Life is unpredictable. Of course, you already know this. But have you considered all the risks you currently face? Distracted drivers. People using social media to expose others' dirty laundry. Teen drivers, carpools, pets, parties, and even your occasional housekeeper are all examples of everyday risks. 

Our society is also more litigious than ever, and lawsuits are commonplace. So it isn't a question of whether something unexpected will happen, it's really a question of when, and how bad it will be. 

Many people only carry $100,000 of liability coverage. It sounds like a lot of money, and it is! But, when you're talking about serious injury, especially if multiple people are involved, $100,000 doesn't go very far when you consider medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages, emotional distress, residual pain and scarring, and more. 

Here's the scary question: what happens if someone gets hurt and you don't have enough insurance? 

That's why umbrella insurance is so important! 

If you're like many people, you’ve never heard of umbrella insurance. Simply put, it adds an extra $1 million, or more, of coverage above your existing policies. It gives you greater peace of mind and protects you against life's unexpected surprises. 

You don't have to be a millionaire to be sued like it. 

Umbrella coverage isn't just for high earners. It's for everyone, especially if you:

• Own a home
• Have regular income
• Have retirement savings and other assets to protect
• Entertain guests in your home
• Have a teenage driver
• Host sleepovers, children's parties, carpool children or allow your teen to babysit
• Serve on a volunteer board or participate in your HOA
• Use social media
• Own rental properties
• Travel outside the U.S.
• Own a watercraft, RV, snowmobile, ATV, golf cart or other "toy"
• Have pets
• Own firearms or other recreational weapons

How many of these apply to your life? Each one increases your liability and your need for a risk assessment with an independent agent. Understanding your risk helps you better protect yourself and your family. 

What if your home or auto insurance doesn't cover a loss? 

Were you aware that home and auto insurance doesn’t protect you against every type of liability? 

Consider these two hypothetical scenarios: 

You hear a juicy piece of gossip about one of your neighbors. You share it with your closest friends at a neighborhood BBQ and swear them to silence. Of course, as gossip often does, it gets back to this person. You get sued for slander, but many homeowners policies don't cover slander. 

Or, 

You've saved the money to go on a romantic vacation to Europe. Instead of taking a tour, you decide to rent a car and see all the major sights on your own timeline. Unfortunately, you forget to drive on the other side of the road and cause a collision and someone is hurt — but your auto policy doesn't cover you while you're outside the U.S. or Canada. 

In both these hypothetical scenarios, a Safeco umbrella policy may have provided coverage to protect you even though there was no coverage from the primary homeowners or auto insurance (subject to policy limitations and conditions, of course). It might also help with the attorney fees! 

The bottom line: a Safeco personal umbrella policy could help protect you from a variety of risks when the unexpected happens. 

Peace of mind costs less than you think. 

Without an umbrella policy, your assets, savings, and even your future income could be at risk if you are held legally responsible for a claim. For about the cost of a dollar a day, umbrella coverage offers an affordable way to prepare for the unpredictable. ​

​It’s Not Just a Quote, It’s a Relationship

Shopping for insurance? You may think you’re simply looking for an insurance policy. But, perhaps, what you’re really looking for isn’t a what but a who: Someone you can trust to guide you through the plethora of insurance choices, rather than trying to make sense of all the options yourself online.
That someone is an insurance agent, but there are countless agents out there – not to mention different types. So, how do you choose? Use these four steps to select the type of agent that’s right for you and find one you want to work with to purchase, review and manage your policies on an ongoing basis.
1. Know the Types of Insurance AgentsSome insurance agents represent only one insurance company. These are known as direct, or captive, agents, and they are direct employees of the company whose policies they sell. Any policy he or she sells will be from that company, and that company only.
An independent insurance agent, on the other hand, represents a number of different carriers, oftentimes as an employee of a local agency in your community. An independent agent isn’t restricted by what any one carrier offers, so he or she has more flexibility to help you explore a broader range of options.
And, what about commissions? Both direct and independent agents receive commissions from the companies they represent.
2. Get RecommendationsThe best way to predict what kind of service you can expect from an agent is to find out what kind of service he or she has provided in the past. Ask for recommendations from family, friends and neighbors, and then ask for more details.

