FAQ

1. I recently had an insurance claim for $1000, and I had to pay $500 of it myself because that was my "deductible". I thought I bought insurance so I wouldn't have to pay for losses myself. What gives?

 

The deductible is the amount that you agree will be "deducted" from what the insurance company pays when you have a claim. Therefore, it is the portion of the claim that you have to pay yourself. Most policies have a minimum deductible that applies. By purchasing the coverage, you have agreed to the deductible.   Choosing a higher deductible can sometimes help you to save money on your insurance.

 

Why do you have to pay anything at all?

Deductibles help keep premiums down by reducing the cost of claims to the insurance company thus making insurance more affordable to most. They reduce the number of small claims, which are costly to handle for insurers, and which would otherwise result
in higher premiums. Knowing that we have to pay a portion of the claim helps to keep all of us more conscious of safety and loss prevention.

 

2. We have a 10-year-old sofa in our living room. Last week, when I sat down on it, one of the legs broke. Now I need a new sofa. My insurance company says it won't pay for that kind of damage. Why not?

 

Most insurance policies have clauses which exclude damage caused by lack of maintenance; rust and corrosion; wear and tear; and gradual deterioration - like a worn out sofa. Everything will wear out or break down over time. Your insurance policy is
intended to cover unexpected or unforeseen damage. If insurance policies operated as "maintenance contracts", premiums could be so high as to render insurance unaffordable

 

3. What should I do if I have a claim?

 

If you suffer a loss or damage, contact your insurance broker as soon as possible with the details. At Mardon Group, we will take all pertinent details from you and contact the insurance company that issued your policy to begin the claim process. After the initial report, the insurance company will normally handle your claim. If at any time you have questions or concerns, as a valued client of Mardon Group we encourage you to call us to discuss them. We are here to help you.

In B.C., all auto claims should be reported directly to ICBC on their Dial-A-Claim service at:

Vancouver & Lower Mainland ................ 604-520-8222
Other areas call toll free ................... 1-800-910-4222

 

4. Do I have to pay the whole insurance premium at once when I buy an insurance policy?

 

Many of the insurance companies that Mardon Group represents offer convenient payment plans. Many plans allow you to spread your insurance costs throughout the year by paying on a monthly basis. In addition to advising you on the types of insurance you may require, we can discuss with you payment options to fit your budget.

 

5. I recently bought my wife an expensive diamond ring for our anniversary. Do we need to buy extra insurance?

 

 Residential Insurance policies limit the amount of coverage provided for jewellery in the event it is lost or stolen. A jewellery rider can be added as needed to the residential policy to ensure your jewellery is fully covered against theft or if it is simply misplaced or lost. Another advantage of insuring your jewellery on a separate rider is that most jewellery riders have a zero deductible. This means that your jewellery will be replaced without you having to pay for part of the loss out of your own pocket.

When insuring jewellery, it is important to make sure the limit you choose is equal to the estimated replacement cost of the items including taxes. A recent jewellery appraisal will help you determine an adequate limit. The limit or "sum insured" shown on the policy for the jewellery rider is the maximum that will be paid out in the event of a covered loss under the policy.