Contractors Insurance Protects You and Your Client when It Happens

No matter if you are a contractor that mostly works on residential repairs in the Newark, NJ area or one that installs pipes for high-rise buildings, you need to carry the right insurance from E.S.T.I.R. Inc. for every single job. Skipping this simple step can open your business up to huge liability payments and turn aside potential employees from a ragged reputation.

When the Client Trips on the Job Site

Even if you have a closed job site, at some point the client will want to visit and check on the progress. All it takes to take a huge chunk out of your bank account is a simple misstep off scaffolding, trip over a wire, or walking under the trash chute.  You need to make sure your contractors’ liability insurance is up to snuff in covering the worst possible scenario.

When Your Sub Snips the Wrong Wire

The stakes are high when you are building a new multi-use complex, especially in a busy urban neighborhood. You will have multiple sub-contractors on site at any one time, and somebody is going to make a  mistake. That workman’s compensation coverage added to your liability coverage will make sure that inconveniences and injuries are addressed quickly and appropriately and keep the job on schedule.

When Your Van is in an Accident

Don’t forget that your fleet of vans and trucks will need commercial coverage. In worksites that haven’t worked out a proper road system yet, there is a greater chance of hitting a giant pothole, slamming into a new curb, or simply bumping into another construction vehicle. E.S.T.I.R. Inc. is here to help you sort through the mire of potential risks and challenges you face in the Newark, NJ area and provide the contractors’ insurance you really do need.

When Is It Time to Purchase Commercial Insurance?

If you already own any type of business and you’re asking yourself this question, the answer is yesterday. If your business is not yet started but is in the works, now is a perfect time to talk to an insurance agent at E.S.T.I.R. Inc. to discuss your options.

The best time to purchase commercial insurance is in the planning stage of your business. This way you have time to work with your insurance agent to build the perfect policy for your needs. By talking about the vision for your business with your insurance agent, you can work with them to create your customized plan. When you talk to your agent as you’re planning your business and your insurance plan, you can discuss the types of coverage you’ll need such as property, liability, business interruption coverage, and more.

Just as important as buying your initial commercial insurance policy is updating your policy as your business grows and your needs change. For example, if you move from a home business to a brick and mortar office space, it’s definitely time to revisit your policy. This is especially important if you were initially insuring your business through your homeowner’s policy instead of through a commercial insurance policy. If you wait to make changes or buy new insurance, you could be left with gaps and devastating losses in the event of an incident at your business.

It doesn’t matter how big or small your business is, if it’s not already insured, it needs to be right away. If your business is located in or near Newark, NJ, contact an agent at E.S.T.I.R. Inc. right away to discuss your commercial insurance options. We’ll work with you to create the perfect policy for your business. 

FAQs About Contractor’s Insurance in New Jersey

Are you a contractor with a growing business? Or have you been established for many years, yet are still not sure if all of your insurance needs are met? At E.S.T.I.R. Inc. we want the community business owners to be fully protected in case of any event. Here are some commonly asks questions about contractor’s insurance in Newark, NJ.

  • Is it a legal requirement to have contractor’s insurance in NJ? Commercial general liability with a minimum of $500,000 per occurrence is the requirement in NJ. It is not only legally required but the law also states that you must post the certificate of insurance and the telephone number of the insurance agency issuing it at your job site. 
  • Do I need an umbrella policy? The answer depends on your situation. A general liability policy covers one million at most if your project or potential risk is higher than that umbrella policies can cover up to ten million in a typical case. 
  • Why Would I need more than the minimum, I am just a small business? There are big risks in the contractor’s business regardless of the size of the job. For example, the materials you are working with and the whole job site may only amount to 100,000 which is within the range of minimum coverage. However, what if you lose a finger to a band saw? Or an employee gets severely wounded by a pressure washer? There are a million variations of bodily harm risk that makes a higher coverage-worthy. 

Contact us at E.S.T.I.R. Inc. if you have any further questions about contractor’s insurance or if you are ready to update your policy. We proudly serve business owners in and around Newark, NJ.

How Much Commercial Insurance Do You Really Need?

Finding the right insurance for your business can be a chore, and there are certain things you need to know before you can begin shopping for an insurance policy that is going to provide you with the coverage you need. One of the first things you need to know before you begin looking for coverage is how much actually needs.

Calculating Coverage

Although it may seem like a daunting task, calculating your insurance is relatively simple. If you have your total assets accounted for in advance, it is a simple matter of adding the replacement cost of the structure with the assets of your business. This doesn’t include any vehicles or large outside machinery. You may need a rider for special items that have been appraised such as art, jewelry, or expensive equipment. Keep all of your receipts and any paperwork associated with your business’s assets to help you determine coverage needs, and to make the claims process easier. 

