Summer 2006

HTT Salutes You!

Tom Herbert HTT agency intends to feature a customer from time to time who does something special and who makes a difference.

We chose Tom Herbert, president of Bud Herbert Motors, a local lawn and garden equipment company, as our first feature.

Several years ago, Tom saw on television a group of good people providing meals on Thanksgiving and Christmas for some less fortunate folks. Tom thought people need to eat all year, and he decided to do something about it. From that simple idea, the Loaves and Fishes project at Saint James Church in White Oak was born. Since 1989 two food drives each year are conducted at the parish. Before long each drive was netting about 2000 bags of groceries and a generous amount of cash. Each spring and fall you see a semi trailer truck being loaded by Tom and his many workers. This is delivered to Mercy Franciscan at St. John for distribution to inner city people who need help. Two weeks before the drive, shopping bags are provided at the church with lists of the items most needed. Then several trucks are placed around the parking areas before all the masses on Saturday and Sunday. Tom has headed up this great project for 18 years and shows no signs of stopping. Tom tells us he couldn’t do it without the generous help of Masur Trucking Company, Classic Kitchens, Printers Emergency Services Company, The St James Girl Scouts, The American Heritage Girls and 30 to 40 other volunteers. We’re proud to say he’s one of our valued clients.

Tom Herbert, HTT salutes you!

If you would like to nominate one of our customers to be featured, please call us at 741.2100 or email us at mdektas@htt-agency.com with details.

Make A Note of It! Tyler’s Run is scheduled for Saturday, October 14, 2006. Held at Miami Whitewater Park, this is a run/walk/duathlon benefiting Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). For more information on registration, contact Jane or Dave Frey at 513.385.4772.

Did you forget to tell us something? Contact us!

Did you change vehicles, drive more or less miles to work, retire, pay off a loan, add a new driver to the household, put an addition on your house, install a home alarm system or make any other changes in your life? Calling us with these facts keeps your policy information current. Maybe we can save you premium or increase your coverage. At HTT, we’ve got you covered!

You Have Questions, We Have Answers!

Jerry of White Oak asked Tom Tasset, President of HTT Agency, the following question.

Q: Is it true that HTT has an agreement that you make young drivers sign before they can be insured with you?

A: We do have an agreement. While we encourage all young drivers to read and sign it…we don’t require that. It’s an optional agreement. I’d encourage you to look it over and see if you think it’s a good idea for your situation. We’ve found it to be very helpful for young drivers. The agreement is available to our customers, and can be emailed or mailed to you at your request. Below is a copy of the agreement.

My Driver Safety Agreement:

Driving is a privilege that I may lose by violating this agreement or may have suspended for other reasons such as (but not limited to) unsatisfactory school grades and violations of family trust.

I will obey any curfews or restrictions imposed by my driver's license.
I will obey all traffic laws and speed limits.
I will not drink and drive, or use illegal drugs, or drive if I am taking ANY medication that may affect my driving.
I will not ride with anyone whom I know or suspect is under the influence of alcohol or drugs (legal, or illegal).
I will not permit any open or empty containers of alcohol, or transport anyone who I know or suspect may be carrying illegal drugs in any vehicle I operate.
I will not ride in any vehicle where I know that there are empty or open containers of alcohol or where anyone who I know or suspect may be carrying illegal drugs.
I agree not to drive with or transport anyone who is in possession of a firearm or other "weapon."
I will always wear my seatbelt and shoulder harness. I will not ride in any vehicle in which there are more people than seat belts.
I will make certain that I can always hear emergency vehicles and traffic sounds.
I will drive defensively, recognizing the driving dangers posed by other drivers.
I will not transport passengers unless they are properly secured by a seatbelt.
I will always wear a helmet if I am driving or riding on a motorcycle. I will not transport a passenger unless he or she also wears a helmet.
I will drive in a manner that respects the safety of myself, my passengers, other drivers and pedestrians.
I will ignore peer pressure. While driving, I am in control. I can stop and ask others to leave my vehicle and, as a passenger, I can ask a driver to stop and let me out.
I will not drive unless I feel safe and certain of my ability.
I will be especially alert during dangerous conditions such as rain, snow, sleet, wind, heavy traffic, construction zones, and accident scenes.
I will always lock every door and take the keys when I leave the vehicle. I will park in areas where I believe the vehicle will be safe from damage or theft.
I will obey the driving instructions of my parent(s) and of law enforcement officers.
Additional Conditions Required By My Parent(s)

