How Business Owners Reduce the Risk of Losing Everything

America is very litigious. Any small business owner knows that a lawsuit can come up at any moment. This is not a matter of if it will happen, but when it will happen.  Liability exposure from a major lawsuit could be in the many millions of dollars. Does that mean every commercial insurance policy must have a limit of multiple millions? No, not necessarily. 

What are the risks?

Workers’ compensation insurance generally limits the ability of employees to sue for on-the-job injuries. It also limits the ability of the surviving family members to sue an employer in the case of death. The worker’s compensation insurance pays those claims and not the employer. This protection works for most cases, except if the employer’s negligence was a contributing factor.

An example of extensive liability comes from an accident with a vehicle covered by commercial insurance. If people are killed in the accident, liability exposure may be very high. Product liability insurance has the same problem with no upper limit of the risk exposure.

Protecting Net Worth

The solution for most business owners is to protect their net worth and manage the risk of losing everything from a lawsuit by carrying umbrella insurance.  Talk this over with your agent at ALLConnecticut Insurance serving West Hartford, CT.

Umbrella insurance provides extended protection of underlying insurance policies. Once those underlying policy limits are reached if a covered claim exceeds these amounts then umbrella insurance provides additional coverage.

Most business owners have umbrella insurance that is at least equal to their net worth. 

For example, a business owner with a net worth of $6 million may want to carry commercial vehicle insurance with a $1 million liability limit and general liability with a $1 million limit and then have umbrella insurance with a $5 million limit. This would be the amount that could help protect the $6 million in net worth.

Summary

Every business owner’s situation is different so consult with your agent at ALLConnecticut Insurance in West Hartford, CT about how umbrella insurance can help protect you from losing everything.

Why You Need Insurance for Your Recreational Vehicle or 4-Wheeler

Owning a recreational vehicle is a lot of fun for the entire family and offers a great way to spend time together outdoors. While many people think that because they primarily use these vehicles on private property they do not require insurance but this is not always the case. In addition to legal requirements, there are a number of compelling reasons why a policy for your recreational vehicles is a smart idea. The ALLConnecticut Insurance team is here to help our friends and neighbors in the greater West Hartford, CT meet all of your insurance needs.

Why You Need Insurance for Your 4-Wheeler of ATV

Insurance is not just a legal obligation, it is also a protection from personal liability. If you are on your ATV and have a mishap the repairs for your vehicle as well as the cost of any medical expenses will fall to you. This is also true if a passenger or third party is injured. Dealing with an accident that injures you, your child, or one of their friends is stressful enough without the added complication of personal liability.  When you have an appropriate recreational vehicle insurance policy you will be protected in the event of a covered accident, theft, or vehicle damage. Don’t think that because you only use these vehicles on private land that you don’t need insurance! Our team is here to assist you in the process of learning more about the available options and determining which is right for your needs.

If you have a 4-wheeler or another recreational vehicle, it’s time to find out more about your insurance options. We welcome residents in the greater West Hartford, CT area to come and meet with the team at ALLConnecticut Insurance today!

How Commercial Insurance is a Great Business Investment

One dream that a lot of people share is to one day own their own business and become their own boss. For those that are in the West Hartford, CT area, this local economy provides many different amazing opportunities for small business owners. If you do own a business in this area, you need to make sure that you are protecting it as much as possible. One great way to do this is through a commercial insurance policy as it will protect your small business in several different ways and will prove to be a great investment.

Covers Your Assets

No matter what type of business you were in, there are bound to be a variety of assets that you need to purchase in order to get your business off the ground. It would be devastating if you were to lose any of these assets to a fire, theft, or any other situation that could cause a loss. Because of this, investing in a commercial insurance policy that has a property insurance company would be a great decision.

Liability Risk Mitigation

The risk of liability is significant for any type of business. Due to this, you need to make sure that you are mitigating against this risk as much as possible. When you get a commercial insurance policy with a liability component, you will have protection against this risk.

Commercial insurance is clearly a great investment for any small business owner. For those that are in the West Hartford, CT area, a great place to start getting insurance is through AllConnecticut Insurance. The team at AllConnecticut insurance is very familiar with all of the challenges that come with owning a business. They can help you develop a commercial insurance policy that will protect your organization as well as possible.

3 Things to Look for When Replacing Your Home’s Windows

In West Hartford, CT, the agents of ALLConnecticut Insurance offer to help homeowners find the right replacement windows for their next renovation project. The windows you have installed in your home are an investment. They can explain different features to look for as well as signs of quality workmanship and materials that will ensure your new windows last several years.

