Many families employ domestic employees to perform household services. Examples include cooks, gardeners, housekeepers, and babysitters.
The Ohio Revised Code requires that workers' compensation coverage be provided in many cases. According to section 4123.01 of the code, "household workers who earn one hundred sixty dollars or more in cash in any calendar quarter from a single employer" are eligible for workers' compensation.
Further, your personal liability coverage from your homeowner policy excludes coverage for injury to any person eligible for workers' compensation benefits.
If you have any questions or concerns about this topic, please contact us or the Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation at www.ohiobwc.com.
Call our office at 614-459-6500 and ask for Dan!
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
Slander! Are You Covered?
Homeowner, Condominium, and Renters insurance policies include personal liability coverage for bodily injury and property damage claims against the insured. Common exclusions include auto and business related claims.
Internet usage on websites such as Facebook has resulted in increased liability claims against insureds alleging libel. If you have teenage children who are active online you may be at risk of a personal injury claim resulting from statements they make.
Not all homeowner policies automatically provide coverage for claims alleging libel, slander, or other types of defamation. This fits into Personal Injury coverage which can be added to most homeowner policies if not already included.
We encourage you to contact us to see if your policy includes coverage for Personal Injury claims.
Call our office at 614-459-6500 and ask for Dan!
Internet usage on websites such as Facebook has resulted in increased liability claims against insureds alleging libel. If you have teenage children who are active online you may be at risk of a personal injury claim resulting from statements they make.
Not all homeowner policies automatically provide coverage for claims alleging libel, slander, or other types of defamation. This fits into Personal Injury coverage which can be added to most homeowner policies if not already included.
We encourage you to contact us to see if your policy includes coverage for Personal Injury claims.
Call our office at 614-459-6500 and ask for Dan!
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
House Fire Prevention
Residential fires result from many causes. The most common of these are smoking, cooking, and electrical.
You might be surprised to learn that over 10,000 fires per year result from clothes dryers. Some are mechanical in nature or result from overheating of the oils.
Most dryer fires are easily preventable as they result from excessive lint accumulation. Lint screens should be cleaned frequently if not after each usage.
Dryer vents should also be cleaned periodically and possibly replaced. Wire bound vinyl flex pipe should not be used as it can collapse and cause blockages and is also flammable. Flexible metal piping is recommended by most manufacturers and fire safety experts. Also check your outside ventilation to eliminate blockages and lint accumulation.
Contact our office for more information. Call 614-459-6500 and ask for Dan.
You might be surprised to learn that over 10,000 fires per year result from clothes dryers. Some are mechanical in nature or result from overheating of the oils.
Most dryer fires are easily preventable as they result from excessive lint accumulation. Lint screens should be cleaned frequently if not after each usage.
Dryer vents should also be cleaned periodically and possibly replaced. Wire bound vinyl flex pipe should not be used as it can collapse and cause blockages and is also flammable. Flexible metal piping is recommended by most manufacturers and fire safety experts. Also check your outside ventilation to eliminate blockages and lint accumulation.
Contact our office for more information. Call 614-459-6500 and ask for Dan.
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Coverage for Your Finished Basement
One of the most popular home renovations currently is a finished basement with home theatre. Such improvements may affect the replacement cost of a home and should be incorporated in the dwelling limit.
More importantly, homeowner policies provide very limited coverage for sewer and drain backups, often as little as $5,000. Basements with extensive finishes and valuable personal property should carry higher limits, which are available for a nominal charge.
It's also important to remember that your homeowner policy does not include flood insurance. This includes damage caused by a rising body of water or any other surface water that may enter your basement. The National Flood Insurance Program provides this coverage which we can facilitate for you if desired.
Contact us with any questions about your homeowner policy.
Call 614-459-6500 and ask for Dan!
More importantly, homeowner policies provide very limited coverage for sewer and drain backups, often as little as $5,000. Basements with extensive finishes and valuable personal property should carry higher limits, which are available for a nominal charge.
