General Home Insurance Versus Riders

In a lot of ways, an insurance rider is an agreeable way that an insurance provider and a consumer can agree on a separate add-on coverage to an existing policy. Keep in mind, most home insurance polices are crafted as a standard package. They include terms that protect the homeowner against a common group of risks. These commonly include things like a home fire or a robbery. And a policy provides a given extent of coverage for the good and products a person keeps in his home without having to be item-specific. That works for most homes, but it also means that special items won’t be included. That could leave special items like jewelry or expensive electronic equipment essentially "out in the cold" if something gets damaged or stolen.

To resolve the problem, a rider is provided as a second add-on policy to the first homeowner’s insurance coverage. However, where the first policy was general, the rider is a specific protection plan that actually names the item or special additional coverage being included. In most cases, riders are used for specific property items versus expanded protection contingencies. Jewelry again is one of the most common categories. However, a valuable collectible can be a rider category as well.

Homeowners in Chester NJ don’t need to stuff their deposit boxes at the bank with critical items. The Insurance Outfit and their agents are well equipped to help customers with original policy plans as well as adding on riders for specific coverage needs. Again, the purpose of insurance is to complete a well thought financial plan for personal stability and success. A rider can provide valuable adjustments to existing policies without having to redo an entire home coverage all over again. Contact the Insurance Outfit to find out more.

Boating, Drinking and Insurance Coverage

The purpose of boating insurance is very similar to car insurance. It provide coverage and financial recovery when the vehicle is damaged, stolen, or involved in causing damage to people or someone else’s property. Policies consider all types of contingencies, even disasters and unforeseen circumstances. However, one thing that insurance policies don’t typically pay for is damage caused when someone breaks a law.

Drinking alcohol has long been a favorite pastime when boating. Being on the water seems to be equated immediately with recreation and having fun. However, a boat is a licensed vehicle, regardless of being on the water instead of a road. And enough laws and restrictions have been passed in most states, making it clear that getting into a boating accident when drunk opens a person up to both criminal and civil actions. When a boating accident does occur and local authorities determine that driving the boat under the influence was a contributing factor, and insurer is eventually going to get a copy of the police and accident report.

Most insurance policies for boating, just like those for operating a car, have language in them preventing coverage when someone is the cause of damage due to a misdemeanor or felony. And the courts are very clear and unsympathetic in most states: ignorance of the law is no excuse for breaking it. The problem is, no one thinks about these complications when already on a boating trip for the day or weekend. Then the drinking starts and a problem occurs. Boaters are doing themselves a big favor taking the time to understand liabilities and exceptions to coverage before getting on the water. If in the Chester, NJ area, stop in with the Insurance Outfit. Their agents can point out exactly what happens with boat coverage versus a law violation in clear English.

5 Common Risks that Threaten Small Businesses

As an entrepreneur, you’re bound to face risks when starting a new business. The success of your business could depend on how you identify and manage these risks to give your company room to grow.  Here are five common risks many entrepreneurs face at the onset of their small business.

Property Damage

Business property is a vital asset that needs to be well protected by your insurance policy. By assessing the value of your property, you can determine the amount of coverage you’ll need to cover damages in the event of a claim. Insufficient coverage can result in financial setback for your fledgling business.     

Liability Loss

As an entrepreneur, you have to be prepared for any eventuality. This includes being liable for damages or injuries to customers from accidents that occur on your property or use of your products. Commercial liability coverage can protect you against these liability losses so you don’t have to pay out of pocket.

Business Interruption

If an accident or disaster causes damage to your business property, you may be forced to stop production or move to a temporary spot while building repairs are made. Having business interruption insurance to compensate for loss of income and operating costs during your recovery period can save your business from financial ruin. 

Injuries to Employees

Without workers comp insurance, a workplace accident can have drastic consequences on a small business, as business owners would be liable to pay for medical expenses and/or a disability settlement out of pocket. By promoting a safe work environment and managing exposures, entrepreneurs can keep worker’s comp premiums at reasonable costs, enabling their business to benefit from this coverage.

Key Personnel Losses

As a small business, you may suffer financial loss due to losing key personnel essential to the running of your company. Key person coverage can offer you financial stability in the interim period of finding new personnel to sustain your business.  

Learn more about comprehensive commercial insurance and how it can benefit your business by contacting us at The Insurance Outfit. 

Three things you should know about car insurance

Car insurance is one of those things that every car owner in the country knows they have to have, but few people actually know the details about what kind of coverage is actually available.  Here are three things that The Insurance Outfit, serving Chester, NJ, thinks you need to know  about car insurance.

