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Home Insurance: How to File a Claim

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Easing Home Damage Claims With Options Insurance Agency

Home damage can be a significant stressor, but you can ensure fair compensation for your losses with a clear understanding of efficiently filing an insurance claim. Options Insurance Agency in Hershey, PA, is dedicated to simplifying this process and helping homeowners confidently navigate claims.

Mitigating Further Damage

Firstly, upon noticing damage to your home, it’s essential to prevent additional damage from happening. This could mean turning off the water supply in case of a plumbing issue or covering a leaky roof with a tarp to prevent water ingress—different situations call for different mitigations. Always bear in mind that your insurance policy obliges you to mitigate further damage wherever possible.

Reach Out to Your Insurance Agent

Your next step is to contact your insurance agent. They’ll guide you through steps such as documenting damage and submitting a claim online. At Options Insurance Agency, our agents regularly guide clients through these processes.

Documenting the Damage

Accurate documentation of all damage is a critical component of your claim. Take comprehensive photos or videos of all affected areas and items. This visual evidence will help your insurance company quantify the extent of the damage accurately.

Keep All Receipts

Retaining receipts for all damage-related expenses, such as materials for temporary repairs or payments made to professionals for damage prevention, is crucial. Many insurance policies cover these expenses, and having a detailed account will facilitate a smoother reimbursement process.

Filing the Claim

Knowing how to file a home insurance claim correctly can be a lifesaver. If you’re in Hershey, PA, and need help or have queries about your home insurance claim, feel free to contact Options Insurance Agency. We are here to help.

Three Reasons to Get Full Coverage Auto Insurance

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When buying auto insurance, you’ll be faced with multiple options, including full coverage insurance. Full coverage auto insurance does cost a little more than liability insurance, but there are many benefits that you may appreciate.

If you have questions about full coverage auto insurance, the team at Options Insurance Agency serving Hershey, PA, can help you decide if this is the correct type of insurance for you. Here’s what you need to know. 

1. Your Vehicle Damage Will Be Covered

Liability insurance only covers damage to the other party’s vehicle if you are at fault for the accident. If you have full coverage auto insurance, damage to your vehicle will be covered.

Your insurance may repair your vehicle for various covered events, including fire, theft, damage from hitting an object, and vandalism. If you are in an accident, full coverage insurance will cover the cost of repairing your vehicle after you’ve paid the deductible. 

2. You’ll Have Roadside Assistance

A typical full coverage policy will offer roadside assistance. If your vehicle breaks down or gets a flat tire, your roadside assistance may pay to tow your vehicle and help you get back to safety. Find out the details of your roadside assistance coverage by talking to your insurance professional. 

3. You May Be Required to Get Full Coverage

If you’re getting a car loan, you may be required to pay for full auto insurance coverage. If this is the case, your insurance agent at Options Insurance Agency, serving Hershey, PA, can help you find the right full-coverage insurance policy for your needs. Call today to learn more. 

Cocoa Coverage: Crafting a Comprehensive Commercial Insurance Plan for Hershey, PA Businesses

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In Hershey, PA, many of our local businesses thrive on producing and distributing cocoa-based delights. Savvy local business owners understand that having the best business insurance is paramount whether your business distributes chocolate candies, operates an e-commerce store online, or sells marketing services. 

If you have questions about securing your business, the licensed insurance professionals at Options Insurance Agency can help safeguard your Hershey, PA business against unforeseen risks like data breaches, on-the-job injuries, and customer liability claims against products or services. 

A comprehensive insurance plan can mitigate potential risks and offset the costs of business interruptions or shutdowns that could lead to thousands in losses or out-of-pocket expenses if left unresolved. 

Pennsylvania business owners can operate with peace of mind when they know their business property, inventory, and intellectual property are protected from fire, natural disasters, thefts, and other covered perils typically included in comprehensive commercial insurance. 

Get Business Liability Coverage to Shield Your Hershey, PA Business Against Lawsuits

Many new business owners don’t know that disgruntled customers can decide to bring legal claims against their company based on dissatisfaction or even harm by the third-party products and services they sell. Shield your business against costly lawsuits with a commercial insurance policy with legal liability protection. 

Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late to Protect Your Commercial Business. 

Contact the knowledgeable and friendly insurance professional in Hershey, PA. Our licensed insurance agents are standing by to answer your critical insurance-related questions and help you choose a policy. Starting a new policy only takes a few minutes once you receive a quote. 

Contact Options Insurance Agency and get a free quote today! 

Required New Jersey Auto Insurance

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Although Hershey, PA, residents know our insurance agency well because we locate our main offices in that metropolitan area, we serve five states, including New Jersey. Like the other 49 states, New Jersey passed auto insurance requirements for its drivers. Unlike other states, New Jersey offers two coverage options: basic and standard.

