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Natural Disasters May Not Be Included

Standard homeowner’s insurance covers common issues like fire, wind, and hail damage. However, this is not the case with floods, earthquakes, landslides, hurricanes, and wear and tear. These unexpected disasters require separate policies for coverage. Since Hamburg, NY experiences harsh seasonal weather and occasional flooding, you should consider adding these to your policy to provide peace of mind.

Did You Know? Your Insurance Coverage Could Be at Risk!

Many people believe that permissive use automatically covers any driver who occasionally borrows a family vehicle. But insurance policies have changed! If you don’t list all household members over the age of 14, your vehicle damage claim could be denied—even if it’s your own child behind the wheel.

What Changed? New Insurance Rules You Need to Know

Most insurance companies now require all household members over 14 to be disclosed on your policy. Here’s why:

✅ Unlisted household members may not be covered for vehicle damage.
✅ Oklahoma law still requires minimum liability coverage to others, but beyond that, you could be paying out-of-pocket.
✅ Some insurers now apply “step-down limits” to permissive drivers. That means if someone outside your household borrows your car and causes an accident, your insurance might only cover state minimum liability limits, even if you have much higher coverage.

What Happens If You Don’t Disclose a Household Member?

If an unlisted household member drives your car and has an accident:

Your vehicle damage claim may be denied—you’d have to pay for repairs or replacement yourself.
Your insurer must still pay at least Oklahoma’s state minimum liability limits ($25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident) for injuries and damages to others, but no more than that.
If your liability limits are higher than the minimum, your insurance company may not honor the extra coverage.

💡 Example: If you have $250,000 in liability coverage, but your unlisted child causes an accident, the insurance company may only pay the state minimum of $25,000 per person—leaving you responsible for the rest!

How to Protect Yourself

🔹 List all household members age 14+ on your policy. Even if they don’t drive, they need to be designated as rated, non-rated, or excluded.
🔹 Check your policy for step-down limits on permissive use drivers.
🔹 Talk to your agent to make sure you’re fully covered!

Final Thoughts

Insurance policies are always evolving, and what worked in the past might not protect you today. If you haven’t reviewed your coverage recently, now is the time!

📞 Need a policy review? Contact us today!