Your Quick Guide to Commercial Insurance in Maryland

Small businesses are an intricate part of the Maryland economy. A survey from 2011 found that more than 50 percent of private-sector jobs are made possible by companies having less than 500 employees. With so much riding on the success of small businesses, it is crucial that entrepreneurs protect themselves against tragedies and unexpected legal costs that could bring about financial hardship. 

Commercial insurance is the best way to reduce out-of-pocket risks and do better business in Catonsville, MD. The agents at HBW Insurance Group can help you find the right plan.

Is business insurance required in Maryland?
Commercial liability insurance is not required for small business owners operating companies out of the state of Maryland. It should be noted, however, that the region is a pure contributory negligence fault state, which means that a plaintiff must be 100 percent free of negligence to recover damages for accidents. It is not difficult for a customer to prove that you are fully at-fault if she slips on spilled coffee in your store and breaks her hip. You stand to lose a lot if you do not have commercial liability insurance. 

Small business employers are required to obtain workers compensation insurance even if they only have one employee on the payroll. You are also required to maintain auto insurance if your company has cars. It is highly recommended that you obtain an assurance plan, especially for business vehicles and fleets. 

What does a typical commercial insurance policy cover?
The average business indemnity plan pays for:

  • Bodily Injury 
  • Personal Injury 
  • Property Damage 
  • Advertising Injury
  • Legal Defense

The agents at HBW Insurance Group can help you sort through the details of commercial insurance in Catonsville, MD so that you are fully covered and ready for the unexpected. Contact us today for a quote!

Does Flood Insurance Help Pay for a Place to Stay During Clean up?

Flooding is something that is terrifying for most and for those that do have to deal with flooding, flood insurance can be a big help. Flood insurance covers a wide range of things and can help you get out of any issue that you have to worry about when flooding does occur in your home. For those that live in the Catonsville, MD area, the agents with HBW Insurance Group can help you find out just what your flood policy covers and how to use it.

In most cases, your flood insurance is not going to cover extra things like a place to stay if you are dealing with flooding. In most cases, the flood policy that you choose is going to help cover things like mitigation for mold, removing water, replacing things that are destroyed after a flood, and recovering your home. For those that do need a place to stay during flooding, you should take the time to look into using your overall home owner’s policy to get the coverage that you need. Most homeowner’s policies are going to help pay for things like a place to stay while you wait for your home to become livable again.

This means that you are going to be able to get a place to stay like a hotel until your home is cleaned up if you use your homeowner’s policy to help pay for it. Your homeowner’s pays for much more than you imagine. For those that live in the Catonsville, MD area, the agents with HBW Insurance Group can help you to find the policy that is going to work for you and that is going to help you pay for your hotel if you need a place to stay during flooding.  

How to Assess Your Possessions for Renters Insurance

Anyone who rents an apartment or home to live in in Catonsville, MD should have renters insurance. You may assume that if, for example, your rented home was broken into and your things were stolen, your landlord would be liable or would have their own form of insurance to cover you. But this isn’t the case. Only renters insurance can protect your possessions from instances of theft, water damage, fire damage, or other unforeseen accidents.

Assessing your possessions for renters insurance

Because renters insurance revolves around the protection and coverage of your possessions and belongings, it is important to know what possessions you own and how much they are worth as soon as you start paying renters insurance. This is because, in the event of a fire, for example, you need to have a record of what was damaged in order for your insurance company to cover or pay for the items that you lost. If you don’t know what you lost or how much it was worth, you won’t be covered.

In order to assess and record your possessions, you can do one of several things. First, some people simply take a video camera slowly throughout their apartment or home to visually document what they own. You can also do a similar documentation by taking a multitude of pictures. Finally, you can make a formal list with value amounts for each of the major possessions you own.

Give HBW Insurance Group a Call Today!

Are you a resident of Catonsville, MD who is looking for renters insurance? Give HBW Insurance Group a call to learn about the renters insurance options that are available to you. Our agents would be happy to sit down and speak with you. You can also stop by our nearest office location for immediate assistance.

We hope to hear from you soon!

Do All Homeowners Need Flood Insurance?

When you own your own home, one of the most important things you can do is purchase homeowners insurance. Without this type of insurance, you are leaving yourself vulnerable to having to dip into your own pocket to pay for things that go wrong with your home, such as damage to it by fire. With homeowners insurance, though, you can rest assured that your home will be protected against a variety of claims. And in the event that a claim has to be made, your insurance policy will help ensure that your home is restored to its original state. 

What about flood insurance?

