Month: February 2014

If my Son Rents an Apartment in West Hartford, CT, Will my Home Insurance Cover his Liability and Property?

Posted on by AgentInsure

When your son moves out of your home in West Hartford, Connecticut, you may worry about his personal property and the possible liability concerns that may arise. Depending on the situation, he may still be covered under your homeowners insurance policy, but it usually will not apply if he is renting an apartment.

Apartments vs. a Dorm

During college, some young adults are still covered by their parent’s home policy. The reason is because the young adults live in a college dorm rather than an apartment. When your son rents an apartment, he is no longer covered under your current plan because he is saying that he is independent by renting on his own.

A dorm room is not the same. Your policy may cover a young adult who is staying in a college dorm because the dorm is considered a temporary living area.

Renter’s Insurance

If your son is renting an apartment, then he will need to purchase a renter’s insurance policy. A renter’s policy is designed to address all of his concerns when he rents a property. For example, it will protect his personal belongings and offer some liability protection, but it will not protect the building from fires. It is the responsibility of his landlord to pay for damages to the property if a fire occurs. Furthermore, it may offer some protection in case the rental property is damaged and he cannot live there, such as paying for hotel costs until he can find a new apartment.

Although your son may be your child, he is responsible for his own insurance if he is renting an apartment. To learn more about the different rental insurance options, contact us to talk to an independent agent today.

If a Cellular Phone is Stolen from your Car in West Hartford, CT, is the Phone Covered by your Auto Insurance?

Posted on by AgentInsure

When personal belongings are stolen from a car in West Hartford, Connecticut, you may worry about the replacement cost. That is particularly true if it was your expensive cellular phone or if you are missing important documents, like the details of a term life policy. Although every insurer will have a different policy and plan for auto insurance, many policies will offer some coverage for belongings that are stolen from the car.

Review Your Policy

Never assume that you are covered under a current policy. Take the time to read through the document and find out how much coverage is available and what is covered.

If you only have a basic liability and state-minimum plan, then you may not be covered for the theft of personal belongings. Insurers may refuse to cover belongings in the car when you obtain the minimum requirements, so take the time to find out what is covered under a policy.

Obtaining Additional Coverage

If you determine that the current policy is not appropriate for your needs or goals, then it may be time to obtain a new policy or add to the current coverage. Ideally, it is best to review your policy at least once per year to determine if it is appropriate for your current needs so that you can make appropriate changes if it is necessary.

Working with an independent agent will help you find the right policy to address all of your concerns. If you are worried about items being stolen, then you will want a policy that protects the vehicle and any other object in the vehicle from theft. Contact us to talk to an independent agent about your options or for more details today.

I Live in an Apartment With Three Roommates in West Hartford, CT. Do we Each Need a Policy?

Posted on by AgentInsure

Living with roommates in West Hartford, Connecticut may help reduce your living expenses, but it can also be difficult when you are looking for homeowners insurance. Roommates are not usually covered under a basic homeowners policy, especially if you have more than one person living in the apartment, so it is usually best for every individual to obtain their own personal renter’s policy.

What is Renter’s Insurance?

Renter’s insurance is designed to address the needs of individuals who are renting a space rather than buying the property. It is appropriate when you have several roommates in the home and need your own protection plan because it helps protect your personal property. It also offers liability coverage in case an accident takes place in your personal space or a guest is injured in the apartment.

The insured individual has protection, but other individuals living in the apartment will not have coverage in most cases.

Policies for All Individuals

Every individual living in the apartment may need insurance to protect their personal assets and ensure that they are prepared for the worst-case scenario. Depending on the property and the amount of personal property that your roommates own, the coverage that they may require can vary.

It is usually best to seek insurance personally rather than trying to obtain a policy with any of your roommates. It will simplify the process of finding an appropriate policy and it will reduce the risk of being denied when your application is processed.

It may seem bothersome or challenging when you are first looking for an appropriate policy to cover your belongings, but an independent agent can help you find the best option for your goals and needs. Contact us to talk to an agent for more details today.

Auto Insurance Coverage Is Crucial For West Hartford Drivers

Posted on by AgentInsure

In 2013, West Hartford received many accolades, including making it on Family Circle’s list of “10 Best Towns for Families.” The city also gets top billing for another statistic: It’s one of the most auto accident-prone cities in the United States. You need to make sure you have enough auto insurance coverage if you drive in the city.

State Minimums

If you cause an accident, your liability insurance coverage pays for the other person’s expenses. In Connecticut, you need at least $20,000 for each person that’s hurt and $40,000 if more than one person is hurt. You need the same for accidents involving uninsured or underinsured motorists, and at least $10,000 for property damage.

A Word about Minimums

You can avoid fines and other hassles with the department of motor vehicles if you meet the state’s minimum liability coverage requirement. However, the minimum coverage might not be enough protection. The other driver can sue you, and your personal assets might be at risk, if you don’t have enough insurance coverage.

What to Consider

You’ll need to make sure you can shoulder the financial cost if you cause an accident, because you’re responsible for financial losses the other person suffers. For example, if you damage the other person’s car, you’ll need to repair or replace it. If the accident results in injuries, you’re responsible for the medical bills. Also, if the person can’t work, she can sue you for loss wages.

The value of cars in the 21st century is a good bit more than $10,000, and medical care can easily surpass $20,000. If you have personal assets, including a home and savings accounts, you might find additional coverage well worth the higher premium.

Call us today. As your independent agent, we can help you avoid fines and set up an insurance policy that gives you the coverage you need.