Our Companies
For your convenience we have provided the following links to the companies that we represent so that you may learn more about their products and services. You can also use these sites to report a claim 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and view your billing activity and history.
AUTO INSURANCE
How Do I Keep My Auto Premiums Down?
First and foremost keep your driving record clean. In order to qualify for the best plans most companies look for drivers with no more than one violation within three years.
The model of car can have a big impact on your premium. The more expensive a car is, the more expensive the insurance. We are seeing for the first time since the 1970’s surcharges on certain high horse power models. The car companies are offering models with 200 HP and more and some of these are being hit with performance surcharges. Call us and we can inform you whether a car you are thinking of buying will have such a surcharge.
Youthful Operators: Unfortunately insuring new drivers is very expensive. But there are ways to keep insurance costs down even with youthful operators. Think twice about giving your son or daughter their own car. The difference between the rate for a principal operator with his/her own car, and an occasional operator, sharing a car, is almost double. If they need their own car consider buying a safe, inexpensive, used car and insure for liability only. The difference between full coverage and liability only is again about double. A “B” average can save several hundred dollars a year. Above all, stress to your young driver that tickets, or worse, an accident, can increase the whole family’s insurance premiums, not just that driver’s.
The town or city you live in effects your rate. There is nothing you can do about that, but keep in mind when your brother-in-law brags about his auto rates compared to yours, that his living in another town may be the biggest reason.
Package your auto insurance: Our companies offer great discounts when you bundle your auto insurance with your homeowners insurance.
What happens when I loan my car to someone? Is that person covered by my policy? Am I still covered?
Yes. Liability and coverage for Physical Damage (i.e. Comprehensive and Collision) always follow your car. Plus, if the driver of your car is insured, his/her policy will also be available to cover the cost of damages and injuries on an excess basis.
The same rules apply when you borrow someone else’s vehicle; your own insurance follows you no matter whose car you’re driving, but the vehicle owner’s policy is primary in the event of an accident.
How can I challenge my insurers if they refuse to cover a claim?
Usually, insurers that refuse to cover a claim have a strong legal reason for doing so — even if you disagree. First, contact us if you feel you’re being treated unfairly. We are your strongest and most effective advocate in dealing with a company’s claim department.
Who decides on the type of insurance, the mortgage company or me?
You do. The mortgage company collects a set amount from you each month in order to protect their investment. This money is put in escrow and covers your insurance and taxes. However, the policy is still yours and you select the insurance you feel offers the best coverage at the best rates. 
What are some coverages I might not think to ask about?
Back up of sewers and drains is one coverage everyone should ask their agent about. Some insurance companies have limited this valuable coverage so be careful as to what your policy covers.
Jewelry, furs, silver, coin and stamp collections, firearms, fine arts and antiques have either limitations under the standard homeowners policy or for other reasons are best insured under a rider. Ask us and we will discuss this with you in detail.
Are floods, earthquakes, and other natural disasters covered?
Most catastrophes are covered. Flood and earthquake damage, however, are not covered by a standard policy and both perils are more common than many people realize. We can advise you on such normally excluded conditions as floods and earthquakes and provide coverage for them if you choose.
Are there exclusions I should know about?
Exclusions listed and defined in your policy might include neglect, maintenance, intentional loss, “earth movement,” general power failure, and even damage caused by war. If you fail to take care of your property (e.g., a leaky roof), you might not be covered. Obviously, if you intend to lose an object or damage your property, there’s no coverage.
Return to topCONDO INSURANCE
Are there any special problems to consider when insuring a condominium? Yes. Broadly speaking, the condo association is responsible for insuring the outside of the building and you as the condo owner are responsible for insuring a portion of the interior of the building, along with your personal possessions. The problem is, “What defines that portion of the interior of the building that you as owner need to insure, and how does that translate as to how much insurance you need?” The answer can only be found in the contract between the condo association and yourself, the condo owner. It would be nice if the contract language defining each party’s responsibility was universal, but it is not. Only a reading of your contract tells you what part of the “building” you need to insure and as a consequence how much coverage you will need to buy. Caution: beware of the fast answer. We have looked at contracts where the owner was responsible for over $100,000 of the interior building while their current insurance policy only gave them coverage of $25,000.
Return to topBUSINESS INSURANCE
I’m just getting my business started. Do I need insurance immediately?
Yes. Your chance of suffering a loss begins with the first day of business. If you suffer a loss and have no insurance or have improper or insufficient coverage, your insurance agent can do little, if anything, to help you.
Also, many states and local jurisdictions require businesses to have insurance to begin operating. And if you rent space for your business, your landlord probably requires you to obtain adequate insurance.
I don’t have any major business assets. Why do I need insurance?
Every business has some property. When you think about it, your business is your property. Just like your home and your car, your business needs to be protected from loss, damage, and liability. In addition, your business is your source of income, so you need protection from the potential loss of that income.
Does insurance coverage vary for different businesses?
It can. Many small businesses opt for package policies that cover the major Property and Liability exposures as well as for a loss of income. A common package policy used by many small businesses is called the Business Owners Policy (BOP).
Generally, BOPs provide more complete coverage at a lower price than separate policies for each type of insurance needed. We can help you decide which policy or policies are right for your business. You can also purchase additional coverage for perils or conditions otherwise excluded (e.g., flood protection) as endorsements to a standard policy or as a separate, second policy called a Difference in Conditions (DIC) policy.
We can advise you of the best policy (or policies) to protect you and your business.
What might not be covered that I think is?
Just because you do not have vehicles titled in your company name doesn’t mean you don’t have need for Commercial Auto insurance. If you are involved in an accident in your personal auto, but are on company business (going to the bank perhaps) your company can be dragged into a lawsuit. Your Personal Auto policy would cover you, as an individual, but not your company. This exposure can be covered through Non-Owned Auto coverage. This coverage is readily available and inexpensive.
Property off premises: Most fire insurance policies cover your personal property while on your premises but only give minimal coverage off premise. You may have laptops off premise, inventory in transit, or office machinery out for repair and none of it may be covered. We can tailor coverages to make sure these situations are insured.
An exclusion that can be costly is the Ordinance or Law exclusion. Building codes established by governmental bodies that drive up the cost of rebuilding or repairing after a loss occurs might not be covered by your insurance policy. Thus, if you discover when replacing damaged property that current law demands higher grade or more expensive materials than those you’re replacing, the new materials might not be covered fully. In some instances you can be forced to demolish all, or part of the property.
Return to topSTUDENT/RECENT GRADUATE INSURANCE
 I’m a college student. Am I still covered by my parents’ policies? It depends on the policy and its terms. For example, most Health insurance policies cover insureds’ children up to age 18, or up to 22 if the child continues as a full-time student. If you’re over 18 and not a full-time student, you’ll need your own Health insurance policy.
What kinds of risks do college students face?
College students face many new risks as they head off to school: theft of personal property, auto accidents due to driving long distances, and risks related to attending and giving parties.
How extensive are these risks?
College and university campuses aren’t immune to property crime. A 1995 FBI study reported that there were more than 100,000 property crimes on college nationwide, including burglary, theft, motor vehicle theft, and arson. Thieves took an average of $1,251 of property per offense that same year.
At least one in 10 college students revealed that they had caused an auto accident in the last two years. One in four had a speeding ticket or other moving violation. These and other offenses contribute to higher Auto insurance premiums for students.
Hamilton Insurance
5255 Mayfield Road
Lyndhurst, OH 44124
Phone: (440) 461-8010
Fax: (440) 461-7976
|
