What Is and Isn’t Covered by Home Insurance

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Home insurance isn’t “one size fits all.” Policies vary to suit your individual needs. Most policies offer dwelling, property, and liability protection to protect your home structure, possessions, and personal assets against accidents on your property. By reviewing your home coverage with your E.S.T.I.R. Inc. agent, you’ll have a better idea of what is and isn’t included in your policy.

What Standard Home Insurance Covers in Bloomfield, NJ

Standard home policies offer the following coverage:

  • Dwelling – to protect your Bloomfield NJ home and attached structures  such as a garage
  • Additional Structures Coverage – to protect structures not attached to your home such as a fence or utility shed
  • Property – to protect your belongings  
  • Liability – to protect you against accidents that occur on your property

You decide the scope and amount of coverage you want to protect your investments. By assessing the value of your home and goods, you’ll have a better idea of how much coverage to choose to fully protect your assets.

Keep in mind that standard policies have limits on property coverage. If you own high-end goods, such as posh jewelry or original artwork, you may need to purchase additional coverage to fully protect these costly items.

Standard home insurance generally covers theft and damage caused by fire, vandalism, and certain natural disasters like severe storms, hail, lightning strikes, hurricanes, and tornadoes.

What’s NOT Covered by Home Policies

If you run a business from your home, your business equipment and inventory (if stored in your home or garage) is generally not covered by your home policy.

Home insurance also doesn’t cover earthquake or flood damage to your home or belongings. You can, however, purchase separate insurance for these disasters.

To learn more about home insurance, contact E.S.T.I.R. Inc., serving residents in Bloomfield, NJ, and surrounding communities.

Required Auto Insurance in New Jersey

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In New Jersey, having car insurance is mandatory, and it comes with several minimums that your insurance policy must meet. The state is a no-fault state that results in your insurance coverage paying for your medical bills from an injury even if you are at fault for the accident. If you need auto insurance in New Jersey, contact us at E.S.T.I.R. Inc in Bloomfield, NJ to find out more. 

State Minimum Insurance Coverages

In New Jersey, there are hefty penalties for not having car insurance, and that can include jail time. To avoid punishment, you need insurance that meets the state’s mandatory minimums for each required coverage type. There is a specific minimum amount that you have to have to pay for each person’s bodily injury as well as an amount for all of the bodily injuries that are caused by the accident. You also have to have a specific amount to cover your liability for property damage. Another mandatory coverage type is a specific minimum amount for covering bodily injury to an uninsured motorist. There is also coverage required for property damage done during an accident with an uninsured or underinsured motorist. 

Other Auto Coverage

When you have all of the state’s required minimums for coverage, you don’t have any protection for your own vehicle’s damage. Collision and comprehensive insurance cover your vehicle, though it isn’t mandatory to carry this coverage. It’s a good idea to have it, however, as without it you would have to pay for all of your vehicle repairs out of pocket. 

Make Your Appointment

To get the auto coverage you need, contact us at E.S.T.I.R. Inc in Bloomfield, NJ, and make your appointment to talk to an insurance agent about the best coverage for you. 

How Winter Snow May Impact Commercial Insurance Policies

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E.S.T.I.R. Inc. serves the Bloomfield, NJ community by offering residents multiple types of insurance coverage. We want to help our clients find policies that will allow them to enjoy a secure lifestyle. We value creating long-lasting relationships with our clients.

How Winter Snow May Impact Commercial Insurance Policies

Small business owners are valuable to the Bloomfield, NJ community. However, operating a business on a daily basis comes with a lot of risks and responsibilities. Commercial insurance allows you to protect the future of your business. The policy covers any damage to your property, as well as your inventory. You’ll also be covered if your equipment is vandalized or stolen. As the season’s change and things start to get colder, some of the potential risks that your business may deal with start to increase. Heavy snow has the potential to cause serious problems if you are not prepared.

Liability coverage is extremely important. During snowy conditions, ice may develop. If one of your customers slips and falls on the ice while visiting your business, liability coverage will protect you. Consider the benefits of worker’s compensation as well. Your employees face the same conditions as they are coming to work. Worker’s compensation protects the interests of your business and your employees if an accidental injury occurs. Make sure that the snow is shoveled regularly around your business and put some ice down as well.

If you use vehicles as part of your business, you can add coverage to your policy. This is important, as winter driving can be very dangerous at times. The commercial coverage will protect your vehicle if you are involved in a collision while traveling through the snow. Also, consider adding uninsured coverage so that you will be protected if you are involved in an accident with someone who is not covered.  

E.S.T.I.R. Inc. Will Help You Protect Your Investment

A Look At Some Common Misconceptions About Contractor Insurance

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E.S.T.I.R. Inc. assists the Bloomfield, NJ community through helping residents find insurance coverage. For over 25 years, we have helped our clients find policies specifically designed to meet their individual needs. We will work diligently to help you find the coverage that you deserve.

