http://www.salzberginsurance.com/blog/View Salzberg Insurance Agency's Website Blogen-uspostmaster@www.salzberginsurance.comInsurance Website Builder - www.insurancewebsitebuilder.comurn:uuid:2a83c030-212b-4d90-95d9-6d21b4fd3ef1urn:uuid:f0324173-6768-412c-9d07-1473684a8d89<img src='http://www.salzberginsurance.com/img/%7Ewww.salzberginsurance.com/superbowl-party.jpg' align='left' />In the midst of the festive and hectic holiday atmosphere, it is easy to forget the serious responsibility involved with hosting a party at your home or business. In many states, individuals and employers hosting holiday parties can be held liable in...Thu, 02 Feb 2012 09:33:31 -0600<img alt="" style="width: 200px; height: 134px; float: left; margin-right: 7px; border-width: 0px; border-style: solid;" src="/img/%7Ewww.salzberginsurance.com/superbowl-party.jpg" />In the midst of the festive and hectic holiday atmosphere, it is easy to forget the serious responsibility involved with hosting a party at your home or business. In many states, individuals and employers hosting holiday parties can be held liable in cases where a guest or third party is injured in an accident related to alcohol consumption at your event. Hosts have been held responsible for medical bills, vehicle repair costs, lost time from work, and even wrongful death. Trusted Choice&reg; independent insurance agents recommend that those planning to host holiday parties this year review their <a title="Homeowners' Insurance Quote" href="http://www.salzberginsurance.com/other/quick_quote.aspx">homeowners</a>, renter&rsquo;s or comprehensive general liability (CGL) insurance policy and ensure they have adequate liability coverage if sued and found liable for the actions of a guest who drank at their home or business. While all holiday party-goers and hosts alike should be responsible and know their limits, consumers need to acknowledge that most risks cannot be eliminated entirely. But planning ahead and learning about what&rsquo;s involved in hosting a reception is the best defense. <br /> <h2>Liability Coverage Tips:</h2> <br /> <ul> <li>If hosting a holiday party, individuals should look to the liability portion of their homeowners or renters insurance policy to provide them protection if they are sued and found liable for an accident involving a guest who drank at their home.</li> <li>Employers need to make sure that their comprehensive general liability (CGL) policy provides them coverage for third-party liquor liability policy before hosting that holiday office party.</li> <li>Charging employees for alcoholic beverages in the home or office may not always be the best solution for business parties. It is important for businesses to remember that once they charge a fee for alcohol, they have technically entered the alcohol sales business, even if only for one night. That carries with it requirements for a liquor license and an array of special liability protection needs. It by no means lets these employers off the hook.&rdquo; </li> <li> Purchasing a personal &ldquo;umbrella&rdquo; liability policy&mdash;that can provide $1 million or more in additional coverage over the limit offered by a standard homeowners or renters policy&mdash;may be a prudent move for the frequent party host.&nbsp; This type of coverage can cost as little as $125 a year.</li> </ul> <h2>Super Bowl Party Host Safety Tips:</h2> <ul> <li>Limit guest list to those you know.</li> <li> Provide filling food for guests and alternative non-alcoholic beverages.</li> <li>Schedule activities or entertainment not involving alcohol. If the party centers around drinking, it is likely that guests will drink more.</li> <li>Arrange transportation or overnight accommodations for those who should not drive home.</li> <li>Stop serving alcohol well before the time the party is to end.</li> <li> Do not serve guests who are visibly intoxicated.</li> <li>Review your insurance policy with your Trusted Choice&reg; independent insurance agent before the event to ensure proper liability coverage.</li> <li>Consider hiring an off-duty police officer to discretely monitor guests&rsquo; sobriety or handle any alcohol-related problems as guests leave.</li> <li>Stay alert yourself, always remembering your responsibilities as a host.</li> </ul> <p>To discuss your home or renter's policy, give us a call at <strong>757-583-1828</strong> or <a href="/contact.aspx" target="_blank" title="Contact">email us</a>.</p> <p><span style="font-size: 10px;">(Image Source: <a href="http://www.discountpartysupplies.com/blog/2012/01/17/superbowl-party-play-by-play-guide-to-fun/"><span style="font-size: 10px;">DiscountPartySupplies.com</span></a>)</span></p>urn:uuid:8fb4210e-4cf0-489b-a8b8-3b52db379f20<img src='http://www.salzberginsurance.com/img/%7Ewww.salzberginsurance.com/iStock_000000874059XSmall.jpg' align='left' />Winter storms spell more trouble than just poor driving conditions and stress on your home and roof, because as &nbsp;winter snow melts and causes local bodies of water to rise, your home may be in danger of flooding. Even if your community has taken...Tue, 31 Jan 2012 12:17:11 -0600<p><img src="/img/%7Ewww.salzberginsurance.com/iStock_000000874059XSmall.jpg" style="width: 300px; height: 200px; float: left; margin-right: 7px;" alt="flood insurance" />Winter storms spell more trouble than just poor driving conditions and stress on your home and roof, because as &nbsp;winter snow melts and causes local bodies of water to rise, your home may be in danger of flooding. Even if your community has taken measures to protect residents against flood, such as through the construction of levee systems, you may still be at risk.</p> <p>Home insurance policies provide no protection against the damages that follow a flood. It doesn&rsquo;t matter if your home or contents are destroyed or whether you live in a flood zone or not, home insurance policies exclude the damages caused by floods. Attention renters, you&rsquo;re not off the hook either, because without flood insurance for your contents, you will also not be covered.</p> <p>A flood insurance policy is created with the intention of protecting against flood damages. Flood insurance underwriters are equipped to assess the risk that each homeowner brings and rates are set up to cover the needs of the insurer when providing this protection. </p> <p>According to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), the average flood insurance claim is $33,000. Imagine having $33,000 in damages to your home and the risk of further damage from quickly proliferating mold spores. You&rsquo;d need to come up with the funds to get your renovations and mold remediation started quickly. Would you be able to come up with the resources without the benefits provided by an affordable flood insurance policy? Imagine having to find another way to finance the repairs. From loans to savings to retirement savings distributions, most of your options create additional charges in interest, penalties and lost capital that could have easily been avoided with a simple flood insurance policy. </p> <p>Just how affordable is flood insurance? The Insurance Information Network of California estimates the average annual premium as $570, and it can go much lower for those with homes outside a flood zone. With rates like these, there is no reason not to have that little bit of extra protection for your house or apartment. Give us a call and get your flood insurance policy set up before melting winter snow becomes an expensive and unexpected problem for you. </p> <p>Don&rsquo;t put yourself in a vulnerable position. Call <strong><a href="http://www.salzberginsurance.com/contact.aspx">Salzberg Insurance Agency</a></strong> at 757-583-1828 to get a free, personalized <strong><a href="http://www.salzberginsurance.com/flood/flood_quote_form.aspx">Virginia flood insurance</a></strong> quote today! </p>urn:uuid:ee22ba5f-6359-400e-96df-419dc7ccf2b1<img src='http://www.salzberginsurance.com/img/%7Ewww.salzberginsurance.com/iStock_000000421586XSmall.jpg' align='left' />General liability insurance is a great product to protect businesses from some of the basic liability claims their clients and customers may make. For some business owners, general liability may not go as deep as they need. Financial, legal, medical ...Tue, 20 Dec 2011 16:37:28 -0600<p><img src="/img/%7Ewww.salzberginsurance.com/iStock_000000421586XSmall.jpg" style="width: 300px; height: 199px; float: left; margin-right: 7px;" alt="Business" />General liability insurance is a great product to protect businesses from some of the basic liability claims their clients and customers may make. For some business owners, general liability may not go as deep as they need.</p> <p>Financial, legal, medical and other professionals who&rsquo;ve had to get certificates, specialized education and/ or licenses in order to conduct business are expected to act within acknowledged and appropriate standards for their profession, and their backgrounds and certification make them accountable for upholding these specialized and stringent expectations. That is a more specific requirement than general liability will take responsibility for. Professional liability insurance can protect them from harm that arises out of their failure to follow these standards.</p> <p>Professional liability insurance can be issued as a general &ldquo;Professional&rdquo; policy or as an industry-specific coverage, such as malpractice or errors &amp; omissions. </p> <p style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">&middot;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Malpractice: Nutritionists, physical therapists, trainers, doctors and others can all be subject to malpractice claims. Malpractice occurs when a medical professional is negligent in following accepted standard practices for treatment and disclosures and that negligence leads to injury or death.</p> <p style="margin-left: 0.5in;">Lawyers are also subject to malpractice claims for breaches in fiduciary duties, breach of contract or negligence that causes a client harm.</p> <p style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">&middot;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Errors &amp; omissions: As a legal, financial or real estate professional, you could make a mistake on paperwork or in arranging a contract, and that error could cause financial harm to a client. If you do, errors &amp; omissions insurance may offer you some liability protection. </p> <p>There is a wide range of professionals who would benefit from a professional liability policy. From technology specialists to plumbers, consultants to contractors, as well as all the professionals mentioned above.</p> <p>When you shop for coverage, you&rsquo;ll be asked to choose both a limit, which is the maximum payout for your policy, and a self-insured retention, which is basically a deductible. In order to get the best coverage be conservative when deciding how much to self insure and generous when choosing a limit for your policy.</p> <p>If you are concerned that your general liability policy might offer insufficient coverage from your actual risk exposure, give us a call. We can conduct a policy review and make recommendations for additional products that increase the protection for your specific situation. <br /> <br /> If you would like to find out what insurance policy your business can benefit from, or to get a free <a title="Norfolk Business Insurance" href="http://www.salzberginsurance.com/business/bop_quote.aspx"><strong>Norfolk Business Insurance</strong> </a>quote, give us a call today at <strong>757-583-1828</strong>.</p>urn:uuid:7c1c9f03-8d7d-43fa-981a-ce66969a022b<img src='http://www.salzberginsurance.com/img/%7Ewww.salzberginsurance.com/iStock_000003101275XSmall.jpg' align='left' />As the holiday season approaches, millions of Americans will take to the roads to visit family and friends. Since many will make the trip in a rented car, it&rsquo;s an appropriate time to discuss one of the most frequently asked questions of agents ...Wed, 30 Nov 2011 09:37:24 -0600<img alt="Happy girl in car" style="width: 225px; height: 150px; float: left; margin-right: 7px; border-width: 0px; border-style: solid; margin-bottom: 10px;" src="/img/%7Ewww.salzberginsurance.com/iStock_000003101275XSmall.jpg" />As the holiday season approaches, millions of Americans will take to the roads to visit family and friends. Since many will make the trip in a rented car, it&rsquo;s an appropriate time to discuss one of the most frequently asked questions of agents and brokers all over the country: &ldquo;Should I buy the insurance from the rental car company?&rdquo;<br /> &nbsp;<br /> Following are a few considerations when mulling this important decision:<br /> <h2>Damage Waiver &amp; Your Personal Auto Policy</h2> <br /> First, the good news: In many cases, a <a title="Auto Insurance" href="http://www.salzberginsurance.com/automobile/default.aspx">personal auto insurance policy</a> will cover damage to a rented vehicle. That said&mdash;don&rsquo;t get too comfortable! There are other costs associated with damage to a rented vehicle that the policy will not cover. For this reason, careful consideration should be given to purchasing the damage waiver offered by the rental car company. <br /> &nbsp;<br /> On your personal auto policy, &ldquo;Collision&rdquo; insurance covers your vehicle for damage resulting from a collision with another object. &ldquo;Comprehensive&rdquo; (sometimes called &ldquo;Other Than Collision&rdquo;) covers your vehicle for theft, vandalism, falling objects and other causes not resulting from a collision. If you have a car loan, your lender will require you to purchase both. If you pay the loan off, the choice to purchase collision or comprehensive&mdash;and both or neither&mdash;is up to you.<br /> &nbsp;<br /> Your personal auto policy will only cover damage to the rental car if you have the appropriate coverage type on at least one vehicle you own. For example, if you damage the rental car in a collision, you must have &ldquo;collision&rdquo; coverage on at least one vehicle covered by your personal auto policy. But if the rental car is stolen, vandalized, or damaged in any way not resulting from a collision, you must have &ldquo;comprehensive&rdquo; coverage on at least one vehicle covered by your personal auto policy. The key point: If your personal auto policy excludes the coverage type that damages the rental car&mdash;and you reject or violate the damage waiver&mdash;you will become personally responsible for paying all costs related to the damaged rental car out of your own pocket!<br /> <br /> In contrast, the damage waiver usually offered at the rental counter will cover the damaged rental car regardless of what&rsquo;s covered by your personal auto policy.<br /> &nbsp;<br /> <h2>Limitations In Your Personal Auto Policy</h2> <br /> What else could you possibly owe the rental company following an event or crash? These include administrative fees and the depreciated value of the vehicle after repairs&mdash;neither expense is covered by your personal auto policy. In addition, most personal auto policies only pay up to the actual cash value (ACV) of the damaged vehicle. If the contract requires the damaged rental&rsquo;s replacement, the ACV payout may not be sufficient to cover the entire expense.<br /> &nbsp;<br /> Again, in contrast, the damage waiver will cover all such expenses. &nbsp;<br /> &nbsp;<br /> Also, the rental contract likely will require you to pay the rental company&rsquo;s &ldquo;loss of use.