Independence Day

We would like to wish our clients and friends a terrific and safe Independence Day.

In order to allow our staff the opportunity to enjoy the holiday we will close at 3PM on Thursday, July 2nd  and reopen on Monday, July 6th at 7:30AM. Should you have an emergency while we are closed, please call Beau at 309-333-1292.

Enjoy!detail of american flag

 

Ride-Sharing and Vehicle-Sharing

In the last year, there has been a flurry of activity related to the use of personal autos in the sharing economy. Services, such as those offered through Uber, Lyft, Getaround, and RelayRides, that enable the peer-to-peer sharing of rides and vehicles have popped up across the nation. While these transportation apps are becoming increasingly popular, they are also controversial as it relates to insurance coverage. Many personal auto insurance companies classify participation in these services as a commercial exposure that should not be covered by your personal auto insurance policy.

Each insurance company has a different approach to claims from drivers participating in these programs. Oftentimes not only is a loss excluded when a rider is in the vehicle being transported for a fare, but also if the insured driver is in transit to pick up a rider, when the insured driver is logged into an online application waiting for a rider request, or if the vehicle is parked and waiting to be picked up by a renter.

Before participating in any of these programs, it is recommended that you contact your insurance agent to discuss how your individual company handles the usage of personal automobiles for programs like these. For additional information, please contact Purdum Gray Ingledue Beck at 309.833.1755.

Memorial Day

We would like to wish our clients and friends a terrific and safe Memorial Day.

In order to allow our staff the opportunity to enjoy the holiday we will close at 12PM on Friday, May 22nd and reopen on Tuesday, May 26th at 7:30AM.

Should you have an emergency during this time, please contact Beau Ingledue at 309-333-1292.

As a motorist, do you understand biking laws?

Bicycling is growing in popularity. It’s easier on your joints, reduces stress, and can be enjoyed for a lifetime. Due to federal funding, there are more bike trails and street lanes than ever before. These upgrades allow for safer rides with your family and safer commutes to work.

If you’re not interested in biking, that’s fine. However, as a motorist, you should be familiar with the laws in your state that are designed to keep bicyclists safe. Here are some laws that may apply in Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.

  • Safe passing laws – This law requires a motor vehicle to allow no less than three feet of clearance when passing a bicyclist.
  • Treatment as a vehicle – Bicyclists have the same rights and duties of a driver of a vehicle.
  • Where to ride – If riding in the street, bicyclists need to ride as close to the curb or edge of the roadway as possible. Keep in mind bicyclists are probably still two to three feet from away from either. So while it may be frustrating to approach a biker in the road and have to slow down traffic, that biker has the right to be there. Respect their space and pass when it’s safe for both of you.
  • Dooring law – I’ll bet you’ve experienced this while driving your car: A door from a parked car suddenly opens just as you’re approaching the car. This situation can be even more dangerous for bikers. The Dooring law states that a person in a parked car DOES NOT have the right to open the door at any time. A driver or passenger may only open a door when it’s reasonably safe and doesn’t interfere with the movement of traffic.

If you’re interested in additional information, please visit http://bikeleague.org/StateBikeLaws

Provided by: Scott Stueber, West Bend Mutual Insurance
Source: http://bikeleague.org/StateBikeLaws

Rental Car Insurance Considerations

When it comes to renting vehicles for business use, it’s important to understand your coverage options to smooth out any surprise bumps in the road. Since coverage varies from one rental agency to the next, it’s important to know the risks and how to protect against them.

In the past, we have advised our clients to purchase hired car physical damage on their business auto policy and to reject the “insurance” offered when you rent a car. Since hired car physical damage covers rented vehicles the same as it would an owned vehicle, why pay more for loss damage waiver (LDW) or a collision damage waiver (CDW)? Because rental agreements have evolved in recent years and possibly create pitfalls for auto renters.

About Your Business Auto Policy
If you are relying on your hired car physical damage on your business auto policy to protect you, but the vehicle isn’t rented by the business, the hired car physical damage coverage won’t respond to claims. Your employees should use the business name on the agreement and pay with a business credit card, if possible.

Each year, the liabilities assumed under rental agreements expand. At one time, renters were responsible only for actual damage to or theft of the vehicle. Over the years, the rental car companies added loss of use. As a result, if the car is in the shop for two weeks after an accident, you, the renter, are liable for the revenue the rental car company has lost. Plus, storage fees may be passed on to you. In addition, some agreements require that you pay for “diminution of value.” This is the reduction in resale value for a vehicle that has been in an accident. If you purchase the LDW or CDW offered by the car rental company, your responsibility for damages will be waived.

About Rental Insurance
Should you use coverage from the rental car company and remove the hired car physical damage from your business auto policy? This would be a good solution if you could rely on the rental car coverage. Unfortunately, there are provisions in every rental contract that can void the coverage. For example, coverage is often voided if the driver has a single drink before driving; if he asks someone to drive in his place and that person is not listed as an authorized driver; if the driver is under the age specified in the rental contract; or if the car is taken on unpaved roads. Unfortunately, there are many ways to void the LDW/CDW, and they vary from one agreement to the next.

