Perhaps you are in the process of looking for a renter’s insurance policy or you already have one in place? You probably have many questions, including when you need to increase your level of protection. Working with a knowledgeable insurance provider will help you get the answers you need to help ensure you are protected. 

Increasing Your Renter’s Insurance 

If you are wondering if you need to increase your renter’s insurance, you should consider whether you have made any high dollar purchases such as appliances, jewelry, and furniture. If this is the case, you need to save the receipts and take pictures to prevent issues with coverage if there is a claim. Additionally, if you have a roommate who makes larger purchases, you should advise them to consult with an experienced insurance agent. 

Finding The Right Coverage

Navigating the process of finding good renter’s coverage that meets your needs can be tricky without some help from a professional insurance agent. They can outline your needs and help you find the right policies that match your current situation. If you live near the Williamsburg, VA area, you can count on Commonwealth Insurance Center to work directly with you to get all of the information necessary to find the right policy. Additionally, they can also assist you with any claims you may have in the future. 

Don’t risk losses from the unexpected if you rent or lease your home. Get the assistance and options you need from Commonwealth Insurance Center, serving the residents of Williamsburg, VA. Call or stop by today to get answers to your questions and to speak with an agent. 

Owning classic cars in more than a hobby. It’s a lifestyle. To protect this valuable asset, it’s important to have classic car insurance in Williamsburg, VA. 

Classic Car and Auto Insurance are Not the Same

Regular auto insurance covers your vehicle only up to its cash value. This means an auto policy will replace the cost of the vehicle minus its depreciation. On the other hand, a classic car insurance policy covers the vehicle up to an agreed-upon price. This amount is determined based on a collectible car valuation guide, a professional appraisal, research by an underwriter, and other documentation. Unlike regular automobiles, classic cars appreciate in value, particularly when they are well maintained. 

Classic Car Insurance Has Add-On Options

When you compare classic car insurance policies, you’ll find they are quite similar. However, there are add-ons you can include in your policy. Some of these include:

• Spare Parts Coverage: If spare parts are destroyed or stolen, this add-on will cover the cost.
• Traveling Coverage: If your vehicle breaks down on the road, this add-on may reimburse you fo food, lodging, and renting a vehicle. 
• No Attendance: This means that when you are away from your classic car while it is being displayed at a car show, coverage still applies. 
• Car Show Medical: If an individual gets injured at an auto show featuring your classic car, this coverage kicks in. 

There are Strict Requirements for Storing a Classic Car

Insurance carriers have strict requirements when it comes to storing your classic car. For starters, it must be stored in an enclosed area, like a garage. Each carrier may have different requirements so be sure to check this out before buying a policy. 

To learn more about classic car insurance in Williamsburg, VA, contact the team at Commonwealth Insurance Center. We will answer all your questions and help you find the right policy. Call Commonwealth Insurance center today at 800-585-7722.

 

 

 

 

 

Your new motorcycle is fun, exciting, and your ticket to endless adventures. However, without taking the right safety precautions, you could find yourself in some less-than-pleasant situations. Incorporate these tips into your routine to ensure you stay safe while riding your motorcycle around the Williamsburg, VA area.

Buy the Right Gear

The right bike and accessories protect you from potential danger and encourage responsible bike behaviors.

• Opt for anti-lock brakes. Regardless of your skill level, anti-lock brakes are a smart investment. The sudden application of the brake robs the rider of steering control which contributes to accidents and skidding.
• Be realistic. Don’t buy a high-performance model if you’ve never ridden before. Start small and upgrade as you grow.
• Dress for the road. The clothing you choose can literally save your skin if you skid out. Specially designed jackets and pants that protect you without being too hot can be found at many motorcycle shops.

Don’t forget your helmet! Remember, Virginia state law mandates the use of a helmet on all motorcycle trips. Talk to the agents at Commonwealth Insurance Center for help choosing the right helmet.

Stay Alert

Pay attention to these important details to avoid accidents.

• Check the weather. Avoid travel if you aren’t absolutely certain that you can safely navigate the roadways.
• Give yourself space. Car drivers sometimes struggle to see slimmer bikes. Don’t get to close to other cars in traffic, watch for mergers, and never drive on the line between lanes.
• Watch road conditions. Potholes and construction debris can send you head over heels and into an uncomfortable situation. Slow down on rough roads or navigate around them.

A good insurance policy is an important part of safe driving. Without proper coverage, you could find yourself in some sticky situations. Talk to the experts at Commonwealth Insurance Center for more information on motorcycle insurance in the Williamsburg, VA area.

 

Boat insurance is a necessary thing if you plan on taking a motorboat, sailboat, or other types of personal watercraft out on the open water. Commonwealth Insurance Center, serving Williamsburg, VA, often gets a lot of questions about standard boat insurance coverage. One of the most common pertains to what happens with boat insurance when the boat is not actually on the water.

