How to Avoid Contractor Fraud

<br /><div class="Default" style="line-height: 12.05pt; margin: 4pt 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="A1"><span style="font-size: 9.5pt;">Starting a house project? Read these helpful tips before you hire a contractor. </span></span><span style="font-size: 9.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLURzCnDSQz-xgkCn-KUex3BqMpQuZjklhgHARxWXtaWYyQxcaF4z22AmuC_NiWvIAPCryfRVDpK-CVHh4p2pwfHRuqOu_maQKNyxGA5MQCSv0BSNpXU-232gg6IeTQ5DIRi1He9IA3JU/s1600/MP900182819%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLURzCnDSQz-xgkCn-KUex3BqMpQuZjklhgHARxWXtaWYyQxcaF4z22AmuC_NiWvIAPCryfRVDpK-CVHh4p2pwfHRuqOu_maQKNyxGA5MQCSv0BSNpXU-232gg6IeTQ5DIRi1He9IA3JU/s1600/MP900182819%5B1%5D.jpg" width="320" /></a><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">                </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="A1"><span style="font-size: 9.5pt;">-Get a list of reputable contractors from your insurance company, the Better Business Bureau or a specialized consumer organization like Angie’s List. </span></span><span style="font-size: 9.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">                </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="A1"><span style="font-size: 9.5pt;">-Contact multiple contractors, and obtain more than one estimate. </span></span><span style="font-size: 9.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">                </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="A1"><span style="font-size: 9.5pt;">-Don’t allow a contractor to inspect your property if you’re not home. </span></span><span style="font-size: 9.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">                </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="A1"><span style="font-size: 9.5pt;">-When the contractor is inspecting your property, personally watch him conduct the inspection. </span></span><span style="font-size: 9.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">                </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="A1"><span style="font-size: 9.5pt;">-Obtain the terms and conditions of the project in writing, including details on specific supplies being used     and who will purchase and deliver them. Include an estimated completion date and a price-deduction schedule if work takes longer than promised. </span></span><span style="font-size: 9.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">                </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="A1"><span style="font-size: 9.5pt;">-Ask about warranties on work. </span></span><span style="font-size: 9.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">                </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="A1"><span style="font-size: 9.5pt;">-Make sure the contractor gets the necessary permits and puts them in his name. </span></span><span style="font-size: 9.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">                </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="A1"><span style="font-size: 9.5pt;">-Ask for references from recently completed work. Call them and look at the work if possible. Ask if there were issues and if the homeowner would use the contractor again. </span></span><span style="font-size: 9.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">                </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="A1"><span style="font-size: 9.5pt;">-Ask the contractor if he has liability insurance, and get the policy number and agency’s name. Call the agency, and ask them to provide you with a liability certificate of insurance. There should be no charge to you as a customer of a contractor. </span></span><span style="font-size: 9.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">                </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="A1"><span style="font-size: 9.5pt;">-Avoid signing the contract until the document is reviewed fully and/or discuss the terms of the contract with a legal representative or a knowledgeable source. </span></span><span style="font-size: 9.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">                </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="A1"><span style="font-size: 9.5pt;">-Pay the contractor by check or credit card rather than in cash. </span></span><span style="font-size: 9.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">                </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="A1"><span style="font-size: 9.5pt;">-Don’t pay for work in advance. If possible, don’t pay until the work is done. If you do agree to pay portions at different stages, make sure the bulk of the payment is made at the end of the project after inspections are passed. </span></span><span style="font-size: 9.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="A1"><span style="font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">                </span></span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="A1"><span style="font-size: 9.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">-Get these details in writing. </span></span></span><span class="A1"><span style="font-size: 9.5pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></o:p></span></span></div><div class="Default" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0in;"><span class="A1"><span style="font-size: 9.5pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></o:p></span></span> </div><div class="Default" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0in;"><span class="A1"><span style="font-size: 9.5pt;"><o:p>        <span style="font-size: x-small;">-Ask for proof of insurance and get certificates of insurance especially workers compensation.</span></o:p></span></span></div><br /><div class="Default" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><em><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="A2"><span style="font-size: 7.5pt;">Sources: Ohio Department of Insurance, PIAA of Ohio, and Ted Kinney, CIC, CPCU, ARM</span></span><span style="font-size: 9.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></em></div>

Starting a house project? Read these helpful tips before you hire a contractor.                 -Get a list of reputable contractors from yo...

