Frequently Asked Questions

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If you already have car insurance for a personal vehicle, the liability will extend to any vehicle that you rent as long as it is a car or truck under 10,000 lbs. If you carry Comprehensive and Collision coverage on your policy, your personal coverage limits will also apply. If you only carry liability coverage on your current policy, you will need to purchase the physical damage insurance offered through the rental car location. If you are traveling abroad or renting any type of a commercial vehicle you will probably need to get rental insurance. You will want to confirm with your agent prior to rental to determine your coverage limits. Please note that loss of use and diminished value would typically not be covered with your policy. If you rent the vehicle using a major credit card, you will want to check with your card company to see if they would cover these charges.

Rideshare insurance covers you if you are driving for Uber or Lyft on top of the coverage provided by the company. This coverage MUST be added by endorsement to cover usage of your personal auto when the driver is signed into a ridesharing app, but before coverage starts by your Uber or Lyft insurance. It still might not cover you 100%, so please contact your agent to confirm the exact amount and timing of coverage. This also includes usage of your personal vehicle for such services as Uber Eats and Door Dash.

Insurance follows the vehicle, and yes, your policy would cover a friend, neighbor, or associate that borrows your vehicle on a temporary basis. If that person ends up using your vehicle on a regular basis (weekly or more than a few times per year), that person should then be added as a driver on your policy. An example of this would be an elderly client who has his son drive his vehicle to doctor appointments and errands a few times a week. The son should be listed as a driver on his policy at that time as it happens regularly and frequently.

Umbrella insurance is not required by law but is most often purchased by people who have higher assets to protect, or people whose public career or lifestyle make them more likely to be involved in a lawsuit should some form of negligence occur. Umbrella policies add anywhere from an additional $1 million up to $5 million in personal liability coverage. They go over, or are in addition to your current home, auto, boat, recreational vehicle, or dwelling fire policies’ liability limits.

Cyber Insurance helps to cover damage that is done by either malware or hackers when a data breach occurs. On a personal insurance policy, it can help to cover fees resulting from having to investigate and rebuild your credit. On a business insurance policy, it covers the liability from having your customers’ personal information stolen while engaging in business practices.

Claim settlement options on a home insurance policy are either settled at Actual Cash Value or Replacement Value. Actual Cash Value means it is the replacement value less any depreciation that has occurred since purchase. Replacement Value or Replacement Cost coverage means that during a claim settlement, the insured will be reimbursed any cost to replace the item with one of like kind and quality at current prices.

If your home lies within a government determined flood plain, you will be required to purchase flood insurance by your lender. If you aren’t located in a flood plain, you are able to purchase flood insurance if you wish. This is completely up to the individual. If you purchase a home and find out that it has had some prior flooding or water issues, but it isn’t located in a determined flood zone, this might be something you want to consider. Please note that normal home insurance policies exclude any water damage that seeps in through walls, floor, window wells, etc.

Some renovations that are done to a home will change the amount of coverage you need. Please notify your agent if you complete an addition, kitchen renovation, basement finishing, or large remodeling project. Any of these changes might require additional home rebuilding coverage (Dwelling Coverage A) in the event of a loss. If you replace your furnace or roof, please also notify your agent. These two items might qualify you for a discount on your insurance premium.

Under a normal home insurance policy, most companies will cover losses if you privately rent out your home for a week or two per year. Once the home is advertised on an online site and it is rented out more than a few times per year, that is considered an income property and needs to be insured differently. A few of the insurance companies now have endorsements that you can add to your policy that will provide some limited coverage. You should definitely call your agent and discuss what options are available to make sure that you are covered properly.

Employment practices liability insurance (EPLI) protects your business against claims by workers that their legal rights as employees of the company have been violated. It includes coverages for defense costs and damages when an employee feels that they have been wrongfully terminated or a victim of discrimination or harassment. It is very important for small businesses with employees since just one claim against you could financially damage the business due to legal costs incurred.

General liability provides coverage if you are liable for damage to others due to an incident on premises, such as bodily injury, general operations -- ongoing or after completion -- and products manufactured or sold. Professional liability covers more abstract risks, such as errors and omissions in the services in the business you provide. Depending on the type of business that you own, you may need one or both types of insurance coverage. If you are starting a new business or are unsure of the exact coverage that you need, please contact your agent.

If an employee is injured at a company, without negligence, the employee can file a claim to recoup the cost of medical expenses. Without Worker’s Compensation insurance, the business would be financially liable for expenses incurred while in the course of employment. It is important to always carry Worker’s Compensation Insurance when you have employees. In fact, it is legally required in the State of Wisconsin.

The Insurance Company will review the policy at the end of the term. Based on the review the company will either credit or charge the policyholder premium based on an audit of estimated figures. Some of the examples of auditable items include annual sales and payroll. The audits can be done either in person by an auditor or via email or phone.

The life insurance provided by your employer is a great benefit. It may not be enough, especially if you end up transferring employers or when you retire; you can’t take that policy with you. It is definitely a good idea to purchase life insurance on your own and at a higher limit if you own a home with a mortgage or have other debts such as loans.

This really depends on the individual and what your needs are combined with what you are trying to accomplish. Are you needing life insurance to pay off current outstanding debts in the event you or your spouse pass away? Are you looking for a policy just to cover funeral and burial expenses so your loved ones aren’t burdened with the cost? Are you looking to provide income for your spouse should you pass away at an early age? These are just some examples of why people take out a life insurance policy. There are many types of policies including term, whole life, and annuities. Speaking with your agent is definitely recommended. They can help you to pick out the type and amount of coverage that fits your needs.