Insurance Blog

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.

Does Your Home Insurance Cover Hurricane Damage?

When a hurricane hits, the damage can be devastating. If your home is in the path of a hurricane, it’s essential to know if your home insurance will cover the damage. Here’s everything you need to know about home insurance and hurricane damage in Jasper, AL.

What Does Home Insurance Cover?

Home insurance typically covers damage caused by fire, wind, hail, lightning, and theft. However, coverage varies from policy to policy, so it’s essential to read your policy carefully and know what is and isn’t covered.

For example, most home insurance policies don’t cover damage caused by flooding, so if you live in an area prone to flooding, you’ll need to purchase separate flood insurance. Your Harris Insurance agent can help you determine your coverage types.

What About Hurricane Damage?

Home insurance if wind typically covers hurricane damage or rain causes the damage. However, as with any other type of natural disaster, it’s important to read your policy carefully to see what is and isn’t covered. A Harris Insurance agent can help you understand your policy and what it covers.

How to Prepare for Hurricane Season

If you live in an area susceptible to hurricanes, there are a few things you can do to prepare.

First, make sure you have an adequate insurance policy in place. Standard home insurance policies cover wind and general storm damage, but in Alabama, you may need a separate policy because the area is prone to hurricanes.

You should also create an emergency kit and have a plan in place in case you need to evacuate. Your emergency kit should include food, water, a first-aid kit, and essential documents.

You should also make sure your home is prepared for a hurricane. This includes trimming trees and shrubs, securing loose items, and reinforcing doors and windows.

Give Us A Call

By taking these steps, you can help protect your home and belongings in the event of a hurricane. To learn more about protecting your home with insurance in Jasper, AL, contact Harris Insurance.

Terms You Need to Know When Shopping for Auto Insurance

When shopping for automobile insurance, you may find yourself really confused. There are many terms that you need to understand, so that you know exactly what your insurance covers (and what it doesn’t). Harris Insurance in Jasper, AL provides this guide in navigating auto insurance coverage. 

Here are some terms that you need to know:

Claim

If you are ever involved in a car accident, you are going to submit a claim to your insurance in order to get payment. 

Collision Insurance

This will cover expenses to fix your vehicle if you are involved in an accident. 

Comprehensive Insurance

This covers expenses that you may be facing for any reason, including storm damage and vandalism. 

Liability Insurance

The liability part of your insurance covers any medical bills that you may be facing if you hurt someone when you were in an accident. It can also help you pay legal fees. Some plans will even cover property damage. 

Deductible

The deductible is the amount of money that you will have to pay, before your insurance pays out. This could be as low as five hundred dollars, though you may have a pretty high deductible. Usually, the higher your deductible, the less you will pay monthly. You have to find a balance between monthly pay and what you could pay if something happens to your car. 

Contact Us Today

There are many terms that you need to know when shopping for insurance. You need to know the different types of insurance, such as liability, comprehensive, and collision. You also need to understand what a deductible is and what that means for your monthly costs. 

If you want to make sure that you are fully protected before you get behind the wheel, don’t hesitate to contact us today at Harris Insurance in Jasper, AL. 

How to calculate the inventory protection you need for your Jasper-area business

Harris Insurance is proud to serve the insurance needs of the greater Jasper, AL area business community. If you are concerned about the amount of protection covering your inventory, we are here to help! Give us a call today, and let’s set up a time to review your insurance needs.

Calculating your inventory insurance coverage level

When it comes to protecting your business investments and assets, inventory coverage is often a confusing piece of the puzzle. Inventory levels can fluctuate in an extreme way, depending on how sales are going, how much cash is on hand to invest, and the costs of acquiring your inventory. And, if you are a seasonal business, it can make the calculation even more difficult. 

The first step is to review your inventory levels over the past three years. If there are any outliers that are due to non-recurring events or occurrences, they should be removed from your calculation. Take a look at the normalized average over the analysis period and then consider what changes you anticipate in the coming year.

If you expect delivery of goods and sales to continue on the same trajectory as the previous three years, then use those numbers to decide on the level of inventory protection you need, adjusting for any future anticipated changes.

We can help you with all of your commercial insurance needs

If you are the owner or manager of a Jasper, AL area business, you can turn to the team at Harris Insurance for all of your commercial insurance needs. We are knowledgeable about our local business community and have the experience and insight necessary to help our clients protect their businesses. Give us a call today. We look forward to working with you!

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Harris Insurance

806 Hwy 78 W
Jasper, AL 35501

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