Workers' Compensation FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions - Workers' Compensation

Question: How does workers' compensation protect the employer?

Answer: Your workers' compensation policy protects you as an employer from any lawsuits arising from your employees where you or your company are declared negligent.

Example: Your employee makes you as employer aware that there is a cracked ceiling tile that needs to be replaced. A week later the ceiling tile is not replaced and falls on the employee injuring the employee and causing damage to his/her eyes. You may be liable in a lawsuit as the potential risk was brought to your attention and necessary corrective/safety measures were not taken.

Question: How does workers' compensation protect my employees?

Answer: Your workers' compensation policy covers your employees two fold. First it covers your employees should they be harmed while on the job for medical damages. Secondly, it subsidizes your employee for lost wages if they are unable to work due to a work related injury.

Question: How can I lower my workers' compensation insurance premium?

Answer: There are many ways items that you can look at when assessing if you qualify for a lower workers' compensation premium. We recommend that you consult with your agent as some of these items may or may not apply to your state. I have listed a few below.

1. Create and maintain a safety program
2. Review and monitor your Experience Modification Rate
3. Mulit-Policy Discount - When you have your business policy and workers' compensation policy with the same company.
4. Review your coverage limits.
5. Review your employee and payroll amounts estimated at the inception of your policy.

Question: If an employee is injured, is there a limit on the amount of medical coverage?

Answer: In some states the medical coverage portion of your workers' compensation policy for injured employees is unlimited. Which means if your employee is injured and will need home health care for the rest of his/her life; the insurance company will pay for necessary medical damages.

Get a free workers compensation insurance quote today.

Question: Does my policy have a maximum limit for the employer?

Answer:Yes, Employer's limits are stated on your policies "Declarations Page". They are usually stated in a similar format as below"

100/100/100

Question: How do the employers limits of 100/100/100 work?

Answer:

Definition of each Coverage Level:
- $100,000 in coverage for injury by accident – each accident max
- $100,000 in coverage for injury by disease – each employee
- $100,000 in coverage for injury by disease – policy limit

NOTE: It is important to note that you can increase these limits to different combination amounts. The maximum limits are usually $1 Million/$1 Million/$1 million. These limits may vary from state to state.

Question: How do I report a workers' compensation claim?

Answer:In most cases, all you would need to do is call your policy's claim department and they will assist you through the entire process. They will facilitate in completing all necessary forms required by you as the employer, the employee and medical facilities.

Question: Should I request a drug test if an employee is hurt on the job?

Answer: It is currently common practice for employers to require their employees to submit to a drug test as part of the process in a workers' compensation claim. This will help protect you in the event the employee submits a lawsuit against your company and may or may not make him/her eligible for benefits under your workers' compensation policy.

We recommend you consult with your agent and applicable state laws for a clear answer.

Question: How much will my policy pay an employee for lost wages?

Answer: It is important to state that this portion of your workers' compensation policy is determined by your domiciled state. The amount of compensation given to an injured employee for lost wages is usually about 50% of his/her current pay.

Question: How do I add a saftey plan for my business?

Answer:In some cases your insurance company can come out and perform a complete assessement of your business and crate a plan for you. Contacting your local OSHA office is a great resource.

Question: If my employee is driving to the bank to make a bank deposit for my business is he/she coverred under my workers' compensation policy?

Answer:Yes, Employees are coverred while performing duties on behalf of the company.

Question: Will my policy extend to new businesses I create?

Answer:No, if you create a new business you will need to purchase a seperate workers' compensation policy to cover that business.

Question: If my employees sue my business for an injury do I submit it under my business policy or workers' compensation?

Answer: Employee injured on the job that submit a lawsuit against your business do to work conditions that you were made aware of prior to their injury would be submitted on your workers' compensation policy.

Should a customer or third party sue your company for any other reason, you would want to refer this type of claim to your business policy coverage.

Get a free workers compensation insurance quote today.

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DISCLOSURE: All entries by QuoteFishing.com are for informational purposes only and it is always recommended that you consult with your local insurance agent as coverage, definitions and claims procedures may differ from state to state.

What is my Experience Modification Rate?

Experience Modification Rate (Experience Mod) - Lower your premium


What is your experience modification rate?

It is important to first state that your company's experience modification rate only applies to your workers' compensation policy. In simple terms, your "Experience Mod" compares your workers’ compensation claims experience to other employers of similar size operating in the same type of business. If you have less claims than other companies of the same size and industry you will receive a higher Experience Mod ratio. This ratio is used against your annual premium and results as a discount. Experienced companies that monitor their workers' compensation premium understand and utilize their Experience Mod annually.

Understanding your experience modification rating and monitoring it regularly is key in reducing your Workers’ Compensation costs. It is also an excellent measure of how your loss prevention and control practices stack up to others in your industry. Companies who effectively manage their Safety Programs not only understand how this works but also have assigned someone to monitor this on a regular basis. It has a direct correlation to how much you pay in Workers’ Compensation Premiums.

Reviewing your policy with your agent to confirm that your Experience Mod is taken into account when calculating your annual workers' compensation premium is always recommended.

Finding your Experience Modification Rate

Typically you will receive an Experience Modification Rating Sheet each year prior to your policy renewal date. If you are unclear of your companies current Experience Mod your insurance agent can help you locate this. Your Experience Mod is also listed on the declarations pages of your workers’ compensation policy

Effects outside of discounting your premium.

Many safety conscious corporations are refusing to use the service of venders or subcontractors who do not control their Experience Mod or have an experience modification in excess of the industry average.

Qualification for an Experience Mod and Calculation.

Most companies who's annual premium is in excess of $3,000 will receive an Experience
Modification Rate.

Your Experience Mod is calculated by the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) or in some states an independent agency. Your insurance agent can advise you where yours is calculated.

Each year insurance carriers report to the calculating agency your class codes, payrolls and losses for the last five years. The computing agency uses three complete years of data ending one year prior to the effective date of the rating period. For example, a rating in 2005 normally will not use 2004 but would include 2003, 2002, and 2001 in the formula.

Don’t forget about your current years claims. These usually present the greatest opportunity
for cost reductions. Remember this years claims will affect your Experience Mod next year.

Example of Experience Modification Rate applied to your premium

While the formula may appear complex, it compares your specific payrolls and losses to the industry average losses for like business of similar size. If you are at the industry average, your Experience Mod is a 1.0. If your experience is 20% better then average your Experience Mod would be a .80 or 20% worse would be 1.20.

It makes sense to reward companies that practice effective safety and claims management techniques over those who do not. In effect, the Experience Mod does just that. The example below illustrates the difference between a company with a .80 Experience Mod versus a 1.20 Experience Mod.


Examples

The type of claims you experience and what you do to control the cost of claims has a significant effect on your Experience Mod.

NOTE: If you have zero claims you have no experience going into the formula. Not many companies are that fortunate.

• Example 1
  

Class Payroll Rate Per Premium Code $100

Class Code 8810 =$8.5 per hundred in payroll
Annual payroll = $800,000
Annual Workers' Comp premium = $66,000
Experience Mod= 1.20 - $13,200 (20% better than industry)
Modified Premium $52,800

• Example 2

Class Payroll Rate Per Premium Code $100

Class Code 8810 =$8.5 per hundred in payroll
Annual payroll = $800,000
Annual Workers' Comp premium = $66,000
Experience Mod= 1.20 + $13,200 (20% worse than industry)
Modified Premium $79,200

As you can see from the above example, how you control your Experience Mod can have a big impact on your insurance premium.

How claims affect my Experience Mod

• Medical-only claims
  
  Claims that require medical treatment only are usually less severe so employers should not be penalized when they occur. Consequently, any medical only claims are reduced by 70% before they enter the formula. You can take advantage of this by ensuring that injured employees remain at work when possible or return to work within the waiting period.
  This is where an effective claims management and return to work program can have a dramatic effect. Should you need help in establishing a program, our Western National Loss Control Consultants can help.
  
