Did You Change Lately?

Changes in home ownership and occupancy can affect insurance coverage. You must find the right policy for the property and its use— in effect, the round peg for the round hole.

 Here are the basic property insurance policies and what they cover, along with some changing circumstances we often discover that no longer work for these policies.


A homeowner’s policy will cover 1-4 family units and/or contents owned by an individual or a trust, and occupied by the owner, trustees or beneficiaries. It will cover both the property and the liability for stated perils. The home must be occupied and furnished within 60 days of the effective date— sometimes 30 days, if the insurance company’s guidelines require.
A business owner’s policy will cover property units owned by an individual, partnership, corporation or any combination of those. It will cover both the property and the liability for stated perils. The property must be occupied and furnished within 30 days of the effective date.
A dwelling fire policy is designed to cover the structure of a building owned by an individual or a trust which is occupied, but not by the owner. It will cover liability for the premises only.  The home must be occupied and furnished within 60 days of the effective date— sometimes 30 days if company’s guidelines require.

Obviously, the family with a primary home or a rental property occupied by a year-round tenant are the round pegs. But what happens when there are different circumstances than those mentioned above— in essence square pegs? Unusual circumstances seem to be growing more rapidly than the insurance industry can accommodate. Here are some common ones that I am seeing:
For health reasons, a person has to permanently move to a care-giving facility—leaving their home unoccupied.

The home is being foreclosed-on, and the owners have left the home.

For legal or tax purposes, the home ownership shifts to an LLC, LLP or corporation.

You purchase a new home, but want to do work on it before moving in, and it will take longer than 30 days.

You purchase a home with the intention to renovate and resell.

If you do not communicate these changes or intentions to your local insurance agent, Jason Shroot, it can jeopardizes your coverage for claims even though you continue to pay premiums. In some circumstances, homes will be covered until the existing policy period ends, as in the case of a deceased homeowner. In other cases, coverage may extend to your changing circumstances for 30 or 60 days before the insurance contract or specific coverage voids, as in the case of a vacant home. Or at claim time, you could find that you have no coverage since you’re no longer adhering to the insurance contract you signed.
A good example occurs when a primary home becomes a rental home. The remedy is to find a policy that fits the changed circumstances; coverage may be different and more expensive especially in the instance of vacant-home policies. An appropriate policy is a necessity.
These days, Jason Shroot is seeing that the Insurance companies are taking a very hard line with changed circumstances, most likely due to the huge increase in vacancies, foreclosures and arms-length liability transactions— all spurred by these difficult economic times.   Insurance Companies have even increased the scope and frequency of inspections to help manage the situation. In essence, insurance companies no longer allow square pegs in round holes.

Please Contact Jason Shroot at 714-988-3325 and let's please review your insurance policy situations.

Please also contact Jason Shroot at www.JasonSellsInsurance.com or jason@diversifiedinsurancequotes.com

Rising Cost of Building Materials: Is Your Property's Dwelling Coverage Sufficient?

ARE YOU KEEPING UP WITH YOUR COVERAGES?

Insurance Journal recently cited a report indicating, “Commodity price volatility and the rising cost of raw materials such as steel are fuelling a rise in rebuilding costs for plants and facilities, particularly for companies operating in the energy sector.”

Jason Shroot recalls that this report went further on to warn us that this imbalance could potentially have disastrous consequences for individuals and companies that don’t increase their insurance coverage. They could learn that while they are insured against what can happen one minute from normal, their amount of coverage may be inadequate.
In charting a prudent risk management strategy, all companies, not just energy companies, need to regularly update the repair and replacement cost for their property, plant and equipment. In addition to price volatility and rising costs, the replacement cost for equipment can skyrocket. While computer hardware costs may go down, other areas of a business may require increased investment. A machine’s replacement cost could potentially be many times its original cost. This “new normal” must be accounted for.
Choosing the amount of insurance coverage necessary to resume operations is a careful balancing act requiring the help of seasoned professionals who can help you see the bigger picture. Because external issues will invariably change, both sides of the equation must be balanced on a regular basis. The risk management professionals at JASONSELLSINSURANCE will help your company determine if its amount of coverage is adequate to meet any changed circumstances.
Jason Shroot can assist you in reducing the overall cost of risk for clients by producing a greater value for each insurance dollar spent, while utilizing an enterprise risk management approach to engineer the optimal solution. We are dedicated to anticipating risk and helping firms recover from unplanned events that wait on the other side of one minute from normal.
To Identify and Correct Any Coverage Gaps In Your Insurance Please Contact Jason Shroot at 714-988-3325 or Jason@diversifiedinsurancequotes or http://www.jasonsellsinsurance.com/

Desperate Homeowners Turn To Arson - Insurance Fraud Alert

With the foreclosure crisis still rippling across the American economic landscape, some desperate property


owners may be turning to a drastic form of insurance fraud -- burning down their own homes.


