Insurance Blog

Understanding Auto Insurance for Ridesharing Vehicles

Driving for a ridesharing company is more popular than ever before. Whether you’re driving at the weekends or the evenings to make some extra cash, or it’s your full-time gig, you need to make sure you have auto insurance coverage that protects you and your vehicle.

Here are some things to consider when choosing an auto insurance plan for your ridesharing vehicle:

Specialized Policies for Ridesharing

Many insurance companies offer specialized policies for rideshare insurance. You’ll be on the road far more frequently than most other drivers and driving in areas you don’t know. Specialized policies consider all of these factors, as well as the wear and tear your vehicle will accumulate after being driven so much.

Differences Between Ridesharing Coverage and Regular Coverage

Ridesharing insurance coverage has several different features from standard auto policies. It addresses the needs of ridesharing drivers, ensuring you are covered while actively working. 

Insurance Policies from Ridesharing Companies vs. Finding My Own

While ridesharing companies offer insurance coverage for their drivers, it is often limited. For example, it typically only applies to specific stages of being a ridesharing driver, such as when you physically have a passenger in the car. It doesn’t account for waiting for a ride request or driving to pick up a passenger. Therefore, you may not be protected if you’re rear-ended while waiting for a passenger to enter the vehicle.

Looking for Ridesharing Insurance Services in Jasper, AL?

Ridesharing is a business; like most business decisions, you shouldn’t choose your insurance policy alone. At Harris Insurance, we’ll advise you on the best coverage for your business needs to ensure that you, your vehicle, and your passengers are properly protected.

Learn more about ridesharing insurance options at Harris Insurance in Jasper, AL by calling us today.

Four common home insurance mistakes to avoid

When you purchase home insurance, there are a lot of potentially costly mistakes that it’s important for you to avoid. At Harris Insurance, we can help you to avoid mistakes when you insure your home in Jasper, AL.

Here are four common home insurance mistakes to avoid:

Buying the first home insurance policy that you come across

Getting quotes and comparing them is an important step in the process of buying home insurance. If you don’t compare quotes, you won’t know if the policy that you’re purchasing is competitively priced and offers you high-quality coverage.

Foregoing coverage for sewer backups

Sewer backups are a fairly common and unpleasant problem in a home that a standard home insurance policy doesn’t usually cover. You’ll need to have this type of coverage added to your policy if you want to benefit from it. 

Assuming you have coverage that you don’t have

Read the fine print and know what’s covered in your policy. Unfortunately, homeowners sometimes make assumptions about what their policy covers and then end up disappointed when accidents happen, and they try to file a claim for damages that aren’t covered. 

Failing to take the time to customize your coverage

You can customize your home insurance policy by adding certain types of coverage or choosing particular deductible or maximum coverage amounts that best meet your needs.

Taking the time to customize your policy by making such adjustments helps ensure that you’re getting the best possible policy for your needs. 

We Are Here To Help!

Contact us at Harris Insurance for a quote on an insurance policy for your property in Jasper, AL. We’ll be happy to come to your assistance and answer all your questions about the home insurance policies that we offer. 

5 Auto Insurance Tips for Alabama Drivers

Why Alabama Drivers Need Auto Insurance

There are many reasons Alabama drivers need auto insurance.

  • The most important reason is that it helps protect you when you’re involved in an accident.
  • In an accident, you having liability coverage will take care of the other driver’s damages up to your policy limit if you were the one responsible 
  • If the other driver sues you, your personal injury protection (PIP) could cover your legal expenses up to your policy limit.
  • Auto insurance also covers damage to your vehicle caused by collision or non-collision events (like weather or theft).

In addition, most lenders require borrowers to have comprehensive and collision coverage on financed vehicles before they can drive them off the lot. 

5 Auto Insurance Tips for Alabama Drivers 

Following are five tips that can help Jasper, AL drivers save money on their coverage. 

