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Why does the MVA need an FR19 from me?

You go about your day and head home from a productive day at work. When you get home you get your mail and as you are going through it, you notice that there is a letter from the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA). They are requesting an FR19.

You think to yourself, “what could this be?” So you open it up and notice that they are requesting an FR19.

What is an FR19? An FR19 is a form that the Maryland MVA requests in order to verify that your vehicle in which you have tags for does have the required automobile insurance.

It sounds simple enough, but believe me, the letter they send looks a bit demanding and threatening in nature and tone. You will see big bold letters stating that you tags will be SUSPENDED if you do not comply by a certain date, usually only 15 days from the date that the letter was generated, and you will be fined by the state if you do not comply and prove you have car insurance.

So now you start to get a little upset, worried and may even start to get a little mad at your insurance agent and/or insurance company. You start thinking that they must have done something wrong if the MVA thinks that you do not have auto insurance for your vehicle. Why else would they have sent this threatening letter?

It is at this point that you can take a deep breath and relax. If you in fact had car insurance for the vehicle on the date that they are asking for the proof, then you have nothing to worry about. It will only take us a few minutes to go online with the MD MVA and enter the information to get the case closed.

The information that we will need in order to get it processed and closed is the following (and it all in the upper right side of the FR19 request):

• FR19 Case Number
• Insurance Verification Date
• Title Number or VIN for the vehicle that they need proof for (Title number is shorter and easier to convey with less chance of data entry error)

And after we get the information, it will only take a few minutes to process online and you can go about your day. It really is that simple if you in fact had insurance on the date in question.

Whay did you get an FR19 request?

Now you are thinking to yourself, “I had car insurance the whole time, so why did they send me this request for proof?”

This is a great question and there could be several reasons for getting the request from the MD MVA.

• Random Draw – Each year, the MVA will randomly send out requests to a selection of tagged vehicle owners and you just can be one of the lucky ones to get the letter.
• You switched insurance companies – If you change insurance companies (even if you stay with the same insurance agent), you could get an FR19 request. This happens because you are in essence canceling the auto insurance with your former company to move to the new company. When an auto policy cancels, the insurance company is required to report to the MVA that the policy has cancelled. They usually do this on a weekly basis. So if the MVA receives this notice and generates the FR19 before they get notice from the new company that the insurance is in place, you will get the letter.
• Your policy cancelled and was later reinstated without a lapse – Just like above, the company is required to notify the MVA of the cancellation and the FR19 can be generated before the MVA is notified that the policy has been reinstated.
• You changed vehicles on your auto insurance policy – If you replace vehicles, there is a chance that you could get an FR19 request for either the old vehicle, or the new vehicle. The odds increase if you are keeping the same tags of the new vehicle that you had on the old one. This is again because the insurance company has to report that the insurance on the old vehicle was cancelled.
• You asked your insurance company to remove the vehicle but did not turn the tags in for a couple of days. Since the tags were still “live” in the eyes f the MVA, you could be subject to a fine in this case. We recommend that you never cancel the auto insurance policy on a vehicle until you have physically turned in the tags and received a tag turn in receipt from the MVA or their representative. And keep the receipt as proof, should anything come up in the future.
• Your policy actually did cancel – In this case you will get the notice and then have to show when you had purchased a new auto insurance policy.

Now let’s talk about the last scenario where you policy actually cancelled and you did not have auto insurance on date that they are requesting? Say the policy cancelled and you did not obtain auto insurance for a few days afterwards, so there is a lapse in coverage.

What are the fines?

If this is the case, then you will have to let the MVA know of the situation and there will be a fine that you will have to ay or they will suspend your tags. The fines work like this (as of 7/1/2024):

• $250 for the first 30 days that there was no insurance on the vehicle
• $7 per day for each day beyond 30 days that the vehicle in question did not have insurance, for a maximum fine of $3,500.

So as you can see, the fines can add up quickly if you do not take car of securing the proper car insurance. And these fines are PER VEHICLE, so if they send a request for multiple vehicles, the fines can get high pretty fast.

So as you can see, there are several reasons that you may be receiving the FR19 request from the MVA. In most of the scenarios, there is really nothing to worry about and it can be taken care of in a matter of minutes.

