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Business Insurance

Expert bartender making a cocktail at a CNY bar.Business InsurancePersonal Insurance

Bar and Tavern Liquor Liability Insurance for CNY Businesses

If you own a bar or tavern in Central New York, you know how important it is to serve your customers well. You also know how risky it can be to serve alcohol. You could face lawsuits arising from drunk drivers, injured patrons, or damaged property. These lawsuits could cost you thousands in legal fees, settlements, and medical bills. They could even put you out of business. That’s why you need bar and tavern liquor liability insurance. This type of insurance protects you from the financial consequences of alcohol-related claims. It covers your legal defense costs, damages, and medical expenses…
August 28, 2023
A CNY dad with a newborn enjoying playtime via paid family leave.Business InsurancePersonal Insurance

How Short-Term Disability/Paid Family Leave Protects Your Employees

As a Central New York employer, you know how important it is to protect your employees and your bottom line. You want to offer your staff great benefits, but you must also consider the costs and compliance. You know that your employees are your most valuable asset. They ensure you have a smooth-running and efficient business. But what happens when one of your employees can’t work due to a non-work-related illness or injury? Or when they need to take time off to care for a new child or a sick family member? You may have heard of short-term disability (STD)…
August 23, 2023
Injured CNY worker applying for workers’ comp.Business InsurancePersonal Insurance

New York Workers Comp Explained: A Comprehensive Guide for CNY Employers

You’re a new business owner in New York State. You want to run your business well. But you may not know some of the things you have to do as an employer in this state. One of these things is obtaining workers’ compensation insurance. This is a kind of insurance that pays for your employees if they get hurt or sick at work. You have to buy this insurance by law. But it’s also a smart investment for your business. It can save you from legal problems, money losses, and a poor reputation. It can also provide benefits and support…
August 21, 2023
A CNY restaurant owner reviews his business policy to understand his premium cost.Business InsurancePersonal Insurance

Restaurant Insurance: How much does it cost?

Opening a restaurant is an exciting and rewarding venture, but it also comes with many risks and challenges. One of the most important aspects of running a successful restaurant is having adequate insurance coverage to protect your business, your employees, and your customers. But how much does restaurant insurance cost, and what factors affect the price? In this article, we’ll answer these questions and help you find the best insurance policy for your restaurant. As a CNY insurance agency in the heart of a restaurant-friendly town, we understand the unique challenges and opportunities that restaurant owners face. We’ve been providing…
August 7, 2023
A waiter carries cocktails to a table at a fancy CNY restaurant.Business InsurancePersonal Insurance

Restaurant Insurance: Why Liquor Liability is Essential in Safeguarding Your Business

Some CNY businesses face more risks than others and require specialized insurance solutions. Restaurants and food services are among these businesses, especially if they sell or serve alcohol. If you own or plan to own a restaurant that sells or serves alcohol, you need to know about liquor liability insurance. This type of insurance can protect your business from costly lawsuits and damages stemming from intoxicated customers who cause harm to themselves or others after drinking at your establishment. Whether you’re pre-planning for your first restaurant, adding alcohol sales to your existing menu, or already selling alcohol but want to…
August 5, 2023
A CNY painter and two subcontractors tackle a residential project.Business InsurancePersonal Insurance

Painter’s Insurance: When the First Coat Isn’t Enough

As a painting contractor, you know how to handle a brush, a roller, and a spray gun. You know how to prepare surfaces, apply coatings, and create beautiful results. But do you know how to protect yourself and your business from the risks that come with your work? Painting is not just an art, it’s also a liability. You could face lawsuits, property damage, injuries, or accidents that could cost you a lot of money and reputation if you don’t have adequate insurance. There are some specific things that could make you vulnerable as a painting contractor and some riders…
July 14, 2023
A CNY contract painter preparing for a residential project.Business InsurancePersonal Insurance

Painter’s Insurance: Brushing Up On the Basics

If you’re a painter in CNY who mainly takes residential jobs, you might wonder what kind of insurance you need to protect your business. Painting can be a rewarding and profitable profession, but it also comes with some risks. You could accidentally damage a client’s property, injure yourself or someone else, or face a lawsuit for a mistake or delay. That’s why having the right painter’s insurance is essential. Painter’s insurance is a type of policy that covers various financial risks related to painting, such as bodily injury, property damage, and advertising mistakes. It can also cover specific risks related…
July 11, 2023
Risotto in a pan being cooked in a well-insured CNY restaurant.Business InsurancePersonal Insurance

