Frequently Asked Questions
Many of the same customer concerns repeatedly come up, so in order to make it more convenient for you to find the answers you’re searching for, I have put together a list of comprehensive FAQ’s right here on my Web site.
- What if I let someone else drive my vehicle and they get into an accident?
- What do I do if I am in a car accident?
- What do I do if my car breaks down?
- Will my policy be canceled if I get into an accident?
- Am I insured if I am driving someone else’s vehicle?
- Do I have insurance if I am renting a vehicle?
- Will my premiums go up a lot if I get into an accident or get a speeding ticket?
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- What if my home is burglarized?
Here are a few tips to help if you should encounter such a situation:
If you suspect a burglar is still in the house, don’t go in! Go to a neighbor’s house to call the police.
Wait until the police arrive before you enter and begin to take an inventory of what is missing. Don’t touch anything. The police may dust for fingerprints.
Provide police with whatever information they require. Ask the investigating officer where you can obtain a copy of the police report. Make sure you write down the names and badge numbers of the police officers.
If you saw the burglar, you will be asked to provide a description which will include:
Height
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- Build
- Clothing
- Hair/eye color
- Hair/beard style
- Distinctive markings
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Once the police have finished the investigation, make your own inspection. Use a Home Inventory Checklist to check for missing items, otherwise you may not discover the full extent of the theft until days or even months after the burglary. At the moment of crisis call HelpPoint® Claim Services at 1-800-435-7764 for assistance when you need it most.
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- If I add safety features to my home can I get discount on my insurance?
Farmers provides premium discounts for taking precautionary measures. Protective devices such as alarm systems, deadbolt locks, local burglar alarms and central station burglar alarms all qualify for discounts but these discounts do vary by state. Contact me today to go over which discounts you may qualify for.
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- What happens if I have a fire in my home or my home is completely destroyed in a fire?
The first step in being prepared for a fire, is to have a family evacuation plan. Plan a safe rendezvous point for you and your family in the event that you are separated during a fire. Check out our tips for evacuating your home.
Do not return to your home until officials declare it is safe to do so.
Notify your Farmers agent. Make sure your representative knows where to contact you.
Make a detailed list of all damaged or destroyed personal property. Use pictures to help assess the damages.
Keep all receipts. Don’t rush into signing repair contracts.
As soon as you and your family are safe, call HelpPoint® Claim Services at 1-800-435-7764 for assistance when you need it most.
Farmers also provides the following tips for surviving a fire in your home:
Make sure all family members know how to dial 911 in case of an emergency.
Have at least two exits from every room in your home. Invest in fire escape ladders for upstairs bedrooms.
Go through a practice drill every six months. With the whole family, practice what to do in a fire emergency.
Assign a tree or other landmark where family members can meet after they escape the burning house.
Teach children never to go back in the house. Train them not to hide from fire under beds, in closets or other places where rescuers cannot easily find them.
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- What if someone has an accident on my property or my pet bites someone?
- What if my home is damaged in a storm?
- What do I do if a flood has destroyed my home?
- What if my home is wrecked in an earthquake?
- What if I become a victim of identity theft?
Here are steps you can take now to stop thieves from stealing your good name:
Do not give out personal information, such as account or credit card numbers, on the phone or over the Internet unless you have initiated the contact. Identity thieves could pose as bank officials, Internet providers or credit card company representatives. Remember: Those with a right to this information (such as your bank) should already have it and shouldn’t need to request it over the phone.
Report lost or stolen checks immediately and properly store canceled checks. Examine new checks to be sure that none were stolen during shipment, and store them in a safe and secure location. Destroy unused financial solicitations before discarding them, and tear up other financial documents such as statements or receipts before discarding them.
Guard your automated teller machine (ATM) number, and treat your receipts with care. Leaving them behind or throwing them in the trash could leave them vulnerable to thieves, who could use them to access your accounts.
Make sure your mailbox is secure, and promptly remove mail after delivery. Identity thieves often raid mailboxes to obtain credit card offers and financial statements.
Contact the major credit-reporting companies at least annually to review their file. A copy of their credit report is available for a small fee.
The three major credit bureaus are:
Equifax: (800) 685-1111
TransUnion: (800) 916-8800
Experian: (888) 397-3742
Steps to Report Identity Theft:
Contact your bank or credit union to protect your accounts.
Contact your credit card suppliers.
Contact the Social Security Fraud Hotline: (800) 269-0271.
Contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Identity Theft Hotline: (877) IDTHEFT or (877) 438-4338.
Contact your Farmers agent to file a claim against your Identity Fraud Expense coverage endorsement.- What if a pipe bursts and water flows all over the place?
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Typically, Homeowners insurance covers you for accidental discharge of water from a plumbing system. It’s a good safety precaution to check your plumbing and heating systems once a year.
