Archive for the ‘Connecticut Insurance’ Category

What you need to know…

As personal injury lawsuits resulting from the wrongful use of social media (e.g. Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, etc.) continue to grow, it’s important to realize how a lawsuit like this could involve and impact you and your family.

Claims resulting from what’s referred to as personal injury are generally not included in most standard Connecticut homeowner’s insurance policies.  This type of protection requires a special coverage or endorsement.

If you’re unsure of whether or not you have coverage for personal injury which can in fact result from your teen’s activity on social media, V.F. McNeil Insurance highly recommends consulting with an insurance professional to be sure you are protected.

At V.F. McNeil, Personal Injury Endorsements are a standard recommendation to all homeowner’s.  Here’s just one reason why…

You Posted What!? Teens, Social Media and a Parent’s Liability

To request assistance with a homeowner’s quote – Visit V.F. McNeil Insurance Today!  Or, call us at (203) 481-2684.  We are located in Branford, Connecticut.

and Every Other State

 

This is a Must Read!  Life Before Text App Now Available

 

By: Pauline Handy

 

If you’re like me and you have a teenager who is about to get his/her drivers license or perhaps your teen just got their license, what was one of your biggest concerns?

I’ll bet you’re thinking – how much is it going to cost for auto insurance?  Alright, that’s definitely a legitimate concern and one that we can certainly help with.  In fact, I can say that my quoting results were very good for my daughter.  But more importantly,  for their safety, consider this question….

 At any given time when you glance over at your teen, what are they doing?

That’s right.  They’re texting.  Their eyes are glued to their phones! 

Therefore, in spite of every horrifying movie they’ve seen at drivers education about what can happen as a result of distracted driving, what do we know?  Yes, that’s right. Teens are still going to do it.  Teen interviews and unfortunately accident results prove it’s true.

Here’s a solution.  The Life Before Text App which was developed by a father of triplets can be purchased for $3.98 and installed on your child’s phone to automatically disable incoming and outgoing calls and texting to prevent distracted driving.  You control the settings and much more.

Currently this app is only available for Android based phones.  However, we submit an inquiry to the company about Apple phones and they have announced that this capability is coming soon.

Learn more at the LifeBeforeText Website.

Watch the interview with the dad who created the app and see how it’s been tested.

 

For Assistance With Getting a Connecticut Auto Insurance Policy – Request an Auto Quote Online Today

What you need to know to keep your teen driver safe and your auto insurance costs low.

People are renters in Connecticut and other states for many different reasons.  Regardless of whether renting is because of financial necessity or it’s simply a lifestyle preference, many renters frequently choose not to insure.  Especially in recent years, the number of renters has grown nationwide due to a troubled economy forcing many out of home ownership.  It’s concerning that so many in Connecticut and others states opt not to choose this important insurance coverage.

Some choose not to insure for reasons such as…

• They think insurance isn’t necessary because they don’t own a home or; they think they don’t have enough contents to cover.
• They think their landlord’s insurance will automatically cover their belongings.
• They think rental insurance is too expensive.

The only thing that is true about the above reasons for not getting renters insurance is that each can cause real misery and financial hardship from an uninsured loss.

Renters should consider the following…

1. Just because you don’t own a home, your belongings over time can accumulate in to tens of thousands of dollars worth of property.  Consider if your rental property burned to the ground and you had to replace all of your furniture, electronics, clothing, linens, kid’s toys, kitchen tools, etc. and pay for the cost of temporarily moving somewhere else – could you afford this if you didn’t have coverage?
2. Your landlords insurance will certainly cover the property if it burned to the ground or suffered some other devastation.  It will also provide protection to the landlord from liability.  However, most often it will not cover your personal contents, even if your landlord has an umbrella policy as well.  This is strictly for liability.
3. Rental insurance in Connecticut is actually very affordable.  Most often, renters insurance can be under $200.00 per year.  Better yet, if you combine a renters policy with an auto policy the savings on your auto can often make the renters policy almost free.

If you rent and don’t have insurance…then you have a very good reason for contacting an insurance professional to get you covered.

