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When Is It Time For Elderly Parents To Stop Driving?

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As your parents begin to age, so many different factors need to be considered. One important factor is driving safety. Our staff at Options Insurance Agency, serving Hershey, PA, and the surrounding areas, are here to help you navigate important questions like this. Keep reading to learn more. 

Should I Address My Elderly Parents About Driving?

This can be a very uncomfortable topic for adult children who are concerned about their elderly parents. Not only can this topic be uncomfortable, but it can also be a very sensitive topic. The reason for this is that, in most cases, elderly parents are not aware that there is a problem with their driving. It is often the responsibility of adult children to address this issue. 

There are a few telling signs that will alert you to the fact that your parents may need to stop driving. Let’s look at a few. 

Failing Eye Sight 

If your parent’s eyesight is failing rapidly, and eyeglasses do not correct it enough for safe driving, it might be time that they hand driving responsibilities over to someone else. You will be able to tell if this is a problem by listening to their complaints or even by talking with their eye doctor. 

Confusion or Dementia 

It is pretty common for people to deal with memory or cognition issues as they grow older. If your parent is suffering from severe confusion or dementia, though, you should consider discussing driving safety. Confusion or dementia could put your parents at extreme risk while driving. 

Loss of Hand-Eye Coordination 

The loss of hand-eye coordination is another common ailment for the elderly. Although it is considered normal to deal with this as you age, it is still considered a huge obstacle for safe driving. 

If you want to learn about car insurance, please get in touch with us at Options Insurance Agency, serving Hershey, PA, and the surrounding areas. 

Four Main Types of Commercial Insurance Coverage

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Protecting your company from potential risks and losses is crucial as a business owner. One way to do that is by getting commercial insurance coverage. Commercial insurance covers different types of threats and helps protect your business from financial losses. Options Insurance Agency in Hershey, PA, offers various commercial insurance coverage options. Learn more about the four most popular policy types.

Property Insurance

Property insurance is a type of commercial insurance that protects your business’s physical assets, such as buildings, equipment, and inventory, from damage or loss due to fire, theft, or natural disasters. This coverage also includes business interruption insurance, which provides financial assistance if your company cannot operate due to covered damages.

Liability Insurance

Liability insurance protects your business from claims made against you for property damage, bodily injury, or personal injury caused by any of your products or services. We have various liability insurance options, including general, professional, and product liability insurance, to help you manage your risks appropriately.

Workers’ Compensation Insurance

Workers’ compensation insurance is mandatory in most states. It provides coverage for medical expenses and lost wages for any of your employees injured or who become ill while on the job. It also protects you as the employer from lawsuits related to unexpected workplace injuries.

Commercial Auto Insurance

Commercial auto insurance covers vehicles used for business purposes, such as company cars or trucks. It handles the costs associated with damages and injuries resulting from accidents involving company vehicles, theft, and vandalism.

Reach Out to Our Office for More Information

As a business owner, it’s a must to understand the four basic types of commercial insurance coverage and how they can protect your company from potential risks and losses. Options Insurance Agency in Hershey, PA has various commercial insurance options available to help you safeguard your operations. Contact us today to find out more!

What Risks Are You Facing as a Home Owner Without Home Insurance?

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Are you a homeowner, or are you thinking to become one? Then it would be best if you understood how important and necessary it is to have home insurance to protect your property and personal belongings. Many people decide to skip home insurance to save money. However, doing it is a bad idea, and here is why. 

Risks of Not Having Proper Home Insurance

If you decide not to carry home insurance for your property, here are the risks you may face:

  • Out-of-pocket costs. Home insurance aims to pay for damages and repairs to your home. If you do not have insurance, you must pay for everything yourself.
  • No liability protection. Home insurance also protects you as a homeowner if someone is injured at your home. You are responsible for all medical bills and legal charges without insurance coverage. 
  • Not being able to sell your home without insurance. If you ever decide to sell your home, it can be difficult, if not impossible, for you. Homes without insurance are undesirable for many homebuyers. Also, many realtors will not even show properties without home insurance. 

As you can see, having home insurance is a necessary and valuable investment in the long run. 

Options Insurance Agency Serving Clients in Hershey, PA

Are you a lucky homeowner in Hershey, PA, or any other nearby town? Are you looking for home insurance to protect your home? You should contact Options Insurance Agency. We specialize in many types of insurance, including home insurance. If you want to know more about the insurance options we offer or have other questions, feel free to contact us. 

 

Teen Driver Safety Tips

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It is daunting to face your child’s first attempts at driving, but there are ways to make the transition safe. Be sure to contact your Options Insurance Agency when your child obtains their learner’s permit to ensure they are covered from day one. 