1. Get quotes from a reputable insurance company.

We are here to help. Talk to our experienced auto insurance professionals at Harris Insurance. 

2. Ask about multiple policies and group insurance.

Many reputable insurers offer discounts for things like safe driving history, good grades, and more. Be sure to ask about any potential discounts you may be eligible

3. Consider raising your deductible.

Your deductible is the amount you would have to pay out of pocket if you had to file a claim, and raising it can significantly lower your premiums.

4. Get insurance to meet state minimums. 

An experienced insurance agent can help you get the coverage required by law that meets your needs – no more, no less.

5. Review your policy regularly and make adjustments as needed.

As life changes, so do our insurance needs, so it’s essential to keep your policy up-to-date.

Reach Out To Us

Contact Harris Insurance in Jasper, AL for a free quote! 

How Entrepreneurs Can Reduce Risks

Starting a small business is a dream come true for many. Yet striking out on your own also comes with a lot of risks. Fortunately, there are steps entrepreneurs can take to reduce risks, such as taking out commercial insurance.

Anyone with questions regarding commercial insurance can contact Harris Insurance serving Jasper, AL and other areas nearby.

How Entrepreneurs Can Reduce Risks

Keep Your Finances Straight

One of the biggest mistakes many entrepreneurs make is not getting their finances and accounting in order. This could result in a lot of problems. The business may forget to bill a customer or might run into cash flow problems. Entrepreneurs may also run into challenges come tax season. An entrepreneur may file their taxes wrong, for example, resulting in an audit.  

Eliminate Hazards

If there’s cracked and uneven cement in your parking lot, or maybe a loose railing running up a flight of stairs (among other things), someone could get hurt. If that happens, the company may face a lawsuit. Owners may also be on the hook for various injuries suffered by employees. By making sure that such hazards are fixed quickly, business owners can reduce the risks of someone being injured. 

If someone does get injured, commercial insurance policies might cover the legal costs and settlements. That said, it’s crucial to read exactly what is covered by a given plan as coverage may vary. Of course, if accidents and mishaps can be avoided, that’s the best route.

Ensure That You’re Properly Insured

One of the best ways to mitigate risks is to take out commercial insurance. Coverage varies from plan to plan, so as with everything else in the business sector, read the fine print. However, the right insurance plans may provide coverage against natural disasters, theft, fires, personal injury lawsuits, vandalism, and more.

Give Us A Call

Starting a business? Get in touch with Harris Insurance in Jasper, AL to discuss coverage options.

Is having home insurance in Alabama a good idea?

People that are in the Jasper, AL area may find that owning a home is a great housing option. When you are going to purchase a home in this part of the state, it is always wise to get insurance for the home.

There are various reasons why having a home insurance plan here will be a good idea:

Coverage Protects Assets

An important reason that you should have a home insurance plan is so you can protect your assets. Your home is likely the largest and most valuable asset that you will ever own. Due to this, ensuring you have support if it sustains damage is important. One way this can be done is by getting a full home insurance plan, which offers coverage if you incur damage from a covered loss. A home insurance policy also offers coverage for your personal assets up to the policy limits. 

Comply with Requirements

You also will want to have a home insurance plan so you can comply with various requirements. If you choose to buy a home, you will likely have various insurance requirements. These can be set by mortgage lenders or home associations. When you are properly insured, you can stay in good standing with these requirements. This could help you avoid penalization or being in default on various agreements. 

Contact Us Today

It is always a good idea for people in the Jasper, AL area to have home insurance. If you are looking for this coverage in Alabama, it would be helpful to call Harris Insurance. There are a lot of choices to make when looking for coverage and Harris Insurance can help you assess your options. This can help ensure you are able to build a plan that will properly meet your needs. 

Protect Your Finances with Auto Insurance

Are you a licensed driver? Do you live in or near Jasper, AL? Harris Insurance can provide the coverage you need for your car.

Why Auto Insurance?