In addition, an insurance professional can explain the difference between actual cash value and replacement cost on a policy.  They can also explain to you about liability coverage and coverage for special items.  Everyone’s circumstance is different and policies vary among insurance companies.  Only a knowledgeable insurance professional can best advise you based on your own unique circumstances.

Still wondering about renters insurance?  Think about it.  You many have chosen not to purchase a home, but for a very minimal cost you can purchase peace of mind.

 

To Learn More About Renters Insurance – Visit V.F. McNeil Insurance Today.

 

To Request A Renters Insurance Quote – Visit V.F. McNeil Insurance Today.

 

 

By: Pauline Handy

After opening the mail this morning, the attached document prompted this blog.  One of our insurance clients located in Plainville, Connecticut attached these comments to some correspondence they mailed to our office.  I was so pleased to learn of their satisfaction that I asked their permission to share their comments.  They kindly agreed and only asked that we would white out their full last name to protect their privacy.  I’ve scanned in their comments for all to read.  If you have a moment, click on the link below to learn about their experience.

Client Comments

Knowing first hand myself, sewer backups are a threat for any property owner and can be one of the most unpleasant things to deal with.  There are many substances that can clog a pipe.  Many can be controlled, some cannot.  Regardless, remedying this unfortunate situation can not only be unpleasant, but it can also be very costly.

Most of the time, standard property insurance in Connecticut does not cover damage resulting from a sewer backup.  This very inexpensive coverage endorsement is something we highly recommend.  Purchasing this supplemental insurance coverage for your home can save you thousands of dollars and save you from dealing with a really dirty job.

If you are unsure of whether or not you’ve opted to include this coverage, give your agent a call today.

 

To Request a Homeowner’s Quote – Visit V.F. McNeil Today

 

It’s almost Valentine’s Day, and thoughts of people everywhere turn to … jewelry.

Did you know?

About one out of four Americans buys jewelry, spending $2,000 per year on average.  Those who don’t buy shiny things for Valentine’s Day may prefer other types of valuables, such as electronics, artwork, antiques, wine and furs.

Whatever the purchase, consumers should take steps to safeguard and insure their valuables.   Homeowner’s insurance in Connecticut for example, generally covers valuable and precious items such as jewelry, but these policies usually have limits, exclusions, and requirements.

Typically policies restrict the dollar amount of coverage for individual valuable items ($1,000 is a typical maximum).  Therefore, with an average purchase of $2000.00 or more, you could be at a loss if you should need to place a claim, unless you have specific coverage for valuable items.

What’s more, most homeowner’s insurance policies cover “named perils” such as fire, lightning, and windstorm. That will exclude many events that create financial losses. Note, for example, the “my five-year-old dropped my engagement ring in the toilet and flushed it” circumstance is not a named peril.

To find out more about the questions below, we recommend calling to speak with one of our insurance professionals at (203) 481-2684 for a consultation.  It’s easy and our advice is always free.

• What’s best to protect your beloved Valentine’s Day gift?
• What type of loss circumstances would be excluded under a basic homeowner’s policy?
• What requirements are necessary to submit a claim?

Whatever is on your Valentine’s Day shopping list, be sure it is properly protected. 

Resource: Trusted Choice

 

To Inquire About Homeowner’s Insurance – You Can Also Visit V.F. McNeil Insurance Today!

We are located right in Branford, Connecticut.

 

A recent post by USA Today reveals that four consecutive years of record losses are most likely going to force insurance companies to raise premiums.  These increases could be up to as much as 5%.

Right here in Connecticut, a handful of insurance companies have already approached the Connecticut insurance department to request rate increases.  Others will most likely be soon to follow.  Due to the widespread, weather related catastrophes that have occurred not only around the country but around the globe, rate increases will most likely be across the board.

Of course this is concerning to consumers because the economy has been unstable for some time now, and individuals, families and businesses have been looking for ways to save in day to day life.  However, the important thing to keep in mind is to look for ways that will help you save without making mistakes that could be even more costly.

As homeowner’s just like you, we will also face these changes and understand the concerns involved.  However, cutting back on things that will not jeopardize our financial future, our health, or anything else crucial to our lives is always the better choice.

