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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.

Can You Insure a Vehicle That Isn’t Registered Under Your Name?

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There are plenty of reasons why someone might want to insure a vehicle they don’t own in Hershey, PA. It’s common when parents or family members buy a car for their loved ones. Maybe you’re giving a friend a loaner for a few months. Regardless, insurance in these cases can get tricky. That’s especially true if the registration doesn’t match the insurance. Options Insurance Agency is here with a little advice to help you understand if you can insure a vehicle that isn’t registered to you.

Mostly No

In general, the insurers want to see the name on the registration match the name on the insurance policy. In fact, some states require this by law. The philosophy behind it is that the owner of a vehicle has a stronger personal interest in caring for the car, and this reduces risk to the insurance provider. If the state allows (laws change over time), and the insurance company is on board, you can potentially overcome this by demonstrating an insurable interest in the car. How you do that will be up to the insurance company.

Do This Instead

There are two easier ways to insure a car that isn’t in your name (or vise versa). You can update the registration to have both names. Once that happens, only one of the two names is required to be on the policy, and everything runs smoothly. It can be a little costly to renew a registration early to do this, but it’s better than being uninsured.

The other option is to pay for insurance in someone else’s name. There are no requirements at all on who pays the bill. You only need to be sure that the person who drives the car is named somewhere in the policy. This usually isn’t a big deal. There is one word of warning. If you think it at all necessary, you can write a legally binding contract to make sure the initial arrangement is honored by both parties.

Options Insurance Agency has experts available to anyone in Hershey, PA. You can ask all of your questions and get reliable answers.

Types of commericial insurance recommended for small businesses

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Every business has considerable amounts of risk involved, even small ones in Bristol and Hershey, PA. This is why it is always recommended to get a commercial insurance package that fits the operation of your industry. If you would like a custom plan, check out Options Insurance Agency.

Businesses Liability

Liability insurance is your first legal defense against lawsuits that may arise from injuries or damages. Especially considering if your business has a lot of public contacts, this is one of the most critical insurance policies to have.

Commercial Auto Insurance

If your company handles its own logistics or employee transportation, this is another must-have. Even if your employees provide their own vehicles, it is still a good idea to have non-owned insurance in case their policies do not cover a sufficient amount in damages.

Worker’s Compensation

If you ever have employees injured on the job, having worker’s compensation coverage will save you a lot of money. Since the employee will give up his rights to sue in case of an injury, the results of an incident will mostly be predictable. In some areas and under certain conditions, it may be mandatory to have this type of coverage.

Professional Liability

If your company’s services were improperly delivered or executed, this type of coverage will help against a legal battle. This is especially useful for high-skilled firms or agencies where errors have critical ramifications.

Contact us

A lot of small business owners in Bristol and Hershey, PA may have the habit of lacking insurance, considering that it is more of a big business thing. On the contrary, a small business may be squished like a bug from a major lawsuit if one does come along. It is best to keep yourself covered with at least a minimal amount of insurance. If you are shopping around for a commercial insurance package, consider consulting with Options Insurance Agency.

Ways to Improve Your Home for Winter…Now!

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Winter in Hershey, PA can be a bit harsh on a home, and if folks don’t prepare for the things that a temperature change can impact, it can turn into big problems in the coldest part of the year. The most common problem tends to be the pipes, but a pipe burst is not the only problem that can occur. This is where winter prevention that is done regularly in the Fall can be both a headache saver as well as a big boost for how your Hershey, PA insurance provider treats you regarding your homeowner’s insurance. Here’s how, and the tips are really easy according to Options Insurance Agency:

