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Are You Covered?
  • Notable Omissions/Limitations in Your Home Insurance Policy
    Do you know what types of losses your home insurance policy will cover? Perhaps more important, do you know what types of commonly occurring losses it will not cover?

    Knowing the limitations in your policy is the first step to finding the fix. Following is a list of commonly occurring events or exposures that can cause significant financial damage to you and your family. What do they all have in common? Coverage for them is either limited or excluded under a typical home insurance policy.
  • You Posted What!? Teens, Social Media and a Parent’s Liability
    Jealousy. Passion. Betrayal. No, not the latest television drama, but high school. For many the high school experience comes with social pressures and obligations to fit in and belong, and sadly this can lead to exclusion and isolation of some students. At some point we all probably said something in our teen years in the heat of the moment that we wish we could take back, but today’s teens face the added burden that if they convey those statements on social media sites like Facebook and Twitter, their words could be around for a lot longer than just the heat of the moment. 
  • Avoid a Bracket Busting Claim: Insuring Special Events
    It’s time for March Madness! Are you planning a blowout that will make render an entirely new meaning to “bracket busting?” Has your neighborhood community center asked for a either a hold-harmless agreement or a damage deposit exceeding your current mortgage payment?

    Welcome to the world of personal event risk management!
  • A Little Less than Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious: Insurance and Tax Issues with Nannies and Housekeepers
    With more and more families every year having both parents work full time, there has been an increasing need for help around the house with childcare and chores like cleaning, laundry and running errands. If you’re hiring household help it’s important to understand how having domestic workers (including nannies, housekeepers, caretakers, etc.) around your home can impact not only your insurance coverage- both your auto and your homeowners- but also how it could have tax implications for you. If you don’t understand these issues, the result could be something quite atrocious.
  • Flood Safety Awareness Week
    March 12-16th is Flood Safety Awareness Week, and as we move from winter into spring the risks of flooding can go up, and it’s not just those in high risk flood zones who are vulnerable. Here’s some information on evaluating your flood risk and how you can protect your home with flood insurance.
  • One Roof
    Eliminating the chaos that comes along with managing so many different policies is a major advantage of using a Trusted Choice® insurance agent. Placing your business insurance through a Trusted Choice® agent brings someone onto your team who can bring calm to your multi-policy chaos. Consider the following advantages to keeping all of your business insurance needs under one roof.

  • Love Your Valentine's Day Gift?  Insure It!
    Valentine’s Day is upon us, and thoughts of people everywhere turn to… jewelry.
    Those who don’t buy shiny things for Valentine’s Day may prefer other types of valuables, such as electronics, artwork, antiques, wine and furs. All totaled Valentine’s Day spending will tally approximately $17.6 billion of retail sales, with $4.1 billion of that being spent on jewelry, according to the National Retail Federation’s 2012 Valentine’s Day Consumer Trends report.
  • Party Host Liability Tips
    In the midst of the festive and hectic holiday atmosphere, it is easy to forget the serious responsibility involved with hosting a party at your home or business. In many states, individuals and employers hosting holiday parties can be held liable in cases where a guest or third party is injured in an accident related to alcohol consumption at your event. Hosts have been held responsible for medical bills, vehicle repair costs, lost time from work, and even wrongful death.
  • Safety Tips for Decking the Halls
    Haul out the holly, string up the lights, and hang the stockings by the chimney (with care)! The holiday season is finally here, which means it’s time to deck the halls with all kinds of festive decorations.
  • Manage the "Four C’s" of Winter Fire Risks:
    Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve—these holidays mean celebrations, many of them in decorated homes filled with merry-making family members and friends.
  • Tis the Season for Holiday Parties... and Food Poisoning
    The holidays are almost here, which means hauling out the holly, stringing up the lights, and dashing through the snow. The holidays also mean lots of fun, festive parties to celebrate the season. These celebrations usually feature an array of delectable foods and tasty drinks that are dangerous to your waistline, but if you’re hosting a party, you have more to worry about than added pounds or lumpy gravy.
  • Hosting a Super Bowl Party? There Could Be More than Team Pride on the Line
    Hosting a Super Bowl party is a great way to cheer on your team if you can’t make it to the stadium in Indianapolis this Sunday, but make sure you know and manage the risks of hosting the big game day party. In many states, individuals hosting parties can be held liable in cases where a guest or third party is injured in an accident related to alcohol consumption at your event. Hosts have been held responsible for medical bills, vehicle repair costs, lost time from work, and even wrongful death.
  • Safety Tips for Black Friday Shoppers
    The day after Thanksgiving, also known as Black Friday, is the biggest shopping day of the year.  When it comes to cashing-in on the day’s deals, the motto is “If you snooze you lose.”
  • Lights Out:  Frozen Pipes & Spoiled Food
    You’re hosting the party for the big game. The invitations are out, responses are in and it’s going to be a big one. Your shopping is done and the refrigerator and freezer are stocked with the finest party fare money can buy.
  • Does Volunteering Your Time Mean Volunteering Your Insurance?
    Millions of Americans donate time—their most valuable asset—to serve as a volunteer board member on non-profits, booster clubs, churches, PTAs and civic organizations, just to name a few. The decisions these folks make can have a dramatic impact on their respective organization—and not always for the better. If a volunteer endeavor goes bad, would a volunteer board member have coverage against a lawsuit under his or her homeowner’s policy?
Hosting a Super Bowl Party? There Could Be More than Team Pride on the Line