Arson insurance fraud involves home and business owners setting fire to their properties so that they can get

insurance money to pay off loans and mortgages. While arson is nothing new, it may be especially enticing

to those who owe more on their mortgages than what their homes are worth, according to the Coalition

Against Insurance Fraud.

If a fire is an accident, or if a random arsonist sets fire to your property, your insurer will pay your claim.

However, if you set the fire on purpose (or if you hire someone to do it), your home or business insurance

company will not pay for it -- and you could end up in prison.


Arson is a serious crime in all 50 states, and the statistics are unsettling. According to the Insurance

Information Institute, more than 56,000 cases of arson were reported to the FBI in 2010. And this was

actually a drop from 2008, when 63,253 offenses were reported.


About 14 percent of arson cases are insurance-motivated, according to the Insurance Research Council,

and it's an expensive crime. Arson led to the destruction of nearly $800 million worth of property in 2010 --

down from about $1 billion worth of property damage in 2008, according to the National Fire Protection

Association.


Insurance companies and law enforcement alike have an interest in thoroughly investigating the true origin

of fires because arson can cause tragic loss of property and life -- and boost the cost of insurance for all

policyholders. In fact, many insurance companies now have special arson fraud divisions dedicated to

investigating suspected arson.

To See How Much Money You Could Save On Your

Home / Auto / Business Insurance.

Get Your Free Insurance Quotes Today By Calling Jason Shroot

at 714-988-3325

jason@diversifiedinsurancequotes.com

www.jasonsellsinsurance.com

Top Ten Guidelines To Limit A Company's Risks in Social Media

Top Ten Guidelines To Limit A Company's Risks in Social Media



Social media has become a powerful way for business owners (and individuals) to communicate with clients, prospects, friends, family, referral sources, and colleagues.

However, improper usage can result in serious consequences. 

The following are a list of suggestions to limit your company's social media's risk exposure:

1. Know Your Audience – Write knowing that everyone, including the folks who sign your paycheck,

will be able to see what you post. Remember that your post will be globally accessible today and long

into the next Ice Age.

2. Be Respectful – Do not disparage competitors or criticize others. This obviously includes current

and former clients. After all, who among us is perfect?

3. Be Conversational – Write as you speak to real people in a professional situation. Avoid stuffy

corporate-speak and mannered language. In fact, avoid words like "mannered." That said, also avoid

slang that will unfairly diminish you and your superior intellect.

4. Add Value – Social media is no different than other types of communication. It should help others

build their business, improve their skills, solve problems or understand our firm better.

5. Spread the Good Word — When you have something good to say about our firm, say it on multiple

social media sites.

6. Honesty is the Best Policy – Never represent yourself or our firm in a false or misleading way. Be

transparent about your identity and relationship to our firm.

7. Stay In the Zone – Cover your areas of expertise, especially when referencing corporate products.

If you are not an expert, make this fact clear to your readers.

8. No Demagoguery – Limit personal opinions to your personal life. Even then, keep controversial

opinions off personal social media pages.

9. When In Doubt, Don't – If you have to think twice about a post, this is typically a good sign that it

should not be published.

10. Observe Copyright Laws – Give credit where credit is due.

11. Respect Confidentiality – Ask permission to repeat conversations and forward communications.

12. Avoid Hot Buttons – Do not participate in social media when the topic is a breaking event. Gilbert

13. Follow the firm's Code of Conduct.

14. Follow the firm's Privacy Policy.

15. Adhere to the firm's E-mail & Internet Usage Policies.

16. What Happens At Social Events Stay There — Photo sharing sites like Picasa and Flickr are

social media. Post photos taken at company gatherings with the greatest care and consideration.

17. Be Non-Confrontational – Avoid sarcasm and be mindful of tone. Do not escalate a potentially

volatile situation. Politely disengage from the conversation instead.
 
 

For More Information About The Potential Risks of Social Media Or For Your Free Commercial Insurance Quotes Please Contact Jason Shroot at 714-988-3325 or Please Visit Diversified Insurance Solutions at www.jasonsellsinsurance.com.  You May Also Email Jason Shroot at jason@diversifiedinsurancequotes.com

 

Should I Purchase That Extra Rental Car Insurance?

