Five Legal Ways to Get More Tax-Free Retirement Income

Having a significant retirement income is great. Legally avoiding taxes on a large retirement income is even better. The Martin Insurance Team in Evergreen Park, IL suggests five legal ways to protect your hard-earned dollars from the IRS and Illinois Department of Revenue when you retire.

Fund Your Roth IRA

There is no tax deduction for your contributions to your Roth IRA, but there are no taxes on the account’s growth. In 2023, you can contribute $6,000 a year into your Roth account if you are under 50 or $7,000 a year if you are 50 or older.

Contribute To a Roth 401(k) or Roth 403(b) 

Roth 401(k) or Roth 403(b) accounts are like a Roth IRA account in that investment growth, and withdrawals are tax-free. The difference is that you can contribute up to $20,500 a year, plus a $6,500 catch-up if you are 50 or older.

Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bond Funds

The interest you earn on municipal bonds is exempt from Federal income taxes. However, you may want to invest in municipal bonds issued outside of Illinois since municipal bonds issued in Illinois are included in your Illinois income.

Health Savings Accounts

Health savings accounts offer a triple whammy of tax avoidance. You get a deduction for the money you put into the plan. You don’t pay a tax on withdrawals. And you don’t pay a tax on the growth of your investment in the plan. However, it would be best if you had an appropriate health insurance plan to open an HSA. The Martin Insurance Team in Evergreen Park, IL can give you more information on your HSA.

Cash Value Life Insurance, the "Rich People Roth" Strategy

Have you maxed out your retirement contributions? Your answer may be a cash-value life insurance policy. You won’t get a deduction for your premiums, but you won’t pay taxes on the accumulated interest on your premiums, and you can get a policy that will pay you a fixed monthly income when you retire. Ask the Martin Insurance Team in Evergreen Park, IL for the details of the life insurance plan that will work for you!

Are Disability Insurance and Long-term Care Insurance the Same Thing?

Many Evergreen Park, IL residents ask the Martin Insurance Team if disability insurance and long-term care insurance refer to the same thing. Disability insurance and long-term care insurance (LTC) cover two different things. Private disability insurance covers your loss of income while you cannot work up to the age of 65 years. LTC policies cover payment for the healthcare needed when you need long-term care.

Neither covers only the elderly, and most young professionals should carry both types of insurance. Why? Because an accident can happen at any time that temporarily debilitates you. The disability coverage goes beyond what your employer provides through workers’ compensation. If you don’t work for someone else or you’re unemployed because you care for your household and children, you still need these two types of coverage.

You can obtain either type of policy with a pre-existing condition. The insurance won’t cover those items.

Of the two, disability insurance is more critical for those not yet 65. It pays you up to 60 percent of your typical monthly income. That means that you can continue to pay your bills.

Private disability insurance covers both short-term and long-term situations. If you’re involved in an accident that causes you to need to stay home from work for three months while recuperating, this type of policy covers partial income during that time.

It also provides that partial income if your injury means you cannot work for ten years. During that ten years, as long as you continue to pay the premiums, the insurance pays for your partial income.

Protect your way of life and income in Evergreen Park, IL by purchasing private disability insurance from the Martin Insurance Team.

What is the value of having transportation insurance?

The shipping and transportation industry is a necessary one that ensures people can gain access to the products that they want. When you are in this industry, having the right insurance is important. This means getting transportation insurance for businesses in the Ft Myers, FL area. This unique form of insurance offers various forms of coverage for transportation and shipping businesses here. 

Coverage for Liability

An important reason that you should have a transportation insurance plan is to receive liability coverage. A shipping and transportation business will always take on various forms of liability risk. This includes risks surrounding carrying cargo and transporting it. When you have a transportation insurance plan, it will help to mitigate this risk. Transportation insurance will prove helpful if you are found liable for lost or damaged cargo or an accident when on the road. 

Reduces Risk of Shipment Delays

A unique risk that a transportation company will take on is the risk that a shipment is delayed. If you have a shipment that is not sent or delivered on time, it could affect the financial wherewithal of the recipient. This could result in a liability claim. If you have a transportation insurance plan, it will give coverage to help mitigate this specialized risk that all transportation providers face.  

