What Type Of Commercial Auto Insurance Do You Need?

Business owners make choices every day to protect the interests of their business. Ensuring that they are covered by the right types of commercial insurance is key in protecting the business when the unexpected occurs.

If your business regularly uses vehicles for deliveries, passenger pickups, or other work-related operations, then you may be vulnerable to lawsuits or costly repairs if something goes wrong. Choosing the commercial auto insurance that is appropriate is a critical point in protecting the financial health of your business.

Minimum coverage requirements for commercial vehicle insurance are set by individual state laws and are typically more extensive than the requirements for personal vehicle insurance. It may seem obvious that you need commercial auto insurance for a vehicle used exclusively for business purposes, but what about a personal vehicle that may be used in the operation of your business? If you are driving a personal vehicle for commercial reasons and are in an accident, you may be shocked to discover your personal auto insurance will not cover the damages.

Factors Affecting What Type of Insurance You Need

Every business has unique needs for all types of commercial insurance, and car insurance is no exception. Only an agent who is well-versed in this type of insurance can sit down with you and help you determine which coverage will best suit the needs of your business, but these are some factors to keep in mind:

The purpose of the vehicle. Whether the vehicle is used for deliveries, transporting goods or passengers, or performing another function (like a snow plow or dump truck) will be a significant determining factor in the type of insurance coverage you will need. Certain features, such as bathrooms, cooking equipment, hydraulic lifts, and other equipment may also necessitate added coverage. Similarly, some vehicles such as tow trucks require their own specific type of insurance.
Who owns/drives the vehicle. Are you the sole operator of the vehicle, or do various employees drive it as well? Is the vehicle legally registered to an individual, or to a business, corporation, or partnership? Is it rented or leased to anyone else? Inadequate coverage could leave you liable for someone else’s driving mistakes.
Who or what is being transported. If the vehicle is used to transport goods or passengers, you will want to make sure that your insurance protects them in the event of an accident. Rates may be higher if, for example, you transport hazardous materials.
Where the vehicle travels. As previously stated, commercial auto insurance laws are set by the state, so if the vehicle stays in state, you’ll only need to worry about your city’s laws. If, however, you cross over state lines, you may be subject to additional laws on a federal level.

We understand the complexity of commercial liability insurance, and we are determined to help our clients fully understand their options so that they can make the choice that is right for them and their business. We know how much your business matters to you, and we want to help protect you from the unexpected. We proudly serve business owners throughout the local area, and we are happy to set up a consultation at a time that is convenient for you. Contact us today!

Save Money & Energy By Winterizing Your Home

The winter months are upon us, bringing cold temperatures and adverse weather conditions. You may have already begun preparing for winter by purchasing a new pair of rain boots or a heavy coat, but have you thought about preparing your home?

The rain, snow, and ice that are synonymous with winter can cause serious damage to your home, resulting in costly repairs. The unnecessary costs and stress can be avoided by preparing your home in advance to make sure you don’t fall victim to damage to your home and the need to pay for costly repairs.

Planning Ahead For Winter

There are a few simple protective actions that will result in more efficient heating and prevent any unnecessary homeowners insurance claims. The following are some of the tasks that will protect your assets (and your wallet) this winter:

Get rid of drafts! Drafty windows and doors can cause you to waste up to 30% of the energy used to warm your house. Purchase or make a draft snake (draft-stopper) to block chilly air from seeping in under your doors, and remove window air conditioning units so your windows can be completely sealed. Check around your home for any gaps where air may be escaping and seal with caulking or weather-stripping. This usually occurs where any two materials meet, including around the foundation, around windows, or near your chimney.
Mind your energy usage. Turn down the heat when you leave your home so heated air isn’t wasted on an empty house. Have your heating system checked to ensure it is running properly and adjusted to accommodate the workout it is going to get during the cold season.
Insulate, insulate, insulate! Are your walls and ceilings properly insulated? Pay special attention to your basement ceiling and attic floor. Your pipes and air ducts should also be insulated, as the majority of your heater’s hot air could escape as it moves through the ducts to the vents. Insulating your pipes means that you will not only pay less for your hot water, but you’ll also help to prevent pipes from freezing.
Take care of any dead tree limbs. Unhealthy tree limbs can fall under the weight of snow or heavy rain, damaging your home or vehicles. Clear dead limbs away before winter sets in so you can avoid damage to your home from a falling branch.
Ensure there is some airflow. It’s important to eliminate any drafts and seal up leaks throughout your home, but you don’t want the home to be completely airtight because the indoor air quality may become unhealthy. When cooking on a gas stove, be sure to run the range fan or crack a window to let gasses escape. Turn on the bathroom fan while showering to let the moist air out, as too much moisture can lead to mold, a health risk for babies and those with allergies and asthma.