Therefore, as we look ahead to these possible changes, we’ve listed some insurance related suggestions below that may help.  Lastly, please always feel free to contact one of our insurance professionals if you have concerns or questions.  We are always happy to help in any way.  V.F. McNeil Insurance , Branford, Connecticut (203) 481-2684.

 

• Report any upgrades made to your home.  In some instances, certain companies give credits for various upgrades.
• Have you had an alarm system installed in your home recently? If so, this is another item that could potentially earn you credit.
• Higher your deductibles.  Raising your deductibles can often save you substantially.  In many cases, the savings can outweigh the increase over a short period of time if you are claim free.
• If you are thinking about purchasing a new home, consult with your agent first to determine what should be considered in order to keep your homeowners premium at a reasonable rate.  Same applies to auto purchases.
• If you haven’t bundled your home and auto thus far, consult with your agent about doing so.  It’s often a great way to save by getting a multi-policy discount.  It’s no obligation to you to inquire and you could possibly benefit in the long run.
• Speak with your agent about possible ways to save on your auto to offset any possible increases to your home insurance.  Maybe you’ve installed an anti-theft device recently.  In some cases, this could earn you a credit on your auto insurance.  Do you own an older car?  If so, you can consult with your agent about reducing the coverage on this vehicle.  If the vehicle has decreased substantially in value, it may not be worth purchasing the coverage.  Are you working from home?  Have you recently decreased your daily mileage due to employment relocation?  Some companies offer discounts to drivers who drive lower than an average number of miles per year.
• Have you quit smoking lately?  If that was your New Year’s Resolution or you quit even before the New Year, be sure to let your agent know.  Some companies offer credits on home and/or auto for this great accomplishment.
• Has your teen driver been working hard to improve their grades?  If you haven’t been able to take advantage of the “Good Student” credit in the past and your child has made honors recently, do report this as well to see if you are eligible for any additional credits.

 

We hope you find these tips to be helpful.  Don’t hesitate to call if you have any questions.  ☺

To learn more about homeowner’s insurance – Visit our homeowner’s page today.

Request a homeowner’s quote today.

 

The weeks and days prior to and following a storm like Irene are usually filled with so many questions and concerns about a variety of topics.  Things like preparedness, the likelihood of being affected by damages, and specifics about insurance coverage are pretty key concerns.

 

We understand these questions and concerns and have always been committed to delivering as much information, advice, guidance, and support as possible before, during, and after an occurrence like Irene.

 

However, one topic that still seems to have common misunderstandings is flood insurance. We hope this blog will help to better explain these misunderstandings associated with flood.  The most common are listed below.

 

• Who flood insurance is provided by
• How flood insurance can be purchased
• Flooding is included under standard property coverage
• Premiums for flood insurance are too expensive

 

With regard to who provides this type of coverage, it’s important to give a brief history about flood insurance…

 

Prior to 1968, the year that the National Flood Insurance Act was passed as a piece of legislation, damages from flooding were largely the responsibility of property owners.  Insurance coverage for losses associated with flooding was not provided by any private insurance carrier.

 

However, in 1965 Hurricane Betsy, a category four hurricane, otherwise known as “Billion Dollar Betsy,” slammed the Bahamas, Florida, and Louisiana. The storm brought with it flood surges that caused over a billion dollars in damages. Those devastated by the hurricane were left waiting for federal aid promised by the federal government after the hurricane had struck.

 

The death, destruction, and property damage caused by Betsy motivated the National Flood Insurance Act and then led to the creation of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).  The National Flood Insurance Program is a program created by the Congress of the United States which enables property owners in participating communities to purchase insurance protection from the government against losses from flooding.

 

Although the National Flood Insurance Program has had amendments since then, flood insurance is and always has been a provision of the federal government.  Insurers in the United States do not provide flood insurance.  Floods are the most common and costly natural disaster in the United States.  Due to this fact, flood is a risk that private insurers are incapable of supporting.

 

However, with regard to how flood insurance is purchased, only licensed insurance agents can access flood insurance policies for consumers. An agent’s job is to educate consumer’s about flood insurance, process the paper work to access a flood policy, and help consumers to report claims.  Nevertheless, flood guidelines and parameters are constructed by the government. In addition, underwriting (agreement to finance coverage) and decisions regarding approval of claims reported for coverage are made by the federal government.

