Many homeowner's policies exclude water damage for water or waterborne material that backs up through sewers or drains or overflows or is discharged from a sump pump or related equipment. Flood, ground, or surface water are also excluded. A separate endorsement is available to provide coverage for water back-up of sewers and drains and sump pump ...
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Should I purchase a personal liability umbrella policy?
You probably should consider purchasing a personal liability umbrella policy with a limit of $1,000,000 or more. Personal umbrella policies will pay beyond your underlying policy limits for personal liability and auto liability exposures. Umbrella policies include coverage for personal injury which covers exposures such as libel, slander, ...
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What limit of coverage should I maintain for personal liability?
Lawsuits are the "American Way." You should provide a minimum of $500,000 of coverage for personal liability under your homeowner's insurance policy (some companies offer a primary limit of $1,000,000). You should also consider an umbrella policy to provide an additional $1,000,000 of personal and automobile liability coverage. The cost to provide ...
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Property values and construction costs have increased in the past few years. How do I know if the coverage amount under my homeowner’s policy is adequate?
You should insure your home for full replacement cost of the structure. Construction costs have increased dramatically in this decade. Your home should be evaluated and any improvements you have made should be considered. Some policies provide a dwelling replacement extension of 20-50% above the dwelling limits shown on the policy. You should ...
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I am renting a vehicle on a vacation in Europe or Mexico. Do I need special coverage?
Generally speaking, the personal auto policy does not provide coverage for vehicles rented outside the United States and Canada. A personal liability umbrella policy may provide worldwide liability coverage but will not cover physical damage to the rented vehicle. You may need to purchase both liability and physical damage coverage for rentals ...
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I am renting a vehicle on vacation in the US or Canada. What coverage do I need to purchase from the rental car company?
If you have a vehicle insured under your personal auto policy with comprehensive and collision, generally speaking, physical damage to a rented vehicle which is a private passenger vehicle, pick up or van extends to the rented vehicle with the same deductibles. Unfortunately, the rental car contract may make you responsible for more than what is ...
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I have a student away at school. How will this affect my auto insurance?
If a student is away at school without a vehicle and the school is located 100 miles or more from home, most companies provide a substantially lower rate. If the student is away at school with a vehicle, a lower rate may be available if the insurance company agrees to garage the vehicle at school and if the rating territory of the school location ...
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I have a youthful driver to add to my policy in the near future. What should I consider?
You pay a substantial additional premium for youthful drivers on your auto policy. Discounts apply for good students and driver training programs. Provide the proper documentation to your insurance agent. When you add a new driver, you can save the costs for comprehensive and collision if that driver is rated to an older and lower value vehicle. If ...
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