  • Got outdoor pipes that are exposed? Wrap them up with some insulation tape. Easily found at a hardware store, it gives just enough layer around the pipe to prevent freezing and pipe bursting as the water inside turns to expanding ice.
  • Lots of ice on your roof typically? A simple copper heating wire net keeps the snow from piling up on your roof and the weight off. The wire is heating just enough to make the snow melt. It’s not hot, but the snow can’t build up due to the slight warmth.
  • Clear your gutters. Jammed up gutters trap water, which can be heavy, causing the gutters to tear off. Clearing them out keeps the rainwater moving down and out, versus ruining your home.
  • Speaking of gutters, run a simple chain from the top of the gutter to a simple rock pile at the bottom if there’s no downspout. Water will run down the chain, and the rocks prevent the drainage from damaging your cement or digging a hole from impact in the lawn.
  • Turn your water off when gone on extended vacation. This avoids a water leak going for days because no one sees it at home.

To find out more tips or how to improve your insurance policy with your changes, call Options Insurance Agency. Our staff are experts in finding insurance discounts based on home improvements, and a simple email can save you a lot!

Are Auto Insurance Rates Based on the Value of the Car Only?

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Having the right coverage on your car is a necessity that you should take very seriously. Having the right coverage can be difficult, however, if you are not aware of what type of coverage you need or what level of coverage you need. For those in the Hershey, PA area, the agents with Options Insurance Agency can help you find the coverage that works for you. 

There are a few different factors that determine the overall cost of your monthly car insurance premiums. The first is the value of the car. This affects cost based on the fact that a more expensive car is going to cost more to replace and therefore needs more coverage. More expensive cars are also more likely to have loans out on them which means that they need to be covered in full. Another factor that affects cost is the age of the driver. Those that are over the age of 25 are going to get a lower rate while those over the age of 50 are likely to get an even bigger discount. Still, another factor that affects the cost is the amount of coverage. When you have full coverage you can expect to pay more than when you have only liability coverage. 

These are not the only factors that affect the overall cost of the insurance policy you choose. Marital status, college degrees, owning a home, children, and more are all going to affect the overall cost of your policy. On top of all of that, your driving record is also going to affect cost. It is important to talk with an agent to find out how much your premium is going to be and to find the best rate possible. For those in the Hershey, PA area, the agents with Options Insurance Agency can help tailor your perfect policy. 

Insuring your Teen Driver, Coverage to Consider

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Before you let your 16-year-old buy a souped-up hot rod, make sure you can afford the insurance coverage. When you have teen drivers in the house, it’s an automatic given that your rates will increase. So, talk to your Options Insurance Agency representative in Hershey, PA before co-signing for a car. 

Each state has its own minimum car insurance requirements for all drivers. This coverage provides limited protection, so make sure you understand what’s covered and what’s not.

Find Out if Your Teen Qualifies for a Discount

Most Pennsylvania insurers offer discounts to teen drivers who show responsible behavior trends in other areas. For example, if your son or daughter has at least a B average in high school, you can probably get a discount. Completing a drivers education course also shows responsible behavior and that’s rewarded by many insurers. 

Of course, just like adults, your teen should work on building up a good driving record to qualify for optimal rates. 

College Kids Save on Insurance

If your teen is ready to head off to university and doesn’t have a car, you’re probably going to get a break on your car insurance. 

Choose the Car Wisely

Ask your Options Insurance Agency representative for a list of cars that get the best insurance rates. Then, match it up to used cars in your area that is within your teen’s budget. This saves you from unwanted surprises down the road. 

This is a very exciting time for your son or daughter, and they should enjoy their new independence in Hershey, PA. You can enjoy it with them if you’ve done your research ahead of time. 

Home Insurance: Know the Facts

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If you own a home in Hershey, PA, you should protect it with insurance coverage. Home insurance not only protects your structure but your personal belongings. A home insurance policy from Options Insurance Agency can protect you against theft, fire, storms, or other natural disasters. Here are some of the most important facts you should know about homeowner’s insurance.

Coverage

You can personalize a home insurance policy to meet your individual needs. If you own an expensive home, you may want higher limits on property damage to fully protect your investment. Valuable goods can be protected with additional coverage from an insurance rider. You can also choose the type of protection you want to match the risks you face where you live. The more coverage you have, the less you’ll pay out of pocket in the event of a disaster.

