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Steven Ladd

A totaled car on the street in Central New York.Car InsurancePersonal Insurance

Comprehensive vs. Collision Insurance: What’s the Difference?

Both comprehensive and collision coverage help pay for vehicle repairs and replacement. But the two types of coverage have their differences. Knowing those differences and the essential functions of these policy components will prepare you for unexpected damages to your vehicle. While neither comprehensive nor collision is required in New York (unless you’re financing or leasing a vehicle), the Horan agency strongly advises our clients to lock in these coverages depending on their circumstances. The protection they offer to the average Central New Yorker is worth far more than their respective deductibles. This article will demonstrate how they’ll benefit you…
January 20, 2023
Abandoned helmet of a bodily injury accident victim in Central New York.Car InsurancePersonal Insurance

What is Bodily Injury Coverage?

Bodily injury coverage, while one of the most vital aspects of your auto insurance policy, is one of the least understood. New York State requires you to have bodily injury coverage to register a car for the road. As an insurance specialist, I’ve written this necessary coverage component into the policies of many clients over the years, but I still had to explain how it works. First and foremost, it is the foundation of your auto insurance policy. Not only is it essential to get your car on the road, but it is also the cornerstone of your policy if…
January 13, 2023
Blog Post - Group of People Men and Women Looking Shocked at Mobile PhoneGeneral Topics

Why does my insurance keep going up?

Have you ever thought to yourself or said aloud: “Why does my insurance keep going up?”. If so, you are like millions of others who have wondered the same. Every year, Car, Home, Workers Comp, Health, Umbrella, General Liability, and almost every other type of insurance increases in cost. What’s worse? You have done nothing to cause this. What can you do about it? Annual rate increases are something we’re very used to. In fact, we have been talking to our clients about this situation for years. Insurance carriers prefer we agents not pay so much attention to the price.…
May 9, 2022
Blog Post - Replacement Cost VS Actual Cash ValueHomeowners InsurancePersonal Insurance

Replacement Cost vs. Actual Cash Value

Regardless of the type of property you have insured, you either have replacement cost or actual cash value protection. Does that sound like some insurance jargon to you? Well, it is. However, it’s critical jargon that you need to fully understand if you ever have to make a claim on your insurance policy. Home insurance, personal property insurance, and auto insurance are based on replacement or actual cash value coverage. Let’s dig into the definitions and differences between both. Replacement Cost – What it does The best way to describe replacement cost is through a couple of everyday examples. What…
April 21, 2022
Blog Post - Do I Need Renters InsurancePersonal InsuranceRenters Insurance

Do I Really Need Renter’s Insurance?

No one ever wants to pay more bills than they have to, but one bill if you are a renter you should welcome is a renters insurance policy. The most significant benefit is that if you have a policy with the same insurance carrier as your car insurance, the multi-policy discounts you receive may make your renter's policy seem free. The average in New York is $142, or about $12 per month – a renters insurance policy protects more than you think. Let's look at a couple of examples. The first example is the obvious one – a fire (or…
March 31, 2022
Blog Post - Renters InsuranceLandlord InsurancePersonal Insurance

Landlords, Protect Yourselves and Have Your Tenants Purchase Renter’s Insurance

When leasing a house or an apartment to others, I recommended that you have your tenants purchase a renter’s insurance policy. Do not be passive here, no matter how eager you are to find someone to rent your available property. As the house, condo, townhome, multi-family, or apartment building owner, the buck stops with you. You carry the weight of responsibility and are liable for injuries on your property. That is difficult because you rely on your tenant’s (or your tenant’s children’s) judgment to keep you from being exposed. Even the most well-meaning tenant might not be able to prevent…
March 25, 2022
Blog - Colorful Kid's Pastel Drawing of a House on Fire and Pastels are Laying on the Table Next to the DrawingPersonal Insurance

Insurance Claims: Frequency vs. Severity

A high frequency of small insurance claims can have a longer-lasting negative impact on you than a single high severity one. It is an unwritten rule in the insurance industry; the fewer claims, the higher the likelihood of having the policy renewed. It can be challenging to square this philosophy with the mindset of “That’s what insurance is for!”. There is nothing wrong with expecting that a loss, when covered, will result in a paid claim. The general point of an insurance policy is to make you whole again. If a fire breaks out in our home, we will claim…
March 17, 2022
Blog - Baldwinsville Little League LogoSponsorships