• What does your friend or co-worker like about that agent?
• Have there been any problems or complications?
• Was the agent helpful, attentive and friendly?
• Was the agent knowledgeable, answering all questions satisfactorily?
• Most importantly, were the agent and the company he or she represents dependable, timely and supportive through the process of resolving a claim?

3. Research the Agency and AgentOnce you have a few recommendations in hand, it’s time to research your prospective agents, the agencies where they work and the companies they represent. Here are a few places to check:

• The website of your state’s Department of Insurance. Here you can likely see any complaints, investigations or disciplinary actions against agents, as well as ensure they have an active license. You can likely look up information about various carriers, as well.
• Local chambers of commerce or the Better Business Bureau.
• The agency’s own website, which should outline their services, the types of insurance they offer and the carriers they represent.
• Online reviews, such as on Yelp, for the agency.

4. Interview the AgentYour research paid off, leading you to an agent in your area who seems like a good match for you. Now’s the time to ask some tough questions to be sure.
Tell the agent what you’d like to insure, and ask how he or she would be able to help. If you or a friend has gone through difficult insurance experiences before, ask how he or she would deal with a similar situation.
Ask if he or she gets involved in the claims process, or ask any of those other questions you’ve always wondered about insurance. Pay attention to whether the agent offers specific examples or speaks in generalities, as well as to whether he or she is talking about insurance in a way that makes sense to you. You can also ask for references.
A prospective agent may be able to give you a quote at this point. But, what you really want is a sense of how well you could work with this person. Is this someone with whom you can communicate easily and in whom you can place your trust?
Because, when you’re shopping for an insurance agent, you’re not just looking for an attractive quote. You’re looking for a good working relationship that can endure through new cars or homes, fender benders, storm damage and much more.

Generally speaking, gaps are a bad thing. If there’s a gap in the sidewalk, you may trip and break your arm. If there’s a gap in your data, you may draw the wrong conclusion. And, if there’s a gap in your insurance coverage? You may find yourself unexpectedly paying out-of-pocket to repair your home or vehicle.
Insurance gaps are a rotten surprise, and unfortunately they don’t go away just because you ignore them. In fact, the more you know the better. So, let’s take a closer look at insurance gaps and how they may occur.
What Is an Insurance Gap?A coverage gap is an area or type of risk that an insurance policy does not cover.
How Do Insurance Gaps Occur?An insurance gap may occur when your policy does not offer any coverage for a particular type of risk (i.e. it’s an “excluded risk”). Alternately, coverage may be available but you did not purchase any or enough of it.
How Can I Avoid Insurance Gaps?Here’s the tricky part: You’ll always have coverage gaps. There’s simply no insurance policy or combination of policies to fully protect you from every single risk there is. However, you can work with your independent insurance agent to help identify and address many of the most common gaps.
Here’s another tricky thing about insurance gaps: They can be hard to identify if you don’t know your policy well or if you simply assume you are covered when you actually aren’t. For example, here are four wintertime scenarios when unknown or ignored coverage gaps may cost you severely:

1. Snow Melt Overwhelms Your Sump Pump
   And, now your basement is flooded. There’s a gap here because the typical homeowners policy does not cover damage resulting from overflow or discharge from a sump pump. However, you can help to close the gap by purchasing additional coverage, such as Backup of Water and Sewer, if it’s available from your carrier. Adding it to your policy will increase your premium, but it could also increase your peace of mind against the threat of water damage.
   
