Contractor Insurance Bremerton, WA

How to Avoid Insurance Claims & Liabilities From Hiring Contractors

/in /by

Contractor Insurance Bremerton, WAIf you’re an experienced home remodeler, you’ve probably come across contractors who are willing to offer better pricing for cash deals or who are reluctant to provide you with a service contract. Did you know that you can be held liable for hiring a contractor who does not carry the right insurance and causes damages or injuries to another person or even one of their own workers? Saving a few dollars on your remodel can end up costing you thousands so follow these tips to avoid an insurance disaster.

  1. Look for obvious red flags: Getting multiple quotes for the job is a great idea, but did you find a contractor who will do the work for ½ as much as the next guy? How is this possible? When you’re inviting a contractor to your home, be sure to ask them for credentials before they come over to give you a bid. Following these steps can save you from theft, liability and even money.
  2. Ask for references: If you found a great contractor and you like him/her, ask them if they have a website or if there is someone who has had work done by them recently that you can talk to. If a contractor is proud of the work they do, they should have several references for you to call. It is okay to ask for reference and most people expect it. Most small businesses survive off of word-of-mouth advertising, so don’t be shy.
  3. Utilize the internet to look up their license: Contractors are required to have a license to perform work. You can utilize your states resources to find these contractors. An internet search will provide you with some quick references. You can even make your job quicker by asking them to provide you with a copy of their license or number.
  4. Active License, Insurance & Bond: Ask the contractor for a copy of their license as well as documentation of their insurance and bond. Note: Check the dates on the license as well as the insurance to ensure they’re currently in force or active.
  5. Get specific: Not only is it important to protect your insurance from a scam, but ensure your pocketbook doesn’t get taken for a ride too. Ask questions like, “Is this an estimate or a final bid?” “Does this estimate include parts and labor?” “Can I see where you’re buying the products beforehand?” The more questions you ask, the better you will feel and the more the contractor will understand that you’re educated on this process.

Let’s take a closer look at what some of these products do:

  1. License: A license to do business means that contractor has met local guidelines and qualification standards to work in their field. Hiring an unlicensed contractor can result in shoddy work or dangerous results such as with an electrician.
  2. Insurance: Contractors need two types of insurance really.
    1. General Liability Insurance: This will protect you from damages that the contractor causes such as a ladder falling through a window, causing a fire or overspray onto a neighboring house during some painting.
    2. Workers Compensation Insurance: This insurance will protect the contractor if one of his employees is injured on the job while on your property. If the contractor does not carry workers compensation insurance, your homeowners insurance policy might be asked to pay that workers claim.
  3. Bonds: A bond acts as a guarantee that the contractor will perform the work they’ve been asked to do. For instance, say your pay a contractor to do a job and he never gets the permits or doesn’t pay a subcontractor – collecting from his bond can help cover these costs.

Hiring a contractor this way can be a great option to bringing some new changes to your home. It is possible to really save money on these services, but just using some simple, quick research and asking the right questions can save you a bundle as well as a headache.

Insurance Agency Bremerton, WA

When Is The Best Time To Do an Insurance Review With My Agent?

/in /by

Insurance Agency Bremerton, WAWorking with a local, independent insurance agency has many perks versus trying to figure out your insurance policy by yourself & purchasing it online. Not only do independent insurance agencies represent the top insurance carriers, but we can also act as your adviser. So, when should you take advantage of our expertise and do an insurance policy review?

Annual Review

Whether it’s your auto or home insurance policy, your insurance policies get renewed on the same month every year. This is probably the best time to reach out to your insurance agent regarding an insurance review. Did you premium go up? If so, reach out to us. We can re-quote you, often quoting several carriers at once. Then, we can shop to find you the best rate at similar coverage. Rates have been trending up, so it is possible your current carrier is still the best one.

At the Start of a New Season

This works best for all those individuals who own a boat, RV, ATV, motorcycle, etc. In many cases, individuals use their toys during the season and not year round. If this is the case for you, it might be best to ask your agent for an insurance review before you bring your boat, RV or ATV out to use for the season. A quick email or phone call is all it takes.

If You Have Multiple Insurance Policies

Did you know you can earn a nice discount by bundling your policies together? If you are a new college grad, you may be looking for renters insurance. Ask us if you can save money by bundling your renters and auto insurance together. Or, if you are looking to purchase an umbrella insurance policy to protect your assets, we may be able to score you a discount by bundling it with your auto or home insurance.

Updating Your Home

If you recently completed some major remodeling to your home, reach out to your insurance agent. We will want to ensure you have enough insurance coverage for all the changes you made such as custom cabinetry or new hardwood floors.

Life Changes

Whether you are working from home now and are driving less, recently got married or now have a teen driver in the house, we appreciate when you reach out to us! Not only can we look for discounts, but we can update your insurance policy to avoid any gaps in coverage.

We hope these examples encourage you to ask for an insurance review. As you insurance agent, we want to make sure you understand your current coverage and are getting the best coverage for your unique situation. We are here to help! Ask for insurance review today.

Tips for working from home in Bremerton, WA

How to Effectively Work From Home

/in /by

Tips for working from home in Bremerton, WA2020 has been the year where many more individuals experience working from home instead of driving into work. For some, this may feel luxurious, while other individuals may feel lost and unsure how they can be productive at home. We are looking to help the latter group! Working from home can be effective and relaxing when done correctly. Follow these simple tips to be successful.

Have a Dedicated Work Space

This is crucial. Just like you have a dedicated work space in your office, you want the same thing when working from home. Some individuals may have the luxury of having a separate bedroom or other unused space they can transform. Others may not. If you do not have an extra room, we suggest setting up your space in a clean, organized matter. Use one seat at your kitchen table that can mimic a cubicle. Keep your space organized and make it appear to be your dedicated work space. Or, rearrange your living room to have a small work space.

Create a Routine

Some individuals may find it is best to follow their exact routine as if they were going into the office to work. Set an alarm, shower, eat breakfast, start working by 8 am. You can mimic your exact work schedule or you can create a new routine. Regardless, you should have a routine! If you are looking for a new routine, consider constructing a to-do list at the beginning of each day. Do you have any conference calls? What needs to get completed today and by what time? When you know this information, you can lay out your day in an organized manner. Be sure to include a work break as suggested next. Working from home has perks, but if you’re constantly doing other things because you can, this will hurt your work productivity.

Take a Break

Just like you would take a lunch break while working in the office, take a break when you are at home. We would not recommend tackling your household to-do list during this time, but perhaps taking a break to do a 20 minute walk, sit down and have a meal or anything else that gives you a break from your work duties.

Want to Start Working From Home Full Time?

If you run your own business, consider creating a dedicated work space in your home. Whether it is converting a room into an office or building a detached office outside your home. It should feel like work and is only used for work. Best of all, you may be able to deduct the dedicated space from your taxes. Talk to you accountant about this. If you find you will be working from home permanently and are a small business owner, contact us regarding your insurance policy.

We hope these tips are helpful. If you have any questions regarding your insurance policy, reach out to our agency. We can provide a free quote or complete an insurance review.