If you utilize your personal vehicle to run errands for your small business, you may be wondering whether this is alright or if you need to purchase a commercial auto insurance policy. Ideally, the best way to determine what you need is to consult with one of our agents at Maanen Insurance Group. However, here is some basic information for Greeley, CO small business owners.

When Do You Need Commercial Auto Insurance?

Your standard auto insurance coverage will only apply when you are using your vehicle for personal use and not any kind of business-related tasks. In the event, something occurs while you are using your vehicle for business purposes, you will be solely responsible for any damage, expenses, etc.

It is important to understand that this is true even if you only drive your vehicle for business purposes every now and then. A commercial auto insurance policy is necessary. Otherwise, you will face the financial burden of any property repairs, medical bills, and the like. These expenses can add up rather quickly.

In some instances, you may not need an entirely new policy. Instead, you may be able to add an endorsement to your personal auto insurance policy.

In either case, commercial auto coverage will offer more coverage than a personal auto insurance policy.

Contact Our Team to Schedule a Consultation

When you aren’t entirely sure whether you are in need of commercial auto insurance, get in touch with our insurance team at Maanen Insurance Group. We can sit down with you, discuss your individual situation, and get you set up with a commercial auto insurance policy (if needed) in Greeley, CO.

At Maanen Insurance Group, we are always considering the insurance risks for our clients. You don’t have to spend as much time, but you should know the key points in time to consider purchasing flood insurance.

When Purchasing a New Home

Picking a home also means you pick the geography and climate of its surroundings. Unless there has been recent flooding, other concerns can make it easy to consider floods a far-off problem that might never happen. A home purchase can stay with your family for hundreds of years, and that’s the time scale that flood risk prediction uses. Knowing the flood risk of the house and its surroundings might influence your long-term outlook. 

When the Floodplain Maps Are Updated

FEMA updates its flood risk maps with the help of locals. Greeley, CO has been working to update these maps, and they are expected to come into effect in 2022. As these maps are updated, your home might be moved into a different flood risk zone that influences your insurance rates and liabilities. If you act quickly after a change, you may be eligible for short-term discounts.

Regular Disaster Risk Checkups

Examining the threat of disasters to your home and family gives you a chance to recognize danger before it can strike. For floods, the long-term nature of the risk means an annual checkup of the same research you did before purchasing a home or flood insurance should be enough. With the time it takes to update floodplains maps, you should see upcoming changes in plenty of time to get any discounts. For example, Greeley, CO residents who checked at any point this year would know when the new maps are expected.

Right Now

Even if you are not in an area where flood risks are high, not having flood insurance leaves a vulnerable gap in your financial future. Maanen Insurance Group will get you into the right policy as fast as possible to get your monetary sandbags in place.

Whether you’re a potential transplant considering making your home in a new town or you’re a long-time resident, you should always know the flood risk level of any home you own or plan on owning.

FEMA maintains a website where you can sort through flood risk maps by location. If you want a reliable resource from a government source, start here. Updates to the map are also dependent on the local floodplain coordinators, so maps from different areas may not be the same age. If you search for Greeley, CO where Maanen Insurance Group is proud to offer flood insurance brokerage, you can see maps ranging from a few years old to less than a year old. Once you find the grid with your home in it, you can see the exact locations of flood risk zones and other features relevant to assessing flood risk.

For a faster breakdown of information from a wider range of sources, FloodFactor is an easy online tool made by a non-profit and relied on by notable real estate companies. The information is quickly broken down into a digestible format whether you look at a house, a city, or a larger area. With the adjustable map, you can see the same information available on the FEMA site with zoom and scroll features. While the more user-friendly of the two features, you should use both to double-check.

Even if these websites didn’t have sobering facts, like that there are over 700 homes in Greeley, CO with over a 26% chance of a flood within 30 years, there is a chance that flooding could happen. Maanen Insurance Group can pair you with the right flood insurance policy to protect your home from a risk that is nearly inevitable over time but still could happen at any moment without warning.

Whether you live in a flood-prone area or not, flood insurance provides additional protection to your house and your belongings. Usually, flood insurance is not obligatory, but sometimes it may be required by your mortgage lender. If you are thinking of getting this type of insurance, and you want to know more about it, Maanen Insurance Group serving clients in Greeley, CO and other nearby towns prepared information on what exactly flood insurance covers:

What Does Flood Insurance Cover?

