A Driver Discovery identifies potential additional drivers associated with a household who may not have been previously disclosed by the insurance applicant. A Driver Discovery reports these drivers, as well as the identity information associated with them.

A home inspection is a critical step in the process of buying or selling a house. It is typically performed by a licensed and qualified home inspector. The primary purpose of a home inspection is to evaluate the condition of a property, identify potential issues, and provide an objective assessment of its overall state. Here’s why you need a home inspection and what inspectors are looking for:

Valuation: The underwriters use the inspection to confirm the dwelling is properly insured to value.

Brush Clearance: Each carrier has different requirements, but they will all look at the distance to wildfire fuel: dry grasses or unlimbed trees, pine needles, etc.

Liability Hazards: Decks without railing or lifted cement blocks can be “trip & fall” exposures. Unfenced swimming pools or trampolines and other attractive nuisances can be a concern for a homeowner.

Pride of Ownership: A well-maintained home is a sign of a conscientious homeowner.

1 out of 8 drivers on the road are under or uninsured drivers.  Increasing your liability limts can help you protect your assets in the event of an accident.  Read more about limits of liability at: 1 in 8 Vehicles are Operated by an Uninsured Driver (bancorpinsurance.com)

Some rental car company personnel may say you are required to by the coverage (not true) or you will be personally liable for any damage to the car while you’re renting it (most likely, not true).  Read more about rental car insurance at: Rental Car Insurance | Bancorp Insurance

Your homeowner’s policy excludes most motorized vehicles.  Your car, motorcycle, RV must be listed on an auto policy with its own comprehensive coverage, even while it is stored in your garage.   If a fire burns down the garage or a tree falls on it, your vehicle will NOT be covered under your property policy.

Most carriers now offer telematics to track your driving habits. Telematics can be in the form of something you plug into your vehicle, but most of the time it’s a simple app you download on your phone. To participate in these programs, each driver in the family must have and use the app while driving. These devices might be a bit intimidating; you should be sure to ask your agent if your carrier has a possible rate of increase for events considered to be distracting.

For most carriers you will receive an immediate discount for participating in the program and then you could be eligible for an additional discount at your renewal based on your driving habits. Telematics track things like hard stops, sudden starts, time of day driving, and most importantly no cell-phone use (swiping, texting, calling, and some can mark you down for hands-free use as well).

Referred to as Ride Share Coverage, “public or livery conveyance” is excluded on your personal auto insurance.  This Ride Share coverage can be added by endorsement depending on your insurance company. 

Drivers use an online-enabled Transportation Network Platform (TNP) application, or digital network, to offer rides, locate and accept paying riders, and accept payment for the ride. The Ride Share endorsement covers a gap in the driver’s auto insurance coverage between the time the driver logs onto the TNP application to look for a passenger and the time the driver accepts a passenger’s request for a ride via the application.

Insurance companies cite various studies finding that drivers with bad credit are more likely to file claims, which means these drivers pose a higher risk to them and are potentially more expensive to insure. The more risk and cost you pose, the higher your car insurance rates.

Your homeowner’s policy provides coverage for damage to your home if a tree falls on it, regardless of whose tree it is.

Yes, but we do not take cash or money orders at the office, only checks and credit cards.  You can also setup auto-pay with your carrier directly which can help prevent a lapse in coverage due to non-payment and save you a trip into the office.  Some carriers offer a discount for setting up auto-pay as well.

An auto insurance deductible is what you pay “out of pocket” on a claim before your insurance covers the rest. Collision, comprehensive, uninsured motorist, and personal injury protection coverages all typically have a car insurance deductible. You typically have a choice between a low and high deductible.

A health insurance copay (or copayment) is a set fee you pay for a doctor visit or prescription. You typically pay it at your appointment or when you pick up a prescription.

This type of insurance covers a third party’s property damage and personal injuries in the event of an accident. Car insurance that only has liability coverage would not cover your injuries and personal property damage as the driver responsible for the accident.

Claim information is available for each carrier at: Payments | Bancorp Insurance

Payment information is available for each carrier at: Payments | Bancorp Insurance

According to HomeInsurance.org, “Dog breeds that are typically associated with higher insurance premiums include Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, Doberman Pinschers, German Shepherds, Siberian Huskies, Akitas, and wolf-dog hybrids.” Forbes.com adds Chows, Great Danes, Presa Canarios, and Alaskan Malamutes to their list.  Each insurance company has a different list of vicious breeds.

Fire Line Scoring is similar to the Fire Protection Classification but is determined by the characteristics of your specific property.  Factors such as brush fuel, terrain slope, fire department access, exposure to wind-borne embers, community-level mitigation, etc.  Every carrier uses its own proprietary maps and calculations to determine eligibility in rural areas.

A protection class code is the grade the Insurance Services Office gives to a home as part of the Public Protection Classification Program. Protection classes range from 1 to 10. Class 1 indicates the best level of fire protection available, while PC 10 indicates no fire protection within 10 miles. This point system considers criteria such as the quality of the fire department, paid vs volunteer staff, access to fire hydrants, and emergency communications systems.

A certificate of insurance (COI) is a document from an insurer to show you have business insurance. They’re also known as certificates of liability insurance or proof of insurance. With a COI, your clients can make sure you have the right insurance before they start working with you. You can request a COI from your insurance agent.

The work-from-home or home-based business culture has skyrocketed since the pandemic. Whether you are working as an entrepreneur or just perusing a side hustle you will need quality home-based business insurance coverage to protect your investment. Learn more at: Home Based Business Insurance (bancorpinsurance.com)

A business may pay an independent contractor and an employee for the same or similar work, but there are important legal differences between the two. For the employee, the company withholds income tax, Social Security, and Medicare from wages paid. For the independent contractor, the company does not withhold taxes.

Workers’ compensation insurance (often called “workers’ comp”) provides benefits for workers who become injured or sick as a result of their work.  By law, most Oregon employers are required to have a workers’ comp insurance policy or be self-insured. So, if your business employs workers in Oregon, you most likely need workers’ compensation coverage.  Learn more about Workers Compensation Insurance at: Workers Compensation Insurance Program | Bancorp Insurance