Bracing for Impact: A Guide to Essential Construction Business Insurance

by Felipe Gonzales | Feb 18, 2024 | Business Insurance

In the vibrant heart of South Florida, where the sun meets the sea and the nightlife never sleeps, there’s a rhythm to life that’s as exhilarating as it is unpredictable.

Here in South Florida, we face a unique trinity of certainties: death, taxes, and, without fail, weather-related disasters. While the first two are beyond our control, the latter is a game of chance where savvy preparation can tip the scales in our favor. This is especially true in the construction industry, where the stakes are as high as our towering skylines.

Imagine hurricane season like that one relative many of us have, who always shows up unannounced, causing chaos and leaving you to clean up the mess. This relative doesn’t just overstay their welcome; they can knock out power lines, flood your construction sites, and send materials flying like Marino tossing a football. It’s a reality that, as a business owner in Miami for over 40 years, I’ve come to both anticipate and respect.

So, how do you protect your business against such formidable forces, like unpredictable weather or unexpected events? Think of business insurance like a hardhat for your business; it’s essential protection that covers your head, or in this case, your people, property, and profits.

It’s a non-negotiable layer of protection that safeguards not just the physical aspects of your projects but the very soul of your business. This coverage extends from property damage and liability to worker’s compensation, it’s a safety net that catches you when a project goes awry.

Ensuring your comprehensive insurance policy is as fresh as your morning cafecito isn’t just smart; it’s how savvy businesses navigate through storms and sunny days alike.

This is not just about due diligence; it’s about fortifying your children’s legacy against unexpected challenges.

Types of Construction Business Insurance

Understanding the various risks your construction business faces underscores the importance of being properly insured. But what exactly does comprehensive coverage entail?

Let’s explore the key insurance types every construction business should consider.

Property Insurance: Protects your physical assets, from office spaces to construction equipment and tools, against theft, damage, or loss.
General Liability Insurance: Offers protection against claims of property damage, injuries, and accidents related to your business operations.
Workers’ Compensation: Essential for covering medical costs and disability benefits if an employee gets injured on the job.
Builder’s Risk Insurance: Specifically designed to cover buildings under construction, protecting against fire, vandalism, and weather-related damages.
Professional Liability Insurance: Shields your business against claims of negligence, providing coverage for errors and omissions made in your professional capacity.
Commercial Auto Insurance: For businesses that operate vehicles, this insurance covers damage and liability issues arising from vehicles used for business purposes.
Business Interruption Insurance: Compensates for lost income and helps cover operating expenses if your business is temporarily unable to operate.

There’s a lot to navigate, but assisting your trusted Insurance Advisor can be as simple as taking a video on your phone.

QUICK INSURANCE TIP
In the chaos that a storm can bring, having a clear inventory of your tools, equipment, and ongoing work will streamline the claims process, should you need to make one.

A morning walk around the job site recording a cell phone video for social media could become your most valuable asset after tragedy hits.

The Irony of Insurance

The irony of insurance is that spending money upfront can lead to significant savings down the line. Regular policy reviews can reveal opportunities to trim fat or, conversely, areas where you might need to expand coverage to match your business’s growth.

It’s a paradox worth embracing, since being prepared can mean the difference between a setback and a shutdown.

The road to recovery can seem daunting, laden with claims to file, repairs to oversee, and operations to restart. Yet, with a solid insurance policy and a trusted partner by your side, this path becomes less of an odyssey and more of a roadmap we can follow together.

Business Insurance Policy Review Questionnaire

Here’s a list of questions we might ask you to help us understand your business and how to best protect it. This could serve as a great starting point to purchase a new policy or review an existing one.

Copy and paste the text below into a Word or Note document.

Has My Business Grown? Consider if there have been changes in your business size, revenue, or the number of employees. Growth can mean you need more coverage.

Have I Added or Changed Locations? New locations or changes in where you operate can affect your insurance needs.

–

Did I Introduce New Products or Services? Offering new products or services might expose you to different risks.

