Do I need home insurance when my mortgage is paid off

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Owning a home is what most Amerian strive for. You get approved for a mortgage and then chose your home insurance. Your lender will require that you protect their investment. Unlike car insurance, home insurance is not legally required by the state. Twenty-five or thirty years later you are through with the monthly mortgage payments and you may be wondering if getting rid of the home insurance payment would be a good idea. At E.S.T.I.R. Inc. in Bloomfield, NJ, we are a local Independent agency that has been providing service in the area for 23 years. 

Before you decide to let your home insurance laps it is important to consider the protection that it provides. 

Building protection

If your home is hit by a covered peril, your home insurance will provide the money you need to repair or replace your home. It covers the main building, all the attached structures, and some detached as well. It also covers the systems in your house electric, pumping, and HVAC.  

Contents

All of your personal possession are in your home. Your furniture, your appliances, your Christmas decorations, electronics, your clothes, your jewelry, the contents of your kitchen, your linen closet, and even more. 

Liability

One of the most valuable protections that home insurance offers is liability protection. No one wants to believe they will ever get sued but it is a real possibility. Your home insurance offers a layer of protection against a judgment against you. 

Loss of use

If your home is uninhabitable because of a covered peril you will need somewhere to stay. Your home insurance will help to pay for a place you can call home until your home gets back to normal. 

Home insurance offers a lot of valuable protection and even when your mortgage is paid off it is worth keeping. If you have any questions  E.S.T.I.R. Inc. in Bloomfield, NJ has the answers that you need. Give us a call or stop by our office and let us give you a quote. 

Why Having Contractor Insurance Is so Important

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Contractor insurance is extremely important to have no matter what type of service you offer. The agents at E.S.T.I.R. Inc. can assist contractors in the Bloomfield, NJ area in finding the insurance they need to protect themselves and their business from various types of liability. Understanding what risks they face on a day to day basis is the key to having the coverage they need for peace of mind.

Protects Your Assets

Contractor insurance protects your assets, covering damages, and providing compensation for repairs that are needed to keep your business running smoothly. Without your equipment and other assets, you can’t operate your business. Making sure you have adequate coverage is essential. 

Reduces Your Personal Liability

Contractor insurance also includes specific types of liability insurance. Liability insurance covers injuries, defective workmanship, and product liability. With the right type of liability coverage, you can protect yourself and business from financial disaster.

Protects Your Business 

Your business is your livelihood. With contractor insurance, your business will be protected on many different levels, ensuring its financial security and protecting you from losing your investment. You invest not only your money but also your time and your passion. Protecting your business with the right type of contractor insurance is the best way to maintain positive growth, even during difficult times.

At E.S.T.I.R. Inc., each agent has special training that gives them the knowledge they need to help Bloomfield, NJ contractors protect their business. Contractor insurance is not only an investment in your business, it is a security blanket that will protect your business as well as your personal interests from financial disaster. Schedule a meeting with your agent so that you can learn more about your contractor’s insurance policy and how it is benefiting your business. 

Three things you didn’t know about commercial insurance in New Jersey

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New Jersey business owners need to understand how commercial insurance works. They need to explore their commercial insurance options in Bloomfield, NJ. At E.S.T.I.R. Inc. we can help business owners find the answers to their questions about commercial insurance.

The following are three things you might not have known about commercial insurance in New Jersey.

New Jersey businesses with employees need workers compensation insurance.

Commercial insurance is especially important for companies with employees. If you have either full or part-time employees working for you, you need to invest in worker’s compensation coverage.

Make sure you explore worker’s compensation insurance requirements and meet these requirements. Otherwise, your company could be subject to fines and penalties. 

Companies using vehicles for commercial operations need commercial auto coverage.

For many companies, it’s necessary to use a vehicle for transportation for everyday business operations. If this is the case with your company, you need to carry commercial auto insurance.  

The state of New Jersey requires that companies carry at least $30,000 in bodily injury coverage per accident and at least $5,000 in property damage coverage per accident. 

Commercial liability coverage is especially important in New Jersey because lawsuits are common. 

Commercial liability coverage is not required by law in New Jersey. However, it’s a good idea for New Jersey business owners to carry liability insurance.

Unfortunately for business owners in the state, lawsuits against businesses are particularly common in New Jersey. For this reason, carrying commercial liability insurance is definitely a good idea. 

If you’re on the market for a commercial insurance policy, we’d be happy to hear from you at E.S.T.I.R. Inc. Get in touch with us for answers to your questions about protecting your business in Bloomfield, NJ. 

Three things you should know about filing auto insurance claims

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Dealing with an auto accident is a stressful experience. At E.S.T.I.R. Inc. we provide auto insurance policies to protect you financially after an auto accident.

It’s important that you know how filing a claim works so that you can minimize some of the stress and uncertainty of experiencing an auto accident. The following are three things you should know about filing auto insurance claims in Bloomfield, NJ.

