Frequently Asked Questions About Religious Institution Insurance

Over the past decade, it has become increasingly more important than ever for churches and religious institutions to purchase religious institution insurance. Unfortunately, many religious institutions do not understand what this is or they think that the policy that they have had in place for years still offers them the level of protection they need. At The Insurance Shop USA, serving Sandpoint, ID, we want to educate religious institutions about this type of insurance. Here are two of the questions you may have about religious institution insurance and the answers. 

What is Religious Institution Insurance? 

Religious institution insurance helps to protect your religious institution in a variety of different situations. The insurance can help to cover the building against weather-related damage. The policy can help to pay for your legal defense if your religious organization is sued, or cover any award someone wins against you. And the insurance can help to pay for the damage done to the building and injuries to employees if an act of violence occurs on the land or in the building your religious organization owns. 

Why Would My Old Policy Not Offer Enough Protection?

If you have an old religious institution insurance policy, your old policy may not offer enough protection. The cost to defend lawsuits has drastically increased in the past decades, as has the awards given to those who win the lawsuits. Your policy may not take into account current costs and expenses and as such, may not provide enough coverage. 

If you have an old religious insurance institution insurance policy, or if you do not have one at all, now is the time to look into updating the policy or look into getting a new one. If you are in the greater Sandpoint, ID area, Contact The Insurance Shop USA today to discuss your needs and to obtain a religious institution insurance quote. 

Can You Buy Health Insurance Year Round?

When it comes to health insurance, there are some misconceptions about when you can and cannot purchase health insurance. If you are in the market for health insurance, The Insurance Shop USA, serving Sandpoint, ID, would love to help clear some of these misconceptions up. Here is some information you should know if you are looking to buy health insurance. 

Can You Buy Health Insurance Year Round? 

There is no one size fits all answer to this question. If you are buying private insurance, you can buy the insurance policy whenever you would like to. If you are buying insurance through your employer, you can only buy when you become eligible, when they have open enrollment periods, or if you have a qualifying life event. If you are buying through the health insurance marketplace, you can only purchase health insurance during open enrollment or if you have a qualifying life event.

What is a Qualifying Life Event?

There are a few different events that are considered qualifying life events that often allow you to change your policy or enroll in a policy outside of normal open enrollment periods. Some of these life events include getting married, moving to a new state or area where your old insurance doesn’t offer much protection, having a new baby or losing your job and/or current health insurance coverage. 

Can An Insurance Agent Help Me Obtain Health Insurance?

An insurance agent can help you obtain health insurance if you are buying private insurance or if you qualify for insurance coverage through the health insurance marketplace. They cannot help you with employer healthcare coverage. 

If you are in need of private health insurance or qualify to purchase health insurance from the health insurance marketplace, The Insurance Shop USA, serving the greater Sandpoint, ID area, can help. Call us today and let us help you get insured. 

Differences Betweeb Condo and Homeowners’ Insurance Policies

There are some key differences between owning a condo and a home. These differences influence the way you should approach purchasing condo or home insurance. If you have specific questions, or just want to talk to a knowledgeable agent, contact The Insurance Shop USA, which serves Sandpoint, ID, for more information on this topic.

First, it’s important to know exactly what you’re required to insure when you have a house versus a condo. When you own a condo, you’re usually only responsible for the interior part of your residence. Everything else, such as the common areas, yard, and condo building structure, are often insured by your homeowner’s association (HOA). When you have a home, you’re generally responsible for everything inside your house and outside on the land.

Differences in Dwelling Coverage

If you’re getting a condo policy, you probably only need enough dwelling protection to rebuild the interior of your condo. For a homeowner, dwelling coverage should be able to cover the cost of rebuilding your house and other parts of your property, such as sheds, fences, and carports.

Differences in Liability Coverage

A condo owner may be responsible if visitors are injured inside the unit. However, if someone is hurt at a building common area, such as the community pool or lobby, your homeowner association’s insurance is generally responsible. Homeowners usually need more liability coverage than a condo owner, as they’re responsible for injuries that happen outside the home. As a homeowner, you’re liable if someone gets hurt running around on your patio or in the pool or trampoline in your backyard.

Differences in Personal Property Coverage

Condo owners usually only have to consider their personal belongings when determining how much insurance they need. This is typically the primary concern for a condo owner shopping for insurance. A homeowner also has to get enough protection to insure all their important belongings, however, there are a lot of other factors for a homeowner to consider.

Whether you’re a homeowner or a condo owner, you can get a quote or have questions answered by calling The Insurance Shop USA, which serves Sandpoint, ID.

Farm Liability Insurance: The Basics

The farms around Sandpoint, ID provide the world with potatoes, wheat, onions, corn, and a variety of other nourishing crops. These are often small family operations, driven by the love of the soil and tradition. When times get hard, however, who can these farmers turn to for help?

What is Farm Liability Insurance?

Farm liability policies are designed to protect farmers from financial loss. It covers your land, fields, and produce. Buildings, equipment, and other structures on the property may not be included in these policies. The experts at the Insurance Shop USA can tell you more about the coverages you need to fully protect your livelihood.

