PERSONAL INSURANCE
PERSONAL AUTO • HOMEOWNERS • SEASONAL, RENTAL or VACANT DWELLING
CYCLES, BOATS & "TOYS" • UMBRELLA LIABILITY • ADDITIONAL COVERAGES
personal auto insurance
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contact us
62 East Shenango St
Sharpsville, PA 16150
phone: 724.962.5757
fax: 724.962.0228
Our agency has been known for years for the preferred and super-preferred rate plans offered by our insurers. However, even if your driving record is less than perfect, we have insurers that will gladly compete for your business.
For owners of Classic or Antique Autos, we have various options depending on the age and value of the vehicle, whether it has modifications, and how much it is driven. We write for many of the insurers specializing in Classic Cars; besides low rates they often offer coverage on your vehicle at a Guaranteed Value.
An auto insurance policy consists of the following coverage sections:
For owners of Classic or Antique Autos, we have various options depending on the age and value of the vehicle, whether it has modifications, and how much it is driven. We write for many of the insurers specializing in Classic Cars; besides low rates they often offer coverage on your vehicle at a Guaranteed Value.
An auto insurance policy consists of the following coverage sections:
Bodily Injury Liability protects you against legal liability for bodily injury or death to others arising from the ownership, maintenance, or the use of the insured vehicle. The insured driver can be liable for injury to occupants of other vehicles, pedestrians, and passengers in the same vehicle. We pay any judgement against the insured plus any defense costs.
Property Damage Liability protects you against legal liability for damage to property of others—other vehicles or objects struck by the insured vehicle. We owe for both the direct damage as well as the other party’s car rental, if one is needed.
First Party Benefits are unique to Pennsylvania; sometimes referred to as "no-fault" benefits, and are composed of:
Medical Expenses pays for injuries you suffer in an accident regardless of fault. The amounts paid under this coverage cannot be collected from the wrongdoer. For the limit selected, this coverage is primary to any health insurance you may carry.
Income Loss pays your lost wages resulting from an auto accident, again regardless of fault. It pays 80% of your wage, after a 5-day waiting period, up to the limits selected.
Funeral Expenses Benefit pays your funeral expenses following an auto related death.
Accidental Death Benefit pays for an auto related death (in addition to Funeral Expenses).
Medical Expenses pays for injuries you suffer in an accident regardless of fault. The amounts paid under this coverage cannot be collected from the wrongdoer. For the limit selected, this coverage is primary to any health insurance you may carry.
Income Loss pays your lost wages resulting from an auto accident, again regardless of fault. It pays 80% of your wage, after a 5-day waiting period, up to the limits selected.
Funeral Expenses Benefit pays your funeral expenses following an auto related death.
Accidental Death Benefit pays for an auto related death (in addition to Funeral Expenses).
Uninsured Motorists protects you for what you would be entitled to collect for injuries suffered in an accident, but cannot because of the wrongdoer's lack of insurance. This only applies to injuries; property damage would have to be collected under Collision (if purchased).
Pennsylvania allows choice of Stacked limits (meaning they may be multiplied by number of autos on policy) or Unstacked limits (meaning the limits stated apply regardless of the number of autos).
Pennsylvania allows choice of Stacked limits (meaning they may be multiplied by number of autos on policy) or Unstacked limits (meaning the limits stated apply regardless of the number of autos).
Underinsured Motorists is the same as Uninsured Motorists' except it applies where the at-fault party does have insurance but his liability limits are too low to fully reimburse you for your injuries. Underinsured Motorists’ claims are not uncommon, and some of the largest losses paid out of our office have involved this coverage. The stacking option also applies to Underinsured Motorists.
Comprehensive pays to repair your covered auto, after the deductible, for an accident involving damage other than a collision: e.g., fire, theft, vandalism, glass breakage, hail. A collision with a deer or other animal is considered Comprehensive.
Collision pays to repair your covered auto, after the deductible, for an accident involving a collision, i.e., a striking between the auto and another object. A hit-and-run accident is a collision.
Road Service pays expenses for towing or road service in lieu of towing. Most other insurers (including AAA) put a dollar limit on towing, while Erie pays “reasonable expenses”.
Rental Reimbursement: If, after a Collision or Comprehensive loss, a rental car is needed, this coverage will pay for the cost of the rental up to the stated limit for as long as the vehicle is undriveable or in the repair shop.
Comprehensive pays to repair your covered auto, after the deductible, for an accident involving damage other than a collision: e.g., fire, theft, vandalism, glass breakage, hail. A collision with a deer or other animal is considered Comprehensive.
Collision pays to repair your covered auto, after the deductible, for an accident involving a collision, i.e., a striking between the auto and another object. A hit-and-run accident is a collision.
