Insurance Policies Contain Exclusions That Can Cost You Thousands!

Each insurance company provides their policyholders something called an insuring agreement.

Don’t confuse this with the declaration page that you receive with your company at each renewal. The insuring agreement is the heart and soul of your insurance protection because it explains what the insurer will cover, and more importantly what they will not cover.

It’s pretty rare that policyholders actually read their insurance policy from cover to cover and that might explain why hundreds of thousands of complaints are filed against insurance companies each year for claim denial!

Four Steps to Avoid a Car Insurance Claim Denial

The Very First Step: You should take time to read the entire policy insuring agreement.

Especially should you read your insuring agreement if your insurance carrier notifies you of changes in the terms or conditions of their coverage. Insurance companies have a tendency to make changes within their policies that in some cases are to your detriment!

The Second Step: You should ask for clarifications if you don’t understand what you’re reading.

Insurance policies are written by… Attorneys that have developed a language that they themselves only understand, that language is called legalese. Your insurance policy is loaded with legalese that may make it difficult for the average person to understand all of the particular facets of your insurance coverage.

Who should you get clarification from? You might first start by contacting your agent as many may feel that they would be in the best position to provide a clarification. However you should be aware that some insurance agents selling insurance coverage may be just as clueless as those who buy the insurance!

But on the other hand there are a few agents who are experts in the insurance arena. For instance we are the only Cincinnati independent insurance agency that offers a coverage checklist that can help policyholders avoid the 90 most frequent claims that are denied by insurance companies that are completely avoidable! Click here to learn more about the Pathway Coverage Checklist.

The Third Step: If you cannot get a clear answer from your insurance agent contact the insurance claims Department.

Why contact the claims Department? Because they are the ones that write the checks for claims and or send out claim denials! If you have a really good insurance agent and they are not aware of what the answer is, they will contact the claims Department for you.

The Fourth Step: Avoid activities that you know are excluded.

Sometimes people like to take shortcuts on their insurance to avoid paying higher insurance premiums. About six years ago a brand-new policyholder came into our office and they wanted car insurance. I personally went through the application with this new client, asking all of the underwriting questions. One particular question specifically asked if the policyholder was going to use his vehicle for delivering pizzas, newspapers, or food products. He said no, he signed the application and guess what happened three weeks later?

He wrecked his car delivering a pizza! His insurance company naturally refused to provide coverage and denied the claim and he had to pay $4,000 out of pocket because he decided to tell a little white lie on his insurance application!

In summary you will want to make sure that you invest some time to read your insurance policy, ask for clarifications from your agent or the claims Department if you’re not sure if something is covered or not. Finally don’t try to take shortcuts with your insurance policy, it could very well cost you thousands of dollars out of pocket if you do so.

Regrettably Insurance Is Far More Complicated Than the Price You Pay for It. ™

That’s why you need a highly skilled person Cincinnati Insurance Agent to care for your insurance needs. Why not call us today for a free insurance review?

Why do policyholders occasionally find themselves in a situation where they are being overcharged, potentially by thousands of dollars on car insurance in Cincinnati?

There are actually a number of reasons why this might happen and we are going to discuss in a series of articles, why policyholders might be getting overcharged by hundreds or even thousands of dollars by their insurance company.

First Reason Why Consumers Get Overcharged on Cincinnati Car Insurance

You are with a high risk insurance company!

Let’s assume a few years ago you developed a bit of a lead foot and you accumulated a number of tickets or you caused a few accidents and you were forced to buy high risk insurance. Let’s also assume that over time you learned your lesson and your driving record improved significantly and now you do not have any tickets or accidents on your record.

It’s true that even a high risk insurance company will lower your rates when tickets and accidents begin to come off your record, what you may not realize is that high risk insurance companies typically charge a larger premium compared to a preferred company. Let me share with you an actual example.

Let’s say that we have a husband and wife in their 40s driving a 2010 Honda Civic + 2004 Honda Pilot SUV. Coverage limits for liability are $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident, $100,000 property damage. The quote includes full coverage with a $250 deductible for comprehensive and a $500 deductible for collision, plus car rental.

If the husband and wife are with a high risk insurance company because of their past driving history, but now their driving record is spotless. This is what they would be paying with one high risk insurance company:

Cincinnati High Risk Insurance Company- $236.83 per month.

Let’s now take the same couple and offer them a very competitive Cincinnati car insurance quote from a preferred insurance company:

Car Insurance Cincinnati Rates With a Preferred Company- $70.34 per Month.

