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7 Common Sense Reasons to Buy Life Insurance

Posted by David Ross on Sat, Oct 19, 2013

Are You Procrastinating Over Life Insurance?

Don't kick the can down the road. Contact us to make an informed decision about life insurance. We serve Berks County, Reading, Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Lancaster, Allentown, Pittsburgh, State College, Erie, York, and beyond with high quality yet affordable life insurance policies.Life insurance. It's one of those decisions that can be so easy to ignore, a can we like to kick down the road, whether that road hails from Philadelphia, Reading, Allentown, Lancaster or beyond. If you've been procrastinating about resolving your life insurance needs, then this article is for you. Let's think this through and get that monkey off your back, shall we?

Life Insurance When Married or Single, With or Without Children

Life insurance is typically purchased to protect our loved ones from the financial hardships they would otherwise face in our absence. With that in mind, let's get real about the nature of those hardships. For those with children, the ante is upped. Yet even for couples with no children, the financial hardships faced by the surviving spouse can be onerous and life changing, to say the least.

Life Insurance to Protect Your Spouse or Partner

For starters, your spouse will need the financial resources to cover all your existing monthly bills without the benefit of your ongoing income. Big ticket items such as your monthly mortage are typically the first thing most people consider when figuring out how much insurance may be needed. However, couples with large credit card balances should also consider the impact of the high interest rates on credit card debt were the surviving spouse forced to make smaller or even minimum monthly payments on that debt. This alone could amount to a life sentence of unending high-interest debt that robs your loved one of the opportunity to save properly for retirement. With the proper life insurance these risks can be mitigated or avoided altogether.

Likewise, consider the amount and nature of all other consumer debt, from your spouse's car, RV, or motorcycle loan on up to truly big-ticket items such as a vacation home. If your spouse were forced to sell these things to help make ends meet, would the proceeds pay off the remaining debt on those items, or would your spouse in effect be "under water"? Consider the emotional impact on your spouse of losing a cherished item such as a vacation home or family car while being saddled for years to come with the remaining debt after the sale. 

Funeral costs are sometimes overlooked by those purchasing life insurance. With average funeral costs exceeding $6,500 before ancillary costs such as flowers, grave markers, and other cemetcry fees, your spouse may be forced to put this expense on a credit card if your life insurance policy is inadequate or if the insurance funds are needed for other purposes.

Life Insurance Protection for Those With Children

In addition to the above, those with children should consider the following financial needs or the surviving children, whether or not you are married or single. First, you will want to protect your children from the additional hardship of being forced to move into a different home. Losing a parent can be traumatic in itself, but the shock can be compounded when financial hardship forces a change of surroundings and a feelings of insecurity that often accompanies a forced change in the place they know as home.

Education is obviously important. However, beyond covering your child's college costs, consider if their current schooling situation will be forced to change. Tuition for private grade school or high school may be the first thing to go if funds are low, resulting in further disruption to a child's life at a most difficult time.

Child care is yet another concern, and for two reasons. First, if the surviving spouse is forced to go into the workforce after having stayed at home to raise children, those children may have to leave the familiarity and comfort of home at a most difficult time. Second, if the spouse had been working and continues to do so, she or he may be forced to find alternate care at a lower cost, and possibly a lower quality, again forcing a lifestyle change for a child at a very difficult time.

Think Through Your Life Insurance Needs

The above scenarios provide just a few examples of how your loved ones' lives can change when insurance planning has been poorly executed, or worse, completely avoided. Don't procrastinate. Instead, take the time to think through the needs of your loved ones should they be forced to cope without your income. Every situation is different, which is why consulting with your independent insurance agent can be key to obtaining the best life insurance situation to suit your unique needs.

In summary, we've covered 7 common-sense reasons to get the proper life insurance protection for your peace of mind and your family's welfare. Are there additional financial needs beyond these that apply to your situation?

  1. Protect your family from financial hardship in general
  2. Credit card debt
  3. Other consumer debt
  4. Funeral costs
  5. Allow family to stay in current home
  6. Cover college and private school tuition (avoid change)
  7. Cover child care costs (avoid change)

Don't kick the can down the road. Contact us to discuss your life insurance needs.Contact Us

Don't kick the can down the road when it comes to life insurance. Please click here to contact us today, or call us at (800) 947-1270 or (610) 775-3848 for help in obtaining the right life insurance protection to meet your needs and budget.

