westerville Archives - Roby Foster Miller Earick Insurance

What to know BEFORE you shop for a car

Written by admin on June 12, 2017. Posted in Uncategorized.

Confused about what is and isn’t required when buying or leasing a vehicle? What are you legally required to buy? Ohio law requires drivers to meet financial responsibility requirements, which can be done by purchasing liability insurance. In addition, when leasing or financing a vehicle, those contracts require you to have physical damage insurance coverage. Beyond that, here are answers to common questions asked about dealer options.*

Is my car automatically covered by my current auto insurance policy?

Usually yes, but the length of time coverage is provided on a newly acquired auto (typically 4 to 14 days**) varies based on the types of coverage and whether the vehicle is a replacement or additional vehicle. To be safe, contact us about your policy. A newly acquired auto will receive the broadest coverage provided for vehicles already on the policy. However, if your current policy does not have Collision or Other Than Collision coverage, the automatic extension of these coverages to the new auto is usually limited to 4 days.** Though not legally required, you may want to take your insurance policy or ID card with you.

What about loan/lease GAP insurance?

In an accident, your auto policy pays you the current market value of the car, but you could still owe much more to the finance company. That gap, or amount you still owe, is covered by loan lease Guaranteed Auto Protection (GAP) insurance. Though not legally required, some new car leases have GAP coverage built into the contract. Ask the dealer if you have the option of deleting the coverage from the lease and purchasing it as an endorsement to your existing auto insurance. Doing so could save you a few dollars to a couple hundred dollars. We can get you estimates now.

Is an extended warranty mandatory?

No, and you don’t have to buy an extended warranty before you leave the dealer. A warranty may not be necessary for you, so contact us. But if you are intent on getting a warranty, know that purchasing from the dealer is not your only option.

What about credit life and disability?

Credit life and disability policies sold by auto dealers are not required. They protect the lender if you cannot make monthly payments due to death or disability. You are insuring the unpaid balance of the loan. If that is all you need, the dealer policy will suffice. However, it may be wiser to use that money to increase coverage on your own life or disability policy instead of tying it to the lease or purchase of a vehicle.

Our advice? Before you car shop, contact us. We’ll help you get prepared and informed so you don’t end up paying extra for something you neither want nor need.

Know your rights!

Joe’s family was excited to leave the auto dealer with a new car. But there was a problem. The salesman said the dealer wouldn’t allow any vehicle to leave the lot without proof that it was insured. What was Joe to do?

The salesman said Joe could buy coverage from a licensed insurance agent at the dealer and take the car home that night. Joe signed up right there, despite higher rates. He thought he had no choice.

Did he? After taking the car home, Joe called his independent insurance agent and found out he was covered by his current policy. It covered the newly purchased car for 14 days, so he did not need to purchase the dealer’s insurance policy. Joe also has a right to cancel that new policy at any time.

The moral of the story is to talk to your agent and know your rights.

If you’re thinking of car shopping, contact us to get the facts and estimates on coverage. Whether you are financing or paying cash, we can help.

Roby Foster Earick Miller Insurance is proud to be a part of the Professional Independent Agents Association of Ohio, Inc.

* Many of these same principles apply for purchasing a boat, RV, travel trailer or motorcycle.
** Information from Insurance Services Office, Personal Auto Policy, 2005 edition.

The positive difference our independence makes for you

Written by admin on June 1, 2017. Posted in Uncategorized.

If you’ve followed our page for any amount of time, you’ll notice that we’re proud to be an independent insurance agency.

Unless you’ve had some familiarity with Roby Foster Miller Earick Insurance or a similar business, those words might seem vague or might not mean much to you. So we thought we’d take today’s blog and outline what having an “independent insurance agent” means to you.

Here are five points of difference that we can offer right away:

It Actually Is All About You

For you the consumer buying insurance is not as easy as a trip to the grocery store – despite what some national ad campaigns would have you believe. Your entire policy centers around the needs of either one person, you or one unit: your family. That means your policy ought to be adequate to cover all the things you and/or your family need to protect and be priced at a level that is worth every penny.