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Insurance Tips Before and After A Disaster

<br /><div class="Pa0" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span class="A1"><span style="font-size: 9.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">“If only I knew.” Four words spoken after disasters by people who’ve learned they don’t have the insurance coverage they thought they had. In our agency, we never want you to be in that situation, so here are some tips to help. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><br /> <br /><div class="Pa0" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="A1"><b><span style="font-size: 9.5pt;">Advice you need before a disaster </span></b></span><span style="color: black; font-size: 9.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><div class="Pa0" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span class="A1"><span style="font-size: 9.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">You might have purchased your insurance a long time ago. Do you remember the coverage choices you made and your deductibles, endorsements and exclusions? These details can make or break a family after a disaster, so take a few minutes to call us to see if your coverage fits your current needs. Be sure to report life changes and significant purchases or home improvements. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><br /> <br /><div class="Pa0" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span class="A1"><span style="font-size: 9.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Do you know how much coverage you have if your home or possessions are damaged by rain, hail, lightning or tornadoes? If your roof was damaged in a storm, would it be repaired or replaced? How soon after a storm do you need to report a loss? Are you aware that most renters and homeowners policies don’t cover floods or earthquakes? Do you have loss-of-use coverage in case you have to vacate your home temporarily? If a tree falls on your car, do you have the right auto coverage? <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><br /> <br /><div class="Pa0" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="A1"><span style="font-size: 9.5pt;">If you don’t know the answers, it’s important to call us to learn what your policy specifies. </span></span><span style="color: black; font-size: 9.5pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span class="A1">Another helpful tip is to create a home inventory every few years. It sounds like a headache, but anyone who has filed a claim will vouch for its value, and technology has made the process quick and easy. Videotape or photograph your possessions room by room. Get close-ups of valuable items, and keep receipts. Create an inventory by downloading an app or using a website like knowyourstuff.org, recommended by the Ohio Committee for Severe Weather Awareness (OCSWA). Store this inventory on the web or somewhere outside your home to keep it protected. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><br /> <br /><div class="Pa0" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="A1"><b><span style="font-size: 9.5pt;">Insurance tips for after a disaster </span></b></span><span style="color: black; font-size: 9.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><div class="Pa0" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span class="A1"><span style="font-size: 9.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Inspect your property and vehicles. Make a list of what is damaged and how. Take photos for documentation. And report your loss in a timely manner. Also take steps to protect possessions from further damage after the disaster. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><br /> <br /><div class="Pa0" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="A1"><span style="font-size: 9.5pt;">If you need to move out of your residence temporarily, provide us with a phone number where we can call you. Find out the monetary limit your loss-of-use insurance covers before you choose a hotel. When you file a claim, back it up with written estimates and your home inventory information.  </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="A1"><span style="font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;">Prepare now, and your family will be grateful if there ever is a disaster.</span></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>

“If only I knew.” Four words spoken after disasters by people who’ve learned they don’t have the insurance coverage they thought they had....

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PIAA Takes Lead in Helping Fix Workers’ Comp Exposure for Ohio Employers