So although the letter seems a bit harsh and bitter, there usually is nothing to worry about. They design the letter so it will not be ignored. But this sometimes also creates some angst and animosity towards towards your insurance agent or insurance company. But as you can see, there is no reason to worry, we can handle it for you quickly with the right information.

Below is a sample of an FR19 that Nancy and I received earlier this year. It was taken care of by our staff in less than 3 minutes.

So the next time you get one of these love letters from the MVA, sit back, relax, smile, and remember that we have you covered.

Huff Insurance is a full service Independent Insurance Agent We have been dedicated to Protecting Lifestyles™ since 1960. We offer a full array of Personal Insurance, Commercial Insurance and Life Insurance products. Call us at 410-647-1111

What do all of the numbers on your auto insurance policy mean?

Today we’re going to go over those confusing limits on your automobile insurance policy. You know you bought a car you know that Maryland requires that you have auto liability insurance coverage but what really does that mean?

Do you know most people that I’ve run into really don’t understand their auto insurance coverage? That’s why you need to talk to a professional independent insurance agent like Huff Insurance.

So let me take a moment to explain your auto insurance limits.

Bodily Injury: The bodily injury limits will be listed as per person / per accident. The first limit that you see in the per person field is the maximum amount that your carrier will pay for damages and injuries that you caused with your motor vehicle to another person, okay. That is the maximum amount they’ll pay for any one person. The second per accident limit is the most that they’ll pay for everyone in the vehicle. And that is the total limit for bodily injury that they will pay.

So if you have state minimum limits here in Maryland of $30,000 per person $60,000 per accident it means the most that they’re going to pay for any one person is $30,000, and the most that they’re going to pay for everybody is $60,000. So if there’s five people involved still the most that they’re going to pay is a total of $60,000.

Property Damage: In Maryland the statement a mom is $15,000. So that means that the damage that you caused to someone else’s property. That could be a vehicle that could be that you ran into a house or business you hit a sign you hit multiple vehicles. The most that they’re going to pay for all of the property damage is $15,000. So you hit someone who has a brand new car that cost $50,000, you’re going to be left having to pay the rest of that coverage out of your pocket because you don’t have enough limits on your car insurance policy to handle the claim.

Combined Single Limit (CSL): Some policies will have a combined single limits for the bodily injury and property damage combined. So in this case, there is not per person sub limit and the company will pay up to the policy limits for all bodily injuries and property damage up to the policy limit.

Personal Injury Protection (PIP): Usually most people have $2,500 per person. PIP is a wonderful coverage it pays regardless of whose fault the accident is, for your medical bills your lost wages and also essential services. So for example you normally clean your house every week but because you were injured in the accident you cannot do that and you need to hire someone you can use your pip benefits to pay that claim.

Medical Payments: Medical payments would be to cover additional medical bills regardless of fault of the accident for yourself and other people under your policy up to a limit of either $1,000 to generally $5,000 or $10,000 depending on the insurance carrier.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage:. In Maryland that also covers underinsured motorist. So that means that if someone hits you and they have lower liability limits than yourself, then you could collect from your auto insurance policy under the uninsured underinsured motorist coverage for the difference. Also if someone hits you in a hit-and-run and they leave the scene or that the person who hit you doesn’t have any auto insurance then you would be able to collect under your own uninsured motorist coverage.

Then you’ll notice that you may have comprehensive and collision coverage on the policy.

Comprehensive Coverage: This is to cover the vehicle for things such as glass breakage, flood, collision with an animal, falling objects, etc.

Collision Coverage: This covers your vehicle if the accident is your fault and there’s damage done to your vehicle.

Towing Coverage: Towing is to provide coverage in the event that your vehicle becomes disabled. This coverage is usually on a reimbursement basis, meaning that you will have to pay the tow company and then seek reimbursement from your insurance company up to the limit of coverage.

Roadside Assistance: This is a little bit broader than towing coverage. Roadside assistance will cover other things, such a lock outs, tire changes, etc. You will call a number provided by your auto insurance company, and they will call the roadside assistance company to meet you at your car for the service.

Rental reimbursement coverage: This coverage comes into play if you have an at fault accident and you need to pay for a rental car while your vehicle is being fixed. They will pay up to the limit per day and the total maximum limit. So if your coverage is $30/$900, they will pay $30 per day for up to 30 days or $900 total. The company will pay for the reasonable time it takes to repair your car. If your car is deemed to be a total loss and the insurance company settles the claim with you, the rental coverage will stop at that time as well.

