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Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Exotic pet insurance: How it works
Your ferret, iguana, parakeet, or tortoise might not seem so exotic to you. In fact, you might consider your pet part of the family — just like cat and dog owners think of their pets as fur babies. However, when it comes to getting pet insurance for your bird, reptile, amphibian, or small mammal, they're considered exotic in the eyes of insurers. That means if you want coverage to help pay for veterinary care, you need to understand the ins and outs of exotic pet insurance. Learn more: How does pet insurance work? A complete guide. Exotic pet insurance reimburses you for certain costs of medical care if your pet has an accident, injury, or illness. However, only a few insurance companies offer coverage for exotic pets. Although most pet insurance providers solely cover cats and dogs, MetLife and Nationwide offer insurance for exotic pets as well. Pet Assure also offers a wellness plan that reimburses routine exotic pet care expenses. Learn more: MetLife pet insurance review If your pet needs medical treatment, you can use a veterinarian of your choice, then submit a claim to be reimbursed for expenses your policy covers. Typically, you'll be required to include a detailed invoice from your vet visit and your pet's medical records with your claim. To be clear, not all medical expenses are covered, and the reimbursement you receive is determined by the following: Annual deductible. This is the amount you must pay for your pet's medical expenses before insurance starts providing reimbursement. Reimbursement percentage. This is the portion of your vet bill the insurer will pay for covered expenses once you've met your deductible. For example, Nationwide offers reimbursement options of 50%, 60%, 70%, or 80% for its exotic pet insurance plans. Maximum annual benefit. This is the total amount your insurance will pay each year for all claims. Example: Let's say your pet swallows something, and the vet bill to remove it is $1,000. If your deductible is $300 and your reimbursement rate is 80%, you would be reimbursed $560 ($1,000 - $300 x 80%). 'Exotic pet' is a term used to describe animals that aren't domesticated. Technically, an exotic animal is a wild animal that comes from a different continent than where you live, according to the American Humane Society. For insurance purposes, pets other than cats and dogs — birds, amphibians, reptiles, and small mammals — are considered exotic pets. Whether your specific exotic pet will be covered depends on the insurance company. But here are a few examples of what some pet insurers offer: Amphibians and reptiles Birds Ferrets Goats Hedgehogs Opossums Pigs Rabbits Small rodents Amphibians and reptiles (including lizards, snakes, and tortoises) Birds Ferrets, hedgehogs, rodents, and other small mammals Goats Guinea pigs Mini pigs Every member of the animal kingdom is covered under its wellness plan. Endangered or threatened species Fish Horses Livestock Endangered or threatened species Poisonous or venomous species Species kept in flocks Species that are hybrids of domesticated and wild animals Species that are illegal to own or require a permit, license, or registration by state or federal law The types of conditions and treatments that are covered can vary depending on the type of pet and insurance company. In general, though, exotic pet insurance covers costs related to the following: Bladder infections Cardiovascular disorders Dehydration and constipation Diagnostic tests Diarrhea and gastrointestinal disorders Emergency dental treatment Excessive egg laying Eye infections Infectious diseases Internal parasites Medications Prescription food Skin and shell disorders Upper respiratory infections Nationwide offers wellness coverage only for birds, which can help cover the cost of physical exams, beak trims, wing trims, nail trims, parasite tests, parasite prevention, parasite treatment, and more, according to a Nationwide spokesperson. Pet Assure doesn't cover unexpected accidents or illness, but its Mint Wellness plans reimburse for routine care, such as wellness visits, vaccinations, blood work, fecal tests, and dental care. Learn more: Your guide to what pet insurance covers Like pet insurance for cats and dogs, exotic pet insurance generally won't cover preexisting conditions. A preexisting condition is typically defined as a condition your pet showed signs of, was diagnosed with, or was treated for before the start of your policy or during the waiting period. However, if your pet has a curable condition and has been symptom-free for a certain period of time, the insurer might cover the condition. For example, Nationwide allows policyholders to request reviews of preexisting conditions that have been cured. Also, exotic pet insurance typically doesn't cover: Routine preventive care Cosmetic and elective procedures Grooming Injuries or illnesses resulting from neglect or intentional acts Injuries or illnesses resulting from the commercial use of an animal or racing Obedience training Learn more: Does pet insurance cover vaccines? Exotic pets can have different medical needs