   
2. An Auto Accident Injures Your Carpool of Carolers
   Your family and a neighboring family are carpooling to a caroling event downtown, and you volunteered to drive. On the way, you lose control of your minivan going around an icy bend and collide with an SUV. Now you’re on the line for damage to the SUV and your own vehicle, as well as injuries to the SUV’s driver and to the three passengers in your vehicle who were hurt. There could be multiple coverage gaps here, depending on the specifics of your policy. They may include:
   
   
   • Too little liability coverage. Most states require you to carry Property Damage Liability and Bodily Injury Liability on your auto policy. Even still, you may find that you have a coverage gap if you selected low liability limits for your policy. In other words, the cost of the damage to and injuries in the SUV could be greater than the total coverage that your policy provides. When that happens, it’s your responsibility to cover the remaining costs.
     
     
   • No Collision Coverage. You may not have this on your policy since it’s not one of the coverages most states require you to carry. That means you’ll be on your own to pay for your vehicle repairs, especially if you’re at-fault for an accident.
     
     
   • No medical coverage for your own passengers. Some states require a form of this coverage, such as Medical Payments or Personal Injury Protection. In other states, it may be optional. Without it, you may be looking at some significant out-of-pocket costs for the medical needs of the three carolers injured in your vehicle.
   
   
   
3. A Total Loss Leaves You Paying for a Car You Can No Longer Drive
   It’s perhaps the most exciting holiday season ever: You got a new car. A brand new car that, unfortunately, was stolen and totaled just a week later. Now your car is gone, but your payments aren’t. There’s an $11,000 gap between what your insurance carrier pays you for the total loss ($14,500) and what you still owe on the vehicle ($25,500). That’s because your carrier covers the actual value of the car, not the financed value. So, when insuring a new car, be sure to ask about closing the gap with an option sometimes known as Loan and Lease Coverage. It can help make those remaining payments disappear, depending on the specifics of your coverage.
   
   
4. A Thief Makes off With Your Diamond Ring and Earrings
   A holiday burglary is a most unwelcome surprise when you return home from celebrating with relatives. But, you have Personal Property Coverage on your homeowners or renters policy, so where’s the gap? It’s here: Your stolen jewelry is worth $13,900, but your policy has a $5,000 cap on how much it will pay toward jewelry in a single incident. You’re short $8,900 of coverage. It’s a gap you can help to close by “scheduling” high-value items on your policy. Scheduling allows for dedicated coverage for individual items under a policy that otherwise would not cover the full value of your belongings. Be sure to have a current appraisal of the item to share with your independent agent.

Insurance gaps can make a bad situation worse, which is why it’s so important to understand your policy and address any coverage gaps that seem particularly concerning. Your independent agent, as always, can help. What else can help? An umbrella policy, which provides extra liability coverage on top of what an auto or home policy provides. It may just save the day if the damages keep adding up – and adding up – following a severe accident.

Of all the types of insurance available, auto insurance is likely the one you feel most familiar with. All but a handful of states require some insurance to drive, which makes getting car insurance almost as much a rite of passage as getting a driver's license.
But, are you asking the right car insurance questions when you update your policy or purchase a new one? Following are eight questions to address with your independent agent as you decide what kind of coverage is right for you.

1. Is it illegal to drive without car insurance? In nearly every state, yes. Your independent agent is familiar with the minimum coverage requirements in your state. Typically you need a certain amount of both bodily injury liability and property damage liability to drive legally. You can purchase the amount your state specifies, or you can purchase more. Just think carefully before you settle for the legal minimum. You may wind up with no coverage for your own vehicle or injuries, and the cost of a serious accident may exceed the little coverage you do have, leaving you responsible for the bills your insurance won’t cover.
   
   
2. Does my state require other auto insurance coverages? It might. Some states require medical payments coverage and/or uninsured motorist/underinsured motorist coverage. Even if they're not required, they're worth considering. The first helps cover the cost of hospital bills and medical care for you and your passengers. The second helps pay for damages you are legally entitled to from another driver who has no insurance or insufficient insurance coverage. 
   