Depends on the carrier, if your insurance agent is Jason Shroot, your auto policy typically will pay for the damage to the car (or other damages that you're liable for) with a active auto policy in California with at least liability coverage, not to exceed the limits on your policy.

Great news right!? Yes & No.

Typically an insurance company will not not pay for loss of use either declared by the rental car company. Loss of use is when the rental car is unable to be rented for the time of repairs...

Also, Depreciated Value is also a new charge Rental car companies are surcharging against their customers that usually isn't included on an insurance policy.

What Is Recommend...

If the car is being rented for a day or two, purchase the Insurance! Its worth the extra cost!

If you're renting for an extended period of time, or weeks it may be worth considering waiving the insurance (weigh the pros and cons). Usually the cost of the insurance is as much as the rental. The location may have a determining factor as well, if you renting a car in a heavy traffic area, it may be advisable to purchase the insurance through the company.

ALWAYS Inspect The Rental Car! Walko around the car a minimum of two times and look at ever panel, bumper, door and especially the windshield. ALWAYS inspect and get a copy of the inspection in hand prior to leaving the rental lot. Customers have taken photos of the rental before leaving, and have gone back to request a car without damage (perhaps ask for this while at the counter).

For more Information on Rental Car Insurance Or A FREE AUTO Insurance Quote Please Contact Jason Shroot @ 714-988-3325 or Jason@diversifiedinsurancequotes.com

Down Economy Means Upswing In Traffic Tickets

Down Economy = Upswing In Police Traffic Tickets


Did  You Know that Police officers typically issue more traffic tickets when the economy sours?  That means drivers should beware that they’re more likely to get ticketed now — and more likely to be hit with higher auto insurance premiums.

Municipalities struggling with tight budgets can use the boost in revenue from traffic tickets to help pay their bills.

“Police are having a quick trigger finger the past 18 months or so,” says Gary Biller, executive director of the National Motorists Association. “There’s less tolerance, and tickets are being issued much quicker. We know the pressure being put on governments, but it doesn’t justify what’s going on.”

A study published in 2010 by the University of Chicago showed significantly more tickets are issued in the year following a decline in a municipality’s revenue. When a municipality saw a 10 percent drop in revenue growth, it also saw a 6 percent rise in tickets issued, according to the study.

The study concluded that when the economy worsens, tickets often are used to bolster municipal revenue rather than to protect drivers’ safety.

Your Auto Insurance Premiums Can Go Up Roughly 20% After Getting A Traffic Ticket.

The average cost of a traffic ticket is $150 — including court costs but excluding any subsequent hike in your auto insurance premiums.

What does a traffic ticket mean for your insurance costs?

It’s not unusual for a driver’s auto insurance premiums to go up 20 percent after receiving a traffic ticket, Biller says. For someone who’s paying $100 a month for auto insurance, that could mean an extra $20. Additional traffic tickets could cause further spikes.

For their part, auto insurance companies say the amount that a driver’s premiums increase because of a traffic ticket varies dramatically. “There are just way too many factors that go into the pricing of an individual policy,” says Raleigh Floyd, a spokesman for Allstate.

While it’s true that traffic tickets can cause a driver’s premiums to go up, a traffic ticket issued in conjunction with an accident would cause much higher spikes in policy costs, Floyd says.

A driver who’s considered higher risk may see his insurance costs go up even more compared with someone considered lower risk, State Farm spokesman Kip Diggs says. Younger drivers and those with a poor driving history are higher risk, as are motorists who drive in heavily populated areas. Older adults who drive less and have excellent driving records are considered lower risk by insurance companies.

What should you do if you’re pulled over?

Many motorists are certainly jittery when they’re stopped by an officer and, in turn, may say something wrong, Biller says. A driver who’s been pulled over should remain calm and answer the officer’s questions succinctly.

Biller says one of the most popular questions an officer asks is: “Do you know how fast you were going?” The answer should always be: “Yes, I believe I was going the speed limit.”

In the end, no matter how calm a motorist is, he still could get slapped with a ticket. One of the biggest mistakes drivers make is accepting the ticket and not fighting it, Biller says. An estimated 95 percent of motorists don’t fight their tickets in court.
One attorney recommends that you ask the police officer which method was used to determine your speed when you’ve received a ticket.

Here Are 5 Things To Keep In Mind About Contesting A Ticket:

• Once the police officer hands you a ticket, ask for his name and badge number and jot down his car’s license plate number.

