Category: Insurance

Owning a farm or ranch in the Sandpoint, ID area can be a great business. If you are in this area, there is a lot of potential for professional success and your asset could be worth a lot of money. Due to this, it is also very important that you properly protect your assets. One of the best ways to do this is by getting a farm and ranch insurance policy, which can provide you with many forms of protection.

Protects All Assets

One of the advantages of a farm and ranch insurance policy is that it can protect all of the assets owned by the farm and ranch. A farm or ranch can own many assets including structures, equipment, inventory, and other valuable items. When you have a farm and ranch insurance policy, you will get coverage to repair or replace these items if you incur a loss. 

Liability Protection

If you own a farm or ranch, there are many forms of liability risk. To ensure that you are protected against these risks, you should get a farm and ranch insurance policy. This will give you the coverage you need to protect against a wide range of liability risks that could result in a loss for you and your farm or ranch business. 

If you are looking for farm and ranch insurance in the Sandpoint, ID area, you should reach out to The Insurance Shop USA. When you do reach out to The Insurance Shop USA, you can learn a lot more about how farm and ranch insurance can protect you. The team here will also help you to build a policy that is right for your situation, which will protect your asset and provide you with peace of mind. 

In function and in purpose, a house of worship in Sandpoint, ID is very different from a business. However, on paper, the difference isn’t all that great. In both instances you’re ushering members of the public into your building, you’ve probably got a few vehicles at your disposal, and you have many of the same liability risks as any business, from your board of directors to simple slip-and-falls.

But, your religious institute isn’t a commercial property, which means that you don’t need commercial insurance, you need religious institute insurance.

The only real difference between religious institute insurance and commercial insurance or home insurance is that these policies are written with the understanding that the property being insured is a place of worship. Beyond that, much of the same ground is covered. In both instances you’re going to have coverage for your vehicles, you’re going to have liability coverage both for injury and damages and for any misconduct on the part of your staff or directors, and you’ll have errors and omissions coverage, wherein you’ll be covered in the case of an expensive paperwork error.

One area where it’s easy to see the difference: Religious institute insurance will usually carry coverage for fine art. Places of worship usually have features like stained glass windows and mounted religious iconography. In a typical business, you might see a painting of a seaside resort on the wall here and there, but it’s not a given.

If you’re looking to get covered in Sandpoint, ID, get in touch with The Insurance Shop USA. You’re looking for an insurer that understands the needs of a religious institute, and that’s what The Insurance Shop USA can provide.

If you are getting married in the Sandpoint, ID area soon, the last thing you want to think about is something going wrong on your big day. However, weddings are not immune to disasters, and a wedding policy will protect you in the event something goes wrong. The agents at The Insurance Shop USA are here to put together a wedding insurance policy that is right for you. 

What is Wedding Insurance? 

Wedding insurance will protect you financially in the event certain things go wrong. Some types of events that would be covered include:

External events that lead to the cancellation of the wedding.

Extreme weather that leads to extra expenses due to changes that need to be made to the wedding plans.

Issues with the vendors you hire or the event space you have booked.

Types of wedding coverage

There are two types of wedding converges, and you can choose to purchase them separately or together as a bundled package. 

Liability coverage 

Liability coverage covers damage to the venue that was caused as a result of your wedding. It will also cover the medical bills if someone is hurt or gets sick as a result of the wedding. You should also check with the venue to see if they offer any amount of liability coverage as part of the contract.

Cancelation or postponement coverage
Cancelation and postponement coverage will pay for the expenses, to cancel or change the date of your wedding due to a covered event. It is important to remember that this coverage will only apply to events that are beyond your control, so if you get cold feet, you will not be protected. 

You can also purchase additional coverages to add on to your policy, such as honeymoon coverage and stolen gift coverage. 

If you would like to learn more about wedding insurance, reach out to an agent at The Insurance Shop USA today. We proudly serve the Sandpoint, ID area. 

Liability insurance is something that all people in the Sandpoint, ID area needs to take seriously. Most people will already have liability coverage through their home and auto policies. However, there are situations in which this is not enough coverage. In some situations, someone may also need to get umbrella insurance coverage. There are several reasons why someone may want to have umbrella insurance, which is additional personal liability coverage.

Provides More Coverage on Top of Base Policies

The first reason why someone may want to have umbrella insurance is that it will provide additional coverage on top of someone’s base insurance policies. While you can get a lot of coverage under your home and auto policies, there is always a risk that you may need more coverage during a very bad accident. With an umbrella insurance policy, you will get coverage for liability in addition to the insurance you already have in place. 

Covers Other Situations

While a home and auto policy can cover a lot of situations, it does not cover everything. Those that are in certain professions that run the risk of being sued for slander, libel, or a wide variety of other situations should look into umbrella insurance. This form of insurance will cover these risks, which may not be covered by your base policies. 

