Berks County is a great place to retire. Pennsylvania is a state that is very laid back for retirees making it attractive as a destination for seniors.  As you start making financial decisions about your retirement you may be asking yourself,  ‘Do I need life insurance after I retire?" This is a big decision and one that Berks County Insurance in Reading, PA would be happy to discuss with you. 

It is tempting to think of life insurance as you get older as less than necessary. Keeping up the premiums may seem as if it would put some stress on your new retirement budget or you may think that it just isn’t needed. Before you decide that it might not be necessary, you need to take a look at the reasons that you purchased it originally. Do you still have a spouse or partner who counts on your income to maintain their lifestyle?

When you die, some of your retirement income may go away with you, but will the income that is left be enough?  Hopefully, you are not going into retirement with a lot of debt. Some people still have a mortgage that will need to be paid, as well as a car payment and credit card debt. Have you already prepaid your final expenses? Do you want to leave money to your children or grandchildren? 

Determining whether or not you need life insurance after you retire depends in large part on your overall financial plan. You may not need the same amount that you needed when you were younger and a different type may be better for you. Talking to the experienced team at Berks County Insurance in Reading, PA can help you to make the right decision for your situation. Give our office a call or stop by and let us help you to protect your financial future.

 

Your commercial insurance doesn’t directly reimburse you for personal financial losses. However, by covering your business assets, commercial insurance prevents you from incurring substantial out-of-pocket expenses. For example, imagine that a pipe bursts and damages your inventory. Without insurance, you would have to pay for the cost out of pocket or by dipping into personal savings. Ask the agents at Berks County Insurance in Reading, PA for the type of commercial insurance you need to protect your business and prevent a substantial personal loss. 

How Commercial Insurance Protects Your Assets

You may be wondering what commercial insurance covers. It protects the physical aspects of your business and safeguards the future of your business. Every policy is unique, but some events are almost universally covered. This includes explosions, damage from aircraft, vandalism, theft, and vehicles. Some of these events are rare, but it’s a great relief to know that you aren’t responsible for the damages if they do.

Commonly covered items include:

• Building
• Inventory
• Outdoor sign
• The property of others
• Furniture, fence, equipment, and landscaping
• Property of others

When you start or continue to operate a business, there are enough things to worry about without risking your savings on unforeseen events. Your insurance agent can answer any concerns you might have and help you choose the right commercial insurance options. 

Contact Berks County Insurance in Reading, PA to set up an appointment or to purchase commercial insurance to protect your business assets and keep your personal wealth intact. There are many options available to tailor your commercial service to the needs of your business. Let us help you get protected.

 

Most people are not experts on life insurance. As a matter of fact, it is a subject that is often shuffled to the back burner to be dealt with at some later date. Life is good in Reading, PA and It seems rather macabre to be thinking about dying when you have so much life left to live. Life insurance, however, is one of those things that are better purchased when you are young, preferably less than 35 years old. How much life insurance is enough is not a one size fit all kind of question. The knowledgeable agents at Berks County Insurance are there to ask the right questions to help you determine how much and what type of life insurance is best for you. 

• Who are you responsible for?
• Do you have a spouse, children, dependents or parents who count on your income in order to survive?  
• How long would you need to provide income for the people who depend on you?
• Do you have a mortgage or any other outstanding loans or debt? 
• Have you provided for your final expenses? 
• Do you want to leave a legacy to any of your dependents or to any other person? 
• Do you have children whose education you want to provide for? For example a college education or private school in younger children. 

These basic questions will provide the information that is necessary to make a practical decision about the amount of life insurance that you will need to protect your family. If you live in Reading, PA or the surrounding area, it is time to talk to the team at Berks County Insurance. Why not give our office a call or stop by to discuss the amount of insurance that is enough for you in your particular situation and what type of insurance you should be purchasing. 

 

If you participate in mixed martial arts (MMA), you’re putting yourself at risk for an injury. Sometimes, a rowdy crowd member is the one who does the injuring accidentally. Not to mention, you never know what’s going to happen in the crowd to one of the spectators, which could be your responsibility since it’s your event. At Berks County Insurance, serving Reading, PA, and the surrounding area, we offer MMA insurance to those who partake in the mixed martial arts. 

What Is MMA Fighting?

Since its beginnings in the 20th century, mixed martial arts has become popular to watch. The sport consists of grappling and striking. Basically, it combines wrestling and kickboxing. One person tries to achieve dominance over their opponent during a mixed martial arts fight. Often, you see a lot of young men who participate in it since it is dangerous. Not to mention, it’s sometimes a way to make money for them. 

Why MMA Insurance Exists?

