Insurance Contractors and Builders Need

As a contractor or builder, you need insurance to protect your future. In the high-risk construction industry, lawsuits are just around the corner. Berks County Insurance, which serves Reading, PA, has the products to safeguard what you’ve built.

When you have Commercial Liability insurance, your business has the safeguard of coverage if a third party files a lawsuit claiming bodily injury, property damage, or, in advertising, libel, slander, or copyright infringement. Whereas the above-mentioned policy protects your business if you’re sued by a third party, you also need workers’ compensation to pay for the medical expenses and lost income resulting from on-the-job injuries to your employees or you. Like contractors and builders, subcontractors should also carry liability and workers’ comp. 

Another insurance to consider is Builder’s Risk, which covers a building under construction. Since the materials used in construction are costly, it’s good to know that this insurance usually covers your tools and equipment at the job site while you are completing the structure. If you have Commercial Property insurance, the loss of tools and equipment due to fire, theft or vandalism at your business’s permanent location will be paid for. Combining the benefits of liability insurance with property insurance into one policy is Business Owner’s insurance. As for the vehicle you use as a contractor or builder, generally speaking, your personal auto policy will not cover it. Therefore, you will probably need a commercial auto policy.

Aside from protecting what you have accumulated, another reason to get commercial insurance is that many businesses will not enter into a contract with you unless you have it. Contact Berks County Insurance, which serves Reading, PA, to speak to a knowledgeable agent who can put your business on more solid ground with the right coverage.

How to Keep Your Home Safe From a Natural Disaster

When it comes to keeping your home safe from a natural disaster in Reading, PA, preparation is key. Weather is unpredictable, and you never know when a flood, tornado, or other natural disasters could hit Pennsylvania. At Berks County Insurance, we want you and your property to be safe, so the following are some tips for keeping your home safe from a natural disaster.

First and foremost, it’s important to keep you, your family, and your pets safe. Make sure you have an evacuation plan and an emergency kit ready so you can run out the door if needed. If you need to leave in a hurry, it’s a good idea to shut off your water, gas, and electricity, so be familiar with how to do that quickly.

One of the most common issues with any disaster is a power outage. If possible, make sure you have a generator on hand, especially if you have household necessities that run on electricity, such as medical equipment or stored breast milk and medicine. Also stock up on essentials such as flashlights, batteries, blankets, and candles.

Another common problem during a natural disaster of any kind is downed trees and limbs. These can do severe damage to your home. Before nature strikes, you might consider removing any large or old trees on your property or near your home. You can also trim branches that are close to your home, as these could damage your roof, siding, or even come through a window.

Natural disasters often bring flooding, even if your home isn’t located in a flood zone. To protect your home, try to elevate electronics as much as possible. Also, install a sump pump, and if you already have one, check it regularly to make sure it is working.

When disaster strikes in Reading, PA, it can be hard to keep a level head. You can trust Berks County Insurance to help you with any insurance need in the event of a natural disaster.

Should I Tell My Insurance Provider I Made Upgrades?

So, you just made a few vehicle upgrades recently. Perhaps you added in a new stereo system, or you went all out for new rims and running gear. Whatever you have decided to do, you probably invested good money in making your vehicle more your own. All of that is great, but now you’re faced with the question of whether or not you should tell your insurance provider about the upgrades. There are pros and cons to each. At Berks County Insurance, the team is on hand to help you decide what to do while living in and around Reading, PA.

Increased Value of Your Vehicle

The new upgrades to your vehicle likely increased the value of your vehicle. This means if you tell your insurance provider about the upgrades, you’ll probably pay a higher monthly premium. The difference will not be much, but you more than likely will see an increase. 

Protect Your Investment

While your monthly premium may go up, so too does your protection. This way, if your rims are ever stolen, the new radio ripped out, or you’re involved in an accident, the insurance coverage will pay for these upgrades. If you don’t let your insurance provider know about the upgrades, they will not know about the improvements and, because of this, not be able to cover the upgrades. Due to this, you’ll be left paying for the upgrades all over again. 

After upgrading your vehicle, while living around Reading, PA, you will be faced with the decision of letting your insurance provider know. At Berks County Insurance, a team member is standing by to help you with all of your automotive insurance questions and concerns, including whether you should update your auto insurance information. 

Boxing/MMA Insurance? Yes, There’s A Policy For That!

At Berks County Insurance in Reading, PA,  we understand the importance of having boxing/MMA insurance. We are also cognizant of the immense sense of responsibility of the athlete to take out this type of insurance. It is to be respected. We strive to make every aspect of the process easy and clear for all parties involved. 

Before The First Round

Before you get into the ring, consider the liability you may incur as a result of either your profession or your hobby in Boxing /MMA. It’s great that you have a sport or profession that you enjoy but the responsible thing to do is protect yourself and your family before you enter the ring. 

Most people are familiar with boxing which, generally stated, is a punching competition between two opponents. MMA is a newer past time and is the acronym for Mixed Martial Arts. Generally, MMA includes kicking, punching, slapping, tripping, and just about anything that you can imagine one opponent can do to another opponent. 

  • Have you considered the property damage that may come about if you damage property inadvertently during a match?
  • Consider the liability if someone who is viewing your match or fight is hurt
  • Consider the injury to yourself 
  • Consider the injury to your opponent

Be certain to take care of business before you throw the first punch. Both of these sports are potentially dangerous, and it is crucial that you protect yourself from liability. Once insured, you can have more enjoyment because you do not have to worry about what might happen. 

Call or come in today to Berks County Insurance if you reside in the Reading, PA area and would like to learn more about how protecting your sports life can help you protect your life. Put down the towel and pick up the phone. Contact us at  610-779-9060 

 

Boxing/MMA Insurance? Yes, There’s A Policy For That!