A transportation insurance plan is clearly a good idea for some in the Ft Myers, FL area. When looking for coverage here, it can be a good idea to begin your search by calling the Martin Insurance Team. There are a lot of decisions and options to consider when looking for transportation insurance, and the Martin Insurance Team can give you the guidance you need to build the right policy. 

Three assumptions you shouldn’t make about your company’s commercial insurance policy

If you want to be sure that you’re meeting your company’s commercial insurance needs, it’s crucial for you to be informed. At Martin Insurance Team, we can offer you helpful information about commercial insurance in Ft. Myers, FL. 

Don’t make assumptions about your insurance policy unless you’ve done your research. You also shouldn’t make assumptions about your company’s commercial insurance policy.

Your commercial insurance covers vehicles you use for business purposes.

You need to make sure that you specifically purchase commercial auto coverage if you need your commercial insurance policy to cover your business fleet.

A standard commercial insurance policy will not necessarily cover vehicles used for business purposes. 

Your company’s insurance is adequate if you’ve just chosen a generic commercial coverage policy.

Every company is different. You should never assume that your current commercial insurance policy is adequate if you haven’t updated your policy after recent changes to your company’s operations and size. 

There are numerous types of commercial insurance out there. There are also many options in terms of coverage limits. You need to update your commercial insurance policy periodically to ensure that the coverage you’re currently carrying is adequate for your company’s needs. 

Your commercial insurance policy is the most cost-effective option available.

Choosing a cost-effective commercial insurance option is always vital for maximizing your company’s profitability.

If it’s been a long time since you updated your policy, you should get quotes from a few different commercial insurance providers to ensure that your current policy is cost-effective. 

Businesses in Florida can rely on us at Martin Insurance Team for commercial insurance coverage. You can explore our commercial insurance policies by contacting us in Ft. Myers, FL. 

Cyber Insurance: Protect Your Florida Business

There are several different types of business insurance, but one kind of insurance that businesses often forget there is cyber insurance. Here’s what you need to know about cyber insurance to protect your Ft Myers, FL business and how Martin Insurance Team can help you keep your business safe.

What is Cyber Insurance?

Cyber insurance protects businesses against the effects of cybercrime, such as ransomware, malware, distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, and other attack methods that can be used to compromise sensitive data and networks. This type of insurance is also referred to as cyber risk insurance or cybersecurity insurance. A dedicated insurance team can help personalize a cyber insurance policy to help you mitigate specific risks.

Does My Business Require Cyber Insurance?

No. Cyber insurance is not required to operate a business. However, it is an asset to your company. Whether you use one or multiple devices to manage your business, your business is prone to cyber-attacks. The more devices you use, the higher your cyber risk.

What Are the Benefits of Cyber Insurance?

Unfortunately, cyber-attacks are the new choice of destruction. Cyber insurance is ideal for small businesses, corporations, and businesses. This type of insurance is beneficial in many ways.

Improved Security Standards

The security provided by insurance companies can redefine your current security standards. You can advance your business and open different doors of opportunity with improved security standards.

Improving IT Security

Better business insurance coverage is a possibility when you have cyber insurance. Better insurance coverage for your business could mean more coverage at lower rates.

Improved Executive Awareness

Security initiatives can be easier obtained when you recognize and understand the risk and consequences of cyberattacks. You can save your business money by avoiding unnecessary risks with this understanding.

Here at Martin Insurance Team, we want the best for your business. We proudly serve Cape Coral, Bonita Springs, Naples, and Ft Myers, FL. We’re here to help you keep your business safe by safeguarding you from cyberattacks. Contact us today to learn more about our cyber insurance services.

How do you determine how much restaurant and liquor insurance coverage your establishment needs?

Opening your own restaurant offers an exciting opportunity, but you need the right insurance just as much as you need the right sous chef. Few chefs realize it with their first restaurant, but commercial insurance provides one of the most critical business tools at their disposal.

