Using a Business Owners Policy (BOP) as the Foundation of Your Commercial Insurance

 Many small and mid-sized businesses qualify for a helpful insurance bundle called a Business Owners Policy (BOP). A BOP includes the four most commonly purchased commercial policies for a lower premium cost than buying them separately. Let’s look at what a BOP gets you, the Shelton, CT, business owner.

Goodies Inside a BOP

A BOP includes perils, property, liability, and business interruption coverage. These four policies provide the protection a business needs to protect itself financially.

Perils insurance covers damages caused by any peril named in the policy. Examples include tornadoes and earthquakes.

Property damage insurance reimburses the insured for damage caused to personal property or business property. This could come from unique situations, such as a car driving into the plate-glass window of the business.

Business liability covers your business’s culpability if an accident occurs at your place of business. It also provides financial protections against your liability if you are found at fault for an accident or if your product causes physical or mental harm.

Business interruption coverage compensates when a named peril causes the business to shut down temporarily. For example, if a hurricane damaged the business’s building, requiring repairs before employees could enter and open for business, this coverage pays the lost revenue.

Which Businesses Qualify for BOPs?

Your business may qualify if it owns assets, maintains a physical location, generates less than $5 million in revenue, and employs less than 100 individuals. Some types of businesses that meet these criteria don’t qualify, so ask your insurance agent at Goodman Insurance Inc.

The BOP as a Foundation Policy

Many businesses in Shelton, CT, require other insurance policies to cover their financial risk fully. Your insurance agent can help you add customized coverage to your BOP. Some businesses need forgery insurance, while others require commercial auto coverage.

Contact Goodman Insurance Inc. for BOP Services

Contact Goodman Insurance Inc. today to apply for your BOP. Meet with your agent to determine the insurance coverage that your business needs.

Can I Donate My Life Insurance Benefits to Charity?

At Goodman Insurance Inc. in Shelton, CT, we’ve seen how personal and challenging it can be to choose the proper beneficiary for your life insurance policy. For many folks, this can be one of the most challenging choices to make surrounding their legacy planning, finances, and passing.

Suppose you have a cause that you believe in deeply or want to support. In that case, you might wonder if donating your life insurance benefits to your favorite charity, non-profit organization, or foundation is possible. When you want to make a difference in the world with your life insurance benefits, the first step is figuring out if it is legal and, if so, if it is a possibility for some policies.

What is a life insurance policy?

A life insurance policy is essentially a contract between you as a policyholder and your insurance provider that indicates that they will pay out a death benefit in the form of a lump sum to whomever you list as your beneficiary when you pass in exchange for the premiums you pay.

While coverage, specifics of policies, and eligibility to file a claim vary, most life insurance policies function similarly in this way.

Can I list a charity or other organization as my beneficiary on a life insurance policy?

Yes, you can list a charity or other organization as the beneficiary for your policy if you list their name and contact information. You can also list a charity to receive a percentage of your death benefit and other beneficiaries to receive the remaining portion.

If you want to see how we could help you continue doing good after your death through your life insurance policy, call our office at Goodman Insurance Inc. in Shelton, CT today!
 

What is Permanent Life Insurance?

Life insurance is not a requirement by law for Shelton, CT residents, though many choose to invest in this protection for their family’s financial well-being. Permanent life insurance is an option often selected for its reliability. 

This type of coverage lasts the duration of the person’s life from the point at which they purchase the policy until they pass on. This is in contrast to term insurance, where there is a set period for which the insurance is in effect.

You must be in good standing with your insurance policy at the time of your death, which means your premiums must be current and paid. Your beneficiaries are entitled to a death benefit under this arrangement. 

Additionally, there is a component of permanent life known as cash value. Over time, your policy accumulates savings when you make your payments consistently year after year, and these can be borrowed against.

The outstanding loan amount will be deducted from your death benefit if unpaid and you pass away. A Goodman Insurance Inc. specialist can help give you additional information about your particular situation. 

Unlike the cash value, the death benefit is a predesignated amount determined when you purchase your indemnification. Premiums are typically more expensive than term life because the likelihood of a payout is more certain. 

You can choose whole life, a type of permanent life insurance whose terms on death benefits and premiums stay fixed, or universal, which allows you to adjust these features. Variable universal life insurance has an investment component to maximize savings. 

Goodman Insurance Inc. Can Help

Serving the residents of the Shelton, CT area, we provide quality insurance products for our customers. Contact us by calling, stopping by the office, or visiting us online. We look forward to working with you. 

Protect Your Biggest Asset With Home Insurance

If you’re like most homeowners, your home is your largest asset and your biggest investment. When you own a home, it’s important to protect that asset by having a home insurance policy. Not only does this insurance cover your home, but it can also protect your finances and your possessions. To get your home insurance policy, call us at Goodman Insurance Inc. in Shelton, CT, and protect yourself and your home. 