Property Coverage

Boat insurance is going to protect the boat or watercraft from a variety of risks. The insurance will cover the boat for repairs in the event there is damage from an accident. The coverage, typically, will protect the boat whether it is on water, or on the land. So, for example, if the boat gets damaged when it is on land, the coverage will usually pay for repairs.

Travel By Boat

 How about when you are going to travel by boat? Most of the time, you have boat trailers with an attachment to a truck, pulling the boat along. In a case such as this, you need the trailer to have its own coverage to ensure you have protection. Your boat insurance alone is not going to protect you should you get into an accident while driving a boat around on a trailer.

Boat insurance is going to typically provide coverage for the boat when it is on the water, as well as off. The protection usually limits to the property aspect, though. The damage you cause while driving the boat around on a trailer will require additional coverage, usually an addition to your auto policy that includes the trailer attachment. Reach out to Commonwealth Insurance Center serving Williamsburg, VA for all of your boat insurance questions.

If you already have or are planning to take out insurance, you should think about adding some extra coverage. Why? Because no policy can cover every possible situation that can arise.

Quite simply, unplanned events will eventually happen. So, it is best to have some insurance beyond your regular coverage.

For more specific information, speak with an agent at the Commonwealth Insurance Center, serving the Williamsburg, VA area, about umbrella insurance.

To help you better know what to talk to your agent about, following are some things that umbrella insurance might be able to cover.

False Arrest

After having the charges dismissed, someone you caused to get arrested, at your business, home, or elsewhere, may want to salvage their reputation. You could then be subjected to a false arrest suit.

Defending against a claim could take resources you do not possess. Having an umbrella insurance policy could be just the solution.

Invasion of Privacy

Whether you are accused of invading the privacy of another or have to file a claim against someone, umbrella insurance may be able to help.

Legal costs can be staggering and privacy invasion is one of those irregular claims perhaps uncovered by your other insurance. Discuss with an agent whether your line of work or another factor might make you a wise candidate for this coverage.

Libel

Those involved in writing, whether on paper or online, need to seriously consider umbrella insurance that includes libel coverage.

People and institutions whose names appear in your written work can feel offended and file a libel claim.

Slander

If you say something that harms the reputation of someone, then you can face a slander suit.

These cases arise quite often in commercial affairs when competitors comment in a manner that could be potentially harmful for the business interests of another.

Get More Information Today

Contact the Commonwealth Insurance Center, serving the Williamsburg, VA area, about the umbrella insurance policy best suited for your needs.

The helpful staff can explain just how this insurance can help you plan for and survive the unexpected.

 

For those that own a home in Williamsburg, VA, making sure that you have the right type of home insurance in place is very important. Beyond a standard home insurance policy, you may also need to get flood insurance. There are several situations in which getting flood insurance will be a necessity for your home. 

Mortgage Requirement

One situation in which having flood insurance is a necessity is when it is required by your mortgage lender. If you get a FHA mortgage, the lender will analyze FEMA flood maps to determine whether your home is in a flood zone. If it is determined that your home is at a higher risk of flood damage, the lender will require that you carry flood insurance at all times. They likely will also require that you escrow for this on a monthly basis. 

Home Insurance Doesn’t Cover

Even if you are not required by your lender to carry flood insurance, it is still great insurance to have it in place. If you live in a higher risk zone, your base home insurance policy likely will not give you flood insurance coverage. For Williamsburg, VA area homeowners, getting an additional flood insurance policy will provide you with the protection against flood damage that you need. 

If you need to have flood insurance or have questions about the benefits, you should speak with the team at Commonwealth Insurance Center. When you meet with the Commonwealth Insurance Center professionals, you will learn more about your flood insurance obligations and figure out if you need to get a policy. The team can then help you get into a policy that provides you with the right level of protection. 

Whether you already have a condo or are planning to purchase one, you will need a type of insurance known as condo insurance. Although it is similar in certain ways to home insurance, there are also some key ways it differs. Here are some of those differences, courtesy of Commonwealth Insurance Center serving the Williamsburg, VA area.

Interior of building

A condo insurance policy typically covers the interior of your building as well as your possessions that are in that building, such as your furniture, clothing, appliances, and more. With a home insurance policy, the interior, as well as the exterior of the building, are covered. That includes the land on which the house has been built.

Exterior of building

Meanwhile, with condo insurance, typically the exterior of the building is covered through a policy paid for in another way, such as via your homeowner’s or condo community’s master policy. That policy also covers all of the jointly owned property in the condo community.

Premium amounts

Because a condo is in many instances smaller than a house and because the condo insurance policy does not cover as much as a home insurance policy does, the premium paid for condo insurance will be lower than that for a home insurance policy.