The purpose of a farm liability policy is to protect farmers from financial loss that results from accidents on their property. If a farmer is found liable for physical injury or property loss suffered by a visitor, this policy helps cover their costs.

Why You Need Farm Liability Insurance

The natural resources that growers depend on are shared by everyone in the area. If runoff from your farm pollutes local water sources or animal waste creates fumes that compromise your neighbors’ ability to use their own land in some way, you could be found liable for their loss or damage. Other policies may not cover the full costs of court-ordered restitution.

If you operate a farm that uses experimental methods, unconventional fertilizers, or your crops are just different from what is grown on adjacent lands, you need a farm liability policy to protect your investment. Teaching farms and other operations that allow visitors also benefit from the extra protection. If someone is injured or gets sick from contact with something on your land, the farm liability coverage will pay for their medical coverage and any other court-ordered costs.

The Insurance Shop USA helps farm owners in the Sandpoint, ID area keep their lands safe from all types of threats and potential problems. Contact our representatives to learn more about farm liability insurance.

Your Religious Institutions Insurance Questions Answered

What is religious institution insurance? Does my group need it? How do I minimize my risk for the benefit of my entire congregation? If you live in Sandpoint, ID, the Insurance Shop USA has all your religious institutions insurance questions answered.

What Is Religious Institutions Insurance?

Religious Institutions Insurance is exactly as it sounds. It is for congregations of all religions to ensure that they are protected. It can cover damage to properties, lawsuits, and for any other risks associated with running a religious group.

What Are the Benefits of Getting Religious Institutions Insurance?

Your institution’s mission has always been the same. You aim to be a beacon of light in your community and to offer support to your congregation. But what if something were to occur that hinders that mission? This is where insurance comes in. It is your responsibility to ensure that your church remains strong in the face of threat. Insurance can cover anything from property damage, general liability, and crime, to worker’s compensation and employee benefits.

How Can My Congregation Minimize Our Risk?

This is an excellent question. Although it is a great idea to have insurance for your religious institution, proactive risk management will reduce your need for it altogether. In order to be proactive, a church leader must take the lead in identifying potential risks. Consider organizing a committee which oversees the next task of prioritizing the risks. The risks can be mitigated. An excellent idea is to seek out people who specialize in risk management. A little guidance can really help your organization when it comes to managing risk.

If you have any further questions on the benefits of religious institutions insurance in Sandpoint, ID, get in touch with the Insurance Shop USA today.

Umbrella Insurance doesn’t just keep out the rain — The Insurance Shop USA – Blog Order – October 2017

Umbrella Insurance doesn’t just keep out the rain, it’s not a fancy parasol or sunshade and you won’t hear Rihanna singing about it. But you can view it as your protective gadget. It function is to protect your assets from an event that you can’t anticipate occurring.

What Umbrella means in this instance is:  comprehensive, inclusive or  overall.

There are some advantages to having an Umbrella Insurance Policy.

1- It’s liability insurance that supplements your basic policies.
2- It can combine or enhance your auto, renters, or home insurance.
3- It often covers a higher limit than a standard policy.
4- If a lawsuit is filed against you, your coverage will cover those damages up to the policy limit if you are legally responsible.
5- Often we don’t realize that we have many assets that can be jeopardized in a lawsuit such as:

  • investments and retirement accounts
  • cars
  • house
  • checking and savings accounts
  • future income

There are difference kinds of coverage for different lifestyle situations, each have different applications and ramifications. In a business for example, there may be a tax deductible for to the insurance. When considering an umbrella policy coverage limits there are several factors you must consider:

  •     The risks you may face.
  •     The value of your assets.
  •     The potential loss of future income

In an uncertain world, you need protection for the unseen.  You need to look at all the factors and choose an umbrella insurance that’s right for you. Contact The Insurance Shop USA to see how you can create an umbrella in your life.

 

Reasons to Get Wedding Insurance

Your wedding is a very special day. You’ve spent a great deal of time planning, and you’ve probably invested a ton of money. When you’re preparing to walk down the aisle, certain unforeseen circumstances may arise that’ll cost you. However, with wedding insurance from The Insurance Shop USA, serving Sandypoint, ID and the surrounding area, you have the security of knowing your wedding will happen, even if you don’t have any additional money to invest in the big day.

1. Wedding Postponement

Let’s say your mother or father gets injured or becomes ill right before your big day, or the best man’s plane is delayed. You may find it necessary to reschedule the wedding for a different day, so the person is able to spend it with you. This could cost you a large sum to reschedule your big day. Let’s say you plan a fabulous outdoor wedding on the beach, but a hurricane is heading toward the site of your wedding. You can’t have your dream wedding with a torrential down pour of rain and high gusts of wind that’ll blow your decorations around and the bride’s dress up. The insurance will cover the expense of having to reschedule, so you can try again for nice weather on your special day. 

