If you're lucky, you might never need to make a major home repair. Cars, on the other hand, will eventually need some parts replaced. Tires don't last forever, and neither do spark plugs, brake pads or timing belts. So, it's worth asking whether auto insurance will cover those replacements when they need to be made.
The answer is no. Car insurance will not cover normal wear and tear. In fact, if you are in an accident because you failed to maintain your car, such as driving on bare brake pads, your auto insurance provider might not approve your claim.​
The reasoning is simple: Car insurance is designed to cover unexpected damages and losses. A smashed windshield, a stolen car, liability costs. Wear and tear damages are losses that we can plan for.
You can generally expect your provider to cover damages and losses relating to the following causes:

• Theft
• Vandalism
• Traffic accidents
• Damages suffered while parked (a falling tree, for instance)

You can generally not expect your insurer to cover damages and losses such as the following:

• Bald tires
• Worn brake pads
• Exterior rust
• Ripped or worn out upholstery
• Electrical problems
• Worn down axles

It is a general rule of thumb in insurance that you cannot expect the anticipated to be covered. Insurance will not cover the inevitable, only the possible. Even if damages or losses are common, there is a good chance that you can find a provider. If damages or losses are unavoidable, there's simply no motive for insurers to cover the risk.​
Further, insurers do expect you to take good care of whatever it is that you are insuring. A homeowner who discovers a leaky pipe and simply leaves it to drip will likely see their claim rejected when they file for the damages they've suffered as a result. The same goes for your car. If you want to make sure that you are covered in the event of an accident, make sure that anything that needs to be replaced is replaced. Also remember to take the vehicle in for regular maintenance.

Assuming payments are made on time, it does happen from time to time that a home insurance provider chooses to drop one of their clients. This isn’t common but is possible. Luckily, it's not that hard to stay in good standing with your insurer. Here are the most common causes for being dropped by a provider:
Too Many Claims
The average homeowner only files a claim around once a decade. That doesn't mean that filing twice in ten years will see you being dropped, but if you're filing on an annual basis, that's going to raise some red flags with your provider. Insurance is best reserved for severe damages that cannot easily be handled out of pocket.
Failing to Make Necessary Repairs
Your insurer may ask you to do some critical maintenance in order to remain covered. More times than not, this means the roof. An old roof can lead to cumulative water damage, and many insurers feel that someone who won't replace an old roof is too big of a risk to cover.
Pets
Your new pet is probably not going to have you looking for a new insurer, but some insurers will make exceptions for certain dog breeds and high-risk pets. And insurers will almost certainly drop you if multiple dog-bite liability claims have been filed. It's simply a legal risk that many insurers feel is not worth it.

• Other reasons may simply be out of your hands. If your insurer goes out of business or decides not to cover your state anymore, you're going to need to go shopping for a new home insurance provider.
• ​To avoid being dropped, your best course of action is to make sure that your home is in good shape, and to only rely on home insurance for disasters and major expenses. You don't need to file a claim every time a window breaks or a garage door is dented. Insurance isn't really a maintenance fund, it's a "just in case" safety net. So long as that's how you use your policy, you should have no problems staying covered.

Protecting yourself and your family

• Keep calm. Stay in your shelter until after the storm is over.
• Check people around you for injuries. Begin first aid or seek help if necessary.
• When you go outside, watch out for downed power lines.

Protecting your property

• Make temporary repairs to prevent further loss from rain, wind or looting. These costs are reimbursable under most policies so keep the receipts.
• Keep receipts for additional living expenses such as temporary housing. These costs are reimbursable under most policies so keep the receipts.
• Make a detailed list of all damaged or destroyed personal property. Don't throw out damaged property until you have met with an adjuster.
• Check utility lines and appliances for damage. If you smell gas, open the windows and turn off the main valve. Don't turn on lights or appliances until the gas has dissipated. If electric wires are shorting out, turn off the power.
• Don't be rushed into signing repair contracts. Deal with reputable contractors. If you're unsure about a contractor's credentials, contact your claims adjuster, Better Business Bureau or Chamber of Commerce for referrals. Make sure the contractor you hire is experienced in repair work - not just new construction. Be sure of payment terms and consult your agent or adjuster before you sign any contracts.

Notify our insurance agency as soon as possible. If you have vacated the premises, make sure our representative knows where to contact you.

​Entrepreneurs and business owners everywhere have questions about business insurance—and to answer queries about everything from business interruption to product liability and beyond, the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.) has released (Not So Risky) Business, the third installment of the popular I’s on Insurance series created to make insurance coverage simple to understand for consumers and business owners.
So much more goes into business insurance than getting the lowest business insurance quotes. It means understanding your business’s unique needs and the potential risks that can threaten its success, the video explains. For example, 25 percent of all businesses do not reopen after a disaster, the I.I.I. noted. Fortunately, business income insurance covers the revenue you would have earned, based on your financial records, had the disaster not occurred.
Want to know more? Contact our office for a no-obligation review of your business insurance needs.

​Entrepreneurs and business owners everywhere have questions about business insurance—and to answer queries about everything from business interruption to product liability and beyond, the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.) has released (Not So Risky) Business, the third installment of the popular I’s on Insurance series created to make insurance coverage simple to understand for consumers and business owners.
So much more goes into business insurance than getting the lowest business insurance quotes. It means understanding your business’s unique needs and the potential risks that can threaten its success, the video explains. For example, 25 percent of all businesses do not reopen after a disaster, the I.I.I. noted. Fortunately, business income insurance covers the revenue you would have earned, based on your financial records, had the disaster not occurred.
Want to know more? Contact our office for a no-obligation review of your business insurance needs.

It’s likely that you depend on your homeowner or residential insurance policy to handle losses connected to your hobby or activities. A homeowner (HO) policy usually includes a definition of “business.” A given policy may use a definition so broad that nearly any activity qualifies as a business. In such instances, a hobbyist or enthusiast should consider whether business insurance is necessary.
Let’s say you love photography, and you take pictures at weddings and other events to finance this passion. While you consider this to be a hobby, your insurer may define your activities as a business. If your camera equipment is stolen or damaged, there may be as little as $250 protection under your HO policy. HO coverage for business property differs depending on whether it is located at or away from your residence.
Imagine the photography situation again. This time, you’re at a wedding job and have just set-up a perfect shot of the bridal party. As you are snapping a few shots, a large boom stand with hot lighting equipment tips over, injuring the maid of honor and the flower girl. A homeowner policy may exclude coverage if the injured women sue you since the injury is part of a business activity.
There are numerous types of sales and service jobs. These include cosmetics, clothing, kitchen supplies, home decorator items, computer repair, web site design, photography, music lessons, auto repair and many contractors. Each job involves some type of business property that is excluded or severely limited under the homeowner policy. Therefore, each situation may need to be covered by business insurance.
Although independent consultants are in business, too often they think their HO policy will provide coverage because they don't have special equipment or leave their home office to run their business. Office furnishings such as laptops, iPads, desks, chairs, and file cabinets are subject to HO policy limitations. Without adjustments to the homeowner policy there may be little or no coverage for property used in a business.
​The legal form of the business may create a need for business insurance. If a limited liability company, corporation or partnership is formed, the related activity is a business and needs business coverage. Also, most HO policies will not provide coverage for employees or for any professional liability.
What can you do? First, determine if your activities qualify as a business. Then talk to one of our insurance professionals to determine what coverage is provided by the policies you currently have and what options are available to fill-in any gaps in protection.