  
• Lost time claims
  
  The first $5,000 of a lost time claim is counted at full value. The dollar amounts after $5,000 is discounted. There is also a large claim cap limit to protect you from a catastrophic loss. Because the first $5,000 of each loss goes into the formula dollar-for-dollar, severity is a factor. A single claim valued at $20,000 has less effect on your Experience Mod then 10 claims valued at $2,000.

Companies seeking to minimize their workers’ compensation premiums should focus their safety efforts on reducing the frequency of lost time claims. If you are unsure what actions to take, our Loss Control Consultants can help you here also.

Tips & Reccommendations

Claim Management

To avoid claims:

• Maintain and use an Accident Prevention Program
• Develop a site-specific safety plan for each job
• Have your company management support the Accident Prevention Program
• Have the attitude “Safety Comes First”
• Train your employees in safe work practices
• Drug testing
• Common sense

To minimize claims:

• Investigate incident immediately to avoid second occurrence
• Develop a Return to Work program. Have light duty jobs available if possible
• Get the injured worker back to work ASAP, retrain if necessary
• Manage the claims process; be proactive
• Develop a Kept-On-Salary policy

Key business decisions to better manage your EMR:

• Report all employee hours worked
• Track incidents from office personnel, field personnel, and subsidiary divisions independently
• Do not lump subsidiary companies under one EMR rate
• Take a proactive approach to training, avoidance, and claim management
• Designate a Safety Director and give that person the proper authority to affect policy, decisions, and personnel
• Work with Washington State Labor and Industries and OSHA representatives when they visit the jobsite
• Realize that the money spent now on safety can save you much more later on.

By properly managing your EMR you will save time and money. By implementing a safety program and training personnel in safe work practices, companies can prevent accidents and save lives.

It is also recommended that companies review their losses periodically. Pay particular attention to open claims with outstanding reserves. Work with your claims administrator to bring these claims to closure. In some instances, outstanding claims may be closed resulting in reserve reductions that ultimately may affect your Experience Mod.
Resources:

The National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) has published a booklet entitled “ABCs of Experience Rating”. It is available on their website at www.ncci.com. This brochure explains the experience rating plan in greater detail. Many states that use independent agencies to calculate the experience modification also have prepared brochures to explain the Experience Modification Rating Process.

Get a free workers compensation insurance quote today.

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DISCLOSURE: All entries by QuoteFishing.com are for informational purposes only and it is always recommended that you consult with your local insurance agent as coverage, definitions and claims procedures may differ from state to state.

QuoteFishing.com Linkedin Group

QuoteFishing.com invites you to join our insurance professionals networking group on Linkedin.com. We are always posting information related to the insurance industry and have created a group for insurance related professionals to join, contribute, and network with one another.

To join our group click here. We encourage you to post discussions, ask questions, and meet new people that may be able to assist you in your business. Should you find this network useful and feel it can help others in your linkedin circle, feel free to forward this post and ask that they join.

We at QuoteFishing.com would like to thank you in advance for support.

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DISCLOSURE: All entries by QuoteFishing.com are for informational purposes only and it is always recommended that you consult with your local insurance agent as coverage, definitions and claims procedures may differ from state to state.

Homeowners Insurance FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions - Homeowners Insurance

Question: Why do rates differ so much from company to company?

Answer: Insurance companies spend millions of dollars to research their clients, each geographic area, vehicle safety ratings and homeowner claim statistics are among many factors in order to determine their prices and target market. Some companies feel that they want grow specific areas of their books such as zip codes with lower claims statistics. Others may focus more on the investment non-owner occupied properties. Companies change discounts and rates based on what they feel their company needs in order to grow in clients and in profits. This is why companies change rates and discounts so frequently.

Question: How can I lower my insurance premium?

Answer: In many cases by adding your home and auto insurance with the same company can account for large savings. There are many different ways to lower your insurance premium. I would recommend first setting an appointment with your agent to review your policy. This should be done at least once a year. In some cases, just by evaluating your policy with you agent you may find new discounts the company offers that they did not when you started your policy. Homeowners insurance is very competitive from company to company and discounts change frequently.

Question: How does "Loss of Use Coverage" on my homeowners insurance work?

Answer: Loss of Use coverage would provide your family with a comparable place to live should your home be declared uninhabitable due to a covered loss in your homeowners insurance policy. In most cases your policy would cover the initial items such food if you have to move to a new location because you apartment is no longer inhabitable to to a loss such as a fire. Most insurance companies are willing to help during the transfer process.

Question: What does a claims adjuster do?

Answer: A claims adjuster's primary role is to investigate your insurance claim and evaluate your insurance policy to determine if the insurance company is liable for payment. A good way to look at your claims adjuster is as your insurance agent for your claim. A claim adjuster understands every endorsement and exclusion within your insurance policy and is a great resource for questions regarding your claim. In most cases your agent cannot directly answer legal questions regarding your claim and will forward you to your claims adjuster for such answers.

Get a free homeowners insurance quote today.

Question: Does my homeowner policy cover floods?

Answer: No, In order for your home to be covered for a flood loss you will have to purchase a stand alone flood policy through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

According to the NFIP the average flood insurance policy is $500 per year.

Question: Will my homeowner policy pay for my air condition or other appliances?

Answer: In most the answer would be NO. The only way that your appliances would be covered in a loss is if the loss specified in your policy such as a fire.

If you appliances stop working due to normal breakdown or wear and tear, they would not be covered. In order to cover your appliances you would need to purchase a "home warranty Policy". Home warranty policies cover your appliances and other items should they break down within their policy stipulations.

Question: What happens if my home is vacant and is vandalized?

Answer:Your policy contains a co-insurance clause that details how your policy would pay should you have a loss and your home is deemed to be vacant at the time of loss. Each policy treats these instances differently and your claims adjuster would be a good point of reference for interpreting payout of your policy. Contacting your agent will give you an better understanding of this prior to a loss.

In most cases your policy will pay at a significantly lower coverage limit than stated on your policy. Some policies will pay at a percentage of what you policy limit states. Such as 80% of your policy limit where as if your property were occupied at the time of loss it would be 100%.

Question: Does my policy cover hail damage?

Answer:Yes, almost all homeowners insurance policies cover hail damage as a standard peril.

Question: Does my policy cover earthquake damage?

Answer:No, but you may be able to add it to most insurance policies. You may also purchase it as a stand alone policy in some states. In other states you may purchase a policy from the state in which you reside such as California.

Question: Does my policy cover mold?

Answer:Maybe, mold damage has been covered where it results from a covered peril, such as a broken pipe, a storm, or fire suppression efforts, but not where it occurs gradually over time due to wear and tear. We recommend consulting with your agent in order to have clear understanding on how your policy would cover mold damage as it may be different from policy to policy and state to state.

Question: How does my liability coverage work?

Answer: Liability coverage is a very important and complicated section of your insurance policy. In basic terms, it would cover you should you be found negligent in the harm of a person not living in your household or actions occured on your property and in some cases outside of your home's premises. It would provide assistance in a lawsuit arising from these and other liabilities initiated on your behalf. We recommend that you consult with your agent for in depth understanding of your liability coverage.

Question: What is the limit for cash, should I have a break-in and money is stolen?

Answer: Usually policies have a limit on cash losses. This is between $100-$500.

Question: How do I add coverage for specific high value items such as jewelry, collectibles, fine china, etc.?

