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Crystal Lake, IL 60014

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Tag: insurance

Does Commercial Insurance Cover Property Damage?

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If you’re a business owner, you may have questions about commercial insurance, including whether commercial insurance covers property damage. Commercial insurance can help your business avoid big expenses when covered events occur. The professionals at August Vincent Insurance Agency, servicing Crystal Lake, IL, can help answer your questions. Here’s what you need to know.

What Is Commercial Insurance?

Commercial insurance is a type of insurance that can pay for expenses relating to covered events that impact your business. There are many types of commercial insurance. Every business is different, so choosing the right type of insurance can make a big difference.

Does Commercial Insurance Cover Property Damage?

Commercial property insurance, or business property insurance, covers your building’s structure and the physical assets or business personal property inside. Business personal property includes computers, business machinery and equipment, inventory, furniture, artwork, window treatments and other items that are used as part of your business. If your business operates out of a physical structure, you may benefit from the protection that a commercial property insurance policy provides.

Should You Get Commercial Insurance For Your Business?

Most businesses operating from a physical location can benefit from commercial property insurance. There are many types of commercial insurance for businesses of all sizes. The type of commercial insurance your business needs depends on its operations and structure.

Call Us for a Quote

August Vincent Insurance Agency serves businesses in and around Crystal Lake, IL. As an independent insurance agency, we work with several insurance carriers, not just one. That makes shopping and comparing commercial insurance easy. We can get you multiple quotes to compare and help you find the right insurance company for your business. Our insurance professionals are here to answer your questions and serve your interests. Call us to get started.

Umbrella Insurance for Ordinary but Risky Everyday Stuff

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When we think about risks, we often consider the extreme stuff and may overlook the ordinary, everyday risks that we don’t pay any attention to. At August Vincent Insurance Agency in Crystal Lake, IL, we work with our clients to advise them on insurance for managing extreme risks, as well as everyday needs.

Some examples are having pets (especially dogs), owning a pool or a trampoline, renting out part of your home, or sharing your property with guests. These can trigger liability events that may exceed the standard coverage for homeowners or renters, and that’s where umbrella insurance helps.

What Is Umbrella Insurance?

Umbrella insurance is a special kind of coverage that has very high policy limits ($1 milion to $5 million is not uncommon). There are two facets to umbrella insurance, which are:

  1. It provides additional coverage after a covered claim exceeds the policy limits of your other insurance policies, including your home and auto.
  2. It often provides specialized coverage for risks that are not offered under other policies you may have.

Depending on your needs, umbrella insurance may help manage risks associated with defamation lawsuits for social media use and other liability-related risks. However, specialized coverage related to cyberattacks typically requires a separate policy, such as cyber liability insurance.

Crazy things can happen. Your big dog jumps on the trampoline, throwing a drunk guest into your pool. It’s your dog, trampoline, and pool, and if you served alcohol at the party, you may have a significant liability if someone is seriously hurt. We are not saying your umbrella insurance will cover such a thing, but it is just an exaggerated example of the types of circumstances you will want to discuss with your agent.

August Vincent Insurance Agency, serving Crystal Lake, IL, can help you find an umbrella policy to extend your liability coverage across your home and auto policies. Contact us to review your existing insurance and get recommendations for umbrella insurance.

How Home Insurance Works During Home Renovation

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Renovating your home can be exciting, but it also changes your insurance risks in ways many homeowners don’t realize. Whether you’re remodeling a kitchen or adding an entire wing, your standard home insurance might not automatically cover everything that happens during the process. Understanding how coverage shifts during renovation helps prevent costly gaps if something goes wrong. For details, contact your insurance representative at August Vincent Insurance Agency, serving Crystal Lake, IL. In the meantime, here’s what you should know.

Coverage Before Construction Begins

Before work starts, contact your insurer to explain the scope and cost of your project. Most home policies protect against fire, theft, and certain kinds of accidental damage, but those rules can change once construction begins. If contractors are involved, their liability coverage should also be verified. This ensures their insurance pays for injuries or damage they cause, not yours.

When You Need Extra Protection

Major renovations often require temporary policy adjustments or endorsements. A builder’s risk policy, for example, covers the structure and materials during construction, including losses from fire, vandalism, or weather damage. If you’re adding square footage, you may also need to increase your dwelling coverage so your home’s full replacement value reflects the new improvements.

During renovation, your personal belongings might be at greater risk too. Tools, appliances, or new fixtures stored on-site could be stolen or damaged. Reviewing your personal property limits and adding short-term coverage can help safeguard those items.

After the Work Is Done

Once renovations are complete, notify your insurer again so they can update your home’s value and coverage details. Ignoring that step can leave new upgrades underinsured.

Renovation brings progress but it also brings risk. Taking time to review your coverage before, during, and after a home renovation project ensures that your investment stays protected from the first nail to the final coat of paint. Contact your insurance representative at August Vincent Insurance Agency, serving Crystal Lake, IL to learn more!

Can You Add ATVs to An Auto Insurance Policy?

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There’s nothing like spending the day enjoying your four-wheeler or riding with your friends. You can make so many upgrades that all-terrain vehicles never get boring. Most people want to make sure their ATVs are properly insured, but it’s important to get the right policy. One of our agents at August Vincent Insurance Agency, serving Crystal Lake, IL, can help. 

Will Your Auto Insurance Policy Cover Your ATV?

While cars and ATVs are four-wheeled vehicles, they usually don’t qualify for the same insurance policy. Standard car insurance policies will not cover an ATV. These policies, and their coverage limits, are designed for cars and trucks, such as your daily vehicle. Many companies will not cover ATVs, but may let you bundle an ATV and auto policy. 

