Personal Insurance News (FAQ)
In order to help our customers get the answers they need quickly we have prepared a list of commonly asked questions. Please feel free to contact us if we can expand on any of these questions, or if you require further assistance.
How do I file a Personal Lines claim when the Buckley Insurance office is closed?
Who is my Personal Lines Customer Service contact person?
What types of policies can be obtained in Personal Lines?
What are the payment options available to me in Personal Lines?
How do I know if I have enough coverage on my home?
Does my Home insurance cover me for flood damages?
Does my Home insurance cover me for Earthquake damages?
Does my Home insurance cover my Valuable Personal Property?
How can I save money on my Home Insurance?
What other added coverages should I consider on my home insurance?
How can I save money on my auto insurance?
What is Liability coverage?
What is Full Coverage?
Will my policy provide me with a rental car to drive if mine is in an accident?
Will my policy cover me when I drive a rented vehicle?
Do I need a Personal Umbrella Liability policy?
General Questions
How do I file a Personal Lines claim when the Buckley
Insurance office is closed?
Have your policy number handy and call the insurance company directly at the numbers
listed below which are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week:
Grange | 1-800-445-3030
Metropolitan | 1-800-854-6011
Ohio Casualty | 1-800-366-6446
Progressive | 1-877-776-2436
Travelers| 1-800-252-4633
Who is my Personal Lines Customer Service contact person?
If your last name begins with A through K, contact Sarah States at extension 226. If your last name begins with L through Z, contact Shedara Gibson at extension 222.
What types of policies can be obtained in Personal Lines?
Homeowners
Auto
Personal Umbrella Liability
Renters / Personal Property
Condominium
Valuable Items
Dwelling Fire / Rental Property
Boat
Motorcycle
RV
ATV
Mobile Home
Flood
What are the payment options available to me in Personal Lines?
Payment options vary by carrier. You can pay your premium on line or by phone
by contacting the Billing Department directly (have your policy number handy) as
follows:
Grange | 1-800-422-0550
Metropolitan | 1-800-665-4129
Ohio Casualty | 1-800-734-1070
Progressive | 1-877-876-2436
Travelers | 1-800-550-7716
Homeowners Insurance FAQ:
How do I know if I have enough coverage on my home?
Our agency begins writing your home insurance by calculating the cost to rebuild your home if destroyed. We recommend that your policy be written for 100% of this amount. We also will attach an endorsement to your policy that will allow at least an extra 25% for dwelling coverage that can be used on an "as need" basis in a rebuilding situation.
Does my Home insurance cover me for flood damages?
NO - in order to obtain coverage for the peril of Flood you must purchase an actual flood policy. Our agency has access to the Federal Government Flood Insurance Program - and we can help you purchase a policy. Most home insurance policies do cover certain types of water damages - such as burst water pipes or leakage from a hot water heater - but they exclude the peril of flood.
Does my Home insurance cover me for Earthquake damages?
Earthquake coverage is not automatically included on home insurance policies - it must be added by a special endorsement for an additional premium. If you want to know if your policies includes this coverage contact your Customer Service Agent here in our office. A special and separate deductible applies to Earthquake damages.
Does my Home insurance cover my Valuable Personal Property?
Jewelry, Furs, Silver, Guns, Fine Arts and other types of valuable items are covered for certain named perils under your home insurance policy, however, there are limitations regarding THEFT. If you have valuable jewelry and other items of this type you should consider purchasing specific jewelry, fur or silver coverage on a itemized or blanket basis which will broaden the coverage to include mysterious disappearance and much more - eliminate the deductible - and provide you with significantly better coverage. Fine Arts, Guns, musical instruments and other types of property can be scheduled on a home insurance policy.
How can I save money on my Home Insurance?
Most insurance carriers offer significant discounts on home insurance if they also write your auto insurance. Discounts are given if you carry a higher deductible. Discounts are given for smoke detectors, local alarm systems, and central stations (monitored) fire and burglar alarm systems.
What other added coverages should I consider on my home insurance?
Identity Fraud coverage
Water Back Up of Sewers and Drains/Overflow of Sump Pump coverage
Increased Liability coverage including consideration of Umbrella coverage
Increased Medical Payments to Others
Home Office insurance
Increased Other Structure coverage
Replacement Cost Coverage on Dwelling and/or Contents
Liability for Additional Residence Rented to Others
Electronic Systems coverage
Other Custom endorsements offered by your carrier
Auto insurance FAQ:
How can I save money on my auto insurance?
By placing both auto and home insurance with one carrier you will become eligible for a special package discount. If you have full coverage you will see a savings by carrying a higher deductible on your Comprehensive and Collision coverage. Make sure your vehicle is rated for the proper use - pleasure, to and from work or using your car in business can have an affect on the amount of premium you pay. Make sure you are getting any available discount for air bags, anti-lock brakes and security systems your vehicle may have.
What is Liability coverage?
The liability coverage of the personal auto policy provides protection against legal liability arising our of the ownership or operation of an automobile. The insuring agreement agrees to pay damages for Bodily Injury or Property Damage for which the insured is legally responsible because of an automobile accident. You can carry liability as a single limit or a split limit. Different limits are available. It should be noted that in case of a law suit resulting from an auto accident in which you are at fault legal defense costs are provided in addition to the policy limits.
What is Full Coverage?
In additional to Liability Coverage you can carry Comprehensive and Collision coverage on each individual vehicle on your policy. Comprehensive provides for physical damage to your vehicle other than collision damage. Collision coverage provides for physical damage to your vehicle from a collision accident. Also you should consider if you want Rental Reimbursement coverage or Towing coverage to be included on your "Full Coverage" policy.
Will my policy provide me with a rental car to drive if mine is in an accident?
With most carriers you must add Rental Reimbursement coverage or Extended Transportation coverage by individual vehicle and pay an additional premium unless your carrier provides this coverage automatically when you carry "full coverage" on your vehicle. Ask your Customer Service Agent for specific information
Will my policy cover me when I drive a rented vehicle?
Liability coverages do transfer to a rented vehicle. If you carry full coverage your Comprehensive and Collision coverages will transfer to the rented vehicle as well with your deductilbes applying. Coverage for a rented vehicle may prove to be somewhat limited when comparing what your policy will do with what the rental agency may require. Contact your Customer Service agent for more information.
OTHER:
Do I need a Personal Umbrella Liability policy?
You might if you own a home, own a car, want to protect your future earnings or want to protect your assets against a lawsuit or judgement! Personal Umbrella policies provide an extra layer of affordable liability protection for your personal assets and future earnings by protecting you against a catastrophic lawsuit or judgment. Coverage is usally One Million Dollars. Higher limits may be available to you. Examples to think about:
- Your teenage son hits another vehicle head on. He has 3 friends in his car and everyone is injured. A person in the other vehicle suffers severe brain injury. A lawsuit is presented for $1,350,000.
- Two friends are on a hunting trip and one's gun accidentally discharges. The victim is struck in the eye by a pellet and blinded. The defendant must pay damages of $425,000.
The cost is LOW. Getting a quote is EASY.
