The Henkes Welsh Agency Blog

Over the next few days we will be giving you some hints on how to read your insurance policy. The people at Henkes Welsh Insurance would be more than happy to answer any questions you may have.

First determine who qualifies as an "insured". In the event the person or entity suffering or causing the damage or injury is not an insured - go no further, there is no coverage.

There are normally four types of insureds: named insured, additionally listed (named) insureds, automatic insureds and additional insureds added by an endorsement.  An endorsement is an addendum to an insurance policy that changes the original policy provisions. Endorsements may serve any number of functions, including broadening the scope of coverage, restricting or limiting the scope of coverage, clarifying the application of coverage to some unique exposure, adding other parties as insureds or adding locations to a policy.

Second, highlighting the areas in the policy form that are changed by endorsement and while reading that part, apply the wording of that endorsement directly.