Common Misconceptions About Contractor Insurance

If you are a contractor in the Bloomfield, NJ area, it’s important that you protect the future of your services. Contractor insurance protects your business from an assortment of different risks that you face on a daily basis. Your assets are protected in case an accident causes damages. You can enjoy peace of mind so that the future of your business is not impacted. Liability coverage will protect you if something goes wrong while you are operating your product. While researching different contractor insurance policies, learn about these common misconceptions.

You may have heard that worker’s compensation isn’t necessary. This is not true, as worker’s compensation assists your services regardless if you have a large number of employees. Accidents can happen at any time, so it is important that you consider the benefits of worker’s compensation. Without it, you may find yourself liable in a potential situation. Perhaps you believe that you don’t have to protect your employees if they don’t have their own coverage. This is incorrect. If your employees suffer a serious injury while working on a project, you may still be held liable without worker’s compensation.

Also, if you are using vehicles for your contractor’s work, make sure that you have a separate policy to cover the vehicle in case you are involved in a collision. If you are planning to work on a large project in the future, consider adding umbrella coverage to protect you in case an emergency happens.

E.S.T.I.R. Inc. Will Help You Protect Your Future

Visit our website to learn more information about contractor insurance.  

Auto Insurance Tips To Assist New Jersey Drivers During The Winter

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E.S.T.I.R. Inc. provides insurance coverage to the Bloomfield, NJ community, as well as the surrounding areas. We strive to establish long term relationships with our clients. As an independent agency, we can help you find a custom policy specifically designed to suit your needs.

Auto Insurance Tips For The Winter

Auto insurance protects your vehicle as you travel around Bloomfield, NJ. The policy covers your vehicle if it is damaged or stolen. Comprehensive coverage is an asset if your vehicle gets damaged due to a natural disaster or is stolen. While you are preparing for the winter, here are things to consider regarding your auto insurance policy.

Check Your Tires

During the winter, driving becomes extremely dangerous at times. The likelihood of you being involved in an accident increases. However, one of the main ways that you can prevent a potential collision is by performing proper maintenance on your tires. Make sure that your tires have the appropriate air pressure to stabilize your vehicle. As the weather gets colder, your tires will start to lose pressure. You may need to replace all of your tires in order to ensure that you are safe on the road.

It is also important to make sure that the internal parts of your car are working properly. Schedule an oil change and check the fluids in your engine. Make sure that you have a good supply of antifreeze. Consider scheduling a tune-up as well.

During inclement weather, it can be difficult to see things clearly while you are driving. Make sure that you have a case of windshield wiper fluid and all of your lights are working properly. This will drastically reduce the likelihood that you will be involved in a collision with another vehicle while you are driving.

E.S.T.I.R. Inc. Will Help You Protect Your Vehicle

Visit our website to learn more information about auto insurance.  

Do I need home insurance when my mortgage is paid off

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Owning a home is what most Amerian strive for. You get approved for a mortgage and then chose your home insurance. Your lender will require that you protect their investment. Unlike car insurance, home insurance is not legally required by the state. Twenty-five or thirty years later you are through with the monthly mortgage payments and you may be wondering if getting rid of the home insurance payment would be a good idea. At E.S.T.I.R. Inc. in Bloomfield, NJ, we are a local Independent agency that has been providing service in the area for 23 years. 

Before you decide to let your home insurance laps it is important to consider the protection that it provides. 

Building protection

If your home is hit by a covered peril, your home insurance will provide the money you need to repair or replace your home. It covers the main building, all the attached structures, and some detached as well. It also covers the systems in your house electric, pumping, and HVAC.  

Contents

All of your personal possession are in your home. Your furniture, your appliances, your Christmas decorations, electronics, your clothes, your jewelry, the contents of your kitchen, your linen closet, and even more. 

Liability

One of the most valuable protections that home insurance offers is liability protection. No one wants to believe they will ever get sued but it is a real possibility. Your home insurance offers a layer of protection against a judgment against you. 

Loss of use

If your home is uninhabitable because of a covered peril you will need somewhere to stay. Your home insurance will help to pay for a place you can call home until your home gets back to normal. 

Home insurance offers a lot of valuable protection and even when your mortgage is paid off it is worth keeping. If you have any questions  E.S.T.I.R. Inc. in Bloomfield, NJ has the answers that you need. Give us a call or stop by our office and let us give you a quote. 

Why Having Contractor Insurance Is so Important

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Contractor insurance is extremely important to have no matter what type of service you offer. The agents at E.S.T.I.R. Inc. can assist contractors in the Bloomfield, NJ area in finding the insurance they need to protect themselves and their business from various types of liability. Understanding what risks they face on a day to day basis is the key to having the coverage they need for peace of mind.

Protects Your Assets

Contractor insurance protects your assets, covering damages, and providing compensation for repairs that are needed to keep your business running smoothly. Without your equipment and other assets, you can’t operate your business. Making sure you have adequate coverage is essential. 

Reduces Your Personal Liability

Contractor insurance also includes specific types of liability insurance. Liability insurance covers injuries, defective workmanship, and product liability. With the right type of liability coverage, you can protect yourself and business from financial disaster.

