How to Read an Insurance Policy

Remember Hurricane Katrina? In addition to the physical devastation and loss of lives, it resulted in an insurance nightmare for many business owners and homeowners, because their insurance policies did not cover damages caused by hurricanes, tornadoes, etc. As a lawyer, I read a lot of insurance policies. Hurricane Katrina is an extreme example, but it illustrates a scenario I see all the time in my practice: many people do not realize until it is too late that their insurance policies are inadequate or unequipped to shield them from financial losses or other damages.

Almost every adult owns some type of insurance policy. Vehicle, homeowner, medical, directors & officers liability, commercial property, professional liability and travel insurance are but some examples. Other than having a general understanding of the type of coverage we have and the coverage amounts (and, of course, the premium amount), many of us don’t know how to read and understand our policies and grasp how they work in the event that we need to rely on them.

The following is some basic information that will assist you if you are a policy owner or if you are contemplating purchasing insurance.

1. What documents constitute an insurance policy?

Usually, when you take out insurance, your insurance company will provide you with an insurance certificate or “declarations” page. This lists the items insured, and the amounts. The declarations may also refer to certain policy “exclusions.” However, as a policy owner you really should be asking the insurer for a copy of the complete policy, and any policy booklet that they may issue as a companion interpretive guide. In the event that you need to rely on your policy, the Declaration document is not helpful. Furthermore, reviewing the entire policy gives you an opportunity to understand or identify any “gaps” in coverage – i.e. matters that are not covered by your insurance and for which you may want to consider obtaining extra coverage through another insurance company.

2. Do you know what your policy “limits” are, and are they sufficient?

The amount of insurance coverage you obtain is called your insurance limits. If you own a vehicle, you will have purchased liability insurance with limits of $500,000, $1,000,000 or $2,000,000, this means that if someone sues you as a result of a car accident, your insurance policy will respond to that lawsuit to the extent of the limits you have purchased. These limits are sufficient for most people, however, did you know that if you are injured in a car accident and you sue the at-fault driver who only has limits of $500,000, yet your damages far exceed that amount, and then there is a clause in your policy that will allow you to access your own policy for the shortfall? If the liability limits in your motor vehicle insurance policy is $1,000,000, then there may be an extra $500,000 available to you. That is where having an understanding of the importance of the limits of your policy will assist you when you are making the decision to purchase insurance.

It is important to discuss with your broker all of the possible circumstances that may result in you having to access your insurance policy. This discussion will dictate the amount of insurance coverage you ultimately decide to purchase. If you do not purchase insurance with sufficient limits, then, in the case of liability insurance for example, if you are sued for an amount that exceeds the limits of your policy, you will personally be on the hook for the balance – which means that your assets and income may be vulnerable to garnishment. In the case of property insurance, you will have to personally pay for any damages that are not covered by your policy – if these damages are excessive or exorbitant, the financial consequences may be disastrous.

3. What are “Exclusions”?

In my experience, it’s the exclusion clauses that leave policyholders vulnerable and most policyholders do not read them. I draw your attention once again to Hurricane Katrina. Exclusion clauses identify the events or circumstances that will result in there being no coverage under the policy. For example, residential and commercial property insurance policies may contain an exclusion for theft caused when the premises remains unlocked or unoccupied. Do you run a business out of your home? If so, most homeowner’s policies will not cover any damages caused by or a result of commercial activities. Many professional liability policies contain exclusions for damages caused by fraud or dishonest conduct. If you own a large commercial building, your property insurance may contain exclusion for certain types of boiler and furnace mishaps (i.e. those caused by wear and tear, for example). And most travel insurance policies exclude health care coverage for illnesses causally related to pre-existing or prior medical conditions, even where those conditions have been dormant for some time.

The insurance company and broker have a duty to draw all policy exclusions to your attention. Many insurers accomplish this task by sending you a letter at the outset of the policy period, advising you to review the exclusion section of the policy. Some insurers do not do this. Regardless, in order to protect yourself, when you take out your policy, ask the insurer and your broker (if you are dealing with one) to identify all the policy exclusions. The exclusion clauses are often densely worded and convoluted. Therefore, if you do not understand them, you must point advise your insurer and ask for an explanation. If you think one of the exclusions may even potentially affect you in the future, you should speak to your broker about obtaining additional coverage for the excluded item from another insurance company, or, you may ask the insurer if you can purchase an enhanced form of coverage. For example, if you own a lakefront cottage and are worried about the potential for water leakage into the basement, review your policy carefully to ensure that this type of water damage is covered, if it is not covered, you will want to purchase supplemental coverage.

