Winter Storms Ahead:
Are You Ready?

We admit it: As insurance pros, our picture of winter isn’t exactly cozy. Winter storms mean traffic snarls, hillsides turning to sheets of ice, and cars sliding around like hockey pucks. Cold temperatures can cause pipes to burst, frost swells and other damage. Heating your home with fireplaces and holiday lighting can increase the risk of fire.

A picture-perfect winter requires a few precautions

Here are a few of our top tips to help reduce weather-related hassles this winter.

Winter-proof your car with good snow tires or chains, new wiper blades, antifreeze, and emergency road supplies.

Keep your attic cool to help prevent ice dams. Insulate the attic floor and make sure it is well-ventilated.

Do not overload circuits with holiday decorations.

When winter storms hit, be smart

If you do not have to drive, stay put. If you must drive, make sure you’ve winterized your car and have a full tank of gas.

When the air is cold, keep bath and kitchen cabinet doors open so warm air can circulate around pipes. If pipes do freeze, let them thaw normally—they’ll be less likely to burst.

And if the power is out, make sure you avoid leaving candles or fires burning unattended. If you use a portable generator, follow the instructions and do not use it indoors.

Know what your insurance covers

We want to help you rest easy. You will be more relaxed when you know you have prepared your property to lessen the chance of winter storm damage. Your insurance policy covers repair or rebuilding costs. However, your deductible does apply. Check your policy to see what is covered and to confirm the deductible you have chosen.

If you have any questions at all about your coverage, call Hummel and Plum Insurance Agency at 740-477-3311 and we will help you review your options.

Having the right life insurance is pivotal in planning for the future of you and your loved ones. Life insurance can help you fulfill promises you’ve made your family when you are gone.

Don’t leave the future of you and your loved ones to chance. The Hummel & Plum Insurance Agency can help you find the right life insurance coverage for you, and help ensure that your policy continually meets your needs.

Life changes – so should your policy

For each of our neighbors in Ohio, the right life insurance will be unique for you and dependent on your personal and financial needs. As your life changes, your life insurance coverage may need to change in order to adapt to your current needs. Some life transformations that may require a policy “tune-up” and our help at Hummel & Plum Insurance Agency include:

• You recently married or divorced
• You have a new child or grandchild
• You have opened or expanded a business
• Your health or your spouse’s health has deteriorated
• You are providing care or financial assistance to a parent
• Your child or grandchild requires assistance or long-term care
• You recently purchased a new home
• You are planning for a child or grandchild’s education
• You are concerned about retirement income
• You have refinanced your home mortgage in the past six months
• You or your spouse recently received an inheritance
• You have a sizable estate

Ohio – What you need to know about life insurance

Hummel & Plum Insurance Agency can help you select the best life insurance coverage for your needs. There are several different types of life insurance products available – the most common include:

Term Life Insurance

Term life insurance provides protection for a specified period of time. If you do not currently have life insurance, term can be a good place to start. It’s generally less expensive than permanent (whole) life insurance, and is available in varying time periods with fixed premiums from a one year (annual renewable term) to 20-year (level term) period. Furthermore, term life insurance is sometimes convertible to permanent coverage, providing you with flexibility as your needs change.

Whole Life Insurance

Whole life insurance is a form of permanent life insurance that remains in force for your entire lifetime, provided premiums are paid as specified in the policy. Whole life insurance can be an investment opportunity, as many whole life insurance policies also build cash value over time.

Universal Life Insurance

Universal life is a form of permanent life insurance characterized by its flexible premiums, face amounts and unbundled pricing structure. Universal life can build cash value, which earns an interest rate that may adjust periodically, but is usually guaranteed not to fall below a certain percentage.

So what type of life insurance is best for you? Talk with the team at Hummel & Plum Insurance Agency today at: 740-477-3311, and we can assist in identifying the best protection for you.

What are the advantages of life insurance?

Having the right life insurance is essential to planning for your present, and your future. Not only can life insurance provide assurance for your family after you are gone, many life insurance options offer other benefits and investment opportunities you can take advantage of while you are living.

