Tips to prepare your house for a thunderstorm

When the weather gets stormy here in the Greeley, CO area, ensuring your home is prepared for the worst is essential. Here are a few tips from us at Maanen Insurance Group on how to protect your house from a thunderstorm: 

  1. Secure any outdoor furniture and objects that could be blown away in strong winds. Make sure all windows and doors are shut firmly to prevent water damage. 
  2. Check and clean up gutters to ensure proper drainage in case of heavy rain. 
  3. Unplug all electronics, appliances, and electronic devices – power surges can occur during storms and cause them to malfunction or even catch fire. 
  4. Turn off your main electricity switch before the storm arrives in case of a power outage, and turn off gas valves if you have one. 
  5. Secure loose items like bookshelves, curtains, and other heavy objects that can fall over during strong winds caused by thunderstorms. 
  6. If you have flashlights or lanterns handy, have them ready if the power goes out so you can still see your way around safely in the dark during a thunderstorm. 

Remember that safety comes first when preparing for a thunderstorm – ensure everyone is inside and secure any items outside your home that may become dangerous if not taken care of beforehand!

For more tips or to protect your home and family with a flood insurance policy, call us at Maanen Insurance Group today. We proudly serve the Greeley, CO area and would be happy to help you find a policy that meets your needs and your budget. Call us today!

The Best Ways to Protect Your Small Business

As a small business owner, you’re probably aware of the many vulnerabilities you may be open to. Luckily, the Maanen Insurance Group in Greeley, CO team understands what you’re up against and is here to help you find the best ways to keep your business safe. Let’s take a closer look at just some of the ways you can be sure that your business has the resources in place to stay protected.

Get Serious About Cybersecurity

As technology advances and becomes a more significant part of our lives, so does the risk of data breaches. Make sure you take the time to ensure that you have all of the necessary preventative measures in place through a comprehensive cybersecurity plan. It’s vital that you keep your security practices up to date and properly train your employees in an effort to fend off would-be hackers.

Make Sure You’re Compliant

You need to be aware of countless business rules and regulations for your long-term survival. Maintaining compliance with these laws can ensure that you stay in good standing with both the local and federal governments. Compliance can range from digital and physical security practices to taxes and licenses. Keeping up with your compliance can work to help you avoid headaches in the future.

Help Protect Your Assets With Commercial Insurance

Arguably, one of the most effective ways to protect your assets is to work with a Greeley, CO insurance agent to get the best commercial insurance for your business. There are many different types of commercial insurance, and each company has its own unique risks to consider. To get the best coverage at the best rate, contact the Maanen Insurance Group today for a personalized plan. We can’t wait to speak with you!

What Does Commercial Property Insurance Do?

Commercial property insurance is not a requirement by law for those living in Greeley, CO, but it can help protect you in various situations. If you own retail space, for example, that you rent out to others, this can indemnify you if you have to seek legal action due to nonpayment. Other problems can arise, such as property damage for which repairs are needed or disputes between you and the other party. 

Commercial property insurance is a good option for many business sectors, including automobile repair, wholesale retailers, and companies that house their offices in a building instead of remotely employing workers. Warehouse owners, distributors, and shop owners can also benefit.

Inventory can be stored in sheds, barns, or other structures, and these can suffer loss when affected by the fire. You may also temporarily lose income, and property insurance can help restore some of this to you. Your Maanen Insurance Group representative can review this benefit’s particulars with you. 

If you own a store and come into contact with the general public, you risk a customer slipping and falling and injuring themselves. Your commercial property insurance helps cover costs related to their medical expenses and lost wages. 

High winds or heavy winds can also affect your building, and if you live in an area prone to hurricanes or tornadoes, these can cause severe financial outlay. Commercial property insurance also helps you when you are a victim of theft or of vandalism to keep these costs from coming out of pocket. 

Maanen Insurance Group Can Insure You

We help those living in the Greeley, CO, area and look forward to working with you. Please get in touch with us by phone or online to schedule your appointment to speak with us in person. 

Will Home Insurance Cover Hail Damage to Your Roof?

Anyone living in Greeley, CO knows that the weather can change instantly. The seasons are vast, and you get everything, including hail, from time to time. Your home insurance plays a crucial role in protecting your living situation when the weather takes a turn for the worse. One of the common questions the Maanen Insurance Group gets is about hail and whether or not home insurance will cover hail damage to your home’s roof.

Dwelling Coverage

Most homeowners insurance policies will include what is known as dwelling coverage. The dwelling coverage will help cover the costs to either do a repair or a replacement to parts of your home as a result of hail damage.

