Reichley Insurance Agency Blog

4 Paws for Ability 5K Fundraiser

Thu, 09 Sep 2010 15:50:00 GMT

At Reichley Insurance, we are proud to support the communities we serve. Here is one such example:

4 Paws for Ability is an organization that enriches the lives of people with disabilities by the training and placement of service dogs to provide individuals with companionship and promote independent living. One of the great things about 4 Paws is that they assist with animal rescue. Whenever possible, they obtain their animals from shelters and rescue groups.

The 4 Paws web site lists the following Competitive Advantages:

1. Faster turnaround time for training and receipt of a service dog. The process typically takes 12 - 18 months from start to finish with 9 - 12 months of this being after the funds are raised. These months (9 - 12) are the months the dog is in training. The waiting period for most service dog organizations is 2 - 3 years, with some waits as long as 5 years.

2. Challenges are welcomed. 4 Paws is willing to reach out and tackle the more difficult placements.

3. Enviable success rate. We have a 98% success rate in placements using donated and rescue animals: we have a 90% success rate with the first dog placed in the home and an overall success rate of 98%.

4. Flexible training. Training that can provide unique and highly customized kinds of placements.

5. Nationwide. National outreach rather than primarily regional.

6. Open to more individuals. No restrictions placed on age at placement. 4 Paws has no minimal age requirement and does not discriminate based on severity of disability within the programs it provides.

7. Pet Friendly. 4 Paws does not require that recipients give up their pets to receive a service dog as many agencies do.

Another great thing about 4 Paws is that they are located in Xenia, OH. It is great to see a local organization having a national impact to better the lives of those living with disabilities.

Want to learn more? Visit the 4 Paws for Ability web site today!

Here's another way to support 4 Paws:

http://bit.ly/9pN9bv Check out the 4 Paws 5K at the Buttercream Fest on Sunday, Sept. 12, 2010 at Elé Cake Co., 810 E Dixie Dr. in West Carrollton, OH.

Click here for the online registration form. For more information visit www.keysports.net or email Becky@elecakeco.com

Reichley Insurance Agency is committed to excellence. We pride ourselves on offering our clients reliable coverage and great service. As an independent Ohio insurance agency, we can provide you with all types of insurance coverage from the top carriers in the country. Our team of trusted agents will work with you to find a policy that meets your needs - and falls within your budget.

Our dedication makes the difference...

Tol-Free 800.759.6003
Email: info@Reichleyins.com

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

Commercial Insurance: Examination of Books and Records

Fri, 27 Aug 2010 20:35:00 GMT

In your commercial property policy you will find a section titled “Policy Conditions.” This section of the policy spells out requirements of the policyholder and the insurance company. It covers information about each party’s right to cancel the policy, the insurer’s right to inspect the property, and conditions about abandonment of the property. There are many more conditions though, and it is a good idea that you make yourself aware of these provisions.

One of the conditions is the insurance company’s right to audit your books and records as they relate to your policy. Depending on your type of operation, you may already be experienced with the audit process. It is mostly painless and the information can usually be found in your accounting and employment records. The examination may take place during the policy period or any time within three years after the policy period ends, however, an audit usually takes place within a few months of your policy renewal.

The insurer will not just randomly go through your records. You will be given a list of requested information to facilitate the process. This process is usually pretty painless as long as you have current and accurate records.

Our dedication makes the difference...

Toll Free: 87-REICHLEY
Email: info@Reichleyins.com

Commercial Insurance: Building Ordinance Coverage

Fri, 20 Aug 2010 14:36:00 GMT

This endorsement provides coverage if the enforcement of any building, zoning or land use law results in added costs that are not covered as a direct loss.

The endorsement is separated into three distinct parts; sections A, B and C, which typically allows the policyholder to purchase one or all of these valuable coverages.

Section A applies to loss to the undamaged portion of the building. This endorsement covers the loss of value of the undamaged portion of a building caused by enforcement of ordinances or laws.

If a government agency requires the demolition of your entire building because the damage exceeds a certain percentage as detailed in their ordinances, this coverage would apply.

Without this endorsement, you would have no coverage for that part of the building that was not damaged because that part of the building had not suffered “direct damage.”

