Business Insurance

Insurance is important for any business; there is no doubt about that. However, is it not the kind of coverage a business owner should rush through purchasing. Buying business insurance is a complicated process and you want to make sure you have an insurance agent who will take the time to ensure that you have all of the policies your business needs to operate smoothly. Many business owners assume that purchasing a Business Owners Policy (BOP) is the only type of insurance they will need, but this is not the case. Although BOPs are useful for most businesses, it is also wise to purchase other business insurance policies to go along with a BOP that meet the specific needs of your business.

Many insurance agencies can offer the following business insurance coverage:

• Business Owners Policies
• Worker’s Compensation
• General Liability
• Errors & Omissions
• Commercial Auto
• Commercial Property
• Group Benefits
• Professional Liability
• And much more…

A business is a huge investment; do not leave it to chance by having inadequate insurance coverage. Geertsen Insurance Group is a business too, so we understand the importance of comprehensive coverage. We offer many options for business insurance, no matter how big or small your business may be. Contact us today and fill out our free business insurance quote form!

Commercial Vehicle

Many states require individuals to purchase vehicle insurance to protect their cars. Car insurance is mandated for good reason- if you get into an accident, you and the other driver involved will be thankful you have coverage. If you are a business owner whose company has a fleet of vehicles, the same auto insurance needs still apply.

Even if your employees use company cars for both business and personal use, it would be good to look into purchasing a commercial vehicle policy for your business. If the business is the owner of the vehicle, make sure the name of the business appears on the policy as the "principal insured" rather than your name.

Whether your company needs to purchase a commercial auto insurance policy is dependent on the type of driving its employees do. Our agents will sit down with you and explain your business's vehicle insurance options. You will be asked about how your employees use their vehicles, which employees drive company cars, and if some employees will be using their own cars for company work and travel.

We understand that you may have questions about the type of coverage that may be right for you. Our friendly agents will walk you through your insurance shopping, and search the country to find you the best rate. Contact us today or call to learn more about your options- or get a free commercial auto insurance quote right now!

Commercial Property

Although most business owner policies (BOPs) do provide coverage for property, this most often pertains only to the actual structure of your business. Under a BOP, generally, the structure of your business is covered from events of “peril” (i.e. weather-related damage) and causes of loss (i.e. Robbery). What about the furniture, computers, and equipment in your building? Who will cover the cost of replacing an outdoor sign?

This is where Commercial Property Insurance comes in. A typical Commercial Property Insurance policy will cover the property of your business that a BOP will not. Most insurance agencies can compile a Commercial Property Insurance line to include coverage for:

• Structure (building) of your business
• Furniture
• Equipment
• Lost inventory
• Landscaping
• Outdoor signs
• Damage to the property of others
• And more…

Commercial Property Insurance is customizable in most cases, allowing you to provide more coverage for the things that truly matter to your business, and less coverage to the things that do not. Don’t think you need Commercial Property coverage? Consider this: if a fire erupts in the building of your business and you lose your entire inventory, are you positive that your BOP provides enough coverage to replace it all? If someone breaks into your business and steals expensive equipment, are you positive your BOP provides enough coverage to replace it in full?

Contact Geertsen Insurance Group right away for a free quote and more information on Commercial Property Insurance. We are a business too, so we understand your complex needs and the importance of comprehensive insurance.

General Liability

Does your business have enough liability coverage?

If you are relying on the liability coverage provided through a Business Owner’s Policy (BOP), then chances are you do not have enough. Although a BOP does provide liability coverage for businesses, it is often at a small limit and not enough to cover costs due to claims and lawsuits.

Does your business qualify for general liability coverage?

It is important to know which market your business falls into before you shop for liability insurance. Those businesses that fall into the “excess surplus market” (i.e. “dangerous” occupations such as roofers, siders, etc.) have to purchase excess liability insurance. If your business falls into the “standard market” (i.e. technology companies, lawyers, etc.) then you qualify for general liability insurance.

General liability insurance protects your business from a variety of things. Typically, your insurance agent can create a customized policy for you to include different types and amounts of coverage. The following coverage is often included in a general liability line:

• Business Personal Property (BPP)
  • Fire
  • Theft
  • Vandalism
Protection of your business’ property from:
• Claims due to:
  • Bodily injury
  • Property Damage
• Terrorism coverage
• And more….

General Liability insurance protects a business from many liability issues, but business owners should also consider adding specialized liability coverage like errors & omissions insurance.

Contact Geertsen Insurance Group for information on all of the business insurance lines we offer and a free quote for general liability insurance.

Contractors

Every contractor is unique. Our aim is to make sure you spend only what you need to. Geertsen Insurance Group identifies exactly what your needs and exposures are.

