How Is Commercial Trucking Insurance Different From Standard Commercial Auto Insurance?

Commercial auto insurance provides coverage for the cars, vans, and trucks used in conducting business. It can be purchased to cover all types of vehicles, from standard passenger cars to larger commercial vehicles such as box trucks, work vans, and service utility trucks. Different businesses require different types of commercial auto insurance. Commercial trucking insurance is a type of commercial auto insurance designed to protect against the risks associated with the trucking industry.

Why Are Insurance Requirements Different For Commercial Trucking?

Trucking is a different activity than driving in a commercial vehicle for work. Truck drivers are hauling large quantities of materials or merchandise across greater distances for many hours at a time, many times crossing state lines. They are subject to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations and required under those regulations to carry specific insurance minimums. The trucking industry faces different risks on a daily basis than a business that uses cars and vans to operate.

What Types Of Coverage Are Included In A Commercial Trucking Insurance Package?

The two basic types of commercial trucking insurance are general liability and primary liability. A standard general liability commercial truck insurance policy covers:

Damage to property and commodities: It provides coverage for damage caused by your truck to someone else’s property, as well as damage to commodities you are hauling (e.g., if they are delivered to the wrong location).
Bodily injury: If your truck causes injury to a person, your commercial trucking insurance will pay for resulting medical bills and cover you in case of a lawsuit. It can also help protect you from liability if another person is injured on your property.
False advertising, libel, and slander: General liability coverage helps protect you against lawsuits for libel, slander, or false advertising. This protection may be needed if you use any type of advertising.

Primary liability insurance is also required for truckers under FMCSA regulations. It is designed to protect others from bodily injury or property damage if a truck causes an accident.

Can Other Types of Coverage Be Included In Commercial Trucking Insurance?

Speak with our knowledgeable agent for information about the different types of commercial trucking insurance you may need to fully protect your business.

Possible additional coverages may include:

Bobtail insurance: This covers you for accidents that may occur when your truck is not being used for a job. Such a crash would involve just the truck, not the trailer.
Reefer breakdown coverage: This policy endorsement covers costs of refrigeration breakdown, lost cargo, and damage to products (with certain exclusions) caused by a collision.
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: If an uninsured or underinsured driver causes an accident involving your truck, you could be left holding the bag for resulting expenses. This coverage helps protect you in such an event.
Motor truck cargo insurance: This insurance can help protect you from financial loss due to cargo damage caused by a disaster, such as an ice storm or a traffic jam.

How To Prepare Your Home For Fall

When the thermometer begins to drop and temperatures get cooler, it’s time to start thinking about getting ready for autumn. The weather can be unpredictable, and it’s best to get a head start on seasonal chores so you are not caught unprepared. The following general “to-do list” can help you prepare your home for fall.

Check for drafts: Reduce your heating bills and stay warmer in the fall and winter months by caulking or sealing any cracks in doors and windows to help prevent drafts.
Put up storm windows: Store removable screens when the weather gets cooler and install storm windows in their place.
Clean your chimney and fireplace: Clear out any wood and ash from the fireplace and have a professional clean and inspect the chimney to help keep smoke, soot, and carbon monoxide out of your home. Make sure the damper closes tightly to help reduce drafts.
Winterize your air conditioning: Unplug and store removable window air conditioning units. If you have central air, cover your outdoor unit to prevent ice and debris from causing damage. With an HVAC system, you will need to switch the thermostat from cooling to heating, change the filter, and clean the air ducts.
Drain your water heater: Now is the time to drain the water from your water heater and clean out any debris that has settled at the bottom of the tank.
Clean gutters: Leaves, debris, and animal nests should be cleared out of your drainpipe and gutters to keep them from clogging. Check for leaks at the same time.
Replace batteries in smoke detectors: Before you start lighting fires to take the chill out of the room, replace the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and test them to ensure they are working properly.
Shut off outdoor faucets: Before the first freeze, drain your garden hoses and disconnect them from outdoor spigots. Shut off the faucets and store your hoses in a dry place.
Inspect trees for damaged limbs: A winter storm can cause tree limbs to break off, damaging nearby structures. Prune your trees to remove any damaged limbs that may be susceptible to breakage or are too close to power lines or structures such as a balcony or roof.
Store outdoor furniture: The end of summer is the time to clean and store your lawn furniture. Keep outdoor furniture in a dry place over the winter months.
Inspect the roof: If you can do so safely, check the roof and look for loose, damaged, or missing shingles. If you have a flat roof, remove leaves and debris that have accumulated over the summer months.