<em>PIAA wrote the following article on 6/27/14 with news on the resent Ohio Workers Compensation program.  The article is as follows:</em><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri;">GOVERNOR SIGNS BILL TO PROTECT BUSINESSES WITH EMPLOYEES WHO WORK IN OTHER STATES<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Did you know some states do not recognize Ohio’s workers’ compensation insurance coverage? Many Ohio business owners have no idea that they are at risk for compliance audits and fines when their employees travel to other states for business. </span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As of June 16, 2014, this issue is on its way to no longer being a problem. Gov. John Kasich signed House Bill 493 into law, which offers an insurance coverage solution for all Ohio employers whose employees cross state lines.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">H.B. 493 permits the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) to enter into an agreement with an insurer to provide limited other-states’ workers’ comp coverage for Ohio employees who are temporarily working in another state. With this arrangement in place, Ohio businesses will no longer have to fear the repercussions of aggressive states like Pennsylvania and Kentucky that do not accept Ohio’s workers’ comp because they require local workers’ comp coverage for all work performed in-state, regardless of whether coverage exists in Ohio. <span style="color: #1f497d;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">While local workers’ comp coverage can be obtained in these states, it is not necessarily cost-effective. In addition, obtaining blanket cost-effective out-of-state workers’ comp coverage has been a challenge in the current marketplace where such a product is hard to find. With H.B. 493, this will soon be an issue of the past, as BWC works to create the opportunity to provide guaranteed issue workers’ comp coverage to resolve the problems many Ohio businesses have faced due to other states workers’ comp requirements.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b>How did this issue surface?<br /></b>Independent insurance agents throughout Ohio found their trucking, contracting, plumbing and other clients were being hit with audits, fines, taxes and other compliance enforcement actions from border states because Ohio’s workers’ comp insurance was not compliant with the insurance requirements of other states. These compliance issues were putting Ohio businesses at a competitive disadvantage. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /> <br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Professional Independent Agents Association of Ohio, of which your agent is a member, created a task force of independent insurance agents who serve a variety of businesses. These agents worked with the Ohio <span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">BWC </span>and representatives from other industries, like trucking and contracting, to develop a solution to this problem. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri;">What’s Next?<br /></span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now that the bill has been signed into law, BWC will begin the competitive bid process to identify an insurance carrier(s) to provide limited other states’ coverage for Ohio employers who need it. <span style="color: #1f497d;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: #1f497d;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">While this process will take some time, the outcome will ensure that Ohio businesses will finally have guaranteed access to a workers’ comp insurance product that provides the type of out-of-state coverage that will protect their business and meet their needs. Furthermore, employers and insurance agents will no longer have the burden of trying to determine all the different workers comp requirements of each and every state where work is performed, since there will be access to a workers’ comp product that is accepted in all states. <o:p></o:p></span></div>

PIAA wrote the following article on 6/27/14 with news on the resent Ohio Workers Compensation program.  The article is as follows: GOVERNOR...

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Rental Car Insurance: Buy or Not Buy

<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: times new roman;">During the summer our agency receives a lot of phone calls from clients who are sitting at the airport getting ready to sign up for a rental car. The rental car employee has just asked them if they wish to purchase the “extra” insurance from the rental car company, and they are not certain if their personal auto insurance protects them on rental cars or not. So they pull out the cell phone and call </span><a href="http://feyinsurance.com/"><span style="font-family: times new roman;"><span style="color: #073763;">Fey Insurance Services</span></span></a><span style="font-family: times new roman;">. </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: times new roman;">Our answer is always this, “It is not a black or white answer. </span><br /><div><div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-family: times new roman;"></span> </div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdSEuGZIkzrkAGA1L-P4khcWmQx7IOpsEi3AlS7Du75zNgWCJbux16Den92aCEQdtKMKeab_PW1q5tqE5g1kcYh4hAV3D_EwkA_snETfbL__O2tNG8egi2gvki06nSZNYYU1LFN-znI6M/s1600/MP900400851%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdSEuGZIkzrkAGA1L-P4khcWmQx7IOpsEi3AlS7Du75zNgWCJbux16Den92aCEQdtKMKeab_PW1q5tqE5g1kcYh4hAV3D_EwkA_snETfbL__O2tNG8egi2gvki06nSZNYYU1LFN-znI6M/s1600/MP900400851%5B1%5D.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="color: black; font-family: times new roman;">Unfortunately it is a gray answer so we recommend you purchase at least the “Collision Damage Waiver”. Normally the client is somewhat confused on what the “gray” answer is but the beach is calling and they want to get on their way. So, I thought with this blog article I would hit on two reasons why it is a “gray” answer when it comes to purchasing insurance from the rental car company on a rental car.</span><span style="color: #262626;"><!--?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /--><o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-family: times new roman;"></span> </div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span> </div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-family: times new roman;">The first reason is contract language. Two contracts would be involved if you did not purchase rental car insurance from the rental car company. The contracts would be the one between you and the rental car company (the one you sign in order to rent the car) and the contract between you and your personal auto insurance company. Each of these contracts can be different depending on which rental car company you are using, which state you are in and which personal auto insurance company you have. Because of this there are all kinds of possible gaps in insurance coverage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An example gap is “loss of use”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A number of rental car companies will charge you for the loss of use of the car while it is in the repair shop after you caused an accident that damaged the vehicle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This means that if it takes a week for the car to be repaired they will charge you a week of rental.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some insurance companies do pay this extra cost and some don’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gaps like this can be avoided by just spending the extra money on “Collision Damage Waiver”.</span><span style="color: #262626;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-family: times new roman;"></span> </div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span> </div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-family: times new roman;">A second reason we feel it is a gray topic and you should just purchase the extra coverage is that often times you drop off a car after your trip and no one from the rental car company is present to help you check for damages to the car. We have had a couple of cases where our clients received a letter from the rental car company seeking money for a ding or scratch. They swear they never caused any damage to the car. Unfortunately, when they turned the car in there was no one to sign off that the car was returned undamaged. So, when another vacationer in an unfamiliar car at an unfamiliar airport (who is late for their flight) pulls in next to you to drop off their rental car, and they bump into the car you had just dropped off twenty minutes ago, you have no way of proving you where no longer responsible for the vehicle when the damage occurred.</span><span style="color: #262626;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-family: times new roman;"></span> </div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span> </div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-family: times new roman;">So we recommend you play it safe next time you rent a car and purchase at least the “Collision Damage Waiver”.</span></div></div></div>

