Commercial Insurance Agents for Small Business in PA

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Commercial or business insurance for small business in PA is a crucial investment in your business. This is because it gives you financial coverage if an accident or an unexpected event threatens your company’s well-being. It affords you protection in several areas and can help make sure your business remains financially sound if you suffer a loss or if you’re liable for a customer’s or business associate’s injuries.

What You Need To Protect

You can get commercial insurance to protect just about every aspect of your business. Popular policies include the following:

  • Automobile Insurance
  • Business Interruption Insurance
  • Errors and Omissions Insurance
  • Fidelity Bonds
  • Property Insurance
  • Workers Compensation

This list is not all-inclusive, and you might not need every policy listed. For example, if you don’t have employees, you don’t need workers compensation insurance. Some areas are critical. For example, if your clients dependent on your advice to make financial decisions, errors and omissions insurance is a must have. This is because if you give advice that causes your clients to lose a lot of money, they might sue you. Errors and omissions insurance takes care of your legal and court fees. And, if your found liable, it pays the damages.

Compare Scenarios

Given the many areas that you need to protect when you own a business, you might worry about the cost of insuring it all. Don’t put off getting insurance because you fear the cost. Instead, try out the quote system on our website. You can use it to compare quotes, mixing and matching several coverage scenarios.

It is crucial that you get adequate insurance for your business. This makes it equally important to work with business insurance agents. Call us today. As your small business insurance agents, we can show you the areas where you might be vulnerable. We’ll then help you choose policies that protect you when unforeseen events occur.

Private Car Insurance in Fullerton, PA

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If you own a car, it’s unavoidable, but but sorting through auto insurance policies can be a headache. Thankfully, those who live in Fullerton, PA, have plenty of resources at their disposal to find the perfect car insurance policy for their budget and lifestyle. These tips will help simplify the process.

1. Know your options.

Take stock of the amount of driving you do and the type of car you have, and investigate your coverage options either by doing a bit of online research or talking to your independent agent in person. It’s almost always a smart choice to purchase more than the minimum coverage to protect yourself, but that doesn’t mean you have to buy every coverage option out there.

2. Compare quotes.

You wouldn’t purchase a car without shopping around first, so don’t do it with your auto insurance. Once you have a good idea of the type of policy you’re looking for (and your budget), do a quick online search to compare quotes and read carefully to see how the different policies stack up. By taking your time on this side of the insurance-buying process, you’re more likely to get the best deal.

3. Read carefully.

You’ve done your research and found the perfect policy. Now, one of the best steps you can take is to read your policy carefully so you know exactly what is and isn’t covered and then make copies of your policy to keep in your car and at home in case an accident does happen. It’s also a good idea to know exactly who you need to contact to file a claim and the number of the insurance agent to contact in case you need help.

Bethlehem, PA, insurance quotes

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When you shop for insurance, you want to make sure you get the best coverage at the most affordable price. You can go about finding insurance quotes in several ways.

Call Your Favorite Insurers

You can pick several insurance companies and give them a call. The issue with this approach, however, is that you’ll have no idea if you left off an insurance company that might have been able to offer you a great deal.

Visit Insurance Company Websites

You can get Bethlehem, PA insurance quotes from insurance companies that service the area by visiting their websites. This is a good option if you already have a few insurance companies in mind. You can go on each company’s website and complete an application. The more details you give about your situation, the more accurate your quote will be. This works best if you’ve already done some research, and you’re knowledgeable about the coverage that various insurance companies in the area offer.

Visit an Online Quote System

With online quote websites, you only need to fill out one application. The website will then send your information to several insurance companies. The thing to keep in mind about this approach is that the website owners receive commissions for business they send to the insurance company. Therefore, indirectly, they work for the insurance company, not you. This also means that they send your information only to companies with which they do business. So, the company that might be able to offer you a deal might not be on their list.

Your Best Option

Call us. As your local Pennsylvania insurance agents, we’ll go to work for you. We’ll talk with you about your situation, and then show you the companies that can offer you the most affordable coverage. You also can visit our website and compare insurance companies. Either way, your information stays with us until you’re ready to buy a policy.

Does commercial insurance with sewer backup insurance cover the business properties?

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A septic system backing up is a problem that may not be part of a basic commercial insurance policy, so you may be recommended to purchase coverage against the potential threat. When you purchase a commercial policy that includes sewer backup coverage, you may assume that it will always pay for the damages to the property. Unfortunately, the situation can play a role in the options that are available for your company property.

