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We Understand Priceless.
Protecting what you value most.
 
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 I looked at my calendar and realized I needed to pen this month's edition of the Founders Forum before the month of May peeked its way into my office. 
 
I do believe it's true:  The older you get the quicker time flies by. My oldest child, Chelsea, will turn 21 on Monday, May 3rd - it doesn't seem possible that 21 years have gone by, but they have.  She will celebrate her big day with the first day of finals at UConn.  I, of course, felt bad that she won't be able to celebrate in style so I'm heading up to Storrs on Saturday to take her and her roomate out to eat and yes, I will bring with me her favorite cake.  What can I say - once a Mom, always a Mom.
 
Children are priceless - they cannot be replaced.  As parents we do what we can to nurture them, protect them and hope  that they become a productive part of society when they finally leave the nest. 
 
At Founders Insurance Group we understand priceless - we understand the value of protecting what cannot be replaced. 
 
Why not give us a call. We have a team of experts just waiting to help you protect not only you, your home and your business but your children - even if they are turning 21 and spreading their wings.
 
Thanks for reading!
 
 
Cindy Donaldson
Director of Marketing & Personal Lines Sales
Founders Insurance Group
  
Business use of your personal vehicle:  Will your personal auto policy cover you?

There are over 240 million registered motor vehicles in the U.S., according to the Census Bureau. At a given time, as many as a third of those clutter American roadways, and it is estimated that one-fourth of those are being used in the course of work. commuting

Running errands, making deliveries, visiting customers. Even for those whose employment is not based on driving, it's fair to say that your vehicle is an essential part of your employment. This presents an important question:
 
If you are involved in an accident in the course of employment, are you covered by your personal auto insurance policy (PAP)?

Like most insurance questions, the answer depends on circumstance. For example, what kind of car are you driving? Does the car belong to you or someone else? What type of business are you in? 

Many policyholders are shocked to see that the PAP appears to exclude coverage for the use of any vehicle in the course of business other than farming or ranching. However, a very broad exception to this exclusion allows coverage for the business use of a vehicle provided it is one of three types: 1) a private passenger auto, 2) a pickup or van, or 3) trailer while used with the aforementioned. This exception suggests that as long as the vehicle is one of these three types, coverage remains intact after the accident.

But policyholders should proceed with caution, since some PAPs are not as generous. For example, some versions may be more restrictive towards pickups or vans, possibly including a gross vehicle weight (GVW) limitation or a clause that restricts coverage to owned pickups or vans only. Be sure to consult your policy before driving any pickup or van for work.

Further, policyholders should understand that any coverage permitted for business use of personal vehicles by the PAP is not intended for these three vehicle categories:

Commercial-type vehicles. The PAP restricts business use to private passenger autos, pickups and vans. While they can be purchased personally, box trucks, tractor trailers, shuttle busses and other commercial-type vehicles do not fit this description; such vehicles require a commercial auto policy.

Furnished or available for regular use. Often called the "company car" exclusion, this provision is dangerous and must be remedied if the exposure exists. The reason is that a typical PAP will exclude coverage for a vehicle that is regularly available to the policyholder but is not specifically insured under the PAP. For example, if you are furnished a company car as a benefit to your employment, make certain that you are covered by your employer's auto insurance policy. If not, specific action is required to extend coverage under your PAP; it will not do so automatically.
 

Vehicles that are the business. A PAP will not cover your vehicle if you use it to carry people for a fee, such as a taxi, limo or shuttle. The only exception is a share-the-expense car pool. And if you're planning to make a few extra bucks delivering pizzas, auto parts, newspapers or other goods, proceed with caution. Many PAPs also remove coverage for vehicles that are used to deliver food or other types of property for a fee.

While in most cases the PAP will cover you for business use of a personal vehicle, there are situations where it will not. Such situations are not uncommon and, if not remedied, could result in significant financial detriment for you and your family.   
 
 
Call Founders Insurance Group today!
 800-762-7369
April 2010
 
 Take the time to chat with your agent - It's amazing what you might learn!!  Can we say...discounts?
discountsFrom TrustedChoice.com 

"One of the biggest advantages to using an independent insurance agent is that they can explore the various companies and find the best possible coverage for each individual family or business," says Robert A. Rusbuldt, Trusted Choice® president & CEO. "Finding specific discounts can be time-consuming and confusing, so we advise consumers to consult with their Trusted Choice® independent insurance agent and ask questions."

HOME INSURANCE

· LIFE IN A GATED COMMUNITY? Some homeowners are entitled to gated community discounts.

· "EVERYTHING OLD IS NEW AGAIN": Some companies are coming out with new rating models that are oriented toward offering lower rates to new customers. Sometimes, a customer can even save money by applying for a new policy with the same company.

