FAQ

Auto  |  Property/Homeowner's  |  Health 

1)  How much Auto Insurance Coverage should I have?

The following table lets you compare your limits for certain coverages to the minimum limits required by the State, that Averages in the State and our Minimum Recommendation.

2)  Why is this the minimum recommendation for Auto Insurance Coverage?

The reason that we feel so strongly is two-fold:  First - the higher limits of liability coverageare not much more expensive than the lower limit (for instance, doubling your protection might cost only 10% or 20% more).  Second - the liability coverage in your policy is the only protection against the claims made by other parties, their families or their insurance companies.  For instance, if you carry only $5,000 of property damage coverage and you are involved in an accident with a $25,000 car or a $150,000 truck, you would be individually responsible for all of the loss beyond your insurance protection.  For Bodily Injury, it is not uncommon for an injured claimant to seek damages of $100,000 or even $1,000,000 or more!

3)  Do I really need that much Auto Insurance Coverage?

Perhaps you can see why we call the last column our Minimum Recommendations; it's because no amount of coverage is ever "too much" when a major claim occurs.  I hope that you will seriously consider our advice and increase your insurance protection immediately, before a claim occurs.  It could be the most important decision you have ever faced.

4)  What if I don't have enough Auto Insurance Coverage?

Consider the following common possibilities: If you slid into a newer car on an icy road, would your policy pay the repair cost or would you have to pay $15,000 or more out of your own wages?  If a child ran out in the street and was hurt, could your policy pay a $100,000 medical bill AND satisfy the lawyer hired by an angry parent?  If you were in an accident with a loaded truck on the Turnpike, could you pay the total damages of a multi-car pileup?  These are real events that happen every day in and around Butler.  Higher levels of protection ARE affordable when you consider the true "costs" of lower limits.  Generally, you can increase your protection by 2, 5, 10, or 20 times or more for an additional cost of 10 to 50%!!!  If even more protection is desired, multi-million dollar "Umbrella" protection is available for less than the cost of cable TV!

"Accidents " happen - that's why they're called accidents.  This could be the most important decision of your lifetime & we would be glad to help you review your options before it threatens your financial future!!!

5)  What is covered under Property Coverage or Homeowner's?

BASIC FORM:  Covers Fire & Lightning only.  You may optionally buy coverage for Extended Coverage (adds wind, hail, aircraft, riot & civil commotion, damage by non-owned vehicles, explosion & smoke) and you may also optionally buy Vandalism protection.

BROAD FORM:  Includes all of the Basic Perils protection (including Extended Coverage & Vandalism) and adds protection for burst pipes, weight of ice & snow, collapse and falling objects.

SPECIAL FORM:  A much broader method of insuring property.  Instead of saying "we will cover X, Y, & Z," the policy basically states, "we will cover anything that happens except, X, Y, & Z."  The major exclusions are flood, earthquake, wear & tear, and similar perils.

Obviously, a brief narrative such as this isn't intended to replace the more detailed & binding language of the policy itself; but the hope is that you will find this comparison helpful to your decision process.  Please feel free to call with any questions.

6)  What's new in Property Coverage?

This new product is called "Identity Theft Expense Coverage" for protection against a new and potentially costly loss called Identity Fraud.

As you may be aware from television news programs or newspaper articles, it has become increasingly easy for criminals to steal an individual's identity for credit purposes.  If you are a victim of identity fraud, you may incur lost wages and attorney fees and other expenses in your attempt to clear and restore your credit history.  These costs can sometimes be quite significant.  Identity Theft Expense Coverage will cove the expense incurred to restore your financial and credit history.  If you have any questions or concerns with regard to this new coverage or would like to discuss any other coverage, please do not hesitate to call us.

7)  Can I get Health Care Policy immediately?

The Fortis Temporary policy is a short-term plan that can be effective as early as "one day after postmark" by answering a few qualifying questions.  It is a standard "Major medical" policy that typically has a $250 deductible and then pays 80% of the medical care costs (for the first $5,000 of costs) and 100% of the costs in excess of $5,000 up to $2,000,000.  The Fortis policy DOES NOT cover any preexisting conditions.  Refer to the chart in # 13 regarding how a "major medical" policy works.

8)  What Health Care Policy is available for an individual or family?

Highmarks' CompleteCare policy is an individual (or family) major medical policy that typically has a $250 deductible and then pays 80% of the medical care costs (for the first $5,000 of costs) and 100% of the costs in excess of $5,000 up to $5,000,0000.  Refer to the chart in # 13 regarding how a "major medical" policy works.

9)  Is there a Health Care Plan available that doesn't require approval from a Family Physician before treatment?

DirectBlue is Highmark's newest health care plan and is called "Direct" because you have a right to self-refer to a specialist in the network without getting the approval of your Family Physician.  The network of participating Doctors and Hospitals is quite large and includes most of the multiple Physician practices in the region.  If you stay within the Network, the policy pays 90% of your eligible medical expenses for the first $15,000 and 100% of the eligible expenses thereafter up to the policy maximum of $5,000,000.  Deductibles and higher co-payments apply if you seek medical care outside of the network.  There are also separate co-payments for certain services like Emergency Care ($40) and Prescription Drugs ($10 generic).  Call to discuss this plan or to have any questions answered.

10)  Does Highmark have a Health Care Policy with broader coverage?

Keystone Individual HMO is Highmark's premiere medical policy.  It covers very broad preventive and routine medical care a well as the range of benefits of a "major medical" policy.  There are normally no deductibles or co-payments other than the $10 fee at the Doctor's office, $15 at a Specialist, $35 at the Emergency Room and a Prescription drug co-payment.  You DO have to coordinate all care through a Primary Care Physician (PCP).  All 76 Hospitals & most Doctors in the region participate as found at www.highmark.com.

11)  Do I have to apply for a Highmark Health Care Plan?

Highmark's individual health products are "medically underwritten," which means you must complete a detailed application that includes questions regarding medical history, medications, etc.  Based on that application, they have a right to either accept you or reject you for coverage.  Common reasons for rejection include obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, and medications.  You can appeal from a declination with a letter from your Physician explaining the matter in detail.  We have many other health plans available from other carriers and one (very expensive) guaranteed-issue policy from Highmark, so please feel free to call with any questions. 

12)  What Health Care Plan can I buy if my health is poor?

The only health insurance plan that I am aware of that will "guarantee issue" coverage to someone with a pre-existing condition is Highmark Blue Cross through their "Preferred Benefits" plan.  This plan will exclude coverage for pre-existing conditions for one year, but will cover them thereafter.  You could qualify for a waiver of this waiting period by providing certification that you were previously and continually covered by other health group insurance coverage.

The approximate monthly cost of the "Preferred Benefits" coverage is $424 to provide Hospital, Surgical and Major Medical Benefits.  Please feel free to call with any questions that you might have or if you would like to arrange for this valuable insurance protection.

13)  How does a "Major Medical" Policy work?