B’ville Little League

No matter how popular other sports have become, the game of baseball remains the national pastime. People of all sizes can play baseball. You can be a slow runner but strong enough to clear the centerfield wall, and you can have limited strength but be fast enough to beat out a ball hit to deep third. For children, both girls and boys, baseball is a game that teaches patience and humility. One of the most excellent places to learn and enjoy the game is your local Little League chapter. In Baldwinsville, we have been fortunate to have the Baldwinsville Little…
March 11, 2022
Blog - Hooded Man Posing in the ForestPersonal Insurance

Insurance For Vacant Land

Vacant land insurance is one of the easiest things for an insurance agent to quote, and it’s especially easy when the land is actually vacant. To know when a property is considered vacant, you must first see how an insurance company defines vacancy. Without understanding this specific definition, you could find yourself with an insurance policy that ends up being void when it comes time to file a claim. Vacant Land: A tract or parcel without any structures or improvements. Whether you have an empty lot, acres of woods, or a stretch of water frontage on a unique parcel, they…
March 10, 2022
Blog - Person in a Black Hoodie with Sunglasses, Black Gloves, and with a Black Mask Stealing an Open Laptop in a Car with the Window OpenHomeowners InsurancePersonal Insurance

Insuring your things when your things are gone.

When your possessions leave your home, how are they insured for loss? If your stuff became damaged due to a car accident, fire, or vandalism, where would you turn to have it replaced? What if your earrings came up missing from your hotel room? How about if the Mac Book Pro was no longer in your car? What happens when your things are away from the insured premises? Insurance policies are rife with exclusions, definitions, and tons of insurance jargon. Reading the policy on the first try might not provide you with a clear answer, and it might not on…
March 2, 2022
Blog - Man Taking a Selfie Next to a Woman Holding Up Her Hand and Pointing to Her Finger Since They Just Got EngagedJewelry InsurancePersonal Insurance

Protecting the Family Jewels – Do You Have Enough Coverage?

As a homeowner, the first thought regarding insurance is the house – the structure, but what about that shiny jewelry? According to The Knot, in 2021, the average cost of a wedding set in the US was nearly $6,000, and the Northeast has a higher US average of $7,400. The average spending on an engagement ring alone is between $1,000 to $4,000, with only 8 percent of couples spending less than $1,000. Why does this matter? Well, if you have jewelry of value – engagement ring, wedding band, earrings, or family heirloom piece(s) of jewelry – you do not have…
February 24, 2022
Blog Post - Over-InsuredGeneral Topics

Yes, you can have too much coverage.

Ask most insurance agents, and you’ll get the same answer: “You can never have too much insurance” they’ll say. Well, if that were true then we’d all be insuring our chest hair like Tom Jones, or our booties like J-Lo. Tom and Jen aren’t over-insured. You, me, and pretty much everyone you know, would be over-insured with those policies.  Being over-insured doesn’t have to just be about some money-making body part. There are many ways you can become over-insured. These are the policy types that are most often selling you more than you might need:      1. Homeowners Insurance…
February 17, 2022
Blog - Teen Driver Smiling Behind The WheelCar InsurancePersonal Insurance

When should you insure your teenaged driver?

Having a new 16-year-old is a big deal for parents. It’s also a big deal for your car insurance company. Leading up to the time that your son or daughter turns sixteen it’s a good idea to begin laying the groundwork for some important changes to your insurance. Insurance rates for teen drivers are considerably more expensive than the rates you’ve been accustomed to as the parent. Forecasting what the changes might look like will help you become better prepared for their successful road-test. Things to consider Does my teen want to get licensed? Once a license is issued for…
February 10, 2022
Why Cheap Car Insurance Is So ExpensiveCar InsurancePersonal Insurance

