You slow down for the yellow light but the car behind you does not. Bam! It wasn’t your fault but now you have to get your car fixed. Or maybe a storm knocks out a window in your house. Now you need to get it repaired.
Accidents happen. Washing machines overflow; things are stolen or vandalized. That’s why you have insurance. Your policy protects your vehicle, your home, and your belongings, taking some of the financial stress away to help you repair and replace those necessary items. Here’s an overview of the insurance claims process so that you can do it easily.
When to File a Claim
Every policy has a deductible, an amount that you are required to pay out-of-pocket before insurance kicks in. The general rule is to file a claim when the payout is greater than the deductible and you cannot cover it on your own. You also should file a claim whenever someone is injured and when it’s not clear who is at fault. That way, the insurance companies can get together and determine the outcome.
How to File a Claim
Let’s say you were in a car accident. Here are the steps to take to file a claim. (You also can refer to the back of your California Casualty insurance card. It lists the steps to follow in the event of a loss.)
Step 1: Call the police if needed.
Call 9-1-1 if anyone is injured or you suspect drugs or alcohol are involved.
Call the non-emergency police number to report the accident. An officer may show up and take a police report. While you don’t necessarily need one, it will make the claims process easier. If the police are not needed, or available, you may file an accident report online, by mail, or at the police station.
Step 2: Get the other driver’s information.
You feel bad so it may be tempting to say the accident was your fault. Whether or not it was, don’t take the blame. Don’t apologize.
Exchange information. Get the other driver’s name. Take a photo of the other driver’s license, insurance card, and registration. Alternatively, you can write down the information. Make sure you have the year, make, model, license plate number, and color of the other car.
Step 3: Write down facts and take photos. Look for witnesses.
Take photos of the scene, license plates, traffic signs, and anything else that may help you to remember the details of the accident.
Include the direction the cars were traveling, your speed, weather, road conditions, and what happened.
Use your phone to make detailed notes.
There may be witnesses. Look around and ask for the contact information of those individuals. They may later be contacted by your insurance company or police, if needed, to support your rendition of the accident.
Step 4: Call your insurance company.
Report the accident. The adjuster will ask questions. Answer them honestly and thoroughly. If you don’t know the answer, say so.
Your adjuster will share the process of getting your car repaired. They will send you paperwork to fill out.
Let them know if there is a police report.
Don’t sign anything from the other person’s insurance company. Let your insurer take the lead.
Step 5: File your claim.
Most insurance companies allow you to file your claim online. That means you’ll fill out the necessary paperwork online or by email.
To complete the filing of your claim, you’ll need to fill out the forms that you are sent.
You may have to get a repair estimate and include that information.
Then, you’ll wait for approval. Once the repair is authorized, you’ll be able to proceed with the repairs. Either you or the repair shop will receive payment from the insurance company, so check with your adjuster.
The Difference with a Homeowner’s Claim
A homeowner’s, renter’s or personal property claim follows a similar process. The main difference is that you need to provide a Proof of Loss statement. That’s a list of items that were damaged or stolen and how much it costs to replace them.
Can you wait to file a claim?
You should not wait. Your insurance contract specifies your specific Duties After Loss. You must give prompt notice to the insurer; notify the police in case of loss by theft; protect the property from further damage, prepare an inventory of damaged personal property; and cooperate with the investigation.
So, the next time that life throws a wrench into your plans, remember that you have insurance. The claims process is an easy way to get the help you need.
This article is furnished by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and nurses. Get a quote at 1.866.704.8614 or www.calcas.com.
If you’ve ever had your windshield hit by a rock, you know the sinking feeling of watching a crack appear—and grow.
Cracks happen and sometimes they’re unavoidable. But did you know that your windshield is at higher risk for cracks in the winter? It’s true. Knowing the causes of cracks will help you protect your windshield this season. If you do get a crack, we’ve included a guide on how to handle it, which can hopefully save you an expensive repair.
All About Your Windshield
Your windshield is a protective barrier between you and the road ahead. It also provides a clear line of sight. When your windshield cracks, it compromises your safety and can limit your visibility.
