Most basic policies protect against damage from:

-Fire and lightning
-Explosion
-Aircraft

-Falling objects
-Vehicle Impact
-Smoke
-Vandalism and malicious mischief
-Theft
-Damage by glass or glazing material that is part of the building
-Volcanic eruption

Coverage that is not afforded for in a standard home/property insurance policy can vary from company to company. Normal wear and tear is not covered. There are other exclusions that may also apply.

Normally the contractor will encourage you to replace the entire roof in order to avoid a mismatch in the uniformity of the colour of the roof cladding. This is not a consideration for the insurance company who will replace the damaged section of your roof and as much as is absolutely necessary to gain uniformity in that area up to the first natural break. This approach applies to areas that are carpeted and tiled and stocks of that existing design or colour are no longer in production.

Property damage coverage helps repair your home and personal property when damaged by such perils as fire, lightning or windstorm as well as other perils shown previously.

Owners: To protect both your house and personal property.
• Tenants: To protect your personal property.
• Everyone: Protection against liability for accidents that injure other people or damage their property.

Most home insurance policies cover alternative accommodation. If your home is damaged by an insured peril and it is rendered uninhabitable either as a result of the damage or the extensive nature of the repairs Insurers will pay you a sum of money equivalent to the cost of renting a similar property for the period of time that you are dislocated and the time that the contractors indicate it will take for your house to be reinstated to a liveable condition.

The contents of your home and other personal belongings owned by you or family members who live with you can be covered under the Uniplan 2000+ Policy. However, high-valued personal property such as jewellery and cameras should be listed on the policy so that you are adequately protected.

If I modify my vehicle by changing its colour or engine capacity, am I required to inform my insurance company, the licensing authority, etc? If I relocate, am I required to inform my insurance company? If I add expensive accessories to my vehicle, like mag rims, musical equipment, flare kits, etc. Am I required to inform my insurers?

You must tell us as soon as possible if any of the following occur:

• you change the address at which you normally keep your car
• you make changes to your car which improves its value, performance or attractiveness to thieves
• you change your car
• you want to use your car for a purpose not included in your schedule
• you become aware of any medical or physical condition of any driver named on the policy which may affect their ability to drive
• you or any other driver named on the policy are convicted of a motoring offence other than fixed-penalty parking offences
• you or any other driver named on the policy change your occupation
• you change your annual mileage

Full disclosure of all details of the risk are needed in order for your insurance to be effective. If you do not tell us about any relevant changes, we may reject or reduce any claim or treat you as being uninsured.

Should I have my vehicle valued before it is insured? Would I be entitled to the full sum insured in the event of a total loss?

If the cost of repairing the vehicle, plus its salvage value, equals or exceeds its actual cash value, it is not economically feasible to repair. This situation is commonly referred to as a “total loss.”

Can I ensure more than one vehicle under the same policy?

If you have more than one car, you may be wondering if you have to take out a policy for each car. The answer is no, as long as all of your cars are insured with the same company. In fact, once you simply name each vehicle on the same policy, they’re all covered. What’s more, there are benefits to insuring all your cars with one company: namely, you may get a discount on your premium.

What should I do if my car is stolen?

If your car is stolen, contact the police immediately, then report the incident to us at any of our offices or using our online claim form. Our claims representative will contact you to advise you on what steps to take. There is usually a waiting period of days before a theft claim is paid in case the vehicle is recovered. You can obtain a courtesy car if your coverage includes it.

What are my obligations if I take out a loan on my vehicle?

Your loan or leasing agreement provides details on the kinds of auto insurance coverage finance institutions require. Though each leasing agent or lender has different requirements, most lenders and leasing agents require you to buy comprehensive and collision coverage when you purchase your auto insurance policy.

If I loan my car to a friend and he gets involved in an accident, am I covered? What about damage to any third party?

Whenever you knowingly loan your car to a friend or an associate, he or she will be covered under your policy. In fact, even if you don’t give explicit permission each time a person borrows your car, someone is still covered under your policy as long he or she had a reasonable belief that you would have given permission to borrow the car.

Can I determine to which garage my vehicle goes for repair? Can I refuse to send my vehicle to the insurance company’s authorized repairer?

No. Insurers can’t force you to go to a particular repair facility. However, if you choose to use a body shop not recommended or approved by your insurer, you may have additional out-of-pocket expenses.

What are my duties and responsibilities in an accident? What are my obligations in case of an accident?