Make Sure You’re Protected

The winter months are filled with joy surrounding the holiday season, so don’t let the colder temperatures and threatening weather conditions get in the way. For any questions regarding winterizing your home or to review your current homeowners insurance policy, contact us so we can make sure you have the right coverage to protect your home.

There are many insurance programs available from different companies, and we can evaluate your current policy to find out if a better program is available to lower your premiums.

Basic Guidelines For Purchasing Flood Insurance

Do you need flood insurance? Any home or business can be damaged by water incursions, even those located in a low to moderate flood risk area. If you have concerns about the possibility of flooding due to storm conditions, rising water, fast melting snow, mud, or other situations, getting flood insurance could save you thousands, tens of thousands, or more. Our local agents are here to help homeowners and business owners stay protected from flood damage to a property.

How Does Flood Insurance Work?

Many people have been shocked to discover that their homeowners insurance policy does not cover flood damage. Lenders require those who have a home in a high-risk flood zone to carry flood insurance. If your home is in the moderate to low-risk area, this coverage is likely optional – you make that decision yourself. The cost of coverage varies, depending upon where your home is located. Generally, if your home is in a low to moderate risk area, flood insurance coverage will be extremely affordable. It is worth getting the facts about this coverage, and our friendly local agents can help.

Why You Need Flood Insurance

Your homeowners insurance policy, in most cases, covers only certain weather-related damage, such as a case in which a falling limb damages the roof of your home and rainwater enters the structure, causing further damage. It does not cover water that enters your home by ground. You may believe your home is safe. About 20 percent of flood insurance claims come from lower risk areas – and homeowners who HAD policies in place. The average claim was in the range of $30,000.

Types of Flood Insurance

One of our agents can help you with what type of flood insurance you should have in place. To determine how much flood insurance coverage you need, take these steps:

Do a full inventory of your possessions and the cost of replacement, including furniture, electronics, appliances, and so on. Coverage can be purchased to cover up to $100,000 to replace your possessions damaged by flood waters.
Evaluate what it would cost to rebuild your home if severely damaged by flood. Federal flood insurance covers up to $250,000 in repairs. If it would cost more than $250,000 to rebuild your home, it is important that you add what is called “excess coverage,” a private policy to cover the remainder of the cost of rebuilding your home.
If you rent your home, you can purchase renters flood insurance to cover the cost of replacing your home’s contents.

Private or Federal Flood Insurance?

No matter where you live, assume your home is in a flood zone and that you need coverage. There are a few private companies that may have policies available. Our agency can help you find the right policy, and we always search for the most affordable price. Contact us for more information about flood insurance today!

Avoid A Headache When You Can’t Avoid What’s In The Road

In a majority of cases, hitting an animal while driving is unavoidable. As upsetting as this event can be, it is also capable of causing substantial damage to your vehicle, particularly if the animal is large. Deer-related accidents are common in rural areas, with the average repair from these accidents exceeding $3,300.

We recommend that our clients review their auto insurance policy with one of our local agents so that the policy covers the eventuality of striking an animal on the road. Our agents can recommend the right type and level of auto insurance coverage to protect your vehicle.

What Does Comprehensive Car Insurance Cover?

Your auto insurance will cover these types of accidents under your comprehensive coverage limits rather than your collision coverage. Comprehensive car insurance covers all damage to vehicles not related to an actual collision with another vehicle. Some perils covered by this section of your auto insurance policy are:

Fire
Theft
Vandalism
Riot
Hail
Falling objects
Contact with birds or animals
Flood
Earthquake & wind damage

Comprehensive car insurance covers damages, minus the deductible, for animal-related causes. Typically, a single claim based on hitting a deer or other animal will not result in an increase of rates. We can help ensure you have adequate coverage to protect against a collision with a deer or another large animal while driving.

What To Do if You Hit an Animal

If you are involved in an animal-related accident, pull over and check to ensure that you and any passengers have not sustained any injuries. If the animal is alive, be cautious as it is likely terrified and could become dangerous. Report the accident to the police immediately. In many jurisdictions, hitting a domestic animal requires that police are notified.

Document the damage to the vehicle with photos. Be sure to get any witnesses to provide their contact information. Assess the condition of your vehicle to ensure it is safe to drive and if you are uncertain, have it towed. Call your auto insurance company to report the accident to file a damage claim. One of our agents will be happy to guide you if you need any help with this process.

Comprehensive Coverage Limitations

Should you file a claim, your policy will pay up to the maximum limit on your auto insurance policy. Hitting a deer or large animal often results in thousands of dollars in damages. A review of your policy limits with one of our agents will give you peace of mind that you have sufficient coverage to protect you if you are involved in an animal-related accident.