–

Are There Any New Equipment or Assets That Need Coverage? Acquiring new assets or equipment increases your business value and possibly your insurance needs.

–

Have There Been Changes in Regulations That Affect My Business? New laws or regulations can necessitate changes in your insurance coverage to remain compliant.

–

What Were My Biggest Challenges Last Year? Reflecting on past challenges can help identify areas where your insurance coverage may be lacking.

–

Do I Plan to Expand My Business in the Near Future? Future plans for expansion can influence the type and amount of coverage you need.

–

Have My Liability Risks Changed? Evaluate if there’s been a change in the risks your business faces, such as entering new markets or employing more staff.

–

Is My Current Policy Cost-effectiveReview if you’re getting the best value for your coverage or if there are opportunities to reduce costs without compromising protection.

–

When Was My Last Insurance Review? Regular reviews ensure your coverage matches your current business situation. If it’s been over a year, it’s time to reassess.

Trusted Insurance Advisor

To sum it up, while we may not have the power to dictate the weather, we’re far from powerless in preparing for its impacts. The right insurance doesn’t just protect our projects, people, and profits; it empowers us to stand tall in the face of adversity to rebuild and emerge stronger, ready to face the next storm.

Get A Quote: Tell us about your business

Los daños por agua son una de las pérdidas de seguros más comunes

by Felipe Gonzales | Feb 11, 2022 | Blog

A continuación se describen algunos de los principales factores que conducen a las pérdidas por daños causados por el agua. Estas pérdidas están contribuyendo potencialmente a un aumento en las primas de seguros. Los daños por agua se han convertido en el segundo tipo más común de reclamo de seguro después de los daños por viento y granizo. Según los datos informados recientemente por las aseguradoras, una de cada cincuenta estructuras de propiedad asegurada presentará un incidente relacionado con el agua cada año. Las principales causas de pérdidas por daños causados por el agua incluyen fallas en los electrodomésticos, tuberías rotas después de un corte de energía, fugas en las tuberías y desbordamiento de alcantarillado. Las tuberías reventadas y los consiguientes daños por agua después de la tormenta de invierno que paralizó Texas y partes de los estados vecinos en febrero de 2021 dieron como resultado más de 500,000 reclamos.

Las cifras históricas informadas desde 2013 indican que los edificios comerciales tienen seis veces más probabilidades de sufrir daños por agua que por robo, y los daños por agua son siete veces más probables que por incendios. Los datos de la industria también destacaron un aumento en la tasa de frecuencia de las pérdidas por daños causados por el agua.

Una preocupación clave para los asegurados puede ser la idoneidad de la cobertura. Las pólizas de seguro pueden contener limitaciones, por lo que es importante revisar y comprender la cobertura. Después de la tormenta de invierno en Texas, muchos titulares de pólizas desconocían las limitaciones en cuanto a daños por agua relacionados con la plomería y condiciones de congelamiento. Algunas aseguradoras también han modificado el lenguaje de las pólizas, trasladando más riesgo a los asegurados que requieren reparaciones oportunas y adecuadas, mantenimiento de rutina y precauciones adicionales para prevenir o minimizar las pérdidas por daños causados por el agua.

¿Qué puede aconsejar a sus Asegurados que hagan?

Evaluar de cerca los términos y condiciones de la póliza
- Realizar una gestión de riesgos precautoria para proteger estructuras y BPP
- Envuelva/aísle las tuberías exteriores e interiores en áreas sin calefacción
- Selle adecuadamente las grietas de construcción alrededor de las tuberías de agua donde ingresan a las estructuras
- Verifique las áreas que requieren aislamiento del edificio y repare / aumente donde sea necesario
- Reemplace los calentadores de agua tradicionales cada 10 años (esta es una de las principales causas de pérdidas de agua)
- Mantenga el calor a un mínimo de 55 grados durante los meses más fríos
- Drene y acondicione las líneas de plomería durante la temporada baja (riesgos estacionales)
- Instale dispositivos de monitoreo de calor que alerten a una estación central si la temperatura en un edificio cae por debajo de los 55 grados
- Instale un sistema automático de detección de fugas o de cierre automático de agua
- Utilice mangueras trenzadas de acero inoxidable en lugar de caucho
- Cambie a un sistema de rociadores contra incendios anticongelante
- Haga que un contratista de plomería calificado evalúe la plomería anualmente y repare según sea necesario
- Proporcione instrucciones detalladas a los empleados o inquilinos sobre qué hacer si ven una fuga de agua.
- Requerir controles regulares fuera de temporada en cada unidad (Edificios de condominios)

