Do the Years I’ve Spent Driving a Company Car Count Towards My No Claims Bonus in West Hartford, CT?

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Insurance companies like to reward ‘good’ drivers. The reward often comes in the form of a discount on a car insurance policy. One of the most popular discounts offered to drivers is a no claims bonus.

A no claims bonus is a discount that is offered to policy holders that have not made any claims through an insurance company. Typically, the bonus is awarded based off of amount of time that an individual has driven a personal vehicle – 2 years, 5 years, or 6 years – without making any insurance claims, but the use of a company car may also count towards this insurance bonus.

Some car insurance providers allow individuals to use the amount of time they have safely driven a company car without making any claims. The insurance company will credit the individual driver with time as a safe driver if he or she has driven a company car, but only if proper proof can be provided.

Required proof and length of claim-free driving will vary depending upon the insurance company. Some insurance companies require an official letter from the employer that states how long the individual drove the auto, how many claims were filed, and even how many miles were driven.

Insurance companies will vary on the length of time an individual must spent driving a company car without a claim being filed to qualify for the no claims bonus. The length of time can vary from a single year of driving without any claims to five or six years.

We, your independent agent, can help you find insurance quotes that may take into consideration your time driving a company car in West Hartford, Connecticut. Contact us today to get more information on your specific insurance needs.

Who is my Point of Contact After Purchasing an Insurance in West Hartford, CT, Independent Agent/Insurer?

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When you purchase insurance in West Hartford, Connecticut with the help of an independent agent, you may wonder about your point of contact after the purchase goes through. You may worry about whether to contact the insurer with your questions or if your agent is a better source of information. Ultimately, the decision depends on the situation and the information that you need.

Working With an Agent

Purchasing coverage with the help of an agent means that the individual has taken time to find the right plan based on the needs you identify before you obtain coverage. An agent is able to answer your questions about the policy, exemptions, clauses or other concerns that arise based on the details of your plan.

Although an agent can give some information, you may discover that the agent does not have every answer that you need. In some cases, you may want to contact the insurer directly to determine the right course of action.

Talking to the Insurer

Your home insurance can seem complicated when you first start looking through the fine print of your policy. When you are not sure whether a specific situation falls under a clause or exemption, an agent can help. If you need to make a claim or you want to clarify the specific claims process of your insurance company, then your best point of contact is the insurer.

An agent can help you find the right plan for your needs, but may not always have every answer to your questions or concerns. The situation and the type of information that you need will ultimately dictate the best point of contact. To learn more about protecting your home, contact us to talk an agent today.

Ideas to Keep Commercial Insurance Costs under Control in West Hartford, CT

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Insurance is just one of many expenses that business owners must undertake, so it’s no wonder that many professionals inquire about ideas to keep their commercial insurance costs under control in West Hartford, Connecticut. Although some strategies apply to many businesses across the board, others are more closely dependant on the type of business and characteristics of its owner. So keep in mind that the most appropriate solutions for a particular business can best be discovered by consulting with an independent agent.

Many businesses that hold commercial insurance operate out of office, store, warehouse and other locations. We recommend that owners consider the risks associated with each of their Hartford business locations, preferably even before purchasing a particular location. If you own a store, you may be drawn to a historic building near Westmoor Park, but you may pay more to insure that historic building than you would for a new shop in Blue Black Square because older buildings can be at a higher risk for damages or need more complex and expensive maintenance over time. If you need an office where people can perform duties but aren’t expected to have in-person customer interactions, a building that is central and easy to get to is important but it probably isn’t worth paying a higher rate for a historic building just for its location. Perhaps a place near Flatbush Avenue would better fit your needs and your budget. The types of coverage that you are most likely to need also depend on your location and type of work. Some areas and business types have higher risks of theft, vandalism, fire, flood, and other perils. It’s not always clear to owners how insurance companies assign risk, but that’s where our independent agent can come in to provide the clarification that can help them save on their commercial insurance premiums.

What happens to my insurance in the process of buying and selling a house in West Hartford, CT?

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If you have ever bought a home or tried to sell one, then you know the challenges that you can face. One that you will have to decide about and answer is the issue of home insurance in West Hartford, Connecticut. To help you understand the process of insurance when buying and selling a home here is some information that you will need to know.

