Author: agentinsure

Knowing What to Do After a Hail Storm

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When it comes to living in Illinois, you likely know a thing or two about extreme weather.  In the summertime, it's not uncommon for temps to sore above 100 degrees, while in the winter they tend to dip close to zero or below.  And then during the spring and fall time, a hail storm here and there is quite common.  

What are you to do if your car ends up getting damaged in a hail storm?  The answer is simple — you file a claim and let your car insurance company pay for the damage; this is of course assuming that you have comprehensive coverage.  If you aren't for sure whether or not your car would be covered in a hail storm, it's imperative that you speak with one of our agents who serves the Evergreen Park, IL area to make sure you have adequate coverage. 

Steps to take during and after a hail storm:

Park your car in the safest spot possible

If you are aware that a hail storm is coming your way, make sure to park your car in a garage or under some type of covered patio.  If you don't have a garage or patio, you should assess your surroundings and park the car in a spot that you believe it will endure the least amount of damage. 

Keep yourself safe

While the hail storm is taking place, it's imperative that you stay inside until the storm passes over. 

Take pictures and file a claim

After the storm passes, you'll want to take pictures of the hail damage and file a claim.  Your insurance company will direct you toward an auto body specialist who can fix any dents and perform any paint repair, including the application of a clear coat. 

Commercial Insurance for Trucks in Evergreen Park IL

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Owning a business in the suburb of Evergreen Park, IL has great potential since it is surrounded by the city of Chicago on three sides in addition to bordering other prosperous suburban communities in all points of direction. If your business relies on a fleet of trucks to maintain its normal operation, it is important to have the right commercial insurance policy that will cover your vehicles in the event of unforeseen circumstances. Just like performing routine mechanical maintenance on your vehicles, it is necessary to make sure you have the right coverage so your fleet can remain on the road.

In addition to the maintenance of your vehicles, your business also has the responsibility to provide protection for your drivers and other employees as well. No matter how well you manage your business or how careful you are, there are some situations that really cannot be prevented. There are several common threats that can jeopardize the lifeline of your business – the trucks and the drivers. Some of these threats include injuries, truck damage, theft, vandalism, among others. By getting the right insurance coverage, you can protect yourself from financial losses and bankruptcy in the event that one of these unforeseen instances occur during the normal operation of your business.

Most states require businesses to have general liability insurance before any trucks can be put on the road. Evergreen Park, IL 60805 is no different since the government requires this type of insurance in the event that damage is caused by the truck during an accident. If the damage exceeds the allotted amount in the insurance policy, then the company must shoulder the remaining amount. This type of protection can also include coverage when the truck is parked as well.

To become more familiar with commercial insurance for trucks, you can speak with one of our agents at Martin Insurance Agency. The law requires businesses to have the minimum commercial insurance coverage for their truck fleets. You can find the best coverage that is specifically designed for your business by contacting one of our agents today.

Business Insurance to Protect Your Electronics in Evergreen Park IL

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If your business deals with electronics in Evergreen Park IL, such as an electronics manufacturer or an electronics store, it is very important that you cover yourself as a business owner by choosing the right business insurance policy. With every business, a solid business plan is important and the electronics industry is no different. You do not want to expose your business to certain risks by simply relying on a basic insurance policy.

You can avoid lawsuits by understanding what your potential risks are, since businesses that deal with electronics are often involved in many different exposures. This is mainly due the nature of your business activities. Getting the right insurance coverage will provide the protection you need In the event of a claim.

Although many companies that deal with electronics often have risk management controls in place to prevent potential claims or lawsuits, these controls are not enough. Electronics businesses are often sued by anyone for any reason. No matter how cautious you may be, it is not always easy to avoid potential losses. Coverage for electronics businesses are designed to meet the needs of your business by providing the right coverage and limits for protection.

Business insurance for electronics meets the unique needs of businesses in Evergreen Park, IL 60805 that deal with:

  • Consumer electronics

  • Electronic components

  • Communications equipment

  • Computers and peripherals

  • Wholesalers of computer equipment

  • Renewable energy technology

Instead of paying costly attorney fees, you can consult with one of our agents who will take the time to help you Identify some of the potential claims that can arise because of your business activities. We can find coverage for risk areas that are unique to your industry to include: building damage, personal business property, worker’s compensation, recall and replacement expenses, crime coverage, coverage for equipment failure, among others. In addition, our agents live and work in the Evergreen Park community and understand what it takes for your business to succeed. It is easy to find the right coverage that meets your industry’s specific needs by contacting one of our agents at Martin Insurance Team.

4 Household Items You Must Insure in Evergreen Park, IL 60805

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You hear about neighborhood thefts, but never think your home in Evergreen Park, IL 60805 is going to be broken into. However, you have plenty of valuable items in your home that make you a target. The same can be said about a damaging storm that blows through and causes potential damage to your roof, resulting in interior damage of your home. One measure that you can take is to make sure that your items with high monetary and sentimental value are properly insured. Here are four things you must make sure you have coverage on:

  1. Jewelry – As a general rule, if you have expensive jewelry in the home, your standard home insurance policy is not going to cover the value of the pieces. It is important to have your jewelry appraised to find out if the value is within the limits of your policy. If it is not, then you may want to consider a separate policy to ensure that pieces are covered.

  2. Artwork – You’ve heard the saying, “A picture is worth a thousand words,” but some artwork is worth more than a thousand dollars. If you have an expensive art collection or even just one piece of valuable artwork, you probably want to consider a supplement policy if it isn’t covered under your home insurance.

