HTT Salutes you

We're always on the lookout for someone who does something special and makes a difference. Lee Stultz, Owner of Lee Stultz Electric Inc is the subject of this HTT salutes you article. Lee makes a habit of doing something special. Having been in business as a residential and commercial electrical contractor since 1978, Lee is well qualified for the volunteer work that he does. In the past, he has worked with the Coalition for the homeless and Habitat for humanity. He served on the board of trustees of "Shoulder to Shoulder" for the past five years and is a member for more than ten years. Shoulder to Shoulder is a nonprofit corporation, which was founded by doctors from the University of Cincinnati School of Medicine Family Practice Residency Program. The doctors and their students and residents volunteer to provide their medical skills for people in places where they're badly needed. One of their projects was to build a clinic in Santa Lucia Honduras, a small village where there is very little medical care available. Lee, as well as the doctors, students and residents travel totally at their own expense in an attempt to "make a difference" Lee got involved when a contractor friend introduced him to a doctor that he knew from his church. He has since gone fourteen times in the last eleven years to volunteer his time and talent and provide electric for the clinic and other "Shoulder to Shoulder" projects in Honduras. He spends about two weeks there each time he goes, and he certainly makes a difference. We're proud to say he's one of our valued clients. Lee Stultz, HTT salutes you!

Three Anniversaries at Ten Years Each!

We would like to recognize three people celebrating ten years at HTT Agency. They are Styliane Gase McKinney, Christina Gyarmati and Linda Hoffmann. Each has a different background.

Styliane celebrated her tenth anniversary November 2006 with HTT as a producer. She's been in the insurance business for 37 years. She's held both company and agency positions including Personal Lines Assistant Underwriter, Commercial Underwriter, Company Field Rep, Agency Manager and last, but not least, Insurance Producer. Styliane has the Accredited Advisor in Insurance (AAI) designation. Her business is by referral only due to positioning herself with a networking group and dedicating herself to servicing her clients well.

Christina celebrated her tenth anniversary with HTT in February 2007. She is an Insurance producer, also holding the designation CISR (Customer Insurance Service Representative). Christina is proud to have been in the insurance industry for over 15 years, 10 of those with the HTT family. She says, "I am truly blessed to work with such wonderful people at HTT and with the clients that I have met along the way. I am looking forward to serving our clients for many more years to come."

Linda is designated as a Customer Insurance Service Representative (CISR) and celebrated her tenth anniversary with HTT in March 2007. She thinks the challenge of being a CISR is staying current with changes in the insurance industry and technology. Linda says working at HTT has been a good experience, and the reason she is here is that we have the best professionals in the business. "We want to do all we can to help our customers." Linda looks forward to many more years here at HTT.

You Have Questions, We Have Answers!

Mary Smith of Norwood asked Styliane Gase McKinney, AAI, Insurance Agent with HTT the following question.

Q: I have water in my basement. Am I covered?

A: Maybe, maybe not. Since there are numerous types of water damage, we will discuss the most common losses that we've seen here at HTT Agency. However, some water losses are only covered if you have an optional endorsement (amendment) added to your Homeowners Insurance Policy: Water Backup through Sewers and Drains.

The "Water Backup" Endorsement is intended to cover damage that occurs when water backs up through a sewer or drain or if your sump pump fails. The basic coverage amount under this endorsement is usually $5,000., but with all of our companies increased amounts of coverage are available. It is a very important coverage to consider, especially if you have a finished basement or store personal property in your basement or lower level. The deductible that applies is usually the same as the Homeowners policy deductible.

However, this endorsement does not cover run-off water or foundation leaks. For example, if your home sits low and the hill behind your home is saturated with water due to heavy rains. If the water comes down the hill and into your basement, there is no coverage. Another example, your basement has a crack in the foundation and water is seeping in. That is not covered.

Am I covered if the pipe under the bathroom sink broke and a water stain is appearing on the ceiling below? The resulting damage from a broken pipe is covered under your Homeowners policy without adding any special endorsements. Please be aware though that only the damage is covered. The repair of the broken pipe is not. That is considered a maintenance issue.

The ice in my gutters is melting and water is coming into my garage. Am I covered? More than likely you are, however, it depends on your policy form. Under the "Special Form" (HO3) or "Comprehensive Form" policy (HO5), coverage should apply. As with any loss and those described above, the company adjuster will interpret your policy form and applicable coverage. Also, all losses are subject to your policy deductible.

