http://www.bryanagency.com/blog/View Bryan Insurance Agency's Website Blogen-uspostmaster@www.bryanagency.comInsurance Website Builder - www.insurancewebsitebuilder.comurn:uuid:b3c545a0-557c-46a8-b3cd-25c6b93c9ecfurn:uuid:399cd3ae-c001-4757-92c0-7ea6d66dcf20<img src='https://www.insurancewebsitebuilder.com/img/~www.bryanagency.com/college.jpg' align='left' /> Insurance is a static product&mdash;but it shouldn&rsquo;t necessarily be. Your insurance plan should be dynamic and should respond to the changes that you go through over the course of your life. But the only way for your insurance policies to be d...Sat, 11 Feb 2012 18:51:18 -0600<div> <p>Insurance is a static product&mdash;but it shouldn&rsquo;t necessarily be. Your insurance plan should be dynamic and should respond to the changes that you go through over the course of your life. But the only way for your insurance policies to be dynamic is for you to review them regularly so that you can ensure that they keep up with the pace of your life. Here are six different life events that should prompt you to review your insurance coverage and come up with a more fitting plan.</p> <blockquote style="margin-right: 0px;" dir="ltr"> <p><strong>College graduation:</strong> When you graduate college, you might not have much more than an auto insurance policy. But this is the time to consider life insurance and, if you move into your own apartment, a renter&rsquo;s insurance policy. After college you will probably have a lot of debt to deal with. A life insurance policy will ensure that your family isn&rsquo;t responsible for the debt that you leave behind. Renter&rsquo;s insurance will protect your contents from possible damage and will protect you from liabilities if anyone is hurt in your home, because the last thing a new college graduate needs is a lawsuit form someone who is injured in their apartment or the expense of replacing items damaged during an insurable incident. <br /> <br /> <strong>Getting married:</strong> As a Newlywed you face the challenge of adjusting to the idea you are now, and will be, part of united partnership. You are no longer a single individual trying to make your way through the financial pitfalls of life. You must now consider joint expenses, joint financial responsibilities and a joint future. You may need to increase your life insurance death benefit while changing your primary beneficiary, talk about changing the limits and deductibles on any renters or homeowners insurance policies since living together could double the value of your personal contents, add your spouse as a driver to your auto insurance policy and consider an umbrella policy to fill any liability gaps you might have. <br /> <br /> <strong>Having a baby:</strong> With a new baby on board, your life is going to change completely&mdash;and so are your insurance policies. This is a good time for you and your spouse to increase your life insurance death benefits, adjust your contingent beneficiaries to whomever will get custody of your child should you both pass away, increase the limits on your homeowners or renters insurance and even consider reducing your deductibles so that you have fewer out-of-pocket expenses to worry about. You also should consider adding a life insurance policy for your child so that you can lock in rates that they will still be able to pay once they have children of their own. <br /> <br /> <strong>Moving:</strong> When you move to a new home or apartment, you must consider the new area you live in and any additional risks it might bring. You must also think about any new furnishings you will be adding to your new residence and the possible increase in insurance limits they might require. Lastly, consider any new debt you&rsquo;ve taken on in the move and adjust your life insurance policy to account for that. <br /> <br /> <strong>Changing careers:</strong> If you change careers, you might have a longer drive to work which could require an adjustment to your auto insurance policy. In addition, if your income has increased along with the change, then you will need more life insurance coverage. If your new career involves working from home or for yourself, then you have new liability issues that your homeowners insurance policy will not cover, so you need to make the proper adjustments there as well. <br /> <br /> <strong>Divorce:</strong> The ending of any relationship is sad and requires a lot of lifestyle and emotional adjustments. But it also requires some adjustment to your insurance policies. You might need more life insurance coverage depending on how much debt you are left with after the divorce and depending on your future childcare needs. You also need to adjust your life insurance beneficiary information. Your homeowners or renters insurance may need some changes in deductibles and limits and you might want to consider adjusting your auto insurance coverage especially if the divorce results in your driving more to see your children, driving further to work or simply being forced to drive around more often during the course of the day.</p> </blockquote>While these examples all give you a starting place for determining when you might need to update your insurance policies, they certainly don&rsquo;t represent every change you could encounter that will result in the need for an updated insurance policy. At a minimum, make sure you review all policies annually to catch any other changes that need to be made along the way. <br /> <br /> Not sure when your last review was? Call us (845) 565-2200 to schedule a review now!<br /> <br /> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <img width="84" height="134" alt="" src="https://www.insurancewebsitebuilder.com/img/~www.bryanagency.com/college.jpg" />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <img width="213" height="141" alt="" style="width: 193px; height: 132px;" src="https://www.insurancewebsitebuilder.com/img/~www.bryanagency.com/momtalkingbaby_thumb.jpg" />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <img width="146" height="196" alt="" style="width: 108px; height: 140px;" src="https://www.insurancewebsitebuilder.com/img/~www.bryanagency.com/marriage_thumb.jpg" originalPath="/img/~www.bryanagency.com/marriage_thumb.jpg" originalAttribute="src" /></div>urn:uuid:a3b39ae2-1218-421d-9356-c24ddc3bde77<img src='https://www.insurancewebsitebuilder.com/img/~www.bryanagency.com/Reporting-Auto-Insurance-Fraud1.jpg' align='left' />How are insurance rates set? &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; How does insurance work? People buy insurance coverage to protect themselves from potential future loss. In exchange for payment of a known fee&mdash;the insurance premium&mdash;the policyho...Mon, 06 Feb 2012 22:20:46 -0600<h1>How are insurance rates set?