Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Most people know credit affects rates, but insurance companies use a specific "insurance score" that weighs data differently (like longevity with a previous carrier). Since Keats Insurance Agencies is an independent agency, we can explain which of their carriers weigh these scores more favorably for your specific history.

Standard policies often only cover the vehicle as it came from the factory. If you add high-end rims, a custom sound system, or performance parts, you often need a specific endorsement. Keats agents specifically advise clients to report these changes, so they don't lose thousands in a claim.

Many budget policies allow repair shops to use "aftermarket" or used parts to save money. You should ask us if your specific carrier offers an OEM endorsement, ensuring that if your car is repaired, it’s done with brand-new parts from the original manufacturer.

This is a nuanced area that varies by state and carrier. Because Keats works with multiple companies, they can help you select a carrier with "First Accident Forgiveness" or one that is statistically more "forgiving" of non-fault incidents like being rear-ended or hitting a deer.

Most people assume their full coverage follows the car when a friend borrows it. However, some policies have "step-down" provisions that drop your coverage limits to the state minimum (which might be very low) if a non-listed driver is behind the wheel. Ask us to check your policy for this hidden trap.

Most people think of auto insurance in a vacuum. Keats Insurance Agencies specializes in "Private Client" and "Umbrella" insurance, which provides a massive secondary layer of protection. Asking how these two policies "hand off" to each other in a multi-million-dollar lawsuit is a high-level strategy most consumers miss.

Even if a car is perfectly repaired, its resale value drops because it now has an accident history (Carfax). While most insurers don't "cover" this, an agent at Keats Insurance Agencies can explain how to pursue a diminished value claim against the at-fault party’s insurance.

One of the biggest perks of an independent agency like Keats Insurance Agencies is that they aren't loyal to just one brand. Keats always offers "Policy Reviews" and sometimes it may be good to see if a different carrier in our portfolio has become more competitive for your specific profile over the last few years. However, it is important to note that it is not a good practice to keep changing insurance carriers as it can cause higher rates. Ask us why.

Surprisingly, some carriers treat a call for a tow or a jump-start as a "small claim." If you have 2 or 3 of these in a year, it can actually impact your ability to get a good rate elsewhere. You will want to use AAA or another service and keep those small costs off your insurance history.

If your car is in the shop for a month, a standard $30/day rental allowance might not cover the cost of a vehicle that fits your family (like a large SUV). Ask one of our agents if you can upgrade this to a "Full Size" or "Luxury" rental endorsement so your life isn't disrupted while waiting for repairs.

We provide protection for real estate, investment properties, small and medium businesses including manufacturers, distributors, farming, retailers and wholesalers; personal insurances such as auto, home, renters, life, and specialty needs. Our team compares multiple carriers so you get the best fit for your budget and protection.

Independent agents represent multiple insurance companies, not just one. That means we shop for you, explain the differences, and give you personal service that big call centers and websites can’t.

Every situation is different. We’ll walk you through your assets, risks, and goals to build a personalized plan—so you’re not over- or under-insured.

Often, yes! Because we work with many carriers, we can compare rates and discounts. But it’s not just about the lowest price—it’s about getting the right coverage so a claim doesn’t cost you more later. We endeavor to provide only what you want and/or need, and not coverage that you don’t.

Yes. Most carriers provide savings when you bundle home and auto, or combine other policies like renters, life, or umbrella insurance. Some do it better than others. It’s important to know when it is or is not in your best interest. We’ll explore the options for you.

Call us first! We’ll help guide you through the claims process, answer your questions, and work with the insurance company to make sure everything goes smoothly.

At least once a year—or anytime you have a big life change such as buying a home, getting married, having a child, or starting a business. We offer free annual reviews to keep your coverage up to date and make sure you have all applicable discounts.

Yes! We write policies for small businesses, medium sized businesses, retailers, wholesalers, manufacturers, distributors, contractors, restaurants, trucking companies, farms, and more. Our goal is to protect your livelihood and keep you compliant.