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4 Ways to Lower Workers Comp Insurance Costs by Keeping it Honest

Posted by David Ross on Sat, Oct 12, 2013

Control workers compensation costs. Buy the right workers comp insurance from us. Serving Reading, PA, Philadelphia, Allentown, Lancaster, York, Harrisburg, Pittsburgh, Erie, State College, and beyond with high quality workers compensation insurance coverage.The Washington Post reported in April that federal workers compensation costs have roughly doubled since 1995, with 8.8 million Americans receiving disability benefits to the tune of $260 billion per year. Over a quarter $ trillion annually - that's a trully staggering figure.

The Post went on to claim that much of the increase may be due to the changing demographics of an aging population. Whether you buy that explanation or not, many employers fear that some employees are cheating on workers compensation insurance and staying away from work longer than legitimately needed.

Workers Comp 101: How Much Should You Trust Your Employees?

Let's face it, as with almost everything in life, things are seldom black and white. Seemingly good and honest employees sometimes do dishonest things when they feel threatened or insecure. Workers compensation can be an area where a good employee is tempted to stretch the limits of a workers compensation insurance package if your internal company policies are not balanced in such a way as to help keep the system honest and balanced.

Incentives and Disincentives to Return to Work: How Do Your Workers Comp Policies Stack Up?

Many view our national unemployment policies as lacking the common sense checks and balances required to filter out waste and abuse. Fair enough, but have you analyzed your own policies by the same yardstick? A well-balanced set of policies is one that properly provides for the needs of employees during a disability while also achieving the checks and balances that keep the system honest by removing disincentives to return to work, and removing incentives to stay out longer than legitimately needed. And that insurance principle applies as much for a small business as for a larger one.

Here are some things to consider when striving to keep your workers compensation policies properly balanced:

  • How long will you hold a job open while an employee is out on disability? Is there a defined limit? Obviously a reasonable but limited time period should be the goal. In today's job market, fewer are willing to gamble with finding a new job should they exceed the period that their current position will be kept open for them.

  • What percentage of an employee's salary is collected during a workers compensation event? If your policies are too generous then the incentive to stay off longer increases.

  • Do you allow benefits to accrue while an employee is away from work? For example, will sick time and vacation time continue to accrue? If so, should the policy be changed?

  • What about high-end benefits? If you offer special benefits such as a company car or other benefits directly related performing on the job, then consider placing them on hold until the employee returns to work.

A Workers Compensation Lesson from Ronald Reagan?

Regardless of your politics, President Ronald Reagan had a principle that served the US well in dealing with foreign policy, and one that President Barack Obama recently quoted: trust but verify. Yes, we would like to trust all employees to do the right thing when it comes to workers compensation insurance benefits. However, given that things are rarely black and white when it comes to human behavior, it is wise to craft your company polices in such a way as to verify that your hard-earned dollars spent on workers compensation costs are being wisely used and not wasted.

Need Help with Workers Compensation Insurance? 

We're here to help. We're an independent insurance agency with the resources to find the right workers comp insurance to meet your needs and budget. Click to contact us today to learn more, or call us at (800) 947-1270 or (610) 775-3848.

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4 Top Reasons for Using an Independent Insurance Agent

Posted by David Ross on Sat, Oct 05, 2013
Your Trusted Choice independent insurance agent serving Berks County, Reading, PA, Philadelphia, Lancaster, York, Harrisburg, Allentown, Bethlehem, Pittsburgh, Erie, Pennsylvania and beyond

Considering the millions of dollars spent daily on TV commercials for single-brand insurance offerings, you would think that the independent insurance agent is a thing of the past. It's tough to go an hour on TV without seeing at least one commercial for AllState, Nationwide, GEICO, State Farm, or other single brand ("captive") insurance solution. That's because with few exceptions, only the big brands can afford to run national TV ads.

Bigger May Not be Better When it Comes to Insurance

Most people realize that big budget advertising does not necessarily equate with the best solution for all kinds of things in life. That's why, for example, many people avoid the pay-per-click ads found on search engines and instead click on the unpaid search results: they seek a high-quality answer to their search instead of one paid for by the competitor with the deepest pockets. In plain English, they don't want to be "spun" by the marketing machines behind the ads.

Let's apply the same thinking to an independent insurance agent vs. the mega-brands. Here are 4 reasons why an independent agent is likely to provide a superior personal or business insurance solution to satisfy your needs.

