Navigating the Claims Process: What Businesses Need to Know

Posted on October 21, 2024October 17, 2024 by admin

Understanding the commercial insurance claims process is crucial when running a business. At Harris Insurance, we provide commercial insurance to residents and businesses in and around Jasper, AL, and we’re here to guide you through it smoothly.

Understanding the Basics

Filing a claim can feel daunting, but knowing the steps can ease the stress. Start by reviewing your policy. Familiarize yourself with what is covered and any exclusions. This will help set realistic expectations from the outset.

Prompt Reporting is Key

Time is of the essence when reporting an incident. The sooner you notify your insurer, the quicker the process can begin. This prompt action helps gather accurate details and evidence, which strengthens your claim.

Documentation Matters

Documentation is your best friend during the claims process. Keep detailed records of the incident, including photos, witness statements, and relevant reports. This comprehensive documentation can expedite the assessment and settlement.

Communication is Crucial

Stay in touch with your claims adjuster. Regular communication ensures you’re up to date with the status of your claim. Don’t hesitate to ask questions or request clarifications. Understanding each step can alleviate concerns and keep the process transparent.

Be Prepared for Adjustments

Sometimes, the settlement offer might not meet your expectations. Be prepared to negotiate if necessary. Having all your documentation in order will support your case and help achieve a fair outcome.

Are You Looking For the Ideal Commercial Insurance For Your Needs? Reach Out Today

Navigating the claims process doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With Harris Insurance by your side, serving the greater Jasper, AL area, you can focus on what matters most—running your business. Contact us today to learn how we can support your commercial insurance needs.

Minimal Home Insurance Requirements for New Homeowners

Posted on September 30, 2024September 25, 2024 by admin

Understanding Home Insurance Requirements in Jasper, AL

While no state laws in Jasper, AL necessitate homeowners to obtain a home insurance policy, such insurance becomes essential if you finance your home with a mortgage. Before the property transaction concludes, your lender will require you to buy home insurance. This policy must remain in effect until the mortgage is fully paid off.

Minimal Home Insurance Requirements

Minimal requirements for home insurance vary by lender. However, the basic requisites overlap across various mortgage providers. Lenders commonly necessitate maintaining hazard coverage on the home. This coverage compensates if your abode sustains damage from inclement weather, smoke, fire, or vandalism. If your locale in Jasper is prone to flooding, your lender may mandate purchasing flood insurance. Liability coverage is also required to safeguard you if someone sustains an injury on your property and decides to press charges. This insurance catheterizes the injured party’s medical bills and potentially covers any legal expenses arising from a lawsuit.

Carefully review your coverage requirements to ensure you can find an appropriate policy at a reasonable price. Simultaneously, avoid settling for basic coverage—adding more facets to your home insurance can offer additional security, potentially saving you significant money in unforeseen events.

Contact Harris Insurance for More Information

At Harris Insurance, our mission is to help homeowners in Jasper, AL, evaluate their coverage options and find home insurance that meets their needs and budget. Contact us to learn more about your options or to secure a single policy or policy bundle.

Automotive Insurance Add-Ons for The Winter Season

Posted on August 30, 2024August 21, 2024 by admin

If you anticipate using your vehicle extensively this winter, you may be mindful of your existing insurance coverage adequacy. Get acquainted with a few add-ons that ensure full protection for all your winter travels.

Roadside Assistance

Venturing on ice or snow-laden roads could lead to unexpected incidents, possibly leaving you stranded. Roadside assistance coverage delivers indispensable help when you need it most.

Such coverage covers towing expenses and emergency repairs. Roadside assistance often includes tire repair and replacement, refueling, and other basic services.

Engine Protection

Frequent driving could lead to potential engine malfunctions. Engine coverage safeguards all the components that constitute the engine. This coverage type offsets any out-of-pocket expenses you might incur during the winter months.

Towing Equipment Coverage

If you plan on towing a snowmobile or other recreational equipment, insurance covering towing equipment can be highly beneficial.

This insurance protects your trailer, hitch, and recreational assets from theft and damage, delivering protection while your vehicle is in motion or parked.

Policy Assessment

The current moment is ideal for evaluating your insurance necessities. Consider your intended vehicle use and the environment you’ll be driving in, as these factors could impact the number of insurance add-ons you decide to secure.

Targeted Assistance

Reach out to our representatives at Harris Insurance for more in-depth assistance. An agent servicing the Jasper, AL region will guide you to insurance add-ons that provide optimum protection for the winter season.

Cybersecurity in the Coal City: How Comprehensive Business Insurance Protects Against Cybertheft

Posted on July 30, 2024July 24, 2024 by admin

Today’s small, medium-sized, and enterprise businesses implement high-tech security measures to protect their operations, customers, and proprietary data from cyber theft.

The first step toward protecting your Jasper, AL, business from cyber theft is to understand digital theft and implement steps to protect company data.

Cyber theft is the virtual or digital robbery of money, property, and copyrighted content.