Deductible

You can choose the deductible on your home insurance policy. This is the amount you’ll pay before your insurance takes over. A high deductible reduces the price of your policy. You should have financial resources to pay that deductible, however, without it hurting your budget.  

Actual Cash Value or Replacement Cost

When insuring your home and belongings, you can choose between actual cash value or replacement cost coverage. Actual cash value covers the cost of repairing your home or replacing goods after depreciation. With replacement cost, your insurer will cover the cost of replacing your home or goods without taking off depreciation. A policy with replacement cost coverage will cost more but could pay off big time in the event of a major loss.

Discounts

You can get discounts on your home insurance by bundling home and auto policies. Home upgrades that improve your security, plumbing, or electrical systems could also make you eligible for a discount on your policy.

To learn more facts about home insurance, contact Options Insurance Agency in Hershey, PA.

Does a Pet Daycare Need Commercial Insurance?

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People who choose to open up their own pet daycares in Hershey, PA tend to have a deep passion for working with animals. They want pet owners to have the option to leave their pets with a trustworthy babysitter while at work or away on vacation. There are a variety of services offered by most pet daycares, and if you are the owner of one, it is imperative that you maintain proper insurance on your business. Let’s look at whether or not a pet daycare needs commercial insurance from Options Insurance Agency. 

Workers’ Compensation

There are many types of insurance that you may need to invest in when operating a pet daycare. For starters, if you have employees working for you, then you will need to purchase a workers’ compensation policy. This will allow you to have peace of mind in knowing if an employee gets injured while performing a work-related duty, your insurance can cover such things as the employee’s lost wages and more. The exact types of coverages that workers’ compensation insurance provides can be found in the fine print of the policy. 

General Liability and Umbrella Insurance

You’ll also want to buy general liability insurance. This way, if someone gets injured while on your business property, you can rest easy knowing you can’t be held responsible for bodily injury or property damage expenses. It is possible, however, for the limits of your policy to be exhausted, which is why considering an umbrella insurance policy is always a smart move to make. 

Business Owners

Another type of valuable insurance a pet daycare can purchase is a business owners policy, which usually includes general liability coverage as well as various forms of specific property damage coverage.

If you would like to learn more about the types of insurance that a pet daycare needs, please contact the Options Insurance Agency, serving the Hershey, PA area, today. 

Does my Home Insurance Cover Flood Damage?

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One of the most confusing situations a homeowner may find themselves in is having a flooded home. Some floods are caused by a leaking water heater, a broken appliance, frozen or burst pipes, or an overflowing pool or sink. These are covered by home insurance, but some situations are not covered. You may need a special coverage from an insurer like Options Insurance Agency in Hershey, PA for flood damage.

When doesn’t a home insurance policy cover flood damage?

The following are situations that your standard home insurer will not cover in case of flood damage:

Rising water from heavy rains or storm

Essentially, any flooding that’s caused by nature is not covered under your home insurance plan. Flood insurance is the only coverage that will protect personal belongings and appliances that are damaged due to floods, but it won’t cover the structure (floors or ceilings). Once you take out a flood plan, you still need to get coverage for protecting your possessions (home insurance).

Damage caused by unresolved maintenance problems

While your homeowner’s coverage will help with the cost of repairing or replacing the damaged possessions, the coverage will not protect you if the damage came from a maintenance issue that you had not resolved. Problems can include a continuous leak near a faucet or any other plumbing fixture.

Water backup from a drain or sewer

You won’t be covered by your homeowner’s policy when water backs up into your house via an outside drain or sewer. However, you can buy an additional water or sewer backup coverage that can help in this kind of event.

Although it’s important always to carry out routine home maintenance to prevent water damage, you need to have flood insurance coverage to protect your possessions in case of floods caused by nature. Contact Options Insurance Agency that serves the Hershey, PA area for more information and a quote.