In this example it’s more than three times more money to be insured with a high risk insurance company even if your driving record is spotless.

What Is the Moral of the Story?

If you were once with a high risk insurance company because of your driving record and your record has improved, give us a call or use our online car insurance quote comparison system. You will likely save a significant amount of money on your Cincinnati car insurance

Call 513-662-7000 For Extremely Competitive Cincinnati Car Insurance Rates

Are you looking for the best Blue Ash Insurance Agency? We are located on Malsbary Rd off of Reed Hartman Hwy. Call 513-662-7000 for the best rates on Blue Ash Insurance. (We offer the best Ohio car insurance quotes throughout the state.)

Shopping for Insurance Is Time-Consuming

Despite catchy commercials on television from certain insurance companies telling you how quick and easy it is to get insurance quotes, what they don’t tell you is that there are hundreds of insurance companies willing to provide you Cincinnati car insurance quotes.

What Is the Chance That Their Company Offers the Best Cincinnati Car Insurance Rates?

Can you say slim to none? There isn’t an insurance company advertising on television they can offer you the cheapest Cincinnati car insurance rates with an absolute guarantee. The reason why is due to the fact that there are too many variables that go into insurance pricing.

We Save You Time When Shopping for Insurance in Cincinnati

Because we are a Cincinnati independent insurance agency we have the ability to represent as many insurance companies as we desire and that helps us to provide you the best solution in finding the lowest rates on car insurance.

The majority of insurance companies advertising so predominately on television can only offer insurance products through that one company. For instance State Farm insurance is represented only by captive insurance agents. If you’re currently insured with State Farm, your Cincinnati State Farm agent is not allowed to shop for cheaper insurance prices when State Farm increases your rates.

The same is true if you are insured with Geico, Allstate, Nationwide, American Family, Farmers, Esurance, 21st Century, or when you purchase insurance directly with Progressive Insurance.

We Shop and You Save on Cincinnati Insurance

Contact our Blue Ash Insurance Agency at 513-662-7000 and today speak with our professional insurance agents. You will find the best insurance rates from an independent insurance agency like ours.

This Is Why Most Insurance Companies Will Not Insure Vacant Homes.

Homeowner’s insurance policies were designed to provide coverage for homes that are occupied, not homes or commercial buildings that are vacant. Vacant homes and buildings invite added risk for insurance companies and that’s the main reason why most insurance companies shy away from insuring vacant homes.

Common Claims on Vacant Homes

Vandalism- When a home or building that you own sits empty it is an open invitation for criminals and vandals to make some money or have some fun. Criminals may be interested in stealing what they can from a vacant home, including copper piping and wiring. The subsequent damage can cost insurance companies tens of thousands of dollars.

Liability- Can you be found legally liable for an injury to a criminal who breaks into your home and becomes injured in the course of his criminal activity? The answer is yes. Your insurance can be on the hook to pay for medical injuries, disability claims and pain and suffering when a criminal enters your home illegally and is injured!

If You Do Not Purchase Vacant Homeowners Insurance Coverage, What Risk Do You Face?

Insurance companies place within the fine print of their insurance policies language that restricts your ability to obtain coverage for certain types of claim events when your home becomes vacant.

Example: If a criminal with the intention of stealing the copper out of your home, sets your home on fire, your insurance company can deny coverage on your fire and vandalism claim if your property has sat vacant for 30 days or longer!

Insurance for Vacant Homes Is Available from Our Cincinnati Insurance Agency

We can help you obtain vacant home insurance in all 50 states. Call 513-662-7000 or request an online quote for Vacant Home Insurance. (You must click on Vacant Home Insurance to start the quote process.)

Where Is the Best Place to Purchase Motorcycle Insurance in Ohio?

Our Cincinnati independent insurance agency is the best place to find motorcycle insurance in Ohio. Why are we the best? The price on motorcycle insurance varies from company to company just like it does for car insurance.

Some motorcycle insurance companies are willing to offer better prices than others. We offer Ohio motorcycle insurance from 10 different insurance carriers offering the most competitive rates based on your individual circumstances.

For instance one Ohio motorcycle insurance company may offer fantastically low rates for motorcycle insurance if you’re over the age of 50, another company offers the best rates on motorcycle insurance in Ohio when you are 20 years old and you buy a high-performance motorcycle.

Why You Should Not Purchase Motorcycle Insurance Direct?