Standard flood insurance covers the following: 

• The structure of the building itself. This includes foundation walls, staircases, and anchorage systems. 
• Essential systems in your home. This includes plumbing and electric systems, HVAC system, heat pumps, furnaces, water heaters, and sump pumps. It also covers water tanks, fuel tanks and fuel in them, and solar energy equipment. 
• Carpeting and window treatments. If you have carpets installed over your wooden floor or any other types of permanent carpeting, they will be covered by a standard flood insurance policy. Most policies also cover window blinds and curtains. 
• Appliances. Flood insurance covers refrigerators, washing machines and dryers, freezers, portable window air conditioners, and dishwashers. 
• Permanently installed cabinets, bookshelves, paneling, and wallboard. If your cabinets, for example, were damaged or ruined by flood, your insurance will pay for their replacement. 
• A detached garage. Up to 10% of your total building coverage can be used for covering your detached garage. 
• Personal belongings. Your furniture, electronics, clothing, and other personal stuff will be covered by flood insurance unless they are not stored in the basement.

Maanen Insurance Group – We Help You Keep Your Home Safe

If you live in Greeley, CO or any other nearby town, and you are thinking of getting flood insurance, our insurance agency is ready to help you. We are a team of professional and experienced insurance agents, who will provide you with all the necessary information and help you choose the right policy based on your budget and needs. Feel free to visit our website or give us a call if you have any questions. 

Owning a business in Greeley, CO is exciting and rewarding as individuals get to see the fruits of their investment as the business grows. And to protect this investment, a business owner must make certain decisions in the business’s best interest. One of those decisions is insuring your vehicle. Here at Maanen Insurance Group, we are invested in helping clients understand the different types of commercial insurance. As discussed below, here is what you need to know.

General Liability Insurance

This type of commercial insurance provides cover for your business against damage like bodily injury and property damage. For instance, if a customer gets injured at your workplace or their property gets damaged, this type of insurance will cover things like medical expenses and the cost of repairing the damage caused.

Commercial Property Insurance

Commercial property insurance covers the building and any equipment inside from perils like vandalism, theft, and fire. If your business is exposed to any of these risks, this policy helps cover the cost of repairing or replacing damaged property.

Workers’ Compensation Insurance

You may want to consider workers’ compensation insurance if you have hired employees to assist you in running the business. It helps cover medical expenses if an employee suffers a work-related injury, including things like ongoing care and medication. It can also cover funeral expenses if an employee passes on due to an injury or illness related to work. Should an employee decide to sue you for damages, this policy helps cover the legal fees you will incur.

Commercial Auto Insurance

If you use vehicles while running business operations, you should consider getting this type of commercial insurance. It provides cover for medical expenses if your driver gets injured in an accident and covers repair or replacement costs for the vehicle after an accident.

Every day, business owners in Greeley, CO, continue to be exposed to various risks, and the only way you can minimize the impact of a loss is through insurance. Here at Maanen Insurance Group, we can help you choose the right type of commercial insurance depending on your business needs. Contact us today for assistance.

Home security systems have come a long way from the days of the night watchmen who would walk neighborhoods ensuring homes were locked. With new technology and lower prices, Greeley, CO homeowners have many home security options available to them. Here is a list of some different home security technology options available for homeowners. 

Once you select a home security system, give us a call at Maanen Insurance Group for additional information about protecting your home.

Full-Service Systems

Several companies offer full-service systems, which include central monitoring. Many of these systems have remote access, video surveillance, smoke and carbon monoxide detection, and medical emergency alerts. Some even offer home-automation tools for controlling heating, cooling, and appliances while you are away from home. 

DIY Systems

If you are tech-savvy, there are starter packs you can purchase and set up in your home yourself. Using DIY security products allows you to create a personalized security system using different products and monitor yourself. 

Smart Cameras

There are many styles of smart cameras available, including those attached to flood flights and doorbells. These cameras can be set to record continuously or set to active when they sense motion. In addition, recordings from these cameras can be accessed through specific apps. 

Home Automation

Setting up your home to be controlled by your phone when you are not home can be used as a deterrent. For example, switching lights on and off, turning on televisions and radios can deter burglars by making it look like someone is home. 

Keyless Entry Systems

Doors can be set to unlock using a code or with a smartphone. Keyless locks allow you to grant access to someone without the need to leave a key outside for burglars to find. 

Homeowners in Greeley, CO, have many options available to use to protect their home. For additional information about homeowners policies and safeguard your home, call Maanen Insurance Group. 

At Maanen Insurance Group in Greeley, CO, it pains us to witness people falling victims to misinformation regarding commercial insurance. Several business insurance myths exist, and it’s easy to believe them, especially if you are a newbie. Luckily, we are here to debunk some of these common myths. 

Here are the common commercial insurance myths that you should be aware of when shopping for coverage. 

Myth#1: Your venture doesn’t need insurance — it’s too small

Some small business owners assume they don’t need insurance as they believe commercial insurance is meant for large businesses. If you are one of them, you are very wrong. Regardless of the size of your business, it would help if you had commercial insurance to protect you against unforeseen events that may unfold when you least expect them.

