Farm Liability Insurance: The Basics

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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

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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.

Small Business Health Insurance

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It takes a lot of tenacity and perseverance to build a strong sustainable business. Your employees are ones that keep it going. Whether you have a few employees or more than 100, you’ll need affordable health insurance coverage. You want to make sure that your employees have every advantage if they or their loved ones become sick or injured. The Insurance Shop USA in Sandpoint, ID can offer you a variety of options for your employee’s health coverage.

Types of Health Insurance

There are two main types of health insurance: group and individual.

  • Group health insurance – is purchased by the employer. It is then offered to their employees and their dependents. Premiums, the amount paid to the insurance company every month, are paid by both the employer and the employee.
  • Individual health coverage – is an option where individuals can purchase insurance for themselves and their family members. With this plan, employers can utilize a reimbursement program where employees will recover a portion of the premiums they have paid throughout the year.

Types of Health Plans

  • Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) – provides a list of preferred doctors and hospitals that you can visit where claims can be paid.
  • Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) – offers providers who work exclusively with the HMO and its’ patients. You will need to have a primary care physician (PCP) with this plan. Any referrals for specialists will need to be made through your PCP.
  • Health Savings Account (HSA) – is a specific savings account where you would pay for your medical expenses.

When you’re ready to search for health insurance for your small business, call or stop by The Insurance Shop USA in Sandpoint, ID. They have independent insurance agents that can provide you with useful information concerning health care options and insurance coverage.

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

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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

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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?

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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

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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.

How Does Condominium Insurance Differ From Traditional Homeowners Insurance?

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Condominium owners living in and around Sandpoint, ID  are not required to purchase condominium insurance under the law, however, most banks will require that they do so. Many people have questions as to what the key differences between condominium insurance and traditional homeowners insurance are, and we will discuss them in this article. 

Master Policy

One of the greatest differences between conventional homeowners and condominium insurance is the need for a master policy. The master policy refers to the insurance that is purchased by the condominium association, and this will cover all the common areas, stairwells, building exterior, and property that the edifice sits upon. 

Situations Covered Under Master Policies

Master policies typically carry two types of coverage: liability and property coverage. The liability portion of the policy will cover the cost when someone is injured and files a lawsuit, and it can also cover the medical costs associated with the injury. Property damage coverage will take care of the common areas when they sustain losses due to the wind or other disasters. 

Condo Owner’s Insurance

Each condominium owner will pay an equal share of the master policy price to the condominium association, and they will need to purchase a separate policy for their personal property. A bare walls-in policy will cover the walls and framing, and an all-in policy will cover fixtures, cabinets, and plumbing, both of which are distinctions that do not exist with conventional homeowners insurance. 

The Insurance Shop USA Can Help You

We have experience serving the residents of Sandpoint, ID, writing a variety of insurance policies that will cover them in all their day-to-day activities — and we can do the same for you. We invite you to call us or to stop by our office at The Insurance Shop USA to discuss all your homeowners, automobile, life and condominium insurance needs. 

 

4 Types of Insurance You Might Need to Cover Your Farm

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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.

Do You Need Religion Institution Insurance?

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A religious institution performs a truly priceless service for a community by helping to bring everyone together with one common purpose. The leaders there share in all the major celebrations in one’s life, from beginning to end. They give members advice and guidance during difficult times, and they help to instill a set of values about how to treat ourselves and one another. It’s worth taking the time to protect an organization, so see if you need religion institution insurance for your organization in Sandpoint ID. 

Evaluating Your Assets 

Religious institutions that operate out of the most famous cathedrals in the world already know they need some form of insurance. With all of the art and history, they keep under their roof, there are so many reasons to make sure that it’s protected from vandalism, theft, or natural disaster. But there are other organizations that aren’t quite so straight-forward. Let’s say you hold a community bake sale and one of your members is injured or robbed. Do you have a way to step in and provide help?

The Insurance Shop USA has seen how devastating it can be not to have any coverage at all (or the wrong level of coverage.) Religious leaders take on a lot of liability when they work with any given neighborhood, so it helps to have safeguards in place if something does go wrong. 

Seeking Help 

When you seek help for your insurance needs, make sure you have all the details in front of you. The Insurance Shop USA serves the people of Sandpoint ID so they can understand if they need insurance, and what type of policy will work best for their goals. Let us give you a helping hand if you think you may need religion institution insurance when you call us today. 

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