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3 Risks of Liability Only Auto Insurance

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When you are shopping for auto insurance, you are going to hear a lot of terms being thrown around. It is vital that you know what those terms mean so that you can make an educated decision about your insurance purchase. For instance, the term liability only is a relevant term to know, and one that could put you at risk if you do not fully understand it. At Options Insurance Agency serving Hershey, PA, we are concerned with educating our customers so that they can make the best insurance choices. Keep reading to find out three ways liability only insurance can put you at risk. 

Liability Only Puts Your Vehicle At Risk

Liability only insurance is a type of insurance policy that will only cover bodily injury and damage which you cause to another driver and their vehicle. This type of policy does not include any damage which will happen to your vehicle during such an accident. Even if you are a great driver, accidents still occur. If your car is totaled in an accident, which was your fault, you could be out of a vehicle. If your car receives major damage, the expense for that damage will come out of your pocket. This is also true for any other type of damage that occurs to your car, such as hail damage. 

Liability Only Puts Your Health At Risk

If you receive injuries during an accident in which you were at fault, you will be responsible for any medical bills which result. This can put your health at risk, especially if you do not have health coverage. 

Liability Only Puts Your Financial Security At Risk

If you are at fault during a car accident, you will find yourself paying out of pocket for significant car repairs or medical bills. This can put your savings in jeopardy. 

If you would like to learn more about how you can avoid these risks, contact Options Insurance Agency serving Hershey, PA. 

Talking To New Drivers About Auto Insurance

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Is there a more exciting time to be a teen than earning your own driver’s license? Options Insurance Agency would like to share the joys of driving with all our Hershey, PA teen drivers this year. While insurance may not be the first thing on your mind when you’re eager to get behind the wheel, it should be! That’s why we’ve assembled this quick and easy guide to first-time driver’s auto insurance.

It’s The Law!

Even teens are required to have an insurance policy on their vehicle once they start driving alone. Every driver is required by PA law to carry a certain minimum coverage for bodily injury and property damage. This type of policy, known as liability insurance, typically only covers cases where you are found at fault for an accident. You may want to consider additional coverage for cases when you aren’t at fault, but the other driver is not insured or does not have adequate coverage. There are other options available too, so make sure you discuss your individual concerns with your insurance agent!

Be Responsible!

Safe driving is smart driving. Not only will you be at less risk for accidents, but you could also be rewarded for your good behavior. Maintaining a clean driving record can open more insurance options for you. Getting good grades, taking safety courses, and being involved with local safe driving teen programs are excellent ways to improve your reputation with your insurance agency. 

Explore Your Options!

The type of vehicle you choose can have a major effect on the kind of insurance policy you’ll need. It can also play a major role in your accident risk factor. The safest vehicle type for a new driver is a mid-size sedan.

Options Insurance Agency encourages new drivers in Hershey, PA to contact us today to learn more about auto insurance!

Can You Take Out Two Commercial Policies on the Same Property?

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Commercial insurance is something that any and all business owners should have and can benefit from greatly. That being said, there are some basics to keep in mind when it comes to insuring a commercial property so that you can do it right. For those in the Hershey, PA area, the agents with Options Insurance Agency can help you to find the right insurance policy for you.

When it comes to insuring a commercial property, in most cases you are only ever going to be able to insure a property with one policy. The reason is that insurance agencies are afraid of insurance fraud. Taking out more than one policy on the same property does raise some red flags in that it may mean you are going to try to insure the property for more than it is worth, you may be trying to get a double payout, or you may be trying to get more insurance than you actually need for the property as well. In most cases, you are not going to be able to take out two policies on the same property, especially if the total of those policies is more than the property is worth.

You can adjust the coverage of your policy or you can get an umbrella policy if you feel that you need more coverage than what the policy you currently have offers. With an umbrella policy you can add more coverage without having to change your first policy and without having to try and get another policy from a different agency. For those in the Hershey, PA area, the agents with Options Insurance Agency can help you to find the perfect commercial policy that fits your needs and the commercial business or property that you are working to insure.  

Auto insurance coverage beyond liability

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In Hershey, PA you are required to have basic liability insurance in order to drive your vehicle. The limits of coverage that you must have are determined by the state and can be found on the Pennsylvania DMV website. Basic liability coverage is what you need but it may not be what you want or should have. The friendly staff at Options Insurance Agency have the information that you need to determine what coverage options are right for you. 