#1. Your Needs are Unique and Your Insurance Policy Should Fully Meet Your Needs

Insurance is complicated. It is difficult, if not impossible, for those outside the insurance industry to understand all the insurance options for meeting their needs. Only an independent insurance agent understands the pros and cons of each insurance company and their policy offerings as it pertains to protecting you against your unique combination of risks and liabilities.

#2. Independent Insurance Agents are a Valuable Advocate, and They Cost You Nothing

Your independent insurance agent will check multiple companies and insurance solutions in detail to arrive at the best combination of value, price, and insurance protection to properly and fully address your individual or business insurance needs. That can be very time-consuming, but that service typically costs you nothing.

#3. Your Independent Agent is a Single Source for All Your Insurance Needs

Insurance companies typically handle only certain types of insurance. However, your independent insurance agent handles insurance from multiple companies, thereby covering virtually any need, including business insurance, homeowners and car insurance, boat, RV, and motorcycle insurance, life and health insurance, umbrella insurance, pet and vacation insurance, workers compensation insurance, disability insurance, and virtually every kind of liability insurance to protect any type of business need. Being a single source with access to multiple insurance companies and solutions, your agent can create the best blend of policies to provide the right protection with minimal overlap and waste between and among your insurance policies.

#4. Unparalled Service

When you have an insurance question or need, your independent agent is there for you. You are not relegated to a faceless, nameless individual connected to an 800 number. Instead, you have the comfort and confidence of dealing with someone who you know, like, and trust for all your insurance needs. Think about it. Doesn't that kind of service and flexibility mean more to you than putting yourself in the hands of someone you don't know, and who offers only one solution or brand? 

 

We're Independent Insurance Agents, and We're Ready to Serve You

At American Insuring Group we pride ourselves in helping our customers not only save on insurance, but also in finding the right insurance protection. We'll put together a plan that will meet your needs, and we'll review your needs on a regular basis to see if it may be time to adjust your insurance to meet your changing needs, or to take advantage of better pricing that may become available as your needs change. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Learn more. Contact American Insuring Group today to learn about your options for business insurance, personal insurance, health and life insurance, car and house insurance, commercial liability insurance and more.

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Business Insurance Reality Check: Is Your Business Vulnerable?

Posted by David Ross on Wed, Sep 25, 2013

Business Insurance questions to ask to determine risk and insurance coverage. Serving Reading PA, Berks County, Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Lancaster, Allentown, Pittsburgh, Erie, Pennsylvania and beyond with quality commercial insurance.Too Busy to Assess Your Risk?

Many small business owners are so busy these days that they have little time to slow down and properly analyze their risks and business insurance needs.  And it’s no wonder. Small businesses from Reading PA in Berks County, to Philadelphia, Allentown, Lancaster, and all across the nation drive a significant portion of the country’s economic growth. However, they tend to be lean, which means the typical small business owner is wearing many hats and putting in long hours. Many are too busy to take the time to properly analyze risks, and to obtain adequate insurance protection to address the risks of their growing businesses.

Just How Big Can a Small Business Be?

Statistics available from the US Small Business Administration (www.sba.gov) indicate that small businesses employ more private sector personnel than mid-sized and large businesses combined.  In the US, small businesses are generally defined as manufacturing businesses with less than 250 employees, and non-manufacturing companies with under $7 million in annual receipts.

Engines of Economic Growth 

Small businesses are the engines of private sector economic growth, creating approximately 2/3 of new non-government jobs while generating over 40% of the private payroll in the US. Small businesses account for a similar proportion of total US high-tech jobs as well.

Questions Small Business Owners Must Ask to Determine Risk and the Right Level of Business Insurance Protection

Regardless of how busy you may be, busyness is no excuse for ignoring risks that could sink your business.  Here is a brief list of questions every business owner should answer as a first step in assessing risk and the need for stronger insurance protection:

  • Disability Insurance:
    Who will run my business if I become disabled permanently or for an extended period? Will my company have the financial resources to pull through this type of crisis?

  • Life Insurance:
    If I die will my business survive? Will my employees all lose their jobs? Will my family be able to keep our house and maintain a good lifestyle?

  • Key Person Insurance:
    What if a person who is vital to my business dies or becomes permanently disabled? Will my business have the financial resources to survive until a new person can be found, hired and fully trained, or will it set me back several years?