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I have read, understood and I will comply with this agreement. Signed______________________ Witnessed_____________________ Date:_______________________ Revised: 08/01 COPYRIGHT: Insurance Publishing Plus, Inc. 1996, 1998, 1999, 2001

The Great Misconception About Effective Communication

It all started with a phone call…

You called our office to discuss your renewals. In that conversation, you told us that you have a couple of bikes stored in your garage and wanted to know it they are covered. Our customer service representative (CSR) told you not to worry, your bicycles are protected by your homeowner policy as personal property, just like your furniture or clothing would be. Now it hits you; you were talking about your Harley Davidson motorcycles that cost you a pricey $18,000 each. You referred to “bikes,” which led our CSR to give you a correct answer to what she thought you were asking.

When we learn that the "bike" you are talking about is actually your motorcycle, the explanation changes dramatically. The homeowner policy offers very limited protection for motorized conveyances, usually extending coverage only to motorized apparatus used for the maintenance of your premises and not subject to motor vehicle registration, and, in some policies, liability coverage is provided for recreational vehicle use, but only while used on the insured premises.

Lessons learned: First – Many people believe that no matter what the property is, if it is stored in your covered building, it is automatically covered by your property policy. Second – Communication is the key to everything. When discussing the complex nature of insurance, it is very important to be very specific.

Source: PIA

Covering Your Older Children

Do you have a child leaving home for college this fall? You need to consider their insurance coverage. If your child is living in the dormitory, generally coverage from the parents’ homeowner policy extends to the dormitory. However, if your child will be getting their own apartment, it is suggested they have a renter’s policy. The renter’s policy would provide coverage for their personal contents. It would also give them some liability coverage in the event they cause damage to someone else’s property or person. Will your child be taking a car to school? Some companies give a discount if your child is living away at school, one hundred miles or more, and does not take a car with them. Call us to discuss your student’s situation. You have questions, we have answers! Our number is 513.741.2100.

Falling down is potentially dangerous to your health, but did you know it could also be a liability hazard?

If someone falls in your home or on your property, it could become a liability claim under your homeowner insurance. Be safe instead of sorry by following these simple suggestions:

Make sure all steps and stairways have sturdy handrails.
Keep entryways, stairs and halls well lit at night. Don’t forget exterior lighting at entrances.
Clear entries and walkways of potential trip hazards (toys, furniture, electrical cords, etc.). Keep sidewalks in front of your home cleared – they can be liability hazards as well.
Remove snow and ice from porches and sidewalks during winter.

With a little prevention, you can reduce the likelihood of falls and unexpected liability claims. For more information about increasing the safety of your home, visit www.westfieldgrp.com.

Source: Westfield Insurance

Be on the lookout! Deer Can do damage!

Drive with extreme caution, at or below the posted speed limit, in areas with deer-crossing signs.
Most crashes occur in the months of October through December, followed by May. Highest-risk periods are from sunset to midnight, followed by the hours shortly before and after sunrise.
If you see one deer on or near a roadway, expect that others may follow. Slow down and be alert.
After dark, use high beams when there is no opposing traffic. The high beams will illuminate the eyes of deer on or near a roadway and provide greater motorist reaction time. Don’t rely solely on high beams to deter collisions.
Always wear a seat belt and drive at a safe, sensible speed for conditions.
Don’t swerve your vehicle to avoid striking a deer. If a collision with a deer seems probable then hit it while maintaining full control of your vehicle. The alternative could be even worse.
Stay alert. Deer are always unpredictable. They often dart out into traffic on busy highways in metropolitan areas.
Report any deer-vehicle collisions to a local law enforcement agency or a state wildlife officer within 24 hours.

