Property & Casualty

 

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Hi, I'm Nancy!  Welcome to my world of Property and Casualty Insurance.  Allow me to be your guide to ensure that your auto and home insurance meets your needs and that two of your most valuable assets are protected.  If you would like me to review your current policies to ensure that you have the proper coverages and provide you with a comparable quote, please contact me, Nancy, at (860) 258-3808 or ncarrier@metlife.com.

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Special Needs Planning and Your Auto and Home Policy

Planning and preparing for the future is, of course, a critical component for families who have children or other dependents with special needs. Perhaps, equally important, is planning for everyday needs, such as transportation and easy access around the house. Part of that planning is ensuring that custom features of your auto or home are properly insured, so that they can be restored or replaced with minimal inconvenience to you and your family.
 
What to Consider When Purchasing an Auto or Home Policy
You know all the time and care that goes in to purchasing and installing specialized equipment and fixtures for your home, auto, or van. That’s why you want to be sure that, in the event of a loss, those features are replaced or repaired to their pre-loss conditions without incurring additional expenses.
 
Too often, the importance of having the right insurance is not realized until a loss occurs. Parents of children or other dependents with special needs could be left without proper coverage, which means that they’d end up paying more than expected for out-of-pocket expenses. It is imperative to obtain expert advice about the special coverage that is needed in raising children or other dependents with special needs, from insuring customized vans and cars to ramps and specially manufactured furniture and fixtures for the home.
 
If you have custom features in your auto or home, it’s vital that your insurance policy provides coverage for the replacement or repair of this equipment or special furnishings. With the proper coverage, your day-to-day would be back on track with little disruption to you and your loved ones.
 
When you meet an auto and home insurance professional, be sure to ask if your policy provides protection for special features like those listed below:
 
In your vehicle
  •  Vehicle hand controls, pedal extensions for brake and throttle
  • Extension for steering control
  • Voice recognition
  • Wheel chair lifts/ ramps
  • Removable front seats
  • Powered front and rear seats adjust to opening for easy access
  • Special door openers
  • Rizers to gain easier access to vehicle
  • Wheel chair securement items such as tie downs or specialty locking systems
  • Low floor rear entry vans

In your home

  •  Level entry ways
  • Roll in showers
  • Raised toilets
  • Grab bars near toilet
  • Larger door ways to accommodate wheel chairs
  • Elevators
  • Lowered work surfaces and appliances in kitchen
  • Wheel chair lift systems
What’s more, does that coverage reimburse you for the cost to repair or replace a wheel chair lift or custom counter? The idea is to minimize, or completely avoid, additional out-of-pocket costs by purchasing the right coverage for your needs up front.
 
Consider asking these important questions:
 
In the event of an accident if my vehicle were declared a total loss, would I be covered for the additional cost of a wheel chair lift? Under our Comprehensive Coverage, we pay for covered losses to your automobile, including its equipment, minus any deductible. Although customized sound equipment (televisions, VCRs, CD players, etc.) is covered by an optional endorsement, loss to a wheel chair lift and other customized enhancements, would be covered by the standard policy. Additionally, if there were a total loss to such a new vehicle, with our unique Replacement Cost for Total Losses Coverage, which is included in every policy at no additional cost, we would replace or repair the vehicle without deduction for depreciation. See your policy for restrictions. Not available in all states, such as MA and NC.
 
Does my homeowners policy reimburse for the cost of universal design features, such as level entryways, lowered counter-tops and appliances, or handrails? Once again, you would be covered for the repair or replacement of your home – including modifications for ramps, lifts, etc., at their actual cash value up to your policy limit and subject to the deductible. Also, if your policy included Replacement Cost Coverage, we’d pay covered losses at replacement cost at the time of loss without deduction for depreciation. See your policy for restrictions.
 
Do you have any type of General Contractor Repair Program? If you did have to repair or replace a custom feature in your home, ask your insurer if it offers a list of local, licensed contractors. Usually, the insurer will guarantee the services of these providers for as long as you own your home. That way, it’s done once and done right. Not available in all states, such as MA.
 
Customer Loyalty Has its Privileges
Bank and airlines aren’t the only businesses that reward customer loyalty with discount pricing. Many insurance companies will offer a “multi–policy discount” to customers who purchase more than one policy with the same company. Do you have life and auto policies from the same family of companies? Be sure to inquire with your insurance professional about potential discounts, as these savings may be as much as 10% off the auto policy premium.
 
Find Out More…
In today’s hectic environment, it can be difficult to find the time to research the best insurance options to meet your needs. That’s one very important reason why your MetDESK specialist works with MetLife Auto & Home® to offer a complete range of products and services. For more information call your local MetDESK specialist, Anthony Recck at (860) 258-3812.
 
“MetLife Auto & Home is a perfect match for MetDESK clients,” said Chris Grisham, National Sales & Marketing Manager for TeamMet Enterprise Marketing Solutions. “Our enhanced product features help protect against coverage gaps found in many auto and home policies. We’re proud to join MetDESK specialists in providing an entire protection portfolio for their clients. Plus, you’ll be glad to know that MetLife Auto & Home associates lend support to a wide variety of activities ranging from assisting the elderly and the homeless, working with Special Olympics, donating blood, and giving generously to the United Way” campaigns.
 
 
Produced by MetLife
27-01 Queens Plaza North
Long Island City, NY 11101
 
*Replacement Cost for Total Losses is available in most states (except MA and NC) at no additional cost to customers who elect to carry Physical Damage coverage (coverage for damage to your auto). Coverage applies to the first year or 15,000 miles, whichever comes first. Does not apply to non-owned, substitute, or leased vehicles. Subject to deductible. See policy for restrictions.
 
MetLife Auto & Home is a brand of Metropolitan Property and Casualty Insurance Company and its affiliates: Metropolitan Casualty Insurance Company, Metropolitan Direct Property and Casualty Insurance Company(CA Certificate of Authority:6730; Warwick, RI), Metropolitan General Insurance Company, Metropolitan Group Property and Casualty Insurance Company,(CA COA:6393; Warwick, RI),  and Metropolitan Lloyds Insurance Company of Texas, all with administrative home offices in Warwick, RI. Coverage, rates, and discounts are available in most states to those who qualify.