Arrange a Policy Review

If you don’t currently have comprehensive car insurance, one of our agents will be happy to review your policy coverages and find you the best auto insurance coverage to provide the protection you need. We know how unsettling it is to be involved in any type of accident, whether it is related to hitting an animal or another vehicle. Our job is to ensure that our clients have the coverage they need, and at the most affordable rates.

How To Tell If Your Roof Needs Replacing

Roofs are one of the parts of the home that tend to cause homeowners the most headaches. How do you know if something is a simple fix or the sign of a serious problem? Many people are wary of calling in the professionals for an issue that seems small, but an unattended leak or structural issue can grow into a major threat to your home.

To avoid a bigger (and more expensive) problem down the road, take a moment to review your homeowners policy, and keep an eye out for these signs that your roof may need replacing:

It’s approaching 25 years old. A properly installed roof is only expected to last between 20 and 25 years. If you live in a development and notice that all your neighbors are re-roofing, it could be a sign that your roof is in its last years.
Discoloration or sagging on inside ceilings. The first step of inspecting your roof starts inside the home: if you see spots or trails of dark or white discoloration along ceilings or upper walls, chances are good that water is entering your roof. Sagging in these areas is an obvious indication of water damage, and an unattended leak will eventually threaten the structural integrity of your home.
Light through the attic ceiling. If you head up to your attic during the day hours and can see any glimpses of light, you can be sure that both water and cold air will find their way into your property.
Shingles that are cracked, curled, or buckled. Cracked shingles are typically the result of wind damage. A few may be no cause for concern, but shingles cracking in multiple areas of your roof is a sign that is reaching its expiration date. Shingles that curl and buckle might be older and no longer effective in protecting your home, or could be the sign of an improperly-installed roof.
Missing shingles. A few missing roof shingles are no problem to replace, but if many shingles have fallen off the roof, you could have a real problem on your hands. This is especially true if shingles are missing from the valleys of the roof, as this is where water flows and collects to drain through the gutter. Missing shingles can cause extensive water damage in a relatively short amount of time.
Shingles are losing their granules. The granules on shingles help to deflect the sunlight and play an integral role in your roof’s overall health. If your shingles are losing the granular surface, it is probably a sign that they need replacing. Check your gutters for a buildup of granules; if your roof was recently installed, some initial shedding of loose granules is to be expected, but later on it may be a sign of deterioration, as asphalt shingles tend to shed their granules more rapidly toward the end of the lifecycle.

Whether your roof needs replacing in a month or a decade, a home insurance policy that meets your household’s needs can put your mind at rest. Contact us to review your homeowners policy and ensure that your home is protected both from regular wear and tear and from disaster. Call us today to schedule a consultation at a time that is convenient for you.

How To Handle Being Hit While Parked

Hit and run accidents frequently occur while a vehicle is parked on the street, in a parking structure, or at the local shopping mall. Often the guilty party does not leave contact information, which leaves the vehicle owner with the problem of getting the damage repaired. To add to the burden, many people are unclear on what to do in this situation and are unsure about the details of their auto insurance coverage.

Locating Witnesses and Documenting the Accident

It may be that there are witnesses who are able to provide some details concerning the make and model of the vehicle who damaged your vehicle, and possibly even the license plate number. These witnesses may be asked to give a statement on what they observed, so it is important to get their contact details even when they can provide no specific information. At least they will be able to verify that your vehicle was hit by another driver that then left the scene.

Take photos of the damage and the surrounding area showing clearly where you were parked and including identifying signs where possible. Also make a note of the time you noticed that your vehicle had sustained damage.

For vehicles parked on the street, knocking on doors or speaking to people in the adjoining businesses may provide useful information about the offending vehicle.

Security or closed circuit TV cameras in the area may be directed at the area where the hit and run occurred; if so, copies of the footage can be obtained. This is especially true for vehicles hit in a parking structure or in the parking lot of a shopping mall. A police report should be made as soon as possible with or without any witness information.

Your Auto Insurance Coverage for Hit and Run Accidents

Coming out of a movie or a grocery store only to find your vehicle has been damaged is upsetting, particularly when there is no way of identifying the offending driver. This is why we take great care to recommend the correct type and amount of auto insurance coverage necessary to protect against this type of accident. Depending on the circumstances, underinsured motorist coverage or your collision coverage may be necessary to cover your losses.

Protect your Investment – Arrange a Policy Review

Having the right types and levels of coverage for your car insurance provides peace of mind that any damage to your vehicle will be covered, freeing you to get back on the road again. It is recommended that a policy review be done each year at renewal so that any needed increases or decreases of coverage can be put in place.

