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August Vincent Insurance Agency

1145 Mitchell Ct, Suite 216
Crystal Lake, IL 60014

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Illinois Insurance Blog

Prepare A Commercial Insurance Plan for A Small Business

Preparing a comprehensive commercial insurance plan is crucial to securing your place of business and its assets. Consider the following factors when formulating a plan.

Vehicle Coverage

If your business uses vehicles, having liability protection for each vehicle in your fleet is critical. Moreover, you may want to protect these vehicles against collisions, damage, and theft. Each vehicle’s specific type, value, and usage can influence the commercial insurance coverage you need.

Business Premises Insurance

The nature of your business and the goods or services offered could impact the likelihood of an accident, injury, or criminal activity at your premises. If your company holds high value, your risk level may increase. Conduct a thorough evaluation of your facility and identify various items you wish to include in your commercial insurance policy.

Operational Coverage

Your business operations might affect the type of commercial insurance coverage you need. Operating heavy machinery or dealing with hazardous substances could increase the risk for you and your employees. Inspecting your business operations will help you recognize areas at risk and aid in comparing various commercial insurance products.

Insurance Agent Services

An insurance agent from August Vincent Insurance Agency is ready to assist you. Our agents who serve the Crystal Lake, IL region can answer questions about commercial insurance products and offer valuable advice on adequate insurance protection.

What’s the difference between General Liability vs Professional Liability Insurance?

As a business owner, you know you need commercial insurance, but what is the best way to figure out what coverage meets your needs? It can be challenging to start your business, and you still need to iron out details and logistics. You have big ideas that are about to come to life. At August Vincent Insurance Agency, serving Crystal Lake, IL, we are here to help you find coverage that protects your business and meets its needs.

Not all businesses are alike; commercial insurance policy types should be cut to size based on the needs of the business. Two of the most common types are general liability and professional liability insurance.

What’s the difference between general liability vs professional liability insurance?

General liability insurance protects businesses from claims of bodily injury or property damage from third parties, such as customers, vendors, or delivery personnel. This is necessary when you think about brick-and-mortar businesses and establishments.

Professional liability insurance covers different types of professional wrongdoing that do not necessarily require a physical location. For example, it covers a business’s mistakes, errors and omissions, missed deadlines, negligence, or otherwise breaches of contract with a client. A dissatisfied customer could bring a suit against a business. 

Some types of businesses may require both types of insurance, whereas other companies may only need one. A freelance editor or journalist who owns and operates a home-based business may not need general liability insurance. Do clients come to their house? These questions can help clarify what insurance your business needs and what could be extraneous. Discuss what’s possible with the August Vincent Insurance Agency, serving Crystal Lake, IL, to ensure the best fit and coverage for the unique situation.

Mistakes To Avoid When Buying Commercial Policies

August Vincent Insurance Agency provides Crystal Lake, IL residents and businesses with multiple types of insurance. For example, commercial policies are very important to get right, but too many people make serious mistakes. Let’s examine some of the most common of these.

5 Commercial Insurance Mistakes You Might Make 

Now, it’s okay to admit that you might have made a mistake with your insurance. It happens to people all the time, and it’s possible to find a great option that makes sense for your needs. Just a few errors that you need to watch for when buying commercial insurance include:

  1. Picking the Cheapest Policy: Too many companies try to save money by buying the cheapest policy but ultimately cause themselves serious problems by not getting proper coverage. 
  2. Ignoring the Policy Paperwork: Read every line of your policy and ask your agent to explain it to you. Boring? Yes, but you’ll know exactly what you’re getting if you take this lengthy step.
  3. Not Insuring Income Loss: You can never tell when a disaster will strike and affect your potential income. Insure against this loss to keep yourself in business when all else fails.
  4. Failing to Adjust Your Policy: Did your business see major growth this year? Talk to your insurance agent to expand your policy to ensure that everything gets properly covered for your needs.
  5. Avoiding Your Consumers’ Needs: Don’t forget that your consumers also have different requirements, and you need to pay close attention to them to ensure you don’t make any mistakes.

Get Help Today 

At August Vincent Insurance Agency, we can help Crystal Lake, IL companies find business policies that make sense for their needs. We’re more than capable of helping you and look forward to supporting your needs. Contact us today to get the long-term help that you need here.

How to Calculate Commercial Insurance Needs

Having the right level of commercial insurance is essential to prevent losses associated with risk to your business. If you would like to learn more about calculating your commercial insurance needs, you can count on the team at August Vincent Insurance Agency to provide the residents in and around the Crystal Lake, IL area with information and quality insurance products.

Commercial Insurance Coverage 

Commercial insurance coverage is designed to protect your business assets and provide a layer of coverage against liability and other risks. If you are unsure what type of commercial Insurance you need to prevent loss, our insurance agents can help. They can work carefully with business owners to assess their current and potential future needs. They use that information to match them with policy options that meet those needs and eliminate gaps in coverage.

Once you learn about the various types of coverage, we will cover the terms and conditions to ensure you are an informed consumer. We’ll also help you submit your information and documentation to acquire your commercial insurance as soon as possible. If you have any changes that need to be made to the policy or you need to file a claim, we will also offer support. It’s all a part of our commitment to providing the residents of the area with exceptional insurance products and top customer support.