The Insurance Process When it Comes to Buying and Selling a Home

  • When selling your home you will need to keep a policy in force for as long as the home is in your name. Until the other party signs their name on the dotted line you are responsible for any damages that can occur.
  • When buying a home you will need to get a new policy in order to protect your new investment. The insurance will not take effect until you have full possession of the home after the final closing.
  • You will not be able to move one policy from one home to another. The house must have a completely new policy in place so it is protected for the right amount of coverage.
  • On the policy you cancel any unearned premiums that are left are usually refunded back to the policyholder. When this happens you will get a check in the mail several weeks after the cancelation date of the policy.

If you are thinking of buying or selling a home, you will want to contact your independent agent today. As your agent we can help guide you through the entire insurance process. It is vital that you speak with us right away. We can give you the tools you need to find the right policy for your new home.

Will independent agent in West Hartford, CT, help me to change the registration address on the auto policy?

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Can you help me get lower auto insurance rates for my car? As an independent agent, that is one of the most often asked questions that we are asked by clients looking to insure their vehicle. Of course we can help you get the most affordable Connecticut insurance rates on cars and other insurance products. We are also here to help you in many other ways.

For instance, an independent agent in West Hartford, Connecticut can help you change the registration address on your auto policy. Under Connecticut state law, you are required to notify your insurance carrier whenever there are any material changes that need to be made to your policy. If you want to add another driver or remove one, you can just call us and we will make the change for you.

If you move from one place to another in the state of Connecticut, that change of address must be reported. Part of the reason is that your insurance company needs to know how to contact you by mail and part of the reason is that a new registration address can affect the premium on your auto insurance policy.

You should not worry about having to change your vehicle registration address. It is no more complicated than notifying people who send you mail that you have moved to another address. If you are making monthly payments to your insurance company, they need to know where to send the next bill.

If you fail to notify them and do not pay your premium when it is due, your auto insurance could be canceled. As your independent agent, we will make sure you get the endorsement added to your policy that will change the registration address on your auto policy.

Can I remove liability and collision coverage in West Hartford, CT, while my RV is in storage?

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If you own an RV in West Hartford, Connecticut and use this vehicle during the summer months, you will need full coverage including liability and collision while you are on the road. During the months that you do not use your recreational vehicle you can store the vehicle in a safe area. If you have room at your home site for your vehicle, you can store it there. Call your independent agent for all the details on a policy.

Many people wonder if they should pay the extra money on their recreational vehicle policy while it is just sitting unused. The vehicle sitting all winter can still become damaged. Weather can play a part in this kind of damage, unless the RV is stored inside a garage. There are still no guarantees that the vehicle will not become damaged.

Your vehicle should still carry a policy due to the risk for theft or vandalism of the vehicle while not being used. Theft and vandalism can also occur in the interior and to your personal possessions. Most storage companies do not carry insurance on any vehicle, and will tell their customers they must carry personal insurance.

Call your independent agent about insurance policy for your vehicle while it is not in use. Your company may cover the vehicle while in storage. You have the option of requesting a larger deductible amount while it is off the road. This will in turn lower your premium policy.

It is a wise idea to carry liability and collision coverage on your stored vehicle, in case of theft of the vehicle. Call your independent agent in West Hartford, Connecticut. An independent agent can help you sort out the details, for your Connecticut policy.

In West Hartford, CT, Do I need liability insurance if my business is incorporated?

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An incorporated business can protect owners from financial ruin in the face of bankruptcy or a lawsuit. However, simply incorporating your business may not be enough to protect your West Hartford business from all the risks. Commercial insurance with liability coverage reduces the gaps in protection that many Connecticut business owners face.

What is Liability Insurance?

Business liability insurance covers legal expenses and court fees if your business is sued. In today’s litigious society, businesses of nearly any size engage in activities that make them vulnerable to lawsuits. Liability insurance also expands to cover the actions of your employees so that you won’t suffer the fallout from a negligent employee.

Benefits of Liability Insurance

Though incorporating your business protects you, the owner, from having to use your personal assets to bail out your company, liability insurance serves as an added layer of protection that is necessary. If you are on the losing side of a lawsuit, then the status of your business can absolve you from any personal responsibilities. However, liability insurance is important because it protects your business from going under in face of a legal challenge. Liability insurance covers attorney fees and court costs so that you can increase your chances of surviving a lawsuit.