Please always consult your insurance agent here at Huff Insurance for additional information or clarification about your coverages.

If you’re not sure that your limits of protection are adequate, then please give us a call at 410-647-1111 and we’ll be happy to talk to you.

After the recent storms a video surfaced from the Atlanta area that has gone viral. One car was following another and had a dash cam recording. As the car was going down the road, a tree fell and it appeared as though the tree fell on the front of the hood as it came crashing to the ground. This looks evident because at it fell, the front end of the car was thrown up into the air.

First of all, thank god that it appeared that no one was seriously hurt in the incident. This appears because the driver stepped out of the car and looked to be OK.

Second of all, it sparked a debate on an online forum as to what coverage under the auto insurance policy would pay for the damage to the vehicle, comprehensive or collision?

If it happened as it appears to have, with the tree falling on the front end of the car, then most likely it would be covered under the comprehensive coverage on the car insurance policy, if the insured had elected and paid for this coverage. Comprehensive (Other Than Collision) coverage covers damage to your vehicle caused by falling objects. And the tree that is blown over in a storm and falls onto your vehicle would qualify as a falling object. Comprehensive coverage will also cover other things like fire, theft, vandalism, flood, contact with an animal, and glass breakage.

Then someone asked: Since the car was moving, wouldn’t collision coverage pay and not comprehensive? The answer is no. Damage caused by a falling object is covered by comprehensive coverage whether the car is moving or not moving. There is not a provision in the auto insurance policy which states that the car must be stationary for it to be comprehensive coverage. A falling object is a falling object.

Now let’s change the scenario by 30 seconds. What if the tree falls down in front of the car and then the car hits the tree after it has fallen to the ground? How would the auto insurance policy cover the damage in this scenario?

In this scenario the coverage on the auto insurance policy that would most likely come into play is the collision coverage, if the insured purchased the coverage prior to the accident.

You may be asking yourself: Why collision, it is still a tree that fell to the ground?

The answer falls into the details. Since the car made contact with the tree after it has fallen to the ground, it is no longer considered a falling object by definition. It is technically a fallen object at that point, so therefore the vehicle collided with the object in the roadway and most likely will be considered a collision.

Do You Have Question About Your Insurance?

So, do you have any questions that you would like to have answered about your insurance coverage? Have you seen anything on the news and wondered how the insurance would come into play? If so, please feel free to email your questions to info@huffinsurance.com and we will do our very best to get you the most accurate answer. We know insurance can be confusing, that is why we are here to help you.

Huff Insurance is a full service Independent Insurance Agent We have been dedicated to Protecting Lifestyles™ since 1960. We offer a full array of Personal Insurance, Commercial Insurance and Life Insurance products. Call us at 410-647-1111

Does a homeowners insurance policy cover a house that you own and let family members live in?

So you have a home, titled in your name, and you let a family member live in the home, while you reside somewhere else. Should you have a homeowners insurance policy on this location?

The answer is no.

A homeowner’s insurance policy is written on a property where the titled owner of the property also resides in the property. If you as the owner do not reside there, then it should not be written on a homeowner’s policy.

What if, I come and visit with the grand kids there, or I reside there when I am in town a few weeks a year? Does that count? No it does not count as the premises that you reside, so again it should not be written as a homeowner’s policy.

How should it be insured?

It should be written as a dwelling fire insurance policy in the name of the titled owner, to insure the dwelling, out buildings, any contents that belong to the owner of the property and to provide liability insurance coverage.

The family member that resides in the home needs to obtain their own renters insurance policy.

Huh? You may be saying to yourself: “A renter’s insurance policy?  But they are not renting, I let them live there free of charge.”

Even if they are not paying rent, they are not the owner of the property, therefore, they should not be insured on a homeowner’s insurance policy and then need a renter’s insurance policy to cover their contents and their liability

We recently had a claim, where the mom and dad where living in the home, they moved out and left their son and his family in the home. They never notified us of this lifestyle change.  Then there was a fire loss. The insurance carrier went ahead and paid the damage to the dwelling. But they did not pay for the damaged contents that belonged to the son and his family.   This was because he was no longer an insured under the definition of the homeowners insurance policy.

