7750 Reynolds Rd., Suite 114 Mentor, Ohio 44060-5303
Phone: (440) 951-6983 Fax: (440) 951-6984
Phone: (440) 951-6983 Fax: (440) 951-6984
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Frequently Asked Question (FAQ’s)
Q: If I let someone drive my car and they have a accident, who’s insurance will go up?
A: Yours will! We insure automobiles not drivers. That is why it is wise not to let anyone drive your
car who is not listed on your policy.
Q: The police did not give me a ticket after a car accident but my insurance company still raised
my rates. Can they do that?
A: If the company paid any part of a claim for your accident, your rates will probably go up.
Q: Is there a grace period on my insurance premium payments?
A: Not usually. Premium due dates normally have no grace period. So if the payment is late, your
policy can be cancelled.
Q: I paid extra money for the replacement cost option on my home owner’s policy. My big screen
was stolen and even though I decided not to replace it, shouldn’t I have received what it would
have cost to replace it?
A: First read the endorsement. It may be that if you elect not to replace the item then the company
is only obligated to give you the actual cash value of the stolen television – in other words what the
item was worth at the time that it was stolen.
Q: If my house is a total loss, will the company pay to rebuild it?
A: It depends on what type of form that your policy is written on. If you have guaranteed
replacement cost on an all risk basis, most likely yes if the house was insured to 100% to value.
Q: Can I be sued for the damage or injury that my child causes?
A: Yes. And more than likely you will be. It is the obligation of the insurance company to defend
you. Usually, defense costs are supplemental to your liability limits and unlimited in the amount
spent to defend you.
Q: Are Golden Retrievers on the top ten "bad dog" list? What are the worst dogs when it comes to
biting?
A: The Golden Retriever is not in the "Top Ten"—the following, according to a Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention study, are the purebreds responsible for the greatest number of dog bite-
related fatalities from 1979 to 1998).
The following breeds are listed in declining order of fatalities: Pit bull-type, Rottweiler, German
Shepherd, Husky-type, Malamute, Doberman Pinscher, Chow Chow, , Great Dane, Saint Bernard.
Before deciding to buy a dog, here are some things to keep in mind:
Q: If I don't have auto insurance, and am involved in an accident that is completely not my fault,
will the party at fault's insurance pay for the repairs to my car?
A: Yes, assuming that unlike you, the “party at fault” is carrying at least basic liability coverage, his
or her insurance will pay for the damage incurred by their client. However, if the fault for the
accident is shared, for example 50-50, then the other driver’s insurance will cover his or her portion
of the damage, but will only cover your portion if the other driver is also carrying uninsured motorist
insurance. However, uninsured motorist insurance is not obligatory in every state, and you should
not count on it.
Whatever the insurance situation of the other party, not carrying auto insurance is against the law,
so you would be wise to buy it. Penalties for non-compliance with insurance laws vary by state, but
often involve a substantial fine ($1000 in Ohio), license and/or registration suspension or revocation,
as well as possible jail time in some states.
Q: If I buy a life insurance policy and pay an annual premium then decide to cancel the policy
before the year is up, will I get a refund for the remainder of the year?
A: Yes, you will get a refund. Basically, what the life insurance company does is change the
premium payment frequency retroactively from annual to monthly and refund the premium for
unused months.
Q: My dad is in a nursing home and I need to change the ownership on his life insurance policies.
My mom has a Power Of Attorney for him. How do I go about doing this?
A: Your mother should contact the life insurance company and request the ownership change. She
will need to provide a copy of the Power of Attorney. It would be advisable to contact the company
through an agent, broker or financial professional, so that you are aware of all consequences of the
ownership change.
Q: Can the Department of Insurance tell me if my insurance company is reputable?
A: The Department of Insurance (DOI) cannot rate or recommend insurance companies. The
department can only tell you whether or not the insurance company is authorized to do business in
Ohio.
You can get information about financial and service ratings by contacting a private rating firm such
as: A.M.Best Co., Fitch Investor’s Service, Standard & Poor’s & Dun and Bradstreet.
If you have a question about your policy or Insurance company contact your agent. If you are still
not satisfied, contact Consumer Services at 1-800-686-1526 or click on the following link: http://www.
ohioinsurance.gov/ConsumServ/Ocs/ConsCompl.htm
Q: If I let someone drive my car and they have a accident, who’s insurance will go up?
A: Yours will! We insure automobiles not drivers. That is why it is wise not to let anyone drive your
car who is not listed on your policy.