1. Rates can fluctuate dramatically

The rate you get when you first sign up for an automobile policy can be very different than when you go to renew. For example, changes in your driving record, including tickets falling off or even additional violations, can change your rate for better or for worse. Maybe you passed an age thresh hold or your state as passed new regulations. Make sure that whenever you renew, you are getting the maximum amount of savings on your policy rate.

2. You are never locked into a policy

Even if your provider has you pay for a 6 or 12 month period, you are not bound to that insurance company. They can not charge you early termination fees like your cell phone or cable company. This is important to note because if you find yourself a better deal and a better rate, you can dump your old carrier penalty free. If you have paid for six months, and you switch after three, they owe you a prorated amount of the remaining three. 

3. Ride with your pet? Better check if they are covered

A standard policy will cover injuries to people in the vehicle in case of an accident. However, it is not always a guarantee that your pet will also be covered. Make sure you check with your insurance provider to make sure your precious pooch or kitty is covered.

If you are in need of a policy, contact The Insurance Outfit, serving Chester, NJ today.

Home Insurance in Chester: We’ve Got You Covered

Coverage on your home can seem like a minefield, and people often don’t like thinking about the worst that could happen to their home. When your property is as much emotional as it is physical, you start seeing it a very different way. Having complete coverage is the best way for you to feel as though you have a handle on the protection that you need for the unknown. Learn more about how a resident in Chester can face up to the challenge. 

Understanding It All 

One excellent idea is to sit down for an afternoon and just devote it to figuring out how home insurance works. You should be working with someone who knows insurance, as it’s much easier to ask the questions directly than to try to go piecemeal on the internet. It’s certainly doable, but chances are you aren’t swamped with free time. When you take on the responsibility of owning a house, you need to be able to take the time to understand how to protect it. 

Finding the Right Team to Help 

If you’ve ever called a huge insurance company, then you’ve probably heard an automated message system that took 15 seconds just to greet you. Sometimes it makes more sense to choose a smaller carrier so you can have a better means of getting the help you need when you need it. Low premiums aren’t really low premiums at all when it comes down to it, as you’ll end up either paying through your time or rising rates that you can ill afford. The Insurance Outfit understands how important it is to get set up with the right help now rather than later. Give us a call today for a quote or more information on our services. 

 

Protecting your RV when it counts

Many people don’t have an idea as to what rv insurance is. As an example of how RV insurance works, let’s consider some accidents or trouble you could encounter with your RV on a vacation. RV insurance could potentially cover in several ways.

If you have uninsured/underinsured motorists coverage and another driver collides with you but is not insured, your insurance company will pay for your damages. The amount of compensation you receive will depend on the amount of damage, your deductible amount, and the limits set on your policy.

If you are at fault for an accident, the other driver will file a claim with your insurance company.  Your insurer will pay the claim up to the limits of your liability . You will pay the costs of any damages, injuries, legal fees or judgments out of pocket beyond the limits set on your policy. 

If your RV is disabled after a crash and has to be towed, your insurance will cover some or all of the costs of towing. 

If your RV is stolen, an animal causes damage to your RV, or it is damaged in a hail storm, your comprehensive insurance would provide coverage for your losses, after your deductible and up to the limits you’ve selected in your policy.

The Insurance Outfit of a company is often times what separates one insurer from another. A companies ability to be reliable and professional give to the relationship between the client. Among all things insurance is almost as necessary as the reason an individual bought the rv. All in all getting rv insurance could be the difference between "oh no" and "it’s ok, I have insurance".

3 Questions You Should Ask When Purchasing Motorcycle Insurance

At the Insurance Outfit, we understand how important your motorcycle is to you. As a result of that, we want to make sure that you have the right type and amount of motorcycle insurance on your bike before you hit the road. The following are three questions you should ask before you secure a motorcycle insurance policy with any company.

Question #1. Is this insurance for classic motorcycles or sports motorcycles?

There are different types of motorcycle insurance coverage options, and these polices serve very different purposes. It’s critical that you ask the insurance agent providing you the quote what they are quoting you. If you have a classic motorcycle, you want to make sure you get insurance coverage for that type of motorcycle; otherwise, you could pay more for your coverage.

Question #2: What is the average price to replace you motorcycle?

When you know the replacement value of your motorcycle, you can easily determine how much insurance you will need to cover your motorcycle in the event of a loss. Beyond the minimum insurance required in New Jersey, you can increase your limits to ensure that you cover customized components on your motorcycle.

Question #3. Do you use replacement value or cash value when reimbursing customers?

Replacement value is essentially the market value of your motorcycle, while cash value is the market value minus depreciation. Of course, it’s in your best interest to choose an insurance company that gives you the option to choose replacement value over actual cash value. If you don’t ask, and the insurance company uses actual cash value, you may receive a check that significantly less than you anticipated following a loss.

