What Does Commercial Insurance Cover For E-Commerce Business?

Almost everyone knows that if you are in business, you will likely need commercial or business insurance. What exactly does the insurance coverage for e-commerce businesses though? If you are an e-commerce business owner, you need to be familiar with what the coverage offers and what items are protected. Find an agency that knows the e-commerce market and can counsel you through the insurance process. 

E-Commerces Business Coverage

Even business owners who operate online need commercial insurance coverage. Your commercial insurance will cover your office supplies such as your computer and will also cover your inventory. In some cases, you may be able to cover special items necessary to operate your company. Consult a commercial insurance expert to help you outline your individual situation. Once you know what you need to cover, you can begin finding the products that match your business goals and needs. 

Working With Professional Agents

Having professional agents to guide you throughout the life of your company is necessary to give you the top-notch protection needed to avoid distant and costly events. If you have a company operating in Texas or Colorado, you should speak with an agent from Main Street Independent Insurance. They will work closely with you to find the products that will give you peace of mind. The right insurance can mean avoiding costly losses and financial devastation.

Don’t leave your company unprotected if you have an e-commerce business. Call or stop by Main Street Independent Insurance, servicing Colorado and Texas, to find out what your options are. Start protecting the things that are essential to operating successfully in today’s e-commerce market. 

How to Avoid Home Insurance Claims during the Winter

Winter is full of friends, family, and festivities, but the extra cooking, decorating, and celebrating that occurs during the season can lead to more risks in the home. With the right tips, you can avoid having to file an insurance claim in Ft. Worth, TX.

  • Decorate Carefully: Reduce the risk of fire by using non-flammable and flame retardant decorations. If you are using a fresh Christmas tree, keep the water levels in check, and if you are using an artificial tree, decorate with UL listed lights. Keep the tree away from any heat sources.
  • Be Careful with Candles: December is the peak time for fires that are started by candles. Keep candles away from anything that can burn and be sure that candles are out of reach from children and animals. Be sure to extinguish candles before going to sleep and leaving the room.
  • Prevent Theft: There are usually more break-ins during the holiday season. Lock doors and windows and keep blinds closed to prevent thieves from looking at new presents. If you get new valuables for the holidays, update your insurance policy with your agent at Main Street Independent Insurance Agencies, Inc.
  • Protect Pipes: Poor insulation, drops in temperature, and keeping the thermostat too low can cause frozen pipes, so be sure to insulate pipes to prevent them from bursting.
  • Host Responsible Parties: If you are serving alcohol at a holiday party, be sure you are covered from liability. Offer that guests stay the night or have a designated driver and ensure no one is driving after drinking.
  • Test Smoke Detectors: Since the winter holidays create more fire hazards, make sure you are checking your fire safety prevention system.
  • Be Careful in the Kitchen: With more cooking this time of year, fires are increased. Stay in the kitchen while food is cooking.

Contact Main Street Independent Insurance Agencies, Inc. serving Ft. Worth, TX, to get a quote on home insurance in Colorado and Texas. 

5 Mistakes to Avoid When Getting Auto Insurance

Many car owners make the mistake of choosing the cheapest car insurance policy without truly considering the coverage it provides. When an accident happens, they discover they weren’t as protected as they thought. By being careful in your choice of car insurance, you can avoid the following mistakes and get the quality coverage you desire.

Not Comparing Policies or Researching Companies  

Comparison shopping for auto insurance may take time, but it will save you money in the long run. It will also help you find a reliable company to work with for your coverage. By researching both policies and insurers, you can get the best deal overall. 

Not Knowing Minimum Requirements

All states have minimum car insurance requirements. When purchasing car insurance, Texas auto owners should make sure they are fulfilling these requirements.   

Compromising Coverage for Costs

Car insurance should provide you with the protection you need to cover the costs of an accident. If you compromise coverage for low insurance cost, you could wind up paying thousands of dollars for damages out of pocket. At Main Street Independent Insurance in Ft. Worth, TX, we can help you get essential insurance coverage at reasonable costs.

Not Exploring Discounts

Most insurers offer discounts on car insurance coverage. By taking the time to explore these discounts, you can save substantially on your policy. If you have a safe driving record, have safety features on your vehicle, or bundle home and auto coverage, for example, you could qualify for a discount on your policy.

Getting Needless Coverage

Many auto insurance policies come with add-ons that aren’t really useful to your coverage. Eliminating these add-ons can save you money on your premium.

For more information on auto insurance coverage and costs, contact Main Street Independent Insurance in Ft. Worth, TX.

Can you Have Both Commercial and Property Policies on the Same Property?