Discuss Coverage With Your Agent

Always do business with a company that values their customers and will work with them to get an accurate estimate of coverage needs. They will be able to help you avoid errors in your calculations and guide you in the right direction when choosing between coverage options. A great company to speak with about your coverage details for businesses in around Newark, NJ is E.S.T.I.R. Inc. They have the knowledge and experience to give you helpful advice and guide you through the decision making process.

For more information about the products and services of E.S.T.I.R. Inc. for businesses located in the Newark, NJ area, call the office and speak to a representative. Let them help you secure your company’s future today. 

 

Why Contractors Need Contractor Insurance

In today’s global economy many businesses are turning to the large workforce of independent contractors to help reach their business goals while not adding full-time employees. Typically when one thinks of coverage for contractors one thinks of construction and physical projects; however, making sure your contractors are covered with adequate insurance is just as important when you are hiring contractors for other services such as IT and consulting. If you are a business in the Newark, NJ, area and are wondering if your contractors are carrying adequate insurance, please reach out to an agent at E.S.T.I.R. Inc. who can answer all of your questions.  

It is essential to make sure your contractors have a general liability policy that will cover damages the contractor causes to a third party. In addition, a liability policy can also provide coverage for property damage caused by the contractor.

Another vital coverage to require when contracting with an independent contractor is professional liability coverage also known errors and omission coverage. An E&O policy helps cover costs associated with a financial a loss as a result of an error or omission by the contractor. If you are hiring contractors for a specific task such as cybersecurity, you will want to make sure the contractor has special coverage for cybersecurity work.

If you are hiring a contractor who uses their vehicle to conduct the services they are providing, it is essential that they carry business vehicle insurance.

Often contractors will carry a Business Owner Policy that bundles all of the significant coverages into one policy.

Depending on the nature of your business and the type of contractors you are hiring, you should require specific insurance that best protects your business. If you have a business and you are unsure if you are requiring appropriate insurance from your contractors, please reach out to a specialist at E.S.T.I.R. Inc. We proudly serve the Newark, NJ area.

 

Getting the Right Commercial Insurance Policy is Vital for Your Business

Businesses have different insurance needs than consumers, and when it comes to getting the right policy for your business you want to be sure you have what you actually need. With that in mind, E.S.T.I.R. Inc. can help with your Newark,  NJ business insurance needs. Whether you have a small, home-based business or a large industrial operation, or anything and everything in between, the right policy is critical. You have to protect your customers, but you also have to protect yourself and your employees and business, as well.

There are a number of great ways to increase the level of protection you give to everyone involved with your company, but one of those ways is to have a commercial insurance policy you know is right for your needs. Every business is different, and what needs to be covered in an office setting is far different than the kind of coverage needed in a factory. The number of employees, type of business, location, and whether customers are going to be on-site all matter. The right agent will ask questions, listen to your concerns, and ensure that they are advising you about the best policy for your needs.

Reaching out to E.S.T.I.R. Inc. in Newark, NJ is a great way to get the commercial insurance policy you need. Then you’ll have the coverage you want, and the peace of mind you need, to keep your business protected now and in the future. You’ll also have an agent you can work with, and one that can answer your questions and make changes to your policy anytime you need it. That will help protect your investment in the business, and also reduce your liability when it comes to injuries and other risks a business takes during normal operation.

Why You Should Make Sure Contractors Have Contractors Insurance When Hiring One

Prior to hiring a contractor, it is important that you make sure that a contractor has contractors insurance. If they do not have this type of insurance and they make a mistake or injure themselves on your property, it could be detrimental to you. At E.S.T.I.R. Inc., serving the greater Newark, NJ area, we want you to understand why this type of insurance is so important. Here is what you need to know about contractors insurance. 

What Contractors Insurance Is

Contractors insurance is primarily designed to help cover the work a contractor does on your home or property. If the contract makes a mistake and it damages your home, or if the work needs to be repaired due to faults, the insurance covers the damage and repairs that are needed. In addition to this, contractors insurance also covers the contractor in case they are injured while on your property. 

The Importance of Ensuring Contractors You Hire Have Contractors Insurance

If a contractor doesn’t have contractors insurance, they can come after your homeowner’s insurance if they are injured on your property. Additionally, you may have to pay out of pocket if they damage your home and do not have the right type of insurance to cover it. As such, it is important to ensure they always have contractors insurance before hiring them to complete any work. 

Contractors insurance is important to both the contractor and the homeowner utilizing the services of the contractor. If you are a contractor without contractors insurance, homeowners may be wary about hiring you. Contact E.S.T.I.R. Inc., serving the greater Newark, NJ area today to learn more about obtaining this type of insurance policy. 