A Backed Up System

In most cases, the additional protection will pay for any damages that are directly related to the sewer backing up and damaging the property. The coverage is specifically designed to address the possibility of a backed up septic or sewer system, so your business property may be protected from some basic damages.

In the Case of Flooding

Even though you may be covered in most situations, it is possible that any sewer or septic system that backs up into your company property during a flood may not be covered. Many commercial insurance policies can have limitations on the coverage that is provided for flood damages, so your policy may or may not cover a backed up septic system if it relates to a flood in the area.

When your insurer has limitations on flood damage, it is possible that your property is not protected in that particular situation. Insurers vary, so the details of your plan and the situations that may be covered can differ between companies and policies.

A sewer backup policy is only one area of coverage, but it can help in certain situations. Depending on your plan, it may or may not cover damages to your property. Contact us to talk to an agent for more details about your options and commercial coverage.

As a college student, isn’t my personal property covered under my parents’ homeowners insurance?

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Attending college in Bethlehem, PA does not necessarily mean that all of your personal belongings are covered by your parent’s homeowner’s insurance policy. Depending on the situation, you may need to purchase additional protection for your belongings.

Living in the Dorms

Although every insurance policy is different, it is possible that you may be covered under your parent’s homeowner’s policy if you are living in the dorms at your university. The reason is that insurers do not usually consider the dorms at a university as moving out of your parent’s home.

As long as you are still living at home and attending college while staying in the dorms, you may have coverage under your parents. Even though that may apply in many cases, your parents will need to evaluate their policy to determine if you are still covered based on the details of their plan. Some policies may not offer protection for students who are staying on campus.

Renting an Apartment

Renting an apartment might seem like a financially savvy solution if your university has a high cost for dorms, but it can also mean that you are no longer covered under your parents. Any belongings that you own in a rented space are your responsibility to maintain.

If you are not covered under your parents, then you may need to consider a renter’s policy to protect your personal belongings. The policy is designed to protect personal belongings and prevent liability concerns from arising.

Moving away from home is challenging, but that does not always mean that you must seek coverage for your belongings. In some cases, you may still have protection under your parent’s plan. Contact us to talk to an agent to learn more about the coverage that is available for your needs.

Does my business need employment practices liability?

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Purchasing a business insurance policy that is appropriate for your company in Bethlehem, PA can seem complicated. There are many different factors that you may want to consider, including the possibility of facing a lawsuit if you fire an employee. Any business that hires employees should consider purchasing a business insurance policy with employment practices liability protection.

What is Employee Practices Liability?

Although liability protection is necessary for most companies, it may not be necessary to purchase a plan with employee practices protection. The liability plan is designed to address concerns associated with the termination of employees for any reason.

The reason that you may want the protection is related to discrimination laws. The plan is designed to address particular concerns regarding lawsuits when your employees decide that they have been wrongfully terminated due to discrimination or a similar concern.

Protecting Your Company

Business insurance is designed to address the concerns of your company, so it is important to select a plan that addresses several problems. If you do not have any employees or do not plan to hire employees in the near future, then it may be possible to wait on an employee practices liability plan.

Any time that you have hired employees, you want to take measures to protect your company and your workers. Depending on the nature of your business and the services that you provide, the best type of plan to address your concerns may vary.

Taking measures to protect your company means that you may need to purchase some liability protection. Protecting your company from discrimination or wrongful termination lawsuits will require some protection in the form of employee practices liability. Contact us to talk to an independent agent for more information about business coverage and the plans that may be appropriate for your company.

If my business is home-based, do I need liability coverage?

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Running a business from home provides a variety of benefits, particularly when it comes to the costs and expenses that are associated with the company. Unfortunately, a home-based business does not necessarily mean that you can overlook liability coverage on your business insurance policy. Liability protection is not based on the location of your company, but on the nature of your products or services.

Evaluating Risks

The risks associated with your business are the key factor to determining how much liability protection you need to purchase on a business insurance plan. For example, if your business sells a beauty product online, then you may need to consider the risk of allergic reactions or accidents associated with those products. Liability protection will help ensure that you are not paying for those medical bills personally.

Since risks can vary based on the type of business that you are running, the amount of protection that you need to purchase can depend on several factors.