Some exposures are easy to spot; however, others take time and attention. For example, how does one quantify the potential loss due to an accidental pollution spill, and how is that information properly related to the coverage provided by the insurance policy? Are general contractors requiring specialized certificates of insurance, and does your policy adequately provide the necessary coverage to satisfy these contractual demands? What are your bonding needs? Are you properly protected from a claim arising from rented equipment? These are just a few of the questions our insurance experts are trained to ask.

We have designed a special survey form, just for our contractors, to make sure that we do a thorough job of discovering all of the exposures so your business is protected properly.

Through Our Unique Programs, We Provide:
• The best possible cost/coverage combination for your property, casualty, and bonding insurance needs.
• Experienced staff who understand the challenges of running your business and the coverages needed to protect you.
• Outstanding service geared to deliver results without delay.
• A customized insurance program to meet your specific needs and exposures.

Excess Liability

Owning a business is difficult task. As a business owner, you worry for the future of your company in a time when many businesses are going under. In addition to making sure the company is growing, you must also plan for mistakes or accidents that could potentially devastate your business. The best way to deal with an unsatisfied customer and a potential lawsuit is through umbrella or excess liability insurance.

Umbrella or excess Liability insurance will cover your business from catastrophic issues that threaten its security. An excess liability insurance policy acts as an umbrella to your basic liability insurance. This type of coverage kicks in when a claim is made against you that exceeds the amount of your existing liability coverage. Umbrella liability insurance provides a safety net when your other business coverage has been exhausted.

Your basic insurance policies are essential for your business’s survival. They offer your company a blanket of security with so many risks and dangers working toward bringing you down. But unfortunately, these coverage options will only you cover you to a certain extent.

Give your business the coverage it needs with umbrella insurance from Geertsen Insurance Group. Contact us right now for more information or fill out the free, no obligation form to receive a fast quote

Workers Compensation

As a business owner, you do everything you can to protect your employees from potential dangers, but do you have workers compensation protection? Most business owners understand that workers compensation is important, but did you know that if you have employees, it is required by law for most businesses to have coverage?

Workers compensation is a type of insurance coverage that protects your employees in case of injury or disease during the course of employment. Policies can provide coverage for:

• Medical expenses
• Lost income/wages
• Rehabilitation costs
• Death benefits
• And more…

For anyone who is classified as an employee, it is required by law to provide them with workers compensation coverage. Employees can opt out of coverage, but if you do not offer it, you can be fined up to $2,500 a day and can face a Class D felony charge with a mandatory minimum one year prison sentence. Termination of an employee who is injured while working and/or who files a workers compensation claim is also illegal. As a rule, a company with five or more employees is mandated to purchase workers compensation insurance to cover medical expenses, permanent disability, and a portion of the injured employee’s wages.

Having workers compensation coverage can save you and your business from costly lawsuits and employee issues. Workers Compensation Insurance protects your business AND your employees, who are oftentimes a huge part of the framework of a company. Geertsen Insurance Group can provide you with a coverage program that is specifically tailored to meet your needs. We can also provide you with a free workers compensation insurance quote. You'll be surprised at how much your business can save by choosing to place your policy with Geertsen Insurance Group; contact us today!

Bond Insurance

A bond is basically a loan in which the lender is a common everyday consumer and the borrower is the government, an agency, or a company. The U.S. Treasury, municipalities, and companies issue or sell bonds to obtain certain amounts of money to fund their day-to-day operations or to finance specific projects. Purchase of bonds enables the borrower to invest cash that will eventually be returned, sometimes with added interest.

Because bonds are actually loans, the amount of the bond is the principle, and interest is paid on the principle: usually at a fixed rate. Bond insurance protects the issuer if they are unable to follow through on their end of the “bond bargain.” By paying an insurance premium, the bond issuer gains the security of knowing that the principle and interest of the bond will be paid for if the issuer in unable to do so.

How bonds are classified depends on several factors, including:
• Whether or not they are secured or unsecured
• Maturity rating
• Tax status
• Financial reliability of the issuer

Bond insurance, therefore, will correspond to the rating of the bond and is calculated based on the risk of failure to repay the bond. The only bonds that are not usually insured are government bonds, since the risk of failure to repay is minor.

When a bond issuer wants to assure potential investors that a bond is really and truly safe, they often turn to a bond insurer. We can make both you and your potential investors feel comfortable and secure with their bond purchase. Simply fill out our online form today for a free quote on bond insurance.

Group Benefits

Offering benefits to your employees will attract a higher caliber of worker and make your company more successful and more profitable. When an applicant looks for employment, the two most important factors they consider are salary and benefits. Geertsen Insurance Group will help you retain better employees by setting you up with an affordable and attractive employee benefits package.

Employee benefits may include but is not limited to:

• Retirement plans
• Workers compensation
• Disability
• Dental
• And voluntary products

No matter what size and type of business you are running, Geertsen Insurance Group can help you incentivize your business and recruit a higher quality of employee by offering your employees a full range of comprehensive benefits.