Windshields are made of laminated glass, which includes two layers of glass with a piece of plastic in the middle. The layers are fused together, making them stronger than ordinary glass. Even though windshield glass is strong, however, cracks still happen.
Tiny cracks can occur from everyday driving. Cracks happen when your windshield is hit by a rock or debris. The metal frame of your windshield expands and contracts in extreme temperatures. This causes stress on your glass which can crack it over time. Finally, our own human error can cause glass to crack, such as when we pour hot water over an icy windshield. A crack between the two layers of glass can trap moisture between the layers. This can weaken the structural integrity of your windshield and cause cracks down the road.
Types of Cracks
In most cases, cracks or chips smaller than the size of a quarter are able to be fixed. But you cannot let even a tiny crack alone. Don’t ignore these small cracks or chips; they can start out small and eventually get larger, past the point of repair, and cause you to need a total windshield replacement.
Not all cracks are the same, and it’s good to know what kind you have. The type of crack determines how you deal with it.
Basic crack – The simplest crack is a line that is not near the edge of the windshield. If the line is less than 1 inch long and doesn’t have other lines extending from it, it can be repaired.
Floater – A crack that occurs away from the windshield edge is known as a floater. These can spread quickly.
Edge crack – If the crack is near the edge of your windshield, chances are that the entire windshield needs to be replaced.
Chip – If a small piece of glass is missing, you have a chip. A chip less than 1 inch in diameter, without any cracks coming from it, can be filled or repaired.
Star – If your crack looks like a small chip with tiny cracks extending from it, you have a star crack. This type of crack could possibly be fixed but the repair may be visible.
Bulls-eye – If your crack resembles a circular bulls-eye target, you have more extensive damage than it appears. This type of crack usually requires a full windshield replacement.
How to Avoid Cracks
Remove ice responsibly. In most places in the U.S., you’ll be dealing with icy windshields this winter. You need to clear the ice in order to drive. Glass can be brittle in cold temperatures, so you will want to avoid any sudden temperature changes.
Do not throw hot water on your windshield. Hot water will refreeze, and surprisingly, it does so faster than cold water. Don’t use room temperature water either. This will still be a temperature extreme from the icy conditions and can crack your windshield.
Skip the vinegar and water mixture. Vinegar doesn’t work well when there is already ice there. It also is an acid that can eat into glass causing pits.
Don’t use a propane torch, hair dryer, or cigarette lighter. These are extreme changes in temperature and can crack the glass.
Do not use a knife or blade that will chip or scratch your glass.
Don’t hit the ice. It doesn’t take a lot of impact to cause damage to the glass.
Do not use keys, snow shovels, or spatulas. They can all leave scratches and grooves.
Do warm your car up slowly. Use your car’s heater and defrost settings. Wait until your car is warm to turn your car’s defrosters on high.
Do use a plastic ice scraper. Ice scrapers are among the must-carry items in your car in winter.
Do use a liquid deicer if you would like.
Avoid flying debris.While rocks and debris can hit your windshield almost anywhere, you can take steps to keep your car away from this potential hazard.
Don’t drive over gravel roads, but if you must, keep a safe following distance from the vehicle in front of you.
Don’t follow construction vehicles too closely.
Don’t drive in hailstorms if you can help it. The best strategy is to find covered parking while it’s hailing. If you must drive in a hailstorm, slow down to lessen the impact.
Park in protected places. Mother nature can be tough on our windshields. Keeping your vehicle in a place with a constant temperature and away from wind, winter storms, snowstorms, and extreme weather can help to protect the windshield.
Avoid exposing your windshield to extreme temperatures. If it’s going to be very cold, park your car inside if you can.
You also can cover your car, which will help to protect your windshield wipers from freezing and cracking. You don’t want damaged wipers to scratch your windshield.
If you can, park your car inside a garage during the winter months.
Periodically inspect your windshield. You may not even be aware of tiny cracks in your windshield. The sooner you catch them, the sooner you can address them.
It’s hard to notice cracks while you’re driving. Make it part of your winter routine to periodically inspect your windshield when you get in or out of your car.
