Winnebagoland Insurance Agency, FAQ's, frequently asked questions

FAQ's (Frequently Asked Quotions)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

Am I covered by my auto insurance policy if I am going to be renting a car?

I'm thinking about getting a dog. Does my homeowner's insurance have any dog restrictions?

My insurance is costly. What can I do to lower my premium, yet keep the same coverage?

What is the Wisconsin Wrongful Death Statute?

What is Personal Umbrella Coverage?

Why is my home insured for so much? I couldn't get that much for it if I sold it!

Am I covered by my auto insurance policy if I am going to be renting a car?

Not completely! Although physical damage and liability extend from your automobile policy there are certain costs that are not covered. We recommend purchasing the Collision Damage Waiver each time you rent a vehicle. Also, please inspect each vehicle thoroughly before driving away, there may be existing damage that you can be charged for later. For more information on what is not covered in the event of a loss please read the following article:

"The Top Ten Reasons to Purchase the Collision Damage Waiver When Renting a Vehicle"

I'm thinking about getting a dog. Does my homeowner's insurance have any dog restrictions?

There are many great dog breeds available to us, and all of us have a favorite kind. However, some breeds are considered to have a tendency to be vicious. You will want to contact one of our customer service representatives to confirm that your breed of choice does not make you ineligible for your homeowner's insurance.

My insurance is costly. What can I do to lower my premium, yet keep the same coverage?

Put all your eggs in one basket!

By putting all your insurance with one company you can take advantage of multi-policy discounts which average 15% off! If you have your auto insured with us, we can most likely put your home or renter's policy with the same company you have your auto with, and vice versa if we already have your home. Please contact our agency today, to find out how much you can save by putting all of your "insurance eggs" in one company's basket!

Increase your deductible!

One of the best ways to save money on your home and auto premiums is to increase your deductible. By raising your homeowner's, collision, and other than collision deductibles you can save!

For example: Iman X. Ample has his home and auto insured with the same company. He has a $250 deductible on his home, and $250 comprehensive and $250 collision deductibles on his car. His total yearly premium is $989.00. If he were to increase his deductibles to $500 (for his home, his comprehensive coverage, and his collision coverage) he would lower his yearly premium to $874.00!

Get Wired!

Almost all of our companies charge installment fees, and these small amounts do add up! By selecting an electronic funds transfer option you can take the headache out of insurance payment options. Each month your premium will be taken out automatically out of your checking account, and most companies then waive those nasty little installment fees! To switch to Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) contact our agency today!

Take advantage of discounts!

Safety

Does that new car of yours have anti-lock brakes? Front and side airbags? A fancy alarm? Well, make sure we know about it! Sometimes companies offer additional price breaks if your car has these features!

Good Students

Does your teenage driver get good grades? Well, some of our companies want to know! A copy of a recent grade report can help you save! (Not all companies offer these discounts, but it doesn't hurt to ask!)

Multi-Vehicle Discounts

If you were recently married, or your husband or wife has always had a separate policy, now is the time to combine them! Almost all of the companies we write with offer additional discounts if they more than one vehicle is insured under the same policy! Please contact us today if you have another vehicle insured in a different company! (This offer may not extend to Antique Automobiles).

What is the Wisconsin Wrongful Death Statute?

In the State of Wisconsin motorists are not required to carry insurance. However, Wisconsin did pass a law stating that if a person causes the wrongful death of another person a monetary award can be given to the family of the deceased. The amount can be awarded in amounts up to $350,000 for the death of an adult, and up to $500,000 for the death of a minor. This is in additional to any bodily injury costs, such as funeral expense and medical costs, and does not include property damage. These amounts can be garnished from your wages or even taken from existing retirement accounts, whatever it takes to pay back the injured party.

What is Personal Umbrella Coverage?

A personal umbrella policy goes above and beyond the existing limits of both your homeowner's and automobile insurance policies. It can provide coverage in excess of $1 Million or more dollars. A personal umbrella policy can help protect your assets in the event that you are sued.

Umbrella coverage is fairly inexpensive, and well worth the price in the case of a lawsuit. Please contact our office if you would like to learn more about the importance of an umbrella policy!

Why is my home insured for so much? I couldn't get that much for it if I sold it!

Today's homes are insured for what is termed "Replacement Cost", which basically means that they are covered for what it would cost to rebuild in today's market. It helps to cover some of the hidden costs in the event of a loss. For instance your home burns down, the cost of removing and disposal of debris from the home is taken out of the dwelling amount, or Coverage A. So if your home is insured for $100,000, and it takes $5,000 to remove all the debris left behind, you are going to be shorted $5,000.00 if your house isn't insured to full replacement cost!

If you haven't been in our office to review your coverages, please give us a call. A Replacement Cost Estimate doesn't take long to prepare, and it will help ensure that your home is not underinsured!