Hopefully, you’ll never be involved in an accident, but if you are, keep these general guidelines in mind.
At the scene…

1. Get medical help if anyone is injured.
2. Phone the police so that they can help with the situation.
3. Allow medical professionals and/or the police to control the accident scene.
4. Discuss the accident only with the police.
5. Do not admit fault to anyone.
6. Gather information. Get the names, addresses, phone numbers, and auto insurance information of all parties involved. Be sure to get contact information from witnesses as well.
7. If you have a camera with you, take photos to document vehicle damage, the intersection where the accident occurred, skid marks, and any other features of the accident scene.
8. As soon as possible, contact either your insurance agent or your insurance company to notify them that you have been in an accident.
9. Above all, try to remain calm.
10. Write down what you think happened for your own records.

Always remember that, if another party to the accident or another auto insurance company contacts you, do not discuss the accident with them and do not agree to make a recorded statement. Simply refer any questions about the accident to your claims representative.

What is a Proposal Form, and why must I fill one out when insuring my vehicle?

It’s a document completed by a prospective insured, giving details required by insurers to enable them to decide whether to accept the risk and on what premium terms and conditions. Once agreed by both parties, it forms the basis of the insurance contract.

Am I required to keep my insurance in force if my vehicle is laid up for an extended period or if I am out of the country, etc?

If the vehicle is going to remain parked for an extended period (usually three months or more), you can cancel JUST the liability and collision portions of your auto insurance, and leave the vehicle with just comprehensive coverage (fire and theft, basically). You will save money, and you will maintain continuous auto coverage, which is an important factor in getting cheaper coverage further “down the road,” so to speak. However, if you want to drive the vehicle again, you must add at least basic liability insurance back to your policy.

If my car is flooded in a rainstorm, am I covered?

You may be surprised to know that floods are a common natural disaster in many parts of the world. Depending on where you live; floods or even just large amounts of rainfall could personally affect you and your vehicle. Unfortunately, in substantial flooding, you may have to abandon your car to floodwaters. In less severe flood situations, your car may be damaged. In either case, if you have auto insurance you can file a claim with your auto insurance company.

To report your auto insurance claim and start the process of getting back on the road, be sure to call your auto insurance company before you go ahead with the repair or replacement of your car. Typically, flood-related damage is covered by comprehensive coverage in your auto insurance policy.

Contact the police immediately, secondly, report the incident to CG United at any of our offices or using our online claim form. A claim representative will contact you to advise of the steps and procedures forward. There is usually a waiting period before a theft claim is paid in case the vehicle is recovered. Do note your policy may give cover for a courtesy vehicle which our claims department will be happily to advise you on.

Online Claim Form – www.cgunited.com

Courtesy Car – With CG United, our policy provides a cash offer via a cheque up to a limit or we contract a rental company to provide a vehicle up to a limit as well once the policy includes the extension.

An Excess refers to the amount of a comprehensive claim which is not covered by the policy but must be borne by the insured. It only applies for Comprehensive Cover & would need to be paid only if you are letting your insurance company authorise your repairs. Your insurer will also cover the damages for the Third Party

Every claim is unique, and there are a lot of different things that could affect how long it takes to resolve your claim. The most common challenge is presented by Garages and the unavailability of spare parts. Our claims teams are made up of experienced professionals who will always do their best to get your claim resolved efficiently. You can help by providing CG United with all the information you can about the incident

Your private car comprehensive policy automatically includes the use of a Hired vehicle for up to seven days after your vehicle has been damaged in an accident. The rental period commences with the date of repair. Our Policy for Courtesy Car/Loss of Use Benefit is $ 100.00 per day for a maximum of 14 days for clients. This additional premium must be paid at the time of request and not after your vehicle has been involved in an accident.

The deductible under your policy is compulsory as it represents the first portion of the claim.

Irrespective of fault the deductible is paid up front and this is to initiate repairs to your vehicle in a timely manner. After your vehicle is repaired, we will work assiduously to recover the full outlay paid out on your claim including the deductible. The recovery process, which is known as Subrogation, can typically take several months to complete. When the other driver’s Insurer has accepted full responsibility for the accident and your Insurer receives the recovery in full, then and only then will you be entitled to a refund of your deductible and reinstatement of your No Claim Discount (NCD).

Every policyholder’s situation is unique, so depending on your circumstances, your premium may be affected. If you are concerned, do not hesitate to call us to discuss.

This type of loss is always covered under a Comprehensive Policy but the claim amount to replace the windscreen must fall within your windscreen limit. If the amount is greater than the limit the difference will have to be borne by the insured.