Protects Your Business 

Your business is your livelihood. With contractor insurance, your business will be protected on many different levels, ensuring its financial security and protecting you from losing your investment. You invest not only your money but also your time and your passion. Protecting your business with the right type of contractor insurance is the best way to maintain positive growth, even during difficult times.

At E.S.T.I.R. Inc., each agent has special training that gives them the knowledge they need to help Bloomfield, NJ contractors protect their business. Contractor insurance is not only an investment in your business, it is a security blanket that will protect your business as well as your personal interests from financial disaster. Schedule a meeting with your agent so that you can learn more about your contractor’s insurance policy and how it is benefiting your business. 

Three things you didn’t know about commercial insurance in New Jersey

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New Jersey business owners need to understand how commercial insurance works. They need to explore their commercial insurance options in Bloomfield, NJ. At E.S.T.I.R. Inc. we can help business owners find the answers to their questions about commercial insurance.

The following are three things you might not have known about commercial insurance in New Jersey.

New Jersey businesses with employees need workers compensation insurance.

Commercial insurance is especially important for companies with employees. If you have either full or part-time employees working for you, you need to invest in worker’s compensation coverage.

Make sure you explore worker’s compensation insurance requirements and meet these requirements. Otherwise, your company could be subject to fines and penalties. 

Companies using vehicles for commercial operations need commercial auto coverage.

For many companies, it’s necessary to use a vehicle for transportation for everyday business operations. If this is the case with your company, you need to carry commercial auto insurance.  

The state of New Jersey requires that companies carry at least $30,000 in bodily injury coverage per accident and at least $5,000 in property damage coverage per accident. 

Commercial liability coverage is especially important in New Jersey because lawsuits are common. 

Commercial liability coverage is not required by law in New Jersey. However, it’s a good idea for New Jersey business owners to carry liability insurance.

Unfortunately for business owners in the state, lawsuits against businesses are particularly common in New Jersey. For this reason, carrying commercial liability insurance is definitely a good idea. 

If you’re on the market for a commercial insurance policy, we’d be happy to hear from you at E.S.T.I.R. Inc. Get in touch with us for answers to your questions about protecting your business in Bloomfield, NJ. 

Three things you should know about filing auto insurance claims

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Dealing with an auto accident is a stressful experience. At E.S.T.I.R. Inc. we provide auto insurance policies to protect you financially after an auto accident.

It’s important that you know how filing a claim works so that you can minimize some of the stress and uncertainty of experiencing an auto accident. The following are three things you should know about filing auto insurance claims in Bloomfield, NJ.

You need to exchange info with other drivers after an accident.

Drivers are expected to give one another some information after an accident. You should collect the names, license plate numbers, and insurance policy numbers of all the other drivers involved in the accident. You’ll also be expected to provide your own information to the other drivers. 

Taking pictures of the accident site and getting a police report could be good ideas.

After an accident, the insurance companies of the involved drivers often need to determine who was at fault in the accident. Taking pictures of the accident and getting a copy of any resulting police report could help your insurance company to prove that another driver was at fault. 

You may need to have collision coverage to be compensated for damage to your own vehicle. 

If you are deemed at fault in an accident, you may not be compensated for damages to your own vehicle if you don’t have collision coverage.

Collision coverage covers the costs of repairs to your own vehicle. This type of auto coverage is not required by law, but it is important to have for New Jersey drivers. 

If you have questions about auto insurance in Bloomfield, NJ, we’re here to help. Send us a message online or call us to inquire about our auto insurance policies at E.S.T.I.R. Inc. 

When Should You Review Your Homeowner Policy?

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E.S.T.I.R. Inc. serves homeowners in the Bloomfield, NJ area with all of their insurance needs. Agents understand that as time passes, your needs change when it comes to your homeowner’s insurance. A home remodel or significant changes to your property outside your home may require you to review your policy so that you are sure you have the coverage you need to protect your financial investment.

Renovations, Remodels, and Upgrades

Instead of looking for a new home, many homeowners are choosing to keep their current home and make renovations or upgrades. Adding an additional room or two is also a possibility. These types of changes can significantly increase the value of your home making your old insurance policy sorely inadequate. Even small upgrades such as the installation of smart appliances and a well-planned security system may have a dramatic impact. It is extremely important that you notify your insurance agent so you can upgrade your policy to match your home’s value.

Exterior Changes, Such as Landscaping, Swimming Pools, Fences, and Sheds

The addition of a swimming pool, privacy fences, sheds, and expensive landscaping/lighting systems can also increase the value of your home. Notifying your insurance agent is essential if you want your new items to be fully covered. The opposite is also true. If you remove any buildings or get rid of a swimming pool or landscaping, this may reduce the value of your property.

If you are thinking about or have already completed any substantial home improvements call the agents of E.S.T.I.R. Inc. today and have them go over your policy with you. The agents offer policy reviews to all of their clients who live in the Bloomfield, NJ and surrounding areas. Visit today and make sure you have the coverage you need.