Rising Legal Costs Kills Small Businesses Prematurely

Guess what the number one killer of small businesses in Newark, NJ tends to be in the first year? It’s not competition or licensing. It’s not physical location start up costs or business licenses. And it’s not the cost of labor, even though employees can be expensive.

Give up?

It’s litigation. When the cost of an attorney runs well over $300/hour and a full case cost just to get to court day for the actual trial can exceed $500,000 it’s no surprise many small businesses just don’t have the assets or liquid cash to take on such a challenge. Add in the fact that many small businesses are not separate entities and instead are sole proprietorships or partnerships, then bankruptcy is obviously the only path of quick resolution and limitation of costs getting out of control.

And it doesn’t take much for a business to trigger a lawsuit either. From what E.S.T.I.R. Inc. staff have seen, the typical claim can come from anything ranging from a contract dispute to the physical store address not being designed properly for consumers with disabilities to pass freely. Right or wrong, legal interactions are painfully expensive and even just settling them quickly can cost in the thousands of dollars, both in terms of payouts as well as paying for the business’ own representation.

However, running the gauntlet on a legal baccarat table doesn’t have to be your choice starting a business. It’s ludicrous to spend all that energy, money and time trying to make a new company thrive only to see it all taken away in one legal filing. That’s where commercial insurance comes in as a critical safety net protection. E.S.T.I.R. Inc. can provide your business the critical understanding it needs to choose the right policy for operations. And their expert staff can help Newark, NJ businesses of all types, regardless of industry.

Workers’ Compensation Coverage in Newark, NJ

Accidents are a facet of daily life. They can happen anywhere, including the workplace. Sometimes, employees get injured as a result of these accidents. Who is to blame for the injury? If the injury is work-related the employer will most likely be at fault. And paying workers’ compensation can be expensive for a company. That’s why holding workers’ compensation insurance is a necessity for employers. With workers’ compensation insurance, the employee will be compensated no matter who was at fault.

Requirements

In fact, it’s mandatory in New Jersey for employers to hold commercial workers’ compensation insurance. This mandate protects the employer and the employee. The employer is protected because they won’t have to pay medical and other benefits out-of-pocket. The employee is protected because they don’t have to go through a lengthy court proceeding. The employee will be compensated in a timely manner.

Employees or other individuals are encouraged to report employers that don’t hold workers’ compensation insurance. It’s illegal in New Jersey for a business, with employees, to operate without this coverage. A concerned party may contact the Office of Special Compensation Funds for more information.

An injured employee should report their accident as soon as possible. After an injury is reported, the employer should advise their insurance provider immediately. The insurance provider will determine if the injury is compensable. If so, the insurance provider will begin coordinating the compensation.

Contact Us

We at E.S.T.I.R. Inc. are happy to have been serving the greater Newark, NJ area for 23 years. Our agents offer workers’ compensation insurance and can answer any questions you may have. We have two offices located conveniently located in Newark, NJ and Princeton, NJ. Contacted E.S.T.I.R. Inc. today to learn more about how we can assist in protecting your business.

Start Your Business Right

Becoming a contractor can be a profitable decision. Payscale.com’s statistics denote a general contractor makes an average of $29.76, which is equivalent to $61,900 per year. While developing a marketing plan is vital in the initial stages, getting contractor’s insurance from E.S.T.I.R. Inc. should be on the top of the list of tasks to complete. We serve Newark, NJ and the surrounding area. 

1. Determine Your Target Audience

Depending on what service you’re offering, your target audience may vary. You should craft most of your marketing efforts to focus on your target audience. 

2. Develop a Marketing Plan

Think carefully about the different ways you want to market your services such as on social media, Craig’s List and even in the business’ of people you know. You may even want to hire a marketing expert or a writer to enhance your marketing efforts. 

3. Licensure

If you’re not currently licensed for what you do, you should check into the state laws to determine if you must have certain licensure to practice. Keep in mind, obtaining the licensure, even if it’s not required, can help you draw in customers. People will feel more confident in your skills if you’ve obtained professional licensure. 

4. Further Your Skills

You may want to take classes to improve your skills or enhance the skill set you have. That way, you’re able to perform the job more satisfactory or offer other services to make you more versatile. 

5. Get Insurance

It doesn’t matter how good you are, accidents happen, and you don’t want to lose your business over a mishap. Always have insurance to protect in the event something goes unexpectedly. 

To get a quote for contractor insurance, contact E.S.T.I.R. Inc. at 609-688-1800 today. We serve Newark, NJ and the surrounding area.