People often assume that if they are not submitting a claim to their insurance company, they do not have to notify them about a minor accident. Unfortunately, that is not what should be done. Insurance companies should be notified regardless of whether a claim is going to be filed or not.

There are a number of reasons that an insurance company should be notified when a minor accident occurs, regardless of whether a claim is going to be filed. The main reason is because of the other party involved with the accident.

Just because you are not filing a claim with your insurance company, does not mean the other party involved with the accident will not try to recover damages from your insurance provider. Notifying them of a minor accident allows your insurance company to prepare in the event the other party should contact them.

Another reason to notify the insurance company after a minor accident is because it could be grounds for a non-renewal. If a minor fender bender or accident occurred, you did not report to the insurance company and they find out later, they can use that to not renew a current insurance policy.

Many people do not wish to notify their insurance company of a minor accident because they are afraid of a potential increase in premiums. It should be noted that not all premiums will be raised as a result of an accident or even if a claim is filed. There are a number of factors that play into premium increases, including previous driving record, number of claims submitted, and who is at fault for the accident.

Worried about potential rate increases on minor accident insurance policies? Contact one of our independent insurance agents that operate out of Sahuarita and Tucson, AZ to explore various auto insurance policies from different companies to determine which offer you the best rates and coverage for your current driving needs.

If you own property in Green Valley, Arizona, it is important to make sure that your insurance coverage will protect you from natural disasters. Droughts, lightning, and thunderstorms are among the disasters that can destroy your property and set you back financially if you don’t have the right type of coverage.

How Natural Disasters Affect Your Policy

Whether you are purchasing insurance for your car or home, purchasing the minimum will likely leave you without protection in the case of a natural disaster. Green Valley is known for its monsoons, and it doesn’t take a record-breaking year of rainfall to flood your home or destroy your vehicle. With risks like this in the area, you need to be proactive to receive protection. Most insurance companies only include coverage for these events with a comprehensive plan or a special rider to your policy.

The term "acts of God" is also a point of confusion for covered policyholders. An act of God is an extreme disaster, such as lightning or an earthquake, that leads to excessive damage to your property. Because these events are hard to predict, insurance companies typically exclude coverage for these types of natural disasters in your policy.

How an Independent Agent Can Help

Insurance Center of Green Valley can help you find the right level of coverage to protect your property during a major disaster. We are trained to determine what constitutes as an act of God and what types of disasters will be included in your policy. We can also help you determine the type of disasters that especially impact Arizona residents.

Severe weather events can strike at any time, so don’t be caught without insurance that provides you with adequate protection from natural disasters. Contact us today to compare quotes from leading insurance companies to receive the best coverage.

If you operate a business of any size in Green Valley, Arizona, it is a good idea to carry insurance that protects your employees agaist on-the-job injuries. Whether you have one employee or one hundred employees, it only takes one accident to create liability for your business and set you back financially. So it’s important to keep your insurance up-to-date with liability or workers’ compensation coverage for your employees.

How to Protect Your Employees on the Job

The type of insurance that you need to protect your employees will depend on the type of business that you have. For a small home-based business, liability insurance might be sufficient for protecting you against liability and covering the medical costs of injured employees. Liability coverage can be added to almost any commercial insurance plan.

If your business involved a hazardous occupation or hires several employees, the law might require you to carry workers’ compensation insurance. In cases where you need workers’ compensation insurance, the levels of coverage that you need will be outlined by state laws, which Insurance Center of Green Valley will help you navigate.

How an Independent Agent Can Help

When you own a business, it is always important to cut costs wherever you can. This is especially true when you are selecting a commercial insurance policy. Insurance Center of Green Valley carries commercial insurance from several policies so that you can compare quotes instantly and find the best rates on insurance for your organization.

An independent agent also can help you determine whether your employees are fully covered in the case of a workplace accident. Contact us today to provide full protection for your business and to make sure that your business is fully compliant with the law.