You need to exchange info with other drivers after an accident.

Drivers are expected to give one another some information after an accident. You should collect the names, license plate numbers, and insurance policy numbers of all the other drivers involved in the accident. You’ll also be expected to provide your own information to the other drivers. 

Taking pictures of the accident site and getting a police report could be good ideas.

After an accident, the insurance companies of the involved drivers often need to determine who was at fault in the accident. Taking pictures of the accident and getting a copy of any resulting police report could help your insurance company to prove that another driver was at fault. 

You may need to have collision coverage to be compensated for damage to your own vehicle. 

If you are deemed at fault in an accident, you may not be compensated for damages to your own vehicle if you don’t have collision coverage.

Collision coverage covers the costs of repairs to your own vehicle. This type of auto coverage is not required by law, but it is important to have for New Jersey drivers. 

If you have questions about auto insurance in Bloomfield, NJ, we’re here to help. Send us a message online or call us to inquire about our auto insurance policies at E.S.T.I.R. Inc. 

When Should You Review Your Homeowner Policy?

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E.S.T.I.R. Inc. serves homeowners in the Bloomfield, NJ area with all of their insurance needs. Agents understand that as time passes, your needs change when it comes to your homeowner’s insurance. A home remodel or significant changes to your property outside your home may require you to review your policy so that you are sure you have the coverage you need to protect your financial investment.

Renovations, Remodels, and Upgrades

Instead of looking for a new home, many homeowners are choosing to keep their current home and make renovations or upgrades. Adding an additional room or two is also a possibility. These types of changes can significantly increase the value of your home making your old insurance policy sorely inadequate. Even small upgrades such as the installation of smart appliances and a well-planned security system may have a dramatic impact. It is extremely important that you notify your insurance agent so you can upgrade your policy to match your home’s value.

Exterior Changes, Such as Landscaping, Swimming Pools, Fences, and Sheds

The addition of a swimming pool, privacy fences, sheds, and expensive landscaping/lighting systems can also increase the value of your home. Notifying your insurance agent is essential if you want your new items to be fully covered. The opposite is also true. If you remove any buildings or get rid of a swimming pool or landscaping, this may reduce the value of your property.

If you are thinking about or have already completed any substantial home improvements call the agents of E.S.T.I.R. Inc. today and have them go over your policy with you. The agents offer policy reviews to all of their clients who live in the Bloomfield, NJ and surrounding areas. Visit today and make sure you have the coverage you need.

Why does someone in New Jersey need contractor insurance?

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The Bloomfield, NJ area can be a great place to start a small business. For those that are skilled in a trade or construction, going into business for yourself here and becoming a contractor could be a great option. If you are going to become a contractor here, it is important that you get a full contractor insurance policy. There are several reasons why you may need to have this insurance. 

Provides Necessary Liability Protection

One of the main reasons that a contractor is going to need to have insurance is that it can provide them with necessary liability insurance. A contractor will always have some liability risk when working any job. This can include accidentally causing damage to a job site or making a mistake that leads to bodily injury. When you have a contractor insurance policy, you are going to have the coverage you need to protect against this risk.

Needed to Comply with Lender Requirements

When you are a new contractor that is trying to get a business off the ground, taking out a business loan can be a great option. These loans can provide you with some working capital while also helping you to pay for the tools and equipment you need to run your business. If you have taken out a loan, you will likely need to have a contractor insurance policy to meet your lender’s requirements

When you are shopping for insurance in the Bloomfield, NJ area, you should reach out to the team at E.S.T.I.R. Inc. The insurance professionals at E.S.T.I.R. Inc. can help you to get into a policy that offers the right coverage for your small business. They understand the needs and risks that contractors have and can build a policy that mitigates these as well as possible. 

Risks of Operating Your Business Without Commercial Insurance

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Running a business is quite expensive. Therefore, the last thing you want to do as a business owner is add on expensive commercial insurance. However, business insurance is not just a luxury – it is a necessity that protects the business itself, its owner, and employees. If you are still thinking of skipping it and operating your business without it, E.S.T.I.R. Inc. serving Bloomfield, NJ has prepared the list of risks you may face if you choose not to buy commercial insurance: 

  • Failing to protect your employees.  Having workers’ compensation is important not only because it is required by the government, but also because it protects employees. It takes care of employees if an accident happens by preventing them to work and makes sure that you, as an employer, can afford their medical bills. 
  • Property loss.  By deciding to not carry commercial insurance, you should understand that risk losing your commercial property. Without insurance, you can lose all your assets due to natural disasters, folding, free, theft, and others. 
  • Interruptions. There is no businessman owner who wants his business to be closed. However, it is not always possible to avoid. Those business owners who have commercial insurance, are financially protected. However, without commercial insurance, you have a risk of facing high out-of-pocket costs that can become a serious financial burden. 

