Monthly Archives: February 2013

A Towing Company Damaged My Car in Pennsylvania – How Do I Handle the Damage Claim?

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You live in or around Honesdale, Milford or Dunmore, Pennsylvania and are in a situation where towing is needed for your vehicle for whatever reason, and after the tow you discover that there is damage done to the car, who is going to pay for these damages?

According to most all insurance companies in Pennsylvania the collision section on your automobile policy will cover your car for damages incurred to the vehicle while being towed. This payout will depend solely on what your deductible is. If the amount to fix your car is less than your out of pocket cost, the insurance company will not pay anything to you.

Some cities in Pennsylvania have specific ordnances that dictate how tow companies operate. However, since tow companies operate as a private entity they will not likely pay for any damages. Yet, there are other cities which will ask you to submit claim form and a repair bill with estimates for damages to the country clerk’s office.

If this does not work then call us, and an independent agent will run interference for you to collect the damages. Often times this can be a complicated process that only an independent agent should handle, as they have the skill and know-how to navigate through the system.

Most towing companies and their employees are fairly trustworthy, however there are the few that will not admit to anyone that they did damage to someone’s car while towing it. Accidents do happen from time to time, and then there is the subject of negligence which is nearly impossible to prove. If your car has been damaged by the tow company, try to work with them, and your independent agent in Honesdale, Milford or Dunmore, documenting everything, and keep your patience. Eventually the damage should get settled. As a last resort you could consider a small claims court in your city Pennsylvania.

Why should I purchase a Travel Protection Plan when I have other Coverage in Pennsylvania?

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If you do a lot of traveling in Pennsylvania or across the United States and you carry a good health insurance policy through your company, in addition to a good automobile insurance coverage, it still may not be enough to pay for away from home medical emergencies. A travel protection plan will add additional security to you.

What you probably do not know is that a lot of insurance companies put a cap on medical coverage when you are away from home. It is even worse if you must travel outside the United States, because a lot medical insurance companies do not pay for medical claims occurred abroad. If you live in the area of Honesdale, Milford, or Dunmore, Pennsylvania, and you do a lot of traveling you should check with your independent agent about the purchase of travel insurance protection.

If you have one or more major credit cards, check with that company to see if a medical benefit is available to you when traveling. If your company issues you a major credit card for travel this may also cover medical emergencies while traveling, and you should check out any benefits that they allow.

There is coverage that you should have while traveling for business or pleasure that is usually not included in your basic major medical insurance policy. Some of these include bringing in a family member to be with you while you are ill, sending children home if you become ill and cannot leave until better.

A travel insurance policy plan can be written to cover one trip or a whole year of trips, and will include specialty items such as, geographic difficulties, medical records access, many medical places do not accept credit cards, but just cash for treatment. As an independent agent, we can help you get the travel coverage you need when on the road. Call an independent agent today and purchase the right travel insurance for you.

What you need to know about Property Damage Coverage in Pennsylvania

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If you live in or surrounding areas of Milford, Honesdale or Dunmore, Pennsylvania you will have to contact an independent agent for insurance, whether it is for automobile or homeowner’s insurance you will need some sort of property damage coverage, because accidents do unfortunately happen to all of us and you will want to make sure that you are covered for any mishaps.

The property damage part of your insurance will pay for repairing the damage that is done to your property and other’s property. The payout will not go over the limits that you have specified on your policy. It is a requirement in the state of Pennsylvania for all motorists to carry property damage liability of at least $5,000, however if the damage exceeds your limit of $5,000 you may have to pay out of pocket for the rest. You can set your personal property damage limits for your vehicle or home at about any level you so chose.

Homeowners will have basic property damage coverage at pre set limits by the homeowner. This basic policy will cover a wide list of various mishaps, but be aware that there are some instances of natural disasters that are not covered in the event of property damage to your home and personal possessions, such as a flood from a hurricane. Homeowners who live in flood zones may be required to purchase separate flood insurance, and will not have a choice. This type of policy is purchased through FEMA and your independent agent can help you with this.

There are specific natural disasters that are not covered by your basic homeowner’s policy, such as, an earthquake, flooding, hurricanes, tornados, sewer line breaks and backups, mudslides, earth movements or settling of land, wildfires, vehicles sitting on property that is damaged, mold damage, pest infestations, and more. The homeowner must be aware of these excluded items and buy the coverage they will need to feel secure.

If you give us a call, we can help you get the right coverage. Speak with one of our independent agents in Pennsylvania today.

Pennsylvania Homeowners: If Neighbor’s Tree Fell and Damaged my Property, who is liable?

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You are a homeowner in Pennsylvania and your neighbor’s tree fell and did damage to your property. According to Pennsylvania law it will depend upon the ordinances of the county that you reside in. Pennsylvania states, "The general thinking, is that a property owner is not liable for anything outside their property line". The neighbor whose property was damaged, by a tree has the right to remove that tree, but if they want to pursue the matter for litigation they will probably not see success. If you and your neighbor would agree to share costs on the clean up, it will probably be the best option for everyone. Insurance companies do not normally pay to have a fallen tree hauled away and cleaned up.

Pennsylvania law states that if a neighbor’s tree falls on your property and causes damages to any structures, you are covered against those damages. The damaged homeowner’s insurance will cover their loss, if it is an act of God. If you, as a homeowner are found to be negligent in removing an unsafe tree and it falls on the neighbor’s property causing damage, the neighbor must prove negligence. If your tree falls in a neighbor’s yard and causes no damage, your insurance will not cover you. Unless the fallen tree is due to an act of God, such as, vandalism, explosion, lightning, fire, or riot. This is why it is wise to contact your independent agent for clarification of the rules and laws.

If your tree damages a neighbor’s home by falling on a structure, that neighbor’s insurance should cover damage costs. If, because your tree fell due to negligence and this is proven then your insurance company will be liable for damages. If the neighbor’s insurance does not pay for damages then that neighbor and initiate a small claims suit in court.

Homeowners in Pennsylvania need to be aware of what is in their homeowners policy reads, and homeowners can get this special help through speaking with an independent agent. Homeowners who reside in the areas of Honesdale, Milford or Dunmore, Pennsylvania, and surrounding areas are encouraged to call for help on their homeowner’s policy.