  • Workers Compensation Insurance:
    Are my employees properly classified for workers compensation insurance? Could my business survive a workers compensation insurance audit without undergoing major penalties for misclassifying employees? Is my workers compensation insurance coverage fully up to date to reflect my changing business needs and the expanded types of positions my employees currently hold?

  • Property Insurance and Business Interruption Insurance:
    Are my buildings, equipment, and other business property insured against the full range of potential risks? In the event of a claim that disrupts my cash flow for a prolonged period, will I receive compensation for the loss of income during that time, or merely for the cost of the damage to my business property?

  • Professional Liability Insurance:
    Am I covered if an employee were to cause harm to a customer or to their business, and a court found it to be due to negligence? How vulnerable is my business to various types of lawsuits?

 

Be Smart – Be Informed on Business Insurance

Our staff can properly address these and other business insurance questions. We’re a Trusted Choice independent insurance agency. That means we offer a range of business insurance plans from competing insurance companies. We’re well positioned to find the right business insurance coverage at a significant savings.

Contact us today at 610-775-3848, or click to Contact Us online.

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Restaurant Insurance & Hurricane Sandy: Lessons Learned the Hard Way

Posted by David Ross on Fri, Aug 09, 2013

Among the Most Destructive Storms In US History

Restaurant insurance protection lessons from Hurricane Sandy: we provide smart restaurant insurance protection for businesses in Reading, PA, Philadelphia, Lancaster, Harrisburg, York, Allentown, Bethlehem, Pittsburgh, Erie, and beyond.Hurricane Sandy was one of the most destructive and deadliest hurricanes in United States history. Twenty-four American states and seven other countries were affected. Coastal towns once pulsing with beachcombers by day and clubbers by night were submerged within hours. Businesses were out of operation for much longer than ever anticipated and the damages sustained were astronomical.

Catastrophes of this magnitude are rarely expected, even in the world of insurance. Sewers backed up. Equipment broke. Food spoiled. Power was lost. In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy we discovered insurance protection that proved critical for restaurant owners, including: sewer backup, equipment breakdown, food contamination, and loss of sales/ loss of income due to extended power outages.

Insuring Against Sewer Backup

We all know the quote from Jumanji: “A little rain never hurt anybody…but a lot can kill.” Well, a lot of rain can kill your sewer system. When more rain pours down than your sewer and pump can handle, raw sewage backs up and escapes in some less-desirable places, such as the bathroom faucet - need we say more? Unfortunately, most people do not realize that sewer backup is generally not covered under their personal or business insurance policies. This additional coverage is not only recommended, but can be invaluable to your business.

Equipment Breakdown

Equipment breakdown coverage is usually considered “optional” on an insurance policy. If just one of the primary machines in your restaurant breaks down, such as the air conditioner or water heater, you are probably not covered for fixing the equipment or for the loss of income sustained due to the failure. Be sure you are covered if 100 degree temperatures inside your restaurant due to an air conditioner failure turn away potential customers. 

Food Contamination

No matter how diligent you and your employees are, food contamination and food spoilage can strike anyone in the restaurant industry. If a machine breaks or your power goes out temporarily and food spoils, you will be held personally liable for the expenses incurred unless you are insured for this type of event.

Insuring Against Loss of Sales/ Loss of Income from a Power Outage

Hurricane Sandy not only flooded businesses, but also caused large-scale power outages. Is your restaurant covered for business income losses due to loss of power? There is a good chance the answer is no. Unless you have a best friend who sells generators and you specialize in candle-light dinners, power loss is never good. When power loss equates with income loss, you want to be sure you are covered.

Learn from Hurricane Sandy:
Get the Right Restaurant Insurance Protection

We all hope and pray that a disaster of this magnitude never again strikes our land and our loved ones. Yet, as we in the insurance industry know all too well, you can never be too prepared. As restaurant owners, it should be easy to grasp the importance of insuring against these four risks that Hurricane Sandy uncovered.

Peace of Mind and Protection from Uncertainty

By being properly insured, you will be protected if the big rainfall that surpasses the five-inch prediction causes your sewer to back up. If storm winds topple the power lines down the street and you aren’t prepared to play Pioneer Days with your customers, you will be covered. If your employee mistakenly undercooks the chicken for your famous chicken piccata dish, you will be covered. If your air conditioner works overtime and decides to take a siesta for a day, you will be covered.