Basic vs. Standard Coverage

At Options Insurance Agency, we want our New Jersey customers to understand their options when it comes to New Jersey requirements. Let’s consider what you get when you buy a basic auto policy in New Jersey.

Basic Auto Insurance

A basic policy allows you to drive on New Jersey roads legally, but it limits your rights to sue the at-fault party in an accident. Let’s consider the basic coverage minimums first. A basic policy only provides $5,000 of property damage liability coverage per accident and personal injury protection (PIP) coverage of $15,000 per person per accident. If desired, a policyholder can add bodily injury liability coverage of $10,000 per accident.

Standard Auto Insurance

The minimum limits of a standard policy probably remind you of insurance minimums in other states. They include:

  • Bodily injury liability coverage of $25,000 per person per accident
  • Bodily injury liability coverage of $50,000 for all persons per accident
  • Property damage liability coverage of $5,000 per accident
  • PIP coverage of $15,000 per person per accident.

Unlike a basic policy, a policyholder can add uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. All insurers let you add collision and comprehensive coverage, too.

Contact Options Insurance Agency Today

Don’t let our Hershey, PA, service area fool you. Options Insurance Agency serves five states, including New Jersey. Let us help you obtain the auto insurance you need to drive on New Jersey roads legally.

Pennsylvania is a “choice no-fault state;” how does that affect my auto insurance in Hershey, PA?

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Pennsylvania has a unique system for determining fault in case of an accident. Most states have variations on a system that is either "fault" or "no-fault," but Pennsylvania follows a modified comparative fault rule. Hershey, PA drivers can learn about this unique system from the agents at the Options Insurance Agency.

What Is Modified Comparative Fault?

There may be any number of parties who are involved in an accident. Not only may drivers be at fault, but there may be fault attributable to other parties, such as a government agency in charge of maintaining roads and signs. With a modified comparative fault, all those parties may be involved in a single claim.

Within this already complicated claim, individual parties may have more or less responsibility for the accident. There could be an accident where one party is 50% at fault, one party is 30% at fault, and another party is 20% at fault.

How Does This System Affect Drivers?

This kind of system sounds complicated, and it may be challenging to figure out quickly who is the most responsible for an accident. Insurance companies also know that if they can blame someone else, they will have to pay less. 

The most important thing for drivers is to protect themselves with a comprehensive insurance policy. Also, if anyone is involved in an accident, it is important to document the circumstances of the crash and make an official report right away. Call your agent immediately.

Driving in Hershey, PA carries risks, and accidents can happen no matter how careful you are. If you would like to discuss your auto insurance options, or if you have any questions about auto insurance, please call Options Insurance Agency today.

A Beginner’s Guide to Commercial Insurance

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Commercial insurance is essential for businesses, offering financial protection against various risks. If you’re new to this world, Options Insurance Agency, serving the greater Hershey, PA area, would love to help you better understand commercial insurance. Here’s a beginner’s guide to commercial insurance, including key coverage types.

Understanding Commercial Insurance

Commercial or business insurance safeguards businesses from financial losses due to unforeseen events. It comprises various coverage types designed to address different business risks.

Key Coverage Types

There are different types of commercial insurance products out there. Some of the most common include: 

  1. General Liability Insurance: Protects against claims of bodily injury, property damage, or advertising injury.

  2. Property Insurance: Covers physical assets like buildings, equipment, inventory, and furnishings from perils like fire, theft, vandalism, and natural disasters.

  3. Workers’ Compensation Insurance: Provides medical benefits and wage replacement to injured employees while protecting businesses from lawsuits.

  4. Commercial Auto Insurance: Essential for business vehicles, it covers accidents and damages.

  5. Business Interruption Insurance: Helps recover lost income and operating expenses during temporary closures due to covered events.

Customized Coverage

Tailor your insurance to your business’s unique needs, considering factors like industry, size, location, and specific risks.

Legal Requirements

Some businesses must carry specific insurance types to comply with regulations. Be aware of any local insurance mandates.

Navigating commercial insurance can be complex. But thankfully, you don’t have to figure it out all on your own. If you’re a business owner, regardless of the size of your business, there are commercial insurance products that can benefit you. The team at Options Insurance Agency, serving the greater Hershey, PA, can help you find and select the best products for you. Call us today to learn more.

What Does Home Insurance Cover?

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You love your house and have put a lot of money, time, and energy into it, so you want to ensure it is adequately protected. Our agents at the Options Insurance Agency serving the Hershey, PA area want you to know that the best way to protect your home is by having a home insurance policy in place.

What Does Home Insurance Cover?

You never know when a horrible event will happen, such as a fire, vandalism, or a natural disaster, which is why you should have an adequate amount of home insurance for your house.

You may be wondering what a home insurance policy covers. First, it will cover the structure of your house, including the walls, floors, and roof. You can obtain a home insurance policy covering other structures on your property, such as sheds, garages, and decks.

