What makes you safe on the roads? If everyone drove safely, we wouldn’t have much to worry about, but unfortunately that isn’t the case. As you can’t control what other drivers do, it’s up to you to contribute to your own safety. Safe driving habits can also lead to cheaper insurance rates. Your auto insurance company will reward you with cheap vehicle insurance rates if you can demonstrate a safe driving record.
You need to be proactive to drive safely. Pay attention and know what is going on around you. You need to know where other vehicles are, what the traffic lights are doing, and you need to know what other drivers are doing or might do. Assume that every driver on the roads is an idiot - except for you. Practice safe defensive driving; that is, looking out for the mistakes that other drivers make or might make. Watch out for their inattention, their potential road rage, and any drug or alcohol impaired driving behaviour.
When approaching traffic lights that have just turned green, take a quick look at the traffic approaching the red light – doing so gives you the opportunity to spot any drivers who are likely to travel through the red light.
By being attentive to the situation and other drivers around you you’ll find that most causes of accidents can be eliminated. The ultimate goal of safe driving is no accidents which mean no claims, and therefore no increased rate.
At the very least, most business owners will purchase a BOP (or Business Owner’s Policy) to protect their company and their employees. There are also many supplemental policies one can add to a BOP to create a more comprehensive coverage for their business. One very important policy for businesses is Errors & Omissions Insurance.
Errors & Omissions Insurance, or E&O, covers businesses from liability issues due to employee mistakes. This coverage is very similar to Professional Liability. Typically, businesses such as real estate brokers, insurance agencies, doctors, and lawyers have E&O policies. Because these types of businesses offer their professional “advice,” it is important they protect themselves, almost like insuring their advice. Lawsuits are everywhere and people will sue for anything that might make them a pretty penny these days.
With an E&O policy, can rest assured knowing that they’re professional decisions and practices will be protected. Any business that consults and gives professional advice needs an E&O policy, as a general liability policy will not provide coverage for liability issues that arise from professional practices. A typical E&O policy will cover the costs of settlements, judgments, and defense. Businesses both big and small should have this coverage, as legal costs can have the potential to crumble any business in financial debt.
As a business owner, you’ve worked hard to get where you are and put your business “on the map.” More than likely, you’ve purchased a Business Owner’s Policy (BOP) for insurance and perhaps some General Liability coverage as well. But, do you know what happens if your business gets sued for a mistake that one of your employees make?
A common misconception of General Liability insurance is that it can protect you from the potential costs of employee mistakes; this is not the case. If someone sues you for a mistake of one of your employees, you may be stuck paying for the costs out of pocket. However, there is a way to prevent this. There is a type of business insurance coverage called Errors & Omissions insurance that protects you from just that: errors and omissions caused by your employees. Errors & Omissions coverage is a form of business liability insurance that can cover most costs and claims that may occur because of errors caused by employees, failure to complete/perform work promised within a contract, etc. Errors & omissions coverage can be purchased in many different forms. Most commonly, business owners purchase errors and omissions coverage as a professional liability policy. Most insurance agencies that offer errors & omissions policies can customize them to suit the needs of your specific profession/industry. It’s important to consider all the risks to your business and all possible errors, omissions, and mistakes that can be made by professionals in your field.
Most people wouldn’t bat an eye at insuring a business, so why do so many people think they don’t need business insurance for their home business? Although some homeowner’s insurance policies will cover businesses run from home, the coverage is often low and doesn’t usually account for costs that exceed $3,000. If you’re running a business from home, chances are you have equipment, like computers, copiers, etc., that could exceed that amount very quickly should they need to be replaced. To help protect yourself and your business from out-of-pocket costs, there are usually three options for home businesses.
Adding supplemental coverage to your homeowner’s policy: Although your homeowner’s insurance line won’t provide much coverage for your home business, some insurance carriers will allow you to add what is called a supplemental coverage line to your existing policy. Your homeowner’s rates will obviously rise, but your insurance agent can see if this is the most affordable option for you.
Purchasing an in-home business policy: Some insurance agencies will offer a business insurance line specifically tailored for businesses run from the home. These policies generally protect the property of your in-home business, the files and records pertaining to your business, and income you lose should something like a fire or flood occur at your home. Sometimes you can even insure 2-3 full-time employees that work for your in-home business. Typically, these policies will also provide liability coverage.
Purchasing a Business Owner’s Policy (BOP): You can purchase what is called a Business Owners Policy for your in-home business; however, the coverage is much broader and not as comprehensive. You also cannot get worker’s compensation or health coverage for yourself or any employees you may have under a BOP.
Regardless of the fact that your business in run from your home, you still need business specific insurance. Those looking to purchase home business insurance should contact the Insurance Management Associates today! We have years of experience in the business field and specialize in business specific insurance policies. Visit our virtual insurance agency today at www.imaontheweb.com.
Most businesses don’t bat an eye at purchasing general liability insurance, but what is it about excess liability insurance that keeps some businesses away? Business owners tend to assume that excess liability is only an option for multi-million dollar companies or those businesses that have been established since “the beginning of time.” This is most definitely not the case; in fact, purchasing excess liability insurance will most likely save you money down the line.