&rdquo; These are expenses they incur resulting from the inability to earn income from the damaged rental. This cost could be hundreds of dollars or more. Some personal auto policies will pay a limited amount for this expense (such as $20 per day or $600 total). Others will not cover it at all.<br /> &nbsp;<br /> In contrast, the damage waiver will pay the full cost of the rental company&rsquo;s loss of use.<br /> &nbsp;<br /> <h2>No Claim Necessary</h2> <br /> If something happens to the rental car, purchasing the damage waiver gives the rental agency management of the process. This will allow you to avoid filing a claim and possibly help keep the cost of your insurance from going up. It also will keep your deductible in your pocket.&nbsp; &nbsp;<br /> &nbsp;<br /> <h2>Limitations In The Damage Waiver</h2> <br /> Don&rsquo;t forget that the rental car company&rsquo;s damage waiver is a contract. It will include a list of restrictions that, if violated, may terminate the waiver and leave you personally responsible for paying the costs associated with the damaged rental car. Examples of such restrictions may include:<br /> &nbsp;<br /> <ul> <li>Damage to rental while driven by someone not specifically named on the contract.</li> <li>Damage to rental while driven on unpaved roads.</li> <li>Damage to rental while it&rsquo;s being occupied by more passengers than available seat belts.</li> <li>Damage that occurs while pushing or towing.</li> </ul> This list is only a sample; the typical damage waiver may include additional restrictions.<br /> &nbsp;<br /> Moreover, the car rental company&rsquo;s loss damage waiver covers &ldquo;diminished value,&rdquo; the economic reduction in value of a repaired auto due to it having been damaged. Almost all auto policies and many credit card coverages exclude diminished value. What&rsquo;s the impact to you? If you don&rsquo;t take the damage waiver, you could get hit with a diminished value claim of $1,500 or more, depending on your type of damaged rental car.<br /> &nbsp;<br /> <h2>Damage Waiver Covers Vehicle Damage Only</h2> <br /> Perhaps the most important fact to remember is that the damage waiver only applies to damage to the rented vehicle. It is not a substitute for liability, medical payments, uninsured motorist, personal injury protection, and any other personal auto insurance coverage. &nbsp;<br /> &nbsp;<br /> <h2>Other Products Offered By Rental Company</h2> <br /> In addition to the damage waiver, most rental car companies offer a few optional insurance-type products. For example, some may offer a liability enhancement that gives you the option to increase the liability limits you already carry on your personal auto insurance policy. Depending on your available auto liability insurance, this option may be worth consideration.<br /> &nbsp;<br /> Others may offer options such as accidental death, trip cancellation, or damaged luggage insurance during the rental period. Such options vary by company and may provide insurance dollars you cannot get elsewhere. However, they should not be purchased without first reviewing your current home, health and auto insurance policies as there may be duplication.<br /> &nbsp;<br /> <h2>Conclusion</h2> <br /> In light of the information above, you should seriously consider&mdash;and probably buy&mdash;the damage waiver from the rental car company. Deciding whether to purchase other products from the rental firm, however, depends largely on the insurance already available to you from other sources. For assistance in determining coverage you already have and comparing it to the rental company&rsquo;s options, <a title="Contact" href="/contact.aspx">call Salzberg</a>, your Trusted Choice&reg; independent insurance agent today at <strong>757-583-1828</strong>.<br /> &nbsp;<br /> Business Travel Note: When you rent a car on a business trip, that&rsquo;s an entirely different set of decisions, so again please <a title="Contact" href="/contact.aspx">contact</a> your Trusted Choice&reg; independent insurance agent.<br /> <br /> (Source: <a href="http://www.trustedchoice.com/Content/Articles/rental-car-insurance.aspx" target="_blank" title="Trusted Choice">TrustedChoice.com</a>)urn:uuid:b2adcf63-e022-4278-af64-54cc0521a9b9<img src='http://www.salzberginsurance.com/img/%7Ewww.salzberginsurance.com/Norfolk%20Business%20Insurance.jpg' align='left' />Consumers like to visit businesses that take success seriously. Before giving your business their money, they want to make sure that they are patronizing a company in which products or services are safe, secure, and effective. The experience you hav...Tue, 15 Nov 2011 12:49:16 -0600<p><img width="176" height="265" src="/img/%7Ewww.salzberginsurance.com/Norfolk%20Business%20Insurance.jpg" style="float: right; margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 7px;" alt="Norfolk Business Insurance" />Consumers like to visit businesses that take success seriously. Before giving your business their money, they want to make sure that they are patronizing a company in which products or services are safe, secure, and effective. </p> <p>The experience you have in your industry, and as a business owner, can speak to these concerns. Your professional reputation can help would-be clients feel more secure in supporting your business with their dollars. Your insurance portfolio is one of the few ways you can show them that you put your money where your mouth is. </p> <h2><strong>Why Potential Clients like Insurance</strong></h2> <p>When you buy an <strong>insurance policy</strong> that protects your clients from product defects, damages, malpractice or other professional slights, you are telling your clients you&rsquo;re concerned with their well-being. The confidence your coverage engenders is profound and can turn a prospect into a repeat client who publicly sings your praises. </p> <p>Buying insurance for your business is not just a way to make your clients feel respected and protected, it also insulates you from the financial responsibilities that follow an event of accidental negligence. Without insurance, such an event could result in a loss of assets as you pay for the uninsured damages out of pocket. This can present irreversible consequences and even bankruptcy. </p> <p>If your industry or line of work doesn&rsquo;t require you to carry <strong>professional liability insurance coverage</strong>, you should. It is a testimonial to your dedication to proper customer service and as a way to protect yourself from financial losses. </p> <p>If you would like to find out what insurance policy your business can benefit from, or to get a free <a title="Norfolk Business Insurance" href="http://www.salzberginsurance.com/business/bop_quote.aspx"><strong>Norfolk Business Insurance</strong> </a>quote, give us a call today at <strong>757-583-1828</strong>.</p>urn:uuid:d33c5b06-887c-47e2-956d-bd3002318d61<img src='http://www.salzberginsurance.com/img/%7Ewww.salzberginsurance.com/iStock_000003924944XSmall.jpg' align='left' />In some health insurance policies, there is a certain amount of risk that the policyholder self-insures. This risk is referred to in the policy as the deductible and the out-of-pocket maximum. While these two categories of self-insurance seem to be t...Tue, 11 Oct 2011 15:49:28 -0500<p><img alt="Surgery" style="width: 200px; height: 300px; float: right; margin-left: 7px; border-width: 0px; border-style: solid;" src="http://www.salzberginsurance.com/img/%7Ewww.salzberginsurance.com/iStock_000003924944XSmall.jpg" />In some <a title="Health Insurance" href="http://www.salzberginsurance.com/health/default.aspx">health insurance policies</a>, there is a certain amount of risk that the policyholder self-insures. This risk is referred to in the policy as the deductible and the out-of-pocket maximum. While these two categories of self-insurance seem to be talking about the same thing, they are actually quite different.</p> <p> <strong>Deductible:</strong> Not all insurance policies offer coverage for first use. Some require the insured to pay a threshold amount for medical treatment and then, once that threshold is met, the insurance company will step in and begin paying an agreed-upon portion of the medical bills. This threshold is called a deductible. Medical treatment and medication copayments will also not kick in until you have met your policy&rsquo;s deductible. With some health insurance plans, such as high deductible plans, the policyholder is permitted to open a health savings account which allows him a tax-efficient way to save money to pay his deductible. </p> <p><strong>Out-of-pocket maximum:</strong>&nbsp; Deductibles are paid out of the pocket of the policyholder. So are many other medical treatment costs such as copayments and co-insurance costs. Your policy&rsquo;s out-of-pocket maximum is the maximum amount that you are expected to pay out of pocket for deductibles and co-insurance costs. Note that copayments (prescription or treatment related) and policy premiums do not count toward your out-of-pocket maximum.</p> <p>A policy&rsquo;s deductible and out-of-pocket maximum should be carefully considered along with its premium before the policy is purchased. A policy with a low premium that has a deductible you can&rsquo;t hope to afford may not be the best choice for your family, no matter how attractive the premium is. Additionally, if the out-of-pocket maximum exceeds what you have saved, it could mean that you will have trouble handling your end of the medical expenses incurred under the policy. To get an idea of your true out-of-pocket cost for the policy, you can multiply the monthly premium by 12 and add in your out-of-pocket maximum. While this doesn&rsquo;t include possible co-payments, it can give a good indication of whether or not a policy is right for your budget. Call us today to discuss your options for <a title="Health Quote" href="http://www.salzberginsurance.com/other/quick_quote.aspx">Virginia health insurance</a> at (757) 583-1828.</p>urn:uuid:828e6cc1-99f0-4da3-bbfd-ea91bf57eef6<img src='http://www.salzberginsurance.com/img/%7Ewww.salzberginsurance.com/talk_to_your_agent.jpg' align='left' />How do you choose an agent? The best way to find someone you&rsquo;re comfortable with is to talk to several over the phone or visit their offices.&nbsp; Competent insurance agents should be able to answer your questions, help you assess what cove...Tue, 04 Oct 2011 16:29:55 -0500<p><img alt="Talk to an Independent Agent" style="float: left; margin-right: 7px; border-width: 0px; border-style: solid;" src="/img/%7Ewww.salzberginsurance.com/talk_to_your_agent.jpg" /><strong><span style="color: #953734;">How do you choose an <a title="Employee Directory" href="http://www.salzberginsurance.com/employees.aspx">agent</a>? The best way to find someone you&rsquo;re comfortable with is to talk to several over the <a title="Contact" href="http://www.salzberginsurance.com/contact.aspx">phone</a> or visit their <a title="Locations" href="http://www.salzberginsurance.com/locations.aspx">offices</a>.&nbsp; </span><br /> </strong> <br /> Competent insurance agents should be able to answer your questions, help you assess what coverages you need and offer you insurance products to meet those needs. Ask them also how they deal with claims. Then, decide whether the agencies you contacted are likely to provide you with prompt, quality service on an ongoing basis.&nbsp; <br /> <br /> Good agents can consult with you not only about the insurance you may need but also about ways to reduce the likelihood of theft, injuries to visitors and workers, and other business-related losses.&nbsp; <br /> <br /> Look for an agent who knows about your type of business. Ask friends and acquaintances in the same kind of business about the agent they use. You can contact your business trade associations to see if they sponsor an insurance program designed specifically for your business or if they can provide a list of insurers who specialize in your field. The agent who handles your personal business&mdash;your auto and homeowners insurance&mdash;may be able to recommend an agent or broker to handle your business needs. <br /> <br /> There are two kinds of insurance agents: those who represent only one insurance company and those who represent more than one. A &ldquo;captive agent&rdquo; represents only one company. <strong>An &ldquo;independent agent&rdquo; represents several companies.</strong><br /> <br /> An agent is a person who solicits, negotiates and implements contracts of insurance on behalf of an insurer, subject to the terms of the agency contract with the insurer and to the laws of your state. You may also obtain insurance with the help of a broker, although brokers generally work with larger entities. Traditionally, a broker has represented the policyholder. Now, the distinction between an agent and broker is blurring. The broker may act as an agent of the insurer for certain purposes such as delivery of the policy or collection of the premium. In the insurance industry, both agents and brokers may be known as &ldquo;producers.&rdquo;&nbsp; <br /> <br /> As important as anything else in finding the right agent is the level of professional confidence and personal comfort you feel with that person. One source of help is the Internet, which has opened up new avenues for purchasing small business insurance. Some insurance companies give customers the option of getting quotes online. In addition, there are insurance hubs that offer quotes from several insurers. These online services generally put the client in touch with an agent.&nbsp;</p> <h3>WORKING WITH YOUR AGENT</h3> <p>Your insurance professional can provide invaluable advice. Ask your agent what you can do to reduce risks like fire or work-related accidents and about the procedures that should be in place to minimize losses in case your business is hit with a major disaster. To ensure that you have the right coverages and the appropriate amount of insurance, you need to keep your insurance professional informed about any major changes in your business on an ongoing basis. This includes major purchases as well as changes to your building, the nature of your operation and in the number of employees.&nbsp;</p> <h3>WHO REGULATES INSURANCE?</h3> Insurance is regulated by the individual states. Many states have publications and information on their Web sites to assist small businesses with understanding and finding insurance, as well as a great deal of other consumer insurance information. Most states have telephone helplines so that you can call and ask questions about insurance.<br /> <span style="font-size: 16px;"><br /> To speak with an Independent Insurance Agent, call Salzberg Insurance today at&nbsp;(757) 583-1828. </span><br /> <br /> Check out the other parts of this series:<br /> <ul> <li>Part 1: <a href="http://www.salzberginsurance.com/blog/Virginia_Small_Business_Insurance_Basics_-_Part_1.aspx" title="What Insurance Should My Business Have?">What Insurance Should My Business Have?