</h1> <h2><img width="203" height="222" alt="" style="width: 177px; height: 185px;" src="https://www.insurancewebsitebuilder.com/img/~www.bryanagency.com/Reporting-Auto-Insurance-Fraud1.jpg" />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; How does insurance work?</h2> <p>People buy insurance coverage to protect themselves from potential future loss. In exchange for payment of a known fee&mdash;the insurance premium&mdash;the policyholder is able to transfer his or her potential risk to an insurance company, which agrees to pay in the event of such a loss.<br /> <br /> Insurance works because it allows the cost of large, often catastrophic losses to be spread among many individuals. Insurance companies collect premiums from many individual policyholders, and then pay for the losses incurred from the money collected. Insurance companies operate successfully because it is unlikely everyone who pays an insurance premium will suffer a claim&mdash;at least not in any given year. In a nutshell, insurance permits the losses of a few to be paid by the insurance premiums of many.</p> <h2>How are insurance rates determined?</h2> <p>It&rsquo;s a complex process. Insurance can&rsquo;t be priced like most products, because the money people pay for it is intended to help cover the cost of unforeseen future happenings&mdash;for example, a fire, a burglary or an auto accident.<br /> <br /> While many factors are considered in rate making, rates basically are dependent on two primary factors: the frequency of claims and the severity (as measured by cost) of each claim&mdash;known as the company&rsquo;s loss experience. The companies use their loss experience, supplemented by factors reflecting economic trends, as a guide to the amount they will be required to pay for future claims and meet the costs of doing business. <br /> <br /> Once the company determines its estimated future costs, its rates are set based on a variety of individual factors. In the case of auto insurance, drivers are categorized into several different rating classifications, based on similar expectations of having a loss. For example, young drivers and drivers in certain geographies are classified as potentially higher risks because of the loss experience of similar drivers.</p> <h2>What types of rating classifications apply to auto insurance?</h2> <p>Auto insurance rates are based on a number of factors, including where the car is custo-marily kept, the age and driving record of the driver, and the type and use of the car.<br /> <h3>Rating territory:</h3> The state is divided into rating territories, whose boundaries are determined by such considerations as population density, traffic congestion and other factors which affect exposure to accidents. The premium charged to an individual car owner is affected directly by the number and cost of accidents caused by drivers who live in his or her rating territory, and by the number of thefts in that territory.<br /> <h3>Driver classification:</h3> Well-documented studies make it clear some groups of drivers have more frequent and often more costly accidents than others. Age, gender and marital status are recognized as reliable rate-making criteria. The highest rates usually are assigned to youthful drivers who, as a group, have a worse record than older drivers.<br /> <h3>Driving record:</h3> Statistics indicate that people who have been responsible for accidents or have been convicted of serious driving violations are more likely to have accidents in the future than are drivers with clean driving records. Drivers with bad records generally are charged more because they are expected to have more claims than the average driver.<br /> <h3>Use of car:</h3> Cars that are driven to and from the job usually are more vulnerable to accidents than cars used only for pleasure purposes, because they regularly are exposed to heavy traffic conditions. The same is true for cars used for business purposes throughout the day. Premium charges are related to the total number of miles a car is driven each year, on the grounds the car that is driven more miles is more exposed to accident conditions.<br /> <h3>Type of car:</h3> Certain types of cars cost more to repair or to replace, based on a variety of factors, including ease of repair and the original cost of the car. These factors are taken into consideration when determining auto insurance premiums. New cars, for example, are more costly to repair and to replace than are older, less expensive vehicles.<br /> <br /> Have questions about your car, home, business or other types of insurance? Call us today for a complimentary review! (888) 565-2212</p>urn:uuid:4fd17da9-8622-46f8-9246-43552860ff13<img src='https://www.insurancewebsitebuilder.com/img/~www.bryanagency.com/untitled.bmp' align='left' />In spite of the poor economy, parents are determined to make this Christmas the best one yet for their kids. One of the hottest items on 2011 Christmas Lists will be a smart phone. These clever little devices are packed with fun gadgets, games, and ...Mon, 28 Nov 2011 10:37:34 -0600In spite of the poor economy, parents are determined to make this Christmas the best one yet for their kids.<br /> <br /> One of the hottest items on 2011 Christmas Lists will be a smart phone. These clever little devices are packed with fun gadgets, games, and ringtones which make them a top choice among teens, while capabilities like parent controls and GPS locators make them a smart choice for parents. Many parents have found that the peace of mind in being able to keep in touch with their kids is well worth the cost of a cell phone. <br /> <br /> Unfortunately, Identity thieves love smart phones, too! Identity thieves attack where you&rsquo;re most vulnerable and that&rsquo;s exactly what they are doing when it comes to kids and smart phones.<br /> <br /> Cell phones come equipped with simple ringtones. There is a vast market of clever ringtones that can be downloaded for free. However, many of these &lsquo;free&rsquo; ringtones are offered by identity thieves as bait. Often what is downloaded is a great deal more sinister than a ringtone. Many of these sites can attach viruses used to steal personal information and use it for Identity Theft.