Dwelling Coverage

One of a home insurance policy’s most important types of coverage is the coverage for the actual dwelling. This protects every part of your home against a wide range of risks that it could face. Incidents that can damage your home include calamities, accidents, and disasters, and your policy will cover you against many of them. The exact incidents that are covered will be spelled out in your policy. If one of those should happen and your home is damaged or destroyed, the home policy can pay for it to be either repaired or rebuilt, depending on the need. This can save you an enormous amount of money after a damaging incident. 

Possessions Coverage

Another form of protection you get from home insurance is coverage for all your possessions in your home. This coverage can be nearly as valuable as your dwelling protection. When you add up what all of your items are worth, it often adds up to hundreds of thousands of dollars. To protect this investment, you need home insurance to cover it. When items get ruined in a covered incident, your home policy can pay for you to replace them. 

Protect Your Investment

It would be best if you had a home insurance policy to protect your home and what’s in it. Call us at Goodman Insurance Inc. in Shelton, CT to get one.

Two Main Types of Life Insurance

When it comes to life insurance, there are two main types. These are term life insurance and whole life. Both offer effective help when a person is gone and wants to leave something to their heirs. Both can give you peace of mind knowing that you can help your loved ones after you are gone. Each type has pros and cons; one type may be better for your specific needs and budget. Call Goodman Insurance, Inc. to talk to an agent when you need life insurance in Shelton, CT.

Term Life Insurance

This type of life insurance is a great one to have when you have a tight budget. This low-cost type of life insurance operates for a specific term. This means that at the start of the policy, it is enacted for only a particular number of years. After this term has passed, the policy expires. Once that happens, you are no longer covered and must seek a new life insurance policy if you want to be covered again. Many people don’t choose this type because of its expiration date, but others like it because it is inexpensive. 

Whole Life Insurance

This type doesn’t have an expiration date and stays good for as long as you want to keep the insurance. Many people choose it because it can’t be canceled for as long as you keep paying for it. However, it can be expensive for many people. Another benefit to this type of life insurance is that it builds a cash value that the policyholder can borrow someday if they ever need to. 

Get Life Insurance

It’s never a good idea to be without life insurance, just in case. If you need life insurance in Shelton, CT, call us at Goodman Insurance, Inc.

What to Do When Your Home Insurance Policy Expires

Home insurance is one of those things that you don’t think about until you need it. But when your policy expires, it’s essential to take the time to understand your options and choose a new policy that meets your needs. In this post, we’ll discuss what to do when your home insurance policy expires and how to choose a new policy that fits your needs. We’ll also provide tips on what to look for in a new home insurance policy. By the end of this post, you should have a good understanding of the home insurance process and be well on your way to finding the right policy for you.

1. Examine Your Coverage Needs

When your home insurance policy expires, the first thing you should do is take a look at your coverage needs. If you’ve experienced changes in your life since you last bought home insurance, your coverage needs may also have changed. If you’ve moved to a new home, you’ll need to ensure that your coverage meets the needs of your new property. And if you’ve made any significant renovations to your home, you’ll need to ensure that your home insurance policy covers those.

2. Compare Home Insurance Policies

Once you know what coverage you need, you can compare home insurance policies. There are a few things you’ll want to compare when you’re looking at home insurance policies:

  • The coverages offered: Make sure that the policy you’re considering offers the coverages you need.
  • The deductible: Try and find a policy with a deductible that you’re comfortable paying. However, remember that a lower deductible usually means a higher premium.
  • The premium: Make sure you can afford the policy you’re considering. Remember that the price isn’t the only thing that matters – you also need to ensure that the policy provides the coverage you need.

3. Choose a Policy and Purchase It

Once you’ve compared home insurance policies and found one that fits your needs, it’s time to purchase it. You can usually purchase home insurance through an insurance agent, broker, or insurance company. If you’re buying the policy through an agent or broker, they can help you understand the coverage and answer any questions.

Get Home Insurance in Connecticut

If you’re looking for home insurance, Goodman Insurance Inc. is a great option. We offer a variety of home insurance policies to meet your needs, and our experienced agents can help you find the right policy for you. Contact us today to get started.

Do you have the right policy protecting your Connecticut home?

The team at Goodman Insurance Inc. in Shelton, CT understands the importance of family homes. If you want to ensure that you have the insurance protection you need, give us a call or stop by our office today.

