Homeowners should always be aware of their home insurance policy and what is covered, as not all policies are created the same. Your personal belongings are generally covered under home insurance, but not always in the same way or to the same extent as you might expect. There are two main options when it comes to covering your personal belongings under home insurance : actual cash value and replacement cost value. Actual Cash Value vs Replacement Cost Value Both cash value policies and replacement cost policies cover your belongings from the same dangers, but the way compensation is calculated is different. For an actual cash value policy, depreciation is taken into account when the insurer’s claims adjuster is investigating the claim. This means that as the value of your items goes down over time, or depreciates, so does the amount of compensation you can receive in a claim. For example, say you purchase a $2,000 watch and insure it under home insurance. Over the years, its value depreciates. By the time the watch is stolen, it was only work $500. When you file a claim at this time, you will receive closer to $500 in compensation for the watch despite what its original value was due to depreciation. On the other hand, a replacement cost value policy does not account for depreciation. Instead, a replacement cost value policy provides compensation so that you may replace it with an item of similar or identical value. This type of policy is generally more expensive, but it is also more likely to allow you to replace your belongings in total after an incident. Which Policy is Best? The type of policy that is best depends on you and your belongings. Keep in mind that there are certain limitations under both policies, as well. Most home insurance policies do not cover damage or loss caused by floods or earthquakes. There is also limited coverage for expensive items such as jewelry, furs, art and electronics. If you have expensive items such as these, you may need additional policy floaters. Policy floaters allow you to fill in the gaps on your personal belongings coverage and insure your high value items more effectively. Speak with an agent to protect your personal belongings within your home. It is crucial to make sure that your items are protected so that you don’t have to pay for repairs or replacements out of pocket after an accident.

Every business needs business insurance – even small ones. Why? All businesses have risks. And it’s a fact that the right coverage for your small business can make or break your company if a covered incident occurs. Insurance is all about protecting your assets. And no matter how careful you are with every aspect of your business, unexpected disasters happen. You just don’t have control over them. But whether it is fire, flood or theft, an insurance policy take cares of that for you. Here are five tips to help you select the right policy. Make sure to discuss all potential losses to your agent. That $3,000 aquarium display in your lobby might not look much to your agent, so she might scratch it of as something “less valuable.” So be sure to specify the real value of all your assets in case any accidents occur. Discuss in length your full inventory to your agent. Coverage should replace all lost or damaged equipment with the same, or at least comparable, items instead of getting items of a depreciated value. We’ve heard some horror stories about company equipment getting replaced by cheaper versions, so be sure to discuss in great detail the value and the replacement potential of all your current inventory. Get worker’s compensation insurance. An accident in the workplace can cost you a lot of money. It will require you to pay all medical bills and lost wages, or face a lawsuit by a begrudged injured employee. Worker’s comp can cover these situations, saving you the expenses of work accidents. Consider a package deal, such as a business owner’s policy (BOP). It’s usually cheaper and can cover a long list of your concerns in one easy bundle with one premium payment. Hire an independent insurance agent. They are not bound by a single company, so they can broaden their horizons and really shop around. The insurance industry is vast and there are lots of factors involved. But the independent agent knows his stuff, and can really give you the best policy your business deserves. So now that you know about small business insurance. It’s time for you to contact that dependable agent of yours and start purchasing that perfect coverage for you!

A smart home is one that provides information and communicates with you no matter where you are. These are growing in popularity today. A wide range of versions are available. Each one seems to do something unique. If you are thinking about the investment in a smart home system of any type, it helps to know what the benefits are. In some cases, they can reduce theft risks and, as a result, lower home insurance costs. What Type of System Is Right for You? If you hope to improve your home’s security, there are a few types of smart home systems to take into consideration. First, learn about the various brands and how they work. Then, determine what could help at your home. Here are some key ideas and options. Doorbell cameras – Replacing the traditional doorbell, these cameras allow you to receive a message whenever someone approaches the door. You can interact with the people outside your door. These do not prevent someone from coming in but do take pictures of those who step in their range of view. Security cameras – An excellent option for those who want more security, home security cameras are always active. The latest models have night vision and allow for two-way communication. Most importantly, they sound an alarm and alert you if someone steps into the warning area. Security monitoring – This is the highest level of safety-oriented home automation. It uses security cameras along with other types of sensors. When a trigger occurs, such as someone opening the door, it alerts a company monitoring the home. They can send help immediately. \Door and window sensors – These detect when the door or a window opens. These small sensors are hard to see. Yet, they communicate a significant amount of information immediately. Glass break sensors – Some sensors even detect when glass breaks. If it senses this, it can send an alert so you can take action. As smart home features, they work by sending messages to your smartphone or computer. You can then choose to call the police or warn the person to leave your property. In this way, they increase your home security. If you decide to install one of these systems, be sure to tell your home insurance agent about it. With more information about how it works, they may recognize the benefits. This can help you to reduce your home insurance costs. However, not all systems qualify. Be sure to work with your agent to find the best way for your home. 

The wedding industry is booming and these events can cost tens of thousands of dollars between the dress, cake, venue, décor, food and photography. Whether you set out to plan your own wedding or enlist the help of an event planner, it still takes the better part of a year for many couples to throw this shindig. You pay the deposits and spend countless hours poring over menus and seating charts. But, what happens if the event cannot happen as planned? Perhaps the venue catches fire a few days before the wedding date, or maybe a family member falls ill. Postponing, moving or cancelling the event could mean that you’re out thousands of dollars, particularly if venue and vendor deposits are non-refundable. While some insurance providers write policies that specifically cover weddings, other insurers are able to cover an assortment of special events. In either case, this type of insurance policy can cover these lost expenses if the wedding cannot go on as planned. Some common coverages of wedding insurance include the following. Event cancellation and postponement: Whether you face cancellation fees or nonrefundable deposits, this coverage can reimburse you for lost expenses if you must cancel or postpone the wedding. Additionally, you may also be covered if you must book a vendor at the last minute due to an unexpected event, such as a vendor going out of business. Event liability: If you, as the event host, are held liable for a guest’s injury or damaged property during the course of the wedding, this coverage can help cover those expenses. In fact, many venues insist that you obtain this coverage as part of the event contract. Liquor liability: You may be held liable for the harmful actions of an intoxicated guest. This coverage helps fund the aftermath of their physical attacks on other guest or venue/vendor property. Damage to premises: This helps cover any damage that is done to the venue during the course of your wedding. Do you need coverage for your wedding? Call our agency to get a free quote today.