Tag Archives: maryland

How does life expose thee? Let us count the ways

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Six good reasons to have a personal umbrella

There is no question that the ownership and use of our autos present us with the greatest personal liability exposure. But our normal daily activities can expose us to the potential of a large liability claim that could threaten our personal assets. One of the best ways to understand the need for a personal umbrella policy (PUP) is to review actual claim examples. Listed below are actual personal liability claims that illustrate the need for higher personal liability limits.

Loss #1
A couple hosted a pool party for their teenage children. They did not provide any alcohol, but it was brought by some of the guests and was available. After leaving the party, one of the guests was severely injured in an auto accident, and the injury was attributed to his consumption of alcohol. This case went to the Wisconsin Supreme Court which decided that anyone who sells or furnishes alcohol to a minor is responsible for the minor’s injuries as well as any injuries caused by the minor. The opinion of the court was that the homeowners should have prevented the consumption of alcohol by minors on their premises. Both the homeowners’ and personal umbrella policies responded to this claim.

Loss #2:
The insured hosted a party at his home. Among the guests was a family friend, who was also the insured’s financial advisor. The friend brought his wife, their 2-year-old child and their baby to the party. The insured gave them a jug of spring water to mix formula for the baby. The 2-year-old child also had a drink of the water. Shortly thereafter, both children became ill. The family left the party and took the children to the hospital. The hospital confiscated the water jug which was found to contain arsenic. An old label was found wrapped around the handle with the words “weed killer” printed on it. The insured had mistakenly given the jug, which was similar to the ones containing spring water, to the family. The baby died and the 2 year old survived after being in critical condition several days. The personal umbrella liability limit was paid.

Loss #3:
The insured’s 18-year-old son was driving his parents’ car to the store with his 19-year-old girlfriend. He left the roadway and hit a tree. The son told the police that another car cut him off, but there were no witnesses, and the girlfriend had no recollection of the accident. She was hospitalized for over a month with multiple fractures and internal injuries and received extensive physical therapy. The personal umbrella insurer settled with the girlfriend for the policy limit.

Loss #4:
An 18-year-old college student was struck by a fraternity paddle during initiation. He sustained facial fractures and blindness in his left eye. The fellow fraternity members and their families were sued. The court awarded $1,300,000.

Loss #5:
A 28-year-old engineer dove into a friend’s above-ground swimming pool, struck his head on the bottom and, as a result, became a quadriplegic. He sued both the homeowner and the pool manufacturer. The court found the homeowner to be 60 percent responsible and the pool manufacturer to be 40 percent responsible, and awarded $10,000,000.

Loss #6:
A babysitter left a 5-month-old infant unattended in a walker. The infant toppled the walker, struck her head on the floor and suffered brain damage. The parents of the infant sued the teenage babysitter and her parents. The court awarded the parents $11,000,000.
The above losses show the consequences of situations that can quickly exhaust the liability limits of the underlying policies.

For less than the cost of a cup of coffee a day, most folks can purchase a personal umbrella policy with a limit of $1,000,000, possibly $2,000,000 or even $5,000,000.
Jerry Milton, CIC, contributed this resource. The legal profession recognizes him as an expert on insurance coverages. He is also an education consultant for IA&B, working with CISR, CIC and on-demand CE programs.

Happy Holidays from Rossmann-Hurt-Hoffman, Inc.!

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On behalf of Rossmann-Hurt-Hoffman, Inc., we want to extend our warmest holiday wishes to you, your staff, and your family!  We are very grateful for your continued partnership with us and look forward to a great 2012 with new opportunities to grow together!

In observance of this joyous season, we will be closing early today at 1:00pm, Thursday December 15th for our office luncheon.  On Monday, December 26th we will be closed for the Christmas holiday and on Monday, January 2nd we will be closed for the New Year holiday.

Have a very safe and happy holiday season!!

From Your Friends at Rossmann-Hurt-Hoffman!

FIRST NATIONAL TEST OF NATIONWIDE EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM

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On November 9th FEMA, DHS and FCC will conduct the first national test of the Nationwide Emergency Alert System test. This test will kick off at 2:00 p.m. (EST). The test will be nationwide, running concurrently across all time zones.

This system test is the first of its kind. It is designed to broadcast a nationwide message to the American public. Nothing like it has been conducted in the history of the country. There have been tests in the past but none to all parts of the Nation at the same time. The test will run concurrently on all radio and TV bands and the message will run for three minutes. Most messages in the past were anywhere from 30 seconds to 1 minute.

