How Much Auto Insurance Coverage Do I Need?

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If you have faithfully been renewing your auto insurance premium — congratulations! However, at E.S.T.I.R. Inc. in Bloomfield, NJ, we have seen many clients walk away with uncovered expenses following an auto accident because they carry inadequate coverage. Given these ugly incidences, it’s time to step back and ask: how much auto insurance do I need? Establishing the right amount of auto insurance you need helps you plan before it’s too late. 

Here is a guide to help you establish the amount of auto insurance you need in New Jersey.

One that satisfies your state requirements

Most states require motorists to include certain coverages in their auto insurance. For instance, New Jersey requires all motorists to carry liability insurance and personal injury protection (PIP) coverage in their car insurance. For any motorist, this becomes the basis of determining the amount of auto insurance you need.

As a rule of thumb, meeting your state-required minimums is not negotiable. This compliance helps you avert penalties and fines for not carrying valid auto insurance. 

How much collision and comprehensive coverage do I need?

These coverages pay for repairs or replacement of your car when it’s physically damaged. But how much do you need? You need coverage that takes care of your damages after factoring in your deductibles.

How much liability insurance should I buy?

While meeting the state requirements is superb, you need to increase your liability coverage for optimal protection. The amount of liability insurance to buy is one that can comfortably cover your lawsuits. For instance, a 250/500/100 coverage would be better than the 15/30/5 required in New Jersey. However, if you need more coverage, umbrella insurance would be perfect for you.

How much Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage do I need?

Well, it depends on whether you have a health insurance plan. While in some states, it’s optional, PIP is mandatory in New Jersey. You can stick to the state-required minimum if you have a good health insurance plan. But considering PIP is a good thing since it offers additional perks compared to health insurance. For instance, it covers partial loss of wages. 

Still unsure of how much auto insurance you need in Bloomfield, NJ? Please contact E.S.T.I.R. Inc. for more information.

Why do people in New Jersey need home insurance?

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Those that are in the Bloomfield, NJ area will have many housing options to consider. As you are looking for a new place to live, investing in your future and buying a home can be a great option. As you are looking for a home to buy, you also need to shop for a home insurance plan. A new home insurance policy in New Jersey could be needed for a few reasons. 

Coverage Provides Valued Protection

A reason that you will need to have home insurance here is because of the valued protection it provides. Your home is a major asset that will require you to make a big investment to purchase it. The best way that you can ensure this asset and investment will pay off is by getting the right insurance for it. Your home insurance plan will give the protection needed to cover your home. 

Coverage is Required

You should also get a home insurance plan in this area because it is likely going to be a requirement to carry coverage. A full home insurance plan is typically required by any mortgage provider. To ensure you do not have a coverage lapse, they may also require you to escrow your payments in an account each month. 

Homeownership continues to be a great housing option and goal for people in the Bloomfield, NJ area. As you are assessing your purchase options, you should also call E.S.T.I.R. Inc. to discuss your insurance needs. There are a lot of choices that come with picking a home insurance plan and E.S.T.I.R. Inc. can make the process easier for you. The team here can give you insight into your insurance options, which can help you build a plan that is ideal for your situation. 

How Contractor Insurance Can Protect Your Landscape Business in New Jersey

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If you are running a landscape business in Bloomfield, NJ, you need to have contractor insurance for the multiple liabilities you could face on the job. As a contractor, you are exposing yourself to a number of risks every day. You deal with heavy machinery, sometimes even heavier landscaping, and the properties of commercial and residential customers.

At E.S.T.I.R. Inc. we want Bloomfield, NJ landscapers to be protected with contractor insurance that will cover them for every emergency.

Standard Contractor Insurance Coverages for Landscape Businesses

The most common kind of contractor insurance your landscape business needs to start with is general liability insurance and commercial auto insurance. These insurances will cover you for property damages and personal injury. 

They will also cover you for your commercial fleet or vehicle that you use for transporting yourself, employees, and materials and equipment.

Extended Contractor Insurance for Landscape Businesses

In addition to basic coverages, you can apply for a business owner’s policy that will protect you from a third-party claim or lawsuit. Even a claim about a landscape product that the client didn’t like could land you in court. Things like this could be covered under commercial liability insurance.

Medical expenses may also be added to your contractor insurance. There are a number of accidents that could happen on the job to you, an employee, or a client. If someone trips over a hose or an electrical cord, or worse, the cost could be applied to you. 

Any problems that happen during your work on the landscape could put you in a legal bind that could bury your business. Contractor insurance shields you from the expense of those liabilities.

Get a Quote

When you are covering your bases for your landscape business, contractor insurance with liability coverage is a must. At E.S.T.I.R. Inc., we want Bloomfield NJ contractors in the landscape business to be protected during every possible problem. Call us for a quote for contractor insurance today. 

Who should get commercial insurance when they are in New Jersey?