<br /> <br /> Parents should safeguard themselves by attaching strict Usage Guidelines to the gift of a smart phone. The following are some guideline suggestions which are important to the security of your personal business and the safety of your kids:<br /> <ul> <li><strong>Don&rsquo;t send text messages</strong> to receive free ringtones. Use the ring tone that came with the phone. It is the only sure-fire way to avoid identity theft with ringtones. Only buy ringtones from reputable cell phone service providers like AT&amp;T, Sprint and T-Mobile. Read the terms and conditions before you allow your kids to make any purchases. </li> <li><strong>Don&rsquo;t put personal information</strong> like banking, credit card numbers, or even date of birth on cell phones. The less personal information there is on a phone, the less thieves have to work with. </li> </ul> Most phones have the capability of setting a PIN number for the phone.<br /> But most users never that option considering it an inconvenience. To stay safe, set a PIN number that your child can remember. If the phone is lost or stolen, thieves can&rsquo;t open the phone and get to personal information. <br /> <br /> Children should follow basic safety precautions to prevent losing the phone or leaving it unprotected where thieves can steal it. Advise them to let you know immediately if they can&rsquo;t find their phone. <br /> <br /> <p>For more information about how to protect you and your family from identity theft for less than $5 a month, visit our website at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bryanagency.com" target="_blank">www.bryanagency.com</a> or <a href="http://www.bryanagency.com/contact.aspx" target="_blank">email or&nbsp;contact us&nbsp;845-565-2200<br /> </a><br /> Like all of this helpful information &amp; want more? Sign up for our <a href="http://www.bryanagency.com/newsletter.aspx" target="_blank">agency newsletters</a>!</p> <br /> <p style="text-align: right;"><img alt="" style="width: 147px; height: 168px;" src="https://www.insurancewebsitebuilder.com/img/~www.bryanagency.com/untitled.bmp" /></p> <br /> <p style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</p>urn:uuid:6dadb994-2e3b-4897-be03-7fc2fc174239On Sept. 16, 1997, the Volunteer Protection Act of 1997 became effective. Concerned that volunteers have been deterred from offering their services to nonprofit organizations because of liability concerns, Congress went to work to enact a law that wo...Tue, 04 Oct 2011 10:52:32 -0500<p>On Sept. 16, 1997, the Volunteer Protection Act of 1997 became effective. Concerned that volunteers have been deterred from offering their services to nonprofit organizations because of liability concerns, Congress went to work to enact a law that would limit volunteer liability. This federal law is good news for all those who volunteer, or have always wanted to volunteer, for nonprofit organizations.</p> <h2>I&rsquo;d like to volunteer for a nonprofit organization. Am I protected from liability?</h2> <p>Yes. The Volunteer Protection Act provides liability protection for harm a volunteer may cause as long as: </p> <ol> <li>the volunteer was acting within the scope of his or her volunteer responsibilities;</li> <li>the volunteer was properly licensed, certified or authorized for the activity which caused the harm (if required or appropriate);</li> <li>the harm was not caused by the willful or criminal misconduct, gross negligence or conscious, flagrant indifference to the rights or safety of the person harmed; and</li> <li>the harm was not caused by the volunteer while operating a motor vehicle, vessel, aircraft or other vehicle for which the state mandates the operator or owner to be licensed or to maintain insurance.</li> </ol> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Are there exceptions to volunteer immunity I should know?</h2> <p>The Volunteer Protection Act will not provide immunity if the volunteer has engaged in misconduct that: </p> <ol> <li>constitutes a crime of violence or an act of international terrorism;</li> <li>constitutes a hate crime;</li> <li>involves a sexual offense;</li> <li>violates a federal or state civil rights law; or </li> <li>if the volunteer was under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time.</li> </ol> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Do I qualify as a volunteer under the act?</h2> <p>A &ldquo;volunteer&rdquo; is defined under the act as an individual performing services for a nonprofit organization or a governmental entity who does not receive compensation (other than reasonable reimbursement or allowance for incurred expenses) or any other thing of value in lieu of compensation, in excess of $500 per year. The term includes a director, officer, trustee or other direct service volunteer.</p> <h2>I volunteer as a director of a nonprofit organization. Can I expect my homeowners insurance policy or umbrella policy to extend coverage for harm I may cause as a volunteer?</h2> <p>No. A homeowners policy shows little promise of providing a director or officer any protection in the event that a lawsuit arises.<br /> The reason? The typical directors and officers lawsuit involves a wrongful act that inflicts financial injury to someone, whereas a homeowners policy covers an insured whose negligence causes an accident that produces bodily injury or property damage to a plaintiff. The homeowners policy, if so endorsed, also may provide coverage for personal injury offenses, such as libel or slander.<br /> The Volunteer Protection Act of 1997 is a big step in the right direction to providing volunteers with immunity; however, because there are still some limitations and qualifications on immunity, check with us to be sure you have the appropriate insurance coverage. <br /> <br /> Call us 888-565-2212 or email us today <a href="mailto:info@bryanagency.com">info@bryanagency.com</a> </p>urn:uuid:c89c46c5-952a-4100-9809-7a597b9a884f<img src='http://www.pia.org/COMM/sam/images/pia-logo-blk-60.gif' align='left' />Is my in-home business covered under my homeowners policy? Not sufficiently. Many homeowners policies provide only a limited amount of coverage for business-related exposures. Depending on your policy, your homeowners insurance may cover your busines...Thu, 15 Sep 2011 11:54:09 -0500<h2>Is my in-home business covered under my homeowners policy?</h2> <p>Not sufficiently. Many homeowners policies provide only a limited amount of coverage for business-related exposures. Depending on your policy, your homeowners insurance may cover your business, but probably only to a maximum of $2,500 for business equipment in the home and $500 for equipment away from the premises. A stolen business credit card, a power surge causing the loss of important computer data and a lawsuit over a business-related matter are not covered.</p> <h2>How can I get the most appropriate coverage for my home business?