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- What happens to all of my assets if I die?
Life insurance death benefits are distributed to the named beneficiaries of the policy. However, for distribution of your assets, it’s important to create a living will in order to tell the probate court judge who should receive your belongings. This also helps to speed-up the process; without a living will, probate could take an extended amount of time, and be significantly more expensive.
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- What if I become disabled and unable to work?
Disability can occur for a number of different reasons and affect a number of different circumstances. If you are injured on the job you may be eligible for worker’s compensation, but you should check to see which coverage options your employer provides. The Insurance Information Institute estimates that 53 % of those who are at least 40 years of age, will experience a long-lasting disability (90 days or more).
Social Security can be drawn on in the case of a disability but is usually reserved for disabilities that will last for longer than 1 year. Additionally, however, disability insurance can be purchased. Disability Insurance protects against financial losses that occur due to an injury or illness. If you have more questions about Disability insurance please contact me at any time. I can help you decide whether it is currently a part of your policy and if it is an option that you should consider.
http://www.iii.org/individuals/disability/lossofincome/
Disclaimer: Farmers Insurance Group does not endorse Web sites, claims, or services made by outside parties as they are separate entities and operate separately from Farmers.
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- What if I lose my job?
Here are some tips to help you prepare: It’s a good idea for everyone to have the equivalent of at least three months salary put away, should the unexpected happen. If you have a mortgage to pay each month, you should consider getting Mortgage Protection Life Insurance to ensure your payments are made. Turn a negative experience into a positive one: Make it a learning experience! Take advantage of this opportunity to develop new job skills. Our education loans can help make it financially feasible for you go back to school and acquire new skills to stay competitive. Explore employment opportunities with Farmers Insurance! More than 30,000 talented professionals nationwide enjoy our dynamic, stable and forward thinking environment. Use this experience and your ability to cope with change as a strength, when interviewing with prospective employers. You’ll have a lot to offer them. Many employers are looking for people who can deal with change – not dwell on the negative but have the ability to move with the times.
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- Do I need to cover my building if I rent?
Essentially renting a building for business is not all that different than if you were to rent an apartment. You still need coverage for all of your personal belongings and assets; essentially you need coverage for all of your office supplies and business assets. So, everything apart from the bricks and mortar of the building you are in should be part of your Business insurance policy. Please contact me at any time for questions about your current coverage or to obtain Business insurance coverage.
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- Which policy is best for my business?
There are many different variables for determining the best insurance products for a business. The insurance needs of a software company, for example, are far different than the needs of a car rental company. It’s best to speak with an agent to review your overall business situation and to go over coverage options that are best for your business. Contact me to learn more.
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- Do I need as much Liability Coverage on my motorcycle as I do on my automobile?
Yes. Even though you are on a motorcycle, there can still be significant bodily injuries or damages caused by the accident.
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- My motorcycle clothing and helmets are expensive, are they covered?
Your Motorcycle policy may include coverage for your apparel, safety equipment, and add-on options. So yes they are included under your Motorcycle policy depending on which coverage option you select. Check with your agent to review your current policy coverage and to discuss which coverage options best meet your needs.
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- Are modifications that I make to my vehicles covered?
Generally speaking, modifications made to your recreational vehicles are not covered. It’s always best to contact your agent to learn which options are available and to what extent your rec. vehicles are covered. Contact me today to learn how I can provide coverage for your recreational vehicles or to help you review your current coverage.
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- What types of coverage do I need?
Although there are a variety of options for covering your recreational vehicles, it is always best to contact your agent regarding which coverage options are the best for you. It is important, however, to consider liability coverage as costs involving liability can be quite extensive. Contact me today to learn more, to review your current policy, or to insure a recent purchase.
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- What if my RV breaks down, do I have towing coverage?
You will more than likely have to check your policy to make sure that it includes towing coverage. Farmers has a program designed especially for towing your RV in the case that it breaks down. Please contact me today to learn more.
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- What type of coverage do I need for a travel trailer?
That’s a tough question because investment is subjective to risk. The best answer to this question lies in meeting with your agent. Remember that there is not way to guarantee a return on investment and that there is always an inherent risk involved. Your agent can provide you with information regarding investment products, can evaluate your current financial situation, and can discuss your future investment needs and goals-in other words they take an in depth look at your financial picture and help you find the products that are the best fit for your investment goals.
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- Which investments will give me the most money for retirement?
That’s a tough question because investment is subjective to risk. The best answer to this question lies in meeting with your agent. Remember that there is not way to guarantee a return on investment and that there is always an inherent risk involved. Your agent can provide you with information regarding investment products, can evaluate your current financial situation, and can discuss your future investment needs and goals-in other words they take an in depth look at your financial picture and help you find the products that are the best fit for your investment goals.