</a></li> <li>Part 2: <a href="http://www.salzberginsurance.com/blog/Virginia_Small_Business_Insurance_Basics_-_Part_2_Types_of_Policies.aspx" title="Types of Insurance Policies">Types of Insurance Policies</a></li> <li>Part 3: <a href="http://www.salzberginsurance.com/blog/Virginia_Small_Business_Insurance_Basics_-_Part_3_Policy_Packages_and_Business-Owners_Policies.aspx">Policy Packages and Business-Owners Policies</a> </li> </ul> (Source: <a href="http://www2.iii.org/small-business-guide/small-business-insurance-basics.html" target="_blank" title="III.org">III.org</a>)urn:uuid:c662f01a-cfff-4098-8748-d2af9cdca250<img src='http://www.salzberginsurance.com/img/%7Ewww.salzberginsurance.com/iStock_000002032848XSmall.jpg' align='left' />The end of summer can be marked by many different events&mdash;the beginning of the school year, a briskness in the air, and sometimes, a mysterious clunking in your car or truck&rsquo;s engine. While you may not be able to push back the start of sch...Fri, 16 Sep 2011 11:06:11 -0500<p><img src="/img/%7Ewww.salzberginsurance.com/iStock_000002032848XSmall.jpg" style="width: 225px; height: 150px; float: right; margin-left: 7px; border-width: 0px; border-style: solid;" alt="Truck" />The end of summer can be marked by many different events&mdash;the beginning of the school year, a briskness in the air, and sometimes, a mysterious clunking in your car or truck&rsquo;s engine. While you may not be able to push back the start of school or hold on to the hot, humidity of summer, you can avoid the clunking as well as many other engine and car problems, if you practice some simple end-of-summer auto maintenance. </p> <p>The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) suggests that your end-of-summer rituals should include checking your vehicle&rsquo;s tires, windshield wipers and lights. </p> <ul> <li>Worn or uneven tire treads can be dangerous on slick winter roads and hot weather can stress your tires resulting in lost pressure, creating another driving hazard. A full inspection of your tires before the arrival of snow and ice is necessary. </li> <li>To prepare for unexpected snow flurries and end of summer rains, check your windshield wipers and replace cracked and ineffective wipers. </li> <li>The days will start getting shorter soon, and that means you may do more driving in the dark. Check your headlights, tail lights, indicators and brake lights and replace any that aren&rsquo;t functional. </li> </ul> <p>Checking and replacing your car&rsquo;s fluids after the strain of summer heat is another important post-summer step. </p> <ul> <li>Check your oil to make sure it hasn&rsquo;t been depleted. You may want to change the oil and air filters if you&rsquo;ve reached the number of miles or timeline for a suggested tune-up. </li> <li> Look at the engine coolant. Summer is rough on an already hot engine; check your coolant and make sure you are still at appropriate levels. </li> <li>Check transmission and brake fluids and add more windshield wiper fluid if necessary. </li> </ul> <p>It&rsquo;s not just your engine and tires that need attention at the end of summer, however. The body of your car could use a little extra maintenance too. </p> <ul> <li>Wash your car to get rid of and sand left over from summer traveling. </li> <li>Wax your car to protect it from the salt that will hit the roads during the winter months. </li> </ul> <p>As always, follow the guidelines established in your vehicle&rsquo;s manual and keep up with the suggested maintenance routine no matter what time of year it happens to be. If you do get into a wreck this winter, be sure you have your <a href="http://www.salzberginsurance.com/other/quick_quote.aspx" title="Norfolk car insurance quote">Norfolk car insurance</a> up to date or call us at (757) 583-1828 to discuss your options.</p>urn:uuid:c6f29490-4b3e-471e-96f5-d3d58ec96fdb<img src='http://www.salzberginsurance.com/img/%7Ewww.salzberginsurance.com/iStock_000009739461XSmall.jpg' align='left' />A standard homeowners policy includes coverage for jewelry and other precious items such as watches and furs. These items are covered for losses caused by all the perils included in your policy such as fire, windstorm, theft and vandalism. However,...Tue, 13 Sep 2011 11:39:15 -0500<img src="/img/%7Ewww.salzberginsurance.com/iStock_000009739461XSmall.jpg" style="width: 150px; height: 150px; float: left; margin-right: 7px; border-width: 0px; border-style: solid;" alt="Diamond Jewelry" />A standard <a href="http://www.salzberginsurance.com/other/quick_quote.aspx" target="_blank" title="Homeowners Policy">homeowners policy</a> includes coverage for jewelry and other precious items such as watches and furs. These items are covered for losses caused by all the perils included in your policy such as fire, windstorm, theft and vandalism. <br /> <br /> However, there are special limits of liability for certain items, meaning that the insurer will not pay more than the amount specified in the policy. One important limit is for the theft of jewelry. To keep coverage affordable because jewelry can be easily stolen, the standard policy has a relatively low limit of liability for theft, generally $1,500. <br /> <br /> If you own valuable jewelry or other items that would be difficult to replace, there are two ways you can increase coverage: by raising the limit of liability or &ldquo;scheduling&rdquo; your individual pieces through the purchase of &ldquo;floater&rdquo; policies. Raising the limit of liability is the cheapest option; however, there may be a limit on the amount you can claim for the loss of any individual piece, say $2,000, when the overall limit is $5,000. <br /> <br /> Scheduling each piece or item may cost more in premiums, but it offers broader protection because the floater covers losses of any type, including accidental losses&mdash;such as dropping your ring down the drain of the kitchen sink or leaving an expensive watch in a hotel room&mdash;that your homeowners insurance policy will not cover. Before purchasing a floater, the items covered must be professionally appraised. The cost of this service varies depending on where you live.<br /> <br /> (Source: <a href="http://www.iii.org/individuals/homei/hbs/floater/" target="_blank" title="III.org">III.org</a>)<br /> <br /> Call us today to talk about <a href="http://www.salzberginsurance.com/other/quick_quote.aspx" title="Home insurance quote">insurance for your valuables and property</a> at 757-583-1828.urn:uuid:c8fec547-39c3-46e0-98ee-6158eb3cd95a<img src='http://www.salzberginsurance.com/img/~www.salzberginsurance.com/iStock_000000581760XSmall.jpg' align='left' />Service stations, garages and other businesses that run towing services, or services where they take custody of a vehicle, must be particularly conscious about liability. As such, they are accountable for their customers&rsquo; cars, during the cours...Thu, 25 Aug 2011 09:31:50 -0500<p><img alt="Car in a Garage" style="width: 225px; height: 150px; float: left; margin-right: 7px; border-width: 0px; border-style: solid;" src="http://www.salzberginsurance.com/img/~www.salzberginsurance.com/iStock_000000581760XSmall.jpg" />Service stations, garages and other businesses that run towing services, or services where they take custody of a vehicle, must be particularly conscious about liability. As such, they are accountable for their customers&rsquo; cars, during the course of their everyday work. Cars, of course, are a valuable asset and a number of things can go amiss with a car while it is in a garage&rsquo;s care. Garage owners and other people who hold custody of a car have to consider damage from sources like fire, bad weather, theft and vandalism.&nbsp; </p> <p>Fortunately several insurance companies offer what is known as Garagekeepers Legal Liability Insurance for those who are concerned about liability when keeping stationary cars. <strong>Designed especially for garage owners, service stations and other people who will regularly and temporarily keep other people&rsquo;s cars in their possession, Garagekeepers Legal Liability Insurance generally covers damages to vehicles up to a set amount specified by the policyholder.</strong> For example, a garage mechanic who works on luxury sports vehicles or who operates in an area with a heavy criminal presence might decide on a higher liability limit than one who operates on family sedans in a fairly tranquil neighborhood with little pedestrian traffic. </p> <p>When taking out a Garagekeepers Legal Liability policy, the garage owner must also specify a deductible. The lower the deductible, the higher the amount of premiums the garage owner will pay in order to keep the policy current. But the higher the deductible, the more the garage owner must pay out of pocket when an insurable event occurs.</p> <p>It is vital to remember that holding a Garagekeepers insurance policy may not let the garage owner off scot free in certain instances. For example, situations like theft by the insured party, substandard parts, shoddy work, misplaced items inside the vehicle or equipment (i.e. CBs, radio equipment, radar detectors, etc.) are usually not covered by Garagekeepers insurance. Garagekeeper insurance was designed to insure against accidents, and should not be used to cover disagreements over workmanship, warranties or parts, such as faulty parts being used in engine repair. </p> <p>Being accountable for an expensive item like a car, truck, motorcycle or other vehicle is a grave affair. &nbsp;A Garagekeepers insurance policy can help business owners limit their liability if something untoward happens to a car in their custody.<br /> <br /> Call us today for a <a title="Quick Quote" href="http://www.salzberginsurance.com/other/quick_quote.aspx">Virginia Garagekeepers Liability quote</a> at&nbsp;757-583-1828.</p>urn:uuid:90d06f55-00ad-4b30-9f2a-11cd7ba52d97By Sarah Hutchins The Virginian-Pilot &copy; August 22, 2011 NORFOLK When Deborah Miller bought her Colonial Place home almost 30 years ago, she had no idea that nor&rsquo;easters and hurricanes would leave her with property damages totaling $100,000...Mon, 22 Aug 2011 09:49:00 -0500By <a href="http://hamptonroads.com/2011/05/sarah-hutchins" target="blank">Sarah Hutchins</a><br /> The Virginian-Pilot<br /> &copy; August 22, 2011 <p>NORFOLK</p> <p>When Deborah Miller bought her Colonial Place home almost 30 years ago, she had no idea that nor&rsquo;easters and hurricanes would leave her with property damages totaling $100,000.</p> <p>She raised her furniture on blocks, moved her car to higher ground and watched as water inched up through her floor vents.</p> <p>Hurricane Isabel sent 21 inches of water into the yard in 2003. The last nor&rsquo;easter was even worse, she said.</p> <p>A recent study by an environmental group has highlighted a reality Miller &ndash; and city officials &ndash; know all too well:</p> <p>Without an extensive levee system, Norfolk could be mostly underwater in less than 90 years.</p> <p>The report by the Natural Resources Defense Council is just another example of why the city needs to start taking serious action now, said Skip Stiles, executive director of Wetlands Watch, a Norfolk-based environmental group.</p> <p>&ldquo;You can see the impacts now,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s going to keep getting worse and worse.&rdquo;</p> <p>City officials acknowledge the need for a long-term solution to flooding but say it will be at least a year before they can apply for the necessary federal funding and even longer before major improvements could begin.</p> <p>Alice Kelly, assistant director of Norfolk Public Works, said the delay isn&rsquo;t due to a lack of concern.<br /> <br /> Read the <a title="Full Story" target="_blank" href="http://hamptonroads.com/2011/08/study-stresses-threat-norfolk-faces-flooding">Full Story</a>.<br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: 16px;"> Protect yourself and your property from flooding by calling us today at <strong>757-583-1828</strong> or filling out an online <a href="http://www.salzberginsurance.com/other/quick_quote.aspx" title="Quick quote form"><span style="font-size: 16px;">flood insurance quote</span></a>.</span></p>urn:uuid:ea3faa46-4ce3-42e8-b39c-6ff5f15422d5<img src='http://www.salzberginsurance.com/img/%7Ewww.salzberginsurance.com/iStock_000006495345XSmall.jpg' align='left' />SHOULD I BUY A PACKAGE POLICY? Insurers often combine a number of coverages into a package that is sold as a single contract. The advantage of a package policy is that it offers a broad variety of coverages for small businesses at a price that is usu...Wed, 17 Aug 2011 12:46:50 -0500<h3>SHOULD I BUY A PACKAGE POLICY?</h3> <p><img src="/img/%7Ewww.salzberginsurance.com/iStock_000006495345XSmall.jpg" style="width: 257px; height: 170px; float: right; margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 7px;" alt="Virginia Small Business Insurance" />Insurers often combine a number of coverages into a package that is sold as a single contract. The advantage of a package policy is that it offers a broad variety of coverages for small businesses at a price that is usually lower than if the same coverages were bought separately. The most common type of package policy is the Businessowners Policy or BOP (see below).<br /> <br /> Many <strong>insurance companies</strong> have their own unique names for the package policies they offer, and the coverages may vary somewhat from company to company. Often, these policies are created specifically for businesses that generally face the same kind and degree of risk. There are, for example, package policies designed especially for restaurants, undertakers, hair stylists, accountants and many other enterprises.&nbsp;</p> <h3>WHAT IS A BUSINESSOWNERS POLICY (BOP)?</h3> <p>A <strong>Businessowners Policy (BOP</strong>) combines coverage for all major property and liability insurance risks as well as many additional coverages into one package policy suitable for most small businesses. (For detailed information on property coverage under BOP, see chapter 3. For detailed liability coverage under BOP, see chapter 4.)<br /> <br /> The term &ldquo;BOP&rdquo; specifically refers to <strong>insurance policy</strong> language developed (and revised as needed) by experts at ISO. ISO provides sample insurance policy language, research and a variety of other products to insurance companies.<br /> <br /> A BOP includes business income insurance. This compensates you for the business income you may lose following a disaster. Disasters typically disrupt operations and may cause you to vacate your premises. The BOP also covers the extra expense you may incur if you must operate out of a temporary location.<br /> <br /> To cover specific risks associated with your business, you may purchase a variety of additional coverages to add to the basic BOP. For example, the BOP doesn&rsquo;t cover outdoor signs unless you specifically add coverage and pay an additional premium. If your business relies on electronic commerce, you may want to add coverage for lost income and extra expenses in the event your ability to conduct e-commerce is slowed down or stopped due to a computer virus or hacker. <br /> <br /> Only small- to medium-sized businesses that meet certain criteria are eligible for a BOP. Factors insurers consider include the size of the premises, the required limits of liability, the type of business and the extent of offsite activity. Premiums for BOP policies are based on those factors plus business location, financial stability, building construction, and security features and fire hazards.<br /> <br /> In discussing <a href="http://www.salzberginsurance.com/business/bop_quote.aspx" title="Small Business Insurance Quote"><strong>small business insurance</strong></a><strong></strong>, we make frequent reference to the coverage provided by the ISO BOP because it is a standardized policy form. Your particular policy may be somewhat different. The coverages, however, will be similar. <br /> <br /> A BOP does not include all the coverages you may need. It does not cover professional liability, auto insurance, workers compensation or life, health and disability insurance. You will need separate policies for those.