As a child, my Mother used to tell me, “Don’t wear your feelings on your sleeve!” Well apparently, many children didn’t get that message. Those children are now adults and they will sue you over what used to be called a “discussion”. Many people just do not know how to have a civil disagreement or a discussion. That is a problem. Your internet-connected computer is making the problem bigger. In fact, your computer may now be the most dangerous machine in your home. It may now be the single biggest threat to your family’s financial well being because the virtual world is a breeding ground for a particular type of lawsuit.
The good news is there is a solution. I will share that with you shortly. But first, let’s take a moment to understand the problem because my Mother also told me, “An once of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
The Problem
If you or any member of your family uses email, has a website, a blog or uses any of the social networks, there is the potential for a Personal Injury lawsuit. In the virtual world, Personal Injury can cover a number of things such as libel, slander, defamation of character, and invasion of privacy. In the physical world, it can also mean false arrest, malicious prosecution, wrongful entry and wrongful eviction. (Do you own any rental property? If so, you might want to read that last sentence again.)
So if your teen posts a nasty comment about a teacher, her last best friend or your neighbor, the result can be the Sheriff knocking on your door and serving you with suit papers. And here are the kickers:
- A person who innocently defames another can be held liable even though the intent is benign. If you ask your attorney about this, he will give you a lecture on “strict liability.” An explanation of that is too much legalese to bore you with here!
- Many homeowners policies do not give you any protection for this kind of lawsuit.
The Solution
Well, here’s my Mother’s solution, “Be nice! Don’t say, write or do anything you don’t want to see on the front page of the newspaper tomorrow. (Good advice for us all. Thank you, Mom.)
But just in case that advice doesn’t prevent an expensive lawsuit, here’s a solution that will allow you to sleep better. A simple and inexpensive endorsement to your homeowners policy will provide protection from those who are …uh…easily offended. (I am being nice, Mom!) It is called the Personal Injury endorsement and it is inexpensive. The average cost for this protection is $25 a year.
How to Get It Done
Call Stefanie at 777-1165 or email her at
Stefanie@insurancebutler.com. She will check your homeowners policy to see if you have the coverage. If you don’t have the protection, she will order the Personal Injury protection for you. We do try to make this insurance stuff painless. Call today or as Mom would say, “A stitch in time saves nine.”
