In Chester, NJ: Will Your Motorcycle Insurance Cover an Accident If Someone Else is Riding Your Bike?

In Chester, NJ the agents of the Insurance Outfit offer a wide selection of insurance policies to cover all sizes and types of vehicles, including scooters and motorcycles. Motorcycle insurance works in much the same way as car insurance and has varying degrees of coverage. Before choosing the policy that’s right for you, it’s important that you discuss your needs with your agent so they can find the right policy for you.

Know Your Policy

Once you have purchased a policy make sure you read it carefully and understand everything it says. If you don’t, ask questions. A commonly asked question is "Does my insurance policy cover other riders?" This will depend on your policy. A general liability insurance policy will cover only the minimum and will most likely not cover your bike being driven by other riders. A full coverage policy, on the other hand, will cover additional riders if they carry the proper endorsement.

Endorsements

A motorcycle endorsement on your driver’s license means you have passed the written and skills test that shows you’re capable of operating a motorcycle on the road. Most insurance policies won’t cover a rider who hasn’t received their endorsement. If you allow someone to borrow your bike, it’s important that they have a current motorcycle endorsement on their license. If not, any damages or injuries they cause won’t be covered by your policy.

The agents at the Insurance Outfit in Chester, NJ encourage you to call their office and speak to one of their agents if you have any questions concerning motorcycle insurance. They can tell you what is covered and what limits are included in your policy. It’s important you evaluate and update your policy often to make sure it’s current.

Fun in the Sun, Sand, and Snow: How to Protect Your ATV So It Lasts

Most people don’t buy an ATV just to let it sit in their garage. However, the more you use it, the more likely it is that something will happen to it. One of the most common nightmares for owners comes in the form of theft, but it’s certainly not the only danger that lurks out there. If you’re hoping to keep your ATV for as long as you can, see how you can take the precautions in Chester, NJ to keep it safe.

Prepare for Thieves 

It’s fairly easy for people to steal ATVs simple because they’re so portable. If you remove the valve stem, the tires will go flat so criminals can’t just roll the vehicle away. It will be annoying to have to refill the tires when they lose their air, but it’s far less work than having to replace it. You may also want to unplug the fuel pump, or slip a small padlock through the brake rotors (if you have them.) Or just buy a quality chain that you can use to anchor your ATV to a tree or a stable structure. 

Call The Insurance Outfit 

If you own an ATV in Chester, NJ, it’s worth making another investment to keep it out of harm’s way. All the anti-theft measures in the world can’t always save you from criminals, and they do nothing if the ATV is attacked by vandals or by a horrible storm that comes out of nowhere. Our staff is happy to provide quotes and information about how our policies can save your ATV from disaster. Give The Insurance Outfit a call if you want to get insurance that will cover your ATV is a number of situations. 

What Does Boat Insurance Really Cover?

Boats are a great recreational vehicle but without the right coverage, they can be very costly. For those that do have a boat, having a great boat insurance policy in place is the best way to make sure you are covered no matter what. For those that live in or around the Chester, NJ area, the agents with The Insurance Outfit can help you find the policy that fits your needs.

So what does boat insurance really cover? For starters, it covers damage to your boat as the result of an accident, be it a collision with another boat, the damage that occurs while hauling, or even damage from hitting inanimate objects like buoys. Boat insurance also covers personal injury that occurs on your boat as well as injury to your passengers.

Much like your home insurance policy is going to protect your home from damage and disaster, your boat policy is going to do the same thing. Say for instance your boat catches on fire, either in the water or in your garage, your insurance will cover the cost of repair or replacement if the boat is totaled dependent on the policy that you have.

Overall, boat insurance is a great thing to have not only to be safe but also to help protect your investment when you are out enjoying the warm rays of the summer sun. Generally, boat insurance is only required for those watercraft that do have a larger engine, your fishing boat does not require insurance for instance. For those that live in the Chester, NJ area and own a boat, the agents with The Insurance Outfit can help you find the perfect policy to protect both you and your boat this summer and all year round no matter what.

Long Term Care Insurance and Health Insurance: What’s Different?

Long term care insurance can be easily confused with health insurance for many people. But did you know that the two are considered as very different insurance policies? Here at the Insurance Outfit in Chester, NJ, we’ll help you take a look at the main differences between the two types of plans. 