Road Service pays expenses for towing or road service in lieu of towing. Most other insurers (including AAA) put a dollar limit on towing, while Erie pays “reasonable expenses”.
Rental Reimbursement: If, after a Collision or Comprehensive loss, a rental car is needed, this coverage will pay for the cost of the rental up to the stated limit for as long as the vehicle is undriveable or in the repair shop.
Tort Option: In Pennsylvania, one has the option of retaining the right to collect for injuries suffered in an accident (Full Tort) or giving up much of this right (Limited Tort) in exchange for a reduced premium. Under Limited Tort, you can still collect out-of-pocket expenses, such as medical bills and lost wages; what is restricted is the right of you and your family to collect for pain and suffering and other non-monetary damages the law allows under the Full Tort option. You may still collect for pain and suffering if your injury is deemed “serious”, which the law defines as death or permanent and disabling or disfiguring. (A broken leg that heals fine is usually disabling but not permanent. Back pain that lingers indefinitely would not be deemed “serious” if it doesn’t prevent you from working.) There are also a few other exceptions where you would retain the right to collect pain and suffering, even after having elected Limited Tort: if you are occupying a commercial vehicle, or if the wrongdoer is uninsured, from out of state, or convicted of DUI.
In Ohio, there is no tort option; everyone has the equivalent of Full Tort.
Note: A vehicle carrying Comprehensive and Collision is commonly said to have “full coverage”; autos without those coverages are said to have “liability only”.
In Ohio, there is no tort option; everyone has the equivalent of Full Tort.
Note: A vehicle carrying Comprehensive and Collision is commonly said to have “full coverage”; autos without those coverages are said to have “liability only”.
homeowner's insurance
Homeowners insurance policy covers your house, the garage and other structures, as well as your personal possessions such as furniture, appliances and clothing, against a wide variety of perils including fire, windstorm, bursting of pipes and theft. The extent of the perils covered depends on the type of policy, with an “all-risk” policy offering the broadest coverage. Reimbursement is usually on a replacement cost basis, though a depreciated value settlement is also available. The policy also covers Additional Living Expenses to reimburse you for extra costs if you would have to live elsewhere while your house is being repaired.
The liability portion of a Homeowners covers against injury or property damage a third party alleges is caused by your negligence—such as a slip and fall at your house, an injury during a hunting accident, or a bite caused by your dog. The costs of legal defense are provided in addition to the limit for legal damages assessed against you.
Homeowners insurance is available to renters as well, usually at a modest premium. This provides the same type of coverage as if you owned the home, except, of course, with no coverage on the structure. Renters often neglect to purchase Homeowners Insurance, with some under the mistaken impression that they are covered by the landlord’s insurance.
If you live in a condominium, your Homeowners policy would add in an amount for the building items the association agreement makes you—as a unit-owner—responsible for.
seasonal/rental/vacant
Whether your own a seasonal home, a rental property, or a vacant dwelling, we are able write the insurance you need. Coverage for such policies is similar to a homeowners policy, with insurance provided for the building, detached structures, contents (if any), as well as premises liability. Some of the notable differences, though, between coverage written on additional dwellings and on your residence are as follows:
Seasonal properties: For the typical hunting camp, or for structures without a continuous masonry foundation, a limit based on depreciated value or market value is usually appropriate. In such cases, the covered causes of loss include a basic set of perils—fire, lightning, windstorm, hail, smoke, explosion, riot, vehicle or aircraft damage, and vandalism.
For higher valued vacation homes, the amount of coverage is usually written at replacement cost. (Settlement for a partial loss would likewise be at replacement without deduction for depreciation.) In these cases, a broader set of perils—including falling objects, weight of ice and snow, etc..—is also written.
Note that travel trailers parked at a campground can be covered under a dwelling policy or an auto policy depending on how permanently situated they are. There are a number of tests used to determine which is the more appropriate policy.
In all cases, it is necessary to include liability coverage for an additional premises. (While a homeowners’ policy automatically extends liability coverage to vacant land you own, the existence of any structures or farming on the land disqualify it as “vacant”.) In some instances, we are able to extend the liability coverage under your homeowners to a seasonal property. Otherwise, liability coverage is attached to the policy covering damage to the structure.
Rental properties: As with seasonal properties, two approaches are possible. Lower valued income properties are often written at limit based on depreciated value or market value. Again, in such cases, the covered causes of loss include a basic set of perils—fire, lightning, windstorm, hail, smoke, explosion, riot, vehicle or aircraft damage, and vandalism. In other circumstances—say, with a higher valued dwelling or one that is “rented” to a family member—a replacement cost settlement is desired. A broader set of perils also goes along with replacement cost situations.