Make Sure You Have The Right Homeowners Insurance

Homeowners insurance is designed to help protect your investment in your home in worst case scenarios. Commonly covered perils include fire, wind, theft, and certain types of water damage. Our knowledgeable agent can help you get homeowners coverage you need at the best available rates.

I Have Life Insurance Through Work. Isn’t That Enough?

Picture this: You land an exciting new job with great benefits: vacation time, health insurance, 401(k)… even free lunch once a week! They offer group life insurance, too – two times your annual salary. That sounds like a lot, right? In many cases, it might not stretch as far as you think. Let’s say you […]

Common Questions & Answers About Business Insurance

Any business, large or small, needs a business insurance package. These packages are a combination of various types of coverage, designed to protect a business owner’s investment when the unexpected happens. Here, we provide answers to some commonly asked questions about business insurance.

Why Is It So Important To Have Business Insurance?

Owning a business brings opportunities, but it also comes with certain risks. Business insurance is there to provide protection when things go wrong, such as fire, theft, natural disasters, or lawsuits against your company. This coverage can protect your assets and provide peace of mind.

How Much Will Business Insurance Cost?

The cost of a business insurance package will depend on a variety of factors, including:

Value of your assets
Risks associated with your industry
Number of people you employ
How much coverage you want (policy limits)

Our experienced agent can help you find the best quotes for the coverage you need to fully protect your business.

What Is A BOP & What Does It Cover?

A business owner’s policy (BOP) combines protection against major liability and property risks in one insurance package. It typically includes coverage for perils, property damage, liability, and business interruption. Depending on your insurance needs, you may opt to include additional coverage. A standard BOP does not include workers’ compensation, commercial auto insurance, health or disability insurance, or professional liability.

What Is The Difference Between Professional Liability & General Liability Insurance?

Professional liability insurance provides protection against liability based on a professional opinion, advice, or guidance. General liability insurance helps protect your business against financial loss from property damage, bodily injury, medical expenses, libel or slander, settlements, judgments, and defending against lawsuits.

Does My Business Need Hired & Non-Owned Auto Insurance?

You may need this coverage to help protect your business from liability in case of an accident. If an employee driving his or her personal vehicle causes a crash while running an errand for your company, your business could be sued for damages. This protection applies to personally-owned and rented vehicles.

What Factors Affect The Cost Of Workers’ Compensation Insurance?

Most employers in the U.S. are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance. The higher-risk the industry, the higher the premiums are likely to be. Factors affecting your company’s cost for workers’ comp insurance include the number of workers you employ, their job classifications, and your claims history.

What Is EPLI?

Employment practices liability insurance (EPLI) protects your business against financial losses related to employee practices. The protection provided by the policy includes liability for discrimination, sexual harassment, unfair hiring or firing, unsafe work environment, and other employee allegations.
Contact our agency today to discuss your options and find the plan that works best for you.

Is There Collector’s Insurance For Vehicles Other Than Cars?

Classic car owners know the value of collector car insurance. But what if your vintage vehicle is other than a car? Collector’s insurance is also available for owners of antique motorcycles, boats, and RVs.