Players adhere to certain rules to keep them safe, but it’s still possible for a player to sustain an injury. If the individual can’t afford health insurance, it’s possible that wounds or other injuries will go unaddressed, possibly leading to complications like infection or unhealed musculoskeletal issues. MMA insurance protects these fighters if they should happen to get hurt. Not to mention, people in crowds can get riled up and could possibly injure themselves. This insurance can also keep your crowd safe, and you free from liability. 

Getting MMA Insurance

It’s important to evaluate your options. You’ll want to evaluate the companies for their deductible amounts as well as what they cover. Additionally, you should take into consideration the company’s reputation.  

Get a quote from Berks County Insurance, serving Reading, PA, and the surrounding region, by calling us at  610-779-9060. 

A rider is essentially an addition that you can make to your insurance policy. When it comes to renters insurance, you likely have general coverage for your belongings as well as general liability. (If someone breaks into your home and steals everything in your apartment, you can file a claim to replace what was lost. If someone slips and falls, you can file a claim to cover the costs of their injuries.)

A rider provides additional coverage based on your personal preferences and lifestyle choices. Keep the following facts and tips in mind from Berks County Insurance if you’re hoping to get more peace of mind from your policy.  

What Kinds of Riders Are There?

There are a wide array of riders for renters, but you may not have access to all of them. Not every insurance company offers every type of protection. Some of the more popular riders include pet damage and identity theft riders. In case your dog rips up the floor or hacker in another country ransoms your documents, you won’t have to swallow the costs to fix the situation. You can also get a scheduled property rider, which will cover your more expensive items (e.g., diamond jewelry, etc.) in case they’re lost or stolen.

Do I Need a Rider?

Riders are rarely ever necessary. Your complex in Reading, PA may require a certain amount of coverage in order to rent an apartment, but other than that, you don’t technically need a rider. Still, it may be smart to get one anyway, especially considering just how complicated one unexpected event can be. If you live in Reading, PA, call Berks County Insurance to learn more about what riders are available, and how you can use them to bring more security to your life. 

What Types of Vehicles Does Recreational Insurance Cover?

Recreational vehicle insurance covers every conceivable type of recreational vehicle although most people associate it with RVs. This blog from Berks County Insurance of Reading, PA explains the types of vehicles covered by recreational insurance to make it easier for you to find the coverage you need.

Rec insurance covers a wide range of vehicle types. Among these are:

• boats,
• fifth-wheelers,
• motorcycles,
• motorhomes of three classes,
• personal watercraft.

Larger watercraft require marine insurance. A marine vessel of 26 feet in length or less can carry a recreational vehicle boat policy. Insurers consider a marine vessel of 27 feet in length or greater a yacht and this requires a yacht insurance policy.

You might be surprised then to find out that recreational vehicles have a minimum insurance requirement, just like autos do. Like your auto insurance, it protects you in case of an accident you cause and the liability from it. It also pays for damage or total loss of your vehicle.

RVs are the most common type of vehicle insured under these policies. You can insure a Class A, Class B or Class C vehicle. Class C vehicles include fifth wheelers. You’ll be able to get the same types of coverages as you would have with auto insurance.

Campers, fifth-wheels, and RVs can carry the following types of coverage:

• bodily injury,
• collision,
• comprehensive,
• limited property damage,
• personal injury protection (PIP),
• property damage liability,
• property protection,
• uninsured motorist.

Call or visit Berks County Insurance of Reading, PA to learn more about RV insurance. We can help you obtain the insurance you need for each of your recreational vehicles.

When getting motorcycle insurance or renewing a policy be sure to discuss with your insurance agent the type of motorcycle that you have and your intended use of it. This can significantly impact the kind of insurance coverage that you need.

Insurance for Different Motorcycle Types

There are policy differences when insuring a street bike that will only be used on the roads and insuring a motorcycle that can be ridden on the streets as well as off-road. If you make any custom modifications to your motorcycle there may be a need to adjust your motorcycle insurance coverage as well to increase the figure used for the replacement costs.

If you are considering buying a new motorcycle, work with your agent at Berks County Insurance, serving Reading PA and the surrounding area, to get some comparative quotes so you can know the cost of the motorcycle insurance for different models.

Ask Your Agent to Explain Exclusions

Exclusions are things that are not covered in your motorcycle insurance policy. For example, if you have a street motorcycle that can also be used for off-road excursions you should talk with your insurance agent before you use it in this way.

Some policies might have exclusions for activities that are considered sports, which may include off-road motorcycle use. Also, be sure to check with your agent if you plan to enter any motorcycle-riding competition, even if only for fun. It is important to know the limitations under your insurance policy before engaging in activities that may not be covered.