At Berks County Insurance in Reading, PA,  we understand the importance of having boxing/MMA insurance. We are also cognizant of the immense sense of responsibility of the athlete to take out this type of insurance. It is to be respected. We strive to make every aspect of the process easy and clear for all parties involved. 

Before The First Round

Before you get into the ring, consider the liability you may incur as a result of either your profession or your hobby in Boxing /MMA. It’s great that you have a sport or profession that you enjoy but the responsible thing to do is protect yourself and your family before you enter the ring. 

Most people are familiar with boxing which, generally stated, is a punching competition between two opponents. MMA is a newer past time and is the acronym for Mixed Martial Arts. Generally, MMA includes kicking, punching, slapping, tripping, and just about anything that you can imagine one opponent can do to another opponent. 

  • Have you considered the property damage that may come about if you damage property inadvertently during a match?
  • Consider the liability if someone who is viewing your match or fight is hurt
  • Consider the injury to yourself 
  • Consider the injury to your opponent

Be certain to take care of business before you throw the first punch. Both of these sports are potentially dangerous, and it is crucial that you protect yourself from liability. Once insured, you can have more enjoyment because you do not have to worry about what might happen. 

Call or come in today to Berks County Insurance if you reside in the Reading, PA area and would like to learn more about how protecting your sports life can help you protect your life. Put down the towel and pick up the phone. Contact us at  610-779-9060 

 

How to Save on the Cost of Your RV Insurance Policy

As an RV owner in Reading, PA, you probably know a few things about saving money, after all, your RV helps you save by combining your hotel and vehicle all in one. It’s only natural that you would want to learn how to save money on the cost of your insurance as well. Here are a few tips to help save on the cost of your RV insurance premiums.

Bundle Your Policies

One of the first and usually easiest ways to start saving on the cost of your RV insurance premiums is to do your research. Contact your current insurance agent as well as a few others to find out if you can bundle policies, such as your home and car along with your RV insurance.

Drive Safely

Avoiding trouble on the roadway is not only safer for you, but a clean and safe driving record may also help to reduce the cost of your RV insurance policy. For example, if you have a habit of speeding, it can result in tickets and points on your license, which will ultimately increase the rate of your insurance coverage. So, by slowing down and following the rules of the road, you will have a safer trip and save money on your insurance premiums.

Increase Your Deductions

The deduction is the amount you owe out of pocket before your insurance policy kicks in. Increasing the deductible may help to save on the cost of your premium. Before increasing your deductible, it is important to take into consideration the fact that you will have a more significant financial burden if you have an accident. So, make sure to think carefully about how much you are comfortable increasing the deduction amount to.

Remember always to check around, do your homework, and be sure you thoroughly understand the terms of your policy before buying. Residents of Reading, PA and the surrounding areas interested in learning more about RV insurance should contact Berks County Insurance.

 

Increasing Your Deductible: When It Makes Sense

When you’re trying to save money on your boat insurance in Reading, PA, it may make sense to increase your deductible in order to reduce your monthly or yearly premium. Each boat insurance policy is highly personal, so it’s essential that you stop in and talk to your agent at Berks County Insurance to discuss whether or not it makes sense to increase your deductible. You’ll need to consider the following: 

  • Do you have money saved in case your boat needs to be repaired? If you have a large savings account, and a large deductible won’t cause financial stress, it makes sense to take the risk of increasing your deductible to lower your premium. 
  • Do you have many years of boating experience? The longer you’ve been boating, the less likely it is that your boat will be involved in a collision while you’re boating. If you’re newer to the boat scene, it may make sense to keep your deductible low, as you’re more likely to be involved in a collision or accident. 
  • Do you know how to perform some boat repairs yourself? If you have experience with repairing a boat, it’s possible that you won’t need to call in a professional in the case of an accident. If this is true of your situation, it likely makes sense to increase your deductible to lower your premium. 

Boat insurance can be complicated, but you’re not in this alone. Stop in to see your insurance agent at Berks County Insurance in Reading, PA so you can decide if it makes sense for you to increase your boating insurance deductible to lower your premium.

When Can You Claim Umbrella Insurance?

One of the leading reasons why people purchase insurance policies is to protect their families and assets. An umbrella insurance policy is a type of coverage that is specially designed to offer additional liability coverage over and above your standard insurance coverage such as homeowners and auto insurance.

Berks County Insurance umbrella policy is meant to protect you and your assets from large and devastating liability claims. This insurance will only come into play when the liability limit of your standard coverage has been exceeded. It covers bodily and personal injury, landlord liability, and property damage.

When Should You File a Claim?

The simple answer to this question is that you should file a claim for your umbrella insurance whenever the limit of your standard insurance policy is exceeded, and you still need to top up more money to settle the claim.

For instance, if you are involved in a car crash in Reading, PA, and you are at fault, several things will come up. First, you will have to settle the medical bills of the parties involved in the crash and compensate them for losses suffered. So, what happens if your liability coverage isn’t sufficient to meet the cost of all damages or litigation? This is the time you should file a claim for your personal umbrella insurance.

In case, the costs associated with an injury exceeds your standard liability coverage, then another party will file an umbrella insurance claim to collect the additional money. Keep in mind that you will be responsible for the additional amount due if your standard liability coverage is exceeded.

Having an umbrella insurance policy will ensure that you don’t have to pay the additional costs out of your pocket. Accidents are always expensive, and the only way you can protect yourself or your business from significant financial losses is by purchasing an umbrella insurance policy.

Contact Berks County Insurance today for personal or commercial umbrella insurance in Reading, PA.

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.