Contents coverage is not usually carried. Note, though, that building equipment and outdoor equipment used to service the dwelling are covered under the building coverage. Examples would be washers, dryers, lawnmowers.
Detached structures are automatically covered up to 10% of the dwelling amount. Under a basic perils policy, this 10% does not increase the overall limit for a loss involving both a dwelling and a detached structure. With some insurers, if broad or “all-risk” perils are purchased, this 10% is an additional amount of insurance. Higher amounts, however, may be purchased.
Liability coverage is usually written on the same policy as that covering the structure. When multiple locations are involved, it may be better to write a separate Commercial General Liability policy.
Be aware that many tenants are under the mistaken impression that the landlord covers their contents. So, you should encourage your tenants to carry a renters policy—not just for their sake but yours. A renters policy will also provide liability coverage, so if a tenant negligently causes fire damage to your property, a ready source of funds would be available for reimbursement.
Recent years have seen an increase in claims involving rental properties, with injury lawsuits by tenants against landlords more and more common. Besides requiring that your tenants carry a renters policy, you may want to consider the following both to help protect your property as well as to provide a safe environment for your tenants: 1) careful tenant selection, including background checks and references. 2) installation of carbon monoxide detectors and tamper-resistant smoke detectors. 3) installation of dead-bolt locks. 4) providing fire extinguishers in every unit. 5) written leases. 6) prohibiting your tenants from keeping dangerous dogs.
Vacant properties: When a property is vacant, the risk of damage is greatly increased with most insurers not willing to write the coverage. Luckily, we have very competitive markets for well maintained properties that will cover a basic set of perils—fire, lightning, windstorm, hail, smoke, explosion, riot, vehicle or aircraft damage. This is typically written on a market value basis. Be aware that this list does not include vandalism, bursting of pipes, weight of ice and snow, or theft.
We also have markets that will write a broader set of perils, as well as a replacement cost settlement, though at a higher premium.
CYCLES, BOATS & OTHER "TOYS"
Information on this section coming soon.
UMBRELLA LIABILITY
An Umbrella policy provides liability limits (starting at $1,000,000) in excess of the liability coverage provided by your basic auto and homeowners policies. It does not replace your basic policies, and typically requires that you carry at least $300,000 limits on those policies.
While often purchased by those with a high income or level of assets, or those whose standing in the community may make them a “target” for a lawsuit, everyone is at risk for a devastating lawsuit against them. The cost is moderate.
additional coverages
Additional coverage may be needed, depending on your circumstances. Among those more frequently encountered are:
- Under a Homeowners policy, certain types of property— notably jewelry, furs, guns and silverware—are subject to special limits for theft. We can help you assess the best way to insure such items. Other property, such as collectibles or fine arts, may not be subject to any special limitations, but may still need broader coverage—such as for breakage—than your other household contents. Again, we can help you select an insurance plan that best fits your individual needs.
- Earthquake: Unless coverage is added by endorsement, all Homeowners policies exclude damage caused by earthquake. Note that an earthquake endorsement is subject to a separate deductible—you may choose either 2%, 5% or 10%. This is a percentage of your dwelling or contents limit (not of the claim) and so can be significantly higher than the deductible applying to other claims. In this part of the country, premiums are generally reasonable. Note that brick homes suffer more damage in an earthquake, and so carry a higher rate than wood-frame homes.
- Flood Insurance: Flood Insurance is excluded from most property insurance policies. Coverage, underwritten by the Federal Government, is available through our office. For further information, see Do I need flood insurance?
- Mine Subsidence: With the Shenango Valley a center of coal mining in the 19th century, the old mine shafts continue to present the possibility of collapse and subsidence. This type of loss is not covered by any Homeowners’ insurance policy. We do, however, have available a separate Mine Subsidence policy, with coverage underwritten by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. While the extent of the old mine shafts is not fully known, we do have some maps that show approximate areas of mining activity. If you are interested in a quote, let us know.
- In Ohio, in Trumbull and nearby counties, the coverage is automatically included for nearly all properties, up to $300,000. A nominal charge of $1 appears on your Homeowners policy for this coverage which is underwritten by the State of Ohio.
- Identity Theft: Developed to respond to recent surges in incidents of identity theft, this coverage consists of two elements. First, in the event of a potential claim, a case manager is provided to assist you in recovering control over your identity, including contact of authorities, credit bureaus, banks and businesses. Reimbursement of expenses to recover your identity are included in the case management service. Second, reimbursement for fraud—whether unauthorized use of a credit card or debit card number, criminal deception, or from an identity theft incident—is included. With a $25,000 limit, this coverage is available for $20 a year endorsed to an Erie or a Millville Homeowners policy.
