Stuber Insurance Agency

Love Your Valentine’s Day Gift? Insure It!

sisabelle — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 21:20:35 +0000

Valentine’s Day is upon us, and thoughts of people everywhere turn to… jewelry.
Those who don’t buy shiny things for Valentine’s Day may prefer other types of valuables, such as electronics, artwork, antiques, wine and furs. All totaled Valentine’s Day spending will tally approximately $17.6 billion of retail sales, with $4.1 billion of that being spent on jewelry, according to the National Retail Federation’s 2012 Valentine’s Day Consumer Trends report.

Whatever the purchase, American consumers should take steps to safeguard and insure their valuables. Homeowners insurance generally covers valuable and precious items such as jewelry, but they usually have limits, so it’s important for consumers to call us to make sure they’re covered.

While most homeowner’s insurance policies cover risks such as fire, lightning, and windstorm, they may exclude many events that create financial losses- for example, a claim that is submitted because “my three-year-old dropped my new diamond earrings into the toilet and flushed” may not be covered under a typical policy. To cover these kinds of incidents—or other situations that the insurance industry has dubbed “mysterious disappearance” —you’ll need what’s known as a valuable articles personal property endorsement on your homeowner’s contract. Some homeowner’s insurance carriers also sell stand-alone valuables policies.

Another reason to contact Stuber Insurance Agency? Typically insurance policies restrict the dollar amount of coverage for individual valuable items in the case of theft ($1,000- $1,500), so you want to make sure that if jewelry is ever stolen, you’re not stuck with coverage that is less than the value of the item.

A New Addition To Our Sales Staff

sisabelle — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 21:14:52 +0000

It is my pleasure to inform you of a new addition to our sales staff. His name is Michael J. P. Sauer, he is fully licensed in Property, Casualty, Life, and Health insurance, and a 2008 Graduate from Grove City Collage in Grove City Pennsylvania.

During his free time he likes to go backpacking at the Delaware Water Gap, play pick-up soccer, basketball, and reading theological books. He also enjoys playing the guitar and singing bass in his church’s choir.

As partner in the Agency he is quite excited about building a substantial number of new clients, please feel free to give him a call at 908-852-4444, and he will be pleased to help you with your insurance needs, and serve you to the best of his abilities.

Sincerely,

Walter H. Stuber, CLU, CIC

Homeowners Fire Safety for the Holidays

sisabelle — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 16:13:26 +0000

Homeowners Fire Safety for the Holidays

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) analysis shows that although the number of Christmas tree fires is low, these fires represent a higher level of hazard. On average, 1 of every 9 Christmas tree fires resulted in a fatality compared to an average of one death per 75 non-confined home structure fires overall. Further, 49 % of Christmas tree fires spread beyond the room of origin.

Properly maintaining a cut Christmas tree is important to retaining a high moisture content in the needles of the tree to limit accidental ignition and prevent rapid flame spread. A tree which has dry needles can readily ignite with a flaming source and generate heat release rates that are capable of causing flashover in residential scale rooms.

Watch How Quickly a Tree Fire Can Occur: Click Here

Rental Car Insurance: To Buy or Not to Buy?

sisabelle — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 12:01:38 +0000

As the holiday season approaches, millions of Americans will take to the roads to visit family and friends. Since many will make the trip in a rented car, it’s an appropriate time to discuss one of the most frequently asked questions of agents and brokers all over the country: “Should I buy the insurance from the rental car company?”

Following are a few considerations when mulling this important decision:

DAMAGE WAIVER & YOUR PERSONAL AUTO POLICY

First, the good news: In many cases, a personal auto insurance policy will cover damage to a rented vehicle. That said—don’t get too comfortable! There are other costs associated with damage to a rented vehicle that the policy will not cover. For this reason, careful consideration should be given to purchasing the damage waiver offered by the rental car company.

On your personal auto policy, “Collision” insurance covers your vehicle for damage resulting from a collision with another object. “Comprehensive” (sometimes called “Other Than Collision”) covers your vehicle for theft, vandalism, falling objects and other causes not resulting from a collision. If you have a car loan, your lender will require you to purchase both. If you pay the loan off, the choice to purchase collision or comprehensive—and both or neither—is up to you.