Different Coverage for Different Needs

Health insurance helps cover your day to day doctor appointments, prescriptions, and acute emergency medical costs. Long term care insurance, on the other hand, covers your expenses if you cannot work as a result of the injury. This special kind of insurance is designed to bridge the gap while you are recovering and unable to work. It can help you continue to receive your paychecks and make ends meet if the disability is temporary or permanent. In other words, think of long term care insurance as your disability insurance. Medicare provides long term care insurance, for example.

Skilled nursing at home and in nursing care facilities is expensive, as the annual prices can rise up to $88,000 a year. Long term care insurance can help alleviate the financial burden, however, so it’s certainly worth looking into. It can also help cover for things like hospice care if it’s needed down the road. 

The Right Coverage When You Need it the Most

As always, check the details in your policy’s terms first to find out what it gives you coverage for. It’s a good idea to consider additional insurance riders to fill in the gaps that your current policy doesn’t cover. For questions about riders and additional details in your policy, contact us at The Insurance Outfit in Chester, NJ. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff is happy to assist you to get what you need!

Does Disability Insurance Cover Mental Health Problems?

Many Chester, NJ residents have asked us at The Insurance Outfit about disability insurance and whether or not it covers mental health problems. Thankfully, we’re here to say that it will help you. However, you need to qualify for it and apply properly.

Problems It Covers

There are many different types of mental health problems that disability insurance will cover. These include schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, depression, bipolar disorder, autism, substance abuse disorders, and even mental development problems. Coverage for these types of problems are based on their severity and whether or not they make it impossible for a person to work. Even a person of normal or above-average intelligence can qualify if their mental health concern is severe enough to make it impossible for them to work.

Other Circumstances Can Qualify

One interesting aspect of mental health disabilities that few understand is how they can help those who cannot handle unskilled work. For example, someone who has developmental impairments or anxiety about performing menial labor may qualify for disability insurance. However, they do need to fill out a special form that details their mental health limitations and why they deserve coverage.

A person who has debilitating mental problems need to have a diagnosis from a trained professional and a guardian who can help them understand what is happening. It may require them to talk to a lawyer or someone who understands these types of problems. That said, if you or anyone you love has these conditions, they more than qualify for disability benefits and insurance.

Get Coverage Today

So if you or someone you love has a mental health problem in Chester, NJ and needs disability insurance, contact us at The Insurance Outfit today. We can provide you with the skilled help you need to get the coverage and benefits you deserve.

Who Can be on Your Health Insurance Plan?

Health insurance is something that everyone needs but that many people have a hard time determining who can and cannot be on your policy. For the most part, insurance policies clearly outline who can be insured on the policy but in some cases, further clarification is needed. For those in the Chester, NJ area the agents with The Insurance Outfit can help you learn just who can be covered on your policy.

First and foremost, those that are dependent on you like children, dependent adults that you have guardianship of, and your spouse can all be on your policy. This means that your family is going to be able to be protected by your policy. Children can stay on their parent’s policy until they are 26 years old, even if they are not living in the home.

The number and type of person that can be on your policy is dependent mainly on what type of policy you have. You can have an individual policy that covers only the main policy holder and you can have family policies that cover your family members. Dependent on what type of policy you have and who the policy is through, there is no real limit on the number of people that can be on the policy but rather the type of individual that can be on the policy.

Knowing who can be on your policy is the best way to ensure that your family does not go without health insurance. For those that live in the Chester, NJ area, the agents with The Insurance Outfit can let you know exactly who can and cannot be on your policy. That depends on what type of policy you have and who you want to insure.  

How to Determine How Much Life Insurance You Need

Life insurance is something that differs from policy to policy and from policy holder as well. You may need significantly less coverage than someone else and knowing how to determine how much coverage you need is a great start. For those that live in or around the Chester, NJ area, the agents with The Insurance Outfit can help you set your policy needs.

The best place to start is to consider who is going to be cashing out the policy when you pass. This is going to give you a good idea of how much you want to take out. You also need to remember that the more coverage, the higher the monthly premium. After you consider your beneficiary you also need to think about what the policy is going to pay.

If you want a policy that is going to cover the costs of raising your children to adulthood you are going to need significantly more than you would if you were only worrying about paying for burial expenses. Similarly, if you have a large amount of debt that your family is going to be responsible for when you pass you want to make sure the policy covers it.