Section B of this endorsement covers the cost of demolition of the undamaged portion of the building. Without this coverage, you could be on the hook for tens of thousands of dollars in demolition and disposal costs.

Section C provides payment for the increased cost of construction if the code enforcement requires improvements to construction that were not in the original building. This coverage will pay these increased costs whether construction is at the same location or another location, with some restrictions.

The building ordinance endorsement requires that you purchase coverage equal to 80 percent of the property’s replacement cost value. This is an optional coverage. Call us with any questions.

Reichley Insurance Agency is committed to excellence. We pride ourselves on offering our clients reliable coverage and great service. As an independent Ohio insurance agency, we can provide you with all types of insurance coverage from the top carriers in the country. Our team of trusted agents will work with you to find a policy that meets your needs - and falls within your budget.

Our dedication makes the difference...

Toll Free: 87-REICHLEY
Email: info@Reichleyins.com

Cool Google Tip from Reichley Insurance: Definitions and Spelling

Thu, 19 Aug 2010 10:00:00 GMT

This week's useful Google Tip: Definitions & Spell Checking

Have you ever been typing an email or leaving a comment on facebook and wondered, "Did I spell that right?" or "Is that the word I want to use?"

Now Google makes it easy to check. Just type, "define" in the search box, and then type the word you need help with... and, voila! Google will list definitions and spelling corrections or alternatives, if applicable. Try it by clicking the link below:

We'll be sharing more Google Tips in the coming weeks, along with the informative, insurance-related articles we usually post. It is our priority to educate and inform our customers in order to help them make the best decisions for their specific needs.

Reichley Insurance Agency is committed to excellence. We pride ourselves on offering our clients reliable coverage and great service. As an independent Ohio insurance agency, we can provide you with all types of insurance coverage from the top carriers in the country. Our team of trusted agents will work with you to find a policy that meets your needs - and falls within your budget.

Our dedication makes the difference...

Toll Free: 87-REICHLEY
Email: info@Reichleyins.com

Google Tip: Alerts

Mon, 09 Aug 2010 12:57:00 GMT

One of Reichley Insurance Agency's favorite Google apps is Google Alerts.

Google Alerts are email updates of the latest relevant Google results (web, news, etc.) based on your choice of query or topic (search).

Google Alerts is a content monitoring service that automatically notifies users of new content from news, web, blogs, video and/or discussion groups. Users select search terms which are then stored by the Google Alerts service. Notifications can be sent by email, web feed, or displayed on the users iGoogle page. Google Alerts provides content from Google's own search engine.

Currently there are five types of alerts to choose from:

Everything - (default setting) aggregates News, Web and Blogs
News - sent when matching content makes it into the top ten results of a Google News search
Blogs - sent when matching content appears in the top ten results of a Google Blog Search
Video - sent when matching content appears in the top ten results of a Google video search
Discussions - sent when matching content appears in the top fifty results of a Google Discussions search (Forums, Q&As,Groups)

Users choose the maximum frequency of alerts: once a day, once a week, or as it happens. Alerts are sent only if new content matches the user-selected search terms.

Some handy uses of Google Alerts include:

monitoring a developing news story
keeping current on a competitor or industry
getting the latest on a celebrity or event
keeping tabs on your favorite sports teams
monitoring the latest news on yourself

Here is a sample of the Google Alerts setup page:

Enter the topic you wish to monitor, then click "Preview results" to see the type of results you'll receive. If a phrase yields broader results than you'd like, try using quotes around the phrase to capture it exactly - i.e. "Reichley Insurance"

One of the advantages of Google Alerts is that you don't need a Google account to use them. Just enter your email address and Google will send you a verification email. That's all there is to it. You'll begin receiving Google Alerts according to the schedule you chose on the setup page.

At Reichley Insurance, one of the ways we use Google Alerts is to monitor our web listings. We are able to "claim" our business listings and update our contact information. Many sites allow free uploads of images (i.e. our logo or pictures of our agency) which draw even more attention to our listing.

Click here to try Google Alerts for yourself.

Visit Reichley Insurance Agency on Google Places to see how you can benefit from a business listing on Google.