About Personal Auto Policies
Some personal auto policies won’t cover an SUV, van, or pickup being used for business. Plus, a personal auto policy won’t cover if the employee doesn’t carry comprehensive and collision — a likely case if the employee drives an older vehicle. Some policies exclude loss of use and all exclude diminution of value. And, if the personal auto policy does pay the claim, it will be on the driver’s loss record and might result in cancellation of coverage.

About Credit Card Coverage
Will the credit card used to rent the vehicle pay for the loss if your insurance doesn’t? To activate coverage, the cardholder must be the primary renter and must decline the LDW/CDW. Nothing is standard with credit card coverage, and it may be changed from time to time at the credit card company’s discretion. Also, if you violate any terms of the rental agreement, the credit card coverage is voided when you need it most. Many credit cards exclude rented SUVs, and some exclude any weather-related damage, like flood and hail.

Minimizing the Risk
What should you do to minimize your risk? We recommend:

  • Dealing with one corporate-approved rental company, if possible. This will establish that the rentals are for business use and that the business is renting the vehicle, not the employee. Review the contracts of at least three rental car companies and choose the one that best suits you. Make sure to sign a blanket agreement for all rentals and keep a copy on file.
  • Taking the LDW/CDW coverage, or self-insure any exposures not covered by hired car physical damage. Such exposures typically include loss of use, diminution of value, storage fees, administration and claims expenses. Some loss of use may be provided by your Business Auto policy. Ask us to review this for you. Depending on how often your firm rents vehicles and the cost of LDW/CDW, self-insuring might be a good option.
  • If you purchase LDW/CDW, make your employees understand the “Prohibited Uses” or other section that explains actions that will void coverage, even though you paid for it.
  • Continue to carry hired car physical damage on your business auto policy.

Proper Planning is No Accident
C
ar rental insurance has important considerations. If you need help sorting through this coverage with the Utility Saving expert who understands your needs, call us today at 309-833-1755.

2015 Healthcare Open Enrollment Update

Open Enrollment for individuals to apply for health insurance will begin on November 15, 2014 and continue through February 15, 2015. While details have not yet been released for these new plans, our staff of seven certified agents are currently preparing to be ready to assist you in the enrollment process.  As additional information is released on 2015 plan options, we will be able to guide you in the decision making process of determining the best plan for you for the upcoming year, along with the subsidy eligibility determination process. While an application cannot yet be submitted for open enrollment, you can contact our office to request to be notified when additional information is available and the application process can be initiated.

Contact us at 309-833-1755 to learn about the plans available to you or continue to watch for additional information updates at macombinsurance.com.

PGIB to host Farm Perpetuation Seminar February 26

Farms are more than just businesses- they are honored family traditions and treasured symbols of their heritage. To continue the tradition of your family-owned farm, you need professional advice to create an estate plan with an understanding of the importance that life insurance can play.

Join us on Wednesday, February 26 at 10:00a.m. at the Spoon River College Outreach Center (2500 E Jackson St, Macomb) if you are concerned about:

  • Avoiding tax erosion of your acreage
  • Providing equally for farming and not-farming family members
  • Passing the farm to the next generation

The “Protecting Your Heritage” seminar will help you make a plan for the future of your farm. John McMillan of March, McMillan, DeJoode & Duvall and John Nolan from Pekin Life Company will be guest speakers to share their knowledge on various ways to plan ahead and avoid undesirable situations.

A lunch will be provided following the session and your RSVP is requested by calling 309.833.1755 or complete the form below. If you have a friend or family member that would benefit from this information as well, please invite them to attend with you! Please contact  Purdum Gray Ingledue Beck (309.833.1755) if you have any questions regarding the seminar.

R.S.V.P

To RSVP online, please fill in the information below:

Protect Your Valuables

Your valuables are important to you – and insuring them is equally important to prevent serious loss in the event of damage or theft. Standard homeowners, condominium or renters insurance policies include a limited amount of coverage for jewelry and other items of high value (electronics, firearms, etc…). However, many policies limit the dollar amount of coverage for the theft or loss due to a covered peril of such items. To properly protect certain types of valuables, additional coverage is available through a policy endorsement or floater. Following the holidays is a perfect time to review your items that are valuable and should to be separately insured. If you already have a policy with your items insured, now is also a great time to review your covered items to make sure it is up to date. Oftentimes phones or jewelry is replaced but clients forget to update their policies with the correct items.

The cost of coverage varies upon the item, but typically the fee is nominal. Our personal lines team of professionals can provide you with more information about coverage and an estimate for the cost of scheduling an item.

Before your possessions or precious jewelry becomes lost or stolen, call Purdum Gray Ingledue Beck, Inc. at 888-833-1755 to learn more about the affordable ways we can help you protect the things you have that are valuable.