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Differences Between Landlord Insurance and Renter’s Insurance

For landlords and tenants in Zionsville, IN, figuring out what type of insurance you need can get complicated. Our team at Completely Independent Insurance Agency is here to ensure that you – whether you live in rental properties or own rental properties – don’t get the wrong kind of insurance. One of the most common confusions new landlords have about insurance is what policies would be appropriate for their needs. If you’re a new landlord or a seasoned landlord, our general information about these insurance policies can help you understand what makes each one unique.

What Is Landlord Insurance?

Landlord insurance is designed for landlords who want to protect their properties from damage, liability, and other concerns. It may be legally required in some areas, but even when it’s not necessary from a legal perspective, it’s smart to have it from a practical perspective. As a landlord, your income from rentals may support your lifestyle or family so it’s important to protect it with the right policy.

What Is Renter’s Insurance?

Renter’s insurance is for tenants to protect their belongings and cover qualifying damage in the rental unit. While every policy is different, some renter’s insurance policies may protect belongings against theft or cover expenses related to qualifying disasters.

How Are They Different?

Renter’s insurance is for tenants who rent apartments and houses. On the other hand, landlord’s insurance is for landlords and property owners. They cover different things in terms of damage, liability, and other aspects of the landlord-tenant relationship. 

Consult With Us

To learn how our team of professionals can help you protect your rental property in Zionsville, IN, call our team at Completely Independent Insurance Agency. You can also stop by our office to speak with one of our landlord insurance professionals.

Key Things to Know about Commercial Cyber Insurance

Computers are so integrated into our businesses today that it is difficult to imagine doing the job without them. Computers allow us to connect with people next door and around the globe. While that interconnectedness has many benefits, it also brings risks in the form of cybercrimes that could derail your business. If you live in or near Zionsville, IN and want to discuss protecting your company against the financial effects of cybercrime, our team at Completely Independent Insurance Agency is here to serve you.

What is Cyber Insurance and How Does It Help?

Commercial cybercrime involves using computers to steal information or keep a business from using its data and computers to conduct its business. Some cybercrimes involve information theft, and others attempt to hold companies for ransom.

Cyber insurance offers protection against the effects of these crimes by covering three types of losses:

  • First-partyReimburses your direct losses, such as the cost to assess an attack and inform clients their data was stolen, as well as lost revenues and potential ransomware payments.
  • Third-party/cyber liability: Covers customer or supplier settlements, attorney fees, and losses when an attack on your business harms them.
  • Errors and omissions: Often technology-focused, this covers losses others suffer when your products or services include faulty logic or code.

Insurance companies often require businesses to take preventive measures or use specific security practices to qualify for commercial cyber insurance. Others discount the premiums based on the depth and breadth of steps taken.

Working with Completely Independent Insurance Agency

Completely Independent Insurance Agency handles the business and personal insurance needs of people in the Zionsville, IN area. Call us today to discuss how we can help protect your company and personal assets.

Four reasons to include comprehensive coverage on your auto insurance policy

For complete auto insurance coverage in Zionsville, IN, you should purchase a policy with comprehensive coverage. At Completely Independent Insurance Agency, we can answer all of your questions about comprehensive coverage and other types of auto insurance coverage.

Here are four reasons to include comprehensive coverage on your auto insurance policy:

Comprehensive coverage includes flood damage.

Comprehensive coverage is especially important if you live in an area that is prone to flooding. A flood can completely destroy a vehicle. With comprehensive coverage, you’ll be reimbursed for auto damage that results from floods. 

Comprehensive coverage will pay for repairs after vandalism.

Collision coverage alone doesn’t usually cover damage costs after incidents of vandalism. With comprehensive coverage, you’ll be covered for both vandalism and theft. This makes comprehensive coverage especially important for those who periodically need to drive in high-crime areas.  

Comprehensive coverage covers damage resulting from a collision with an animal.

Getting in a collision with a large animal such as a deer can do a lot of damage to your vehicle. If you have comprehensive coverage, you can get damage caused by animal collisions covered by your auto insurance policy. 

Comprehensive coverage gives you more peace of mind as a motorist.