Keep the windshield glass clean. This will help you to notice small cracks and chips.
A winter car wash can help, but don’t run your car through one if there are any windshield cracks.
Replace your wiper blades before winter hits.
Don’t drive around with a crack. The sooner you take care of it, the less expensive the repair will likely be.
What to Do if You Get a Crack
Drive carefully. Drive over bumps slowly. Don’t whip around corners or cause any vibrations that could make damage worse.
Guard against dirt and moisture. While you are waiting for the repair, keep the crack clean and dry. Dirt and moisture can make repairs more complicated. (Pro Tip: Even window washer fluid can stain the crack so use a drop or two of dishwashing soap on a damp cloth.)
You only have one chance to get it right. DIY options include inexpensive windshield repair kits.
Most kits aren’t high quality and won’t last long-term. Some folks have tried to seal the crack with household items like superglue or nail polish remover. Don’t even consider that. It will prevent you from getting a professional repair.
Contact an auto glass repair specialist. California Casualty works with Safelite on claims for cracked windshields. Many glass repair providers offer same-day service and can come to you. A technician can fix repairable cracks in a matter of minutes. Most comprehensive auto insurance policies cover the cost of fixing small chips and cracks in your windshield. Even without insurance, a windshield repair is much less than a replacement.
This article is furnished by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and nurses. Get a quote at 1.866.704.8614 or www.calcas.com.
What’s more frustrating than returning to your car after shopping, and noticing a new door ding or scratch? Whether it was the car next to you, a runaway shopping cart, or a careless passerby… unfortunately dings happen.
While dings are inevitable, you can take steps to avoid them. Here are some proven tips and tactics to help protect your vehicle.
Park in an end spot.
In general, parking as far away from other cars as possible will help to minimize the chance of dings. If you’re in the end spot, you have the added protection of only having one side of the car next to another vehicle. Park as close to the outer edge as you can, which will give you an extra foot of space between you and the other car. Hopefully, that’s plenty of room to avoid swinging car doors.
Open your door slowly.
While some dings happen to us, we also can cause others. Being aware of your surroundings and opening your car door slowly will help you exit without hitting anything.
Look for the lines.
Parking lot lines are supposed to keep everyone lined up neatly in their own spaces. That’s not always the case. Avoid those spots where people are over the lines or positioned at a strange angle. That’s a sign they may not be as careful around your car. Also, avoid parking in tight spaces. Even if you can navigate those, the cars around you may not do as well.
Stay away from shopping cart return areas.
Runaway shopping carts are a key cause of dents and dings. Park far away to put as much distance between your car and the carts as possible.
Park beside a car in great condition.
You can tell by the condition of a perfectly clean and waxed car that it is well-maintained. Look for those cars in the lot and park next to them. Chances are the owner will take great care in not dinging his car or yours. Similarly, you’ll want to park away from those cars that have lots of dents and dings. Those owners probably don’t even notice and may take less care.
Avoid parking on the same side as a child safety seat.
Sometimes people can scratch or dent your car without meaning to do so, such as exuberant children and parents balancing too much. You may be able to avoid such situations by looking at the placement of the child safety seat in the neighboring car. Try not to park on the same side as the seat. Chances are that’s the side where parents and children will be congregating.
Pro Tip: Parents, teach your kids safety in and around vehicles.
Stay away from busy walkways.
Skateboarders and bicycle riders can whiz by your car and accidentally knock into it. Pedestrians also can scratch your car as they squeeze by. Park away from busy walkways so these encounters are less of a possibility.
Use covered parking.
Dings and dents are sometimes weather-related. Avoid damage from hail and other weather events by parking in a garage or other covered option. Alternatively, you can use a car cover to protect your vehicle. See our related blog on protecting your car from spring storms, too.
Pay attention to your surroundings.
It’s easy enough to brush by something and scratch your car. That’s why paying attention to your surroundings in a parking lot is your best defense. Look out for tall curbs, signs, light posts, walls, and cement pillars. Take steps to avoid them and a potential parking lot accident.
Do not park sideways.
