General Insurance Service

Securing Auto Insurance for a Foreign Employee

For a foreign employee temporarily transferred to work in the U.S., getting permission to own and drive a car can be a long and tedious process. Before the non-U.S. citizen can apply and be granted a driver's license, in most states he or she must be issued a social security card, which usually takes two to eight weeks. Also, most auto insurance companies will only insure a driver with a valid driver's license. Finally, large corporations usually impose their own practices and rules on foreign nationals to protect them against liability in case the non-U.S. employee has an accident.

An insurance agent or broker that is familiar with the licensing and insurance requirements in each state can often help ease the process of a non-U.S. citizen acquiring a driver's license and insurance coverage. Lately, in an attempt to encourage global trade, many states have arranged driver's license reciprocity agreements with other countries. These agreements usually exempt foreign drivers from having to obtain a driver's license in the state where they are temporarily living. Whether a specific state has reciprocity with another country can be determined by calling the state's department of motor vehicles.

Once the requirements for a driver's license are met, there are several insurance companies that will provide coverage to foreign visitors. Usually these are "non-standard" divisions within the insurers. Because obtaining a driving record from a foreign country is difficult and time consuming, underwriters regard persons from another country as having no driving record and usually place them in a "high-risk" pool. The policy is the same as for any high-risk driver, with premiums substantially more than those paid by a U.S. driver with an excellent driving record.

When applying for auto insurance in most states an International Driving Permit will not substitute for a U.S. driver's license. An IDP only provides evidence that the non-U.S. citizen has a valid driver's license in his or her own country. An IDP, however, will enable a foreign national to rent a car.

Although renting a car may be feasible for a brief stay of several weeks or even a month, the cost of the various insurance coverages, especially the collision damage waiver, offered by rental car companies can be expensive. Charges for such coverage can be $15 to $40 per day depending on the type of vehicle rented. In just a month or two these charges could add up to much more than the cost of a six-month auto insurance policy.

Get all your South Bend Car Insurane questions answered by General Insurance Services today!

Buckle Up ‒ It's the Law

Many people invent reasons not to wear their seat belt. Some just don't bother and others think - "nothing will happen to me." The statistics show that this statement is definitely untrue. From 1992 through 2001, roadway crashes were the leading cause of occupational fatalities in the U.S., accounting for 13,337 civilian worker deaths (22% of all injury-related deaths), an average of 4 deaths each day. Between 1997 and 2002, 28% of fatally injured workers were wearing a seat belt; 56% were unbelted or had no seat belt available. Belt use was unknown for the remaining 16%.

Seat belts are effective in preventing fatalities, 50% more effective in preventing moderate to critical injuries, and 10% more effective in preventing minor injuries, according to the National Highway Traffic Administration. What is most surprising is that by 1992 over 40 states had enacted seat belt use laws and still only 55% of the people traveling in cars were wearing them.

In addition to seat belts we are even more fortunate in that cars are now equipped with supplemental restraint systems (SRS), more commonly known as air bags. What is not commonly known is that the air bag will only fully protect the passenger if they are wearing their seat belt. This is another good reason to buckle up. Insist all passengers in your car do the same and make every trip a safe one.

Occupational fatality data
*Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI), 1992-2001 (special research file prepared for NIOSH by the Bureau of Labor Statistics; excludes New York City).

†Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 1997-2002; National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) (public-use microdata files).

Take precautions to ensure your car insurance rates don't increase. Remember to wear your seatbelt and contact General Insurance Services about your South Bend Car Insurance today!

A Quick Guide to Understanding Insurance Policies

There is little disagreement among policyholders that an insurance policy is an insanely boring piece of literature. Too often we get our policy and until we have a claim, it is filed with barely a second glance. Is there a way to make reading insurance policies more interesting and more productive? Let's try.

To make your policy interesting to read, we are going to go on a scavenger hunt. Find a pen, pencil, or highlighter; open up your policy; and let's begin. We will break down the typical insurance policy into the following parts: 1.) Declarations, 2.) Definitions, 3.) Covered Perils, 4.) Exclusions, 5.) Conditions, and 6.) Endorsements or Riders. Get used to looking in this particular order, regardless of how your policy is arranged. Because of the nature of insurance policies, you will not overlook anything by going out of the policy's inherent order; so do not worry about jumping from page to page.

