Get to Know your Flood Maps and Flood Insurance in Reading, PA

The Reading Flood of July 2015

It’s the middle of summer with a hot streak in the local weather. However, a big thunderhead comes through town on the 31st, and for 45 minutes it seems like a scene out of Noah’s Flood. The heavens opened up, and buckets of water came pouring down. Before anyone could figure out what was going on, Berks County was inundated with flash flooding, property damage, cars submerged, and overwhelmed drainage systems. Minutes after the worst of it, fire crews were pushing their way through lakes to get to emergencies and rescuing people trapped. This was Reading, PA; when has there been a flood in the middle of a hot summer and as far away from winter as one could get?

The fact is, flood risk happens at any time of year. The weather can line up to deliver a massive rain punch concentrated in a specific area at any time. In the case of Reading in 2015, that’s what happened. And lots of businesses and homes suddenly had to deal with not just floodwaters, but all the moisture and water damage was caused to the structures, their internal systems, furniture, and more. It was a classic lesson for anyone in the area that two things matter when it comes to floods: knowing the maps of where the water will go, and having insurance when it does happen because floods will happen.

Because the folks at Berks County Insurance have long-term memories from their years of handling risk, we are well equipped to help folks in Reading, PA get the right coverage for flood risk. There’s no need to be taking chances waiting for the next big storm to roll in. Berks County Insurance can help secure the right flood insurance coverage, so you’re well protected before you’re caught with wet feet. 

Reach out to our agents for more information on flood insurance and how you can start a policy.

What are the benefits of having a life insurance policy?

When it comes to life insurance, most people think it is only for the financially able and those with lots of investments. However, we all have families, and as long as you are a breadwinner, you need to think of the future. What happens when your time is up on Earth, and your family who is depended on you for food, shelter, and finances suddenly has to fend for themselves? Do they start from zero? That is where life insurance comes in.

Berks County Insurance in Reading, PA is a reliable life insurance company that has agents with years of experience. We have been in the market long enough to realize the importance of a life insurance policy and how it affects families.

Here are a few reasons why you should invest in a life insurance policy.

To protect your loved ones

If you have people depending on you, it is only wise that you plan for their future. You do not want to leave them begging for things they were used to getting. So, get yourself life insurance to protect the future of your family even after you are long gone.

Acts as an Inheritance

Even if you have no other assets, you can leave your loved ones some inheritance regarding life insurance and name them as beneficiaries. In that way, they can have something to help them in their life even if there are no major investments left.

Peace of mind

Life is full of surprises. You never know when you will die or leave your loved ones. So, to be at peace knowing that your family is happy and comfortable even after you are long gone, life insurance is the answer.

Still not sure whether to invest in life insurance? For more information, please contact Berks County Insurance or visit our offices in Reading, PA.

What Does Commercial Insurance Cover?

When you own a business in Reading, PA, it can be mind-boggling just how many different types of coverage you need for a single company. Business, professional liability, general liability, commercial insurance, property insurance, the list goes on and on. So let’s try to simplify it a bit. When you call Berks County Insurance for a commercial policy, what are you buying?

A basic commercial insurance policy is going to cover three things: Property, liability and workers’ comp. A commercial insurance could cover more, or less, if you don’t have employees, or if your company doesn’t really have a fixed address. But generally, commercial insurance is going to cover one or all of these things.

Liability can be a tricky one. You may not think that you need it since you’re just running a small startup out of your garage, but consider this: If someone injures themselves while delivering a new laptop to your address, and they see that, after having put all of your savings into the business, you have just a few thousand in the bank, but your business has a half million in holdings, how do you think their lawyer is going to strategize with that information? They’re going to try to build a case that their client was injured on your business’s property, not on your private property.

The sooner you get a commercial policy set up through Berks County Insurance, the better. You may wind up needing additional policies like professional liability and so on, but your commercial insurance is generally going to be the foundation of your company’s insurance plan, ensuring that all the basic risks are covered.

Home Insurance Options to Protect Your Valuables

Home owner’s insurance protects your home in the event of multiple forms of damage. This often includes break-ins. However, while the physical damage to your house is protected, the valuables stolen may not be. Due to this, it is important to look into the different home insurance options available for protecting your valuables. At Berks County Insurance, we are here to assist you with this, regardless of if you live in Reading, PA or the surrounding area. 