Commercial insurance is a necessity for any type of business today because it offers protection against a variety of losses. If you start your business in Bloomfield, NJ and you want to make sure that your company, yourself, and your employees are protected, contact E.S.T.I.R. Inc. to talk to one of our experienced agents and find out what options are available. 

Does Auto Insurance Cover Possessions In My Car?

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If your car is stolen or totaled, and it had some of your possessions inside, you generally are not going to be going to your auto insurance provider to get those items replaced.

That being said, there are certain items that you might be able to include on your auto insurance with the value of your car. A spare tire, for instance, might be included with the value of the car as, after all, it was part of the sticker price. But you generally won’t be writing an itemized inventory of everything that you keep in your car and turning that into your Bloomfield, NJ auto insurance agent.

Certain modifications and add-ons can be insured, as well. Again: With the total value of the car.

Fortunately, most of your possessions will be included in your home insurance, condo insurance, or renters insurance policy. If you have them included in your inventory, then it doesn’t really make a difference to your provider if the item was damaged or lost at home, or while it was in your car. You need to keep an up-to-date inventory as there’s no guarantee that an item will be covered without letting your home insurer know what they’re protecting. But your home insurer will cover possessions in your car as well as your home. This doesn’t mean it’s a good idea to leave expensive items in your car. Past a certain point, this can be regarded as negligence on your part, but your possessions are covered even in your vehicle.

If you’re still shopping around in Bloomfield, N.J. for an auto insurance provider, get in touch with us at E.S.T.I.R. Inc. At E.S.T.I.R. Inc. we can compare quotes and get you the insurance you need.

Will Remodeling Your Home Affect Your Home Insurance?

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Remodeling your Bloomfield, NJ home will impact your home insurance. Some projects can lower your rates while others may increase your premium due to your home requiring more coverage. By discussing your renovation plans with an agent from  E.S.T.I.R. Inc., you’ll have a better idea of how to adjust your policy to include remodeling projects. Here are a few ways renovation projects can affect your home insurance.

Raise Home Value

Major home renovations involving your kitchen or bathrooms can raise the value of your Bloomfield, NJ home, especially if you use costly materials in your project. Depending on your current home coverage, you may need to increase the limit of your dwelling insurance to safeguard your property against damage or loss. You’ll also need to add renovations to your coverage so they’ll be protected by your policy.  

Increase Property Coverage

If you bought new furniture or high-end electronics as part of your remodeling, you may need to expand your property insurance to cover these items. Sometimes the value of costly items exceeds the limits of a standard home policy, requiring that you purchase extra insurance to protect these goods from theft or harm.  

If you’re storing expensive carpentry tools and supplies in your garage while working on DIY projects, make sure they’re protected by your property insurance coverage. You should also review your liability coverage to ensure any handyman friends who are helping you on your project are protected against accidents. 

Rate Changes

Remodeling projects can increase or decrease your home insurance costs. Projects that enhance safety like a new roof or plumbing system could help reduce home insurance costs. In contrast, adding a pool to your home can increase your premium due to the risk of pool accidents.

For help in purchasing or updating your home insurance in Bloomfield, NJ, contact us at E.S.T.I.R. Inc.

How much contractor insurance should i buy?

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If you are in the contracting business, you are likely to face financial loss in case of an accident or a disaster. A contractor insurance policy offers coverage against financial obligations resulting from unexpected or unprecedented events. If you are a Bloomfield, NJ resident, feel free to talk to our E.S.T.I.R. Inc. agents who will guide you on what you to include in your contractor insurance policy.

What is contractor insurance?

Contractor insurance offers two forms of coverage: liability insurance and property insurance.

Liability insurance

  • Body injuries

While every organization has put in place safety measures and work ethics, accidents could still occur in the workplace resulting in injuries. Mishandling of tools and materials often exposes employees and third parties to accidents. Contractor insurance protects you against the financial obligation arising from lawsuits as a result of injuries happening in the workplace.

It is crucial that you disclose to our E.S.T.I.R. Inc. agents about all the possible accidents you are likely to experience at your workplace.

  • Copy right claims

When developing a new product to challenge the competition, you are likely to be sued for copyright infringement. Contractor insurance bears the obligation of settling such matters in a court of law.

  • Product claims

If you are in the equipment selling industry, your equipment is likely to cause destruction of company products resulting in legal battles. The insurance company bears the cost of such lawsuits and cost to repair damaged products.

Property insurance

The construction industry faces the risk of property or equipment damage. In some instances, depending on the activities of your company, other structures near your business premises cannot be utilized. The insurance company bears the financial obligation arising from such circumstances.

How much contractor insurance should you bear?

The amount of contractor insurance to purchase is dependent on the risks associated with your business. Kindly give our E.S.T.I.R. Inc. agents at Bloomfield, NJ a call to analyze with you the best policy for you or visit our website for more information.