1. Declarations - The declarations page(s) comprises the who, what, when, and where of your policy. Look for the named insured, the address, limits of coverage, deductible or retention levels, and listings of forms that might apply to your coverage as well. Make sure that all the personalized information is correct and all the forms match the ones quoted with your policy. This should always be your first stop.
2. Definitions - Not all policies have a definition section, but most have defined terms. Hunt down the definitions in your policy, see what the defined terms mean, and to be truly thorough, find those defined terms as they are used in the policy to see if the definitions make sense.
3. Covered Peril(s) - Regardless of what type of policy you have purchased, it will always have a specific covered peril or list of covered perils. It may be called "Coverage Agreement," "Covered Perils," or something similar. (NOTE: A typical auto policy has as many as six distinct coverages, each with their own terms, conditions, exclusions, and so on.) Coverage agreements can also include additional coverages related to the covered peril, i.e., legal defense and other expenses paid by the company in a liability policy.
4. Exclusions - Virtually all policies have exclusions, which are usually found in a section entitled "Exclusions" or "What We Do Not Cover." Common exclusions include exposures that are deemed uninsurable by law or uninsurable by the insurance company. Punitive damages, for example, are not insurable in some states because of the act that precipitated the punitive damages. Other exposures, such as asbestos liability, are simply undesirable to the insurer and excluded accordingly. Often, policies have "carve outs" built into the covered peril section or elsewhere in the policy, so look for these exclusions too. For example, the policy might have a definition section with a definition for "Damages" or "Covered Damages." Damages might be stated to include monetary loss suffered by a third party (for a liability policy) and defense costs, but not to include fines, penalties, or punitive damages assessed against the insured.
5. General Conditions - All policies have what are called general conditions or common policy conditions if there is more than one coverage section to the policy. Typical conditions that apply are "Policy Territory," "Cancellation," and "Other Insurance" clauses.
6. Endorsements or Riders - Many policies have endorsements or riders added to the basic policy to account for variations by state, updates to the basic form, or elements that are peculiar to your situation and require tailoring of coverage.

Now that you have gone through your policy, the final step is to ask questions. If there are no questions, move on to the next policy, start with the declarations and don't stop until you hit the riders. I guarantee it will be a page-turner!

Contact General Insurance Services today to make sure you understand your Valparaiso Business Insurance policy!

A Complete Approach to Commercial General Liability Coverage

All businesses utilize risk management techniques in some format to reduce liability exposure. No matter how hard you try, however, you can never fully account for the actions of others. On any given day, your business could be found on the wrong end of a lawsuit for injuries or damages caused to a third party as a result of your operations. Commercial General Liability insurance is your first line of defense in these situations.

Take for example broadcast production employees who ignore safety standards when operating electrical equipment. They are remiss even though they have been thoroughly trained in accepted procedures. The negligent handling of broadcast equipment can not only result in bodily harm to the employee, but injuries or even death to unaffiliated third parties.

As a manufacturer, you are potentially liable for every product you ship. While quality control may be stressed throughout your organization, the fact remains that no person or machine is perfect. Harm caused to a third party from a faulty product could lead to a lengthy courtroom battle.

Visitors to a long-term care facility can also be the victims of unforeseen events. A floor mat with torn and uplifted edges or an extension cord placed across a heavily trafficked area can certainly be the starting point for an accident.

That's why, in spite of your best efforts at removing all the obvious potential hazards from your business, you might still find yourself being sued. Commercial General Liability insurance is your best defense against devastating claims that could destroy your business.

Commercial General Liability insurance is designed to protect business owners from a variety of exposures. It can cover liability arising from accidents on or off premises, to products sold by the insured that result in injury to the user, to contractual liability, leaving an owner free to concentrate on managing their business.

Just as important, Commercial General Liability insurance protects owners even if their company isn't legally liable for a claim. Legal defense costs are continually rising; and the expense to defend oneself against a claim whether justified or not can be financially devastating to a business. The fact that Commercial General Liability insurance pays for expenses such as attorney's fees, witness fees, and police reports is an important coverage feature. Another significant consideration is that coverage goes beyond the basic expenses of a legal defense to cover any reasonable expenses the business owner may incur at the insurance company's request to assist in the planning of their defense. Finally, the liability policy will also fund the premium for any bond the court requires, ensuring that the judgment will be paid if the business owner is found legally liable for an injury or property damage.


