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When looking to upgrade your home, you are usually concerned with how it will affect your home insurance rates—with good reason. Upgrades to your home often increases its replacement cost value, which can influence how much home insurance you need and how much you pay for it. But certain upgrades can actually serve to save you money on home insurance.

This is because home insurance premiums are primarily based on the risk you present to the insurer of filing a claim. The more likely you are to file a claim, the more you may pay for home insurance. On the other hand, lowering your risk of filing a claim can actually save you money on home insurance. You can do so by protecting your home with extra security measures.

Anti-Burglary Alarms

Anti-theft and anti-burglary systems can help prevent loss due to theft and vandalism by deterring potential thieves. Even having a sign in your yard that declares your home is armed can be enough to turn away would-be thieves and burglars. Installing one of these can save you money on your home insurance rates as well as giving you further peace of mind.

Upgraded Fire Alarms

Your home likely comes with fire alarms and sprinklers, but not all of them are created equal. Updating your fire alarm system can help prevent bad fires by setting off earlier and louder. Some can also cut down on the time it takes for emergency services to reach your home.

Weather-Resistant Roof

Installing a weather resistant roof can help reduce the damages to your roof and home caused by bad weather such as high winds, rain and hail. By reducing the likelihood of damage to your home, you can lower the likelihood that you will need to file a claim with your insurance provider.

Proximity to Emergency Services

In many cases, your actual proximity to emergency services can affect your home insurance rates. The closer you are to a fire station or hospital, the more you can save on home insurance. This is because being closer means cutting down on response times and possibly reducing the damage that can occur due to a fire and more.

Speak with an insurance agent about your home insurance rates and other ways you can save money by asking about discounts or upgrading your home’s safety measures to prevent claims.

Navigating the complexities of car insurance can be overwhelming for new drivers. With so many options and terms to understand, making informed decisions is crucial to ensure you’re adequately protected on the road. Whether you’re just starting or looking to update your policy, these insights can help you drive with confidence and peace of mind.

Insurance Tips for New Drivers

The following are insurance tips for new drivers:

• Understand the basics. Before diving into policies, familiarize yourself with the basic types of car insurance coverage. This includes researching liability insurance, collision insurance, comprehensive insurance and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, among others.
• Shop around. Ask for quotes from multiple insurers to compare prices and coverage options. Online comparison tools can simplify this process.
• Consider your deductible. A deductible is the amount you pay out of pocket before your insurance kicks in. Higher deductibles typically result in lower premiums, but it’s important to ensure you can afford the deductible in the event of an incident.
• Look for discounts. Many insurers offer discounts for various reasons, such as being a safe driver.
• Evaluate your coverage needs. Consider your car’s age and value, driving habits, and financial situation.
• Maintain a good driving record. Driving safely can protect your well-being and that of others, as well as contribute to reducing your insurance premiums.
• Review your policy regularly. Your insurance needs may change over time. Review your policy annually to ensure it still meets your needs and to take advantage of any new discounts or coverage options.

Learn More

Contact ProtectALL Insurance to discuss your car insurance options. We can work with new drivers to help them understand their coverage.

This blog is intended for informational and educational use only. It is not exhaustive and should not be construed as legal advice. Please contact your insurance professional for further information.

Home invasions involve a criminal entering your residence when you are home—typically on the weekend or at night. Far more dangerous than a typical burglary, these intruders aren’t stopped by alarm systems, door locks or barred windows. They will do whatever they can to enter a home and take full control.

Wealthy neighborhoods with expensive homes tend to see these crimes the most. Criminals often choose their victims based on the cars in the driveway, the jewelry worn or the way the house looks. Home invaders often surveil the homeowner for a while to determine the wealth involved.

During a typical home invasion, criminals may impersonate delivery drivers or maintenance workers to gain access into the home. After taking control, the criminal may tie up or immobilize the homeowner in some way and then begin to search for valuables. They may also force the homeowner to locate valuables or open safes.

Home Invasion Insurance

A standard homeowners insurance policy does not offer home invasion protection. This policy only provides coverage for loss or damage to property. You need home invasion insurance, which provides protection for people-related risks, such as abductions and injuries. Also, a typical health insurance policy only provides limited mental health coverage, which usually is necessary after experiencing a traumatic home invasion.

Home invasion insurance provides a financial safety net for accidental death, dismemberment and bodily injury during a home invasion. It can be added to your standard homeowners and health insurance policies to ensure full protection against losses.

