Do I need more than basic auto insurance coverage

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In Bloomfield, NJ basic auto insurance mandated by state law is  $5,000 for each accident and personal injury protection of $15,000 for each person. You are not required to have anything else by the state. If you have a loan or a lease on your vehicle, you will likely have to carry additional insurance to protect the lender or lessors investment.  E.S.T.I.R. Inc. can help you to understand if additional coverage is something you need to consider. 

Additional liability 

If you are young, single, a renter and own nothing, basic insurance is fine. However, if you have moved beyond that and have assets that have some value, adding additional liability insurance is worth considering. If you are sued, in this day and age, it could go way beyond the very minimal amount of a basic policy. You work too hard to accumulate what wealth you have to place it at risk. 

Collision coverage

Collision coverage protects your vehicle in the event you are in an accident where you are deemed at fault or are the victim of a hit and run. If you crash into your garage or a pole, you are the only driver involved. If your vehicle is old and has little value or if you would be able to pay for the repairs that might be required then collision insurance is probably not necessary. If however, you can not afford to be without your vehicle and you don’t have the ready cash to replace or repair it, collision is an affordable option. 

Comprehensive coverage

Your vehicle can be stolen or damaged by hail, wind or vandalism. If this happens and you don’t carry comprehensive coverage you will need to repair or replace your vehicle yourself. 

If you live in or near Bloomfield, NJ, E.S.T.I.R. Inc. is there to help you to decide what the best coverage options are for you. Stop by the office or give us a call for a no-obligation quote. 

 

How Can You Verify if a Contractor Has Contractors Insurance?

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Contractors should carry contractors insurance. It helps to cover many different problems that may arise in their line of work, including workplace injuries, accidentally causing structural damage and can help to protect against certain types of lawsuits. If you are preparing to hire a contractor, you should always ask a contractor if they carry contractors insurance. At E.S.T.I.R. Inc. serving Bloomfield, NJ, we want to make everyone aware of the importance of this. Here is what you need to know about contractors insurance. 

Why Is It Important to Work With a Contractor Who Carries Contractors Insurance?

Contractors insurance helps to cover against many of the unexpected issues that can arise in the construction industry. For example, if a contractor falls off of your roof while they are working, contractors insurance helps to cover their medical expenses and lost wages. Without this insurance, they may come after you or your homeowner’s insurance policy to recover money. Contractors insurance also covers construction accidents or errors. For example, if a contractor accidentally knocks down the wrong wall, their insurance will pay to rebuild the wall, so you don’t have to pay for it out of your pocket. 

How Can You Verify If a Contractor Has Contractors Insurance? 

When you are looking to work with a contractor, simply ask them if they have contractors insurance and if you can see the valid insurance policy or card. If desired, you can call their insurance company and verify that their policy is valid. You can also write in a contract that the contractor must carry a valid contractors insurance policy the entire time they are working on your property. 

It is extremely important that homeowners and business owners only work with contractors that carry contractors insurance. If you are a contractor who does not have contractors insurance, it could cost you work. If you need to purchase contractors insurance, E.S.T.I.R. Inc. serving Bloomfield, NJ can help you. Call us today to learn more. 

What Is the Most Common Type of Business Insurance?

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If you run a business in Bloomfield, NJ, you probably want to know if you’re getting (or already have) the best type of insurance policy for you. We’ll take you through a business owners policy (BOP) as this is one of the more common types of insurance. Its popularity does not necessarily make it the right option for you, but it may give you some indication as to what other owners are seeking out. E.S.T.I.R. Inc. is here to help you get the answers. 

What Is a BOP?

A BOP essentially gives business owners a solid protection plan in a single package. Instead of having to worry about choosing individual liability limits or deciding on different riders, an owner can just buy an all-in-one policy. You get major property and liability protection, so you can repair your building if it’s damaged or settle lawsuits (either in court or out) as they arise. 

Are All BOPs the Same?

While many small- and medium-sized business owners may have some version of a BOP, this does not mean that they’re all the same. Most BOPs include business interruption insurance or a coverage option that provides income if you have to close your business for a covered reason. Others offer all-risk coverage, or essentially coverage against every event unless it’s been specifically excluded on the policy. You never want to assume that policy covers anything — even if it seems as though it should a standard clause for all policies. 

When you want to learn more about commercial insurance of any kind, E.S.T.I.R. Inc. can help you fill in the gaps. We help the entrepreneurs in Bloomfield, NJ protect everything they’ve built, so they can keep their dream alive no matter what happens. 