Reichley Insurance Agency is committed to excellence. We pride ourselves on offering our clients reliable coverage and great service. As an independent Ohio insurance agency, we can provide you with all types of insurance coverage from the top carriers in the country. Our team of trusted agents will work with you to find a policy that meets your needs - and falls within your budget.

Our dedication makes the difference...

Toll Free: 87-REICHLEY
Email: info@Reichleyins.com

Commercial Property Coverage

Thu, 05 Aug 2010 16:09:00 GMT

Coverage under the commercial property (CP) policy is for property only. A separate policy form provides liability. The CP policy covers buildings, the insured’s personal property, and under certain circumstances, personal property of others. For coverage to apply, there must be a limit shown in the declarations for that type of property.

Insurance contract interpretation relies on meanings disclosed in common usage dictionaries, unless the term is specifically defined in the policy. Building means the building or structure described in the declarations. Further definition is unnecessary since the only question that would arise in the event of a claim is if the building or structure is described in the declarations.

Coverage under building coverage applies to five other classes of property:

1. Completed additions to any building or structure described in the declarations.

2. Fixtures, including outdoor fixtures.

3. Permanently installed machinery or equipment.

4. Personal property used to maintain the building, structures or premises.

5. Additions under construction or alteration and repairs to the building or structure.

While completed additions to an insured building or structure are automatically covered, it is important to pay attention to the coinsurance requirement in the policy. To make sure that you maintain the proper coinsurance amount, it is important for you to contact us immediately when you start construction.

Fixture means something that is fixed or attached as a permanent attachment or as a structural part. An outdoor light attached to the building would be covered as a fixture. Outdoor furniture would not automatically be covered as a fixture.

Many businesses utilize equipment that is installed permanently. That does not mean that it has to become an integral part of the structure, but that it is installed without the ability to simply move it around without a significant effort to uninstall the piece of equipment. Examples would be a printing press or milling machine.

Personal property used to maintain the premises might include mowers and snow blowers, fire extinguishing equipment, floor coverings, or appliances for refrigeration or cooking. Items of personal property for the maintenance of the premises could be considered part of the building, but again, maintaining coinsurance is important.

Additions under construction or alteration and repairs to the building or structure are covered. Materials, equipment, supplies and temporary structures within 100 feet of the described premises would be covered unless there is other insurance applying. For these items to have coverage, the policyholder must have an insurable interest.

There is nothing simple about making these judgments, so it is important that you have someone who has a good understanding of commercial insurance to help guide you through this maze. We stand ready to help you with any of your insurance needs.

Our dedication makes the difference...

Toll Free: 87-REICHLEY
Email: info@Reichleyins.com

Long-Term Care & Life Insurance: Denial, Fear and Confusio

Mon, 02 Aug 2010 19:55:00 GMT

Have you contacted anyone about your life insurance or long-term care insurance? The purpose of these policies is to provide you and your family a safety net should you become too incapacitated to stay at home, or should you die. It’s not pleasant to think about one’s mortality or incapacity, but it is a reality.

Refusing to confront, or procrastinating about, the need for long-term care insurance or life insurance isn’t all that unusual, but is a big mistake. The consequences of either can be financially devastating. It is natural to fear such events, but dealing later with these situations will be easier if the proper financial steps have been taken in advance.

Another cause for failing to act on this need is confusion. Most people find these financial insurance products hard to understand. It can also be confusing to search through the maze of companies offering these products. What are the best products? Am I getting a fair price? Is it a good company? Once you sit down with us, you will find that understanding these products is easier than you think.

We understand people have certain hang-ups about dealing with these issues. What you don’t have to do is deal with this on your own. We do the work for you, and will carefully explain these products in understandable terms.

It is up to you to embrace your denial and fear about an unplanned future by just picking up the phone and telling us your situation and letting us show you how we can help you make this a much less confusing process.

You can also visit our web site to view two informative documents on life insurance. These resources will tell you what to expect when purchasing life insurance and give you an idea of how much coverage you need. Check them out and then give us a call.

Our dedication makes a difference...

Toll Free: 87-REICHLEY
Email: info@Reichleyins.com

The Coverage Gap: When Furnished a Company Vehicle

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 20:57:00 GMT

A common situation many of us find ourselves in today is the personal use of a company vehicle. When you are furnished a company vehicle, you are generally provided coverage to use that vehicle through your employer’s auto insurance policy. But your employer’s policy usually does not cover you if you then borrow or rent a vehicle to be used personally.