&nbsp;</p> <h3>HOW MUCH INSURANCE DO I NEED?</h3> <p>When purchasing <strong>business insurance</strong> it's important to obtain the right amount. Be sure that your company is neither overinsured nor underinsured. To help you decide the amount of property insurance you need, list all your company&rsquo;s assets&mdash;including property, equipment and inventory. You can buy property insurance on the basis of the property's actual value (the replacement cost minus depreciation) or its replacement value (the cost of replacing the item without deducting for depreciation).<br /> <br /> An agent and insurance company familiar with the risks typically involved with your type of operation can help you decide on a reasonable amount of property and <strong>liability insurance</strong>.&nbsp;</p> <h3>HOW CAN I KEEP PREMIUMS DOWN?</h3> <p><strong>1. Shop around</strong>. Prices vary from company to company, so it pays to get several quotes. Get the names of insurance companies or brokers who specialize in your type of business. Call several so that you can compare prices and get a feel for the types of services they would provide.<br /> <br /> It's also important to pick a company that is financially stable. Check the financial health of insurers with rating companies such as A.M. Best and Standard &amp; Poor&rsquo;s and consult consumer magazines. Your trade association or other group that represents your business may be able to provide recommendations.<br /> <br /> <strong>2. Choose a higher deductible</strong>. Deductibles represent the amount of money you pay before your <strong>insurance policy</strong> kicks in. The higher the deductible, the less you will pay for the policy. At the same time, be sure you don&rsquo;t set the deductible so high that it will be a financial burden for you to pay the deductible if you have a loss.<br /> <br /> <strong>3. Buy a package policy</strong>. A package policy, such as a Businessowners Policy (BOP), rather than individual coverages will cost less.<br /> <br /> <strong>4. Work closely with your agent</strong>. The more the agent understands about your overall business and finances, the better he or she will be able to find competitively priced products for you. <br /> <br /> <strong>5. Ask about specific actions you can take to prevent losses</strong>. You may be able to reduce your premium for certain coverages by following your insurer's specific recommendations. These can include tips on workplace safety, disaster preparation and devices that reduce losses (loss mitigation), such as installing alarms and sprinklers. In addition, there are steps you can take to lower the possibility that one of your employees might file a lawsuit against you for discrimination or sexual harassment, for example.<br /> <br /> <strong>6. Avoid losses</strong>. Remember insurance works a lot like credit. Costs are lower for customers with better claim histories. The more losses you have, the higher your premiums will be, because it suggests that you are not very careful and there will be more losses in the future. If your loss history is bad enough, you may have trouble obtaining insurance at all from a private insurance company. <span style="font-size: 16px;"><br /> <br /> </span> <span style="font-size: 16px;">To learn more about Business Insurance contact us at <strong>757-583-1828</strong> or get a quick <span style="font-size: 18px;"><a title="Business Insurance Quote Form" href="http://www.salzberginsurance.com/other/quick_quote.aspx"><span style="font-size: 18px;">N</span><span style="font-size: 18px;">orfolk business insurance</span></a></span> quote today from your independent agent Salzberg Insurance Agency.</span><br /> <br /> Check out the other parts of this series:</p> <ul> <li>Part 1: <a href="http://www.salzberginsurance.com/blog/Virginia_Small_Business_Insurance_Basics_-_Part_1.aspx" title="What Insurance Should My Business Have?">What Insurance Should My Business Have?</a></li> <li>Part 2: <a href="http://www.salzberginsurance.com/blog/Virginia_Small_Business_Insurance_Basics_-_Part_2_Types_of_Policies.aspx" title="Types of Insurance Policies">Types of Insurance Policies</a></li> <li>Part 4: <a href="http://www.salzberginsurance.com/blog/Virginia_Small_Business_Insurance_Basics_-_Part_4_Finding_the_Right_Agent_in_Virginia.aspx">Finding the Right Agent in Virginia</a> </li> </ul> <br /> (Source: <a href="http://www2.iii.org/small-business-guide/small-business-insurance-basics.html" target="_blank" title="III.org">III.org</a>)urn:uuid:1a949b0b-7df1-4f57-ab4d-9a1c2d99c63a<img src='http://www.salzberginsurance.com/img/%7Ewww.salzberginsurance.com/throwing_child.png' align='left' />Many people wonder if their home insurance would cover any injuries they received at home. After all, it is not only guests and visitors who can get hurt in your home. The same risks that await non-residents also await you and your family members. Th...Mon, 08 Aug 2011 10:33:29 -0500<p><img src="/img/%7Ewww.salzberginsurance.com/throwing_child.png" style="float: left; margin-right: 7px; border-width: 0px; border-style: solid;" alt="Dad throwing a child in the air" />Many people wonder if their home insurance would cover any injuries they received at home. After all, it is not only guests and visitors who can get hurt in your home. The same risks that await non-residents also await you and your family members. There is a significant difference, between which insurance pays for when <em>you </em>get hurt at home and when a <em>visitor</em> gets hurt in your home. </p> <p><strong>Understanding Homeowners Liability</strong></p> <p>As a home owner, you are liable for many of the injuries a visitor can incur in your home. In the event that an invited guest or unexpected visitor should be injured in your home through no fault of their own, your homeowners insurance would likely pay medical expenses and damages. It could even pay for lost wages if the injury resulted in the person being out of work. </p> <p>When it comes to injuries, your homeowners insurance only covers your liability as a property owner. So if you or one of your family members is injured at home, it would be your medical insurance rather than your homeowners insurance that would pay for those injuries. </p> <p><strong>When Homeowners Insurance Doesn&rsquo;t Pay</strong></p> <p>Are they any visitor injuries that your homeowners insurance would not pay for? If someone was in your home acting in a reckless manner and you had no way to stop an incident, and their behavior causes an accident, then you would probably not be liable for that injury. However, if someone acting in a normal capacity is hurt in your home&mdash;even from something that was not the result of any negligence on your part, you would likely be responsible. </p> <p>Avoid heartache and save money by having a home free of threats to health and safety, as this will help to avoid insurance claims and keep your family and friends safe. &nbsp;And although you can never create a completely risk-free zone, diligence and attentiveness can work together to help you remove the most obvious threats and cut down in the opportunity for injury that much more. <br /> <br /> Get a quick <strong><a title="Quote form" href="http://www.salzberginsurance.com/other/quick_quote.aspx">Norfolk home insurance</a></strong> quote today from your independent agent Salzberg Insurance Agency or call us at 757-583-1828.</p>urn:uuid:a1f71cd4-22c7-4699-ba5a-115456079396<img src='http://www.salzberginsurance.com/img/%7Ewww.salzberginsurance.com/small_business.jpg' align='left' />INSURANCE FOR A HOME-BASED OR VERY SMALL BUSINESS An extremely small business, such as one operated by one or two people out of a home, may not need workers compensation insurance. But it often needs more property and liability insurance than is prov...Wed, 03 Aug 2011 09:44:30 -0500<h2>INSURANCE FOR A HOME-BASED OR VERY SMALL BUSINESS</h2> <p>An extremely small business, such as one operated by one or two people out of a home, may not need workers compensation insurance. But it often needs more property and liability insurance than is provided in a typical homeowners policy. See the section on <a href="http://www2.iii.org/smallbusiness/specific/homebusiness/" target="_blank">home-based businesses</a>.</p> <h2>OTHER TYPES OF POLICIES YOU MAY NEED</h2> <p>In addition to the basic coverages highlighted above, there are various other policies needed by some businesses.&nbsp; They include:</p> <ul style="list-style-type: square;"> <li>umbrella policies</li> <li>specialized liability policies</li> <li>terrorism insurance</li> </ul> <p><strong><em>Umbrella Policies</em></strong><br /> <br /> <img alt="Small Business" style="float: right; margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 7px; border-width: 0px; border-style: solid;" src="/img/%7Ewww.salzberginsurance.com/small_business.jpg" />As the name implies, an umbrella liability policy provides coverage over and above your other liability coverages. It is designed to protect against unusually high losses, when the policy limits of one of the underlying policies have been used up. For the typical business, the umbrella policy would provide protection over and above general liability and auto liability policies. If you have Employment Practices Liability Insurance, Directors and Officers Liability or other types of liability insurance, the umbrella could provide protection over and above those policy limits as well. <br /> &nbsp;<br /> <strong><em>Specialized Liability Insurance Policies</em></strong><br /> <br /> Some businesses need specialized liability policies. They include:</p> <ul style="list-style-type: square;"> <li>Errors and Omissions Insurance (E&amp;O)/Professional Liability Insurance</li> <li>Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI)</li> <li>Directors and Officers Liability Insurance (D&amp;O)</li> <li>Business Identity Theft Insurance</li> </ul> <p><em>Errors and Omissions Insurance/Professional Liability Insurance</em><br /> If your business involves services such as giving advice, making recommendations, designing products, providing physical care or representing the needs of others, you could be sued by customers, clients or patients claiming your failure to perform your job properly had harmed them in some way. Errors and Omissions or Professional Liability Insurance covers these situations. The policy will pay any judgment for which the insured is legally liable, up to the policy limit. It also provides for legal defense costs, which can be substantial, even where there has been no wrongdoing.<br /> <br /> <em>Employment Practices Liability Insurance</em><br /> Employment Practices Liability Insurance pays, up to the policy limits, damages for which an employer is legally liable for violating an employee&rsquo;s civil or other legal rights. In addition to paying a judgment for which the insured is liable, it also provides for legal defense costs, which can be substantial even where there has been no wrongdoing.<br /> <br /> <em>Directors and Officers Liability Insurance</em><br /> Directors and Officers Liability Insurance protects directors and officers of corporations or not-for-profit organizations if there is a lawsuit claiming they managed the business or organization without proper regard for the rights of others. The policy will pay any judgment for which the insured is legally liable, up to the policy limit. It also provides for legal defense costs, which can be substantial even where there has been no wrongdoing.<br /> <br /> <em>Business Identity Insurance</em><br /> Business Identity Theft Insurance provides legal liability coverage to businesses that are victims of data theft.&nbsp; Such policies can also provide coverage to notify customers whose personal identification information may have been compromised and pay for services to provide identity theft recovery services for customers.<br /> <br /> <strong><em>Terrorism&nbsp; Insurance</em></strong><br /> <br /> Prior to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, standard commercial insurance policies included terrorism coverage as part of the package, effectively free of charge. Today, terrorism coverage is generally offered separately at a price that more adequately reflects the current risk. Insurance losses attributable to terrorist acts under these commercial policies are insured by private insurers and re-insured or &ldquo;backstopped&rdquo; by the federal government pursuant to the Terrorism Risk and Insurance Act (TRIA), enacted by Congress in 2002.&nbsp; The Act was renewed for two years in December 2005 and renewed again in 2007 for another seven years.&nbsp; Under TRIA, owners of commercial property, such as office buildings, factories, shopping malls and apartment buildings, must be offered the opportunity to purchase terrorism coverage. This requirement also applies to your Business-owners Policy (BOP)&mdash;your insurer must offer terrorism coverage as mandated by TRIA. In some cases insurers still include terrorism for no additional premium. In other cases there is a separate charge. You should confirm with your agent or broker whether or not your BOP or other package policy provides terrorism coverage. It is important to note that TRIA excludes certain lines, such as burglary and theft and commercial auto. Workers compensation is the only line of insurance that automatically covers acts of terrorism. <br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: 16px;">You can also get a quick <strong><a title="Quote form" href="http://www.salzberginsurance.com/other/quick_quote.aspx"><span style="font-size: 16px;">Norfolk business insurance</span></a></strong> quote today from your independent agent Salzberg Insurance Agency.<br /> <br /> </span> Check out the other parts of this series:</p> <ul> <li>Part 1: <a title="What Insurance Should My Business Have?" href="http://www.salzberginsurance.com/blog/Virginia_Small_Business_Insurance_Basics_-_Part_1.aspx">What Insurance Should My Business Have?</a></li> <li>Part 3:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.salzberginsurance.com/blog/Virginia_Small_Business_Insurance_Basics_-_Part_3_Policy_Packages_and_Business-Owners_Policies.aspx">Policy Packages and Business-Owners Policies</a><a title="Types of Insurance Policies" href="http://www.salzberginsurance.com/blog/Virginia_Small_Business_Insurance_Basics_-_Part_2_Types_of_Policies.aspx"></a></li> <li>Part 4: <a href="http://www.salzberginsurance.com/blog/Virginia_Small_Business_Insurance_Basics_-_Part_4_Finding_the_Right_Agent_in_Virginia.aspx">Finding the Right Agent in Virginia</a> </li> </ul> (Source: <a href="http://www2.iii.org/small-business-guide/small-business-insurance-basics.html" target="_blank" title="III.org">III.org</a>)urn:uuid:b5280ec6-b6ea-4689-be39-e70ad1598cc3<img src='http://www.salzberginsurance.com/img/%7Ewww.salzberginsurance.com/iStock_000011018424XSmall.jpg' align='left' /> WHAT INSURANCE SHOULD MY BUSINESS HAVE? Most businesses need to purchase at least the following four types of insurance: Property Insurance Liability Insurance Business Vehicle Insurance Workers Compensation I...Fri, 29 Jul 2011 09:50:07 -0500<strong> <h2>WHAT INSURANCE SHOULD MY BUSINESS HAVE?