Informe a sus asegurados sobre el impacto de una ola creciente de reclamos por daños causados por el agua y el efecto negativo resultante en los índices de siniestralidad de suscripción. La acumulación constante de pérdidas por daños causados por el agua puede ser un factor que contribuya al endurecimiento del mercado de seguros que comenzó a desarrollarse en los últimos años. Como resultado, algunos aseguradores y transportistas parecen estar imponiendo un enfoque más disciplinado para mitigar la exposición a daños por agua.

Háganos saber si usted o sus asegurados tienen alguna pregunta sobre el impacto de los daños por agua comercial. ¡Póngase en contacto con su asegurador local de RT Binding!

FOLLETO DE ENCUADERNACIÓN COMERCIAL RT

This Simple Home Improvement Can Save You Money On Your Homeowners Insurance

by Felipe Gonzales | Jun 17, 2019 | Homeowners Insurance, Uncategorized

Everyone loves upgrading their home. As our families grow and change, we ask our homes to grow with us. Choosing where to upgrade your home can be fun, but also expensive. The good news is there are a few upgrades that can save you money on your Homeowners Insurance every year, this can add up to huge savings and help offset the cost of your home improvements.

One of the best upgrades is installing a home security system.

For most people, our home is the largest asset we own. They provide us with a comfortable and safe place to raise our families and protect our cherished memories and belongings from theft.

Here are a few ways you can increase the value of your home, protect your largest financial asset, and save money on your homeowners insurance by installing a home security system.

Install a Home Security System

Many Home Insurance companies offer discounts on your premiums if you install a burglar alarm or sophisticated systems like those sold by Brinks. These systems have become very complex and modern over the last 10 years. They have gone beyond the traditional anti-theft solutions to provide comfort and energy savings to millions of consumers.

These systems can oftentimes be financed and come with add-ons that can make your home energy efficient (saving you even more MONEY). The monthly savings in energy usage and homeowners insurance premiums could offset a large portion of the cost to install your home security system.

Home Security Systems normally have free financing over a set amount of years. After this initial finance period, you’re now getting 100% of the savings from your security system.

Upgrade Your Electrical

Electrical fires are one of the most common preventable accidents in the American home. According to data collected by the United States Fire Administration, more than 28,000 electrical fires occur annually. These small fires cause $38,000 in damages on average

Electrical fires occur due to old and faulty wiring in homes and represent a significant risk for home insurance companies.

This risk is passed on to you in the form of higher premiums.

If you’re installing a home security system, you could take the opportunity to upgrade your electrical wiring. Many homes built 40-50 years ago aren’t prepared for modern electronics like tablets and large appliances.

Upgrading your home’s electrical wiring helps protect these valuable electronics by ensuring you have a steady supply of power without changes in voltage.

Here a few circumstances that may warrant an inspection from a certified professional or an upgrade to your home’s wiring.

Home is older than 40 years
Relying on extension cords for power
Made major home improvements or added major new appliances
Home has ungrounded, two-prong outlets
Home has aluminum instead of copper wiring

Protect against an electrical fire by keeping an eye out for signs of hazardous wiring and having your electrical system inspected by an expert can protect irreplaceable items like family heirlooms and non-digitized photos.

It’s also important to note that some homeowners insurance policies don’t cover repair costs related to faulty wiring. Always hire a professional to work on complex systems like electrical on your home.

Safety isn’t the only reason to upgrade your wiring.

A recent survey by Coldwell Banker Real Estate showed homebuyers are more interested in homes with smart features and technology than they were just two to five years ago. This could make your home easier to sell in the future.

