What is Auto Insurance?

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Auto insurance protects you against financial loss if you have an accident.  It is a contract between you and the insurance company.  You agree to pay the premium and the insurance company agrees to pay your losses as defined in your policy.  There are several major types of auto insurance coverage available in a standard policy.  Some of these coverages are optional, although liability insurance is not.  Coverage options can include:

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• Liability Coverage:  This covers medical claims for people injured in a car accident (including passengers), property damage you cause, and legal costs if you are involved in a lawsuit.

• Comprehensive Coverage:  This covers your vehicle in the event that it is stolen or damaged by anything other than a car accident.  It can cover theft, natural disasters, vandalism, fire or flood damage among other scenarios.

• Collision Coverage:  This covers your car if you get into an accident.  If you carry collision coverage, your insurer will pay to repair or replace your car in an accident.  If you don’t, your insurer will pay for damage you cause to others but you will be responsible for the damage to your own car.

• Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage:  This pays for all your damages if you are in a car accident with someone who either has no insurance or who is underinsured.  You, your passengers and your vehicle are all protected.

• Personal Injury Protection Coverage/Medical payments coverage:  This policy option covers medical expenses that you or your passengers incur if you are involved in an accident.

• Other Provisions:  Rental car insurance, which will pay for a rental car if your car is being repaired or replaced after an accident or other loss; GAP insurance, which will pay the difference between what you owe on your car loan and what your insurance deems as the replacement value of your car; and roadside assistance or towing coverage.

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What is Homeowners Insurance?

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Homeowners insurance, also referred to as home insurance or property insurance, provides coverage for your private home and compensates you in the event of a loss.  If your home is burglarized or is partially or totally destroyed by a cause that is covered by your policy, homeowners insurance will help you replace your belongings, repair your home, or even rebuild.

Homeowners insurance also provides liability coverage which protects you, the homeowner, in the event that someone is injured on your property or you are deemed responsible for personal injury or property damage through negligence.

The amount of compensation you receive in a claim, or that the claimant receives from your insurance company when filing a liability claim against you, depends on the limits of your policy.

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What does Homeowners Insurance cover?

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Homeowners insurance provides coverage for a range of risks that you may face as a homeowner that otherwise can be financially challenging to cover out of pocket.  These include:

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• Property Damage:  Damage and destruction to your residence and/or detached structures.  You will receive compensation, up to the limits of your policy, if your house or storage shed is damaged due to a covered hazard.  Standard covered circumstances include things like fire and vandalism, but other hazards such as earthquakes and floods are excluded.  Be sure to check your homeowners policy for exclusions.

• Personal Property Loss:  Damage or theft of personal property, up to your policy limits for covered circumstances, which typically excludes flooding, earthquakes, and personal negligence.  If your personal property is very valuable (such as collectibles or antiques), you’ll likely need additional “riders” or special endorsements on your policy.  Be sure to talk with a knowledgeable TAG agent about your personal belongings and valuables, as standard limits may not be adequate to cover a major loss.

• Personal Liability:  If you, your family member, or even your pet causes an accident, injury or property damage, your homeowners insurance can protect you.  Whether the issue requires medical care or repair of property, you will typically have coverage up to your liability limits.  There are exclusions, such as aggressive acts against a neighbor, so it is important to fully understand your liability coverage.  Be sure to talk with an agent about how to choose adequate policy limits that protect your finances in the event of a lawsuit.

• Added Living Costs:  If your house is uninhabitable, your homeowners insurance can pay for alternative living arrangements while your home is repaired or rebuilt.  Depending upon your homeowners insurance company and the specifics of your policy, this may be included or may be an optional coverage.  You will typically have daily and total overall limits for this coverage.      

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What about Townhouses?

 

If you own a townhouse, you can insure it with a homeowners insurance policy or an association master policy.  Some townhouse associations have master policies, in which case you should purchase a tenant homeowners insurance policy to insure your personal property.  Other townhouse associations do not have master policies, which is when you should purchase a homeowners insurance policy for your unit.  Check with your association to determine which type of policy you should obtain.

 

What is Renters Insurance?

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Renters insurance coverage protects you and your personal belongings when the worst happens.  While you may only be renting your apartment or house, chances are you own most of the stuff in it.  While your landlord’s insurance policy on the home typically covers the building structure itself, protecting your valuables comes down to you.