Insuring Your RV, Boats: Keeping Summer Fun & Safe

Summer is on its way.  Before we know it there will be Memorial Day barbecues and long weekends at the lake.  (Next weekend to be exact, if you can believe it!)

That's why now is a great time to review insurance coverage on all of your summer toys.  Check out the things to consider (and review with us) before the big toys come out of winter storage.

1.)  RV - Your motorhome or travel trailer needs insurance coverage, especially if you'll be driving or pulling it this year.  Even if you don't have a loan on your RV, you will want it covered for theft or damage.  Whether they are parked on a lake lot for the season or driving cross country, we offer several RV policies to fit your needs.  Just call us for a quote.

 

2.)  Boat & Jet Ski - The same thing goes for your boats and jet skis.  You've made a big investment and it's important to protect them.  Not only should you worry about damage to your boat, but also make sure you have the proper amount of liability coverage.  Don’t forget your life jackets! 

3.)  Motorcycle - Ready to hit the road for a long drive?  Remember to brush up on your safety skills and always wear a helmet.  Don’t forget to make sure your motorcycle has liability coverage just like your vehicle!  We can help you determine what coverage you need.  

4.)  Swimming Pool - If you own a pool, then you need extra liability coverage including a Personal Umbrella Policy.  Why?  Because there is a lot more risk of someone being injured when you have a pool.  Don’t skimp on your coverage and make sure you have the pool area secured and safe.  For less than $12 a month you could buy an extra $1 million in coverage!

Summer is a lot more fun when you know that your high price summer fun toys are properly insured and protected.  Take 10 minutes to call us for a quote or to review your current coverage.  We are experts at summer fun & all the toys!  888-565-2212 or visit us online.

At the Bryan Agency we are the leading agents in the Hudson Valley and Long Island in home insurance, umbrella insurance, motorcycle insurance, boat insurance, and RV insurance coverage.

Graduation Parties - Are You Covered?

By Guest Blogger: Nelson Rivera Jr.

It's that time of year...graduation time. This is the crowning moment in any teenagers life – graduating high school. And as many of you as parents can attest to, it is not without hard work and perseverance from both your children and you. So, to recognize this great achievement, what better way to do that than have a graduation party? Something that you, your child, their friends, and the rest of the family can do to celebrate.

Like any responsible parent, you will have drinks for the adults only and soda for your child and his or her friends. Your child is a good kid, so you have made it clear that there will be no drinking at the party, and they have agreed.

The party day arrives and all the friends and family show up. However, you, being busy hosting the party, are unaware that some of the friends show up and end up drinking in the garage and others even show up drunk to the party. They drive off to the next party and get into an accident with another vehicle. The police show up and in the report, they tell them that they were leaving your house from their friend's graduation party. Weeks later, some legal papers show up at your house for the accident, showing that you may be liable for hosting the party. What do you do now? You wonder, am I covered for this?

While this scenario seems bad, it is possible, and it is important to know where you are liable in a party. Now the question is, is this covered under your homeowners insurance? The answer is, it depends.

Here are the top questions we get around this time of year to think of when planning your party:
Q: My kids are going to drink anyway, so can't I serve them? This way I can monitor what happens.
A: If you are knowingly serving alcohol to minors, while you are covered under the liability on your homeowners under the "Social Host Liquor" rules, serving alcohol to minors is not legal and therefore may not be covered under your homeowners policy. And if you are charging for alcohol, you could fall under the "Dram Shop Liabilty" and your homeowners would not cover you for that.

Q: What if I have a party outside of the house, like at a park or clubhouse?
A: Good news! Your homeowners liability and umbrella policy will cover you outside of your home. What this means is that if you have your child's party at a park or other area, the Social Host Liquor rules will extend from whatever the limit on your homeowners insurance policy provides.

Q: If one of my kids friends shows up intoxicated to the party and I send them away, am I still liable?
A: Yes, you could still be found liable because you knowingly sent him/ her away in a vehicle when they were visibly intoxicated, and they are underage. Now, this may or may not be covered by your insurance as well.

Q: What if I am away, and my kid throws a party on their own?
A: As the owner of the house, it doesn't matter if you are there or not there. If someone gets hurt on your property, or was drinking at your house, you could be held responsible. Depending on the situation, the liability coverage of your homeowners may come into play here as well to protect you.