When it comes to owning a commercial property, it is always important to make sure that the property is insured to protect your investment. Without the right insurance policy, you can end up losing everything. For those in the Ft. Worth TX area, the agents with Main Street Independent Insurance can help you find the right commercial policy to protect your business.

Commercial Property Policies

There are a few different things to keep in mind when it comes to a commercial policy. Most commercial policies cover the actual business and possibly the health of employees and patrons of the business. This is a great way to make sure that if you do have a business that is open to the public, that your investment and your patrons are both safe.

With a property policy, the main thing covered is the property itself plus any named items. Property policies are not exactly right for commercial properties simply because they do not always cover the people that may be on the property. In most cases, a property policy is just going to insure the property listed and any buildings that might be there. If you have a commercial property you may be interested in a commercial property policy, however. This gives you the best of both types of insurance.

A commercial property policy is going to protect the business and its patrons as well as the property that is on the premises. This is a great policy to have if you are stuck between choosing one or the other.  For those in the Ft. Worth, TX area, the agents with Main Street Independent Insurance Agencies Inc. can help you determine what policy works best for you and what policy is going to best protect your commercial interests.

How Organizing Your Home Can Make It Safer

How organized is your home? Do you have clutter and chaos in certain areas or even in every room? You need to get things tidy and organized in order to improve safety and well-being. Here are some specific tips and ideas, courtesy of Main Street Independent Insurance, serving the Ft. Worth, TX area.

Paper Clutter Cleanup

Getting rid of stacks of paper can reduce fire risk, so send those magazines, catalogs, newspapers, and miscellaneous papers into the trash can or recycling bin. Get them out of your house. Not only will you be improving your home’s appearance, but you will also be making things much safer and more organized.

Fire Extinguishers Assessment

Do you have any fire extinguishers in your house, and if so, how many, and where are they in your house? Do you have enough fire extinguishers, and are they in proper working condition? Knowing where the fire extinguisher is can give peace of mind. One key step to take as you get organized involves making sure you have enough fire extinguishers and that they work the way they should.

Evaluating Trip Hazards

You might have clutter around your home in the form of items that are creating trip hazards. And you need to remove trip hazards like dangling electrical cords to improve safety and peace of mind. Remember to assess all areas in your home, including all levels and rooms of the house, stairs, garage, and outdoor areas like the yard and sidewalks.

Do you need information about home insurance and how to make your house safer? Feel free to contact Main Street Independent Insurance, serving the Ft. Worth, TX area, for further guidance and details.

Protection Again Uninsured Drivers in Texas

Drivers in Ft. Worth, TX and around the state are required to have automobile insurance before they get on highways and interstates of the Lone Star State. Many people drive without insurance. If one of them hits you, will your insurance cover the damages to your car or your personal injuries? The same can be asked about hit-and-run drivers.

Ask your representative at Main Street Independent Insurance whether you should include coverage for uninsured or underinsured drivers your auto insurance policy.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage

Under Texas law, you can buy additional coverage that pays for damages and injuries due to an accident caused by uninsured and underinsured motorists. Optional coverage means that you don’t have to include this part of your regular insurance policy. However, you must put it in writing that you refused the coverage.

This type of coverage protects your family members and other passengers inside your vehicle at the time of an accident. It also includes anyone driving your vehicle with your permission.

This versatile policy covers medical or funeral expenses, car rental, auto repairs, and the replacement of a vehicle if necessary. Ask your agent if you should include the following in your uninsured motorist coverage:

  • Lost wages
  • Pain and suffering
  • Disfigurement, and disability (up to your policy’s maximum)

Contact Us

You work too hard for your money to let someone else’s irresponsible actions put you at risk. Contact your representative at Main Street Independent Insurance to discuss your uninsured or underinsured insurance options. Feel free to make an appointment for a quote at our Ft. Worth, TX office. If you have any questions about auto or other types of insurance, call us at 855-662-6246 today.

 

4 Ways to Get the Best Commercial Insurance Coverage

When you have a business, you want to make sure it’s operating correctly. It needs to perform well to stay growing and meeting customer needs. But one of the areas you might accidentally overlook is insurance. You need the right policy for your company, because you need to protect your business, your employees, and your customers. By working with Main Street Independent Insurance, you can get the right commercial insurance policy for your Colorado or Texas business. Here are four ways to get the best commercial insurance coverage, along with some important peace of mind.

  1. Make sure you talk to an agent who really understands what commercial insurance products are available in your area.
  2. Be upfront about the kind of business you operate and the type of coverage you’re looking for.
  3. Get quotes from multiple companies, and compare what they’re offering along with the premiums they’re requesting.
  4. Periodically review your policy with your agent, and update it as needed so you can stay current on your level of protection.