Energy Savings

New windows come with an energy rating that is designed to inform you of how much energy you can expect to save over their lifespan. The EPA develops the energy rating based on several different factors that determine how much energy can be saved when the windows are professionally installed and sealed properly.

UV Rating

The UV rating determines how much ultraviolet let can travel through the window glass. UV rays can fade carpet, increase the temperature inside the home, and cause furniture to become discolored. Reducing the number of UV rays that enter your home will protect both you and your possessions.

Quality Construction

It’s important to remember the quality of a window in terms of both workmanship and materials. Windows must be able to seal properly without any gaps, openings or leaks. Before purchasing any type of window, do your research to determine how well rated they are in terms of weather-proofing and preventing drafts.

At ALLConnecticut Insurance, our agents are always available to discuss your options when it comes to making improvements to your home. If you live in West Hartford, CT, call and schedule a meeting today. During the consultation, our agents will go over several things to look for when choosing your replacement windows and doors. Call us today.

Update Vehicle Insurance For Camper or Trailer Use

If you are thinking about towing a camper or something like a boat on a trailer, before you do this, call us to speak with your agent at ALLConnecticut Insurance, serving West Hartford, CT and the surrounding communities. You will want to have your agent conduct an insurance review and to make recommendations about adjusting any auto insurance coverage as needed to make sure you have adequate protection.

Insure the Vehicle

Towing something increases strain on a vehicle and requires paying careful attention to driving. The common phrase for an accident caused by towing something is when a driver experiences a “jack-knife.” This is when the trailer is moving in a direction toward the vehicle in a way that is out of control. In some cases, the weight of the trailer causes the vehicle to have an accident. Sudden braking can cause an accident from this dynamic.

Insure What is Being Towed

You will want to discuss with your insurance agent the coverage needed to protect the item being towed and any contents it may contain. Consider replacement coverage because that is superior to just have coverage for the actual value, which is usually much lower.

Emergency Road Assistance

If you are towing a camper for vacation purposes, it is a good idea to have road assistance coverage, rental car expense coverage while needed repairs are being made, and vacation insurance. With these extra options, the risks of having a vacation spoiled by trouble with the vehicle, camper, or the trailer are reduced.

Summary

It is fun to go camping or take the boat out to the nearest lake. Be sure to manage your insurance needs when doing this and then you can enjoy the trip while having peace of mind that adequate insurance is in place.

Contact your agent at ALLConnecticut Insurance in West Hartford, CT to get an auto insurance review and a quote for auto insurance that includes protection for anything you want to tow.

What Is Recreational Insurance?

You may associate the phrase with some kind of fun pastime or big-ticket trip. The truth is, this type of insurance, offered in West Hartford CT through ALLConnecticut Insurance, can give you peace of mind on a vacation – just not in the way you might think.

Recreational insurance covers campers, recreational vehicles, and all off-road vehicles beyond that.

Why You Need Recreational Insurance

Simply put, whether in West Hartford, CT or anywhere else, your RV must be insured in order for you to legally drive it. Upon registration at the Department of Motor Vehicles, you have to show proof of insurance along with other documentation certifying that the vehicle is yours to own and drive.

If you are caught driving your RV when it’s uninsured, you may be subject to a putative fine or even some jail time.

Why Not Include Your RV In Your Home Or Auto Policy?

It’s true: You can attach your recreational vehicle to your home or auto coverage. That being said, there are some negatives to insuring your RV that way.

For instance, if you include your camper in your home insurance policy, it’s not covered as long as you drive it onto the highway. in fact, your RV may not be eligible for coverage through your homeowner’s policy if you plan on driving it for interstate trips.

A policy specific to your Recreational vehicle can provide you with ample coverage for anything from accidents to driving across state lines. It’s not limited to a specific area unless that is what you request when customizing your policy.

Ready To Ride In Your RV?

If you’re ready to take that new camper on its first road trip, contact ALLConnecticut Insurance to get a quote for your recreational coverage. Without properly insuring your RV, you won’t be able to drive it out of West Hartford, CT, or even your own yard. So what are you waiting for? Purchase your recreational insurance policy today.

How Does Umbrella Insurance Protect a Connecticut Residnet?

Most people that are in the West Hartford, CT area likely have some personal liability insurance that is through their home or auto insurance policies. In some situations, this could be enough coverage for somebody. However, those that would like to have even more liability insurance should consider getting an umbrella insurance policy. One of these insurance policies can provide you with additional liability coverage a number of different ways.

Additional Coverage 

One of the benefits of getting in an umbrella insurance policy is that it will give you additional coverage. When you get a home or auto insurance policy, you will receive liability coverage up to the amount stated in the policy. There are situations in which this may not be enough coverage for you. If you are found liable in some more extreme situations, your umbrella insurance policy will go into effect.