4. Policy Conditions

Policy conditions are pre-requisites to coverage. They are events or conditions that are necessary to keep the insurance in place. Payment of the premium by a certain date is a simple example. Another is maintaining a security alarm as a pre-condition to insurance against losses caused by theft. Other conditions relate to the policyholder’s obligations once a claim arises – that is, the reporting requirements. The reporting requirements dictate when and how you should report a claim to your insurance company. Some policies require that you report the claim in writing and within a certain period of time. In some policies, coverage will be triggered by notifying the insurer by phone – as many of you who have been in car accidents know.

There is almost always a time limit within which you can report a claim. Some insurance policies spell this out explicitly in the policy, others simply say that notice to the insurers must be given after an incident “forthwith” or “immediately.” Regardless of the wording used, if you suspect that you have a claim that may be covered by your policy, you should report it.

Policy conditions should be regarded in the same manner as exclusions, since failure to abide by them will result in a lack of coverage. Therefore, it is important that you have a complete understanding of what they are when you purchase your policy.

5. Insurer’s Obligations When a Claim Arises

Insurers have a duty to deal with you in good faith. When you make a claim under your policy, your insurer has a duty to assist you in processing your claim, to act in your best interests and to not take an unreasonable position on coverage. If the insurer makes a coverage decision that has no basis in the policy, then it may be subject to a complaint to the Financial Services Commission of Ontario, or in a lawsuit it may be vulnerable to a claim for punitive or aggravated damages.

6. The Role of the Broker

I have previously written on this site about the role and obligations of your insurance broker. Having an understanding of how your policy works and your policy exclusions allows you to have a meaningful discussion with your broker about what your insurance needs really are. Some of the additional questions that may arise out of this discussion, and which may result in your decision to purchase additional or enhanced insurance, are listed below.


* Do you own property outside of Ontario or conduct any business activities outside of Ontario?

* Do you conduct any business activities in your own home?

* Are you a voluntary or paid officer or director of a corporation? Are you aware that you may be sued in this capacity and that insurance may be available to protect you in this instance?

* Does your workplace medical-dental policy provide sufficient coverage for all possible health-care contingencies?

* Do you travel regularly outside of Ontario and/or internationally? Are you over the age of 65 and travel regularly?

Why Use an Auto Insurance Broker

Do you know the value of an auto insurance broker? Many people go shopping for auto insurance on their own, which can be a big mistake. Thousands of people are under insured and don't even know they are. Or you could be paying much more than you need to on insurance.

Do you know what the minimal requirements are for your state? Many states have different requirements, so if you move from one state to another, your previous coverage might not be enough. Without having this minimal insurance, you could face heavy fines or even lose your license.

The minimal requirements your state requires you to have also might not be enough to cover any damages to your car. If you were ever in an accident, would your insurance replace your car? Would it pay for damages? How about medical bills?

Auto insurance is important to think about. If you should ever have an accident, you might not be able to continue working. You might lose the vehicle and the other driver might not have the insurance to cover you. Are you willing to risk everything? Are you positive your insurance will cover it all?

After an accident is not the time to be thinking about insurance, but looking through all the different insurance options can be confusing at best. Where can you go to get the information you need to get the insurance that's right for you, not just for the insurance companies?

This is where an auto insurance broker comes in. An insurance broker can go through insurance polices with you and help you to select the best insurance for you. Their goal is to set you up with what you need.

There are many misunderstandings about auto insurance brokers. For starters, you don't pay them to help you. They get a commission no matter which package you chose from them, so having you pick one package over another isn't so much of a priority.

Do You Know Insurance?

Here are a few types of insurances your policy might or might not cover now.

Fully Comprehensive Auto Insurance For Your Car

This type of insurance, the fully comprehensive auto insurance, is probably the most expensive type you will be offered. If your car is financed by a bank or finance company, you need this insurance.

Fully comprehensive auto insurance insures the car and the owner against any number of events. These include accident and theft. The benefit is that it doesn't matter who is at fault, you're still covered in case your car is in an accident or stolen. If the other driver doesn't have insurance or is under insured you'll still be able to make a claim.

Did you know that insurance policies don't cover 100% of the car? This is especially true for brand new cars. They might insure 80% of the car's total value, maybe even less. This helps insure that fraud is prevented on their side, but might leave you paying out if you're ever in an accident of some sort. Do you know how much your insurance covers?

Third Party, Fire & Theft Insurance

Let's say you've already paid off your car loan. You own a car clean and clear. You may need to still have third party, fire and theft auto insurance. This is especially true if you still retain some form of intrinsic value on your car.