You may have seen cars parked sideways or diagonally, taking up multiple parking spots. While in theory, it prevents anyone from parking near them, in practice, it’s considered a “jerk” move. There have been cases where people have targeted a car just because someone parked it that way.
Finally, while you can use insurance to fix door dings, most repairs are not much more than your deductible. You’ll probably be paying out-of-pocket. The good news is that modern technology has made it possible for paintless dent removal. It’s eco-friendly and usually less expensive than a body shop repair.
This article is furnished by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and nurses. Get a quote at 1.866.704.8614 or www.calcas.com.
Thanksgiving is a special time to gather with loved ones. But when your turkey catches fire, your aunt drinks a little too much and falls and breaks her leg, or your fur baby takes a little nip of a guest, it’s time to be thankful for insurance. Fortunately, there’s coverage for most Thanksgiving dinner disasters. Whether you’re home entertaining guests, or traveling to friends or family, we’ve compiled a quick guide.
Cooking Fires
It’s easy to lose sight of something on the stove or in the oven when you’re also attending to guests. That’s why you’re more likely to have a holiday cooking fire on Thanksgiving than on any other day of the year, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). The risk increases if you’re deep-frying a turkey. Deep fryers heat up to such a degree that they have caused severe burns and injuries, and even deaths. (If you must have a deep-fried turkey, consider ordering one from your local grocery store.) When cooking fire accidents happen, your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy will cover the damage to your home, your belongings, and any related injuries to your guests. (For the guest injury part, skip to the next section.)
Your homeowner’s policy includes dwelling coverage. This covers the repair or rebuilding of the structure of your home up to your policy limit. So, if the fire damages your kitchen or other areas, you can report the claim to your insurance adjuster. They will advise you on how to proceed. Your insurer will likely send someone out to inspect the damage and write up an estimate. You will get reimbursed by your policy, minus your deductible (which is the amount that you chose to pay out-of-pocket before insurance kicks in).
Personal property coverage is that part of your homeowner’s or renter’s policy that protects your possessions such as kitchen appliances, furnishings, and if the fire spreads beyond the kitchen, your television, clothing, etc. Fire is one of 16 different named “perils” that your policy covers. There are dollar limits for certain items such as money, jewelry, and firearms, so check with your insurer. For personal property coverage on a homeowner’s policy, you typically get 50 or 75% of Coverage A, the total amount of coverage for your home. If you’re renting, you get to choose the amount of personal property coverage when you select your policy.
You can select replacement cost or actual cash value (ACV) for personal property. ACV is the amount the item is worth, minus depreciation for its age. It will cost a little more for a policy that provides replacement cost (and we strongly recommend it).
Depending upon the extent of the fire, your house may not be livable. If that’s the case, you would be covered for any necessary increase in living expenses, such as lodging, food, and gas. Under Coverage D – Loss of Use, called “Additional Living Expense,” your policy will provide a flat percentage toward living costs, usually 30% of the Coverage A amount. Some states have time limits (e.g. 12 months) on when you can use that coverage. Plan to cover those additional expenses out-of-pocket.
Pro Tip: Having a fire extinguisher could earn you a discount on your home insurance policy.
Guest Injuries
Injuries can happen anytime, especially during gatherings where people may drink. Guests could become tipsy and trip, slip, and fall. That could happen even if they’re not drunk, of course. Burns could occur if there is a kitchen fire. Your guests could get food poisoning. Your normally well-behaved fur baby could bite one of your guests. While you can’t anticipate every situation, you can make sure there are no obvious dangers in your home, such as tripping hazards or unsecure handrails. Keep everyone’s safety and comfort in mind, including where your pet may be during the festivities. Then, if a guest does get injured, your insurance can kick in.
You may be covered for guest injuries under your homeowner’s or renter’s liability coverage. If you are found liable, the policy may cover damages to the injured party. This can include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and permanent scarring. The policy also provides a defense in court, if needed, for the policyholder. This is at the insurance company’s own expense.
If you are not liable, but your guest was injured through his/her own fault, then Coverage F – Medical Payment to Others may cover your guest’s medical bills.
