Digital Estate Planning: What Happens To Online Logins After You’re Gone?
Update: Talk to your local agent to request a contact-free life insurance quote. For a limited time, we are waiving the requirement of a paramedical exam in light of CDC guidance to maintain social distancing and prevent the spread of COVID-19. Thanks to the wonders of the internet, you can do just about anything online these days. […]
Grilling Safety Tips For Propane, Charcoal & Gas Grills
Nothing says summertime like eating hamburgers, hot dogs, and barbecue straight off the grill. There’s something about cooking your food over an open flame that seems to make everything taste better. But it does come with one notable risk: house fires. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), grills are the cause of more […]
Auto Safety Features: The Good. The Helpful. The Annoying?
If you have purchased a car in the last four years, you’ve probably noticed several new features designed to help protect you on the roadway. And thanks to that advanced engineering and technology, today’s cars are safer than ever. (Having the right auto insurance can protect you on the road, too.) An analysis by the […]
40 Road Trip Games & Activities
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, vacation travel is bound to look different than usual. In the name of social distancing, that may mean trading a crowded airplane cabin for the adventure of a summer road trip. (That’s one more reason to give your auto insurance a checkup, if it’s been a while.) Of course, the […]
How Is Contractors General Liability Insurance Different From Standard Commercial Liability Insurance?
Any business needs general liability insurance. Contractors, subcontractors, and independent tradesmen need this type of coverage, not only to protect their business, but often as a requirement for the job. Trades that need contractors general liability insurance include construction, carpenters, plumbers, electricians, painters, and masons.
What Is Standard Commercial Liability Insurance?
Commercial general liability (CGL) insurance protects a business from financial loss due to liability for personal injury, property damage, or advertising injury caused by the services, operations, or employees of the business. It typically covers the costs of legal defense and damages, if you are found liable, up to policy limits. It can provide protection from:
- Bodily injury or property damage liability claims: This type of claim can arise if someone suffers personal injury or property damage on your premises or through your business operations. This may include mental or emotional damage, even if no physical bodily harm was sustained.
- Personal or advertising injury claims: These claims may involve libel, slander, copyright infringement, malicious prosecution, or false arrest.
- Medical payments: This coverage can be triggered without a lawsuit being filed. It includes medical payments for non-employee injuries that occur on your premises or through your business operations. It allows you to promptly settle smaller medical claims without going through litigation. It covers all reasonable and necessary medical, hospital surgical, ambulance, nursing, or funeral expenses.
What Is Contractors General Liability Insurance?
Contractors general liability insurance provides the same basic types of coverage as standard commercial liability insurance. The difference is that contractors typically face a higher risk. This type of policy covers property damage and third-party injury. It can help protect your business in case a visitor is injured at your job site or you are held responsible for property damage that occurred during a job. It also covers advertising injuries. As a contractor, you need contractors insurance for protection against:
- Customer property damage: Accidents happen, and they can be costly, for example, if a customer’s furniture, equipment, or building is damaged during a remodel. Contractors insurance can help cover the costs of repair or replacement.
- Customer injury: Injuries are not uncommon on a construction site. If a customer trips and falls or is otherwise injured during a construction or remodeling project, your contractors general liability insurance can provide coverage for medical bills, attorney fees, settlements, judgments, and even funeral expenses, in the case of a fatal accident.
- Advertising claims: It is possible to inadvertently advertise in a way that is too similar to a competitor’s advertising campaign. Copyright infringement, libel, slander, and other claims are typically covered by contractors insurance.
What Other Types of Insurance Coverage Do Contractors Need?
In addition to contractors general liability insurance, to be fully protected, you may need:
- Workers’ compensation insurance
- Commercial auto insurance
- Professional liability insurance
- Contractor’s tools and equipment insurance
- Builder’s risk insurance
Our knowledgeable agent can advise you on the types of coverage you need and help you find it at the best available rates.