When you and your children or family members reside in the same home, they are an insured under the definition in the policy. But the moment that the property owner moves out of the residence they are no longer an insured under the definition

Many times I will have parents tell me, but they do not pay rent. Whether or not money is exchanged has no bearing on the insurance policy.

Another way to get around this issue would be to add the relatives name to the deed of the property and then be sure to let your insurance agent know so that they could endorse the policy to include their name now as an owner. Changing ownership of a property is a huge deal and needs to be thought about with both your accountant and attorney because there could be estate issues, or issues if you decided to sell the property in the future.

This is just another example of how simple life changes, can greatly impact your insurance coverage.

When you change something in your life, be sure that you are talking with your Trusted Choice Insurance Agent to be sure that changes do not need to take place with your insurance coverage.

Again, remember a homeowner’s insurance policy should only be in place when you own and reside in the home. If you are not doing both then a homeowner’s policy is not the correct way for the property to be insured.

The Importance of Renters Insurance

If you live in a rental home or apartment, chances are you don’t have the proper insurance. Despite the fact that rented homes are more likely to be burglarized than owner-occupied properties, nearly 60 percent of renters don’t have a renters insurance policy.

Why does it matter?

“If you rent a house or apartment and think that your landlord is financially responsible when there is a fire, theft or other catastrophe—think again,” warns the Insurance Information Institute*. “Your landlord may have insurance to protect the building you are living in. But your landlord’s insurance policy won’t replace your personal possessions or pay for your living expenses while the building is being repaired. The only way to protect yourself financially against disasters is to buy a renters insurance policy.”

Renters insurance covers your possessions, liability and additional living expenses. Let’s take a look at these three types of protection:

Possessions (Your Personal Property)

Standard renters insurance protects your personal belongings against damage from fire, smoke, lightning, vandalism, theft, explosion, windstorm, water and other disasters listed in the policy. Floods and earthquakes are not covered.

To decide how much insurance to buy, you need to know the value of all your personal possessions—including furniture, clothing, electronics, appliances, kitchen utensils and even towels and bedding. The easiest way to figure this out is to create a home inventory, a detailed list of all of your personal possessions and their estimated value. See our blog on Using Technology to Create A Home Inventory.

There are two types of renters insurance coverage for your possessions (your policy deductible will apply for both):

• Actual Cash Value pays to replace your possessions minus an amount for depreciation (the reduction in the value of items due to age and use) up to the limit of your insurance policy.

• Replacement Cost pays the full cost of replacing your possessions (with no deduction for depreciation), up to the limit of your policy. The price of Replacement Cost coverage is about 10 percent more than Actual Cash Value coverage, but can be well worth the additional cost.

Note that a standard renters insurance policy offers only limited coverage for items such as jewelry, silver, furs, etc. If you own property that exceeds these limits, it is recommended that you supplement your policy with a floater. A floater is a separate insurance policy that provides additional coverage for your valuables and covers them for perils not included in your policy such as accidental loss.

Liability Insurance

Standard renters insurance policies also provide liability protection in the event you or members of your family cause injury to others or damage their property. It also pays for damage your pets cause. (Check your renters policy carefully, some policies exclude liability certain dog breads.)

If you are sued, the liability insurance portion of a renters policy may pay for both the cost of defending you in court and for court awards, up to the limit of the policy. We generally recommend at least $300,000 in liability coverage and even recommend securing an umbrella insurance policy for an extra layer of protection.

We always recommend that you buy as much liability insurance as possible because you do not have to be a millionaire to be sued like one. Lawsuits are prevalent these days and yo want to make sure to protect yourself and your assets from a lawsuit.

Your policy may also provide No-Fault Medical coverage. If visitors are injured in your home, regardless of fault, you can submit their medical bills directly to your insurance company. You can generally get $1,000 to $5,000 worth of this coverage. It does not however, pay medical bills for your own family or your pets.

Additional Living Expenses

Many people are pleasantly surprised to learn that Additional Living Expense (ALE) coverage is typically included in a renters insurance policy. If the home or apartment you are renting is damaged or destroyed and you need to live elsewhere while it is being repaired or rebuilt, renters insurance will cover your additional living expenses—namely the difference between your regular living expenses and the additional costs incurred by having to live away from your home, such as hotel bills, temporary rentals, restaurant meals, etc.

Does your auto insurance automatically cover a newly purchased vehicle?

