Motorbikes need special maintenance to transition from season to season. At Berks County Insurance, we want you to enjoy your rides around Reading, PA. That means keeping your motorcycle in top condition.

Transitioning from summer to fall riding takes a little maintenance to keep the bike running well. This process prepares you for those chillier rides before you put it up for winter.

During summer, you probably rode your bike in sandy or muddy conditions. It very likely picked up some dirt and debris. It needs you to wash it. Dirt and grime can damage your motorbike because they can enter the wheel wells, engine, gears, and seat.

Check the tires. Measure tread depth. Check the PSI of both tires. Examine both for foreign objects. Replace any worn tire.

Change the oil. Summer’s heat combined with frequent riding saps your oil. It probably became rather dirty, too. Fresh oil provides you with a better ride from your bike.

Ride the bike until the gas tank is near empty. Once it’s nearly emptied, top it up with the best available gasoline, then add a fuel additive/cleaner product.

Check the battery. Examine the leads for corrosion. Measure the battery’s charge and use a trickle-charger to charge it fully.

You’ll repeat many of the items you check when you get ready to put your bike up for the winter. Doing them at the end of the summer season prepares you for more enjoyable fall rides.

Let Berks County Insurance help you with your motorbike insurance, too. We serve those in Reading, PA with the insurance they need to remain secure on the roads of Pennsylvania.

If you own a boat, you’ve probably experienced the joy of taking it out on the water. But if you’ve ever taken a boat out of the water to transport it, you know it’s not easy! It would help if you found a way to get your boat from the marina to your home or business. But how do you do that safely?

Berks County Insurance is happy to help our customers in Reading, PA understand the ins and outs of hauling a boat. Here are some tips to keep in mind.

1. Learn how your trailer’s jack works.

All trailers are different, so even if you’ve jacked up one before, read the manual for the new one. If you don’t, you could damage the trailer or your boat.

2. Always check your tire pressure.

Your trailer’s tires will leak air, even if you don’t use them much. Low air pressure is dangerous for your trailer and your boat. The tires can heat up and blow out while driving, which could cause a bad accident. Make sure to inflate your tires properly before every trip.

3. Check your lights, too.

Speaking of things to check before every trip, make sure your trailer’s lights are working. It’s a common joke among boaters that trailer lights always fail, but not fixing them can be a severe safety issue. Not only do signal lights keep you and other drivers safe, but in many states, they’re required by law.

4. Double-check (even triple-check) your hitch.

High-balling your trailer coupler is when the trailer hitch is too high and causes the trailer to be pulled up and over the coupler. This is dangerous, so always double-check your trailer hitch is at the right height.

Even when you do everything right, things can still go wrong. Protect yourself and your boat with a boat insurance policy from Berks County Insurance of Reading, PA.

Berks County Insurance is proud to be an insurance resource for the greater Reading, PA community. We can address all of your insurance needs, no matter what they may be. Call our office today and schedule a time to discuss insurance solutions for your family.

What you need to know about flood insurance

There are a lot of questions about flood insurance, and you may not be sure if you need it or not. There are a few things to know when you are deciding if you need a flood insurance policy:

• You may need flood insurance even if you don’t live in a flood plain. Just because you are not in a flood area, does not mean that you can’t benefit from having a policy. Many areas that are considered low-risk suffer flood damage. 
• Flood insurance can be a good idea, even if your lender doesn’t require you to have it. Often, a lender won’t require a certain type of policy, and the homeowner will think they don’t need it. This can lead you to take on more personal responsibility than is comfortable.
• Your homeowner’s policy doesn’t cover many types of flood damage. Read your homeowner’s policy carefully. There may be several exclusions when it comes to water damage. Make sure that you have the protection you need. This can often mean getting a flood policy.

Answering your questions about flood insurance

If you are a homeowner in the Reading, PA area, you may have questions about flood insurance. Fortunately, the team at Berks County Insurance is here to answer them. Flood insurance can be confusing, and you may not know if you need it or not. Give us a call today, and let us answer those questions for you!

Flood insurance is designed to cover damage to your home, dwelling, and personal belongings due to an overflow of water on land that’s usually dry. A standard homeowners policy will not cover damage caused by a flood. This is why flood insurance is purchased as a separate policy. Our team at Berks County Insurance is committed to helping Reading, PA, homeowners, and business owners get the protection/coverage they need by investing in flood insurance. 

What’s Covered Under a Flood Insurance Policy?

Floods are the most common natural disaster in the U.S. As a result, it may make sense to invest in this type of insurance if you live in an area prone to flooding. Flood insurance provides coverage for your home or business, personal belongings, and even your car. This coverage covers your external and internal home or dwelling, including your electrical and plumbing systems. A typical flood insurance policy provides coverage for your home or business for up to $250K. 

Flood insurance also provides up to $100K for personal items, including clothing, furniture, TVs, PCs, laptops, and any other personal items in your home or business. Even the clean-up after the flood is covered under a flood insurance policy. An additional $30K classified as "increased cost of compliance" charges is also available to meet state and local regulations to repair a property damaged by a flood.

Other Considerations

Home and business owners who feel they may need more flood insurance can purchase additional coverage. Our team at Berks County Insurance can discuss your situation to determine how much flood insurance you need to protect your home, business, and personal belongings.

Life insurance is an essential part of life. Unfortunately, many people just don’t know it yet.

In fact, the Life Insurance Marketing and Research Association (LIMRA) reported that only 54% of people in the U.S. had some form of life insurance coverage in 2020. Of those policyholders, LIMRA also found that every one in five people felt their current life insurance was inadequate. 