Find Out More Today 

If you would like to learn more about commercial insurance coverage and the many ways it provides a blanket of protection against losses and risk, we can help. Don’t hesitate to call or stop by the office of August Vincent Insurance Agency, which serves the residents in and around the Crystal Lake, IL area.

I’m a new business owner and my business hasn’t made much money yet. Do I still need commercial insurance?

As a business owner, you’ll likely want your business to be protected from day one. Commercial insurance is designed to provide coverage, regardless of the stage your business is currently in. Speaking with an August Vincent Insurance Agency representative can be helpful when it comes to helping Huntley, IL business owners understand the benefits of commercial insurance.

What is Commercial Insurance?

Commercial insurance is business insurance. This insurance is designed to provide financial and liability protection for your business. This protection can cover your existing property or structure, business vehicles, customer and employee injuries, theft, damage, unforeseen events, and more.

The liability portion of the insurance provides protection from lawsuits and other legal matters associated with your business. Commercial insurance covers a wide variety of different areas of business. For example, if you have company vehicles, commercial auto insurance will provide coverage for the vehicles you use to operate your business. 

I’m a new business owner, and my business hasn’t made much money yet. Do I still need commercial insurance?

If you are unprepared to cover any number of issues that could arise from damage to your business or a liability lawsuit, commercial insurance could be a wise investment for you. Commercial insurance provides a wide variety of different types of coverage that fall under the title of business insurance. Any number of unexpected events could shut down a business if the owner is unprepared.

Commercial insurance provides protection from unexpected events, liability and protection for your business operations and assets as well.

Looking for Insurance in Huntley, IL?

If you have questions regarding how your business could benefit from commercial insurance coverage, call us at August Vincent Insurance Agency. We’d be happy to help you explore your options. 

How much commercial insurance do I need?

When it comes to protecting your Huntley, IL area business, commercial insurance is an important part of your overall strategy. Choosing the right amount of coverage can be tricky, however, as there are a number of factors that need to be considered. 

Commercial Insurance: Factors to Consider

The first step in determining how much commercial insurance you need is assessing the risks associated with your business. Start by understanding the particular needs of your industry and then identify potential liability issues you may encounter. Additionally, consider the value of any assets you own and how they would be affected if something went wrong. Once you have identified all the potential risks, our knowledgeable insurance agents at August Vincent Insurance Agency can help you decide on the best type and amount of coverage for you. 

Besides general liability insurance, there are other types of commercial insurance that may be beneficial for your business such as property insurance, vehicle coverage, workers’ compensation, and employer’s liability insurance. Depending on the size and structure of your company, you may also want to consider professional indemnity or product/cyber liability coverages. 

An important factor when selecting commercial insurance is finding a policy that meets both your legal requirements and budget limits. Understanding what kind of coverage is available can help make sure all possible risks are covered without overspending. 

Give Us A Call

Ultimately, choosing the right amount of commercial insurance for your business requires careful research and planning. Assessing potential risks, consulting with an experienced agent, and understanding what type of protection is needed and available within your budget parameters will help ensure you get all the coverage necessary at a price that fits within your means. For more information, give us at the August Vincent Insurance Agency a call today. We proudly serve the Huntley, IL area. 

Common Commercial Insurance Exclusions

You would wish that your commercial insurance policy could protect your business from all manner of risks. However, the reality is that no insurance policy is foolproof — your commercial insurance isn’t an exception. Typical business insurance has exclusions and limitations you should know to avoid frustrations when filing claims.

At August Vincent Insurance Agency in Huntley, IL, we sympathize with our clients when perils strike, only for them to realize they aren’t covered. To avoid such incidences, we continuously educate our clients on insurance policies to avoid common pitfalls.

Here we look at typical business insurance exclusions:

Flooding

Standard business insurance won’t protect you when floods damage your business premises and the assets inside. If you want flood protection, buy a stand-alone flood insurance policy from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or private insurers.

Earthquakes

Like home insurance, typical business insurance won’t help you when faced with earthquakes, sinkholes, and other earth movements. For such risks, you need to purchase a separate earthquake policy.

Commercial vehicles

While vehicles are your business property, they aren’t covered under your commercial property insurance. You need to invest in commercial auto insurance to protect your vehicle and the driver when accidents happen.

Equipment breakdown

Your commercial property insurance protects your equipment when a peril listed in your policy causes damage. However, if your equipment is faulty, your commercial insurance won’t come to your rescue. Unless you have an “equipment breakdown add-on,” you will have to cover the repair cost from your pocket, including business interruption costs.

Commercial liability coverage exclusions

If you have general business liability coverage, it protects you when accused of bodily injury, property damage, and advertising injury. However, this policy has numerous exclusions, including:

  • Intentional acts
  • Breach of contract
  • Pollution
  • Liabilities arising from your vehicle
  • Wrongful advertising
  • Unauthorized use of another’s name or product

Contact Us Today

Want to learn more about your commercial insurance policy in Huntley, IL? We are here to help. Please call, email, or visit August Vincent Insurance Agency for more information.

