Family Motorcycle Insurance Policies on Upward Trend

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If you felt there was an increase in the number of motorcycles traveling on the road today, you were correct in your assumption. There’s no better feeling than riding on a bike on the open road. And a bigger upward trend is families getting a motorcycle insurance package together. 

The rise in popularity has been gained due to the median age of motorcycle riders rising from the late 20s to the early 40s. This has help peak the interest of a rider’s siblings, life partner and children to get involved with their passion. The positive of this increase is everyone receiving proper training on how to safely ride a motorcycle. 

The Ease of Learning to Ride a Motorcycle

Too often, newcomers to the motorcycle community fail to realize that maneuvering a manual transmission bike is far more complicated to master than learning on an automobile. Plus, they’re unprepared to handle the speed of the far more popular models, which can accelerate to up to 100 MPH in a blink of an eye. 

Motorcycle insurance agencies like StateChoice in West Hartford, CT believe the learning curve for new riders is greatly enhanced if a family member is an active rider. They can convey how the bike becomes more stable at higher speeds because of the longer wheelbase and larger tires. Motorcycles are very fuel efficient as they average close to 44 mpg, and the newer models can reach up to 85 mpg. Plus, an experienced rider can suggest the proper protective gear to wear as all of this information provides better safety on the road.

How Motorcycle Insurance Policies are Created

The usage of a motorcycle does come into play when choosing an insurance policy. Family group plans work best for the casual weekend rider. The annual mileage number will impact heavily a group’s rate. The more you ride, the higher the premium will become. And if someone in the family plan is using their motorcycle for business purposes, then they become ineligible for the insurance policy. The person in question might be required to purchase a personal business policy. If not, then the entire can enjoy a discount on the family policy rate.

Do You Need a Death Certificate to File a Life Insurance Claim?

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After a loved one has passed away, there are many different things you need to do. One of the things you need to do is to let their life insurance company know they have passed away and file a claim for an insurance payout. Here at StateChoice, serving the greater West Hartford, CT area, we know many people have never done this before. As such, you may have questions. One question you may have is whether you need a death certificate to file a life insurance claim. Here is the answer to that question. 

Do You Need a Death Certificate to File a Life Insurance Claim? 

You do not need a death certificate in order to file a life insurance claim. You can let the insurance company know your loved one has passed away and begin the process of filing the claim without a death certificate. However, it is important to understand that an insurance company cannot pay out on a life insurance claim until they have the certified death certificate. The certified death certificate proves the individual is deceased and shows how and why the individual passed away. The clock for paying out the claim does not start until the death certificate has been submitted to the life insurance company. 

Life insurance helps to ensure that your final expenses do not become a financial burden for your loved ones. If you do not have life insurance, it may be something you want to consider purchasing. Here at StateChoice, serving the greater West Hartford, CT area, we can help explain various types of life insurance plans to you and help you select the one that best suits your needs. Call us today to learn more. 

Workers Comp and Seasonal Hires

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The holiday season is a time of year when many companies do a lot of seasonal hiring for their busiest days. Whether you are in manufacturing, run a delivery service, have a retail establishment, or own any type of business that employs temporary help, it’s important to understand your Workers Comp coverage needs.  If you are in the greater West Hartford, CT area and want to make sure that you have the protection that you need, the team at StateChoice can help.

Workers Comp is Still Required for Seasonal Hires

Even though you are not required to provide your temporary employees with health insurance and other benefits that you may offer to permanent employees, you are still required to carry adequate Workers Comp coverage. If you are unsure if your current policy is sufficient for coverage of your seasonal employees, now is the time to check! In addition to Social Security, Unemployment Insurance, and other taxes, Workers Comp insurance is required for all types of employees that you hire. While there are many differences between the Labor Laws affecting permanent employees and those that are temporary or seasonal, Workers Comp is required for all types of workers.

Business owners may not be sure if their current coverage is sufficient and it is always a good idea to make sure that you have the necessary protection before you need it. Your commercial insurance agent can help you gain the peace of mind that comes with knowing you are adequately protected.

Don’t be caught without the Workers Comp coverage that you need for this holiday season. If you are a business owner in the greater West Hartford, CT area, contact StateChoice today to schedule a policy review, and discuss your coverage options that are available to meet your Workers Comp needs.

Usual Reasons Filing a Homeowners Insurance Claim in CT

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You need to make sure you have a homeowners insurance policy for a variety of reasons as will be outlined in this post below. West Hartford, CT residents can discuss specific insurance options with agents at StateChoice. When it is time to file a homeowners insurance claim, you will need to be aware of the damages and repairs needed. Find out the typical reasons for filing such claims in this post. 

Damages from storms

Violent storms, heavy winds, rain, snow, ice, and other bad weather elements can create chaos for homeowners. The storms can leave behind a lot of damage to homes and filing a claim is important. Storm damage remains a top reason for filing claims on a home insurance policy. Be sure you assess the damage from the storm before filing a claim with your homeowner’s insurance company. Find out more about what policy options are available at StateChoice serving West Hartford, CT. 