Q: What if someone trips and falls or gets hurt otherwise?
A: Most likely, you are covered in this event. Although each policy varies from coverages and the limits, if someone is injured on your property, you have medical payments and liability coverage on the standard homeowners policies, which protect you in this event. If you are not sure, you should check your policy or call your agent and have them review it with you.

Q: What else can I do to protect myself?
A: In today's litigious society, I always recommend to take as much liability on your homeowners as you can and take an umbrella policy as well, especially with children in the house. They are covered under your policies as a resident relative of your household as long as they are living there. An umbrella policy is extra liability that would cover over your home and auto policy and can be purchased for less than $13 per month for an extra $1,000,000 in coverage.

It is also important to review your current coverages to see what you have. If you are unsure, you should review them with your agent or insurance company.

Also, it is a good idea to have an agreement with your child. Let them know the implications of their choices and how it can affect you as well. This way, everyone can enjoy the party and celebrate what really matters, your child and their great accomplishment!

Congrats to all of the Graduates of 2012! We at the Bryan Agency wish you all of the best in your success!

Have more questions? Call our office (888) 565-2212 or stop in at 3068 Route 9W Suite 500, New Windsor, NY 12553. We love questions. Email us at amicovered@bryanagency.com  ***If your question is featured in one of our blogs, we will send you a thank you gift card in the mail. ***

You can also visit us online at http://www.bryanagency.com/ or www.facebook.com/bryanagency

March is National Umbrella Month!

Did you know that March is National Umbrella Month!
Ok, so National Umbrella Month it's really this umbrella...




But the REAL umbrella I want to talk to you about is the one that covers not just your head, but your home, your family, your cars, your business, your rental properties, your kids friends that you carpool, your motorcycle, your boat, your ATV and much more. I know what you are thinking...1. ) that's a BIG umbrella, and 2.) that must cost a lot. But did you know, that for less than $0.50 a day, you could buy $1,000,000 in extra liability to cover all of these things? Who says you can't buy a million dollars today? Not me!Here are some answers to questions many of you have asked about why they should purchase an umbrella policy. (Also, make sure you check out the end for a special offer until the end of this month just for getting a quote on an umbrella policy!)

Q. Wouldn't I be covered under my homeowners policy if I am sued by someone who was seriously injured on my property?
A. Yes, your homeowners policy will protect you, but only up to the liability limits of your policy and, then again, only if the injury did not involve molestation, physical or mental abuse or corporal punishment. In today’s lawsuit-oriented society, your homeowners policy may not provide adequate liability coverage in the event you are involved in a significant lawsuit.




Did you know that you didn't even have to be home for someone to sue you? Someone can just be walking across your property, trip and fall and get injured and you could be found liable.

Q. What about my car insurance, wouldn't that protect me?
A. Yes, Similar to your home policy, your auto policy provides coverage in the event of a vehicle-related lawsuit, but only up to the limits of the policy.




Did you also know that you don't just have to have a teenager to be exposed in a car claim. If you carpool or carpool your kids friends to afterschool events and get in an accident, you may not have enough coverage.

Q. Ok, I get that, but what would happen if I was held liable for a settlement that exceeded the limits of my insurance coverage?
A. You would be held personally responsible for paying any portion of the settlement that your insurance company did not pay. Your present assets—your home, your savings account, your car and any other assets you might have—as well as your future earnings could be taken from you to pay the settlement. They can also garnish up to 25% of your current wages.




*** Take the test: Do you need an umbrella policy?
1.) Do you have a car?
2.) Do you own your home?
3.) Do you own a business or rental properties?
4.) Do you have teenage drivers in your household?
5.) Do you drive your kid's friends to and from events or other activities?
6.) Do you volunteer?
7.) Do you have a motorcycle, boat, camper or other specialty vehicles?




If you answered "YES" to more than two of these, you may need an umbrella policy to protect you, your family, and your assets.




Find out if you qualify by calling our umbrella specialist today. 888-565-2212 or go online at Bryan Agency. The price for protection and peace of mind is more affordable than you think!




**Also, for everyone who gets a quote on an umbrella policy for this month, will receive a complimentary umbrella (yes, the umbrella that protects you from the rain!) Call or go online to get a quote today!

You can also the test on facebook! www.facebook.com/BryanAgency