Berks County Insurance wants to close that gap. Located in Reading, PA, the agency understands the importance of life insurance. While there are countless reasons to purchase a policy right away, their expert agents share the top five benefits of having a life insurance policy.

Protect loved ones

The primary purpose of life insurance is to protect your loved ones. If you unexpectedly pass, life insurance ensures you can continue to provide for them long after you’re gone.

Replace lost income

Life insurance supplements any lost income that you earned to help support your family. This helps with daily needs and alleviates some financial burdens.

Pay off debts

Keep bills from piling up. In addition to these living expenses, life insurance covers any outstanding loans, mortgages, or other debts.

Cover funeral expenses

Funerals can be costly. Your family is already shouldering the emotional stress of your passing. Death benefits, included in most life insurance plans, can make it a little easier by reimbursing these expenses.

Added financial security

Peace of mind is priceless. You’ll want the best life for your spouse, partner, and kids after you’ve passed. Life insurance adds a layer of security by preparing for the unexpected. 

Find an agent serving Reading, PA

Berks County Insurance knows that life insurance isn’t for you. Purchasing a policy protects your family and loved ones, providing them with security and safety. Schedule an appointment today.

Your commercial insurance is superb in protecting your business against numerous risks, including liability claims, employee injuries, fire, and theft, among other perils listed in your policy. While business insurance is excellent, it’s not entirely perfect — it has limitations and exclusions. While it’s important to know what your commercial insurance covers, it’s equally pivotal to understand what it doesn’t cover. Berks County Insurance of Reading, PA sheds light on common commercial insurance exclusions to help you understand the riders or add-ons you need to buy to boost your standard coverage.
Flood damage

Although floods are common in Pennsylvania, typical business insurance doesn’t cover the damage. You need to purchase stand-alone flood insurance from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or private carriers to get flood damage protection. Flood insurance covers your premises plus the contents inside.

Earthquakes

Just like floods, typical business insurance doesn’t cover damage from earthquakes. So, if you live in a high-risk earthquake zone, don’t forget to invest in an endorsement that protects your business from earth movements.

Equipment breakdown

Your property insurance won’t cover mechanical failures and other breakdowns for the equipment used to run your operations. Similarly, normal wear and tear of your equipment aren’t covered by typical commercial insurance.

Personal vehicles used for commercial purposes

Have you converted your car for commercial use? Your commercial insurance won’t cover damages and injuries arising from such incidences.

Intentional acts

This exclusion is obvious, but we will still say it because it happens. Your insurer will void any claim of damage caused intentionally. For instance, publishing something about someone when you clearly know that the information is false.

Breach of contract

Liability claims emanating from dishonored contracts are likely to be ignored by your insurer. Similarly, executing another person’s idea amounts to a breach of contract, and you won’t be compensated for any liability claims when sued.

Need to learn more about commercial insurance in Reading, PA? Please get in touch with Berks County Insurance.

When you think of homeowners insurance the first thing that comes to mind is insurance that covers the physical structure and surrounding area as well as liability coverage. However, there are some strange things, to say the least, that are also covered by homeowners insurance:

Dog bites

It is estimated that about one-third of homeowner claims are due to dog bites. If you own a dog and your dog bites someone, you are covered under your homeowner’s liability insurance if you are sued.

Falling motors and space debris

You read correctly. In the unlikely event that your home is hit by falling debris, it is covered by your homeowners’ insurance. It’s happened before. This coverage also applies to your vehicles.

Accidents that happen when you are not at home

If you are on a trip or perhaps on vacation and your property is stolen, your homeowner’s insurance will pay for it. If you accidentally injure another person, your homeowner’s insurance will also pay for it, even if it happens outside your home.

Damage from planes and cars

If a plane crashes into your house or a car veers off the road onto your property and into your house, your homeowners’ insurance will pay for the damage.

Damage caused by explosions, riots, or bombs

Leaky gas pipes can cause an explosion in your home. And, while not always likely, a riot may break out in your neighborhood. In such a case, your homeowners’ insurance will pay for the damages.

Floods and earthquakes

With climate change, these factors have become a reality for many homeowners. In the event that your home is damaged by a flood or earthquake, your homeowners’ insurance will pay for the damage.

Speak to an expert at Berks County Insurance serving Reading, PA to find out which insurance policy is best for you and your family.

Renters insurance is the type of insurance for tenants – people who rent a home. Renters insurance is important because it protects the personal belongings of tenants and tenants themselves. If you are renting an apartment or house, and you are thinking of getting renters insurance, Berks County Insurance serving Reading, PA and other surrounding areas prepared a list of things you should know about this type of insurance:

What Should You Know About Renters Insurance?

• A typical renters insurance policy covers the following: personal property (clothing, furniture, electronics, etc.), liability (pays out if you are responsible for injuries to other people or their property), additional living expenses (if your home becomes uninhabitable for some reason, and you have to stay temporarily somewhere else, your renter’s insurance will pay for it), and medical bills (it covers medical expenses of other people who got injured in your home). 
• Renters insurance has certain limitations and does not cover everything. For example, it does not cover bed bugs and pests, flood damage and earthquakes, car theft or damage, property and personal belongings of your roommates (unless they are listed on your policy). 
• There are certain factors affecting the cost of renters insurance. They are personal property coverage (reimbursement of personal belongings), liability coverage, additional living expenses coverage, and the deductible amount (the amount your first have to pay before your insurance starts covering). 

Berks County Insurance – Insurance Company in Pennsylvania That You Can Trust

If you are thinking of renting a property in Reading, PA or any other nearby town, and you are looking for a trustworthy insurance company to purchase renters insurance, Berks County Insurance is the insurance agency you can trust. Feel free to call it and talk to one of the insurance agents, who will answer all your questions and help you find a perfect insurance policy.