Hershey, PA drivers must have bodily injury liability, uninsured and underinsured insurance, first-party benefits, and property damage coverage. Pennsylvania is a no-fault state, and motorists can opt into limited tort, which curtails their ability to sue, or full tort. 

 A lack of experience is the primary issue that new drivers face, and the longer they can spend being supervised, the better the outcome tends to be. They learn from your suggestions even if they resist this wisdom. 

Part of this practice should include taking them out during different weather conditions and various times of the day. They need to navigate traffic situations as well as the open road. A driver safety course will teach them defensive driving and provide oversight while practicing. 

Maintaining a curfew while your driver is still young is vital, limiting them to a cap of 9 or 10 o’clock at night for at least the first six months after they obtain their license. Do not allow them to ride with other teens. 

A seatbelt remains one of the easiest ways to avoid serious injury in a crash, and it’s good to set a good example for them in this regard. Make sure your safety features are fully functional in your teen’s vehicle. 

Options Insurance Agency in Hershey, PA

We help create insurance packages to meet your needs and work hard to insure every eligible family member. We invite you to reach out to us today so we can further discuss your situation. 

Required Commercial Insurance in Pennsylvania

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When you are a business owner in Pennsylvania, there are specific insurance policies you may have to have by law. There are two different types of required commercial insurance that you need to have if you meet certain conditions set forth by the state. There are also several other commercial policy types that you might want to get to protect your business. Call us now at Options Insurance Agency in Hershey, PA to get the insurance you need.

Commercial Auto Insurance

If your business uses one or more vehicles, they have to be protected with a commercial auto policy. This insurance provides a lot of protection against costs after an accident caused by your vehicle. This policy has to have a few types of coverage to be legal, and your business may also benefit from other types of coverage that aren’t required. The required coverages in your auto policy include bodily injury liability in two amounts, an amount for property damage liability and another amount for medical benefits. You can also add collision insurance to pay for your vehicle’s damages after an accident. 

Workers’ Compensation Insurance

If you have employees at your business, you must have workers’ comp insurance to cover them. This insurance pays for their medical bills and any necessary disability payments. Your business must have this coverage even if you have only one employee. This insurance must cover any employee working part-time, full-time, or seasonally. It offers strong protection for your business if any employee becomes injured. 

Cover Your Business

Call us today at Options Insurance Agency in Hershey, PA when you need your commercial insurance policies.

 

Tips to keep your car running smoothly

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Maintaining your car is vital if you want it to run smoothly. Here are some tips to help you do just that.

  1. Change your oil regularly. Oil is the lifeblood of your car, and it needs to be replaced every few thousand miles for it to run correctly. Be sure to consult your vehicle’s manual for recommended oil change intervals.
  2. Check the air pressure in your tires regularly. Low tire pressure can cause uneven wear and unnecessary strain on your tires, leading to costly repairs down the road. Make it a habit to check your tire pressure at least once a month and add air as needed.
  3. Get a tune-up every six months. Regular tune-ups are key to keeping your car running smoothly year after year. Make sure you take your car in for tune-ups at the recommended intervals and ask your mechanic to check a range of parameters, including engine performance, emissions, and fluid levels.
  4. Keep your gas tank at least half full. When you allow your gas tank to get too low, condensation can build up in the fuel line, leading to rust and corrosion. Keeping your tank at least half full will help prevent this from happening while also helping you avoid having to stop in the middle of a long journey to fill up.
  5. Replace windshield wipers and brake pads when necessary. Worn-out windshield wipers and brake pads put you at risk for accidents and can increase fuel consumption.

Following these tips can keep your car running smoothly for many years. If you have any questions about your car insurance, please give us at Options Insurance Agency a call today. We proudly serve the Hershey, PA area.

Things you should always have in your vehicle

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In Hershey, PA, you can count on Options Insurance Agency to offer you the customer service you deserve. It is crucial to be protected with reliable auto insurance, but sometimes you need some minor help on the side of the road or in an emergency.

Here are some things we suggest to have in your car:

In the trunk

On the practical side, you always need to have a spare tire and a jack in your trunk. No one has full-size spare tires anymore, but the donut will get you 50 miles. A can of Fix a Flat can come in very handy if it isn’t a significant burst. Make sure you know how to operate your jack or, if you don’t, have a roadside service you can call. 

Having a charger unit of some sort, like a Halo, can make all the difference when your vehicle decides it doesn’t want to start. At the very least, you need to carry jumper cables. 

Be prepared for the weather with a blanket, sweatshirt, hat, and other things to keep you warm if the weather is cold. Always carry some water in the trunk as well. Having something to drink is vital for your comfort. You may want to include snacks, choose something that won’t go bad in a short time, and check the dates from time to time. 