</h2> <p>There are three ways. First, you may be able to add a home business endorsement to your existing homeowners policy.<br /> Coverage generally includes business property coverage; business liability, including product, personal injury and advertising liability; loss of business income protection; valuable papers coverage; and accounts receivable.<br /> Second, you can purchase several individual business insurance policies to provide the various coverages you need, such as business property, general liability and business income insurance.<br /> Third, you can purchase a business owners package policy designed for smaller businesses, which combines the necessary property and liability insurance coverages you need in a single policy.</p> <h2>I run a day-care service in my home. Does my homeowners liability insurance extend to my business?</h2> <p>No. Care providers must purchase liability insurance specifically for their business. You can, at any time, be held liable for injuries that are proven to be the result of events that occurred while the child was in your care.<br /> An occurrence policy will cover you at any time in the future should you be held liable for a child&rsquo;s injury. You also may get coverage for children&rsquo;s injuries that do not fall under liability. Accidental/medical insurance will cover injuries that are not due to negligence on the part of the provider.</p> <h2>What other types of insurance should I consider for my business?</h2> <p>If you use an automobile for your business activities, be sure that your automobile insurance will protect you from accidents which may occur on business-related errands. You may need to purchase a separate business auto insurance policy depending on your type of business and the kind of vehicle you own.<br /> You&rsquo;ll also need health insurance to cover medical costs if you become ill or injured, and disability insurance in case you become unable to work because of sickness or injury. Also, you may want to consider a small group insurance program if you have employees.<br /> If you hire an employee, you may need to buy workers&rsquo; compensation insurance in the event that the employee is hurt on the job and needs medical treatment and income. Under certain state-specific circumstances, workers&rsquo; compensation insurance also may extend coverage to you in case you are injured at work.<br /> Be sure that your in-home business is properly and adequately insured. Our agency can help you get the most appropriate coverage for your home business.<br /> <br /> Have more questions about your in-home business? Call or email us today. 845-565-2200 or <a href="mailto:info@bryanagency.com">info@bryanagency.com</a></p> <h2><img width="60" height="41" alt="PIA" src="http://www.pia.org/COMM/sam/images/pia-logo-blk-60.gif" /> Your Professional Insurance Agent &hellip; We want you to know about the insurance you're buying.</h2>urn:uuid:ab12e7bf-bf54-4994-8bef-8013ce90cf04<img src='http://www.bryanagency.com/img/~www.bryanagency.com/6778.jpg' align='left' />Is my home insured for damage that may result from flooding caused by a hurricane or other storm? Not necessarily. Generally, coverage provided by a standard home or business policy does not include damage caused by flooding or mudslides. It is impor...Mon, 29 Aug 2011 11:52:23 -0500<h2><span style="color: #1f497d;">Is my home insured for damage that may result from flooding caused by a hurricane or other storm?</span></h2> <p>Not necessarily. Generally, coverage provided by a standard home or business policy does not include damage caused by flooding or mudslides. It is important to note this type of damage could be extremely destructive to your property and without insurance you could be devastated financially.</p> <h2><span style="color: #1f497d;">How can I get insurance coverage so I&rsquo;m protected for flood damage from a natural disaster?</span></h2> <p>First, contact our agency. We have access to comprehensive information and we can help you determine if you need flood insurance. Throughout the United States, more than 20,000 communities participate in the Federal Emergency Management Agency&rsquo;s National Flood Insurance Program, which offers flood insurance. An NFIP policy typically includes coverage for: removing contents; sandbagging (to reduce damage); repairing flood damage and rebuilding; clearing away debris and mud; and compensating for personal belongings and business inventories.</p> <h2><span style="color: #1f497d;">How much protection can I get?</span></h2> <p>You can obtain flood coverage up to $250,000 on your home, $100,000 on its contents and $500,000 for businesses.</p> <h2><span style="color: #1f497d;">Is flood insurance really necessary?</span></h2> <p>That is a question you should discuss with our agency. However, you should know that lending institutions may require flood insurance as a condition of securing a mortgage, home improvement loan, home equity loan, commercial loan, etc. Flood insurance also is a prerequisite for receiving federal disaster assistance when property is located in a special hazard area.<br /> It is important to note that not only high-risk areas are prone to flooding. Flooding can occur anytime and anywhere. One-quarter of NFIP claims come from outside high-risk flood areas.</p> <h2><span style="color: #1f497d;">Can I buy flood insurance at any time?</span></h2> <p>Yes, but in most cases, there is a 30-day waiting period between the time flood insurance is purchased and the time coverage is in force.</p> <h2><span style="color: #1f497d;">How can I prepare for a catastrophe such as flooding?</span></h2> <p>Along with obtaining flood insurance protection, you should heed storm warnings and follow evacuation procedures such as boarding up windows and storing outside items inside; shutting off utilities; and preparing an emergency kit that contains food and water, a portable can opener, clothing, blankets, flashlights, first-aid supplies and a battery-operated radio.<br /> Also, maintain a current household or business inventory of your property and possessions and keep it in a safe place such as a safe-deposit box. An up-to-date inventory will prove useful when filing your insurance claim.</p> <h2><span style="color: #1f497d;">Flood facts</span></h2> <p style="text-align: center;">On the eastern coast of the United States, flooding occurs mainly during hurricane season, which runs primarily from June through October. Hurricanes affect coastal and inland areas. These areas can be inundated by torrential rains that result in widespread flooding. The Federal Emergency Management Agency estimates that 75 percent of households located in federally designated special flood hazard areas carry no flood insurance.