Do YOU have Water Backup Coverage? Maybe, maybe not. To be certain, contact your agent or our office to review your policy, and for advice, in adding this valuable coverage.

At HTT we provide every kind of insurance you may need for yourself, your auto, your home or your business. What types of insurance may you need for yourself? Financial Advice, for example. HTT Agency has partnered with Russ Brown, Certified Senior Advisor Practictioner, to help our customers in this area. Russ can help insure and protect your income! Russ is the author of the following financial services article, a new feature added to the HTT Agency newsletter. In issues to come, these articles will contain investment advice and comprehensive insurance planning. At HTT, "We Protect Your Stuff."

A Word from the HTT Financial Services Department

At HTT there are so many ways we can help you and your business, "We Protect Your Stuff." We can provide access to: a professional who can help to protect your life and all that you have worked for through Life Insurance; a professional who can help to protect your income if you become sick and/or disabled; a professional who can help you to pursue your retirement goals by creating a retirement plan for you; a professional who can help you to roll over your 401K from your employer. In this issue we have another idea for you if you are the Sole Proprietor of a small business or the owner of an LLC: we can help you to create a 100% Tax deductible benefit for yourself and your spouse based on section 105 of the Internal Revenue Code. We are all struggling with health care costs. But especially the small business sole proprietor and LLC. Now we can show you how to turn this problem into a tax deduction for your business.

Interested? Call me for more information at 741-2100.

Russ Brown does not offer tax or legal advice. You should consult your individual tax or legal professional regarding your individual circumstances.

Home Burglary Impacts You Financially & Emotionally

Use these tips to avoid becoming a victim:

Because burglars target homes based on ease of entry, there's a good chance they'll bypass yours if you make it unappealing to them.

The best deterrents:

Lighting (interior and exterior) - A burglar doesn't want to risk being seen, or running into a homeowner. Exterior lighting increases visibility, while interior lighting creates the perception that the home is occupied. Use automatic timers for your lights when you're away.

Noise - Barking dogs or alarm systems are both good deterrents. Burglars don't like noise, but what actually deters them is the potential for noise. Evidence of an alarm system (yard signage and window decals) will cause many would be burglars to move on.

If you have an alarm system but don't display the signs, you're not taking advantage of the deterrent factor.

Westfield Insurance offers premium discounts in many states for burglary alarm systems. Check with your independent agent for details.

Source: Westfield Insurance

COMMERCIAL INSURANCE NEWS FROM HTT AGENCY

Certificates of Insurance

Business transactions frequently require insurance coverage. A Certificate of Insurance is a document that is often requested as proof that adequate insurance exists. A certificate is not the same as a policy and certificates do not affect the coverage provided by a particular insurance policy. Therefore, requests to "endorse the certificate of insurance" are inappropriate and misleading. A certificate is a separate document used to comply with a common contract requirement to verify certain types and amounts of insurance.

Certificate holders, the entity or party requiring the certificate, often demand that they appear as "additional insureds." This requires an endorsement (change) to the policy and it gives them coverage for injury or damage resulting from the contract.

Example: Tenant A leases a building from Property Owner B. Property Owner B demands that the tenant changes its insurance policy to also show the property owner as an additional insured. If a tenant's customer is injured on the premises and sues both the property owner and the tenant, the tenant's liability policy would provide coverage for both parties.

Construction contracts require certain forms of insurance, certain insurance limits, a hold harmless agreement and additional insured requirements. A "hold harmless" agreement is a contract provision that states how much responsibility each party accepts for damages arising out of the agreement.

A Certificate of Insurance can confirm that the appropriate policies were issued and that the other requirements were also met. It is important to have a system for monitoring receipt of the Certificates of Insurance BEFORE any sub-contractors are allowed to begin work. If Certificates are not obtained or kept up-to-date, when the contractor's Workers Compensation and General Liability policies are audited, the payroll for the sub-contractors without Certificates will be included with the contractor's resulting in an additional premium charge.

Ask your insurance agent to help determine if you should be obtaining Certificates of Insurance from your business relationships. In addition, when you're required to provide a Certificate, send your agent a copy of the contract. The contract allows the agent to assist you in determining what liabilities you are accepting and what can be done to modify your insurance program to best protect your financial well-being.

Copyright © Insurance Publishing Plus.

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.

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