Newsletter - Fall 2008

With the record-breaking rainfall we had this summer many people experienced water damage. Unfortunately home insurance policies do not cover all types of water damage. Water leaking through a foundation, window well or through an open window are not covered. Preventative maintenance is the best way to protect your home. Here are some tips to help prevent potential water damage:

• Keep your eaves trough and downspouts clear.
• Make sure water is drained away from the house.
• Winterize your exterior faucets.
• Install plastic window well covers.
• If you have a sump pump, make sure it is switched on and in good working order. Consider alarming it.

If you want to know what types of water damage your policy covers, give us a call and we will explain what is covered and what is not.

Neziol Tip
Ask your Neziol Insurance Group representative if your policy has sewer back up

If you have away at university, your home insurance policy should cover them. However, you should check the overall dollar limit on any personal property your child has, such as computers and stereos. It would also be a good idea to protect your kids against liability for any damages or injuries incurred on a rental property or in residence.

Please call our office and we will review if your policy will cover your child and for how much.

Identity theft is a growing crime in Canada and it can happen to anyone who has credit, bank accounts, a social insurance number, a date of birth, or personal identification information. Even children are potential targets.

Unfortunately it is fairly simple for identity thieves to obtain other people's personal information and fraudulently gain access to money or goods. The scary thing is that you can be a victim and not know it right away.

Here are some tips to help prevent identity theft:

• Shred all documents that identify your personal information
• Carry only 1 credit card and minimal personal information
• Don't write down your passwords and PINs
• Never respond to unsolicited emails or phone calls asking for your personal information
• Check your bank and credit card statements carefully
• Report any errors or questionable activity on your accounts immediately
• Cover your hand when entering a PIN number

Ask the Neziol Insurance Group about how you can protect yourself with Identity Theft Insurance.

Ontario auto rates are on their way up as insurance companies attempt to make up for escalating claims costs seen in the Ontario over the past 2 years. Some of the top companies that filed for rate changes received the following approvals from the Financial Services Commission of Ontario:

• Allstate +5%
• Royal Bank +3.75%
• State Farm +3.08%
• Dominion +2.55%

As your independent insurance broker, you can rely on our experience to provide guidance through this time. Please call us to review your policy and here are some suggestions to help keep your rates down:

• Make sure you are rated correctly.
• Make sure you are receiving all discounts you qualify for.
• Increase your deductible.
• Delete coverage you don't need.
• Bundle your home and auto policy together.

Neziol Tip
If you are buying a new car, you may want to check the insurance rating first because your premium is based in part on the car's sticker price, the cost to repair it, its safety record and the likelihood of theft.

Clearly, the goal for most people is to find the best insurance coverage for the most competitive price but not everyone knows how to go about it. An insurance broker is a certified professional who seeks the best policy for you by accessing your needs carefully and obtaining several different quotes from a network of insurance providers.

At the Neziol Insurance Group, we are beholden only to you, the client. We will outline your coverage and policy options and offer you the best possible insurance coverage at the most competitive rates. We also show you ways to reduce your premiums and offer discounts through packaging. If the time comes when you need to make a claim, we explain your policy rights and go to bat for you.

Are you frustrated having to speak to off-shore call centres?
When you need help, the last thing you want is the impersonal service of a call centre. The Neziol Insurance Group offices are conveniently located in your community. When you need help, you have the option of calling on the phone, coming into the office, emailing and most importantly, you can speak to the same person every time.

Dear Paul,
I was involved in an accident and my 2002 Toyota was a total loss. The insurance company offered me $3,000 less than I expected. What can I do? What are my rights? – Sincerely, Jane

Dear Jane,

If you are insured with an independent broker like the Neziol Insurance Group we can contact the insurance company adjuster on your behalf to determine how they arrived at their figure and to advocate for you. Because we study, know and understand insurance contracts, it is easy for us to advocate for you. We also control the placement of 1000s of policyholders so insurance companies listen more closely to us than to a single policyholder dealing through a call centre or over the internet. Most often, we can rectify a poor decision or if errors were made we have them corrected to our client's satisfaction. If you are still not satisfied with the settlement offer, you attain your own independent appraisal. If the 2 appraisals are still too far apart and you cannot come to a settlement, then you may have to take your appraisals to a judge who will render a final decision.

Do you have a question
Ask the experts at Neziol Insurance Group. Email your questions to Paul Neziol or call 1-877-288-9558.

E-Mail or Mail... what do you prefer?
All our customer service and sales people can be contacted by email. We can send documents, applications and most forms by email, so please feel free to request that option instead of mail. All our email addresses can be found on our website. Visit www.neziol.com to find your branch.

There was a time when $1,000,000 liability coverage was adequate to cover most liability claims. Today many lawyers' standard claim is for $2,000,000 and increasing in auto and personal injury cases. Ask the Neziol Insurance Group to review your current liability limit. For a cost of approximately $300.00 annually you can increase your liability coverage with an Excess/Umbrella Liability Policy.

Some of your biggest exposures are:

• Vehicles. The more cars you have registered in your name, the higher the exposure. It's the vehicle owner who gets sued, not the driver. If you lend your car, remember you are lending your insurance.
• Recreational vehicles including ATVs, personal watercraft, boats and motors, scooters, etc.
• Swimming pools and hot tubs
• Teenagers
• Seasonal dwellings or rental properties

Thanks For Your Feedback
"Thank you so much for giving me the idea to get clog-free eaves troughs! After all the storms and rain this summer I had no worries about clogging and overflow." – C. Orr

"Thanks so much for helping my daughter through her first accident claim. It was comforting to know she was in good hands while I was out of town." – W. Norman