Personal insurance is just that – personal. No two situations are exactly alike, so your policy should reflect your unique personal situation.
At M.J. Knapp Insurance Agency, our Personal Lines specialists work with you to tailor an insurance program to protect your family, home, auto, and other valuable possessions at the most reasonable costs our carriers can provide.
Where you keep your car directly affects your chances of having an accident or becoming a victim of theft or vandalism. The likelihood of encountering these problems increases in larger, more densely populated cities, while such incidents remain relatively low in rural areas.
Additionally, the time and efficiency of police response and law enforcement, local road and traffic conditions, and the quality of local medical services can affect regional insurance rates. Some insurers even factor in the litigation rates in a given area (how many lawsuits are filed, go to trial, out of court settlements, and their amounts).
No. Although not every state requires Auto Insurance, some have “financial responsibility” laws mandating all drivers to be able to pay for any damage or injury they may cause. However, Liability Insurance is still the best way for you to meet your state’s financial responsibility requirements.
By law, all states offer UM and UIM policies, including no-fault states. In fact, some states require all motorists to carry this coverage in order to gain protection from inadequate insurance coverage of other drivers.
Besides maintaining a clean driving record, consider investing in special safety and security features for your car. Prompt payment is a necessity to keep your policy in force. Companies have the right to cancel you if you pay your premiums late.
Yes. Liability and coverage for Physical Damage (i.e. Comprehensive and Collision) usually follows the car. There are companies that are “secondary” for this type of coverage, so please check with your agent. Plus, if the driver of your car is insured, his/her policy will also be available to cover the cost of damages and injuries.
The same rules apply when you borrow someone else’s vehicle; your own insurance follows you no matter whose car you’re driving. But the vehicle owner’s policy is normally the key coverage in the event of an accident.
Comprehensive insurance, which covers you for fire and theft, generally covers you against damage by flood, earthquake, hail, and other natural perils, except when your car is overturned (which is technically considered a collision). If you have specific concerns about the safety of your vehicle in natural disasters, contact us for information on catastrophic coverage.
Usually, insurers that refuse to cover a claim have a strong legal reason for doing so — even if you disagree. First, contact us if you feel you’re being treated unfairly. Your agent is your strongest advocate in insurance matters. But if it’s a legal problem, you may have to consult an attorney.
You do. The mortgage company collects a set amount from you each month in order to protect their investment. This money is put in escrow and covers your insurance and taxes. However, the policy is still yours and you might select the insurance you feel offers the best coverage at the best rates.
“Exact” coverage is impossible to define because there are different policies and about 900 insurance companies writing Property/Casualty business in the United States. However, 80% of Homeowners policies are based on a standard form. All Homeowners policies cover two important areas: Property and Liability.
Property insurance covers your structures and possessions. Personal Liability, as its name implies, means you’re legally obligated to pay money to another person for actions caused by you, your family, or your property. That liability extends to medical payments to others for injuries caused by you or your family.
Most catastrophes are covered. Flood and earthquake damage, however, are not covered by a standard policy and both perils are more common than many people realize. We can advise you on such normally excluded conditions as floods and earthquakes.
Exclusions listed and defined in your policy might include neglect, intentional loss, “earth movement,” general power failure, and even damage caused by war and terrorism. If you fail to take care of your property (e.g., a leaky roof), you probably will not be covered. Obviously, if you intend to lose an object or damage your property, there’s no coverage.
One other exclusion that can be costly is the Ordinance or Law exclusion. Building codes established by governmental bodies that drive up the cost of rebuilding or repairing after a loss occurs might not be covered by your insurance policy. Thus, if you discover when replacing damaged property that current law demands higher grade or more expensive materials than those you’re replacing, the new materials might not be covered fully.
It depends on the policy and its terms. For example, most Health Insurance policies cover insureds’ children up to age 18, or up to 22 if the child continues as a full-time student. If you’re over 18 and not a full-time student, you’ll need your own Health Insurance policy.
College students face many new risks as they head off to school: theft of personal property, auto accidents due to driving long distances, and risks related to attending and giving parties.
College and university campuses aren’t immune to property crime. A 2014 FBI report showed that there were more than 100,000 property crimes on college nationwide, including burglary, theft, motor vehicle theft, and arson. Thieves took an average of $1,251 of property per offense that same year.
At least one in ten college students revealed that they had caused an auto accident in the last two years. One in four had a speeding ticket or other moving violation. These and other offenses contribute to higher Auto Insurance premiums for students.
Renters insurance is typically available for as little as $240 per year.
Most likely the answer is NO. The property owner’s insurance covers the building itself and rarely a tenant’s possessions or liability. Clarify this with your landlord before signing a lease.
