What You Need to Know About Transportation Insurance Before You Move

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A move can be a busy and stressful time in the life of any family. Worrying about your possessions while they are being handled by movers or being transported to your new address is something you do not need. Transportation insurance for movers can help alleviate that worry. The Martin Insurance Team in Evergreen Park, IL can better help you understand your options. 

What is Transportation Insurance or Mover’s Insurance?

This type of insurance covers cargo that is being transported from one point to another. If you are going to be handing your possessions off to a third party, you will want to insure those possessions while they are in their hands. You should note that transportation insurance does not usually apply if you are moving the items yourself. 

Does My Homeowner’s Insurance Cover This?

The homeowners’ insurance on your previous house may contain some coverage for you during a move, but in most cases, it will not cover all of your possessions while they are being moved by a third party moving company. 

Where To Get This Insurance?

Many moving companies themselves will offer some form of transportation insurance for you. You can learn about these services when you are arranging for your move. Be sure to read the insurance policy carefully which they are offering. Sometimes these are very basic and may not cover all of the details which are important to you. If you are not comfortable with the insurance being offered, then you can look elsewhere to find a policy that is more customized to your particular situation. 

Prized Possessions

If you will be moving certain items that are very expensive or very important, then you will want to handle those items yourself or have them well insured. Do not leave your most important items up to chance. 

Transportation insurance is a great safety net to have for your family during a move. To learn more contact Martin Insurance Team serving Evergreen Park, IL.

 

What is Malpractice Insurance?

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Medical malpractice insurance is not a requirement in the state of Illinois, however, many professionals opt to buy this indemnification for that protection it provides. Industries, where malpractice insurance is most common, are among doctors, those working in the field of dentistry, psychology, those who work in pharmacies, and in various levels of nursing, optometry, and physical therapy. 

What Does Malpractice Insurance Cover?

Malpractice insurance is a type of commercial insurance, and it will protect you in situations where you are sued due to errors that result in damage to your patients. In the event that a lawsuit is brought against you, your policy will help cover costs that are from legal fees and bills arising from arbitration, going to settlement and damages that are awarded for punitive, compensatory, and medical reasons. 

You’ll need to consider if you want ‘claims-made’ coverage that will address suits and injuries that arise during the time in which you are insured or an ‘occurrence’ policy that will cover those that are filed regarding incidents that happened while you were insured, even if they occur at a later date.

It is always important to remember that legal action can be taken long after the offending action was taken, and you can also purchase ‘tail’ coverage to extend past the date when you cancel your insurance by a certain number of years. Also important to remember is that malpractice insurance does not apply to criminal activities or falsification of medical records. 

Martin Insurance Team Located in Evergreen Park, IL Wants to Help You

Bring your insurance needs to Martin Insurance Team, and we will do our best to tailor a commercial insurance package to you. We have experience serving customers in the Evergreen Park, IL and look forward to working with you. Stop by or contact us online to discuss any questions you may have about commercial insurance today!

Risks You Take If You Don’t Have Life Insurance

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Thinking about what would happen if you pass unexpectedly and leave your family is almost unbearable. Thinking about what would happen if you passed and didn’t plan anything to leave for your family is even worse. This is a very hard topic to think about, but that’s exactly why you do need to think about life insurance. Serving Evergreen Park, IL, Martin Insurance Team is here for you during all of life’s milestones, good and bad. If you plan for the worst, you might be able to make it just a little more bearable. Following are just some of the risks you take if you forego life insurance.

The most apparent risk of going without life insurance is not leaving anything to provide for your family, especially if you are the main income earner for your household. However, another monetary aspect people don’t often think about is their debt. When you die, your debt doesn’t just magically go away. Without life insurance, you risk passing your debt on to your loved ones.

If you don’t have life insurance now, you also risk paying more later. Generally, the younger and healthier you are, the lower your premiums are going to be. If you wait until you’re older and potentially develop health conditions, you’re going to end up paying more. The benefits of having life insurance are much more than just leaving money for your loved ones, so the sooner you take out a policy, the sooner you can enjoy those benefits.  

Martin Insurance Team is here to help anyone in Evergreen Park, IL and the surrounding area plan for the future with life insurance; get in touch with us today!

When Is Auto Insurance Necessary?

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Driving a car is a major responsibility that requires you to ensure you are following a variety of different laws. One major decision that you will have to make when you drive a car is picking the right type of insurance. While there are some types of insurance that are not required by law, there are several situations in which you will need to have auto insurance if you want to drive a car in the Evergreen Park, IL area.

Illinois Minimum Coverage

If you want to drive a car in Illinois, you will be mandated by law to carry a certain level of liability insurance. In Illinois, you will need to make sure that you have at least $25,000 in liability property damage coverage. You will also need to have bodily injury coverage of at least $25,000 per person with a cap of $50,000 for every accident. This type of coverage is mandated by law, but will only provide protection for which you are liable to another person.

