There are many ways to save on home and auto insurance. Be careful, though, not to make mistakes that could result in your being dangerously underinsured.

“When money is tight, it’s extremely important to be financially protected against a catastrophe with the right amount and type of insurance,” said Jeanne M. Salvatore, senior vice president and consumer spokesperson for the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.). “By taking a few simple steps, it is possible to cut costs and still be protected should disaster strike.”

According to the I.I.I., these are the five biggest insurance mistakes that people often make:

1. Insuring a home for its market value rather than for the cost of rebuilding. When real estate prices go down, some homeowners may think they can reduce the amount of insurance on their home. Insurance is designed to cover the cost of rebuilding, not the sales price of the home. You should make sure that you have enough coverage to completely rebuild your home and replace your belongings.

A better way to save: Raise your deductible. An increase from $500 to $1,000 could save you up to 25 percent on your premium payments.

2. Selecting an insurance company by price alone. It is important to choose a company with competitive prices, but also one that is financially sound and provides good customer service.

A better way to save: Check the financial health of a company with independent rating agencies. You should select an insurance company that will respond to your needs and handle claims fairly and efficiently.

Financially strong insurers like Erie Insurance have the financial wherewithal to ensure that payment is made when it’s due. ERIE has an A.M. Best rating of A+ (superior) with a stable financial outlook. Additionally, ERIE ranks among the 50 top performing insurance companies, according to the Ward Group, which analyzes the financial performance of 3,000 property-casualty companies. ERIE has also won awards for customer satisfaction and claim service by independent organizations.

3. Dropping flood insurance. Damage from flooding is not covered under standard homeowners and renters insurance policies. Many homeowners are unaware they are at risk for flooding. Coverage is available from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), as well as from some private insurance companies. Erie Insurance offers coverage through American Bankers.

A better way to save: All types of homes, including condominiums, are eligible for flood insurance. You can even purchase flood insurance to protect your contents if you rent your home. It’s a good idea to start the process as soon as you can because most flood insurance policies have at least a 30-day waiting period before they take effect. If you’re already living in a flood zone area, look at mitigation efforts that can reduce your risk of flood damage. Before purchasing a home, check with the NFIP to determine if it’s in a flood zone; if so, consider a less risky area.
4. Only purchasing the legally required amount of liability coverage for your car. In today’s litigious society, buying only the minimum amount of liability coverage means you are more likely to have to make out-of-pocket payments — and those costs may be steep.

A better way to save: The insurance industry and consumer groups generally recommend a minimum of $100,000 of bodily injury liability protection per person and $300,000 per accident. Also, consider dropping collision and/or comprehensive coverage on older cars worth less than $1,000.

5. Neglecting to buy renters insurance. A renters policy covers your possessions and additional living expenses if you have to move out due to a disaster. Equally important, it provides liability protection in the event someone is injured in your home and decides to sue.

A better way to save: Look into multi-policy discounts. Buying several policies with the same insurer, such as renters, auto and life will generally provide savings.

For more information about how you could save money on your insurance policies, contact our agency. We can answer your questions and review your insurance coverage needs.

Not all companies are licensed or operate in all states. Not all products are offeredin all states. Go to erieinsurance.com for company licensure and territory information.

CONTACT: Megan Euston, Public Relations
1-800-458-0811 ext. 2285 or 814/ 870-2285
megan.euston@erieinsurance.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Erie Insurance Honors Local Agency for Community Service
Domestic Violence Services of Cumberland and Perry Counties Receives $2,500

(Erie, Pa.) August 15, 2011 – Erie Insurance named Deibler Insurance Associates of Carlisle, Pa. a 2011 Agency of the Year for outstanding community service. Wendy Deibler, principal agent, was presented with the award at the Company’s Harrisburg branch recognition meeting. Deibler was recognized for her extensive work with Domestic Violence Services of Cumberland and Perry Counties (DVSCP).

In honor of the Deibler agency’s efforts, Erie Insurance donated $2,500 to DVSCP, a nonprofit organization providing 24-hour service and support to domestic violence victims. “It means a tremendous amount to me that ERIE has acknowledged what we do for domestic violence,” said Deibler. “Domestic violence affects all walks of life and with recent funding cuts, financial support is of the utmost importance in continuing to provide a protective environment to victims of domestic violence.”

