Page 46 - The Magazine of AAA Ohio – January 2020

Ask the Expert: Ed Conley
Each issue, we’ll break down an insurance topic – and what it means for you – with answers from Ed Conley, CPIA and Director of Insurance Sales and Financial Services at AAA. Have a question for Ed? Drop us a line at AAA.com/AskEd.
I’ve decided to hire a company to plow the snow off of my driveway and sidewalks this year. What happens if they damage my
property? Will my home insurance policy cover that?
When you are talking with companies about pricing, make sure you ask about their insurance. By making sure they have a general liability
policy, your property will be protected should they
run into your garage door or damage your fence, for example. If they don’t have insurance, you’ll either be left with the bill or an awkward conversation to get them to pay for the damages out of the company’s pocket.
Another reason to make sure they have insurance is in case they are injured while working on your property. The company’s workers’ compensation policy would provide coverage for their employee(s). These steps should minimize the risk of your home insurance needing to be involved.
Don’t just verbally ask that they have insurance. Get a copy of the policy or ask for a certificate of insurance just in case something happens.
What is “Home Cyber Protection” coverage? Why is this needed?
In 2018, a study showed that households now have an average of nine connected devices. This includes devices like our doorbell, security
cameras, thermostat, lights, televisions and phones. As smart devices become more prevalent in our lives, the risk of cyberattacks and fraud will continue to increase as hackers can gain access to personal information if you don’t have the right safeguards in place.
Insurance companies have been adjusting their products to provide better protection for losses resulting from cyberattacks. Talk with your insurance agent and ask
how your policy addresses this risk, or how you can add the coverage. Depending on your insurance company, home cyber coverage can pay to restore devices, remove malware, as well as assist in responding to ransomware attacks and covering losses due to phishing schemes, identity theft or other deceptive practices. This is usually not coverage that’s included in your base home insurance policy; it will likely need to be added by endorsement.
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For more information, contact Kathy Cloud 614-431-7945 | KCloud@aaaohio.com
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