Liability car insurance provides financial protection if you cause a car accident. You can be held responsible for associated costs such as legal fees, the injured party’s medical expenses, or their lost wages if they are unable to work.

If you own an older vehicle, collision, and comprehensive coverage may not be worth it. Decide how much you can afford to spend out of pocket if your car is damaged, then decide whether it is worth buying these coverages to protect your car.

Collision insurance helps pay for any damage done to your vehicle in the event of an accident. This coverage applies regardless of who is at fault. For example, if you are stopped at a light and get rear-ended, collision coverage helps cover the costs of fixing your damaged rear bumper. On the other hand, if you are the one who runs into someone from behind, collision coverage will help pay for the cost of repairing your damaged front end.

Comprehensive coverage will pay for damage done to your car in non-collision scenarios, theft, vandalism, or natural disasters. For example, heavy winds are responsible for broken tree branches in your yard, and they come down on your car, parked in the driveway.  You now have a dent in your roof. Comprehensive insurance will help pay for the cost of the repair of your roof.

Give Us A Call

It is against the law to drive without car insurance. You risk losing your license or facing a hefty fine. Contact the specialists at Harris Insurance in Jasper, AL to provide the coverage you need to protect your finances. Paying for car repairs out of pocket could be a daunting prospect. Don’t risk it.

Commercial Insurance Coverage Options

When it comes to owning your own business, there are many things to consider. One of the main things you need to have in place is a commercial business policy. Our agents at Harris Insurance in Jasper, AL know and understand how important this type of policy is to the success of your business.

There are several types of commercial insurance coverage options for you to choose from depending on your needs, preferences, and situation.

Commercial Insurance Coverage Options

Commercial Auto Liability

In the state of Alabama, all drivers must have at least auto liability insurance in place to legally drive and your business vehicles are no exception. All vehicles owned by your business or personal vehicles that are used for business purposes need to have at least commercial auto liability insurance coverage. This type of coverage will assist you in paying for any medical bills or property damage that is incurred if you or one of your employees is the cause of an accident.

Worker’s Compensation Insurance

If you employ five or more people at your business, the state of Alabama requires you to have a worker’s compensation policy in place to cover employees if they are hurt on the job. This type of policy can also help pay wages to employees who are off work due to a work-related injury.

Commercial Liability Insurance Coverage

This type of insurance coverage is very important because it covers any injuries to a customer or other visitor to your business if they are injured while they are there. This type of coverage can also help you out if you are ever sued for slander, copyright infringement, or libel.

Commercial Property Insurance

Commercial property insurance is extremely important because it can help you replace lost inventory or repair your business if it is damaged by an act of vandalism, a fire, or a natural disaster. This type of policy can help you recoup inventory that is lost due to a theft incident or robbery at your business.

Get The Right Coverage Today

Contact our experienced and trustworthy commercial insurance agents today at Harris Insurance in Jasper, AL to get your policy started!

Why You Need Home Insurance

If you own a home, it’s vital that you have the right insurance coverage for it. It’s important to always have a home insurance policy to cover the home and protect your own finances. A home is likely your largest investment, and it’s smart to always keep it protected. In addition, it is generally required by lenders that you must have this insurance in place to protect their investment as well. When you need a home insurance policy, call us at Harris Insurance in Jasper, AL to find out more.

Benefits of Home Insurance

Protection for Your Possessions

One of the ways that your home insurance keeps you protected is that it provides coverage for all of your possessions that are in the house. It’s important to have this coverage because you never know when a damaging event could destroy your things. If this were to happen, it could cost many thousands of dollars to replace it all. Home insurance is the policy that pays for the replacement of all of those items. The amount of items in your home adds up to a very large value, so keep it all protected with home insurance. 

Dwelling Protection

Home insurance also covers the dwelling. If a serious event happened to the home, and it needed repairs, the home policy would pay for those repairs. Home repairs, especially major ones, can be prohibitively expensive to pay for. Without home insurance, you might not be able to afford them. It’s never a good idea to go without this coverage because of the many things that can happen that damage a home.