The biggest issue that you want to keep in mind is what is going to be done with the policy when you pass. Most people tend to take out policies that are around $10,000 to $25,000 as these cover comfortably the final expenses of one person. If you do have children or dependent family that you are thinking about, you may want a larger policy to help take care of them.

If you have questions and you live in the Chester, NJ area, the agents with The Insurance Outfit can answer all your questions.  

Does Commercial Insurance Cover Weather-Related Damage

At the Insurance Outfit, we see many of our Chester, NJ clients suffering from serious weather-related damage. Covering this type of damage requires an insurance policy that takes into account this type of damage. It also requires understanding what problems will be covered by your insurance.

Ways Weather Can Impact Your Business

There are many different ways a business can be impacted by weather conditions. For example, electrical storms and snow could knock out power and make it impossible to operate your business. However, it could also damage your buildings and make it necessary to shut down. In this way, you could lose business capabilities for an extended period. Thankfully, insurance will cover many of these problems to minimize your losses.

Business Disruption Insurance Is Crucial

General commercial insurance may not cover these problems if you don’t include business disruption coverage. This type of insurance coverage is designed to help cover losses when weather or damages impact the operation of your business. It will help get your business back in working shape and minimize personal and businesses losses in an effective manner. As weather-related damage is considered an act of God, specific coverage like this is needed for your business.

Important Considerations

When purchasing this type of insurance, it is important to choose a type that covers all possible damage. For example, it should cover emergency repairs to your building, equipment breakdown, food spoilage, loss of power, tree damage, loss of water, wind damage, snow damage, and winter storm damage. These types of weather damage are hard to predict and must be covered as much as possible.

So if you are a Chester, NJ business owner who needs this type of coverage, please don’t hesitate to contact us at the Insurance Outfit. We can help you sort through the confusion of commercial insurance and protect your business from damage.

3 Reasons to Renovate Your Older Home

If you love your older home but want to improve its looks and function, renovating offers a practical means of making the changes you desire. Through home renovations, you can improve your home’s function and style without compromising its charm. Renovating an older house serves many purposes. Here are just a few.

Enhance Safety

Home improvements such as upgrading windows and exterior doors, mounting deadlocks and installing a security system will make your Chester, NJ home a safer place to live. Repairing or replacing an old roof will ensure you and your property are well protected when adverse weather comes. If your older home has plumbing or electrical issues, upgrading these systems can reduce the risk of flooding or fire.

Making your home a safer environment could also help lower your home insurance costs. By talking to an agent from The Insurance Outfit, you can get a better idea of what improvements qualify you for discounted insurance prices.

Improve Function

Home renovations such as remodeling your kitchen or bathroom or adding a bedroom or home office help to improve your home’s function. A new bedroom, home office or patio adds more living space to your property for greater comfort and enjoyment. Investing in new appliances when remodeling your kitchen saves you time, money and effort in preparing meals and maintaining a hygienic kitchen environment.   

Add to Property Value

Major home renovations can add value to your older home, making it more appealing to buyers if you plan to sell in the future. If you choose to stay, remodeling allows you to create the kind of environment you love most.   

When remodeling your home, consider how renovations will affect your insurance coverage. For greater insight on insurance options and costs for your older home, contact The Insurance Outfit in Chester, NJ.  

Why Does Your Zip Code Affect Your Car Insurance Rates?

When you are pricing out new insurance policies, you are asked what zip code the car is housed or garaged in. If you play around, you may find that the prices you are quoted change based on the zip code you put in. This may leave you wondering why the zip code has such a major effect on your auto insurance price. Here is some information you should know.

Auto insurance providers obtain a lot of information about your risk levels and then use that information to provide you with a car insurance quote. If you live in a zip code where a number of car accidents happen, your car insurance will be higher than someone who houses their car in a zip code with fewer car accidents. This is because statistically speaking, you are less likely to be involved in an accident in this zip code. Likewise, an insurance company takes into account the number of car thefts in a particular zip code, and what type of car is most commonly stolen. If you have a car that is typically stolen in a certain zip code, your insurance will be higher because there is more risk your car will be stolen and your auto insurance company will have to pay out on your auto insurance policy. As such, the zip code where your car is housed is extremely important in determining what your auto insurance rates will be.

If you are looking to obtain a new auto insurance policy or to compare prices for policies in the greater Chester, NJ area, let The Insurance Outfit help. We offer fair pricing, regardless of what zip code you live in. Give us a call today to get your auto insurance quote.