Twenty short answers for landlords, contractors, home and auto, and restaurants. Each one takes under a minute to read.
From Gerald Burns, independent agent. Licensed since 2018, now licensed in Arkansas (#18687038) and Minnesota (#41027996). I shop several insurance companies for you.
No. A homeowners policy is written for a home you live in, and a carrier can deny a claim or non-renew you once tenants move in. A rental belongs on a landlord policy.
Sudden, accidental damage is usually covered. Deliberate damage and normal wear and tear usually are not. The policy wording decides it, so send us yours and we will read it with you.
No. Your policy covers the building and what you own in it. Your tenant needs renters insurance, and you can require it in the lease.
Only if your policy includes loss of rent coverage, also called fair rental value. It pays the rent you lose while a covered claim is repaired. Ask us to check whether yours has it.
Usually not. Paying overnight guests are a different risk from a tenant on a lease, and the platform's host protection is only a backstop. Read insuring a short-term rental.
If you work on other people's property, yes in practice. General contractors, property owners and permit offices usually ask for proof before you start, and the contract is what requires it.
Once you are our client, we aim to send certificates the same day you ask. Send us the insurance wording from the contract so the certificate meets it the first time.
A certificate holder only receives a copy of your certificate. An additional insured is actually added to your policy, usually by endorsement. If the contract says "add us to your policy," it means additional insured. See the difference.
If a sub cannot show their own coverage, your carrier can count what you paid them as your payroll at audit and bill you for it. Collect a certificate from every sub on every job.
Your premium started as an estimate, and the audit adjusts it to what actually happened. Uninsured subcontractors and a low estimate are the usual causes. How to lower next year's.
Often. Some companies give a bigger bundle discount than others, and two separate companies can still come out lower. We price it both ways so you can see. When bundling saves.
Most people mean liability plus comprehensive and collision. The label matters less than the limits and deductibles on your policy. Ask us to read yours with you.
More than the state minimum. The minimum is 25/50/25 in Arkansas and 30/60/10 in Minnesota, and a serious accident can pass those quickly. We prefer to quote 100/300/100. Why 100/300/100.
A sudden burst pipe is usually covered. A slow leak over time usually is not, sewer backup needs its own add-on, and flood is never covered by homeowners. Sudden vs gradual water damage.
It can, especially more than one claim in a short time. Call us before you file a small one and we will tell you whether it is worth it.
Usually general liability, property for your equipment and build-out, liquor liability if you serve alcohol, and workers' comp for staff. Food spoilage and equipment breakdown are worth adding. The five policies.
Yes. Any alcohol service creates the risk, beer and wine included, and most general liability policies exclude alcohol claims. Liquor liability explained.
Not automatically. Food spoilage coverage, usually added with equipment breakdown, pays for lost stock. Check the limit before you need it. Spoilage and breakdown.
In Minnesota, yes, from your first employee. In Arkansas the general line is three or more employees, and part-time staff count toward that number. The Arkansas rule.
A business owner's policy (BOP) combines general liability and property in one policy. Workers' comp, commercial auto and professional liability are separate, and many owners assume they are included.
Asking costs nothing, and a quote does not commit you to anything. Send the details and I will answer you personally.
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