There are plenty of expenses that you could end up facing as a motorist, but including comprehensive coverage on your policy can protect you from most of them. This means that you’ll enjoy the most peace of mind as a vehicle owner if you have comprehensive coverage. 

Reach Out To Us

You can get a quote on an auto insurance policy with comprehensive coverage by getting in touch with Completely Independent Insurance Agency. Let us provide you with the auto insurance coverage you need in Zionsville, IN. 

Why Landlord Insurance is Always the Smart Choice

There are tens of thousands of successful landlords in Indiana. Although the state of  Indiana doesn’t require these business people to have landlord insurance, the smartest landlords always carry it. Policies vary, so it’s essential to discuss your coverage needs with your agent at Completely Independent Insurance Agency serving Zionsville, IN.

Here are some common areas that landlord insurance may cover:

Coverage For Tenant Damage

Malicious tenants may intentionally damage for retaliation against a landlord or simple irresponsibility. Today, addiction to illegal substances is also prevalent, which can lead to violent acts against rental property. Landlord insurance protects owners from these kinds of losses.

Rent Guarantee/Loss of Rent

Some landlord insurance policies protect owners from failure of tenants to pay rent. If some kind of problem arises where a tenant skips several months, landlord insurance may cover that loss until such time as an eviction can be arranged.

Legal Expenses

Depending upon the policy, a landlord’s legal expenses pertaining to an eviction may be covered. This is a substantial benefit since there are several fees to be paid, including sending the sheriff with the eviction notice and more.

Landlord Liability

If a tenant, a contract worker or an employee working for the landlord is injured on the rental property, landlord insurance may cover that liability, even if the landlord is sued.

Risk of No Coverage

Without landlord insurance, rental property owners risk losing their investment. Just one instance of tenant damage, rental income loss, or a lawsuit could result in expenses that lead to the necessity of selling off the property to pay for related expenses.

Consult With Us

The smartest thing you can do as a landlord is to discuss options with your agent at Completely Independent Insurance Agency serving Zionsville, IN. Contact us today for a consultation.

Why You Need Commercial Liability Insurance for Your Business

Every business in Zionsville, IN comes with risks of one type or another. At Completely Independent Insurance Agency, we want you to understand the potential risks that come with operating a business of any size and why you need the right type of liability coverage to protect both yourself and your business.

What Is Commercial Liability Insurance?

Commercial or business liability insurance protects your business from financial loss if the business holds liability for damages or injuries caused by its services, employees, or connected third parties. For some businesses, commercial liability can become a legal necessity. But it’s good to have this type of coverage even if you don’t or think you don’t need it.

What Makes Commercial Liability Insurance a Necessity for Your Business?

You may have legal and compliance considerations that dictate the type of commercial insurance you need. Beyond those considerations, commercial liability makes sense for those who want to have financial protections in place if an accident happens or someone claims they suffered an injury from or because of your business.

If someone slips and falls on your property where you carry out your business activities, that person can sue, and you may have to pay the full costs of their medical treatments. These sorts of things apply even if you’re a sole proprietor or just running a relatively small business out of your garage.

Even in a frivolous situation, the cost of the legal fight alone can damage a business and its reputation. Commercial liability insurance can help with payments, settlements, defense, and various other financial hurdles.

Is Commercial Liability Insurance All a Business Needs?

While you should consider commercial liability insurance as a necessity for your Zionsville, IN business, we at Completely Independent Insurance Agency can help you figure out what other protections your business might need. You may need a custom business insurance solution or options that cover various other aspects of your business. For questions or more information about commercial liability insurance or other types of commercial insurance, contact us today.

What Is Diminished Value And What Has It To Do With Auto Insurance?

Indiana is among the states supporting diminished value. This means that if you’re in an accident, the repair of your vehicle means retaining its resale value. Most cars in accidents don’t. 

Completely Independent Insurance Agency will help you file a diminished value claim against the at-fault party.

You’ll have to meet some requirements first such as:

*Repair documentation and pictures

*If you were at fault, you’re not eligible for diminished value

*The statute of limitations in Zionsville, IN is two years

Here’s what else you should know:

Isn’t Diminished Value The Same As Depreciation?