Accidents on the Property

Even though accidents on your property is usually covered by any insurance that you may have on the property, read your policy thoroughly before you assume that you do not need liability coverage for the possible injuries that may take place in your home.

Some insurers may have limitations or exceptions on the policy that prevent you from making a claim on your property protection. A liability policy may still be necessary if your clients come to your home.

Home-based businesses may offer some benefits, but they do not necessarily limit the insurance that you need. It may still be necessary to purchase coverage for liability concerns. Contact us to speak to an agent for more details about the coverage options that are available for your company.

Is mold covered under certain situations and is there a limit for mold damage?

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The growth of mold in a house can be a sign of serious problems, but many homeowners insurance policies will not cover the removal of the material unless it meets very specific guidelines. The problem with the fungus is that it can grow in unexpected locations, but the removal and prevention of fungal growth is a part of regular maintenance. Even though a basic homeowners insurance policy may have certain limitations, it is possible that the insurer will have options available to help with the removal of mold.

Dangerous Species

Fungal growth in wet and damp areas of the house is a normal part of homeownership. It is necessary to remove the growth of the fungus before it can cause major damage to the property.

Even though many species of the fungus may not be covered, it is possible that some insurers will have solutions to remove dangerous species. Evaluate your policy if you discover a toxic species of the fungus to determine if your policy might have a solution available.

Normal Care

In normal situations, it is likely that your insurer will consider the removal of the fungus a part of your maintenance responsibilities. Catching the mold early plays a key role in ensuring that the damage from the fungus is limited, but insurers may not pay for the damages from the fungal growth in most situations. The reason is that the fungus grows over time and it is possible to limit the damage by removing it early.

The growth of fungus is never pleasant, but it is your responsibility to remove it before it causes major damage to the property. Contact us to speak to an agent for more information about the types of coverage that are available for your property.

What is business interruption insurance? What does it cover?

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Obtaining insurance is an important part of caring for your business in Bethlehem, PA. Although the details of your basic plan may vary, it is often a good decision to purchase business interruption insurance for additional protection against the loss of income when a disaster occurs.

Basics of the Plan

As the name suggests, business interruption insurance is designed to address the concerns of a company when it is not possible to run the business for a specific period of time. It covers the loss of income after specific situations arise so that the business does not face financial strife when it cannot serve customers for any reason.

Depending on the plan that you purchase, the situations that are covered and the particular details of making a claim may vary. Some insurers may have a limitation on the amount that you can claim based on the number of days that your business is closed, so read your policy to determine the amount that you can claim on your account.

Combining the Coverage with Other Plans

Even though the policy can help reduce the financial risks of a company, the plan has the most impact when it is combined with property protection and other forms of insurance based on the type of company that you are running and the assets that you own.

The policy is designed to pay for the loss of income that you may face after a natural disaster or a similar problem occurs. It will not pay for any damages to company property or similar expenses.

Protecting your business requires the right types of insurance to avoid unnecessary risks and hassles. In many cases, business interruption insurance is a useful way to avoid financial strife while your business rebuilds after a disaster. Contact us to talk to an agent for more information about your coverage options.

Why do miles driven to school per week influence insurance cost?

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Other than thinking about the high price of gas, most people do not think about how many miles they drive in a day or a week. If you need to go to the grocery store in Bethlehem, PA, you get in your car and go. If you have to commute 100 miles each week to go to school, that is what you do. Even though you may not keep close track of how far you drive, you probably realize that the cost of owning and operating a vehicle goes up as you drive greater distances.

Obviously, your cost of fuel will be more if you drive 20,000 miles in a year instead of only 10,000 miles per year. Your tires will wear out faster and you will have to replace them with new ones. Maintenance and repair costs will also rise proportionately as you increase the number of miles you drive.

What you might not realize is that auto insurance companies pay close attention to how far you drive. They normally do not care if you drive 1,000 miles in a week to take a vacation or drive 20 miles each day to go to school. Generally speaking, your insurance cost is affected by the total amount of miles you drive in a year.

Insurance companies are not worried about how much you spend on gas or how many times you will have to change your oil. They are only concerned about mileage because it can increase your risk of being in an accident or suffering some type of loss. If your car is parked in the driveway and not being driven, there is a much lower chance of you filing a claim for a loss.

While miles driven is not as important as your driving record in determining your premium for auto insurance, it is a factor. If your circumstances change and you will only be driving half as many miles as you did the previous year, notify your independent agent. You may be able to get a reduction in your insurance cost.