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When you live in the Bloomfield, NJ area and are considering a new career path, becoming an entrepreneur is a great option. If you are going to start a business when you are in this area of the state, you will benefit from the great local economy and support given to small organizations. Along with starting a company, you also need to choose a quality insurance plan. There are several situations when a business owner here will need to get commercial coverage.

When Purchasing Important Assets

One situation when a business owner is going to need to have commercial insurance is when they are purchasing important assets. If you are going to purchase equipment or other major assets, you will want to know that you can replace them if they are damaged or stolen. With a commercial coverage plan, you will have the protection that you need in these situations. 

When Obligated to Carry Coverage

You may also need to get this insurance if you are obligated to carry it. There are many situations when having this protection will be necessary. If a business owner has taken out a loan, raised money from investors, or even lease a place of business, they may enter into agreements that will continue to require insurance coverage. This will ensure that you remain in compliance at all times. 

Those that are going to own or manage a business in the Bloomfield, NJ area will want to know that they are picking the right insurance plan for their situation. A great way that you can get the support you need to choose the right insurance plan is by calling E.S.T.I.R. Inc. There are a lot of factors to consider and E.S.T.I.R. Inc. can help you choose the plan that provides the ideal coverage. 

Who needs auto insurance in New Jersey?

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Those that are in the Bloomfield, NJ area will find that it will always be helpful to own a car. When you are a vehicle owner here, you will have an easy way to get around the area. If you do decide to invest in a vehicle, you need to protect it with insurance. There are situations when someone will need to have this coverage in place on their car.

When Financing Purchase

A common situation in which having an auto insurance plan is going to be necessary is when you are financing the purchase. The purchase of a car can be a big one. Due to this, a lot of people have to take out a loan when they buy it. Anyone that has an outstanding auto loan will be required to carry an auto insurance plan at all times. This includes having collision and comprehensive protection, which can help to mitigate many risks including theft or accident damage. 

When Driving on Public Roadways

You should also have proper coverage for the car when you want to drive a vehicle on public New Jersey roadways. Anyone that would like to drive a car in this state has to follow state rules around liability insurance. If you do not keep this coverage in place at all times, you could be in violation of state law and face a variety of consequences. 

Car owners in the Bloomfield, NJ area should spend proper time assessing their coverage needs. As you are looking for coverage, you should call E.S.T.I.R. Inc. There are a lot of important factors to consider and the team with E.S.T.I.R. Inc. will ensure you are able to make a wise choice based on your needs and to provide you with comfort and peace of mind. 

How Much Home Insurance Do I Need?

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Unfortunately, 3 of 5 Americans with home insurance are underinsured. This means that most people would not receive enough compensation to go back to their normal way of life in the event of a disaster that completely ravages their homes. According to E.S.T.I.R. Inc., you should question whether you have enough insurance before you sit back and have the peace of mind that your home is safe. Here is an insight into how much insurance you need.

The Rising Price of Building Materials and Labor?

Inflation is part and parcel of the world today, and as a result, it would cost you more to build the same home you did 20 years ago, as is the case in Bloomfield, NJ. When getting home insurance, you should consider the rising costs of building materials and labor which means you need more money to build. You need to adjust your policy to also account for this to be able to replace your home.

How Much Personal Stuff Do You Own?

Home insurance compensation is also meant to help you replace the personal stuff that you lost. Thus, you should give an accurate representation of all the personal stuff that you own. E.S.T.I.R. Inc. pointed out that in case you purchase a worthy personal property amid your insurance period, you should talk to your agent or insurer to have your home insurance policy update.

Consider Your Liability and Living Expenses

In some cases, the loss of home results in personal injury and the inability to meet your living expenses. Your home insurance policy is supposed to take care of this, but it might not help much if you are underinsured. This is why you need to consider your liability and living expenses when negotiating your home insurance policy. As a resident of Bloomfield, NJ, you should consider getting liability coverage between $300,000 and $500,000 and at least $40,000 for living expenses.

Do you still have concerns about the cost of home insurance in Bloomfield, NJ? Contact us today for a detailed analysis.

Why do I need contractor insurance in New Jersey?

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The Bloomfield, NJ area is a great place to live and work as it has a strong local economy. Due to this, it can also be a good place to be if you are a contractor. While there is a lot of room for potential success as a contractor in this area of New Jersey, there are also risks involved. One way that you can offset some of these risks is by getting a contractor’s insurance plan. 

Insurance Protects Assets of Business

A reason that you should get a contractor insurance plan is that it can protect the assets of your business. As a contractor, you are going to invest a lot of money into equipment, tools and other assets that are needed to run your business and serve your customers. When you get a full contractor’s insurance plan, it is going to offer the protection that is needed to cover these assets. 

Insurance Gives Liability Coverage

You will also want to get a contractor’s insurance plan due to the liability protection. Anyone that is going to be a contractor will be taking on risk if they cause damage at a job site or someone is injured as a result of their work. This could be a very significant expense if you are found liable for damages. Fortunately, this risk can be mitigated due to the liability protection provided by a contractor’s insurance plan. 