Play it smart: contact us today to be certain that your restaurant business is fully insured! 

(610) 947-1270

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Worst States for Wind & Hail Damage by Property Insurance Claims

Posted by David Ross on Wed, Jul 10, 2013

Get the right homeowner's insurance or commercial property insurance to protect against damage from wind, hail, and more. Buy insurance from American Insuring Group, serving Reading, Philadelphia, Lancaster, Harrisburg, York, Allentown, Bethlehem, State College, PA and beyond.It's Not Just About the Midwest

Wind storms and hail are known for causing severe damage to private property throughout the U.S.  Although hail damage is more frequent throughout the Midwest and Great Plains states, the mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions are also surprisingly susceptible.

$3.9 Billion for State Farm Alone

According to State Farm, its 2012 wind and hail damage insurance claims cost the company and those insured over $3.9 billion combined.  To view a series of photos showing examples of wind and hail damage for each of the states above, click here

2012 HAIL AND WIND CLAIMS BY STATE

Are You Covered for Wind and Hail Damage?

Is your homeowner’s or commercial property insurance properly protecting you from the risks of damage due to wind, hail, and other forces of nature? Contact us today for an insurance check up.


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Disability Insurance: What You Don’t Know CAN Hurt You

Posted by David Ross on Tue, May 28, 2013

Are you rolling the dice on disability insurance? Get the facts and get protected. Contact us for help. Serving Reading PA, Berks County, Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Allentown, Lancaster, and beyond.According to a May 2013 report by the non-profit Council for Disability Awareness (CDA), there is a sharp mismatch between the high value employees place on their ability to earn a living vs. their financial preparedness to handle a disability that would threaten their income as evidenced by having adequate levels of disability insurance.

Most are Ignorant of the Real Need for Disability Insurance

The report titled “Disability Divide: Employer Study” is based on a 2012 survey of over 500 human resources professionals. The key findings, as reported by the Insurance Word Blog, are as follows: 

    • ¾ of HR professionals surveyed said employees viewed their income-earning ability as their most valuable financial resource, ahead of medical insurance, their homes, and retirement savings. However, only ¼ said employees considered it “very important” to prepare for potential disability, and a similar portion felt their employees were prepared to handle the financial hardships of the loss of income due to illness or injury.
    • A prior CDA survey of over 1,000 wage earners yielded similar results, with most respondents stating they are most likely to agree with the statement, “I never really thought about” preparing for a potential disability.
       
    • The HR experts surveyed generally felt that employees should begin planning for disability early in their careers even though most don’t begin until age 40 or older, if ever. According to statistics, approximately 100 million members of the US civilian workforce have no private disability insurance.
       
    • Most of the HR experts as well as the wage earners dramatically underestimated the likelihood of incurring a disability during their careers.

 

Surprising Disability Insurance Statistics

The post goes on to quote some surprising statistics from the CDA’s Personal Disability Quotient calculator:

    • An average 35-year old male office worker who is a non-smoker and has no health history issues has a 13% risk of incurring a long-term disability prior to retirement.

    • For women with the same profile the risk is higher: 18% or nearly 1 in 5. Those surveyed had estimated their risk at only 1-2%.
       
    • The 35-year olds noted above, if earning an average of $50,000 per year, are likely to earn approximately $2.4 million on average by the end of their careers.

    • Clearly, the contrast between the risk of losing millions in income and the lack of disability insurance is striking!

 

Key Takeaways

Americans are much less protected against income loss than in the past due to several factors, including:

    • The relative lack of solid pension plans
    • Much lower savings rates
    • Home mortgages with higher balances
    • Rising college education costs
    • Given the poor economy, the much greater likelihood of the need to continue to support children beyond their college years

What to do About Disability Insurance

Given these facts, the only wise course of action is to acquire the proper level of disability insurance to cover the gap between your current savings and the funding that would be needed to cover your financial needs during a long-term disability. If you are a business owner, the risks of inadequate disability insurance may be even greater due to the financial consequences of being unable to work.

We’re Here to Help if Needed

If you have questions on how to determine the right level of disability insurance you need to protect both you and your loved ones, then please contact us at 610-947-1270, or Contact Us online.