Advantages of the life insurance death benefit: When you pass away, your life insurance provides income tax-free money to your named beneficiary or beneficiaries that can be used to pay funeral expenses, debt, tuition, estate taxes or virtually any financial need. Your policy can help provide security for your business security as well, by enabling partners to buy out the interests of a deceased partner and prevent a forced liquidation.

Advantages of Living Benefits: The cash value growth of a permanent (whole) life insurance policy is tax-deferred, meaning you do not pay taxes on the growth of cash value, unless money is withdrawn. Loans or withdrawals can be taken against the cash value of a permanent life insurance policy to help with expenses, such as college tuition or the down payment on a home.

The right life insurance coverage for each and every one of our neighbors in Ohio is unique – talk with the Hummel & Plum Insurance Agency team today to find out how to protect your family and your future with the right life insurance. Contact Us Today

Helpful Links

Insurance Information Institute

A non-profit group sponsored by the insurance industry to provide general information about insurance. This is an excellent resource for unbiased information. Order publications on the Insurance Information Institute website.

Highway Loss Data Institute

Information on car theft, collision and injury listed by car make, model and year. Also contains extensive highway safety tips and information.

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

Excellent information and sobering statistics on automobile safety from an independent, non-profit organization.

National Flood Insurance Program Information

Includes a wealth of information on how to insure homes against flooding. This site is the official web page for the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The Life and Health Insurance Foundation for Education

The Life and Health Insurance Foundation for Education (LIFE) is a non-profit organization designed to address the public’s growing need for information and education on life, health, and disability insurance. LIFE also seeks to remind people of the important role agents perform in helping families, businesses, and individuals find the insurance products that best fit their needs.

The Institute for Business and Home Safety’s DisasterSafety.org
http://www.disastersafety.org
Logo: http://www.disastersafety.org/resource/resmgr/logos/new-ibhs-logo.jpg

The Institute for Business and Home Safety provides DisasterSafety.org for homeowners and small business owners as part of its overall mission of reducing property losses.

National Insurance Crime Bureau
https://www.nicb.org
Logo: https://www.nicb.org/images/logo.jpg

A not-for-profit organization that partners with insurers and law enforcement agencies to facilitate the identification, detection and prosecution of insurance criminals. Site offers VINCheck™, which lets people use a vehicle VIN number to determine whether the vehicle is an unrecovered stolen or salvage vehicle.

Occupational Safety & Health Administration
http://www.osha.gov/
Logo: http://www.osha.gov/images/osha-banner.png

Congress created the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to ensure safe and healthful working conditions for working men and women by setting and enforcing standards and by providing training, outreach, education and assistance.

Federal Trade Commission Identity Theft site
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/
Logo: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/images/avoid.gif

This website is a one-stop national resource to learn about the crime of identity theft. It provides detailed information to help you deter, detect, and defend against identity theft.

Commercial auto insurance can cover a combination of vehicle types (trucks, cars) and drivers, as well as some types of motorized equipment. It provides for bodily injury liability and property damage while operating a company automobile, medical payments or Personal Injury Protection (PIP) for the driver and passengers of the policyholder’s car. Injuries or damage to someone else are also covered.

Hired/Non-owned Auto Liability

Are you renting cars or are your employees using their own vehicles? This particular coverage provides business insurance coverage for certain liabilities arising from the use of a rented or leased vehicle (hired), or a non-owned vehicle (employee using their own vehicle on company business). Oftentimes this coverage can be added inexpensively to a business auto policy, or in some cases, a general liability policy.

Use of Personal Vehicles

Insurance policies for privately owned vehicles may not cover damage to your privately owned car or truck when it is used for business, even home cosmetics, jewelry sales or a pizza delivery business.

Every business is unique – talk to Hummel & Plum Insurance Agency today to find out how to get the best commercial auto insurance, service, price and value.  Give Hummel & Plum Insurance Agency a call at 740-477-3311.

Serving the unique needs of businesses in Circleville, Chillicothe, Ashville, Mt. Sterling and Central Ohio and all of Ohio

One of the most common types of business insurance, commercial property insurance provides a wide range of coverage for buildings, inventory, equipment, tools and more. Losses from fire, break-in, vandalism, windstorm and other natural or manmade disasters are examples of what is typically covered.