2. Damaged Clothing

Let’s say the bride catches her dress in the car door and tears it before the ceremony, or maybe the groom takes a nibble of something prior to the wedding and slops it down the front of him. The insurance may cover the expense to replace the bride’s dress or the groom’s shirt. 

3. Property Damage 

Let’s say one of your wedding guests do damage to something at your wedding venue. You’ll be held responsible, but wedding insurance may cover the expense. 

Before you make that special someone your forever, contact The Insurance Shop USA, serving Sandypoint, ID and the surrounding area, for wedding insurance by calling 208-263-0888. 

Can You Set Up Renters Insurance Before You Move In?

If you are looking to move into a rental apartment, condo or home, you may be looking to obtain renters insurance. One of the questions that we are often asked at The Insurance Shop USA, serving the greater Sandypoint, ID area, is whether you can set up a renters insurance policy before you actually move in. Here is some information you will want to know. 

Wait Until You Have a Signed Lease

If you are looking to take out a renters insurance policy, make sure you have a signed lease in place before you attempt to get a policy. Many people make the mistake of attempting to take out a policy before the lease is a done deal. Unfortunately, until things are signed, they may fall apart. If you take out a policy and your lease falls through, you may be stuck with a non-refundable first payment and wasted time. 

Your Policy Can’t Start Until Your Lease Start Date

Next, it is important to understand that while you can set up your renters insurance policy before you actually move in, the effective date must match the effective date on your lease. Some people begin to move their belongings in a few days before their lease actually starts and try to start their renters insurance a few days early to protect the items they have moved there. However, your policy only protects you while are under an effective lease. If your lease is not yet valid, your policy will not yet be either. 

If you are preparing to move and looking for a new renters insurance policy in the greater Sandypoint, ID area, let The Insurance Shop USA help. Call us today to get a free quote or to get started putting the perfect policy for you together. 

Wedding Insurance 101: what it covers and why all bride and grooms should consider it

When people plan a wedding, there is so much time and energy spent on the important details such as the guest list, the food, the band and the flowers. With so much going on during the process, many couples neglect to think about protecting the significant financial investment of the wedding itself. However, there are some great insurance policies available to make sure one is protected financially in case something goes wrong on the big day.

Many people wonder what wedding insurance protects against. There are two types of coverages available in the marketplace. The first coverage is referred to as cancellation and postponement coverage. In the event, that your wedding must be canceled or postponed, this policy will protect you from any financial loss. It is important to note that this coverage is not meant to reimburse you should you decide not move forward but for reasons out of your control such as the venue closing or severe weather. If you are planning a winter weather in Sandypoint, ID,  it is critical to protect against a delay due to weather!

The second coverage available is a liability policy that will protect you financially in the event someone is injured at your wedding or damage is caused by one of your guests. You will also want to check the contract you have with the venue as many businesses will require this coverage. If it is necessary, you should share the contract with your agent at The Insurance Shop USA to ensure you are carrying the required limits.

No bride or groom wants to think of a situation in which a wedding could be canceled or a guest being injured. However, it is important to remember that a wedding is a significant financial investment and should be protected. If you would like to learn more about wedding insurance, please reach out to us at The Insurance Shop USA, we proudly serve the Sandypoint, ID area.

4 Types of Insurance You Might Need to Cover Your Farm

Coverage for your farm combines elements of a homeowner’s policy with commercial property insurance, as many farmers live where they work. If you farm in the Sandpoint, ID area, The Insurance Shop USA may have just what you are looking for. Here are some different types of insurance you may encounter when seeking coverage for your farm.

Crop Insurance

There are a couple of different kinds here.

  • Crop-Hail Insurance- This one is pretty self- explanatory. It protects your crops in the event of hail. Many farmers purchase this for high-yielding crops.
  • Multiple Peril Crop Insurance (MPCI)- In some cases government subsidies are offered to farmers to offset the costs of insurance. The MPCI is part of the Federal Crop Insurance Program. It covers loss of crops from a number of natural causes such as drought, moisture, disease and extreme cold. MPCI also includes price protection to cover farmers’ revenues in the event of a low crop yield or changes in the market.

Livestock Insurance

Much like crop insurance, livestock insurance protects your investment in your cattle should a covered accident occur. If a fire, blizzard or other natural disaster should strike, you will be covered.

Property and Casualty Insurance

This covers your property against things like theft and vandalism. It provides liability coverage if someone who works for you gets injured on the job. This may also be called commercial property insurance.

In the state of Idaho, if you have one or more employees, you must also carry Idaho Worker’s Compensation insurance.

Home Owner’s Insurance

Because farmer’s tend to live where they work, homeowner’s insurance should be a part of your package. Make sure that not only your Sandpoint, ID home but out buildings are covered. Depending on their use, out buildings may also be covered by commercial property insurance.

When your home and livelihood are both on the line, it is important to make sure you have the right coverage. Don’t be afraid to ask your insurance agent about discounts for bundling policies. And if you are looking for farm insurance in Sandpoint, ID, be sure to check out The Insurance Shop USA.