Why Cheap Car Insurance Is So Expensive

Do you ever find yourself looking for ways to trim your monthly expenses? Perhaps the XM subscription could go, or maybe the cable is finally up for consideration (that home phone line went bye-bye years ago). Or maybe, that money-sucking-always-increasing-car-insurance-policy could use a scalpel. Tempting? Sure. But, before you throw it on your table and go all Dexter Morgan with it, you’d be wise to familiarize yourself with the basics behind all those big numbers. Before we go down that rabbit hole, there’s a secret I’m going to let you in on. Your car insurance rate has much more to…
February 4, 2022
Blog - Pit Bull Mix Raven Smiling at the CameraHomeowners InsurancePersonal Insurance

The Dog Days are Over (but I know some shady cats)

When the clock strikes midnight on January 28th, 2022, New York State’s Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, Dobermans, and more will be throwing a big party…a house party to be exact. This is when New York governor Kathy Hochul’s legislation against dog-breed restrictions by insurance carriers takes effect. Up until now, home insurance carriers that were approved to offer insurance policies in New York were permitted to turn-away prospective customers based solely on the breed of dog the customer owned. Each homeowners’ insurance carrier had its own list of forbidden breeds. If you were looking for a new home insurance policy, you…
January 14, 2022
Blog - 6 Weather Resistant Building Materials to Protect Your HomePersonal Insurance

6 Weather Resistant Building Materials to Protect Your Home

A poorly built home made out of shoddy materials is a high risk to everyone involved. From the physical threat to those who own the house to the financial and legal risk of those who built it: this is something, you don't want to take on. Instead, every home must be built to last or updated later on with high-quality materials to improve longevity. Each of these materials can help homes weather any storm and should be considered for your next project. 1. Siding Built for More Than Aesthetics   Many people first think of color and texture when getting…
August 20, 2021
Blog-Homeowners-PolicyHomeowners InsurancePersonal Insurance

My Homeowner’s Policy Covers Fire, Right?

As a personal lines insurance agent for many years, I cannot say I have seen it all. However, I have seen a lot. I think the more important thing is what I have not seen, but very easily could have. I apologize if this seems cryptic, so I’ll explain. For most homeowners, their initial response is, “Yes, my house is insured if it catches fire!” and usually they would be correct. This is not about the usually. This is about the unusual that I’m beginning to see more and more frequently. “The House is for Sale! We’re out of here!”…
January 22, 2021
General Topics

Business Unusual

Business Unusual - MaryAnne Williams; Executive Director of GBCC. Baldwinsville is a truly exceptional community and 2020 has been an example of how we work together, particularly in times of crisis. Greater Baldwinsville Chamber of Commerce (GBCC) membership consists of individuals, businesses, churches, civic groups, and other organizations, and it was heartening to see these entities cooperating during the shutdown to try and keep everyone and everything afloat. I am always particularly impressed by the businesses that collaborate with other businesses, even when they are technically competitors. They understand that by working together, they all benefit. I am also amazed…
August 10, 2020
General Topics

After the Fire and Rain

What Happens After the Fire's Out or the Water Stops?   By Local Guest Blogger: Lorraine White of Property Restoration, Inc.   12-Step Restoration Procedure Evaluate your Emergency- Get to safety and call 911 for a true emergency.   Call your insurance agent- Report the claim. If it’s after business hours, call claims and take notes for any questions you want to ask your agent.   Selecting Restoration Services- Know your options! You have a “right” to choose which Water/Fire Damage clean-up company come into Your Home. It is nice to have a referral of a company that is known. Check Google Reviews and other avenues to feel confident with your choice.  …
July 7, 2020
General Topics

Top 10 Weirdest Insurance Claims

Top 10 Weirdest Insurance Claims Protecting yourself in the event of damage, loss, illness or death is what insurance is for. As an adult, you most likely have several types of insurance: car, life, homeowners, etc. If your house catches on fire or you get into an auto accident, you file a claim to receive compensation for replacing or fixing what you’ve insured. However, insurance goes far beyond auto, home and life. When it comes to claims, there have been more than a handful of offbeat occurrences. Here are the top 10 weirdest insurance claims and policies to date. 1.…
June 26, 2020
General Topics

Phase II COVID-19 – HOW IS IT AFFECTING THE CNY REAL ESTATE INDUSTRY?

