’s view or view of the rider from other motorists are another major consideration for riders.
Riding a motorcycle is a lot of fun and the freedom of the open road is very inviting. But you need to be safe and aware out there. Take a class and get a motorcycle license, to begin with. Wear a helmet! Be safe, have fun, and call us for Motorcycle Insurance!
Posted: Cynthia
Categories: Insurance, Motorcycle Insurance, New Jersey, New York, New York Insurance, Personal Insurance, Safety, Uncategorized
Summer is Almost Here!
Summer is almost here and with it vacation season! We are all due some rest and relaxation on a major scale after the winter (and the year) we’ve had.
So book those flights, gas those cars, pack your bags, and hit the road.
Summer is almost here!
But what exactly are you packing? Some clothes, of course. Shoes? Your iPod? iPad? Laptop? Golf clubs? Is that expensive mountain bike you love getting strapped onto the back of the car?
These items are important to us, and they are not inexpensive to buy. They are also very popular among thieves, especially the small electronics. They are easily concealed and all it takes is one brief moment for an observant criminal to steal them.
Avoiding the loss in the first place is your first course of action. This article on holidayextras.com gives some great hints protecting your belongings while on your vacation. The last item on the list? Check your insurance before you leave home.
Why check my insurance?
There are a number of ways you can protect yourself before you leave on that much needed vacation so that, if the worst does happen, you can replace those important items. One way is to add an endorsement to your Homeowner’s Insurance policy called “Off Premises Theft”. You have to ask to make sure it’s on there. Many companies leave it off so they can offer you a nice low quote when you first call them. It does add cost to your policy, but it should be your choice as to whether or not you have it. This endorsement offers you 10% of your personal property (your property at your home) as a coverage limit for theft. Payment is subject to your policy deductible, but it is an option you should look into.
The method I recommend to my clients to cover important items like jewelry, furs, electronics and golf clubs and bikes is to list them on what is called a Personal Article Floater. This is often a separate insurance policy. Some companies will add these items to a home policy.
But I have property coverage on my homeowner’s insurance…
The difference between a floater and the personal property coverage on your homeowner’s policy is the floater offers WORLDWIDE coverage with no deductible. You have to show a bill of sale or appraisal at the time of coverage, but after that you have the full amount agreed upon as coverage anywhere in the world.
Coverage for the items I’ve just mentioned are severely limited under the homeowner’s policy, so scheduling them is the best way to assure you can replace them. The cost is not high. The most expensive class is jewelry, but considering how easily jewelry items are to lose, it is money well spent.
We write Personal Article Floater insurance policies all the time for our customers. It’s one less thing to worry about while you are away, trying to relax and have a good time. Call us for a quote 914-234-5678. Usually your homeowner’s company will be the one to offer you a floater, and we’d be happy to quote that for you as well. Write both with the same carrier and you save even more money!
Enjoy the Summer! It’s almost here!
Avalon Agency Insurance
Posted: Cynthia
Categories: Cars, Connecticut, Home Insurance, Insurance, New Jersey, New York, New York Insurance, Personal Insurance, Summer, Uncategorized
Renting a Car for Your Vacation!
Vacation season is in full swing and you may be in the process of planning an annual getaway. While you look for ways to maximize your budget, don’t leave one important decision to the last minute: renting a car for your vacation.
Rental Car Damage Waivers
“Deciding whether to buy ‘damage waivers’ or insurance at the rental car counter can be a confusing experience,” said Rick Crawley of the Progressive Group of Insurance Companies. “Optional rental car insurance can cost between $7 and $25 per day, depending on the rental car company, vehicle make and model and type of waiver. Those daily charges can significantly add to the cost of your rental.”
Helpful tips for renting a car
You may want to follow these three tips to help you decide whether or not you should buy the coverage:
1. Consult with an independent insurance agency like Avalon Agency Insurance. We can review your policies and find out if the coverage you have on your personal vehicle provides protection for you in a rental car.
2. Check with your credit card company. Some credit card companies provide coverage at no charge if you use their card for the rental. Some restrictions may apply so be sure to ask for a description of the exact coverage provided.
3. Take your personal auto insurance policy and details of your coverage with you to the rental car counter. You may be asked questions about your coverage that these documents can help answer. If you’re in doubt, you’ll have your agent’s name and phone number readily available. “We want people to have the information they need to make more informed decisions about car insurance,” said Crawley.
Knowing whether you need to buy additional coverage can save you money and give you peace of mind. Then, you can enjoy your vacation. Don’t start off your trip questioning your decisions. Take control by talking with your independent agent or broker and knowing the answers to those inevitable questions.
Hopefully, these tips for renting a car for your vacation will help you enjoy yourself a lot more!
