Category: Commercial Insurance

Tips to Avoid Smash and Grabs

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Riding a motorcycle is an exhilarating experience; for many riders, sharing that experience with a passenger makes it even better. But before you invite someone to hop on the back of your bike, it’s important to know whether your motorcycle insurance covers them in the event of an accident. At Kingston Insurance Agency LLC, serving residents in and around South Kingstown, RI, we help riders understand their coverage so they can confidently hit the road.

Understanding Motorcycle Insurance and Passenger Coverage.

Not all motorcycle insurance policies automatically cover passengers. While liability insurance is required in most states, it typically only covers damages or injuries you cause to others, not the person riding with you. If you regularly ride with a passenger, you’ll want to ensure you have guest passenger liability coverage or medical payments coverage in your policy.

Guest passenger liability helps cover medical expenses for your passenger if they’re injured in an accident where you’re at fault. Without this coverage, your passenger might have to rely on their own health insurance, which could leave them facing high out-of-pocket costs. Medical payment coverage, on the other hand, helps pay for medical bills regardless of who is at fault.

Why Passenger Coverage Matters

Even the safest riders can’t control everything on the road. If an accident happens, having the right coverage ensures that both you and your passenger are protected from unexpected expenses.

At Kingston Insurance Agency LLC, proudly serving the communities in and around South Kingstown, RI, we’re here to help you find the right motorcycle insurance policy for your needs. Contact us today to review your coverage and make sure you and your passengers stay protected every time you ride.

How do I know which commercial insurance makes sense for my industry?

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There are many forms of commercial insurance, and your need for the various forms depends on the risks you take in your industry. Certain types of commercial insurance are nearly universal for businesses large enough to have several employees, while others are based on your industry and your company’s legal form (such as sole proprietor or corporation). While we present some general rules of thumb, we suggest consulting with a trusted insurance agent, such as the Smoller Insurance Agency, serving the Boston, MA, market.

Matching Commercial Insurance and Industry

A broad range of businesses need certain commercial insurance coverage, including:

  • General liability
  • Commercial property
  • Worker’s compensation
  • Cyber liability

Businesses that provide professional services need professional liability/errors and omissions insurance, and those in the medical field need malpractice insurance. Many manufacturers need product liability, machinery damage, and environmental hazard insurance. Also, those using motor vehicles need commercial vehicle insurance, and those transporting or storing goods generally need inland marine insurance.

The list of examples could go on, so the broader strategy is to review relevant trade journals, industry association websites, or other information sources in your industry for information about insurance practices. Conversations with suppliers and customers can often be helpful as well.

More broadly, you should review your assets and consider potential legal threats to your firm and others in your industry or sector. Another step is to review your supplier and customer contracts for legal obligations.

After consolidating that information, meet with a trusted insurance agent for their thoughts and recommendations.

Working with the Smoller Insurance Agency

The Smoller Insurance Agency serves individual and business clients in the Boston, MA, area. Call (671) 965-1830 today to gain the protection you need for your business and personal assets.

Types of Commercial Insurance Your Business May Need

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The Importance of Commercial Insurance

Commercial insurance is an indispensable safety net for any business. It provides reliable coverage to tackle unexpected challenges and problems that might arise. Assessing your business’s unique needs and choosing appropriate commercial insurance types is vital. For assistance, reach out to our team at Smoller Insurance Agency in Boston, MA.

Commercial Auto Insurance

If your business owns any vehicle(s), its insurance policy matters a great deal. If the vehicle is currently under a personal policy, it may not cover accidents occurring while the vehicle is engaged in business activities. It’s crucial to ensure that all business-owned vehicles have commercial insurance coverage. Proper commercial auto insurance will protect your business in the event of an accident.

Workers’ Compensation Insurance

This type of insurance is essential if you have employees. It safeguards you and your business if an employee gets injured while working. Even in seemingly safe environments, there is always a possibility of an accident, such as an unexpected fall. Workers’ compensation insurance ensures that medical bills can be covered in an accident.

Cyber Insurance

Does your business rely on computers? You might need cyber insurance. It offers protection against problems like data breaches, which can be crucial in this digital age. This kind of coverage can shield your business from serious cyber-related problems that could potentially incur hefty costs.

Securing Your Commercial Insurance

Commercial insurance safeguards against potentially enormous costs. It serves as a bulwark that protects your business’s financial well-being. Embark on your journey towards comprehensive business protection today by contacting us at Smoller Insurance Agency in Boston, MA.