Phase II COVID-19  - HOW DOES IT AFFECT THE REAL ESTATE INDUSTRY? By: Local Guest Blogger; Tracey Kline of 315 Realty Partners in Baldwinsville We have all had to adjust to a new way of life and I am sure you are thinking as I am, we will not be going back to “normal” any time soon. The Real Estate industry has certainly seen some changes during the unprecedented global pandemic. That being said, “Real Estate Must Go On”. If you have not been actively working to buy or sell a home, you may not know of all the changes…
June 22, 2020
Giving BackTeam Horan

A Gift to Baker High Seniors

Baker High Seniors Receive a Gift from Horan and Erie Insurance. On Tuesday, May 26th, we at Horan Companies presented Baker High School Principal Kris Denton with a gift for select students of the Baker High Class of 2020. With a little help from Erie Insurance, we were able to purchase one thousand dollars worth of pizza and wing vouchers. Exactly 100 hundred vouchers were purchased evenly from local Baldwinsville restaurants; Pizza Man and Angry Garlic. Principal Kris Denton Receives 100 Vouchers The idea came when Erie Insurance offered a financial opportunity for its agents to give back to their…
May 27, 2020
EPL Insurance in the workplaceBusiness InsuranceEmployment Practices Liability Insurance

#MeToo and EPL Coverage

#MeToo and EPL Coverage   Since the #MeToo movement started in October of 2017, many powerful predators and employers have been brought to justice and been rightfully punished for not only preying on their employees, but for violating laws regarding discrimination and wrongful termination. While this is a great improvement for people in the workplace, some business owners feel they might be at risk for being sued because an employee might file a suit believing they were terminated or not hired based on sex – a clear violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. In the…
January 10, 2020
Personal InsuranceRenters Insurance

Unmarried Couples & Insurance

Unmarried & Uninsured? As people continue to delay marriage and cohabitation rates increase, the amount of unmarried partners buying insurance will increase. However, being "unwed" while living together can cost you money or protection from an insurance perspective. When married couples are on the same policy there are more discounts . Not to mention improved tiering, consolidated billing, plus other benefits. This is changing rapidly and now many unmarried couples can buy insurance at a competitive rate compared to married couples. Caution... However, there are some nuances to be aware of especially if you decide to move in with your…
December 6, 2019
Homeowners InsurancePersonal Insurance

The Absurd Value of Homeowner’s Insurance

The Absurd Value of Homeowner's Insurance Homeowner's insurance is one of the most common forms of insurance because similar to cars, many lenders won’t allow you to buy a home without first having insurance in place to protect it. Those lenders understand how important homeowners insurance is. When you break down everything it covers, the premiums you pay every month can seem like a steal. The average homeowners insurance premium is somewhere around $1,000 a year. This can be higher or lower depending on where you live. For the math though, $1,000 is a nice round number that will make…
November 1, 2019
Business Insurance

New York State Paid Family Leave Update

On August 31st, New York’s Department of Financial Services (DFS) published the NY Paid Family Leave (PFL) rate for the 2019 calendar year. For 2019, the maximum contribution rate for Paid Family Leave will go from 0.126% to 0.153% of the employee’s gross annualized wages capped at the new annualized New York State Average Weekly Wage (NYSAWW) of $70,569.72* per year (learn more here);  which translates to a maximum annual premium contribution of $107.97 per employee. The rate for Paid Family Leave has been increased 21.4%. This takes into consideration the increase of benefits for 2019 which has also been confirmed as part of the rate announcement. …
September 6, 2018
Homeowners InsurancePersonal Insurance

Is your landscaper or that deck builder insured? Does it Matter?

