FAQs
Auto Insurance
Do I have to carry Auto Insurance, and is it available for everyone?
Most states such as Tennessee, have laws in the books that require basic auto insurance coverage for every driver. A few states ask only that you demonstrate 'financial responsibility.
Yes. Since most states require auto insurance for all drivers, the states have assigned risk plans to assure coverage if you are unable to find an insurance company willing to accept you. The exact type of plan varies from state to state, but assigned risk policies are usually relatively expensive. Why? Because a bad driving record makes you a bad risk for any insurer – even if they must accept you.
What happens if I drive without Auto insurance?
If you are involved in an auto accident or stopped by a police officer and found to be driving without car insurance or proof of financial responsibility, you will be subject to penalties specific to the laws of your state. For violation of the financial responsibility law, those penalties could include a fine or loss of driving privileges. If you are uninsured and in an accident that involves property damage or injuries to people, you will be required to pay out of pocket for any damages assessed
by a court.
Who is covered by my Personal Auto Policy?
You and the family members, friends, and associates that you let borrow your car are all covered by your personal auto policy. Explicit permission is not required each time they borrow your car. They are covered as long as they have a reasonable belief that you would have permitted the loan.
Who is covered by my Personal Auto Policy?
You and the family members, friends, and associates that you let borrow your car are all covered by your personal auto policy. Explicit permission is not required each time they borrow your car. They are covered as long as they have a reasonable belief that you would have permitted the loan.
What is Auto Insurance and can it keep me from getting sued?
Auto insurance is a contract with an insurance company that can protect you against severe financial loss if you are ever in an auto accident. Varying types of coverage act as a bumper against various accident-related expenses, like liability, medical costs, damage to vehicles, and property damage.
Although it helps, having car insurance does not stop anyone from suing you. It does provide the assurance that, if you are sued as the result of an automobile accident, the financial and legal resources of the insurance company will assist you in defending against the suit and paying any resulting damages up to your policy limits.
Home Insurance
Why buy homeowner's or renter's insurance?
There are two major reasons for homeowners to buy insurance:
1) As one of the most important assets that a person has, you need to protect your home from damage and destruction
2) Mortgage lenders require homeowners to carry insurance to protect the lender's investment from damage or loss
Just like homeowner's insurance, renters face risks of loss. As a renter, the greatest risk is damage to or loss of personal property. Renters can also be liable to third parties that are injured while at the residence.
If you rent, insurance acts as a risk transfer device to protect you against a catastrophic loss. In exchange for payment of a premium, you transfer the risk
of property loss and liability to third parties to an insurance company.
What types of risks does homeowner's/renter's insurance protect against?
Damage or loss to the home itself, as well as other structures on the land;
Damage or loss to the items of personal property in the home and other structures; and Injury or harm to third parties (typically guests who come to your home).
The major risks covered by renter's insurance are damage or loss to items of personal property contained in the residence and liability to third parties who are injured while in the residence.
Who is covered by my policy?
As the insured, you and the members of your home are covered for the loss of the home and its contents. Third parties -- other people who come to your home -- are covered through the liability portion of the insurance policy for injuries caused by your negligence. In addition, you and the members of your household have some liability protection to others even while you are away from the premises.
With renter's insurance, it is important to note that coverage is only provided to the person named in the policy. Even if you share the premises with someone else - if it is your insurance, the property of your 'roommate' is not covered.
Commercial Insurance
I'm just getting my business started. Do I need insurance immediately?
Yes. Your chance of suffering a loss begins with the first day of business. If you suffer a loss and have no insurance or have improper or insufficient coverage, your insurance agent can do little, if anything, to help you. Also, many states and local jurisdictions require businesses to have insurance to begin operating. And if you rent space for your business, your landlord probably requires you to obtain adequate insurance.
I don't have any major business assets. Why do I need insurance?
Every business has some property. When you think about it, your business is your property. Just like your home and your car, your business needs to be protected from loss, damage, and liability. In addition, your business is your source of income, so you need protection from the potential loss of that income.
Does insurance coverage vary for different businesses?
It can. Many small businesses opt for package policies that cover the major Property and Liability exposures as well as for a loss of income. A common package policy used by many small businesses is called the Business Owners Policy (BOP). Generally, BOPs provide more complete coverage at a lower price than separate policies for each type of insurance needed. We can help you decide which policy or policies are right for your business. You can also purchase additional coverage for perils or conditions otherwise excluded (e.g., flood protection) as endorsements to a standard policy or as a separate, second policy called a Difference in Conditions (DIC) policy.
Why does a business owner need to consider risks?
Running a business is inherently risky. Many factors outside the control of the business owner can influence the success or failure of the enterprise and a high percentage of new businesses fall within a few months of inception. Even large and successful businesses can succumb to changing conditions.
Consider what has happened to some of the largest companies in industries such as communications, computers, and transportation. To improve the probability of success, the management of a business should think about potential risks and how to offset them.
The losses to a business caused by increased expenses or decreased revenues could threaten the livelihood of the owner or owners. A realistic analysis of the risks inherent in the business and a plan for dealing with them will protect the business from unanticipated losses and disruptions to its flow of income.
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