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Avoiding Driving Distractions

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We live in a busy world where everyone is hustling and bustling to get through the day. With everyone so preoccupied with so many things, it is easy to become distracted when driving, especially when you add the added distraction that comes with staying connected via online apps and other communication methods. 

With so many distractions while behind the wheel, drivers in Hershey, PA, need to take extra precautions when hitting the road. Our experts at Options Insurance Agency can help get you the coverage you need to keep you protected while driving. 

Hands-Free Calls

Using the Bluetooth technology in your vehicle, connect your cell phone, so you can accept and make calls without needing to pick up your phone. 

Dictate Texts

Some devices allow you to dictate who you send a text message to and what you want to say. Additionally, some devices recite text messages, so you do not have to look at your phone. 

Social Media

Do not be tempted to look at any of your social media apps while driving. Whatever you want to read can wait until you are somewhere else besides driving in the car. 

Navigation Guides

When needing assistance finding a location, it is best to input the address before leaving or pull over to do it. Additionally, some apps offer traffic updates, gas prices notifications, and more. Use the audio for these options and limit the number of glances you make to look at the phone. 

Though we cannot help you with the driving distractions in Hershey, PA, we can help get you the insurance coverage you need to stay protected while on the road. Call our agents at Options Insurance Agency to learn more about the different auto insurance options available. 

Will commercial insurance protect people in Pennsylvania?

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As you are looking for a place to grow and run a business, Hershey, PA is a good spot to consider. There are a lot of benefits that come with being a business owner in this community including local support for small businesses and having access to a strong local economy. Those that would run a business in this part of the state need to get insurance for their company. Commercial insurance can protect business owners in several ways.

Liability Protection

One way you can be protected with a commercial insurance plan is by receiving liability protection. Accidents can always happen that could result in damages to another party. If your business happens to cause an accident that results in damages, you can be held liable. As these costs can be significant based on the situation, having commercial insurance is always helpful. This coverage will offer quality liability protection that can continue to support your organization. 

Protect Business Investments

Your commercial insurance plan can also protect investments made by your business. A business will need to continue to invest in itself to acquire assets and fuel future growth. As you and your business will rely on the assets it acquires, you will want to know that you are keeping proper insurance in place. A commercial insurance plan will protect these assets for your company. 

A commercial insurance plan will always offer valuable coverage that makes it well worth the investment. As you are shopping for a new plan in Hershey, PA, consulting with the professionals with the Options Insurance Agency will be helpful. The team with Options Insurance Agency can help you assess all of your options and understand the value of this coverage. This can help ensure you pick a plan that provides great coverage for your business. 

When is someone required to have home insurance?

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The Hershey, PA area continues to be a good place to own a home. Those that are in this area will benefit from a strong economy and local amenities that keep demand for housing high. If you are going to purchase real estate when you are here, you will need to have insurance for your home. There are some situations when having home insurance is a requirement.

When Located in an Association

A common situation when someone will be required to have a home insurance plan is when they are located in a home association. If you have bought a home in an association, the organization will likely have home insurance standards that all owners need to meet. Most associations will even require you to provide evidence of coverage on an annual basis. 

When Taking Out a Mortgage

You should also get home insurance to comply with mortgage lender requirements. A mortgage lender will provide a loan that is used to purchase a home and will take your property as collateral until the loan is paid off. Due to this, a mortgage lender will want you to have the proper insurance to ensure the home is covered and protected. They will often require that you escrow payments for insurance as it will ensure there is not a coverage lapse. 

There continue to be plenty of situations when having home insurance is a requirement. When you are looking to properly insure your home in the Hershey, PA area, speaking with Options Insurance Agency is a good idea. There are many factors to consider as you are looking for home insurance and Options Insurance Agency can make the decision-making process easier for you. This can help ensure you remain appropriately covered and in compliance with requirements. 

Add-ons to consider for your auto insurance

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When you are shopping for auto insurance in Pennsylvania, you may want to understand the different auto insurance options available for better coverage. When you partner with an agent like Options Insurance Agency located in Hershey, PA, we recommend the minimum coverage and introduce you to add-ons you can consider for your auto insurance for optimal coverage. 

Want to find out add-ons you can consider for your auto insurance? Please keep on scrolling.

Road assistance

While car ownership introduces you to a limitless world of possibilities, mishaps are bound to happen. For instance, breakdowns are part and parcel of car ownership. And boy, you don’t want it to happen when you don’t have road assistance coverage.

This add-on provides the below services whenever your car stalls on the highway or any other location.

  • Jump-starting
  • Gas delivery
  • Puncture repair
  • Roadside mechanical repair
  • Towing

Zero depreciation cover

When you have this cover, and your car needs replacement or part replacement, your insurance will cover full costs without considering the depreciation factor.