There are two reasons why you should not purchase motorcycle insurance direct. Some motorcycle owners mistakenly believe that when you buy motorcycle insurance directly with a company that will guarantee you a better rate, in most cases it will not. Why?

There isn’t one single Ohio motorcycle insurance company that offers the best rates for every conceivable age group and type of motorcycle. Prices on motorcycle insurance in Ohio vary wildly between companies.

The second reason you should not buy motorcycle insurance direct with the company is due to the fact that not every person’s financial circumstances are the same. A professional insurance agent can assist you in choosing the correct coverage for your motorcycle.

If you purchase motorcycle insurance directly with companies that do not have local agents in your area, you may not be getting the correct advice that you need to protect yourself financially.

Call 513-662-7000 for Motorcycle Insurance in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana.

Workmen’s Compensation in Kentucky, Who Does It Apply to?

According to the Kentucky Department of workers compensation any person, other than one engage solely in agriculture, that has in this state one or more employees is subject to Kentucky workers compensation laws.

Who Is an Employee According to Kentucky State Law?

• Anyone working under contract for hire, expressed or implied.
• Executive officers of corporations
• State, county or city employees
• Volunteer firefighters
• Those who sell and deliver newspapers
• Any person performing services in a trade professional or business

Additionally Kentucky law states that even minors whether lawfully or unlawfully employed are subject to be covered under Workmen’s Compensation laws.

Who Is Liable for Kentucky Workmen’s Compensation Claims?

Every employer subject to this chapter shall be liable for compensation for injury, occupational disease, or death without regard to fault as a cause of the injury, occupational disease, or death.  A contractor who subcontracts all or any part of a contract and his carrier shall be liable for the payment of compensation to the employees of the subcontractor unless the subcontractor primarily liable for the payment of such compensation has secured the payment of compensation as provided for in this chapter. Any contractor or his carrier who shall become liable for such compensation may recover the amount of such compensation paid and necessary expenses from the subcontractor primarily liable therefor. A person who contracts with another:

(a) To have work performed consisting of the removal, excavation, or drilling of soil, rock, or mineral, or the cutting or removal of timber from land; or (b) To have work performed of a kind which is a regular or recurrent part of the work of the trade, business, occupation, or profession of such person shall for the purposes of this section be deemed a contractor, and such other person a subcontractor. This subsection shall not apply to the owner or lessee of land principally used for agriculture.

A complete description of terms and conditions of Kentucky Workmen’s Compensation coverage can be accessed by clicking on this hyperlink: Worker’s Compensation Kentucky.

Call 513-662-7000 for Kentucky Workmen’s Compensation Insurance Quotes

Did You Receive a Cancellation Notice for Your Ohio Homeowners Insurance?

You are not alone. Due to record weather-related losses in Ohio insurance companies are canceling insurance policies like never before. The travesty is that in some instances, through no fault of your own, you are being singled out as a bad risk by your previous homeowner’s insurance company and that is why your insurance policy is been canceled.

 Why Insurance Companies Cancel Policies?

As was mentioned above weather-related losses have reached unprecedented levels in Ohio and insurance companies are scrambling to stop the massive financial losses that are incurring by raising homeowner’s insurance rates substantially and canceling home insurance policies when they go over a certain number of losses, even if they are all weather related.

Ohio Homeowner’s Insurance Companies Will Not Show Loyalty to You, Even If You Have Been Loyal to Them for Many Years!

Insurance companies through their television advertisements want you to believe that they are a caring and compassionate industry, ready and able to be there for you when you need them at claim time. But in reality insurance companies will take dramatic steps to cut their losses when their purse strings are risk.

It doesn’t matter if you have been insured with your company for 30 years or more, if you start to cost them money they will cancel your insurance! The bottom line is that insurance companies want you to be loyal to them but they will not return the favor to you!

If Your Ohio Homeowners Insurance Policy Is Canceled Call Us

Not every insurance company takes the same approach to claims so in other words just because you are an unacceptable risk to one insurance company, does not mean that other insurance companies will not insure you.

We have significant experience in helping policyholders who were previously with State Farm, Allstate, Nationwide, Farmers, and American Family that were canceled by their insurance company for claims frequency.

Call 513-662-7000 for Homeowners Insurance Quotes in Ohio

This Is Why Most Insurance Companies Will Not Insure a Vacant Home

A standard homeowner’s insurance policy is designed to insure homes that are occupied, not vacant.  A vacant home represents a greatly increased exposure to the insurance company for vandalism and liability claims.  The typical homeowner’s insurance company will issue a cancellation as soon as they learn that your property is vacant.