For our agents to earn your business, they have to not only offer something better than the competition but they have to build an effective policy that you clearly understand.

The Best of the Market:

The Ohio Insurance Agents estimates that an independent agent represents an average of eight insurance providers. To do this, they have to be deeply versed in a wide range of options that those insurance providers offer; not just the confines of a singular brand or their specific products.

Additionally, our agents undergo extensive training that not only meets but exceeds industry standards. This makes them not only excellent within their industry but it makes them extremely effective in attaining you the best coverage the market has to offer.

We Do The Research for You

Most consumers, and you might be one of them, start their search with a smartphone or computer.

While the internet offers great access to information, the floodgates of excess information can be quickly overwhelming. As great as technology is, it still cannot always answer the questions we actually answered. Just ask Siri.

From the first meeting, our insurance professionals sit down and build your policy from the best of a wide range of options the insurance market has to offer. We have a large bank of information and knowledge to draw from. This can save you time and headaches immediately.

Excellence in Service

We take great pride in actually answering the phone when you need us. In fact, we answer the phones 24/7.

We know life doesn’t stop and disaster doesn’t wait until business hours. We’re a local company who cares about this community. That means we’re committed to knowing you by your name and treating you like you are one of us.

Give It A Try?

If this sounds even slightly like the difference you’ve been looking for, we’ll let you give it a try for free. Just click out the quote button at the top of our website. One of our team members will get back with you promptly for a free quote on the difference RFME can make for you.

Don’t just take our word for it, this video from Ohio Insurance Agents talks about the difference provider independence makes:

https://player.vimeo.com/video/207873981

Getting married? It is time to look at your insurance

Written by admin on March 23, 2017. Posted in Uncategorized.

Marriage is one of those major life events that triggers a number of changes to your finances and responsibilities. It also changes how insurance companies consider covering you.

Historical data and statistics show married couples take on lower risk and file fewer claims. In the context of insurance, that can mean a number of immediate changes to be considered upon receipt of your marriage license.

Under One Roof

There’s strength in numbers and that’s often the case with possessions when two individuals become one legal entity. The amount of items owned increases. You might begin by reviewing your current dwelling policy. In this review, you want to make sure that your policy would adequately replace your household and/or the items within it.

Typical additions to a newly married couple’s household include new jewelry, new tools, household items, appliances and other new possessions from wedding showers and wedding receptions. Together, the value adds up quickly. Those wedding gifts and purchases might be significant enough to raise the level of insurance you need.

If you are renting, that could be a matter of making sure your renter’s insurance covers the loss of items. For homeowners, that means reviewing your homeowner’s policy to make certain it will cover the cost of repairing/rebuilding the home and replacing items within.

A look in the garage

As you move under one roof, that includes taking a look at what’s in your garage, i.e. your auto insurance. A number of items must be considered when determining your auto rate, but married couples – especially those with good driving records – might find it advantageous to combine auto coverage.

Some questions we always recommend considering:
What exactly does our policy entail?
Should an accident happen, will our policy cover other people’s injuries?
What about our injuries?
What if we’re hit by an uninsured vehicle?

Accounting for tragedy

As your new life together begins, this topic is certainly not one that is pleasant to think about; but as with any risk management, the worst-case scenario is an important consideration.

Life insurance policies are all unique, like the people they protect.

Will your funeral expenses be paid for?
Will your spouse be provided for?
Will your children’s future be secure?

Putting benefits in place to bring comfort to surviving family members is a proactive and rewarding step. You can fully enjoy the best day or your life knowing the worst day is already accounted for.

The RFME Difference

Even in the midst of the joy surrounding your wedding, we know the number of changes and new things coming your way can be complex and overwhelming.

With each couple who comes through our door, we work to eliminate confusion because we believe you deserve the most secure coverage possible. After meeting with us, we ensure that you leave with a clear understanding of your new policy and peace of mind that accompanies it.

Give us a call and let your RFME agent find the perfect plan for your new life together.

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