Engine protection

The engine serves a pivotal role in powering your vehicle. Without it, your car is rendered useless. In light of this, you can safeguard your engine with this protection rider, especially if you live in areas susceptible to waterlogging. 

Personal Injury Protection (PIP)

Regardless of how carefully you drive, accidents do happen even when you are not at fault. In such instances, PIP comes in handy, especially for drivers with little or no health insurance. In case of an accident, PIP covers medical costs, including surgery costs and ambulance fees, regardless of who was at fault. 

Auto insurance in Hershey, PA

Your car is a precious asset to you. As such, you need to purchase add-ons that suit your unique circumstances. For Pennsylvania residents, you can relax knowing that your auto insurance needs are well-taken care of by Options Insurance Agency situated in Hershey, PA. Contact us today whether renewing or shopping for new auto insurance.

Commercial insurance options for small businesses

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Commercial insurance options for small businesses

You have already risked more than enough starting a small business. That means you need to protect it at all costs. As a small business owner in Hershey, PA, the best way to protect your investment is by buying insurance. You also need to know which coverages are more important for your business and which ones to ignore. Here are a few options to choose from.

Business liability insurance

Every business requires liability coverage. You are likely to get sued by third parties whether you deal with clients directly or indirectly. From unsatisfied customers to accidents you’re not in control of, there are thousands of reasons why another party may file a lawsuit against you. This insurance helps cover the legal fees and what you are found liable for.

Property insurance

You will need property insurance to protect your business environment and its contents. Think about fire, theft, and other accidents that could lead to financial losses. At Options Insurance Agency, we recommend choosing a comprehensive plan to cover the property used in the business up to specific limits. This may include computers, furniture, technology, and inventory.

Workers’ compensation

Whether you have one employee or a hundred, you need workers’ compensation to protect your employees. It is a mandatory policy in Pennsylvania that pays for medical bills and income benefits for employees who get injured while working at your company.

Commercial umbrella insurance

If you run a business that is at risk of getting involved in lawsuits, you may need commercial umbrella insurance to protect you from accidents that go beyond the liability covered in other policies. Major cases can harm your business financially and even lead to a close down.

There exist many insurance coverages for businesses, and you don’t need all of them. If you are in Hershey, PA, our insurance professionals at Options Insurance Agency can work with you and determine which coverages match your business needs.

Understanding Home Insurance Personal Property Coverage

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There’s nothing like the excitement of purchasing your first home. Part of homeownership is protecting your property. Home insurance from Options Insurance Agency offers coverage for both your Hershey, PA home and belongings to protect what’s important to you. Here’s what you should know about personal property coverage.

Understanding Personal Property Coverage

Personal property coverage protects your belongings. This includes your clothes, jewelry, furniture, appliances, electronics, artwork, gym equipment, and other personal items. Most policies cover perils like fire, theft, vandalism, storm damage, tornadoes, and other disasters. If these goods are damaged or lost in a covered peril, your property coverage will compensate you financially for your loss.

Actual Cash Value vs Replacement Cost Coverage

As a homeowner, you have a choice as to what kind of coverage to buy for your belongings. If you choose actual cash value coverage, you will be reimbursed for the cost of damaged goods after taking off for depreciation. Replacement cost coverage is a bit more expensive. However, it covers the cost of replacing your goods at current market value, without taking off for depreciation. If your goods are pricey, you may prefer replacement cost coverage to save you money on replacing lost or damaged items.

Protection of Posh Items

Standard home policies have limits on personal property coverage. These limits may be insufficient to fully protect posh items. If you own costly jewelry, original artwork, or other expensive goods, you may need extra insurance on top of your property coverage to fully protect these items. We recommend you get an appraisal for posh goods and purchase an endorsement to cover the cost of these valuables.

To learn more about personal property coverage or to purchase this coverage for your valuables, contact Options Insurance Agency. We serve residents in Hershey, PA, and surrounding communities.

What’s PA’s State Minimum for Auto Insurance?

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Pennsylvania drivers are required to carry auto insurance that meets certain minimum coverage levels. These areas include bodily injury liability coverage, property damage liability coverage, and uninsured motorist coverage. Pennsylvania drivers can carry more than the minimum coverage amounts. However, they must carry at least the minimum in order to legally drive in the state. 

Pennsylvania Law

Pennsylvania drivers will face strong consequences if they don’t adhere to the auto insurance requirements in the state of Pennsylvania. Liability auto insurance is a requirement in the state. If you don’t carry liability auto insurance you face the possibility of a $300 fine and the suspension of your driver’s license for driving uninsured. Your vehicle registration can also be suspended for three months and a three-month suspension of your driver’s license. These are the penalties that you face if Penn DOT discovers that you drove without the required insurance. 