Frequently Asked Questions About New Jersey Home Insurance

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Do you live in Bloomfield, NJ? Don’t put off getting home insurance on your family’s home, call us at E.S.T.I.R. Inc. for a specific quote on your house. If you have any questions about home insurance in your area read on to see if we address them here. 

Home Insurance in New Jersey Frequently Asked Questions

  • Can I get an individualized insurance policy written for my home due to my unique situation? Yes, you can get an individualized policy written that fits your own needs depending on your situation. Ask our agent for more details after explaining your situation. 
  • Is homeowner’s insurance a legal requirement in the state of New Jersey? No, it is not a legal requirement in NJ. However, many mortgage companies do require you to keep a homeowners’ insurance policy to protect their asset while you pay it off. Even if you do not have a mortgage on your home it is a good idea to protect your own asset yourself. Homeowner’s insurance can protect you from things you have not even considered when it comes to homeownership. 
  • Can I bundle my home insurance with other policies I have? It is often possible to bundle your home and auto insurance together. Each situation is unique and different options may save you money. Bundling is just one way we can simplify your life with quality insurance. 

E.S.T.I.R. Inc. can fulfill your home insurance needs in and around Bloomfield, NJ. If you have any other questions, call us today. If you are ready for insurance quotes for your home, car, life, or business, contact us, and we will be happy to provide them for you. 

Does Auto Insurance Cover your Passenger’s Expenses?

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Having an accident is the last thing that anyone wants to have to deal with. That being said, there are tons of expenses that come along with an accident for both you and your passengers. For those in the Bloomfield, NJ area, the agents with E.S.T.I.R. Inc. can help you to find the best policy for your needs every time.

Auto insurance covers a great deal and the costs and expenses of your passengers are one of them. Though your auto insurance is not going to cover every single expense your passenger incurs, their own health insurance will cover a great deal, your auto policy is likely going to award them what is considered liability for your state. This means that if liability for your state is $10,000, that is how much your policy is going to pay for your passengers. This is only if you have a liability policy if you have a larger policy or a full coverage policy you may be able to get more money for your passengers.

You will also be able to claim injury costs on your auto policy as well as using your health insurance policies to help pay for costs associated with your wreck. You should take the time to also consider that your state may be what is considered an at-fault state which means that fault for the wreck will be determined and the person at fault will have to use their insurance to cover all the expenses. No matter what your state laws say, your passenger is going to be covered to a certain degree on your policy each time they get into the car and ride with you. For those in the Bloomfield, NJ area, the agents with E.S.T.I.R. Inc. can help you find the policy that works best for you.  

Protect Your Inventory With a Comprehensive Commercial Policy

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Because inventory levels change with the amount of business you are conducting, it is sometimes difficult to consider it as an asset that needs to be protected. Our team of highly-trained agents at E.S.T.I.R. Inc. are proud to serve the commercial insurance needs of the many businesses here in Bloomfield, NJ. If you own your own business, you understand the many moving pieces that come with inventory management. Making sure that your insurance policy covers your inventory completely is an important part of maintaining an effective commercial insurance portfolio. Our team is here to answer any questions that you may have and help you find the policy that meets your needs.

Make Sure Your Inventory is Covered

Ensuring that your inventory is measured at its highest level in order to determine your coverage amounts is the first step in securing the comprehensive commercial insurance protection that your business needs. Property policies are fairly comprehensive, and when you sit down with your agent to review all of your business components, you can find out about your many protection options. Inventory is the lifeblood of business and if it is ever lost, stolen, or damaged your bottom line can suffer. With comprehensive commercial insurance, you can make sure that you are able to continue operations as you rebuild your inventory levels. Make sure that you have the right policy level to protect all aspects of your business. Don’t let an oversight in your policy level hurt your company.

Is it time to find out more about how a comprehensive commercial policy can help protect your inventory? Contact E.S.T.I.R. Inc. for assistance with all of your Bloomfield, NJ commercial insurance needs. We are here to help you protect your hard work and keep your business operations covered. 

What is Contractor Insurance?

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Being a contractor is a great profession that has the potential to make you a lot of money and to help people. If you are considering becoming a contractor or if you are already a contractor, contractor insurance is a must. For those that live in the Bloomfield, NJ area, the agents with E.S.T.I.R. Inc. can help you find the right policy for your business.

Contractor insurance, much like any other specialty insurance policy, is geared toward making sure that you have the right policies to cover all the liability and issues you might come up against as a contractor. This type of policy is going to be a bundle policy that combines things like general liability, commercial property, business owners, and more together into one easy to pay and easy to use policy. This helps contractors to make sure they have all the coverage they need without having to go through and find each and every policy that might apply.

