CT Insurance Blog

Courtesy of 1Funny.com

This time of year comes around and we’re all scrambling to find the perfect gifts. Let’s be honest, though…what’s better than giving a puppy? It’s like you’d be wrapping up loyalty, friendship and love in a package only it would be exploding with cuteness!

Before you go off and find that little dog that will certainly steal your heart and the heart of your family, have you considered your current CT Home Insurance policy?

As adorable and loving as your pup may be with your family, it does present its own liability risks.  What if your dog should become aggressive and attack a neighbor or friend? You would be liable for any damage caused by your dog and it won’t matter how loving you think he is with the family. Are your current liability limits enough to protect you from the losses of a potential lawsuit?

While you’re having an insurance expert at Encharter Insurance review your current CT Homeowners Insurance policy, it would be a good idea to talk to them about the newest four-legged member of your family and about additional liability coverage in the form of a CT Umbrella Insurance policy.

If you’re like most other people nowadays, which I suspect you are, then I know that you’re looking to save some money. Why not start at home? Here are some money-saving tips from EasyEcoBlog.com for your house:

• Clean your gutter and drain pipe.
• Replace air filters on heaters and air conditioners.
• Conduct an energy assessment or audit.
• Seal air leaks, add insulation and fix leaky air ducts.
• Set up a programmable thermostat.

You’ll also want to be sure to chat with your local Encharter Insurance agent about your current insurance policies. Review your Connecticut Home Insurance policy with them and make sure that you are getting the credits for which you are eligible. Your CT Insurance agent wants to help you save money, so give them a call and it’s a win-win for everybody!

So your little princess is turning 16 and wants a huge Sweet 16 party, not far from the MTV Sweet 16 show, of course.  Besides the invitations, the cake, and the decorations, you’ll need to rent a hall!  But will you have to look into liability insurance?

It’s always a good idea to have a chat with your CT Insurance agent if there are any questions about your insurance needs. That being said, in most cases, if you have a CT Homeowners Insurance Policy, then the liability coverage on that policy should cover you.  Homeowners Policy provides liability coverage for various “insured locations”, one of which is “part of the premises occasionally rented to the ‘insured for personal use’.”

But, asking your local Encharter Insurance agent about additional liability insurance is the smartest choice. Additional liability coverage oftentimes takes the form of an Umbrella Policy, which (in most cases) would give you an extra $1,000,000 in liability coverage.  With all the fanfare of the biggest party of your child’s year, anything can happen and it’s best to be prepared—the agents at Encharter Insurance are ready to prepare you for almost anything (you’re on your own with the teenagers…).

Puppies can be so cute and they can be a great addition to any family.  However, one thing you want to keep in mind before you decide on a new furry friend is how your CT Homeowners Insurance carrier will feel about it.

Some CT Insurance carriers see certain dog breeds as liability risks and, because of that, it may negatively affect your coverage; i.e. some carriers will cancel your policy and you might be forced to write your policy with an excess lines carrier, which will make your premium sky-rocket.

The best thing to do BEFORE YOU GET LOST IN THOSE BIG PUPPY-DOG EYES would be to talk to your CT Insurance agent and see what breeds are on the “no-no” list for your carrier.

By Encharter Insurance agent: Alexis Horne

Junior is off to college. As he packs up his car, you see that he is taking half of your stuff with him: there goes the toaster oven, the microwave and the lazy boy chair! You start to think, “if there is a fire in the dorm, is my stuff covered under my CT Home Insurance?”  Most CT Homeowners Insurance policies offer 10% of Coverage C, Personal Property coverage when property is away from your residence. What does that mean?  For example if you have $200,000 worth of personal property coverage, you have 10% or $20,000 worth of coverage when your property is away from your residence. Any claim for your property would be subject to your deductible and the perils insured against on your policy.

Today many college students bring computers or laptops to college with them, are they covered?  The answer in most cases is “yes”, again subject to your deductible and the perils insured against on your policy.

What if my child lives in an apartment off-campus? In this case, your homeowner’s policy most likely would not respond to a loss at your child’s apartment.  A CT renter’s insurance policy would be appropriate.  A CT renter’s insurance policy is one of the least expensive policies we sell, with coverage for liability, personal  property and medical payments to others, for as little as $15 to $20 a month.