During the summer our agency receives a lot of phone calls from clients who are sitting at the airport getting ready to sign up for a rental...

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Auto Liability Basics

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5PKwqgDTLuFAowpEbM-LXhylhoF6QqPHLKP2VQTcf2EaPMGMqtiAwg7wMM3erqY6c87l_2fYxgEAM0-wQmPUH7BFtPIUQU3gjrNwPsSQgtIA1AcThEqK2DirXVIPdJ8w4hf-ZVxOCFm8/s1600/MP900309408.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5PKwqgDTLuFAowpEbM-LXhylhoF6QqPHLKP2VQTcf2EaPMGMqtiAwg7wMM3erqY6c87l_2fYxgEAM0-wQmPUH7BFtPIUQU3gjrNwPsSQgtIA1AcThEqK2DirXVIPdJ8w4hf-ZVxOCFm8/s1600/MP900309408.JPG" /></a><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Auto insurance liability limits come in a few different forms as well as in many different levels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The two main forms of auto insurance liability are “Split Limits” and “Combined Single Limit”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One main thing to first understand about auto insurance liability limits is that these limits are what’s used by the insurance company to pay out on your behalf the damages that you cause to someone’s body and or property.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Auto insurance liability limits are not used to pay money toward your injuries or property damage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those coverages are auto insurance medical payments coverage, comprehensive coverage, collision coverage and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will not be addressing those items in this blog post.</span> <br /><br /><div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Split Limits have three different ceilings or maxes that the insurance policy will pay out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those three different maxes are “bodily injury per person”, “bodily injury per accident” and “property damage”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Often you will see insurance policies with split limits of $250,000 bodily injury per person and $500,000 bodily injury per accident and $100,000 in property damage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What this means is that if you cause an auto accident the most that one individual will get for their bodily injuries is $250,000 from your insurance policy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If there are multiple people in the other party’s vehicle then the most the policy will pay out is $500,000 in bodily injury to all involved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Accidents that you cause will usually result in property damage to others and $100,000 is the max that the above example limits will pay for someone else vehicle or property.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Combined Single Limit still covers bodily injury and property damage but there is only one lumped together limit for the policy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For example if you have a $500,000 combined single limit policy than the most the other party will receive for their bodily injuries (no matter how many people are in the vehicle) and property damage that you cause is $500,000.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is not a per person limit sublimit nor a property damage sublimit.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></o:p><br /></div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">There are many different levels of auto insurance liability limits you can have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each state has a minimum which means you at least have to have the amount they require in order to legally operate a vehicle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This limit is usually very low and in order to best protect your assets and help restore people that you cause injury and damage to we recommend much higher limits of insurance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Obviously the higher the limits of insurance you purchase the more money the insurance policy will cost but extra money you spend could be the difference in protecting your assets after a large claim or have the possibility of losing some of your assets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></span></div>

Auto insurance liability limits come in a few different forms as well as in many different levels. The two main forms of auto insurance lia...

