Happy Fall!
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Oops, I'm a few days early but Fall IS coming, and did you know there are certain types of insurance claims that are more prevalent during the fall and early winter seasons?

Insurers are tightening their standards and restrictions so before you call to file a homeowners insurance claim and have it denied, ask yourself these questions:

- Do you know specifically what your policy covers/excludes?
- Was the damage from a sudden, acute circumstance or from a chronic issue over time?
- Have you taken photos/videos to document the damage?
- Have you spoken with your insurance agent to get his guidance on how you should proceed?

It's very important you have this information BEFORE you contact your insurance company about the damage.
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Let's take an example:

Have you ever heard of the term "subrogation" when investigating insurance but really don't understand it?

It's a legal term that is more commonly applied to auto insurance claims, and you need to understand what it is in case you ever need to use it.
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So buckle up and let's dive into: 1) what auto insurance subrogation is;  2) when you should consider using it; and 3) when you should NOT use it.

Many insurance policy holders are getting a big surprise when they receive their upcoming renewal notices.

The news in a nutshell?

Losses on the part of insurance companies are finally being seen in premium increases in renewal notices... AND as important, if not more so:

insurance companies are also pulling out of certain states or disallowing new and policy renewal approvals.
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Why the sudden action on the part of carriers?

With baseball season in full swing, an interesting insurance question that comes up is who is responsible for damages from a baseball hitting a spectator or a vehicle outside the park?

Or, what about damages from errant golf/hockey shots, auto racing accidents, and other sporting events?

Generally speaking, the past 5 or so decades of case law has ruled that:

When my neighbor's tree falls on my property, who pays for damage and tree removal?

This is a common question, but the answer depends on the circumstances.
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In general:

​Scenario:  A severe wind and rain storm caused your home to flood.  Will your homeowner's insurance cover the water damage?

There is plenty of attention given to steps to take before an anticipated storm to reduce the potential for damage and the need to file an insurance claim.

But, less focus is on steps to take AFTER a dangerous storm to reduce personal injury and property damage.  A recent study after a tornado in Illinois confirmed that 50% of physical injuries were suffered after the storm when completing post-storm tasks.

Any bad storm can damage power lines, electrical systems and gas lines that put may put you and your property at risk of fire, explosion, or electrocution.
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Here are 10 examples of steps to take after a bad storm:

Storm season is underway and has already caused substantial damage over large areas of the south.  There are things you can do ahead of time to minimize potential weather-related damage.
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Here are 7 tips you can do quickly that can have a huge impact on minimizing weather-related damage and preventing the need to file insurance claims.

When you're deciding which insurance carrier to use for your coverage needs, typically policyholders prioritize cost-related factors.
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There is one factor that is rarely researched that can have a significant financial impact: