Driving History: Protecting Your Prized Possession with Classic Car Insurance

For enthusiasts of vintage automobiles, a classic car isn’t just a vehicle; it’s a piece of history, a work of art, and a significant investment. However, protecting these prized possessions requires more than standard personal auto insurance. This is where specialized classic car insurance comes in, offering tailored coverage that understands the unique value and usage of collector vehicles. Tooher-Ferraris Insurance Group understands these unique needs and offers comprehensive solutions to safeguard your automotive legacy.

The Nuances of Valuation: Beyond Blue Book

Unlike modern cars that depreciate rapidly, classic cars can appreciate in value, making traditional personal auto insurance inadequate. Standard policies typically cover a vehicle’s Actual Cash Value (ACV), which factors in depreciation. For a classic car, this could result in a significant financial loss if your vehicle is stolen or totaled.

Classic car insurance addresses this with “Agreed Value” coverage. With an Agreed Value policy, you and your insurer agree on the car’s true market value upfront, before the policy even begins. This figure is determined by factors such as make, model, year, condition (including restoration quality), rarity, and historical significance. Expert appraisals, market trends, and historical sales data are often used to arrive at this agreed-upon value. This ensures that in the event of a total loss, you receive the agreed amount, allowing you to replace your cherished classic without financial compromise.

Mileage Restrictions: Driving for Pleasure, Not Commuting

Another key difference lies in usage. Classic car insurance policies are designed for vehicles that are driven infrequently, typically for pleasure, car shows, club events, or occasional leisure drives. This limited usage significantly reduces the risk of accidents compared to a daily commuter, which often translates to lower premiums.

Most classic car policies come with annual mileage restrictions, often ranging from 1,000 to 5,000 miles per year. While these limits might seem restrictive to some, they align with how most classic cars are genuinely used. It’s essential to be realistic about your driving habits when choosing a policy. Exceeding your agreed mileage without notifying your insurer could jeopardize your coverage in the event of a claim. Limiting vehicle use is a key principle behind effective collectible auto insurance protection.

Finding the Right Policy: A Specialist’s Touch

Choosing the right classic car insurance policy goes beyond simply comparing prices. It requires a deep understanding of the unique needs of collector vehicles. Here’s what to look for:

Agreed Value Coverage: As discussed, this is paramount for protecting your investment.

Specialized Repair and Parts Coverage: Classic cars often require specialized mechanics and hard-to-find, original parts. Your policy should cover these costs, not force you to use standard repair shops or generic aftermarket components.

Roadside Assistance: Look for policies that offer flatbed towing with soft straps, ensuring your classic car is transported with the utmost care if a breakdown occurs.

Cherished Salvage Coverage: Some policies allow you to retain your vehicle’s salvage after a total loss, a valuable feature for those who wish to restore their car or keep sentimental components.

Flexible Usage: While mileage restrictions are common, some policies offer different tiers to accommodate varying levels of pleasure driving.

Expert Knowledge: Work with an insurer or broker who specializes in classic cars. They understand the intricacies of the market and can offer tailored advice and coverage.

Data shows that the classic car market remains strong, with continued appreciation for well-maintained and rare models. Protecting this investment with the right classic car insurance is not just about safeguarding an asset; it’s about preserving a piece of automotive heritage for generations to come.

Tooher-Ferraris Insurance Group provides comprehensive auto insurance services in Connecticut, including specialized classic car insurance tailored to your unique needs.

Reach out to us today to learn more about our leading insurance agency.

Business Insurance

July 26, 2025

Crafting Confidence: Essential Insurance for Custom Home Builders

Building a custom home is an intricate dance of vision, skill, and meticulous execution.

For custom home builders, every nail, beam, and blueprint represents not just a structure, but a significant investment of time, resources, and reputation.

Ensuring the success and stability of these projects, and your business as a whole, depends on having the right insurance in place. Tooher-Ferraris Insurance Group understands the unique challenges custom home builders face and offers personalized solutions to protect your work and give you peace of mind.

The construction industry, while rewarding, is inherently fraught with risks. Statistics reveal the gravity of these challenges: over 39% of fatal incidents in construction result from falls, trips, and slips, and a significant percentage of projects face delays or go over budget due to unforeseen issues. Without adequate protection, a single incident can lead to substantial financial losses, legal battles, and a tarnished reputation. This is where specialized custom home builder insurance becomes indispensable.

General Liability: Your Foundation of Protection

At the core of any comprehensive custom home builder insurance portfolio is general liability (GL) insurance. This coverage acts as your primary defense against claims of bodily injury or property damage to third parties arising from your operations. Imagine a client tripping over tools left on a job site, or a stray piece of lumber damaging a neighbor’s car. GL insurance would cover medical expenses, repair costs, and associated legal fees, preventing these incidents from derailing your project or bankrupting your business. Many clients and lenders will also require proof of this coverage before any work begins, making it a non-negotiable aspect of your operations. This protection extends even after the project is completed, covering potential issues related to “completed operations”, an important aspect often overlooked by basic home insurance policies.

Builder’s Risk Insurance: Protecting Your Project’s Investment

While general liability covers third-party claims, builder’s risk insurance specifically protects the physical structure under construction, as well as materials and equipment on-site, in transit, or in storage. This is distinct from standard home insurance and is paramount for custom builds where the value of the property steadily increases throughout the construction process.

Whether the homeowner is acting as their own general contractor or a professional builder is overseeing the project, builder’s risk insurance safeguards against perils such as fire, theft, vandalism, wind, and lightning. Without it, a fire that destroys a partially built home could result in catastrophic financial losses. Policies can often be customized to include “soft costs” like permit fees, architectural fees, and even potential lost profits due to delays caused by a covered loss. This ensures that a setback doesn’t become a complete collapse of your project.

Other Crucial Coverages for Custom Home Builders

Beyond general liability and builder’s risk insurance, several other coverages are vital for a custom home builder:

Workers’ Compensation: If you have employees, this is legally required in most states and covers medical expenses and lost wages for workers injured on the job.

Commercial Auto Insurance: Protects your commercial vehicles and employees in the event of an accident, covering medical costs, legal defense, and property damage.

Tools and Equipment Insurance: Covers your valuable tools and machinery from theft or damage, ensuring minimal downtime and replacement costs.

Professional Liability (E&O) Insurance: Also known as Errors and Omissions, this protects against claims arising from design errors, omissions, or professional negligence in your work. Given the bespoke nature of custom homes, this can be an essential part of protection.

Umbrella Liability Insurance: Provides an extra layer of protection, extending the limits of your underlying general liability and other policies, offering broader coverage for large claims.

The Value of Specialized Coverage

Understanding insurance can be overwhelming, but a specialized insurance partner knows the unique risks custom home builders face. They can help you identify potential exposures and tailor a policy that provides comprehensive protection. Choosing the right custom home builder insurance is not merely a compliance issue; it’s a strategic business decision that fosters confidence, protects your financial well-being, and allows you to focus on what you do best: bringing dream homes to life.

For those seeking comprehensive home insurance services, Tooher-Ferraris Insurance Group provides expert guidance and tailored solutions, ensuring your projects and business are protected every step of the way. Reach out to us today to learn more about our insurance agency.

Business Insurance

July 26, 2025

Safeguarding Your Assets: A Guide to Comprehensive Commercial Property Insurance

For businesses, protecting physical assets is paramount to long-term success. Unexpected events can strike at any time, leading to significant financial setbacks and operational disruptions. This is where comprehensive commercial property insurance becomes indispensable.

Tooher-Ferraris Insurance Group understands the unique challenges businesses face and can help you safeguard your investments with tailored commercial property insurance solutions.

Understanding Commercial Property Insurance

Commercial property insurance is designed to protect your business’s physical assets from a wide range of perils. This includes the building itself, if you own it, as well as its contents, such as equipment, inventory, furniture, and other valuable property essential to your operations. Without adequate commercial property insurance, a single incident could jeopardize your entire business.

Types of Commercial Property Coverage

When considering commercial property insurance, it’s important to be aware of the various types of coverage available to ensure comprehensive protection.

Building Coverage: This is foundational and protects the physical structure of your commercial property, including the walls, roof, foundation, and permanent fixtures like plumbing and electrical systems.

Business Personal Property (BPP) Coverage: This covers the movable assets within your business, such as machinery, computers, office furniture, inventory, and supplies. It’s vital for businesses that rely heavily on their equipment and stock.

Business Interruption Insurance: Often an add-on or included in a comprehensive package, this coverage is critical. If a covered peril forces your business to temporarily cease operations, business interruption insurance can help replace lost income and cover ongoing operating expenses like rent and payroll during the recovery period. This ensures your business can stay afloat even when its doors are closed.

Equipment Breakdown Coverage: This type of commercial property insurance specifically covers damage to important machinery and equipment due to mechanical or electrical breakdowns, beyond what standard property coverage might cover. Think of vital systems like HVAC units, refrigerators, or manufacturing equipment.

Debris Removal Coverage: After a significant event like a fire, the cost of removing damaged materials can be substantial. This coverage helps pay for the expenses associated with clearing debris from your property.

Common Perils Covered by Commercial Property Insurance

While the specifics can vary based on your policy, most commercial property insurance policies cover damage from a range of common perils, including:

Fire and Lightning: A frequent cause of significant property damage.

Windstorm and Hail: Crucial for businesses in areas prone to severe weather.

Theft and Vandalism: Protection against criminal acts targeting your property and assets.

Smoke Damage: Often a result of fire, smoke can cause extensive damage even without direct flames.

Falling Objects: Coverage for damage caused by trees, signs, or other objects falling onto your property.

Tailoring Your Commercial Property Insurance Policy

Every business is unique, and so are its commercial property protection needs. Tailoring your commercial property insurance policy is essential to ensure you have the right level of coverage for your specific risks. Consider the following when customizing your policy:

Assess Your Assets: Conduct a thorough inventory of all your physical assets, including their value.

Evaluate Your Risks: Identify potential hazards specific to your industry, location, and operations. Are you in a flood zone? Do you handle highly flammable materials?

Review Policy Limits and Deductibles: Ensure your coverage limits are sufficient to rebuild or replace your property, and choose a deductible that aligns with your financial capacity.

Consider Endorsements: Add specific endorsements for perils not covered by standard policies, such as flood insurance, earthquake insurance, or specialized coverage for high-value equipment.

Business Interruption Needs: Carefully assess how long your business could be impacted by a major event and ensure your business interruption coverage reflects that.

By taking a proactive approach to your commercial property insurance, you can create a robust safety net that protects your investments and ensures the continuity of your business.

Tooher-Ferraris Insurance Group provides professional commercial insurance services in Connecticut and beyond, offering tailored solutions to safeguard your valuable assets. Contact us today for a personalized consultation and ensure your business is adequately protected.

Employee Benefits

July 21, 2025

HR Legal Alert: Enforcement of the HIPAA Reproductive Health Care Privacy Rule Vacated Nationwide

On June 18, 2025, a federal district court in Texas vacated a significant portion of the HIPAA Privacy Rule to Support Reproductive Health Care Privacy (“Final Rule”), which was implemented on April 24, 2024, on a nationwide basis. The Final Rule, which was implemented in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization (effectively overturning Roe v. Wade), was intended to protect the ability of individuals to receive reproductive health care when the care is provided lawfully under the circumstances without risk of an individual’s identity or health information being disclosed for purposes of state criminal, civil or administrative investigations (or for imposing liability related to lawfully providing or obtaining reproductive healthcare).

The Final Rule and District Court Decision

Among other things, the Final Rule required group health plans, health care providers, and health care clearinghouses (collectively, “Covered Entities”) to:

Update their HIPAA Privacy policies and procedures by December 23, 2024 to meet the requirements of the Final Rule, which included updating their HIPAA staff on the new changes (and how to identify and respond to any requests that may be impacted by the Final Rule) and ensuring that the Covered Entity obtains a signed, written attestation from the requester related to any request for use or disclosure of PHI potentially related to reproductive health care requested for health oversight, judicial or administrative proceedings, law enforcement purposes, or disclosures to coroners or medical examiners.
If necessary, update their HIPAA business associates agreements by December 23, 2024, to ensure any business associates were obligated to meet these new requirements in the same manner as the Covered Entity.
Update their Notice of Privacy Practices by February 16, 2026, to notify individuals of their rights to have this information protected by the Covered Entity.

The lawsuit challenging the reproductive health care privacy provisions of the Final Rule was brought by a health care practitioner in the state of Texas who believed following the Final Rule would inhibit their ability to meet other state law requirements, including mandatory reporting requirements related to child abuse.

The federal district court agreed with the health care practitioner and further determined that the final rule impermissibly exceeded the scope of the Department of Health and Human Service’s authority by, among other things, expanding the definition of “person” to include unborn children. Accordingly, the district court judge vacated the reproductive health care privacy protections under the Final Rule nationwide, which prohibits the agency from enforcing these requirements of the Final Rule.

The Final Rule was believed to be one of the rules, among others, which is under review pursuant to the Executive Order Directing the Repeal of Unlawful Regulations issued by President Trump in April 2025. Thus, it is unclear whether the Trump Administration will appeal this decision, though it seems unlikely.

What Does This Mean for Employers

This decision only impacts the changes to the Privacy Rule related to Reproductive Health Care Privacy Protections included in the Final Rule. It does not impact Covered Entities’ or Business Associates’ other obligations under the HIPAA privacy and security rules, nor does it impact any state law protections that may limit the disclosure of this information, which vary from state to state.

Thus, Covered Entities, including sponsors of self-funded group health plans or sponsors of fully insured group health plans who have access to PHI or electronic PHI, must still maintain HIPAA privacy and security policies and procedures, issue notices of privacy practices to their group health plan participants, have business associate agreements (“BAA”) in place with their business associates, and comply with any applicable state law privacy protections.

If a Covered Entity updated their BAAs, their policies and procedures, or their Notice of Privacy Practices to capture the reproductive health care privacy requirements included in the Final Rule, they can amend those documents to remove these provisions.

Note: This alert is limited to those provisions of the Final Rule regarding reproductive health care privacy which were vacated by the district court decision. HHS intends to update the model Notice of Privacy Practices at some point prior to February 16, 2026 to incorporate other, required changes unrelated to reproductive health care privacy that were addressed in the Final Rule. A new alert will be issued when the model notice is released.

About the Author. This alert was prepared for Tooher-Ferraris by Barrow Weatherhead Lent LLP, a national law firm with recognized experts on the Affordable Care Act. Contact Stacy Barrow or Nicole Quinn-Gato at sbarrow@marbarlaw.com or nquinngato@marbarlaw.com.

The information provided in this alert is not, is not intended to be, and shall not be construed to be, either the provision of legal advice or an offer to provide legal services, nor does it necessarily reflect the opinions of the agency, our lawyers, or our clients. This is not legal advice. No client-lawyer relationship between you and our lawyers is or may be created by your use of this information. Rather, the content is intended as a general overview of the subject matter covered. Tooher-Ferraris and Barrow Weatherhead Lent LLP are not obligated to provide updates on the information presented herein. Those reading this alert are encouraged to seek direct counsel on legal questions.

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