When others do work at your house, should they be insured? As the summer months come upon us, contracting season goes into full bloom.  New patios and decks or weekly grass cutting bring contractors to your doorstep. They provide estimates, plans, ideas, and more. What about insurance? What is said about that? Is it on your list of things to ask about? It needs to be. What's the risk? Home Ownership 101. What happens on your property is your responsibility. That's right...yours and yours alone. Just because someone has fancy graphics on a truck or a business card, does not…
May 14, 2018
Motorcycle InsurancePersonal Insurance

Too Many Motorcycle Riders are Dying

Motorcycle Fatalities at Their Highest Rate Since 2008. It's March, and that means warmer weather is coming. It also means motorcycle season is about to begin once more. This is an exciting time for many bike enthusiasts. The opportunity to be out riding during Central New York's few warm months is merely a dream between October and April. As we move toward making those dreams come true, we must first face some hard facts. Riders are dying. They're dying at a rate not seen since 2008. 2016's totals (most recent published statistics) yielded 5,286 fatalities. To put it into perspective,…
March 6, 2018
Personal Insurance

Do you think your house is over insured?

Do you think your house is over insured? Have you asked your agent: "Why is my house insured for so much? It isn't worth that!" It might be the most asked question in ALL of insurance (except for health insurance, which has its very own continent as far as insurance questions are concerned). I have a client who buys a house for $140,000. They call for an insurance policy. The insurance value on the house comes in at $225,000. The confusion ensues. Why is there such a discrepancy between what the insurance company thinks your house is worth, compared to…
February 16, 2018
Car InsurancePersonal Insurance

DON’T Break Glass in Case of Emergency!

Don't Break Glass in Case of Emergency! The sound of the car door closing behind you rings in your head, and then it happens. Keys!! You turn and peer into the window, and there they are. Sitting like orphans on the front seat, or hanging from the ignition. Your brain goes through rapid fire scenarios and possibilities as to how you'll resolve this. Do you: Call someone at home to bring a spare key? Use your roadside assistance plan? Call a locksmith? Grab a wire hanger? or.... Bust the window!? If you have comprehensive insurance coverage with a zero dollar…
February 6, 2018
Personal Insurance

Realtors, Loan Officers, & Attorneys: The home insurance transaction is not what you think.

3 Things to Know About Your Buyer's Homeowner's Insurance As a professional who is a part of a residential real estate transaction, you know that homeowner’s insurance is a critical part of the closing. However, there are three things about it that could make or break your deal: The effective date of the policy is the effective date. If you insist on the buyer/borrower clearing the underwriting hurdle for a paid receipt and binder, beware. Once bound, it cannot be changed. Unlike a closing date, that works as an on-or-about kind of date, an insurance policy is different. A binder,…
January 31, 2018
Business Insurance

New York Paid Family Leave

New York Paid Family Leave Commences New York Paid Family Leave has officially begun (Jan. 1st 2018). But...what is it? I've talked to a large number of employers and an even larger number of employees who have no idea what it is. Like most insurance coverage, understanding New York Paid Family Leave seems like a daunting task. However, after a thorough review, I can tell you, it isn't. What is New York Paid Family Leave? New York Paid Family Leave is a mandatory benefit for non-public employees. It provides wage replacement when temporarily leaving work for a specific life event.…
January 29, 2018
Car InsurancePersonal Insurance

New York Rules that Auto Insurance Rates Can’t be Based on Driver’s Level of Education

Could New York auto insurance rates get smarter? The New York Department of Financial Services (DFS) has finalized a regulation aimed to protect New York drivers from being unfairly discriminated against. The regulation centers around insurance carriers that were using a driver's level of education or occupation data when determining an auto insurance rate. After a multi-year investigation, the DFS came to a couple conclusions. Education played no role in determining whether someone was a better driver. The risk of loss was not higher regardless of a G.E.D. or a PhD. The DFS has given insurance carriers 180 days to…
January 25, 2018
don't let frozen pipes in syracuse new york happen to youHomeowners InsurancePersonal Insurance

Have you heard that one about the exploding pipe?

We choose to live this way. Maybe that's the problem. We could all band together and begin the mass exodus out of Syracuse. Perhaps the northeast altogether? When the average high temperature resembles a pro-golfer's score through 3 holes, things get tempting. Alas, we will forge on and swear to never complain about the heat in August. In the meantime, let's be sure to keep the heat on and run the water. Bursting pipes and water damage are some of the most frequent claims in the wintertime. While a standard home insurance policy will provide coverage for such a claim,…
January 18, 2018