Prepare For the Unexpected With Commercial Insurance

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As business owners, we understand how crucial it is to prepare for the unexpected and mitigate risk through commercial insurance coverage. Our team at Smoller Insurance Agency, serving the Boston, MA area, wants to provide you with information on the different commercial insurance to help you protect your business.

Commercial Insurance Options

General Liability Insurance

General liability insurance covers legal fees, medical expenses, and property damage claims resulting from accidents on your business premises. It also covers advertising liability claims, such as slander and libel.

Property Insurance

Commercial property insurance protects your business property and assets against losses or damage caused by fires, theft, or natural disasters. This type of coverage is essential for any business with physical assets.

Business Interruption Insurance

Unforeseen events, such as a fire or natural disaster, can force your business to close and severely impact your revenue. Business interruption insurance provides coverage for lost income and additional expenses incurred while your business is closed or undergoing repairs. With this coverage, you can replace lost revenue and pay for employee salaries even if your company has to close.

Workers’ Compensation Insurance

The business provides workers’ compensation insurance to cover medical expenses and lost wages for injured employees. This type of coverage is essential for companies with employees, as it protects the employee and the employer from any legal action that may arise from a work-related injury.

Contact Us Today

Contact us today to learn more about our commercial insurance coverage and receive a free quote. Our team of experienced agents is ready to help you prepare for the unexpected and protect your business from financial losses. Smoller Insurance Agency, serving Boston, MA, is here to help you.

Will Insurance Help Me if My Business Is Sued?

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When you open a business, you first think about the name, logo, and concept. You spend hours researching your market and finding the best suppliers and vendors to help you build your brand. But the first thing most of us don’t think about is the possibility that our business could be sued. This happens much more frequently than you think.

A lawsuit does not have to be the end of your business. If you’re a small business owner in the greater Boston, MA community, Smoller Insurance Agency can help.

Will Business Insurance Cover Me If I’m Sued?

Yes, if you have the right coverage. Business insurance, also called commercial insurance, can have different types of coverage. Some of the most common types of coverage include property, general liability, and excess liability.

When you are sued for damaging another person’s property or causing bodily injury or death in your business, liability insurance can help you pay for the damages. When you purchase a Business Owners Policy (BOP), it will typically include liability coverage.

Do I Need Business Insurance To Operate Legally?

Two types of insurance are required to legally operate a business in Massachusetts: worker’s compensation and commercial automobile.

Worker’s Compensation – This is mandatory insurance that covers your employees if they are injured on the job. It is required for all your employees whether or not they are full-time. Sole proprietorships or self-employed individuals are not required to have worker’s compensation, but they can elect to have it.

Commercial Auto – As a no-fault state, Massachusetts mandates that all drivers must have Personal Injury Protection (PIP), liability insurance, and bodily injury liability insurance. This is true even for vehicles that are used for business purposes.

Contact Us Today

Make sure your Boston, MA business is covered! Contact Smoller Insurance Agency today to see how we can help you.

How commercial insurance protects small businesses

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Small businesses are the backbone of the American economy. The Small Business Administration estimates that 99.9% of businesses in the US are small businesses. A small business has less than 1500 employees. Many small businesses are much smaller and 89% have fewer than 20 employees. Owning a small business comes with lots of risks and having the right commercial insurance can protect your business from some of the risks you face. At Smoller Insurance Agency in Boston, MA, we are family-owned and operated. We believe in giving our customers the level of service they expect and deserve. 

Protects your building and equipment

Bad things happen. A fire, broken pipe, or theft can devastate your business. Commercial property insurance not only covers the physical building but also all your equipment inside. This makes it helpful for renters as well as owners of the building. If you lose your machinery, office equipment, inventory, raw materials, and records, commercial property insurance can help you to get back in business quicker or at all. 

Protects your assets

Small businesses are particularly vulnerable to being sued. Protecting your assets is important. Commercial liability insurance offers that protection. It offers coverage that will pay a judgment against you as well legal expenses associated with that judgment. 

Protects your vehicles

If your business owns any vehicles, they need to be covered by commercial auto insurance in Massachusetts. The requirements are 20/40/5. 

Workers compensation

Most states require employers to cover their employees with workers’ compensation insurance. Massachusetts requires all employers no matter how many employees you have or how many hours they work to cover them with workers’ compensation insurance. 

At Smoller Insurance Agency in Boston, MA, our team is committed to providing the highest level of service and making sure that we are there for our customers when they need us.