You Have a Loan Outstanding

When shopping for insurance, it is very important to consider the minimum State requirements. However, you also need to consider other factors that can influence your insurance requirements. If you have a loan against your vehicle, your lender will undoubtedly require that you have auto insurance in place at all times. This requirement will also make you need to have collision and comprehensive coverage, which will provide you with coverage for a wide range of incidents.

As you are shopping for an Evergreen Park, IL insurance policy, you should contact the Martin Insurance Team. When you meet with the team at the Martin Insurance Team, you will receive more guidance and support. This will help to ensure you get into the best policy possible. 

Tips for Keeping Your Guests Safe

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While hosting guests in your living space, their safety should be a priority. Home accidents can be fatal and often result in huge medical bills. Also, your guests will be more comfortable if they feel safe in your living space.  As such, it is vital to take some considered measures to guarantee their safety and comfort.  Here are some useful tips to keep guests safe in your Evergreen Park, IL home:-

Ensure toy safety
If some of your guests have children, ensure that they are playing with toys of the recommended ages. In most cases, this will be mentioned on the label. Toys and their parts pose a serious health hazard especially if they are too small to fit into the child’s mouth as the child could choke on it. Dispose of broken toys or repair them. If a broken toy has a harp edge, it could harm the children as they are playing. 

Observe food safety measures
Food-related ailments are quite popular. Washing your hands thoroughly before, during and after preparing food for your guests reduces the chances of bacterial contamination. Refrigerate any leftovers within two hours after preparing it as leaving it out too long could lead to contamination. 

Insure your home
In as much as you have observed every safety measure in the group, accidents still do happen. Having your home insured will ensure that you are covered for any medical bills should guests get injured within your property. Further, should they sue you for such an incident, the insurance company will compensate you. Any damaged property is also covered under a home insurance policy. A home insurance coverage also has a liability coverage option that pays to represent you in court if you are sued after an accident. 

The Martin Insurance Team is ready to discuss your Evergreen Park, IL home insurance requirements and options. Get in touch with us today for a free estimate of your home insurance policy. 
 

What Is Disability Insurance?

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If you own a business in Evergreen Park, IL, one of the essential insurance coverages you need to get is disability insurance. This policy pays part or all of the employee’s salary if the employee has become disabled or isn’t capable of doing their job after work-related injuries or illnesses.

In most cases, disabilities come from on the job injuries or accidents, including other debilitating illnesses like a heart attack or cancer. The coverage can pay disabled workers the income they lose as they recover from an injury or disease. At Martin Insurance Team, we can provide disability insurance designed to suit your business needs.

Reasons to get a disability insurance plan

Unlike the social security disability that protects employees after attaining a certain age and restricted at a maximum monthly payout no matter what the worker’s income was, a private disability insurance covers approximately 70% of an employee’s salary at any age in case a disability arises.

This coverage can cover workers through their companies, but most employees have limited coverage or no coverage at all. Such people can get private disability insurance in order to protect their earnings and provide for the family should an illness or an injury occur at work and prevent them from working.

Types of disability insurance

Private disability is a type of disability insurance that comes in the form of a long-term or short-term disability insurance package. A short-term policy usually covers the disabling illness or injuries for up to 6 months while a long-term one covers the worker’s salary throughout their lifetime if necessary. Some insurers also offer additional options and protections like guaranteed renewal, cost of living adjustment, and refunding of certain premium payments in case an employee doesn’t become disabled within a stated time.

For more details on your disability insurance options in Evergreen Park, IL, contact Martin Insurance Team today.

Do You Need Insurance for Your Motorcycle Passengers?

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At Martin Insurance Team in Evergreen Park, IL we typically advise our clients to have motorcycle insurance in place, even when it is not required. Damage can happen to your bike and there are many situations when repair or even replacement are necessary. In addition to coverage for the bike itself, we are often asked about policies that include coverage for any injuries that could befall your passenger. In most situations, we find that having coverage in place for your passengers can provide you with the peace of mind that comes with knowing that you are protected in the event of a mishap.

Comprehensive Coverage for Your Motorcycle Passengers

When you take a passenger with you for a ride on the back of your motorcycle, you can be held liable for them in certain instances. By having a comprehensive policy that includes your passengers, you are protecting both them and yourself. Mishaps can happen when riding on a bike, and medical attention may be required in many situations. If you are looking for a policy that covers you in the event of injury as well as your passengers, we can help. Motorcycle insurance should cover your bike and any damage that it receives, but in many cases, this type of base insurance policy is not enough. Do not leave yourself open to liability issues if you are involved in an accident that harms your passenger. There are a number of policy options available for you to review with our agents.

