FAQ

Below are categories for some common coverage questions.

Just click the category you have questions about and follow the links.

Garage Risks

Restaurants/Bars

Convenience/Liquor Stor es

Childcare/Education/Religious/Institutional

I run a repair shop and I sell used cars on the side. Do I need special coverage for that?Yes, it is called Dealers Open Lot and it is not standard on Garage policies. We have several markets for this risk class.

I have a tow truck that I use to pick up cars. Will my Garage policy cover me?Yes, however, it must be stated as part of the operation and rated for or most carriers will exclude this. We can also provide the necessary “on hook” coverage for the cars being towed.

Do my employees' age and driving history impact my rate?Yes, drivers under 25 and 21 will cost more in premium and driving history can impact who will and will not place a risk. Verification of driving history is part of the placement process and a standard service after you are a policy holder to help you hire the best people.

How is my rate based?Most companies look at sales volume, payroll of mechanics, condition of premises, prior history, and prior claims history.

Restaurants/Bars

Can you provide liquor liability?Yes, either as part of your General Liability policy or on a separate policy, depending on the market.

I have heard that the construction of my building can impact my rate?While we can place any risk, the construction class not only impacts price, it also impacts which market will accept a risk. Our preferred markets will not write a risk with wood framing.

I have the Ansil Fire suppression system. Does this help my rate?Yes. Without the system, you pay substantially more in premium.

Convenience/Liquor Stores

My store sells gasoline as well as food products. Can you cover me?Yes, we have several preferred products that will rate for the gasoline exposure.

The State regulatory body is requiring Pollution Coverage for my underground tanks. Can you provide this?Yes, we have the best pollution markets in the business. Depending on your state, certain governmental inspection forms may be required to bind a risk.

My inventory can fluctuate dramatically. How do you make adjustments?Our forms have your business in mind and our markets give substantially lower property and inventory rates so that you keep constant coverage on stock and not sacrifice cash flow.

Childcare/Education/Religious/Institutional

I have never had a molestation claim, but I want the coverage just in case. Can you provide that?Absolutely! While it is true that many carriers are discontinuing this coverage, our markets still offer this coverage.

We need a new vehicle for transporting kids. My current carrier tells me they will no longer insure the long passenger vans. What can you insure?Depending on the market, we can insure the passenger vans. We can also make recommendations on other vehicle types for when you need to replace a vehicle to help keep you in the best markets

It seems like so few companies write Childcare. What can I do to save on premium?Because you are dealing with children, the first thing is to know your staff inside and out. Motor Vehicle Reports, Consumer and Criminal background investigation of potential staff are critical. Solid hiring practices covering these areas and firm adherence to policy are a start. Adherence to state teacher to child ratios and keeping your facility in top condition help your rating as well.

Contractors

I am starting my own business. I worked for another outfit for 5 years. Can I get preferred insurance?You can with us! Our markets will consider past experience for new operations. Most want at least 3 years, but we do have some that will consider 2 years experience as well.

I use subcontractors. Am I responsible for them?Unfortunately, yes. To avoid having to pay premium on those subcontractors, you need to have the carry insurance and have you named as an Additional Insured for a Certificate of Insurance.

How is my rate calculated?Companies will look at what your operations are; experience, prior insurance history, prior claims history, payroll, and annual sales are among the most frequent categories used.

Manufacturing

My company makes hazardous materials and we have had trouble finding coverage for our Products and Completed Operations. Can you help?This is one of our specialties! We have top markets that will help reduce your exposure and not leave broke at the bank.

We have been in business for 10 years now and my attorney tells us that we need coverage all the way back to the beginning for liability. Do you provide that?We can get this very important coverage to be current for claims or go back to any year in the operation. Detailed loss history information is critical for proper rating.

We went for years without a claim and had our first last year and my premium went through the roof. Can you get me a preferred rate?One of our specialties is getting preferred rating on risks with claims history. We will go over your operations thoroughly and review what happened, why, and what has been done to prevent a repeat. Our relationships with our markets allow us leverage other agencies just do not have.

Dry Cleaning

I have several locations that do pick up only and our plant is at one location. Does that help my rate?Yes it does. We rate the plant exposure at the location during the laundry and apply a different rate to the satellites.

I have signs posted that say we are not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged articles. Do I still have liability?The area of the law that governs the care, custody, and control of another's property is called bailee coverage. Regardless of the number of signs that you have, you have liability. The policy forms we write have this coverage built in to them.

Does your company come out and inspect my plant boilers?Yes, all of our markets provide this service as part of the policy.

Large Property Risk

I run a large property management company and have risks in many states. Can you cover them?Our operation is licensed in many states and we are continually increasing our licenses across the US. Some carriers do have limits on the amount they will write and we will get multiple companies involved.

I own several strip shopping centers that have restaurants in them and this keeps driving my rates up. Do you have a preferred market for me?Absolutely! Our markets will look at the overall square footage, the cooking exposure, building conditions, loss history, and management experience to help get you a preferred rate.

We own several apartment complexes in our portfolio of properties and this has always cost us more. Can you help get my premium down?We have some of the top markets in habitational risks and will get the best rate available.

Mid Market Risks

My company does food processing and we always have to deal with multiple companies for our insurance. Can you get me one company to handle my account?Our Middle Market carriers understand the importance of account leverage and approach such opportunities with the intent of placing all you business with them. Detailed review of operations and risk engineering help meet these goals for you.

Insurance is a big expense for our operation. What services do you offer to help keep my costs down?For accounts that require Risk Management, we will work with the insurance company to review your operations in detail, your loss control procedures, past losses and patterns, perform safety inspections, as well as review hiring procedures to help reduce your operational expenses and produce and insurance program that can help reward you for solid claims experience.