How can I contact my agent?
The quickest way to reach your agent is to call our office at (217)228-9703. If after hours, press the prompt indicated. Or you can contact us through e-mail.
How do I submit a claim?
You can either contact the insurance company directly by locating your company on our company listing page. Or, you can contact our office by phone or e-mail.
Where can I pay my bill?
- In our office ( Location )
- Mail directly to the company
- Online
- Call our office and set up automatic monthly payments from your checking or savings account
What factors influence the price of my insurance?
- Age
- Gender
- Marital Status
- Geography
- Driving Violations
- Vehicle Type
- Credit Rating
What happens when I loan my car to someone? Is that person covered by my policy? Am I still covered?
Yes. Liability and coverage for Physical Damage (i.e. Comprehensive and Collision) always follow your car if permission to use the vehicle was given. Plus, if the driver of your car is insured, thier policy will also be available to cover the cost of damages and injuries.
The same rules apply when you borrow someone else’s vehicle; your own insurance follows you no matter whose car you’re driving. But not if it is for regular use. Only as a substitute vehicle for your own. But the vehicle owner’s policy is the key coverage in the event of an accident and your policy would be excess.
Am I covered for natural disasters or “Acts of God”?
Comprehensive insurance, which covers you for fire and theft, generally covers you against damage by flood, earthquake, hail, and other natural perils, except when your car is overturned (which is technically considered a collision). If you have specific concerns about the safety of your vehicle in natural disasters, contact us for information on catastrophic coverage.
How can I challenge my insurers if they refuse to cover a claim?
Usually, insurers that refuse to cover a claim have a strong legal reason for doing so — even if you disagree. First, contact us if you feel you’re being treated unfairly. Your agent is your strongest advocate in insurance matters. But if it’s a legal problem, you might have to hire a lawyer.
What exactly does a homeowners policy cover?
“Exact” coverage is impossible to define because there are different policies and about 900 insurance companies writing Property/Casualty business in the United States. However, 80% of Homeowners policies are based on a standard form. All Homeowners policies cover two important areas: Property and Liability.
Property insurance covers your structures and possessions. Personal Liability, as its name implies, means you’re legally obligated to pay money to another person for actions caused by you, your family, or your property. That liability extends to medical payments to others for injuries caused by you or your family.
Are floods, earthquakes, and other natural disasters covered?
Most catastrophes are covered. Flood and earthquake damage, however, are not covered by a standard policy and both perils are more common than many people realize. We can advise you on such normally excluded conditions as floods and earthquakes and arrange coverage as needed.
Are there exclusions I should know about?
Exclusions listed and defined in your policy might include neglect, intentional loss, “earth movement,” general power failure, and even damage caused by war. If you fail to take care of your property (e.g., a leaky roof), you might not be covered. Obviously, if you intend to lose an object or damage your property, there’s no coverage.
Water backup coverage is another important coverage that is generally excluded from most homeowners policies. This coverage can be added to your policy for as little as $80 per year for $5,000 worth of coverage. If water were to back up in to your basement, how much damage would you have?
One other exclusion that can be costly is the Ordinance or Law exclusion. Building codes established by governmental bodies that drive up the cost of rebuilding or repairing after a loss occurs might not be covered by your insurance policy. Thus, if you discover when replacing damaged property that current law demands higher grade or more expensive materials than those you’re replacing, the new materials might not be covered fully.
How expensive is renters insurance?
Renters insurance is typically available for as little as $150 a year, but the cost is directly related to the amount of insurance protection that you need.
Does my landlord’s insurance protect me?
Generally, no. The property owner’s insurance covers the building itself and seldom a tenant’s possessions or liability. Clarify this with your landlord before signing a lease.
I’m just getting my business started. Do I need insurance immediately?
Yes. Your chance of suffering a loss begins with the first day of business. If you suffer a loss and have no insurance or have improper or insufficient coverage, your insurance agent can do little, if anything, to help you.
Also, many states and local jurisdictions require businesses to have insurance to begin operating. And if you rent space for your business, your landlord probably requires you to obtain adequate insurance.
I don’t have any major business assets. Why do I need insurance?
Every business has some property. When you think about it, your business is your property. Just like your home and your car, your business needs to be protected from loss, damage, and liability. In addition, your business is your source of income, so you need protection from the potential loss of that income.
Does insurance coverage vary for different businesses?
It can. Many small businesses opt for package policies that cover the major Property and Liability exposures as well as for a loss of income. A common package policy used by many small businesses is called the Business Owners Policy (BOP).
Generally, BOPs provide more complete coverage at a lower price than separate policies for each type of insurance needed. We can help you decide which policy or policies are right for your business. You can also purchase additional coverage for perils or conditions otherwise excluded (e.g., flood protection) as endorsements to a standard policy or as a separate, second policy called a Difference in Conditions (DIC) policy.
We can advise you of the best policy (or policies) to protect you and your business. Simply call or contact us through the quote form on the right hand side of the website.
