Insurance FAQs provided by The Armstrong Company Insurance Consultants

1. Auto Insurance Questions
2. Homeowners Insurance Questions
3. Renters Insurance Questions
4. Umbrella Insurance Questions

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1. Auto Insurance FAQs

Q: What kinds of questions should I be expected to answer when I’m applying for an auto insurance policy?

A: When you apply for an insurance policy at The Armstrong Company Insurance Consultants, you will be asked a number of questions. For example, we might ask your name, age, gender, address, etc.

The Armstrong Company Insurance Consultants will want to know about your previous driving record; whether you have had any recent accidents or tickets, and what type of car will need to be insured.  For example, a large luxury car costs more to repair or replace than a compact car. Also, someone who commutes 30 miles each way is more likely to be in an accident, than someone who commutes via bus and only drives on weekends

The Armstrong Company Insurance Consultants offers a variety of programs for different customers.  Adults with good driving records will generally pay less for car insurance than young drivers with traffic tickets. In order to determine which program you qualify for, The Armstrong Company Insurance Consultants will need basic information about you.

Q: What are the advantages to using a broker to purchase insurance?

A: By using an independent broker such as The Armstrong Company Insurance Consultants, the policyholder receives more personalized service. Having direct contact with The Armstrong Company Insurance Consultants can be very important when purchasing insurance, and absolutely necessary when filing a claim. We are able to deliver quality insurance with competitive pricing and  customized service

Q: I have an older car whose current market value is very low – do I really need to purchase car insurance?

A: Most states have insurance laws that require drivers to have at least some car liability insurance. These laws were enacted to ensure that victims of car accidents receive compensation, when their losses are caused by the actions of a negligent individual.

Often times the cost of repairing the damages to an older car is greater than its value. In these cases, your insurer will usually just “total” the car and give you a check for the car’s market value less than the deductible. Many people with older cars decide not to purchase any physical damage coverage.

Q: What is the difference between collision, physical damage coverage and comprehensive physical damage coverage?

A: Collision is defined as losses you incur when your car collides with another car or object. For example, if you hit a car in a parking lot, the damages to your car will be paid under your collision coverage.

Comprehensive provides coverage for most other direct physical damage losses you could incur, including theft. For example, damage to your car from a hailstorm will be covered under your comprehensive coverage.

Q: What factors can affect the cost of my car insurance?

A number of factors can affect the cost of your car insurance – some of which you can control and some that are beyond your control.

The type of car you drive, the purpose the car serves, your driving record, and where the car is garaged can all affect how much your car insurance will cost you.

Even your marital status can affect your cost of insurance. Statistics show that married couples tend to have fewer and less costly accidents than those who are single.

2. Homeowners Insurance FAQs

Q: What are some practical things I can do to lower the cost of my home insurance?

There are a number of things you can do to lower the cost of your homeowners insurance. The easiest thing to do is request a comprehensive review of your policy and your needs from The Armstrong Company Insurance Consultants.

It’s not surprising to find quotes on homeowners insurance that vary by hundreds of dollars for the same coverage on the same home. When you shop, be careful to make sure each insurer is offering the same coverage.  The Armstrong Company Insurance Consultants will comparison shop for our clients.

Another way to lower the cost of your home insurance is to look for any discounts that you may qualify for. For example, many insurers will offer a discount when you place both your car and homeowners insurance with them. Other times, insurers offer discounts if there are deadbolt exterior locks on all your doors, or if your home has a security system. Be sure to ask The Armstrong Company Insurance Consultants about any discounts that you may qualify for.

To lower the cost of your homeowners insurance it is sometimes advisable to  raise your deductible. Increasing your deductible from $250 to $500 will lower your premium, sometimes by as much as five or ten percent.

Q: What does homeowners insurance cover?

A: The typical homeowners policy has two main sections: Section I covers the property of the insured and Section II provides personal liability coverage for the insured. Almost anyone who owns or leases property has a need for this type of insurance. Usually, homeowners insurance is required by the lender to obtain a mortgage.

Q: What is the difference between “actual cash value” and “replacement cost”?

A: Covered losses under a homeowners policy can be paid on either an actual cash value basis or on a replacement cost basis. When “actual cash value” is used, the policy owner is entitled to the depreciated value of the damaged property. Under the “replacement cost” coverage, the policy owner is reimbursed on an amount necessary to replace the article with one of similar type and quality at current prices.

Q: What factors should I consider when purchasing homeowners insurance?