  3. Electronics – You probably have 20 or more electronics in your home when you start counting the computers, iPods, tablets, stereos, DVD players, TVs and any other electronic device. If these items were lost, stolen or damaged, would you be able to replace them with no problem? There’s a slight chance that your homeowners policy won’t be large enough to cover all of those items, so you should check into extra coverage.

  4. Pets – So, maybe this isn’t necessarily a household item, but your pet means a lot to you. Although there is no dollar amount that can be placed on your furry friend, you do want to make sure you can take care of him if he gets sick. You may want to speak to your independent agent about a pet-related liability policy.

The great thing about insurance is that it brings security and peace of mind. You can finally close your eyes and rest easy when you have adequate insurance under your belt. Contact your independent agent in Evergreen Park today to see how you can get started on checking on your current homeowners insurance coverage and adding the aforementioned overlooked policies to your plan.

6 Threats You Are Faced with as a Homeowner and How to Prepare Your Home

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As a homeowner, you may know some of the risks that you face. Some of you may not. Either way, it’s likely that you may not be aware of how you can protect your home from any one of these unfavorable disasters. Here are five different threats that you and your home may face here in Evergreen Park, IL:

  1. Hail and High Winds – The best thing that you can do here is to keep any trees that surround your home properly trimmed and pruned. You may also want to consider having exterior shutters installed for additional reinforcement for your windows.

  2. Lightning – When major storms come through Illinois, they bring a lot of lightning. Make sure that your surge protector and power strips in the home are all UL approved and tested. It’s always best to unplug electrical appliances and items that are not needed when a storm is coming in.

  3. Fire – One of the most common reasons a house catches on fire is because of an unattended pot or pan on the stove. Never use water when a fire occurs in the kitchen. In addition, you want to avoid plugging too many devices into any power strip. This can easily cause an electrical fire.

  4. Theft – To help prevent theft, make sure you have plenty of exterior lights. If you aren’t going to be home, put your lights – interior and exterior – on a timer to make it seem like you are home. Don’t forget to hold your mail as well and ensure all doors and windows are securely locked.

  5. Liability – If you have a swimming pool, make certain that it is fenced in. It should also have adequate lighting. If you have a dog, make sure it is always on a leash and is not allowed to approach strangers.

  6. Flood – When a big rainstorm approaches, it isn’t uncommon for your basement to flood. You may also have to deal with a sinking foundation or damage to your porch. Proper drainage is essential to avoid this type of damage.

Every homeowner has their own set of risks, but these are some of the most common. All of these can impact homeowners here in the Evergreen Park, IL 60805 community. If you aren’t sure what risks your homeowners insurance covers, get in contact with one of our independent agents today so we can discuss your policy.

3 Steps to Insuring Your Classic Car

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As the owner of a classic car, you want to ensure you have the protection you need to keep your vehicle valuable and cover the cost of damage should it occur. In order to get the right class car insurance in IL 60805 for your collectible, you need to take specific steps. By taking the three steps listed below, you'll have the coverage you need to keep you and your vehicle protected.

1. The fist step you'll want to take is finding an insurance agent to insure your classic car. There're many different agencies available, but not all of them offer classic car insurance. Some people in Evergreen Park rather use an insurance agency that only works with insuring antique vehicles, as they offer the highest level of service for your unique needs.

2. Once you've found an insurance company, you want to work with them to ensure your vehicle falls within the guidelines of a classic car. Some insurance company only allow a certain among of mileage to be present on the vehicle, or they only allow the vehicle to be driven within a certain area. These factors will help you determine if your vehicle is a class car under their guidelines and if there are any specific guidelines you'll need to follow to keep your insurance policy active.

3. After you've works out all the details, you'll want to choose the right insurance policy for your needs. Some people find they don't need full coverage, while others want all of the extras for complete coverage. Our agency will work with you to help you choose the right policy for your unique needs.

Don't hesitate, call us today!

Does Your Car Insurance Cover Hail Damage?

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Earlier this year, hail damage caused crop damage, which led the US Secretary of Agriculture to declare several counties a disaster area as a result. Hail damage doesn’t only affect the crop supply in Evergreen Park IL, but it also affects automobiles left unprotected during the storm. Hail doesn’t occur often, but it is definitely in your best interest to ensure that your car insurance coverage covers hail damage when it does happen.

Comprehensive Car Insurance Covers Hail Damage

Comprehensive car insurance coverage covers hail damage in Illinois. With comprehensive car insurance, you have greater protection from our insurance company. Instead of simply being covered when you are liable in an auto accident, comprehensive insurance also covers acts of nature, such as damaged to your car as a result of hail. Comprehensive insurance coverage also covers:

  • Theft
  • Vandalism
  • Falling objects
  • Cracks in your windshield
  • Damage by animals
  • Damage to your clear coat from hail

Filing a Hail Damage Claim

If you are facing hail damage this winter, the process for getting your car fixed is simple. Our insurance agents are happy to help you file your claim so that you can get your car back on the road as soon as possible. Things to keep in mind when you file your claim:

  • Don’t wait to file your claim. Contact our insurance agents as soon as the damage happens.
  • Bring your car to our insurance agency before you take it to the repair shop. We will help you find a reputable repair shop to fix the damage.
  • Submit any sworn statements and other documents in a timely fashion so that your claim isn’t delayed.

Being the best insurance agency in Evergreen Park IL 60805 is based on our abilities to meet our customer’s needs, including assistance with claims. If you have a question about hail coverage, don’t hesitate to contact our office so we can review your insurance policy and help you determine what’s covered.