· 'FOR BETTER OR FOR WORSE' MAY ALSO APPLY TO YOUR CREDIT SCORE: For married couples, sometimes one person will have a better credit score than the other. Since some companies will use the score of the first person named on the application, putting the spouse with the best credit score on first can result in a lower rate.

· GOT NEW WIRES? Depending on the age of newer electrical wiring in your home, you may qualify for an age of wiring discount.

· HAS IT REALLY BEEN 10 YEARS? If you have not filed any home insurance claims in the last 10 years, ask about a discount. "Claims-free" homeowners can often save up to 20%.

AUTO INSURANCE

· IS YOUR TEEN A SCOUT? Some insurers give credits to young drivers who are involved in organizations such as Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts.

· DO YOU HAVE A COMPANY CAR? Many carriers will give a multi-car discount to consumers who have a company car even if they only own one personal vehicle.

· HAVE YOU BEEN WIDOWED? Some insurers give 'married' discounts to widows and widowers.

· ARE YOU SHOPPING FOR NEW WHEELS? Before you buy a car, make a short list of the ones you're considering and ask your agent to estimate the difference in insurance premiums. The difference could save you thousands of dollars.

· ARE YOU A GREEN COMMUTER? Consider car pooling to reduce your commute frequency and ask your agent if that will impact your auto premium. In addition to reducing your carbon footprint, you may also be fattening your wallet.

· HOW YOUNG ARE YOU? In some states, if you're 55 or older, and you're the principal driver of your insured car, you could save on your premiums by taking an approved defensive driving class.

· GOT A TRACTOR? If you're a full-time farmer or rancher, and you're insuring a farm or ranch vehicle used exclusively for work on your property, a farm vehicle bonus could help keep your costs down.

MORE WELL-KNOWN DISCOUNTS
While there are plenty of quirky discounts your independent agent can investigate, there are many 'tried and true' discounts that many, but not all, insurance consumers know.

· MULTIPLE POLICIES? If you have property insurance with ONE company, you may qualify for a multiple policy discount to lower both your auto and your home insurance premiums by as much as 10-15%.

· SOUND THE ALARMS! Alarm credits are often available if your home is equipped with two or more of the following: fire alarms, smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, sprinklers, deadbolt locks and a burglar alarm. Savings can be up to 15%. (Criteria vary in some states. An agent can help determine what applies in your area.)

· ACCIDENT-FREE FOR THREE YEARS? If you've been safe on the road and accident-free for the past three years, and you haven't received any moving violations, you might qualify for a good record discount.

· DOES YOUR CAR HAVE SAFETY FEATURES? Auto insurance discounts apply in many states, if your car comes equipped with approved anti-theft devices, anti-lock brakes, and/or passive restraint systems such as airbags.
 
 
Founders Insurance Group is a Trusted Choice Independent Insurance Agency - give us a call!
 
860-482-3506
Equestrian Protect by Founders Insurance!
equestrian 
Insurance Protection for Equestrians 
 
 Insurance Coverage for:
 
  • Historic & High Value Homes
  • Barns & Stables
  • Equine Mortality
  • Tack & Equipment
  • Liability
  • Manhattan Properties
  • Estate & Gentlemen Farms
  • Business
  • Health & Life
 
 
 
 
For more information about how your can enjoy the benefits of Equestrian Protect call:
 
Laura Trotta, Platinum Accounts Specialist
 
 
Stop by or call our Lakeville office:
12 Millerton Road, PO Box 508
Lakeville, CT 06039
860-435-2507
 
Founders News 
 

 cheryl new

Founders, Cheryl Venditti has been elected to do the graduation speech for the Leadership Northwest Class of 2010 graduation ceremony on June 16, 2010.  Cheryl was overwhelmingly chosen by her peers!
Leadership Northwest is a program of the NW CT Chamber of Commerce  . 
 
Congrats Cheryl!!
 
 
 
joe at Lasell 
Joe Lipski was asked to come back to his alma mater, Lasell College in Newton Mass,  and network with graduating seniors about "Life after Lasell".
 
Here's Joe at his Founders booth, telling the next generation about life as an independent insurance agent.
 

 

  
Sales Promotion:
 
gas pumpWe are giving away $10 gas cards at Founders Insurance - and we want to give away a ton of them!
 
Simply refer someone to Founders Insurance Group (they have NO obligation to buy)  and we will give you a $10 gas card for the referral and we will give them a $10 gas card just for allowing us to give them a proposal!
 
Give us a call, stop by, send us an email or visit us online 
 
 
Torrington 
1300 Winsted Road
860-482-3506
 
Lakeville
12 Millerton Road
860-435-2507
 
 
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 Emails you may need:
 
Terri Kozikowski
Operations Manager and Platinum Accounts Supervisor
 
Cheryl Venditti
Commercial Lines Manager
 
Cindy Donaldson
Director of Marketing and Personal Lines Sales