</h2> </strong> <p>Most businesses need to purchase at least the following four types of insurance:</p> <ul> <li><strong>Property Insurance</strong></li> </ul> <ul> <li><strong>Liability Insurance<br /> <br /> </strong></li> <li><strong>Business Vehicle Insurance<br /> <br /> </strong></li> <li><strong>Workers Compensation Insurance</strong></li> </ul> <p><strong><img src="/img/%7Ewww.salzberginsurance.com/iStock_000011018424XSmall.jpg" style="width: 225px; height: 150px; float: left; margin-right: 7px; margin-bottom: 7px; margin-top: 7px;" alt="Building Insurance" />Property Insurance</strong> &ndash; Property insurance compensates you if the property you use in your business is lost or damaged as the result of various types of common &ldquo;perils&rdquo; such as fire or theft. Property insurance covers not just a building or structure but also what insurers call &ldquo;personal property,&rdquo; meaning office furnishings, inventory, raw materials, machinery, computers and other items vital to your business operations. Property insurance can do more than protect your physical assets. It may also provide operating funds during a period when you are trying to get the business back on track after a catastrophic loss. Depending on the type of policy you have, property insurance may include coverage for equipment breakdown, removal of debris after a fire or other destructive event, some types of water damage and other losses.<br /> <br /> <strong>Liability Insurance</strong> &ndash; Any enterprise can be sued. People may claim that your business caused them harm as the result of, for example, a defective product, an error in a service or disregard for another person&rsquo;s property. Or someone may allege that you created a hazardous environment. Your liability insurance pays damages for which you are found liable, up to the policy limits, as well as attorneys' fees and other legal defense expenses. It also pays the medical bills of any people injured by your business. <br /> <br /> <strong>Business Vehicle Insurance</strong> &ndash; If you use your own car for business purposes, discuss this with your agent. Many personal auto insurance policies exclude coverage if the vehicle involved in an accident is used mainly for business. A business auto policy provides coverage for autos owned by a business. The insurance pays any costs to third parties resulting from bodily injury or property damage for which your business is legally liable, up to the policy limits. Depending on what kind of coverage you buy, the insurance may pay to repair or replace your vehicle because of damage resulting from accidents, theft, flooding and other events. <br /> <br /> <strong>Workers Compensation Insurance</strong> &ndash; In all states but Texas an employer must have workers compensation insurance when there are more than a certain number of employees, varying from three to five, depending on the state. Workers comp insurance, as this coverage is generally called, pays for medical care and replaces a portion of lost wages for an employee who is injured in the course of employment, regardless of who was at fault for the injury. When a worker dies as a result of injuries sustained while working, the insurance provides compensation to the employee&rsquo;s family. <br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: 16px;">You can get a quick <a href="http://www.salzberginsurance.com/other/quick_quote.aspx" title="Quote form"><span style="font-size: 16px;">Norfolk business insurance</span></a> quote today from your independent agent <strong>Salzberg Insurance Agency</strong>.</span><br /> <br /> Check out the other parts of this series:</p> <ul> <li>Part 2: <a title="Types of Insurance Policies" href="http://www.salzberginsurance.com/blog/Virginia_Small_Business_Insurance_Basics_-_Part_2_Types_of_Policies.aspx">Types of Insurance Policies</a><a href="http://www.salzberginsurance.com/blog/Virginia_Small_Business_Insurance_Basics_-_Part_1.aspx" title="What Insurance Should My Business Have?"></a></li> <li>Part 3: <a href="http://www.salzberginsurance.com/blog/Virginia_Small_Business_Insurance_Basics_-_Part_3_Policy_Packages_and_Business-Owners_Policies.aspx">Policy Packages and Business-Owners Policies</a><a href="http://www.salzberginsurance.com/blog/Virginia_Small_Business_Insurance_Basics_-_Part_2_Types_of_Policies.aspx" title="Types of Insurance Policies"></a></li> <li>Part 4: <a href="http://www.salzberginsurance.com/blog/Virginia_Small_Business_Insurance_Basics_-_Part_4_Finding_the_Right_Agent_in_Virginia.aspx">Finding the Right Agent in Virginia</a> </li> </ul> (Source: <a title="III.org" target="_blank" href="http://www2.iii.org/small-business-guide/small-business-insurance-basics.html">III.org</a>)urn:uuid:53777f2f-a3c1-48af-b60c-b11af5adb4d0<img src='http://www.salzberginsurance.com/img/%7Ewww.salzberginsurance.com/iStock_000013424093XSmall.jpg' align='left' />If you are ever sued, your standard homeowners or auto policy will provide you with some liability coverage, paying for judgements against you and your attorney's fees, up to a limit set in the policy. However, in our litigious society, you may want ...Tue, 19 Jul 2011 10:39:31 -0500<img src="/img/%7Ewww.salzberginsurance.com/iStock_000013424093XSmall.jpg" style="width: 200px; height: 150px; float: left; margin-right: 0px; border-width: 0px; border-style: solid;" alt="Umbrella policy" />If you are ever sued, your standard homeowners or auto policy will provide you with some liability coverage, paying for judgements against you and your attorney's fees, up to a limit set in the policy. However, in our litigious society, you may want to have an extra layer of liability protection. That's what a <a href="http://www.salzberginsurance.com/other/quick_quote.aspx" title="Get an umbrella liability quote">personal umbrella liability policy</a> provides.<br /> <br /> An umbrella policy kicks in when you reach the limit on the underlying liability coverage in a homeowners, renters, condo or auto policy. It will also cover you for things such as libel and slander.<br /> <br /> Because the personal umbrella policy goes into effect after the underlying coverage is exhausted, there are certain limits that usually must be met in order to purchase this coverage. Most insurers will want you to have about $250,000 of liability insurance on your auto policy and $300,000 of liability insurance on your homeowners policy before selling you an umbrella liability policy for $1 million of additional coverage.<br /> <br /> <a href="/contact.aspx" title="Contact">Contact</a> us today at <strong>(757) 583-1828</strong> for an umbrella policy quote.<br /> <br /> (Source: <a href="http://www.iii.org/individuals/homei/hbs/umbrella/" target="_blank" title="Insurance Information Institute">III.org</a>)urn:uuid:391f3e81-5f4e-47fe-be7b-96793d1da944<img src='http://www.salzberginsurance.com/img/~www.salzberginsurance.com/iStock_000010641551XSmall.jpg' align='left' />By now, even if you live in one of the 18 states without a primary seat belt law, you know that buckling up can save your life. But wearing seat belts is not the only way to keep you and your family safe in your car. Properly arm your airbags. ...Fri, 15 Jul 2011 12:39:14 -0500<p><img src="http://www.salzberginsurance.com/img/~www.salzberginsurance.com/iStock_000010641551XSmall.jpg" style="width: 225px; height: 150px; float: right; margin-left: 7px; border-width: 0px; border-style: solid;" alt="Wear your seatbelt" />By now, even if you live in one of the <a href="http://www.ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/laws/seatbelt_laws.html" target="_blank" title="State Seat Belt Laws">18 states without a primary seat belt law</a>, you know that buckling up can save your life. But wearing seat belts is not the only way to keep you and your family safe in your car. </p> <ol> <li><strong>Properly arm your airbags.</strong> If your car has air bags, make sure they are correctly armed. If they have activated, you&rsquo;ll need to have them armed again. </li> <li><strong>Wear your seat belt properly.</strong> There is a reason why seat belts stretch across our chests and not just our laps. These chest straps keep us from slamming into the dashboard, the seat in front of us, or getting a severe case of whiplash. Make sure to wear your seatbelt as it was intended so you can get the complete range of protection.&nbsp; </li> <li><strong>Practice proper and regular vehicle maintenance.</strong> Transmission problems can cause your car to stop in the middle of the road; poorly filled tires can compromise your brake system&mdash;there&rsquo;s no end to the possible accidents that inadequate car maintenance issues can cause. Take your car to the mechanic habitually so he can check for these issues before they cause an accident. </li> <li><strong>Practice airbag safety.</strong> Airbags have saved many lives, but they can also be unsafe in particular circumstances. Children under twelve years of age should never sit in the front seat with driver&rsquo;s side airbags. If they must, they should be properly buckled up with the seat as far away from the dashboard as possible, since airbags can actually harm anyone who is 2-3 inches from the point of inflation. Because the driver&rsquo;s airbag is in the steering wheel, he can be injured, too. Measure your normal seating position when you drive and make sure that you are located at least 10 inches away from the center of the steering wheel.</li> <li><strong>Use rear facing car seats.</strong> Airbags are not the only in-car threat to a child&rsquo;s safety. Children less than one year old or who weigh less than 20 lbs. should always be buckled into rear-facing child&rsquo;s seats in the back seat of the car. Children less than 4&rsquo;9&rdquo; should also use booster seats when riding in the car. This avoids seat belt injuries in case of an wreck. </li> <li><strong>Adjust your mirrors.</strong> It&rsquo;s easy to get into your car after another driver has used it and forget to tweak your mirrors. This can lead to blind spots that allow you to reverse into an obstacle or change lanes without seeing a nearby driver. Make sure that your mirrors are properly adjusted and that you check your mirror&rsquo;s blind spots before making any moves in traffic. </li> </ol> <p>Observing these simple car safety precautions will give you peace of mind and might even save a life one day. Call us today for a <a href="http://www.salzberginsurance.com/other/quick_quote.aspx" title="Auto quote">Norfolk Car Insurance</a> quote at <strong>(757) 583-1828</strong>.</p>urn:uuid:812e8147-0d5f-47bb-a4ee-53f74321296a<img src='http://www.salzberginsurance.com/img/%7Ewww.salzberginsurance.com/iStock_000000650068Small.jpg' align='left' />Many financial experts consider life insurance to be the cornerstone of sound financial planning. It can be an important tool in the following situations: Replace income for dependents If people depend on your income, life insurance can repl...Tue, 12 Jul 2011 11:52:37 -0500<p>Many financial experts consider <a title="Salzberg Life Insurance" target="_blank" href="http://www.salzberginsurance.com/life/insurance_quote.aspx">life insurance</a> to be the cornerstone of sound financial planning. It can be an important tool in the following situations:</p> <ol style="list-style-type: decimal;" start="1"> <li><strong>Replace income for dependents</strong><br /> If people depend on your income, <a title="Salzberg Life Insurance" target="_blank" href="http://www.salzberginsurance.com/life_and_health/default.aspx">life insurance</a> can replace that income for them if you die. The most commonly recognized case of this is parents with young children. However, it can also apply to couples in which the survivor would be financially stricken by the income lost through the death of a partner, and to dependent adults, such as parents, siblings or adult children who continue to rely on you financially. Insurance to replace your income can be especially useful if the government- or employer-sponsored benefits of your surviving spouse or domestic partner will be reduced after your death.</li> <li><strong>Pay final expenses</strong><br /> Life insurance can pay your funeral and burial costs, probate and other estate administration costs, debts and medical expenses not covered by health insurance.</li> <li><strong>Create an inheritance for your heirs</strong><br /> Even if you have no other assets to pass to your heirs, you can create an inheritance by buying a life insurance policy and naming them as beneficiaries.<img alt="" style="float: right; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 7px; width: 251px; height: 166px; margin-top: 5px;" src="/img/%7Ewww.salzberginsurance.com/iStock_000000650068Small.jpg" /></li> <li><strong>Pay federal &ldquo;death&rdquo; taxes and state &ldquo;death&rdquo; taxes</strong><br /> Life insurance benefits can pay estate taxes so that your heirs will not have to liquidate other assets or take a smaller inheritance. Changes in the federal &ldquo;death&rdquo; tax rules between now and January 1, 2011 will likely lessen the impact of this tax on some people, but some states are offsetting those federal decreases with increases in their state-level &ldquo;death&rdquo; taxes.</li> <li><strong>Make significant charitable contributions</strong><br /> By making a charity the beneficiary of your life insurance, you can make a much larger contribution than if you donated the cash equivalent of the policy&rsquo;s premiums.</li> <li><strong>Create a source of savings</strong><br /> Some types of life insurance create a cash value that, if not paid out as a death benefit, can be borrowed or withdrawn on the owner&rsquo;s request. Since most people make paying their life insurance policy premiums a high priority, buying a cash-value type policy can create a kind of &ldquo;forced&rdquo; savings plan. Furthermore, the interest credited is tax deferred (and tax exempt if the money is paid as a death claim).</li> </ol> To learn more about life insurance visit <a target="_blank" href="http://www.salzberginsurance.com/life_and_health/default.aspx" title="Life and Health Insurance">Life &amp; Health Insurance</a>. Contact us for a <a href="http://www.salzberginsurance.com/life/insurance_quote.aspx" target="_blank" title="Salzberg Life Insurance Quote">Salzberg Life Insurance <strong></strong></a><strong><a title="Salzberg Life Insurance Quote" target="_blank" href="http://www.salzberginsurance.com/life/insurance_quote.aspx">quote</a></strong><strong></strong> <strong>757-583-1828</strong>.<br /> <br /> (Source: <a target="_blank" href="http://www.iii.org/articles/why-should-i-buy-life-insurance.html">Insurance Information Institute</a>)urn:uuid:dea08934-421d-4359-a295-82361af50a42<img src='http://www.insurancewebsitebuilder.com/img/~www.salzberginsurance.com/iStock_000000752560XSmall.jpg' align='left' />Sixty years ago, when the 1950 census data was released, it showed that eight in 10 households were occupied by married couples. Fifty years later, the 2000 census data showed that number had declined to just over 50%, signifying a sea change in the ...Wed, 06 Jul 2011 16:03:28 -0500<p>Sixty years ago, when the 1950 census data was released, it showed that eight in 10 households were occupied by married couples. Fifty years later, the 2000 census data showed that number had declined to just over 50%, signifying a sea change in the typical American household. Almost half of households were occupied by a single individual, roommates or unmarried couples (the 2010 census data is still in the process of being made public).</p> <p>If you are in the <strong>&ldquo;living together but not married&rdquo;</strong> category, you should pay close attention to the language in your home and auto insurance policies that specifies which individuals are covered&mdash;in insurance terms, the &ldquo;insureds.