<br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: 18px;"><strong>Looking for Flood Insurance? <br /> Call us 888-565-2212 for a quote or visit our website to get a </strong></span><a href="http://www.bryanagency.com/flood/insurance_quote.aspx" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 18px;"><strong>Flood Quote<br /> </strong></span></a><br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: 16px;">For more information &amp; Tips visit</span> <a href="http://www.floodsmart.gov/floodsmart/pages/preparation_recovery/before_a_flood.jsp">http://www.floodsmart.gov/floodsmart/pages/preparation_recovery/before_a_flood.jsp</a><br /> <br /> <br /> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<img alt="" width="188" height="174" style="border: 1px solid;" src="/img/~www.bryanagency.com/6778.jpg" />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<img alt="" width="189" height="192" style="width: 159px; height: 174px;border: 1px solid;" src="https://www.insurancewebsitebuilder.com/img/~www.bryanagency.com/6764.jpg" />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<img alt="" width="269" height="180" style="width: 178px; height: 171px;border: 1px solid;" src="/img/~www.bryanagency.com/6766.jpg" /></p>urn:uuid:c62a1f10-566b-45bd-b033-cce65f060276<img src='https://www.insurancewebsitebuilder.com/img/~www.bryanagency.com/floyd0913.jpg' align='left' />By Ted Besesparis, PIA &nbsp; 2011 is predicted to be an active hurricane season. Don&rsquo;t be caught unprepared! The steps below will help you minimize hurricane damage and get back on your feet if you are struck. &nbsp; Just like hurricanes come...Thu, 25 Aug 2011 12:23:33 -0500<p>By Ted Besesparis, PIA</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>2011 is predicted to be an active hurricane season. Don&rsquo;t be caught unprepared! The steps below will help you minimize hurricane damage and get back on your feet if you are struck. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Just like hurricanes come in many shapes and sizes, so do insurance policies. The frequently asked questions included here provide information about what policies usually cover, along with some tips on filing claims. To find out about your coverage, consult your policy and contact your professional insurance agent.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><b><span style="color: #205867; font-size: 18px; text-decoration: underline;">Frequently asked questions<br /> </span></b><b><br /> <span style="color: #31859b;">1. I have reported my claim, now what should I do?<br /> </span></b>You should take all steps necessary to prevent further damage&mdash;securing property, temporarily boarding windows and roof, drying out carpets and personal property, etc. If the insured does not do this and further damage results, it may not be covered.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>You should not undertake any permanent repairs, nor dispose of any damaged property before an adjuster has been able to see the damage. When there is water damage to the contents of a home, you should remove water-soaked contents such as carpeting and furniture, however you should not dispose of such items before an insurance adjuster sees them. You can place such items outside under a tarp. In the case of perishable items (i.e., food) that must be disposed of, first take photographs of that property to substantiate the claim. If you do not, some damages may not be covered.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>You should retain all receipts for emergency repairs and for items which might qualify under additional living expenses (such as water, ice, rental charges at another location if the home is uninhabitable, etc.).</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><b><span style="color: #31859b;">2. Is there anything I can do to speed up the claims process?<br /> </span></b>Although the adjuster will contact you as soon as possible, priority will be given to the most severe losses. Also be aware that larger claims will be settled in stages, not all at once. While waiting for the adjuster, there are a number of things you can do:</p> <ul> <li>You may wish to secure a repair estimate (preferably at least two) for the adjuster to review. This will help the adjuster with the settlement process.</li> <li>Take pictures of the damaged property. If you have pictures of the property before the loss, these should be provided to the adjuster.</li> <li>Make a list of all damaged property, including a description, age, original cost, place of purchase and estimated replacement cost. Any receipts or canceled checks for these items also should be included.</li> </ul> <p><strong><span style="color: #31859b;">3. What if my home is so damaged I can&rsquo;t stay in it?<br /> </span></strong>Under most homeowners and dwelling forms, coverage is provided for additional living expenses. If the home is uninhabitable due to a covered peril and you must temporarily relocate, most policies will reimburse for the reasonable expenses incurred over and above your normal living costs. For example, it would probably cover all reasonable housing expenses since you will be paying a mortgage payment, but would only cover food expenses over and above what the policyholder normally would pay for food.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>It is imperative that you retain all receipts for these expenses in order for them to be considered as a part of the loss. The expenses must be in line with normal living costs and must be a necessary and direct result of the loss. <br /> <br /> </p> <p>Most policies limit recovery under additional living expenses to a percentage of the amount of coverage on the home itself.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><b><span style="color: #31859b;">4. What coverage is there for trees that are down?<br /> </span></b>There is no coverage under standard dwelling and homeowners policies for damage to trees by &ldquo;weather perils&rdquo; (such as wind). However, if the tree falls and causes damage to some other type of covered property (such as a house or fence), the damage to the house or fence would be covered. Separate windstorm coverage can be purchased as an added endorsement.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><b><span style="color: #31859b;">5. Power was out for five days and the food in my freezer and refrigerator spoiled. Is it covered?