The five most common driver etiquette mistakes

If your behavior behind the wheel has been garnering a lot of disgruntled honks lately, you might want to put some thought into improving your driver karma. Being aware of the driver etiquette rules your breaking is the first step to cleaning up your driving.

The following are the five most common driver etiquette mistakes that you can easily avoid with a bit of consideration and awareness:

  1. Passing excruciatingly slowly- Passing other cars should be done fairly quickly because during passing, two cars are very close. This can make some drivers slightly uncomfortable, especially if it goes on for long periods of time. If you’re going to pass someone, speed up and do it quickly to put some distance between yourself and the other car. 
  2. Not switching lanes to make merging and turning easier- If you’re driving along a two-lane roadway with no traffic, switch lanes to make space for other drivers who are trying to get on the same roadway. 
  3. Hanging around in the left lane- Other drivers are going to get impatient- a may even begin suffering from twinges of road rage- if you’re driving in front of them at a slower speed but remaining in the passing lane. 
  4. Sloppy turn signal use- Whenever possible, avoid changing your mind about turning after putting your turn signal on. Also, always take care to use your turn signals even if you’re driving along a very familiar route. 
  5. Using your cell phone- Even if cell phone use while driving isn’t against the law in your state, don’t do it. This type of distracted driving compromises safety and will inevitably detract from your reaction speed at red lights or while waiting at stop signs. 

Learn more about responsible driving by contacting ALLConnecticut Insurance. 

What kind of businesses need umbrella insurance?

Umbrella insurance isn’t something that is commonly thought about when you’re trying to set up a business, but it can be one of the most valuable coverages that you’ll ever invest in.  If your business falls into any of these categories, then it may be a good idea to look into umbrella insurance.

  1. Manufacturing. Product recalls can easily put a small or medium-sized business in bankruptcy court. Umbrella insurance policies can provide funds to replace or repair damaged products, as well as additional funds to cover any settlement payment. Some policies are even written so that lost sales and other secondary expenses as the result of the recall are compensated for.
  2. Residential Services. Plumbers, electricians, and general contractors are prone to lawsuits due to the dangerous nature of their work and the high number of clients that they interact with.  Umbrella insurance will cover the costs to hire legal counsel, and can even help to pay off a settlement. Keep in mind that every insurance policy is written so that it can be tailored to the specific needs of each client.  That means that your policy will provide coverage limits that make sense for your specific business.
  3. Retail. Odds are you have a lot of money tied up in your inventory and you rely heavily on foot traffic for the majority of your sales. This can make a natural disaster very dangerous for your business.  While other policies may cover physical damage to your property, only umbrella insurance can provide compensation for missed sales and damaged inventory.

If you’re thinking about an umbrella insurance policy for your business, call the professional insurance agents at ALLConnecticut Insurance. They can help you to craft a policy that meets your needs.

Get the right insurance on your RV

Before heading out of West Hartford, CT with your RV this summer, it would be a good idea to make sure you have proper insurance coverage on your vehicle. A motorized RV, such as a motor home, must have liability insurance just as an automobile would in Connecticut. Smaller RV’s must also have liability coverage at a minimum, but may operate under a different policy than an auto policy.

RV insurance is rather specialized a it is often a vehicle that is used only part of the year, and may be parked for extensive periods. It is generally also a high-value vehicle, and that makes the insurance cost more. In addition to liability, there is collision and comprehensive coverage available for a motor home type vehicle.  Collision and comprehensive are not required by the state, but may be required by the lender if you still owe on the RV.  Collision covers damage to your vehicle if you are at fault in an accident. Comprehensive covers none automotive damage caused by your vehicle in an accident.

Gap insurance is also a possibility one might consider. This covers the difference between the market value and the cost to replace if your RV is totaled. In a collision policy the insurance company pays the market value, but you may owe more than that or it might cost more to replace than that. With gap insurance you would be covered.  For some people an umbrella policy is a good idea. This covers you if you have a major claim against you that is more than your insurance limits.

The agents at ALLConnecticut Insurance can help you get the policy you need to cover your RV. You may also get quotes by visiting us online. Existing customers may contact us to get a free policy review to make sure all of your policies are up to date.

 

Why Commercial Insurance is Important

Starting a business is hard and keeping it financially stable is a long-term struggle. Having commercial insurance is the best way to protect your company from any unforeseen disasters or lawsuits that may disrupt your business.

Common Types of Commercial Insurance

  • Liability Insurance – protects you if someone is injured on your property. If a customer is hurt because of an accidental spill, they could bring a lawsuit against you. You may be required to pay medical costs as well as pain and suffering fees.
  • Worker’s Compensation – gives you protection if an employee becomes injured during working hours. Even if part of their job is to haul heavy boxes, you may be responsible if their back is injured at work. The injured employee could also receive weeks of paid time off and medical coverage for the injury. Without worker’s compensation, your business could suffer if you had to pay out-of-pocket.
  • Property Damage Insurance – can give you relief if your business was damaged or destroyed by fire, flood, storm, or other types of disasters. You work extremely hard to keep your business going and you wouldn’t want an accidental fire to shut you down permanently.
  • Disability Insurance – is optional plan coverage that may help if you become disabled or too sick to run your own business. You may receive partial income while you are disabled.
  • Business Interruption – is an option that would help if you needed to maintain your income in the event of a disaster.

If you need to research a new or existing insurance plan, the independent agents at ALLConnecticut Insurance in West Hartford are available to help. Whether you are a small, medium, or large business, the agents will be able to offer information and plan options for your company.

Boat Insurance and Safety on the Water

AllConnecticut Insurance wants you to know that we have the best resources you need for buying boating insurance coverage. We also want you to be safe on the water this season. So please, don’t boat just after a heavy rainstorm: that stick floating in the muddy water might be attached to an entire tree bobbing just under the surface. Be careful boating above spillways, bridges, and other structures on the water. Be certain that everyone onboard has the proper personal flotation devices and that they are wearing them in the correct way. Even pets can wear flotation vests as well! Also, be very careful when using alcoholic beverages on board.

We’re not just about insurance, you see; we’re about safety. Safe fun is the fun that builds wonderful summertime boating memories. Enjoy the sun on the water, catch some rays, maybe catch a fish as well. You can have a pretty awesome lack of worries when you have the insurance coverage to back up your boating activities. Accidents do happen, and you can be prepared both before and after. While prevention is the best method for dealing with the unfortunate things that come up, good insurance can make a huge difference after the fact.  Contact us about your boating insurance coverage. At AllConnecticut Insurance we know the state requirements for minimum insurance coverage as well as which kinds of policies are available for which kinds of vehicles. Our independent agents can help you find the best rates for your specific needs. Serving the West Hartford, CT area, our independent agents can find the insurance coverage quotes of multiple insurance firms to assure you that you’re getting the best coverage at the best rate for your specific needs.

What is Umbrella Insurance and Who Needs It?

The majority of people have no idea what umbrella insurance is but that does not mean that they do not need it. When it comes to umbrella insurance, it can be pretty easy to determine if you need to get a policy or not. Continue reading to see what it is, help determine if it is right for you, and if you need to consider getting a policy.

  • If you have assets that are high value, an umbrella insurance policy can take over where your current policy falls short. You may not know it, but your auto and home insurance policies have maximum coverage limits. If you have assets that are worth more than that maximum coverage amount, then you should consider an umbrella insurance policy. These policies will cover you when your other policies no longer can. Take a look at these two values to see if you are fully covered or not. 
  • Umbrella insurance policies can also cover your liquid assets such as your checking account, savings account, and even your retirement account. Banks and other establishments only cover your liquid assets up to a specific amount. You may want to check with your banking institutions to make sure you are covered completely by them.
  • If you are a high profile individual in your community, you may want to consider this type of policy. It can provide you with insurance for personal injury such as libel, slander, wrongful conviction, and even false arrest. While most people do not need this, you can judge if you may.

For more information about umbrella insurance policies, be sure to contact us at ALLConnecticut Insurance today. We will also take a look at your asset values and current insurance plans to see if it is the right option for you.

What You Need to Know About Your RV Insurance

Your RV can be a lot of fun, and a great way to travel around the country. But you want to make sure you take good care of it, and that includes regular maintenance and a review of your insurance policy. If you’ve just purchased an RV and need to insure it, you’ll want to make certain you’re getting the kind of coverage that will work for you. For those who already have an RV, reviewing your policy periodically is a great idea so you can make sure you keep your policy up to date with your travel needs and finances.

As you shop around West Hartford, CT for the right RV and the right insurance policy, you need to know that state minimum coverage may not be enough for your plans and goals. You will be following what the law requires, but you won’t get a lot of protection for your RV itself. State minimums may also not be enough to pay all of your medical bills and related expenses if you end up in an accident, so you want to work with your insurance agent to make sure you’re getting the right level of coverage to meet the needs you have.