Collision coverage 

Collision coverage protects your vehicle in the event that you are in an accident. If you have a collision with another vehicle or with a tree or fence. It can be expensive to pay for repairs or to replace your vehicle. If you have a loan on your car or are leasing your vehicle, having collision coverage will likely be required to protect their investment. If you rely on your vehicle to get to work or just to get around, being able to repair or replace it is very important. If your vehicle is old and has very little cash value then it may not be necessary coverage. 

Comprehensive coverage

Comprehensive coverage is often called other than collision. If you damaged by something other than another vehicle, fence or tree. If a deer jumps in front of your car, a stone gets thrown up and breaks your windshield or a large branch falls on your car, your comprehensive insurance pays for the repair or replacement.  It also protects your vehicle from vandalism and theft. This can be a very important coverage and may be required by a lender or a lessor. 

If you think some of these other coverages are right for you and you live in the Hershey, PA area, Options Insurance Agency has the information that you need to make an informed decision. Stop by our office, give us a call or visit our website, you will be glad you did. 

New Homeowner? Avoid These Home Insurance Mistakes

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If you’re new to homeownership, you may have questions concerning home insurance coverage. Home insurance protects your home and belongings against theft and unforeseen disasters. Improper coverage puts you at risk of paying thousands of dollars to repair your home or replace your goods on your own. By consulting with Options Insurance Agency in Hershey, PA, you can make wise insurance decisions and avoid costly mistakes like the following:

Choosing the Wrong Policy or Company  

When choosing home insurance, it’s important to shop around and compare what different insurers have to offer. Read reviews of insurance companies online to see how customers rate their services, policies, and prices. Choosing a trustworthy insurance company is just as important as getting a good price on your policy as you’ll have fewer problems making a claim.  

Getting Insufficient Coverage

Your home insurance should save you money by protecting your dwelling and personal goods against theft and disasters. Insufficient coverage could wind up costing you money in paying for damages out-of-pocket. Ideally, your coverage should be enough to rebuild your home or replace your goods in the event of a total loss.

Paying Too Much

Some policies offer non-essential protection that raises the cost of your premium without improving your coverage. At Options Insurance Agency, we’ll personalize your policy to ensure you get the essential protection you need at an affordable cost.

Not Adding Important Coverage

Standard home insurance policies may not fully protect high-end items due to the limits of the policy. By not getting extra protection, you risk losing these items or paying for their replacement yourself in a disaster. Adding important coverage to your policy, when needed, will fully protect your assets.

For quality insurance coverage to safeguard your home and valuables, contact Options Insurance Agency in Hershey, PA.   

Freelance Plumber Insurance Needs,

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As a freelance plumber in Hershey, PA, you need to do what you can to protect your business and your work. One of the most important of these steps that you can take is to contact us at Options Insurance Agency to buy a commercial insurance policy that covers your needs adequately. 

Commercial insurance is typically an excellent choice for several reasons. First of all, policies can protect your customers from any damage you cause and also protect your business from their lawsuits. Secondly, many policies protect the items in your business to keep them secure. 

Most of the time, commercial policies for freelance plumbers fall into several different categories. You can choose a plan that has one or more of these options and often can mix and match them as you see fit. However, you should always try to get the policy that covers as much as possible. 

For example, you’ll probably need property insurance as a plumber. This type of policy protects you from theft or damage to your expensive equipment. For example, any of your wrenches, trenchless repair tools, or other critical items are protected by this type of policy. 

Other types you need to consider include general liability and professional liability. The first time will cover you if anybody suffers damage on your premises caused by your work and the second covers expenses that occur if your work causes problems to a customer, such as if a burst pipe you caused damages a homeowner’s house. 

The nature of these policies make them very essential for Hershey, PA freelance plumbers and shouldn’t’ be ignored. So if you’re looking for significant policies and you want to find the ones that work for you, please contact us at Options Insurance Agency to learn more about your many options. 

When will home insurance protect me?

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Owning a home can be a great long-term investment and decision. When you do own a home, it is important that you have it properly covered by insurance. There are several benefits of home insurance that make it a great option for anyone that owns a home. 

Provides Property Protection

One benefit of having home insurance is that it can provide you with very valuable property protection. A full home insurance policy will provide you with protection against a variety of concerns including fire, weather damage, and vandalism. Due to the importance of this type of coverage, most home lenders will also require that you carry this insurance at all times.

Personal Property Coverage

An additional benefit that comes with home insurance is that your personal belongings will be covered by insurance as well. Most people will have a certain level of personal property coverage in their home insurance policy. For more expensive items, such as jewelry or collectibles, you can get an additional insurance rider to the policy to give even more coverage. 