Coverage for Other Situations

When you get this type of coverage, you also will get liability coverage for situations that may not be covered by your home or auto policy. An umbrella policy will give you coverage for a variety of different situations that may not be covered by your other liability insurance policies. This could prove to be very valuable in some situations that are not covered by your other policies.

If you are in the West Hartford, CT area and think that umbrella insurance could be a good option for you, you should reach out to the team at ALLConnecticut Insurance. The professionals at ALLConnecticut Insurance are very aware of all of the benefits that come with umbrella insurance and can get you into a great policy. 

What Kind of Commercial Insurance Do You Need?

Your business is a source of income not only for yourself but all of your employees. Due to the number of people depending on your business and the overall amount of money you’ve pumped into it you need to properly protect your commercial business. One of the best ways to do this is to take out the right kind of commercial insurance coverage. If your place of business is located in or around West Hartford, CT the team at AllConnecticut Insurance can help. 

Worker’s Compensation Insurance

If you have employees working for you chances are you’ll need some kind of worker’s compensation insurance. This form of insurance coverage the medical expenses associated with any work-related injuries. It also helps pay for time off and other expenses that might creep up. 

Property Insurance

Property insurance is not just for if you own your place of business. Even if you rent the property you likely have valuable items inside the building, such as manufacturing hardware, ovens, and other equipment. Property insurance will help protect these items. 

Business Liability Insurance

If someone is injured inside or around your business, whether they slip in front of your store or they drink a cup of coffee they say is too hot, business liability insurance will help protect you and cover the cost of an attorney. If you interact with customers or have a physical storefront this is a kind of insurance you should consider adding on to your current commercial insurance policy as it offers added protection. 

No matter the kind of business you run it is important to protect it. If the company is located in or around West Hartford, CT the team at AllConnecticut Insurance can help you select the right insurance coverage for your kind of business. 

What is Recreational Vehicle Insurance?

Recreational vehicles, or RVs, are a fantastic vehicle to have and they can truly make any trip special. That being said, they do need special insurance that cannot be satisfied with your auto policy or your home policy. So what is recreational vehicle insurance, keep reading to find out. For those that live in the West Hartford, CT area, the agents with AllConnecticut Insurance can help you to find the policy that works for you.

Recreational vehicle insurance is somewhat of a hybrid between an auto policy and a home policy. it protects both the automobile components of your RV as well as the homier aspects like appliances and contents. This is an essential coverage as it will protect you if you are in an accident and will help you to rebuild or repair your RV after your accident is settled. This type of policy is necessary to make sure that your RV is protected in all aspects no matter what. If you do have an auto policy that you can add your RV to, you can do that as well as take out a policy that is geared specifically to your RV.

RV insurance is something that anyone that has an RV can benefit from, even if they do not get out and drive it much. Your insurance covers both issues that pop up while on the road as well as those that might occur while you are parked like fire or damage to appliances. An RV policy is going to give you the peace of mind knowing that your RV is protected and that even if something does happen, you are not going to have to shoulder all the responsibility of repairs or costs on your own. For those in the West Hartford, CT area, the agents with AllConnecticut Insurance can help.  

What severe weather events are covered by your Connecticut homeowners insurance

Severe weather is a part of life in New England and Connecticut is no exception. Residents of the greater West Hartford, CT area know that they can count on the experienced staff at ALLConnecticut Insurance, to help them to choose a home policy that will offer them the protection that they need. in this area where the weather is so unpredictable that it can change multiple times in one day. 

Ice and snow

Ice storms are all too common in the northeast. They can cause a lot of damage to homes. Not all of it is obvious. Getting ice in your gutters can cause a backup that will result in damage to ceilings and walls. Heavy snow can also cause damage to your roof. This is most likely covered under a basic home policy. 

Wind

High winds are an all too common occurrence in Connecticut and while tornados are not common, hurricanes and blizzards are. High winds can cause a lot of damage to your home and your outbuildings. Falling trees can damage decks, pools, and gazebos as well as roofs and other parts of your main dwelling. Your home insurance policy will help you to be able to repair any damage and replace items that are damaged beyond repair.

Flood

Flooding is not covered by your basic home insurance policy when it is caused by a weather-related event. You need to have a flood policy for that protection.

While we at ALLConnecticut Insurance in West Hartford, CT can’t do anything about the severe weather that all of us in the area have to deal with we can make sure that you have the coverage you need when it happens. Give us a call or stop by our office for a no-obligation quote.