Share Your Driving Data To Potentially Help Lower Business Auto Insurance Costs
EnRoute, Erie Insurance’s commercial telematics program, makes it easy for business auto insurance customers to share their driving data and thereby potentially lower business auto premiums and reduce driving risk. EnRoute uses driving and vehicle data from telematics devices to help business owners recognize how choices, such as routes, driver actions, and the types of vehicles […]
Avoid Common Home Accidents During The Summer
Summer is the season of outdoor adventures such as swimming, boating, and trips. It is also a time when many minor or more serious accidents can occur. The following tips can help you keep your family and friends safer by preventing some common summertime home accidents and injuries.
Sunburn
Damage from the sun is one of the most common injuries during the warmer months. Severe sunburn can leave your skin red and tender and peel off as it heals. It can lead to skin cancer and premature aging. To prevent sunburn while enjoying summer sun:
- Apply sunblock 30 minutes before exposure and reapply every two hours.
- Apply it everywhere, including the ears, lips, feet, and scalp.
- Avoid the sun during peak times for UV rays (10:00 am to 3:00 pm).
- Seek shade.
- Wear a hat and cover your body with clothing.
Dehydration, Heat Exhaustion, & Heat Stroke
Higher temperatures and time spent outdoors can easily lead to dehydration in the summer. Symptoms include dry mouth, thirst, headache, dry skin, and fatigue. To prevent dehydration, drink water and plenty of fluids such as fruit or vegetable juice throughout the day. Eight glasses is the standard recommendation.
Heat exhaustion occurs when the body overheats. This often occurs when higher temperatures are combined with high humidity and strenuous activity. Symptoms of heat exhaustion may include rapid pulse, heavy sweating, dizziness, fatigue, muscle cramps, nausea, and headache, as stated by the Mayo Clinic. It can lead to heatstroke – a life-threatening condition. To help prevent heat exhaustion:
- Wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing.
- Drink plenty of fluids.
- Rest frequently in a cool place.
- Get acclimated gradually to exercising in the heat.
- Avoid strenuous activity during the hottest hours of the day.
Insect Stings & Bites
Most insect bites are simply painful, itchy, or bothersome. However, black widow and brown recluse spider bites can be serious. In some cases, mosquitos and ticks can pass on infectious diseases. Bee stings can cause a dangerous reaction in a person who is allergic. To help prevent insect bites:
- Stay indoors at dawn or dusk when mosquitos are most active.
- Steer clear of bees and wasps. Wear light colored clothing and no perfume or scented lotion or shampoo. Resist the urge to swat away a bee or wasp flying around you – it can provoke the insect to sting you.
- Wear long-sleeved tops, long pants, and closed shoes.
- Use insect repellent.
Grill Fires & Burns
Grilling outdoors can lead to burn injuries and even cause fires. For greater safety with an outdoor grill:
- Check for propane leaks regularly.
- Clean grill often to avoid grease fires.
- Use grill away from the house, children, and guests.
- Keep matches, lighter fluid, and grilling equipment in a safe place, out of the reach of children.
- Install a shutoff timer if your grill connects directly to a gas line.
Homeowners insurance can help protect you in case of a fire, or if a guest is injured on your property. Our experienced agent can help you find the best quote for the coverage you need.
5 Customer Expectations That Might Outlast COVID-19
While we can’t predict exactly when the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic will pass, it’s safe to assume one thing: The virus will impact the way you do business and your customers’ expectations for years to come. (See the latest updates on how ERIE is supporting customers during this unprecedented time in our COVID-19 Information Center.) […]
A Homeowner’s Guide To Door Locks
When it comes to protecting your home, a locked door is your first line of defense. (Having the right homeowners insurance can give you peace of mind, too.) But studies show that a few good kicks or a couple of minutes with a power drill are often enough to break through most door locks. And […]
Stay-At-Home Safety Check: How To Outsmart 4 Common Risks
Even though some states have started easing restrictions due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis, you still may be spending most of your time at home. (See how ERIE is responding to the pandemic in our COVID-19 Information Center.) With warmer weather, perhaps you’ve started tackling new projects like digging a garden, landscaping, or teaching your […]