When insuring a house, or possessions there are two main ways that these items can be valued for insurance purposes: they are Replacement Cost and Actual Cash Value. They each have their advantage and disadvantages.
How do I choose a deductible? 
A deductible is what you actually pay out-of-pocket before your insurance company begins to pay its part of a claim (or, that part of the claim that is deducted from the total loss, over which the insurance company pays). In other words, the deductible is the part of the bill for which you are responsible. Deductibles apply to almost all insurance policies including Homeowners and Auto policies. The amount of your deductible will affect your premium or the amount you pay each month.
There is no "ideal" deductible. Each person will need to determine what the best deductible for him/her is based on his tolerance for risk, how much cash is available on hand to pay the deductible in the event of a loss/claim and how much differing deductibles affect the premium paid. Higher deductibles will lead to lower premiums but will also mean that in the event of a loss you will have to pay more out of pocket.
Think about this: If you had a claim today, how much money would you feel comfortable paying. If your current deductible is higher or lower than that amount, you may want to consider changing it. Also consider that property and auto insurance are both designed/intended for larger and/or infrequent losses and premiums are based upon this fact. The more claims you have, the more costly is your insurance and claims frequency can even affect availability of insurance. So, both the insurance company AND you should be hoping for very few claims. With this in mind, you should consider the highest deductible you can possibly afford in the event of a claim. This will keep your premiums lower (remember, you pay THEM every year). The contrasting strategy of choosing a lower deductible assuming you’ll have frequent claims can be faulty: because frequent claims experience will create its own unique set of problems.
In summary, if you’re like most Americans, you’ll pay your insurance for years before using it. Therefore, since you pay premiums every year, choose the highest deductible you can afford, and take whatever premium savings the higher deductible offers. It will not only save you a little money today, but will pay off even more over time when you turn in fewer claims.
Lori Linder has been promoted from the Receptionist position to Commercial Lines Marketing & Account Placement, replacing Lesley Townsend who has decided to stay home to raise and enjoy baby Mia. Best wishes to Lesley and her family! Over the past several months Lori has not only been our friendly greeter when you call or come in, but has been busy training and expanding her knowledge of the Commercial Lines insurance principles and concepts. Lori is currently working on obtaining her Property and Casualty Insurance License and we look forward to having her on our CL Team!
Bonnie Engel is our new Receptionist to replace Lori Linder. Bonnie comes to us from a diverse work background including ten plus years of experience in office/receptionist duties. You’ll find Bonnie’s bright smile and warm personality a pleasant welcome whether calling or stopping by our office. Bonnie was born and raised in Northeast Ohio. She enjoys spending time with her three children and is a sports enthusiast. Welcome aboard Bonnie; we’re glad to have you on our team!Our Associates Believe In Helping Others:
Each Friday we have a ‘dress down day ’ for which our employees can choose to wear jeans to work in exchange for a donation of at least $1. At the end of each month these donations are sent to a local Social Service Agency to benefit those in our area who need assistance. Some of the organizations we donate to include (but are not limited to): Christian Children’s Home of Ohio, Goodwill Industries of Wayne and Holmes County, Habitat for Humanity, Meals Together, People to People Ministries, The Village Network, and Wayne County Humane Society.
Each year our staff members ‘ring the bell’ on Christmas Eve in downtown Wooster for the Salvation Army Christmas Kettle Drive. This year is our 20th consecutive year supporting the Salvation Army and their many fine programs to help those in need.
Each year our employees “sponsor a family” for Christmas through the Wayne County Jobs and Family Services holiday program. For seven years now, our associates have been helping to make a local family’s Christmas more joyous – and we just may get as much joy from the experience as the recipients! This year our adopted family has 7 members, including two girls and three boys, all under the age of 11. Our team gets together to collect money, shop for gifts and hand-wrap everything for delivery to a local family in who needs a little extra help this Christmas.
The 2nd Annual Whitaker-Myers Employees Goodwill Clothing Drive prior to the Wooster High School vs. Mansfield Madison Homecoming game on September 25th was a huge success. Goodwill of Wayne and Holmes Counties was very pleased with the response - receiving 5 1/2 bins (gaylords) full of clothing from the public. Whitaker-Myers then donated its uncooked hotdogs (about 200), along with buns and bottles of water to the Wooster High School Band Boosters to help support their concession stand fundraising efforts.Identity Theft Expense Coverage could save you a bundle
What is Identity Theft? Identity Theft happens when someone uses YOUR personal data (like your name, Social Security Number, credit card numbers etc.) without your permission to commit fraud or other crimes.