   
3. Do I have coverage for my own vehicle? Not unless you add collision and comprehensive to your auto policy. Collision helps pay for repairs to your car if it is damaged in an accident. Comprehensive helps cover the cost of repairs or replacement if your car is stolen or damaged in some way other than a collision, such as if a tree falls on it during a storm. Some drivers forgo collision and comprehensive once the value of their vehicles diminish significantly. However, before you do this, be sure you understand that you will have no coverage for the vehicle through your own carrier, no matter if you experience hail damage or a total loss. 
   
   
4. Are any auto insurance options worth my while? Options make it possible to tailor your coverage to your needs. Two worth considering: Roadside assistance, which covers towing and other basic emergency services, and, if you have a newer car, loan and lease coverage (aka gap coverage), which covers the difference between what a car is worth and what you owe on it if it is declared a total loss. 
   
   
5. What determines how much I pay for car insurance? The factors that determine your car insurance rates can vary from state to state. Some of the most common ones include your age, your occupation, your place of residence, your driving history and your vehicle type. And, yes, having teenage drivers in the household can be a major factor, but your insurer may offer discounts if your teen is a good student, completes a driver training course and drives safely.
   
   
6. How can I save on car insurance? Insuring multiple vehicles or both your home and car with the same carrier may help you pay less for auto insurance. You may also qualify for certain auto insurance discounts if, for example, your car has an antitheft device or you don’t put too many miles on it in any given year. Another easy way to potentially save on car insurance is choosing a higher deductible, the amount you’ll pay out of your own pocket in the event of a claim. Be sure to go over the possibilities with your independent agent. 
   
   
7. How will a claim be handled? Look for an insurer that offers claims service 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and is committed to handling your claim in a timely fashion. You may also prefer a carrier with a nationwide network of repair shops and preferred providers whose work it stands behind.
   
   
8. How do I show proof of insurance? Traditionally you kept printed paper cards in your dashboard or your wallet – or both. With the widespread use of smartphones, you may have another option: electronic proof of insurance through your online account with your carrier. However, not all states accept electronic ID cards at this time, so be sure to check if this is an option for you.

From minor fender-benders to multicar pileups, the costs of an auto accident can be staggering. Auto insurance is designed to help protect you against some of those costs, depending on how you design your policy. Bring up these – and other topics – with your independent agent to get started.all the types of insurance available, auto insurance is likely the one you feel most familiar with. All but a handful of states require some insurance to drive, which makes getting car insurance almost as much a rite of passage as getting a driver's license.
But, are you asking the right car insurance questions when you update your policy or purchase a new one? Following are eight questions to address with your independent agent as you decide what kind of coverage is right for you.

1. Is it illegal to drive without car insurance? In nearly every state, yes. Your independent agent is familiar with the minimum coverage requirements in your state. Typically you need a certain amount of both bodily injury liability and property damage liability to drive legally. You can purchase the amount your state specifies, or you can purchase more. Just think carefully before you settle for the legal minimum. You may wind up with no coverage for your own vehicle or injuries, and the cost of a serious accident may exceed the little coverage you do have, leaving you responsible for the bills your insurance won’t cover.
   
   
2. Does my state require other auto insurance coverages? It might. Some states require medical payments coverage and/or uninsured motorist/underinsured motorist coverage. Even if they're not required, they're worth considering. The first helps cover the cost of hospital bills and medical care for you and your passengers. The second helps pay for damages you are legally entitled to from another driver who has no insurance or insufficient insurance coverage. 
   
   
3. Do I have coverage for my own vehicle? Not unless you add collision and comprehensive to your auto policy. Collision helps pay for repairs to your car if it is damaged in an accident. Comprehensive helps cover the cost of repairs or replacement if your car is stolen or damaged in some way other than a collision, such as if a tree falls on it during a storm. Some drivers forgo collision and comprehensive once the value of their vehicles diminish significantly. However, before you do this, be sure you understand that you will have no coverage for the vehicle through your own carrier, no matter if you experience hail damage or a total loss. 
   
   
4. Are any auto insurance options worth my while? Options make it possible to tailor your coverage to your needs. Two worth considering: Roadside assistance, which covers towing and other basic emergency services, and, if you have a newer car, loan and lease coverage (aka gap coverage), which covers the difference between what a car is worth and what you owe on it if it is declared a total loss. 
   