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Snow Emergencies Overview

With all the snow and ice today I though it would be good to have a refresher on what snow level emergencies meant.  <br /><br />Find emergency classification details and Ohio law pertaining to snow emergencies online at: <a href="http://www.weathersafety.ohio.gov/SnowEmergencyClassifications.aspx"><span style="color: #073763;">http://www.weathersafety.ohio.gov/SnowEmergencyClassifications.aspx</span></a>Snow emergency levels and enforcement<br /><br /><strong>LEVEL 1</strong>: Roadways are hazardous with blowing and drifting snow. Roads may also be icy. Drive cautiously.<br /><strong>LEVEL 2</strong>: Roadways are hazardous with blowing and drifting snow. Only those who feel it is necessary to drive should be out on the roads. Contact your employer to see if you should report to work.<br /><strong>LEVEL 3</strong>: Roadways are closed to non-emergency personnel. No one should be driving during these conditions unless it’s absolutely necessary to travel or a personal emergency exists. Employees should contact their employer to see if they should report to work. During a Level 3 emergency, drivers may be subject to arrest and/or fines.<br /><br />When a Level 2 or 3 is issued, motorists are advised to seek public transportation. In a Level 3 emergency, conditions are not safe and driving is limited to emergency personnel and personal emergencies. One purpose for issuing a Level 3 snow emergency is to enable snow removal equipment to adequately clear roadways without the obstacle of motorists. Citations could be issued for reckless or unnecessary driving during a Level 3 emergency.<br />

With all the snow and ice today I though it would be good to have a refresher on what snow level emergencies meant.  Find emergency classifi...

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Small Businesses Need Liability Insurance

<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Today many small businesses are popping up.  The reasons for this vary.  Many want to be their own boss, some people are creating their own job since they are unable to find one or many corporate companies are encouraging their employees to become 1099 consultants to help save on benefits.  Either way, people are setting up on their own and it is to these people that I write this blog article.</span>  </span><br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLe1rC17fD5Oiv5wjUSQPxDVF0uFk_WZCJ6jb8sRD87ad9dwz8Wzu60RKvRFV6po1XkHD3Oa-4v9a8mP0ibe1S9gNd8U2sKdI_6wevEfyW_yq9Gh1Ps6FCg-BlFJJ5Cqspym_0_mcRLpo/s1600/MP900422149%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLe1rC17fD5Oiv5wjUSQPxDVF0uFk_WZCJ6jb8sRD87ad9dwz8Wzu60RKvRFV6po1XkHD3Oa-4v9a8mP0ibe1S9gNd8U2sKdI_6wevEfyW_yq9Gh1Ps6FCg-BlFJJ5Cqspym_0_mcRLpo/s1600/MP900422149%5B1%5D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Start up costs are a difficult things to manage when you are just beginning your business.  Many demands are placed on your budget but one thing I would encourage you to put top on that list is liability insurance.  All business, big or small, should have liability insurance to both protect the business itself and its customers.  Here are four reasons I would strongly recommend liability insurance even for theone person shop.</div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><u>1) Contracts</u>:  Contracts are king these days.  Customers require contracts to do business with you.  In many contracts you will see insurance requirements so it is best to have that in place at all times to be able to meet those requirements, especially if you are bidding for a job.  Many start up business work out of their home but for those that lease space elsewhere you will find insurance requirements in your lease contract that need to be met.</div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><u>2) Slip and Falls</u>:  As I write this article Ohio is dealing with cold weather, snow and ice.  Already claims are coming in where people have slipped and injured themselves outside of businesses.  Whether you are negligent or not in these situations there is still a cost to defend yourself when someone comes to your door on crutches handing you their medical bill from the fall they took on your premises.  </div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><u>3) Product Liability</u>:  Retailers who sell products have the exposure of something going wrong with their products and causing injury.  Especially if your product is used in cooking or toys for children, this risk is always there and could be very costly.</div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><u>4) Property Damage to Others</u>: Contractors face this risk the most.  If you are mowing a customer's yard and cause rocks to damage near by cars or houses you will be liable to pay for the damages.  If you are a contractor working on a customers building and end up damage a portion of the building you are not working on, that damage will be your responsibility.  </div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">These are just four examples of where businesses risk having claims.  Each of these would be covered by a general liability policy setup for your business.  Be sure to consult with an independent agent that can help pinpoint the type of coverages that best suit your business and stay protected from unexpected expenses.</div></div>

Today many small businesses are popping up.  The reasons for this vary.  Many want to be their own boss, some people are creating their own ...

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