• Ask the officer what method was used to determine your speed, says Scott Hullinger, an attorney at Hullinger & Speredelozzi in San Diego. The two most common methods are radar and laser. If either technology wasn’t up to snuff, this can be a weapon in fighting the ticket.

• Use the officer’s license plate number to get the calibration records of the speedometer for the police car involved to ensure the radar gun used was accurate, Hullinger says.

• If you have your cell phone camera handy, take pictures of the scene. In some cases, speed limit signs and other traffic signs were knocked down or blocked by trees, says Wesley Browne, an attorney at the Browne Law Office in Richmond, Ky.

• If an officer doesn’t show up to court, the traffic ticket usually is dismissed, Browne says.

When should you hire an attorney to fight your ticket?

Attorneys concede that motorists can fight traffic tickets on their own, but lawyers emphasize that their insight into local politics can lead to dismissed tickets and reduced fines.

“I’ve never handled a ticket that I didn’t help in some way — either getting the speed lowered or the ticket dismissed,” says Browne, who handles about 50 to 55 traffic tickets each year in Kentucky. He charges about $200 for a simple traffic violation.

In San Diego, Hullinger charges $99 for a simple traffic violation and claims he’s able to get about half of the contested tickets dismissed. In about 90 percent to 95 percent of Hullinger’s cases, drivers receive a reduction in fines or driver’s license points, he says.

Here are three reasons why you should consider hiring an attorney when you’ve received a ticket:

• You got a ticket out of state. Hiring an attorney means you won’t have to go back to that state for court appearances, Browne says.

• You’ve had multiple violations, and being stuck with another violation will further erode your driving history. An attorney can inform you of diversion programs you may not know about, Browne says. For example, in Madison County, Ky., where Browne practices, motorists who are accepted into the diversion program watch an online driver’s safety course. Once you’ve completed the program, your traffic ticket is dismissed. The cost of the program is $150.

• Police used photo technology to ticket you, such as a photo red light or a photo speed ticket. Several court causes have uncovered problems with these technologies, Hullinger says.

 

If You Have a Clean Driving Record Or Several Tickets Jason Shroot Can Help You In Saving Money On Your Personal Auto Insurance Policy in California. 

Please Contact Jason at 714-988-3325 Today !

Want to Protect Your Home?

 Get A Flood Insurance Policy...

Many people are looking for flood insurance policies for their homes, as the possibility of floods has been increasing at a rapid rate all around the world with each passing day.  Each year, thousands of Americans are placed in a troubling situation. That situation arises when their home floods. Flooding can occur due to hurricanes, thunderstorms with excess rain, or the break of a levee system. Whatever the cause for flooding, there are many families who are left to pay for all of the repairs to their home on their own.


In 1968, the National Flood Insurance Program was developed. This program was established to help make flood insurance affordable to all Americans, no matter where they lived. In addition to providing quality flood insurance, the National Flood Insurance Program also mandates the coverage that is being sold by agents and the amount of money that it is being sold for.
 
This is because many Americans that should have flood insurance do not. There are number of reasons why a homeowner decides not to purchase flood insurance coverage. One of the most common reasons for doing so is because of the cost. Many individuals mistakenly believe that flood insurance coverage is not worth the price. Unfortunately, there are many individuals who wish that they had purchased the coverage when their home flooded. The cost of flood insurance is nothing compared to the cost of rebuilding a home.


Another common reason why flood insurance coverage is not purchased is because some homeowners are not even aware that they need it. There are a large number of individuals who believe that flood damage to their home will be covered under their homeowner�s insurance policy.

This is a mistake that costs hundreds or even thousands of people thousands of dollars each year. It is important to note that floods can occur at just about any place and at any time. Many individuals refuse to purchase flood insurance coverage because they feel that it is a waste of their money.

Just because a home has not flooded in recent years does not mean that it cannot in the future. A home does not have to be located near a river, stream, lake, or pond to flood. Too much rain from an average thunderstorm can cause localized flooding.

To make flood insurance coverage worth the price, you should go about finding cheap flood insurance coverage. A large number of individuals purchase flood insurance from their agent that supplies them with auto insurance or their homeowner�s insurance. This may work out good for some individuals, but you should know that there is a cheaper way to obtain flood insurance.

For Quality, Low-Cost Flood Insurance Coverage You Should Speak To Jason Shroot, Your Local Insurance Agent At Diversifed Insurance Solutions in Newport Beach, California.  Please Call Us At 714-988-3325 For More Information And A FREE No-Obligation Quote.   