   
5. What determines how much I pay for car insurance? The factors that determine your car insurance rates can vary from state to state. Some of the most common ones include your age, your occupation, your place of residence, your driving history and your vehicle type. And, yes, having teenage drivers in the household can be a major factor, but your insurer may offer discounts if your teen is a good student, completes a driver training course and drives safely.
   
   
6. How can I save on car insurance? Insuring multiple vehicles or both your home and car with the same carrier may help you pay less for auto insurance. You may also qualify for certain auto insurance discounts if, for example, your car has an antitheft device or you don’t put too many miles on it in any given year. Another easy way to potentially save on car insurance is choosing a higher deductible, the amount you’ll pay out of your own pocket in the event of a claim. Be sure to go over the possibilities with your independent agent. 
   
   
7. How will a claim be handled? Look for an insurer that offers claims service 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and is committed to handling your claim in a timely fashion. You may also prefer a carrier with a nationwide network of repair shops and preferred providers whose work it stands behind.
   
   
8. How do I show proof of insurance? Traditionally you kept printed paper cards in your dashboard or your wallet – or both. With the widespread use of smartphones, you may have another option: electronic proof of insurance through your online account with your carrier. However, not all states accept electronic ID cards at this time, so be sure to check if this is an option for you.

From minor fender-benders to multicar pileups, the costs of an auto accident can be staggering. Auto insurance is designed to help protect you against some of those costs, depending on how you design your policy. Bring up these – and other topics – with your independent agent to get started.
Of all the types of insurance available, auto insurance is likely the one you feel most familiar with. All but a handful of states require some insurance to drive, which makes getting car insurance almost as much a rite of passage as getting a driver's license.
But, are you asking the right car insurance questions when you update your policy or purchase a new one? Following are eight questions to address with your independent agent as you decide what kind of coverage is right for you.

1. Is it illegal to drive without car insurance? In nearly every state, yes. Your independent agent is familiar with the minimum coverage requirements in your state. Typically you need a certain amount of both bodily injury liability and property damage liability to drive legally. You can purchase the amount your state specifies, or you can purchase more. Just think carefully before you settle for the legal minimum. You may wind up with no coverage for your own vehicle or injuries, and the cost of a serious accident may exceed the little coverage you do have, leaving you responsible for the bills your insurance won’t cover.
   
   
2. Does my state require other auto insurance coverages? It might. Some states require medical payments coverage and/or uninsured motorist/underinsured motorist coverage. Even if they're not required, they're worth considering. The first helps cover the cost of hospital bills and medical care for you and your passengers. The second helps pay for damages you are legally entitled to from another driver who has no insurance or insufficient insurance coverage. 
   
   
3. Do I have coverage for my own vehicle? Not unless you add collision and comprehensive to your auto policy. Collision helps pay for repairs to your car if it is damaged in an accident. Comprehensive helps cover the cost of repairs or replacement if your car is stolen or damaged in some way other than a collision, such as if a tree falls on it during a storm. Some drivers forgo collision and comprehensive once the value of their vehicles diminish significantly. However, before you do this, be sure you understand that you will have no coverage for the vehicle through your own carrier, no matter if you experience hail damage or a total loss. 
   
   
4. Are any auto insurance options worth my while? Options make it possible to tailor your coverage to your needs. Two worth considering: Roadside assistance, which covers towing and other basic emergency services, and, if you have a newer car, loan and lease coverage (aka gap coverage), which covers the difference between what a car is worth and what you owe on it if it is declared a total loss. 
   
   
5. What determines how much I pay for car insurance? The factors that determine your car insurance rates can vary from state to state. Some of the most common ones include your age, your occupation, your place of residence, your driving history and your vehicle type. And, yes, having teenage drivers in the household can be a major factor, but your insurer may offer discounts if your teen is a good student, completes a driver training course and drives safely.
   