If your purchase insurance for your home, it is imperative to understand that it likely does not cover flood damage. This is why you need to assess whether or not you need to buy additional insurance in the form of flood insurance. If you live in an area that is prone to flooding, it is highly recommended that you purchase flood insurance. Fortunately, the company that you have purchased your home insurance through may be able to provide you with a flood insurance policy as well. If the company cannot, it should at least be able to direct you in the right direction to a company that sells flood insurance. This company can help you decide what type of flood insurance policy will work best for you. 

Don’t Wait! Get Flood Insurance Today 

It is important that you do not wait long to invest in flood insurance. You never know when a flood might happen and could cause great damage to your house. To learn more about flood insurance, please contact the HBW Insurance Group serving the Catonsville, MD area.

3 Tips to Buying Condo Insurance

If you own a condo, your association probably covers insurance protection for exterior structural damage of your unit plus common areas. This policy, however, won’t cover the interior of your condo or your personal goods. Individual condo insurance from  HBW Insurance Group will ensure your Catonsville, MD condo and goods are well protected against any eventuality. Here are a few tips to obtaining the policy you need.

Review Condo Association Policy

Before buying condo insurance, review your association’s policy to get an idea of the protection it offers. The policy should specify where the association’s responsibility ends and yours begins. Knowing what your policy covers will enable you to make wise decisions on the individual condo insurance you buy.

Assess Your Protection Needs

Individual condo insurance can provide you with interior damage, personal property and liability protection. Liability coverage protects you against accidents that occur to others on your property. Interior protection covers damage to ceilings, floors and interior walls from such perils as fire, theft, vandalism and hazardous weather. Condo contents coverage protects your personal goods.

Before obtaining a policy, assess the risks to your condo and what it would take to protect your personal goods. The more costly your unit, the more insurance protection you need. If you own pricey electronics, furniture or personal goods, you should have ample coverage to protect these investments. Your liability limits should be sufficient to protect your personal assets.

Compare Condo Policies and Costs

Once you’ve assessed your needs, take time to compare condo insurance policies and costs. By personalizing your condo insurance, you can obtain just the coverage your need at a price you can afford.

At HBW Insurance Group, we can help you make wise insurance decisions that will benefit your future. Contact our Catonsville, MD office today for all your condo insurance needs. 

 

Do You Need Condo or Home Insurance for a Townhome?

Here at HBW Insurance Group in Catonsville, MD, one of the questions that we are frequently asked is what type of insurance you need for a townhome. In some cases, a townhome can be insured through condo insurance, while in other cases, a regular homeowner’s insurance policy is needed. Here are a couple of the questions you should answer when you are deciding whether you need condo or homeowners insurance for a townhome. 

Who is Responsible for the Exterior of the Building?

One of the questions that needs to be answered when determining if you need condo or home insurance for a townhome is who is responsible for the exterior of the building. If you are responsible for the exterior of the building, then you will need homeowners insurance. If an HOA or a management company is responsible for the exterior, you may only need condo insurance. Condo insurance covers only the inside of the building, while home insurance covers both the inside and the outside. 

Who Owns the Land? 

The second question that you need to ask is who owns the land that the townhome is built on. If you own the land, you have to insure that land, and home insurance covers the land and the building. If a management company or HOA owns the land that your townhome is built on, they have to insure the land, not you, meaning you may only need condo insurance in this situation. 

If you are looking to insure a townhome, contact HBW Insurance Group in Catonsville, MD. We will help you determine what type of insurance is right for your property and then find the policy that is ideal for your situation. Call us now to obtain a free quote. 

What Should I Look for in a Good Health Insurance Policy?

Picking a good health insurance policy will be essential to you and your family. If you live in Catonsville, MD or the DMV area and are seeking health insurance, HBW Insurance Group is here to help. There are some key things to consider, with variables based on whether you are picking a singular, or family health insurance policy. Contemplate the below carefully when choosing your policy:

How Much Insurance Will I Need? – This can be tricky, as unexpected health issues can arise at any time. Considering the categories insurance plans fall under- Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum- you can calculate what you may need throughout the year.

The lower the medal, the higher the deductibles, fewer costs that are covered by the insurance and lower premiums you will pay. If you don’t have any current health issues or take prescriptions regularly, this may be the right type of policy for you. Conversely, Gold and Platinum plans will have higher monthly premiums, lower deductibles and more costs covered by the policy. These are good plans for people with ongoing health issues and require prescriptions. The silver policy lands right in the middle and is a good plan for someone with no ongoing health issues, but wants enough coverage to cover unexpected sicknesses and prescriptions. This can also be a good plan for a family, as families with children have more frequent doctor visits overall. 

