The Rutledge Group

Did you receive new computer equipment this holiday season? How about a new piece of jewelry? Musical instruments, high quality cameras, golf clubs and even fine art are popular gift items.

If you were given a valuable gift, you need to take steps to protect it against loss. Although most homeowners insurance covers a certain amount of personal property, many high-value items are excluded from your policy.

Some items you should consider getting additional insurance on include:

• jewelry
• furs
• cameras
• musical instruments
• silverware
• golfer’s equipment
• fine arts
• collectible stamps
• rare and current coins
• computer equipment

Consider a Scheduled Personal Property Endorsement, or a Personal Articles Floater. These endorsements list each article separately, and assign a specific value to them for which they will be covered. Most endorsements insure for actual cash value or cost of repair. This won’t cover the total cost if you need to replace the item down the road. If you want to make sure coverage is adequate to replace it, you may want to opt for an agreed value loss settlement. That means that you and your insurance company agree on a certain amount to be paid in the event of a loss instead of the standard amount listed on the endorsement.

Fine arts are almost always insured under an agreed value, as they are usually unique and their value is difficult to determine.

As with most insurance policies, there are some things that aren’t covered, like damage due to wear and tear, or damage caused by insects.

Protecting Your Business Against Identity Theft

Guest Column by Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted

According to a recent report by the research firm Javelin Strategy & Research, identity theft affected more than 8 million people in 2010. While identity theft has often been considered a crime targeting just consumers, business identity theft has become an increasingly alarming trend.

Business identity theft—also referred to as corporate or commercial identity theft—occurs when a business’s identity is used to transact business and establish lines of credit with banks and/or vendors. This could include establishing temporary office space and/or merchant accounts in a company’s name, or ordering merchandise or services with stolen credit card information. Like consumer identity theft, business identity theft can result in potentially ruinous consequences for the victimized business as well as those individuals associated with the business.

December is Identity Theft Prevention and Awareness Month. As the guardian of business filings in Ohio, I am encouraging all Ohio companies to take some time to evaluate and address any vulnerabilities they may have, and also to sign up for the Secretary of State’s business filing notification system, which adds another level of protection against identity theft.

For the rest of this article, go to the Ohio Secretary of State Web site.

New car shopping can be a lot of fun, especially if you’re a car enthusiast. But others can find the experience stressful and tedious. Either way, there’s a lot to think about. According to a survey of car shoppers, overall purchase price is the most important factor when shopping for a new car (46 percent), followed by make and model (31 percent).

Safety and performance come in a distant third, tied at seven percent. But whether you’re turned on or turned off by the dizzying array of car choices, trim options, “expert” reviews, incentives and other deals, it definitely pays to approach car buying strategically.

So if you’re in the market for a new vehicle and you find yourself having trouble keeping a clear head, just keep these strategies, courtesy of Rutledge Group in mind:

1. Decide how much money you can spend and what type of vehicle best suits your needs. Just looking for the basic transport capability of a small or medium sedan? Or do you need the hauling capacity of a van or SUV? Something practical? Something sporty? Something in between?

2. Research crash tests and accident data available from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

3. Shop around for financing. If you can, apply for and get approval for a loan from a bank, credit union or other financier before you even visit the dealership. Being a “cash buyer” gives you an advantage when you do finally meet with the dealership’s financing person.

4. Test drive the car. Try to drive in conditions that will be similar to those under which you’ll drive every day.

5. Check pricing for your desired make and model at two or three dealerships and use that information to help you negotiate the best deal.

6. Get a firm quote, in writing. This should include not only the cost of the car, but any fees and the sales tax.

7. Inspect your new car carefully before driving off the lot. Make sure all the options you’ve ordered are included and that the body and paint are free of scratches or dents.

Finally, it’s important to consider the cost of auto insurance, although it seems that few people realize that what they pay for insurance can add significantly to the vehicle’s total cost.

Wise car buyers know to shop around for insurance and find out how costs compare. They also know to visit an independent insurance agency – like Rutledge Group We can check with several companies to find the best combination of coverage and price.

To get a Progressive quote from Rutledge Group, visit info@rutledgegrp.com or call us at 216.561.4444.

he first time most people think about insurance is with their first car or home. But what if you’re renting your first apartment or home? Although renter’s insurance is usually not required by law, it is critical in protecting your personal possessions.