Collector’s Motorcycle Insurance

Classic motorcycles are a passion for many collectors. You may want to consider collector motorcycle insurance if you own vintage or antique bike such as a:

Triumph Bonneville
Harley Davidson FLH
Yamaha RD350 BSA Lightning
Harley Davidson Sportster
Honda CB350 Ariel Square 4
Norton Commando
BMW R69 Cushman Pierce Four
Vincent Black Shadow
Café Racers Indian Chief

This coverage can help protect not only your classic motorcycle, but your tools and gear as well. If you own more than one classic bike, you can save money on premiums by purchasing coverage for all of them under one policy. To qualify for classic motorcycle insurance, you will need to meet specific requirements, which may include the following:

Minimum age requirement for owner
The bike kept in a garage
The minimum value of the bike
The motorcycle is over a certain age

Classic Boat Insurance

If you own a vintage boat, you may qualify for collector boat insurance. Coverage is available for many types of older vessels, including:

Classic wooden boats
Collectible fiberglass boats, such as runabouts from the 1950s and 60s
Utilities with large, open interiors
Cruisers with enclosed cabins, with coverage depending on an out-of-water and condition survey
Sailboats, including yawl, sloop, catboat, gaff rig, and cutter
Launches, with open configuration and seating for several passengers

If you are restoring a classic boat, restoration coverage is available to provide protection against theft, vandalism, or fire. Insurance for in-water operating can be added when your restoration is complete.

Vintage RV Insurance

Classic RVs increase in value in the same way as antique cars. If you own a fully-restored, vintage RV, its value on the open market today could be three times its original purchase price. Unfortunately, there are no official guidebooks available to determine the value of vintage RVs as there are for antique automobiles. If an RV is more than 20 years old, it won’t be listed in the Kelly Blue Book or the NADA guides. The quality of restoration can also vary considerably.

To get the coverage you need to protect your classic RV investment:

Get a certified appraisal that reflects the true value of the vehicle. Our agent can refer you to a specialist qualified to determine the real market value of a restored antique RV.
Find an insurance company that writes classic RV policies. Not all insurance companies do. Our agent can help you get the best quote available.
Purchase an agreed-upon value RV insurance policy, based on your appraisal, as opposed to an actual cash value policy.

Work With An Experienced Agent

If you need collector’s insurance for a motorcycle, boat, or RV, our knowledgeable agent is happy to help. We can assist you in finding the best available rates on the coverage you need to help protect your investment in your antique vehicle.

Do You Have The Right Coverage For Your Roof?

Roofing insurance claims can be complicated. That’s why it’s so important to have the right homeowners coverage for your roof. Replacing a roof is one of the most expensive home projects a homeowner will encounter. According to Home Advisor, the 2020 national average a homeowner will spend on installing a new roof is more than $8,000. […]

What To Expect From A Life Insurance Exam

While you’ve likely shopped around to find the best auto, home or renters insurance, there might still be one lingering item on your insurance to-do list: get a life insurance policy. The process to get a life insurance policy isn’t that different from what you’re used to: Find a company you trust and work with a […]

Business Owners: What To Know When Hiring A Cleaning Service

If you’re a business owner, today is anything but business as usual. As you continue to grapple with the evolving changes brought on by the coronavirus pandemic ‒ from social distancing requirements to telecommuting policies ‒ you’re also faced with meeting changing expectations from your customers as well as local, state, and federal governments. Once […]

What Makes Restaurant Insurance Different From Other Business Insurance?

Even with your best efforts, unpredictable issues may still occur in the restaurant business. Restaurant owners have exposure to a wide range of risks that make them vulnerable to liability and financial loss. Restaurant insurance is different from other types of business insurance as it is designed to address the unique risks faced by business owners in the foodservice industry.

What Types Of Coverage Should Be Included In A Restaurant Insurance Policy?