By carefully finding the right policy and making sure you update it as necessary, you can get the best commercial insurance for your company’s needs. That’s a great way to make sure you’re protected, and the peace of mind you’ll have from that matters.

Reach out to us today at Main Street Independent Insurance. We understand the needs and goals of your Colorado or Texas business, and we’re here and ready to help you get the policy and coverage that works best for you. Not every business needs the same type and level of insurance, so working with a knowledgeable agent is key to making sure your company gets what it needs to be properly protected.

What Type Of Contents Does Home Insurance Cover?

Before selecting the type of homeowner’s insurance policy you need, there are a few things you must consider to be adequately insured. One of the most important things to keep in mind is the contents of the home. Most people know that the structure is protected, but did you know that you can add contents to the policy? Knowing that you can add contents to the coverage, what exactly does the policy cover?

Covering Contents

When it comes to covering contents, you must ask the insurance agent what the policy will cover. Items such as art, furs, and jewelry usually are covered, but other items such as clothing and small trinkets are not. Before purchasing your contents coverage, you need to document all of your possessions that are going to be covered. Keep receipts and photographs of these items to expedite the claims process and avoid issues. Contents coverage has limits and exclusions. If you own expensive items, they may not be covered for their actual value, but rather for a set amount. There is additional coverage available on some policies as a rider. The rider requires that you have a receipt or an appraisal on file for the item in order for the coverage to be valid.

Getting The Right Contents Coverage

Before you decide on your insurance coverage, especially when it comes to providing contents coverage, you should consult a reputable, knowledgeable insurance company like Main Street Independent Insurance. We take pride in serving residents in and around the Ft. Worth, TX area. We can answer any questions you may have about home insurance and help guide you while shopping for the right amount of coverage. 

If you live in or around the Ft. Worth, TX area and want to protect your home and its contents, then call or stop by the Main Street Independent Insurance office for more information. We can also help residents in Colorado with insurance policies.

Can You Change Auto Coverage at Any Time?

Auto coverage is something that is not only required by law, but that is also simply a good idea. For those that do have auto insurance, it can be difficult to determine when you can change coverage and what type of coverage you may need to change. When you take out an initial auto policy, you tailor it to the specifics of your car. You can change coverage whenever necessary. Main Street Independent Insurance in the Ft. Worth, TX area can help you find the coverage you need every time.

There is no set limit or time frame that applies to when you can change the coverage that you hold on your car. As long as it meets the minimum requirement that is required by your state and where you live, you can change your coverage whenever you want to. This means that if you find you need more or less coverage and you have only had your policy for a few months, you can certainly change it to better fit your car that is being covered.

If you need less coverage, you can always change it by contacting your insurance agent. It is important that you keep your coverage in line with the minimum requirements of your state or area. You can change or drop coverage and switch to a new policy or a new company at any time. It is required, however, that as long as a car is on the road, it must be insured so you should take the time to make sure you always have coverage and that it meets the minimum requirement.

For those in the Ft. Worth, TX area, the agents with Main Street Independent Insurance can help. Reach out to our offices to speak with an agent and learn more about how an auto insurance policy can benefit you.

Do You Need Commercial Auto Insurance for Your Business Vehicles?

Commercial auto coverage is recommended if you use your vehicle for a significant amount of business activity. Don’t rely on your auto insurance to cover your vehicle or commercial fleet. A representative from Main Street Independent Insurance in Ft. Worth, TX can help you understand your options for commercial auto insurance.

What is Commercial Auto Insurance?

Commercial auto insurance has the same basic coverage as personal auto insurance, with some added protection for your business. It includes:

  • Property damage pays for damage to another person’s vehicle in an accident caused while you or an employer is driving for business purposes.
  • Bodily Injury covers medical expenses for third parties injured in an accident caused by you or an employee.

There are many other types of commercial auto insurance, and you may be able to get discounts for multiple vehicles. Ask your Main Street Independent Insurance representative about comprehension, collision, underinsured motorists, and other policies.

Who Needs Commercial Liability Insurance?

Anyone who has a business and uses a truck, van, or car for business purposes should consider commercial auto insurance. If you have a sizable fleet of company vehicles, you need commercial auto liability insurance.

Auto coverage is required for all vehicles in Texas. However, if your business requires CDL operators, you are required to have additional coverage. This might include motor carriers, freight brokers, and forwarders. Additionally, any vehicle transporting goods or passengers across state lines is mandated by federal law to have liability insurance.

Further, having auto liability insurance helps you avoid costly lawsuits.

Contact Main Street Independent Insurance in Ft. Worth, TX today for more information on how commercial auto insurance can protect your business assets. Call today to set up an appointment for a free quote.