Why should I care about Identity Theft? The Federal Trade Commission estimates that as many as NINE million Americans have their identities stolen each year. While some Identity Theft victims can resolve their problems quickly, others spend many days and substantial financial costs associated with trying to restore their credit.
What can “Identity Theft Expense” coverage do for me? Identity Theft Expense coverage, added to your Homeowners policy, will help you pay for the costs of reclaiming your good name and credit. Expenses like attorney’s fees, notary and certified mail fees, application fees and lost wages – that are related to Identity Theft - are covered expenses under Identity Theft Expense policies. Call us at 330-345-5000 to discuss adding Identity Theft coverage to YOUR insurance program today. We can quote it, answer your questions, and add it to your policy easily, if that is your election.
How can I get coverage? Call us at 330-345-5000 to discuss adding Identity Theft coverage to YOUR insurance program today. We can quote it, answer your questions, and add it to your policy easily, if that is your election.
How can I lower my risks of Identity Theft? Being aware of Identity Theft exposures is the first step. To find out more about how thieves obtain your personal data and how to protect it, visit The Federal Trade Commission and the US Department of Justice websites listed below.
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/
http://www.usdoj.gov/criminal/fraud/websites/idtheft.html
Rebecca Stoffer has been with Whitaker-Myers since May of 2008 and received her Health and Life License in August 2008. She is the Client Service Representative for Group and Individual Health and Life Accounts and works closely with Chris Vanderzyden. Rebecca is currently a student at Ashland University and has previously worked in the medical field at a local physician’s office. Rebecca is a lifelong Ashland resident and attends Ashland Dickey Church of the Brethren with her husband Chris. Rebecca has been a positive addition to the Benefits, Life and Medical Mal team and a friendly, helpful voice for many of our group benefits, health and life clients!
Whitaker-Myers sponsors and helps at the Caring For Kids Classic
Free Shopping For Auto And Home Insurance
Our Personal Accounts Department is incredible. This isn't news, we just thought we'd remind you! We represent 10 different insurance companies and offer HOME/AUTO package quotations with all of them. Give us a try or tell a friend to call us, or stop in. Or, send us an inquiry in the "Contact" page of this site. We'll call you back. While insurance carriers do request alot of information and they all automatically run MVRs, CLUE and Credit reports as a part of their underwriting and rating process, we can normally quote ALL of our companies for you within 24-48 hours. Imagine that! An agency that you know and trust who can do your shopping FOR you!! We'll set up the coverage/program, obtain the quotes, review them and point out which is the best value and fit for YOU - and we'll explain why. And then, of course, we're always here for you for ongoing service and claims reporting.
Just another reason why at Whitaker-Myers, we're all about Answers, Results and Peace of Mind.
A Fitting End For Two Distinguished Careers
On June 20th, 2007 at Westbrook Country Club in Mansfield, family, friends, clients and Whitaker-Myers Insurance Group associates celebrated the long, distinguished careers of Emmett Mennetti and Donald Aten. Don and Emmett retired as of July 1, 2007. Approximately 70 of us gathered to reminisce and express our appreciation and friendship with/for Don and Emmett. Both men shared their thoughts about the rewarding and enjoyable careers spent in the insurance business and, most of all, expressed their gratitude to clients, family and friends for not only their business and confidence over the years, but especially the thoughtful attendance of those present.
Both men received an engraved Wooster Clock Company wall clock as gifts from the agency group in appreciation of their service and commitment to the industry and the firm.
Both Don and Emmett worked for Lumberman's Insurance Company, were involved in the "in-house" insurance agency for that company and subsequently began their own independent agency together as business partners by purchasing that agency, taking the name Aten & Mennetti Insurance Agency. Their insurance careers spanned over 40 years, including the past four as consultants and account executives as part of the Whitaker-Myers Insurance Group family, Emmett in the Mansfield office and Don in the group's Ashland office. Both report now that they plan a healthy, busy, active retirement right at home in the Ashland (Don) and Lexington/Mansfield (Emmett) communities. Health, happiness and best of luck to you both, gentlemen. You were (and are) the consumate professionals and represented our industry and our agency group with class. Though we know you are still close by, we'll miss you at the office, Don and Emmett!!