While this type of insurance might be less expensive, the only problem is that you are only covered when an accident occurs with a third party. Which means if you damage your own car, hitting a tree or the such, you'd have to pay for the damages. Also, if you aren't at fault in the accident, your insurance likely won't pay for your insurance, as it doesn't usually cover you if the third party doesn't have insurance.

Separate Third Party Insurance Policy

This policy will cover you if you are at fault in an accident with a third party. This is one of the cheapest sort of auto insurance. Those car owners whose cars are very old or have no value to them will often choose this type of auto insurance.

There are other types of insurance you should be aware of and knowing how much of each type of insurance you will need can lead to even more questions. If you have questions, an auto insurance broker can help.

How the Process with an Auto Insurance Broker Works

It starts with you picking an auto insurance broker that will work with you. You can check the phone book or online to find out whom is local to your area. Ask questions from others on who they recommend.

Local insurance brokers generally get you the best deals for your area. They might know the national auto insurance providers, like Safe Auto, GEICO, or Progressive, but they might also know some local insurance providers, or smaller insurance companies that are just as good, and can be more helpful to you since they are more localized.

Your insurance broker will also be able to help you select which insurance is right for you and your vehicle. You'll save money and you'll get more for your dollar with coverage that will cover you correctly in case of an accident. This includes if the accident was your fault or someone else's.

The best part is, your insurance broker is working for you. They get their commission no matter what package you select, and in most cases you can get the options you want. Your broker will help you to understand those options so you can pick the ones you want.

So if you haven't worked with an insurance broker, it is about time to get someone on your side. Your broker is there to help you, answer your questions, and make sure you are safe on the road. Do a bit of research online for local auto insurance brokers.

Quick And Easy Guide To Cheap Car Insurance Quotes

Vehicle, truck, auto or car insurance is something everyone who drives a vehicle has to have but many people end up paying too much for their auto insurance and they'll never know they're doing so. Saving money on your car insurance is one of the easiest things you can do and often is one of the most overlooked ways to free up more money for your household expenses or other necessities. There are many things to consider when you're looking for free, cheap car insurance quotes online between the many car or auto insurance companies in business today. Spending a little time researching online will pay off in huge discounts and lower or cheaper car insurance quotes, rates or prices.

You also may want to consider the longevity you have with your current company, especially if you have a good driving record. It's good to know this just in case the length of your insurance coverage plays a part in the rates you have now or other variables in your policy that might be different and more valuable to you than with a new company -- even at a lower or cheaper rate. Keep in mind that insurance companies do change their rates now and then so the quote you got yesterday may not be good today. Many insurance companies will offer lower or cheaper auto insurance rates or more affordable rates than others with the same or similar type of policies.
Auto or car insurance rates and the quotes from different companies are rarely identical; there are many variables in the plans. Of course if you're already insured now you can choose to stay with your present auto insurance company but low cost or cheaper rates may be a good reason to switch to another insurance company. You will definitely want to compare insurance policy features. Make sure to compare the wide range of deductibles that are offered and compare the level of coverage they provide. This can vary a lot.

If you don't have a good driving record you may not be able to get the deductible you'd like, so make a good attempt to focus on turning your driving record around to lower your insurance costs. Several car insurance policies or plans rely on a reasonable estimation of the average annual distance that is expected to be driven. This is provided by the insured. This discount really benefits drivers who drive their cars infrequently. Most of the single line and multiple line companies offer good discounts and other great benefits to the policyholder for carrying multiple car insurance policies and other lines of insurance when in the same household.

If you've always been with the same insurance company, don't just assume you're getting the best rate. Make sure to compare features and compare the quick quotes you can get online from other companies. Generally insurance premiums tend to become cheaper at about the age of 25. You can easily visit insurance company websites and get the free cheap car insurance quotes in just minutes. You'll need to give them some basic information about your car insurance history, your current situation and what your needs are in terms of your policy.

Now if you haven't had any accidents that were your fault and you're a good driver, consider getting a higher deductible so you would pay out a larger sum of money in the event you have an accident that is your fault but still save a lot on your insurance premium. You can also find car insurance companies that offer discounts for good driving.

If you're over 50 years of age, you and your spouse, if you have one, can become members of the American Association of Retired People (AARP) for only $12.50 a year if you are US residents. They deeply discount insurance and are currently affiliated with just one insurance company, thus able to give you a good online cheap car insurance quote. You want to compare, compare and compare the cheap car insurance quotes that you do get for the cheapest; some may be similar but some quotes could be quite different.

Get as many online car insurance quotes as you can find time for and you should be able to come up with some of the best, free, online, cheap car insurance quotes available today. These are just a few of the best tips that can help you save money on your auto insurance and give you an idea what to ask and look for when you're trying to get a cheap car insurance quote.