When you would like to get a contractor’s insurance plan in Bloomfield, NJ would be wise for you to call E.S.T.I.R. Inc. The insurance team with E.S.T.I.R. Inc. understands the importance and value of this type of coverage. They can help you by assessing your individual risks and building a policy that will provide the best overall coverage. 

How commercial insurance can save your small business

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Every small business owner knows how stressful and full of risks owning and operating a small business can be. Your profit margin is not designed to survive catastrophes. That is where commercial insurance comes in. Your trusted independent agent work with you to access your risks and to make sure you have the correct commercial insurance to protect you and your business. At  E.S.T.I.R. Inc. in Bloomfield, NJ, we have been providing our customers with the best insurance options for more than 20 years. 

Commercial property insurance

You can’t do business without an inventory and the way to produce it. You may own the building you do business out of or you may be a renter but either way, commercial property insurance is vital to making sure you can continue to do business if a covered peril happens to strike. It does cover the building if you are the owner but even if you’re not, it covers a lot of important things. You will help replace your machinery, office equipment, records, inventory, and raw materials. Doing business without these things would be difficult.

Commercial liability insurance

Bad things can happen which will affect your business. Small businesses are an attractive target for people looking to file a suit. It may be they were injured while visiting your business or by a product you produce. You may have made an error that affected a customer adversely. You may even have a disgruntled employee who files a suit against you. Your liability insurance may be all that is between you and closing your doors. It will help pay legal fees as well as a judgment against you up to the limit of your policy. 

Other lines of commercial insurance may be a good fit for your business. In Bloomfield, NJ contact E.S.T.I.R. Inc. for all your commercial insurance needs. 

Required Auto Insurance in New Jersey

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There are many different types of auto insurance that are required for New Jersey drivers. Each state has its own requirements, and New Jersey has far more types of coverage required than most states. Call our E.S.T.I.R. Inc. office in Bloomfield, NJ to make your appointment with an agent to discuss your auto coverage. 

Standard and Basic Policies

In New Jersey, drivers have the choice between a basic insurance policy and a standard policy. Both meet the requirements for legal driving in the state. The basic policy requires a set minimum for property damage liability, another minimum amount for personal injury protection and a much higher minimum amount for protection against significant or permanent injuries.

The numbers are coverages are slightly different for the standard policy. This policy requires a set minimum for bodily injury liability per person injured as well as a higher minimum for everyone injured. It has another, the lower amount for property damage liability. It also includes coverage for underinsured or uninsured motorist bodily injury that has one set minimum for each injured person and another amount set for everyone injured. There is also personal injury protection that is in the same amount as in the basic policy. There is also coverage for personal injury protection for significant or permanent injuries. 

Other Insurance Coverage

In addition to the many types of insurance covered in these plans, there are also options and other coverage types that you can add onto your insurance. For instance, collision insurance, which covers your own vehicle, is an option that some drivers choose to have. 

Talk to an Agent

If you want to speak to an agent about your insurance needs, call our E.S.T.I.R. Inc. office in Bloomfield, NJ to make your appointment with one of our knowledgeable agents who can help you. It’s always best to have the auto coverage you need in case the worst should happen. 

Home Insurance Policies: Your Options

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A home is not just a roof over your head; it’s probably the most valuable asset you own. What does that mean? You most likely spent years saving for it. Is it something you can replace out of your pocket if disaster strikes? Of course not.

The risk of losing your Bloomfield, NJ home and not able to buy or build another one is the sole reason you need to contact E.S.T.I.R. Inc. They will help you choose a policy to protect your home.

What Does Home Insurance Do?

A home insurance policy will cover you in the event of the destruction of your home or damage to your personal items. It will also cover costs in case someone else is injured within your home or someone else’s property is destroyed.

Types of Home Insurance

Home insurance is available in various standard types that are worthwhile to know. They include:

HO-3

This is the most common home insurance policy. It covers home damage from almost all causes part from few exemptions such as floods and earthquakes. For personal belongings, HO-3 will cover damage from 16 named perils.

HO-5

This policy covers all causes except those specified by name. HO-5 is an open-perils policy that will only list what the insurance company does not cover. Some common exceptions include:

  • Power failure
  • Collapse
  • War
  • Discharge of pollutants
  • Mechanical breakdown

HO-1 and HO-2

These are less popular policies that cover issues listed in the agreement. Between the two, HO-1 covers even a shorter list of issues than HO-2. Typically, these policies cover the 16 named perils only.

Other types of home insurance policies include:

  • HO-4- Insurance for renters
  • HO-6- Insurance for condominium
  • HO-7- Insurance for mobile homes
  • HO-8- Insurance for older homes

Having home insurance is not a guarantee that your home will be safe from damage. What it does is give you financial backing if the unforeseen occurs.

If you need to purchase home insurance in Bloomfield, NJ you’re lucky to have agents ready to help you out. E.S.T.I.R. Inc. will assist you to choose a policy that best suits your needs. Get in touch today for more information.