Pennsylvania State Minimums for Auto Insurance

Our team at the Options Insurance Agency is committed to helping Hershey, PA residents understand what’s required to legally drive in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania residents must purchase $15,000 per person, $30,000 per accident for bodily injury liability coverage. State residents must also carry $5,000 in property damage liability coverage. Residents must also carry $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident in uninsured motorist coverage. Our team at the Options Insurance Agency wants PA drivers to understand what is required to legally operate a car within the state. We take the time to explain everything that’s required by state law to drive.

Liability auto insurance is required by law. However, liability insurance coverage levels must meet the state minimums. We’re here to answer any questions drivers may have about what’s required and what’s not required. GIve us a call. We’re here to guide you through understanding state laws and liability coverage minimums. 

Cyber Liability Insurance: What is it?

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Running a business is inherently risky for people being injured while at the office to property damage, but one of the risks that is often overlooked is technology. Cyber attacks are becoming more frequent and while many assume that only large companies are targeted for data breaches and hacks, that is simply not true. Any company that stores sensitive customer or company data such as intellectual property, trade secrets, credit cards, social security numbers, and bank account information is at a higher risk of being attacked. 

While using data encryption tools and other software solutions is one defense mechanism against cyber threat actors, it only takes one hacker to be able to infiltrate your network. Consequently, cyber liability insurance provides a safeguard by offering financial protection and other benefits to business owners in the event that you suffer a cyberattack. In short, cyber liability insurance helps cover the following:

  • Regulatory fines from local and federal authorities
  • Legal services
  • Lost income from an outage
  • Lawsuits from customers or employees related to privacy and data breaches
  • The expense associated with notifying customers about a data breach or hack
  • Assistance in paying for identity protection monitoring for impacted customers or employees

The cost of cyber liability insurance varies greatly depending on the number of customers that you are storing sensitive data on, the type of information being stored, total revenue for the business, and any previously filed claims.

When it comes to finding a commercial insurance policy for your business gives the team at Options Insurance Agency in Hershey, PA a call. Our talented team of insurance professionals will work tirelessly to customize a policy that meets all the needs of your business. 

How Much Auto Insurance Do I Need?

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In order to register your car and drive it on public roads in Hershey, PA, you need auto insurance. But how much do you need? According to the state, there is a minimum amount you must purchase. However, is this really enough? It’s enough to get your wheels on the road but if something were to happen, even if it’s not your fault, will the minimum cover you? The answer could very well be no, according to Options Insurance Agency. 

There are three types of drivers on Hershey, PA roads: the insured, the underinsured, and the uninsured (yes, they exist and drive illegally).

When you’re in an auto accident, you and the other driver will fit into one of these three categories. If either of you are uninsured, you’ll face hefty fines and maybe even lose your privilege to drive. You’ll also have to pick up the entire bill for any damages or injuries. This puts your assets and savings at risk. The same goes for someone who is underinsured. You can get into a no-fault accident with an underinsured driver only to discover that your bills are going unpaid because their claim ran out. This is when your insurance kicks in if you’ve bought enough in your policy. You’ll need maximum coverage and in some cases umbrella insurance to cover the costs the at-fault driver can’t pay.

If you were to have an accident that’s not your fault, you’d want the other driver to be insured to the maximum, wouldn’t you? On the other hand, if you’re in an accident and it’s your fault, you’ll also want maximum to cover any injuries to loved ones or the other party. It just makes sense.

To learn more about getting the maximum benefits with your auto insurance policy, contact Options Insurance Agency today. 

Why should I invest in an auto insurance policy in Hershey?

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The Hershey, PA area can be a great place to work and live. If you are going to live in this area of the state, you will want to ensure that you are properly insuring all of your assets. One type of asset that will need to be insured is your vehicle. There are several reasons that you should invest in an auto insurance policy.

Insurance Gives Important Coverage

One reason that you are going to need to have auto insurance is that it will give you important insurance coverage. A full auto insurance policy is going to give you liability protection as well as collision and comprehensive coverage. This will ensure that you are protected if you are at fault in an accident or your vehicle is damaged.

Insurance is Required

Beyond providing you with important coverage, auto insurance is also required for vehicle owners to carry. If you have a car loan, you will likely be required to carry a full policy with collision and comprehensive coverage. Further, anyone that intends to drive their car on a public road will be required to carry liability insurance. 

There are many advantages that come when you get an auto insurance policy. Since this is such an important form of insurance to get, those that are in the Hershey, PA area should make sure that they get the right form of insurance in place. The team at the Options Insurance Agency can provide you with all of the guidance and support that you need to pick a new policy. If you do call Options Insurance Agency, the team will be able to answer all of your questions to make sure you are properly protected and get into a great policy.