There are a number of factors you should consider when purchasing any product or service, and insurance is no different.

Below is a checklist of things you should consider when you purchase homeowners insurance:

• Determine the amount and type of insurance you will need. The coverage limit of your house should equal 100% of its replacement cost.   If your policy limit is less than 80% of the replacacement cost any claim payment could result in an amount less than the replacement cost of your home.  Also, decide if the personal property and personal liability limits are adequate for your needs.
• Decide which, if any, additional endorsements you want to add to your policy. For example, do you want the personal property replacement cost endorsement, an earthquake endorsement or a jewelry endorsement?
• Once you have decided on the coverage you want in your homeowners insurance policy, please consult us.  The Armstrong Company Insurance Consultants will be able to help you determine if there are any gaps in coverage that you might not have been aware of.  We can also explain the details of the policy’s exclusions and limitations, as well as recommend an insurance company that will fit your needs.

Q: Where and when is my personal property covered?

A: Personal property (except property that is specifically excluded) is covered anywhere in the world. For example, suppose that while traveling, you purchase a dresser and you want to ship it home. Your homeowners policy would provide coverage for the “named perils” while the dresser is in transit – even though the dresser has never been in your home before.

Q: Do I need earthquake coverage? How can I get it?

The standard insurance policy does not pay for direct damages caused by “earth movement.” “Earth movement” is a much broader term than earthquake. It includes earthquake, volcanic activity and other earth movement. This coverage may be available by endorsement for an additional charge. If you live in an area that is susceptible to earthquakes, you’ll pay more on earthquake coverage than if you live somewhere unlikely to have an earthquake. Before you decide to buy earthquake coverage, The Armstong Company Insurance Consultants can help weigh the costs and benefits.

3. Renters Insurance FAQs

Q: Why would I want to buy renters insurance?

A: If you live in an apartment or a rented house, renters insurance provides important coverage for you and your possessions. A standard renters insurance policy protects your personal property in many cases of theft or damage, and may pay for temporary living expenses if your rental is damaged. It can also shield you from personal liability. Anyone who leases a house or apartment should consider this type of coverage.

Q: How does a renters insurance policy protect my personal property?

A renters insurance policy provides named perils coverage. This means that the policy only pays when your property is damaged or destroyed by any of the ways specifically described in the policy. These usually include:

• Fire or lightning
• Windstorm or hail
• Explosions
• Riots
• Aircraft
• Vehicles
• Smoke
• Vandalism or malicious mischief
• Theft
• Falling objects
• Weight of ice, snow, or sleet
• Accidental discharge or overflow of water or steam
• Freezing
• Sudden and accidental damage from artificially generated electrical current
• Volcanic eruptions (but this doesn’t include earthquake or tremors)

Renters insurance coverage applies to your personal property no matter where you are in the world. This means you’re covered when you are on vacation as well as at home.

Q: Why do some apartment complexes require tenants to have renters insurance?

A: Owners of apartment complexes buy insurance policies for their liability in order to cover their buildings and personal property. However, these policies do not cover any of the tenant’s property or liability.   At The Armstrong Company Insurance Consultants it is our recommendation that you purchase renters insurance.

Q: What if I share my apartment with a roommate? Do we both need to have renters insurance?

A: Standard renter’s policies cover only you and relatives that live with you. If your roommate is not a relative, each of you will need your own renter’s insurance policy to cover your own property and to provide you liability coverage for your own actions.

4. Umbrella Insurance FAQs

Q: What is a personal umbrella liability policy?

A: The personal umbrella liability policy is designed to increase your liability protection. This single policy acts as an “umbrella” over all of your other personal liability policies – home, car, boat, RV, etc., so you have a higher personal liability limit, than what would otherwise be available. In certain circumstances, an umbrella insurance policy may provide personal liability coverage that is otherwise excluded from your other policies. For example, an umbrella insurance policy provides coverage anywhere in the world, whereas your car insurance policy usually provides coverage in only the US and Canada.

Q: How do I know if I need a personal umbrella liability policy?

A: It used to be that the only people who needed personal umbrella liability policies were wealthy individuals, who had sizable amounts of personal assets that would be at risk in a lawsuit.
However, in our very litigious society, even individuals with modest incomes and assets are often subjects of large lawsuits. Since those with modest incomes are even less able to pay damages than a wealthy individual, The Armstrong Company Insurance Consultants recognizes the need to provide coverage limits greater than what can be obtained from their homeowner insurance or car insurance policies.

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