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Hi everyone. I’m Mark Goodwin and one common insurance question we get lately is, “Am I covered to drive for delivery service like Uber, Lyft, or door dash?” Well most insurance companies do not provide coverage when you’re using your vehicle for delivery or a ride share service. In fact, most policies will specifically exclude covering that sort of use of your vehicle.
So as soon as you turn on the app to look for a potential rider or food pickup, your insurance coverage turns off, if you will. Ride share and delivery companies typically don’t assume coverage until you have a passenger in your car or until you have picked up the food for your delivery. So that leaves you with a gap. But fortunately most insurance companies now have an endorsement that you can add to your policy that picks up that gap that you may have in your policy now so that you are insured. That endorsement is not real expensive. It’s, depending on the insurance company, $100 a year plus or minus.
If you would like to talk about adding that coverage to your policy, you can give us a call at E Goodwin insurance or call your agent to see if you can get that added to your current auto policy. If you find that you can’t and you need to have it, you can give us a call 740-387-8335 or you can email us, service@egoodwininsurance.com. We’d be glad to help you out.

Call eGoodwin Insurance in Marion OH at (740) 387-8335

Hi, I’m Mark Goodwin. And one of the questions we often get this time of year is how to ensure your child’s belongings when they’re headed off to college, maybe to live in a dorm room and you just bought them an expensive laptop computer, printer. And you’re worried about what happens if that item gets stolen, vandalized, or if there is a fire. Well, the way we cover those items is if you have a renter’s policy or a homeowner insurance policy and your child lives with you, then coverage extends from that policy to the belongings they have in a dorm. Typically, it’s 10% of the amount of insurance that you have on your contents at home. So let’s say you have $200,000 of coverage. Then $20,000 would extend to your child who’s at the dorm. If they have some expensive items there, like maybe jewelry or sporting equipment or musical instruments then we may want to talk about specifically ensuring an item like that.
Now, let’s say your child leaves their stuff in the dorm, and they go abroad for a period of time, or maybe they come home for a period of time. If it’s more than 45 days that they’re not living in the dorm then your policy is going to stop providing coverage. So you would need to look for a rental facility to put those items in, or just bring them back home to where you live until your child is back in the dorm.
Let’s say your child decides they’re going to rent an apartment or a house off campus. A lot of times that landlord is going to require that they get a renter’s insurance policy. We can certainly help set that up, it’s not expensive. $15 a month, roughly is going to provide what is needed. In addition to covering their contents it’s also going to provide liability protection for the premises there. So if there’s a slip and fall or something like that, and somebody gets hurt that policy has bodily injury liability as part of it that would apply in that situation.
So hopefully that answers your question about what to do in that case. We’re always here to answer your questions. 740-387-8335. Or you can email service@egoodwininsurance.com.

Call eGoodwin Insurance in Marion OH at (740) 387-8335

Hi, I’m Mark Goodwin. And we are on top of time for back to school. And what I want to talk about today is what to do about your auto insurance policy and your son or daughter who may be going off to college for the very first time. One of the questions we often get is, “Do we leave them on the policy? Do we take them off the policy? Does it save money to do that? What should we do?”
Well, our advice always is to leave your son or daughter on your auto policy. And there are four good reasons to do that. Number one, if they come home from school on break or to visit for the weekend and they want to borrow the car, go visit a friend, do their thing, they should remain listed on your policy so they are protected.
Number two, when they’re away at school and maybe they want to borrow a friend’s car, or maybe they’re a designated driver, or maybe just one evening a friend tosses in the keys and says, “Hey, you’re driving.” They’re college kids. Who knows what they’re going to do. You don’t want to worry about them not being insured in that situation. You leave them on your policy and should they borrow a car, that they are insured as they should be.
Thirdly, your auto policy protects them when they are a pedestrian walking on a sidewalk and they get hit by a car, on a bicycle if they get hit by a car, or if they’re riding in a friend’s car and they get in an accident, coverage could be extended from your auto policy for them if they get injured in a situation like that. So that’s a third reason to leave them insured on your policy.
And number four is to maintain a continuous insurability or a history of being insured continuously when they are ready to come off of your auto policy and go on their own. Having that sort of record of being continuously insured can help them get better rates.
If they are taking a car with them to school, of course they need to stay on your policy, but you should let us know or let your insurance agent know the zip code of where they may be attending school. It’s possible that if you live in a big city like Columbus, and they’re going off to a school in a small town, the small town rates may be a little less than what they get here in Columbus. So you could save a little money that way. You can also save if they are a good student. So maintaining a B average or better gives them a significant discount on their grades, and that’s college or high school for any driver. Always encourage your kids to get that discount.
If you have any other questions, you can email us service@egoodwininsurance.com or you can give us a call 740-387-8335. We would love to talk with you.

