Contractors Insurance 101: Protecting Your Business and Projects

If you’re a contractor in Bloomfield, NJ, you know the value of protecting your business and projects. One way to protect your business from the unexpected is by investing in contractors insurance from E.S.T.I.R. Inc.

What is Contractors Insurance?

Contractors insurance is a type of insurance that covers the risks associated with a construction project. It’s important to note that not all contractors insurance is created equal, and there are different types of policies that cover different aspects of a construction project. For example, a general liability policy covers the risks associated with bodily injury and property damage, while a worker’s compensation policy covers injuries that occur on the job. We will help you find the right for your business.

Benefits of Contractors Insurance

There are many benefits to investing in contractors insurance, including:

  • Protection for your business assets
  • Protection for your employees
  • Protection for third-party claims
  • Access to legal representation
  • Peace of mind knowing that your business and projects are covered

What Does Contractors Insurance Cover?

As mentioned before, the coverage of contractors insurance varies depending on the policy you select. However, some common coverages include:

  • General liability: Covers third-party injury or property damage claims
  • Worker’s compensation: Covers injuries to employees while on the job
  • Builder’s risk: Covers damage to a property during construction
  • Professional liability: Covers errors or omissions made by the contractor or architects and engineers involved in the project.

As a contractor in Bloomfield, NJ, protecting your business and projects is essential. Contractors insurance is one way to do that, and it offers many benefits including protection for your business assets, your employees, and third-party claims. Contact E.S.T.I.R. Inc. today to get peace of mind knowing that your business and projects are covered.

Common Types of Commercial Liability

Regarding insuring your business, liability insurance might not come to mind, but it tops the most commonly purchased commercial coverage list. The broad term liability insurance includes many types of liability coverage, such as general liability, commercial auto, and professional liability.

At E.S.T.I.R. Inc., we want your Bloomfield, NJ business to have commercial coverage to protect it from financial loss. Let’s consider the most common types of commercial liability and which businesses need them. We can help you build a commercial insurance policy that provides coverage for your business needs.

Commercial Auto Liability

When you drive a vehicle only for business or mostly for business, you need to cover it with commercial auto insurance. This insurance consists of two types of liability insurance – bodily injury insurance coverage and property damage insurance coverage. The auto coverage ensures that if police find you at fault for an accident and the other party files a claim for damages, your insurance pays for damage to their vehicle and medical bills. Any business that owns a vehicle or fleet needs this type of liability policy, including pizza delivery restaurants, bakery deliveries, martinizing operations, businesses that provide a company car for executives or sales personnel, etc.

General Liability Insurance

Outside of auto policies, a business also needs general liability insurance. The general liability policy protects the business from financial loss when an individual incurs an injury or property damage while visiting the business, whether an office, home office, or storefront. Common claims against this type of coverage include trip and fall and slip and fall accidents. Any business with customers visiting its location needs this coverage, including grocery stores, clothing shops, doctors’ and lawyers’ offices, etc.

Commercial Property Insurance

Commercial property insurance protects your business in many ways. If another person damages your business, it pays for repairs. If a storm damages it, it pays for repairs. If you rent office space and damage it, it pays for repairs, keeping you out of trouble with your landlord. It covers more than liability but includes it.

Professional Liability Insurance

Doctors and lawyers carry professional liability insurance that protects them from financial loss when they make an error in a service or product. It protects against errors your business has made in the products/services it sells. Corporations that manufacture medical devices, makeup, skincare, hair care, auto parts, etc., carry this type of liability coverage.

Contact E.S.T.I.R. Inc. Today

Protect your Bloomfield, NJ company from financial loss through liability insurance. Call or email E.S.T.I.R. Inc. today to get your policy started.

How Home Insurance Protects You

As a homeowner, you need certain protections against the many risks that could come your way. Several situations and events could cause your home to become damaged. These risks need to be mitigated by having home insurance. These policies offer many different coverage types that are all included in one policy. Your mortgage lender will require you to have home insurance, and HOAs generally do as well. Call us at E.S.T.I.R. Inc. in Bloomfield, NJ when you need home insurance.