Make sure you're covered with Valparaiso Business Insurance from General Insurance Services today!

Valparaiso Car, Home & Business Insurance

Valparaiso is a city in Porter County, Indiana, United States, and is the southeastern-most suburb of the Chicago metropolitan area. It is the county seat of Porter County. The population was 31,730 at the 2010 census, making it the 2nd largest city in Porter County.

At General Insurance Services, we strive to be your source for all forms of insurance and risk management.  We have been helping businesses and individuals for over 70 years. We serve Northwest Indiana, Southwest Michigan and many accounts in the greater Chicago market. We represent many of the country's best insurance carriers for commercial, individual, employee benefits, and personal insurance products. Our staff consists of over 50 fine insurance professionals, many  with advanced degrees and insurance designations.

We are committed to the highest standards of service, integrity and responsiveness. This commitment has contributed to our steady growth over the years. It has also enabled our clients to grow, and be secure in knowing they have solid reliable insurance products and advice that will stand the test of time.

Call us today Toll Free 888-844-8376 for a FREE Valparaiso Car, Home or Business Insurance Quote.

Preexisting Condition Exclusions in Group Health Policies



Group health insurance policies often offer an affordable insurance solution for individuals who are expensive to insure by individual insurance standards. But that doesn’t mean that everyone’s preexisting conditions will automatically be covered by a group policy.

What is a preexisting condition?

A preexisting condition is any medical condition that you received treatment for before you were covered under the group plan. Generally, these are chronic health conditions, but can also include issues that stem from a one-time injury. For instance, if you hurt your back and were treated for it 3-months before joining a new group plan, then any future back-related problem that could have been caused by that initial injury could be considered a preexisting condition.

Because group health insurance policies are not individually underwritten, your individual health concerns are not considered to determine whether or not you are approved. Instead, new members are approved regardless of their health history but with coverage that may or may not extend to their preexisting conditions.

Click to read the full article. Learn more about medical insurance in La Porte, Michigan City, and Valparaiso, Indiana including fee-for-service and managed care. Contact us to get a free medical insurance quote at (219) 879-4581.

Replacement Cost versus Actual Cash Value on a Home

You probably know that insurance companies are good about reimbursing you when you have suffered a loss that falls within the parameters of your home insurance policy. But how much do you know about the mechanics of that reimbursement? What you might not realize is that your policy may entitle you to one of two different methods of calculating your insurance benefit. These methods include calculating for either replacement costs or actual cash value reimbursement, and there is a very big difference between the two.

Actual Cash Value

Actual cash value refers to the value of your property, generally acknowledged as fair market value. Fair market value is understood to be the amount that a fully knowledgeable buyer would pay for your property if he or she was given a reasonable period of time to decide to do so. It takes into consideration any depreciation within your home, changes in property value, and upgrades you might have made to improve its value.

Receiving the actual cash value for your home (assuming your home insurance policy limits permit that) is great for making you financially whole again and keeping your net worth in stasis, but it might not give you enough to rebuild your home on the existing property because your actual cash value might not be equal to the costs of rebuilding. This means you would either need to buy a new home or pay for some of the rebuilding expenses out of your own pocket.

Replacement Costs

Being paid replacement costs within your home insurance policy instead of actual cash values mean that you will be paid the cost to rebuild your home after a total loss, rather than being limited to receive only its actual cash value. In most cases, replacement costs can be paid when you’ve insured your dwelling for at least 80 percent of the full replacement cost of the property. This ensures that you and your family can replace your home by rebuilding on the same property, and not hurt your standard of living. Replacement costs may exceed actual cash value, but always remember that the benefit you receive will not exceed those in your policy’s limits.

If you already have a home insurance policy and just aren’t sure which reimbursement type you are entitled to, read your policy over. You can also call your agent or insurance company to find out for certain. If you are still shopping for home insurance, ask your agent about which benefit calculation method he or she would suggest.

