What Commercial Insurance Options Are Right For You

When you run a business, it is important to consider all the different ways insurance may protect the company. Now, there are a number of different commercial insurance options out there. You just need some help finding what is right for you and your San Francisco, CA business. At Biddle-Shaw Insurance Services, Inc., that is exactly what you’ll receive. 

Window Insurance

Do you have many windows on the property? Do you own the property? If you answered yes to both of those questions, you might want window insurance. Replacing windows, regardless of the reason, is expensive and an undesirable added expense. With window insurance, you’ll avoid paying out of pocket for this. 

Property Insurance

You don’t need to own the property to take advantage of property insurance. Chances are, you have machines and other equipment on hand you use for your business. If these items are tampered with, destroyed, or stolen it can shut down your business until a replacement is brought in. Instead of paying for replacement equipment out of pocket, property insurance helps protect you. 

Vehicle Insurance

If you drive at all for work, you need commercial vehicle insurance. It doesn’t matter if you have regular auto insurance as this insurance will not cover you when driving for work. So from using your own vehicle to bringing in a specific commercial vehicle, it is a good idea to invest in commercial vehicle insurance. It protects your driver and your business in the event of an accident. 

When it comes to finding the right commercial insurance coverage for your business, look no further than the team at Biddle-Shaw Insurance Services, Inc. Our San Francisco, CA agency can help you better protect your business. All you need to do is give our team a call. 

When Can You Claim Your Renters Insurance?

Renters insurance offers financial coverage against loss or damage of personal property or injuries to other people that may happen inside your rented home. It covers legal costs in case the person files a liability claim and pays for medical expenses. At Biddle-Shaw Insurance Services, Inc., we help our clients in San Francisco, CA find the renter’s insurance coverage that best suits them. However, making unnecessary claims can have negative effects on your premiums.

The following are some of the appropriate reasons to make a claim:

When The Damage Is Not Your Fault

If the damage is a result of your own negligence, the insurance company will not pay your claim. In fact, they may raise your rates. Be sure that the damage is not your fault before making a claim for your renter’s insurance

When The Cause Of Damage Is Covered

It is important to note that your renter’s insurance policy does not cover everything. You should study your policy to understand what is covered. Do not claim a peril that is not covered. Apart from the fact that it will be disallowed, it may put you in a position of disadvantage with your insurance company.

When The Amount Is More Than The Deductible

Make sure that the cash value of a claim is more than your deductible before filing a claim. If it does not, you won’t get any benefits and your premiums may be raised just because you had an event happen.

At Biddle-Shaw Insurance Services, Inc., we help our clients prepare themselves for accidents. We write quotes for renters and other insurance policies. We service California, Arizona, Colorado, Texas, and Nevada. Visit our office in San Francisco, CA or contact us at 415-586-7200 to discuss a new quote.

Does Commercial Insurance Cover Copyright Infringement?

Commercial insurance is required by California law but only in certain situations. Sonoma and San Francisco, CA residents must have coverage to provide unemployment benefits to staff, workers compensation if you have a certain amount of laborers, and disability insurance for employees. Certain professions may require you to obtain a professional liability policy, and your agent can discuss these conditions in greater detail with you. 

Is Copyright Infringement Covered?

In today’s world, we simply cannot get around the fact that content is king. As such, the need to produce marketing materials, blog posts, and other sorts of advertising means that we must deal with creators of artwork and marketing. This can put companies at risk if a contractor or other employee uses ideas that were sourced from someone else without their knowledge. If a business displays a logo that another person is claiming ownership of, it can expose that firm to the danger of lawsuits and demands that damages be paid. 

Your general liability insurance policy should protect you in cases where you are held liable for copyright infringement, and depending on your field, you’ll need to determine how much coverage you will need. If you feel your indemnification limits could leave you responsible for an outstanding balance, you can add a commercial insurance umbrella policy that will have higher caps, giving you greater protection. 

Biddle-Shaw Insurance Services, Inc. Is Here for You 

Biddle-Shaw Insurance Services, Inc. is experienced in providing Sonoma and San Francisco, CA residents with premium insurance products to fill their everyday needs. We can answer any questions you may have regarding commercial insurance and its protections against copyright infringement issues, and we look forward to hearing from you. You can reach us online, by telephone, or you can stop in to our office to speak to one of our friendly agents today!