Your personal auto policy will only cover damage to the rental car if you have the appropriate coverage type on at least one vehicle you own. For example, if you damage the rental car in a collision, you must have “collision” coverage on at least one vehicle covered by your personal auto policy. But if the rental car is stolen, vandalized, or damaged in any way not resulting from a collision, you must have “comprehensive” coverage on at least one vehicle covered by your personal auto policy. The key point: If your personal auto policy excludes the coverage type that damages the rental car—and you reject or violate the damage waiver—you will become personally responsible for paying all costs related to the damaged rental car out of your own pocket!

In contrast, the damage waiver usually offered at the rental counter will cover the damaged rental car regardless of what’s covered by your personal auto policy.

LIMITATIONS IN YOUR PERSONAL AUTO POLICY

What else could you possibly owe the rental company following an event or crash? These include administrative fees and the depreciated value of the vehicle after repairs—neither expense is covered by your personal auto policy. In addition, most personal auto policies only pay up to the actual cash value (ACV) of the damaged vehicle. If the contract requires the damaged rental’s replacement, the ACV payout may not be sufficient to cover the entire expense.

Again, in contrast, the damage waiver will cover all such expenses.

Also, the rental contract likely will require you to pay the rental company’s “loss of use.” These are expenses they incur resulting from the inability to earn income from the damaged rental. This cost could be hundreds of dollars or more. Some personal auto policies will pay a limited amount for this expense (such as $20 per day or $600 total). Others will not cover it at all.

In contrast, the damage waiver will pay the full cost of the rental company’s loss of use.

NO CLAIM NECESSARY

If something happens to the rental car, purchasing the damage waiver gives the rental agency management of the process. This will allow you to avoid filing a claim and possibly help keep the cost of your insurance from going up. It also will keep your deductible in your pocket.

LIMITATIONS IN THE DAMAGE WAIVER

Don’t forget that the rental car company’s damage waiver is a contract. It will include a list of restrictions that, if violated, may terminate the waiver and leave you personally responsible for paying the costs associated with the damaged rental car. Examples of such restrictions may include:

• Damage to rental while driven by someone not specifically named on the contract.

• Damage to rental while driven on unpaved roads.

• Damage to rental while it’s being occupied by more passengers than available seatbelts.

• Damage that occurs while pushing or towing.

This list is only a sample; the typical damage waiver may include additional restrictions.

Moreover, the car rental company’s loss damage waiver covers “diminished value,” the economic reduction in value of a repaired auto due to it having been damaged. Almost all auto policies and many credit card coverages exclude diminished value. What’s the impact to you? If you don’t take the damage waiver, you could get hit with a diminished value claim of $1,500 or more, depending on your type of damaged rental car.

DAMAGE WAIVER COVERS VEHICLE DAMAGE ONLY

Perhaps the most important fact to remember is that the damage waiver only applies to damage to the rented vehicle. It is not a substitute for liability, medical payments, uninsured motorist, personal injury protection, and any other personal auto insurance coverage.

OTHER PRODUCTS OFFERED BY RENTAL COMPANY

In addition to the damage waiver, most rental car companies offer a few optional insurance-type products. For example, some may offer a liability enhancement that gives you the option to increase the liability limits you already carry on your personal auto insurance policy. Depending on your available auto liability insurance, this option may be worth consideration.

Others may offer options such as accidental death, trip cancellation, or damaged luggage insurance during the rental period. Such options vary by company and may provide insurance dollars you cannot get elsewhere. However, they should not be purchased without first reviewing your current home, health and auto insurance policies as there may be duplication.

CONCLUSION

In light of the information above, you should seriously consider—and probably buy—the damage waiver from the rental car company. Deciding whether to purchase other products from the rental firm, however, depends largely on the insurance already available to you from other sources. For assistance in determining coverage you already have and comparing it to the rental company’s options, please feel free to call our office.

Business Travel Note: When you rent a car on a business trip, that’s an entirely different set of decisions, so again please contact us.

service@stuberinsurance.com

October Snowstorm Results in Emergency Declaration for New Jersey

sisabelle — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 15:31:10 +0000

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency announced that federal Disaster aid has been made available to the State of New Jersey and ordered federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area affected by a severe storm on October 29, 2011.

The President’s action makes federal funding available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe storm in the counties of Cape May, Essex, Hunterdon, Morris, Somerset, Sussex, Union, and Warren.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide. William L. Vogel has been named as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area. Vogel said additional designations may be made at a later date if Requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.

For further information, visit the FEMA Declaration Page.