<br /> </span></b>Generally, most residential policies do not cover food spoilage resulting from power outages due to the &ldquo;power failure&rdquo; exclusion. A small number of companies provide some very limited coverage (i.e., $250-$500) as a coverage enhancement. Aside from this, coverage is generally not available.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><b><span style="color: #31859b;">6. When power finally came back on, a power surge damaged some of my electrical equipment. Is it covered?<br /> </span></b>Most homeowners policies provide coverage as &ldquo;sudden and accidental damage from artificially generated electrical current&rdquo;; however, coverage does not apply to loss of transistors, computer chips and similar items. Therefore, damage from a power surge would not be covered for property such as televisions, VCRs, computers or similar items.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><b><span style="color: #31859b;">7. The adjuster was here last week and I still haven&rsquo;t gotten my check. How long is this going to take?<br /> </span></b>After the adjuster has visited the insured, he must complete detailed paperwork on the loss, which is subsequently submitted to the carrier for review. After everything has been checked, the carrier will issue the claims draft to the insured. If the adjuster is carrying a heavy claim load, there is often quite a delay in completing the paperwork by the adjuster, since they generally must do this at night, as well as the delay at the company as it deals with thousands of claims to review at one time. Often, an insurance agent can check with the adjuster to find out exactly when the paperwork was submitted to the carrier. If the papers have been sent in, the company also may be able to provide a status report.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><b><span style="color: #31859b;">8. I&rsquo;ve just received my claim check and it&rsquo;s not enough.<br /> </span></b>If the check is for a lower amount than the insured expected, it is usually due to policy terms that require settlement on an actual-cash-value basis with replacement cost being paid at the time repairs or replacements are actually completed. Check with your agent or company.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><b><span style="color: #31859b;">9. What is the difference between actual cash value and replacement cost coverage?<br /> </span></b>If the policy indicates that settlement will be on a replacement cost basis, then payment will be made for the actual cost to repair or replace at today&rsquo;s prices, limited only by the total amount of coverage that was purchased. If the adjustment basis is actual cash value, settlement will be made by determining the replacement cost at today&rsquo;s prices and subtracting from that amount a reasonable amount for depreciation, age or obsolescence. Some policies provide coverage for the home on a &ldquo;guaranteed replacement cost&rdquo; basis. In this situation, the carrier will pay whatever it costs to repair or rebuild the home, regardless of policy limits.</p> <p><b><span style="color: #31859b;">10. I was told I was &lsquo;underinsured.&rsquo; How can this be?<br /> </span></b>Too often, homeowners neglect to review their homeowners insurance. Changes to your home such as the addition of a room or an increase in your home&rsquo;s value may affect your coverage. Call your professional insurance agent for the best advice.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" style="border: #205867 2px solid;" src="https://www.insurancewebsitebuilder.com/img/~www.bryanagency.com/floyd0913.jpg" /></p> <p>&nbsp;</p>urn:uuid:1fe713f3-d4e9-45ff-b62a-a11a1907164a<img src='http://www.bryanagency.com/img/~www.bryanagency.com/commercial_insurance.jpg' align='left' />Planning for the interruption of&nbsp;business due to catastrophe: Are you Prepared? What is business interruption insurance? As we all witnessed on Sept. 11, 2001, catastrophes can happen suddenly. When the property of a business is destroy...Wed, 24 Aug 2011 12:06:08 -0500<h1 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e36c09;"><span style="font-size: 24px;">Planning for the interruption of&nbsp;business due to catastrophe: <br /> </span>Are you Prepared?<br /> <span style="font-size: 10px;"><br /> </span></span><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><img alt="" style="border: #000000 1px solid;" src="/img/~www.bryanagency.com/commercial_insurance.jpg" /> <h1></h1> <h1 style="text-align: center;"><hr /> </h1> <h1></h1> </span></h1> <h1></h1> <h2><span style="color: #e36c09; font-size: 18px; text-decoration: underline;">What is business interruption insurance?</span></h2> <p>As we all witnessed on Sept. 11, 2001, catastrophes can happen suddenly. When the property of a business is destroyed, or access to business property is denied, there follow two potential consequences. One, business operations cannot resume, in whole or in part, until the property is restored. And, two, some or all of the operations can continue only by the acquisition of another location. Business interruption insurance is designed to help in both situations; &ldquo;business income coverage&rdquo; for lost income and the payment of continuing expenses if operations cease, and &ldquo;extra expense coverage&rdquo; if operations can continue at a substitute location.</p> <h2><span style="color: #e36c09; font-size: 18px; text-decoration: underline;">What triggers business interruption insurance?</span></h2> <p>Standard insurance policies require that property located at the business premises be physically damaged by a covered cause of loss. The business owner selects the covered &ldquo;causes of loss&rdquo; from the perils offered by the insurer at the time the policy is written. If your policy does not provide coverage for terrorism, for example, there will be no coverage for business interruption due to terrorism. And, although damage may occur due to a covered cause of loss, if the damaged property is located somewhere other than on the insured&rsquo;s premises, the business interruption loss is not insured under the basic coverage.</p> <h2><span style="color: #e36c09; font-size: 18px; text-decoration: underline;">How are coverage limits established?</span></h2> <p>It is not a simple process, which is why you hear about inadequate coverage stories emerging from catastrophes like the Sept. 11 attack. In order to choose a limit for business income coverage, you must project future income and expenses one year in advance and identify the maximum length of time it will take to restore your property (called the &ldquo;period of restoration&rdquo;). For extra expense coverage, you will need to determine all the extraordinary costs that will be incurred to maintain operations at another location. Adequate financial records are necessary to establish these limits and support any claim presented under these coverages properly.