Courtesy of iii.org With burglaries constituting approximately 50 percent of all on-campus crimes, it's important for college students and their parents take steps to prevent theft, adhere to safety measures—and review their insurance coverage. Campus coverage basics It's best to consult your insurance professional for the details of your family's specific coverage and where you might need additional protections, but here are some general guidelines: Students who live in a dorm are covered under their parents' standard homeowners insurance policies – That is, their possessions are protected by "off premise" coverage. However, some homeowners policies may limit this amount of insurance, so make sure you understand your own policy. Students who live off campus are likely not covered by their parents’ homeowners policy – Your insurance professional can tell you whether your homeowners or renters policy extends to off-campus living situations. If it does not, to …
Insurance News
Gap Insurance and You
Courtesy of iii.org How gap insurance works When you buy or lease a new car or truck, the vehicle starts to depreciate in value the moment it leaves the car lot. In fact, most cars lose 20 percent of their value within a year. Standard auto insurance policies cover the depreciated value of a car—in other words, a standard policy pays the current market value of the vehicle at the time of a claim. If, when you finance the purchase of a new car and put down only a small deposit, in the early years of the vehicle's ownership the amount of the loan may exceed the market value of the vehicle itself. In the event of an accident in which you've badly damaged or totaled your car, gap insurance covers the difference between what a vehicle is currently worth (which your standard insurance will pay) and the amount you actually owe on it. When you might need gap insurance It’s a good idea to consider buying gap insurance for your new car or truck purchase if you: Made less than a 20 …
Protect Your Business From Severe Weather Events
Courtesy of iii.org Courtesy of iii.org With predictions of an above-average hurricane season issued by Colorado State University this week, businesses need to take measures to prepare and increase their chance of surviving, according to the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.). Forty percent of businesses do not reopen after a disaster and another 25 percent fail within one year, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). But by taking action now to prepare, businesses can increase their chance of getting back on their feet financially and keeping their doors open. The I.I.I. and the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) recommend the following steps: Develop a Business Continuity Plan Having a business continuity plan is vital for companies to prepare for, survive and recover from a hurricane. Use IBHS’ free OFB-EZ® (Open for Business) business continuity planning tool to create a plan that focuses on recovering after the …