It's also important to remember that your homeowner policy does not include flood insurance. This includes damage caused by a rising body of water or any other surface water that may enter your basement. The National Flood Insurance Program provides this coverage which we can facilitate for you if desired.
Contact us with any questions about your homeowner policy.
Call 614-459-6500 and ask for Dan!
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Texting While Driving - Ohio's New Laws
Enforcement of Ohio Revised Codes 4511.204 and 4511.205 began on March 1, 2013. These laws are Ohio's texting while driving ban.
The first statutes applies to drivers 18 and over. It states that writing, sending, or reading a text-based communication is a secondary offense, meaning that the driver cannot be stopped due to the sole violation.
For drivers under age 18, Ohio Revised Code 4511.205 prohibits driving while using in any manner an electronic communications device. A violation of this statute is a primary offense, meaning that the driver can be stopped for the sole purpose of such a violation. Fines are $150 for the first violation and $300 for the second. License suspensions are 60 days for the first violation and 1 year for the second.
Contact our office for more information on your auto, home, or business insurance.
Call 614-459-6500 and ask for Dan!
The first statutes applies to drivers 18 and over. It states that writing, sending, or reading a text-based communication is a secondary offense, meaning that the driver cannot be stopped due to the sole violation.
For drivers under age 18, Ohio Revised Code 4511.205 prohibits driving while using in any manner an electronic communications device. A violation of this statute is a primary offense, meaning that the driver can be stopped for the sole purpose of such a violation. Fines are $150 for the first violation and $300 for the second. License suspensions are 60 days for the first violation and 1 year for the second.
Contact our office for more information on your auto, home, or business insurance.
Call 614-459-6500 and ask for Dan!
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Water Damage Coverage
Recent heavy rains have resulted in disastrous floods in the eastern United States with unfortunate loss of lives and property.
We're compelled to remind you that your homeowner policy does not include damage caused by floods or other rising surface water. You probably have limited coverage on your policy for loss caused by sewer and drain backup or sump pump failure.
Flood insurance can be arranged through the National Flood Insurance Program for homeowners. The rates are relatively reasonable unless you live in a high hazard area which tends to be a low-lying area near a body of water.
We encourage you to contact us to discuss the extent of your current water damage coverage and to address any other concerns you may have.
Call our office at 614-459-6500 and ask for Dan!
We're compelled to remind you that your homeowner policy does not include damage caused by floods or other rising surface water. You probably have limited coverage on your policy for loss caused by sewer and drain backup or sump pump failure.
Flood insurance can be arranged through the National Flood Insurance Program for homeowners. The rates are relatively reasonable unless you live in a high hazard area which tends to be a low-lying area near a body of water.
We encourage you to contact us to discuss the extent of your current water damage coverage and to address any other concerns you may have.
Call our office at 614-459-6500 and ask for Dan!
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Identity Theft: Do You Have Coverage For It?
One of the fastest growing crimes in this country involves identity theft. Social security numbers and other personal information are often stolen for the fraudulent benefit of the wrongdoer.
The victim of such actions can incur significant fees and expenses including new application fees to creditors and attorney fees for claims from creditors. These costs can run into the thousands of dollars.
Many insurance companies have responded to this trend by offering Identity Theft Expense Coverage as an optional endorsement to homeowner's policies. One carrier offers the coverage with a $25,000 per loss limit for $25 per year.
Contact us if you wish to discuss this or any other insurance matter.
Call 614-459-6500 and ask for Dan!
The victim of such actions can incur significant fees and expenses including new application fees to creditors and attorney fees for claims from creditors. These costs can run into the thousands of dollars.
Many insurance companies have responded to this trend by offering Identity Theft Expense Coverage as an optional endorsement to homeowner's policies. One carrier offers the coverage with a $25,000 per loss limit for $25 per year.
Contact us if you wish to discuss this or any other insurance matter.
Call 614-459-6500 and ask for Dan!
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