If you believe that getting umbrella insurance is right for you, speaking with a team of professionals is always helpful. Due to the complexities of umbrella insurance, the team at The Insurance Shop USA can help someone in the Sandpoint, ID area determine their insurance needs. The professionals at The Insurance Shop USA will be able to review your personal situation to figure out whether umbrella coverage is a necessity and how much coverage you might need to have. 

If you are gearing up for a day on the water in Sandpoint, ID, these boat safety tips can keep your family and friends safe. Ask an agent at The Insurance Shop USA to see what safety measures can give you discounts on boat insurance.

Always Wear the Right Size Life Jacket: Don’t just stow your jacket and instead wear it. A tucked-away life jacket won’t help you in the event of an accident.

Protect Against Propeller Strikes: Make sure your passengers are accounted for and know where the emergency cut off switch is at all times. You can also consider other propeller safety devices, such as sensors and guards. When someone is in the water, make sure another person is on the propeller watch.

Carry Safety Equipment on Board: In addition to life jackets, you want to stock a fire extinguisher, throwable flotation devices, first aid kit, horn, flares, and a tool kit.

Make a Float Plan: This plan is a document you leave with a person onshore that describes your equipment, itinerary, passengers, and boat. It’s used in an emergency to help guide rescue and search teams.

Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: The colorless and odorless gas can cause death or other harm. Install alarms both inside and outside the boat and stay away from exhaust fumes. If you are in an enclosed cabin, circulate fresh air. The symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning and seasickness can be similar.

Brush Up on Boat Safety Basics: An operator error can be responsible for two-thirds of boating accidents. Make sure you understand all navigational rules and consider a boat safety class in Sandpoint, ID.

Don’t Boat Under the Influence: Alcohol can play a role in fatal boating accidents. The wind, boat vibration, and sun can accelerate impairment.

Contact The Insurance Shop USA to get a quote on boat insurance.

Although it’s something you may not want to think about, there could be a disaster on your wedding day in Sandpoint, ID.  Whether it’s damaging to your wedding gown, stolen wedding gifts or an unexpected cancellation, a wedding insurance policy through The Insurance Shop USA may help protect you against these types of disasters. What exactly is wedding insurance? Here are the answers to the most common questions about wedding insurance.

What is Wedding Insurance?

A wedding insurance policy is designed to protect your investment from circumstances that are beyond your control and to reimburse the expenses incurred as a result. For instance, if the limousine driver doesn’t show up and you need to hire another one on the morning of your wedding at double the price or if the reception hall goes out of business a few weeks before your wedding day and you lose the deposit; you’ll have to book another venue and pay another deposit. These types of financial losses are how wedding insurance can provide protection.

What Does it Cover?

There is generally a specified maximum amount of coverage that can be claimed under each section of your policy and there is also a deductible. After paying the deductible, most wedding insurance policies cover:

• The wedding or reception site, if they are unable to accommodate you due to an unforeseen cancellation, such as a fire, electrical outage or the business, is closed down
• A weather condition that prevents the bride, the groom or other essential relatives whose presence at the wedding is essential from reaches the place where the wedding is taking place. Your wedding insurance may cover rescheduling the wedding and its details.
• Vendors that do not show up, such as the caterer
• If an injury or illness prevents the bride or groom from participating in the wedding
• If the wedding is postponed because of military personnel being shipped out at a moment’s notice or if the bride or grooms company suddenly relocates them to another city for their job.

Wedding insurance policies do not cover a change of heart, jewelry, watches or semiprecious gemstones. The insurance may cover your wedding rings, but your engagement ring will probably not be covered. Keep in mind that every wedding and every insurance policy are different, so be sure to talk with your agent to be sure you fully understand the policy.

To learn more information about wedding insurance, residents of Sandpoint, ID should contact The Insurance Shop USA.

Umbrella insurance is a policy that goes above and beyond the other coverage that you have in place.  A homeowner’s policy protects should someone be injured on their property.  Homeowners are able to manage their risk, even if they have a pool or trampoline, with a policy that gives them liability coverage.  Also, if there is a disaster, they are able to make repairs and pay for medical expenses with their insurance coverage.  But all policies have a cap on what they will payout.  When a policy is maxed out, the homeowner is responsible for the difference.  For many, this is simply not a viable situation.  An umbrella policy kicks into effect when other policies have been exhausted.  At The Insurance Shop USA in the Sandpoint, ID area, the team is ready to discuss how an umbrella policy can protect you financially. 

