New Year Insurance Review

New Year Insurance Reviewwww.carlisleinsagency.com

Protecting Your Employees Against Slips, Trips and Falls

BUSINESS INSURANCE

Protecting Your Employees Against Slips, Trips and Falls

As a business owner, one of your primary concerns should be protecting your most valuable assets.  Most people agree the earning power of the owners and employees is one of the main assets of any business. 

     Slips, trips and falls cause the majority of general industry accidents and 15 percent of all accidental deaths.  They cause more fatalities than all other causes but motor vehicles.  In the construction industry, falls are the leading cause of worker fatalities.  Each year between 150 and 200 workers on average are killed and more than 100,000 are injured as a result of falls at construction sites.

     The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has recently revised its construction industry safety standards and developed systems and procedures designed to prevent employees from falling off, onto, or through working levels and to protect employees from being struck by falling objects.  The OSHA rule clarifies what an employer must do to provide fall protection for employees, such as identifying and evaluating fall hazards and providing specific training.

     Under the revised standards, employers are able to select fall protection measures compatible with the type of work being performed.  Fall protection generally can be provided through the use of guardrail, safety net, personal fall arrest, positioning device and warning line systems.

     There are many situations that can cause slips, trips and falls.  To increase the awareness of these hazards to your employees, we suggest the following:

Make tripping and fall hazards an area to focus on in your regular safety meetings and inspections.

Review each accident report to determine the cause of any slips, trips or falls and take corrective action.

Put up safety posters warning about slip, trip and fall hazards.

Provide training for all employees. 

     By eliminating workplace hazards and training employees to take work safely, most of the reported injuries and fatal accidents can be prevented.  Protecting your employees against slips, trips and falls will also have a positive impact on your workers compensation expenses.

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Personal Or Commercial Car Insurance: Which Is Right For You?

Personal Or Commercial Car Insurance: Which Is Right For You?

(NAPS)—If, like many Americans, your family car is also used for purposes that could be considered commercial use, you may want to steer yourself into a chair and look over your insurance policy.

You’ll need to consider buying a commercial policy or making sure that your existing personal auto policy covers the vehicle for business use. Whether or not you need a commercial policy depends on how you use your vehicle and what company you have it insured with. Every company has different guidelines and may surcharge for business-use coverage on a personal auto policy.

If you’re not sure whether business use is covered on your personal policy, it’s important to call your insurance company or agent. The Progressive Group of Insurance Companies has put together these four questions you may want to ask:

§         How do companies determine commercial use? One definition could include “engaging in transporting goods for compensation or a fee,” which includes pizza or newspaper delivery, catering, door-to-door consulting services, landscaping or snowplowing services, logging business, day care/church van services or farm-to-market delivery. People who do these kinds of work should consider purchasing a commercial vehicle policy.

§         Do you need more liability coverage than a personal auto policy provides? Generally, a commercial auto policy offers higher limits of liability, but less or no coverage in areas that are typically not associated with commercial auto risks.

§         Do you need special coverage for situations encountered while conducting business? Commercial auto policies usually offer these coverages, and they’re normally not available with personal auto policies. These include hired and nonowned auto coverage and coverage for towing a trailer for business use.

§         Do you need to list any employees as drivers? Commercial auto policies allow you to list anyone that you employ. You don’t have that option with a personal auto policy. In general, you’ll need commercial auto coverage if the vehicle you use is owned by a corporate partnership or driven by employees, or if it’s used to haul tools or equipment weighing more than 500 pounds, make deliveries or heavy enough to require state or federal filings.

For more information about commercial auto insurance, visit progressiveagent.com. www.carlisleinsagency.com

 

Did You Know?

If, like many Americans, your family car is also used for purposes that could be considered commercial use, you may want to steer yourself into a chair and look over your insurance policy. For more information about commercial auto insurance, visit progressiveagent.com.

Finding A Commercial Auto Insurance Company

Insurance Matters

Finding A Commercial Auto Insurance Company

(NAPS)—For many business owners, the road to success cannot be driven without company vehicles. They are a key component of the business’ continued operations and are essential to the company’s livelihood.

And just as you’d never consider going on a job without all the necessary tools of your trade, you should never consider driving your business vehicle without the right insurance coverage. But finding the right commercial auto insurance company can be a tricky proposition. There are lots of companies offering commercial auto coverage, so it’s important that you select one that meets the needs of your business.