Myth#2: Insuring your home-based business isn’t necessary if you have home insurance 

If you think so, you are wrong. A home insurance policy doesn’t cover business-related risks. For instance, if a customer slips and breaks their leg while attending a business meeting, your home insurance won’t cover the emanating liability claims. Given the limited protection of your home insurance, you need commercial insurance to protect your home-based business optimally.

Myth#3: Your landlord insurance policy protects your business

Your business and its building are two different entities. Your landlord’s insurance policy protects the building and not your business. In case of theft, it’s you who will suffer and not the landlord. To that end, you should purchase commercial insurance to protect your business against various risks. 

Your business isn’t something to take for granted. It’s the reason you are financially stable as it works hard to serve you. To return the favor, it’s your mandate to ensure it’s always insured. 

Buy commercial insurance today!

At Maanen Insurance Group in Greeley, CO, we understand the importance of commercial insurance. That’s why it’s our passion to help you distinguish between myths and reality regarding your commercial insurance policy. If you need more clarity, don’t hesitate to contact us. 

Those that live in the Greeley, CO area will continue to benefit by owning a home. Along with purchasing a home, you need to ensure that you choose a proper insurance plan. One form of coverage that should always be considered is flood insurance. Having this protection can be beneficial for a few reasons. 

Protection for Property

A key reason that people in this area of Colorado will benefit from having flood insurance is that they can receive protection for their property. If you are a property owner, you will want to protect it as well as you can. If there is a concern about flood damage in your area, your base insurance plans may not offer much coverage for flood damage. With a full flood insurance plan, you are going to receive the flood risk protection that you need. 

Loan Compliance

You will also benefit from having flood insurance by staying in compliance with your loan agreements. Those that are going to buy a home in this part of Colorado will likely take out a mortgage to finance the purchase. If you have financed your home with a loan, the lender will likely run a flood search. If it determines that your home is in a flood zone, the lender will require that you have flood insurance at all times. 

Getting a proper flood insurance plan should be considered a necessity for anyone in the Greeley, CO area that has concerns about flood risk. As you are looking for an insurance plan here, calling Maanen Insurance Group can be a great option. If you do speak with the team at Maanen Insurance Group, you can learn a lot more about your insurance options and choose a flood insurance policy that is right for your situation. 

The Greeley, CO area can be a great place for someone that would like to start a business and be their own boss. When you are going to start a business in this area of Colorado, you will quickly find that there is a lot of opportunity for professional success. To ensure that your business is covered and protected as well as possible, you need to obtain a quality commercial insurance plan. You need to have this coverage for a few reasons.

Coverage is Required for Most Businesses

A reason that you will need to get a commercial insurance plan when you are in this area of Colorado is that it is required for most businesses. Those that are going to start a business will likely need to take out a loan to grow the company, lease office space, or even raise outside capital. In almost all of these scenarios, you will have contractual insurance obligations that need to be met.

Insurance Will Protect Company

You should always have commercial coverage for your business even if it is not required for you to have it. When you get a commercial coverage plan, it will give you coverage to protect your business assets and will offer great liability protection. In either of these situations, you will get the coverage you need to keep your business solvent during difficult times.

You should always look for ways to protect your Greeley, CO business. If you would like to do this with a commercial policy, it would be helpful for you to call Maanen Insurance Group. The team with the Maanen Insurance Group understands the value that comes with this coverage. They can give the help you need to build a policy ideal for your situation. 

The Greeley, CO area continues to be a great place for someone to start a small business. This area of the state has a great economy and tends to support small businesses. If you are going to start a company when you are here, getting insurance for it is important. There are many reasons why the typical business in this area of the state will need to have a commercial insurance plan. 

Stakeholders Require Coverage

A reason that many businesses in Colorado will have to get a commercial insurance plan is that it could be required by their stakeholders. If you would like to start a business, taking out a loan or raising capital from the outside is a great way to fuel growth. When you do this, your investors and lenders will want to ensure your company is properly protected. They normally will have commercial insurance requirements that need to be met at all times.

Coverage Can Help Protect Solvency

Another reason that you should get a commercial insurance plan is that it can help to protect the solvency of your organization. If you have started a company, you will want to protect its solvency the best that you can. With a commercial insurance plan, you can receive the coverage you need to repair or replace company assets or to mitigate insurance risk. 

Anyone that would like to start a business in the Greeley, CO area will need to get a commercial insurance plan. Those that would like to get this coverage when they are in Colorado should call the Maanen Insurance Group. The insurance team with the Maanen Insurance Group understands the value of this coverage. They can help you build a plan that will properly protect your company in the future.