compared to domesticated pets like cats and dogs. Plus, illnesses and conditions can vary greatly depending on the species. Some common medical problems among exotic pets include: Abscesses Bladder stones Feather picking and loss Foreign body ingestion Intestinal issues Mouth rot Pneumonia Pet insurance policies typically have waiting periods before coverage begins. MetLife has a 14-day waiting period for illness coverage and no waiting period for accidents and injuries. Nationwide states that coverage for most plans begins after a 14-day waiting period. The cost of exotic pet insurance can vary depending on the coverage you choose, your location, and the type of pet you have. MetLife pet insurance policies are customizable, so prices vary, according to a MetLife spokesperson. Call 877-570-1173 for a quote. Nationwide states on its website that plans start as low as $9 a month, but the most popular plans are about $20 a month. Call 844-397-8937 for a quote. Pet Assure offers three Mint Wellness plans: Basic reimburses up to $350 in care costs for $18 a month Essential reimburses up to $650 in care costs for $34 a month Premium reimburses up to $1,100 in care costs for $57 a month Learn more: Is pet insurance worth it? How to decide. Yes, both MetLife and Nationwide allow pet owners to cancel their policies. If you cancel a MetLife policy within 30 days and haven't filed any claims, you'll get a full refund of your premium. With Nationwide policies, you can get your money back if you haven't filed any claims and cancel within a certain period of time that varies by state, ranging from 10 to 30 days. Owning certain exotic pets can pose risks because their behavior can be more unpredictable. If your pet were to injure someone else, you could be on the hook for their medical bills or potentially face legal action. Exotic animal liability insurance can help cover these costs. For example, Prime Insurance and XInsurance offer liability policies that will cover costs if your exotic pet injures someone or damages their property. And it will help cover legal costs if you go to court. Pets covered include big cats and monkeys, birds, rabbits, reptiles, and other more common nontraditional pets. According to the Texas Veterinary Medical Foundation, caring for an exotic pet can be more expensive than caring for a cat or dog. Plus, vets are less likely to provide care for exotic pets, so exotic pet owners might have to travel longer distances to get care for their animals, adding to the overall cost of pet ownership. Learn more: The best pet insurance companies Because it can help offset the cost of unexpected accidents and illness, and the wellness plan from Pet Assure can cover routine care costs, exotic pet insurance might be worth the cost. Consult with your vet to understand what care expenses you might face with an exotic pet to determine whether exotic pet insurance makes sense for you. Tim Manni and Jamie Young edited this article
CBS News
02-07-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
Home insurance tips for weather-proofing your home
We may receive commissions from some links to products on this page. Promotions are subject to availability and retailer terms. Weather-proofing your home could help protect it from damage while also helping to lower the cost of your home insurance year, there were a total of 27 weather and climate disasters in the United States with losses of more than $1 billion each, according to NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI). These types of issues can be devastating to your finances, but home insurance coverage provides homeowners with valuable and often necessary protection from damages related to things like hail, hurricanes, fires, lightning and other perils listed in their policies. But while that insurance coverage can help protect your finances, those benefits also come at a cost. As extreme weather events become more common, many home insurance providers have hiked up rates or pulled out of certain areas. Over the past three years, home insurance premiums have increased by an average of 24%, according to the Consumer Federation of America (CFA). If you're a homeowner who's navigating higher home insurance costs, the good news is that there are some things you can do to reduce the likelihood of filing a claim because of a weather event. While you don't have control over when and what happens with the weather, you can work on weather-proofing your home. Here's how to do that. Find out how affordable the right home insurance policy could be now. Home insurance tips for weather-proofing your home Weather-proofing will vary based on your region's specific threats, but wind and hail are common weather events. In fact, every year, about one in 35 insured homes has a property damage claim from these events, according to the Insurance Information Institute. The goal with weather-proofing homes is to add a layer of protection so you're less likely to file a claim, as doing so could increase home insurance costs. Some home insurance companies may even offer discounts for doing so. Here are some of the top ways you can weather-proof your home: Keep up with roof maintenance Your roof plays a crucial role