Three Reasons to Consider an Umbrella Policy

ALLConnecticut Insurance is here to help our West Hartford, CT customers make wise choices. Understanding the basics of umbrella insurance can help you understand whether it’s a good investment for you. 

What is Umbrella Insurance? 

Umbrella insurance is ‘excess liability insurance.’ If you are found at fault in a claim that exceeds your policy limits, your assets will be protected by this additional coverage. For that reason, you can also think of it as asset protection.  

What Qualifies as Assets?

You may be surprised at what qualifies as assets that can be seized or garnished if you are found at fault. It can include: 

  • Homes & other properties
  • Business assets
  • Vehicles
  • Financial assets, including investments, checking, and savings
  • Estimated future income 

Who Should Consider Umbrella Insurance? 

Umbrella insurance isn’t for everyone. The extra cost may not make sense if you have limited assets and don’t expect them to grow significantly. However, some of us are at higher risk. That includes people who: 

  • Have a robust financial portfolio
  • Own a trampoline or pool. 
  • Anticipate a strong future income. 
  • Own property.
  • Own a business.
  • Coach youth. 
  • Enjoy outdoor sports like boating, skiing, or hunting.
  • Own dogs, horses, or other large animals.
  • Enjoy hosting events on your property.
  • Serve on a board. 

Three Key Reasons to Consider an Umbrella Policy 

So, when is umbrella insurance a good choice?  

  1. Your lifestyle includes higher risk. 
  2. You have significant assets to protect.
  3. You have children or higher risk exposure through your work. 

Umbrella insurance may be worth considering to protect your assets and future financial stability. If you have questions, call or stop by ALLConnecticut Insurance today. Our friendly staff proudly serves the West Hartford, CT area and is happy to answer your questions. 

Do all recreational policies offer full coverage?

You decide what your recreational policy from ALLConnecticut Insurance in West Hartford, CT covers. If you only want liability coverage, you can do that, similar to the minimum coverage for a car or truck. But you can also fully protect your finances and vehicles by obtaining full coverage.

You can choose recreational vehicle coverage for your RV, motorhome, golf carts, and more. Any vehicle you drive on the roads, even for a quick trip to the corner store, needs insurance. Your recreational policy, also sometimes called RV insurance or toy insurance, can feature the following types of coverage:

  • Property damage liability
  • Injury or death liability
  • Collision
  • Comprehensive
  • Roadside assistance

While you protect the other drivers on the road with liability coverage, the latter three policy coverage types protect your recreational vehicles.

If your ATV hits a root and tears up the undercarriage or your RV springs an oil leak, the comprehensive coverage pays for the repairs. If you run into someone’s mailbox with your RV, your collision coverage pays for the repairs to your RV. (Your liability coverage pays for the person’s mailbox.) The roadside assistance covers things like flat tires and running out of gas. A tow truck comes to your assistance with your roadside coverage paying for it.

Since most people purchase a recreational policy to cover their motorhome and vacation in it, we typically recommend that you buy a full coverage policy. Full coverage protects you, your vehicle, and your vacation. Some recreational vehicle coverage even includes rental car coverage, so if your RV takes a few days to fix, you’ll have a car to drive locally while you wait to get on the road again.

Contact ALLConnecticut Insurance serving West Hartford, CT for a recreational policy to protect your recreational vehicles. Let us help you create a custom policy that provides the coverage you need.

How Much Commercial Insurance Do I Need?

To protect your business against risks, you must consider commercial insurance. But to protect your business optimally with insurance, you must ensure you have purchased an adequate amount. But how much commercial insurance is enough? It’s never a straightforward answer because no business is similar to another. However, ALLConnecticut Insurance is here to guide you on the amount of business insurance you need.

Meet the regulatory requirements

Does your state have minimum business insurance requirements? This should be an excellent place to start. For instance, Connecticut requires all businesses to invest in worker’s comp insurance. Ensure you comply with this, but this is just a starting point — ensure you stick out your neck for other business insurance coverage options.