</p> <h2><span style="color: #e36c09; font-size: 18px; text-decoration: underline;">How do I recover lost income if civil authorities deny my customers and me access to the business premises, even though none of my property has been damaged?</span></h2> <p>The standard business interruption policy automatically provides three weeks of &ldquo;civil authority coverage.&rdquo; And, for additional premium, this time limit can be extended up to 180 days.</p> <h2><span style="color: #e36c09; font-size: 18px; text-decoration: underline;">What if my property has not been damaged and I have not been denied access to it, but another business on which my business depends is damaged by a covered cause of loss?</span></h2> <p>Suppose you were a lower Manhattan restaurant that got 80 percent of its lunch business from the World Trade Center. If &ldquo;dependent property coverage&rdquo; were purchased, the restaurant would recover lost income from the disruption of its business. This same coverage could likewise apply to a supplier of products or services, or a purchaser of products or services, that a business depends upon for continued operations. The difficulty is that you must specifically identify by location, ahead of time, the premises that you are dependent upon.</p> <h2><span style="color: #e36c09; font-size: 18px; text-decoration: underline;">Our biggest concern is communications&mdash;what if our communications are disrupted by a covered cause of loss?</span></h2> <p>&ldquo;Utility services coverage&rdquo; can be purchased to protect your income, for example, in the event your phone lines are disrupted at your premises or in the event a specified supplier that you depend upon suffers a loss of power to its plant.</p> <h2><span style="color: #e36c09; font-size: 18px; text-decoration: underline;">If the building my business leases was to be damaged right now, I would forfeit a very favorable lease. How can I protect against this loss?</span></h2> <p>There is available &ldquo;leasehold interest coverage&rdquo; that is designed specifically to recover much of the loss that can result from the termination of a favorable lease triggered by damage to the business premises.</p> <h2><span style="color: #e36c09; font-size: 18px; text-decoration: underline;">What if I&rsquo;m still losing income after my property has been restored?</span></h2> <p>On most policies, business income coverage automatically is extended 30 days after the property is restored (or should have been restored). For additional premium, this extension can be increased up to 730 days.</p>urn:uuid:01f1baf6-fde4-4c05-8a9d-9b8b8d5f8973<img src='https://www.insurancewebsitebuilder.com/img/~www.bryanagency.com/insuarance-cost.jpg' align='left' />In today&rsquo;s market, where affordable personal auto insurance seems less and less available, you may wonder if there&rsquo;s any way to control rising premiums. You&rsquo;ve already taken one step by choosing an independent insurance agent, repre...Wed, 27 Apr 2011 21:01:06 -0500<p style="line-height: 18pt; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><img alt="" style="width: 167px; height: 154px;" src="https://www.insurancewebsitebuilder.com/img/~www.bryanagency.com/insuarance-cost.jpg" />In today&rsquo;s market, where affordable personal auto insurance seems less and less available, you may wonder if there&rsquo;s any way to control rising premiums. You&rsquo;ve already taken one step by choosing an independent insurance agent, representing multiple companies, so we can give you the right insurance to fit your needs. Besides choosing the right insurance company, there are some other tips to help you control the rates you pay for auto insurance.<br /> <b><br /> DRIVING RECORD<br /> </b>An operator&rsquo;s driving history affects rates and could predict future claims activity. Obeying the rules of the road and driving defensively are your best ways to lower premiums.<br /> <br /> <b>TYPE OF VEHICLE<br /> </b>A major factor in the rating of the coverages that pay to repair your car is the type of vehicle you own. In assigning a rate, most insurance companies begin with the cost of the vehicle and the model year. Generally, the higher the cost of the vehicle and the newer it is, the higher the rate. However, further adjustments are made for the vehicle&rsquo;s weight, body type, engine performance, actual loss experience from past years for that model, etc. We can give you a premium comparison for vehicles you are considering purchasing or leasing, which will give you some control over the cost of your insurance.<br /> <br /> <b>COVERAGE<br /> </b>Some people prefer to assume more of the risk of loss on their autos and save on premiums. It may make sense for you to remove coverages on older vehicles, or increase your deductibles on newer vehicles. A common rule of thumb is that for vehicles more than 10 years old, many do not cover them for other-than-collision (or comprehensive) or collision coverage (physical damage). However, to obtain glass coverage on a vehicle, you would have to maintain other-than-collision coverage.<br /> <br /> <b>USE AND RESIDENCE<br /> </b>Your employment opportunities and lifestyle most likely will dictate the kind of use your vehicles get and the location at which they are garaged&mdash;two things that impact your premiums. However, there is a way you can gain some control over the rating of your vehicles. You may want to consider driving the lowest-rated vehicle (for example, an older vehicle without physical damage coverage) for activities that have the highest rate for use (for example, business use or long-distance commuting to work).<br /> <br /> <b>PAYING ON TIME<br /> </b>Always pay your premiums on time. Issuing cancellations, processing late payments and then issuing reinstatements, add significant costs to the servicing of auto insurance policies. Some companies have a low tolerance for late payments under policies that are eligible for their preferred pricing.<br /> <br /> <b>YOUR CREDIT SCORE<br /> </b>Many insurance companies have established a link between a person&rsquo;s credit history and that person&rsquo;s probability of having a car accident. As strange as this may sound, there appears to be an objective basis for using credit analysis, known as insurance credit scores, to predict which policyholders will have greater-than-average loss experience or less-than-average loss experience. Managing your credit and your credit report will help to lower rates on your auto insurance.