&rdquo;</p> <h3><strong>HOME INSURANCE<br /> </strong></h3> <p><img src="http://www.insurancewebsitebuilder.com/img/~www.salzberginsurance.com/iStock_000000752560XSmall.jpg" style="width: 250px; height: 165px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 7px; margin-bottom: 7px; float: left;" alt="Home Insurance" />Most standard&nbsp;<a href="http://www.salzberginsurance.com/homeowners/homeowners_quote.aspx" target="_blank">home insurance policies</a> restrict coverage to a &ldquo;named insured&rdquo;&mdash;the individual person(s) named on the policy and his or her resident spouse. The policy then extends coverage to &ldquo;resident relatives,&rdquo; a term referring to individuals related to the named insured by blood, marriage or adoption (or someone under 21 in your care, such as a foster child) who are residents of the named insured&rsquo;s household.</p> <p>This means that a home insurance company has no obligation to cover a non-insured&rsquo;s liability or to defend that person in a lawsuit alleging liability.</p> <p>Consider this scenario: A girlfriend and her teenage son move in with the woman&rsquo;s boyfriend. The son seriously injures another child in a tackle football game at the park down the street. That child&rsquo;s parents file a suit against the mother/girlfriend.</p> <p>Unless she has her own separate insurance policy (such as a &ldquo;renters&rdquo; insurance policy) or has been added as a named insured on the home insurance policy (which most insurance companies won&rsquo;t do if she isn&rsquo;t a relative), she has no coverage.&nbsp;</p> <p>The problem doesn&rsquo;t stop with liability. Chances are the girlfriend and her son will also move some of their personal property in with them, but clothes, electronics, school supplies and whatever else belongs to them may not be covered by the homeowner&rsquo;s insurance policy either. Most policies exclude coverage for personal property that is owned by roomers, boarders or tenants. This personal property exclusion is another reason why a renters insurance policy is essential for non-insured roommates.</p> <h3><strong>AUTO INSURANCE<br /> </strong> </h3> <p><img src="/img/~www.salzberginsurance.com/iStock_000001327754XSmall.jpg" style="width: 172px; height: 200px; margin: 0px 0px 7px 7px; float: right;" alt="Auto Insurance" />The&nbsp;<a href="http://www.trustedchoice.com/Content/Auto-Insurance/auto_insurance.aspx">auto policy</a> also has a &ldquo;named insured&rdquo; which includes the individual listed on the policy and his or her spouse. The insured on an auto policy varies depending on the coverage. For example, liability, medical payments, and uninsured motorist coverage each have their own definitions of &ldquo;insured.&rdquo;</p> <p>Say an adult boyfriend and girlfriend each have a car and their own personal auto insurance policies. One has high limits of liability on their policy, maybe $100,000, and the other has lower limits, like $25,000.</p> <p>Let&rsquo;s look at liability coverage in this scenario. This section of the policy covers the &ldquo;named insured&rdquo; and &ldquo;family members&rdquo; for liability arising out of the use of any auto. It also considers any other person an &ldquo;insured&rdquo; while that person is occupying a car (with permission) that is insured under your policy.</p> <p>Dig deeper, however, and you&rsquo;ll see that the policy excludes coverage while the &ldquo;named insured&rdquo; or &ldquo;family member&rdquo; is operating a vehicle that is furnished or available for regular use.</p> <p>If the girlfriend is driving the boyfriend&rsquo;s car and gets into an accident causing injuries, his auto insurer would pay up to the policy limits&mdash;in this case, $25,000. Unfortunately this may not be enough money to cover the full liability if the injuries are severe, and the liability policy with $100,000 limit might not be available as a fallback, even though it covers the driver for the use of any auto. That&rsquo;s because the driver&rsquo;s insurer can argue that this car is available for the driver&rsquo;s regular use since the car owner and driver live together and that, under that circumstance, coverage is excluded by the policy language.</p> <p>The good news is that these scenarios have solutions, and as your Trusted Choice&reg; insurance agent, we are ready to discuss with you. Call or&nbsp;<a title="Contact us" href="http://www.salzberginsurance.com/contact.aspx" style="color: #9c9265; font-size: 9pt; text-decoration: underline; font-family: arial;">email</a>&nbsp;us today at&nbsp;<strong>(757) 583-1828</strong>.<br /> <br /> (Source: <a href="http://www.trustedchoice.com/Content/Articles/Auto-and-Home-Insurance-for-Unmarried-Couples.aspx" target="_blank">TrustedChoice.com</a>)</p>urn:uuid:203bafd3-4eb5-495a-919c-4a545b110784<img src='http://www.salzberginsurance.com/img/%7Ewww.salzberginsurance.com/iStock_000000281560XSmall.jpg' align='left' />Loyalty to agents remains high, according to a recent servicing survey. Consumers who purchase their auto insurance through a local agent are less likely to want to change carriers, according to a recent report by Internet marketing research company ...Wed, 29 Jun 2011 12:45:46 -0500<h2>Loyalty to agents remains high, according to a recent servicing survey.</h2> <p><img alt="" style="border: 1px solid #a7955f; width: 225px; height: 150px; float: right; margin-left: 7px;" src="/img/%7Ewww.salzberginsurance.com/iStock_000000281560XSmall.jpg" />Consumers who purchase their auto insurance through a local agent are less likely to want to change carriers, according to a recent report by Internet marketing research company comScore. The firm&rsquo;s April 2011 auto insurance report was released in two pieces&mdash;<a href="http://www.iamagazine.com/NewsViews/2011/June_09/P-C-Trends.aspx" target="_blank">one focused on sales</a> and the other on service.</p> <p>The servicing report keyed in on consumers engaging in online servicing activity and their attitudes and preferences towards agents, among other things. Approximately two-thirds of consumers who have been involved with at least one servicing aspect of their auto insurance in the past year (including policy management and adding or removing a driver) said they seriously consider changing carriers. </p> <p>Although customer loyalty in general has declined, the good news for independent agents is that they seem to still have an advantage over online insurance purchasing options. According to the comScore servicing report, 70% of respondents who purchased auto insurance online are seriously considering changing their policy, whereas only 50% who purchased through a local agent feel the same way. </p> <p>Agents remain important to customers even after they&rsquo;ve purchased their policies. ComScore&rsquo;s report found that 81% of those who purchased their auto insurance through an agent consider their agent to be valuable. That same group (61% of total survey respondents) said they have contact with their agent on a monthly basis, often via the phone. When it comes to meeting with their agent in person, 60% of respondents said they do so at least once a month, whereas 26% said they never do so. 80% of respondents said they prefer their agents to contact them by telephone. </p> <p>Independent agents who have jumped into the social media world with Facebook pages and Twitter accounts should be sure the word is getting out to their clients. 73% of comScore respondents said their agents are not yet involved with social media. However, 83% of that same group said that even if their agents were involved with social media, they would not like to interact with them in that manner. </p> <p>ComScore surveyed more than 4,000 U.S. online auto insurance shoppers in April 2011 to ascertain general attitudes, and also passively observed a panel of 1 million consumers.&nbsp; <br /> <br /> Salzberg Insurance is an independent with you the customer in mind. Contact us today <strong>757-583-1828</strong> for a quote.<br /> <br /> (Source: <a href="http://www.iamagazine.com/NewsViews/2011/June_16/P-C-Trends2.aspx?Source=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.iamagazine.com%252Fnewsviews%252F2011%252Fjune_16%252FThis_Issue.aspx" target="_blank" title="IA Magazine">IAMagazine.com</a>)</p>urn:uuid:dc0b14fd-d38c-4166-b2fd-1fbf675f7566<img src='http://www.salzberginsurance.com/img/%7Ewww.salzberginsurance.com/iStock_000000874059XSmall.jpg' align='left' />Do you know what types of losses your home insurance policy will cover? Perhaps more important, do you know what types of commonly occurring losses it will not cover? Knowing the limitations in your policy is the first step to finding the fix. Follow...Thu, 23 Jun 2011 18:05:53 -0500<p>Do you know what types of losses your <a href="http://www.salzberginsurance.com/homeowners/homeowners_quote.aspx" title="Home quote">home insurance</a> policy will cover? Perhaps more important, do you know what types of commonly occurring losses it will not cover?</p> <p>Knowing the limitations in your policy is the first step to finding the fix. Following is a list of commonly occurring events or exposures that can cause significant financial damage to you and your family. What do they all have in common? Coverage for them is either limited or excluded under a typical home insurance policy. </p> <p><strong>Flood</strong><br /> <img src="/img/%7Ewww.salzberginsurance.com/iStock_000000874059XSmall.jpg" style="width: 225px; height: 150px; float: left; margin-right: 7px; border-width: 0px; border-style: solid;" alt="Flooded House" />According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, floods are the most pervasive and damaging cause of loss in the U.S. annually. Floods are also responsible for more deaths than any other naturally occurring event in the U.S., and they happen in all 50 states. </p> <p>FEMA designates areas as special flood hazards areas or &ldquo;flood zones&rdquo; on rate maps that are revised on an occasional basis. FEMA is quick to note that just over 30% of properties that sustain flood damage in the U.S. are not located in one of these zones. </p> <p>You do not have to live in a flood zone to purchase <a href="http://www.salzberginsurance.com/flood/flood_quote_form.aspx">flood insurance</a>. </p> <p><strong>Earthquake<br /> <span style="color: #953734;">Myth</span></strong>&mdash;The western U.S. is the only region of the country that needs to worry about earthquake damage. </p> <p><strong><span style="color: #953734;">Fact</span></strong>&mdash;According to the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.), earthquakes have occurred in 39 states, and damage resulting from them has occurred in all 50 states since 1900. The I.I.I. explains that some specific types of damage that may result from earth movement are covered by a typical homeowners insurance policy. Examples include fire, explosion and water damage. This is important because it&rsquo;s common for the earth movement to rupture gas and water lines. However, it&rsquo;s noteworthy that structural damage caused by the shaking of the ground is not covered by a home insurance policy. </p> <p>Only an earthquake insurance policy will cover earthquake damage. </p> <p><strong>Ordinance and Law</strong><br /> Would the repair of your home be susceptible to increased costs resulting from having to comply with a building ordinance? As communities become more aware of potential property damage, stringent building codes are approved that must be adhered to for homes that are built new or rebuilt after damage. <strong>Compliance with such codes may significantly increase the cost to rebuild your home.</strong> For example, many regions of the country are adopting new codes to ensure homes built there use less water and are more energy-efficient. Installing the necessary materials and appliances could translate into more dollars for the repair. </p> <p>The good news is that most home insurance companies will cover these increased costs due to ordinance or law. However, many such policies limit the available dollars to no more than 10% of the value of the dwelling. More coverage is typically available and should be considered if your community has adopted more stringent codes since your home was originally built. </p> <p><strong>Business from Home</strong><br /> <img src="/img/%7Ewww.salzberginsurance.com/iStock_000000775593XSmall.jpg" style="width: 215px; height: 143px; float: right; margin-right: 7px;" alt="Small Business" />As harsh economic conditions continue to hinder employers across the U.S., many former employees have decided to go into business on their own. Others may be employed with a firm but choose to work from home. Regardless, operating a business activity from home can create coverage problems under a typical home insurance policy. </p> <p>First, a home insurance policy contains <strong>limited coverage for property used in the business</strong>. Many policies limit damage to such property, which may include items like equipment, inventory and computers, to a specific dollar amount, such as $2,500. The amount typically decreases when the business property is damaged while away from the residence. </p> <p>The second major issue with a home-based business is <strong>liability coverage</strong>. With few exceptions, liability coverage for the business is not covered. Excluded injuries may include those to a customer or salesperson that occur in the residence or bodily injury suffered by someone using your home-based business&rsquo;s product. Property damage caused by your home-based business&rsquo;s operations, such as a side-job that causes structural damage to a customer&rsquo;s home, are not covered by home insurance. Further, the home insurance policy does not cover professional liability claims. Such claims may include errors or omissions made by you in your performance as a professional. </p> <p>Insurance for the home-based business may be available as an endorsement to the existing home insurance policy. For some home-based businesses, separate <a href="http://www.salzberginsurance.com/business/bop_quote.aspx">commercial insurance</a> may be a better choice. </p> <p>These and other potentially damaging issues must be brought into the forefront of the conversation with your insurance agent. Unfortunately, many agents and insurance buyers skimp on the details, looking to secure insurance using the path of least resistance. When this happens, exposures like these go unnoticed and often result in large out-of-pocket expenses to you. A Trusted Choice&reg; insurance&nbsp;professional will spend time with you, helping you to identify exposures like these and creating a policy that truly fits your family&rsquo;s needs. Call or <a title="Contact us" href="/contact.aspx">email</a> us today at&nbsp;<strong>(757) 583-1828</strong>. <br /> <br /> (Source: <a title="Trusted Choice" target="_blank" href="http://www.trustedchoice.com/Content/Articles/limitations-to-homeowners-policy.aspx">TrustedChoice.com</a>)</p>urn:uuid:d800c7ab-8492-41d4-87a8-de6c0741e600<img src='http://www.salzberginsurance.com/img/%7Ewww.salzberginsurance.com/iStock_000004484991XSmall.jpg' align='left' />When you buy coverage for your car, most insurance companies will only insure the auto for Actual Cash Value.&nbsp; Actual Cash Value is established by deducting depreciation from what the auto was purchased new.