Tips for making your home safer while you’re away on vacation

Americans have never needed to go on vacation more than they do now. It may have been a while since you jumped into the car for a road trip or to the airport to get to your destination. At  E.S.T.I.R. Inc. in Bloomfield, NJ, we are independent insurance agents, and we want to help you make sure that your home is protected from all the bad things that can happen while on vacation. 

You need to make sure you are not leaving your home vulnerable to issues while you are away. There are a few things you can do before you leave for vacation to help.

Get a house sitter

Ideally, getting a housesitter will not leave your home unoccupied while you are away. This needs to be someone you know you can trust not to make the issues worse. If you have pets, this is a great way to protect your home and make sure your pets are cared for without having to board them. 

Stop your mail

Stopping your mail means that you won’t have a pile of mail in your mailbox. You can stop it easily by going online to the USPS website and requesting the stop. Always stop it at least a day in advance so you can check to make sure it is stopped.

Arm your alarm

This sounds self-evident, but in the rush and excitement to leave, it is not unknown for this to have been forgotten. 

Have lights on a timer

Have several lights in your home on a timer to come on at different times. You want it to look like someone is at home. 

Don’t announce your plans on social media.

Never tell everyone on social media that you will be away. Wait until you get back to share your photos and plans. 

Contact  E.S.T.I.R. Inc. in  Bloomfield, NJ with all your home insurance needs.

Tips to Help You Select the Right New Jersey Auto Insurance Plan

If you own a car in the Bloomfield, NJ area, you will likely know that you need to have a proper insurance policy. With the right insurance, you can protect your car, stay in compliance with any obligations, and reduce your liability risk. There are various tips that you should follow that can help ensure you pick the right insurance plan for your situation. 

Consider Needs 

A vital factor to consider as you are looking for coverage is to assess your needs. All people are going to have different auto insurance needs. For some people, having a full collision and comprehensive plan is necessary to protect their vehicles. For others, having just a liability plan is acceptable. It is crucial that you consider your insurance obligations and needs when building your plan.

Deductible

An insurance deductible is the amount of money you have to spend out of pocket before the company will pay for a claim. Generally, the higher the deductible, the lower your premiums will be. However, if you file a claim, you will have to spend more money if you have a higher deductible. It is vital that you properly consider the right deductible for your situation and ensure you keep the right amount of money aside if you need to file a claim. 

If you are looking for a new insurance plan for your car, you will want to speak with someone you can trust. Those residing in the Bloomfield, NJ area will find that E.S.T.I.R. Inc. is an excellent resource for all of your auto insurance needs. When you call E.S.T.I.R. Inc., they can help you evaluate all of your options and needs when choosing your next insurance policy. 

Safe drivers need to have this auto insurance benefit!

The folks at E.S.T.I.R. Inc. want to make sure that the greater Bloomfield, NJ community residents have the insurance protection that they need. If you aren’t sure if your auto policy provides all of the features and benefits you want and need, call us today. We can review your current policy for completeness and ensure that you have a policy that’s right for you.

Are you enjoying this safe driver benefit?

Having a safe driving record is a great accomplishment, and several insurance providers want to reward safe drivers. If you have a stellar driving record, it’s time to enjoy the available benefits! The safer the driver, the less likely they will file an insurance claim. This helps to save insurance companies money, and they want to encourage safe drivers to stay with them.

You can enjoy rewards like decreasing premiums if you have a clean driving record.  As your safe driving record grows longer, your insurance premiums will start to go down. It is even possible to have a zero-dollar premium with some companies! Who wouldn’t love to have insurance coverage without paying a premium?

Want to find out more? Give your local insurance agent a call, and they can help you enjoy this great feature as long as your driving record continues to be free of any accidents or mishaps. This is a great benefit to have.

You can count on us!

Bloomfield, NJ area residents turn to E.S.T.I.R. Inc. for their insurance needs. If you would like to find out more about our policy options in our area, give us a call or stop by our office today!

What you need to know before starting a major project on your home

Making your Bloomfield, NJ area house feel like a home can feel like a significant undertaking. This is especially true if you are about to start a major project in your home. Before you get started, let’s make sure that your home policy provides the enhanced coverage you may need for a renovation. Come by the E.S.T.I.R. Inc. office today and find out more!

Double-check your home insurance BEFORE starting a big project

If you are planning on starting a major improvement or renovation project in your home, double-check your home policy first! When you have contractors working at your home, you may need to increase your liability coverage before they get started. Yes, contractors and construction workers must carry their own insurance policies, but they don’t always provide the protection you need. Their insurance is there to protect themselves, first and foremost. 