Be sure to learn more about your own Valparaiso home insurance from General Insurance Services today!

Homeowners Insurance versus Personal Medical Insurance

Many people wonder if their homeowners insurance would pay for an injury that they got while at home. After all, guests and visitors aren’t the only people who can get hurt in your home. The same dangers that lie in wait for non-residents of your home to stumble upon are waiting for you and your family members as well. There is an important difference, though, between what insurance foots the bill when you get hurt at home and when a visitor gets hurt in your home.

Understanding Liability

As a homeowner, you are liable for many of the injuries a visitor can have in your home. In the event that an invited guest or unexpected visitor should be injured in your home through no fault of their own, your homeowners insurance would likely pay medical expenses and damages. It might even pay for lost wages if the injury resulted in the individual being out of work.

When it comes to injuries, your homeowners insurance only covers your liability as a property owner, though. So if you or one of your family members were to be injured in your home, it’s not your homeowners insurance but your medical insurance that would be responsible for paying for those injuries.

Learn more about your Northwest Indiana Homeowners Insurance from General Insurance Services today.

Staying Safe in Your Automobile

By now, even if you live in a state without seat belt laws, you know that buckling up can save your life. But buckling up is not the only way you can proactively act to keep you and your family safe in your automobile.

1. Properly arm your airbags: If your car has air bags, make sure they are properly armed. If they have activated, you'll need to have them armed again.

2. Use your seat belt properly: There is a reason why seat belts stretch across our chests and not just our laps. These chest straps keep us from hitting the dashboard, the seat in front of us, or getting an extreme case of whiplash. Make sure to wear your seatbelt as it was intended so you can get a full range of protection.

Read the rest of this article with General Insurance Services and learn about Car Insurance Laporte today.

If employers stop offering health insurance

by DesMoinesRegister Editorial | October 27, 2010

The new health reform law isn't designed to discourage employers from offering health insurance to workers. It's intended to do the opposite, providing tax incentives for companies offering coverage and imposing penalties on those that don't. Congress was trying to get more Americans insured, not fewer.

But some employers may choose to stop coverage anyway. It may simply make financial sense for them if the penalty is a fraction of the cost of providing health insurance, and other considerations aren't a factor.

And employers could justify this because Americans will be able to purchase insurance on their own through "exchanges" the new law creates.

However, the idea of that happening is difficult for many Americans to accept. About 150 million of us rely on jobs for health benefits.

But let's all take a deep breath and look at the big picture in this country when it comes to health care.

After the health reform law is fully implemented, all credible predictions show there will be fewer uninsured Americans than today. Maybe fewer people will be getting coverage at work, but that's not necessarily a bad thing.

Tying jobs to health care - a terrible idea - started as a fluke. Wage freezes following World War II led some businesses to offer health insurance as a perk. The insurance industry evolved around the practice, eventually creating a system that made it difficult for anyone without a job to buy coverage. Americans came to expect employers to pick up the majority of the cost of coverage.

It has been bad for business, workers and the entire U.S. economy.

In other countries, governments facilitate coverage for citizens. That means a car manufacturer overseas uses its resources to hire more workers, expand business or improve a product. In this country, a manufacturer uses resources to pay for increasingly expensive health insurance. It puts American companies at a disadvantage in a global market.

An employer-based system hasn't been good for workers, either. Americans have been afraid to leave jobs to start a business because it meant leaving the safety of employer-based group insurance plans. That stifled the entrepreneurial spirit that made this country great.

At least the new exchanges will eliminate that fear.

Based on the Congressional Budget Office's prediction, it's unlikely the new health reform law is going to dismantle most employer-based coverage. But if it does, the exchange infrastructure will be in place to respond - perhaps creating a system that makes more sense.

More low-income people joining exchanges may mean shifting the cost of coverage from employers to taxpayers. Joining exchanges also could lead to somewhat higher premiums, relatively speaking, for affluent Americans.

But more Americans joining exchanges will give those plans market power to leverage down health care costs.

Not to mention, Americans should be able to select the coverage they want, rather than only what their bosses are offering. Lower-income Americans will get help paying for coverage. All that makes more sense than what this country has been doing.

Make sure your employees are still covered with your Business Insurance LaPorte through General Insurance Services, Inc.