It’s that time of year again when our children are off to college and staying at dorms or renting apartments.  This brings up the question of whether or not your child’s belongings are covered while they are away and what are your liability exposures as parents if you co-sign a lease.

Coverage C of your homeowner policy provides coverage for “personal property owned or used by an insured while it is anywhere in the world.”  A child in college is an insured as long as they still reside with you.  However, there is a limitation in the policy for property they take with them to school.  The homeowner policy limits the amount of coverage available to them while they are away at school to 10% of the Coverage C limit.  Still, for most students, this should be more than enough unless they are Paris Hilton.

Now lets talk about theft–probably your most common exposure.  The policy goes on to say that there is NO theft coverage for property of a student away at school UNLESS he/she has been at their school residence location within 45 days PRIOR to the loss.

The liability portion of your homeowner policy provides coverage for “any part of a premises not owned by an insured and where an insured is temporarily residing and any part of any premises occasionally rented to an insured.”  The liability portion of the policy also provides coverage for parents should they become legally liable, a condition that is usually determined by state law.

The alternative to relying on your homeowner policy is to consider purchasing an HO-4 as a last resort.

By Mary Pellegrino, VP, Bucci Insurance Group

Rhode Island Insurance Blog would like to welcome guest blogger Paul and we welcome Paul’s insight and view, and we hope you enjoy his thoughts and ideas!

Summer is almost over.  It’s actually kind of hurting me to say that. Then again, writing that is kind of a reprieve, I guess! But yes, summer is almost over. The kids are going back to school, moving back into the dorms, leaving behind overwhelmed parents. Of course, who can complain? I mean, I know they love their kids, but there’s a certain point where no more hair can be pulled out. It’s moments like those that make nightly events during the fall the most crucial in the recuperation process. So, without further ado, what are you doing next Tuesday the…7th of September? If the answer is nothing, I can only say I don’t blame you. But, check this out: The Drive Quartet, Sonic Sandbox, and Fatai Lijifisoye are all playing at AS220 in Providence. For fans of Jazz, this is one night not to miss. There’s Drive Quartet, a ridiculously exuberant modern Jazz Group, with sounds reminiscent of John Coltrane with a little bit of Miles and some more soul. And one of my favorites, Sonic Sandbox, the most eclectic extravagant avant garde trio will be there with their smooth rips with everything from didgeridoos to clarinets with a repertoire mixed up with a fusion of Electro-jazz and World Folk. I am going insane with anticipation just thinking about it! Anyway, plan it out. Visit AS220′s Calendar for more information, and a couple of new, different events out there! visit AS220 on Facebook and while you’re there, friend Bucci Insurance and ask us a thing or two about your insurance.

Keep your eyes peeled for a new store coming to Providence Place Mall, Sports and More!  Two local Rhode Islanders, Rob and Michael Luzzi saw an opportunity when the sports store they had been working at for the past 10 years closed down. Together, they decided to take the same concept and add their own touch to it. After 30 years of collecting items, they know their stuff! This store, expected to open September 1^st, will have items that no other sports store has. Between apparel that no one else carries to signed pictures and autographs, you’re bound to find something that catches your eye. They also take special requests- if there is something they don’t have but you want, they will do all they can to accommodate you.  When you’re in the area, be sure to stop in and say hello to the new guys!

Bucci Insurance wishes Sports and More the best of luck!

If you were at our social media event, “Are You Ready for the Future?” you would know that a Facebook fan page is an absolute must. Watch Bucci Insurance’s “How To” video pick of the week by Wild Inspire Media and learn how to do just that!
And when you’re done, friend us!

Our lovely Gloria Rubio from Bucci Insurance will be voicing her words of wisdom September 12 on the Spanish radio station, Poder 1110. With over 10 years of experience in the Insurance industry, she looks to inform the Spanish community and educate them on auto insurance. She hopes to explain what it is people are signing, what is being covered by their current policy, and most importantly what type of coverage is actually need. She will emphasize that not all insurance policies are the same because not all people are the same. Depending on your financial risk, the correct amount property insurance will differ.
With Gloria’s charming and caring personality she plans on creating an awareness of insurance- which will ultimately give people peace of mind. Not only will you be protected but those around you will be too.

Watch this video of a woman, Lynn Jordan, who experienced shocking hospital overcharges and later found out through extensive research that the coding was wrong.  Listen as she takes you through the 10 steps of what the industry standards are for fair and reasonable prices for hospital charges.

1. Request Itemized Statement
2. Determine Financial Responsibility of Insurance Company
3. Find Patient Advocate
4. Review Bill for Correct Coding
5. Request all Billing and Doctor Records (the UB-04 or UB-92 Forms)
6. Hospitals Quick to Involve Collections
7. Keep Collections from Pursuing Further Payment
8. Determine Actual Cost of Services (Very Important!)
9. Calculate Fair and Reasonable Charges (actual cost +25-50%)
10. Offer a Settlement

Bucci Insurance wants all of their customers to be educated, for more information visit www.HospitalBillingFormula.blogspot.com

So this is it, senior year- I never thought this day would actually come! The summer is officially coming to an end and I’m heading back to Bryant University. While classes don’t actually start until September 7th, I will be spending the next week in RA training. This past January I was hired as a Resident’s Assistant and was re-hired for the 2010-2011 school year. I’m so grateful and excited for this opportunity. I have met a lot of great people through the program and it has taught me a lot about myself.

Although I will probably be busier than ever between school work, being an RA, continuing with Bucci Insurance, and taking the position of head coach for the North Kingstown High School Gymnastics Team, I’m looking forward to it being my best year yet! I’ll be sure to take advantage of every opportunity that comes my way and spend time with those that mean most to me.

From here on, I plan on incorporating experiences and events going on in the Bryant community and gymnastics team into the blog. I also hope to introduce Bryant to some of the things I’ve learned about social marketing through this internship. I have high expectations for this year and do not doubt for a second that they will be met.

It all started with the high school graduation gift of a camera; twenty four years later, it has developed into a thriving career. Local Rhode Islander, Michelle Meenagh from On the Spot Location Photography has always had a passion for taking pictures. When her daughter graduated from high school in 2008, she decided to turn her passion into a business. On the Spot Location Photography has been a huge success ever since. Her love and creativity grows with each photo shoot and her customers reap the rewards.

What sets Michelle apart from most other photographers is that she does not own a studio but comes to you. Whether it is Narragansett Beach, the park, a birthday party or wedding, she’ll be there snapping away in the places you are most comfortable. What’s even better, and something that you won’t find from any other photographer, is that after the pictures are taken Michelle puts them to a disk and hands them over to you with a signed release! She knows that everyone looks to do something different with their pictures- and thinks you should be able to do so. Michelle gets such joy out of taking pictures, and after what she considers the most fun and exciting part, you can do what you please with the final product. Talk about a win-win situation!

To admire the work of On the Spot Location Photography or to find out more information, visit their Facebook page. Bucci Insurance is so proud of Michelle’s talent and is thrilled about the pictures she has already taken for us. Thanks again, and keep up the hard work!

This week’s “How To” video pick of the week comes from Blogger. This step by step video will show how you can create your own free blog. Keep in mind, Blogger is not the only website you can set up an account with. There are other options such as WordPress (like the one Bucci Insurance uses), LiveJournal, and BlogSpot.

Also, we suggest typing what you have to say in a word document before posting it in your blog. This way if you lose internet connection you’ll have a hard copy to paste back into the work space. (That was actually a tip from our friends over at Astonish Results!)

From Bucci Insurance, Happy Blogging!

Have you been to King Richards Faire? If you have, I’m sure you’re going back but if you haven’t, then it is time that you do! Tony Bucci, President of Bucci Insurance, has been multiple times and says, “It’s fun and a great family atmosphere. It even has a little bit of history to it!”

Starting September 4^th and continuing every weekend through October 24^th the fun begins at 10:30am and doesn’t stop until 6:00pm. You may have to come back a few times to cover their 80-acres of entertainment, rides, and games.  You can stop at any one of the eight stages and catch a performance by acrobats and aerialists, or maybe you’ll stay to watch the daring fire eaters and exotic tigers. There are hundreds of entertainers performing non-stop all day so you are guaranteed to drawn in by something that impresses you…like maybe even the beggars competing in the mud pit!

Be sure to come hungry because they have food fit for a king, with giant turkey legs, bowls of stew, fries, champagne, wine and brew. Once you’re satisfied but before you leave, shop around- there are things here that you will not find at your local mall. Sword making, leather and armor, period clothing, and glass blowing are just a few of the items you will come across.

For a good ‘ole time, head down to King Richards Faire, THE New England Renaissance Festival in Carver, Massachusetts.