Do you have a hitch?

If you have a hitch on your vehicle, it is likely you have one of these recreational vehicles/trailers that you might need special insurance coverage for. 

RV's, Campers, Motorcycles, Boats, and ATV's all have unique coverage needs and options. They are all very different from a regular car in terms of use and coverage needs.

If you are buying one of these items this Spring or Summer, or maybe getting them back out of storage from winter, I'd encourage you to take a few minutes to figure out how you are covered or get information about having the right coverage. 

         

          If you are camping in your RV or Travel trailer you likely keep a lot more personal belongings in there than you would your car. If you cover your camper on your auto policy, you probably won't have coverage for your outdoor gear, clothing, bedding, electronics, etc. If you have a camper policy, you could have a set amount of personal property coverage in case of a theft, fire, or other loss. 

         If you are traveling and your RV or Camper gets damaged, you may need a place to stay or new way to get to your destination or back home. You'll need special coverage for this! 

 

       Motorcycle insurance coverage can vary greatly from one policy to another. It is important to find out what your accessory coverage is and if you need to increase it because of all the new chrome parts you added on. You'll want to check and see if your helmet and riding apparel is covered too.

    

  Many motorcycle policies I see do not have medical payments coverage. That means if you fall off or wreck the motorcycle and it is your fault or there wasn't anyone else involved, all of your medical expenses will fall back on you and your health insurance. Having medical coverage on your motorcycle policy could help pay for your out of pocket requirements before your health coverage kicks in. 

     Boat insurance also varies from company to company and policy to policy. Each boat is unique and your usage is too. It is important to know if you have replacement coverage or depreciation coverage on the value of your boat. Also very important is wreckage removal and pollution coverage. If your boat sinks, you are required to get it out of the lake and it could be quite expensive especially when it comes to fuel spillage. Some policies even cover mechanical breakdown of your boat motor - that is not an automatic coverage though so you'll need to make sure it is available with your boat insurance company. 

Bottom line, we know you like to have fun with your grown up toys! We do too! We want to get you right back up and running if an accident happens though and you'll be glad if you need to use the coverage some day if all the bells and whistles are included! No one ever says after a claim they wish they had less coverage!

 

5 Insurance Lessons from Downton Abbey

I came across this fun article! If you have an 80 bedroom castle, 5000 rare antique books, or 15th century artwork to insure we can get some tips and ideas from this!

5 Insurance Lessons from Downton Abbey

J.D. Powers Report includes Encompass!

This year we started offering the Elite and Deluxe packages that Encompass offers. The policies are really like none other and are a cut above the rest.

The 2016 JD Power survey attached shows Encompass leading the way against all of our main competitors in the state of Ohio in terms of property claims satisfaction.  That is huge!!  When you combine a superior product with claims satisfaction like this, you have a win / win situation.

When thinking of Encompass you can relate them to other insurance policies like this: would you expect to pay the same price for a Mercedes as you do a Chevy?  Do you expect to pay the same price on vacation to stay at the Ritz Carlton as you would Motel 6?  You get what you pay for.  It’s our job as insurance professionals to help our customers understand that while insurance is an intangible, there are different levels of coverage and service that can be purchased.

Asleep at the wheel: This hidden danger lurks on every road

Nodding Off Every year, 6,000 fatal crashes may be caused by drowsy driving. Your insureds need this essential layer of protection. Real-World Case Study: Drowsy Driver Put Lives in Peril Tired of the unrelenting snowfall, best couple friends, Lori and Scott and Kim and Jay, decided it was the perfect time for a road trip to Las Vegas. After a busy weekend with good memories made, the four headed home with Scott at the wheel. A short while later, Scott dozed off, awoke suddenly and overcorrected, hitting two oncoming cars. All of those involved sustained serious trauma, including head injuries, lung collapse and multiple major fractures. Two of the injured were airlifted to the hospital for immediate treatment. In addition to hospital stays, recovery would include physical and cognitive therapy and Jay needed extensive reconstructive surgery. After Scott's auto liability limits were exhausted, his standalone personal umbrella policy responded to cover their care.  Claim: $750,000 Rates average for a 2 car household between $180-250 for  $1,000,000 of added protection as an Umbrella policy!