Restaurant Insurance Basics: Insurance Every Restaurant Owner Should Have

You have a dream of opening your own restaurant. You have the passion, the skills, and the vision to create a successful business. But you also know that running a restaurant is not easy. There are many risks and challenges you need to overcome, such as fire, theft, liability, food safety, employee injuries, and more. That’s why you need restaurant insurance. Restaurant insurance is a type of business insurance that covers the specific needs of restaurant owners. It protects you from the financial losses that can result from unexpected events that can damage your property, harm your customers or employees,…
June 23, 2023
A landscaper loading equipment onto a trailer after finishing a project in CNY.Business InsurancePersonal Insurance

Understanding Landscapers Insurance: A Comprehensive Guide

If you own a small landscaping business, you know how rewarding it can be to create beautiful outdoor spaces for your clients. You also know how challenging it can be to run a successful business in a competitive industry. You have to deal with unpredictable Central New York weather, seasonal fluctuations, equipment maintenance, employee management, and customer satisfaction. And on top of all that, you have to worry about the risks and liabilities that come with your work. That’s why you need landscaping insurance. Landscaping insurance is a type of insurance coverage specifically designed for businesses and individuals who provide…
June 15, 2023
A handyman preparing to tackle several jobs at a customer’s home in Central New York.Business InsurancePersonal Insurance

Handyman Insurance: What You Need to Know and How to Get It

You’re a handyman who can do it all. Over the years, you developed the skills and acquired the tools to tackle any home improvement project, big or small. You love helping your CNY customers fix their problems and make their properties better. Because you’re good at what you do, you’ve been landing more jobs, and your reputation is growing. But being a handyman comes with risks. You never know what might go wrong on a job site, or what kind of liability you might face if something does. You could damage someone’s property, injure yourself or someone else, or get…
June 9, 2023
A mom drops off her two children at an at-home daycare in Central New York.Business InsuranceHomeowners InsurancePersonal Insurance

At-Home Daycare: The Dos and Don’ts of Licenses and Insurance in New York State

You want to care for more than two children in your home, but you don’t know New York State rules and regulations. You also don’t know how to protect yourself from liability in case something goes wrong. You need to learn about the different types of childcare licenses, the requirements for each one, and the insurance options available for your business. You don’t want to risk losing your home or facing a lawsuit because of an accident or injury involving a child in your care. As an insurance agency with years of experience, we know how to find the best…
June 6, 2023
Customers line up on a lawn in front of a home-based Central New York cookie business.Business InsuranceHomeowners InsurancePersonal Insurance

4 Factors That Affect the Cost of Home-Based Business Insurance in CNY

If you’re starting a home-based business in Central New York, you’ll need insurance to protect yourself and your property from unexpected losses. The cost of insurance will vary depending on a number of factors that affect the risk and exposure of your business, including the type of business you operate, whether you see customers at your home, whether you handle other people’s property and the amount of business property you have. Our agency has written policies for home-based businesses and larger commercial enterprises over the years. In that time, we’ve narrowed down the main elements that impact the price of…
June 2, 2023
Detailed e-commerce purchase order for a small CNY pottery business.Business InsuranceHomeowners InsurancePersonal Insurance

How to Insure an E-Commerce Shop in Central New York: A 6-Step Guide

CLICK LINKS BELOW TO JUMP TO SECTION Six Steps to Properly Insuring Your E-Commerce Business Step 1: Evaluate Your E-Commerce Business Risks Step 1: Evaluate Your E-Commerce Business Risks Step 2: Decide Which Types of Policies You Need Step 3: Choose How to Shop for Your E-Commerce Policy Step 4: Select a Suitable Insurance Provider Step 4: Select a Suitable Insurance Provider Step 5: Purchase Your Policy Step 6: Keep Your E-Commerce Policies Up to Date Protect Your E-Commerce Shop with the Right Insurance CoverageWhen starting an e-commerce shop, a lot of budding small business owners are unaware of the…
May 31, 2023
A caring CNY dog groomer tends to several adorable customers in her home.Business InsuranceHomeowners InsurancePersonal Insurance

Home-Based Businesses: Is Homeowners Insurance Enough?