Your restaurant’s insurance protects your financial investment from most losses. Suppose your food doesn’t taste good, so no one eats there. In that case, that’s on you, but if a tornado damages your café or hurricane winds tear apart your restaurant’s patio and roof, commercial property insurance from Martin Insurance Team covers it. Business interruption insurance helps you pay yourself and your staff while you’re closed for repairs.

Most restaurants, cafes, coffee houses, and bars carry more than one insurance policy. What policies do you need, though, and in what amount of coverage? The amount in question varies by eatery. We’ll help you determine how much based on your building cost, operating costs, sales volume, number of employees, etc.

Most establishments start with a business owners policy (BOP), then add to it. The BOP contains four policies that every business needs – general liability, business property, business liability, and business interruption insurance.

If you serve alcohol of any kind – beer, wine, mixed drinks, etc., you need to carry liquor liability to cover damages by an intoxicated individual or group. If you’re a dry establishment, you can skip this policy.

Without Exception, Buy This Coverage for Your Eatery

  • Spoilage: If the power goes out and your food spoils in the refrigerator or freezer, this insurance covers your loss.
  • Equipment Breakdown: This policy covers damage, repairs, and replacement of freezers, refrigerators, steamers, boilers, ovens, ice makers, and food warmers.
  • Employment Practices Liability: This policy protects you if an employee sues your eatery for harassment, discrimination, or another workplace tort.
  • Umbrella: Commercial umbrella insurance extends your general liability and commercial auto liability coverage policies.
  • Sewer Backup: Yes, there’s a specific policy for sewage. Most property damage policies exclude sewer backup as a peril, and sewage happens.
  • Utility Interruption: This policy covers interruptions to any utility needed to operate your restaurant – electric, gas, water, Internet, telephone, etc.
  • Electronic Data Processing: The electronic data processing insurance policy has only existed as long as computers and modern cash registers, but it does qualify as a must-have. It covers your computers, registers, and electronic table ordering systems.
  • Extra Expense: When a named peril like fire damages your Ft Myers, FL eatery, you may need to rent a new location temporarily to continue operation while your main location undergoes repairs. This policy pays for that.

Contact Us

In Ft Myers, FL, call Martin Insurance Team for the restaurant insurance you need to protect your business investment. We’ll help you build a policy that covers exactly what you need.

What types of injuries are covered by workers compensation?

Workers’ compensation provides various benefits for employees who become injured on the job. It’s designed to provide medical coverage and wage replacement for injured employees/workers. Many different on-the-job injuries are covered under a workman’s compensation policy. Our Martin Insurance Team is dedicated to helping our Ft Myers, FL clients understand how workers’ compensation works.

What is Worker’s Compensation?

Workers’ compensation is an insurance policy designed to protect and support employees who become injured while working. This type of insurance usually provides medical coverage and wage replacement for injured employees. Other benefits that may also be included are disability and death benefits.

What Types of Injuries are Covered By Worker’s Compensation?

Typical injuries often covered by workers’ compensation insurance include fractures, eye injuries, burns, sprains, torn ligaments, and more. Sometimes a worker’s compensation policy will cover an old injury that’s been worsened by a work environment if it can be proven. However, any injury sustained at work or while working may qualify an employee for workman’s compensation benefits. The most common type of on-the-job injury is muscle strain. In fact, strains make up over thirty percent of all workman’s compensation claims. However, workman compensation claims can run the gamut from mild injuries to severe or deadly. Often, injured employees are required to take a drug test to ensure that drug use didn’t play a part in an on-the-job injury.

If you’re a business owner or employer and have questions about workman’s compensation, give us a call. Our Martin Insurance Team is committed to helping our Ft Myers, FL employers understand the benefits of workman’s compensation. Give us a call. We’re standing by.

What is general liability insurance and what does it cover?

General liability insurance protects businesses from property and bodily injury claims caused by/from using a business’s products, services, and operations. General liability insurance is broad in that it covers a wide range of areas designed to provide liability protection from general business risks. Our Martin Insurance Team in Ft Myers, FL is committed to helping business owners understand the benefits of general liability insurance.