Call eGoodwin Insurance in Marion & Powell OH at (740) 387-8335

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Call eGoodwin Insurance in Marion OH at (740) 387-8335

At eGoodwin Insurance, we believe you deserve top quality service… Period. That’s why we’re committed to giving you the best of us. We’ll always make sure you have the right coverage, the right discounts, and can take comfort in knowing the things that matter most to you are protected. We also believe in giving back! As Agents of Change in our community, we’re dedicated to helping others live well and thrive!

Call eGoodwin Insurance in Marion OH at (740) 387-8335

Building Owners, Property Managers, and Lessees must be mindful of inclement weather and know who is responsible for taking reasonable care to prevent unsafe conditions due to snow and ice accumulation.

So, who is responsible for snow and ice removal, and who is liable for any claims that might arise? The answers are in your lease agreement and or contracts which may involve numerous parties from Building Owners and Property Managers to landscaping or facilities maintenance contractors. Once you have determined your responsibilities, you should take the necessary steps below to transfer the responsibility for snow and ice removal to the snow and ice removal contractor.

Many business owners sign a contract with a contractor to remove snow from parking lots and sidewalks. The contractor removes the snow and may sometimes leave a slippery surface covered in ice. You might wonder why they left an ice-covered parking lot and or sidewalk. The scope of work in the contract might have stated that the contractor would plow your parking lot. In that case, ice removal was not included in the contract and is your responsibility to remove it. Therefore, it is important to carefully select your contractor before the start of the winter season. Consider the quality of work, ability to react quickly to a storm, adequacy of equipment, experience, reputation, and ability to meet the unique needs of your building or facility.

It is important to remember that snow removal contracts are legal documents. They should be reviewed by your attorney, and you may also want to consult your insurance agent regarding contractor exposures.

• In selecting contractors, protect your financial interests by using sound risk transfer techniques. Insist on a signed written contract between you and all contractors, before they begin work at your site. A contractual agreement between you and any contractors should include these elements:
• The contractor should agree to maintain general liability insurance coverage of at least $1 million and also provide you with certificates of insurance.
• The contractor should name you as an additional insured on their liability policy.
• The contract should contain liability agreements and waivers of subrogation in your favor.
• The contractor should agree to hold you harmless if there are liability claims arising from the action, inaction, and/or workmanship of the contractor. The contractor also should agree to waive subrogation rights.

Keeping your family safe and your home in good condition are top priorities for any homeowner.

What’s one way to help achieve these goals? You can conduct a home safety audit each year.

This simply means inspecting a few things and reviewing emergency plans with everyone in your household. These easy safety checks can make all the difference. Here’s where to start.

Locate and test smoke alarms. Do you have enough smoke alarms, and are they working? You want one on each floor, including one inside and outside each sleeping area. Test each alarm, replace expired batteries and replace alarms older than 10 years.

Practice getting out and meeting up. It’s important to have a well-understood evacuation plan in case of a fire or other emergency. Go over the details (like how to exit safely and how to gather up your pets) and practice them together. Settle on a meeting place outside.

Check fire extinguishers. Do you have one in the garage and one in the kitchen? Make sure the dial shows the extinguisher is still pressurized. Review the instructions for using it (and know when to use it and when to evacuate).

Look for kitchen hazards. Has grease built up around the stove or on your range hood filter? It could start a cooking fire. Also, make sure cleaning products are locked away from young children and pets.

Check carbon monoxide detectors. Make sure they’re still working and have fresh backup batteries. Some are integrated with smoke alarms, but plug-in ones at knee level may provide better detection.

Do you have questions about keeping your home safe or about your coverage? Reach out anytime for assistance.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorists Coverage, How Important Is It?