Coverage for Your Home 

One way that this policy protects you is by getting dwelling protection. The house is covered against events that can happen to your home and cause damage or even destroy it. When you have home insurance, this can pay for the expensive repairs that you may need after such an event. It’s essential to have this coverage because of the high cost of home repairs. If the home is destroyed, the policy can pay for rebuilding the entire home. Imagine trying to do that without home insurance to pay for it all. 

Possession Protection

For even more protection, your possessions are also covered by your home insurance. When an event causes damage to your possessions, the policy can pay for their replacement or repairs. When put together, the items in your house add up to an enormous amount of value. It’s best to have that value insured by a home policy. 

Liability Coverage

It’s also essential to have your liability covered. In case of injuries on your property, your home insurance has this covered. It can pay for the person’s medical bills. 

Get Home Insurance in New Jersey

If you own a home, you need to have a home policy. Call us at E.S.T.I.R. Inc. in Bloomfield, NJ. 

What Questions Should You Ask an Insurance Agent When Shopping for Auto Insurance

Insurance shopping always comes with questions. When you are shopping for auto insurance and talking with different insurance companies, make sure to ask them questions. Do you wonder what questions you should ask? Here is a list of some of them that can be great conversation starters with an insurance agent: 

Make Sure to Ask an Insurance Agent The Following Questions:

  • What is the minimum coverage I need to have? Most states, including the state of New Jersey, require liability insurance. It covers the costs of anyone injured or killed due to a road accident you have caused. It also covers the damage to their car, as well as legal fees and property damage. 
  • Why is my deductible? When an insurance company is offering you an insurance policy, make sure to ask about the deductible. It is a crucial question because the deductible determines how much you will pay for your insurance every month. 
  • Are there any discounts available? The tricky thing is that many insurance companies will not mention any discounts unless you ask them. You may be eligible for numerous discount options, so do not hesitate to injure about them. 

E.S.T.I.R. Inc. – Local Insurance Agency in New Jersey That Takes Care Of Their Clients

Are you searching for car insurance? Does your search seem to be too challenging and frustrating? Do you have any questions about auto insurance you want to ask? Please get in touch with E.S.T.I.R. Inc., a local insurance agency with almost 25 years of professional experience. We specialize in different insurance types and work with clients from Bloomfield, NJ, and other nearby towns. Contact us if you are looking for insurance in Bloomfield, NJ, or any other surrounding area.

Policies Included in Contractor’s Insurance

When you open a construction firm in Bloomfield, NJ, you’ll need a special type of commercial insurance called contractor’s insurance from E.S.T.I.R. Inc. The term contractor’s insurance refers to a set of insurance coverage types in a policy package, and it protects your business’s liability and employees.

What’s in Contractor’s Insurance?

This insurance package for construction contractors addresses four business needs. Typically, a contractors’ insurance package includes:

  • Workers Compensation
  • Builder’s Risk
  • Inland Marine
  • General Liability Insurance.

Most contractors require all four types of insurance. Let’s consider what each does.

Workers’ Compensation (Workers’ Comp)

As long as you employ other individuals, you must legally carry workers’ compensation coverage which protects your employees if they get hurt on the job or become ill due to exposure to chemicals on the job.

Builder’s Risk

Builder’s risk insurance provides liability coverage for you and your employees, plus the residents of a home in which you work. If an accident occurs while you work on your project relating to it, such as someone tripping and falling over lumber you piled outside the back door, then this insurance covers their medical costs for treatment.

Inland Marine

Inland marine insurance covers your transport of materials, especially those purchased by your client. It doesn’t involve Marines. The name stems from the advent of land transportation, such as trucking, as a supplement to oceanic transportation, hence the marine.

General Liability Insurance

Like all other businesses, a contractor needs to obtain general liability insurance. This type of liability protects your finances from various issues, including libeling someone and accidents in your office.