Insurance is an important piece of asset protection.  While you may feel adequately covered, consider the following scenario.  If someone falls on your property and breaks a bone due to your negligence, you are responsible for their medical care.  They will also have the right to sue you for damages.  In the end, if their expenses are $300,000 but your homeowner’s policy only covers $200,000, the homeowner is responsible for the remaining balance.  With an umbrella policy, however, the extra amount will be taken care of.  Umbrella policies also cover incidents of invasion of privacy, slander, and libel.  These are not typically covered by other policies. 

The team at The Insurance Shop USA works with community members throughout the Sandpoint, ID area.  They’re ready to help you understand the finer points of umbrella insurance policies and whether it is right for you.  Call or visit today to get your insurance questions answered and the coverage you need. 

It may be a tempting idea to not carry boat insurance all year if you put the boat away in storage; however, this is not an effective strategy for many reasons. The risk taken for not insuring a boat while it is in storage is not worth it. You might save a little in the short run but if something happens you will regret it.

Reasons to Have Boat Insurance All Year

Here are some reasons why it is a wise strategy to carry boat insurance all year:

1. Boat Loan Requirements — If you still owe money on a loan for the boat then always having it insured may be a requirement of the lender.

2. Marina Requirements — If you moor the boat at a marina, boat insurance may be a requirement.

3. Off-Season Risk — The risk of vandalism, fire, and theft is still there during the off-season and may even be higher because there is less supervision of a boat placed in storage.

4. Weather Damage — Severe weather is more likely to damage a boat during the winter months.

5. Home Insurance Limits — It is unlikely that there is sufficient insurance coverage for a boat under a typical home insurance policy. Ask your agent at The Insurance Shop USA serving Sandpoint, ID and the surrounding area to conduct an insurance review for you to be sure.

6. Loyalty Benefits — Depending on your boat insurance underwriter, you may get a benefit for maintaining your policy without making a claim for a consistent period. It may actually be more costly to cancel a policy and then have to get a new one each year.

Work with your agent at The Insurance Shop USA in Sandpoint, ID to get a review of your boat insurance and a quote for boat insurance that provides adequate protection.

Whether your condo is your primary residence or a vacation getaway home, you still need condo insurance to protect your investment. Your coverage may vary, however, depending on how your condo is used. At The Insurance Shop USA, we can customize a policy for your Sandpoint, ID vacation condo to provide the protection you need without paying for unnecessary coverage. Here are a few tips on how to save money when insuring a vacation condo getaway.

Reduce Coverage

A vacation condo doesn’t need the exact same coverage as a primary home. As your primary residence is used more often, you’ll want ample dwelling, contents, and liability coverage to protect you against any eventuality. In contrast, a vacation condo is used much less and doesn’t require such extensive coverage.

If your vacation getaway is only for personal use, you can obtain less liability coverage as there’s less risk of accidents to visitors on the property. Rather than replacement cost coverage for personal goods in your vacation getaway, which is more expensive, opt for actual cash value coverage as there’s less risk of goods getting damaged in the limited time you spend in your vacation home.

Opt for "Named-Peril" Coverage

Unlike your primary home which needs coverage from all kinds of perils, you can specify the perils you want coverage for in your vacation condo by opting for “named-peril” coverage. This ensures you’re covered for what you need and not paying extra for unnecessary protection.

Bundle Coverage with Primary Home

Bundling your vacation condo with your primary residence may be able to save you money on insurance costs. By discussing bundling policies with an Insurance Shop USA agent, you can see if this is a viable option.

To learn more about condo insurance options and costs, contact The Insurance Shop USA in Sandpoint, ID.

If you are a renter, you may wonder if you should have renter’s insurance. Maybe you have never considered it because you have no idea what it covers and what it could do for you. In Sandpoint, ID The Insurance Shop USA  has an experienced  staff who can help to make the benefits of renter’s insurance clear to you and help you to understand why you may want to get a policy. Here are some of the things that may be covered. 

Personal property

Since you don’t own the building you don’t need to cover the structure itself. However, things that happen to the building can have a devastating effect on you and your possessions. If the place you live is destroyed by fire or a major weather event, you may think that the landlord is responsible for your personal property. You are wrong. If your clothes, electronics and other personal items are damaged and you don’t have renter’s insurance they will not be replaced or repaired. You will have to do that yourself out of pocket. 

Temporary living expenses

If your rental is damaged so badly that you can not occupy it, how will you pay for a temporary place to stay? If you have renter’s insurance it should help to pay for a new temporary place to call home until your rental is habitable again. 

Liability

If someone is visiting you and is injured in your rental they may decide to sue you for damages. With renter’s insurance, you will have liability insurance to protect you. 

Theft

If something is stolen from your rental or even from your car, your rental insurance should cover it after the deductible. 

If you live in the Sandpoint, ID area and are interested in learning more about renters insurance. The Insurance Shop USA will be happy to talk to you on the phone or in the office.