There is great concern in local police and emergency management circles about undue public anxiety over this test. The test message on TV might not indicate that it is just a test. Fear is that the lack of an explanation message might create panic.  Please share this information with your family and friends so they are aware of the test.

Below are two websites, that will provide more information…
http://www.fema.gov/emergency/ipaws/eas_info.shtm
https://nationaldialogue-emergencyalertsystem.ideascale.com/

Rossman Hurt Hoffman Insurance

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Rossman, Hurt, and Hoffman Insurance known as RHH Insurance offers several personal insurance coverage options. Events in life are sporadic and unexpected. That’s why it’s important to be protected at all times. It’s better to have, than to not have by being prepared and feeling safe. RHH has homeowners insurance to protect your really important and valuable personal property, such as, your home and any buildings that sit on your property and even, what it holds including – clothing, furniture, and appliances. They offer auto insurance covering bodily injury to others and personal injury protection. Optional coverage components can always be added, make sure you let them know specifically what you want insured.

Additionally, RHH offers life insurance to provide for your surviving loved ones upon your passing. This is crucial to cover any estate costs, pay for burial and for any other bills your family may incur. Health insurance is also another product to help cover health care costs. It’s very important to have in the event of unforeseen medical emergencies that could potentially be extremely expensive. By having health insurance you would then alleviate much costs and future debt. RHH even has a wedding protection plan.

RHH is upfront and honest and is sure to provide you with the necessary details to ensure you choose the right coverage plans. Their website provides informative feedback with a Frequently asked Q & A section. An added feature is their online insurance quote form. You can input your information in and receive a quote instantly without leaving home but if you want to speak with someone you can always call them using their toll-free number 1 (866) 847-0449. RHH insurance agents will be happy to explain all policy information to make sure there is no content that’s unclear to you. Go ahead and get your price quote today. http://www.rhhinsurance.com/personal-insurance.html

The Importance of Restaurant Insurance

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If you own a restaurant, you will need some type of insurance policy to protect your investment. Restaurant insurance is designed to safeguard your business from a number of problems. The type of policy you will need depends on the location of the restaurant. If you are under the obligation of a bank loan. you will also need insurance coverage according to the bank’s guidelines.

There are numerous types of restaurant insurance policies you can choose from. It is best to understand the laws in your locale prior to picking a policy. There is no need to opt for coverage you may not need in your situation. Consider the type of business you will be running before you choose a policy. It is a good idea to work with an insurer who can provide protection that is specific to your needs.

The most essential types of coverage are general liability, workers’ compensation and property insurance. General liability protects you from lawsuits should anyone get injured or sick in your restaurant. Workers’ compensation provides a similar type of protection for your employees. Property insurance safeguards the building and property in the event of a fire or other disaster.

There are many other types of protection you can use to augment your insurance policy. If you sell alcohol in your restaurant, most states will require you to purchase liquor liability insurance. This protects you if a customer becomes injured after drinking at your establishment. Insurance to cover food contamination due to loss of power is also a good investment. Additionally, specific peril insurance will protect your business from natural disasters.

Restaurant insurance will cover anything from liability issues to faulty equipment. As a restaurant owner, you are obliged by the law to protect your business with insurance coverage. For added protection, consider obtaining a life insurance policy to protect your loved ones from financial obligation. Before you open for business, it is important to determine what type of policy you should commit to. Procuring an insurance policy will safeguard your livelihood so you can reap the rewards of running a profitable business.

NOAA hurricane outlook indicates an above-normal Atlantic season

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Did you know that June thru November is the “official” hurricane season in the United States? Oh, and just in case you forgot, we are already into the first week of June! During hurricane Isabella some shingles blew off my roof and water blew in my patio door damaging hardwood floors. Very small potatoes compared to the damage in many areas of Maryland and other states. Do you know that many homeowers policies have a separate “hurricane deductible” which applies to damage solely from hurricanes, and that the deductible can range from one to 5% of a home’s insured value?  What is your experience with hurricanes?  Have you ever had any damage caused by a hurricane or a story about going through one?  Share your story here on our Blog!

The Importance of Contractor’s Insurance

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In the course of doing business, contractors such as plumbers and roofers take on several risks of a financial nature as well as being subject to personal injury lawsuits. To lessen this risk, independent contractors may opt to purchase a policy that will cover their costs in the event of being sued for property damage or bodily injury.