Most cybercriminals are highly skilled thieves who have become experts at hacking, phishing, and brute-force cyber attacks. These attacks can leave unprepared business owners reeling from the financial fallout and loss of consumer trust caused by the inadvertent sharing of their private and personally identifying data through breaches.

Limit Data Access

Deploying a role-based computer system that assigns partners, vendors, and employees specific access levels to system data according to their role is one of the best ways to limit or deter serious data breaches within your organization.

Encrypt Sensitive Data

Data encryption involves protecting proprietary business data stored in computer systems and databases. This technique uses algorithm-based systems that scramble data, making it unusable to nefarious hackers and criminals. Without the access code to unscramble protected data, anyone lacking the encryption key cannot use the data.

Get Comprehensive Business Insurance with Cyber Coverage

Business owners in Alabama who are serious about protecting their data can opt for plans from Harris Insurance that offer financial protection in case of a data breach.

Cybersecurity insurance can help offset the cost of system upgrades and data recovery attempts, along with costs from potential liability claims and lawsuits initiated by customers, vendors, and partners whose private data was compromised in a breach.

Contact the professionals at Harris Insurance in Jasper, AL to learn more and get a quote!

Tree Damage and Your Homeowner’s Insurance

Posted on June 28, 2024June 26, 2024 by admin

Harris Insurance Discusses Insurance Coverage From Tree Damage

Trees enhance the beauty of residential property and provide shade that helps to lower energy costs. However, they can sometimes present a hazard when stormy weather or other conditions cause them to fall on structures or block access to areas of your property. Your homeowner’s insurance policy may help to defray some of the costs of tree damage. At Harris Insurance in Jasper, AL, we assist our clients in obtaining the insurance they need to safeguard against financially strenuous losses.

Common Situations of Tree Damage

Large tree limbs falling due to windstorms, lightning, or other conditions aren’t uncommon. Such incidences may result in roof damage, broken windows, and obstructed access to areas. If your tree suffers due to a peril covered by your policy, the resulting damage will most likely be covered by insurance. However, the event is typically not covered if the tree falls due to disease, rot, or age.

Your Deductible Still Applies

If a tree causes damage to your property, you’ll still be required to pay your deductible. However, if the damage exceeds the deductible amount, your coverage will usually apply to mitigate the additional expense of removal and repair of your home.

When Trees Fall on Others’ Property

In some cases, a storm or other issue may damage your neighbor’s trees, which may cause harm to your property. In such an instance, your own homeowner’s policy comes into effect to cover the removal and repair costs. If your tree falls on your neighbor’s property, their insurance takes effect to mitigate the costs caused by the tree.

Make Harris Insurance Your Agent For Homeowners Insurance

Our agents in Jasper, AL, can provide detailed information on the different types of homeowners insurance coverage available. Harris Insurance offers a broad range of insurance policies, including home, auto, RV, life, and business. Contact us today for a no-obligation quote on homeowners insurance that can help mitigate expenses when unexpected events occur.

When to Add Your Teen to Your Auto Insurance Policy

Posted on May 29, 2024May 29, 2024 by admin

At Harris Insurance in Jasper, AL, parents ask us when they should add their teenager to their auto insurance policy. Some parents want to avoid adding their teen so their premiums won’t increase, but you need to put your teen on your auto policy during your teen’s learning phase while they work up to getting their learner’s permit and license.

Getting Around a Conundrum

Teens need a driver’s license to buy auto coverage. They should not begin driving lessons until obtaining their learner’s permit, but in some states, a teen can take a high school driver’s education course without having earned a learner’s permit. As soon as your teenager begins to learn to drive, you should put them on your auto policy.

Here’s why you have to put them on your policy. Until they obtain their learner’s permit, they cannot purchase coverage on their own. Some states require a teen with a learner’s permit to obtain coverage, so if you plan to let your teen get in some practice while you drive a long stretch of highway on vacation, add them before you go.

When They Can Obtain Their Own Policy?

You can add a teen who has yet to obtain their license to your auto policy. Once they earn their regular driver’s license, you can allow them to buy their own insurance policy. However, your policy will temporarily need to cover them.

Contact Us to Amend Your Policy Today

Contact Harris Insurance today to update your auto insurance policy to include your teenage driver-to-be. Before you let them leave the driveway of your Jasper, AL home, make sure your auto policy covers them.

As a business owner, do I need commercial insurance for my personal car?

Posted on April 26, 2024April 26, 2024 by admin

Commercial Insurance: A Necessity for Business Owners

Being a business owner comes with multiple responsibilities, one of which is securing the right kind of insurance coverage for the business. Whether you have a small or established venture, you have assets that need protection against various risks. Today, business owners are in luck with many insurance options designed for their specific needs. Harris Insurance, serving Jasper, AL, is committed to helping businesses get the necessary coverage.

What is Commercial Insurance?

Also referred to as business insurance, commercial insurance offers business owners tailor-made coverage options. These protect against risks such as litigation, accidents, employee injuries, natural disasters, and more. Commercial insurance safeguards various facets of a business, including routine operations, employees, company vehicles etc.