This cover is an extension on your policy & it will affect your NCD but will not affect the limit as you are entitled to one windscreen loss per year. You should reinstate your coverage after each claim in case this mishap occurs within your coverage period.

Most catastrophes are covered; for example, wind damage from hurricanes and tornadoes come under the hurricane peril.

Under some exceptional circumstances, we may cancel or decline to renew a policy as a result of a claim. This could occur if an insured files multiple claims in a certain time period or non disclosure of particular information upon taking out the insurance which can prejudice the claim.

Insured:

Completed CG United Motor Claim Form

Estimate of Damages

VAT Letter/ VAT Certificate

Copy of the Certified Ownership

Copy of the Driver’s Permit

Copy of the Police Receipt

Third Party:

Completed CG United Motor Third Party Claim Form

Covering Letter from your Insurance

Estimate of Damages

VAT Letter/ VAT Certificate

Copy of the Certified Ownership

Copy of the Driver’s Permit

Copy of the Police Receipt

Hopefully, you’ll never be involved in an accident, but if you are, keep these general guidelines in mind.

At the scene:

1. Get medical help if anyone is injured.
2. Phone the police so that they can help with the situation.
3. Allow medical professionals and/or the police to control the accident scene.
4. Discuss the accident only with the police.
5. Do not admit fault to anyone.
6. Gather information. Get the names, addresses, phone numbers, and auto insurance information of all parties involved. Be sure to get contact information from witnesses as well.
7. If you have a camera with you, take photos to document vehicle damage, the intersection where the accident occurred, skid marks, and any other features of the accident scene.
8. As soon as possible, contact either your insurance agent or your insurance company to notify them that you have been in an accident.
9. Above all, try to remain calm.
10. Write down what you think happened for your own records.

Always remember, if another party to the accident or another auto insurance company contacts you, do not discuss the accident with them and do not agree to make a recorded statement. Simply refer any questions about the accident to your claims representative.

If the vehicle is going to remain parked for an extended period (usually eight weeks or more), you can suspend JUST the liability and collision portions of your auto insurance, and leave the vehicle with just comprehensive coverage (fire and theft, basically). You will need to advise your insurance company where the vehicle is being laid up and for what reason. You will save money, and you will maintain continuous auto coverage, which is an important factor in getting cheaper coverage further “down the road,” so to speak. However, if you want to drive the vehicle again, you must add at least basic liability insurance back to your policy. In these circumstances you will be entitled to a refund premium for the laid up period.

Yes. Your comprehensive motor policy gives you automatic coverage for flood. You may be surprised to know that floods are a common natural disaster in many parts of the world. Depending on where you live; floods or even just large amounts of rainfall could personally affect you and your vehicle. Unfortunately, in substantial flooding, you may have to abandon your car to floodwaters. In less severe flood situations, your car may be damaged.

You should always try to mitigate any loss. Be sure to call your insurance company before you go ahead with any repairs or replacement of your car. Also you may want to take any photos of the damages for record purposes.

The Uniplan 2000+ Burglary Insurance coverage would apply to this situation. However, any of our claim representatives would be happy to explain the terms and conditions of your policy.

Most home insurance policies cover alternative accommodation. If your home is damaged by an insured peril and it is rendered uninhabitable either as a result of the damage or the extensive nature of the repairs Insurers will pay you a sum of money equivalent to the cost of renting a similar property for the period of time that you are dislocated and the time that the contractors indicate it will take for your house to be reinstated to a liveable condition.

Under some exceptional circumstances, we may cancel or decline to -renew a policy as a result of a claim. This could occur if an insured files multiple claims in a certain time period.

Please note that this service is available only to Barbados and Trinidad-based clients, Barbados and Trinidad overseas clients, and Antigua overseas clients. Just click on the ‘Pay Your Premium’ tab and input your Account Number and your Password. This information is noted on your Renewal Notice. The Account Number is the first 8 characters of your Policy Number and the Password is the first 6 characters of your surname. If you have a short surname such as Doe and your first name is Susan, then your password is ‘doesus’ made up of Doe plus 3 characters of your first name.

That’s the 3-digit number on the reverse of your credit card

Our site performs best with Internet Explorer, version 8 and up.

No. Currently only the full premium can be paid online (as specified above, this territory specific).

Your Motor Certificate will be mailed to the postal address noted on your records. Should you wish to collect, we’ll be glad to have it ready at our Reception Desk.

