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Ask Your Agent These Commercial Insurance Questions

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Ask Your Agent These Commercial Insurance Questions

Understand your business insurance by asking questions.

As a business owner, you are an expert in your industry.  However, this does not mean that you are an expert on your business’s insurance needs.  This is why it’s important to work with a reliable insurance agent who specializes in commercial lines.  To help you make informed coverage decisions, ask your agent these questions about your business insurance coverage.

  • What are the essential types of coverage?

General liability, commercial property, and workers’ compensation are the most basic business insurance options.  However, your business will need more coverage than these base policies can offer.  Your coverage needs will differ depending on the type of business you operate, your business’s location, and other important factors.  So, speak to a qualified agent to ensure that you have the comprehensive commercial coverage that your business needs.

  • When is it appropriate to file an insurance claim?

Filing too many insurance claims in a short period of time will raise your insurance rates and can even result in a policy cancelation.  This is why you shouldn’t file a claim for every little issue that your business faces.  For instance, you should only file a claim for damage events that exceed the cost of your insurance deductible.  If the damage costs less than your deductible, then you are better off paying for repairs out of pocket.  Please note that you should always file claims for liability and workers’ compensation issues.  Even if these problems seem low-cost, they can quickly lead to expensive lawsuits.  Failing to file a claim as soon as the issue arises would leave you stuck covering all your legal and settlement costs out of pocket.

  • How much will my insurance cost?

The cost of your commercial insurance is dependent on a variety of factors.  The type and amount of coverage that you have, the number and type of risks that you face, and the location of your business are just of few of the many factors that can affect the cost of your coverage.  To ensure that you aren’t overpaying for your coverage, make sure you compare quotes from several different insurance providers.  Additionally, ask your agent about ways to save.  Business owners can usually save on their insurance by increasing their deductibles and employing safety measures in their workplaces.

These are some of the important commercial insurance questions you should ask your agent.  Do you need help with your business insurance?  If so, then contact the experts at James Page Insurance.  Our dedicated team is eager to assist you with all your coverage needs today.

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How Your BMI Affects the Cost of Your Life Insurance

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How Your BMI Affects the Cost of Your Life Insurance

How your weight can affect your life insurance rates.

When you apply for life insurance, you will have to answer a series of health questions and undergo a medical examination.  As part of your examination, your body mass index, or BMI will be measured.  But why are life insurance providers so concerned with this measurement?  Here’s how your BMI will affect the cost of your life insurance.

  • What is BMI?

BMI is a measurement that factors in your weight respective to your weight.  To calculate your BMI, your weight in kilograms is divided by the square of your height in meters.  A healthy BMI is anything that falls between 18.5 and 24.9.  Anything under 18.5 is considered underweight, and a BMI between 25 and 29.9 is overweight.  A BMI of over 30 is considered obese.

  • How Does BMI Affect Your Life Insurance Rates?

Life insurers look at your BMI because being severely underweight or obese makes you more susceptible to serious health complications.  This means that if you have a very low or very high BMI, then life insurance providers will likely charge you more for coverage.  Please keep in mind that being slightly under or overweight is not enough to make your insurance rates spike unless it is coupled with conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol.

  • How to Save on Your Life Insurance

If you want access to lower life insurance rates, then you should focus on getting healthy and getting your BMI into the accepted range.  If you are able to get to a healthy weight and maintain it, then your life insurance provider may reward you by lowering your premiums.  If you are currently at an unhealthy BMI, do not put off getting life insurance.  It’s better to pay more for coverage temporarily than risk leaving your loved ones exposed to financial hardship.

This is how your BMI affects your life insurance rates.  Do you have additional questions about your life coverage?  If so, then contact the experts at James Page Insurance.  We are ready to assist you with all your personal coverage needs today.

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jamespage

Do Drivers with Health Insurance Need Uninsured Motorist Coverage?

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Do Drivers with Health Insurance Need Uninsured Motorist Coverage?

Why drivers need uninsured motorist coverage, even if they have health insurance.