Contact E.S.T.I.R. Today

Contact us today to obtain your builder’s risk insurance policy. Let E.S.T.I.R. Inc. help you protect your Bloomfield, NJ, business.

What kind of commercial insurance does my business need?

When someone asks if your Bloomfield, NJ business has a commercial insurance policy, you might think there’s only one policy type. More than 25 types of commercial insurance exist, and this blog explains the specialized insurance policies needed by the different types of businesses, such as dentists, medical doctors, lawyers, dance studios, etc.

E.S.T.I.R. Inc. offers all types of commercial insurance, including business owners’ policies, called BOPs in the industry. Commercial insurance involves many coverage aspects, each with its own policy.

Business Vehicles

If you primarily drive your auto for business purposes, you need to cover it with commercial automotive coverage. This protects your liability for causing an accident and your vehicle if you choose full coverage. Obtain a fleet policy if your business owns or leases more than one vehicle.

Truckers, we also offer the commercial coverage you need, including trucking liability and bobtail insurance. Let us help you properly insure your truck’s cab, trailer, loads, and personal use.

Malpractice and E&O

Individuals in the medical profession need medical malpractice insurance to protect their liability. This type of coverage ensures that they’re insured if something goes wrong during surgery or they misdiagnose a disease. Errors and omissions (E&O) insurance covers their liability if a medical device they created does harm. Examples of this include dental braces, prosthetic limbs, and implants.

Glass Insurance

Stores with storefronts of plate glass require glass coverage. A dance studio would also need this type of coverage to insure its mirrors that line the rehearsal floor. Gyms and retail stores typically purchase this insurance, too. Both locations contain significant amounts of glass as windows and mirrors.

Lawyers Need Liability Coverage

Lawyers must also purchase special business liability coverage called malpractice, but theirs focuses on legal malpractice. Both lawyers and medical practitioners typically hire staff, so they also need workers’ compensation coverage.

Contact E.S.T.I.R. Inc. Today

With more than 25 types of commercial insurance to cover your Bloomfield, NJ business, only a consultation with E.S.T.I.R. Inc. via Zoom or in person can uncover the types of insurance you need.

What Are the Key Types of Coverage of Home Insurance?

As a homeowner, you understand the necessity and importance of home insurance. It protects homes and homeowners’ personal belongings. This insurance aims to provide financial protection from various accidents and disasters. 

Typical home insurance includes the following coverages: 

  • Dwelling coverage. It provides the structure of a home, including the walls, floors, ceilings, and built-in appliances. It covers various perils, such as vandalism, fire, theft, and more. 
  • Personal liability. The purpose of this coverage is to cover costs if your visitor or guest sustains an injury on your property. It also provides property damage coverage. 
  • Contents coverage. It protects your personal belongings, including furniture and clothing. If a covered incident occurs and you file a claim, an insurance company will cover the value of these items.

However, it is essential to understand that standard home insurance does not cover everything and has limitations. Therefore, to ensure that you, your property, and your personal belongings are fully protected, it is also recommended to carry additional coverages. The most common optional coverages that you may want to consider include the following: 

  • Flood insurance. It protects your home and personal belongings from flood-related damage. Flood insurance is highly recommended if you live in an area prone to flooding. 
  • Earthquake insurance. It covers your home if an earthquake occurs and causes damage. It is a separate policy with its own deductible. 
  • Umbrella insurance. It provides additional coverage for property damage, bodily injury, and personal injury to others. Umbrella insurance kicks in when the liability limits on your home insurance have been exhausted. 

E.S.T.I.R. Inc. – Your Reliable and Trustworthy Insurance Company in New Jersey

Are you a homeowner from New Jersey and shopping for home insurance to protect your precious property and personal belongings? Do not hesitate to contact E.S.T.I.R. Inc. – an insurance company serving clients in Bloomfield, NJ, specializing in different types of insurance, including home insurance. If you have any questions or want to discuss our insurance options, please feel free to call us. 

