Frequently asked insurance questions and answers.

Wind Blew a tree down, is it covered?

On a typical home policy, the tree removal will be covered if it fell on and damaged the home and then it is subject to the deductible. There is typically incidental coverage for trees, shrubs and lawns but only for certain perils like fire, lightning, vandalism, theft and vehicle damage (not by you) but not wind. Even then, it is usually subject to a deductible and a limit of $500 per tree and must be within 250 feet of your home.

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I’m going on vacation and renting a car. Is damage to the rental car covered?

Typically, the personal auto policy will cover your rental car the same as your insured car, so if you have collision coverage and “other than collision”, the same deductibles will apply. It will not cover trucks or moving vans. It will not cover you outside the US or Canada. You may still want to take the damage waiver to avoid any large charges to your credit card that the rental company may take pending insurance settlements and any other inconvenience or gap. Sometimes your credit card company will also provide some coverage so you should check on that as well. Read our “Ten Reasons to Take CDW Coverage” PDF.

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My son is eighteen years old now. Should I put his car on a separate policy?

The answer varies based on several factors. We can not give legal advice so you should speak to your attorney about possible protection provided by putting your child’s car in his/her own name. From an insurance standpoint, your auto insurer is potentially liable for any resident relative in your household, so as long as they are considered a resident of your household, they will affect your insurance. Also, Wisconsin law does not permit insurers or insureds to “exclude” any driver from your policy. Because of this, most companies will want to charge for you son or daughter as long as they live with you. Don’t think that just because they get a policy somewhere else that you will be able to take them and their higher rate off your policy.

Some companies will put the young driver on a separate policy but this is usually for rating purposes but both policies will be with the same company. The main thing to keep in mind regardless is that the named insured must be the owner of the car. So if you do title the car to your child, be sure that they are added as a named insured on your policy or they get a separate policy in their name with the same company.

There are several advantages of keeping everyone in the household with the same company including preferred rates, multi-car discounts, renewal discounts, claim free discounts as well as avoiding any question as to which company is to cover a given claim. For example, what if you both are with different companies but Jr is driving a friends car or even one of yours and causes an accident. In that case you will most likely be dealing with both companies which will definitely complicate things.

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My child is attending college. Does my home policy cover his belongings in the dorm or apartment?

Your homeowner policy typically includes unmarried children up to age 26 attending school full time as “insureds”. There are some limitations. The amount of coverage for belongings is limited to 10% of your total at another residence (the dorm room). Theft is typically excluded if your student has not been to the dorm or apartment in the prior 45 days.

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How do I find out the basics of insurance?

Follow this link from the Insurance Information Institute to learn more.

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On our farm we have a modified vehicle just for hauling (manure/haylage/silage/grain) on our farm. Can this go on our farmowners policy or do we need a business auto policy?

Companies may vary on this but the policy form excludes coverage for vehicles that are or can be registered for road use. Certain farm vehicles sometimes referred to as “Implements of husbandry” are excluded from registration by Wisconsin statutes. If so qualified, they could be covered under the farmowners policy form. Even so, keep in mind that the unendorsed farmowners form does not have some coverage’s provided on the business auto policy such as uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage and medical payments coverage for insured’s (only for “others” and employees). Here is link to the Wisconsin statute. Look at 341.05(28) in particular, but also 7,9, and 17.

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We are having an event serving alcohol. Do we need liquor liability?

If the event is in Wisconsin, there is no Dram Shop law. WI Statue grants immunity from civil liability unless you knowingly/illegally serve an underage minor or force consumption or serve beverages implying they do not contain alcohol. Here is link to the Wisconsin statute Liquor liability insurance would not cover serving illegally, underage minors. That said, many businesses and individuals still purchase liquor liability for protection in case they would be sued relating to the serving of alcohol which could still happen.

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