Additional Protections

Add these protections to help ensure you are prepared and protected in case of a home invasion:

• Install solid core doors with strong locks and security devices on your windows. Secure your locks even further with heavy-duty strike plates with at least four 3-inch screws.
• Keep doors and windows locked at all times.
• Install a peephole and don’t let anyone into your home before seeing who is at the door. Use your porch light at night to easily see who is at your door when it is dark outside.
• Do not open your door to strangers or solicitors. Call the police immediately if someone acts suspiciously.
• Keep your window shades closed at night. If someone can’t see into your home, they may not feel comfortable trying to get in.
• If you are home alone, make it appear as though you are not. Turn on extra lights and televisions in various rooms throughout your house.
• Get a dog. A dog might alert you to potential invaders and even scare them away.
• Keep any firearms securely hidden in your master bedroom. Often, in home invasions, victims are confined to the bedroom.
• Make sure your entire family knows your home security plans so everyone is prepared.

Top Ways to Save on Your Premium

• Consider raising your deductible.
• Invest in a home security system.
• Update exterior locks to dead bolts.
• Install smoke alarms.
• Select an automatic payment method.
• Monitor your credit rating.
• Look into multi-policy discounts.

Are You Vulnerable?

Most homeowners think invasions happen to others. But by not taking the necessary precautions to protect against these violent crimes, they can make themselves the target.

The most common point of attack is the front door and garage area. Home invaders may even kick down the front door to get into the home and gain full control.

Disclaimer: This brochure is provided for informational purposes only. The information provided herein is not intended to be exhaustive, nor should it be construed as advice regarding coverage. Eligibility for coverage is not guaranteed and all coverages are limited to the terms and conditions contained in the applicable policy.

Young drivers—in reality, new drivers of any age—need to realize that they are more of a cost risk to insurance companies. From the insurer’s standpoint, these drivers are more likely to have wrecks as a result of their inexperience. They therefore are more likely to file claims on their policies. As a result, they are more likely to pay higher premiums.

Still, auto insurance premiums can vary from driver to driver. After all, just because two drivers are the same age, that doesn’t mean that one will not be any safer behind the wheel than the other. Therefore, the insurer will dig into the details of the individual to see how likely they are to have a wreck.

If an insurer sees your driving record has a lot of previous infractions, then they know that your behind- the-wheel behavior could wind up costing them. As a result, the cleaner your record, the lower your premium might be. By maintaining safe habits from the day you become licensed, you will be able to maintain stable premiums throughout your years as a driver.

Risks Faced by New Drivers

Younger drivers, or drivers who recently became licensed, have likely undergone extensive driver’s education training. However, as much practice as you might have had, and as many tests as you might have passed, you still haven’t accumulated years of experience behind the wheel. Drivers encounter unique risk scenarios every day, and it often takes us all years to build up the practical knowledge to know how to truly be the safest driver.

A younger or inexperienced driver does not yet have this breadth of knowledge. They haven’t encountered real-world scenarios that will both test their skills and teach them important lessons about driving safely. As a result, they are more likely to engage in high-risk, dangerous behaviors that could lead them into trouble. Overall, younger drivers are more likely to get tickets, cause accidents, receive DUIs or commit other driving infractions.

The Insurance Ramifications of Being a New Driver

New drivers don’t get a free pass to disobey the law. They still must follow the same rules of the road as everyone else. In fact, they are often under the highest levels of scrutiny of anyone else, not only from the police but also from their auto insurer.

Therefore, a new driver who commits a driving infraction will likely see their auto insurance premiums increase. Since most younger drivers have a higher-than-average premium in the first place, then one who racks up black marks on their driving record are likely to see their costs rise higher and higher. This higher premium might affect them not only in the short-term, but also well into the future.

Driving records are not temporary. They will reflect your behind-the-wheel habits and actions for the rest of your life. Therefore, even if you caused a wreck when you were 16 years old, you might have to pay higher auto insurance premiums for quite a few years. When insurers quote a driver’s premium, they will likely review several years’ worth of their record. As a result, those who they see have a lot of infractions will have to pay a much high premium.

Therefore, it is always best to be the safest driver you can be. That way, you will be able to keep your driving record clear, and you’ll never have to worry about your insurer looking back to find numerous indicators that could increase your premiums.

Some of the things you can do to keep your driving record clear and keep your premiums affordable well into the future are:

• Always maintain auto insurance. Forty-nine states require drivers to carry minimum amounts of car insurance, and if you are caught without it, then you will face penalties. An insurer who sees that you have previously driven uninsured will definitely consider you a high-risk driver.
• Keep your license and registration up to date. If you drive without the appropriate documentation, then you can face charges that will go on your driving record.
• Inquire about taking a defensive driving course. These classes help you brush up on your driving skills and learn how to be a more alert and conscientious driver. Your insurer might offer you a discount once you complete this course.