Do You Need Commercial Insurance?

With business ownership comes great responsibility. There are many layers to the success of your business, and it is very important that you have the proper insurance protection for each of these layers. At August Vincent Insurance Agency, serving Huntley, IL, we can help you better understand the insurance products available for business owners.

Commercial Insurance FAQs

What Is Commercial Insurance?

Your business operates at many different levels. You need insurance protection at each level. However, having multiple insurance policies is not efficient or affordable. A commercial insurance policy bundles the many different types of coverage you will need into one efficient, streamlined policy. This makes insurance more affordable and less complicated. 

What Does Commercial Insurance Cover?

You can customize your commercial insurance policy to meet the unique needs of your business, but in general, a commercial policy will cover the following areas:

  • Property- The physical location of your business and any equipment or inventory you keep there will be protected with property damage insurance. This type of policy will kick in to pay if the property, equipment, or inventory is damaged, lost, or stolen. 
  • Vehicle Coverage- If you need to use vehicles for the everyday operation of your business, you will need a solid auto insurance policy in place to protect both the drivers and the vehicles being used. 
  • Liability Coverage- A business owner is at a heightened risk for liability because you have customers coming in and out of your place of business and using your goods or services. If someone is injured at your place of business or because of your goods or services, they can hold you responsible for medical bills. If a lawsuit results from the incident, you may also be responsible for legal fees. Liability insurance will pay for these types of expenses should the need arise. 

If you would like to learn more, please contact us at August Vincent Insurance Agency serving Huntley, IL, and the surrounding areas.   

 

What is a BOP and why would a business want it?

What is a BOP and why would a business want it?

No matter what kind of business you own, you need insurance. What type of insurance differs by what kind of business you own. August Vincent Insurance Agency serving Huntley, IL offers a full range of insurance policies, so your business can obtain just the insurance it needs.

While commercial business policies are custom in nature, each starts with the same essential insurance types, such as business liability. Each bricks-and-mortar business does need four essential types of insurance – liability, property damage, business interruption, and peril. The customization part happens after you obtain these four policies.

Business Owner’s Policy (BOP)

A business owner’s policy (BOP) bundles these four policy types into one package and, by doing so, reduces the premium cost to you. You can add any type of business insurance to this BOP from malpractice to errors and omissions. You can tack on glass insurance or boiler insurance. Any insurance type your business needs, you can add to the foundation of a BOP.

Because you customize all commercial policies, you create a package of insurance that perfectly suits your business. This saves you money and ensures that you insure your business against every risk.

Example of How a BOP Works

For example, every brick-and-mortar business has a physical location, such as a storefront. If that storefront incurred damage in a storm, you’d receive coverage under the peril policy and the property damage policy for repairs to structure and repair or replacement of the business equipment. The business interruption insurance would pay for any days you had to close your business due to the peril damage. If one of your customers had a slip-and-fall accident at your business while you were closing it up before the storm, your liability coverage kicks in. The glass insurance that you added to your BOP covers any broken windows that the storm causes.

Contact August Vincent Insurance Agency serving Huntley, IL about a BOP policy for your business today. Protect your business with the insurance it needs to thrive.

Is commercial insurance a necessity?

Operating a thriving business in Huntley, IL always comes with unique inherent risks. Risks ranging from a client being injured on your business premises, a natural disaster striking, to a client filing a lawsuit may disrupt your business operations. Therefore, it is imperative for a business owner in Huntley, IL to have solidified commercial insurance in place to safeguard your business and your assets and employees. Protecting your precious investment is an instrumental element in ensuring you have a thriving business. Are you a business owner in Huntley, IL searching for commercial insurance? Don’t look beyond August Vincent Insurance Agency. Our agents will help you to select outstanding commercial insurance meeting your needs and budget. Keep reading to establish why commercial insurance is an absolute necessity.

Protection of your employees

What happens if one of your employees gets extensive injuries or gets ill while working on your premises? Securing workers’ comp insurance is paramount as it caters to your worker’s medical care if they sustain a work-related injury or contract an illness. It also replaces some of their lost income partially and avails financial benefits to deceased workers’ families.

It’s a legal requirement.

Many states, including Illinois, advocate for small businesses to maintain workers’ comp insurance if a business entity possesses employees. It caters to the medical expenses accrued by your workers if they suffer any work-related injury or contract general ailment.

Protection of assets

 Did you know that Illinois is home to 1.2 million small businesses? Therefore, businesses are susceptible to vagaries of nature like hailstorms damaging your business assets. Therefore, commercial insurance is an instrumental option that can safeguard a business’s assets ranging from treasured fixtures to computers and inventory.

It covers advertising liability.

If your business entity violates the copyright rules of some other parties or business, it can culminate in a copyright infringement issue. Luckily, liability insurance kicks in and caters to legal liability against such claims. 

Are you a business owner in Huntley, IL searching for commercial insurance to safeguard your business and employees? Please call or visit us at August Vincent Insurance Agency; our agents do our best to protect our clients with affordable and sufficient coverages. 

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