Authorized Drivers

Most policies allow for occasional drivers; however, you still should check with your insurance agent if you plan to allow another person to drive your motorcycle. You need to understand if when to add them to your policy.

When it comes to motorcycle insurance, how you use your bike and who can use it are important considerations. Contact your agent at Berks County Insurance in Reading, PA by calling or stopping by. You can also use the convenient online form to get a quote.

Boating season around Reading, PA brings the opportunity to get away from work and have some fun on the water. You’ll want to consider your boating insurance for the new season as you make plans. Your insurance needs may have changed, or your policy may have had changes in its ability to cover your boat from damage or accident. Here at Berks County Insurance, we’d like to sit down with you and discuss your boat insurance needs. We’ll ask some questions, listen to your concerns, and provide immediate access to a variety of insurance providers right there in our office. You’ll be able to compare them with your present policy and decide what kind of insurance will work best for you.

Boating insurance can prove crucial if anything goes wrong. Just like with your car, there can be several costs involved when there’s an accident or another incident. Emergency assistance on the waterways is much the same as when your car breaks down. Theft and damages need to be covered. Insurance that covers both the insured and any uninsured is important. Then there are such considerations as medical coverage for you and the occupants of your boat, liability, fuel-spill liability, and coverage for personal effects and unattached boating equipment like life vests, etc. It may make your head spin to think you have to figure all of this out on your own. The fact is, you don’t. At Berks County Insurance,  we can pull up all the latest policies from nationally recognized and reputable providers. You can stay with your current policy or sign up for a new one immediately. When you hit the waterways around Reading, PA, you’ll have the confidence that a fully updated insurance can provide.

Umbrella insurance is coverage that anyone can get to help protect them when they need extra insurance coverage. There are several ways that umbrella insurance can protect you. Talk to your local insurance agents to get a better understanding of umbrella coverage. In Reading, PA, the agents at Berks County Insurance are experts that will give you information and help guide you through your umbrella policy.

What does Umbrella Insurance Cover?

Umbrella insurance provides coverage if you have injuries, property damage, lawsuits, or other incidents. Any of the following liability protections have a limit in your regular policy. Umbrella gives you coverage over that limit.

• Property Damage Liability – can cover you if you cause damage to someone’s property. For example, if you caused an auto accident, your dog causes damage to your neighbor’s fence, or if your child destroys property at school. Once your coverage amount has been met, your umbrella insurance would protect you beyond that coverage.

• Bodily Injury Liability – is coverage for you if you cause injury to a person. It can be useful if someone receives a injury from a car accident you caused. You could be responsible for any monetary cost that occurs as a result of the accident if it was deemed to be your fault.

• Landlord Liability Insurance – if an individual sues you because they fell on your property, umbrella insurance could help you if the cost of the individual’s lawsuit goes beyond your standard insurance policy limits.

What You Can Do

Anyone can get umbrella insurance if they feel they need more coverage than their standard policy will allow. Talk with the independent agents in Reading, PA at Berks County Insurance to discuss getting the right amount of umbrella insurance for your needs.

Flood insurance in Reading, PA is a separate policy that will protect you against flood damage, since floods aren’t covered under a standard home insurance policy. Even without being in a high-risk flood plain, having flood insurance can protect you from financial ruin. While FEMA and other organizations can help during a major flooding disaster, it will not pay out as fast, and you will likely have to pay back the money, so flood insurance is worth the investment. Floods aren’t just for homes in high-risk areas. Twenty percent of claims for flood damage come from areas that are considered low or moderate risk. 

What Does It Cover?

Depending on what you purchase from your agent at Berks County Insurance, flood insurance can cover your home, your belongings, or both. For building property coverage, it includes the physical structure of the home as well as electrical and plumbing systems, heating and air systems, and attached cabinets and panels. It’s typically paid out in replacement cost, which is what it takes to repair the home. Personal contents coverage protects your belongings, including furniture, electronics, clothing, portable appliances, and freezers and food within. Certain valuables are covered up to a specific amount. Personal contents protection will typically pay out in actual cash value, which means that it takes into consideration depreciation.

What Is Not Covered?

Flood insurance will not cover any mold or mildew damage that could have been avoided by the homeowner. If you accidentally flood your basement, this wouldn’t be covered under flood insurance. It won’t cover any currency or precious metals, living expenses, cars, or outdoor property, such as hot tubs, pools, decks, and fences. Most flood insurance will not cover basements and crawl spaces and the things that are stored there.

Contact Berks County Insurance, serving Reading, PA, to get a quote on flood insurance.