Answer: You will usually have to start by having your item(s) appraised. This may be waived if your product is new or your appraisal is within 6 months old. Next, take pictures from many angles. Finally, take all of these items to your agent who will forward these items to his/her underwriting department for approval. Your items will not be covered until approved by the insurance company underwriter and payment for the additional coverage is remitted.

Get a free homeowners insurance quote today.

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DISCLOSURE: All entries by QuoteFishing.com are for informational purposes only and it is always recommended that you consult with your local insurance agent as coverage, definitions and claims procedures may differ from state to state.

Renters Insurance 101

What is renters insurance?

Renters insurance is designed to cover a person's personal property should it be stolen, vandalized or damaged due to a covered loss from a property that he/she is renting. Most companies extend coverage for your personal property stored in other locations as well. An example would be property stored in a storage unit while your are in the process of moving. Although most people believe that this is the only coverage provided within a renters policy, this policy actually contains coverage for many other risks that may affect a renter.

How am I covered?

I have detailed coverage below to illustrate the most common type of coverage within a typical renters policy.

I will start by defining actual cash value and replacement cost as these are very important renters insurance policy attributes. You will have to determine which of these coverage definitions your policy falls into. It is important to understand that you can usually change between the three by calling your agent and updating your policy. All changes must be completed prior to a claim on your policy as this change will affect the payout of your claim significantly. The most common coverage type is extended replacement Cost.

• Actual Cash Value – Is the value of your personal property minus a deduction for age, wear and tear and other factors


• Replacement Cost – This coverage type would pay the amount necessary to replace the item with an exact or like kind. No depreciation is subtracted from the value.

Get a free Renters Insurance quote today.

I have detailed the common homeowners insurance policy coverage below:

• Personal Property – This limit is the maximum the company would pay to replace any of your personal items such as TV, clothing, jewelry and cash in the event of a covered loss.

NOTE: It is important to understand that by default your renters policy will not cover cash for more than $100 to $200. Collectible, Fine China, Jewelry and such items will also have a cap in coverage. Such items must be added on to your policy as a floater or endorsement which may require an appraisal to be insured at full value. This may also add additional costs to your policy.

NOTE: It is important to know whether your personal items are covered under actual cash value or replacement costs. Actual Cash Value will pay at the depreciated value and replacement cost will pay the amount necessary to replace the item with an exact or like kind.

• Loss of Use - This is the limit the insurance company would reimburse you for additional living expenses to maintain your normal standard of living. This would be granted should your property be rendered uninhabitable due to a covered loss.


• Personal Liability - This is the limit the insurance company when you are legally obligated to pay for bodily injury or property damages to others resulting from events such as Acts of your pets, Use of your premises (Such as swimming pools), Unintentional acts committed by your or a qualified household members (either on or off your premises). Your personal liability coverage also includes coverage for expenses such as attorney fees, court costs, investigator fees and witness charges when defending you in court. In most cases they will pay you for your time off of work when you are asked to appear in court. All policies handle this differently so it is important to consult with your agent to have a clear definition of how your policy covers personal liability.

NOTE: All renters insurance policies handle this differently so it is important to consult with your agent to have a clear definition of how your policy covers personal liability.

• Medical Coverage – This is the limit the insurance company would pay for any monies incurred by any non-household member for bodily injury on your premises. This is basically a medical aid to others should they have a bodily injury at your residence such as a slip and fall, etc.
  
  
• Deductible - Your deductible amount is the amount of money you are responsible for as the insured before the insurance company begins payment.

What additional coverage can I add?
These are just a few additional options that may or may not be available with your policy. It is always important to consult with your agent to find out all of your options so that you may make the most educated decision on which fit your needs best.

• Add Replacement Cost on Personal Property Coverage
• Add Identity Theft Coverage
• Add Jewelry, Collectibles, Fine China Endorsement
• Add a Personal Umbrella

Discounts:
These are a few discounts that your policy may offer. It is always recommended that you consult with your agents to see which of these may apply to your policy.

• Gate Community Discount
• Security System Discount
• Multi-Policy Discount – When insuring your autos and your home with the same company
• Good Credit Discount

Payment Options:
Your Renters Insurance Policy has a few different payment options.

• Annual
• Semi-Annual
• Monthly

Recommendations:
These are a few recommendations we have regarding your homeowners insurance.

• Review your policy annually with your insurance agent.
• Complete a Contents Inventory Record in order to itemize your personal property, should you have a fire loss. Your agent should be able to provide a copy and will retain it for you.

Get a free Renters Insurance quote today.

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DISCLOSURE: All entries by QuoteFishing.com are for informational purposes only and it is always recommended that you consult with your local insurance agent as coverage, definitions and claims procedures may differ from state to state.

Auto Insurance - FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions - Auto Insurance

Question: Why do rates differ so much from company to company?

Answer: Insurance companies spend millions of dollars to research their clients, each geographic area, vehicle safety ratings and accident statistics among many other factors to determine their prices and target market. Some companies feel that they want grow specific areas of their books such as the 16-21 year old market. Others may focus more on older drivers or specific areas. Companies change discounts and rates based on what they feel their company needs in order to grow in clients and in profits. This is why companies change rates and discounts so frequently.

Question: How can I lower my insurance premium?

Answer: In many cases by adding your auto and home insurance with the same company can account for large savings.There are many different ways to lower your insurance premium. I would recommend first setting an appointment with your agent to review your policy. This should be done at least once a year. In some cases, just by evaluating your policy with you agent you may find new discounts the company offers that they did not when you started your policy. Auto insurance is very competitive from company to company and discounts change frequently.

Question: Does "Medical Coverage" on auto insurance pay if an accident is not my fault?

Answer: Yes, Medical insurance coverage on your auto insurance policy covers any of your medical expenses incurred in the event of a covered auto accident. Medical coverage will pay out according to the limit chosen at the time of policy issuance. Obviously each claim is different so it is important to consult with your claim adjuster at during the claim process.

Question: What does a claims adjuster do?

Answer: A claims adjuster's primary role is to investigate your insurance claim and evaluate your insurance policy to determine if the insurance company is liable for payment. A good way to look at your claims adjuster is as your insurance agent for your claim. A claim adjuster understands every endorsement and exclusion within your insurance policy and is a great resource for questions regarding your claim. In most cases your agent cannot directly answer legal questions regarding your claim and will forward you to your claims adjuster.

Question: What is "Uninsured Motorists Coverage"?

Answer: Uninsured Motorists Coverage is medical coverage (and property coverage in some states) for you and occupants of your vehicle if the third person involved in the accident is "At Fault" and does not have insurance coverage. Your policy, within the limits of the uninsured motorists coverage pay for medical damages to you and the occupants in your vehicle. Coverage is usually stated as 100/300. This means that the maximum that the insurance company will pay is $100,000 for any one person and $300,000 maximum for any number of occupants in your vehicle.

It is important to not that uninsured motorists coverage only pays when the accident is not your fault and the accident is the "other person's" fault.

Get a free auto insurance quote today.

Question: How will my car be assessed for value if it is a "total loss". Will I get blue book value?

Answer: Insurance companies usually do not use blue book value per say. They usually use a more comprehensive calculation method in determining the value of your vehicle should it be declared a total loss. Companies handle this differently so the payment you receive for the value of your vehicle may be more or less than what you find in the blue book.

Question: What does my "Comprehensive Deductible" cover?

Answer: First, your comprehensive deductible is the amount you are responsible to pay before the insurance company will pay for the repair or value of your vehicle damaged by a peril defined in your policy as a "comprehensive loss".

Such damage would include vandalism, hit-and-run, acts of good (a tree struck by lightning falls on your car, hail damage, etc. Your claims adjuster will determine whether a claim is filed as a comprehensive or collision claim. Their is only two ways that your claim will be classified, either comprehensive or collision.

Question: Will a comprehensive claim cause my policy premium to increase?

