Do Virtual Assistants Need Insurance?

As a virtual assistant working remotely for your clients, you have more freedom than many business owners, but you are still a business owner. You may work as an assistant to another business owner, but as long as you aren’t on their payroll and instead are charging them as a contractor or freelancer, you are a business owner with business owner concerns. That means you need insurance coverage, such as:

• Health insurance: Without an employer, you need to come up with your own plan for health insurance. Luckily, you can buy many different kinds of individual policies to suit both your healthcare needs and your budget.
• Disability insurance: You need a backup plan to protect you against the possibility that you may eventually become disabled and unable to do your job and generate an income. Long- and short-term disability policies protect you from a potential loss of paycheck in the future and can come through much quicker than Social Security disability benefits.
• Liability insurance: Every business owner has liabilities. If you provide assistance in a professional capacity, like as an assistant with a specialized knowledge, then you may need professional liability coverage. If you receive deliveries in your home, or ever have anyone stop by in a business capacity, then you may need commercial liability insurance for your residence or office.
• Business property: If your business owns computers, furniture or any other property then you need the right property insurance coverage. If you have a home insurance policy and your office is located in the home, it may not be covered unless you have a special endorsement allowing for coverage of business contents.
• Life insurance: Your family depends on your income to help them reach their personal and financial goals. If something should happen to you, your lost income may need to be replaced and you may even need to hire people to help do things around the house that you once did. A life insurance policy can help them.
• Business interruption insurance: What would you do if a fire or other insurable event made it so that you couldn’t conduct business for a few weeks until your office space was renovated? Business interruption insurance can replace lost profits, pay some ongoing expenses and even keep you up-and-running in a temporary location.

There are so many ways you can protect your family and your business with the right insurance policies. To get your business set up right, give us a call at 866-933-6691 or get a free Tampa business insurance quote.

Adjustments That You Should Consider for Your Auto Insurance Policy

An auto insurance policy should not be a static line of coverage. After all, your life changes; medical and liability expenses that can accompany an accident change too.
Considering changes to your life happen in the blink of an eye, you should make an effort annually to adjust your auto policy to ensure that it is as effective and accurate as you need it to be.

Annual Adjustments to Your Auto Policy You Should Consider

Average annual miles driven: Your insurance carrier requires an average of how many miles you drive per year in order to assess the risk you pose to them. Every year, make sure you report any major changes to them.

Take advantage of applicable discounts: You may receive discounts when you add anti-theft measures to your car, such as security alarms and wheel locking devices. You may also receive additional discounts for taking defensive driving classes. Prior to your annual renewal, consider which of these discounts you may qualify for and discuss them with your agent.

Add uninsured motorist rider: Without uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, you could be stuck with some major bills after an accident with an uninsured or underinsured motorist. If you don’t already have uninsured or underinsured motorist, then you need to consider adding it to your policy.

Adjust your limits: You know that you set limits for your risk exposure with your agent when you initially purchased your policy; but, when was the last time you reviewed your risk exposure with your agent? With the rising cost of medical care, as well as possible changes in your driving habits, you may need to increase your limits to help reduce your exposure. As you’re also aware, cars and other personal property are only getting more expensive; another important reason to keep a tight rein on your limits.

Change your deductibles: Your ability to support your deductible may change from year to year. In lean years, you may have fewer savings to commit to a deductible, and as you pay off debt you might find you have more disposable income to put toward that responsibility. Keeping your deductible at an accurate level for your budget will help to control your risk exposure and your premium.

The next time your auto policy is coming up for renewal, remember these tips and update your policy so that it works with your current life and not the one you had when you originally took out the policy. Call us today at 866-933-6691 for more information about which auto insurance policy is right for you or get a free Tampa auto insurance quote.

JG

What to Do If You Have Been in an Auto Accident

Auto accidents are unexpected and even the most careful drivers may be involved. The sad truth is that most of us will be involved in an auto accident at some point in our lives. Even if you are not injured, there are certain things that you should and should not do.

Stay At the Scene

If you are in an accident involving bodily injury or substantial damage to property, do not leave the accident scene until the police tell you to do so.  If you are unsure whether the damage or injury is “substantial”, stay there and let the police decide.  Leaving the scene of an accident can result in driver’s license sanctions and even criminal charges.

If you are on the roadway, turn your flashers on, or use flares to warn approaching traffic.

Do not Admit Fault

Even if you think you are at fault, do not admit liability.  There may be factors you are not aware of that played a role in the accident which could determine the other driver was more at fault than you. Therefore, avoid discussing who is at fault in the accident.

Obtain Relevant Information

In any accident, you should obtain the following information:

• The other driver: Name, address, driver’s license number, insurance information and license plate number.
• Witnesses: Names, addresses, and telephone numbers.
• Police officers:  Ask the police officer(s) who investigate the traffic scene to provide you with a business card and an “incident number”. 
• The accident:  If possible take notes about how the accident occurred, such as the direction of travel of the vehicles involved and what the cars were doing at the time of the collision.
• The location:  You may wish to take notes about and/or pictures where the accident happened; speed limits, the road conditions, the weather, traffic control devices and the lighting.

Continue reading "What to Do If You Have Been in an Auto Accident" or contact us at (813) 933-6691 to learn more about Tampa auto insurance.