Deibler and her family host an annual fundraising event to benefit DVSCP called “The Toni Clouse Myers Sunflower Ball.” The event which has grown to DVSCP’s largest fundraiser features inspirational speakers, music, auctions and local celebrities and honors Deibler’s sister, Toni Clouse Myers, who died as a victim of domestic violence. To date, the event has raised $70,000.

“The support Wendy and her family provide is invaluable,” said Randy Runkle, DVSCP Business Manager. “As government grants have decreased over the years, it’s through the generous support of community supporters that we’re able to maintain a high level of services to domestic violence victims throughout the counties we serve.”

This year’s Sunflower Ball will be held Oct. 29. For more information or to donate, please visit www.dvscp.org/sunflower.html or contact Wendy Deibler at wendy@deibler-insurance.com.

Is wind covered?  Unless specifically excluded, MOST policies cover wind damage.

Is lightning covered?  Unless specifically excluded, lightning is covered in MOST homeowner and commercial policies.  However, lightning damage to trees  is limited to $500 per tree. 

What is covered for trees?

If the tree fell without damaging any property, ERIE’s homeowners policy will cover up to $500 for the removal of each tree, but no more than $1,000.  Stump grinding would be a covered expense to be included in the $500 per tree limit. 

If the tree fell damaging covered property (house, garage, shed, etc), then the cost to remove the tree would be covered, and any damage to the structure itself is normally covered as well.

The cost to replace the damaged tree is not covered.

 Commercial policies do not cover the removal cost of fallen trees if no structure is damaged

What if my power went out and we have food spoilage as a result?

Most homeowner policies will cover food spoilage following a power failure*  However, the adjuster would need to see proof of the spoilage.  Most contents of a refrigerator/freezer can be maintained for roughly 24 hours if the refrigerator/freezer is not opened.  So, to minimize any food spoilage, it is best to not open the appliance. 

What if my power went out and I had to stay in a motel?

ERIE’s homeowner policy does not pay for additional living expenses resulting from a power interruption if the interruption takes place away from the residence premises.  If the damage that causes the power interruption occurs on the residence premises, we will pay for the reasonable additional living expenses incurred until power is restored.  There is no deductible for this coverage. 

What if my power went out and I incurred costs to rent a generator?

Most homeowner policies will not pay for the rental of a generator following a power outage, unless there is direct physical damage to the home or other structure first, which resulted in the interruption of power. 

My neighbor’s tree fell onto my property?  Which policy responds?

Typically the homeowners policy for the person who suffers the damage would respond.  If a neighbors tree fell onto your home and they were not negligent in any way, your homeowners policy would respond.  And if the reverse happened, your tree fell on your neighbor’s property, then their homeowners policy would respond. 

I have water in my basement, what is covered?

Typically any surface water damage (flood, rain, water seepage, water entering through the foundation walls) is NOT covered by ANY homeowners policy.  In order to be properly covered for flood, or any type of water damage,  you should consider a separate flood insurance policy which can be obtained through our office.

If you have a sump pump in your basement, and your sump pump failed, you MAY have coverage.  ERIE offers an endorsement to your policy that provides you with sump pump failure coverage, as well as sewer/drain backup coverage.  It is very inexpensive and can be added to your policy.  If you purchased the coverage, and your sump pump failed due to a power outage, coverage would apply, as long as there is written confirmation from a power company verifying the power outage. 

This is also an optional endorsement for commercial policies.

Considering the recent water/plumbing usage ban following the Carlisle Treatment Plant power outage, what would my policy pay for resulting Sewer/Drain Backup?

Sewer/Drain backup is NOT automatically covered under your  ERIE homeowners policy.  It is an inexpensive s endorsement that can be added, which also provides you with sump pump failure coverage.    Had the plumbing usage ban NOT been lifted in Carlisle, and sewer systems started to back up into homes, your policy would not protect you for this without the added endorsement. 

This is also an optional endorsement which can be added to commercial policies.

Only one side of my house is damaged by hail?  What is covered?

Homeowner and Commercial Policies will pay for any part of the structure damaged by hail. It will not pay for the undamaged sections.  If the new repairs do not match up with the undamaged sections of the house, the policy does not pay to replace the undamaged sides.  Coverage can be purchased under the ERIE homeowners policy.  This coverage is called “siding/roofing restoration coverage”.   Coverage is not available for most commercial policies. 