Answer: Maybe, this answer will vary from company to company. In most cases your policy premium will not increase due to the fact that in the case of most comprehensive claims you are not in control of the vehicle.

You may lose a discount that you were eligible for before having a comprehensive claim and this may cause your premium to increase. This is usually a small increase in most cases.

Question: Will I have to pay upfront for towing coverage services?

Answer: Maybe, assuming that you have added towing coverage to your policy; you may or may not have to pay upfront in the event of a towing claim. Some companies do not have their policy holder pay upfront. All paperwork is handled behind the scenes. Other companies will have their policy holders pay upfront, submit a receipt to their agent and issue reimbursement in the form of a check. This reimbursement check is usually mailed and takes about 15 days at the most. Please consult with your agent to determine how your insurance company will pay if you are in need of towing services.

Another way is to change specific policy attributes. Increasing your deductible will decrease your insurance premium. It is important to understand how this will affect you in the event of a claim. Simply put, if your willing to assume for of the upfront costs of an accident; the company lower your premium. Before hanging coverage on your policy it is always recommended that you consult with your insurance agent.

Question: How do I cover my after-market stereo and equipment?

Answer: In order to cover after-market products within your policy you will need to add an endorsement to your policy. Contact your agent, provide a receipt of all items and request that your agent retain a copy in your file. Adding coverage for additional equipment may increase your premium. Consult with your agent on how your policy will payout should such equipment be stolen or damaged in an accident.

Question: How does "New Car Replacement Coverage" work?

Answer: This coverage is usually only available on new cars or cars that are within 2 years old. By adding this coverage you may see an increase in coverage. This coverage would guarantee that if your car was declared a "total loss", the insurance company would pay all necessary costs to replace your car with a new one of "same kind". This may be different from company to company so it is recommended that you discuss this with your agent.

Question: How does "Accident Forgiveness" work?

Answer: Accident forgiveness is an added endorsement to your policy that allows you to have an accident, usually within 3 years of adding the endorsement, without incurring an increase in premium on your policy. Again, most companies now offer the coverage on their policies. Consult with your agent to see how they define this coverage and exactly how it works on their policy. Adding this to your policy will in most cases increase your premium.

Question: What is deductible buyback?

Answer: This again is an endorsement to your policy that lowers your deductible for every year you are accident-free. Most companies now offer this coverage on their policies. Consult with your agent to see how they define this coverage and exactly how it works on their policy. Adding this to your policy will in most cases increase your premium.

Get a free car insurance quote today.

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DISCLOSURE: All entries by QuoteFishing.com are for informational purposes only and it is always recommended that you consult with your local insurance agent as coverage, definitions and claims procedures may differ from state to state.

Workers' Compensation Insurance 101

Understanding Workers’ Compensation
By QuoteFishing.com

TOPIC OVERVIEW

1. Who is Eligible?
   a) W2 Employee
   - 1. Covered
   b) 1099 Employee
   - 1. Not Covered
   - 2. Covered only if…
   
   
2. How is the cost of a policy calculated?
   a) SIC Codes
   b) Classification Codes
   c) Price per hundred
   
   
3. How is an Employer covered vs. an Employee?
   a) Employer Coverage
   - 1. Levels of Coverage
   b) Employee Coverage
   - 1. Medical
   - 2. Wage Compensation

---

1. WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

• W2 Employees
  This type of employee is required by law to be included in a company’s workers’ compensation policy
  
• 1099 Employees
  This type of employee is not eligible for a company’s workers’ compensation policy as he/she is declared as an independent contractor. He/She may elect to purchase a separate policy as an independent business owner.
  
• Owner, Directors, or Officers
  This type of employee can be included or excluded from the policy at his/her discretion the policy inception or subsequent renewals
  

---

Important Definitions:

• SIC Code
  This is a unique 4-digit code given to each industry of work. No other industry will have the same code. (i.e. Insurance, Lending, Real Estate, etc) You will not need to know this as your agent will be able to look up your SIC Code in his/her system. It is important to have it just so if your are ever asked you will seem more savvy then most business owners.
  
  You can find your SIC Code on the US Department of Labor's Website.
  
  
• Classification Code (Employee class code)
  This is a unique 4-digit code given to each type of duty performed by each employee. (Clerical employees will have a 8810 class code, sales will have a 9741). These codes will have a price per hundred value determined by insurance companies. The price per hundred will differ from company to company and will be a major factor in the difference in price that you receive when quoting your business with different insurance companies.
  
  When looking at different quotes, look at the amount you are being charged per hundered line by line for each job classification.
  
• Price per Hundred
  Premuim for workers compensation policies are calculated by taking each job classification's total annual payroll and mutiplying it by the price per hundred amount calculated by the insurance company. Add all totals for each job classification, this will give you an estimated annual premium. Divide by twelve to calculate what your monthly premium would be. This is only an estimate as this equation does not include applicable insurance fees and state fees such as taxes.

---

2. HOW IS MY PREMIUM CALCULATED?

1. Figuring out your payroll by job classification
   
2 Clerical Employees = $80,000 in annual payroll
5 Outside Sales Employees = $300,000 in annual payroll
-Total annual payroll = $580,000 in payroll


2. Figuring out the job classification price per hundred
   
Clerical - class code 8810 = $0.50 per hundred
Sales - class code 9741 = $1.00 per hundred


3. Calculating the Premium - Full Example
   
2 Clerical Employees = $80,000 in payroll
5 Outside Sales Employees = $300,000 in payroll
->Total payroll = $580,000 in payroll
Clerical employees = $400.00 (80K multiplied by $0.50)
Sales employees = $3,000.00 (300K multiplied by $1.00)
--------------------------------------------------------------
-> Total Annual Premium = $3,400.00
->Monthly Premium = $283.00

---

3. COVERAGE: EMPLOYER vs EMPLOYEE

• Employer
  The employer portion of the policy is designed to protect the employer from lawsuits arising from its employees due to negligence on the part of the employer.
  
  3 –Levels of Coverage
  - $100,000/$100,000/$100,000
  
  a) Definition of each Coverage Level:
  - $100,000 in coverage for injury by accident – each accident max
  - $100,000 in coverage for injury by disease – each employee
  - $100,000 in coverage for injury by disease – policy limit

NOTE: It is important to note that you can increase these limits to different combination amounts. The maximum limits are usually $1 Million/$1 Million/$1 million. These limits may vary from state to state.

• Employee
  The employee portion of the policy is designed to protect the employee when injured and compensate such employee for any lost wages when he/she cannot perform the duties that he/she was hired to perform. Compensation is calculated differently for each state so we recommend that you either call your state's workers' compensation division or your agent to discuss the exact amount of compensation your state has designated for loss of wage compensation.
  
  a) Medical Coverage
  - 1. Medical benefits are unlimited
  - 2. Chiropractic services must be pre-approved
  
  b) Wage Compensation
  - 1. Usually around 50% of current pay
  - 2. Maximum is usually around $ 3,240 per month but varies from State to State

Experience Modification Rating

It is important to first state that your company's experience modification rate only applies to your workers' compensation policy. In simple terms, your "Experience Mod" compares your workers’ compensation claims experience to other employers of similar size operating in the same type of business. If you have less claims than other companies of the same size and industry you will receive a higher Experience Mod ratio. This ratio is used against your annual premium and results as a discount. Experienced companies that monitor their workers' compensation premium understand and utilize their Experience Mod annually.

Understanding your experience modification rating and monitoring it regularly is key in reducing your Workers’ Compensation costs. It is also an excellent measure of how your loss prevention and control practices stack up to others in your industry. Companies who effectively manage their Safety Programs not only understand how this works but also have assigned someone to monitor this on a regular basis. It has a direct correlation to how much you pay in Workers’ Compensation Premiums. For information click here to see our Experience Modification post.