How an Independent Agent Can Help

An independent agent can help you add business liability insurance to your commercial insurance policy. We can help you obtain the right level of coverage so that your policy will cover the amount of money you will need to defend a lawsuit. We can help you determine what type of coverage suits your business and addresses the risks in your industry. Protecting your business from liability can’t wait, so contact us to speak with an independent agent today.

Will my commercial insurance policy cover me from interest, penalties or fines in West Hartford,CT?

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You can purchase a commercial insurance policy in West Hartford, Connecticut that will cover you and your business for many different contingencies, but one of the things it will not cover is any interest, penalties or fines you incur. A commercial insurance policy can be bought to protect a single auto or a fleet of vehicles.

Depending upon the type of coverage you purchase, it will pay for liability claims, damage to your vehicle and for such things as towing and car rental charges when your vehicle is being repaired. What it will not pay for is a fine for speeding or a penalty for driving with an expired driver’s license.

No commercial insurance company is going to pay for penalties or fines you receive because you broke Connecticut law or were negligent in your behavior. Business insurance does cover loss of income, but not loss of interest on the money you would have earned. You can not collect for what possibly could have happened, only on actual damages.

Think of it like you would in a liability case. Who would be liable if someone slips and falls on a spill in the aisle of a grocery store if a bottle of soda explodes and leaves a puddle on the floor? The grocery store would certainly have liability for not cleaning up the mess and you might have a case against the bottling plant if the bottle was not properly sealed. It would be hard to find fault with the driver of the truck who delivered the soda.

As an independent agent, we handle all types of commercial needs. If you are running a business in West Hartford and need to buy commercial insurance, give us a call. An independent agent can answer all of your questions and find you a policy that will protect you and your business.

In West Hartford, CT, Do I have coverage under my business insurance policy if I suffer a huge loss caused by Tornado/Fire/?

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A standard home policy in West Hartford, Connecticut will protect your home from damage to the structure from perils such as fire, golf-ball sized hail and even a tornado. Home liability covers you in case someone is injured or has their personal property destroyed while on your premises. The same is true when you buy business insurance. If you have a business, there are many different types of business insurance you might want or need to have.

For instance, you could buy a general business liability policy that protects you against liability claims from customers or others who may be injured while walking in your store or falling outside in your parking lot. You can buy commercial insurance that will compensate you for the loss of a key employee and one called errors and omissions if you run a service business like a law or accounting office. Other commercial insurance policies include general liability and product liability.

If you want protection against loss from a fire, hurricane or tornado, you need to have commercial property insurance. Property insurance is a broad category that covers everything from loss due to fire, smoke and hail storms to lost income computers and even money.

There are two distinct types of property insurance policies you can buy for your business. The first is an all-risk policy which covers all perils except those specifically excluded. The second is peril-specific, which only covers named perils. While the first type of coverage is broader and covers many different types of losses, a peril-specific property insurance policy covers a particular event like a fire, flood or tornado. Both types of policies are good, but if you are only concerned about fire and smoke damage, the specific policy is less expensive than the all-risk policy.

If you are trying to figure out what kind of business insurance you need, give us a shout and talk to an independent agent who can access your business and set you up with a policy that protects at a price you can afford.

Can someone, other than me in West Hartford, CT, make payments on my home insurance policy?

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You may wonder what you should do if the premium on your home insurance policy is due tomorrow and you are away from your West Hartford, Connecticut home and can not make the payment yourself. If it is inconvenient or impossible to access your funds to make payments on your home policy, you can have someone else make those payments. As long as the insurance company receives a payment for your account, they do not care who signed the check.

If you happen to get ill and wind up having to stay in the hospital for three or four months, worrying about paying your mortgage, home insurance or other bills, is probably the furthest thing on your mind. You may be too sick to handle such tasks or you may not have access to your money. It is perfectly okay to have someone else make payments on your home policy so you do not risk having the policy canceled. Of course, you should make sure to either give them access to your funds or pay them back when you recover and are out of the hospital.

When a judge slams down the gavel and sentences you to three years in a Connecticut prison that does not mean that you will lose your home. You can arrange to have your spouse, a family member or a trusted friend to handle your financial affairs while you are incarcerated. They can make the payments on your home insurance and mortgage so when you get out of jail, you still have a place to call home.

Whether you are away on a long European vacation, stationed overseas for military service or lying in a hospital bed, you can have someone else make your home insurance payments. Give us a call and an independent agent can suggest the best way to set up an arrangement for paying your premiums when you are not able to do on your own.