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What do Legs Have to do with Key Person Life Insurance?

We’ve all heard stories about celebrities insuring various body parts for ridiculous sums of money - most famously, Betty Grable’s legs were insured for a million dollars. Why would anyone insure such a thing? The fact of the matter is, her studio made a lot of money off of Betty Grable’s appearances, and a large part of her appeal were her fabulous gams. If her legs had been marred in any way, her ability to sell movies and posters would’ve been greatly reduced.   

Now, think about this.  Are there any parts – such as key person - of your business that, if lost, would significantly impact your bottom line?

Who is a Key Person?

A key person in your company is like Betty Grable’s legs. That person could be one of your executives, your best salesperson, your gem of an office manager who keeps things running smoothly, or an old hand who knows where all the skeletons are buried (figuratively, of course!). A key person is any employee who, if he/she suddenly passed away or became unable to work, would cause your business to struggle. Look around your office – who couldn’t your business afford to lose?

The Vulnerability of Small Businesses and the Need for Key Person Insurance

Getting Key Person Life Insurance is especially vital for small businesses, both because they generally have a thinner line between success and failure, and because they have smaller workforces. A giant firm with offices all over the country may not have any employees who are irreplaceable; since they are all tiny cogs in a giant machine with many redundancies, while a small company with only a few employees has less overlap in responsibilities.

With a small workforce, employees often have unique and specialized knowledge and connections that may not be easily replaced. Also, for businesses just starting out, if one of the partners has an accident, the poor fledgling company would be doomed to fail unless there was some kind of cushion. That cushion could be a Key Person Life Insurance policy.

Grieve without the Worry

Of course, the loss of any employee’s life - regardless of how essential they were to your business - is an awful thing to contemplate. A Key Person Life Insurance policy can allow you to grieve, without the worry of how you’re going to be able to keep the company afloat until you find or train a replacement.

Is Key Person Life Insurance Right for Your Business?

If you have people who are as valuable to your business as Betty Grable’s legs were to her, contact American Insuring Group at (610) 775-3848 or (800) 947-1270 for information on Key Person Life Insurance policies for your business!

Workers' Compensation Insurance and Minimum Wage Increases

Everyone earning minimum wage or paying minimum wage is surely paying attention to discussions in Washington and state capitols across the country about increasing federal and state minimum wage. This is great news for those currently earning minimum wage ($14,500 a year for a full-time employee), but business owners are perhaps a little less enthusiastic at the prospect. Not only does a required increase in salaries cost more in wages, it also has the potential to cost more in workers' compensation payouts.

For or Against Minimum Wage? It's Still the Law

We all know the arguments for and against increasing the minimum wage. Whichever side you agree with, if the law changes, you need to be prepared to roll with it. If you are an employer, look on the positive side - you will be able to retain experienced workers longer, and you will have a larger (and hopefully better quality) pool of applicants to choose from,  since people who have been unemployed will now have more incentive to put their kids in daycare and drive to work for you.

Minimum Wage Down Side - For Every Silver Lining, There's Got to be a Cloud!

The drawback to people coming back to work after a long break is that newly rehired workers are more likely to get injured while they're getting back into the swing of things. Many minimum wage jobs are also the most physically demanding. Your new workers may be out of shape and just not in the "safety first" mind-frame anymore. New hires may also be afraid to make an injury claim right away, so a simple muscle strain can turn into a major issue requiring expensive surgery.

The major argument against increases in the minimum wage is the prospect of layoffs. Current employees afraid of getting laid off, either out of desperation or the urge for a little revenge, tend to make more workers' comp claims to give themselves more of a cushion while they seek new work. Spikes in claims like these can make insurance underwriters rather unhappy.

Protect yourself! Who else is going to? (Oh yeah, your insurance company!)

The best way to protect your company from these changes is to keep the lines of communication open with your insurance provider.  If they insure your workers' comp claims, they also have a stake in keeping claims as low as possible.  Also, be proactive with new recruits with drug testing, background checks, safety training, and pre-employment physicals.

Need Help Making Workers' Compensation Insurance Decisions?

We can help you keep your workers’ compensation insurance premiums and claims in line – regardless of pending changes to the minimum wage.  Call us today at (800) 947-1270 or (610) 775-3848 or Contact Us by email.