10 Ways to Lower your Car Insurance Payments

Many people buy their own cars because it makes life easier. However, many also struggle with the costs that come with maintaining a car especially when it comes to making car insurance payments. Many car owners are continuously in search for better ways to lower their car insurance premiums. What most do is simply search for companies that provide cheap car insurance. However, what many do not know is that they can save so much more just by following a few simple tips.

For those who aim to save on car insurance payments, the first thing to do is make sure to shop around every so often. In fact, the reason why six-month car insurance polices are most preferred is that it allows car owners to switch and buy car insurance from other providers at the soonest possible time. This means that it is important to continuously survey the insurance market to search for the cheapest car insurance around.

Some people find that it is most effective to check out rates for car insurance online while others learn about the cheapest services from their friends and family. No matter what your preferred method for getting car insurance quotes may be, the bottom line is to find the best car insurance to not only suit your lifestyle but your budget as well. Many people who make this a practice report savings of over $300 on policies valid for six months. This would translate to so much more in a span of one year.

Another thing to consider when trying lowering your car insurance payments is to take the option for higher deductibles. Many car owners feel afraid to do this because choosing higher deductibles means shelling out so much more money in case they get into a huge accident. However, the logic behind choosing higher deductibles is pretty sound. Obviously, higher deductibles mean lower premiums. Therefore, lower car insurance payments. Car owners should not worry too much about higher payments when a major accident happens because minor accidents happen more often than major ones and when it comes to minor damages, car owners will still pay the same amount.

Many motorists prefer paying for their premiums in monthly installments because it allows them to shell out a relatively smaller amount at a given time and budget their car insurance payments along with the rest of their monthly expenses. However, what they do not realize is that even the cheapest car insurance providers add on administrative fees for each payment. Even if the additional amount is only $7 or so, for people paying their premiums at monthly installments, this could easily add up to $84 which they could have saved over the period of that one year

Another useful tip to help you lower your car insurance payments is to also look around for companies providing multi-line insurance. This means that you purchase all your insurance from the same company. Most insurers offer huge discounts for this. However, many people still try to look for cheap providers for each type of insurance they need. What they do not realize is that getting their car insurance and home insurance from just one provider can easily translate to about 15% savings.

Furthermore, if you think of yourself as a good driver and no evidence to prove otherwise can be gathered, here’s a good tip for you: look for car insurance providers that can reward you with big discounts simply because of your driving. In fact, some states such as California have made it illegal for car insurance providers to disregard good driving discounts. So, if you have not gotten yourself into any car accidents or received tickets for at least the past three years, do some research or ask around. You may qualify for lower premiums.

Nowadays, a lot of insurance companies will base the prices of their car insurance policies on your credit history. If you have been diligent in building a solid credit standing, then you stand a good chance on getting lower car insurance quotes when you buy car insurance. Aside from making sure unpaid bills don’t pile up, keep your credit balance as low as possible and don’t acquire more credit than you need. Keep your records updated and make sure to correct any errors so your credit history remains accurate.

Many car insurance companies also offer discounts to people whose cars have safety features. Airbags, seatbelts, anti-lock braking systems and other factory-installed safety features on your car may help you find the cheapest car insurance you can get. Make sure you tell your insurer that you have such features installed on your vehicle when you get car insurance quotes.

Sometimes it pays to be diligent to the point of being anal. If you want the cheapest car insurance you can get, you should review your car insurance coverage to check for unnecessary expenses in it. If you’re not thorough you may be spending on additional coverage that you don’t need or already have. A perfect example would be towing services. Most, if not all, auto clubs provide such services yet this is part of most car insurance policies as well. So before you buy car insurance review the car insurance quotes you’ve gotten and eliminate all the unneeded expenses.

If you’re looking for cheap car insurance, look for insurers that give discounts to students and senior citizens. Some car insurance companies will offer discounts for students with good academic records and for drivers over the age of 50. Ask around or research on car insurance online, as well, if you have a college student in your family. Some insurers give discounts to parents with college-age children who go to school a certain distance away from home and don’t bring a car to their campus.

One last great tip to lower you car insurance payments is to use your car less. There are a lot of car insurance companies that will give you discounts if you keep the annual mileage on your vehicle low. So, evaluate how you use your car. If you make frequent short trips around town you might consider planning ahead and organizing all your errands so you can check all of it off your list in as few trips as possible.

One thing to remember though is that car insurance companies may differ in what they consider to be low annual mileage, so do your research. If you think you might be able to lower your mileage then get updated car insurance quotes.