Your driving record will likely reflect infractions indefinitely. However, most insurers will only review a certain number of years on your record, rather than looking all the way back to the time you became licensed. As a result, if they see a clean span on your record, then your risk rating will likely improve, and you might be able to comparatively save money compared to others. It is never too late to commit to safe driving, and it’s best to do it while you are still young.

Commercial property insurance provides coverage for business property from a range of dangers, such as fire, wind, hail, theft and vandalism. As with most policies, however, commercial property insurance has its limits. There are some incidents and items that are not covered—including a building’s foundation.

A building’s foundation and suffer a lot of damage due to fire, floods and other disasters. Common signs that the business’ building has foundation issues are gaps in window frames or doors, uneven floors, sticking doors, and sinking foundation. Foundation issues often arise due to moist soil expanding beneath the foundation, plumbing leaks, low moisture or pre-construction issues.

Losing the foundation of a building can be a devastating loss. Replacing the foundation is expensive and putting operations on hold in order to fix the damage can lose the business a lot of money. This cost is, in part, why commercial property policies typically exclude foundation damage. Commercial property insurance also doesn’t cover normal wear and tear, which often occurs to property foundations after time.

Commercial Property Endorsements

Thankfully, there are ways to get around commercial property exclusions. Most insurance agencies offer endorsements, which is extra coverage business owners can purchase to fill in the gaps left by basic commercial property insurance.

There are two main endorsements you can add to your policy.

• Additional Covered Property: Additional covered property adds coverage to the property already included on the policy. This can provide coverage for otherwise excluded aspects of the property, such as the foundation.
• Additional Building Property: Additional building property allows the policyholder to add buildings to the policy that could possibly be considered personal property.

Other Exclusions

Besides foundation, common exclusions for commercial property insurance include:

• Flood damage
• Earthquake damage
• Sewage damage
• Electronically stored data
• Vehicles, including aircrafts and watercrafts
• Money
• Land

To cover these items or risks, you will have to purchase a separate policy. Floods and earthquakes are typically excluded from all basic property coverages but is extremely important for businesses in high-risk areas for these dangers.

Common policies business owners add to their coverage are:

• Cyber Insurance: Cyber insurance compensates for data kept electronically that is damaged or lost. It can also cover liability related to leaked or stolen information after a cyberattack.
• Commercial Auto Insurance: Commercial auto insurance covers vehicles used or owned by the business. It can cover fire, wind, hail, theft, falling items, collisions and more.
• Equipment Breakdown Coverage: Equipment breakdown coverage compensates the business if an important piece of equipment suddenly breaks down. For example, if a restaurant’s freezer suddenly has an electric shortage, repairing or replacing it without insurance could be expensive. Restaurants and other businesses that serve produce can also purchase spoilage coverage for food that is damaged or lost due to an equipment breakdown.
• Inland Marine Insurance: Inland marine insurance provides compensation for items and equipment that are in transport.
• Builder’s Risk Insurance: Builder’s risk insurance covers buildings and projects that are being built.
• Crime Insurance: Crime insurance steps in if an employee steals money or property from the business.

Bundling Coverages

Obviously, carrying these coverages can be complicated if purchased all as separate policies. Thankfully, insurance agencies often offer bundles for business owners. There are two main commercial policy bundles: business owners policies and commercial package policies.

A business owners policy (BOP) combines property coverage and general liability insurance for small businesses. Commercial package policies combine the same coverage for larger businesses in high-risk industries. Both policies allow the policyholder to combine commercial coverages into one comprehensive policy that is often more affordable than purchasing coverage separately.

Insuring your business is one of the most important protective measures you can take. Many small business owners rely on business owners policies (BOPs) as an easy way to get coverage. BOPs provide several of the most-necessary business coverage elements in one place. Among their coverage, they will likely include property or possessions insurance. This will provide protection for your business’s hard assets, including most electronics. These are some of the most-important assets to insure, and you will soon find out why.

Yes, you should insure your electronics, but you should also safeguard them. The better you protect these items, the lower your insurance risks might prove.

BOPs and Electronics Coverage

A BOP will contain a few critical elements of insurance for businesses. Among them, policyholders will likely find property insurance. Though property coverage usually applies first to your business’s structure, it will usually cover possessions as well.