General liability insurance policies usually provide a fair amount of coverage, depending on the size of your businesses its value. However, if something happens and a claim ends up costing you more money, you will be responsible. For example, if someone is hurt on the property of your business and the claim ends up costing you $500,000 more than your general liability policy covers, then you are accountable for paying the extra cost. Excess liability insurance can cover costs to you, in the case of claims and lawsuits, that exceed the allowance of your general liability coverage. The costs from lawsuits and claims that exceed your general liability insurance policy can deal severe blows to your business and its profits. It is important for every size and type of business to purchase excess liability coverage to ensure that they will be protected from all costs; don’t let yourself get stuck in a situation where you cannot cover the costs of a claim and put your business in jeopardy.
Choosing the right insurance company for all your Georgia insurance needs is very important. The significance of the products you choose to purchase may save you from massive medical costs, financial disaster, and legal trouble. It could also determine the future of your business from any threatening oppositions. With that said, trusting your insurance carrier can be one of the most important decisions you make for you, your family, and your business.
Insurance Management is an independent insurance carrier dedicated to providing you with insurance products that meet your life’s specific needs. Everybody is different, and their insurance plans should be too. Our products will conform to the demands set forth by you – not the other way around.
We also understand that money is tight right now. It is our highest priority to save you money in your search for insurance policies. Insurance Management is sensitive to the times and will work with you and for you to find comprehensive policies that you need at prices you can afford! Trusting us to be your independent insurance agency will be a great decision for your future. Visit our website for more information about our company or for a free Georgia insurance quote.
Did you know that a client can file a claim against a web designer if that client isn't satisfied with the outcome? Unfortunately, this happens a lot because so many web designers can do the job technically, but aren't very good at design. A client will not care. They want an attractive site as well as one that works well.
Here a re a few mistakes that web designers make when it comes to how a site looks:
Just throwing colors together. Centering everything. Not paying for a photo/picture. Not asking opinions. Using a free font instead of a more customized one. Squeezing information into small spaces.
You'd be amazed at how the smallest things - like fonts, colors, and pictures - can change the overall feel and look of a site. Be patient with it.
Of course, web designers can also be sued by clients for things like missed deadlines, site function failure, and not including everything that was paid for. This is why every web designer needs IT professional errors & omissions insurance.
At Insurance Management Associates, we provide this coverage to IT professionals of all kinds - custom programmers, data processors, system designers, web designers, and Internet service providers. For more information on IT professionals E&O coverage, contact us today! We're located in Woodstock, Georgia.
Unfortunately, many architects don't choose to purchase E&O insurance until they've had a brush with disaster - the threat of someone filing a claim against them that falls under "professional liability."
E&O insurance ("errors and omissions") protects an architect or an an architect company from claims that state negligent acts, errors, and/or omissions which result in an unsatisfactory job to their client. This type of coverage isn't included in a regular liability policy. The claims can be many different things. If a client believes that there was a measuring mistake, or if they wanted a 16th century archway and you gave them an 18th century one, they can file a claim against the services. If they believe that you or your employees rushed through a job and it doesn't feel sturdy, they can file a claim. It can be nearly anything along those lines.
Many architects don't invest into E&O coverage because they're convinced that the risk of claims are lower because the project is small, or because their clients haven't required it. Some architects don't think that they have much to lose. However, this is America and there is no job too small to result in an upset client. One project, no matter its size, could wipe out your architect business if the client is willing to fight it enough.
E&O coverage is one of the wisest coverages you, as a professional, can invest into. For more information on errors and omissions insurance, contact us today. We're Insurance Management Associates, an independent insurance agency based in Woodstock, Georgia.
Consultants are very important to many different companies and businesses. They give their expert advice to help small businesses get on their feet and to help large businesses when they’re not sure what to do.
However, even the most expert of consultants can make mistakes. Here are the most common mistakes that consultants make.
Agreeing to an unrealistic timeline/deadline. Good consultants know how long it will take a company to follow their advice and for results to come about. Don’t agree to a timeline or deadline that you’re unsure about just to please your client, or you’ll be subject to be unsatisfactory.
Neglecting to ask questions to clear up everything. It’s vital that you, as a consultant, are on the same page with your client. You must be sure that you understand everything that their company does, and exactly what they expect of you. Make sure you know what they are talking about.
Not purchasing consultants errors & omissions insurance. If you plan to keep consulting, you’ll most definitely need consultants E&O coverage. this protects you from those unsatisfied clients who try to sue you for doing a what they call a bad job. One claim from an unhappy client can result in the end of your consulting business.
Not questioning issues or situations that you’re not comfortable with. If you have a problem with anything concerning your client’s business, you need to bring it up, or it may cause big problems down the road. Speak now or forever hold your peace.
Believing (and promising) that the client’s problem will be completely solved based entirely on your advice. You can give your client all the great advice in the world, but you should know that a lot more goes into it: poor follow-up, potential wrongful advice, and unexpected problems could throw a kink into your hard work.
Not checking up on your client’s history. For all you know, this may be a business that hires consultants only to file claims against them and win money. Make absolutely sure that who you’re working with isn’t shady.
Failing to make sure your advice is legal. That pretty much says it: make sure what you’re telling your client to do is kosher with the state!
Being too intimidated to challenge what you know they’re doing wrong. See an obvious problem in the way the client is running things? Speak up! You’re the consultant!
We’re the Insurance Management Associates, based in Woodstock, Georgia. We specialize in all types of professional liability insurance. To learn more about errors & omissions insurance, contact us today!
Disclaimer: ActiveRain Corp. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. ActiveRain Corp. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, that are written by the members of this community.
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