Many home-based business owners throughout Central New York think their homeowners insurance will cover them if something happens to their business property, customers, or income. However, this is a dangerous assumption that could put your business and your personal assets at risk. Homeowners insurance has several limitations and exclusions for business-related property, liability, and income loss, such as low coverage limits, no coverage for other structures or data loss, and no coverage for business liability claims or loss of income. Running a home-based business comes with its share of challenges. We understand this and know it takes a considerable amount…
May 24, 2023
A CNY small business owner sitting in her home office with her furry assistant lending a paw.Business InsuranceHomeowners InsurancePersonal Insurance

The Best Insurance Options for Home-Based Businesses

If you live in Central New York and run a business from your home, you may have to pay for any problems that happen to clients or customers who come to your home or buy your products or services. You’ll likely not get enough money from your home insurance if something bad happens to your business equipment or supplies. Your home insurance may not cover everything you need for your business. This means you could face financial losses or legal liabilities if something goes wrong with your home-based business, such as a customer getting injured, a product malfunctioning, or a…
May 24, 2023
A certificate of insurance form sits on a tabletop among small contractor tools.Business InsuranceGeneral Topics

How to Handle a Certificate of Insurance Request

Business is going great. And recently, a potential client over in Homer looked you up, liked what he saw, and reached out to inquire about a kitchen remodel. But before you can scope the work, present a timeline, or even a budget, the client says: “I was wondering if you could provide me with a certificate of insurance before we get started.” Yep. You need to show proof of business insurance to land this job. But how do you go about doing that? Why can’t you just show them your insurance policy and be done with it? This is probably…
April 4, 2023
An injured contractor with workers comp visits his doctor.Business InsuranceWorkers Compensation

Why Must CNY Contractors Have Workers Comp Insurance?

You gave a great pitch and offered a competitive bid on a sweet job a client agreed to. The project is practically yours. So you lay out plans to get started. But then an email arrives from one of your client’s employees saying, “Hey, good morning. We also need proof of your insurance coverage.” You think to yourself, No big deal. You have your general liability and commercial auto insurance, so you figure you’re in good shape. But when you reread the email, you see they also need your workers compensation insurance info. Workers Comp? But you’re a one-person operation.…
March 31, 2023
A masked burglar sneaks into a garage to steal tools belonging to a small contractor.Business InsuranceGeneral Topics

Proper Tool Insurance for Small Contractors

Your tools and equipment are the lifeblood of your work. Without them, you can’t finish the job and collect payment. If some of those tools go missing, sure, you can replace a few if you had to on the fly. But what if your Snap-on tool chest was rolled out of your garage along with everything in it? What if your hand tools were stolen from the job site or destroyed in a fire? If you’re here, these problems have occurred to you or someone you know. You want to insure your tools but aren’t sure where to start. As…
March 31, 2023
A small contractor with personal auto insurance narrowly misses a car at the intersection.Business InsuranceCommercial Auto Insurance

When Should Small Contractors Switch from Personal to Commercial Auto Insurance?

It’s a sunny spring morning in Central New York. You woke up energized and immediately started loading your truck with 2x4s and tools for the job you landed weeks ago. You’re turning into a small contractor, and it feels great. Things are looking up. You take a sip from your cup of piping hot morning coffee before you back out of the driveway. But you glance down to switch the radio station for what seemed like a split second and narrowly miss your Mercer Street neighbor, Kathy, who was just passing by in front of your house. You quickly hit…
March 30, 2023
EPL Insurance in the workplaceBusiness InsuranceEmployment Practices Liability Insurance

#MeToo and EPL Coverage

#MeToo and EPL Coverage   Since the #MeToo movement started in October of 2017, many powerful predators and employers have been brought to justice and been rightfully punished for not only preying on their employees, but for violating laws regarding discrimination and wrongful termination. While this is a great improvement for people in the workplace, some business owners feel they might be at risk for being sued because an employee might file a suit believing they were terminated or not hired based on sex – a clear violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. In the…
January 10, 2020
Business Insurance

New York State Paid Family Leave Update

On August 31st, New York’s Department of Financial Services (DFS) published the NY Paid Family Leave (PFL) rate for the 2019 calendar year. For 2019, the maximum contribution rate for Paid Family Leave will go from 0.126% to 0.153% of the employee’s gross annualized wages capped at the new annualized New York State Average Weekly Wage (NYSAWW) of $70,569.72* per year (learn more here);  which translates to a maximum annual premium contribution of $107.97 per employee. The rate for Paid Family Leave has been increased 21.4%. This takes into consideration the increase of benefits for 2019 which has also been confirmed as part of the rate announcement. …
September 6, 2018
Business Insurance

New York Paid Family Leave

New York Paid Family Leave Commences New York Paid Family Leave has officially begun (Jan. 1st 2018). But...what is it? I've talked to a large number of employers and an even larger number of employees who have no idea what it is. Like most insurance coverage, understanding New York Paid Family Leave seems like a daunting task. However, after a thorough review, I can tell you, it isn't. What is New York Paid Family Leave? New York Paid Family Leave is a mandatory benefit for non-public employees. It provides wage replacement when temporarily leaving work for a specific life event.…
January 29, 2018
Example of a an employee getting injured and needing workers compBusiness InsuranceWorkers Compensation

What does workers comp insurance do?

