ATD Insurance

How much money do you keep on hand for emergencies? How much jewelry do you own? Do you own any guns? These are all questions that we asked you when we first wrote your homeowners insurance. What has changed since then? All property policies contain limitations on certain types of property. Look for the section in your homeowners policy titled, "Special Limits on Certain Property."

An example of a limited property item would be money. The typical policy has the following limitation on this category:

Limit - $200 - Money, bank notes, bullion, coins and medals and other numismatic property and precious metals including platinum, gold and silver, but not goldware or silverware

In this case, the policy would limit recovery to only $200 after the application of your policy deductible. In some cases, this amount of recovery would barely scratch the surface of the actual loss.

An insurance policy is written to provide coverage for the average policyholder. Most of us do not own collections, or keep large amounts of cash at our homes, and we probably would not want to pay a premium that would provide open-ended coverage for such unique items. While the policy provides limited coverage for special types of property, some consumers require higher limits with broader coverage than provided in the basic policy.

For the collector or owner of unusual property items, there is a solution. It is possible to amend your homeowners policy, by endorsement, to provide special coverage for unique items, including property, that is subject to limitations in the homeowners policy.

Each year, hundreds of tornadoes with wind speeds as high as 300 mph touch down in the United States. While April is the most common month for tornadoes to occur, this year some states experienced tornado activity as early as January.

Standard property policies cover wind damage caused by tornadoes Tornado damage to automobiles is covered under the physical damage "other than collision" coverage section of the auto policy.

Helpful Tips....

Before a tornado occurs, take these certain actions:

• Keep a weather catastrophe kit handy containing a battery powered radio, drinking water, flashlights and a first-aid kit as the bare essentials.
• Have a cell phone or other means of portable communication.
• Take a complete inventory of your possessions. Visit www.knowyourstuff.org, for a free software program that makes keeping your inventory up-to-date simple and offers an option for storing that information off-site.
• Have an evacuation and contact plan.

If a tornado warning is issued for your area:

• Move vehicles inside to protect them from potential hail
• Move lawn furniture and outside equipment inside
• Take a position of protection inside your home or business
• If you are in a mobile home, leave and go to a nearby, safe shelter.
• If in a vehicle, get to safe shelter. If no shelter exists lie flat in a low spot.

After a tornado causes damage to your insured property:

• Make sure everyone is safe, and summon emergency help if needed.
• Be prepared to provide an inventory of your damaged property.
• If it is safe, you may want to take photos of the damaged property to speed along the claim process.
• If possible, protect undamaged and repairable property. Board up broken windows and cover leaking roofs, but only if it is reasonably safe to do so and you are physically able.

An often-overlooked coverage that insurers automatically include in your homeowner policy is "premises medical payments". While policyholders generally don't ask us a lot of questions about medical payments coverage, it is no less important than any of your other coverages. Medical payments coverage provides payment for medical expenses, up to the policy limit should a guest get hurt on your premises, even through their own negligence.

The medical payments limit is usually $1,000, but higher limits can be purchased for a nominal amount. If your negligence contributed to your guest's injury and compensation is sought beyond the medical payments limit, the homeowner liability coverage would provide you with coverage including defense costs. Defense would be provided even if allegations of your negligence were considered groundless.

If you teenager has just gotten a driver's license, you have probably heard the words Miata, Mustang, and Camaro more than you care to admit.

The first years a teen spends driving are the most risky. Teen drivers have the highest death rate of any age group. While getting a driver's license is an important milestone in a teen's life, it can provide untold frustration and worry for parents.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and the Insurance Information Institute both advise that concerned parents can go a long way in protecting their teen driver by choosing a safe vehicle.

Avoid vehicles that encourage reckless driving. Teen drivers not only lack the experience, but may also lack maturity. Sporty or flashy cars encourage speeding and reckless behavior.

Choose a stable vehicle. Sport utility vehicles, especially the smaller ones, are inherently less stable than cars because of their higher center of gravity.

Pick a vehicle with good crash protection. Teenagers should drive vehicles offering state of the art protection. Crash statistics can be found at several Web sites, such as http://nhtsa.dot.gov.

Don't choose a small vehicle. While economical, small vehicles offer much less protection in crashes than larger ones.