Liability coverage does not apply to you and your family. Your own injuries or illnesses are not covered under homeowner’s or renter’s policies. You would use your own health insurance policy to cover any injuries that you might have in your home.
If your dog has bitten a guest, make sure that your dog’s breed is not restricted by your insurance policy. Some policies will not cover breeds such as Pit Bulls, Doberman Pinschers, or Rottweilers. California Casualty does not currently have such restrictions.
If you need more coverage, talk to your insurance advisor about an umbrella policy, which will provide much greater coverage.
Thanksgiving on the Road
If you’re among the millions who drive to Thanksgiving celebrations, you’ll want to make sure your car is well-maintained, and that your car insurance is up to date. Be ready for the holiday traffic, and drive safely. An accident can put a damper on the holiday. The good news is that you’re covered if you do have one.
If you cause an accident, you are responsible for damages. You would pay with your vehicle’s liability policy. Importantly, auto liability does not cover any damage to your own vehicle; that’s covered by collision. It also does not cover injury to you and your family; it only covers the people in the other car. Liability coverage is required by law in most states.
There are two types of liability coverage:
If you are found liable for the accident, bodily injury coverage helps pay for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering for the driver and passengers in the other vehicle. We say “helps pay” because it depends on how much coverage you choose. The costs of an accident can be more than your insurance policy limit.
Property damage coverage helps pay for repairs for the other vehicle or for repair/replacement of property, such as a fence, damaged or destroyed in the collision.
If you are not at fault for the accident, the other driver is responsible for damages. Your insurance kicks in if the other driver does not have enough insurance. Collision covers your car for any type of damage, regardless of fault or if the person does not carry any/enough insurance. Underinsured motorist (UIM) and uninsured motorist (UM) coverage are for injuries. They cover you and your passengers if you are hit by an at-fault UM or UIM. Uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD) can cover your car if hit by an at-fault uninsured motorist.
Unlike liability insurance, collision coverage is not usually required—unless you’re leasing a car or paying off a loan on a vehicle. However, it may be good to have.
No matter where you enjoy the holiday, we wish you a safe celebration. From our family to yours, Happy Thanksgiving!
This article is furnished by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and nurses. Get a quote at 1.866.704.8614 or www.calcas.com.
You’re home visiting family when your cousin asks to borrow your car. You hesitate because you’re not sure if your insurance covers him. The good news is that it probably does, but the bigger picture is that a lot depends upon your specific policy. Read on to find out what to expect before you encounter this situation in real life.
Vehicle insurance typically follows the car, not the driver.
Your automobile insurance policy covers your car, and that’s the case whether you’re driving it or someone else is driving it. It is your policy that is considered the primary policy if an accident happens. The policy of the driver borrowing your car would be considered excess insurance if it ends up being used at all.
What happens if your friend or relative gets in an accident?
If your friend or relative was at fault, your insurance would cover the accident. Here’s how it would play out.
Liability would help pay for damage to the other car and help pay for the other driver’s and passengers’ medical bills. It will not pay for your friend’s injuries, if any, or for damage to your car.
Collision can pay for your vehicle repairs, once your deductible is met. Collision, however, is an optional coverage (unless you’re leasing or financing the car). Not every policyholder will have collision. If you do not have collision insurance, you will be responsible for the repair and/or replacement of your car out of your own pocket.
Medical payments coverage can help pay the medical bills for your friend or relative if they are injured.
There are some exceptions and extenuating circumstances…
If the accident was so extensive in terms of damage or injuries, it could max out the policy limits. In that case, your friend’s insurance may be asked to cover the remaining amount. If your friend doesn’t have insurance, then you will need to cover the costs out-of-pocket.
Some policies only cover the person named on the policy so there is no coverage if you loan your vehicle to a friend or family member. Other policies provide coverage for friends/relatives on a limited basis. Some policies also don’t cover relatives living in the same house as you who are not already named on the policy. (That’s a good reason to make sure your teen driver is added as soon as he or she is driving.)
Some insurers increase your deductible before they cover an accident if someone other than an authorized driver on the policy is driving your car. Some policies also lower your liability coverage to state minimums if the accident is caused by someone other than a named insured/insured.