   
6. How can I save on car insurance? Insuring multiple vehicles or both your home and car with the same carrier may help you pay less for auto insurance. You may also qualify for certain auto insurance discounts if, for example, your car has an antitheft device or you don’t put too many miles on it in any given year. Another easy way to potentially save on car insurance is choosing a higher deductible, the amount you’ll pay out of your own pocket in the event of a claim. Be sure to go over the possibilities with your independent agent. 
   
   
7. How will a claim be handled? Look for an insurer that offers claims service 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and is committed to handling your claim in a timely fashion. You may also prefer a carrier with a nationwide network of repair shops and preferred providers whose work it stands behind.
   
   
8. How do I show proof of insurance? Traditionally you kept printed paper cards in your dashboard or your wallet – or both. With the widespread use of smartphones, you may have another option: electronic proof of insurance through your online account with your carrier. However, not all states accept electronic ID cards at this time, so be sure to check if this is an option for you.

From minor fender-benders to multicar pileups, the costs of an auto accident can be staggering. Auto insurance is designed to help protect you against some of those costs, depending on how you design your policy. Bring up these – and other topics – with your independent agent to get started.
Of all the types of insurance available, auto insurance is likely the one you feel most familiar with. All but a handful of states require some insurance to drive, which makes getting car insurance almost as much a rite of passage as getting a driver's license.
But, are you asking the right car insurance questions when you update your policy or purchase a new one? Following are eight questions to address with your independent agent as you decide what kind of coverage is right for you.

1. Is it illegal to drive without car insurance? In nearly every state, yes. Your independent agent is familiar with the minimum coverage requirements in your state. Typically you need a certain amount of both bodily injury liability and property damage liability to drive legally. You can purchase the amount your state specifies, or you can purchase more. Just think carefully before you settle for the legal minimum. You may wind up with no coverage for your own vehicle or injuries, and the cost of a serious accident may exceed the little coverage you do have, leaving you responsible for the bills your insurance won’t cover.
   
   
2. Does my state require other auto insurance coverages? It might. Some states require medical payments coverage and/or uninsured motorist/underinsured motorist coverage. Even if they're not required, they're worth considering. The first helps cover the cost of hospital bills and medical care for you and your passengers. The second helps pay for damages you are legally entitled to from another driver who has no insurance or insufficient insurance coverage. 
   
   
3. Do I have coverage for my own vehicle? Not unless you add collision and comprehensive to your auto policy. Collision helps pay for repairs to your car if it is damaged in an accident. Comprehensive helps cover the cost of repairs or replacement if your car is stolen or damaged in some way other than a collision, such as if a tree falls on it during a storm. Some drivers forgo collision and comprehensive once the value of their vehicles diminish significantly. However, before you do this, be sure you understand that you will have no coverage for the vehicle through your own carrier, no matter if you experience hail damage or a total loss. 
   
   
4. Are any auto insurance options worth my while? Options make it possible to tailor your coverage to your needs. Two worth considering: Roadside assistance, which covers towing and other basic emergency services, and, if you have a newer car, loan and lease coverage (aka gap coverage), which covers the difference between what a car is worth and what you owe on it if it is declared a total loss. 
   
   
5. What determines how much I pay for car insurance? The factors that determine your car insurance rates can vary from state to state. Some of the most common ones include your age, your occupation, your place of residence, your driving history and your vehicle type. And, yes, having teenage drivers in the household can be a major factor, but your insurer may offer discounts if your teen is a good student, completes a driver training course and drives safely.
   
   
6. How can I save on car insurance? Insuring multiple vehicles or both your home and car with the same carrier may help you pay less for auto insurance. You may also qualify for certain auto insurance discounts if, for example, your car has an antitheft device or you don’t put too many miles on it in any given year. Another easy way to potentially save on car insurance is choosing a higher deductible, the amount you’ll pay out of your own pocket in the event of a claim. Be sure to go over the possibilities with your independent agent. 
   