Do I Need Commercial Auto Insurance?

This largely depends on whether you use your vehicle for business purposes. Your regular auto insurance policy will not cover accidents or incidents that occur when the vehicle is used for business. In such cases, it’s necessary to have commercial auto insurance, which provides more extensive coverage than a personal auto insurance policy. Discuss your options with a licensed insurance agent to understand the differences between personal and commercial auto insurance.

Contact Harris Insurance

In the world of business, having the right insurance coverage could mean survival in adverse situations. With the range of commercial insurance options available, you can protect your business against various risks. Stop by Harris Insurance in Jasper, AL, or call us, and we will be more than glad to help you navigate your insurance options.

Tornado Totaled My House. Now What?

Posted on March 29, 2024March 21, 2024 by admin

As spring comes, so does tornado season in Alabama. You hope the worst doesn’t happen. But, should your house be totaled by a tornado, it needn’t be the end of everything. If you have the right insurance, it can even be an opportunity to start over.

After a Tornado Hits

Keep an ear on the weather reports even after you think it’s over. Local news or NOAA Weather Radio will help keep you updated on tornado activity. Naturally, your family (found or natural) is going to worry about you, and you may worry about them. Texting and social media may be the most reliable means of communication. Once everyone’s safety is evaluated, you can assess the damage. Be sure to be appropriately dressed when walking through storm damage. Wear sturdy shoes, long pants, and a long-sleeved shirt. If you see a downed power line, call the appropriate authorities. Stay out of damaged buildings. If you find someone in need of help, render what aid you can and contact emergency response.

Getting the Insurance Company Involved

While this is indeed a time-sensitive matter, do it as soon as you’ve done the above. Report the damage promptly to file a claim and receive financial help. An adjuster will be sent to your home to assess the damage before processing your claim.

Contact Harris Insurance Serving Jasper, AL

Insuring your home is important before a disaster happens. If your home is in Jasper, AL, and you’d like to have it insured, please contact Harris Insurance. Our knowledgeable and courteous agents are dedicated to helping you find the perfect policy for your needs.

Who should be listed on your auto insurance policy?

Posted on February 28, 2024February 16, 2024 by admin

When you take your vehicle onto the road, you face many risks. Weather conditions can make driving a challenge, but even greater than that is other drivers. You have to be prepared to deal with them and the damage they can cause to your vehicle. It is vital that you make sure that all the drivers who regularly use your vehicles are listed on your policy. At Harris Insurance in Jasper, AL, we are independent insurance agents who place the financial security of our customers first.

You may wonder why it is important that all the people who drive your car regularly be listed on your auto insurance policy. You can add anyone to your auto insurance, and some insurance companies may require that you add regular drivers to your vehicle to guarantee that if there is a situation where you need to file a claim, it is covered.

In most cases, ensuring you have the correct insurance is just a good idea. If, for instance, your teen gets their license, and you don’t list them on your policy for fear that it could raise your rate. You are probably correct that having a new teen driver will raise your rate, but if you don’t list them, you run the risk that your insurance company will refuse to pay if they have an accident.

If you have more than one vehicle and have only one driver listed on your auto policy, you may end up paying more than if you had more than one driver listed. The best way to make sure your vehicle and assets are covered is to list all the drivers of your vehicles.

Contact our office at Harris Insurance in Jasper, AL, when you need new auto insurance or want your auto policy reviewed.

Commercial Insurance For General Contractors

Posted on January 22, 2024January 29, 2024 by admin

General contractors should acquire commercial insurance that covers their materials, vehicles, and employees. Learn about some types of coverage that you should seek as a contractor. Call one of our Harris Insurance agents serving the greater Jasper, AL community to purchase the insurance products you need.

Protection Of Goods

The protection of goods will cover the cost of repairing or replacing any materials that are used on a worksite. This type of coverage protects against theft and vandalism. It also protects against damage that occurs from a natural weather event.

Vehicle Coverage

Automotive insurance should be acquired for any vehicle that is used for commercial purposes. If you or your crew members are responsible for transporting materials to and from each worksite, it is imperative that each vehicle is equipped with sufficient coverage.

Workers’ Compensation Coverage

Workers’ compensation insurance will provide coverage for the loss of wages that an injured employee incurs. If an employee is injured while they are working, the workers’ compensation coverage will reimburse them. It will also pay for medical costs that an employee is responsible for.

Liability Coverage

Liability coverage will protect you from costs associated with legal matters. It will handle medical bills, the repair, and the replacement of materials. The type of liability coverage that you need will be dependent upon the size of your business. The line of work that you perform will influence the amount of liability coverage that you should seek.

Schedule A Consultation Today

Now that you are aware of some of the insurance types that you will need as a general contractor, set up an appointment to meet with a Harris Insurance agent in Jasper, AL. We will discuss the commercial insurance types that will benefit you as a business owner.

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