When you need RV insurance in West Hartford, CT, it’s time to contact ALLConnecticut Insurance so you can have peace of mind. With knowledgeable agents and policy options to choose from, you can get the kind of insurance you want for your RV. You’ll also get answers to your insurance questions and someone who will be happy to go over your policy with you to make sure you understand everything. The more you know the easier it will be for you to get the insurance that’s going to work for you, so you can go and enjoy your travels.

Does my small business need commercial insurance?

Business owners in West Hartford, CT are well aware of all the things that can go wrong and cause them to lose money.  Fortunately, commercial insurance can help business owners to plan for and control the damages from these disasters.

While nearly every large corporation and business carries commercial insurance to protect itself from natural disasters, employee errors, and accidents, small business owners can be reluctant to purchase this insurance.  Often, they mistakenly believe that this is an expense they can skip in order to save the company money.

In fact, small businesses often need commercial insurance more than there larger competitors.  While large companies can rely on large stores of cash to cover their mistakes and accidents, a small business can be completely wiped out by a small disaster.

It’s also important to be aware of the types of insurance that your business is required to carry.  For help with this, call one of the agents at ALL Connecticut Insurance.  If your business has a company car, they can help you to set up a commercial auto policy.  They will also talk to you about the amount of inventory your business carries, the type of heavy equipment you own, and other factors that can influence how much insurance protection you need.

No matter how careful you are, every business can be prone to natural disasters and accidents.  A bad storm or a single act of vandalism shouldn’t have the power to destroy everything you have worked to build.

If you’re a business owner who is considering purchasing commercial insurance, contact the agents at ALLConnecticut Insurance.  They have years of experience helping business owners find the insurance that is right for them.

You Can Save Gas and Money With These Driving Ideas

Saving money and gas takes more than driving around town to find the lowest prices. In fact, you probably spend more gas than you think using that method. There are, however, some great ways to save gas and money in the process. Follow these tips for better fuel efficiency as well as saving money by filling up less often. 

  • Get regular maintenance. When you keep up with the regular maintenance on your car, like getting regular oil changes and filter changes, you are really keeping your car as fuel efficient as possible. Making a point to stay on top of these regular maintenance issues will keep your car functioning to the best of its ability and will save you money in gas in the long run.
  • Upgrade to a newer car. If you have an older car or one that is over 10 years old, then it is time to get a new car. This is not just so you can get a better looking car but because newer vehicles are much more fuel efficient which means that will save you more on gas over the long run. Do yourself a favor and get a newer car that will get you further per tank of gas.
  • Drive with care. For people who like to drive by accelerating fast and breaking just as quickly, there is a lot more money spent on gas. That is because these actions alone can use up to 33 percent more fuel on the highway and 5 percent more in the city. Slow it down and drive with more care to go farther on a tank of gas.

Saving money on gas is great but saving money on auto insurance is even better. Contact ALLConnecticut Insurance serving West Hartford, CT to see if you can get a better deal. 

Is Your Boat Insurance Policy Up to Date?

If you own a boat, you should have an insurance policy that covers this watercraft, no matter what size or age your boat is. Your policy should cover damage to your boat, damage to property and injury to people if an accident or incident occurs. While there are minimum coverage requirements in many states, it is advisable to purchase more than the minimum amount required. It can be difficult to find an insurance policy to cover a boat, as many auto insurers will not underwrite these types of policies. However, it is still possible to find a quality insurance policy from a reputable insurer at a price that won’t kill your budget.

Once you obtain an insurance policy for your boat, it is important to review your policy on a regular basis to ensure that you have appropriate coverages at the best price possible. It is typically recommended that you review your boat insurance policy once per year, at the start of each boating season. Adjust your coverage amounts and deductibles so you have the coverage you need. You can also take this opportunity to shop around and see if you can get the same policy at a lower price from another insurer. Having appropriate coverage for your boat and those who enjoy your boat with you doesn’t have to be a huge hassle or cost you a great deal.

If you live in the West Hartford, CT area and you need to purchase a new insurance policy for your boat or update an existing policy, ALLConnecticut insurance can help. Visit online today to obtain a quote or purchase a policy so you can enjoy your boat during the warm months without worry over what you will do in the event of an accident or incident involving your boat.