Should a mishap damage or destroy business possessions, you might be able to make a property insurance claim to recoup your losses. You can repair or replace items without putting operations or solvency on the line. Among the possessions you might be able to claim are electronics, including:

• Computers and monitors
• Tablets
• TVs
• Hard drives and data systems
• Cameras and recording equipment

Work with your agent to get full value coverage for your electronics and data systems. In most cases, BOPs will provide coverage for the replacement cost of the electronics. This means you will be able to buy a new system at the price it would cost you today. Keep in mind, some policies might also pay different total limits for different items. For example, some will place separate limits on computers compared to other items.

Keep in mind, you’ll also want to insure the data within your systems. You’ll likely need:

• Electronic data loss insurance: Coverage can help you recover or replace data lost due to covered incidents. You might be able to make claims after fires, system theft, virus attacks and other hazards.
• Cyber liability coverage: A loss of data, might put your customers in the way of identity theft and other losses. You can use this coverage to pay for data recovery and monitoring services to protect clients’ personal security. Coverage might also protect you against lawsuits levied by regulators or clients.

Keep in mind, many BOPs do not automatically include cyber liability insurance. You will likely need to ask your agent to add this coverage to your policy. Let our agent help you choose the coverage limits and protection necessary for your electronics.

Running a business can be enjoyable and rewarding, but it’s rarely easy. As the owner of your own company, you’ve taken on considerable risk, making it necessary to prioritize ample risk management and loss control measures. Fortunately, when considering various insurance products, a business owners policy (BOP) may be capable of fulfilling multiple coverage needs while maximizing the cost-effectiveness of your premiums.

What Is a BOP?

BOPs are multifaceted insurance products intended to help commercial entities address several types of risks and exposures. These policies are typically available to small- and medium-sized companies and may provide lower overall costs than if you were to purchase the various coverages included in them separately. Additionally, BOPs can offer greater convenience and communication capabilities, as your business will work with the same carrier for multiple needs.

What Do Business Owners Policies Cover?

Your BOP can be personalized and tailored to suit your business’s unique circumstances and needs, but in most cases, these arrangements include the following components:

• General liability insurance—These policies can offset other parties’ losses for which you may be at fault, including bodily injuries, property damage and personal and advertising injuries (e.g., slander, libel and copyright infringement).
• Commercial property insurance—This part of your BOP can help you repair, restore or replace tangible assets, such as your business’s buildings, equipment, inventory and furniture. Covered perils typically include fires, theft, vandalism, some types of water damage and certain natural disasters.
• Business interruption insurance—If a covered incident disrupts your company’s operations, this type of insurance may be essential in helping you recoup reduced revenue and pay for ongoing expenses, such as rent and loans.

We’re Here to Help

Contact ProtectALL Insurance today to learn more about BOPs or get a personalized quote.

This blog is intended for informational and educational use only. It is not exhaustive and should not be construed as legal advice. Please contact your insurance professional for further information.

In today’s world, one-size-fits-all solutions are becoming a thing of the past, and home insurance is no exception. Personalized coverage is the new frontier, offering homeowners tailored protection that meets their unique needs and circumstances. This approach can help ensure that your home insurance fits like a glove, providing peace of mind and financial security.

Understanding Personalized Coverage

Personalized home insurance coverage is designed to cater to the specific requirements of individual homeowners. Unlike traditional policies that offer standard coverage options, personalized insurance considers various factors such as the location of your home, its age, construction materials and even your lifestyle. Your policy can be crafted to address the unique risks and needs associated with your property.

Benefits of Personalized Home Insurance

The following are potential benefits of personalized home insurance:

• Thorough protection—Personalized coverage can help protect all aspects of your home. Whether it’s safeguarding against severe weather, theft or accidental damage, your policy will be tailored to cover the specific risks your home faces.
• Affordability—By focusing on your unique needs, personalized home insurance can be more cost-effective. You won’t be paying for coverage you don’t need, and you can choose higher limits for areas where you need more financial protection.
• Flexibility—Personalized policies offer greater flexibility. You can adjust your coverage as your needs change, helping to ensure that your insurance evolves with you. This is particularly useful for homeowners who renovate or upgrade their property.
• Enhanced customer service—Insurance providers offering personalized coverage often provide better customer service. They take the time to understand your needs and offer expert advice, helping to ensure you get the best possible financial protection.

Learn More

Contact ProtectALL Insurance to get tailored policy recommendations.

This blog is intended for informational and educational use only. It is not exhaustive and should not be construed as legal advice. Please contact your insurance professional for further information.

While you are still young, you might still want to get out and see the world. Road trips might be you and your spouse’s preferred mode of travel, and to really be able to enjoy the scenery, you might have decided to buy an RV. It might be small or large, high-tech or relatively simple. However, two facts are constant—RVs are motor vehicles and dwelling places. Therefore, they need the best of both insurance policies. RV insurance can help you get that coverage. If you plan to use yours for an extended trip, here’s how your policy can help you.