Furthermore, consider your lender’s requirements concerning business insurance if you have a business loan or mortgage. Again, your lender’s requirements only protect a portion of your business. It would help if you considered other business policies for all-rounded protection.

How much property insurance do I need?

If you maintain an asset register, you probably have an idea of the value of your assets. Ideally, the amount of commercial insurance you purchase should be enough to cover all your assets in the worst-case scenario.

Suppose a fire consumes your business premises and all its contents. Can your business insurance cover all the losses? If not, please talk to your insurance agent to help you buy an adequate amount.

How much liability insurance do I need?

This is usually difficult because you can’t predict the severity of liability claims you will face. However, as a thumb of rule, always purchase liability insurance equivalent to or more than your business assets’ value. Also, you assess how risky your business is. If you are at a high risk of lawsuits, you must consider umbrella insurance or excess liability coverage for optimal protection.

Need to learn more about commercial insurance in West Hartford, CT? Don’t hesitate to contact ALLConnecticut Insurance for all your business insurance solutions.

Do I need RV insurance if I only drive my RV once a year?

RVs provide a home’s comfort with a car’s convenience and mobility. Many people own RVs and are free to travel without worrying about hotel stays. Some people use their RV full-time, while others may use it only once a year. Our West Hartford, CT team at ALLConnecticut Insurance is dedicated to helping RV owners get the coverage they need.

What is RV Insurance?

RV insurance is similar to auto insurance in that it protects RV owners for liability or at-fault accidents, property damage, out-of-pocket costs for repair, and roadside help. In essence, RV insurance covers many of the same things auto insurance covers. This includes damage from auto accidents, extreme weather conditions, non-insured motorists, and more. Fire, theft, falling tree branches, and more are examples of incidents covered by RV insurance.

Do I need RV insurance if I Only Drive Once a year?

Whether you are a full-time RV-er or you drive your RV occasionally, you’re still required to carry liability insurance for your RV. Similar to cars, RV drivers are required to carry state liability coverage that meets the state minimum requirements. Plus, RV drivers living in a no-fault state must carry PIP or personal injury insurance. RV insurance can also provide roadside help if you need it. Your insurance agent can help you get the policy that meets your needs. If you have questions about RV insurance and want to know what an RV insurance policy covers, call us. We can help you find the coverage that suits your needs best, regardless of how frequently you drive your RV. 

Do I need auto insurance in West Hartford?

There are a lot of advantages that come with living in the West Hartford, CT area. If you are going to live here, you will find there are a lot of professional opportunities and other local amenities. If you do move here, having a car will be considered a necessity. Along with this, you will also need to have insurance. You will need to have an auto plan in this area for various purposes and reasons. 

Meet Various Requirements

You will first need auto insurance here to ensure you can comply with various requirements. Any car owner in this part of the state needs to have insurance as it will be an obligation to carry liability insurance. Also, many car owners will take out a loan when buying a car, and the lender will require that you have a full plan with comprehensive and collision insurance. 

Protect Yourself and Your Car

It is also a good idea to get auto insurance to ensure you can protect yourself and your car. If you are going to buy a car, you will have made a significant investment that you will want to pay off over the long run. A great way to ensure this can happen is by getting auto insurance, which will give coverage if your car is stolen, damaged, or you incur another loss. 

You will always want to know that you are appropriately covered in the West Hartford, CT area. If you choose to buy a car and need a plan, you should call the team with ALLConnecticut Insurance. The insurance professionals working with ALLConnecticut Insurance know the value of this coverage and can help you build a plan that will meet your needs. 

Do I need auto insurance in West Hartford?

There are a lot of advantages that come with living in the West Hartford, CT area. If you are going to live here, you will find there are a lot of professional opportunities and other local amenities. If you do move here, having a car will be considered a necessity. Along with this, you will also need to have insurance. You will need to have an auto plan in this area for various purposes and reasons. 