 

It is important for property owners to understand… due to the fact that flood insurance cannot be provided by private insurance companies, only accessed by them, that protection from flooding is always excluded from standard property insurance policies.  An additional point about accessing a flood policy that is important to understand, is that coverage does not begin immediately.  Generally, coverage takes effect 30 days after the purchase of flood insurance.  Only a few exceptions to this exist and can be explained by a licensed insurance agent.    

 

Premiums vary depending on the amount of coverage you choose and the type of coverage you need.  Depending upon what type of risk area the property is in also plays a part in this determination.  However, the average flood insurance policy costs about $600.00 per year.  The NFIP provides a website that can rate your risk, however these are only approximations.  Only a licensed agent can rate your risk accurately and explain the parameters of coverage based on each individual circumstance.

 

Although these are the most common misunderstandings, and we hope that this explanation will help, we are always happy to answer any other questions associated with flood.  We can always be reached at (203) 481-2684 or via website inquiry or even a by a visit to V.F McNeil Insurance, 500 East Main Street, Branford, CT. 06405.

Request a flood insurance quote.

Sources: Department of Homeland Security
(National Cyber Security Month is approaching) 

Adults, teens, and tweens alike – we’ve all done it at one time or another.  You’re getting ready for an exciting vacation, or you’re heading out with friends for the night, what do you do?

That’s easy!  You share it with your friends on Facebook, Twitter and other online social media platforms.  What’s even better?  Now that so many of us possess mobile devices and have access to public Wi-Fi in many locations, we can upload photos in real time or talk about what we are doing and where we are at that exact moment.  Let’s not forget about those popular check-in features.  Many of us have utilized these mobile apps that allow people to use the GPS on their mobile device to let friends know exactly where they are at all times.  It seems so cool right?

What’s not so cool about broadcasting our personal plans and whereabouts is that it leaves online users open to unnecessary risk.  Ambitious cyber thieves who monitor social media networks and other online activity will find plenty of victims to prey upon when it comes to things like identity theft, home burglaries, invasions, and even abductions.

What can you do to protect yourself?  While managing your privacy settings is a great way to control who can see your personal information, it does not guarantee full protection.

Below are a few suggested online safety practices.  We also highly recommend visiting StaySafeOnline.org.  This site is a great resource for individuals, families and businesses when it comes to the facts about online safety.

• It’s best to resist the temptations to broadcast your travel plans or daily whereabouts on your social media pages, chat rooms, etc.
• Postpone posting pictures until you’ve returned home, and avoid using check-in apps.
• Do not share any personal information online, especially when using public Wi-Fi.  These hot spots are playgrounds for crafty online thieves.
• Be sure your password isn’t weak by making it longer and including an array of symbols, numbers and letters.
• Use this direct link to Protect Your Children on the StaySafeOnline website.  Talk to your children about online security, so they’re aware of the dangers and how to protect themselves.

For help with a Connecticut homeowner’s insurance quote give V.F. McNeil Insurance a call at (203) 481-2684, visit us at 500 East Main St., Branford, CT 06405 or…

Get a Connecticut homeowner’s quote

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A new client’s story – A must read…

Recently, one of our Account Managers had an inquiry from a friend regarding her personal insurance needs.  Apparently our Account Manager had attempted in the past to offer a review to her friend. However, her friend declined stating that she had been with her current agency for some time and felt funny about leaving.  Our Account Manager respected that and left the topic alone.

When our Account Manager’s friend approached her recently with her insurance inquiry, of course she was surprised.  She asked her friend why she had changed her mind.  Her friend explained that her current agency was no longer going to maintain a relationship with her current insurance company.  Her friend stated that she liked her current insurance company and was disappointed by this news.  However, there was a second reason.  She explained that although she liked the service from her current insurance company, her rates seemed a bit high and she never really felt like she received an adequate explanation from her current agent.

She requested that our Account Manger take a look at her insurance program which included auto, home, and inland marine.  The Account Manager recommended running a quote with her current insurance company just in case something may have been missed.  She also stated that she would quote it with a few other companies to determine, if at the same level of coverage, she could access a lower premium.  