This type of bundle also often comes with a discount that helps make all the necessary insurances more affordable and easier to take out. For those that have a contractor business, this type of policy is going to take the guesswork out of the policy you need and is going to help you make sure you are fully insured before you ever set foot on the first worksite. With any business, there are a large number of different coverages that you need to help make your business protected and to provide protection to your customers.

For those that live in the Bloomfield, NJ area, the agents with E.S.T.I.R. Inc. can help you to find the policy that fits your needs, that has the right coverage for you, and that meets the overall needs of your business.

Is there an easy way to make a home inventory?

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No one likes to think of having a fire or burglary in their own home, which should be a safe place. That is one reason people put off making a home inventory, even knowing they will need the inventory later if something happens.

The job can also seem overwhelming, but there are some tricks you can use to make it easier. At E.S.T.I.R. Inc. we assist our Bloomfield, NJ customers so they will have the records they need if they ever have to make a claim.

Traditional Inventories

In the past, people would simply try to list their possessions. Dividing the task into rooms makes it easier, as you can do one room a week until you’re done. Make sure to get serial numbers off electronics.

Video

A really great trick is using your phone to video your home and belongings. You will not only find it easy to work at your own pace, but you will also have a record of the condition of all your items. You can prove that your various items and gadgets were in working condition at the time of the inventory. You can also still choose to do a room at a time, to keep the job manageable, and make sure you get identifiers like serial numbers. When you record your inventory, you won’t have to worry about leaving the list in a safe place.

If you do need help making your home inventory, don’t hesitate to ask. We have helped our Bloomfield, NJ customers find a way that will make it easy to access those important records later. If you want to talk about home inventories, or if you just want to discuss our homeowners and renters policies, don’t hesitate to call E.S.T.I.R. Inc. today.

Four Benefits of Proper Car Maintenance

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At E.S.T.I.R. Inc. the agents understand how important your vehicle is your daily life. Without it, you would at a loss, unable to go to work or care for your family. The agents are always available to Bloomfield, NJ residents to answer questions about auto insurance or offer a few sound maintenance tips to keep your car in top shape.

Better Gas Mileage

Regular maintenance and service checks keep your car running efficiently and will help to improve your gas mileage. This saves you money in the long run and also reduces wear and tear.

Better Overall Performance

Regularly scheduled oil changes and service checks can bring your car’s engine back to factory standards in terms of how the engine runs. Changing your air and oil filters allows the engine to have what it needs for maximum efficiency and better overall performance.

Fewer Breakdowns/Repairs

Having your car thoroughly inspected and serviced according to the factory’s recommendations will prevent breakdowns and keep repairs to a minimum. By catching problems when they are small, you can eliminate larger repair bills.

Maintains Its Value

Cars that are properly maintained hold their value for a much longer period of time. This increases trade in value and ensures you get the most out of your investment.

The agents of E.S.T.I.R. Inc. serve residents throughout the Bloomfield, NJ area. When it comes to auto insurance and how to make sure you get as much out of your investment as possible, it’s important to understand how important maintaining your vehicle really is. Call and schedule an appointment with one of their agents at your earliest convenience. They have the answers you’ve been looking for. 

Tips for Starting Your Own Contracting Business

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Starting your own business can be extremely profitable. In fact, some individuals earn a substantially higher income working for themselves than they would for a company. However, the process of actually establishing your business isn’t as easy as you may think. With a few simple tips and insurance from Bloomfield, NJ’s E.S.T.I.R. Inc. you can get started with the highest potential for success. 

Getting Proper Licensure 

You can’t just start offering your services as an electrician without getting the necessary licensure. If you want to start a business and work as a contractor, you need to get a general business license. You also may need specific business licensure. For some contracting jobs, you may need certifications to prove your credentials. 

Insurance 

Before you start advertising, you need to look into insurance. Insurance is necessary for contractors. It helps protect their assets in the event something should happen to a client’s property. For instance, let’s say you’re doing electrical work in someone’s kitchen. You accidentally drop the screwdriver and it tears through the person’s linoleum. Instead of the person suing you, the insurance you have covers the expenses. You can also utilize your insurance if you should happen to make a mistake on the job. 

Learning to Market  

In today’s technology savvy world, marketing is easier than ever. You may create social media pages specifically for your business and use your own personal page. You have the option of sites like Craig’s List to post an ad for your services. Linkedin is another excellent place. You create a page listing all of your information. Your name comes up in the search results, and you have the option to connect with other contractors and businesses in your area. 

Call E.S.T.I.R. Inc. today for a quote for insurance for your contracting business. We serve Bloomfield, NJ and the surrounding area and are available by calling 973-481-5300.