Kathryn Hawkins If you just bought an expensive electronic device, make sure you hold onto the receipt or list the device in your home inventory. Otherwise, if it’s stolen, you could be out of luck when it comes to filing a home insurance or renter’s insurance claim. That’s what happened this year to Bobbi Jo James of … Read more
Kathryn Hawkins If you’re not prepared when a severe storm or other weather emergency is on its way, you could find yourself in big trouble. Depending on the severity of the situation, you could end up in the dark without food or water after a power outage, get caught on the road in a dangerous … Read more
Emmet Pierce It’s important to read the fine print of any contract, but consumers who buy homeowner’s insurance especially should be vigilant. According to consumer-protection groups United Policyholders and the Consumer Federation of America, homeowner’s policies are becoming more difficult to understand. This is partly because carriers are adding language that shifts risks and costs to buyers. … Read more
Reyna Gobel For parents planning a child’s birthday party, a bounce house is a very popular entertainment choice. However, parents should consider the safety consequences that come along when renting one. Injuries can occur if rules aren’t followed, says Larry Cossio, owner of WeInsureInflatables.com, a company that insures companies that provide inflatables like bounce houses … Read more
Crawford Frazer If your car is too expensive to fix after an accident, your insurance company will declare it “totaled.” It will cut you a check for its value, keep your car, sell it an auction or to a salvage yard and move on. But what if you want to keep your car? Can I … Read more
Jill Overmyer Staged accidents are a form of auto insurance fraud that usually involves knowing participants — a car driven by a scammer hits a car full of people who are in on the scam and who pretend to be hurt. The participants then milk insurance companies for claims payments. In some cases, however, staged … Read more
Whether your new car was an impulse buy or a necessity after your old one puttered to a sad, broken stop after 200,000 miles, there are some critical questions regarding your auto insurance. Will your insurance automatically transfer from your old car to a new one? Do you need to tell your insurance company about … Read more
Mary Lou Jay Have rising gas prices encouraged you to go shopping for a smaller vehicle? Although you may cut your costs at the pump, some of those savings may be offset by increased safety risks. There’s no direct relationship between car size and auto insurance premiums. Insurers take a slew of factors into account, … Read more
Should all motorcyclists be required to wear helmets? Some safety organizations argue that they should be because the injuries that riders can sustain without helmets are serious and expensive. Yet many riders argue that they know the risks and should be trusted to decide for themselves. Which motorcycle helmet laws should be enacted? Let’s talk … Read more
Crawford Frazer Are you familiar with accident response fees? Whenever you’re in an accident, it costs the city money to have fire trucks and police officers rush to the scene. Some cities are trying to make up for those expenses by sending bills to the driver who caused the accident or to his auto insurance … Read more