You want to buy a new car on a nice Saturday morning. So you head off to the local dealership. You find the perfect car, agree to a great price and then sit down to get through the paperwork. And the time comes where the dealer ask you if you have auto insurance. Your answer is yes.

So the next question is: Does you auto insurance policy cover a newly purchased vehicle? And the answer is …. Maybe.

So why is it a maybe? The standard ISO (Insurance Service Office) auto insurance policy will provide insurance coverage for newly acquired cars, ONLY IF all of your owned vehicles are on that auto insurance policy.

What does that mean? If you have one car insured with Company A and another insured with Company B, you will NOT have automatic coverage on your newly acquired automobile. This is one major problem with not insuring all of your vehicles with the same auto insurance company. So if you buy a car and provide you insurance information from Company A to the dealership and drive off of the lot, you DO NOT have insurance on that car until you notify Company A that you have bought the vehicle. So, if you pull out of the lot and get into an accident before you make that call, then Company A does not have to pay that claim.

Now let’s assume that you do have all of your cars insured with an auto insurance company; and that company uses the ISO insurance policy language and you buy a car on a Saturday. What coverage will you have for that new car?

For liability insurance there are two scenarios:

1. If it is a replacement vehicle, liability insurance automatically transfers to the new vehicle without having to notify the insurance company. Although the policy wording states that you do not have to notify the company, we recommend that you make that call to the company.

2. If it is an additional vehicle to the policy, the policy states that liability insurance will transfer to the new vehicle provided that you notify the company within 14 days of the date of acquisition.

For physical damage coverage (comprehensive and collision) there are also 2 scenarios:

1. If you currently have physical damage coverage on your auto insurance policy, provided that you notify the insurance coverage within 14 days of the acquisition date of the new vehicle, then the “broadest” coverage that you have on any auto on the policy will apply to the new.
2. If you do not have physical damage coverage on any vehicle on you policy, provided that you notify the company within 4 days from the date of acquisition, the policy will provide comprehensive and collision coverage for the vehicle with a $500 deductible for each coverage.

We also hear cases where the sales person at the dealership states that they will take care of calling your insurance agent for you to add the vehicle. Please do not rely on this for two reason:

1. Sometimes they may forget to make that call. We have had that issue come up several times when an insured calls in a few weeks after buying the car asking for ID cards only to find out that the dealership never called. They are good people and have good intentions, but sometimes things happen and the call does not get made.
2. Even if the person at the auto dealership does call, they do not have the legal authority to make changes to your auto insurance policy. The policy is a contract between you and the insurance company and only the named insureds on the policy can legally request policy changes.

Buying a new car is an experience. And we can help make that experience a little smoother by making sure you have the right auto insurance in place at the time you purchase your vehicle.

If you know you will be buying a car soon, give us a call first to go over your coverage and go over the steps needed in order to assure that your auto insurance policy will cover your new vehicle. The last thing you want to happen is to not be able to drive your newly purchased vehicle home due to a glitch with the insurance verification.

Did you know that as a Huff Insurance client, you can have 24/7 access to your insurance information through our customer portal? With this portal you can access your auto ID cards and verify your insurance at any time. For details go to www.MyHuffPortal.com. So next time you find yourself needing an ID card or proof of insurance for the auto dealership, you can quickly pull it up on your phone, tablet, or computer.

Huff Insurance is a full service Independent Insurance Agent We have been dedicated to Protecting Lifestyles™ since 1960. We offer a full array of Personal Insurance, Commercial Insurance and Life Insurance products. Call us at 410-647-1111

Cyber Security While Traveling

Would you let anyone attach a device to your computer?

I was traveling through the Miami airport on the way to a family vacation recently.  Airports are a known hub for hacking, because almost everyone connects to the free Wi-Fi and then does their confidential business transactions on their laptops, phone or tablet.

My husband and I were sitting at the counter at the airport restaurant, and there is a gentleman sitting two chairs down from us who is on the phone and the computer, clearly he is engaged in his work.  As soon as he hung up his phone, he was approached by a very charismatic individual in his late 20’s.  The guy had one of those personalities you are comfortable with and you feel like he could be a friend.  He tells the business guy, that he left his phone is LaGuardia airport, and he bought himself and new iPhone, but it froze and according to Apple he must plug it into a computer and log into his iTunes account.  Immediately, my reaction was don’t do it, don’t do it.  The charismatic young gentleman, asked to plug his phone into the businessman’s computer and in return he would buy him a drink.    The business person closed out of his work item and then let the young guy proceed.   Unfortunately, the businessman does not have iTunes on his Dell computer, so they sat there chit chatting while he downloaded iTunes.