Some of the most common smart home features are:

Dimmers
Voice-controlled systems
Smart Thermostats
Mobile Apps
and other convenient upgrades

It’s also a great time to consider future electrical needs and move outlets to accommodate your lifestyle. Wall mounted televisions look clean and seamless when the power outlet is located directly behind the television.

Add Sensors and Detectors

One of the most important factors in preventing significant damage to your home in case of a fire or flood is emergency response time.

Many home security installation companies offer sensors to detect gas leaks, extreme temperature changes, and smoke.

Many home insurance companies recognize the value these automated systems have on protecting your home by utilizing early detection.

For example, a freeze alarm can detect when your pipes are susceptible to freezing or bursting. If you have a Nest Thermostat or another smart thermostat, it can turn on automatically and increase the temperature in your home to prevent flooding or severe damage.

Home Security systems don’t just keep bad guys out, they let the good guys in.

Top home security companies offer 24/7 monitoring from dedicated home security advisors. These advisors will be notified as soon as an alarm goes off and will attempt to reach you immediately. If they don’t receive a response, they will send emergency response teams to your home and can even allow them to enter the home in case you are incapicitated or unable to open the door. If you’re left at home or are caring for an elderly person, these systems can be life saving.

How much can you save on your annual premiums?

Every insurance carrier is different, but on average, you can expect to save 3-5% on your homeowners insurance every year. To find out how much you could save, contact All Nation Insurance to get a homeowners insurance quote or review your existing policy.

Why You Should Get A Business Owner’s Policy

by Felipe Gonzales | May 16, 2019 | Business Insurance

If you own a small or mid-size business, it’s important to make sure you’re covered legally for any incidents that may occur at your business. The unexpected is always possible, and it’s better to be protected against anything that may happen.

A business owner’s policy (BOP) can protect you.

What is a business owner’s policy?

A business owner’s policy is an insurance policy that protects small to mid-size businesses and provides protection for all major property and liability risks in one package. Purchasing a business owner’s policy is suitable for all small to mid-size businesses, but it is especially suited to professionals like accountants, CPAs, doctors, lawyers, real estate agents, property management, and any kind of business that does work within their office.

Why do you need a business owner’s policy?

You never know what’s going to happen in your business, so it’s best to be prepared for the unexpected.

Someone could get hurt in your waiting room or storefront.
A natural disaster like a hurricane, windstorm, or tornado could occur and destroy things in your office.
Your data could be breached.
You could make a mistake, and someone could sue you for it.

All of these things have the potential to happen and have happened. If you don’t have a business owner’s policy, then you may be financially and legally responsible for whatever happens at your business.

Some of the most common reasons to have a business owner’s policy are if someone injures themselves in your place of business, to protect against data theft or loss, to prevent cars from going through your storefront, and to protect against damaged equipment.

These things may sound unlikely, but they occur more often than you think.

Accidents happen. There are scam artists who make a living off of pretending to injure themselves in small businesses. This often leaves the business owners vulnerable to a lawsuit if they don’t have a business owner’s policy.

Data Loss

With more and more people learning how to hack into computer servers and the internet, data loss and data theft become an even bigger threat. If your business keeps private financial records or sensitive information, then this data could be released out into the public, resulting in a breach of responsibility. This could leave you liable for any damages incurred by your clients or a lawsuit. In the last 10 years, companies like Target, Yahoo, Mariott, and eBay have experienced a data breach. If it can happen to them, it can happen to anyone. Our own government has had data theft issues.

Ransomware

Cybercriminals will even demand money and hold your data ransom demanding that you pay them for it. Around 43% of all ransomware attacks take place on small businesses. With ransomware, a type of malware is used to lock your computer until you pay the ransom to get all of your data and files back. Hackers have been known to slowly delete files until you pay the amount they are demanding.

If data is breached and released with your client’s information, you can be subject to fines. For example, if you run a medical practice and HIPAA data is released, it can be subject to a $1.5 million fine or more. That’s much more than most small businesses can handle, so the small investment into a business owner’s policy is well worth the peace of mind.