How Much Commercial Insurance Protection Do You Need?

If you’re considering starting or have already established a business, you may be wondering, “Do I really need any special liability insurance for my business?”  Establishing and growing a business is hard work.  It’s an investment of time and money, and it’s important to protect that hard work against unforeseen circumstances.  Even though we may not want to think about it, like Forrest Gump said, “stuff” happens. Even if you work from home and think your home owner’s insurance covers you or if you’ve filed as an LLC to protect your assets, your business may not be as safe from catastrophic loss and possible bankruptcy as you think.

Business Insurance When You're Unable to Work

What if you become sick and can’t work?  What if one of your customers sues you?  What if a fire forces you to shut your business down for a period of time?  Have you thought about how you will protect your finances, your business, and your employees?  The right insurance can help protect these very important assets.  Here are four major categories of business insurance protection you, as a business owner, need to consider. 

Business Liability Insurance (A.k.a. Commercial General Business Liability)

Liability insurance helps protect your company if someone gets hurt on your property or if you or an employee causes property damage or injury.  Liability insurance also protects you as a tenant if you cause damage to a property you rent, and it covers claims of false or misleading advertising, including libel, slander, and copyright infringement.  This insurance helps cover medical and legal defense costs and settlements if you are successfully sued. 

Many small business owners can’t imagine ever being sued, but the fact is that we live in a very litigious society.  Liability insurance is a wise and affordable investment for any business.  It can be purchased individually or included as part of a Business Owner’s Policy (BOP) that combines liability and property insurance into one policy.  It’s a good idea to make sure you have enough liability coverage if you have a BOP. 

Umbrella Liability Insurance

Umbrella liability insurance is designed to protect your business against catastrophic losses that exceed the limits of other policies or for losses not covered by other policies.  Think of it as an upgrade to your existing business, homeowners, and auto insurance that goes above and beyond.

Business Interruption Insurance

Business interruption insurance helps protect against financial loss in the event that your business is prevented from generating revenue. It helps pay for operating costs (such as rent, utilities, and payroll) and lost profits if your business is forced to shut down for an extended period of time, such as during a natural disaster that either forces your business to close or requires repairs to be made to the property before business can resume.  Business interruption insurance can be added to your property insurance policy or purchased as part of a BOP.  

Overhead Insurance

Overhead insurance is designed to protect the operations of your business if you suffer from a major accident or illness and become unable to work.  Overhead insurance helps cover business expenses such as salaries, utilities, interest payments, insurance premiums, and rental payments.

Putting Together a Business Insurance Plan

You’ve worked hard to make your business a success.  Don’t let someone or something take it all away from you.  Take the necessary steps to protect it with the right business insurance.

Free Report: 7 Things You Must Know to Protect Your Businesss 

For more information, click here for our report, 7 Things You Must Know to Protect Your Business. 

Need help in figuring out the right level of insurance to properly protect your business? Call us today at (800) 947-1270 or (610) 775-3848 or Contact Us by email. We're independent agents representing over 25 brands of insurance. We'll find the right coverage at the right price to meet your needs.

Business Insurance that Attracts & Retains Employees

Great employees can be the fuel to move your business ahead of the competition. Dedicated employees add more and more value over time as they gain increased knowledge and experience. While everyone likes a company that offers great benefits, the best employees and job candidates are likely to view the quality of the benefits you offer as a compelling reason to join, remain at, or leave your firm.

With today's cost of purchasing individual insurance, employees are likely to view well-designed employer insurance packages as a deciding factor in selecting one company over another. Furthermore, strong benefits packages help retain your best employees, reducing the high cost of employee turnover.

Designing an Attractive Employee Benefits Package

That's why smart business owners create attractive employee benefits packages that not only include health insurance, but often life insurance, extended disability insurance, dental insurance, and generous retirement plans, among other options. Executive compensation packages may also include deferred compensation plans and higher levels of insurance coverage to retain your best talent. It pays to be well informed on the range of insurance options available to your business.  Your independent insurance agent can be a key resource to help you craft an employee benefits package that attracts better employees at a price you can afford.