Necessary insurance

Whether you live in a house or a condo, insurance is still just as necessary, although the logistics and requirements are different based on the type of dwelling. Always make sure you have adequate coverage, no matter where you live.

Check on the details of your particular policy to verify what your condo insurance specifications are. If you would like more information about condo insurance or other types of insurance, feel free to contact Commonwealth Insurance Center, serving the Williamsburg, VA area.

Having a life insurance plan can help to spare your loved ones from the burden of paying for your final expenses and your funeral out-of-pocket. If you have a loved one who has passed away and they have a life insurance policy, you may find yourself wondering how quickly you should contact the life insurance company. Here is some information about this topic from Commonwealth Insurance Center, serving the greater Williamsburg, VA area. 

What to do in the event of a passing

It is recommended that you begin the process of filing a claim with the life insurance company when you feel comfortable and able to do so. Before an insurance company can pay out on a life insurance claim, they will need a copy of the death certificate. Depending on where you live, this can take a few days to a few months to obtain. Some people file a claim right away and then submit the death certificate when it becomes available. Other parties wait until the death certificate is available to file a claim. There is no right or wrong way to do it. However, once a claim is filed, premium payments will cease, so this is important to keep in mind if any insurance payments will be due while waiting for the death certificate. 

Once a claim has been filed, and the death certificate has been submitted, an insurance company has 30 to 60 days to review the claim and payout. 

If you do not have life insurance, now is the perfect time to consider purchasing a policy. Here at Commonwealth Insurance Center, we can help you find the right life insurance policy and purchase it in the greater Williamsburg, VA area. Contact us now to schedule an appointment to sit down with us and discuss your needs. 

There are more e-commerce businesses than ever before. They have changed the way we shop and conduct daily life. With these changes have also come changes to the way insurance covers a business. If you have an e-commerce business, you may need insurance to cover inventory and other legalities and equipment that you need to run the business.

Insuring Your e-Business

Insurance for an e-business may be slightly different than traditional brick and mortar insurance policies. Commercial insurance today can help cover your equipment, inventory, and other assets and risks associated with today’s internet business landscape. If you are considering opening an e-commerce or internet based business, you need to work with an insurance provider that understand how modern insurance policies can provide coverage for internet-based companies and can help you discover ways to protect your business completely. 

Finding Insurance Coverage For Internet Based Companies

If you are one of the millions who is branching out into businesses via the internet, you need insurance coverage that is designed for your unique needs. Not all insurance is the same, which is why you should work with Commonwealth Insurance Center in Williamsburg, VA. We have the insight and experience to guide you through the process of purchasing the right type of insurance for e-businesses. We can suggest the options that apply to your situation and help you gain peace of mind. 

Don’t leave your e-commerce business to chance. Residents living in or around the Williamsburg, VA area should call or stop by Commonwealth Insurance Center and speak with a representative who can listen to your needs and suggest coverage that works for you. 

Classic car insurance is a special class of auto coverage that is fashioned to meet the insurance wishes of vintage vehicle collectors. Considering that this is a non-standard kind of insurance package, this means that there are selective state wise considerations that you need to be aware of to obtain coverage for your automobile. Here are three facts that you need to know about classic car insurance in Williamsburg, VA.   

Classic vehicles description 

At Commonwealth Insurance Center in Williamsburg, VA, we have come to realize that it’s a common misconception that people think a classic car is an old car, which is not necessarily the case. In the 1970’s, the numbers of production vehicles were high; subsequently, not all cars developed during and even before this era are considered classics. There are three types of classifications of automobiles that are deemed as classic cars namely: Veterans, Edwardian, and limited. Veterans are vehicles that were developed before December of 1904; on the other hand, Edwardian are automobiles whose manufacturing dates fall between January 1905 and December 1918. Limited edition vehicles are not expressly classified by date, but by rarity, their uniqueness offers them the tag of classics.

Classic vehicles Usage

Most classic car insurance policies stipulate that for a vehicle to qualify for classic collector coverage, it should not be used as the primary vehicle. Regardless of its rarity, a vehicle that is not in a condition to be driven on a daily basis will not be eligible for coverage. The classic car insurance policy traditionally uses restrictions on millage in order to make sure the vehicle is regularly used. For instance, in Williamsburg, VA, a classic car is expected to cover over around 5,000 miles annually in order to meet eligibility criteria.

Classic vehicles Storage Requirements

As indicated, classic vehicles are considered gems by a variety of providers including us at Commonwealth Insurance Center; subsequently, there are strict storage requisites for vintage cars. In order to be covered, you will be expected to have a specially designated storage location for your vehicle. Classic cars that are parked outside the house or garage are exposed to significant damage risks which are a liability to insurance providers. Consequently, it’s always required that classic cars are kept in safe and secure locations within the owner’s premise.

Contact our Virginia offices to speak with an agent and get a quote.