What is Personal Lines insurance?

When insurance is focused on protecting the financial interests of an individual or family, rather than a corporate or non-profit entity, it is considered to fall within the personal lines of insurance. There are many different types of protection offered within personal lines. These include:

• Home insurance: This is a policy designed to assist with expenses related to certain hazards, such as fire, hurricane and theft, which can devastate or damage a home or its contents. Home insurance also covers the liabilities homeowners have so that when someone is hurt on their property, they can rely on their policy for medical costs, legal costs and damages. 

• Auto insurance: Required by law in most states, auto insurance provides protection to both vehicle owners and individuals who are injured or experience property damage at the hands of drivers. Auto insurance policies can be structured to cover the damages of the insured’s vehicle through comprehensive and collision coverage as well as uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. A policy must also meet the minimums of each state’s laws by providing bodily injury and property damage liability coverage that protects those who might be unintentionally injured or damaged by the insured.

• Renters insurance: When renting an apartment, an individual may not need to provide insurance to protect the structure itself, but they do need coverage for their personal contents since the landlord does not cover those. Additionally, they should secure liability insurance to cover medical costs and damages in the event a visitor is injured while in their apartment.

• Umbrella policies: When the liability limits of other personal policies aren’t enough, individuals can purchase an umbrella policy to provide $1 million or more in additional liability coverage. Just one umbrella policy effectively increases the liability limits of each of the insured’s other policies. 
     
  
     

 

What is commercial property insurance?

Businesses have many physical assets, including buildings, computers, specialized equipment, outdoor signage and inventory. If a fire, storm or thief were to damage or steal these assets, a business may have to go through a recovery process before their doors can open once more.

Without adequate commercial property coverage, approximately a quarter of businesses fail during the first year following a disaster or theft. Such events result in hundreds of billions of dollars in paid claims. Most businesses cannot afford such a substantial loss. Commercial property insurance can assist with repairs, replacements and lost income during a tumultuous time like a natural disaster or theft.

- How does commercial property insurance help?

Commercial property insurance helps businesses survive various situations. These situations include the following:

• Repair or replacement: Coverage can extend to assets that are lost, damaged or stolen due to fire, storm, hail, tornado, theft or vandalism. Damage from flooding and earthquakes are excluded.

• Lost income: Income loss results from a business’ inability to run as usual following a disaster. This coverage can offer lost income relief, along with the expenses associated with recovery.

• Temporary location: A devastated building may no longer be able to support daily operations. Coverage can extend to funding a temporary location while repairs are being made.

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We can assist you in finding the commercial property insurance policy that best suits the needs of your business. Call us today with any questions or concerns or to start the process of finding comprehensive coverage for your business.  

 

 

Commercial Auto

As a business owner, you need the same kinds of insurance coverages for the car you use in your business as you do for a car used for personal travel -- liability, collision and comprehensive, medical payments (known as personal injury protection in some states) and coverage for uninsured motorists. In fact, many business people use the same vehicle for both business and pleasure. If the vehicle is owned by the business, make sure the name of the business appears on the policy as the "principal insured" rather than your name. This will avoid possible confusion in the event that you need to file a claim or a claim is filed against you.

Whether you need to buy a business auto insurance policy will depend on the kind of driving you do. A good insurance agent will ask you many details about how you use vehicles in your business, who will be driving them and whether employees, if you have them, are likely to be driving their own cars for your business.

While the major coverages are the same, a business auto policy differs from a personal auto policy in many technical respects. Ask your insurance agent to explain all the differences and options.

Trucking Insurance

Owners and operators of commercial trucks can't get by with a standard commercial auto insurance policy. In addition to protecting the cargo that they carry, truckers must consider the massive physical damage that can be caused by their trucks, the potential environmental issues an accident could cause, and the expensive cost to repair their large vehicles.

- Liability Insurance

For bodily injury and property damage liability exposure, one should consider an auto liability insurance policy. This policy will protect truckers by covering many different types of harm that they can unintentionally inflict on others and their property. This includes accidental damage to a retailer’s delivery dock, to other drivers, vehicles, and pedestrians.

- Cargo Insurance

Your clients rely on you to safely deliver their cargo in the same condition it was in when they turned it over to you. With cargo insurance you can reimburse a client for qualifying damages made to their cargo during transport—and all without tapping into your business bank account except to pay the deductible.

- Bobtail Insurance

When your truck is without cargo, it still needs protection. Bobtail insurance covers your truck even when it is not operational.

- Physical Damage Insurance

If your truck is in an accident or collision, you need the right commercial insurance policy protecting your financial interests. Collision insurance and comprehensive insurance can cover various accidents and damages caused by theft, vandalism and fire.

- Environmental Liability Insurance

If your truck carries cargo that can be environmentally toxic or could contribute to pollution, you need special insurance to help pay for the cost of the cleanup if it should be spilled in an accident. Environmental liability insurance will cover this expense, as long as it occurs in a qualifying situation. 

 

General Liability

If you have a personal umbrella liability policy, there's generally an exclusion for business-related liability. Make sure you have sufficient auto liability coverage.

Unfortunately for every business owner, the chances of getting sued have dramatically increased in the last decade. General Liability insurance can prevent a legal suit from turning into a financial disaster by providing financial protection in case your business is ever sued or held legally responsible for some injury or damage.

General Liability pays losses arising from real or alleged bodily injury, property damage, or personal injury on your business premises or arising from your operations.

