What Your Insurance Policy Doesn’t Tell You (And Why It Matters)

"I have full coverage."

I hear this phrase every single day at our office on Mill Street. It’s usually said with confidence—the kind of confidence that comes from ticking a box, paying a premium, and assuming everything is handled.

But here is the hard truth that most insurance commercials won't tell you: "Full Coverage" is a marketing term, not a legal one.

If you are like most Ohioans, you probably bought your policy 5 or 10 years ago, set it on autopay, and haven’t looked at it since. But while you were busy living your life—driving the I-270 loop, finishing your basement, or maybe adopting a dog—your risks changed. And if your policy didn't change with them, you might be carrying a "cheap" policy that could cost you your life savings.

It’s a new year. Let’s make sure you actually have the protection you think you do. Here are the three biggest gaps we see in Central Ohio insurance policies—and how to fix them.

1. The "Full Coverage" Lie

When people say they have "Full Coverage" on their car, they usually mean they have Comprehensive and Collision. That’s great—it means if you hit a deer on Morse Road or slide on ice into a guardrail, your car is fixed.

But what about the other guy?

The most dangerous gap in auto insurance isn't about your bumper; it’s about your Liability Limits.

• The Scenario: You glance at a text while driving on I-670. You don’t stop in time and rear-end a brand-new Tesla, pushing it into the car ahead.
• The Gap: If you have state minimum liability limits (or even "standard" low limits like $25,000/$50,000), your insurance stops paying once that limit is hit.
• The Reality: A totaled Tesla and medical bills for two drivers can easily exceed $100,000. Who pays the difference? You do. They can garnish your wages and put a lien on your home.

The Fix: Check your "Bodily Injury" and "Property Damage" limits. If they look low, call us. Increasing them is often just a few dollars a month.

2. The "Ohio Basement" Blind Spot

If you live in Gahanna or the surrounding Columbus area, you know our weather is... confused. We get heavy snow in January, a 60-degree thaw in February, and torrential rain in March.

This freeze-thaw cycle is a nightmare for foundations and sump pumps.

• The Myth: "My Homeowners policy covers water damage."
• The Gap: Standard policies cover water that falls from the sky (like a hole in the roof). They almost never cover water that backs up from the ground (like a sewer backup or sump pump failure) unless you specifically add it.
• The Pain Point: We have seen homeowners face $15,000 bills for ruined drywall, carpet, and furniture in their finished basements because their sump pump failed during a storm. Their standard policy paid $0.

The Fix: Ask for "Water Backup and Sump Pump Overflow" coverage. It is an endorsement, not a default. It is essential for anyone with a finished basement in Ohio.

3. The "Millionaire" Myth (Umbrella Insurance)

"I don't need an Umbrella policy. I'm not rich."

This is the single biggest misconception in personal finance. Umbrella insurance isn't just for millionaires; it is Lifestyle Defense for the middle class.

• The Reality: We live in a litigious society. If your dog bites a neighbor, or your teenager causes a serious accident, a lawsuit can target your future income for years.
• The "Guru" Insight: Umbrella insurance sits on top of your home and auto policies, providing an extra $1 million (or more) in liability protection.
• The Cost: It is shockingly cheap. For most families, a $1 million Umbrella policy costs less than a large pizza once a month. It is the cheapest "sleep at night" insurance you can buy.

The "No-Judgment" Review

We know why you haven't looked at your policy. You're afraid that if you call an agent, they will try to sell you something you don't need.

That’s not how we operate at Lew Griffin Insurance. We view ourselves as your partners, not your salespeople.

Here is our offer to you: Dig your policy out of the filing cabinet (or find the PDF in your email). Call us or stop by our office in Gahanna. We will do a Personal Insurance Review.

• If your current policy is great, we will tell you to keep it.
• If we find gaps, we will show you how to close them—whether that’s with us or your current carrier.

Don't wait for a claim to find out what isn't covered.

> Schedule Your 15-Minute Review

(Or just give us a call at 614-475-0036. Real people answer our phones.)

‍