Liability Protection

Finally, you will also want to have home insurance because it will provide you with liability protection. When you have liability protection in place it will give you coverage in the event you are found liable for an accident that occurred on your property. This could prove to be very valuable in some situations. 

If you own a home in the Hershey, PA area and are looking to learn more about home insurance, you should contact the Options Insurance Agency. The insurance professionals at Options Insurance Agency are very knowledgeable about home insurance and all the ways it can help you. The team can then help you get into a policy that properly protects your home and gives you peace of mind. 

Is Hail Damage Covered Under My Auto Insurance Policy?

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Hail can damage your car’s exterior in just a few minutes time. There are times, however, when your car insurance will cover both hail and storm damage, but you must have the right type of insurance in place. The Options Insurance Agency offers all types of auto insurance coverage to residents who live in the Hershey, PA area. A simple phone call to one of their reputable agents will ensure that you have the coverage you need to protect your car.

Comprehensive Coverage 

Comprehensive coverage is the only type of insurance that will cover hail and storm damage. Liability only covers damages and injuries sustained by others if you are involved in an accident. Collision insurance covers damages to your vehicle that occur when you are involved in an accident. Comprehensive covers both collision and liability as well as many other types of claims such as theft and vandalism. 

Protect Your Vehicle

There are many ways you can protect your vehicle from hail and storm damage. If it’s at all possible, park your car in a garage or under a cover of some type, like a carport or overhang. If you don’t have anywhere safe to park your car to get it out of the elements, purchase a car cover and put it on whenever a storm approaches.

Hershey, PA residents can call the licensed agents at Options Insurance Agency to get a quote for a new auto insurance policy or get a review of an existing policy. By scheduling an appointment with one of the agents, you will be able to get the answers you need to make the right choice in terms of what type of policy is best for your individual needs. Call today!

Do You Need Commercial Insurance for Your Business?

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A general commercial liability policy is not required in Hershey, PA, but there some businesses that are required to carry workers compensation insurance or commercial auto insurance. A business with four or more regular employees, whether they are full time or part time, must have workers compensation insurance. Any business that relies on vehicles will also need to have the proper commercial auto insurance.

While a general liability policy and other types of commercial insurance may not be required by the state, there are a number of benefits that come with having it, especially if you have a business that could be considered high risk. An agent at Options Insurance Agency can help you come up with the right policy for your risk. A general liability policy will pay for bodily injury, personal injury, property damage to another person’s property, advertising injury, and legal defense and judgments. Since there aren’t any award caps in the state, having a lawsuit against your business can be financially devastating. The statute of limitations for personal injury and product liability is three years. The statute of limitation for intentional conduct is two years. Accidents can happen at any time to any business, so having insurance can protect your assets. Without insurance, any accidents that do occur will have to be paid out of pocket, which could wipe out any profits. A reasonable estimate is to have between $500,000 and $1 million for your liability policy.

If your business has a lot of inventory or specialized equipment, you may want to consider commercial property insurance. Not only does this cover damage to the building your business operates in, but it also covers any equipment and inventory inside the building.

Contact Options Insurance Agency, serving Hershey, PA, to get a quote on commercial insurance. 

3 Hidden Benefits of Home Insurance

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No matter what how big your home may be or where it may be located, purchasing home insurance is an important part of the process. For residents of Hershey, PA, the following is three hidden benefits of home insurance.

Bringing Things to Code

Once the disaster happens, your home must be brought back up to code before it is legally inhabitable. This could be quite costly in the absence of a suitable insurance policy. However, by purchasing a high-quality policy, you will ensure you have the monies needed to repair your home after a disaster strikes.

Pet Bites

Moreover, if you own a pet that can attack or bite humans or other animals, you will also benefit from a high-quality home insurance package. The damages from a dog bite can cost anywhere from hundreds to thousands of dollars. Unless you have a policy that covers this, you will be on the hook for costly medical bills and other expenses after your pet has attacked a human or another animal.

Power Outages

In all actuality, most of us are never fully prepared for the damages that can occur as the result of a power outage. Not only can this cause damages to the home itself, but it can also cause things such as food, beverages, and other items to go bad or spoil. However, by purchasing a high-quality home insurance policy, you will be covered if your home is subjected to a long-term power outage.

Overall, for residents of Hershey, PA, Options Insurance Agency is an excellent choice for purchasing a home insurance policy. Call, email, or stop by our Hershey, PA office. Options Insurance Agency is read to answer your questions and help you get started on a home insurance policy.