Q: The police did not give me a ticket after a car accident but my insurance company still raised
my rates. Can they do that?
A: If the company paid any part of a claim for your accident, your rates will probably go up.
Q: Is there a grace period on my insurance premium payments?
A: Not usually. Premium due dates normally have no grace period. So if the payment is late, your
policy can be cancelled.
Q: I paid extra money for the replacement cost option on my home owner’s policy. My big screen
was stolen and even though I decided not to replace it, shouldn’t I have received what it would
have cost to replace it?
A: First read the endorsement. It may be that if you elect not to replace the item then the company
is only obligated to give you the actual cash value of the stolen television – in other words what the
item was worth at the time that it was stolen.
Q: If my house is a total loss, will the company pay to rebuild it?
A: It depends on what type of form that your policy is written on. If you have guaranteed
replacement cost on an all risk basis, most likely yes if the house was insured to 100% to value.
Q: Can I be sued for the damage or injury that my child causes?
A: Yes. And more than likely you will be. It is the obligation of the insurance company to defend
you. Usually, defense costs are supplemental to your liability limits and unlimited in the amount
spent to defend you.
Q: Are Golden Retrievers on the top ten "bad dog" list? What are the worst dogs when it comes to
biting?
A: The Golden Retriever is not in the "Top Ten"—the following, according to a Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention study, are the purebreds responsible for the greatest number of dog bite-
related fatalities from 1979 to 1998).
The following breeds are listed in declining order of fatalities: Pit bull-type, Rottweiler, German
Shepherd, Husky-type, Malamute, Doberman Pinscher, Chow Chow, , Great Dane, Saint Bernard.
Before deciding to buy a dog, here are some things to keep in mind:
- Some insurers may charge higher premiums for certain breeds of dogs. And some insurers
may not insure you at all. - Consult with a professional (e.g., veterinarian, a responsible breeder) to find a suitable
breed of dogs for your household. - Spend time with a dog before buying or adopting it. Use extreme caution when bringing a
dog into the home of an infant or toddler. - Consider spaying/neutering your dog (this can reduce aggressive tendencies).
- Do not play aggressive games with your dog.
- Properly socialize and train any dog entering the household.
- Immediately seek professional advice if the dog starts exhibiting aggressive or undesirable
behaviors.
Q: If I don't have auto insurance, and am involved in an accident that is completely not my fault,
will the party at fault's insurance pay for the repairs to my car?
A: Yes, assuming that unlike you, the “party at fault” is carrying at least basic liability coverage, his
or her insurance will pay for the damage incurred by their client. However, if the fault for the
accident is shared, for example 50-50, then the other driver’s insurance will cover his or her portion
of the damage, but will only cover your portion if the other driver is also carrying uninsured motorist
insurance. However, uninsured motorist insurance is not obligatory in every state, and you should
not count on it.
Whatever the insurance situation of the other party, not carrying auto insurance is against the law,
so you would be wise to buy it. Penalties for non-compliance with insurance laws vary by state, but
often involve a substantial fine ($1000 in Ohio), license and/or registration suspension or revocation,
as well as possible jail time in some states.
Q: If I buy a life insurance policy and pay an annual premium then decide to cancel the policy
before the year is up, will I get a refund for the remainder of the year?
A: Yes, you will get a refund. Basically, what the life insurance company does is change the
premium payment frequency retroactively from annual to monthly and refund the premium for
unused months.
Q: My dad is in a nursing home and I need to change the ownership on his life insurance policies.
My mom has a Power Of Attorney for him. How do I go about doing this?
A: Your mother should contact the life insurance company and request the ownership change. She
will need to provide a copy of the Power of Attorney. It would be advisable to contact the company
through an agent, broker or financial professional, so that you are aware of all consequences of the
ownership change.
Q: Can the Department of Insurance tell me if my insurance company is reputable?
A: The Department of Insurance (DOI) cannot rate or recommend insurance companies. The
department can only tell you whether or not the insurance company is authorized to do business in
Ohio.
You can get information about financial and service ratings by contacting a private rating firm such
as: A.M.Best Co., Fitch Investor’s Service, Standard & Poor’s & Dun and Bradstreet.
If you have a question about your policy or Insurance company contact your agent. If you are still
not satisfied, contact Consumer Services at 1-800-686-1526 or click on the following link: http://www.
ohioinsurance.gov/ConsumServ/Ocs/ConsCompl.htm
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| Goodhue Insurance Agency, Inc. Copyright 2007 |
