What factors are considered while underwriting a life insurance policy?

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The underwriting of a life insurance policy is serious business. You want to make sure that you’re getting everything you need to protect your family if you pass away. At the same time, you don’t want to get a huge amount of life insurance if it’s not really needed. At that point, you’d just be wasting money paying high premiums. There are several different types of life insurance you can buy, and it’s best to ask your independent agent about the types of policies and the companies that offer them before you make a decision.

Whether you’re in Marlborough, West Hartford, or elsewhere in Connecticut, there will be specific factors that will play a role in underwriting when it comes to your life insurance policy. One of the primary considerations is your age. The older you are, the more likely you will be to pass away, statistically. Because of that, life insurance for people who are older is higher than the same amount and type of insurance for people who are younger. Usually, there are age brackets that are used, and when a person moves from one bracket to another the insurance premiums will rise.

Other factors for your life insurance are whether you have health conditions and whether you smoke. Both of these matter, and it’s very important that you’re up front and honest. If you pass away and it comes out that you lied on your life insurance, the company may not be obligated to pay the benefits to your survivors. You don’t want to risk that for a few dollars difference in the monthly premiums on your insurance policy. Where you live generally doesn’t affect your life insurance, but how you live can. Things like your weight and the results of a physical examination may be factors in your policy premium, as well.

What to Do In Case of An Accident Without Having Car Insurance?

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Not having car insurance in Connecticut is a serious matter. However, sometimes instances arise where you might be involved in an auto accident and not have proper coverage. Here are three things to keep in mind if you find yourself in this circumstance.

#1: If You Are Not "At Fault" for an Accident

Connecticut is one of many states that is considered "at fault" state. This means that the party responsible for an accident is the one that is generally financially responsible. If you get into an accident where it appears that the other driver is 100% at fault, then their insurance company will be handling the whole process. In this case, not having insurance will most likely not affect you at all. However, be warned that sometimes insurance companies place shared responsibility on both parties, which will change this a bit.

#2: If You Are "At Fault" for an Accident (But the Other Driver Had Insurance)

If the accident was your fault, then you might run into problems with not having insurance. If the other driver was insured, they have the option of going through their own insurance carrier to get damages and/or medical bills paid for. Their insurance carrier will then sue you for the damages that they paid for on your behalf. This can often lead to garnished wages and/or other financial difficulties on your behalf.

#3: If You Are "At Fault" for an Accident (And the Other Driver Had No Insurance)

If the other driver had no insurance, but you were still the responsible party for the accident, then paying out of pocket is the only option. This can happen where you pay directly for the damages. Or, this can also mean that they pay for the damages themselves and hire a lawyer to help reclaim their funds from you through the court system.

In any case, driving without insurance is a serious matter. Paying a small monthly premium is a lot less of a financial burden than possibly being sued or having to miss work to make court appointments. Speak with your Marlborough or West Hartford independent agent today about securing your policy.

How to find affordable kit car insurance in Marlborough, Connecticut?

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Kit car builders often wonder how to get the best policies to cover their classic kit cars, which often don’t seem to fit into traditional auto insurance policies. Here’s a few tips for Marlborough, Connecticut residents to find the best kit car insurance for them.

First, talk to an independent agent like us to compare quotes and get an idea of what to expect in a kit car policy. We can tell you about the types of policies available and get comparison quotes for you to help you make the right decision.

Here are a few other steps to find your kit car insurance policy:

1. Get your car appraised. This information will be vital when you go to apply for insurance for your kit car, because you want to make sure your vehicle is covered for everything it’s worth.

2. Consider insurance companies that specialize in kit car insurance, and talk to independent agents about your options. They’ll be familiar with working with these unique situations and have a solid idea of how to get you the best deal.

3. Compare policies. Look at more than just your monthly out of pocket insurance premium. By taking into account the various features of the policies you’re considering, you’ll be able to make a smart decision and choose between plans.

4. Get quotes. Those in the Marlborough and West Hartford areas of Connecticut have access to a variety of independent agents that can give them quotes on potential policies. Get all the information you can before making your decision!

As your local independent insurance agent, we’d love to help you find the best policy to cover your classic kit car. Give us a call and let us do some of the research for you!

What are the consequences of having no proof of insurance in Connecticut?

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Driving without auto insurance is always a risk, and if you do it in a state that requires insurance, like Connecticut, you run the risk of very serious consequences. In Connecticut towns like Marlborough or West Hartford, there are two insurance laws that can get you into trouble–the first is the requirement that you have liability insurance if you drive a motor vehicle and the second is that you be able to show proof of financial responsibility, often achieved through insurance.

The Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) works with insurers to match insurance records to registration records and take action against the owners of uninsured vehicles. Insurance companies will also notify the DMV whenever a policy is dropped or canceled, which then prompts the DMV to issue a warning notice that includes a $200 fine which must be paid if you want to avoid the possibility of having your registration suspended.

You are required by the state of Connecticut to carry an insurance card or declarations page in your car or on your person at all times when you are driving. Since there are basically two laws that govern Connecticut insurance, you’re looking at a combination of fines if you are caught without proof of insurance and without proof of financial responsibility. The combination of fines and penalties basically amounts to a minimum of a $110 and the impounding of your car. You will also end up paying towing and storage fees. Subsequent offenses can lead to penalties that are much more severe.

The best way to avoid these consequences is, of course, to have auto insurance. In the vicinity of West Hartford or Marlborough, we are your independent agent who can compare quotes and policies to get you the best possible auto insurance at the best possible rate.

What is financial responsibility with regards to auto insurance?

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One of the requirements in order to be able to get your car registered and drive legally in the state of Connecticut is to demonstrate financial responsibility. If you are involved in an accident and are found liable for damages to another person’s property or causing injury or death to that person, you must have the financial means to compensate that individual. Most people in Marlborough and West Hartford purchase auto insurance to meet their financial responsibility requirements.

The state of Connecticut holds the driver responsible, under tort law, for claims that arise from an at-fault accident. If you do not demonstrate financial responsibility by showing proof that you carry the state’s minimum mandatory bodily injury and property damage coverage, you can face serious consequences including the revocation of your registration and loss of driving privileges for three months.

Connecticut requires drivers to carry at least 20/40/15 liability coverage. What that means is that if you are found guilty of an accident that causes damage to property or injury to one or more people, your insurance will pay out up to $20,000 for bodily injury to one person or a maximum of $40,000 for all people injured in the same accident. Your insurance will also cover property damage up to the policy limit of $15,000.

While carrying the state mandatory liability coverage will allow you to get your car registered and get a drivers’ license, it may not be enough to cover a serious at-fault accident. Financial responsibility extends beyond the law. As your independent agent, we advise our clients to buy enough liability insurance to fit your personal situation.

If you have assets like a house or an investment account and a judgment is entered against you for an amount that exceeds your minimum liability coverage, you could be sued and held liable for the additional amount. You do not have to take chances with your financial future when you spend a little more and get the insurance coverage you need.

Adding teen driver to a Connecticut car insurance policy

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It’s no secret that your Connecticut car insurance policy will go up when you add a teen driver. Fortunately, there’s ways to keep the rise in your auto coverage as small as possible. The best thing to do first is to come in and talk to us. As an independent agent we can provide you with information on a lot of different policies from several companies. That can help you to choose the best policy for you and your teen driver. You’ll want to pay attention to the price, of course, but you’ll also want to know that the coverage is good in the event of an accident.

Whether you live in Marlborough or West Hartford, you want to be sure your teen is safe without having to break the bank to insure him or her. You can help your financial situation by making sure that your young driver takes driver’s education or another safety course so you can get a discount. Some insurance companies have special discounts that are offered if the driver completes their specific safety course, so that’s something to ask about. If your teen attends college and makes good grades, that’s also another discount through many insurance companies.

Overall, it’s always going to raise your premiums when you add a teen driver to your auto policy. Still, you want your teen to be independent, and some of that comes from learning to drive and do things on his or her own. Adding your son or daughter to your car insurance also shows that you’re serious about trusting your child, and you acknowledge that he or she is growing up. Those kinds of things can be hard to do for any parent, but they’re important rites of passage. With a good insurance policy, you’ll save money and also protect your teen.

Does Connecticut home insurance cover leaking roof?

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When you have a home, one of the things you have to pay attention to is your roof. If it’s leaking, you could be in real trouble because of the water damage that will occur. Places like Marlborough and West Hartford also have a lot of older homes, and the chance of having a leaky roof on an older home is much higher than it would be for a new one. One of the things you’ll need to focus on if you’re going to make an insurance claim for your roof is what caused the leak. Most Connecticut insurers will cover the damage for certain types of leaks, but not for others.

A hurricane that caused harm to your roof, for example, wouldn’t be covered unless you have a hurricane policy – and most people in Connecticut don’t carry that kind of insurance. The rarity of those types of storms keeps that kind of insurance policy from being required there, but if there is a hurricane you would like find that the leak in your roof caused by it wouldn’t be covered. To avoid the risk of not being covered, talk to an independent agent like us about your insurance policy.

By working with us to get the proper coverage, you’ll know that leaking roofs and all kinds of other problems will be covered by your policy. That can provide you with a lot of peace of mind, and also help ensure that you don’t have financial troubles if your house is damaged in a storm or if the roof simply gets too old and starts to leak. Some insurance companies will require that you get your roof replaced if it looks too bad, so you won’t have a leak and the company won’t be obligated to pay a claim. Keeping your roof in good shape is important to keep your insurance rates low.

Reasons why you should use a local insurance agent in West Hartford, CT to purchase a policy

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Are you searching for homeowners, life, car or health insurance in West Hartford, Connecticut? Then you need to work with an independent agent who serves this local market.

An independent agent who knows the West Hartford market is best able to help you purchase the insurance policy that best fits your needs, whether you’re looking for life insurance to protect your family, car insurance that allows you to stay on the road or homeowners insurance that protects your house and valuables in case of a natural disaster.

Insurance is a necessity. If you don’t have it, a disaster, accident or medical emergency could quickly decimate your household finances. Unfortunately, buying a policy is far from free. You’ll need to pay for your protection.

The good news, though, is that different insurance carriers offer vastly different fees. Homeowners insurance from one carrier might be hundreds of dollars more expensive than an equally strong policy from a competitor.

You might also qualify for several rate cuts. Insurance providers offer several discounts to their clients. For instance, if you have a driving record that is free from accidents or speeding tickets, you might qualify for a lower fee on your auto insurance. If you don’t smoke and boast a healthy weight, you might qualify for a discount on your life insurance policy. And if your home is protected by a security system, you might not have to pay quite as much for your homeowners insurance policy.

An independent agent can help you find these discounts and comparison shop for the most affordable policy for you and your family. This agent can also help you discover the policy that provides the best protection for yourself and your family members, one that will prevent an emergency or disaster from wiping out your finances.

Questions to ask when shopping for Connecticut Homeowners Insurance

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If you own or plan on buying a home in West Hartford or elsewhere in Connecticut, you will need to know a few things about homeowners insurance. Whether you’re getting your first policy or looking to change insurance companies, as an independent agent I can tell you that there are some questions you can ask to make your shopping a bit more effective.

The first thing you need to find out when looking at any homeowners insurance policy is what is covered and what is not. There are multiple levels of homeowners insurance coverage and you need to know if you’re talking about a policy that covers every item in your home as well as the structure itself, or if it just insures the structure against certain specific types of damage. These are things you don’t want to find out when you call with your first claim.

When talking to your independent agent, another good question to ask is about amounts of coverage. Make sure you understand if you’re talking about a policy that gives replacement cost or guaranteed replacement cost and what the maximum amounts are. It defeats the whole purpose of insurance if your house is destroyed and you end up not having enough money to replace it and still owing money on your mortgage. Another good question to ask is what is the limit of coverage for your valuables, in and outside the home.

In terms of cost, you should ask your independent agent about the appropriate deductible size for your situation, and how adjusting that might save money. You should ask about any discounts you might qualify for and what safety features you could add to your home to qualify for more discounts.

Homeowners insurance is an absolute necessity for anyone who owns a house, townhouse or condo in West Hartford. Connecticut homeowners should definitely not be afraid to ask questions when shopping for a policy, because the right questions will help you to find the right policy for you.

Connecticut Homeowners: Is my Child Covered for Personal Property while away at College?

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When a homeowner’s child goes off to college there are a lot of different issues to consider within the insurance arena. College students take a lot to college with them such as microwaves, small refrigerators, computers, personal clothing, furniture and more. Have you ever wondered if these possessions away from home are insured under your homeowner’s policy no matter where they are staying, a house, apartment, fraternity, or dorm room?

Connecticut homeowners who have a child in college will need to contact their independent agent to see what their policy reads about an insured person. A student should be named on the declaration page. Connecticut insurance companies say that all personal property extends to any children away at college. Review your policy with your independent agent to make sure that your student has the coverage they will need while away. Let the agent know what your child is taking with them to assess the need for a stand-alone policy for items not ordinarily covered in a basic homeowner’s policy.

What needs to be considered are the perils of loss from personal property that is not listed as a natural disaster where a special policy will need to be purchased? The tools that college students take to college these days are expensive items, so parents need to play it safe and make sure that the private possessions of the student are protected, because it would be a hard thing to replace expensive possessions after loss and no insurance.

Students need to take photos of all of their college possessions and keep it in a safe place in the event that a natural disaster, or theft occurs, vandalism happens or a natural disaster strikes. Give us a call and an independent agent in Connecticut can help sort out the college dilemma. Make sure your student is covered in the event of any losses.