You may not want to think about the need for life insurance, but it is coverage that no one should be without — even people who are single. Often, life insurance is marketed to families or people with dependents who rely on them for income. But a life policy is beneficial for single people too. Examples of ways life insurance money can be used include:

• Debts – Many people have personal debts, whether for credit cards, medical bills, or loans from family or friends. Life insurance can help settle these debts in the event of your untimely passing.
• Funeral Expenses – The cost of a casket, burial, funeral service, viewing, and transfers can soar into the thousands. In Sahuarita and Tucson, Arizona, these costs average more than $4,100.
• Medical Bills – Often, an untimely death is followed by expensive medical bills. Being rushed to a medical facility or spending time in a hospital can leave behind burdensome coinsurance payments and deductibles that your parents, siblings, or other loved ones may be responsible for paying.
• Legacy – Everyone has something they are aspiring to become or a cause they support. A premature death doesn’t have to mean that you cannot fulfill your wishes. The money from life insurance can be designated toward the cause of your choice — whether that be a charity or putting a niece or nephew through college.

Here at the Insurance Center of Green Valley, we help clients discover life insurance needs they may otherwise be unaware of. Whether you are single, married, or have more complicated relationship statuses, we can help you find affordable coverage that will protect the people and causes closest to your heart long after you are gone. Get a free quote today from an independent agent who can help you compare premiums and policies from Arizona’s leading life insurance providers.

When you are starting up a business, you may not have the available funds to offer your employees benefits and insurance coverage. As your company grows and thrives, you may determine that it is time to start thinking about appropriate commercial insurance policies to address the needs of your employees in Green Valley, Arizona. Although you may be ready to offer coverage, it is important to learn about the options before you make any decisions on new policies.

Health Coverage

The cost of group health insurance policies for small to mid-sized companies can seem costly at first. That is because the price per person tends to reduce as you hire more employees and a larger number of individuals are added to the plan.

When it comes to health coverage for your employees, it is important to select a plan that is appropriate for the needs of your company as well as your employees. Take your time to compare options with the help of an agent so that you can find a reasonable rate.

Worker’s Compensation

It is usually a good idea to obtain worker’s compensation insurance. Even though it is not a direct benefit, it can help if your employees are injured on the job.

Life Insurance

In general, term life coverage is less costly because it has a specific time period that is covered. You can compare a variety of life insurance options before you make a decision about the best option for your employees.

Benefits are not only limited to insurance options, but having life insurance and health coverage can make your company attractive to potential employees. Contact the Insurance Center of Green Valley to talk to an independent agent for more information.

Nothing is more worrisome than finding out that your physician or doctor had died or has retired when you are trying to obtain life insurance. When your doctor dies or retires, a life insurance company in Green Valley, Arizona does have options to obtain your medical reports and ensure that you are covered in case an accident occurs.

Asking a New Doctor

One option that may be available is asking a new doctor to check on your current health and send a new report to the insurer. A new medical doctor can run all of your tests and may become your new physician if your health insurance allows you to work with that doctor.

Asking the Facility

Another solution is working with the facility where your previous doctor worked. Even though your doctor may have retired, the facility should have a copy of your medical records available. Depending on the situation, the ability to obtain those records can vary.

Every medical facility is required to keep your reports for a set period of time. Either you can ask for a copy and send it directly to the life insurance provider or your insurer can make a request. If your insurer makes a request for the records, then you may need to give your permission before the records will be released to the company.

It is not impossible to obtain life insurance just because your doctor has passed away or is no longer actively working in the role of a physician. In some cases, you may be able to get a copy of your records by making a request. Contact the Insurance Center of Green Valley to talk to an independent agent for more information.

Owning your own business offers you a lot of flexibility in your lifestyle. You can work when, where, and how you want. But, what would happen in the event of your death or a serious disability?

There are two types of insurance policies that every small business owner should consider purchasing: life and disability.

Life insurance is designed to protect your assets after your death. Having a policy could help your business operate until it is either sold or a replacement for you is found. This can often take weeks or months, so having a policy is important. This type of insurance can also help cover any debts owed by the business, which would be passed on to your family after your death. Life insurance can also help a your family pay for everyday expenses that are no longer covered by the income from your company.

Disability insurance is available in short term and long term policies. This type of insurance is similar to life insurance, but different in that it pays out if you are seriously ill or injured and unable to work. Funds from this type of policy can be used to help run the business or take care of everyday expenses.

As you can see, both insurance policy types are incredibly important. Each business owner will have different needs in terms of the amounts of each policy, which an independent agent can help you decide.