As a driver, you do not want to carry unnecessary auto coverages that increase your insurance rates.  This is why you may be wondering if you can go without uninsured motorist coverage.  While it may seem that this coverage simply overlaps your health insurance, this isn’t the case.  Here’s why all drivers can benefit from carrying uninsured motorist protection.

What is Uninsured Motorist Coverage?

If you get into an accident with a driver who is not carrying auto insurance coverage, then you have a situation on your hands.  Because the other driver does not have auto coverage of their own, they will not be able to file a claim to pay for your damages.  Additionally, because uninsured drivers usually do not have assets to seize, it’s unlikely that the driver will be able to pay for your damages out of pocket.

This is where uninsured motorist coverage kicks in.  Because the other driver is unable to cover your accident expenses, your uninsured motorist coverage will to pay for things like your car’s repairs and your medical treatments.

Do I Need This Coverage?

Many drivers do not want to secure uninsured motorist coverage because their injuries would be covered by their existing health insurance policy.  However, it’s important to understand that uninsured motorist coverage actually offers more benefits that your health insurance can.  For instance, if you are unable to work following the accident, then your uninsured motorist coverage would cover the cost of your lost wages as well as offer reparations for your pain and suffering.  These non-material expenses are something that basic health insurance will not cover.  With these additional benefits in mind, it’s easy to see why drivers benefit from carrying uninsured motorist coverage.

It’s important to note that uninsured motorist coverage is mandatory in some states, particularly those with a high concentration of uninsured drivers.  If you live in the following states, then you are legally obligated to carry this coverage:

  • Connecticut
  • Illinois
  • Kansas
  • Maine
  • Massachusetts
  • Minnesota
  • Missouri
  • Nebraska
  • New Hampshire
  • New Jersey
  • New York
  • North Carolina
  • North Dakota
  • Oregon
  • South Carolina
  • South Dakota
  • Vermont
  • Washington D.C.
  • West Virginia
  • Wisconsin

This is why drivers need to carry uninsured motorist coverage.  Do you have additional questions about your auto insurance?  If so, then contact the experts at James Page Insurance.  Our dedicated team is eager to get you the coverage that you need today.

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jamespage

How to Protect Your Home from Thunderstorm Damage

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How to Protect Your Home from Thunderstorm Damage

Don’t let a thunderstorm cause damage to your home.

As temperatures start to get warmer, the risk for thunderstorms increases.  Unfortunately for homeowners, a thunderstorm can cause serious damage to their property and belongings.  To protect against thunderstorm damages, here are some of the precautions that you should take around your property.

  • Trim Trees

If you have trees near your home, then you should trim them as soon as possible.  This is because a thunderstorm can rip the branches off of your trees, causing them to fall onto your home and cause damage.  If the trees on your property are very tall, then do not attempt to trim them on your own.  The last thing that you want is to fall and injure yourself, so leave this task to the experts.

  • Bring in Outdoor Furniture

If a thunderstorm is on its way, then make sure that you bring in your outdoor furniture.  This includes things like patio chairs, barbecue grills, sports equipment, gardening tools, and so on.  By bringing these things inside, you reduce the chance of the wind sending them flying into your home and causing damage.

  • Install Storm Shutters

Because heavy rains and fierce winds can shatter your home’s windows, you should consider installing storm shutters over them.  Not only will this prevent damage to your windows, but it also protects your family and belongings from getting hit by broken glass or debris.

  • Invest in a Surge Protection System

During thunderstorms, electrical lines are left vulnerable.  This is because lighting strikes and falling trees can take out power lines and cause power.  Should this happen near you, then your home’s electrical system will probably get hit with sudden power surges.  These surges can cause damage to plugged-in appliances and electronics and can even start fires.  To protect against these risks, you should put your entire home on a surge protection system.  These systems ensure that a sudden influx of electrical power doesn’t shock or override your home’s electronics and outlets.

These are some of the precautionary measures that you should take to protect your home from thunderstorms.  Want another way to keep your home safe?  Then make sure you have the right homeowners insurance protections in place.  For assistance with all your home coverage needs, contact the experts at James Page Insurance today.

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