My car is damaged by hail – is that covered?

If you purchased “comprehensive” coverage for the damaged vehicle, yes your automobile policy will pay for hail damage.  Your deductible would apply and if multiple vehicles with comprehensive coverage were damaged, the deductible is PER VEHICLE.

What happens after the claim is submitted to the insurance carrier? 

1)      When our clients call to report a claim, we typically advise that an insurance adjuster will be in contact with them within 24-48 hours.  In times of widespread damage and catastrophe situations, this time frame may not be likely, and we may need to contract out to independent adjusters.  The adjuster will contact you to confirm the facts of the loss and/or inspect the damaged property.  The adjuster will work with you through the claims process and make every effort to complete the process quickly and efficiently.  However some claims take longer, depending on the availability of contractors to repair the damage.  

2)      We would instruct you to take the following steps:

1. Protect your property from further damage.  For example, stop water from leaking, use buckets to capture leaking water, hang plastic over damaged areas to prevent further water leakage, and board up any exposed and/or broken windows. Trees can be removed from dwellings or other structures to effectuate emergency service.  It is best to take photos and retain receipts and invoices to document their loss. 

b.    Record the damage done to your property through a written inventory, photos and/or video. 

1. Maintain a list of any expenses you made for emergency repairs. 
2. Contact a reputable local contractor or restoration company to assist with any necessary emergency repairs or restoration, and/or to obtain an estimate

How will this claim affect my policy and/or premium?

Most homeowners insurance policies will result in a surcharge to your premium when 2 or more claims have been submitted in a 5 year period of time.  Some policies will surcharge with the 1^st claim.  So, if your claim is slightly over your deductible and you are concerned about a surcharge, you may want to consider the possibility of absorbing the claim. 

All claims listed above would be subject to your policy deductible.

Please call us with ANY questions or concerns you may have!!!

But once teen drivers get that coveted license, the hard part is only just beginning. Getting used to the rules of the road, maintaining your focus on driving, and remembering to wear your seat belt are just a few of the challenges teens face behind the wheel.

Parents and teachers can tell kids to put their cell phone away on the road, turn the music down, and to obey the speed limit until they’re blue in the face. But sometimes teens are more likely to listen to their peers. That’s why Erie Insurance has the Lookin’ Out program.

Lookin’ Out activities are created by teens, for teens, to enforce the importance of safe, undistracted driving. Groups of kids are eligible for grants of up to $2,000 from ERIE to support safe driving activities.

Why does Deibler Insurance think that teen driving safety is so important? Because car accidents are the number one killer of teenagers. If we can get kids to stop and think about their actions, and pay a little more attention to the road, we can save lives. And that’s something worth doing.

Help save lives by preaching safety to your new driver before they get in the car….and to put the phone DOWN!

We love seeing our clients. We love it when they drop in to chat about their policies, or when we run into a client at the grocery store. It’s always great to catch up on how they’re doing and what’s new.

While these encounters are usually fun and light-hearted, we also see many of our clients on the bad days. The days when your car skidded into a tree, or when the roof started leaking. When a client calls us about a claim, we know that the last thing they want to worry about is whether or not the insurance company is going to make it hard for them to get it taken care of.

And that’s where your agent comes in. No one likes having to file a claim, but your agent is there to make sure the process is as smooth and easy as possible. We can help you find a repair shop, make sure that an adjuster gets to you quickly, and above all, make sure that your claim is processed as soon as possible so you can get back to living your life.

These are just a few of the ways that your Erie Insurance agent can help you. Just relax. We’ve got this.

]]> http://deibler-insurance.com/1252011-get-free-gas/feed 0 http://deibler-insurance.com/368 http://deibler-insurance.com/368#comments Mon, 24 Jan 2011 17:00:33 +0000 wendy http://deibler-insurance.com/?p=368 Attention all ERIE Customers!!  Exciting News….ERIE Insurance now has an Iphone app!   With ERIEMobile, Erie Insurance customers can:

Quickly contact your agent, or Erie Insurance

Submit an Auto Claim

Display your auto insurance ID Card

More to come and simple to register.  Check out this link and get your ERIEmobile Iphone app today!!

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/erie-insurance-mobile/id401074286?mt=8%23