As your local independent agent, we would be happy to speak with you about your business insurance and other commercial insurance needs. Tucson, Sahuarita, Green Valley, and other Southern Arizona business owners can contact us via telephone today.

Today, it is quite common for people who live in Tucson, Sahuarita and the Green Valley area of Arizona, to operate a small business from the comfort of their own homes. Almost any type of business is susceptible to disputes and some of those disputes can lead to lawsuits.

Your homeowners insurance policy will probably not cover any items that are only used for your business. It may cover items like a desk, chair or computer that you use while conducting business, because that is considered part of the contents of your house.

If, for example, you have a business selling computers you build from scratch in your home, your homeowners insurance will not cover any claims made against you or your company if a dissatisfied customer decides to sue.

In order to be covered for certain liabilities you may incur, you will need to buy a separate general liability business policy. While it is improbable that someone is going to come to your home office to conduct business, it is actually more common than you might think.

Some individuals in Tucson operate a tax service or bookkeeping service and regularly welcome clients into their homes. Others may operate a landscaping business in Sahuarita and set appointments, bank and do all of the administrative tasks of their business out of a home office.

Nothing is ever completely black or completely white. Most situations fall into a gray area. If a man falls on an uneven pathway and breaks his arm while delivering a present from your Aunt Tilly, your homeowners insurance policy would cover any claim for liability. What would happen if the delivery man was bringing 10 boxes of inventory for your home business?

As your independent agent, we have the answers to all of the questions you may have about homeowners insurance and home businesses. Please contact us and an independent agent will be happy to help you get the right insurance coverage for your home-based business.

Known as a business-friendly community, Tucson, Arizona can be a great place to start a home-based business. However, if you plan on using your home for commercial purposes, it is important to obtain the right type of insurance. Insurance is crucial for protecting your home business against loss and liability.

Reasons to Insure Your Home Business

Running a business at home opens of the potential for loss or liability issues. A fire or flood could damage the equipment that you use to conduct your business. A home daycare provider or professional who works with clients may encounter an accident that leads to a lawsuit. Or a professional giving advice may be sued for negligence for making an honest error. These scenarios are not covered under the typical homeowner’s insurance policy. Instead, you will need additional coverage that specifically covers the risks that are unique to your business.

The Benefits of Home-Based Business Insurance

If you freelance or operate a small business from home, full commercial coverage is probably inappropriate for the scope of your business. Instead, you will likely find the coverage that you need with home-based business insurance. This form of coverage allows you to add riders to your homeowner’s insurance to cover the risks of your business, such as property damage, and professional liability. The biggest advantage of home-based business insurance is that it can be modified so that it only covers the risks that pertain to your business.

How an Independent Agent Can Help

If your business is a bit more complex, you may require extended forms of liability coverage. An independent agent can help you identify the risks that you should prioritize and obtain a policy that covers those risks. Contact us today to speak with an agent who can help you protect your business with the right insurance coverage.

Schools in Green Valley operate school buses, employ multiple teachers and other workers and open their doors to countless children and parents on a daily basis. Although all of these activities are required for successful operation, they also open the doors for potential liability issues. Thus, like any other business, a school needs commercial insurance policies.

For schools, several types of commercial insurance are available: commercial property insurance, commercial vehicle insurance, commercial general liability insurance and workers compensation insurance.

Commercial Property Insurance

School buildings are large and expensive to construct. When they become damaged, the cost of repairs can be significant. Commercial property insurance protects the school’s structure and grounds. When damage occurs, the policy will help the school pay for the necessary work.

Commercial Vehicle Insurance

Commercial vehicle insurance protects the buses and any other vehicles a school operates. The policy may cover the cost of vehicular repair in the case of an accident, and it may also provide compensation for injured parties.

General Liability Insurance

If a parent, child, employee or visitor is injured at the school or because of school activities, a general liability policy will help the school pay for any lawsuits that arise. Covered expenses include medical costs, attorney fees and other damages related to the incident.

Workers Compensation Insurance

The state of Arizona requires schools to carry a workers compensation insurance policy. Workers compensation insurance provides protection for the school when an employee is injured on the job. If an employee is injured, the policy will cover medical bills, rehabilitation, lost wages and more.

If you’re in the market for commercial insurance coverage, consult with us. An independent agent will provide you with the undivided attention you need to choose the policies that are best for your school.