If you also own a personal automobile, and have that auto covered by a personal automobile policy, you probably already have this coverage. But, if you do not own a personal vehicle, you definitely have a gap in coverage. Some employers will endorse their business auto policy to provide you with this coverage; however, it may be at your expense. The coverage is badly needed if you either rent autos, or borrow automobiles.

A second very important exposure you face is injury to a co-worker. The majority of business auto policies exclude coverage for you if you injure a co-worker riding with you in your company vehicle. In most cases, the worker would be covered by workers’ compensation, but some states allow an injured employee to sue the negligent party in addition to filing a claim.

In some cases, you can add extended non-owned auto coverage to your personal auto policy. Also available, in some instances, is coverage that can be picked up through the personal umbrella policy. The trend in umbrella coverage is away from extending this coverage, but some will fill the gap for liability from injuries and property damage you cause while operating a non-owned vehicle.

Reichley Insurance Agency is committed to excellence. We pride ourselves on offering our clients reliable coverage and great service. As an independent Ohio insurance agency, we can provide you with all types of insurance coverage from the top carriers in the country. Our team of trusted agents will work with you to find a policy that meets your needs - and falls within your budget.

Our dedication makes the difference...

Driving Drowsy

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 15:44:00 GMT

A 2008 study, taken from the Annals of Internal Medicine, suggests that some antihistamines may impair driving ability, even more than alcohol. The driver doesn’t even have to feel drowsy.

Forty study participants, when given diphenhydramine and an amount of alcohol to boost their blood alcohol level to 0.10 (legally impaired in most states), tested worse in a driving simulator when under the influence of the antihistamine than under the influence of alcohol. A newer non-sedating antihistamine, Allegra, did not affect driving any more than the placebo given in a blind test screen.

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America estimates there are 50 million allergy sufferers in the United States. Allergies account for more than 17 million outpatient physician visits each year. Since the 1940s, antihistamines have been among the most widely prescribed medications. It is estimated that currently there are 30 million patients in the United States taking regular antihistamine medications in this $8 billion drug market.

If you have to take antihistamines, ask your doctor if a non-sedative prescription will work for you.

Our dedication makes the difference...

Toll Free: 87-REICHLEY
Email: info@Reichleyins.com

Flood Insurance: What Is It and How Do I Get It?

Thu, 15 Jul 2010 07:01:00 GMT

According to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), a flood is a general and temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of two or more acres of normally dry land area, or of two or more properties (at least one of which is your property) from:

Overflow of inland or tidal waters
Unusual and rapid accumulation or runoff of surface waters from any source
Mudflow in the form of a river of liquid and flowing mud
Collapse or subsidence of land along the shore of a lake or similar body of warter as a result of erosion or undermining caused by waves or currents of water exceeding anticipated cyclical levels that result in a flood as defined above

The National Flood Insurance policy form for one to four family residential buildings provides coverage for buildings up to $250,000, and if purchased separately, coverage for personal property up to $100,000. Flood insurance coverage is limited for damage in areas below the lowest elevated floor (including crawl spaces) depending on the flood zone and date of construction, and in basements regardless of zone, or date of construction. Also limited are enclosed areas under an elevated building.

Physical damage to your building and personal property, which is directly caused by a flood, is covered by flood insurance. Some things that are not covered by either building or property coverage are:

Damage caused by moisture, mildew or mold that could have been avoided by the property owner
Currency, precious metals and valuable papers such as stock certificates
Property and belongings outside of a building such as trees, plants, wells, septic systems, walks, decks and patios, fences, seawalls, hot tubs and swimming pools
Temporary living expenses
Business interruption losses
Most self-propelled vehicles

You might be tempted to take a big chance and go without this valuable coverage. When you consider that the cost of this coverage can be less than $200 annually, you will be doubly disappointed if you have an uninsured loss. If you are interested in adding this coverage to your package, contact our office. We will work with you to provide this valuable coverage.

Our dedication makes the difference...

Toll Free: 87-REICHLEY
Email: info@Reichleyins.com