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DISCLOSURE: All entries by QuoteFishing.com are for informational purposes only and it is always recommended that you consult with your local insurance agent as coverage, definitions and claims procedures may differ from state to state.

QuoteFishing.com

What is QuoteFishing.com?

Quotefishing.com is an insurance quoting tool that allows consumers to complete one insurance quote request form and receive quotes from different top rated insurance companies which compete for your business. It serves as a time and money saving tool which replaces the reduncy of having to call mulitple agents from multiple companies and give out your information over and over to receive the best quote that best serves your insurance needs.

QuoteFishing.com offers various educational and industry specific tools in order to educate consumers on policy definitions and coverage options. Thus allowing our visitors to make a more educated decision when purchasing insurance products.

As products and coverage on existing insurance policies change to keep up with the ever-changing insurance markets, QuoteFishing.com strives to keep visitors up to date on all of the new and existing insurance products, coverage definitions and optional policy coverage.

For a free insurance quote, please visit QuoteFishing.com

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DISCLOSURE: All entries by QuoteFishing.com are for informational purposes only and it is always recommended that you consult with your local insurance agent as coverage, definitions and claims procedures may differ from state to state.

Glass Coverage - Optional Auto Insurance Coverage

What is Optional Glass Coverage?

Glass coverage is an auto insurance policy option that you may add at the time of policy issuance or at anytime during your policy period. This policy attribute must be added prior to submitting a glass claim on your policy.

Insurance companies recognized that claims for glass only damage usually fall below your deductible. By adding glass coverage your policy deductible is reduced to a lower amount (usually $100) or waived completely when you submit a glass only claim. Such glass claims would include a chip in your windshield, broken glass due to vandalism, and other scenarios where the only damage to your vehicle is glass only.

NOTE: In most cases, by adding glass coverage to your policy, your deductible is waived when a claim is submitted for glass only damage to your vehicle.

It is important to note that by adding this additional coverage to your policy may result in a small increase to your policy premium. This increase usually will result from $5-$15 per month per policy.

It is important to consult with your auto insurance agent to determine the coverage offered and the amount it would cost to add this coverage to your auto insurance policy.

Get a free auto insurance quote today.

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DISCLOSURE: All entries by QuoteFishing.com are for informational purposes only and it is always recommended that you consult with your local insurance agent as coverage, definitions and claims procedures may differ from state to state.

Landlord Policy

What is a Landlord Policy?

A Landlord policy (also known as a non-owner investment property policy) is a homeowner policy with unique coverage to protect properties in which the owner does not occupy the dwelling. A landlord policy is specifically designed for specified risks and perils that affect a landlord differently from a traditional owner-occupied homeowner.

NOTE: It is important to understand that by default your landlord policy will not extend coverage for damage caused by natural flood damage. This would mean that if there is a severe rain storm which causes your property to flood, no coverage would be allotted unless added as an endorsement or separate flood policy. Some states may have an exception to this rule.

If however, as severe storm caused a tree to fall on your roof and the hole in the roof caused your property to flood, this most likely would be covered under your policy. Each policy and company is different on how they define flood and pay coverage.

Landlord policies have lower coverage limits in some areas such as personal property, as the only items that need coverage would be such items as a refrigerator, washer, dryer, stove, etc. This is an apparent difference between landlord and traditional homeowners insurance. A large coverage limit on personal property is not necessary, as the owner will not be storing his/her clothing, furniture and other items in a home that they will most likely rent to others.

These policies are crucial in the event that either the owner or tenant is liable for any negligence causing bodily injury or property damage to others. A very important difference between homeowners and landlord policies is that a landlord policy provides protection against lawsuits arising from both the tenant against the policyowner and other third parties that may submit a claim against the policyowner.

Example: The tenant makes the property owner aware of risks within the property premise that may cause harm or damage to occupants or visitors to the property. The property owner does not take necessary measures to remedy or assess the risk brought to his/her attention. Following making the owner aware, a person is hurt directly from the risk that was brought to the owner’s attention. The incident subsequently results in a lawsuit against the owner of the property.

Another key policy attribute of a Landlord Policy is its "loss of rents" coverage. Similar to “Loss of Use” coverage on a homeowners policy; the loss of rents coverage would reimburse a landlord (or policyowner) with loss of rental income incurred due to a covered loss where the tenant must move out of the property while it is repaired or rebuilt. The traditional Loss of Rents coverage would be a stated dollar amount maximum and 12 months time span. This has now been replaced with “Actual Loss Sustained” or 100% of all loss of rents during the repair or rebuild period.

I have detailed coverage below to illustrate the most common type of coverage a landlord policy would include.

I will start by defining actual cash value, replacement cost and extended replacement costs as these are very important landlord insurance policy attributes. You will have to determine which of these your policy falls into. It is important to understand that you can usually change between the three by calling your agent and updating your policy. All changes must be completed prior to a claim on your policy as this change will affect the payout of your claim significantly. The most common coverage type is extended replacement Cost.

• Actual Cash Value – Is the value of your home minus a deduction for age, wear and tear and other factors

• Replacement Cost – This coverage type pays for loss to your home on a replacement cost basis up to the coverage limit you choose. This would mean, if you have $250,000 dwelling coverage, this is the max that the insurance company will pay. No depreciated value. Coverage is given up to the policy limit on your policy’s declaration page.

• Extended Replacement Cost – This coverage type pays for loss to your home on an extended replacement cost basis up to the coverage limit you choose plus 25% to 200% additional coverage for increases in construction costs or other factors. This would mean, if you have $250,000 dwelling coverage, The insurance company would allow an additional 25% to 200% in coverage to repair or replace your home.

I have detailed the common homeowners insurance policy coverage below:

• Dwelling Coverage – This is the limit that the insurance company would pay to replace your home in the event of a covered loss. It is usually calculated based your home’s information such as sq. footage, roof type, flooring type, and other factors to generate the value needed to replace your home should it be damaged due to a covered peril.

• Separate Structures – This is the limit the insurance company would pay to repair or replace any separate structures in the event of a covered loss. Separate structures include a shed, separated garage, gazebo, etc.

• Personal Property – This limit is the maximum the company would pay to replace any of your personal items such as a refrigerator, washer or dryer in the event of a covered loss.

NOTE: It is important to know whether your personal items are covered under actual cash value or replacement costs. Actual Cash Value will pay at the depreciated value and replacement cost will pay the amount necessary to replace the item with an exact or like kind.

• Loss of Rents - This is the limit the insurance company would reimburse a landlord (or policyowner) for loss of rent income incurred due to a covered loss where the tenant must move out of the property while it is repaired or rebuilt. The traditional Loss of Rents coverage would be a stated dollar amount maximum and 12 months time span. This has now been replaced with “Actual Loss Sustained” or 100% of all loss of rents during the repair or rebuild period.

• Personal Liability - This is the limit the insurance company when you are legally obligated to pay for damages to property or others resulting from negligence on your part. Your personal liability coverage also includes coverage for expenses such as attorney fees, court costs, investigator fees and witness charges when defending you in court. In most cases they will pay you for your time off of work when you are asked to appear in court. All policies handle this differently so it is important to consult with your agent to have a clear definition of how your policy covers personal liability.
  

NOTE: All policies handle this differently so it is important to consult with your agent to have a clear definition of how your policy covers personal liability.

• Medical Coverage – This is the limit the insurance company would pay for any monies incurred by any non-household member for bodily injury on your premises. This is basically a medical aid to others should they have a bodily injury at your residence such as a slip and fall, etc.

• Building Ordinance - This is the limit the insurance company would pay for the extra expense of rebuilding to comply with ordinances or laws, often building codes, that did not exist when the building was originally built.