Question 100 in 100 Insurance Questions in 100 Days Video Series! https://youtu.be/zicjRLQFXZI Workers’ Compensation is typically the largest part of a business’s insurance expense. It applies to workers who are injured or become ill due to their job function or environment. It also compensates for lost wages. The wages are replaced up to a certain percentage amount. There is a seven-day waiting period in order to do that. It is not the same as short-term disability. Short-term disability covers for injuries and sicknesses that occur away from one’s employer. Workers’ Compensation also covers unlimited amounts of medical expenses that happen…
November 14, 2017
Business InsuranceBusiness Owners Insurance

How does Co-insurance work?

Question #96 in 100 Insurance Questions in 100 Days Video Series https://youtu.be/nO5TC2tCW2c Coinsurance on a commercial insurance policy in New York can have a serious impact on any partial or total loss. This is a critical element in the insurance policy that can not be overlooked. Please review this video explanation so that you do not get caught blindsided.
November 10, 2017
Business InsuranceCommercial Endorsement

What is Mechanical & Electrical Breakdown Insurance?

Question 93 in 100 Insurance Questions in 100 Days Video Series! https://youtu.be/9UcPkHUTw1A Restaurant refrigeration suddenly ceases up and quits overnight due to a power surge. Equipment is damaged, food is spoiled, and you have to close for 3-days.  You've lost income, your staff has lost pay, inventory must be replaced, and the refrigeration needs replacing. Typical business insurance policy...what happens? Watch this brief video explanation to learn more.
November 7, 2017
Business InsuranceGeneral Liability Insurance

How does Completed Products and Operations liability work?

Question 88 in 100 Insurance Questions in 100 Days Video Series! https://youtu.be/-c4Lv31AEE4 If you've ever delivered a product back to a customer after you've worked on it, or built something new for them, what would happen if you forgot to tighten the last screw? What if as a result someone was injured? How would that work on your insurance policy? Take a look at this brief video to learn more.
November 2, 2017
Business Insurance

Does a new business have difficulty getting insurance?

Question 87 in 100 Insurance Questions in 100 Days Video Series! https://youtu.be/JnMoP7GJV2c When beginning a new business there are many things that an owner must do. Many times the setting up of the insurance plan is an afterthought. However, this is something that should be met with extreme detail and coordination. This is the tool that will ensure your new business stays open. Getting a new policy might not be as difficult as you think.
November 1, 2017
Business InsuranceWorkers Compensation

Do I need to list non W2 employees on a New York Workers Compensation policy?

Question 78 in 100 Insurance Questions in 100 Days Video Series? https://youtu.be/YVCCAMaWYiw As a business owner, having to figure out who to put on a workers compensation policy and who not to, is probably not your idea of a good time. However, in New York state we have some rules (surprise) and those rules say that if you are paying someone, they'd better be listed. The cleaner of your office, the person you hired for social media, the outside sales person, and more, could end up needing to be accounted for. See this brief video explanation for more.
October 23, 2017
Business InsuranceWorkers Compensation

Do business owners have to be listed on New York Workers Comp?

Question 76 in 100 Insurance Questions in 100 Days Video Series! https://youtu.be/GlJl7reOehA As a business owner you might not see a need to insure yourself on a Workers Compensation insurance policy. It boils down to whether you want to cover for lost wages if you become hurt on the job. Insuring yourself will be more expensive and most carriers have a minimum payroll number they use for owners. Check in with us for additional insight.
October 21, 2017
Business InsuranceBusiness Owners Insurance

What is off premises utility interruption coverage?

Question 75 in 100 Insurance Questions in 100 Days Video Series! https://youtu.be/oDx02W4BinQ   If you are a New York State business owner this is a must. If you were to lose power, or have no water, or be without heat...what would that do to your business? Would your sales suffer? Would you potentially have to cut hours for your staff? I assume that in order to operate you would need those utilities to be running smoothly. Sometimes there is a lengthy outage, and your business insurance policy can be the place to look to see if you might not have…
October 20, 2017
Business InsuranceCommercial Endorsement

Is there insurance to cover breaking something of my customer’s?