Understanding RV Insurance

You have to drive your RV from place to place, even if you keep it parked in one site for a long period of time. Therefore, it needs various pieces of motor vehicle insurance, though standard car insurance won’t work.

Additionally, the vehicle functions as a home to a degree, and living in it comes with many of the common risks and liabilities that might threaten any homeowner. Still, special risks exist as well.

As a result, RV Insurance offers many of the types of coverage that both separate homeowners and car insurance will provide. However, it will come with specifically tailored terms and limits that apply to the special status of this vehicle. Whether you plan to use it on the road, or stay in it as your residence during vacations, then you’ll need both types of protection.

RV Auto Coverage

Like any driver, RV operators need motor vehicle insurance. The coverage within the policy might include:

• Liability insurance: Required of all drivers by most states, liability insurance pays when RV drivers cause wrecks that damage the property of others or injure third parties. So, if you accidentally swerve across the center lane and hit another vehicle, then this coverage can pay the other driver for their injury costs and vehicle repairs.
• Collision coverage: If the RV sustains damage in a wreck, this coverage can pay for the repairs.
• Comprehensive insurance: Non-accident damage has coverage under this part of your policy. While you have the RV parked at a campsite, something like a storm or fire might damage it. This coverage can pay for the recovery costs.
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: Another driver might hit your RV, or vandals might damage it. If the parties responsible for the damage don’t have liability insurance, or limits that aren’t high enough to cover the costs of your damage, then this coverage on your own policy can help pay.

Residential Coverage

While living in the RV for any length of time, you want to keep it as secure as your home. Therefore, consider adding coverage to your policy like:

• Contents coverage: Your personal belongings can receive coverage under this policy. So, if a fire damages your possessions while on your vacation, your policy can pay for the recovery costs.
• Personal liability insurance: This is different from motor vehicle liability insurance. It applies when you cause harm to someone else, but while your RV is set up at a camp site. So, if a neighbor falls while walking down the RV steps to sit outside, this policy can pay for that person’s recovery costs. Policies also pay an accidental medical payments component, which allows you to assist people when they get hurt, regardless of who caused the wreck. This might help you avoid lawsuits later.
• Expenses coverage: There’s no guarantee that your vacation will work out perfectly. If your RV sustains damage, then you might have to return home. This policy might help you avoid paying for things like hotel or dining costs until you can return home.

Ask your RV insurer how these policies will apply during temporary vacations as opposed to permanent residency in the RV. Coverage might apply differently in each situations. Sometimes, you might need to upgrade your policy to full-timer coverage, which can affect how much your residential coverage will apply.

Everyone looks forward to when they can take a break from work and enjoy a vacation. Every vacation should be full of fun, laughter and memories, but some family vacations are riddled with problems that could have been avoided. Consider the following travel tips to help keep your family safe if you decide to take a road trip.

Plan Your Routes Before Leaving

If something bad can happen, then it is safe to assume it will happen; and you need to know your surroundings just in case. Whether you are traveling from coast to coast or around your state, knowing where you can get help or where to stop for gas reduces risks.

Keep Copies of Important Documents with You

Although you don’t need to have all of your personal documents with you while you are on vacation, it’s important to have those that matter, like your auto insurance policy. These documents contain information you may need in a hurry, and shouldn’t be left behind. 

Avoid Driving at Night

Nighttime typically brings more risks than driving while it’s light out. For one, many accidents tend to happen at night because visibility is low and impaired drivers are more likely to be on the road. You should plan your trip around traveling during the day to ensure that you can see at a distance.

Additionally, when you travel at night, you may become the victim of a crime because there are fewer deterrents at night. Instead of traveling at night, you and your family should find a hotel to stay so you can get some rest. Although getting a hotel may add to the budget, your safety is worth it.

Avoid Internet Cafes

Everyone loves access to free Wi-Fi. Internet cafes seem like a great option since you gain access to the internet with little to no costs to you; however, hackers could be lurking ready to steal your information if you let your guard down. It is safer to use your cellphone’s internet as a mobile hotspot than to go to an unknown Internet café.

You can keep your vacation safe by taking precaution in all that you do. From getting maintenance on your car to copying your car insurance documents, you have to be deliberate in your actions when you are trying to protect your family during vacation.

Keep your family safe during road trips. Call ProtectALL Insurance at (833) 377 – 6832 for more information on Dublin auto insurance.