A basic commercial property insurance policy may be all you need, although the types of coverage can vary between different insurance companies. As an independent agent, Hummel & Plum Insurance Agency can help you determine the type of insurance policy and range of coverage that is best for your business. For a full list of coverage available, or to learn more about this product, contact us today.

Ohio – What you need to know about commercial property insurance

Building

Do you own a commercial building? If so, do you have enough commercial property insurance to cover replacement costs? Although cost estimators are available, we recommend that you secure an appraisal from a third party to accurately determine the current replacement cost of your building. Give Hummel & Plum Insurance Agency a call today at 740-477-3311, and we’ll help you determine if you have enough commercial property insurance for your business.

Flood

Most commercial property policies exclude flood as a covered cause of loss. A separate policy must be purchased to protect you from resulting damage. Check your current property insurance policy to be sure you are covered. If you’re unsure, just ask Hummel & Plum Insurance Agency to review your coverage, and we’ll help you find the best solution.

Business Personal Property

Business personal property insurance covers property at a specified location for furniture, fixtures, equipment and inventory. Be aware that most commercial property policies have very limited coverage for property taken off the specified location. If you have equipment that is frequently taken off-site to various locations, it is important that you have an inland marine policy (equipment or installation floater).

Business Income (Business Interruption Coverage)

This coverage reimburses a business owner for lost profits and fixed expenses during the time that a business is closed. It applies while the premises are being restored because of damage from an event, such as a fire. Business income insurance may also cover financial losses that occur if civil authorities limit customer access to your neighborhood or business after a disaster. Hummel & Plum Insurance Agency strongly recommends that all businesses acquire this coverage.

Electronic Data Processing (EDP)

This coverage is separate property coverage specifically designed to protect your computer related equipment. Most commercial property policies have limited coverage for computer networks. EDP broadens the causes of loss to include things like power surges and in some cases virus attacks.

Based in Ohio, Hummel & Plum Insurance Agency understands the business insurance needs of our customers. The right coverage for you is unique – call us at 740-477-3311 or contact us online today to find out how to protect your business and your future with the right insurance.

It takes more than age to make it a classic. A collector car isn’t just a way to get around. It’s an investment that will continue to appreciate in coming years.

Not all classic or antique cars are used the same, so Hummel & Plum Insurance Agency will work with you to select the appropriate policy to accommodate coverage needs, miles driven, vehicle age, and vehicle modifications to make sure you have the best policy to meet your needs. Here are some features you should look for when shopping for classic car insurance:

• Agreed Value: This means the provider will pay you the full (agreed to) amount in the event of a covered total loss, less any applicable deductible. This type of coverage is much better than “actual cash value” or “stated value” that you may get with some companies.

• Low Rates: Why pay full-time insurance when you driver your collector car only part-time.

• Coverage Options: Not all collector cars are the same, so Hummel & Plum Insurance Agency can work with you to determine the right amount of coverage to meet your specific needs.

• Generous Mileage: You’re proud of your collector car, so drive it. Not all insurance companies have a mileage limit, but most collector cars should be driven less than 5,000 annual miles to maintain their value.

• Roadside Assistance: Whether you’re down the street or on a classic rally through the mountains, you’ll want to find coverage that will flatbed your car to the closest qualified repair facility.

Do you need the insurance for your prize Mustang, Camaro, Charger, Corvette, Thunderbird, or other collector car?  Request a quote from Hummel & Plum Insurance Agency today to identify the best combination of coverage, value, and price for you. We can help make sure your insurance continually meets your needs. Give us a call today at 740-477-3311.

You have a lot of things that are important to you – from your clothes and furniture to your sound system, sports gear, and computer. And you want to feel confident that everything you’ve worked for is not at risk. Let Hummel & Plum Insurance Agency help you find coverage options that protect you, your family, and your personal property. Call us at 740-477-3311 and let us help to make sure you’re properly covered.