Foodservice establishments need insurance to protect them from a variety of risks. Types of coverage you are likely to need may include:

Business owner’s policy (BOP): This insurance combines commercial property and liability coverage in one policy. It helps protect the property on which your restaurant is located, including your building, equipment, and signage, and it also provides coverage for liability to customers and staff.
Workers’ compensation: If your restaurant employs workers, you are likely required by law to carry workers’ comp insurance. This coverage is designed to protect your employees in case of work-related injuries or illnesses and to protect you against lawsuits based on workplace injuries.
General liability: This basic coverage can provide protection against lawsuits arising from accidents and mishaps that occur on your property, such as slip and fall accidents, or if someone becomes ill from eating spoiled food products served in your establishment. It can also protect you from liability for damage to customers’ vehicles if you offer valet service.
Business income: Your restaurant business may suffer a significant financial loss if a key vendor is suddenly unable to supply what you need to keep your business running. Business income coverage provides protection against loss of earnings in the event of a covered loss.
Commercial auto: If you offer a food delivery service, you need commercial auto insurance for company-owned vehicles. If your delivery drivers are using their own vehicles, you need hired and non-owned auto liability coverage.
Liquor liability: Any establishment that sells or serves alcoholic beverages has exposure to liability if a customer under the influence causes bodily injury or property damage. Liquor liability insurance can help cover your legal costs and any damages arising from such an incident.
Employee theft coverage: Food and money are both easily accessible to restaurant workers. Employee theft coverage can help compensate you for financial losses if an employee steals from your business.
Food contamination/spoilage coverage: A power outage, equipment breakdown, or other events could cause food to spoil or become contaminated. This coverage can help replace the spoiled food.
Employment practice liability insurance (EPLI): Like other employers, restaurants are sometimes sued by employees making wrongful termination, discrimination, sexual harassment, or other employment-related allegations. EPLI insurance can provide protection against such lawsuits. You may also want to add third-party coverage to address claims made against your business by customers or vendors based on acts committed by your employees.

If you have a restaurant business, our helpful local agent can work with you to help ensure you have the coverage you need to fully protect your business at the best available rates.

Am I Required To Have Homeowners Insurance?

There is no law that says you have to purchase homeowners insurance if you own a home, as stated by the Insurance Information Institute (III). However, very few home buyers can pay cash upfront for such an expensive purchase. Most people will need to finance most of the cost of a home, and that means going to a mortgage lender. As a condition for obtaining a home purchase loan, a mortgage lender will require that you carry homeowners insurance throughout the duration of your mortgage.

Why Mortgage Lenders Require Homeowners Insurance Coverage

When a mortgage company lends hundreds of thousands of dollars for a home purchase, the home serves as collateral for the loan. Lenders want to protect their investment in case a catastrophe destroys or severely damages the property. For this reason, they insist that borrowers purchasing a home have the protection of a homeowners insurance policy that will pay for the home to be repaired or rebuilt in a covered loss.

Insurance Coverage You Will Need On Your Home To Satisfy Your Mortgage Lender

Your lender may require you to carry homeowners insurance that provides protections against fire, hail, lightning, hurricanes, tornadoes, and other natural disasters, depending on your area. If you live in a flood zone, your mortgage company will also require flood insurance, which is not included in a homeowners insurance policy, but can be purchased separately. If you live in California or another area prone to earthquakes, your lender may require that you purchase separate earthquake insurance.

Homeowners Insurance Protects You As Well As Your Lender From Loss

If you are like most people, your home is one of the biggest investments you will ever make. A disaster, such as a fire, tornado, or hurricane could destroy your home and the belongings it contains in a matter of hours or less. Even after your mortgage is paid off – or if you paid cash or inherited the home — it makes financial sense to maintain your homeowners insurance coverage, to protect one of your largest assets. The property is not only collateral for your lender – it is also your home.

A Homeowners Policy Can Help Protect You From Liability

A standard homeowners policy can also protect from liability in case someone else is injured on your property, or if you, a family member, or even a pet accidentally damages property belonging to another. For example, your homeowners liability coverage would apply in the following scenarios:

Your teenage daughter invites over a friend who trips on a vacuum cleaner cord and falls, breaking her wrist.
A large tree limb in your backyard falls onto your neighbor’s property, causing structural damage to his or her fence.

A home is a substantial asset. If you own a home, you need homeowners insurance, not only to satisfy your lender, but also to protect your significant investment in the purchase and maintenance of the property. Our experienced agent can help you get the best quote on a homeowners insurance policy and any additional coverage you may need to protect your home.

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