in protecting your home during severe weather. Having a sturdy roof can help lower the risk of potential storm damage. The last thing you want is a pesky leak or a damaged roof that affects the structure of your home. Replacing an older roof with a new one is one of the best ways to weather-proof your home, Brent Thurman, president of Keystone Insurance, says. "Many insurance carriers will give substantial discounts for this, knowing that the probability of a roof claim is greatly diminished," says Thurman. Buying a new roof can be costly, though, so if it's not a necessity yet, there are other ways to strengthen your roof. Fortifying your roof or getting a new one can reduce the likelihood of damage and may help you qualify for home insurance discounts. "Some of the standard approaches that homeowners take are using roof tie downs," says Mark Friedlander, senior director of media relations at the Insurance Information Institute, a national nonprofit research and education organization. "So you don't necessarily have to replace the roof, but you're just fortifying the roof system," adds Friedlander. Compare your home insurance coverage options to find the right ones for you. Consider storm shutters Depending on where you live, you might consider purchasing storm shutters as an extra layer of protection. Also referred to as hurricane shutters, these types of shutters help safeguard windows and doors from extraneous debris during storms and can help keep you and your belongings safe as well. These benefits may lower the likelihood of filing a claim. "Common ways to mitigate risk against wind include a wind radar, garage door and storm shutters, especially in the hurricane [prone] states. They have storm shutters, and not only will it make your home more resilient to these weather events, but it could potentially generate savings," says Friedlander. These benefits may lower the likelihood of filing a claim. And, in New York state, home insurance companies must offer discounts if policyholders install storm shutters that meet certain specifications, according to the Department of Financial Services. Seal gaps in windows and doors It's essential to keep your home protected from the elements during severe weather events. When weather-proofing your home, you want to close any gaps in windows and doors that could let water or wind in and damage your home. Plus, these steps can make your home more energy efficient as well. Friedlander suggests "weather stripping and caulking to seal gaps around windows, doors, and other openings that prevent air leaks and drafts, adding insulation to attics, walls and crawl spaces can significantly reduce heat loss in the winter and heat gain in the summer." Remove outside debris As the seasons change, the area around your home can be full of debris that could damage your home in more ways than one. "We also encourage clients to remove leaves and other debris to prevent ice damming, potentially hurting their shingles or allowing water into their attics, which can damage their ceilings and walls," says Jesse L. Kohlbecker, vice president of claims and client services at COUNTRY Financial. Clearing debris may also lower the risk of a fire breaking out. "Removing dead leaves, needles, twigs, and other debris that could easily ignite, removing low-hanging branches that can carry fire from the ground to taller vegetation," Friedlander says. Clean out your gutters Weather-proofing your home requires some maintenance, too. And, one of the best things you can do is regularly clean your gutters. "We encourage them [clients] to clean their gutters and keep their downspouts open to prevent water backups," says Kohlbecker. In a storm event, it's not just your roof that can be damaged — your gutters are at risk too, Kohlbecker says. If your gutters aren't working properly, water can back up, and if it does, it may damage your roof. Not only that, but it may also lead to a water leak, which can be fertile ground for mold growth and end up multiplying your problems. Taking proactive steps can help, though. "It's so important to have those annual inspections and make sure that you're comfortable and your home is in good condition in the event that you experience a storm," adds Kohlbecker. The bottom line As home insurance costs continue to rise and the weather becomes more unpredictable, weather-proofing your home is more important than ever, and following these home insurance tips and protocols may reduce the likelihood of a claim. In some cases, you may even qualify for a discount with your insurance company. If not, remember that you can shop around for policies to compare options and ensure you're getting a competitive rate and are taking advantage of the discounts you qualify for. It's also important to be aware of your home insurance limitations and what's not covered under your standard homeowners insurance policy. While home insurance policies cover many weather-related events, standard coverage typically doesn't include damage from earthquakes or certain types of floods. So, when comparing home insurance companies, check to ensure whether they offer optional coverage to cover these and the other additional risks that could impact you.