Florida Drivers Crash Into Storefronts At An Alarming Rate

It may sound unlikely that a car would drive through the front of your storefront, but it does happen from time to time, especially in big states.

Florida has more cars that crash into buildings and storefronts than any other state. The Storefront Safety Council, an advocacy group for barriers, found that Florida led the nation with 17% of all storefront car crashes in 2014. Other large states like California and New York are also subject to more storefront crashes. If a council exists to tackle a particular issue, odds are the problem is bigger than you think.

In 2018, a car crashed into a Verizon store in Miami causing damage to the property as well as to store merchandise and equipment. Barriers that prevent cars from crashing into storefronts aren’t always required, and people have even been killed from it. In Florida, a 72-year-old driver accidentally hit drive instead of reverse, killing two people in front of a boutique. Accidents happen.

What does a business owner’s policy cover?

The specific coverage in a business owner’s policy varies among providers, but most policies cover property insurance, business interruption insurance, and liability protection.

Property insurance is the portion of the policy that covers damage caused by events like fire, explosions, vandalism, natural disasters, and other related events. This typically covers properties that are owned or rented.

Business interruption insurance covers the loss of income that would result from an event like a fire or natural disaster happening that causes the business to close down. Sometimes, it can also cover the expense of operating a second location.

Liability insurance covers legal responsibility for damages that may occur at your place of business like someone getting injured or products being damaged. It can also cover you in the case that someone decides to sue you for services provided or any mistake accidentally made

In addition to these three components, the policy may cover flood insurance, vehicle insurance, and crime insurance. To get the best coverage for you and your business, it’s best to talk to an insurance provider.

How much does a business owner’s policy cost?

A business owner’s policy typically costs anywhere from $500 to $3500 per year. The average is around $1,200 per year, so for only $100 per month, you can provide protection for your business.

Why choose All Nation Insurance?

We make an effort to understand your business and make sure that insurance companies will pay you for your claims. 100% of our claims have been paid over the last 30 years because we ask the right questions and make sure people get the right policy at the right price. Additionally, we work with quality insurance companies that you can trust to do the best job for you. When a claim doesn’t get paid, it’s often because the policy didn’t contain all of the information or the proper information. We make sure to provide complete and accurate information in our policies by providing the information to the carrier and communicating with you.

Business Insurance FAQs

by Felipe Gonzales | Dec 21, 2018 | Uncategorized

What is Business Insurance?

Sometimes referred to as commercial insurance, this is a policy that covers a business against risks or losses that might occur during the course of doing business. It encompasses various policies that offer coverage for property damage, employee-related risks, and legal liability.

What does it do?

The purpose of this insurance policy is to keep you in business in the event of an unforeseen situation that might inhibit your ability to do your operations.

How Does It Work?

Business policies are contractual agreements between a commercial entity and an insurance provider. The agreements’ stipulations state that the insurance carrier shall share part of the risk with the entity. In exchange, the business agrees to make premium payments to the insurance company after a set duration. If a covered loss materializes, the business will file a claim and pay a deductible, and then the insurer will pay for the loss incurred.

Nevertheless, the insurance company does not pay right away, they first conduct an investigation to check the extent of the damage so they can process the claim. This is what allows them to know how much they should pay as compensation for the loss.

Business Insurance Cost

Business insurance cost varies due to factors such as the type of the business, as well as the type of coverages needed for their operations. For example, a home-based business can be insured for as low as $500 per year while a large organization with many employees and resources could pay as much as $500,000 per year. Nevertheless, one can lower these costs through proactive risk management practices while comparing quotes between different insurance firms.

Is it Tax Deductible?

Business policies are usually tax deductible. This holds true as long as the coverages provided are for commercial purposes only.

Is It Required by Law?

Business policies are required by the law in certain situations. These situations include:

Workers Compensation Insurance
If you have employees, the law demands that you have a workers compensation insurance policy. This policy can either be from the state’s workers compensation program or self-insured.
Unemployment Insurance
There are specific conditions where a business that has people under its payroll is required to pay unemployment insurance taxes. Check whether those conditions apply to your business then register it at the workforce agency.
Professional Liability Insurance
Certain states require that some professionals have insurance against professional liability.