If, however, your friend or relative was not at fault, the other driver’s insurance would cover the accident.
Your friend or relative would need to get information from the other driver, including Identifying information like driver’s license number and/or vehicle license plate number. You can also get their name, address, insurer, policy number. An easy way to do this is to take a picture of the other driver’s insurance card, front and back. While you can file a claim with their insurance company, you can always file the claim with your own insurance company and let them start the process. They will subrogate the other company for payment.
If the accident was a hit and run, your policy could cover the costs, subject to your deductible if you carry collision coverage or uninsured motorist property damage.
Before you hand over the keys…
Accidents can be costly, and not only due to repairs and medical expenses. An accident may cause your insurer to raise your rates on your policy for the future, even though you are not the one involved in the accident.
It’s a good idea to know what you’re in for before you say yes to anyone wanting to borrow your car.
Make sure they have a driver’s license and a good driving record.
Know whether they have insurance, including collision.
Read the fine print on your policy or talk to your insurance agent to know what is covered in the event of an accident.
Decide what portion of the deductible, or any costs, your guest driver will need to pay in case of an accident.
With that information, you’ll be well on your way to making an informed decision about who gets to drive your car this season. Happy holidays!
This article is furnished by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and nurses. Get a quote at 1.866.704.8614 or www.calcas.com.
We love the spooky fun that Halloween brings. Yet sometimes the celebration can be scarier than we like. Mischief night vandalism, pumpkin fires, and even guests who had too much to drink can create frightening scenarios.
Fortunately, your insurance policy can cover many of these Halloween horrors. Read on to learn more, including how you can stay safe and protected this Halloween.
Vandalism or Theft
The night before Halloween brings out some mischief makers who may toilet paper your car or egg your house. Trampled lawns, broken lawn decorations, and shattered windows have also been known to occur before or on Halloween.
Are you covered?
Fortunately, vandalism and malicious mischief are covered perils in most homeowner and renter policies. The policy protects against losses caused by vandals or thieves. If it’s your car that is vandalized or stolen, however, your homeowner’s policy will not cover it. You have to have an auto policy with comprehensive (other than collision) insurance coverage.
What you need to know:
• Your homeowner’s or rental policy covers your home and other structures (such as a detached garage or gazebo) on an open-peril basis. That means it only lists the exclusions, the situations not covered. If it’s not listed, you are covered for it. Vandalism to your home is not excluded; therefore, it is covered.
• Personal property coverage is that part of your homeowner’s or renter’s policy that protects your possessions such as TV, furniture, and clothing. Personal property is covered on a named peril basis, not an open-peril one. With named perils, the policy lists the ones covered. Your policy will pay for 16 different named “perils.” In this case, vandalism is a covered peril. There are dollar limits for certain items such as money, jewelry, and firearms, so check with your insurer. For personal property coverage on a homeowner’s policy, you typically get 50 or 75% of Coverage A, the total amount of coverage for your home. Renters get to choose the amount of personal property coverage.
• For vehicles, comprehensive insurance covers vandalism and theft. However, if your car was paid off, and you don’t have comprehensive insurance, you would be responsible for the full costs to repair your vehicle.
• You will have a choice in how you will be compensated in a home policy (not an auto policy.) You can select replacement cost or actual cash value (ACV). ACV is the amount the item is worth, minus depreciation for its age. It will cost a little more for a policy that provides replacement cost since that is higher than ACV. You will get reimbursed minus the amount you have chosen for your deductible, the amount you pay out-of-pocket before your insurance company pays a claim. That’s why all of these decisions when you set up a policy are so important.
What else you can do:
• Park your car in the garage.
• Post no trespassing signs or beware of dog signs.
• Keep your yard brightly lit to deter vandals
.• Set up a video alarm system.
• Form a neighborhood watch to look out for mischief makers.
Halloween is a common time for fires, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Crepe paper, cornstalks, and costumes are highly flammable. Bumping into a pumpkin with a lit candle could have devastating results. Fire damage to your home or car can be extensive and expensive.