   
7. How will a claim be handled? Look for an insurer that offers claims service 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and is committed to handling your claim in a timely fashion. You may also prefer a carrier with a nationwide network of repair shops and preferred providers whose work it stands behind.
   
   
8. How do I show proof of insurance? Traditionally you kept printed paper cards in your dashboard or your wallet – or both. With the widespread use of smartphones, you may have another option: electronic proof of insurance through your online account with your carrier. However, not all states accept electronic ID cards at this time, so be sure to check if this is an option for you.

From minor fender-benders to multicar pileups, the costs of an auto accident can be staggering. Auto insurance is designed to help protect you against some of those costs, depending on how you design your policy. Bring up these – and other topics – with your agent today!

The side of the road can be a lonely – and dangerous – place. All manner of vehicles are zipping by at top speed, and you’re just sitting there with a flat tire, an empty gas tank or worse.
Roadside assistance coverage via your auto insurance policy may help get you going again. Just be sure to understand what your plan covers, and what it doesn’t, before you find yourself frustrated and stranded on the side of the road.
Here are five important things to know about roadside assistance to help you better understand the coverage:

1. It’s a policy add-on: Your auto insurance likely doesn’t include roadside assistance coverage unless you added it to your policy for an extra but oftentimes nominal charge. It’s such a commonplace option nowadays that many independent agents recommend it, and many customers ask about it. However, it’s still possible to come away with a new car insurance policy that does not include roadside assistance. Sometimes it just gets overlooked, so be sure to check your policy and add the coverage, if you like.
   
   
2. What you get depends on whom you get it from: Different carriers or auto clubs will offer different coverages with their roadside assistance plans. Oftentimes you’ll have assistance for:
   • Fuel delivery.
   • Battery jumpstart or boost.
   • Lockouts.
   • Flat tires.
   • Mechanical breakdowns, including towing, if needed.
   
   Know what your plan covers so you know what to expect when trouble strikes. For example, with most plans, you pay for the services upfront, as part of your car insurance premium. That typically means you won’t incur any additional charges at the time you use the services, but that could depend on your individual policy terms and on the situation at hand.
   
   
3. Towing restrictions may apply: Your roadside assistance plan likely puts a cap on how far – and maybe even how often – you’ll be towed before incurring additional fees. If you break down in a remote area and require a lengthy tow, you may have to chip in for some of the cost. Check your policy for details.
   
   
4. It’s not just for cars: All shapes and sizes of vehicles are typically eligible for roadside assistance plans. But, did you know that RVs, classic cars, motorcycles and even boats typically are, too? With classic car coverage, check whether your roadside assistance plan offers flatbed towing. For boats, coverage is typically available for your trailer and towing vehicle. Plus, your carrier may offer on-water assistance for such things as fuel delivery, towing and more for your watercraft. If so, this would be a separate option to add to your boat insurance policy.
   
   
5. Supersize it: Standard roadside assistance oftentimes includes the coverages discussed above. But, what if you break down and have to spend a night or longer in a hotel while your car undergoes repairs? All of a sudden you have unexpected lodging expenses to cover, not to mention the cost of food and other necessities while you’re delayed. Standard roadside assistance likely won’t help you with these expenses, but an emergency assistance package or trip interruption coverage in addition to your roadside assistance plan may. Ask your independent agent about this enhanced coverage if you feel it’s right for you, whether for your car, RV, motorcycle or something else.

No one wants to end up on the side of the road – what a pain. But, as you’re sitting there wondering what to do next, it’s a relief knowing you added roadside assistance to your car insurance policy. Just grab your phone and dial your roadside assistance number, and help is on the way.


Stay Safe While Waiting for Roadside AssistanceIf you experience any type of car trouble, turn on your hazard lights at once and do your best to pull all the way off the road and onto the shoulder, safely out of traffic’s way. Do this before calling for roadside assistance. Your vehicle emergency kit may help keep you comfortable and safe while you wait for help to arrive. 