If you have questions about getting motorcycle insurance in and around Chester, NJ, then we have answers. We help thousands of customers protect their motorcycles both on and off the road. Don’t hesitate to give us a call so that we can give you a quote, or visit us online.

 

Updating Your Life Insurance Plan

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Financial planning includes life insurance as one of the core elements every person should have in place to take care of their needs and that of their loved ones, both in the near term and long-term future. So, no surprise, people secure a plan through an insurance provider, agree upon a premium, and then maintain their plan over time. And, in most cases, people start of with term life insurance because the primary goal is just to have a solid safety net in place in case the unexpected occurs. Again, the approach follows sound financial advice.

However, over time a person’s live changes. They secure better and better income, their life matures and broadens with different changes, and people begin to realize that the long-term planning for the future is now becoming retirement planning for the mid-term and not so far off future. However, without updating a life insurance plan in place, their coverage is not keeping up with their life changes. Term life is a good basic tool for getting started with financial protection, but it doesn’t do anything for one’s long-term future and retirement. This is where a other options provide better alternatives.

A number of alternative life insurance plans provides both safety coverage as well as the ability to build savings for one’s later years. This is an ideal way to have the benefits of both worlds,

For those in the Bourbannais, IL area the Insurance Outfit and their expert staff can help guide clients and consumers on what’s available, the differences between life insurance plans, and the benefits offered for long-term financial planning. Don’t let your current plan drop you off when later life support is needed the most. Plan for the future while protecting the present with an upgraded plan.

3 Best Kept Secrets to Organizing Your Closets

The Insurance Outfit, offer homeowners some great tips for home improvement that will add value to their lives. Cluttered closets make sore eyes, and in some cases a health concern. It’s easy to become a hoarder, so let’s devise a remedy to make life easier.

There is an art to organizing your closet. The key is the find the right approach, use it, and never forget it. It doesn’t take long for clutter to build up in close places. Your closet is a place that you only visit on occasion, but you want to keep it looking and smelling fresh. To do this, you must use tact and insight, but most importantly, you must be creative. To be creative, you must learn the top three secrets to organizing your closet, and creating more space. At The Insurance Outfit, here are 3 best kept secrets to organizing your closet, we like to share.

Remove Seasonal Clothes You No Longer Need

Your closet is only so large, so remove winter or summer clothes and pack from away. Keep one or two light sweaters and a scarf, on standby, you never know when a light breeze will come through. Clothes you no longer wear, takes up too much space. Pack them away, or give them to a thrift store.

Use Tiered Hangers

Instead of using one hanger per shirt or skirt, use tiered hangers to fit more clothes in your closet. It’s possible to hang 2 or more items on tiered hangers, allowing more room for more clothes. You can even fit several pair pants on the same hanger, or color coordinate your closet, so you can find what you need quickly.

Install Extra Shelves

Installing extra shelves allow you to store T-shirts, shorts, and running shoes. You can place some items in collapsible boxes and stackable bins, so you can create even more space. Your extra shelves can hold folded clothes, shoes, small baskets for accessories, linen and so much more.

Last Minute Tips and Hacks

Cedar blocks and panels repel bugs and help your closet to maintain a clean fresh smell. Utilize the backside of the closet for extra storage space, and remember to use pre-cut shelves to minimize the need for precise measurements.

Safe Driving Tips For Teen Drivers

Teen drivers are not always the safest. This is because they are so excited that they have a license that they forget all of the different rules. They may invite their friends in the car and they are showing off instead of paying attention to the road. There are some safe driving tips that you can implement in order to keep everyone safer.

Sign a Pact

Agree on some terms so that you and your teen driver are on the same page as to what is and isn’t allowed. Identify some punishments if they do not follow. Then, have them sign the pact. Various online packs are available as well, including making sure that they don’t text while driving.

Limit Night Driving

There may be state laws involving nighttime driving for teens, and this is something to be aware of. You can limit the amount of driving that they do at night as well, such as setting and 8 PM curfew.

Limit the Number of Friends

Friends can often cause trouble when they are in the front and back seat. This is because they are rambunctious and may even be adding the teen driver on to be riskier in the way that they drive. By limiting the number of friends in the car, you can keep your teen safer.

Write Out the Rules

Have the rules posted rather than simply having a conversation. Teens are not always known for their listening skills. Better yet, have your teen write out the rules so that they are more likely to remember everything that the two of you have talked about.

At The Insurance Outfit, we are here to help you with auto insurance. Contact us today and let us find you a policy in Chester, NJ that works for you and your teen.