Source: PIA

COMMERCIAL INSURANCE NEWS FROM HTT AGENCY

Late Summer 2006

At HTT Agency, we offer all types of commercial insurance: bonds, auto, property, workers compensation, umbrella, general liability, professional liability, product liability, director’s and officer’s liability, errors and omission, crime, equipment, group health, life, disability and more. This commercial insurance newsletter, a new feature added to the HTT Agency newsletter, will explain various features and aspects of commercial insurance to our business customers.

Employee Practices Liability

Q: Who is protected under Employee Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI)?

A: Employee practices Liability Insurance (EPLI) shields employers, directors, officers and the corporate entity from allegations of a variety of wrongful employment acts alleged by any current, former and prospective employees.

What 30 years ago was an amiable relationship between employers and employees has progressed to one of an almost adversarial relationship. Employee Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI) was developed to provide protection to employers for their alleged actions. The number of lawsuits filed by employees against their employers has been rising. While most suits are filed against large corporations, no company is immune to such lawsuits. Smaller companies now need this kind of protection. In the past few years, employers have become more aware that they are legally responsible for their employees’ actions . Between 1992 and 1996, for example, the number of civil-rights cases filed in federal court more than doubled from 10,771 to 23,152. This, combined with the growing number of employment-related liability lawsuits, has driven the increased demand for EPLI.

EPLI shields employers, directors, officers and the corporate entity from allegations of a variety of wrongful employment acts alleged by any current, former and prospective employees.

EPLI provides protection against many kinds of employee lawsuits, including claims of:

Sexual harassment
Discrimination
Wrongful termination
Breach of employment contract
Negligent evaluation
Failure to employ or promote
Wrongful discipline
Deprivation of career opportunity
Mismanagement of employee benefit plans
Wrongful infliction of emotional distress

The cost of EPLI coverage depends on your type of business, the number of employees you have and various risk factors such as whether your company has been sued over employment practices in the past. The policies will reimburse your company against the costs of defending a lawsuit in court and for judgments and settlements. The policy covers legal costs, whether your company wins or loses the suit. Policies also typically do not pay for punitive damages or civil or criminal fines. Liabilities covered by other insurance policies such as workers compensation are excluded from EPLI policies.

To prevent employee lawsuits, educate your managers and employees so that you minimize problems in the first place:

Create effective hiring and screening programs to avoid discrimination in hiring.
Post corporate policies throughout the workplace and place them in employee handbooks so policies are clear to everyone.
Show employees what steps to take if they are the object of sexual harassment or discrimination by a supervisor.
Make sure supervisors know where the company stands on what behaviors are not permissible.
Document everything that occurs and the steps your company is taking to prevent and solve employee disputes.

Source: PIA

What is an Insurance Audit?

Have you gotten a form in the mail asking for an audit of your insurance? Don’t panic! This is very common. If you are a contractor, your insurance company uses an audit to determine what your commercial liability insurance premium should be. The audit usually starts with a form you receive in the mail. You may need to attach some tax documents to the completed form. The insurance company will come out to look at your bookkeeping records and will ask for your gross receipts and payroll. They will determine what kind of exposures exist and what your final premium should be. The audit is done once a year. If you are about to be audited and have any questions, call our office at 513.741.2100.

COMMERCIAL INSURANCE NEWS FROM HTT AGENCY

The information in this newsletter is meant as a guideline only. There is nothing in this newsletter that alters the coverage or interpretation of any specific policy. Because some statements are generalizations, and because different companies’ policies contain light differences, please refer to your specific policy. Call our office before making any judgments or decisions concerning your particular situation and the coverage that may, or may not, apply.