Meet Various Requirements

You will first need auto insurance here to ensure you can comply with various requirements. Any car owner in this part of the state needs to have insurance as it will be an obligation to carry liability insurance. Also, many car owners will take out a loan when buying a car, and the lender will require that you have a full plan with comprehensive and collision insurance. 

Protect Yourself and Your Car

It is also a good idea to get auto insurance to ensure you can protect yourself and your car. If you are going to buy a car, you will have made a significant investment that you will want to pay off over the long run. A great way to ensure this can happen is by getting auto insurance, which will give coverage if your car is stolen, damaged, or you incur another loss. 

You will always want to know that you are appropriately covered in the West Hartford, CT area. If you choose to buy a car and need a plan, you should call the team with ALLConnecticut Insurance. The insurance professionals working with ALLConnecticut Insurance know the value of this coverage and can help you build a plan that will meet your needs. 

How Does Owning A Pet Affect Home Insurance Coverage?

Did you know that nearly two out of three households across the United States own a dog? While most of us see our pets as an extended part of the family, factoring them into our home insurance is sometimes an afterthought. There is always a tiny chance that they could cause damage to your home or injury to a neighbor. Before you consider home insurance in West Hartford, CT, the experts from ALLConnecticut Insurance have provided this helpful overview of everything you need to know before your dog joins the family.

Home Insurance Coverage And Pets

A dog needs to be added to your home insurance policy when it becomes a household member. If you have a pet and are looking to buy home insurance, you should factor in the cost of coverage for your animal. Some aggressive breeds, such as Pitbulls and Rottweilers, may be excluded from home insurance policies or may come with additional charges. It’s always a good idea to know as much information about your pet, especially its specific breed.

Best Tips For Owning A Pet And Handling Home Insurance

Here are several things to keep in mind when you own a pet. Doing these things will make your life a lot easier with home insurance and ensure you stay compliant with your policy.

  • Ensure your dog stays current with vaccinations
  • Start early with training classes to help with behavior
  • Bring your pet to social gatherings to get used to other pets and humans

Learn More About Home Insurance And Your Pet

If you want to learn more about home insurance in West Hartford, CT, and you own a pet- specifically, a dog- our insurance experts can help. Call ALLConnecticut Insurance for any questions you have or if you want to get an estimate.

What is Recreational Insurance and Why Do I Need it in West Hartford, CT?

Like most people, you probably think of your car when you hear "insurance." But there’s another type of insurance that’s just as important: recreational vehicle (RV) insurance. Here’s what you need to know about recreational insurance in West Hartford, CT.

What is recreational vehicle insurance?

Recreational vehicle insurance is a type of insurance that helps protect you financially if your RV is damaged or stolen. It also covers you for damage to someone else’s property with your RV. Like car insurance, recreational vehicle insurance has different coverage options, so you can choose the one that best fits your needs.

Why do I need recreational vehicle insurance?

If you’re financing your RV, your lender will probably require you to have insurance. Even if you own your RV outright, it’s a good idea to insure it in case it’s damaged or stolen. RVs can be expensive to repair or replace, so having insurance can help financially if something happens to your RV.

An ALLConnecticut Insurance Agency representative can help you choose the right recreational vehicle insurance policy for your needs.

What Are My Choices for Recreational Insurance?

There are two main types of recreational vehicle insurance: comprehensive and collision. Comprehensive insurance covers damage to your RV that’s not caused by collisions, such as theft, vandalism, or weather damage. Collision insurance covers damage to your RV if it’s in an accident.

You can also choose to add other types of coverage to your recreational vehicle insurance policy, such as:

  • Roadside assistance: This coverage can help pay for towing and other services if your RV breaks down while you’re on the road.
  • Full-time coverage: If you live in your RV full time, you may want to add this coverage, designed for RVs used as primary residences.