Damages from Water

Many homeowners also get flood coverage. However, there are other types of water damage, which is one of the typical reasons for filing an insurance claim on your house. Burst pipes, backed up plumbing, leaks, and damages to structures from heavy rains are some prime examples of damages water can do and this warrants repair and a claim to be filed. Be sure to assess damages to the home before contacting an agent. 

Damages from Fire and Smoke

One of the biggest reasons homeowners file claims is damage to their home or property from a fire or the smoke that damaged items. Smoke and fire damage can be significant, often resulting in a total loss at the property. Be sure to assess all damages and inventory property loss. Contact an agent to find out more about fire coverage. 

Four Reasons Why You Should Purchase Commercial Insurance Now

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Business owners in West Hartford, CT should never procrastinate about finding an appropriate commercial insurance policy.

Unfortunately, an average company faces a plethora of potential liabilities and needs to be adequately insured to enjoy true financial security. At StateChoice, we recommend that business owners find the right commercial policy before it’s too late.

The following are just four of the many reasons why you should find the right commercial insurance policy now:

You are legally required to have commercial insurance.

The biggest reason to get commercial insurance is that you’re legally required to do so.

If you use commercial vehicles to run your business, you need to acquire commercial auto insurance. Also, you may legally need workers compensation insurance if you employee people at your company.

These are just two examples of situations where a company is legally required to have insurance.

It can give customers more confidence in doing business with you.

Depending on what industry you’re in, customers may only want to do business with you if you’re insured. Commercial insurance allows your company to be more stable so that customers don’t worry when doing business with you. 

Lawsuits can happen at any time and are very expensive.

In this litigious society, it’s not hard for an individual to sue your company. The resulting legal costs could be astronomical.

Commercial insurance could save your company from the financial ravages of a lawsuit.

You need to protect your company’s assets.

Your company’s assets are at risk if you don’t have commercial insurance. Without company equipment and resources, you may not be in business anymore.

If you’re ready to purchase commercial insurance for your West Hartford, CT business, we’re here to help. Contact us at StateChoice to explore our policies.

Poor Driving Habits that Can Damage Your Vehicle

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Poor driving habits can damage your vehicle and increase your risk of having an accident. Changing bad driving habits will protect you from accidents, extend the lifespan of your vehicle and reduce insurance costs. Paying less for StateChoice auto insurance in West Hartford, CT should be incentive enough to change your driving style. Eliminating the following habits will improve your driving and protect your car.  

Driving on “Fumes” – Driving on low fuel can overheat your fuel pump, causing premature wear and tear. It can also clog your fuel filter as you’re using the dregs from an empty tank. If you can’t afford a full tank of gas, keeping your gauge at a minimum of quarter full will protect your car.   

Hauling Excess Weight – Extra weight puts stress on your vehicle’s suspension, brakes and drivetrain. It also causes you to burn up more fuel. If you don’t need the cargo you’re lugging around, leave it behind.   

Hard Stops – Unless it’s an emergency to prevent an accident, avoid sudden stops that cause you to slam on the brakes. Hard stops wear out brakes quicker, forcing you to replace brake pads and rotors more often.

Dragging Brakes Downhill – Riding brakes on downhill slopes can damage brake components. Rather than using brakes as a protective measure, shift to a lower gear to reduce your speed. This will protect your brakes for when you need them most.

Riding Clutch – Resting your hand on the clutch while waiting for the light to change is yet another bad habit that needs to stop. Riding your clutch puts undue pressure on its components, causing premature wear and tear. Over time, this habit could cause your clutch to fail resulting in costly repairs.

Good driving habits combined with auto insurance from StateChoice in West Hartford, CT will protect you and your vehicle on the road.

Benefits Of Life Insurance

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If you are like most people in West Hartford, CT, you may likely ignore the idea of taking up a life insurance plan thinking that you don’t need it. However, sudden accidents can bring you to a realization that life can end at any time without giving you any clues or hints. What will happen to your family then?

It’s important to understand that life continues even after you are gone, so it is important to prepare early enough and protect your family’s future in your absence. It would be unfortunate for the flow of income to be discontinued and there isn’t an alternative source. This is where life insurance coverage from StateChoice comes in. This post will outline some benefits of getting a life insurance plan.

Advantages of life insurance

The primary goal of purchasing life insurance is to offer immediate cash funds to assist your loved ones in paying their regular monthly expenses when you are gone. The coverage may cater for your funeral expenses and your home’s mortgage expenses too.

Another benefit of life insurance proceeds is that it can fund the future education expenses for your children or grandchildren. The cost of education keeps rising so this insurance plan will be an excellent tool to help your children achieve their education goals.