Of all the factors you’ll want to take into account, the company’s experience with commercial auto insurance and claims service will have the biggest impact on you and your business. Here are some questions to ask yourself as you consider different commercial auto insurance companies:

                        Do they have experience with your business type? How long has the company offered commercial auto coverages? Do they understand the insurance needs that are unique to your line of work? A carrier with commercial auto expertise ensures that you’ll get the right coverage for your business.

                        Do they excel in customer service? You need 24/7 service that is fast, accurate and focused on your bottom line. You also need the convenience of being able to handle your insurance business

on nights and weekends, because you can’t count on having the time to deal with such matters during regular business hours.

                        Do they offer flexible, competitive products? Pay­ment options? Insurance rates can vary a great deal from company to company, so you’ll want to compare. You want flexibility in the types of coverages—and also payment options. Monthly bill plans can help small-business owners maintain necessary cash flow.

                        Do they have a demon­strated record of claims expe­rience? Keeping vehicle down-time to a minimum is vital to any business. Each minute a vehicle is out of commission affects your bot-tom line. Look for a company that’s known for efficient claims service and fast, fair resolution.

To learn more about commercial auto insurance or to find an independent agent, visit the Web site at progressiveagent.com. www.carlisleinsagency.com

The Risk Of Flooding Is Real

PERSONAL INSURANCE

The Risk Of Flooding Is Real; Don’t Gamble Anymore

     A recent survey of a Vermont town affected by the recent Northeast flooding found that 80% of the people suffering a flood loss did not have the funds to repair all of the damage they received.  Between 2001 and 2010 the average loss paid by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) was $48,000. 

 

     Because most homeowners policies do not cover flood losses, would the average flood loss—or even a smaller flood loss— cause you a significant financial burden?  If so, a flood insurance policy can help.  A flood insurance policy can provide up to $250,000 in structure coverage and up to $100,000 in contents coverage for homeowners.   Renters can purchase up to $100,000 in contents coverage.

 

     You can buy flood insurance no matter what your flood risk.  Almost anyone in a community that participates in the NFIP can purchase coverage.  There are very few exceptions. 

     You do not need to live near water to be flooded.  Many people affected by flooding live miles from the nearest river or ocean.  Floods are caused not only by storms and hurricanes, but also snowmelt, inadequate and overloaded drainage systems and even broken municipal water mains.

     Flood insurance is affordable.  Homeowners in low-risk areas can purchase $20,000 in building and $8,000 in contents coverage for as little as $129 a year.  Even a small amount of flood insurance can help reduce the burden of a potential flood loss.

   

     Do you think a flood can’t happen to you?  That’s what the people in the Vermont survey thought.  They gambled and lost.  Some of them may never recover.   Don’t let that happen to you.  Please contact our office and we will be happy to discuss your flood insurance options.

Flood Insurance

Shedding Light On Car Insurance Savings

Carlisle Insurance Agency

Shedding Light On Car Insurance Savings

It can be easier than you think to put the brakes on high auto insurance rates – as an independent agency; Carlisle Insurance Agency can help! We can review your policy and possibly help you find a variety of illuminating ways to save money. Here are some things you may want to consider:

• Ask us to check several companies’ rates. This is the single most important thing you can do to get the best possible rate—and we can do it for you quickly and easily. The difference between the highest and lowest rate available to you from different companies could vary by hundreds of dollars.

• Reduce or drop physical damage coverage on an older car. Depending on your car’s age and where you live, comprehensive and collision coverage may not be worth keeping. We can give you advice on whether it makes sense to reduce or drop this coverage altogether.

• Raise your deductible. According to the Insurance Information Institute, raising your deductible from $200 to $500 could reduce your collision and comprehensive cost by 15 to 30 percent. In addition, because the average driver files a collision claim only once every ten years, odds are that over the lifetime of your car, a higher deductible will save you money. We can show you how raising your deductible will lower your premium.

• Look for discounts. Many insurance companies reduce premiums for certain driver traits or car features. For example: being a homeowner for more than three years, nonsmoker, nondrinker, students with good grades, senior citizens who have taken an approved defensive driving course, people who only drive for pleasure, cars kept in garages, antilock brakes, antitheft devices, air bags, etc. Ask us to check.