When you have the increased liability protection you need, you can rest easy knowing that you’ll be covered. Having this coverage in place can help you avoid personal financial responsibility if someone is injured while working on your home improvement project. It’s also important to make any post-project changes to your home policy to reflect any value increases. 

We are here to help you with all of your insurance needs!

Bloomfield, NJ residents can rely on the team at E.S.T.I.R. Inc. for all of their insurance needs. We are here to help you protect your home and yourself. Let’s ensure that you have the liability protection you need before you start a major renovation. If you’d like to find out more, give us a call or stop by our office today!

Protect your contracting business with the right insurance

If you are a contractor in the greater Bloomfield, NJ area, E.S.T.I.R. Inc. is here to help you with all of your commercial insurance needs. Don’t forget to protect yourself and your business. Having a contractor insurance policy in place can help to protect all your hard work!

Protect your business with a contractor insurance policy

Running a successful contracting business takes a lot of dedication and hard work. If you don’t have the right insurance coverage in place, it can have a detrimental effect on your business. No one likes to think about needing insurance, but it is something that you’re glad you have, should a catastrophic situation arise.

Protecting your company from loss, liability, and fraud can help make a terrible situation a bit more manageable. When you know you have the protection you need, you can focus on your business. There are many different reasons to have a comprehensive contractor policy in place, and the main reason is protection.

You’ve worked diligently to build your business to where it is today. Why wouldn’t you take the time to find the right policy to protect it?  When you consider the cost of tools and equipment and the disruption that would occur to your business should they be stolen or damaged, you can begin to see the benefits of insurance.

There are a number of different benefits that a robust contractor insurance policy can provide. Sit down with your local insurance agent to review your available options.

Find out more today!

The team here at E.S.T.I.R. Inc. can help contractors in our Bloomfield, NJ community with all types of insurance needs. If you would like to learn more about the ways you can protect your contracting business, give us a call today!

How to determine which commercial policy is right for your company

Are you a business owner in the greater Bloomfield, NJ area? If so, the team at E.S.T.I.R. Inc. would love to work with you on all of your commercial insurance needs. We provide our clients with the personal attention that allows them to provide their companies with the insurance protection they need.

Finding the right commercial policy to protect your business

Determining which commercial insurance policy is right for your company can often feel like an impossible task. There are so many options available it may seem difficult to narrow them down to just one policy. You may not know if the policy you choose has all of the features that you need. 

This is why so many companies choose to work with a local agent who will take the time to really understand their business’s insurance needs. Commercial insurance is not a one-size-fits-all proposition. There are many different and unique requirements that every business will have. Determining what your insurance needs are is the first step in choosing the right policy.

When you sit down to calculate the level of insurance policy that you need, you are one step closer to finding the commercial coverage that will best meet your needs. Consider the value of your inventory, equipment, commercial vehicles, and your buildings and structures. Finding the right policy does not have to be an impossible task!

We would welcome the opportunity to work with you!

E.S.T.I.R. Inc. is proud to serve the insurance needs of the Bloomfield, NJ business community. If you would like to find out more about how the right insurance policy can help keep your business safe, give us a call today. We would love to schedule some time to review your options with you!

Why You May Need Contractors’ Insurance

When you have a contracting company, there is a form of insurance that you should have in order to protect that business. Contracting often comes with a number of risks to employees and to the expensive equipment that you use. Injuries and damage to property can happen on any project, and it’s always best to be covered for these risks. Getting this insurance generally isn’t mandated, but it can save the financial future of your business if an accident or other incident should happen. If you need contractors’ insurance, give us a call at E.S.T.I.R. Inc. in Bloomfield, NJ to find out more. 

General Liability

General liability is a big part of contractors’ insurance, and it provides a number of types of coverage. Generally, it covers the risks of bodily injury, damage done to a client’s property, and personal injuries such as slander or libel. These coverages are all important for every contractor to have. If someone should become injured, your policy can pay for the bills instead of your business having to pay it. 

Property in Transit

Another type of contractors’ insurance protects your equipment while it is in transit from one site to another. This can be valuable coverage, as so many pieces of equipment are highly expensive, and your business is in need of them. 

There are also other types of coverage that you can add to your contractors’ coverage if needed. These can include protecting the employees of the business as well as business vehicles if chosen. Having good insurance coverage keeps your business better protected and gives you peace of mind in case the worst should happen. 