Special Event & Wedding Insurance - Protect Yourself With Insurance

Wedding and Wedding Reception Insurance Program
A Liability Insurance Program Providing Protection from Lawsuits of Bodily Injury and/or Property Damage

Need A Quote Right Now?  Call Jason Shroot @ 714-988-3325

You've fallen in love, and now you want to celebrate that love with your friends and family. You want to be unique and commemorate your wedding with an incredible party for your friends and family, who love and support you and your partner. What happens when someone gets hurt, and your wedding celebration turns into a financial and emotional strain on your guests?  It may seem unnecessary now, but insuring your wedding can help guarantee that your special day will leave you with pleasant, loving memories of your wedding.

Your wedding can be the happiest day of your life. Months of planning mean that you should enjoy the wedding of your dreams. You may have made all the arrangements for your forthcoming wedding, or you could still be in the planning stages for the big day. Whatever your circumstances, Jason Shroot can help you protect your family and friends during your celebration. Hopefully your wedding day will take place with no setbacks, but unfortunately, accidents do happen.

Whether you are looking for one-day liability coverage or a three-day package, Diversified Insurance offers quality insurance with the lowest possible premium cost to you. Our firm understands the financial demands that a wedding places on a bride and groom, and their families. We want to make sure the financial stresses are over with the wedding. Protect your loved ones from the emotional and financial burden that one can incur as the result of a loss or injury. Diversified Insurance offers specialized insurance for your wedding, from the number of guests you plan to have at your wedding, to the day-after brunch, our unique program is affordable and unmatched in the insurance industry.

Who Is Covered
This program provides protection for the Policyholder against claims of bodily injury liability, property damage liability, personal and advertising injury liability and the litigation costs to defend against such claims. Coverage is provided up to $1,000,000.00 per occurrence. There is no deductible amount. 

Coverage Includes Suits Arising Out Of:

• Injury or death of spectators
• Injury or death of volunteers
• Property damage liability
• Incidental medical malpractice
• All activities necessary to conduct of practices and games
• Ownership use or maintenance of fields or practice areas
• General negligence claims
• Cost of investigation and defense of claims, even if groundless
• Corporal punishment 

For More Information Please Call Jason @ 714-988-3325

3 Health Insurance Blunders To Avoid

Common mistakes include opting for a cut-rate policy that can stick you with tens of thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket expenses.

By: Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine

Whether you're perusing your employer's open-season packet or weighing your options after getting a pink slip, you may be facing some critical decisions about health coverage. Avoid these three common pitfalls:

1. Focusing on premiums alone

A higher-premium policy with low co-payments could be a better deal than a lower-premium policy. For example, if your doctor is out of your insurer's network, how much will you pay for each visit? And how many of the medications you take are brand-name drugs?

Many insurers are now charging co-insurance rather than fixed co-pays for generic, brand-name and specialty drugs. Your cost for a specialty drug could be as high as 38% of the cost of the medication. So if you take expensive medicines, you may end up paying hundreds of dollars more a year.

Your best bet, if you can find it, may be a policy that still charges co-pays for out-of-network visits and prescription drugs.

2. Skimping on Coverage Limits

One of the costliest mistakes you can make is to buy a policy with inadequate coverage. These policies may look attractive because they have low premiums and low deductibles. But a maximum benefit of as little as $50,000 to $100,000 per accident or illness could leave you with tens of thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket expenses. Also beware of policies with long lists of exclusions and low dollar limits for each type of procedure.

A better way to lower your premiums is to buy a high-deductible policy with a coverage limit of at least $1 million ($3 million or $5 million would be even better). If you buy a policy with a deductible of at least $1,150 for single coverage or $2,300 for family coverage in 2009, you can also make tax-deductible contributions to a health savings account and use the money tax-free for medical expenses in any year.

Questions & Quotes Contact Jason: 

Diversified Insurance Quotes 

714-988-3325

www.diversifiedinsurancequotes.com 

Insurance To Value: As Housing Prices Plummet, The Cost To Rebuild A Home Is On The Rise.

Insurance To Value: As Housing Prices Plummet, The Cost To Rebuild A Home Is On The Rise.


As homeowners across the country watch the values of their homes plummet, they may start to think that their insurance premiums should follow suit. Many people think it's simple logic:

Reduced market value equals reduced insurance premiums.

But many don't know the difference between market value and replacement value or understand that they don't often follow the same trend. In fact, even as home values continue their steep decline, the cost to rebuild a home continues to rise.