Insurance Poliies for ATVs

That doesn’t mean you’re out of luck when it comes to getting a policy for your ATV. A separate ATV policy can cover liability, bodily injury, theft, damage from natural disasters, and other related risks. Speak with a professional at August Vincent Insurance Agency to learn more about specialized policies. 

Will Your Home Insurance Cover Your ATV?

Your homeowner’s policy may provide limited coverage. These policies can cover damage for covered perils, such as wind damage or theft. On the other hand, they do have stricter coverage limits for things like ATVs, and may not provide the coverage you need to replace yours if it’s damaged. Home insurance policies also typically do not cover liability or bodily injury. 

We know that you love spending the day with your ATVs, and how devastating it would be if something were to happen to it. An insurance agent at August Vincent Insurance Agency can help you learn more about your options. Contact us. We’re currently serving the Crystal Lake, IL, area. 

How to Figure Out Which Commercial Insurance Products Would Most Benefit Your Business

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Choosing the right commercial insurance can be challenging, especially when faced with numerous coverage options and policy types. Every business has unique risks and exposures that require customized protection strategies. At August Vincent Insurance Agency, serving Crystal Lake, IL, we assist business owners in navigating this complex decision by focusing on practical risk assessment and coverage prioritization.

Start With a Comprehensive Risk Assessment

Evaluate your business operations to identify potential exposures that could lead to financial losses. Consider property risks, such as fire or theft, liability exposures from customer interactions, and operational risks, including key employee loss or supply chain disruptions. Document these risks and estimate their potential financial impact to prioritize which coverage types require immediate attention versus those that can be addressed later.

Evaluate Your Industry-Specific Needs

Each industry faces unique challenges that demand specialized coverage. For example, restaurants often need product liability and liquor liability insurance, while tech companies may prioritize cyber liability and errors and omissions coverage. Research common claims within your industry and consult with other business owners about their insurance experiences. This insight can help you identify coverage gaps you may not have considered.

Consider Your Budget and Growth Plans

Balance your current financial capacity with your business growth projections when selecting coverage limits and deductibles. While higher deductibles can lower premiums, they require sufficient cash reserves. Additionally, consider how your insurance needs may evolve as you expand locations, hire employees, or introduce new products. Building relationships with experienced agents ensures your coverage adapts to your business’s changing needs.

Make Informed Coverage Decisions

You don’t have to navigate commercial insurance decisions alone. Expert guidance is available to help you make informed choices. Contact August Vincent Insurance Agency, serving Crystal Lake, IL, today to discuss your specific business risks and create a comprehensive insurance strategy.

Does Umbrella Insurance Cover Libel and Slander?

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The most well-known benefit of umbrella insurance is that it increases the liability coverage provided by home, renters, and auto policies. However, it also insures against additional types of legal claims that your original policy might not cover. These often include issues like privacy invasion, false arrest, and defamation.

Slander vs. Libel

While slander refers to spoken statements, libel involves written or published harmful information. Libelous material can appear on the internet, in signs, in newspapers, or other printed publications. Both slander and libel are forms of defamation, and umbrella insurance typically covers them, with certain exceptions. Even when a negative statement is true, proving it can be difficult.

Could It Happen to You?

Unfortunately, it’s easier than ever to make defamatory statements that could result in a lawsuit. Social media networks, online forums, and business review websites allow users to post negative comments instantly. Even if you don’t use these platforms, you could unknowingly repeat false information or exaggerate someone’s faults in a moment of anger.

Types of Insurance

Regular home or renters insurance may or may not cover defamation in Crystal Lake, IL. Some insurers offer this coverage as an optional rider. Even if your existing policy includes protection against slander and libel lawsuits, you could still benefit from umbrella insurance. It increases the coverage limit for defamation claims and can help cover legal defense costs, regardless of the verdict.

If you’d like to benefit from the protection offered by an umbrella policy, talk to the experts at August Vincent Insurance Agency. Our independent agents will help you compare coverage options and find the right policy for your needs. To get started, please call 847-217-2184 to reach the August Vincent Insurance Agency office in Crystal Lake, IL.

The Connection Between Personal Umbrella Policies and Pet Ownership

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Pets bring so much joy to our lives with their wagging tails, playful energy, and unconditional love. But as any pet owner knows, they also come with responsibilities—and sometimes risks. At August Vincent Insurance Agency in Crystal Lake, IL, we often talk to pet parents who are surprised to learn how a personal umbrella policy can offer crucial protection against unexpected situations involving their furry friends.

Pets and Liability: What You May Not Realize

While you may see your dog or cat as a beloved family member, the law often sees them differently. If your pet causes harm to someone—whether it’s a dog bite, a scratch, or even knocking someone over—you could be held liable for medical bills, legal fees, and other damages. Even well-trained pets can have bad days or react unpredictably in certain situations, which makes liability a real concern.

Standard homeowners or renters insurance may cover some liability, but coverage limits can quickly be exceeded if the situation escalates. That’s where a personal umbrella policy comes in.

How a Personal Umbrella Policy Protects Pet Owners

A personal umbrella policy provides an additional layer of liability protection that goes beyond the limits of your standard insurance. If your pet is involved in an incident that results in a lawsuit or significant medical costs, umbrella coverage can help protect your savings and assets. It’s an affordable way to gain peace of mind, especially for pet owners who understand that even the sweetest pets can have unpredictable moments.

If you own a pet, don’t wait to learn more about personal umbrella policies. Contact August Vincent Insurance Agency in Crystal Lake, IL, to explore how this added protection can keep you and your furry friends covered.

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