Get Contractors’ Coverage

When you’re a contractor, make sure that you have the coverage you need. Give us a call today at E.S.T.I.R. Inc. in Bloomfield, NJ to find out more and to get started. 

Why Do You Need Insurance for Your Business?

If you are like most business owners, you watch every penny that you spend. However, you need to spend some money in order to make some. There are some things that you shouldn’t skimp on. This includes insurance for your business. 

Unsure if you need business insurance? Here are some reasons why you do. 

Property and casualty insurance covers any damage to your business, both in your office and the building that it is in. It also covers the items that you use to run your business, from your computer, furniture, and any special tools that you need. It may also you if you ever need to shut down, for any reason. 

Liability insurance is necessary in case anyone gets hurt in your place of business. It will also cover injuries that occur when you are out meeting clients. Liability is also used in case you ever find yourself facing a lawsuit. 

That being said, you are legally obligated to have insurance for your business. You can’t open a business without it. If you don’t have any, you could face fines and penalties. Your business may also get shut down. 

Though you may not worry about insurance due to the cost, you really need to have at least something. If not, you could be forced to shut your doors. What would happen if someone fell and broke her leg while visiting your business? Could you afford her medical bills, on top of the bad publicity? 

If you want to make sure that your business is properly insured, don’t hesitate to contact us today at E.S.T.I.R. Inc. in Bloomfield, NJ. We would be glad to show you what we offer. 

Three Renovations That Can Impact Your Homeowner’s Insurance

Renovating your Bloomfield, NJ home is an extremely exciting event, as you get the chance to customize your home based on your personality and preferences. However, before you get started with the renovation, you need to take a few things into consideration. This includes how the renovations may affect your homeowner’s insurance. This is where E.S.T.I.R. Inc. comes in. We can help ensure you are adequately covered moving forward. 

Adding an Addition

Additional space is necessary for a number of instances, such as for a business venture or a new member of the family. When you add a room to your home, the square footage of the house will increase. The same is true of the replacement value of the property.

As a result, if a disaster were to strike, your home insurance policy would need to have already been updated with this new addition. This ensures that the full value of your property is taken into consideration.

Replacing the Roof

While it can be rather expensive to undergo a roof replacement project, it may be able to help you save on your insurance premiums. A new roof will offer more structural integrity and protection against the elements. The updated roof is likely to hold up better in the event of a fire, inclement weather, or other peril.

Because the roof is improved, your insurance company needs to know to ensure the proper value of the home is accounted for and to offer potential discounts for the renovation.

Installing a Pool

Swimming pools can offer relaxation, entertainment, and more. However, insurance companies view them as a liability risk. This is because you are likely to be financially responsible for expenses incurred as a result of someone injuring themselves while utilizing your swimming pool.

Therefore, it is important to speak to your insurance agent to find out what kind of impact a swimming pool can have on your home insurance. 

If you plan on partaking in any home renovations in Bloomfield, NJ, speak to an agent at E.S.T.I.R. Inc. for assistance in adjusting your home insurance policy. 

Why You Need Comprehensive Auto Insurance

When searching for automobile insurance, you may be confused by all of the terms, and what they cover. The most basic plans only cover liability, which will cover medical bills. It doesn’t cover any repairs to your vehicles.

If you want more protection, you may want comprehensive automobile insurance. Here are some reasons why you should. 

Your loan may require it. If you have to take a loan out to purchase your vehicle, they may require comprehensive insurance. They want to make sure that they aren’t going to lose money on your vehicle if something happens to it. 

You may want to have comprehensive insurance if you can’t afford to replace your vehicle. If your vehicle is a high-end vehicle, you are going to want comprehensive insurance, so you don’t have to replace it if something happens. 

Comprehensive insurance covers damage that may occur that is not due to a car accident. It covers damage due to vandalism, theft, and even rodents. It covers weather damage, such as hail, floods, and fire. If you live in an area where accidents with deer are common, you may want comprehensive insurance to cover the cost of repairs. 

If you are trying to figure out how much insurance you need, you may not have a choice. Your lender may require comprehensive insurance. You may also want to think about it if your vehicle is more expensive than most. You aren’t going to want to have to take out a loan in order to fix your vehicle. 

If you want to make sure that you are fully protected, don’t hesitate to contact us today at E.S.T.I.R. Inc. in Bloomfield, NJ.