Service@stuberinsurance.com

Free Home and Auto Insurance Quotes Now On Facebook!

sisabelle — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 17:37:41 +0000

We are now offering free home and auto insurance quotes directly from our Facebook page as well as our website. Just click on the link below and you can receive a free quote for your home, auto or both from up to 10 different companies in an instant!

Get a Free Home and Auto Quote Now

FEMA is offering financial assistance!

Stuber Insurance — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 19:11:20 +0000

Good News!

We have just received word that Federal Emergency Management Agency also known as FEMA is offering financial assistance for damages that took place from Hurricane Irene!

If you didn’t have flood coverage and need assistance due to these damages you can apply for disaster assistance by calling FEMA at 1-800-621-FEMA(3362) or go online to www.disasterassistance.gov

When you apply for disaster assistance, please have the following available:

•Social Security Number

•Private insurance information, if available

•Address and zip code of the damaged property

•Directions to the damaged home or property

•Daytime telephone number

All applications for disaster assistance must be filed with FEMA prior to October 31st.

Welcome to our new website!

Stuber Insurance — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 18:12:25 +0000
We are proud to let you know that Stuber Insurance has recently updated its website with a new look and updated information. We hope you like the change. The website itself is now faster, more compatible, and has a cleaner, … Continue reading →

After An Automobile Accident

Stuber Insurance — Fri, 15 Aug 2003 17:45:15 +0000

Quick Quiz

The first person to call if you’re involved in an auto accident is?

Your Mother

A Tow Truck

The Police

Your Insurance Agent

Local TV crew

If you didn’t select the police it’s time for a review.

Getting help

Getting emergency service professionals, such as the police, involved immediately can create the documentation you need to get your car and your life back to normal as soon as possible.

The National Safety Council reports that one in eight licensed drivers is involved in a motor vehicle accident each year. The Independent Insurance Agents of America offer you this brochure with advice on what you can do at the scene of an accident to help you walk away with the information you’ll need later. Keep a copy in your glove compartment in case you, or the driver in back of you, turn out to be the eighth driver. Print Version

First things first

Don’t leave the scene of an accident until you are advised by a police officer to do so (Regardless of your part in the accident, you could be ticketed for leaving the scene)

Check for injuries to yourself, your passengers, and occupants of the other vehicles

Call the police

Police emergency services will ask you:

Your exact location

If there are any injuries

If there are any disabled vehicles

If the accident is blocking traffic

Warn approaching motorists by:

Turning on your vehicle’s flashers if operable

Setting up flares or other reflective devices, starting 50 feet behind your vehicle  (Don’t use flares near leaking auto fluids)

Tying something white or light colored to the antenna of your vehicle o Raising the hood of your vehicle

Use common sense; Move your vehicle to the side of the road if it’s creating a hazard

Don’t get out of your vehicle if the area you’re in appears unsafe

Interacting with other drivers

Remain calm and courteous

Don’t accept fault for the accident

Let police officers determine liability

Have your license, registration and insurance card available

Don’t accept monetary compensation at the accident scene

Don’t discuss the specifics of the accident with anyone except a police officer or your insurance agent

At the scene

It’s important to take the time at the accident scene to exchange information with the other drivers.  Print and fill in as many of the blanks on the After An Accident Form as you can for each vehicle involved (other than your own). Keep copies in your car(s).

Contact and Insurance Information
Name:
Address:
Home telephone:
Work telephone:
Cell Phone:
Driver’s license number/State:
Insurance company name:
Policy number:

Vehicle Information
Make:
Model:
Year:
License plate number/state:

General Observations
Number of passengers in vehicles involved:
Approximate condition of passengers:
Approximate condition of vehicles involved:
Time of day:
Weather:
Road conditions:
Any other contributing conditions:

Police Officer Information
Name of law enforcement agency:
Name(s) of officer(s) on the scene:
Case number (if assigned at the scene):

Witness Information
Name:
Address:
Home telephone:
Work telephone:

Injuries or Property Damage
Name:
Address:
Home telephone:
Work telephone:
Nature of injury or property damage:

After the accident – Record your recollections in words and pictures

Write a quick description of the accident, including diagrams, as soon after the accident as you can.  Even the best memory can fade or be influenced by other viewpoints over time

Draw the position of all vehicles before and after the accident

Include as much detail as you can such as location of signs, intersections, and other landmarks

Notify Your Independent Insurance AgentAs soon as you have taken care of everything at the scene of the accident,
notify your insurance agent. Most agents will accept first notification of an
accident on their voice mail after hours.

Keep copies of all documentation relating to the accident