A first aid kit and an emergency kit are easy to store and come in very handy if something goes wrong. 

In the glove box

You should have your vehicle registration and insurance card in the glove box. It is also the place to keep a tool that cuts a seatbelt and breaks a window if you are ever in an accident involving water-submersion. 

In the vehicle

Like most people, you need to carry a charging cord for your phone or tablet. You also may need a phone holder so you can go hands-free. An easy pass is important if you travel on roads that have tolls and a bottle of water. 

Contact Options Insurance Agency in Hershey, PA for all your auto insurance needs. Our team will be happy to work with you and help you get a quote.

 

Required Commercial Insurance in Pennsylvania

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If you have a Pennsylvania business, it’s essential that you have commercial insurance policies to keep it protected. If you don’t have the necessary commercial policies, you could be on the hook for an enormous amount of money after an accident. To ensure that your business operates legally, you need the required insurance policies to comply with state laws. You can call us at Options Insurance Agency in Hershey, PA to get started when you need commercial insurance. 

Workers’ Compensation Insurance

This commercial insurance protects your business in case of an accident that happens at work and leaves an employee injured. In Pennsylvania, state law decrees that if you have any employees, even just one, you have to have this insurance for them. This is true no matter how many hours they work each week, including seasonal workers. This insurance pays for the medical bills and other expenses due after someone is injured at work. It also gives them disability benefits if that should become necessary. This is vital protection for your business, so it doesn’t end up owing a huge amount for medical bills and disability payments. Make sure you always have this in place, no matter how many employees you have. It could just save your business. 

Commercial Auto Insurance

In Pennsylvania, every business that is the legal owner of a vehicle must carry a commercial auto insurance policy. This is the case for all of the vehicles your company owns. The policy you get has to have certain amounts of coverage. You are required to have two different amounts of coverage for bodily injury liability as well as an amount for property damage liability. In addition, you have to have an amount for medical benefits. You can also add other coverage types to your policy if you choose to. 

Get Commercial Insurance

For your business coverage, call us at Options Insurance Agency in Hershey, PA.

Does Home Insurance Cover Severe Storm Damage?

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Like much of the country, Hershey, PA sees its share of severe storms throughout the year. While many are a show of lightning or strong winds, others can cause minor to significant damage to your property. The question is, does your home insurance policy cover severe storm damage?

Coverage Range

According to the agents at Options Insurance Agency, several natural disasters are covered by standard home insurance policies. These include damage due to hail, wind (including tornadoes), or lightning. A typical home insurance policy also covers fires created by these natural occurrences.

What is not Covered?

The following issues aren’t covered in a policy for a Pennsylvania home:

  • Mudslides
  • Landslides
  • Floods resulting from storms
  • Earthquakes

You can obtain coverage for these issues by adding a rider to an existing home insurance policy. In the case of floods, your mortgage company may ask you to purchase insurance to cover this natural disaster if you live near a water source.

What if I Don’t Get a Rider?

Overall, you may not need a rider for the items mentioned above. For instance, if you live in an area that’s not near mountains or a river, you probably don’t need additional coverage for mudslides or floods. If you’re unsure, speak to an insurance agent for guidance.

In the end, protecting your home is of utmost importance, so you want to maximize your coverage of natural disasters. Work with representatives at Options Insurance Agency to determine the proper value to handle severe storm damage. Additionally, ask if there are any riders you should include in the policy. 

Required Commercial Insurance in Pennsylvania

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Each state has its own requirements for the types of insurance a business must-have. In Pennsylvania, two types of commercial insurance are required for most businesses. If you do business in the state, you need to know about the necessary commercial insurance to operate legally. Call us at Options Insurance Agency in Hershey, PA if you need commercial insurance.

Workers’ Compensation Insurance

In Pennsylvania, every business with employees must cover them with workers’ compensation insurance. That’s true no matter how many employees you have and whether they work full or part-time. This also includes seasonal workers. This insurance will pay for the medical help and lost wages that need to be paid after an employee has had an accident at work or developed a work-related illness. It can also cover legal costs if there are any. This insurance is vital because it protects your business from having to pay medical bills and other expenses in the event of an accident. It also protects employees, ensuring funds are available if they are injured. 

Commercial Auto Insurance

Any vehicle in the state-owned by a private business must have a commercial auto insurance policy. This policy will pay for accidents that are caused by the vehicle. There are different types of coverage required to be included in the policy, including bodily injury liability, medical benefits, and property damage liability. There are two amounts of coverage required for bodily injury liability. These include an amount for one injured person and another for all injured people. 

Get Commercial Coverage

If you need commercial coverage, make sure your business has what has been mandated as well as any other policies that could be helpful. Call us at Options Insurance Agency in Hershey, PA to find out what commercial insurance you need.