Things like your driving history, vehicle type, location, credit (in some states), and coverage limits all play a role. We’ll explain your options and help you find ways to save.

It’s simple—call us, stop by our office, or fill out our quick online form. We’ll gather some information, compare rates from our carriers, and get back to you with customized options.

If your home is older and suffers a major loss, local building codes may have changed since it was built (e.g., updated wiring or plumbing requirements). Standard insurance only pays to rebuild what was there; Ordinance or Law coverage pays for the extra cost of bringing the home up to current codes during the rebuild.

Most people assume the water and sewer lines under their front lawn are the city's responsibility, but they are usually the homeowner's responsibility from the house to the street. Keats offers endorsements to cover the expensive excavation and repair costs if these lines leak or collapse.

Unlike "Actual Cash Value", which pays you the depreciated price of your 5-year-old TV, this program (offered through our partners like Nationwide) pays the full cost to replace your old items with brand-new versions of similar quality.

Standard homeowners policies usually have a very low limit (often $2,500) for "business property" stored at home. If you have significant office equipment or inventory for an Etsy shop, you likely need a specific business endorsement to avoid a massive gap in coverage. Don’t forget the liability exposure too. There can be gaps between personal and business liability that could be devastating should someone be injured when at your home for a business purpose.

If your Homeowners Association (HOA) is sued or suffers a massive loss in a common area (like the pool or roof) and their master policy doesn't cover it, they may "assess" all owners to pay the difference. This coverage may help pay your portion of that assessment, but keep in mind that would only be if the peril is covered by your Condo policy.

Very possibly! Many carriers we work with offer "Smart Home" discounts for installing sensors that detect leaks or shut off the main water valve automatically. Beyond the discount, these devices are vital because they prevent small leaks (like a cracked washer hose) from turning into a $50,000 "loss of use" claim while you're away at work.

Modern home policies can now be endorsed with Cyber protection. This helps if you are a victim of identity theft, online fraud, or even "cyber-bullying" lawsuits, covering the costs of restoring your identity or legal defense.

Yes, via Additional Living Expenses (ALE) coverage. This doesn't just pay for the hotel; it can cover the "increase" in your living costs, such as extra mileage for a longer commute or restaurant bills because you no longer have a kitchen.

Standard policies usually exclude water that backs up through sewers or drains. You must specifically add a "Water Backup and Sump Overflow" endorsement. This is one of the most common "hidden" gaps our agents find during policy reviews, and the endorsement itself has limitations to be aware of.

Usually, yes. Most homeowners policies extend a portion of your personal property limit (often 10%) to a student living in a dorm. However, if they move into an off-campus apartment, they typically need their own Renters Insurance policy to be fully protected.

Inland Marine Coverage, often referred to as a Personal Articles Floater or Scheduled Personal Property, is a specialized add-on or separate policy designed to protect your high-value, movable possessions that may have limited or incomplete protection under a standard Homeowners or Renters policy.

The name is historic, dating back to when coverage was provided for items transported across land. For personal lines, the key concept is the word "Floater," meaning the coverage literally "floats" with the item, protecting it wherever it is—regardless of its location.

It offers three main advantages:

• Higher Coverage Limits: It allows you to insure an item for its specific, appraised value, going far beyond the low sub-limits (e.g., $1,500) a standard policy might place on categories like jewelry.
• Broader Protection: It often provides "Open Peril" (All-Risk) coverage, which is much wider than the "named perils" (only fire, theft, etc.) typically covered by a standard policy.
• Worldwide Coverage: The protection is not limited to your home.

Open Peril coverage means your item is covered for all causes of loss unless a cause is specifically excluded in the policy. This broader protection typically includes events that standard policies exclude, such as:

• Accidental damage (e.g., dropping an expensive watch).
• Loss or misplacement (often called "Mysterious Disappearance").

Yes. A key feature is Worldwide Protection. The policy is designed to cover your scheduled items whether they are at home, traveling across the country, or on an international trip.