• Deducible - Your deductible amount is the amount of money you are responsible for as the insured before the insurance company begins payment.

What additional coverage can I add?

These are just a few additional options that may or may not be available with your policy. It is always important to consult with your agent to find out all of your options so that you may make the most educated decision on which fit your needs best.

• Increase Extended Replacement Coverage on dwelling amount
• Add Replacement Cost on Personal Property Coverage
• Add Identity Theft Coverage
• Add Flood Coverage
• Add a Personal Umbrella

Discounts:

These are a few discounts that your policy may offer. It is always recommended that you consult with your agents to see which of these may apply to your policy.

• New Home Discounts – For New homes built within the last 5 yrs
• Gate Community Discount
• Security System Discount
• Good Credit Discount

Payment Options:

Your Homeowners Insurance Policy has a few different payment options.

• Annual
• Semi-Annual
• Monthly

Recommendations:

These are a few recommendations we have regarding your homeowners insurance.

• Review your policy annually with your insurance agent.
• Discuss the need for a Personal Umbrella Policy with your agent.

Get a free Homeowners Insurance quote today.

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DISCLOSURE: All entries by QuoteFishing.com are for informational purposes only and it is always recommended that you consult with your local insurance agent as coverage, definitions and claims procedures may differ from state to state.

Identity Theft Coverage

What is Identity Theft Coverage?

Due to the increase of internet transactions, lack of document shredding and trustworthiness of individuals, Identity theft is the fastest growing crime in the U.S. The Federal Trade Commission estimates that as many as 9 million Americans have their identities stolen each year.

What is Identity Theft? Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personally identifying information, like your name, social security number, or credit card number, without your permission, to commit fraud or other crimes.

Insurance companies have now recognized the importance of this growing crime and have added coverage to protect their clients under the normal homeowners insurance policy. This coverage is not added by default and which means you must call your agent to have it added on. I have found that adding this coverage to your homeowners insurance policy is sometimes less expensive than using a third party company. Prices range from $25 - $75 when adding identity theft coverage to your homeowners insurance policy and between $96 to $179 when using third party companies. The identity theft coverage added to a homeowners insurance policy is usually broader in form. This coverage varies from company to company so it is important to evaluate each company and the coverage each offers in order to make the most educated decision. We recommend consulting with your agent to determine all of your options regarding identity theft coverage.

Such coverage may include:

• Expense Reimbursement
• Paid Loss Reimbursement
• Thrid-Party Claims Management
• Credit Monitoring
• Credit Alerts & Freezes
• Public Records Monitoring
• Travel Document Replacement
• Disaster Document Replacement

It is important to contact your agent to see which if not all coverage types are covered should you add coverage to your policy. You should also ask your insurance agent how many individuals are covered under the added coverage as this varies from company to company. This may range from only one person to your entire family living in your household.

A good resource for extensive information on identity theft is the FTC website which lists extensive information regarding identity theft and all of the actions that should be taken if you are a victim of identity theft. I have listed a few links below:

FTC Website
About Identity Theft
What to do if your identity is stolen?
Tools for Victims


Get a free homeowners insurance quote today.

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DISCLOSURE: All entries by QuoteFishing.com are for informational purposes only and it is always recommended that you consult with your local insurance agent as coverage, definitions and claims procedures may differ from state to state.

Auto Insurance 101

What is auto insurance?

Auto insurance provides property damage coverage in the event that your vehicle is damaged, stolen, vandalized, as well as many other scenarios. Your liability coverage is extremely important in protecting others on the road and as well as all of the assets you have worked so very hard to earn. Bodily Injury, which is part of your liability coverage will cover medical expenses for the other driver in the event that an accident is your fault up to your policy limits. The core elements of an auto insurance policy remain the same regardless of company or policy. Many companies provide additional coverage and discounts that may differ from each other in order to stay competitive in this ever-changing market. Understanding how your policy protects you, your vehicle, and your assets is critical in the event of a claim.

How am I covered?
I have detailed and explained the core auto insurance coverage that is the same in every policy.

• Liability Coverage – Provides coverage for the other driver in the event of an accident that our are deemed at fault.
  
  
• Bodily Injury – Medical damage payable to others when an accident is your fault. It is usually stated in two parts.

Ie. 50/100 – This means that your policy in the event of a claim would reimburse the other party at $50K per person & 100K per accident regardless of the number of people in the other vehicle for their medical expenses due to the accident.

• Property Damage – This would cover any damages you have caused to another person’s vehicle or property.
  
  
• Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist – Uninsured Motorists would cover your medical expenses in the event the other driver at fault is not insured. Underinsured Motorist would add medical coverage to your existing medical amount in the event the other driver at fault does not have sufficient liability coverage to cover your medical expenses up to the limits of your policy. It is usually stated in two parts.

Ie. 50/100 – This means that your policy in the event of a claim would reimburse the other party at $50K per person & 100K per accident regardless of the number of people in the other vehicle for their medical expenses due to the accident.

• Medical – This is the maximum amount of medical coverage your policy would pay out in the event of an accident whether or not you are at fault.

NOTE: It is important to understand that medical expense coverage on your auto insurance is not designed to replace a health insurance policy. It is designed to assist you with any out-of-pocket costs you may incur from your health insurance policy. Such as your out-of-pocket maximum deductible in your health insurance policy. This coverage usually comes in increments of $1K, $2K, 5K, 10K, etc.

• Comprehensive – Provides coverage for damage to your vehicle when it is not being driven. Such as theft, vandalism, acts of god, etc. Your deductible would apply to damages from a comprehensive when there is no other person or policy to claim against. Such as a hit and run.
• Collision – Provides coverage for damage to your vehicle in the event that you collide with another vehicle, property, etc. Your deductible would apply to damages from a collision accident if you are at Fault.
• Towing – Provides towing service for your vehicle. In most cases you will need to pay up front and submit the receipt to your agent for reimbursement. May differ from company to company. Speak to your agent for details.
• Rental Car Coverage – Provides you with a rental car while your vehicle is in the shop for any covered loss. Companies usually have different levels of coverage from which you may choose. May differ from company to company. Speak to your agent for details.

What additional coverage can I add?
These are just a few additional options that may or may not be available with your policy. It is always important to consult with your agent to find out all of your options so that you may make the most educated decision on which fit your needs best.

• Glass Coverage
  In the event that you have a glass claim, your policy deductible would be reduced to a lower limit. Consult your agent for details.
  
  
• Deductible Buyback
  For additional premium, in the event that you have an accident, your policy deductible would be reduced or waived. Consult your agent for details.
  
  
• Accident Forgiveness
  In the event that you have accident, your policy premium would not be increased. Consult your agent for details.
  
  
• Additional Equipment
  Additional coverage for rims, tires, stereo equipment, etc.
  
  
• New Car Replacement
  In the event that your car is involved in an accident and is deemed a total loss, the insurance company would pay the necessary cost to replace your car with a new vehicle. Consult your agent for details.
  
  
• Residual Debt Coverage
  Also known as “gap coverage” would pay the amount you owe on your vehicle to your bank, above what the insurance company determines the value of your vehicle.

Discounts:
These are a few discounts that your policy may offer. It is always recommended that you consult with your agents to see which of these may apply to your policy.

• Multi-Policy Discount
  When insuring your autos and your home with the same insurance company. Adding more than one policy with the same insurance company
  
  
• Multi-Car Discount
  When insuring more than one vehicle with the same company.
  
  
• Good Credit Discount
  Apply to applicants with an above normal credit rating.

Payment Options:
Your Auto Insurance Policy has a few different payment options.

• Annual
• Semi-Annual
• Monthly

Recommendations:
These are a few recommendations we have regarding your auto insurance.