Protecting your home with the right insurance 

Your home is more than just a house. If you want to ensure that you have the protection you need, now is an excellent time for a full policy review. When you conduct a full review of your home insurance policy, you can determine if there are any gaps in your coverage. Adjusting your policy to fill any gaps in service is an integral part of keeping your insurance up to date. As more time elapses, your home’s insurance needs might change, and it’s essential to keep your coverage in line with your needs.

Another consideration is the level of insurance that your policy provides. As your home’s value increases, you will also need to increase the amount of insurance you have. This is especially true if you make any significant improvements to your home. Updating kitchens and bathrooms can increase the value of your home significantly. 

It’s essential to have the right insurance to protect your family’s home. We recommend that all of our clients conduct a comprehensive review of their insurance policies at least once a year. Call today to schedule your home policy review.

Do you have the right insurance to protect your home?

Goodman Insurance Inc. is here to help the residents in the greater Shelton, CT area. If you want to ensure that your insurance policy provides the protection you need, we can help. Give us a call or stop by today!

Tips about home insurance

Owning a home is one of the American dreams. When you have your own home, you can finally paint the walls with your color of choice, shape the lawn the way you have always wanted, and carry out other modifications. However, whether you own your first home or tenth, you must think about home insurance.

But because home insurance can be tricky, you need to talk with an expert for personalized advice. Fortunately, if you live in Shelton, CT, or the surrounding area, you can make Goodman Insurance Inc. your preferred home insurance agent. We not only sell policies to you but educate you first to ensure you make an informed decision. So, today, let’s look at important tips about home insurance.

  • Get the facts: Ask everything you need to know about home insurance — what does it cover? What is excluded? What are the factors affecting your insurance premiums? This information helps get the best out of your policy.
  • Consider the replacement cost value: You want an insurance policy that can rebuild your home without asking too much of your pocket. Consider the "replacement cost value" to ensure that you will get a similar home without paying high out-of-pocket costs if your home is totaled.
  • Update your policy regularly: Like most things in life, your home insurance policy can’t remain the same year in and year out. Update your policy at least once a year.
  • Buy adequate coverage: Underinsuring your home puts your finances at risk. We are not saying you overpay your premiums but get sufficient coverage. Please talk to your insurance agent if you don’t know how much coverage you need.

Need more tips about home insurance? At Goodman Insurance Inc., we are always at your side. You can call, email, or visit our Shelton, CT office for all your home insurance queries.

When is it Helpful to Have Home Insurance?

Your home is likely going to be the biggest asset that you ever own. For people that are in the Shelton, CT area, insuring this asset is very important. There are a variety of situations in which you will find it is very beneficial to have home insurance in place.

When Your Home is Damaged

One of the primary situations in which you will be glad that you have home insurance is if your home is damaged. If your property is damaged during a storm or other calamity, you will receive reimbursement coverage up to your policy limit. This could also include providing you with additional reimbursement associated with costs that you incur due to your home being damaged, such as providing you with money for a hotel.

When an Accident Takes Place

It can also be very beneficial to have home insurance if there is an accident in your home. If you ever have a guest over to your property, you are taking on responsibility for their well-being. If they have to be injured at your house, you could be sued and found liable. When you have home insurance in place, you will have coverage for these situations.

If You are Robbed

While a home insurance policy will provide you with coverage for the actual property, it can also provide you with coverage for your personal belongings. In the event that you are robbed or personal belongings in your home are vandalized, you could receive direct reimbursement from your insurance company. However, it is important to understand what the limitations are and to determine whether you should get additional riders.

When you are looking for home insurance in the Shelton, CT area, meeting with Goodman Insurance, Inc. is a great option. Goodman Insurance, Inc. knows the market well and will help you get a great policy with the right level of coverage.

 

Do You Need Commercial Insurance and Property Insurnace?

The world of insurance is difficult to traverse, and for many, it may be hard to understand. That being said, knowing a thing or two about some of the basics is a great way to start to understand insurance overall. A great way to begin is to determine if you need two different types of policies for the same business. Some people believe that it is necessary to have both property and commercial insurance on the same company and this may or may not be true based on individual circumstances. For those that live in the Shelton, CT area, the agents with Goodman Insurance, Inc. can help you find the coverage you need.

In most cases, there are multiple insurance policies sufficient to protect your business. If you have a business, either a commercial policy or a property policy is going to be enough to protect your investment against most of what may happen. If you feel you need more than one coverage option, you may benefit from having both. For the most part, a commercial policy is going to be better suited toward a business than a property policy would be anyway. In other cases, where a company is not present, you may want to look into a property policy.

Overall, the most important thing to remember is that it is better to have a policy that is specific to your needs than a policy that is overly broad or too general and may not cover your specific needs. If you are in doubt, it is always best to speak with an agent to find out more. For those in the Shelton, CT area, the agents with Goodman Insurance, Inc. can help you find the perfect policy.