Speak with an ALLConnecticut Insurance Agency representative to learn more about your coverage options and get a quote for recreational insurance.

Exclusions of Umbrella Insurance in West Hartford, CT

Irrespective of umbrella insurance not being mandatory in Connecticut, it provides a higher coverage limit than underlying traditional policies. Umbrella insurance is robust stand-alone liability coverage that offers a supplementary limit to other chief coverages like homeowners and auto insurance. Procuring umbrella insurance in West Hartford, CT safeguards a policyholder by providing supplemental coverage beyond protecting your assets. Additionally, the litigious society we thrive in, especially in West Hartford, CT, prompts one to own a picturesque financial plan in case a third party slaps you with an outrageous lawsuit. Please get in touch with our experienced agents at ALLConnecticut Insurance today. Our professional specialists will help forge a solidified umbrella insurance that will kick in when your underlying coverage is depleted. Keep reading to establish some of the exclusions of umbrella insurance:

It’s crucial to know that umbrella insurance won’t safeguard you against every imminent calamity is imperative. Most West Hartford, CT residents believe that umbrella insurance works as a stand-alone coverage, which is not the case. Therefore, it’s prudent to understand what umbrella insurance covers and doesn’t cover. Exclusions of umbrella insurance include:

In availability of underlying coverage like auto and home: Umbrella insurance doesn’t work in isolation. It kicks in to supplement other existing policies when they get depleted. This policy is supplemental rather than stand-alone coverage. Additionally, the insurer will require you to meet a specific coverage limit on your auto or home coverage before allowing you to add umbrella insurance on top of it.

Other exclusions include:

  • Damage to your personal property like appliances and furniture.
  • Personal injuries
  • Intentional or criminal undertakings
  • Property damage or injuries are emanating from specific scenarios like injuries cropping up when using uncovered recreational vehicles or owning uncovered dog breeds.
  • Other injuries or damages emanate from your business undertakings.

Do you need additional financial insulation for your existing underlying auto or home insurance policies when they get exhausted? Umbrella insurance may cover instances like libel, slander, and false imprisonment, which other policies don’t cover. Please call us at ALLConnecticut Insurance in West Hartford, CT today for more information about umbrella insurance.

4 Things To Consider When Buying RV Insurance in East Windsor, CT

Your RV is more than moving home. That’s why you want to protect it with adequate insurance to ensure it operates efficiently, keeps you safe, and takes you where you want to go. It’s also worth mentioning that you need insurance to drive in East Windsor, CT. Buying insurance is a critical process, just like buying the RV itself. You may want help from an insurance professional at ALLConnecticut Insurance to guide you through the purchase process. Part of the process includes these four considerations.

1. Your Budget

The first significant consideration you must make is creating a realistic budget. You may need to conduct some research and compare quotes before making a final decision. Determine if you want to pay your premiums annually or semi-annually, depending on how frequently you use the RV.

2. Your Traveling Needs

Driving needs vary from one RV owner to another. Besides how you use your RV, your lifestyle, where you like to travel to, the people or group you travel with, your driving record, and many other factors can affect the amount and type of coverages you buy. For instance, if you carry most valuables in your RV, you may need more protection or a separate policy to protect them.

3. How You Intend To Use the RV

If you don’t travel often and your RV stays in storage for most of the year, you should focus on coverages that protect your RV when in storage. If you’re ever on the roads, you may need to focus on full-time RV insurance combined with vocational liability, personal effects coverage, trip insurance, roadside assistance, and other travel-related coverages.

4. More Liability

Driving around East Windsor, CT means carrying adequate insurance every time to protect you in case of an accident. Like auto insurance, a considerable part of your policy should carry liability coverage. The coverage pays damages, injuries, and legal fees to other people if they get hurt by your RV.

Need RV Insurance? ALLConnecticut Insurance can help you find the policy you need to suit your budget, insurance needs, and personal style. Feel free to contact us for more information.