You must tell us as soon as possible if any of the following occur:
• you change the address at which you normally keep your car
• you make changes to your car which improves its value, performance or attractiveness to thieves
• you change your car
• you want to use your car for a purpose not included in your schedule
• you become aware of any medical or physical condition of any driver named on the policy which may affect their ability to drive
• you or any other driver named on the policy are convicted of a motoring offence other than fixed-penalty parking offences
• you or any other driver named on the policy change your occupation
• the relevant Licensing/Registration Authority should be notified if the engine is changed.

Full disclosure of all vehicle details is needed in order for your insurance to be effective. If you do not tell us about any relevant changes, we may reject or reduce any claim or treat you as being uninsured. Failure to disclose may result in denial of claims and/or voiding of contracts.

An Insurer has the right to refuse to offer you coverage if the information, past claims history or type of property falls outside of its normal acceptance guidelines. Should a potential client feel aggrieved he/ she can refer such concerns to the Financial Services Commission (or equivalent local authority) which body is charged with the regulation of the local Insurance Industry.

This is the termination used when a policy was not renewed.

When an insurer makes a payment for damaged property, the insurer is entitled to what’s left of said property provided that Insurer has fully indemnified the Insured. Salvage is normally in the form of written off vehicles and contents and stock which are partially damaged.  Insurers that have paid Marine claims in respect of cargo and hulls have the right to sell the residue for whatever proceeds can be acquired.  In the case of hulls it is not uncommon for vessels that have been stranded or submerged to be rescued by Salvors who will normally negotiate a salvage fee with the Insurers or owner of the vessel for the residual value of the unit.  This fee is negotiable and will normally not exceed the 1/3 of the value salved.

Having a fire extinguisher in the home is a good idea.  If you have an extinguisher, it should be placed where it is easily accessible. The kitchen and garage are good sites for an extinguisher. However, do not place an extinguisher over the stove or buried in storage in the garage, but rather hang it on the wall between 4 inches and five feet from the ground and within easy reach.

Every year, residential complexes suffer severe damage or loss from fires that begin with an open-flame cooking device being operated on a balcony. The operation of a charcoal burner, or any other open-flame cooking device, is prohibited on combustible decks and balconies. In addition, these devices shall not be used anywhere within 10 feet of combustible construction, which could include a nearby wall, overhang, curtains, patio fence, railing, or the deck above your own deck or patio.

In addition, any cooking device using propane fuel may be subject to the same rules, depending on the size of its fuel container. A nominal one-pound gas-capacity fuel container may be used without restriction. Any device using a fuel container larger than one-pound is prohibited in the same manner as an open-flame device.

Electric grills are acceptable; however, we would caution that you use a properly grounded electrical outlet with a GFI circuit, and refrain from using an extension cord, especially through the door to the deck.

Residential smoke detectors are early warning devices to wake a sleeping person or persons. Smoke detectors should be placed in each bedroom (sleeping area) and in the hallway leading to the bedrooms. Don’t place them near air vents.

It’s a document completed by a prospective insured, giving details required by insurers to enable them to decide whether to accept the risk and on what premium, terms and conditions. Once agreed by both parties, it forms the basis of the insurance contract.

The reputation of the insurer is of utmost importance particularly with respect to their claims settlement history, their service delivery and the company’s viability. You should be satisfied that you have been quoted a competitive rate consistent with your driving experience, age and vehicle specifications. Getting comparable quotations from other insurers can be a consideration but be mindful that cheaper may not guarantee quality so consultation with an insurance broker may help you make better informed choices.

Information and documentation is tailored to the legal regulations in the insurance company’s jurisdiction and the insurer, however, many companies require a completed motor proposal form (this form records information on the insured and the insured vehicle), the vehicle registration documents, a valid driving permit for the insured and all drivers and proof of the insured’s driving history.

Third party insurance is often the only option available for older vehicular models and other special types of vehicles such as sports cars, purpose of use of vehicle and foreign used vehicles whose parts are difficult to obtain in the insured market.

Third Party Fire & Theft is another option available which includes third party liability also plus the added protection of accidental loss or damage to your vehicle from fire and theft. This cover is often sought when the vehicle is too old for comprehensive cover, is unable to obtain comprehensive cover owing to type or purpose of use of vehicle or the insured prefers to pay less premium but still obtain some additional cover for their own vehicle.

Insurers tend to carefully underwrite any risk that increases their exposure to potential losses. For example if your vehicle is a sports car insurers may decline to insure your vehicle or increase the premium as their claims records may show higher incidences of loss and larger claims involving these high speed vehicles.

It is the part of your insurance contract that specifies the obligations of the both the insured and insurer (the Company). There are instances when claims can be denied if the policy conditions are not met. For example the insurer has insured a car for social domestic use and the insured used the vehicle to take part in drag racing. A claim arising out of this situation can be voided by the insurer.

