1. I am a State Farm insured and now they are pulling out of the state of New Jersey, what should I do?
As a provider of insurance products, we have promised our customers excellence in service and that is what we will continue to do during this time of fluctuation. We are advising our customers to take a proactive stance and shop early to avoid the masses of people who will be scrambling to replace their auto insurance. We also remind you that this situation presents an excellent opportunity for you to consolidate your insurance policies-- homeowners and auto insurance-- under one roof for improved service and savings.

2. I was asked to sign a contract with an Indemnification Clause, what does that mean to me?
When you sign an Indemnification Clause, you agree to not hold the other party accountable for possible problems that may occur during the length of the relationship. Most insurance policies will respect the Indemnification Clause and will provide coverage to you if needed. However, it is imperative that you have your insurance provider review the clause before you sign it.

3. Is there an advantage to having my Homeowners and Automobile coverage with the same company?
Yes, most companies will offer a discount of up to 20% for umbrella policies. In addition, your insurance company will view you as a more loyal customer.

4. As a contractor, where does my policy start and stop when it comes to faulty workmanship?
Insurance coverage cannot be provided if the property damage is a result of work performed by your or your employees. However, if damage does occur to the property due to unavoidable circumstances and not faulty workmanship, your insurance provider will be able to cover the loss.

5. What is the advantage of insuring my jewels and furs separately from my homeowners insurance?
You will receive more extensive coverage for your jewels and furs if you take out a separate Valuable Items Policy. Most insurance providers will only offer approximately $1000 cap in coverage for jewelry, etc. under a standard homeowners policy. A Valuable Items Policy will give you much broader coverage.

Michael M. Rossi, III, AAI, is the president and CEO of Allied Insurance. He has a distinguished 33-year career in the insurance industry. Michael is an Accredited Advisor of Insurance, past-president of the Cumberland-Salem Agents Association and a certified expert insurance witness for the Superior Court of New Jersey.