Inflation impacts all aspects of our lives—but it is having an outsized impact on the cost to repair or replace cars and homes. Data reveals that 20% of homeowners don’t know how much they pay for home insurance[1]—so chances are, many will not anticipate the impact...
How credit reports affect insurance scoring and how often they need to be updated
Insurance scoring is when insurers use a score, which is based on a policyholder’s credit history, to screen potential customers for underwriting acceptability. Originally, the scoring methodology was developed in the context of evaluating loan applicants. Credit...
Items in storage units may not be covered by a HO policy
So, it used to be that if clients asked you if their homeowners insurance policy covered their property anywhere in the world, you could reply: “Yes. However, if they are in another one of your residences, then coverage is limited to 10% of the limit shown in your...
Berkshire Hathaway GUARD Insurance to cease writing certain HO risks
Berkshire Hathaway GUARD Insurance Cos. announced it will no longer write certain classes of homeowners’ risks. In a notice sent to GUARD agencies at the end of June, the carrier stated it would no longer accept new submissions for homeowners coverage for any property...
Guidance through the claims process: A carrier’s perspective
Independent agents have relationships with various insurance carriers. Each carrier has its own set of tools and resources to help agents educate their clients about what will happen when they file a claim—before, during and after. By working together, agents and...
Why sell a renters policy to a client when it only pays you $25 in commission?
The short answer: Bigger profits! (For the long answer, keep reading below.) It’s no surprise that many homeowners start as renters first. There’s a logical progression to it. Well, according to recent research,[1] renters who move on to home ownership don’t move on...
Come hell or high water, homeowners need to understand flood insurance
With spring underway, bringing large amounts of rain and snowmelt, it’s more important than ever that agents are doing their best to educate homeowners about flood insurance. Recent data from the Federal Emergency Management Agency indicates that the U.S. has...
N.Y.: Dog breed law amendment passes Senate
The New York state Senate passed A.9284-A on May 10, 2022, with a 49-13 vote. This bill—sponsored by Assemblymember Deborah J. Glick, D-66—would be a chapter amendment to the 2021 dog breed law. It would close a loophole in the current law by...
Increase Law & Ordinance coverage for homes in SFHA flood zones
Did you know that the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s substantial damage rule applies to any building damage … not just flood damage? That’s right, even common homeowners policy perils such as wind, fire and/or water damage could trigger the requirement for a...
N.J.: PIANJ-priority liability legislation passes state Senate
The weather in March may come in like a lion and out like a lamb. But legislatively, March ended with a mighty roar as two of PIANJ’s priority bills passed the state Senate recently, both with 37-0 votes. Liquor liability insurance Legislation (S-775) sponsored by...