Can Renter’s Insurance Help Lower Your Rent?

Renting is a great way to save up money for a home of your own or to just avoid having to pay high mortgages and other expenses associated with a house. For those that rent, you are not required to have a homeowners or renters policy but a renters policy is highly suggested. Renter’s insurance can help in the case of a fire or a break-in. Though renter’s insurance is not necessarily mandatory in all apartments or rental spaces, it is highly beneficial. For those in the San Francisco, CA area, the agents with Biddle-Shaw Insurance Services Inc. can help you find the right policy for you.

For the most part, renter’s insurance is optional, some landlords, however, will offer a break on their rents if you do have renter’s insurance in place. This is because it will help you to recover your items if something happens which means that you are less likely to come back to the landlord or the rental property itself. Renter’s insurance is mandatory in some rental areas however to protect the rental property and the landlord.

You should find out if your rental agreement offers any sort of breaks for renter’s insurance or if it is mandatory in order to enter into a rental agreement with that particular landlord. Renter’s insurance can help you recover if your possessions if they are damaged, stolen or otherwise destroyed and can even help to rebuild the unit so that you are not liable to help rebuild or to pay your damage deposit. For those that do have renter’s insurance, you can be sure that you are going to benefit from having this type of policy in place.

For those in the San Francisco, CA area, the agents with Biddle-Shaw Insurance Services Inc. can help you find the perfect policy.

When Tragedy Strikes: Don’t Put Off Filing A Claim

The last thing that you probably want to do when tragedy strikes your business is capture pictures of the damage. You want to forget and move past the horrendous event, but the only way to do that is by gathering documentation and filing an insurance claim. Of course, professional firms such as Biddle-Shaw Insurance Services, Inc., which serves the San Francisco, CA area, can help you secure the right policy so that you are financially prepared for unexpected occurrences. Promptly filing a claim, however, is your responsibility. 

When should you file a business insurance claim?

It is crucial to file a business insurance claim immediately after an incident takes place. Granted, you may not be able to get in the building directly following natural disasters such as fires and earthquakes. You should file a claim promptly upon being able to assess damages in these instances. Make sure that all documentation relating to your company, as well as third-party losses, is complete and that pictures accompany your request for compensation. 

Why should you file so quickly?

You stand to lose money or even be denied if you delay filing a business insurance claim. The process of settling a commercial case is also pretty arduous. You may find yourself accepting the first offer the indemnity firm offers in efforts to get the company back up and running when you wait to file a claim. The benefit of contesting low offers comes to those who request compensation for damages promptly. 

Sometimes grief overwhelms you and filing an indemnity claim is the last thing you want to consider when your company is severely damaged or destroyed. It is necessary, however, to make timely requests to get the most out of your plan. Biddle-Shaw Insurance Services, Inc. can help if your business is near the San Jose or  San Francisco, CA region. Call us today!

What Should You Do If You Have a Claim?

How to Mark a Claim with Biddle-Shaw Insurance Services, Inc.

California law does not require residents to purchase homeowner’s insurance, but most lenders will. Though it is never the desire of any homeowner to ever need to make a claim, it is vital to know what steps to take in the event that you sustain damage to your personal possessions or property.  

Do Not Delay

Tell your insurance company as soon as possible that you have sustained damage to your home, and if this is the result of theft, be sure to report this to the police immediately. It is imperative that you understand the insurance coverage that you have, and that you ask for help from your agent if there is anything you don’t understand. It is vital to read your declaration page and know what your limits, deductibles, and exclusions are.

Keep Track

List the items that have been affected, and be sure to take pictures or video of them before any repairs are done. Do not attempt to make permanent improvements, as this is the responsibility of your insurance company. In addition, it is crucial that you keep the receipts for materials that you purchase in order to complete temporary reparations. Carefully itemize your possessions that were destroyed on your proof-of-loss form, and do your best to be present when the adjuster shows up. Notify your insurance company if your property will be vacant, letting them know the address where you will be staying. 

Contact Biddle-Shaw Insurance Services, Inc. in San Francisco, CA

We at Biddle-Shaw Insurance Services, Inc. understand how to provide superior customer service, and it is our privilege to serve the residents of Sonoma and San Francisco, CA. We can help you with all your homeowner’s insurance needs, and we encourage you to give us a call or stop by our office to speak to one of our friendly agents today.