• Review your policy annually with your insurance agent.
• Discuss the need for a Personal Umbrella Policy with your agent.

Get a free auto insurance quote today.

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DISCLOSURE: All entries by QuoteFishing.com are for informational purposes only and it is always recommended that you consult with your local insurance agent as coverage, definitions and claims procedures may differ from state to state.

Auto Insurance Policy - Glossary

Auto Insurance Policy - Glossary

We have listed the most common auto insurance policy terms and coverage definitions below. We hope that this serves as useful for your educational needs.

Accident Forgiveness - In the event that you have accident, your policy premium would not be increased. Consult your agent for details.

Additional Equipment - Additional coverage for rims, tires, stereo equipment, etc.

Bodily Injury – Medical damage payable to others when an accident is your fault. It is usually stated in two parts.

Ie. 50/100 – This means that your policy in the event of a claim would reimburse the other party at $50K per person & 100K per accident regardless of the number of people in the other vehicle for their medical expenses due to the accident.

Collision – Provides coverage for damage to your vehicle in the event that you collide with another vehicle, property, etc. Your deductible would apply to damages from a collision accident if you are at Fault.

Comprehensive – Provides coverage for damage to your vehicle when it is not being driven. Such as theft, vandalism, acts of god, etc. Your deductible would apply to damages from a comprehensive when there is no other person or policy to claim against. Such as a hit and run.

Deducible - Your deductible amount is the amount of money you are responsible for as the insured before the insurance company begins payment.

Deductible Buyback – For additional premium, in the event that you have an accident, your policy deductible would be reduced or waived. Consult your agent for details.

Glass Coverage – In the event that you have a glass claim, your policy deductible would be reduced to a lower limit. Consult your agent for details.

Good Credit Discount – Discount given to insured’s with an above average credit rating.

Medical – This is the maximum amount of medical coverage your policy would pay out in the event of an accident whether or not you are at fault.

NOTE: It is important to understand that medical expense coverage on your auto insurance is not designed to replace a health insurance policy. It is designed to assist you with any out-of-pocket costs you may incur from your health insurance policy. Such as your out-of-pocket maximum deductible in your health insurance policy. This coverage usually comes in increments of $1K, $2K, 5K, 10K, etc.

Multi-Car Discount – When insuring more than one vehicle with the same company.

Multi-Policy Discount – When insuring your autos and your home with the same company.

New Car Replacement – In the event that your car is involved in an accident and is deemed a total loss, the insurance company would pay the necessary cost to replace your car with a new vehicle. Consult your agent for details.

Property Damage – This would cover any damages you have caused to another person’s vehicle or property.

Rental Car Coverage – Provides you with a rental car while your vehicle is in the shop for any covered loss. Companies usually have different levels of coverage from which you may choose. May differ from company to company. Speak to your agent for details.

Residual Debt Coverage – Also known as “gap coverage” would pay the amount you owe on your vehicle to your bank, above what the insurance company determines the value of your vehicle.

Towing – Provides towing service for your vehicle. In most cases you will need to pay up front and submit the receipt to your agent for reimbursement. May differ from company to company. Speak to your agent for details.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist – Uninsured Motorists would cover your medical expenses in the event the other driver at fault is not insured. Underinsured Motorist would add medical coverage to your existing medical amount in the event the other driver at fault does not have sufficient liability coverage to cover your medical expenses up to the limits of your policy. It is usually stated in two parts.

Ie. 50/100 – This means that your policy in the event of a claim would reimburse the other party at $50K per person & 100K per accident regardless of the number of people in the other vehicle for their medical expenses due to the accident.

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DISCLOSURE: All entries by QuoteFishing.com are for informational purposes only and it is always recommended that you consult with your local insurance agent as coverage, definitions and claims procedures may differ from state to state.

Homeowners Insurance 101

What is homeowners insurance?

Homeowners insurance provides coverage for your home and belongings in the event of a disaster or covered peril. Homeowners Insurance coverage varies from policy to policy as well as company to company. Different policies are designed to protect different risks such as a property that is used as your primary residence and a property that is used as a landlord or investment property. These two policies would require completely different coverage as one will need coverage for loss of rents if the property is damaged and the landlord will lose investment income due to the property being vacant during the time of repair. Some properties only require Fire coverage to be covered as the property is being rehabbed and there are no occupants or belongings on premise. For detailed definitions visit our Homeowners Insurance glossary terms.

How am I covered?

NOTE: It is important to understand that by default your homeowner policy will not extend coverage for damage caused by a natural flood damage. This would mean that if there is a severe rain storm which causes your property to flood, no coverage would be allotted unless added as an endorsement or separate flood policy. Some states may have an exception to this rule.

If however, as severe storm caused a tree to fall on your roof and the hole in the roof caused your property to flood, this most likely would be covered under your policy. Each policy and company is different on how they define flood and pay coverage.

I have detailed coverage below to illustrate the most common type of coverage which is the primary residence owner-occupied policy which is your standard homeowners policy.

I will start by defining actual cash value, replacement cost and extended replacement costs as these are very important homeowners insurance policy attributes. You will have to determine which of these your policy falls into. It is important to understand that you can usually change between the three by calling your agent and updating your policy. All changes must be completed prior to a claim on your policy as this change will affect the payout of your claim significantly. The most common coverage type is extended replacement Cost.

• Actual Cash Value – Is the value of your home minus a deduction for age, wear and tear and other factors


• Replacement Cost – This coverage type pays for loss to your home on a replacement cost basis up to the coverage limit you choose. This would mean, if you have $250,000 dwelling coverage, this is the max that the insurance company will pay. No depreciated value. Coverage is given up to the policy limit on your policy’s declaration page.


• Extended Replacement Cost – This coverage type pays for loss to your home on an extended replacement cost basis up to the coverage limit you choose plus 25% to 200% additional coverage for increases in construction costs or other factors. This would mean, if you have $250,000 dwelling coverage, The insurance company would allow an additional 25% to 200% in coverage to repair or replace your home.

I have detailed the common homeowners insurance policy coverage below:

• Dwelling Coverage – This is the limit that the insurance company would pay to replace your home in the event of a covered loss. It is usually calculated based your home’s information such as sq. footage, roof type, flooring type, and other factors to generate the value needed to replace your home should it be damaged due to a covered peril.


• Separate Structures – This is the limit the insurance company would pay to repair or replace any separate structures in the event of a covered loss. Separate structures include a shed, separated garage, gazebo, etc.


• Personal Property – This limit is the maximum the company would pay to replace any of your personal items such as TV, clothing, jewelry and cash in the event of a covered loss.

NOTE: It is important to understand that by default your home will not cover cash for more than $100 to $200. Collectible, Fine China, Jewelry and such items will also have a cap in coverage. Such items must be added on to your policy as a floater or endorsement which may require an appraisal to be insured at full value. This may also add additional costs to your policy.

NOTE: It is important to know whether your personal items are covered under actual cash value or replacement costs. Actual Cash Value will pay at the depreciated value and replacement cost will pay the amount necessary to replace the item with an exact or like kind.

• Loss of Use - This is the limit the insurance company would reimburse you for additional living expenses to maintain your normal standard of living. This would be granted should your property be rendered uninhabitable due to a covered loss.


• Personal Liability - This is the limit the insurance company when you are legally obligated to pay for bodily injury or property damages to others resulting from events such as Acts of your pets, Use of your premises (Such as swimming pools), Unintentional acts committed by your or a qualified household members (either on or off your premises). Your personal liability coverage also includes coverage for expenses such as attorney fees, court costs, investigator fees and witness charges when defending you in court. In most cases they will pay you for your time off of work when you are asked to appear in court. All policies handle this differently so it is important to consult with your agent to have a clear definition of how your policy covers personal liability.