To learn more about all that your independent agency can offer you, contact us at Avalon Agency at 914-234-5678
Posted: Cynthia
Categories: Car Insurance, Cars, Connecticut, Home Insurance, Insurance, New York, New York Insurance, Renters Insurance, Safety, Summer, Uncategorized
Make Your Vehicle Safe from Car Theft
A car is stolen in the US every 43 seconds. Professional thieves can break into and then drive away with your car in less than two minutes. You can take steps to make your vehicle safe from car theft.
The Statistics
About 240 per 100,000 registered motorists will be a victim of auto theft in the course of a year. Keeping your vehicle safe is everyone’s responsibility. The police, government officials, insurers, vehicle manufacturers and other citizens work together in a cooperative effort to prevent auto theft and fraud. There are a number of easy steps you can take to protect your property as well.
Tips
Some of these steps are simple, while others require a little more effort. For starters, never leave your car running while unattended. Always turn off the engine and roll up the windows, even when leaving your car for a short time.
Do not leave your keys in the car! Nearly 20% of cars stolen still have the keys in the ignition. Using removable or hidden radios, stereos and CD players is good idea for protecting your audio system (as well as discrete placement of speakers).
To lessen the chance of thieves seeing your car as an easy mark, keep your valuables hidden. Do not leave your GPS out on your dashboard. Parking in well lit and busy areas is another way to deter thieves. Locking your car and garage can be another factor in keeping your property safe.
A Bit Much
Park in well-lit Areas
This definitely makes a point.
Another option is to cover your garage windows, thus keeping prying eyes from seeing your vehicles and other valuables. This can also make it more difficult for criminals to see if you are or are not home.
Installing and having alarm systems and anti-theft devices (such as ignition cut-off switches, fuel cut-off devices, steering wheel locks and hood locks) slows a thief down and decreases the chance of theft.
Talk to your Insurance Agent
Many insurers offer a discount, ranging from 5% to 25%, on comprehensive coverage to policy holders who have these equipped. Making your car easy to identify by either etching your car’s VIN onto the windows and under the hood and trunk lid of your car, or by using a dye or electric marker can be very helpful if your vehicle is stolen. There are lists available of the most frequently stolen vehicles that you can check before you purchase a car as well.
It is also important to keep your documents safe by never leaving your vehicles title in your car’s glove compartment. If you are stopped, the police officer will ask you for license and registration, so you need to keep the registration in the car when you are driving. But thieves can use the title to sell your car or to impersonate you if they are stopped by the police. So it is important to keep a copy of your car’s VIN, license plate number, insurance identification and vehicle registration in safe place as well. If your vehicle is stolen you will need the information to complete police and insurance reports.
All of this may seem like a lot of extra effort. But compared to the aggravation of having your car or property stolen, it’s well worth the trouble to make your vehicle safe from car theft.
Call us for an automobile insurance quote today!
Avalon Agency Insurance Pound Ridge, NY All Lines of Insurance for New York, Connecticut and New Jersey
Posted: Cynthia
Categories: Car Insurance, Cars, Connecticut, Home Insurance, Insurance, Motorcycle Insurance, New Jersey, New York, New York Insurance, Personal Insurance, Safety, Summer
I Hire Contractors. Do I need Workers Comp?
So you don’t have any employees on your books. You hire only Independent Contractors, and you issue them a 1099 at the end of the tax year. As a business owner you aren’t required to have it, so why should you write a Worker’s Compensation insurance policy?
There are actually ten criteria that would be used, even in a court of law to determine if a worker would be considered an independent contractor. All ten must be met and they are:
1. The contractor would have a Federal Employer Identification Number from the Federal Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or have filed business or self-employment income tax returns with the IRS based on work or service performed the previous calendar year;
2. Maintain a separate business establishment;
3. Perform work that is different than the primary work of the hiring
business and perform work for other businesses;
4. Operate under a specific contract, and is responsible for
satisfactory performance of work and is subject to profit or loss in
performing the specific work under such contract, and be in a position
to succeed or fail if the business’s expenses exceed income.
5. Obtain a liability insurance policy (and if appropriate, workers’
compensation and disability benefits insurance policies) under its own
Legal business name and Federal Employer Identification Number;
6. Have recurring business liabilities and obligations;
7. Have its own advertising such as commercials, listing in phone book
and/or business cards;
8. Provide all equipment and materials necessary to fulfill the
contract;
9. Control the time and manner in which the work is to be done; and
10. The individual works under his/her own operating permit, contract
or authority.
I have had new customers come to me with tales of huge fines they have suffered for not covering “employees” for workers compensation coverage, the most recent one for over $20,000. So take these rules to heart.
FYI: If you do have a compensation policy, and you hire an independent contractor who does NOT have their own policy, be prepared to be charged, on audit, on your comp policy for their payroll.
Somewhere, in every business relationship, someone is going to pay for this coverage.
Posted: Cynthia
Categories: Business, Insurance, Liability Insurance, New York, NY Business Insurance