Tags: Health Insurance Reading PA, Health Insurance Allentown, Health Insurance Harrisburg, Small Business Insurance, Disability Insurance, Health Insurance, Health Insurance Berks County, Health Insurance Philadelphia, Health Insurance Lancaster

What You Should Know About GAP Insurance for Your Car or Business

Posted by David Ross on Tue, May 14, 2013

GAP insurance refers both to Guaranteed Asset Protection and Guaranteed Auto Protection. In both cases it is designed to cover the difference (or gap) between the actual cash value of an asset and the amount still owed on the related loan or lease.  While, strictly speaking, GAP insurance may apply to any type of asset, the vast majority of GAP insurance policies are written for cars, trucks, vans, and other types of vehicles.

Why Bother With GAP Insurance?

GAP insurance advice as supplemental car or business insurance for Reading PA, Philadelphia, Lancaster, York, Harrisburg, Allentown, Pennsylvania and beyond.GAP insurance may be a wise choice in cases where a low down payment has been made, and on high-interest loans of 60 months or more. It is often offered by finance companies at time of purchase, and by auto insurance companies.  This loan scenario frequently applies to vehicle purchases, which is why the term “GAP insurance” most often refers to added insurance protection for a vehicle.

 

GAP Insurance Considerations When Buying a New Car or Other Vehicle

Cars, trucks, motorcycles and other vehicles are assets that depreciate rapidly in value. In cases where a low down payment is made on the initial purchase, it is common for the amount remaining on the loan to exceed the fair value of the car.  This is because cars often lose up to half their retail within 3 years from the purchase date, at which time the remaining loan may far exceed that amount. If your car becomes stolen or is totaled, the replacement value you receive from the insurance company may be far less than the amount remaining on the loan. In such cases a GAP insurance policy would cover the difference. If you would be unable to cover the difference without GAP insurance in such cases, or if this would represent a significant financial hardship, then GAP insurance may be right for you.

How to Get GAP Insurance for Your Vehicle

GAP insurance may be purchased from an insurance agent or through a car dealership. GAP insurance coverage is often financed as part of the loan or lease, and typically comes into play when a vehicle is subject to a total loss. Some finance companies require GAP insurance when financing a loan. 

How to Save on GAP Insurance

We suggest checking first with your independent insurance agent before signing a GAP policy related to a vehicle purchase. Your independent agent may be able to save you money by adding this coverage to your vehicle insurance policy rather than taking out a separate policy through your car dealership. To learn more about getting the right GAP Insurance for your vehicle, call us at 610-775-3848 or use the Contact Us form.

GAP Insurance for Your Business

When it comes to insuring your business “GAP insurance” refers to Guaranteed Asset Protection, and often comes in the form of a “guaranteed replacement cost” or “agreed value” insurance policy. In such cases your business property is insured for an amount that is guaranteed in advance regardless of what the market value may be at the time of your claim.  This speeds the time to settle your claim, and may help you sleep better at night.

To learn more about the many commercial insurance options for your business, call us at 610-775-3848 or use the Contact Us form.Contact Us to learn more about GAP insurance for your car or business. Serving Reading PA, Philadelphia, Lancaster, Harrisburg, York, Allentown, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and beyond.

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Who Needs Commercial Vehicle Insurance?

Posted by David Ross on Sat, May 04, 2013

Have you recently started a new business, or perhaps suddenly come to the realization that your personal vehicle insurance may not fully protect you when using your car, van, or truck for business purposes? 

Commercial Vehicle Insurance Coverage Differs by Company

Is your personal vehicle insurance protection adequate when using your vehicle for commercial purposes? Learn why you should obtain commercial vehicle insurance. We serve Reading, PA, Philadelphia, Lancaster, Harrisburg, Allentown, Pittsburgh, Erie, Hershey, Pennsylvania and beyond.Although each insurance company has different guidelines for determining to what extent your personal vehicle may be insured when used for commercial purposes, it is nonetheless risky to assume your personal vehicle will be properly covered, if it is covered at all. Rather than taking chances, consult an independent insurance agent to learn the details of your coverage, and to select the best insurance company and policy to meet your commercial insurance needs.

How to Know if Your Vehicle Use is Commercial or Personal

The most obvious indicator that you are using your vehicle for business purposes occurs when you are using your car, van, truck, or other vehicle to transport merchandise or people, or to perform services for a fee.