<br /> <br /> <b>DISCOUNTS<br /> </b>There are some standard discounts, such as those for taking a driver-training course or a defensive-driving course, qualifying as a good student, insuring multiple vehicles on the same policy, installing certain anti-theft devices and maintaining certain safety equipment (for example, passive restraints, anti-lock brakes or good student discounts). Some insurance companies have developed their own discounts for such things as buying your homeowners policy from the same company. Our agency would like you to take advantage of every discount that is available to you, so don&rsquo;t hesitate to call us for a discount review.<br /> <br /> <b>FIGHTING FRAUD<br /> </b>Lawmakers are working on bills that would help prevent fraud. If you are concerned about your auto insurance costs, be sure to contact your state legislators and urge them to reach agreement on reforms to drive the cost down.</p>urn:uuid:5e1ec831-ffa0-4da4-92c4-1183d9600008The best advice for driving in bad winter weather is not to drive at all, if you can avoid it. Don't go out until the snow plows and sanding trucks have had a chance to do their work, and allow yourself extra time to reach your destination. If yo...Sat, 19 Feb 2011 17:06:25 -0600The best advice for driving in bad winter weather is not to drive at all, if you can avoid it.<br /> <br /> <div> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Don't go out until the snow plows and sanding trucks have had a chance to do their work, and allow yourself extra time to reach your destination.<br /> <br /> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">If you must drive in snowy conditions, make sure your car is prepared, and that you know how to handle road conditions.<br /> <br /> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">It's helpful to practice winter driving techniques in a snowy, open parking lot, so you're familiar with how your car handles. Consult your owner's manual for tips specific to your vehicle.<br /> <br /> </p> <p style="text-align: left; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b>Tips For Driving Safely On Icy Roads</b></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in;">1. Decrease your speed and leave yourself plenty of room to stop. You should allow at least three times more space than usual between you and the car in front of you.<br /> <br /> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in;">2. Brake gently to avoid skidding. If your wheels start to lock up, ease off the brake.<br /> <br /> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in;">3. Turn on your lights to increase your visibility to other motorists.<br /> <br /> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in;">4. Keep your lights and windshield clean.<br /> <br /> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in;">5. Use low gears to keep traction, especially on hills.<br /> <br /> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in;">6. Don't use cruise control or overdrive on icy roads.<br /> <br /> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in;">7. Be especially careful on bridges, overpasses and infrequently traveled roads, which will freeze first. Even at temperatures above freezing, if the conditions are wet, you might encounter ice in shady areas or on exposed roadways like bridges.</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in;">8. Don't pass snow plows and sanding trucks. The drivers have limited visibility, and you're likely to find the road in front of them worse than the road behind.<br /> <br /> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in;">9. Don't assume your vehicle can handle all conditions. Even four-wheel and front-wheel drive vehicles can encounter trouble on winter roads.<br /> <br /> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b>What Do You Do If Your Rear Wheels Skid?</b></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in;">1. Take your foot off the accelerator.<br /> <br /> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in;">2. Steer in the direction you want the front wheels to go. If your rear wheels are sliding left, steer left. If they're sliding right, steer right.<br /> <br /> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in;">3. If your rear wheels start sliding the other way as you recover, ease the steering wheel toward that side. You might have to steer left and right a few times to get your vehicle completely under control.<br /> <br /> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in;">4. If you have standard brakes, pump them gently.<br /> <br /> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in;">5. If you have anti-lock brakes (ABS), do not pump the brakes. Apply steady pressure to the brakes. You will feel the brakes pulse &mdash; this is normal.<br /> <br /> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b>What About If My Front Wheels Skid?</b></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in;">1. Take your foot off the gas and shift to neutral, but don't try to steer immediately.<br /> <br /> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in;">2. As the wheels skid sideways, they will slow the vehicle and traction will return. As it does, steer in the direction you want to go. Then put the transmission in "drive" or release the clutch, and accelerate gently.<br /> <br /> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b>What About If I Get Stuck?</b></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in;">1. Do not spin your wheels. This will only dig you in deeper.<br /> <br /> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in;">2. Turn your wheels from side to side a few times to push snow out of the way.<br /> <br /> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in;">3. Use a light touch on the gas, to ease your car out.<br /> <br /> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in;">4. Use a shovel to clear snow away from the wheels and the underside of the car.<br /> <br /> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in;">5. Pour sand, kitty litter, gravel or salt in the path of the wheels, to help get traction.<br /> <br /> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in;">6. Try rocking the vehicle. (Check your owner's manual first &mdash; it can damage the transmission on some vehicles.) Shift from forward to reverse, and back again. Each time you're in gear, give a light touch on the gas until the vehicle gets going.</p> </div>