Commercial Insurance to Protect Your Business in Ways You May Not Have Considered

General liability insurance, property insurance, vehicle insurance, and workers' compensation insurance form the foundation of your business insurance protection. However, there are other types or subcategories of commercial insurance to consider. Among these are key person insurance, individual insurance, and insurance-backed buy-sell agreements.

Key Person Insurance: Thinking Beyond Job Titles Alone

Key person insurance, also known as key man insurance, is designed to reimburse you for the loss of sales or earnings due to losing an executive, business partner, or other key employee due to disability or death. When considering key person insurance, think beyond titles and identify those employees in your organization who, if unavailable, would dramatically impact your sales or the continuity of your business operations.

These may include high-performing sales reps and customer service personnel, as well as employees with deep technical knowledge of your industry or complex internal processes. Such people may be very difficult to replace with someone of similar knowledge or talent, resulting in reduced productivity or lost sales revenues for your firm for years to come. Your independent insurance agent can help you put together a smart key person insurance package to protect your business financially from the impact of losing a key employee. 

Backing Buy-Sell Agreements with Business Insurance Protection

In the excitement of starting a new business with your business partner, business owners often overlook the need to work out all the details of a buy-sell agreement that comes into effect as a result of the loss of the other business partner due to retirement, death, or disability. While an attorney may be invaluable in putting together such agreements, don't neglect the need to obtain the proper life insurance on each partner to carry the remaining partner through the transition period and to keep the business financially healthy. The insurance coverage should be sufficient to buy out the departing partner's share of the business due to any of the circumstances mentioned above.

Life Insurance for Business Owners: Obtaining the Right Amount of Coverage

Business owners should carefully determine the amount of personal life insurance protection needed. Unlike employees, owners often have significant personal assets tied up in the business, such as a second mortgage that may have been used to finance the business. If the surviving family members' income drops significantly due to the death of the business owner, the results can be disastrous not only for the family, but for employees as well, even if significant personal loans and assets have not been invested in the business.

Low levels of life insurance may threaten not only the entire business, but also the careers of all employees by potentially forcing the surviving family members to liquidate or sell the business to pay the personal debts of the deceased business owner, or simply to provide the income needed to keep up with day-to-day financial obligations.

We Can Help with All Your Business Insurance Needs

We can help you make sense of your many business insurance options, from key person insurance, to life insurance, health insurance, disability insurance, dental insurance, and other forms of personal and commercial insurance to protect your business, and to attract and retain employees. We serve businesses in Reading, PA, Philadelphia, Allentown, Harrisburg, Lancaster, Lebanon, State College, Pittsburgh, Erie and points in between and beyond. 

Contact us

(800) 947-1270 or (610) 775-3848 

Take the challenge - get a quote. We offer the best insurance protection at the best price.

It's obvious that having the right commercial property insurance is key to protecting your business against unforeseen risks. But have you taken practical steps to reduce the potential impact of storms, floods, earthquakes, or other natural disasters beyond obtaining insurance?

By combining the right property insurance with responsible disaster planning you greatly increase your odds of weathering a disaster with minimal loss to your business.

While reducing your business exposure to major disruptions from natural disasters takes careful planning, it is not necessarily expensive. Having solid plans can make the difference between days vs. weeks of serious business disruption and loss of income.

Here are some tips to help your business recover more quickly from a natural disaster:

Perform a Risk/Impact Analysis & Create a To-Do List

Begin by creating a list of natural disasters that could impact your business. Rank them from high to low in terms of likelihood, and then separately by the amount of impact (harm) they could have on your business. Next, identify what can be done to address the more likely ones first. Of the more likely ones, address them in order of the potential harm they could cause your business.

Example:
If your business is in a flood plain or low lying area then your exposure to flood or water damage will be greater than if you are located on high ground. If a flood were to occur, how much damage could be caused? How long would it take to recover? Do you have expensive electronic equipment on the first floor or basement? Could it be moved to the second floor? Could you alter the landscape in such a way as to divert water away from your building so as to avert damage?

Example:
Are you in an area susceptible to damaging high winds, hurricanes, or tornadoes? Could a heavy snowfall of a foot or more cause damage or leaks to your roof that could ruin equipment or force portions of your office or factory to become unusable for a period of time? 