CBS News
26-06-2025
- Business
- CBS News
When should you change home insurance providers? Experts weigh in
We may receive commissions from some links to products on this page. Promotions are subject to availability and retailer terms. Home insurance can protect your home from costs incurred by weather damage, accidents and other emergencies. Getty Images The home insurance industry is being put to the test, facing numerous challenges over the past several years. Increasing repair costs, a substantial labor shortage, inflation and major weather events have all taken a toll on the home insurance industry. The fact is that homeowners' insurance premiums have gone up across the country, with some states getting hit harder than others. Events like hurricanes, wildfires, and tornadoes have battered the industry, leading some insurance providers to pull their coverage options in states like California and Florida altogether. As home insurance companies try to find solid ground amidst a challenging environment, homeowners are paying the price in the form of steeper premiums. It's key for homeowners to review their policy annually. While higher costs are widespread, when does it make sense to change home insurance providers? It may not always be a cost-based decision. We spoke to three insurance industry experts about when it makes sense to go and what to consider before making any moves. Start comparing your top home insurance options here now. When should you change home insurance providers? Homeowners' insurance provides much-needed protection to what's likely your biggest asset. If anything were to happen to your home, your homeowners insurance policy can help out with any covered perils, such as fire or theft. A primary culprit behind rising home insurance premiums is the increase in replacement costs, which refers to the money needed to repair or rebuild your home. "We did a study here at the Insurance Information Institute that showed replacement costs for homes increased 55% from 2019 through 2022," says Mark Friedlander, senior director of media relations at the Insurance Information Institute, a national nonprofit research and education organization. Because of this, it can be challenging to find affordable and valuable homeowners' insurance in this market. However, it's still worth shopping around and some situations may warrant a change: Different coverage needs Home insurance providers offer different coverage options. If you're renovating your home, purchasing another property, or investing in high-ticket items like jewelry, your coverage needs may have changed. It's important to review your current coverage and any exclusions and potential limits. You might realize that your current home insurance provider doesn't offer what you need. If you have high-value items, your standard homeowners insurance policy might not cut it. For example, you might want to get jewelry and valuable items insurance in addition to your homeowners insurance to stay protected. Explore your home insurance coverage options online today. Poor claims experiences When you have to file a claim with your homeowners insurance company, you'd like it to go smoothly when facing what's likely a challenging situation. But average claim cycle time, from filing a claim to completing repairs, has increased to 32.4 days, according to the J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Property Claims Satisfaction Study. As the average claims cycle increases, so does the level of customer dissatisfaction. It's not just longer times that can cause poor claims experiences, either. "Claim satisfaction is huge…So that one time that they [customers] file that claim, they expect that what's going to happen is what they're told…So as soon as things go sideways, maybe there's bad communication with the adjuster or there are coverages that they thought they had in place that they don't. That's where we see a claim dissatisfaction more than anything is at that field level with miscommunications," says Benjamin Bruinekool, agency principal at Western Michigan Insurance Agency. If you're unhappy with how your home insurance provider has handled a claim, you're well within your rights to shop around and find other coverage. Significant price hikes Homeowners insurance companies are navigating a difficult time, trying to balance service, value and profitability. "The home insurance industry definitely is facing Mother Nature's wrath with significant storm volume centered around convective storms, which is putting pressure on premiums for clients," says Jesse L. Kohlbecker, vice president of claims and client services at COUNTRY Financial. Because of that, finding affordable homeowners' insurance is becoming increasingly difficult. However, if you're dealing with significant price hikes, it makes sense to shop around and get multiple home insurance quotes. That way, you can see if your current rate is in line with the market or if you can find a better deal elsewhere. Before making any changes, you may want to talk to your current insurance provider. "I believe before a client or consumer considers leaving their current carrier, it's so important they talk with that carrier because what carriers can do is tailor coverage, tailor deductible amounts, and really make sure that the clients are fully protected," says Kohlbecker. "So I think it's so important that clients kind of pause before they take any action and give their existing carrier the opportunity to make sure that they're meeting their needs in terms of planning and production." Communication preferences Everybody has their communication preferences. When home insurance providers can meet consumers where they are, satisfaction levels go up. According to the J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Property Claims Satisfaction Study, overall satisfaction scores are more than twice as high when customers say it's easy to communicate with their insurance provider compared to when it's not. "If companies don't have digital solutions, sometimes that is a negative, whereas other consumers want to go the old-fashioned way and do everything with a local agent," says Friedlander. These preferences can be generational, with 87% of Gen Z and Millennial customers being comfortable handling the entire claims process digitally, whereas around 40% of Boomers and Pre-Boomers are not, according to the J.D. Power study. If you prefer an app or prefer talking to an agent and your current home insurance provider isn't meeting that need, it may be time to switch things up. The bottom line Homeowners' insurance can provide you with valuable protection. If you've been loyal to your home insurance provider, you may qualify for certain discounts or be able to work with an agent to customize your coverage. In those cases, it can make sense to stick around. But if you're not satisfied or have different coverage needs, shopping around to find the best home insurance can make sense. Getting home insurance quotes from various companies can help you get started. While it's important to pick something good for your bottom line, you also want to look at the coverage options and the financial strength of your prospective insurance provider. "As a consumer, you need to make sure you are with a financially strong company that can pay claims. That is critical," says Friedlander. You can look for A ratings on AM Best. Additionally, you can look at customer reviews on the Better Business Bureau and Trustpilot. Doing your research before making any changes can help you make an informed decision.