A home insurance policy will help you replace your personal belongings, furniture, electronics, appliances, and other items if a disaster occurs.

Another aspect of home insurance is that it can be helpful if someone is injured on your property. For example, if someone stops by to visit you and falls on the steps of your front porch and is injured, your home insurance policy can help pay their medical bills and other expenses. This type of liability coverage can even help you pay your legal fees if the person sues you in court.

Contact Options Insurance Agency

Home insurance is one of the most important policies to have when you are a homeowner. Call upon our agents at the Options Insurance Agency serving the Hershey, PA area today to create the best home insurance policy for you and your home.

Determining Auto Insurance Needs

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In Hershey, PA, and surrounding areas, determining your auto insurance coverage needs is crucial for financial protection and peace of mind. Assessing your auto insurance needs involves considering factors such as the value of your vehicle, personal circumstances, desired coverage limits, and potential risks. 

Determining the Vehicle’s Value 

Begin by assessing the value of your vehicle. Consider its make, model, age, and condition. Newer or high-value vehicles often require comprehensive coverage to protect against theft, vandalism, or accident damage. Older or lower-value vehicles may need less coverage, but liability insurance remains essential.

Assessing Your Circumstances 

Evaluate your circumstances, such as your driving habits, daily commute, and the number of drivers in your household. A longer commute or frequent highway driving may call for higher liability limits. You may need higher coverage to mitigate potential risks if you have a new or inexperienced driver in your household.

Knowing Your Desired Coverage Limits 

Determine your desired coverage limits based on your risk tolerance and financial situation. Liability coverage is required by law and covers damage to other parties in an accident. Consider higher limits to protect your assets in a severe accident. Comprehensive and collision coverage may be appropriate if you want additional protection for your vehicle or if it is financed. 

Being Aware of the Potential Risks Factors

Assess potential risks specific to your area and driving conditions. High crime rates, severe weather, or heavy traffic can increase the likelihood of accidents or vehicle damage. Understanding these risks allows you to select appropriate coverage options to mitigate potential losses.

How Options Insurance Agency Can Help You

Here at Options Insurance Agency, we can guide you about getting the right amount of auto insurance coverage. We support all areas around the Hershey, PA, region. Contact us today. 

Commercial Insurance Is Important For Small Businesses

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Running a small business is one of the most satisfying things anyone can do. Being your own boss while making a profit is a dream many wish to accomplish. For those looking to start their own business in Hershey, PA, it’s going to take much more than the desire for it to run smoothly. Commercial insurance is vital in taking care of your business, and Options Insurance Agency has the tools to aid you.

Covers accidents on the job

If you’re running a store, you’ll handle numerous customers daily. With people on your property, the risk of injury can be high. If an injury occurs, there’s a good chance you can be held accountable. Fortunately, commercial insurance can help cover any court costs you’ll have to pay if the injured person wants to sue. You can also use it to cover any medical expenses for the individual.

Covers accidental damage to buildings

Much like owning a home, owning commercial property can lead to potential damage. Whether it’s an accidental fire or a roof collapsing, these unfortunate incidents will come with a hefty price tag in repairs.

Covers unfortunate loss of income

Every now and then, something tragic can shut businesses down for a while. From tornados to earthquakes, businesses not picking up can lead to a loss of income. While some businesses can stay open with a portion of the area closed off for repairs, others don’t have the same luxury. Commercial insurance can help offer financial assistance for a limited amount of time.

If you have questions about commercial insurance in Hershey, PA, Options Insurance Agency can help you. Contact us here for more information.

What is the benefit of having home insurance in Pennsylvania?

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Owning a home can be a great option in the Hershey, PA area. There are a lot of advantages that come with home ownership, including having a consistent place to live and owning an asset that could appreciate in value. While there are advantages to owning a home, you do need to ensure your home is covered and protected. One of the ways you can do this is with insurance. Full home insurance will provide various benefits for policyholders.

Coverage for Assets

An important reason that you will need to have a home insurance policy for their house is so they can cover the asset. A full home insurance plan covers the dwelling and your belongings. If you are a victim of fire, theft, or other covered risks, you will have support to replace or repair your home and personal items up to the policy limits.

Mitigate Liability Risks

Getting home insurance to offset your liability concerns would also be a great idea. There continues to be a risk that you could be named liable for an accident on your property. If this happens, the financial costs of covering damages can be significant. If you have a home insurance plan, you will have liability insurance to offset this risk. 

It will be essential for people in the Hershey, PA area to ensure they are properly covering their homes. When looking for a way to cover your property, contacting our team with the Options Insurance Agency would be a good idea. When you call our professionals with the Options Insurance Agency, you can get the support you need to understand your insurance options and build a policy that meets your needs.