HERE'S WHEN ITS TIME TO RE-THINK YOUR INSURANCE:

1. WHEN YOU'RE WITH A DIRECT WRITER if price, coverage and claims payment are important to you, remember that "captive agents" are not independent. They work for their Company first and for you second.

2. WHEN PREMIUMS INCREASE EVERY YEAR - Sure, prices can go up. But they can also go down. If you face "automatic" increases every year, either your agent is not able to change companies, or doesn't wish to.

3. WHEN YOUR AGENT DOESN'T "SHOP FOR YOU - You shouldn't have to call a half dozen sources to get the best coverage and competitive rates. Your agent should analyze your needs, and offer you options from which to choose.

4. WHEN AN AGENT DOESN'T OFFER YOUR "RISK MANAGEMENT" - Hints on reducing risk and installing safety devices (alarm systems, dead bolts, etc) should be part of the service. They can save you money, as well as grief

5. WHEN YOU HEAR FROM YOUR AGENT ONLY AT RENEWAL TIME - You deserve to be contacted periodically, not just when a premium is due. A mid-year review on most coverages (to be sure they are still current) should be part of the service.

6. WHEN YOU CALL AND IT TAKES FOREVER TO FIND YOUR FILE OR CALL BACK - When you call it's important! So whether your agent, a customer rep or a secretary answers, your account information should be immediately available. An important part of the service!

7. WHEN THERE'S NO "PERSONAL" CLAIMS SERVICE - Let's face it - when you have a loss, you don't want to talk to a recording or voice mail or an "800" number. You want and deserve a human voice and personal assistance for a fast, fair claim settlement.

8. WHEN YOU CAN'T GET ALL OF YOUR COVERAGE FROM A SINGLE SOURCE - Personal Lines and commercial coverages if you have a business, and life/accident and health insurance can all be under one roof. That way, no matter what protection you need, no matter what losses you suffer - you always know where to go.

9. WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE YOUR OWN AGENT OR CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE - Insurance is a service business and you're entitled to be served - not only by an agent, but by a customer service representative and a dedicated staff that cares about your important business.

10. WHEN YOU'RE NOT SO SURE ABOUT THE INSURER WHO PROVIDES YOUR COVERAGE - "Stability" should be the name of the game when it comes to your insurance company. If you don't recognize the name, or find that the company has a poor rating, it's probably a good idea to get a second opinion.

If your unmarried son or daughter is enrolled in high school, college, or technical school and has a cumulative "B" or better grade average, you could be eligible for an automobile policy discount of up to 20%

The holder of a Temporary Permit purchased at age 15-1/2 must have completed 50 hours of supervised driving, at least 10 of those at night, with a parent or legal guardian prior to getting a license. Parents or legal guardians must confirm the 50 hours in writing, under penalty of falsification.

Teens under age 16 who hold a Temporary Permit must be accompanied by a licensed parent, legal guardian or legal driving instructor seated next to them in the vehicle. If under the age 18, teens must have their Temporary Permit for a minimum of six months before obtaining a license.

New drivers must also observe the already-mandated driver education training in addition to the 50 hours of supervised driving. Driver Education course consist of 24 hours classroom instruction and 8 hours behind the wheel driving if you apply for your license before age 18. This program was designed to provide new drivers under age 18 with additional experience and skills when behind the wheel of a motor vehicle - SKILLS THAT LAST A LIFETIME AND SAVE LIVES.

Drivers under age 17 will not be permitted to operate a motor vehicle with more than one person who is not a family member in the vehicle, unless accompanied by the license holder's parent, guardian, or legal custodian. Studies conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety have shown that one passenger doubles the risk of a crash among teen drivers, two passengers triple the risk, and three or more passengers increase the risk by more than six.

Drivers under age 17 are prohibited from driving between midnight and 6 a.m. unless accompanied by a parent or guardian with the same exemptions above.

Drivers between 17 and 18 years of age will be restricted from driving between the hours of 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. unless the driver is accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Every 22 seconds a vehicle is stolen somewhere in the U.S. Thieves steal one million motor vehicles a year, with nearly one in seven left unlocked. It adds up to an estimated total economic cost of $7 billion including the value of the car and the cost of trying to find it.