Create a Disaster Emergency Plan

Your emergency plan may not have to be elaborate. Even a simple, well-thought-out plan can be of tremendous benefit when needed. Be sure that your employees know their part in the plan, and have easy access to the documentation (I.e., to the portion of the documentation that applies to them or to their department). Among other details, your plan should include:

• An evacuation plan and designated meeting location.
   
• A list of cell and home phone numbers of managers and key employees.
   
• A description of who is responsible for taking various actions, including identifying the point person(s) responsible for contacting the media, emergency personnel, key customers and suppliers, department heads, and employees.
   
• A data recovery plan (consider backing up all data on the cloud daily so it can be accessed remotely even if your internal computer system is destroyed). Identify and rank the key types of data in terms of importance to your business continuity.
   
• A description of how the business will perform certain key functions off site, including things that could be outsourced. Break it down by department (customer service, accounts payable, accounts receivable, production planning, manufacturing, distribution, I.T., etc.).
  
  

After you have completed the basic plan above, or at least an outline, consider contacting a disaster recovery specialist who can identify weaknesses in your plan, and suggest appropriate remedies.

Perform a Commercial Property Insurance Review

Your independent insurance agent can perform an insurance vulnerability analysis for all types of insurance coverage across your business that may be needed in the event of a natural disaster. This includes basic property insurance, business interruption insurance, spoilage insurance, inventory insurance, and other forms of expanded insurance coverage. Your level of coverage should not only be adequate for your current level of business, but also for the projected level of business to cover you properly until the date of the next scheduled insurance review (annual or otherwise).

Contact Us - We're Commercial Insurance Experts You Can Trust

When it comes to commercial property insurance and other types of business insurance, you can't do better than the independent agents at American Insuring Group. As independent agents, we work for you, not an insurance company. We'll identify the right combination of business insurance policies from many insurance carriers, and put together a plan that fits your needs and budget. See why more business owners in Philadelphia, Reading, Lancaster, York, Harrisburg, Allentown, Pittsburgh, Erie and beyond rely on us for all their commercial insurance needs.

Contact us today: (800) 977-1270 or (610) 775-3848

Dirty Harry Was Right About Disability Insurance

Clint Eastwood's Dirty Harry character could have been speaking about disability insurance when he said those famous words, "Do you feel lucky, punk? Well, do ya'?". Whether you are an employer looking to reduce the cost of disability insurance claims, or an individual looking for a better quality of life, it pays to work on reducing your exposure to the risk of being disabled.

The thing about the sage advice you are about to receive is that your grandmother or anyone with a gradeschool education probably could have figured this out. Nothing against grandmothers (they tend to be very wise after all), but this stuff isn't rocket science!

Let's take a look at the things employers should consider when developing employee incentives to reduce liability insurance claims, which are the same things individuals can do to become healthier and safer.

#1. Lose Weight. Do it Now. 

We may have started with the toughest item first, but getting down to a healthy weight is key to avoiding disabling diseases and accidents. Things like blood pressure, diabetes, heart failure, and the risk of falling increase dramatically as our weight gets out of control. Hey, you've been wanting to do this, right? Now you have some additional motivation. Think Nike: just do it (diet and exercise, that is).

#2. Throw Out the Cigarettes. And Cigars. And oh Yeah, the Pipe Too. 

Do you like coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath? Does anyone really think it's worth polluting your lungs and bloodstream by smoking? According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, the risks of smoking include:

• Thicker blood that carries less oxygen
• Increased blood pressure and heart rate (can you say "heart attack"?)
• Lowers good cholesterol, increases bad cholesterol
• Damages blood vessel walls (hey, they only carry the essence of life!)
• Increased inflammation leading to plaque buildup in your arteries (so you can help fund the drug companies with all that extra medicine you'll need!)

#3. Get Regular Checkups and Screenings.

#4. Drink Responsibly or Not at All. Wear Seatbelts.

#5. Take Care of Yourself. Avoid the Key Causes of Disability Insurance Claims.

Sage Advice

Get the Right Disability Insurance Protection

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.

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.

Among the Most Destructive Storms In US History

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

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

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.