&nbsp; In several instances, a driver ...Tue, 21 Jun 2011 17:20:45 -0500<img width="248" height="163" alt="car insurance" style="float: left; margin-right: 7px;" src="/img/%7Ewww.salzberginsurance.com/iStock_000004484991XSmall.jpg" />When you buy coverage for your car, most insurance companies will only insure the auto for Actual Cash Value.&nbsp; Actual Cash Value is established by deducting depreciation from what the auto was purchased new.&nbsp; In several instances, a driver may owe more money on their auto than what the Actual Cash Value is, especially considering cars decrease in worth so rapidly.&nbsp; Therefore, if the car owner totals their automobile, they end up owing the financial institution money on an auto they can no longer operate.<br /> <br /> GAP Insurance was created to cover the difference payable to the bank after the car insurance policy bears the cost.&nbsp; A lot of the time, the car dealer will try to push GAP insurance and add it on your automobile payment.&nbsp; This is time-saving, but you will discover it can be quite expensive, and you end up paying interest on the GAP coverage.&nbsp; I advise that you contact your insurance agent as in most instances, your insurance agent can furnish GAP insurance for a lot cheaper amount and you won't have to pay interest on the insurance.<br /> <br /> To learn more about gap coverage and other types of auto insurance, <strong><a href="http://www.salzberginsurance.com/contact.aspx">contact Salzberg Insurance</a></strong> today at <strong>(757) 583-1828</strong> for a free <strong><a href="http://www.salzberginsurance.com/automobile/auto_quote.aspx">Norfolk car insurance</a></strong> quote.urn:uuid:20a33dc4-176e-44ee-9779-8e14d2f612cb<img src='http://www.salzberginsurance.com/img/%7Ewww.salzberginsurance.com/graduate_cover.jpg' align='left' />Congratulations! You&rsquo;ve got your degree and you are ready to take advantage of the exciting new opportunities life has to offer. However, with new opportunities come new risks&mdash;particularly financial risks. Insurance is your major protecti...Thu, 16 Jun 2011 18:00:43 -0500<p><a title="Graduate's guide to insurance" target="_blank" href="http://www.trustedchoice.com/content/articles/graduates-guide-to-insurance.pdf"><img alt="Graduate Guide to Insurance" style="float: right; margin-right: 7px; border-width: 0px; border-style: solid;" src="/img/%7Ewww.salzberginsurance.com/graduate_cover.jpg" /></a>Congratulations! You&rsquo;ve got your degree and you are ready to take advantage of the exciting new opportunities life has to offer. However, with new opportunities come new risks&mdash;particularly financial risks. Insurance is your major protection against financial risks, and knowledge about basic insurance facts can make you a better consumer. </p> This guide is a product of Trusted Choice&reg; and will introduce you to the different types of insurance&mdash;which ones you need and which ones you don&rsquo;t. While this guide addresses the most common questions about insurance, your Trusted Choice&reg; insurance professionals can answer your specific questions, and make sure you have the coverages you need.&nbsp; Trusted Choice&reg; agents represent multiple insurance companies, so they offer you a variety of coverage choices and can customize a plan to meet your specialized needs. Most importantly, a Trusted Choice&reg; insurance professional isn&rsquo;t an employee of an insurance company, so you have someone who works for you.<br /> <br /> For more information read our <a target="_blank" href="http://www.trustedchoice.com/content/articles/graduates-guide-to-insurance.pdf">Graduates Guide to Insurance</a>.<br /> <br /> Salzberg Insurance is a Trusted Choice&reg; agent, so call us today at <strong>(757) 583-1828</strong> for a free <a href="http://www.salzberginsurance.com/contact.aspx">Norfolk VA insurance</a> quote.<br /> <br /> (Source: <a href="http://www.trustedchoice.com/Content/Articles/Graduates-Guide-To-Insurance.aspx" target="blank">TrustedChoice.com</a>)urn:uuid:6a2ac6c2-6d12-4e1d-ad77-a60435b6ae90Hurricane season is here and the state's Bureau of Insurance is reminding VIrginians that most hurricane damage comes from flooding, not high winds. If you live in a designated flood zone, you are required by law to have flood insurance, but flood i...Thu, 09 Jun 2011 17:11:48 -0500Hurricane season is here and the state's Bureau of Insurance is reminding VIrginians that most hurricane damage comes from flooding, not high winds.<br /> <br /> If you live in a designated flood zone, you are required by law to have flood insurance, but <a title="Flood insurance quote" href="http://www.salzberginsurance.com/flood/flood_quote_form.aspx">flood insurance</a> is a wise investment no matter where you live in Hampton Roads.<br /> <br /> In November 2009, a Nor'easter ripped the coast of Hampton Roads with wind and rain.<br /> <br /> "It was not a hurricane, but it was a flooding event that went on for three days," said Lenny Newcomb with the Norfolk Planning Department.<br /> <br /> It caused $15 million worth of damage alone in the city of Norfolk.<br /> <br /> "$15 million worth of claims should convince people that flood insurance is a commodity that they cannot afford to be without," said Newcomb.<br /> <br /> The map designating flood zones in the city of Norfolk was revised two years ago.<br /> <br /> "We added over 3,300 properties that were not in flood zones before," said Newcomb.<br /> <br /> In fact, due to a rise in sea level, almost 40 percent of the properties in Norfolk are now in designated flood zones.<br /> <br /> "We had an event back in 2009 before the Nor'easter where we had something like seven inches of rain dropping on our city within two hours. We had a lot of properties flooded that were not even in flood zones," said Newcomb.<br /> <br /> If you do purchase flood insurance, read your policy and know the limits of your coverage.<br /> <br /> "It covers your structure. It doesn't cover your cars. Another thing that people frequently don't appreciate, their car will be flooded out and they think their flood insurance covers it. It does not," said Newcomb.<br /> <br /> You must also purchase additional coverage for furnishings, and other personal possessions. Sewer back-ups are also extra if you want it covered in your policy, but flood insurance will still save you money in costly repairs.<br /> <br /> Also, experts say don't wait for an approaching storm to buy flood insurance. In most cases, there is a 30-day waiting period for a flood insurance policy to take effect. <br /> <br /> Contact us today for a free <a title="Flood Insurance Quote" href="http://www.salzberginsurance.com/flood/flood_quote_form.aspx">Norfolk flood insurance</a> quote.<br /> <br /> Source: <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43345628/ns/local_news-portsmouth_va/t/flood-zone-insurance-norfolk/" target="_blank" title="News Source">MSNBC</a>urn:uuid:3883edbc-5ff3-4826-833a-97fb7c59e868<img src='http://www.salzberginsurance.com/img/%7Ewww.salzberginsurance.com/iStock_000002989929XSmall.jpg' align='left' />Like a teenager eager to try a new video game, playing before reading the rules, many drivers buy insurance without really understanding what they&rsquo;re buying. In the rush to feel &ldquo;covered,&rdquo; they can skip the details. That can lead to...Thu, 09 Jun 2011 10:30:16 -0500<img src="/img/%7Ewww.salzberginsurance.com/iStock_000002989929XSmall.jpg" style="width: 200px; height: 133px; float: right; margin-right: 0px; border-width: 0px; border-style: solid; margin-left: 7px; margin-bottom: 7px;" alt="Car Repairs" />Like a teenager eager to try a new video game, playing before reading the rules, many drivers buy insurance without really understanding what they&rsquo;re buying. In the rush to feel &ldquo;covered,&rdquo; they can skip the details. That can lead to frustration. Following are five insurance myths heard by some of the more than 13,000 claims people at Progressive, one of the country&rsquo;s largest auto insurance companies: <br /> <br /> <span style="color: #990303;"><strong>Myth:</strong> I bought &ldquo;full coverage&rdquo; so everything&rsquo;s paid for. </span><br /> <strong>Reality:</strong> There is no such thing as &ldquo;full coverage.&rdquo; In most states, only liability insurance is mandatory. There are a lot of other coverage options out there, so select what you need and can afford based on your personal situation. <br /> <br /> <span style="color: #990303;"><strong>Myth:</strong> I need three estimates before my wrecked vehicle can be repaired. </span><br /> <strong>Reality:</strong> Not necessarily. Very few insurers actually require this, although some might. If you decide to use a shop that&rsquo;s in an insurance company&rsquo;s &ldquo;network&rdquo; of pre-approved shops you may just have to get an estimate from that shop. <br /> <br /> <span style="color: #990303;"><strong>Myth:</strong> My insurance premium always increases if I&rsquo;m involved in an accident. </span><br /> <strong>Reality:</strong> It depends. Your rate can increase, decrease or stay the same. The information about your accident is combined with other information about you, your car and your driving history to determine your rate. <br /> <br /> <span style="color: #990303;"><strong>Myth:</strong> If I lend my car to someone and he/she crashes it, I&rsquo;m covered. </span><br /> <strong>Reality:</strong> Not so fast. If you or your friend doesn&rsquo;t have optional physical damage coverage&rsquo;s, damage to your vehicle generally won&rsquo;t be covered. <br /> <br /> <span style="color: #990303;"><strong>Myth:</strong> If I buy a new car, my auto insurance company automatically knows; and my new car is covered. </span><br /> <strong>Reality:</strong> No. Most insurance companies require that you notify them or your agent within a specified number of days. Generally, you have 30 days to add the new vehicle to your policy. <br /> &ldquo;Insurance can be complicated,&rdquo; says Chuck Crist of Progressive. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s not something people deal with every day. So the more informed you are, the better choices you&rsquo;ll make.&rdquo; <br /> <br /> To learn more about your coverage&rsquo;s, contact Salzberg Insurance today at <strong>(757) 583-1828</strong> for a free <a href="http://www.salzberginsurance.com/automobile/auto_quote.aspx">Norfolk car insurance</a> quote.urn:uuid:9493590f-949a-4317-8d09-e1dc65fd6844<img src='http://www.salzberginsurance.com/img/%7Ewww.salzberginsurance.com/house_construction.jpg' align='left' />Consider this startling fact: In 2007, 66 percent of U.S. homeowners were underinsured by an average of 18 percent. This means that if these dwellings sustained a total loss, the homeowners would not have enough insurance reimbursement to replace the...Mon, 06 Jun 2011 10:52:07 -0500<img alt="" src="/img/%7Ewww.salzberginsurance.com/house_construction.jpg" style="float: left; margin-right: 7px; border-width: 0px; border-style: solid;" longdesc="House Construction" />Consider this startling fact: In 2007, 66 percent of U.S. homeowners were underinsured by an average of 18 percent. This means that if these dwellings sustained a total loss, the homeowners would not have enough insurance reimbursement to replace their home.<br /> &nbsp;<br /> It is critically important that your home is &ldquo;insured to value.&rdquo; This means that you have sufficient insurance to cover the full value of your home so that if you have a loss, you can rebuild an identical home, using the same materials. This is known as &ldquo;replacement cost.&rdquo;<br /> <br /> For example, have you recently: <ul> <li>Added square footage to your home?</li> <li>Built a garage, porch or other attached structure, or enclosed a porch?</li> <li>Upgraded your kitchen counter or cabinets?</li> <li>Remodeled a room in your home?</li> </ul> If you answered &ldquo;yes&rdquo; to any of these questions, it is important that you let your independent insurance agent know as soon as possible. Your agent will increase your coverage so that in the event you have a loss, you will be adequately protected.<br /> <br /> Periodically, your insurance company may need to increase your homeowners insurance for another reason. Escalating construction costs and oil prices would increase the cost of rebuilding your home to its original state.<br /> <br /> You may wonder why in our current market downturn, in which home prices are declining, you would need additional insurance. As previously noted, insurance to rebuild your home is based on construction costs, not current home values.<br /> <br /> It is a good practice to <a href="/contact.aspx" title="Contact us">contact</a> us at Salzberg Insurance at least once a year&mdash;regardless of when you purchased your policy&mdash;to discuss any improvements you have made to your home or those in the planning stages. Because being prepared is the essence of being protected.urn:uuid:17774f28-f0b7-4961-b475-3cd6dca03f08<img src='http://www.salzberginsurance.com/img/%7Ewww.salzberginsurance.com/iStock_000006487536XSmall.jpg' align='left' />With vacation season in full swing, you may be in the process of planning an annual getaway. While most people spend lots of time looking for ways to maximize their budget, one costly decision is often left to the last minute&mdash;whether to buy the...Wed, 01 Jun 2011 12:00:58 -0500<p><img src="/img/%7Ewww.salzberginsurance.com/iStock_000006487536XSmall.jpg" style="width: 200px; height: 133px; float: left; margin-right: 7px; border-width: 0px; border-style: solid;" alt="Summer Vacation" />With vacation season in full swing, you may be in the process of planning an annual getaway. While most people spend lots of time looking for ways to maximize their budget, one costly decision is often left to the last minute&mdash;whether to buy the optional insurance offered by a rental car company.</p> <p>&ldquo;Deciding whether to buy &lsquo;damage waivers&rsquo; or insurance at the rental car counter can be a confusing experience&mdash;especially if you don&rsquo;t know if you&rsquo;re already covered by your personal auto insurance policy,&rdquo; said Rick Crawley of the Progressive Group of Insurance Companies. &ldquo;Optional rental car insurance can cost between $7 and $25 per day, depending on the rental car company, vehicle make and model and type of waiver. Those daily charges can significantly add to the cost of your rental.&rdquo; </p> <p>Follow these three tips, courtesy of <a href="/about.aspx">Salzberg Insurance Agency</a> to help you decide whether or not you should buy the coverage:</p> <ol> <li><a href="/contact.aspx">Consult</a> with an <strong>independent</strong> insurance agency &ndash; like Salzberg Insurance Agency. As licensed insurance professionals, independent insurance agents and brokers can review and evaluate your policies to find out if the coverage you have on your personal vehicle provides protection for you in a rental car.</li> <li>Check with your credit card company. Some credit card companies provide coverage at no charge if you use their card to charge the cost of the rental. However, some restrictions may apply so be sure to ask for a description of the exact coverage&rsquo;s provided.</li> <li>Take your personal <a href="http://www.salzberginsurance.com/automobile/request_id_card.aspx">auto insurance policy</a> and details of your coverage&rsquo;s with you to the rental car counter. You may be asked a question that these papers can help answer&mdash;or, if you&rsquo;re in doubt, you&rsquo;ll have your agent&rsquo;s name and phone number readily available. &ldquo;We want people to have the information they need to make more informed decisions about car insurance,&rdquo; said Crawley.