NOTE: All policies handle this differently so it is important to consult with your agent to have a clear definition of how your policy covers personal liability.

• Medical Coverage – This is the limit the insurance company would pay for any monies incurred by any non-household member for bodily injury on your premises. This is basically a medical aid to others should they have a bodily injury at your residence such as a slip and fall, etc.


• Building Ordinance - This is the limit the insurance company would pay for the extra expense of rebuilding to comply with ordinances or laws, often building codes, that did not exist when the building was originally built.
  
  
• Deducible - Your deductible amount is the amount of money you are responsible for as the insured before the insurance company begins payment.

What additional coverage can I add?
These are just a few additional options that may or may not be available with your policy. It is always important to consult with your agent to find out all of your options so that you may make the most educated decision on which fit your needs best.

• Increase Extended Replacement Coverage on dwelling amount
• Add Replacement Cost on Personal Property Coverage
• Add Identity Theft Coverage
• Add Jewelry, Collectibles, Fine China Endorsement
• Add Flood Coverage
• Add a Personal Umbrella

Discounts:
These are a few discounts that your policy may offer. It is always recommended that you consult with your agents to see which of these may apply to your policy.

• New Home Discounts – For New homes built within the last 5 yrs
• Gate Community Discount
• Security System Discount
• Multi-Policy Discount – When insuring your autos and your home with the same company
• Good Credit Discount

Payment Options:
Your Homeowners Insurance Policy has a few different payment options.

• Annual
• Semi-Annual
• Monthly

Recommendations:
These are a few recommendations we have regarding your homeowners insurance.

• Review your policy annually with your insurance agent.
• Complete a Contents Inventory Record in order to itemize your personal property, should you have a fire loss. Your agent should be able to provide a copy and will retain it for you.
• Discuss the need for a Personal Umbrella Policy with your agent.

Get a free Homeowners Insurance quote today.

Posted By:

DISCLOSURE: All entries by QuoteFishing.com are for informational purposes only and it is always recommended that you consult with your local insurance agent as coverage, definitions and claims procedures may differ from state to state.

Homeowners Insurance Policy - Glossary

We have listed the most common homeowners insurance policy terms and coverage definitions below. We hope that this serves useful in educating yourself about homeowners insurance policy terms.

Actual Cash Value – Is the value of your home minus a deduction for age, wear and tear and other factors

Building Ordinance - This is the limit the insurance company would pay for the extra expense of rebuilding to comply with ordinances or laws, often building codes, that did not exist when the building was originally built.

Deducible - Your deductible amount is the amount of money you are responsible for as the insured before the insurance company begins payment.

Dwelling Coverage – This is the limit that the insurance company would pay to replace your home in the event of a covered loss. It is usually calculated based your home’s information such as sq. footage, roof type, flooring type, and other factors to generate the value needed to replace your home should it be damaged due to a covered peril.

Extended Replacement Cost – This coverage type pays for loss to your home on an extended replacement cost basis up to the coverage limit you choose plus 25% to 200% additional coverage for increases in construction costs or other factors. This would mean, if you have $250,000 dwelling coverage, The insurance company would allow an additional 25% to 200% in coverage to repair or replace your home.

Endorsement - A written document attached to an insurance policy that alters the policy’s coverage, terms, or conditions. This is also sometimes called a rider.

Floater - This is usually an endorsement to the policy in order to cover either one or many jewelry items of significant value. They are covered up to their appraised value and the endorsement serves as a mini policy to cover this item separately to its assessed value.

Jewelry Endorsement - This is usually an endorsement to the policy in order to cover either one or many jewelry items of significant value. They are covered up to their appraised value and the endorsement serves as a mini policy to cover this item separately to its assessed value. This type of endorsement also applies to other valuables such as guns, fine china, collectibles, etc.

Loss of Use - This is the limit the insurance company would reimburse you for additional living expenses to maintain your normal standard of living. This would be granted should your property be rendered uninhabitable due to a covered loss.

Medical Coverage – This is the limit the insurance company would pay for any monies incurred by any non-household member for bodily injury on your premises. This is basically a medical aid to others should they have a bodily injury at your residence such as a slip and fall, etc.

Personal Liability - This is the limit the insurance company when you are legally obligated to pay for bodily injury or property damages to others resulting from events such as Acts of your pets, Use of your premises (Such as swimming pools), Unintentional acts committed by your or a qualified household members (either on or off your premises). Your personal liability coverage also includes coverage for expenses such as attorney fees, court costs, investigator fees and witness charges when defending you in court. In most cases they will pay you for your time off of work when you are asked to appear in court. All policies handle this differently so it is important to consult with your agent to have a clear definition of how your policy covers personal liability.

Personal Property – This limit is the maximum the company would pay to replace any of your personal items such as TV, clothing, jewelry and cash in the event of a covered loss.

Personal Umbrella - A personal umbrella provides increased liability coverage to your auto policies, home policies and recreational vehicles. Once your limits on these policies have been exhausted, your umbrella policy will extend liability coverage up to its policy limits to continue to protect you against claims and defense costs due to a covered loss.

Separate Structures – This is the limit the insurance company would pay to repair or replace any separate structures in the event of a covered loss. Separate structures include a shed, separated garage, gazebo, etc.

Replacement Cost – This coverage type pays for loss to your home on a replacement cost basis up to the coverage limit you choose. This would mean, if you have $250,000 dwelling coverage, this is the max that the insurance company will pay. No depreciated value. Coverage is given up to the policy limit on your policy’s declaration page.


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DISCLOSURE: All entries by QuoteFishing.com are for informational purposes only and it is always recommended that you consult with your local insurance agent as coverage, definitions and claims procedures may differ from state to state.

What to do in the event of an insurance claim

General Claim Information

Please use this information as a resource for steps that you should take in the event of an insurance claim:

1. Contact the authorities and complete a full police report


2. Make an inventory of all items loss or description property damaged


3. Take pictures of damages from various angles


4. Assess dollar value to loss incurred
   

NOTE: It is important to determine if the loss exceeds your insurance policy deductible amount.

5. Call your insurance agent or company and report your claim


6. Write down your claim adjuster’s name and phone number and keep this information in a safe and accessible location.

It is important that you understand that all claims are handled individually and are defined independently from policy to another. Just because a loss was covered on your neighbors policy does not mean that it will be covered on yours. Consulting with your agent or claims adjuster will give you a more clear assessment on whether or not your loss will be covered.

Initiating scenarios with your agent during your annual review is crucial and will serve as reference should you have loss.
The best advice we can give it to speak with your agent and review your policy coverage so that you are not left guessing at the time of a loss.

Deductible Information

It is important that you review the deductible amount of your policy. Your deductible amount is the amount of money you are responsible for as the insured before the insurance company begins payment.

Example: Total Damages equal $25,000.00 and your deductible is $500.00. The insurance company will write you a check in the amount of $24,500.00

It is important that you review the deductible amount of your policy. The deductible amount is the amount of money you are responsible for as the insured before the insurance company begins payment.

Additional Information
RE: Auto Insurance - **Rental Car Reimbursement Tip**

In the event of an auto insurance claim, if you have rental car coverage and you do not use this coverage, you may be able to have this amount reimbursed or paid toward your deductible.

NOTE: This may not apply on all policies. Speak with your insurance agent to confirm whether or not this would apply to your policy.

Lets say that you have a auto insurance claim and you have rental coverage of $25 per day up to 20 days. This gives you a total of $500 to use for a rental car. If you do not use this amount for a rental car because you car pool or any other reason the insurance company will reimburse this to you in a check or give you the opportunity to put it towards your deductible.

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DISCLOSURE: All entries by QuoteFishing.com are for informational purposes only and it is always recommended that you consult with your local insurance agent as coverage, definitions and claims procedures may differ from state to state.