Today, it is easier than ever for individuals who want extra cash to take on a part-time or side job. The sharing economy, as they call it, means new opportunities to add to your budget. But, before you do, consider your auto insurance needs. In some situations, you will find improving your car insurance coverage is critical to protecting your investment. Here’s what you need to know.
Do You Need Extra Coverage?
​Some of the most popular types of jobs today are those that allow you to complete tasks for those in need. For example, you may deliver food to people at their homes which they order through an app. Or you may use your car to provide customers with a ride to and from a location. Rideshare services like this are one of the most common options for those who want to fill in available time with extra earning opportunities.
​Yet, these types of jobs may require the use of your vehicle. And, if they do, you may need to determine if auto insurance beyond your basic policy is enough. When you begin to use your vehicle for business needs, a standard passenger policy may not be enough. You may need to upgrade to a commercial auto insurance policy. If you need to file a claim and you do not have the right form of insurance, your insurance company can deny it.
What Does an Upgraded Policy Do?
​Auto insurance needs to fit the way you use your car. When you operate a car for business purposes, you extend the use and the risk. Now, you have more liability risks.
Someone could receive an injury while you are driving your car. They could sue you for this. In other cases, you may be in an accident. Your vehicle suffers damage. If you were driving while operating your business, it could mean you lose the ability to drive until repairs occur. And that means income loss.​
When you upgrade your policy to commercial auto insurance your auto insurance can cover more of your risks like these. It may cost a bit more. But it enhances your liability coverage and other protection. Discuss the options for doing this with our agency. You may find it is one of the best opportunities for you to improve your financial protections.

Vandalism and malicious mischief (VMM) insurance is a type of property insurance coverage that indemnifies or compensates the insured for losses arising from acts of vandalism. Most basic homeowner and commercial policies include such perils among the risks covered. It is particularly suitable for commercial buildings, schools, churches and other structures that are unoccupied or not used for long periods during the day, as they become easy targets for vandals due to the lower risk of getting caught.
It is also referred to as a vandalism endorsement.
Vandalism and malicious mischief represents risks that are generally considered a single peril, or otherwise malicious or deliberate physical damage to a property. More specifically, vandalism refers to intentional defacement or damage to beautiful things, while malicious mischief is damage to utilitarian properties due to spite or hatred. Therefore, the latter was added to provide a wider form of coverage to what the former technically does not cover. Vandalism and malicious mischief insurance can also be issued as a separate endorsement to the main policy.
​Make a promise to your self to allow our agency to review your insurance needs.

Take the Domestic Partner Quiz
A domestic partnership describes a same-sex or opposite sex couple in a committed relationship — similar to a marriage — but without an official marriage license. Know your rights, employee benefits, and the laws in your state to make sure that each of you has the protection that you need.
Please contact our office for a no-obligation review of all your insurance needs.
Take the Domestic Partner Quiz

US statistics show that that renters experience higher rates of property crime, theft, and burglary than people who own their home. Renters are in danger of losing their belongings from vandalism, water damage, fire, smoke, electrical surge, ice, snow, and other perils. Despite the risks, many renters don't have renters insurance.

What if everything you own was damaged, stolen or destroyed? Would you have the thousands of dollars to replace valuable merchandise, such as your clothes, jewelry, computer, DVD player, television, furniture, and stereo equipment?

If you live in a rented apartment, house or condominium, your landlord’s insurance doesn’t cover your personal property in the event that it is stolen or damaged as a result of a fire, theft or other unexpected circumstance.

If your building burns to the ground, your landlord isn't responsible for replacing the charred contents of your apartment.
Whether you rent an apartment, own a condominium or have any rental property, you need insurance  to protect your belongings. While your landlord and condo association might have insurance, it only protects the building and not its contents.

So if your building burns to the ground, your landlord isn't responsible for replacing the charred contents of your apartment. Likewise, if your house guest trips over your ottoman and fractures his arm, your landlord's insurance on the property won't protect you from liability. Your landlord may be liable for injuries outside of your rental property, common areas such as the lobby or stairs. But once your guest crosses your front door, he or she is your responsibility.

When you look at the trade-off — paying a small premium for coverage against the cost of replacing what has taken you years to accumulate — renters insurance makes perfect sense.
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Contact our office for a no-obligation quote on Renter’s Insurance. Most coverages can be quoted and bound from the comfort of your home.

Do you have enough insurance coverage to completely rebuild your home? Have you talked with your agent recently to update your policy? Don't wait until disaster strikes to find out you're underinsured. Stay current on your policy and keep yourself protected.
It's a homeowner's nightmare, a fire or other catastrophe destroys their home and everything in it. To make matters worse, some homeowners discover too late that they did not have enough insurance coverage to rebuild their home and replace their personal property.
Homeowner's need to ask their agent if they have enough insurance to rebuild their home, replace their personal property and protect their assets if they are sued.
Make plans to meet with our agents for a no-obligation review of your policy every year to make sure your insurance is keeping up with you and your home.

In the past 30 years what determines your insurance premium has undergone huge, complex changes. At one time car insurance premiums were based simply on your age, vehicle and driving record, but those days are over. Credit history and stability are becoming huge factors in your premiums in addition to claims history, homeownership, and prior insurance coverage. There are dozens of insurance carriers who want your business but their premiums to cover you can vary by hundreds of dollars for the same coverage. If you call an insurance company directly to get a policy you will only get one price and it may be way too high.  By using an independent insurance agent such as ours, you will have the advantage of an insurance expert working on your behalf to find the lowest price for great coverage.

Many people ask why our agency will get the the lowest price.  It is because our agents know that if they don't find you the best price you will look elsewhere for insurance. Like any other retail store an agency won't stay in business if they are selling products at a high price.  

You may wonder if you are getting the best coverage.  This is what our agents are trained to do.  Selling poor coverage will ultimately lead to you being dissatisfied in the event you have a claim. If you are dissatisfied then the agent loses a customer.  Our agents depend on making sure their customers are satisfied and coming back year after year. Our agents know the difference between quality carriers and carriers that may not be there for you when you need them.  

By using an independent insurance agency such as ours, you will have the advantage of an insurance expert working on your behalf to find the lowest price for great coverage. Contact us at your convenience for a no-obligation review of your coverages. The beginning of a new year is a great time to do it!