The piece of the puzzle that you need to remember here is the deductible. You need to pay your deductible before getting anything out of your coverage. If you have a $1,000 deductible, that is the amount you pay out of pocket before collecting from your insurance company. If the damage cost is less than the deductible, think twice about filing a claim with your provider.

Roof Replacement Cost Coverage

When it comes to hail damage and a roof, you can add to your homeowner’s insurance policy. One of the coverages you can add includes roof replacement cost coverage. With this, the coverage will help with the cost to repair hail damage done to your roof at its actual cash value or ACV. This comes out to the value of the roof today.

Talk to the team at Maanen Insurance Group about home insurance and where roof replacement cost coverage comes into play. You can never be prepared enough with the weather in Greeley, CO.
 

Do Small Businesses Need Commercial Insurance?

If you have heard about commercial insurance, you probably thought it concerned bigger businesses. Although it deals with big companies, there are also types of commercial insurance coverage that help small businesses. We will discuss the answer to the question: do small businesses need commercial insurance?

Why is commercial insurance important for a small business?

Small businesses are more likely to go out of business if something happens, like damage from a natural disaster, lawsuits, liability issues, or damage to inventory. This makes it more important for them to have commercial insurance so that they don’t have to pay out of their pocket and risk going under. There are also some requirements at the federal level for commercial insurance.

If you own a business and have a certain number of employees or more, there is a requirement for worker’s compensation. Workers comp is insurance that covers an employee if they get injured on the job. With smaller businesses come smaller funds. This means that you wouldn’t be able to have the resources to pay for damage, injury, loss of income, loss of inventory, etc., without the help of insurance coverage.

What types of coverage are available?

Below are some of the coverage options that are available for commercial insurance:

  • General liability
  • Property insurance
  • Business interruption insurance
  • Workers Compensation
  • Commercial auto coverage
  • Management liability
  • employee practices liability
  • Errors and omissions insurance
  • Crime coverage

Contact us

If you own a small business or are considering becoming a small business owner, contact us or visit us at Maanen Insurance Group in Greeley, CO for more information.

Is it necessary to have flood insurance in Colorado?

Those that live in the Greeley, CO area should consider purchasing their own home. While this can be a significant investment, it provides many long-term advantages. Along with buying a home, you also need to build a proper insurance plan. This should include getting flood insurance. This type of coverage will be necessary for various reasons when you are here. 

Cover Home

An important reason to always have a flood insurance plan is to protect your home. If you are going to own a home, having the ability to cover significant damage is essential. Protecting against flood damage risk is crucial if you live in an area prone to floods. Most of the time, your home insurance plan will not offer much flood coverage, and flood insurance effectively reduces this risk. 

Comply with Requirements for Coverage

You also will want to have flood insurance so you can comply with the requirements. If you buy a home in a flood zone, your mortgage lender will require coverage as it will protect their collateral. In many cases, you will also have to establish escrow accounts to ensure you continue to remain covered and in good standing. 

If you want to purchase a home in the Greeley, CO area, you need to ensure that you are getting the right insurance. As there are a lot of choices to make when looking for this insurance, starting your search with Maanen Insurance Group can be ideal. The team with Maanen Insurance Group offers any insight you need to build a proper plan that will provide ongoing coverage and protect you if a flood damages your home. 

Three common misconceptions about auto insurance

Motorists need to be well-informed to make the right decisions when choosing auto insurance options. At Maanen Insurance Group, we can help you evaluate your auto insurance options in Greeley, CO. 

Unfortunately, there are a lot of misconceptions that are made about auto insurance. The following are three common misconceptions about auto insurance to be aware of. 

You only need to choose auto insurance options once. 

Your auto insurance needs and preferences may change over time. It’s always a good idea to reevaluate your auto insurance policy whenever you renew it. Consider factors including the value of your vehicle and your financial situation when making decisions regarding your deductible and coverage maximums. 

You’ll pay more if you’re insuring a red car.

There is a common misconception out there that it always costs more to insure red cars than it does to insure vehicles of other colors. However, red car owners will be happy to know this is not the case. Generally, the color of a motorist’s vehicle does not affect insurance rates. 

Collision coverage covers damage from vandalism. 

You will need to purchase comprehensive insurance coverage if you want to be covered for damage caused by vandalism. Collision coverage will not cover you for this type of damage. Collision coverage only offers coverage if your vehicle is damaged in an accident.

In addition to covering you for damage caused by vandalism, comprehensive coverage also covers you for damage caused by fire, theft, and much more. 

Contact us by email or phone to get an auto insurance quote from Maanen Insurance Group. We’re eager to meet your insurance needs as a motorist in Greeley, CO. 