Independent contractors provide their services in many of the construction trades, from electrical repair to road construction. Business owners, who already have enough to worry about just keeping the business operating, are going to be far more likely to hire an independent contractor who has a contractor’s insurance policy. To contract for the federal government and some state and local governments, contractor insurance is mandatory.

Contractor insurance policies are generally issued to cover the contractor, the person or company they are providing services to and any person, such as a homeowner, who is directly impacted by the work of a contractor. The policy will cover accidental property or equipment damage as well as protection from medical and legal costs brought on by a third party.

There are two areas that contractor insurance will not provide coverage for. The first is deliberate acts of negligence and the second is acts that occur due to a continued pattern of poor workmanship. However, the insurer would need to prove that such a pattern existed before denying a claim.

The average claim against a contractor often is not made until many years after the event, as faulty construction is often not evident until the finished product has been in use for some time. That is why it is important to understand how long the contractor’s insurance policy will be in place. A contractor’s insurance policy can even provide protection after the contractor has retired.

By purchasing a contractor’s insurance policy, contractors are relieved of the stress and anxiety over accidental damage to property or personal injury to others and can just concentrate on providing the best contracting services possible.

Are You Ready For The Spring Flooding Season?

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Springtime brings warmer weather, but also brings conditions such as fast melting snow combined with severe storms and heavy rainfall that increase flood risk. Just a steady rainfall can cause rivers, lakes or other bodies of water to overflow their banks, threatening the communities near them. In fact, you don’t even have to be near the water to be at risk! A water-main break can result in a flooding of the surrounding area causing water damage to homes and businesses.

Don’t wait for a water main break in your neighborhood or for local flooding to occur to discover that you are not covered for flood losses.  Remember, it takes 30 days AFTER the purchase for a flood policy to take effect.  Make that call to us today before you find yourself standing in water! (410) 504-1002

CNA Loss Control Seminar

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ROSSMANN-HURT-HOFFMAN, INC. IS PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THE CNA LOSS CONTROL SEMINAR

“Building a Solid Foundation”: Managing Law Practice Risk

DATE: May 25, 2011 (WEDNESDAY)
TIME: 9:30 AM. – 1:00 PM.
PLACE: M&T BANK STADIUM – INNER HARBOR – BALTIMORE, MD
ROOM: NORTH CLUB LOUNGE (2ND FLOOR)

The program will be conducted by Alvin Frederick, Esquire (Eccleston & Wolf) and Glenn Grossman, Bar Counsel (Attorney Grievance Commission of Maryland) as well as their special guest, the Honorable Glenn T. Harrell, Jr., Judge of the Court of Appeals of Maryland. The general topic will be “How to Avoid Lawyers Malpractice Claims”. Judge Harrell will share his thoughts on the most significant decisions of our appellate courts during the prior year. While we WELCOME your participation every year, it is only necessary to attend our seminar once every three years to receive your premium credit.

A complete breakfast buffet will be served.

Space is limited and early registration is strongly recommended

For cost, registration form and more information, please contact Rossmann-Hurt-Hoffman, Inc. at (410) 465-4300

Restaurant Insurance | Maryland Insurance

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One of the most important, and most unseen, aspects of operating a restaurant is having good insurance. Many times, insurance may be only an afterthought, but it is vital to the long term success of a restaurant.

Restaurant insurance will help to protect the owners from damages and losses associated with unforeseen events. Not only is it important to mitigate monetary damages, but it can also be required both by state law and by some financing agencies in order to operate and secure financing.

Like most insurance types, there are a variety of different options available. Property insurance is crucial to a business because it will cover the costs of rebuilding should a fire or other incident occur. Being secure that the building will survive most events can help to reassure investors. Unfortunately, most property insurance does not cover weather related damages which are covered mainly by a different policy option.

General liability is insurance against events that may happen to patrons inside of the restaurant. This includes cases such as food poisoning or slip and falls. Having general liability can save a business from a bad series of events that could end in an expensive settlement.

Workers compensation is another type of insurance that may be required. This insurance will cover the costs of medical and other bills should an employee of the restaurant be injured while on the job. Without this insurance, then those bills would have to be paid out of pocket.

There are a number of different options that can be included in a restaurant insurance policy. There are insurance policies for nearly every situation. There are even policies that can cover the failure of the business, liquor liability for the actions of intoxicated customers, and automobile liability if your restaurant uses delivery vehicles.

Whatever the need, there are restaurant insurance policies available to help protect the business. They can help to make sure that the business runs smoothly over the years and help to increase profits even when unexpected events occur.