Are you covered?
If a fire starts accidentally on your property, you are most likely covered by your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy. If that fire affects your car, you are covered under your auto policy’s comprehensive insurance for damage or total loss.
What you need to know
• Depending upon the extent of the fire, your house may not be habitable. If that’s the case, you would be covered for any necessary increase in living expenses, such as lodging, food, and gas. Your policy’s living expense coverage will provide a flat percentage toward living costs, usually 30% of the Coverage A amount. Some states have time limits (e.g. 12 months) on when you can use that coverage. Plan to cover those additional expenses out-of-pocket.
• If your car is damaged by fire, your comprehensive coverage pays for it. This is coverage that is required if you are financing or leasing a vehicle. Comprehensive covers natural disasters, fires, vandalism, theft, and animals that damage your vehicle. However, if your car was paid off, and you don’t have comprehensive insurance, you would be responsible for the full costs to repair your vehicle.
What else you could do
• Use battery-powered lights in your pumpkins rather than candles with open flames. There are some very realistic flickering flameless candles available.
• Make sure your electronic decorations meet Underwriters Laboratory (UL) safety standards. This is an independent nonprofit organization that tests electrical components for potential hazards.
• Test smoke alarms before the holiday to make sure they are in good working order.
Dog or Cat Bites
Halloween can be a stressful time for pets. Doorbells, lots of strangers, and costumes could excite or frighten your dog. This might cause an otherwise friendly dog or cat to bite.
Are you covered?
You are covered under your homeowner’s or renter’s liability coverage. The policy pays for damages to the injured party. This can include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and permanent scarring. The policy also provides a defense in court, if needed, for the policyholder. This is at the insurance company’s own expense.
What you need to know
• Liability coverage protects you if someone is injured and you’re legally liable. It could be at your place or it could be anywhere in the world.
• If you need more coverage, talk to your insurance advisor about an umbrella policy, which will provide much greater coverage.
What else you could do
• Remove your fur baby from the Halloween chaos. If your dog is crate-trained, he may feel most comfortable there.
• Keep your pet inside the house and give out candy on the porch or at a table at the curb.
Injured Trick-or-Treater
Slips and falls could occur on your property. Other injuries may happen, too. When visitors to your home are hurt, you could be held accountable.
Are you covered?
Your homeowner’s or renter’s policy includes liability coverage. This can be used to cover medical bills when someone is injured on your property. It can also cover legal expenses if they decide to sue you.
What you need to know
• Liability coverage protects you if someone is injured and you’re legally liable. You want to make sure you have enough coverage to protect your assets – a minimum amount is $100,000. Higher limits are strongly recommended and may be increased for a nominal fee.
• Bodily injury or property damage that results from a business in your home is not covered by your policy. You could however purchase an endorsement for your business to get that coverage.
What else you could do
• Make sure your property is well lit.
• Make sure paths to your house are clear.
• Be aware that trick-or-treaters may travel across your lawn. You do not want them tripping over tombstones or other decorations.
Alcoholic Incidents
Just as in the case of a trick-or-treater who slips and falls, an intoxicated guest who injures himself at your party could hold you liable.
Are you covered?
Again, your liability coverage will cover medical bills and legal expenses. Your policy also provides a coverage called “Medical Payments to Others.” The policy includes $1,000 but, for an additional premium, it can be increased to $3,000 or $5,000. This coverage will pay the necessary medical expenses to a person at the insured’s home with the permission of the insured. The insured doesn’t have to be liable for this coverage to pay out.
What you need to know
• Some states follow a “social host liability” law. If you host a party, and one of your drunken guests leaves and causes harm to someone else, you could be liable.
• You may be able to purchase social host liquor liability insurance. This is a short-term policy to cover a party where you are serving alcohol.
What else you could do
• Plan ahead for guests to stay at your place or arrange a safe ride home for them.
• Do not serve underage party guests. You could face fines and even criminal charges.
• Hire a professional bartender. They typically carry their own liability insurance.
This article is furnished by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and nurses. Get a quote at 1.866.704.8614 or www.calcas.com.
