February 2001

Hubbard Insurance Brokers

Volume 5.6g

The H.I.B Gazette

We would pleased to answer any questions you may have, regardless of where your insurance is currently placed! ---------------------------- Below is a brief directory of our office, however, any of us can serve you. Margaret Di Nunzio Personal Insurance home, auto, cottage John Hubbard Commercial Business Carol Rettig Commercial Business RK Hubbard Commercial Business Drew Hubbard Life, Group, Health _________________ Hubbard Insurance Brokers 100 Matheson Blvd. E Suite 103 Mississauga, Ontario L4Z 2G7 e-mail: admin@hubbardinsurance.com Ph (905) 712-4668 Fax (905) 712-3586 "...over 35 years of protecting everything important."

Why we 'shop' your insurance around... EVERY year!! Recently, several insurance companies have announced that they are taking an average rate increase of 3.5% - 5% on Ontario personal auto premiums. The increases will vary by territory to reflect areas hardest hit by high claims costs. The industry results clearly show the effects of rising claims costs, according to the IICC Automobile Insurance Experience Report, Ontario - Private Passenger report which the insurance industry relies on for its statistical info. From 1997 to 1999, the industry's automobile loss ratio in Ontario has increased from 68.8% to 84.9%! The industry's combined ratio for the same period increased from 95.8% to 113.0%! That means $1.13 paid out in claims for every $1.00 taken in of premium! Adding to that, the frequency and severity of claims have risen. The impact on each of the insurance company's has been significant because over half of their premiums generated are typically auto premiums and well over half of those are in Ontario alone. While none of this is exactly a shock, it does illustrate the importance of

Hubbard Insurance Brokers continually shopping your insurance to many companies at each renewal to be sure we are all getting the best deal. We know your insurance history, driving record and claims situation, so who better to shop it around then us? We also know that if we do not do it, someone else will !! Contact us if you want more info on this! TRAVELING THIS WINTER? 2 important tips to keep in mind! 1) Did you know $400 per day is the maximum OHIP will pay for emergency care outside of Canada? US hospital rates range from $550 - $3,000 per day, that is US $$ too!! Get travel Insurance. 2) Renting a car? Don't rely on coverage provided by the rental car company or your credit card. There are many exclusions with both forms of coverage. Too many to list. Typically, it costs $20-$40 annually to amend your own auto policy to cover rental cars. Call us before you rent! Your Home Insurance Does Not Cover Business Related Items! This is not new! Many people think the computer, personal organizer and other items used for business are covered under their home insurance. See the story below.

Working From Home? Home Insurance policies Specifically Exclude All Business Equipment & Activity unless specially modified. Any business related items you use for work will not automatically be covered under your home insurance! There is plenty of information on this subject on our website (click 'Home Based Business' under the site guide) but bottom line is, if you use it for work, don't look to your home insurance for coverage. It's either covered by your employer's insurance programme or not at all (unless you have a separate business policy in place). With the unbelievable increase in 'smash and grab' type losses out of peoples cars, laptop computers and personal organizers are being stolen at record levels. Be sure to check your policy or call us. Computer and office equipment are too valuable and vulnerable to be left uncovered!! What can you do? Make sure your insurance coverage is adequate and covers you appropriately. Take care of your stuff ! What is it that they say? The funny thing about common sense is that it is not so common ??? You would be surprised what some of our claims reports say ! Don't leave valuables in plain view, hide them, don't leave them in the car, lock them up etc. etc.! Back your system up regularly ! At least if your computer or daytimer is stolen, you won't loose the one item you cannot replace or insure for, your time! Contact us if you have questions !

HUMOUR CORNER - SOME QUOTABLES!! If a woman has to choose between catching a fly ball and saving an infant's life, she will choose to save the infant's life without even considering if there is a man on base. -- Dave Barry Relationships are hard. It's like a full time job, and we should treat it like one. If your boyfriend or girlfriend wants to leave you, they should give you two weeks' notice. There should be severance pay, and before they leave you, they should have to find you a temp. -- Bob Ettinger Why does Sea World have a seafood restaurant?? I'm halfway through my fish burger and I realize, Oh my God....I could be eating a slow learner. -- Lynda Montgomery "I think that's how Chicago got started. A bunch of people in New York said, 'Gee, I'm enjoying the crime and the poverty, but it just isn't cold enough. Let's go west.'" -- Richard Jeni If life was fair, Elvis would be alive and all the impersonators would be dead. -- Johnny Carson Sometimes I think war is God's way of teaching us geography.--Paul Rodriguez "I worry that the person who thought up Muzak may be thinking up something else." -- Lily Tomlin "Some women hold up dresses that are so ugly and they always say the same thing: 'This looks much better on.' On what? On fire? -- Marsha Warfield Bigamy is having one wife too many. Monogamy is the same. -- Oscar Wilde Suppose you were an idiot... And suppose you were a member of congress...But I repeat myself. -- Mark Twain Got an idea or a topic you would like covered in a future HIB Gazette? Please give us a call !! Or 'click' admin@hubbardinsurance.com