If you need to pay estate taxes upon death, consider buying life insurance coverage to pay for the due amount. It would be unfortunate to leave this burden to your loved ones –some people end up selling their assets at a low cost just to pay the tax funds.

Life insurance proceeds can also act as an inheritance. For instance, if you have a child, you can buy a life insurance policy in the amount of your property’s value and name them as a beneficiary.

To get a suitable life insurance plan in West Hartford, CT, contact StateChoice today.

Does home insurance cover my unattached shed and garage?

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If you own a home in West Hartford, CT, you probably already have an existing homeowners insurance policy. Even though there are many details in your contract, you understand that your insurance will cover your losses in case of fire, theft, or some other kinds of catastrophes. An agent at StateChoice can help explain to you how to make an inventory so that if you needed to make a claim it would be easier to do so. Your insurance obviously covers the house itself, and items inside like furniture, clothing, appliances, and other personal items. But does a homeowners policy cover outside buildings?

In fact, your policy will cover the extent of your actual real estate. If someone falls on your walk and is injured, they may file a lawsuit or at least make a claim to recover damages. Your insurance company will help with that claim, including any legal fees you may incur from the incident.

As far as outside buildings, they will be covered also. It is important if you do have outside buildings, like unattached sheds or a garage, that you understand your particular insurance policy. There may be a limit to how much you can claim for the outside of buildings. You can consult your policy, and talk to your agent if you have any questions.

If you have outside, unattached buildings at your home in West Hartford, CT, it is important to make sure they are protected in case anything does happen. Please feel free to call StateChoice today to discuss your existing policy, and see if you would benefit from a change in policy limits.

How Commercial Umbrella Insurance Can Protect Your West Hartford, CT Business

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You work hard for your business and have a significant amount of your wealth tied up there. Even though you take every possible precaution, accidents can happen. Let’s say a few customers are hurt on your property and seek a lawsuit. What happens next? The answer to this question is very different, depending on whether you have commercial umbrella insurance.

In our scenario, you have general liability Insurance as well as a commercial umbrella policy, so your assets and business are safe. How well does your coverage measure up in real life? Talk to your StateChoice agent about your options for commercial umbrella insurance. Meanwhile, here is some basic coverage information.

What is Commercial Umbrella Insurance?

Commercial umbrella insurance is supplemental to existing liability coverage and protects you against catastrophic loss. If someone decides to target you in a lawsuit, your business and personal assets are on the line for large claims. Your commercial policy typically has a limit, but lawsuits can cost tens of thousands of dollars.

To avoid extraordinary losses, consider bolstering your existing coverage with an umbrella policy. Note that a regular commercial policy is still needed. An umbrella policy doesn’t take the place of your existing policy.

What’s Covered?

Commercial umbrella policies pay for medical bills, legal fees and damages that exceed your regular policy limits if:

  • You hold an appropriate underlying policy.
  • Your claim exceeds the underlying policy coverage.

Additionally, you might not be able to get a commercial umbrella policy unless your regular policy has a limit.

Contact Us

Significant assets are at risk when your business is the target of a lawsuit. Don’t wait until damages threaten to ruin your business. Contact your StateChoice agent today to make an appointment for a quote and to answer any questions you may have.

What is Recreational Toy Insurance?

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Grownups also own toys, except that they are much more expensive and functional too. Most people have at least one or two recreational toys, including watercrafts, ATVs, motorcycles, RVs, and boats. All recreational toys function outdoors where they face several risks like damages caused by natural disasters and man-made damages. Unless you have a recreational toy insurance coverage with reputable insurers like StateChoice, you could suffer an unpleasant financial ordeal in case of any loss, damage, or injuries to yourself or your passengers.
Recreational toys are often used in a free-spirited nature that exposes them to higher risks. In case of an accident, they can cause serious damages and injuries that could lead to costly consequences. While recreational toys insurance coverage options in West Hartford, CT may vary, most plans have similar coverage options, which include:
Liability: Covers claims from third-party liabilities that may be filed against you, and that includes bodily injury and property damage liabilities.
Collision: Covers damages caused to your recreational toy when it hits or is hit by another object or toy.
Comprehensive: Covers damages that aren’t caused due to collisions like theft, fire, and vandalism.
Uninsured/underinsured: Covers the cost of your injuries and those of your passengers should an uninsured/underinsured driver gets you involved in an accident, or in hit-and-run situations.
While the basic coverage should be able to take care of liability risks and damages, recreational toys require additional coverage to cover risks associated with specific toys. For instance, boats/watercraft requires wreckage removal coverage while RVs may require roadside assistance coverage.
Talk to a knowledgeable agent at StateChoice to help you understand what risks your recreational toy faces and what coverage option would suit you most. We offer affordable and reliable recreational toy insurance policies to the residents of West Hartford, CT, and its environs. The plans not only keep you protected but also protect your valuable investment. Contact us today for more information.