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.

Will my premium be lower if I have improved security such as good-quality locks or smoke detectors fitted?

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After buying your current home insurance policy, chances are you’ve also been looking for opportunities to lower your monthly premiums even further. Improving your home’s security is one of the best ways to lower your premium and there are several ways you can reduce the overall cost of your homeowners policy, all while making your home safer for you and your loved ones.

For instance, the addition of something as simple and affordable as a set of dead-bolt locks may offer a small decrease in your homeowner’s insurance premiums. Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors installed throughout your home or a state-of-the-art burglar alarm or sprinkler system that also alerts police and fire/rescue officials may offer significant discounts, as well.

At the same time, you’re also enhancing your home’s ability to protect you and other occupants from a wide variety of threats. These range from intruders and carbon monoxide poisoning while you’re at home to burglary attempts while you’re away on vacation.

While exploring your options, it’s a good idea to read the fine print to see if your addition qualifies your policy for a discount. Some discounts can’t be used with others or only apply to certain situations. Also, keep in mind that these discounts may be combined with others to maximize your home insurance policy’s bang for the buck.

Don’t hesitate to shop around for a policy that best suits your needs. As your independent agency, we’re always ready and prepared to help you find and compare quotes online from multiple insurance carriers. Get in touch with us and speak to one of our agents to discover more ways to reduce your home insurance premiums.

Do I need to file a claim with my auto insurance if I wish to seek medical coverage for the injuries sustained?

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If you have been hurt in an auto accident, you may be wondering about how the medical end of the auto insurance claim will work. This is actually a question that only your insurance agent can actually answer since every policy is different. Since your policy is created based on the needs you explained to the agent at the time you signed up for your policy.

If you were hurt in an accident that was the fault of another person, your medical coverage will usually be handled by the responsible person’s insurance policy. In the event that you were injured by another person who did not have liability insurance, or a person who did not have adequate liability insurance to cover all your medical bills, then your insurance agent may advise you to file a claim with your own insurance company for the medical damages.

If you were hurt in an accident that was your own fault, medical coverage can usually be covered by your own policy if you have comprehensive coverage. This is the type of coverage that handles medical bills incurred by you in the event that another person is not responsible.

When you need medical care it is important that you seek it out as soon as possible. Of course it is important to file your auto insurance claim quickly as well, but don’t delay any necessary medical care. Call your insurance agent and ask him about what type of medical coverage that you have in your car insurance policy.

Never get caught without the auto coverage you need. You can call our independent agents or get live comparative quotes online in just minutes for free!

Is liability for injuries to outsiders within the insured premises covered?

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Selecting a homeowner’s insurance policy that is appropriate for your goals, concerns and plans can seem easy, but there are several factors to consider before you make a final decision. Depending on the insurance plan and the coverage that you purchase in Bethlehem, PA, injuries to outsiders on your property may or may not be covered.

Liability Protection

In general, liability protection on a home will usually provide some coverage for outsiders within the insured premises. Injuries to outsiders refers to any accident or injury that occurs in your home and involves a guest or visitor.

Even though many policies may have limitations on the coverage amount, most plans will offer protection for any guest or visitor to your home, even if they do not live on the property. Basic liability may mean that the insured premises covered injuries and damages to personal belongings when guests fall, are pushed or otherwise are injured when they visit your home.

The Premises

Identifying when an individual is covered against injuries can seem complicated, especially if you are not sure whether the injury took place on your property or not. Depending on the plan and the property that you own, the area that is considered the premises may vary.

Usually, the premises refers to the house and any property that you own. That may include a garage, shed or the front and back yard of your house. Read your policy if you are not sure if a particular location is covered under your plan.

When you purchase a homeowner’s insurance policy, the liability protection will usually provide coverage for your family as well as any outsiders who are visiting your home if an accident occurs. Contact us to talk to an agent for more details about your policy.