What Danger Do You Face If You Own a Vacant Home?

Because the majority of insurance companies do not wish to insure vacant homes, insurers have placed within the fine print of their policy language homeowner’s insurance exclusions for properties that become vacant.  If a certain type of homeowners claim occurs, your insurance company will refuse to pay simply because your home is vacant!  How do you obtain coverage for vacant homes?

How to Insure Vacant Homes?

Vacant Homeowners Insurance is only available through a limited number of insurance companies, so therefore you need to work with a professional insurance agent who understands how to insure buildings that become vacant.

How We Can Help You Insure Your Vacant Home?

Pathway Insurance Services Inc. is an independent insurance agency directly offering insurance for vacant homes in Cincinnati. (We can help you obtain insurance for vacant properties in all 50 states.)

Call 513-662-7000 to speak with one of our professional representatives who can assist you in obtaining vacant building insurance. Business insurance coverage for vacant properties is also available for commercial buildings, apartment buildings, and undeveloped land.

Why Cheap Insurance Is a Bad Deal for Consumers?

A handful of insurance companies by means of television advertisements have cleverly convinced a majority of Americans that the price you pay on your insurance is the only thing that matters in your insurance buying decision. Each day insurance companies emphasize this point through their various television commercials. You would be hard-pressed to find an insurance commercial that doesn’t claim they can save you money on your insurance.

Let me ask you this simple question: What is the reason why we purchase insurance? 

Isn’t it to pay claims?

For instance if our house burns down we want money from the insurance company to rebuild. If our 17 year old son decides to master hill hopping techniques and slams the family car into a tree with two of his best friends, you want make sure that your insurance company is going to be there for you when you are sued right?

So if the most elemental reason why we buy insurance is to pay for claims, should we not be asking the most important question? 

How Good Is Your Insurance Company at Paying Claims?

Because insurance companies have conditioned the general public to believe that price is the most important factor, the question, “How good are you at paying claims?” is never even considered.

In reality it’s the most important question that is never asked by consumers when they are shopping for insurance. 

Why is it that insurance buyers do not take into consideration the claims reputation of their insurance company, or the company they are thinking about switching to? 

Because we have not been trained to think about it. We have been trained by insurance advertisements to take into consideration only one thing, and that’s the price we pay for the insurance.

Insurance companies have skillfully educated consumers to think of our pocketbook first as if nothing else matters. But the question: “How good are you at paying claims?” is vital because claims satisfaction among insurance companies differs wildly.

Some insurance companies are far better at claims satisfaction than others, while other companies have a lousy claims reputation. The biggest mistake consumers make about insurance is that they do not take into consideration, the claims reputation of their insurance company.

How can we learn about the claims reputation of an insurance company? We will consider that in a future article.

Pathway Insurance has represented Encompass Insurance in Cincinnati for many years and they offer one of the best Ohio homeowner’s insurance policies that you can purchase. Additionally Encompass offers very competitive rates on automobile and homeowners insurance in Cincinnati.

Information About Encompass Insurance

Encompass Insurance was formerly owned by CNA Financial and it is represented by more than 3,200 independent insurance agents across the country. You can only purchase a policy from Encompass Insurance in Ohio by means of independent insurance agents. Encompass Insurance is a wholly owned subsidiary of Allstate insurance.

Claim services are not administered by Allstate insurance or their claims adjustors. Claims are exclusively handled by Encompass claims adjustors with an overall 95.6% claim satisfaction rating.

Encompass Insurance Offers Unique Insurance Products

Encompass Insurance in Ohio offers a package policy that includes your car, home, landlord insurance, boat, motorcycle, and umbrella insurance on one package policy. Additionally you can purchase three different levels of coverage to meet your individual insurance needs.

The Elite homeowner’s insurance option is one of the best in the entire insurance industry. It is one of the last homeowner’s insurance companies in Ohio offering guaranteed replacement cost on your home, in the event of a total loss. Other unique coverage include water back up, jewelry, coverage for business property And fine arts coverage are automatically included in the Elite homeowner’s insurance policy option.

Encompass offers umbrella limits up to $5 million on their package policies.

Contact Pathway Insurance For a Free Insurance Evaluation

Call 513-662-7000, or send an e-mail to Jack@pathwayinsurance.net