You should consider scheduling high-value, movable items, especially those with values that exceed your standard policy limits.

Typical items include:

• Jewelry (engagement rings, heirloom pieces, watches)
• Fine Arts & Antiques (paintings, sculptures, rare books)
• Collectibles (stamps, coins, sports memorabilia)
• Musical Instruments
• High-End Electronics & Cameras

Scheduling an item means listing it individually on the policy with its specific, documented value (usually from an appraisal). This ensures that if the item is lost or damaged, you are eligible to receive the full, agreed-upon value of that specific item.

Anyone who owns select items with high individual value or a valuable collection should consider this coverage.

This includes people who:

• Own significant jewelry that collectively exceeds a few thousand dollars.
• Have collections (art, books, comic books, etc.) whose value exceeds blanket Homeowners limits.
• Travel frequently with professional equipment or other high-value gear.

Mysterious Disappearance is insurance terminology for when a valuable item is simply lost or misplaced, without evidence of theft or damage (e.g., losing a valuable watch during travel). This type of loss is often covered under the Open Peril protection of an Inland Marine Floater, even though it's typically excluded from standard Homeowners insurance.

Yes. To ensure you receive full reimbursement, you must list, or "schedule," each valuable item with its specific, appraised value. This process establishes the agreed-upon amount the insurance company will pay out in the event of a covered loss.

A Personal Umbrella Policy provides an extra layer of liability protection above the limits of your primary policies, such as your home, auto, and watercraft insurance. If a serious claim exceeds the liability limits of those underlying policies, the umbrella coverage steps in to cover the rest of the damages, legal defense costs, and settlement amounts up to its limit.

The policy typically begins to pay out after the liability limits of your primary insurance (like auto or homeowners) are exhausted. For claims that your primary policies do not cover but are included in the umbrella coverage (like slander), the umbrella policy will pay the claim after you satisfy a self-insured retention, which acts like a deductible.

Yes. A significant benefit of a personal umbrella policy is that it often extends coverage to certain personal injury claims that are excluded by standard home and auto policies. This includes allegations of libel (written defamation), slander (spoken defamation), defamation of character, and false arrest, which are particularly relevant in the age of social media.

It can, but not automatically. Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage for bodily injury to you and your family is a protective measure, not a liability one. It is often available as an optional endorsement (an add-on) to your personal umbrella policy. It is highly recommended to select this option, as it extends your own UM/UIM limits from your auto policy to protect your net worth if you are seriously injured by a driver with little or no insurance.

Often, yes. Many personal umbrella policies provide worldwide coverage for liability. Since a standard US auto policy may have limited or no coverage outside of the United States and Canada, the umbrella policy can be vital for providing coverage for claims arising from accidents that happen while you are traveling internationally.

Generally, a personal umbrella policy does not cover this. Liabilities arising from business or professional activities—including the financial decisions of a non-profit board—are usually excluded. You need to verify that the non-profit organization carries its own Directors and Officers (D&O) Liability Insurance to protect you in your capacity as a board member.

Yes. All insurance providers require you to carry specific minimum liability limits on your primary policies (the "underlying limits") before they will issue an umbrella policy. The umbrella is intended to sit above a substantial layer of existing coverage, not to replace it.

Yes, in most cases. Your personal umbrella policy usually extends protection to you, your spouse, and all family members residing in your household. This typically includes dependent children who are away at school but are still considered members of your household. However, you should confirm the specific details regarding non-resident family members with your insurance carrier.

Your primary residence and a specified number of personal vehicles are typically covered. However, liability arising from rental properties or vacant land must often be specifically listed or endorsed onto the umbrella policy for coverage to apply. Failing to mention these could leave you exposed if a tenant or visitor is injured on the property.

Most often, yes. A critical feature of an umbrella policy is that it typically covers the costs of legal defense, court fees, and investigation in addition to the actual settlement or judgment amount, even if those defense costs cause the total payout to exceed the policy limit. This is a massive financial protection, as legal fees alone can rapidly deplete your assets.