Hosting a Super Bowl party is a great way to cheer on your team if you can’t make it to the stadium in Indianapolis this Sunday, but make sure you know and manage the risks of hosting the big game day party. In many states, individuals hosting parties can be held liable in cases where a guest or third party is injured in an accident related to alcohol consumption at your event. Hosts have been held responsible for medical bills, vehicle repair costs, lost time from work, and even wrongful death. You could also be held liable if a guest or even the pizza delivery driver has a slip and fall accident while on your property. Trusted Choice® independent insurance agents recommend that those planning to host Super Bowl parties this year review their homeowners, renter’s or comprehensive general liability (CGL) insurance policy and ensure they have adequate liability coverage if sued and found liable for accidents that arise from their hosting of a Super Bowl party. While all partygoers and hosts alike should be responsible and know their limits and take care in snowy or icy conditions, consumers need to acknowledge that most risks cannot be eliminated entirely. But planning ahead and learning about what’s involved in hosting a reception is the best defense. 

Liability Coverage Tips:

• If hosting a Super Bowl party, individuals should look to the liability portion of their homeowners or renters insurance policy to provide them protection if they are sued and found liable for an accident involving a guest who drank at their home.


• Purchasing a personal “umbrella” liability policy—that can provide $1 million or more in additional coverage over the limit offered by a standard homeowners or renters policy—may be a prudent move for the frequent party host.  This type of coverage can cost as little as $125 a year.


Party Host Safety Tips:

·       Limit guest list to those you know.

·       Make sure your driveway, sidewalks and your porch are clear of snow or ice for guests and delivery people.

·       Ensure your home’s entry is in good condition, free of loose or broken pieces on stairwells and walkways to avoid the chance of injuries on your property.

·       Make sure there is adequate outdoor lighting.

·       Provide filling food for guests and alternative non-alcoholic beverages.

·       Schedule activities or entertainment not involving alcohol. If the party centers on drinking, it is likely that guests will drink more.

·       Arrange transportation or overnight accommodations for those who should not drive home.

·       Stop serving alcohol well before the time the party is to end. For the Super Bowl, stop serving at half-time.

·       Do not serve guests who are visibly intoxicated.

·       Consider hiring an off-duty police officer to discretely monitor guests’ sobriety or handle any alcohol-related problems as guests leave.

·       Stay alert yourself, always remembering your responsibilities as a host.

If you’re hosting the big game this year, contact your Trusted Choice® independent insurance agent before the game to make sure you’re properly covered.

 

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Alexandria, VA 22314
Phone: 800.221.7917
Fax: 703.683.7556
Email: Trusted.Choice@iiaba.net