3 Insurance Mistakes Small Businesses Make That Cost Money

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that nearly 20,000 people call home. Businesses in Evergreen Park, Illinois seem like fixtures in the neighborhood, losing any one of them can truly impact the local community. To improve how you operate your business and save money, avoid these common mistakes many business owners make that cost them money. 

Purchasing Inexpensive Insurance to Remain Compliant
Although the costs of being in business continue to rise, you do not want to purchase the cheapest insurance offered to you. Inexpensive business insurance does not provide businesses with all the coverage, so if there is ever a loss, the business owner may not be prepared to cover the costs the basic insurance fails to cover. 

Ignoring Simple Strategies Businesses Use to Reduce the Cost of Insurance Coverage
Taking on a basic policy is not the only way businesses can save on insurance costs. In fact, a basic insurance policy may cost your business in the long run. Instead, look for other ways to save money, such as reducing the risks associated with your business, reducing deductibles, and purchasing your insurance from a local agency with great rates, like our insurance agency in Evergreen Park.

Failing to Understand the Insurance Policy
Too many business owners, the insurance policy may seem like it is written in another language. The jargon and the way the coverage descriptions are written, make it hard for many people to understand; however, that is not an excuse to discard your policy without reading it. The more you know about coverage, the more insurance coverage is available to you when you have a loss. 

In order to save money for your business, and have the best protections in Evergreen Park, contact our local agency to get quotes for insurance for your business. We can provide you with detail coverage options that will meet all of your business needs.

3 Reasons Your Business Needs Security Breach Protection

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Chicago is a major city in the United States, and as such, it is a potential target for people attempting to do harmful things to residents and businesses. With such proximity to Chicago, Evergreen Park, Illinois is vulnerable. Businesses must take actions to ensure they are protected if they are impacted by cyber attacks and data breaches. The following are three reasons your business needs security breach protection.

Helps Your Business Recover after an Attack
Operating expenses are hard to keep fluid in regular day-to-day operations for some businesses. Imagine if you were stricken by a cyber-attack, how would you get the money to restore your business? Most business owners would borrow the money, but this exposes them even further. The best solution is to have data breach protection in place. Data breach protections help business owners return to normal operations after facing breaches with their electronics.

Coverage for Consultants Help Prevent Future Attacks
Many security breach coverage options provide small businesses with the ability to speak to a consultant. These consultants have years of experience with reducing the instance of having hackers attack hardware. If your business ever experiences an attack, employ the services of a consultant, so that you can reduce the chances of it happening again in the future.

Protect Sensitive Information
Whether you have business intelligence stored in your system or customer contact information, that information must be protected at all times. Competitors or hackers having access to this information can be disastrous for your company if you get sued. Services included in some data breach protection plans help you proactively secure your data before anything happens to your business.

If you are interested in learning more about the possibilities for data breach protection, do not hesitate to give us a call. Our suite of business insurance makes it possible to have comprehensive insurance coverage at one local agency. Call us today to get a quote on various business insurance products to reduce your exposure to damage from many types of insurance loss.

Can I Get Quotes For Home Insurance?

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Evergreen Park is a large village in Illinois with a lot to offer its residents. There are many parks, historic landmarks that date back to the early 1800s, and much more. The economy is booming and many people choose to stay within the area for work, contributing to the local economy and making it stronger.

When you are ready to buy home insurance or even switch to another policy, it’s a good idea to work with an agency. We have independent agents to help you throughout the whole process.

You can get quotes on what home insurance will cost you in Evergreen Park so you know how much insurance is actually going to cost. It’s important to make comparisons between the different companies so you know who is offering what and avoid paying more than what is necessary.

When you get quotes on insurance, it can also help you to determine the level of coverage you can afford. Almost anything can happen to your home in Illinois and you want to be prepared against it all. This includes looking at coverage for:

– Personal injuries

– Fire

– Theft

– Flood

Since you don’t know what could happen, you want a policy that is going to cover it all. This way, if something happens, you can file a claim and be confident that it will be paid. It will reduce the amount of money out of your pocket and your home can be repaired and various items can be replaced.

Start working with our independent agents today. We can get quotes for you in Evergreen Park so you know the coverage options and how much the various insurance companies are going to charge. We’re a home insurance agency you can rely on to give you the necessary details.

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Carpet Damage: Will Home Insurance Cover It?

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Evergreen Park, Illinois is a village with close to 20,000 residents. It has had a number of notable people, including athletes, singer-songwriters, and authors. There are many things to do within the area, including art galleries and museums, which is one of the many reasons residents choose to call this village home.

When you live in Evergreen Park and you are ready to shop for home insurance, you want a policy that’s cheap while still providing you with protection.

Carpet damage can happen at any time. It could become damaged as a result of a fire, grow mold because of a flood, or even start to tear apart because of foundation problems. When something happens, you want the home insurance company to cover the repairs and replacement because carpet is not cheap.

Your home in Evergreen Park can be protected against a lot. It’s all a matter of finding a policy that has the coverage levels you need. It’s important to read the fine print of a policy to see when carpet damage is and isn’t covered. Things like normal wear and tear and pet stains won’t be covered. However, there may be other instances when it won’t be covered as well and it’s always important to know these things ahead of time.

Instead of finding out what isn’t covered after you file a claim in Illinois, you can make sure you have a premium policy to begin with. We have agents to walk you through the process of finding coverage and getting quotes so you can make comparisons and get a cheap policy whenever possible.

We are independent agents and therefore work with multiple companies in the country. Contact us today so we can help you find the policy needed to stay protected in Evergreen Park.

2 Reasons to Invest In an Antique Car

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If you're a sucker for all things antique, then you've likely thought a time or two about buying an antique car.  In fact, there's a good possibility that you already own one.  And while some people might think that it's a waste of money to invest in a car that you don't drive very often, the truth is, there are many advantages to owing an antique car.  Here's a quick look at the two top reasons to invest in an older car in Evergreen Park, Illinois.

They make for a great hobby

Investing and collecting antique cars is a great hobby to have.  Best of all, it's a hobby that provides a great return on your investment.  Think about it.  Any money that you invest in the cars can be gained back if you ever go to sell them.  Even better is that there are many fun activities for you and your family to partake in, including antique car shows, classic car races and more. 

Insurance is cheap

Just like any other car that you drive on the road, you're going to need insurance on your antique cars, but fortunately, classic car insurance isn't very expensive at all.  You can likely insure a collectible car for well under $200 a year, but this will depend on the exact car that you have, your driving record, and the insurance company that you purchase your policy through. 

 

If you decide to invest in one or more antique cars, it's important that you have insurance on them as soon as the titles are switched over into your name.  If you would like more information on classic car insurance, please don't hesitate to contact one of our reputable insurance agents today.  

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.