Our agents are always happy to meet to review a current auto insurance policy and to make recommendations when we see gaps in coverage.

The laws concerning car insurance may change every year. We are always on the alert when new legislation is passed, and we take pride in keeping our clients’ vehicles fully protected against losses associated with any situation, including hit and run drivers.

Is Your Home Ready For The Fall?

For homeowners, each season brings its own unique set of challenges and maintenance tasks, and prevention is always easier and less expensive than repairing something that’s broken. As fall approaches, consider protecting your home by taking the time to assess and address any issues in the following areas:

Insulation from the cold. As the weather gets colder, poor insulation can be both uncomfortable and expensive, as your furnace or heating system struggles to produce more heated air faster than it leaves your home. Make necessary repairs where possible, and consider installing heavy drapes over windows that you know may cause a draft.
Ventilation. If you have an indoor fireplace, clear out the ash and make sure the chimney is clear. Consider hiring a professional for this task so it is performed correctly. Check air ducts for dust and other debris, and change air filters to keep your family healthier as cold season approaches. Now is also a good time to clear the dust out of your clothes dryer exhaust duct and the space beneath the dryer.
Water pipes. Just as you need to check your home for insulation problems, you also need to check caulking around sinks and tubs to prevent leakage. Furthermore, if you’ve been noticing a dripping faucet, now is the time to deal with it! Fixing a leak now will be much easier than repairing a broken pipe that froze. Your water heater may also need attention, especially if your water is hard, as mineral deposits will accumulate over time and block water flow.
Clean the gutters. Check for and clear out leaves, nests, and other debris that have accumulated and could clog the gutter, and remember to continue to do so as the autumn leaves fall, especially if your home is surrounded by trees.
Fire safety. As temperatures fall, the risk of a house fire rises for homeowners across the country. Check for and eliminate hazards such as frayed wires, loose outlets, and overloaded extension cords, and have your furnace inspected by a professional. Inspect your smoke detectors and make sure you have a functional fire extinguisher accessible and ready to use just in case.
Lawn and garden care. Depending on your home and climate, maintaining your yard area could be minimal or quite extensive. Make sure that exterior water pipes are insulated to prevent freezing as overnight temperatures drop, and drain irrigation systems if necessary. If you are putting away gas-operated lawn equipment for the colder months, make sure to ensure that any gas in the tank is depleted.

As you prepare your home for the fall, don’t forget to review your homeowners insurance so that you know exactly what you’re covered for in the event of a seasonal mishap. We can sit down with you to review your policy and ensure that it meets the needs of your household. Contact us to review your policy and explore your options as fall approaches.

Two Exceptions To Permissive Use Car Insurance Coverage

Your car insurance may not cover every person who drives your vehicle on an occasional basis. Members of your household who are most likely to use your vehicle are usually named as drivers on your insurance policy. Some auto insurance policies more generally cover “household members” – but what are the exceptions? Your car insurance policy (buried in the fine print) will define the term “household members.” Typically, this is defined as a person who is related to you through marriage, blood, or by adoption, rather than a roommate or other person sharing your home.

What is Permissive Use?

Permissive use is when a person who is not listed on your policy drives your vehicle. Sounds simple, right? You may assume that it is fine for a friend or visiting relative to use your car, but are you at risk? Not every auto insurance policy will allow for permissive use. The answer lies once again in the fine print of your policy. Before you loan your car to anyone not specifically named on your policy, call your insurance agent and get the facts for your own protection. Permissive use may be allowed, but only up to specific limits.

Exception 1: Business Use of your Vehicle

If a friend or associate borrows your vehicle and uses it for business, it is likely that you are not covered under the terms of your policy. Should that person then cause an accident, there is a risk that you could be held liable. If anyone plans to borrow your vehicle for business use (such as a delivery, visiting a client, attending a work-related function, etc.), it is imperative that you speak with your agent to ensure you have “business use” on your car insurance policy.

Exception 2: Unlicensed or Inexperienced Drivers

If you make the error of loaning your vehicle to an unlicensed driver or a driver who lacks experience, you may not be covered. Insurance companies are careful when issuing policies and want to know the driving record and age of all of those who will be operating the vehicle. Even when permissive use is allowed, if an unlicensed or very inexperienced driver uses your car and causes an accident, there could be trouble.

Get Your Policy Evaluated

Before you decide to loan your vehicle to anyone, ensure that you are actually covered in the event of an accident. We can help you make sense of the terms of your auto insurance policy. Not many people can decipher the legalese in the small print of an insurance policy and we don’t want you to make an error you later regret.

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