• Don’t assume having your car and home insured by the same company is the best option. Because auto insurance rates vary so much from company to company, it may make sense for you to have your car and home insured by separate companies. Let’s talk about it.

To learn more about all an independent agency can offer you, call Carlisle Insurance Agency at 740-286-5031 or visit www.carlisleinsagency.com or www.progressiveagent.com.

Michael Carlisle

Carlisle Insurance Agency

659 E. Main St. Suite A

Jackson, Oh 45640

Extra Expense Insurance

If your business suffers a major disaster that interrupts normal business operations, what effect will it have on your operations over the long term? Will you be able to retain customers? Will you lose valuable employees? Alternatively, does your

business allow you the flexibility to operate from a different location with equipment that is easily acquired? The answers to these questions allow a business owner to determine whether business income coverage, extra expense insurance or a combination of both, is needed.

Businesses, especially those offering a service that can easily be replaced by another business, may face permanent loss of customers if business is interrupted for an extended period of time. Businesses whose operations depend more on employees than on location may not have a serious threat of income loss, since they can continue operating from a temporary location preserving income flow. However, operating from a temporary location and expediting delivery of replacement supplies and equipment can add up to considerable extra expense. Additional advertising may also be necessary to let people know you aren’t out of business. In many cases, a business may need both business income coverage and extra expense coverage.

The promise of extra expense coverage is to pay the actual and necessary extra expenses needed to continue operations, which would not have been incurred if there had not been a direct physical loss to the business. The period of restoration begins on the date of loss and ends when the property should be repaired, if reasonable speed is applied while returning the property to its pre-loss condition. Interference by building ordinance, zoning law or environmental protection law does not extend the period of time when extra expenses are payable. The period of restoration is based on the period of time during which repairs should be completed. The expiration of the policy has no bearing on this period of time. http:\\www.carlisleinsagency.com

Grange Insurance is now available at Carlisle Insurance Agency in Jackson, Oh. Call us for a free Home, Auto, Life, Business insurance review. "Helping You Protect What Matters Most Since 1890"

Carlisle Insurance Agency
213 E. Main Street
Jackson, Oh 45640
740-286-5031http:\\www.carlisleinsagency.com

Starting a new business or re-evaluating your current business insurance needs?

If you are starting a new business or are re-evaluating your current business insurance needs, it is important to make certain you have a good, solid, business insurance policy that is tailored to your needs. Many small business owners often view business insurance as a luxury, when in fact it is a necessity to protect you and your business. Several business owners only think of a business policy as protection against casualties and damages such as a theft, fire, or damage to equipment and products. When in fact, the most important part of a good business policy is the liability protection.

No matter what size of business you operate, big or small, it is always important to protect your business and yourself from the unpredictable. In today culture, even the smallest accident can result in large lawsuits. The general liability portion of a business policy is extremely important in that it defends you, your employees, and the reputation of your business from any lawsuits that may develop from bodily injury, damages, or negligence for something it did or didnand. General liability insurance can often be purchased separately or as part of a BOP (business owner's policy). A BOP; combines both property and liability insurance together into one policy.

Typically a BOP includes the following:

Property insurance to cover the building, equipment and goods; General Liability insurance to protect the business, employees and owner from lawsuits that may arise from accidents, negligence, or other damages; Casualty liability protection to protect the business and employees from harm to other people or their property; Insurance against theft of goods or money and securities; Insurance against interruption of business: This coverage can provide money to offset lost profits and income to continue paying expense; Several other options and endorsement are available to purchase
When purchasing a Business Owners Policy, it is very important to discuss the details with a licensed insurance agent who is familiar with commercial insurance policies. There are several options and risks that can be covered under a BOP. Some of these options can include signage, money and securities, business property, employee dishonesty, computer viruses, mechanical equipment failures, or loss of income for utility failures just a to name a few options. Not all over the options available are necessary to all business owners since not all businesses are alike. For example, a deli business that stores a large supply of refrigerated food, might find it very valuable to purchase insurance to protect them against the refrigeration equipment/breakdown or possibly even protection against a utility (electrical) failure that could possibly ruin valuable refrigerated food goods. It is also extremely important to purchase commercial auto insurance coverage for all vehicles used within the business.http:\\www.carlisleinsagency.com