Do I Need Business Insurance?

Yes, any commercial operation needs to be covered. However, the type of coverage you need is dependent upon your situation. Nevertheless, the majority of small businesses need commercial property insurance, commercial general liability insurance, and business interruption insurance. When combined, these three policies form the most popular type of small business commercial insurance known as the business owner’s policy (BOP).Let us look at them in a bit more detail:

Commercial Property Insurance
This policy provides coverage for all assets owned by the business such as buildings, equipment, vehicles, and inventory. The type of perils covered by this policy includes theft, fire, vandalism, and specified natural disasters.
Commercial General Liability
This policy protects the business against third-party claims for bodily injury, medical payments, property damage, and defamation. This is the most common policy among small businesses.
Business Interruption Insurance
This policy is applicable to businesses that need a physical location for their operations. It compensates the business for loss of income that follows an event that hinders the business from carrying out its normal operations. This includes situations such as power outages.

Does it Cover Embezzlement?

As mentioned previously, commercial property insurance provides you with theft/crime coverage. As such, it will also cover embezzlement or fraud by employees. However, there are more specific types of employee dishonesty coverages. For instance, you can purchase fidelity bonds that protect the business against dishonest practices by certain employee or all employees.

Does a Business Policy Cover Flood or Water Damage?

For your business policy to offer you coverage against flood damage, you will need a separate coverage that insures against flood. A standard commercial property insurance policy provides you with coverage against specific water damage situations with the exception of flooding. Moreover, water damage coverages vary between insurance carriers, as such, you need to compare different companies to get the one that suits your needs best.

Does a Business Policy Cover Lawsuits?

As mentioned in the commercial general liability section, this policy covers the business against lawsuits from third parties. However, the extent of the coverage depends on your specific policy. If you are looking for a liability policy that gives you coverage against extreme circumstances, you should consider going for the commercial umbrella liability policy. It will cover you against extreme lawsuits such as those exceeding $1,000,000.

However, the carrier will always carry out investigations to ensure that the injury you are being sued against was not a result of your negligence or the suing party’s intentional act.

Is Business Liability Insurance the Same as Workers Compensation Insurance?

Your general liability insurance policy does the following:

Protects third parties that come into come into contact with the business such as customers and vendors. If they get injured in the business’s premise, it will pay for their medical costs.

Protects the business against lawsuits from third parties.

Workers compensation does the following:

Protects you and your employees. Thus, will pay for any medical costs, lost wages, and death benefits if any member of the organization gets injured while on the job.

Handles lawsuits made against the business by its employees due to injury, illness, or death.

Business liability insurance deals with third parties that come into contact with the business and its employees while workers compensation protects you and your employees against injuries that may occur while on the job.

What is a Certificate of Insurance?

This is a document handed to the business by its insurance provider as proof of an existing insurance policy. The certificate of insurance also contains the key aspects and conditions of the policy.

Errors and Omissions Insurance

Commonly referred to as ‘E and O’, it is a policy that covers a business against services rendered by the business that did not yield the desired outcome or resulted in injury for the individual receiving the services. The policy also covers cases where the company or employee did not render those services at all.

I drive for Uber/Lyft, do I need a Business Policy?

While Uber and Lyft require that their drivers have personal car insurance that exceeds state minimums, they do not require that their drivers have commercial insurance.

The personal car insurance policy covers the driver but not their passengers. This is because auto insurance companies refuse to let the driver’s coverage to extend to their passengers if they were driving for hire.

To circumvent this obstacle, Uber and Lyft have designed special insurance policies which provide coverage for the passengers or pedestrians if the driver is at fault. This coverage is only effective if the driver is logged into the app. If they are not, then their car insurance policy will have to pay for the damages.

Moreover, if they are logged in, any accident that is the driver’s fault will only pay for the passengers and pedestrians involved but does not cover the Uber or Lyft driver.

« Older Entries