</li> </ol> <p>&ldquo;Knowing whether you need to buy additional coverage can save you money and give you peace of mind so you can enjoy your vacation. Don&rsquo;t start off your trip questioning your decisions&mdash;take control by talking with your independent agent or broker and knowing the answers to those inevitable questions.&rdquo; </p> <p>To learn more about what your independent agency can offer you, <a href="/contact.aspx">contact</a> Salzberg Insurance Agency.</p>urn:uuid:81c81f0d-eb9f-4273-b85b-691396da981d<img src='http://www.salzberginsurance.com/img/%7Ewww.salzberginsurance.com/iStock_000004604638XSmall.jpg' align='left' />Monday, 23 May 2011, VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) - In an effort to save more lives on Virginia's roadways this spring, the Virginia Beach Police Department is partnering with State and other local law enforcement agencies to buckle down on all motoris...Fri, 27 May 2011 15:14:17 -0500<p><img src="/img/%7Ewww.salzberginsurance.com/iStock_000004604638XSmall.jpg" style="width: 208px; height: 150px; float: left; margin-right: 7px; border-width: 0px; border-style: solid;" alt="Stay within city speed limits" />Monday, 23 May 2011, VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (<a href="http://www.wavy.com/dpp/news/local_news/click-it-or-ticket-campaign-begins" target="_blank" title="WAVY.com">WAVY</a>) - In an effort to save more lives on Virginia's roadways this spring, the Virginia Beach Police Department is partnering with State and other local law enforcement agencies to buckle down on all motorists not buckled up. Special seat belt checkpoints and other stepped-up law enforcement activities will be conducted during a heavy wave of enforcement, May 23 - June 5.</p> <p>Virginia Law allows law enforcement to cite anyone driving a car in which an occupant under age 18 is not wearing a safety belt or is not properly secured in a child safety seat. The law also provides that drivers stopped for other violations can be cited if they are not properly restrained. This also applies to all front seat passengers.</p> <p>"According to a preliminary report from the Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), of the passenger vehicle occupants involved in fatal crashes in Virginia, the 55 percent that were restrained survived. When worn correctly, seat belts have proven to reduce the risk of fatal injury to front seat passenger car occupants by 45 percent - and by 60 percent in pickup trucks, SUVs, and minivans."</p> <p>"It can't be over emphasized: Safety belts and child safety seats save lives," says Chief J. A. Cervera of the Virginia Beach Police Department. "Wearing a safety belt triples your chance of surviving a crash. Proper use of safety belts and child safety seats save countless numbers of lives every year. We are participating in Click It or Ticket because we're committed to preventing the tragic loss of life and devastating injuries that come with not buckling up."<br /> <br /> Call us today to get a free <a href="http://www.salzberginsurance.com/automobile/auto_quote.aspx" title="Car Insurance quote form">Virginia car insurance quote</a>.&nbsp;</p>urn:uuid:82408f1f-8e45-4f17-a078-e61307bd5f11Stock up on supplies Friday, 20 May 2011 RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Virginians who want to stock up on batteries, bottled water and other supplies for the hurricane season will get a tax break next week. Starting May 25 and continuing for seven days, a sal...Mon, 23 May 2011 09:40:59 -0500<h2>Stock up on supplies</h2> <p>Friday, 20 May 2011</p> <p>RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Virginians who want to stock up on batteries, bottled water and other supplies for the hurricane season will get a tax break next week.</p> <p>Starting May 25 and continuing for seven days, a sales tax holiday will spare them state and local levies for items deemed eligible. They include flashlights, first aid kits and big-ticket items such as generators priced at $1,000 or less.</p> <p>U.S. government forecasters announced Thursday they <a title="3 to 6 Atlantic hurricanes predicted" href="http://www.salzberginsurance.com/blog/3_to_6_Atlantic_hurricanes_predicted.aspx">expect three to six major hurricanes</a> from an above average Atlantic storm season.</p> <p>For a full list of products eligible for the sales-tax break, go to <a target="_blank" href="http://www.tax.virginia.gov/">www.tax.virginia.gov</a><br /> <br /> Source: <a title="Story Source" target="_blank" href="http://www.wavy.com/dpp/weather/hurricane-tax-break-starts-may-25">WAVY.com</a><br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: 16px;">Contact us today at <strong>(757) 583-1828</strong> for a free <a href="http://www.salzberginsurance.com/flood/flood_quote_form.aspx"><span style="font-size: 16px;">Virginia flood insurance</span></a> quote.</span></p>urn:uuid:3d316cd3-455f-429c-8344-9877a9914fe8<img src='http://www.salzberginsurance.com/img/%7Ewww.salzberginsurance.com/iStock_000009645623XSmall.jpg' align='left' />Updated: Thursday, 19 May 2011 MIAMI (AP) - U.S. government forecasters are expecting three to six major hurricanes from an above average Atlantic storm season. The National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration released its forecast for the 2011 sea...Thu, 19 May 2011 15:51:41 -0500<p>Updated: Thursday, 19 May 2011<br /> <br /> <img alt="Flood waters" style="width: 200px; float: right; margin-left: 7px; border-width: 0px; border-style: solid;" src="/img/%7Ewww.salzberginsurance.com/iStock_000009645623XSmall.jpg" />MIAMI (AP) - U.S. government forecasters are expecting three to six major hurricanes from an above average Atlantic storm season.</p> <p>The National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration released its forecast for the 2011 season Thursday.</p> <p>Scientists say as many as 18 named tropical storms may develop. Six to 10 of those could strengthen into hurricanes with top winds of at least 74 mph. Three to six could become major hurricanes, with maximum winds of 111 mph and up.</p> <p>The six-month Atlantic hurricane season begins June 1 and ends Nov. 30.</p> Last year's hurricane season was one of the busiest on record with 19 named storms, including 12 hurricanes. No major hurricane has made a U.S. landfall in the last five years, but scientists say coastal residents can't expect their luck to hold.<br /> <br /> (Source: <a title="Full Story" target="_blank" href="http://www.wavy.com/dpp/news/virginia/3-to-6-atlantic-hurricanes-predicted">WAVY.com</a>) <br /> <br /> Contact us today at <strong>(757) 583-1828</strong> for a free <a href="http://www.salzberginsurance.com/contact.aspx">Norfolk insurance</a> quote.<br />urn:uuid:2a63eb44-b074-47c4-88bf-45df35483246<img src='http://www.salzberginsurance.com/img/%7Ewww.salzberginsurance.com/hampton_roads_flood.jpg' align='left' />If a major hurricane hit Hampton Roads, floodwaters from the storm's surge could damage more than one-third of the homes in the region, according to a report released Tuesday. Less than one-eighth of those nearly 289,000 homes that would be affected ...Thu, 19 May 2011 15:43:19 -0500<p><a title="Hampton Roads Flood Risk full story" target="_blank" href="http://hamptonroads.com/2011/05/report-hampton-roads-among-most-vulnerable-hurricanes"><img alt="Hampton Roads, VA Flood Risk map" style="float: left; margin-right: 7px; border-width: 0px; border-style: solid; width: 250px; height: 281px;" src="/img/%7Ewww.salzberginsurance.com/hampton_roads_flood.jpg" /></a>If a major hurricane hit Hampton Roads, floodwaters from the storm's surge could damage more than one-third of the homes in the region, according to a report released Tuesday.</p> <p>Less than one-eighth of those nearly 289,000 homes that would be affected are inside federally designated flood zones, according to CoreLogic, a Santa Ana, Calif.-based mortgage and real estate data firm.</p> <p>The company estimated the total value of properties at risk at roughly $44.6 billion. Of the 10 metro areas CoreLogic studied, Hampton Roads had the most individual properties at risk, and other only two others - Miami and Long Island, N.Y. - had more dollars at stake.</p> <p>"In many cases, homes exposed to potential storm-surge inundation are located outside of designated flood zones, and those homeowners need to be aware of their vulnerability to severe damage and property losses," Howard Botts, executive vice president and director of database development for CoreLogic Spatial Solutions, said in a news release.</p> <p>The report found that more than 1.8 million homes in the areas studied along the Atlantic and Gulf and coasts are at risk from storm surges. Roughly two-thirds of those are outside Federal Emergency Management Agency flood zones.</p> <p>CoreLogic used computer models to generate the probability of a hurricane hitting a region and also used the models to determine when neighborhoods would be most at risk of surge damage.</p> <p>"Understanding the additional layer of risk posed by a storm surge is critical for homeowners, emergency response teams, insurance companies and many others to plan and prepare for natural catastrophes," Botts said.</p> <p><em>By Josh Brown<br /> <a href="http://hamptonroads.com/2011/05/report-hampton-roads-among-most-vulnerable-hurricanes" target="_blank" title="The Virginian-Pilot">The Virginian-Pilot</a><br /> &copy; May 4, 2011</em></p> Contact us today at <strong>(757) 583-1828</strong> for a free <a href="http://www.salzberginsurance.com/contact.aspx">Norfolk insurance</a> quote.urn:uuid:8a210d87-6c0d-42ad-9401-0479b50c1dd0<img src='http://www.salzberginsurance.com/img/~www.salzberginsurance.com/iStock_000002276216Small.jpg' align='left' />Once a claim has been submitted to an insurance company, the insurance company has the responsibility to either pay or deny the claim and to do one of the above in a prompt manner.&nbsp; But, not all of the details of the claim may originally be evid...Wed, 20 Apr 2011 10:39:17 -0500<p><img style="width: 300px; margin-bottom: 10px; float: right; margin-left: 10px;" alt="Insurance Policy" src="/img/~www.salzberginsurance.com/iStock_000002276216Small.jpg" />Once a claim has been submitted to an insurance company, the insurance company has the responsibility to either pay or deny the claim and to do one of the above in a prompt manner.&nbsp; But, not all of the details of the claim may originally be evident; therefore the insurance company may not be in a position to determine whether or not coverage applies under the policy.&nbsp; Thus the reason the insurance company sends a Reservations of Rights letter.&nbsp; <strong>The letter allows the insurance company to maintain their investigation</strong>, without prejudice, by allowing them to postpone their decision of whether or not to provide coverage, therefore retaining their rights.</p> <p>A Reservation of Rights letter does not, however, give an insurer an unrestricted time period.&nbsp; They are still on the clock and will at some point have to acknowledge whether or not coverage exists.&nbsp; To defer their decision too long could give a court the means to determine the insurer is estopped, meaning they cannot raise defenses in the future because of their inaction.&nbsp; If a practical amount of time has elapsed since you received a Reservations of Rights letter and the insurer still has not made their position clear, we recommend you inform the insurer in writing that you are entitled to a definitive answer as to whether or not coverage exists.</p> <p><strong>Learn more about how this affects your&nbsp;<a href="/automobile/default.aspx">Norfolk Car Insurance</a> claims with Salzberg Insurance Agency today!</strong></p>urn:uuid:951c6aeb-68a4-4bec-8f88-43994a6fce88<img src='http://www.salzberginsurance.com/img/~www.salzberginsurance.com/iStock_000006192630XSmall.jpg' align='left' />Car insurance protects you against financial loss if you have an accident. It is a contract between you and the insurance company. You agree to pay the premium and the insurance company agrees to pay your losses as defined in your policy. An car ins...Tue, 15 Mar 2011 17:00:37 -0500<img src="http://www.salzberginsurance.com/img/~www.salzberginsurance.com/iStock_000006192630XSmall.jpg" style="width: 250px; float: left; margin-right: 7px;" alt="Car Insurance" /><a href="http://www.salzberginsurance.com/automobile/car_insurance_quote.aspx">Car insurance</a> protects you against financial loss if you have an accident. It is a contract between you and the insurance company. You agree to pay the premium and the insurance company agrees to pay your losses as defined in your policy.<br /> <br /> An car insurance policy is comprised of six different kinds of coverage. Most states require you to buy some, but not all, of these coverages. If you're financing a car, your lender may also have requirements.<br /> <p>Most car policies are for six months&nbsp;or a year. Your insurance company should notify you by mail when it's time to renew the policy and to pay your premium.<br /> <br /> <strong>Why do you need car insurance?</strong><br /> It's really all about protecting yourself financially. </p> <ul> <li type="disc">If you're in an accident or your car is stolen, it costs money, often a lot of money, to fix or replace it. </li> <li type="disc">If you or any passengers are injured in an accident, medical costs can be extremely expensive. </li> <li type="disc">If you or your car is responsible for damage or injury to others, you may be sued for much more than you're worth. </li> <li type="disc">Not only is having insurance a prudent financial decision, many states require you to have at least some coverage. </li> </ul> <strong>Norfolk, VA</strong><br /> Founded in 1682, Norfolk grew up on the water, and its miles of lake, river and bay front are central to many of its neighborhoods. The city's popular logo -- an elegant young mermaid, which can be spotted in outdoor sites from Downtown to Ocean View -- symbolizes 300 years of maritime and naval heritage and its modern reputation as a city on the move.<br /> <br /> Norfolk, Norfolk, Virginia is a city of some <strong>242,803 residents </strong>and more than 100 diverse neighborhoods. It is the cultural, educational, business and medical center of Hampton Roads, hosts the world's largest naval base, the region's international airport and is one of the busiest international ports on the East Coast of the United States. <br /> <br /> The city is undergoing a successful renewal, including new office, retail, entertainment and hotel construction downtown, new residential development along the rivers and bay front, and revitalization projects in many of its neighborhoods. Norfolk has added thousands of new residents to its downtown &ndash; turning it into a vibrant, lively place to live, visit or work. A light rail route through the heart of downtown is scheduled to open in 2011.<br /> <br /> Since 1938, Salzberg Insurance Agency has been committed to meeting the insurance needs of individuals and businesses in the Tidewater area. Through personalized service, expertise, and a dedication to the needs of our customers, we will continue to meet and exceed the expectations of our clients, both new and existing. Contact us today at <strong>(757) 583-1828</strong> for a free <a href="http://www.salzberginsurance.com/automobile/car_insurance_quote.aspx">Norfolk car insurance</a> quote.<br /> <br /> (Source: <a href="http://www.norfolk.gov/about/" target="_blank">Norfolk.gov</a>)