There are a plethora of health insurance plans available and choosing the proper plan can seem overwhelming. You can minimize this feeling by practicing due diligence through research and comparisons of the plans you are interested in- to find the one that works for you. 

What Aspects Should You Consider Before Buying Life Insurance?

Life insurance is a great investment and a safety net in your loved one’s future. However, purchasing one can be tasking because of the many factors one ought to consider. This article has simplified the factors to three simple steps. At HBW Insurance Group, we advise clients to choose an affordable and sufficient bundle for all your needs within Catonsville, MD. To know these factors, read on.

Carry out a Personal Assessment
Before heading to any agency within Catonsville, MD, it is wise to know what perils you want covered. Nonetheless, at HBW Insurance Group, we have agents who can inform you of the various insurance policies and the needs they meet. This will be important in giving you insights on the perils that could affect your family when you pass. Know whether you will need a lump sum settlement for your family, as an inheritance, or a policy that will cater for their debts and burial expenses.

Do Comparisons on the Offered Policies
After knowing your needs, compare the options offered. Life insurance policies vary especially in the rates offered and the resultant lump sum figure to be compensated with. A case in point, the term and cash value policies. Term policies are less profitable compared to the cash value policies that build up huge revenue over time. Alternatively, cash value policies are the common ones, and you can choose from whole life, variable or universal life insurance.

Review the Policy before Purchasing
At HBW Insurance Group, we take our clients through a vigorous process. This entails informing the clients on renewal guidelines, the clauses within their respective policies, essence of keeping their current policy until the new one kicks in and affordability. Reviewing your policy yearly to beat inflations is also advised. For more guidance, we are in Catonsville, MD and you can contact us any time.

 

5 Ways to Secure Your Home Before Going on Summer Vacation

Summer vacation can be the highlight of the season. If you’re traveling far from home, take time to secure your property before leaving. With advanced preparation, you can keep your home safe from theft, vandalism, and intrusion during your absence. Here are a few ways you can safeguard your property while you’re gone.

Home Repairs

Before taking off on vacation, make vital home repairs that weaken your security such as cracked windows, faulty locks, broken screens, etc. Look around your Catonsville, MD property to see what fix it jobs are necessary to protect your property and get these done.

Landscaping

Make sure your yard work is up to date to include mowed lawn, trimmed hedges, weeded garden, etc. If you’re taking a prolonged vacation, pay someone to care for your landscaping while you’re gone. An unkempt yard is a sure sign that no one is home, which could attract the attention of thieves.  

Security System

Invest in a security system with motion detectors, window sensors, and security cameras to protect your property. You can also set up automatic timers for indoor and outdoor lights to give the impression that someone is home and looking after the property. 

Mail

Ask a neighbor to pick up your mail or have the post office hold your mail while you’re gone. Piled up mail is yet another sign that no one is on the property.  

Neighbor Checks

Ask a neighbor to keep an eye on your property during your absence. A conscientious, friendly neighbor can be your best deterrent against theft or vandalism. 

Summer is also a good time to review your homeowner’s insurance with HBW Insurance Group, Catonsville, MD, to make sure your policy is up to date. Adequate insurance coverage from HBW Insurance Group will keep your home safe from any eventuality.

Do All Businesses Need Commercial Insurance?

Commercial insurance is a type of policy that was created to protect both the business and the business owner. Keeping this in mind, not all business owners are going to need a large commercial policy, but all can benefit from some sort of commercial policy. For those in the Catonsville, MD area, the agents with HBW Insurance Group can answer any questions you may have.

The first thing to consider when thinking about taking out a commercial policy is the size and scope of the business and how much you would be affected if it shut down or if a law suit was filed. If you simply sell things from your home from time to time and have no large inventory and have no real potential for a lawsuit against you or your business, you may not need a huge policy. If you have a large amount of inventory, a store front, and customers that come into that store front as well as employees that work for you, you certainly need a comprehensive policy.

Creating an LLC, or a limited liability corporation, will help to protect you from lawsuits but it does nothing if your place of business burns down and inventory is destroyed. A commercial policy is going to protect you from three things, lawsuits, destruction of property, and replacing items if there is any sort of disaster. Commercial policies are always a good idea even if your business is not all that large yet. For those larger, more established businesses, a good commercial policy is entirely necessary.

If you live in the Catonsville, MD area and need more help with your commercial policy, contact the agents with HBW Insurance Group today to find out more. Commercial insurance does not have to be complicated with the right agent.