Broad Range of General Liability Protection

• Bodily Injury, including the cost of care, the loss of services, and the restitution for any death that results from injury

• Property Damage coverage for the physical damage to property of others or the loss of use of that property

• Products-Completed Operations provides liability protection (damages and legal expenses up to your policy's limit) if an injury ever resulted from something your company made or service your company provided

• Products Liability is a more specialized product liability insurance that protects your company against lawsuits from product-related injury or accidents

• Contractual Liability extends to any liability you may assume by entering into a variety of contracts

• Other coverage includes: Reasonable Use of Force; Borrowed Equipment; Liquor Liability; Non-Owned Vehicles (such as aircraft and watercraft); Fire, Lightning or Explosion Damage; Water Damage Liability Protection; Legal Defense Costs; Medical Payments; Personal Injury; Advertising Injury; and specialized liability protection for specific business types
  

 

 

What is contractor insurance?

Like any business, independent contractors need insurance to protect themselves financially. What type of insurance you need depends on the type of work you do. Some types of independent contractors include the following:

• Independent construction contractors

• Freelance writers, editors and graphic designers

• Repair people, plumbers, carpenters, electricians, painters

• Accountants and financial planners

• House and carpet cleaners

• Independent hair stylists and salon professionals

Contractors are like any business. You need property and general liability insurance to minimize the basic financial risks of running a business. Additionally, contractor insurance includes coverage designed for specific industry risks. Our agency can find a customized policy that includes coverage most suitable to you.

If you are hiring contractors, you want them to have contractor insurance. Insurance you carry as a business or homeowner may not protect you from liability for a contract worker. This can expose you to lawsuits if a worker gets injured at your business or home.

 

 

What is Cyber liability insurance?

The sensitive customer data stored within company servers and in the cloud is vulnerable to attacks from hackers and other cyber criminals. Most people think only large corporations are in danger of cybercrime attacks. But, all businesses that use computers connected to the Internet are at risk.

- What are the benefits of Cyber liability insurance?

More than one-third of businesses experience a data breach each year. If a similar event happened at your business, would you be able to pay for the resulting damages?

Many cyber liability policies cover a variety of expenses associated with a cyberattack:

• Stolen data retrieval

• Reimbursement of fraudulent charges

• Identity protection services for customers at risk of identity theft

• Damage control for your business’ reputation

• Legal fees associated with the attack

• And other cleanup efforts

A general liability policy often excludes losses incurred because of the Internet. A cyber liability policy can fill in that gap. It may be the difference between closing your business and making a comeback.

Get started today!

We can evaluate your business’s needs and find a policy that offers the best possible protection against cybercrime.

 

What is Homeowners insurance?

Homeowners insurance provides financial protection against disasters. A standard policy insures the home itself and the things you keep in it.

Homeowners insurance is a package policy. This means that it covers both damage to your property and your liability or legal responsibility for any injuries and property damage you or members of your family cause to other people. This includes damage caused by household pets.

Damage caused by most disasters is covered but there are exceptions. The most significant are damage caused by floods, earthquakes and poor maintenance. You must buy two separate policies for flood and earthquake coverage. Maintenance-related problems are the homeowners' responsibility.

- Why do you need homeowners insurance?

It is really all about protecting yourself financially if something unexpected happens to your home or possessions. That's important because chances are your home is likely one of your largest investments.

• If your home was destroyed by fire or damaged by a natural disaster, you'd need money to repair or replace it.

• If a guest in your home is injured, liability protection and medical coverage help pay expenses.

• If you are a victim of theft and vandalism, it can reimburse you for your loss or pay for repairs.

• If you are still paying for your home, your lender will require insurance.

It is important to know that homeowners insurance is meant to cover unexpected damage, not routine maintenance. Ask your agent to talk about what is covered and be sure to read your policy so you know exactly what's included and what is not.

- Things to consider and questions to ask your agent
Here are few things to discuss with your agent that will influence your decisions.

• How much will it cost to rebuild my house and replace my belongings if they are damaged or destroyed? (Ask your agent to talk you through your home's features and the things you own so you can make an informed decision about coverage.)

• Does the insurance company have a good reputation for customer service? Is it known for paying claims fairly and promptly?

• What discounts are available? (Ask about multiple policy, security system and fire resistance discounts.)

• What's the process for filing and settling a claim? (Ask who to call and what happens after you file a claim.) 

 

 

What is auto insurance?

Auto insurance protects you against financial loss if you have an accident. It is a contract between you and the insurance company. You agree to pay the premium and the insurance company agrees to pay your losses as defined in your policy.

Auto insurance provides property, liability and medical coverage:

• Property coverage pays for damage to or theft of your car.

• Liability coverage pays for your legal responsibility to others for bodily injury or property damage.

• Medical coverage pays for the cost of treating injuries, rehabilitation and sometimes lost wages and funeral expenses.

An auto insurance policy is comprised of six different kinds of coverage. Most states require you to buy some, but not all, of these coverages. If you're financing a car, your lender may also have requirements.

Most auto policies are for six months or a year. Your insurance company should notify you by mail when it's time to renew the policy and to pay your premium.

- Why do you need auto insurance?

It's really all about protecting yourself financially.

• If you're in an accident or your car is stolen, it costs money, often a lot of money, to fix or replace it.

• If you or any passengers are injured in an accident, medical costs can be extremely expensive.

• If you or your car is responsible for damage or injury to others, you may be sued for much more than you're worth.

• Not only is having insurance a prudent financial decision, many states require you to have at least some coverage.

- Questions to ask your agent
Your Independent Agent is an advocate for finding auto insurance that meets your specific needs. Here are a few things to consider as you prepare for the discussion:

• How much can you afford to pay if you get in an accident? (To keep premiums low you may want to have a higher deductible and be willing to pay more for repairs.)

• What is the insurance company's level of service and ability to pay claims?

• What discounts are available? (Ask about good driver, multiple policy and student discounts.)

• What's the procedure for filing and settling a claim? (Ask who to call and what happens after you file a claim.)