Question 68 in 100 Insurance Questions in 100 Days Video Series! https://youtu.be/-Wjoz2GoW9M With something called Voluntary Property Damage protection, you would have insurance for the accidental breakage or destruction of a client's property. However, this is not always a given in the policy and when it is, the limits can be lower than you might like. Watch this video to learn more!
October 13, 2017
Business InsuranceShort-term Disability Insurance

Can you get your staff more than the paltry $170/wk in New York short-term disability?

Question 67 in 100 Insurance Questions in 100 Days Video Series! https://youtu.be/MXbSomOlMnU I don't know about you, but I would not be able to survive on $170/wk. even without kids and a wife. If I were to become injured or sick and not be able to work for a few months, and that was all I had to live off of...things would get ugly. However, many small business owners do not realize how simple and inexpensive it is to bring that $170 up to an amount more in line with what the typical person's expenses are. Watch this video to…
October 12, 2017
Business Insurance

What is key man insurance?

Question 62 in 100 Insurance Questions in 100 Days Video Series! https://youtu.be/PGCTOmrwglY When a small business has an employee that they rely on for their expertise, sometimes the sudden death of that person can be catastrophic. This is why key man insurance is so critical and can be a huge asset to the organization. Watch the video for more.
October 7, 2017
Business InsuranceBusiness Owners Insurance

How does Fire Legal work?

Question 57 in 100 Insurance Questions in 100 Days Video Series. https://youtu.be/G-rXNGJfXEs As a business when you rent space, you are liable for what damage occurs within it. However, the portion of your policy that covers general liability excludes damage done to your specific space. The fire legal section of your policy is what covers your liability to the building owner. Without it, or without enough, you'd be on your own for the cost of damages to your space. Watch this brief explanation for more.
October 2, 2017
Business InsuranceCommercial Endorsement

What is blanket coverage?

Day 53 in 100 Insurance Questions in 100 Days Video Series https://youtu.be/63x-LSo7N9U There are 2 ways you can insure your property: Separate Together While number one is pretty common, number 2 is a little unusual. When we insure our business property and our building on the same policy (typical) sometimes there is an option to put them together. Doing so creates one master amount referred to as blanket coverage. It can all be used on the business personal items, or just the building, or a combination of the two. See the video to learn more.
September 28, 2017
Business InsuranceCyber Liability Insurance

Should a small business buy data breach insurance?

Question 36 in 100 Insurance Questions in 100 Days Video Series https://youtu.be/OJXBNRwyuvE If you have a small business that collects even the least amount of personal information on your customers, then this is a video you might want to watch. Now with Equifax added to the list of serious data breach events, your small New York business could be just a few clicks away from a financial and social collapse.
September 11, 2017
Business InsuranceEmployment Practices Liability Insurance

Should a business owner carry sexual harassment insurance?

Question 30 in 100 Insurance Questions in 100 Days Video Series. https://youtu.be/c9wyxU0saZc As a business owner, you are subjected to all of the missteps of not just yourself, but your employees and anyone else who sets foot on your property. Employment Practices Liability Insurance (E.P.L.I.) is a category of coverage you want to rank at the top when putting together your insurance portfolio. See the video and learn how this important coverage can shield your New York business from lawsuits stemming from sexual harassment, wrongful termination, failure to promote, breach of employment contract, and more.
September 5, 2017
Business InsuranceShort-term Disability Insurance

Does my business need short-term disability insurance?

When do we have to offer New York short-term disability benefits? https://youtu.be/B4iVajCYvCE New York short-term disability insurance is a required benefit. Anyone who runs or operates a business with employees must carry it. It provides a temporary benefit for anyone who becomes injured or disabled off the job. Unlike workers’ comp, where you end up getting hurt or ill due to something that happens while at work, this is coverage for anything that happens to you pretty much anywhere at any time. Rules for New York short-term disability Basic coverage equals 50% of the employees weekly pay. However, $170 per…
August 22, 2017
Business InsuranceProfessional Liability and E&O

Are General Liability and Professional Liability the same thing?

Question #8 in 100 Insurance Questions in 100 days! https://youtu.be/QOFZ8fd71pc The primary reason for professional liability coverage is that a typical general liability insurance policy will only respond to a bodily injury, property damage, personal injury or advertising injury claim. Other forms of insurance cover employer's, public and product liability. However, various professional services can give rise to legal claims without causing any of the specific types of harm covered by such policies. Common claims that professional liability insurance covers are oversight, violation of good faith and fair dealing, and inaccurate advice. While many types of businesses will carry this…
August 14, 2017