 

What You Can Do To Prevent Slip and Fall Injuries Around Your Home?

One of the lesser-known ways home insurance can protect you is by helping you if you are sued for a slip and fall injury on or around your property. However, one of the best ways to protect yourself from slip-and-fall accidents is to take steps to minimize the chances of someone slipping and falling on your property. Read along as Maanen Insurance Group, serving the Greeley, CO area, offers tips on preventing slip and fall injuries around your home. 

Ensure Your Concrete is Level

Concrete that is cracked can start to become unlevel. When this happens, part of the concrete slab can rise or sink, which creates a tripping hazard. You can do things, including concrete repairs or replacing your concrete surface, to help ensure your concrete is level and minimize the chances of someone tripping and falling. 

Using De-Icers in the Winter

Another tip that can help to minimize slip and fall accidents around your home is to use de-icers in the winter months. Sprinkling your driveway and walkway with salt can help melt ice, which can help prevent someone from slipping. 

Keep Your Property Well Lit

Lastly, always ensure that your property is well-lit. People are more likely to get hurt on a dark property. Ensuring your property is well-lit can go a long way in minimizing slip and fall accidents. 

Unfortunately, there is only so much that you, as a homeowner, can do to help prevent slip and fall accidents. Having the right home insurance is vital if a slip and fall accident occurs at your home. Here at Maanen Insurance Group, serving the Greeley, CO area, we can work to ensure that your homeowner’s insurance covers you in all situations. Call us today to learn more. 

How to be prepared for a flood

Flooding is one of the biggest natural disasters that can hit a community. If you live in an area prone to flooding, it is crucial to be prepared ahead of time. Here are some tips on preparing for a flood and how Maanen Insurance Group can help Greeley, CO, residents. 

Know About Your Coverage

Many homeowners commonly mistake flood coverage as part of their insurance policy. However, it’s essential to know that most homeowners’ insurance policies don’t cover flood damage. Therefore, it is crucial to get flood insurance for high-risk areas.

Be Prepared Ahead of Time

Always have at least one month’s supply of the necessities. These include non-perishable food, water, medicine, and other essentials. If you have to evacuate your home, it is vital to have these items ready to go.

Have an Emergency Plan

In the event of a flood, it is important to have an emergency plan. This includes having a list of emergency contacts, knowing where to go, and having a plan for your pets. Should you have destruction to your home, you’ll also need to have a plan for where you’ll stay and how you’ll get there. If you are told to evacuate, don’t ignore the warnings if you still have time to leave safely. Flash flooding can quickly cause damage and put you in extreme danger.

Move Valuable Items To Higher Elevation

Moving your valuable items to higher ground is vital if a flood is imminent. This includes important documents, electronics, and anything else that can be easily damaged by water. Remember, heavy items like couches will take longer to move, so don’t wait until the last moment.

Find Out More About Flood Insurance In Colorado

Maanen Insurance Group in Greely, CO offers flood insurance policies that can protect your home and belongings. We would love to talk to you more about our personalized solutions. Get in touch for more information.

Do I Need Commercial Insurance for a Sole Proprietorship in Colorado?

As more people join 37 million business owners in the U.S., they need to consider how they’ll protect their enterprise. It goes beyond a security system or power tools to protect data. They also need to consider protecting themselves, their property, and their reputation. 

Commercial insurance is the best way to cover unforeseen liabilities. However, is it needed if you’re a sole proprietor?

Commercial and Business Insurance

Some company owners are confused about the terms commercial and business insurance. In the end, they’re the same. According to the experts at Maanen Insurance Group in Greeley, CO, this form of coverage protects an organization against primary liabilities. These include:

  • Bodily injury of yourself or customers
  • Property damage to your organization or that of a client
  • Reputational harm against you or the company
  • Advertising errors

Additional Coverage

There are additional policies a business can purchase to maximize coverage. For instance, business interruption insurance helps pay for a company’s expenses when there’s a production outage due to a natural disaster, fire, or vandalism. Cyber liability insurance covers a company when its data is damaged or stolen by cybercriminals. 

Do Sole Proprietors Need Commercial Insurance?

Unlike someone who creates a limited liability corporation (LLC), sole proprietors are responsible for claims, debts, and potential customer issues. Unlike an LLC, there’s no separation between business and personal assets. Thus, sole proprietors could lose everything if a client or other company sues them.

Hence, a sole proprietor needs to purchase commercial liability insurance. To determine the best options, contact a representative of the Maanen Insurance Group in Greeley, CO for additional information.