Generally, a private vehicle policy may be all you need unless you are driving other people around frequently. If the vehicle is used more than 50 percent of the time for business purposes or if there is any equipment that is permanently attached to the private vehicle, it is advisable to disclose this information to your insurer when you have a private vehicle contract.

It is important to investigate the insurance company offering coverage for your cherished possessions. A company’s AM Best rating is a good indication of its financial strength.  Please see CG United’s latest A M Best report.

It is advisable to have your vehicle valued before insuring it as this would avoid you paying premium on too high a value or underinsuring your vehicle. The Motor Policy does not have a sum insured like a Fire policy. The value that is placed on the policy is referred to as the Insured’s estimate of value and you will not be paid a figure higher than that value in the event of a claim. The Motor Policy promises as a measure of indemnity to pay you the market value of your vehicle at the time of the loss.

In the event that your vehicle is seriously damaged, Insurers will take into account the cost of repairs and the value of the wreck. If the sum of those two figures equal or exceed your estimate of value and/or market value, the vehicle will be deemed a constructive total loss.

If you have more than one car, you may be wondering if you have to take out a policy for each car. The answer is no, as long as all of your cars are insured with the same company. In fact, once you simply name each vehicle on the same policy, they’re all covered. What’s more, there are benefits to insuring all your cars with one company: namely, you would be entitled to an additional discount on your premium. Please note a separate premium is generated for each vehicle.

Your loan or leasing agreement provides details on the kinds of motor insurance coverage finance institutions require. Though each leasing agent or lender has different requirements, most lenders and leasing agents require you to buy comprehensive and/or collision coverage when you purchase your motor insurance policy. Also, you should be aware that in many instances your loan agreement usually prevents you from changing the terms of your insurance coverage until your loan has been paid off and the insurance company receives confirmation from the financing institution.

Whenever you knowingly loan your car to a friend or an associate, he or she will be covered under your policy. In fact, even if you don’t give explicit permission each time a person borrows your car, someone is still covered under your policy as long he or she had a reasonable belief that you would have given permission to borrow the car. Some insurers have restricted policies; which limits use of the insured vehicle to the insured and any named drivers. It is best to confirm when insuring if you have open or restricted cover

Damage to third parties or third party property is also covered in these circumstances.

On the Indemnity basis, the Insurance Company will put you back as close as possible to the position you were in prior to your loss. On the Reinstatement basis the Company will replace your contents according to present day value. The values you provide to the insurance company should be current.

Under-insurance is only felt when there is a claim:

It can be devastating as it may leave you with limited sums of money to repair, or replace, your home.

You are declaring yourself as part insurer of the property

When the cost of living rises, policyholders opt to reduce their insurance cover. Unfortunately, in the event of a claim this proves detrimental as the Insured may find themselves without enough to rebuild, and therefore, without a home.

You don’t only need to know what is covered on your policy but also what is excluded (not covered). Insurers sometimes impose limits on their liability for certain covered risks. Ensure that you know the exclusions and limits in your policy and determine whether the coverage still meets your requirements.

If you rent a house or apartment, the building owner is responsible for any damage that befalls the property. It is the responsibility of the building owner to have insurance on the structure that would protect and compensate him if something were to happen to the structure. However, his policy does not protect you for your personal belongings. In order to receive the necessary protection for your possessions – electronics, furniture, clothing, etc. – you would need to purchase a Contents/Renters insurance policy. It protects your personal property and it protects you against claims of liability if you cause injury to someone or an individual’s property.

The company will usually pay the actual cash value, which is the replacement cost minus depreciation, for the loss or damage – until the property is replaced. Once the insured replaces the damaged property and provides receipts to the company, the company should reimburse the difference.

Average is a Condition in a property insurance policy whereby if the property value has been understated, the Insured’s claim for a partial loss is reduced proportionately to which the Sum Insured bears to the true value of the property.

E.g: If you insured for 50% of the value, you are only entitled to recover 50% of the loss.

Flood coverage is available for home, condo and business owners, as well as for renters. It covers structural elements, walls, floors, equipment and fixtures and can be purchased for contents.

Did you know that, depending on where you live, your house could be four times more likely to be damaged by a flood than a fire? Floods are the leading cause of natural disasters and weather-related fatalities. If you follow the news at all, you know that floods happen year round and virtually everywhere. Buying more insurance is as exciting as paying more taxes. And just as complicated. But it doesn’t have to be, especially if you live in a low- to moderate-risk area.