Fox News
23-06-2025
- Health
- Fox News
Trump admin secures pledge from 75% of health insurers in bid to improve patient care
Roughly three-quarters of the nation's health insurance providers signed a series of commitments this week in an effort to improve patient care by reducing bureaucratic hurdles caused by insurance companies' prior-authorization requirements. Director of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Dr. Mehmet Oz, alongside Health and Human Services Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., announced the new voluntary pledge from a cadre of insurance providers, who cover roughly 75% of the population, during a press conference Monday. The new commitments are aimed at speeding up and reducing prior-authorization processes used by insurers, a process that has been long-maligned for unnecessarily delaying patient care and other bureaucratic hurdles negatively impacting patients. "The pledge is not a mandate. It's not a bill, a rule. This is not legislated. This is a opportunity for industry to show itself," Oz said Monday. "But by the fact that three-quarters of the patients in the country are already covered by participants in this pledge, it's a good start and the response has been overwhelming." Prior-authorization is a process that requires providers to obtain approval from a patient's insurance provider before that provider can offer certain treatments or services. Essentially, the process seeks to ensure patients are getting the right solution for a particular problem. However, according to Oz, the process has led to doctors being forced to spend enormous amounts of man-power to satisfy prior-authorization requirements from insurers. He noted during Monday's press conference that, on average, physicians have to spend 12 hours a week dealing with these requirements, which they see about 40 of per week. "It frustrates doctors. It sometimes results in care that is significantly delayed. It erodes public trust in the healthcare system. It's something we can't tolerate," Oz insisted. The pledge has been adopted by some of the nation's largest insurance providers, including United Healthcare, Cigna, Humana, Blue Cross & Blue Shield, Aetna and many more. While the industry-led commitments aim to improve care for patients, it could potentially eat into their profits as well if patients start seeking care more often. The commitments from insurers cemented this week include taking active steps to implement a common standardized process for electronic prior-authorization through the development of standardized submission requirements to support faster turnaround time. The goal is for the new framework to be operational by Jan. 1, 2027. Another part of the pledge includes a commitment from individual insurance plans to implement certain reductions in its use of medical prior-authorization by Jan. 1, 2026. On that date, if patients switch insurance providers during the course of treatment, their new plan must honor their existing prior-authorization approvals for 90-days while the patient transitions. Transparency is also a key part of the new commitments from insurance providers. Health plans enjoined with the commitments will pledge to provide clear and easy-to-understand explanations of prior-authorization determinations, including guidance for appeals. The commitment also states that by 2027, 80% of electronic prior-authorization approvals from companies will be answered in real-time. Oz, during the Monday press conference, compared the industry-led pledge to the Bible, saying, "The meek shall inherit the earth." "I always grew up thinking 'meek' meant weak, but that's not what meek means. 'Meek' means you have a sharp sword, a sword that could do real damage to people around you, but you decide, electively, to sheathe that sword and put it away for a while, so you can do goods, so you can do important things where once in a while we have to get together, even if we're competitors, and agree," Oz said Monday. "That's what these insurance companies and hospital systems have done," he continued. "They have agreed to sheathe their swords to be meek for a while, to come up with a better solution to a problem that plagues us all."
Reuters
20-06-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Till loss do us part: insuring wedding mishaps and contingencies
June 20, 2025 - When planning for the happiest day of their lives, to-be-wedded couples typically decide the guest count, entertainment options and whether to splurge on an open bar. Purchasing wedding insurance is probably the furthest from their minds. But unexpected events happen. Large gatherings of celebratory people are prime spots for mishaps. So purchasing wedding insurance might add a little peace of mind to an otherwise exciting, but stressful day (and be well worth the investment). There are different types of wedding insurance. Event postponement and cancellation insurance, for example, covers losses from delaying or calling off the wedding. Liability insurance covers the couple in the event someone is injured at their wedding and pursues a claim or sues them. Where there is no wedding insurance, however, a couple's existing homeowners and auto insurance might not apply to cover injuries or property damage resulting from the wedding. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, many people did not contemplate event postponement and cancellation insurance for something other than bad weather, illness or injuries. Some couples who purchased wedding insurance before the pandemic were fortunate enough to recoup costs from delaying their wedding for a year (or several) due to social distancing guidelines. Nowadays, event postponement and cancellation insurance for an unanticipated virus may be difficult to acquire. Many wedding insurers exclude health-related outbreaks or emergencies that would delay a wedding from the scope of offered coverage. Depending on the venue, vendor or event package, some insurance might already be included in the couple's event. Wedding venues and vendors frequently have their own policies to protect them in case there are any unexpected losses or they are held liable for another's injuries or property damage. While a vendor's policy may or may not include coverage for business losses or liabilities, those policies do not typically insure the couple. To be eligible for a property owner or vendor's insurance benefits, the couple must qualify as insureds under those policies. Insured status might not extend to a couple if the policy is intended to insure only business-related losses or liabilities. Business liability policies often cover the company's officers, employees and even volunteer workers as insureds. Those policies typically do not provide liability coverage for customers renting the business' property. To avoid losses due to an unexpected postponement or cancellation, it is probably best that the couple purchase their own insurance. Not all wedding policies are the same, so the couple should carefully assess the offered coverage and any limitations on what the insurance covers. If the couple fails to purchase wedding insurance before the big day, what if someone is injured at their wedding and pursues an insurance claim or sues the newly married couple? Insureds may look to their home insurance for liability coverage for damages arising from the venue's property conditions, such as a slip and fall. However, homeowners policies usually exclude liabilities occurring at non-insured locations rented to insureds. As the California Supreme Court explained in the 1986 decision, Preston v. Goldman, "Generally speaking, the personal liability provisions of a homeowner's policy bind the insurer to pay damages for which the insured shall become liable as a result of accidents in and around his home." In the 1983 case, Safeco Ins. Co. v. Hale, a California appellate court recognized that homeowners policies' other locations exclusion applies to injuries arising from conditions of premises the policy does not insure. The court interpreted "premises" to mean "the land and more or less permanently affixed structures contained thereon. It does not contemplate easily movable property which may be located on the property at a given time or even on a regular or permanent basis." Based on this definition, a slip and fall on the rented dance floor could be barred from coverage under an "other locations" exclusion. In contrast, the North Carolina Court of Appeals refused to apply a homeowners policy's "other locations" exclusion to bar coverage for guests injured at a warehouse the insured rented to host his birthday party. In the 2004 case, Erie Ins. Exchange v. Szamatowicz, the insured rented a warehouse approximately 20 miles away from his home to celebrate his birthday with over 100 guests. A fire broke out at the warehouse and some of the insured's guests sued him. The Szamatowicz court held that the warehouse did not fall under the policy's "other locations" exclusion because the warehouse was used in connection with the "insured location" — the insured's home. The insured decided to have his birthday party at the warehouse instead of his home to accommodate the large number of guests and to not disturb his infant son. This North Carolina decision may not be followed by courts in other jurisdictions. Birthday parties are often hosted at home, and the warehouse was used in lieu of the insured's home, not in connection with the home. Would a court apply the "other locations" exclusion if the guests were injured at a rented wedding venue? If a guest slips on the dance floor and sues the venue — and the venue cross-complains against the couple — would the couple's homeowners policy cover the cross-complaint? The couple signed a contract promising to indemnify the venue for liabilities arising from their wedding. Many homeowners policies exclude liability assumed by the insured under any contract or agreement. Another potential wedding-related liability issue is if guests have too much to drink and get into car collisions while driving. Homeowners insurance typically excludes liabilities, such as others' bodily injury or property damage, arising from the ownership, maintenance or use of a motor vehicle. Most motor vehicle exclusions in homeowner policies broadly exclude liability based on an insured's negligent supervision or entrustment of any person using any motor vehicle. For example, a homeowners policy's negligent supervision or entrustment exclusion would apply if a hired bus driver had too much to drink and then drove guests home after an open bar reception. The driver crashes, and guests riding in the bus are injured and sue the couple. A lawsuit alleging the couple is liable for the collision based on alleged negligent supervision of the bus driver or negligent entrustment of the rented bus to the driver (the couple hired the driver who got inebriated at the open bar reception and drove guests home) would be excluded under the policy. A couple's personal auto insurance might not cover their guests or vendors' auto collisions resulting from their wedding, either. The guests or vendors decide to drink and drive their own vehicles, and injure others in a collision. If the guests or vendors are sued and seek coverage for the lawsuit under the wedding couple's auto policy, the guests or vendors might not qualify as insureds and their vehicles might not qualify as insured vehicles. A pre-wedding purchase of event insurance that includes liability coverage might be the best solution for many of the things that can go wrong at a wedding celebration. Couples should not rely on their existing insurance policies to cover potential losses or claims related to their wedding. As part of the wedding planning, it would be prudent to buy wedding insurance for any unanticipated events or losses that may arise. Just in case there are more than just wedding bells ringing in the air — like, God forbid, an ambulance siren. Erin Mindoro Ezra is a regular contributing columnist on insurance coverage for Reuters Legal News and Westlaw Today.