We all know that auto insurance is required on all vehicles on Ohio roads. Car insurance is pretty much the same across the board. The only real difference is the person who sold you the policy and how they explained it. For a majority of people, price is the single biggest reason where they purchase their auto insurance, either through an Ohio Independent Insurance Agent, which is what we recommend or through companies you see on TV.  Sometimes, these companies, and other insurance agents, fail to explain or even offer the important optional coverage’s in a vain attempt to give you the cheapest price possible. Are they doing you any favors? I don’t think they are.  Believe me, I know price is very important when it comes to insurance. However, it’s also my job to make you aware of all your insurance coverage options and explain how they can help protect you and your family. Ultimately, it’s your choice so you might as well be informed when making these decisions. One of the most important coverage’s you should consider is Uninsured & Underinsured Motorist Coverage. Here are the quick definitions:

• Uninsured Motorist Coverage (UM)- This covers bodily injury and other compensatory damages for you or your passengers if you are hit by an at-fault driver who doesn’t have any insurance to pay the amount you are legally entitled to recover.
• Underinsured Motorist Coverage (UIM)- Provides coverage for bodily injury and other compensatory damages for you or your passengers if you hit by an at-fault driver who doesn’t have enough insurance to pay the full amount you are legally entitled to recover.

Unfortunately, most of us will probably be involved in a car accident at some point. I’ve been in a couple myself.  Though you may not be able to guess exactly how you’ll react to a crash, knowing what to expect can make this unpleasant experience less overwhelming.

What to Do Immediately After the Wreck

Take a few deep breaths to process what’s happened. Once you’re ready, take the following steps:

• Check to see if anyone is hurt. This includes yourself, your passengers, and anyone in the other vehicle. If anyone has been seriously injured, call 911.
• Stay on the scene. Take note of the other vehicle’s make and model, and record the license plate number if you can.
• Keep yourself safe. If your car is stopping traffic or is otherwise in a dangerous place, pull to the nearest parking lot or roadside. Turn off your engine and turn on your hazards.
• Document the accident. Exchange insurance information and take a picture of any damage if possible.  Notify the appropriate authorities and stay on the scene until they arrive.  It is important to have an accurate police report made – especially if you are not at fault.  The police report documents the at-fault party.
• Go home and rest. Then, as soon as you’re able, call your insurance company to notify them of the accident.

Post-Accident Self-Care

Coping with an accident isn’t just about nursing physical injuries. Your mental health is equally important. Once your doctor clears you for normal activity, check-in with yourself.

You may feel a mix of emotions, from shock and disbelief to anger or guilt. Don’t hesitate to share the experience with loved ones or a professional counselor. If you’re still having trouble feeling comfortable behind the wheel after a few weeks, consider taking a defensive driving course.

Even minor accidents can have serious effects, so give yourself time to recover and ask for help when needed.

Recently I’ve begun to learn about what has become the nation’s number one health care crisis: opioid use. It was a wake-up call to some astonishing information. The insurance industry, especially health insurance, has begun to feel the devastating effects and so far there is no end in sight. The statistics are alarming:

• Every 16 minutes, there is a death from opioid overdose
• 1,375 percent increase in opioid treatment spending over five years
• 4.5 million Americans estimated to have a substance use disorder associated with prescription painkillers
• $78.5 billion estimated costs of America’s opioid epidemic

According to Center for Disease Control and Prevention mortality data, death rates for young adults ages 25 to 44 has increased from 139.8 per 100,000 in 2010 to 151.3 per 100,000 in 2015, an increase of 8.2 percent in 5 years. In our own backyard (Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania), those increases are 20 percent or more. This is concerning data when you factor in the costs associated and the number of lives destroyed.

In 2016, it is estimated that 59,000 to 65,000 lives were taken from drug overdoses in the U.S. These estimates are conservative, considering unreported or misreported overdose deaths. Compare that with peak car crash death rates in 1972 of 54,589 and peak H.I.V. deaths in 1995 of 50,887.

As opioid use continues to rise, drug overdoses are expected to be the leading cause of death in the U.S. for Americans under age 50. Synthetic opioids, such as Fentanyl and its closely related counterparts, play a major role in driving overdose death numbers to exponential levels. Resources and budgets are strained by the rise in numbers. Increased police, medical care, foster care, and additional administrative burdens have all combined to quickly exceed state and federal budgets.

So, how have we arrived at such outrageous numbers? Some thought-provoking background:

From the mid-1980s through the 2000s:

1. First publication suggesting the safety of extended opioid use in non-cancer pain
2. MS Contin approval
3. OxyContin approval
4. APS launches “Pain as the Fifth Vital Sign” campaign
5. Purdue launches $200 million marketing campaign
6. Multiple new opioid brands and key generics flood market
7. Opioid Rx volume and death toll skyrocket
8. Government investigations ensue
9. Purdue pays $600 million in fines for false promotion
10. 2012: 259 million opiate Rxs were issued in the U.S.

The opioid use disorder (OUD) epidemic has been driven by the U.S. health care system’s unintentional widespread prescribing of opioid painkillers without realizing the consequences.