Imagine you took the roof off your house, turned the whole thing upside down and started shaking. Everything that hit the dirt is what your insurance company calls “personal property” – hence Personal Property Coverage (Coverage C) on your homeowners, condo or renters policy.
Some people call it “my stuff coverage” because, in the event of a covered loss, such as a fire, theft or weather-related damage, it helps you recover, at least partially, the investment you’ve made in some of your key possessions. This includes furniture, artwork, jewelry and more.
However, in my experience, hardly anyone understands the restrictions and limitations of this coverage, and that can lead to potentially devastating consequences. So, let’s explore six reasons why your personal property may not be as fully covered as you think it is.

1. You don’t have an updated home inventory.
   On a standard policy, your personal property is covered at a percentage of your dwelling coverage. So, you may have $500,000 of coverage for the dwelling and $250,000 of coverage for personal property. But, is that enough? To know for sure, you need to know the value of your stuff. Having a home inventory – a list of all your stuff, the value of each piece and other details, such as model numbers – tells you how much coverage you need. If your home inventory shows you’re lacking coverage, be sure to purchase more.
   
   
2. You have Actual Cash Value coverage instead of Replacement Cost coverage.
   Say you purchased a brand new, top-of-the-line TV five years ago. Today, that TV is only worth a fraction of what you paid for it. Now say the TV has been stolen, and your insurance policy covers the loss. How much will you get?
   
   With Actual Cash Value Coverage, your policy will typically pay the depreciated value, and, no, it won’t be enough to purchase another top-of-the-line model at current prices. For that, you need Replacement Cost Coverage, which typically pays the purchase price of a similar model that’s available in stores right now.
   
   Think of it like this: Replacement Cost gets you the new; Actual Cash Value is back in with the old. Your policy will tell you which of the two coverage types applies to your personal property.
   
   
3. Your policy has sublimits for certain item types.
   Other types of property, such as jewelry, silver, furs, firearms and collectibles, won’t settle at either Actual Cash Value or Replacement Cost if their value is above a certain threshold. You may have a $20,000 Rolex and $50,000 in Personal Property Coverage at Replacement Cost. If the watch is destroyed in a fire, your claim should be a slam dunk, right? Wrong. Your policy may only cover each piece of jewelry for $500 to $1,000 total. This is known as a “policy sublimit,” which can vary widely from item type to item type, policy to policy or state to state.
   
   
4. You haven’t scheduled high-value items.
   When you do have an item, such as the Rolex, valued above your policy sublimits, you can “schedule” it. This designates separate coverage for the full appraised value of individual items. You can schedule as many items as you like to help offset your policy sublimits. It’s simple to do so. Just provide your local insurance agent with a recent appraisal and purchase that amount of coverage. Your agent will advise you on any special requirements.
   
   
5. You tend to lose or drop things but don’t have Special Personal Property Coverage.
   It’s important to know which losses are covered and which aren’t, as outlined by your policy. Personal property destroyed in a fire? Likely covered. Personal property that mysteriously disappeared? Likely not covered, unless you had Special Personal Property Coverage on your policy. This extends your coverage to many other different types of losses so you’re protected for a wider array of scenarios, such as dropping your new TV.
   
   
6. Your belongings are destroyed in an earthquake.
   Here, we’ve hit a brick wall. Your policy does not cover earthquake damage. However, you are able to purchase earthquake coverage for an additional fee, such as through the California Earthquake Authority (CEA). You can choose higher personal property limits to cover as much as you can, but you will likely still face coverage caps for certain items, such as jewelry. For example, your earthquake policy may cap jewelry coverage at $3,000 total, with no more than $1,000 per item. You also won’t be able to schedule items. Still, some earthquake coverage is better than none, so it’s certainly worth entertaining a discussion with your agent.
   
   

Armed with the above information, I trust you’re now motivated to check up on your personal property coverage through your homeowners, condo or renters policy. If you’re not sure what to make of it or you find you may not have enough, be sure to talk to your independent agent immediately so you have the coverage you want before a loss occurs.