After reviewing her friend’s insurance program, our Account Manager quickly determined why her friend’s premium seemed so high and knew she could make a big improvement.  However, as promised, she quoted her program with a handful of other companies just to be sure she couldn’t do even better.  Ironically, our Account Manager determined that keeping her friend with her current insurance company was going to be the best option for her. 

Why was this option the best option for her? …

Because the account credits she was eligible for were not applied to her insurance program.  A simple thing like this afforded her a savings of over $400.00.  Additionally, our Account Manager also pointed out coverage that her friend should have had, but didn’t.  In the end, her friend finalized her insurance protection with better coverage and a savings of over $400.00.    

Her friend was happy to hear that our Account Manager was able to help and that she could stay with the insurance company she liked.  Of course she wasn’t happy to learn about the savings that she could have been getting in the past as well as the coverage she didn’t have and should have. 

Are you getting your account credits? 

If it hasn’t been mentioned by your insurance provider/agent that you are eligible or in-eligible for any account credits, be sure to ask.  You have the right to know as well as the right to benefit from any that are available to you. 

A day at the Branford Festival – One visitor’s story.

Saturday, June 18^th was a great day at the Branford Festival.  This year was not only our third, consecutive year as a festival sponsor and participant, but also a perfect opportunity to further celebrate our 125^th Anniversary.  Mother Nature was in our favor, the traffic was great, and the art contest we hosted was a big hit.  We really had a great time.  Seeing familiar faces and meeting many new ones is something we enjoy and look forward to each year.

However, one new visitor to our booth had a sad story…. 

Each year, we get a handful of insurance inquiries at our booth.  On this day, this visitor’s inquiry made us go home and think about how important our jobs really are.  Her story made us think about how invaluable relationships are.

Our visitor explained that she was currently looking for a new relationship with an insurance provider and was told of our agency.  Apparently, she has been insured with a company who she chose to leave nameless, since she was newly married.  Like many others, she was very busy and therefore didn’t think much about her insurance coverage. She didn’t fully understand her policy and never got a thorough explanation of what it meant.   She just knew she had it and it didn’t cost her much.

Unfortunately, she was involved in a very serious car accident not long after.  Following the accident, she discovered how inadequately insured she was.  Sadly, the coverage she thought to be such a great deal only compromised her protection. 

In the end, she didn’t save anything.  The accident cost her more than she ever imagined.  In fact, she stated that she was so inadequately insured, she had been paying out of her own pocket for damages ever since.  This happened over five years ago. 

She stated how she felt let down by her insurance provider.  She wanted to change providers, but she couldn’t with such a serious accident on her driving record.

More than five years have passed since her accident.  Her circumstances were starting to improve.  Most importantly for her sake, she didn’t have any debilitating injuries.  However, she traveled a pretty tough road to get to this point of recovery.

We were obviously relieved to learn by the end of the story that things were getting better for her.  We have to admit however, it was frustrating to know that her path to recovery could have been much easier.  It’s tough enough to recover from such an accident physically and emotionally.  When you have to add in the additional stress of learning that the damages won’t be paid for, it can seriously impact your life.

Unfortunately, bad things can happen to any one of us.  We cannot stress enough the importance of proper consultation when it comes to your insurance protection. 

Understanding your coverage and what it means to you when you need it most is so important.  In our opinion, it’s just as important as having the right doctor who really listens to you and spends the necessary time with you to be sure you’re properly cared for.

We understand that saving money is important, especially in this tight economy.  It’s important to everyone, even us.  However, saving a few dollars will mean nothing if it ends up costing you more in the long run.  When purchasing insurance, please be sure that your savings do not compromise your protection. 

It’s important to work with an insurance professional who has your best interest in mind.  He or she will care enough to spend time with you, listen, advise you based on your circumstances, and explain what your coverage means. 

He or she should not only act as your consultant on how best to protect yourself, but he or she should work hard to get you this protection at rates you can afford.  It’s important to have the right relationship with your insurance provider.  It’s just as important as your relationship with any other trusted professional such as your doctor, your lawyer, or your financial advisor. 

Consider it.  Relationships really do matter.