While waiting on the download, two other people sit down at the counter, and they start talking to the young fellow, who again proceeds to tell him his woes.   They pulled out their computer and wow they have a MAC.   He asks them if he can try their computer, if it does not work on the businessman’s computer since it may need to be an Apple computer to work.  Well, sure enough after iTunes is downloaded on the businessman’s computer, and he logs into his iTunes account, with his phone plugged into the computer, it does nothing for his phone that remains completely dark.    He then asks the couple with the Mac to help him if he buys them a drink.  They comply and give him their computer and we go through the same process.  Again, nothing happens to the dark iPhone.

All I could think is that I just witnessed 2 people hand over their computer and allow someone that they do not know to plug into their device.  While the iPhone was plugged in the person could have been downloading malware onto their computer or opening and storing all of the files from the computer onto his phone.  Any virus that was on the phone would now be in the computer, leaving the computer vulnerable.  I don’t even allow my employees to plug their phones into the office computer for this reason.  To keep you and your business safe, establish a policy and practice that no one is to ever attach anything into an office computer or allow anyone else to.

So in what seemed like an innocent conversation with a nice guy at an airport restaurant could very well have turned into a data breach for both of the folks who allowed the man to hook his device up to their computer.

Cyber threats do not take a vacation.  So it is important to think about the safety of your data while you are traveling.  Here are a few quick cyber security tips for travelers from the Department of Homeland Security:

What to do Before you Go:

• Update your mobile software
• Back up your information

While you are there (or at the airport):

• Stop Auto Connecting (for both Wi-Fi and bluetooth)
• Think before you connect to a public hotspot
• Think before you click on any links
• Guard your mobile device and keep it locked when not using

Keeping your data secure is extremely important for your financial future both personally and for your business (if you are a business owner). There are insurance policies that you can purchase that can help you deal with the situation should you fall victim to a data breach or identity theft. Personally, you can add the identity theft coverage to your homeowners insurance policy.

If you own a business, you should seriously consider purchasing a Cyber Liability Insurance Policy for your business

Nancy Nicklow is the owner President of Huff Insurance,a full service Independent Insurance Agent We have been dedicated to Protecting Lifestyles™ since 1960. We offer a full array of Personal Insurance, Commercial Insurance and Life Insurance products. Call us at 410-647-1111

Car Seat Safety

The Right Car Seat for Your Child

Nothing in this world will be more important to you than the safety of your child. Protecting your child while on the road is a top priority.

You are going to have a new baby and it is time to shop for the perfect car seat, so you walk into the local store to pick one up. Shouldn’t be that difficult right?

Well, you round the corner of the car seat aisle and come to a screeching halt. You quickly see that there are dozens of different brands and styles to choose from. So you take some time to look over all of the different options, take some notes, and head home to do some research online to see which one is best for you and your child

That is how you may have landed on my blog article. Although I am not making any specific brand recommendations for your child’s car seat, I at least hope that this information can help you when making your final decision.

Many soon-to-be parents in Maryland don’t know where to begin when it comes to car seats. And, each choice has advantages and disadvantages.

Here are five things to keep in mind, from shopping to installation, to help you find the right seat for your precious cargo:

1. Know the pros and cons of each seat type. Children usually outgrow infant-only seats within the first year. However, they offer a snug fit and allow you to quickly snap the baby carrier in and out. Convertible seats and all-in-ones have a longer life, but they sometimes aren’t as convenient. Both transform into forward-facing seats, and an all-in-one seat becomes a booster, as well.
2. Know when to use each type. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommends using a rear-facing seat for as long as possible — through 12 months of age, at minimum. After kids reach the limits of rear-facing seats, often between ages 1-3, switch to forward-facing. When they outgrow those, usually between ages 4-7, it’s time for a booster. Finally, when a seat belt fits properly without a booster, your child is done with special seats! (They should still ride in back, though.)
3. Don’t accept a used car seat unless you know everything about it. It should be within its service life (look for the expiration in the manual or on the seat) and not have been involved in an accident that caused injuries or forced air bags to deploy. And, of course, it should not be included in any recalls.
4. Before you install, read the instructions. Seats should be secured in the back seat with anchors or a seat belt. When you’re done, get a free inspection to check your handiwork, if possible.
5. Check the fit. Harness straps should be flat and placed through the slot either at or below your child’s shoulders (rear-facing) or at or above the shoulders (forward-facing). When the harness and chest clip are secured, make sure no extra material can be pinched at the shoulder