Circleville, Chillicothe, Ashville, Mt. Sterling and Central Ohio – What you need to know about renters insurance

Your renters policy covers your personal property against theft or damage subject to the limits and deductibles you select. The coverage applies even when you are away from home. For a small additional premium, you can choose to carry full value coverage on your personal property, which ensures that you will be paid the full replacement cost of items that are damaged or stolen without deduction for depreciation.

Circleville, Chillicothe, Ashville, Mt. Sterling and Central Ohio Protect yourself and your guests

Your renters insurance policy protects you and your family against certain bodily injury and property damage claims for which you are liable. Legal defense is also provided in the event you are sued after a covered loss, subject to the limits you have selected. In addition, you can select medical payments coverage which will pay for medical expenses incurred by a visitor who is injured at your residence regardless of fault. Various limits are available. Let Hummel & Plum Insurance Agency help you find the right amount of coverage to suit your insurance needs Ohio. Call us today at 740-477-3311.

Get the right amount of insurance coverage Ohio at the best price

Whether you’re starting out, between homes or downsizing, Hummel & Plum Insurance Agency will help you pick the renters insurance coverage that best fits your needs. Give us a call today at 740-477-3311 and get covered. Be sure to ask about available discounts including burglar alarm credits and the account credit for customers who package auto policies with their renters policy.

Extra coverage doesn’t have to cost a lot

Whether you’re starting out, between homes or downsizing, we will help you pick the renters insurance coverage that best fits your needs. If you have special valuable items such as jewelry, art, antiques or collectibles, ask about our Valuable Articles option which provides broader coverage and no deductible in the event of a covered loss.

Hummel & Plum Insurance Agency  can help you re-evaluate your insurance needs, just give us a call at 740-477-3311 to speak with one of our agents.

Get travel insurance for travel within the United States or outside.  Seven Corners has been making a difference for travelers when they are away from home for 25 years.

RV Coverage

RV insurance can protect your motorhome, travel trailer, camper and even your horse trailer. Here at Hummel & Plum Insurance Agency, let us help you select the right coverage for your RV needs and get a great price at the same time. Call us today at 740-477-3311 to get your free insurance quote.
Ohio – Here are some things to consider when shopping for recreational vehicle insurance:

• RVs that are for personal, recreational use can be insured for up to 250 days per year. This gives you plenty of time to travel south and enjoy some warmer winter weather or that extended vacation.
• Liability coverage provides you with bodily injury and property damage coverage, medical payments, uninsured coverage and more. Coverage varies by state.
• You may be able to choose how your Comprehensive and Collision coverage will be settled in the event of a covered total loss. Options tailored to your needs can include:
◦ Stated Value – market value/actual cash value of the RV
◦ Agreed Value – the insured amount, regardless of the current market value
◦ Replacement Cost – we will replace your insured RV with a new RV that is most like it
• Consider Vacation Liability coverage for when you stop driving and start using your recreational vehicle as a temporary residence. Some policies can include additional coverage for physical damage in Mexico.
• Personal Effect Coverage provides replacement cost for damage or loss to items normally used with your RV when physical damage coverage is selected.
• Some policies include Roadside Assistance, which has you covered 24/7 in the event of a breakdown or accident. Some will even allow you to upgrade the coverage to include lodging, transportation and meal coverage if needed.
• Ask if customer assistance is available 24/7 to answer all your insurance questions. In the event you have a loss, the insurance companies we work with have skilled claims teams who will work with you to get your RV repaired and back on the road.
• Other additional coverage can include: Accident forgiveness, pet coverage, diminishing deductible, and more.
• Discounts can lower your premium. Ask us at Hummel & Plum Insurance Agency whether you qualify for safe driver discounts, original owner discounts, package discounts and more.
• You can save money if you insure more than one item with a single company, including your home, cars, motorcycles, classic cars and boats. It will also simplify your life.

Hummel & Plum Insurance Agency is independently owned and locally operated to handle your insurance needs. We focus on Circleville, Chillicothe, Ashville or Mt. Sterling and offer affordable and reliable insurance choices all across Ohio.

Contact Us

Hummel & Plum Insurance Agency can help you re-evaluate your insurance needs, just give us a call at 740-477-3311 to speak with one of our agents or contact us here.