Get Your Home Insurance Policy Today

If you are going without home insurance, or you are buying a home, you need to set up a home insurance policy. Call us at Harris Insurance in Jasper, AL and we will assist you to get the coverage you need.

Required Auto Insurance in Alabama

When you have a vehicle in Alabama, it is required by the state that you have at least the minimum required insurance that is mandated. You also must have proof of your insurance policy in the vehicle and must show it when required. Not having auto insurance in the state can open you up to fines and fees, and you may have your vehicle’s registration suspended. When you need an auto insurance policy, contact us at Harris Insurance in Jasper, AL to get started with a policy of your own. 

Liability Insurance in Alabama

Getting your auto insurance in the state requires that you have two types of liability coverage in the policy and three different minimum amounts of coverage. There is one minimum amount required for bodily injury liability for one person who has injuries after an accident that you caused. There is another amount required for all of those who have injuries after an accident that you are at fault for. There is another amount required for property damage liability to pay for the damage done to another person’s property in an accident that you are liable for. 

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Bodily Injury

This type of insurance is required to be presented as a part of the insurance policy, but it is possible for you to refuse this coverage and still keep legal insurance. However, it’s a good idea to keep this coverage in place so that you are protected in case of a driver who has no insurance or has too little insurance. With this coverage, you will also have better peace of mind in knowing that you are protected in case of accidents with those drivers. 

Get Auto Insurance in Alabama

When you have a vehicle in the state, you have to be covered. For a policy of your own, call us at Harris Insurance in Jasper, AL.

Is Commercial Insurance The Same As Product Liability Insurance?

While most businesses are required to have commercial insurance, it’s important to note that product liability insurance is not the same thing. Commercial insurance policies protect your business if something happens to one of your clients as a result of your work. For example, if you are in the construction business and your crew cuts the power cable to your client’s house during renovations, the client can make a claim against your commercial insurance to cover the cost of repairs. 

Product liability insurance, on the other end, protects you from legal responsibility if a client is injured by your product. For example, if your business is selling furniture and a client is injured by a sharp edge, that client can make a claim against your product liability policy. Contact Harris Insurance in Jasper, AL for expert insurance advice.

Commercial Insurance: What You Should Know 

Commercial insurance policies are designed to protect your business against financial loss if a policyholder sues you for a commercial or business-related reason. Product liability insurance, on the other hand, is designed to protect you against financial loss if a policyholder sues you because your product caused them an injury. 

If you’re a manufacturer, wholesaler, retailer, or provider of a service operating as a business, you need to get commercial insurance. You have a policy that covers your business against financial loss if a customer sues you for a slip and fall. That’s commercial insurance. Now you’re also selling coffee beans, but this time you’re selling them as a product. Let’s say someone sues you because they say the coffee beans you sold them gave them an allergy. That’s product liability, and you need separate insurance to protect yourself against this claim. 

Give Us A Call

Even though product liability and commercial insurance might be part of your business policy, they are different policies with different coverage. Commercial insurance is designed to protect your business against potential risks like property damage or bodily injury, which your business might encounter in the course of conducting its daily activities. 

In contrast, product liability insurance is designed to protect you from liability if a customer were to get sick or hurt from a product you distribute, or if a customer were to sue your company because of a product malfunction or a malfunction in the supply chain. For inquiries in the greater Jasper, AL community, contact Harris Insurance.

Click to Call
Harris Insurance

806 Hwy 78 W
Jasper, AL 35501

Get Directions

Servicing States

  • Alabama
  • Florida
  • Tennessee
  • Mississippi
  • Georgia
  • Kentucky
  • Ohio
  • South Carolina
  • North Carolina
  • Texas
  • California
  • Oregon
  • Washington
  • Michigan
  • Arkansas
  • Virginia
  • Indiana
  • Illinois

Testimonials