Knowing your child is secure in the back seat helps you focus on distraction-free driving in the front. Your car insurance also offers peace of mind when you’re on the road. If it’s been awhile since your last insurance check-up, give us a call today. We’ll help ensure you have the right coverage.

Be sure to contact your insurance agent once your child is born. Some companies offer a discount on your Auto Insurance for having a child.

Huff Insurance is a full service Independent Insurance Agent We have been dedicated to Protecting Lifestyles™ since 1960. We offer a full array of Personal Insurance, Commercial Insurance and Life Insurance products. Call us at 410-647-1111

How can a drone affect my business insurance coverage?  Do you have drone insurance?

Are you using a drone in your business?

Drone Insurance. I was speaking with a flooring company about their upcoming general liability insurance renewal, and in conversation I reminded them that there is an Unmanned Aircraft exclusion on their policy.

I explained that this means that there is no liability or property coverage by a drone.   The client says “Really?” and gave me a smirk.

Oh, NO! I thought, he used a drone.   The client proceeds to tell me that they were thinking of renting a drone because they had installed tile in a school and put the school’s logo on the floor.  They had taken pictures, but they were not showing the full scope of the project.  So, they were going to rent a drone for the day to take pictures from above.  The client asked, what would happen if we hit someone with the drone in the hallway or if they had broke the drone they rented.

Well, the standard general liability insurance policy is not providing coverage for liability or property covered for an unmanned aircraft, or drones.  Most insurance carriers were using the aircraft exclusion on the general liability insurance policy for their position. But many companies are coming out with a specific unmanned aircraft exclusion to be sure their liability policy is specific and there is no room for different interpretation.   This is why you need a drone insurance policy designed specifically to cover your drone.

You will need liability insurance coverage in the event someone is hit by the drone or if the drone causes property damage to someone else.  You need hull coverage to cover the drone itself and its payload.   A payload can be a camera or a package carried by the drone.

The Aviation Administration is expecting 600,000 drones to be used commercially by October 2017.  It is now less cumbersome to become a commercial drone operator. The FAA is the government body that will set the rules and regulations for commercial drones in national airspace  Drone operators will need to pass a certification test and abide by various flying restrictions.

What do you do if you need to use a drone in your business?

You need a specific drone insurance policy.

A drone insurance policy can be issued for the drone operator to cover the following:

• Physical damage insurance for the drone and it’s payload (i.e. expensive camera equipment or products being delivered)
• Liability exposures coming from a 3^rd party bodily injury and property damage
• Privacy issues of using the drone and non-owned aviation liability, for drones that you rent or borrow.  It is important that if you are signing a contract to rent a drone or to hire a pilot, that you and your attorney review the contract.  Since this industry is infancy, most of the contracts and language are not standardized. In order to be sure that you know what your responsibilities are you need to have the contract reviewed and read.

The cost of drone insurance policies can range from several hundred dollars to several thousand dollars per year.  The cost depends on the type of the drone, the scope of the drone use, the experience of the operator and the desired liability insurance coverage.

Before any activity occurs on the job site, an Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) should have a safety procedure developed.   At the minimum it should include the safe use of the UAS, pre-planning and risk assessment activities.  It is important that the drone pilot is certified and has experience as an unmanned aircraft pilot.

Drones are being used in a variety of businesses including real estate, photography, agriculture, entertainment, construction, and inspection companies, to name a few.

Drones are being used today in lieu of helicopters for various types of jobs.  The cost of a helicopter can be a few thousand dollars and hour, compared to owning a drone with a camera which can be purchased for under $5,000.

Drones are being used by all types of businesses and not limited to big business.

Nancy Nicklow is the owner President of Huff Insurance,a full service Independent Insurance Agent We have been dedicated to Protecting Lifestyles™ since 1960. We offer a full array of Personal Insurance, Commercial Insurance and Life Insurance products. Call us at 410-647-1111