Car Insurance and Summer Vacation: Know Before You Go

When planning your dream summer vacation, it can be easy to overlook the boring logistics, like ensuring you have the insurance coverage you need. If you’re planning on getting to your destination by car, it’s vital that you take a moment to have a closer look at your auto insurance policy. Doing so can save you stress ahead of time should there be a problem while on the road.

Many Bloomfield, NJ residents don’t realize that their policy likely only covers themselves and their car, not their passengers or co-driver. If you plan on taking a long road trip and splitting the drive time between yourself and someone else, be sure that your insurance policy covers any accidents or damage that may occur when you’re not behind the wheel. You may also want to be sure that your policy will cover your passengers’ medical expenses should there be a severe accident.

Now say you have a flat tire or a mechanical problem with your car. Does your policy offer roadside assistance coverage? If not, you may want to add it. If so, it’s best to look over the specifics of the policy to ensure that the amount of coverage is appropriate to the situations you may find yourself in. You don’t want to find yourself on a stretch of farmland with a policy that only covers towing within three miles!

Ensure You Have the Coverage You Need With Help From E.S.T.I.R. Inc.

If you have concerns about your auto insurance policy before your next vacation, contact E.S.T.I.R. Inc. today! Bloomfield, NJ residents have been trusting our team to find the right coverage for them since 1999. Don’t wait! Our dedicated agents would be happy to serve you.

Do Online Service Providers Need Commercial Insurance?

Any individual offering a product or service to the general public should have adequate commercial insurance. Anyone living in the Bloomfield, NJ, area can count on E.S.T.I.R. Inc. to provide the right commercial insurance to suit their specific situation.

Commercial Insurance Protection 

Commercial Insurance is a necessary tool for anyone operating a business. Commercial insurance is essential for individuals owning brick-and-mortar stores, mobile companies, and online businesses. Those operating in the online climate need the correct type of commercial insurance to protect them from various online risks and issues.

Our team can work directly with each customer to learn more about their specific business needs and then match them with top-quality insurance options with the highest coverage level.

The goal is to protect business owners and avoid gaps and coverage. We take the time to explain the fine print and ensure the customer understands the limits of their policy and what’s covered. We can assist with securing the policy, making any necessary adjustments during the policy’s lifetime, and even claim submissions. We strive to provide complete customer service to help you rest easy. 

Call Us Today 

Securing commercial insurance doesn’t have to be a hassle. We proudly offer a full range of services to make securing commercial and service hassle-free. E.S.T.I.R. Inc. is standing by to provide the residents of Bloomfield, NJ, with the support and insurance services they need to protect the things that matter most. Call or stop by our office today to schedule a consultation or get answers to questions about our range of services. Find out how to get the peace of mind you need. 

Can a Contractor Operate a Business Without Contractor’s Insurance?

Securing the proper insurance protection is essential if you’re a business owner. It’s imperative if you’re a contractor offering services to the public. Anyone interested in securing contractor’s insurance can count on the experts at E.S.T.I.R. Inc. We proudly offer Insurance products to the residents living in the Bloomfield, NJ, area.

Contractor’s Insurance 

An individual may have a contracting business without having insurance in place. However, that individual would be liable for any damages and fees associated with a liability claim. It’s essential to protect yourself and your business with top-quality contractor insurance.

This type of coverage helps protect the contractor from losses associated with job-specific risks. Anyone interested in securing this type of coverage can work with one of our expert insurance agents to learn more about their options and the terms and conditions for each policy. We work closely with contractors to determine their current and future needs and match them with insurance policies that meet and exceed those needs.

We offer a full range of customer service to help secure the policy, handle any changes during the policy’s lifetime, and claim submissions. We aim to help customers get the peace of mind they need to know they’re covered while performing daily tasks.

Reach Out Today 

If you would like to learn more about contractor’s insurance, you can count on the insurance professionals at E.S.T.I.R. Inc. We provide a range of insurance products and services to the customers of Bloomfield, NJ. Call or stop by our office today to schedule a consultation for services or to get answers to any questions or concerns. Be sure to get the contractor’s insurance coverage you need to prevent losses related to job risks.