Following just a few of these recommendations will surely help you lower your car insurance payments. Remember, it is not always about finding the cheapest car insurance provider. Most of the time, it is simply about knowing your options and weighing them to find the perfect car insurance strategy for you.

Car Insurance - Buying Guide

Before you are able to legally drive on a UK road, along with a valid licence, TAX and MOT, you also require car insurance. Failure to comply with this can result in points on your licence, fines and in some cases - a jail sentence.

As vehicles can be incredibly costly to repair or replace, car insurance protects you against having to pay for any damages in the event of an accident.

The first part of applying for car insurance involves completing a proposal, which can either by done by post, over the phone or online. When filling out your proposal it’s important to be completely truthful, answering all questions to the best of your knowledge; if unsure about something, then its best to talk with the insurer.

If you need to make a claim down the line, and it becomes apparent that you haven’t been wholly truthful in your proposal, then the insurer could declare your insurance as null and voide, thus leaving you with a big bill on your hands.

It’s important to note that when processing a claim your insurance company will only pay out the current market value of the vehicle, which is almost always less than what you will have paid for it originally.
Also, any alternations or modifications you make to your vehicle should be passed by your insurer; again, failure to do this could leave you with invalid insurance.

As mentioned, insurance can be purchased in a number of ways, the quickest and easiest generally being online. As well as all the popular high street brokers having online facilities, there are a number of comparison websites, which allow you to find the most competitive quote.

You are likely to get the option of paying for your insurance in a lump sum or instalments. Although instalments may be more manageable, it’s generally more cost effective to pay upfront for a year or 6 months.
Car insurance is easily obtained, be it online or through an insurance broker and with it being such a competitive market, finding cheap car insurance has never been easier. As mentioned, making use of one of the many car insurance comparison websites is a good idea.

Cheap Car Insurance for Under 25 - Getting Over the Young Driver Hump!

It is no big secret that a lot of circumstances play a large role in car insurance prices. How old you are and if you are male or female all play a major role in how much your car insurance will cost you. Of course, these things are none of which are in your control. You cannot control how old you are or what gender you are.

There is good news on the horizon however. Now, you can find cheap car insurance for under 25.
Now, you do not have to worry about insurance companies refusing you due to your age. It is true that insurance companies deem those under 25 to be a higher risk when compared to those over the age of 25.

Because of this assumption, it means that you now qualify for high insurance rates, regardless of if you really are a good driver or not. However, some insurance companies are now recognizing that cheap car insurance for under 25 is important to the new drivers of the world.

Many insurance companies carry a specialty in providing cheap car insurance for under 25 and these are the companies you should be looking for. What is great about these types of insurance companies offering younger drivers' cheap car insurance for under 25 is that many of them are now offering different types of bonuses and incentives.

For example, if you can go a full year without having to make a claim, they may offer you a refund percentage or a reduction in rates. Perhaps if you take certain classes designed specifically for younger drivers, you may also be eligible for a rate reduction.

cheap car insurance for under 25 does not have to be a dream any longer. Take action today and get the right company and right coverage that fits your budget perfectly.

Five Features of Term Life Insurance

The term insurance provides protection against death of an individual for a give term period. It is one of the best policies for short-term protection of the family. There are many positive features of term life insurance policy give some kind of freedom to the insurer so that the customer feels more flexibility under the term life insurance policy.

The most important features are:

Convertibility: In term life insurance policy the policy offer convertibility from the term life insurance to individual whole life term or annual renewable term policy. It will be apply in all States. The convertibility provides facilities to the insurer to changing from term insurance policy to the individual whole life term or annual renewable term policy.

Decreased Term: The term insurance is always available in the decreasing term. In the decreasing term the premium remain same but the face value get reduce every year. It is good choice than the other term. But the reducing of the dropping value will affect you because it does not get death benefits as you expected if you live long.

Changes in Premium: The premium may be increase or decrease based on the proposed earning, mortality, tenancy or disbursals. The state authority has increase or decreases the premium upto define level. It is good that the premium amount may not be increase as utmost level stated in the policy.

Renewable: The term insurance policy is renewable. It permits the insurer to carry on with the present term policy with the all benefits. The insurer must have to follow the rules and he/she must perform the medical examination to extend the date of renewal. The premium will be changes depend on coverage and time period.

Term Rider Facilities: The term insurance provides term rider facilities for the child and the spouse. It is important to give term rider facility for child up to 18 years. While spouse rider available for 20-year period. The term rider facilities are available with some additional premium. It will convert it to individual whole life incase of spouse and child.

The term insurance is good for security for the family in the short-term period. It is very much flexible in nature and have always been considered as the best policy.