Don't Go Out Without an Umbrella!

Here are some actual numbers from our agency records. In the 1970s, the largest liability claim paid to an injured party on behalf of a Hunter Insurance policyholder was $80,000. In the 1980s, the agency's largest claim topped out at $225,000. In the 1990s, our largest claim, an accident resulting in severe injury to two persons, soared to $960,000. In any of these last three decades, larger claims could have occurred and did in many places. You can certainly recall headline stories you've seen. By comparison, Hunter Insurance policyholders have been a fortunate group over the years. However, even in our own little corner of the world, the trend toward larger claims is obvious and alarming. Driven by the legal climate and skyrocketing medical costs, this trend is likely to continue.

What can you do to protect yourself? Install some more insulation! If forecasts were calling for colder and colder winters, you might be looking for ways to better insulate your home. When it comes to the changing legal climate (more lawsuits, larger lawsuits), we're your insulation suppliers. And our kind of insulation is a lot simpler than getting stuff sprayed into your attic or installing more efficient windows. A simple phone call can put a better layer of protection between you and the scary world out there where accidents can and do happen. The possibility of causing someone serious injury is a sickening prospect no one likes to contemplate. However, we should all make it a point to think about the position we'd be in if an unspeakably large claim occurred. The thought of a large claim and not enough insurance coverage is a chilling prospect indeed!

An umbrella policy provides an extra layer of liability coverage over both your car and household insurance. In this day and age, every policyholder should consider an umbrella and most should have one. Noted insurance educator Phyllis Van Wyhe directs these questions to those who might think an umbrella is an unnecessary insurance frill.

How would you feel about supporting someone else's family for the next 20 years? How would you feel about turning your retirement savings over to a stranger? If these questions give you pause, please call us.