How Does General Liability Insurance Work?

General liability insurance is designed to provide liability protection for businesses in two main areas, including protection for your business location and operations and your products and completed operations. These two areas are considered significant areas of risk for most businesses. This type of insurance also protects your business if you’re sued for advertising injury. Coverage for damage to your landlord’s property is included as well.

What Does General Liability Insurance Cover?

Most businesses need liability protection from personal injury, libel, slander claims, property damage, and bodily injury. These are all areas that many companies couldn’t afford to handle without the help of an insurance policy. Claims against a company for property damage or bodily injury that may occur during normal business operations can quickly become too expensive to handle, not to mention other claims that might be brought against a business. General liability insurance provides liability protection to cover typical risks that many businesses may deal with.

Other Considerations…

How much your company pays for general liability insurance is based on the size and condition of your workplace. For example, larger spaces usually create more opportunities for bodily injuries, and property damage can occur. This is especially true if your business location is open to the public. These factors can affect how much you pay for general liability coverage. If you’re a business owner with questions regarding general liability insurance, call us. We’d be happy to answer your questions.

How Tax-free retirement Services in Florida Can Help you Prepare

Planning for your financial future is essential. For those in the Ft Myers, FL area, taking advantage of any tax advantages available is a good option. Various benefits can come when you utilize the tax-free retirement services investment professionals provide.

Reduce Future Tax Liability

One of the advantages of using tax-free retirement services is that they can help you save money on taxes now and in the future. As you are planning for the future, reducing taxes is very important. This will help make your income more predictable and reduce your risks. The use of tax-free retirement services will help you generate tax-free income in retirement and help save a lot of money.

Investment Alternatives

The use of tax-free retirement services is also a good idea as it can help you find investment alternatives. When you are preparing for your future, it is crucial that you diversify your investments. This can help you reduce your risk that one or two investments will go down in value. With a tax-free investment plan, you can help to diversify your investments into different funds and alternatives, which will further help you manage risk. Investment professionals will help you create a personalized plan based on your personal situation and risk tolerance.

When planning for your financial future, taking advantage of tax-free income and savings accounts is essential. As there are a lot of complexities that come with this investment strategy, those in the Ft Myers, FL area should call the professionals with the Martin Insurance Team. The insurance professionals with the Martin Insurance Team can offer a lot of support when it comes to helping you prepare for your retirement and the tax advantage of these benefits.

Required Commercial Insurance in Florida

In Florida, there are two commercial insurance types that are required for many businesses in the state. These two commercial insurance policies can help to protect your business, but they aren’t the only insurance policies that could be useful to your business. There are many other insurance types, including cyber insurance and general liability insurance, that you should look into before you get your commercial insurance. To get started, call us at Martin Insurance Team in Ft Meyers, FL.

Workers’ Compensation Insurance

This type of commercial insurance is required in Florida for businesses that have at least four employees. If you have four or more, it doesn’t matter if they are part-time or full-time- workers’ comp insurance is required. If your business is in the construction industry, however, there is a different standard. All construction companies must have workers’ compensation insurance if they have even just one employee. This insurance pays the expenses due when an employee has an accident and becomes injured at work. This includes paying their medical bills and any lost wages due to the accident. 

Commercial Auto Insurance

If your Florida business owns a vehicle, that vehicle has to have a commercial auto insurance policy. This coverage must include at least the minimum required amount for personal injury protection and for property damage liability. In Florida, personal injury protection coverage pays for your own medical bills. This lessens the incentive to sue someone for medical bills after an accident. If you want better coverage than the bare minimum, there are other coverage types that you can add to your policy. This includes collision insurance to cover your vehicle if you cause an accident and comprehensive insurance that covers off-road problems. 

Get Your Commercial Insurance Coverage

If you own a Florida business, make sure you know which commercial policies you need. Give us a call at Martin Insurance Team in Ft Meyers, FL to find out more.