It's now more important than ever to remind homeowners that their insurance premiums are not based on the current resale value of their homes, but on the cost to replace them.
Residential construction is a world-wide industry impacted not only by the cost of materials, but also the cost of new technology, new building codes and regulations, labor and materials. Home construction costs rose sharply after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, as the demand for building materials, labor and energy outpaced the supply.

Prices continue to rise, according to recent statistics. Reed Construction Data estimates an increase of 4.2% on construction costs from 2007 to 2009, up from the 2.8% estimate from 2005 to 2007 for the same period. Marshall & Swift/Boeckh estimates a 1% to 2% increase on overall construction over the same time period, with higher increases in many metropolitan areas.

Several variables can contribute to the rise and fall of home prices, including: implications of the subprime lending crisis; foreclosure rates; new housing starts; housing shortages; and location. On the other hand, replacement cost variables can include material costs; fuel and energy costs; the cost and availability of skilled labor; and changing construction codes and standards.
When comparing the two, it's important to note that market value variables are mostly forward-looking perspectives with the impact yet to be fully incurred or determined. In contrast, the replacement cost variables exemplify costs that are impacting the housing market almost immediately.

Key factors that have contributed to rising construction costs during 2009 include:


* Fluctuating energy costs over the past year;
* Rise in the cost of skilled labor;
* Increased overseas demand for raw materials and building products;
* Varying profit margins from general contractors and their subcontractors; and
* Rise in framing lumber prices and wallboard.

Calculating replacement cost is not based solely on builders' costs, but also on many hidden costs that impact the industry.

Other factors: In a global market, the U.S. dollar is weak. Also, it's harder for construction companies to get loans. Many builders am going out of business, so there is less competition and a lesser need to compete on prices. Recent natural disasters, such as hurricanes along coastal regions, floods in the Midwest and wildfires out West, have contributed to shortages in materials and made it more risky to underwrite homes. The trend to build homes with environmentally-friendly materials, low-impact processes and ultra-efficient heating and cooling technology has added to the cost of building and repairing homes.

For Questions & Quotes Contact Jason @ 714-988-3325 or Jason@diversifiedinsurancequotes.com. Also Please Follow Us At www.diversifiedinsurancequotes.com, Facebook, & Twitter.

Insurance For Volunteers

Insurance for Volunteers

In the wake of the recent devasting 7.0 magnitude earthquake that struck Haiti there have been hordes of volunteers who have made it their personal mission to help the more than three (3) million people, a third of Haiti's population, any way they can.

With damage worsening as a result of aftershocks I started thinking about how important insurance for volunteers would be, especially during such a dangerous volunteer mission. When you're volunteering and helping those affected by catastrophes or even local volunteer opportunities you're selfless and only think about the ones who need your help.

You don't think about accidents that may injure.When volunteers have acidents--injure someone, get hurt themselves, or have an auto accident sometimes their own insurance is not enough to take care of the resulting damage. If you volunteer for a particular organization you can be covered by their commercial general liability policy and (in some states) workers' compensation policy. There can be problems with this approach, however.

Consider the following:-If a volunteer were to have a liability claim, the available limits of insurance under a commercial general liability policy would be reduced, leaving the organization itself with reduced protection. In addition, the claims experience also would be affected, which could resultresult in a rate increase. There are volunteer insurance programs that provides protection to the organization's available limits, and its claimsexperience.-The commercial liability policy has important exclusions - claims by onevolunteer against another and incidents occurring during travel between thevolunteer's home and place of volunteer service (workers' compensation policies also have the "travel" exclusion.

Volunteer insurance programs haveneither of these exclusions.-Regarding protection to volunteers who drive, the organization's own commercial auto policy often provides no protection. In this case, without the volunteer insurance program's excess auto liability coverage the volunteer would have to rely totally on his or her own insurance for liability. Even if volunteers are included as insureds, the organization would be sharingg its available imits of liability, and claims experience, in the event of a claim.

Organizations may provide up to $50,000 in medical expense reimbursement as a result of a covered accident at a cost of $3.75 per volunteer per year. In addition, up to $1,000,000 in personal liability insurance for $1.72 per volunteer per year. These coverages and others are available through the Volunteers Insurance Program (VIS).

Volunteers Insurance Service was established over 40 years ago to address the liability concerns that are shared by many volunteers, would-be volunteers and the nonprofit organizations that they serve. Your volunteer work is greatly appreciated. Be sure to check with your volunteer organizations regarding volunteer insurance.