Personal Property Coverage

Personal property coverage is very similar to renter’s insurance. You inform the insurance provider what you wish to insure and the particular items are added to the coverage. This can range from your electronic devices like a computer to power tools, jewelry, paintings, or really anything else you’d be interested in protecting. The cost of your personal property coverage is generally based on the estimated value of the items you have included. It is important for you to update your personal property coverage when bringing new valuables into the house. This way, the added items can be covered under your home insurance policy.

Dwelling Coverage

It’s always a good idea to look into how your insurance provider covers you. Some coverage may only protect natural causes and other non-man made damage. If this is the case, you may need to look into dwelling coverage. This protects your house and helps cover the cost of broken windows or damage to the doors. 

At Berks County Insurance, we are here to help assist you in finding the right kind of insurance coverage for you and your family. Whether you live in Reading, PA or one of the surrounding communities, we want to sit down and help you find the right coverage for your particular needs. 

How different kinds of tires can impact your auto insurance.

Most people, when they purchase a car, don’t think of the tires. They drive away with the tires that were left on the car and thought nothing more of it. When it comes time to replace them, most people replace them with a conventional set of tires. Many aspects of a car can affect the rate on a driver’s car insurance in Berks County. This includes the vehicle’s tires.

Types of Tires

Oversized tires are viewed by many as an unnecessary risk. They change how the vehicle is driven and it alters the odometer reading and speedometer reading.   Going a faster speed than you realize can, in turn, lead to an accident. Although oversized tires are looked down upon by many, they’re still a fashionable car modification.

Another type of tire modification that has come into favor is low-profile tires, commonly called "low-pros." They look sleek and flashy because you have more wheel and less tire. The shiny chrome sparkles and glints in the sun. Unlike the dull rubber of a tire. Also, by having bigger wheels, it is easier for people to see the brakes which some paint or color to appease an aesthetic. Smaller tires do create problems for those who travel on rougher roads. Small bumps and potholes can cause your rims to bend if hit too hard.

Most insurance companies don’t charge more for vehicles with oversized tires. Remember insurance companies look at a variety of factors when deciding a driver’s rates. Berks County Insurance can work with you to help determine what might be beneficial to your policy and to your vehicle.

What is most important for your own safety, no matter what kind of tires you have, make sure that your tires are properly configured for your vehicle. If the tires do not fit the vehicle or are in poor condition, this could cause an accident. It’s well known that safer vehicles get lower rates on car insurance.

Before you modify your vehicle’s tires, contact Berks County Insurance serving all of Berks County, to see how performance tires might modify your auto insurance policy.

Choose A Reliable Boxing/MMA Insurance

Mixed Martial Arts and Boxing insurance are unique products. The insurance is affordable, convenient, and application is extremely easy. Coverage is available as soon as possible, and you get a confirmation within an hour to your state boxing commission.

Types of coverage include:

Participant accident insurance coverage

The program protects all participants of the policyholder when participating in a sponsored event. The program includes event officials. Insurers get excess medical protection resulting from the covered injury. It also covers eligible expenses such as charges for any necessary medical service and treatment not exceeding the maximum medical expense benefit in your policy. Limits may range from $2000 to $50,000, and sometimes more.

You can choose accidental death and dismemberment in your coverage. The policy also can cover injuries resulting in dismemberment or death. In the event of a peril, the insurance company pays the amount set on your policy benefit.

General liability insurance coverage

The cover protects the employees, promoter, volunteers, and staff against claims of property damage liability, advertising injury liability, litigation costs, and bodily injury liability. There are no deductibles for the coverage.

Processing of claims is swift and in a professional manner. It takes 3-5 business days to issue policy documents and bind coverage.

Berks County Insurance in Reading, PA offers you reliable boxing insurance coverage that provides adequate protection. Our insurance agents help you choose the best selections for the policy options available. You can get savings by combining the various insurance policies, just ask the insurance agent on the best way to proceed for more explanation.

Choose a balanced solution that is both convenient and reliable. The agent will assess your needs and work more closely with you to provide support throughout your policy life. Contact us to discuss MMA/Boxing insurance and learn more about the benefits and how to get a quote. Alternatively, you can visit Berks County Insurance in Reading, PA.