Call or Stop By Today to Learn More About Your Coverage Options 

Comprehensive coverage for motorcycle enthusiasts is always worth discussing. Call the Martin Insurance Team today to learn more about your motorcycle policy options for your passengers here in Evergreen Park, IL.

Does Commercial Insurance Cover Losses From Lightning?

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One of the most destructive and feared incidents for a business is lightning. Lightning can cause an array of issues ranging from fire to loss of vital electronic equipment. If you are shopping for commercial insurance, this is an issue you want to understand and know how the terms and conditions outline coverage and exclusions.

Lighting Coverage

Most commercial policies will cover any damage that results to the structure or even electronic equipment as a result of the lightning strike. It is important to understand the limits of the coverage and know what items will be covered. For example, there may be some instances where refrigerated inventory may not be covered. Always discuss the policy in detail with your insurance agent before making a policy purchase.

Finding Appropriate Coverage

When you are looking for the right commercial insurance coverage, you should do business with an established, reputable insurance company. Finding the right insurance company to provide you with protection is one of the most important steps you can take towards protecting your business investment. Martin Insurance Team provided quality insurance products, including commercial insurance, to the business owners in and around the Evergreen Park, IL area. They will sit down and discuss their policies in great detail with prospective customers and make sure that they understand the limits of coverage completely before making a decision. 

If you are interested in getting more information about commercial insurance and live in or around the Evergreen Park, IL area, then you should call or stop by the Martin Insurance Team office and speak with a knowledgeable representative. Get the commercial insurance protection you need today to have a more secure future tomorrow. 

The Role of Life Insurance in Estate Planning

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When most of us think about estate planning the things that come to mind are wills, living trusts, estate taxes, and so forth. However, life insurance can be a very important part of estate planning. One of the main advantages of life insurance is that the proceeds received by the beneficiaries are usually not taxable. Taxes can be avoided except under special circumstances, such as when a beneficiary is not named or the life insurance proceeds are specifically allocated to the estate for a particular purpose.

Another possible benefit of having life insurance in estate planning is, when the estate is structured properly, the beneficiaries can receive insurance proceeds immediately and directly, avoiding probate, and these proceeds are not available to pay off the creditors of the deceased.

Your agent at the Martin Insurance Team, serving Evergreen Park, IL and the surrounding areas, is ready to explain the myriad of ways that life insurance is a valuable tool in estate planning and wealth management.

Life insurance proceeds serve many valuable and desirable functions in estate planning. The proceeds can support beneficiaries, cover the cost of sending heirs to school, be allocated to help pay for estate taxes, and provide funding for sudden death buy/sell agreements in businesses partially owned by the deceased. Life insurance proceeds can also be allocated to charitable efforts and for the funding of private foundations to leave a legacy. There are so many ways life insurance plays an important role in estate planning.

Conclusion

Estate planning is becoming an important consideration for more Americans as many are now becoming older adults. Talk to your attorney in order to understand the legal ramifications of using life insurance in estate planning and wealth management. Consult with your agent at Martin Insurance Team in Evergreen Park, IL to get professional advice about the life insurance that meets your needs and goals.

How Old Do You Have to Be to Ride a Motorcycle in IL?

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Motorcycles are fairly popular in Illinois, with over 300,000 people owning them in the Garden State according to the Department of Transportation. So if you live in Evergreen Park, IL or surrounding areas, you may already be well used to seeing them. But since Illinois tends to have stricter driving laws than other states in general, just how old does one have to be to ride a motorcycle? Martin Insurance Team has the answer. 

The Basic Requirements

Technically speaking, a person has to be at least 17 years old age in order to legally ride a motorcycle in Illinois. That said, those who are under the age of 18 will need a parent or legal guardian’s signed consent to apply for a motorcycle permit. A successful vision test, proof of residency, $5 fee and successful passing of the written motorcycle knowledge test is required for everyone to get a motorcycle permit, also referred to as a "learner’s permit". Those under the age of 18 are also required to enroll in a basic rider course. When it comes to getting an actual motorcycle license, those under 21 will have to hold their permit for at least six months before taking and passing a road test. For those over 21, the holding period is three months. 

What if I’m From Out of State and Already Have a Motorcycle License?

Since age laws for riding motorcycles vary by state, it is very possible that you could be new to the Evergreen Park, IL area (or the state in general) and have a license from a different state despite being underage in Illinois. In this case, you can simply transfer the license credentials by visiting the Illinois Motor Vehicle Commission within 60 days of moving (or before your license expires, whichever comes sooner) and pay the applicable fees. Please feel free to contact Martin Insurance Team to learn more.