For example, if you are using your vehicle to:

  • Deliver flowers or restaurant food, such as pizza or other food items
  • Perform landscaping services, such as delivering workers and/or materials
  • Perform snow removal services
  • Tow a trailer used for business purposes
  • Travel to customers for sales calls or to perform consulting services 

Who is Covered Under a Commercial Vehicle Insurance Policy?

Unlike a personal policy, commercial vehicle policies allow you to cover any of your employees when your vehicle is used for business purposes. If your vehicle is driven by employees, that’s a sure sign that you need a commercial policy. Likewise, if your vehicle is owned under a corporate partnership, or used to haul heavy equipment, or to make deliveries requiring federal or state filings, then you definitely need commercial vehicle insurance protection.

Amount of Vehicle Insurance You Need for Business vs. Personal Use

Commercial vehicle insurance policies generally provide greater protection than personal policies, with higher liability limits. However, it’s very important to make sure you are fully protected for both business and personal use if your vehicle is used for both.

Don’t Take Chances!

By now we hope you are thoroughly convinced that it is not worth taking chances with your commercial vehicle insurance coverage. Whether you hail from a larger city like Philadelphia or Allentown, or smaller areas like Reading or Lancaster, you need the right insurance protection. Please don't take chances with your future.

To learn more about commercial insurance for your car, van, truck, or commercial fleet, click here.  Or, contact us online. You may also reach us at (610) 775-3848. We’re independent insurance agents who stand ready to help you find the insurance protection that’s right for you, your budget, and your business.

Save on commercial vehicle insurance in Reading PA, Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Lancaster, York, Erie, Allentown, Bethlehem, Pittsburgh, Hershey, Pennsylvania and beyond.

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Beware: Your Homeowners Insurance is Weaker Than You Think

Posted by David Ross on Sat, Apr 27, 2013

Chances are that your current homeowner’s insurance policy is weaker than you think in terms of the financial protection it offers. That’s because many insurers have been steadily changing their coverage to increase deductibles and to add new loopholes protecting the insurance company from excessive loss. To make matters worse, homeowner’s insurance rates have climbed 69% over the past 10 years and now average approximately $1,000 per year.

Learn why house insurance costs have increased 58% in Pennsylvania and the US. Advice for homeowners in Reading, Philadelphia, Lancaster, York, Harrisburg, PA and beyond.Why the Big Homeowner’s Insurance Cost Increases?

So why are insurers raising home insurance rates, cutting coverage, and increasing deductibles in Reading, Philadelphia, Allentown, Lancaster, and all across Pennsylvania and the US? Is it nothing more than unbridled greed? Hardly. Insurers are experiencing factors beyond their control that are driving up costs. The biggest factor alone, the weather, has resulted in a 58% increase in the number of catastrophic weather events in the past five years vs. the prior five, climbing from 602 to 953 according to insurance industry data. Of course, along with each disaster comes a series of insurance industry payouts to policy holders. 

Another factor driving these changes is that states have denied insurers’ requests to increase their rates to the full extent needed to capture the true increases in weather-related payouts. As a result, insurers have resorted to shifting a much larger percentage of the cost of homeowner’s claims to their customers in an effort to remain solvent, and this has been done by cutting coverage. Many homeowners are on the hook for far more of the cost of repairs than they were five years ago.  Homeowner’s insurance is among the least profitable forms of insurance, and, as they say, you can’t get blood from a rock, so something has to give, and that has been both the extent and cost of coverage.

Get Help: Homeowner’s Insurance Coverage Varies Widely

Have an independent insurance agent review your homeowners insurance policy in Berks County, Reading, Lancaster, Philadelphia, Harrisburg, or elsewhere in Pennsylvania.Because house insurance coverage varies widely among insurers, and given that the specifics of what is covered and what is not are often buried in the insurance policy fine print, it is wise to seek the advice of an independent insurance agent to help you make sense of the coverages, deductibles, and loopholes within policies offered by various insurance carriers. An independent agent is uniquely positioned to help you find the best policy for your needs and budget because he or she represents multiple competing carriers, rather than just one. Don’t rely solely on an insurance company’s reputation or marketing. Instead get the facts so you can make an informed purchase.

We Can Help

Are you and your family in a precarious position? Arrange for a homeowner’s insurance review with an independent agent. Why not make an appointment today? You’ll sleep better knowing you did the smart thing. Call us at (800) 947-1270 or (610) 775-3848, or click below to contact us.

Contact American Insuring Group near Reading, PA for Homeowners Insurance advice.

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