No. Diminished value is the difference between a vehicle’s value after repair from an accident and a vehicle’s value after normal wear and tear over time. When selling a diminished-value vehicle, it’s like he’s selling an ordinary car.

Diminished Value Claims

The statute of limitations for diminished value claims is two years. Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage is available for diminished value, but not in the case of hit-and-run. There is law backing all this up, so if the at-fault party takes you to court, your Zionsville, IN attorney could win the case.

How It Works

It’s best if you hire a professional to prepare the pictures and documentation, such as a diminished value appraisal, for the insurance companies. Make sure this expert is of good reputation with plenty of experience and good reviews.

The claim with its corroborating evidence will be submitted to the at-fault driver’s insurance company. When you hire the diminished value expert (and having an attorney handy is a good idea), they’ll negotiate with the insurance company for an acceptable settlement.

Completely Independent Insurance Agency understands Indiana auto insurance. We’re standing by to help when you call or come by the office to learn more about it.

How can a landlord insurance plan protect my property?

Owning a rental property can be a great option for people in the Zionsville, IN area. When you are an investment property owner, you will enjoy having an income-producing asset that can also appreciate in value. When you get this type of investment property, you do need to get the proper insurance for it. A landlord insurance plan can protect your Indiana investment property in various ways. 

Property Protection

One of the advantages of having a landlord insurance plan is that it can protect your property. With tenants occupying your home, you have less control over potential damage caused by negligence, fire, or other risks. When you have landlord coverage, you will have the support needed to make repairs. If the property cannot be occupied for a period of time during remediation, you may also receive coverage for any income you lost during that time.

Liability Support

There are also more liability risks that come when you rent a property out to a third party. If a tenant, or their visitor, is injured while on your premises, you can be held liable. If this happens, the cost to cover medical bills and other damages can add up quickly. If you continue to carry a landlord insurance plan, you will get support to mitigate this risk.

Reach Out To Us

If you are a property owner in the Zionsville, IN area and intend to lease the home out as an investment property, having landlord insurance is extremely important. As you are looking to build a new policy in this part of Indiana, you should call our team with the Completely Independent Insurance Agency. There are a lot of important choices to make when you are shopping for a plan, and our team with Completely Independent Insurance Agency can help you build a new policy. 

Protection You Didn’t Know You Needed as a Contractor

As a general contractor, your daily work involves risk. You prepare for that risk with safety measures. Your contracting business deserves the same protection! Completely Independent Insurance Agency is here to serve Zionsville, IN area business owners with all their insurance needs. 

You can protect your business with a few steps:

Plan for emergencies.

Emergencies happen every day. The best way to deal with them is to plan for emergencies on your worksites and train your employees to respond. Employees should have a clear emergency plan to follow in case of fire, earthquake, flood, or other disaster.

Provide safety equipment.

Injuries on the job can be devastating and costly to you, your employee, and your business. Hard hats should be provided for all employees at construction sites and employees that use heavy machinery or specialty equipment should have gloves, goggles, and any other recommended items. 

Secure valuables.

Unfortunately, theft is an everyday occurrence no matter where you live or work. Encourage your employees to secure valuables such as wallets, electronics, and jewelry in a safe place like their vehicle, or provide a locker and lock for employee belongings.

Reach Out To Us

Sometimes, despite our best efforts, disaster strikes. That’s where insurance products come in to protect you, your employees, and your business. There are several types of insurance that may be beneficial to your business. These can include builder’s risk insurance, commercial auto insurance, and business property & liability insurance. Some types of insurance are required for any business by Indiana law, such as worker’s compensation.

Just like you and your employees use the right tools for every job, Completely Independent Insurance Agency in Zionsville, IN has the right tools for the job when it comes to protecting your small business interests. Contact us today for more information on how we can help you protect your most valuable asset: your contracting business!

Documents you should always keep in your vehicle

Driving is a necessity for most people. Public transportation is not an option in many small cities and towns. At  Completely Independent Insurance Agency in Zionsville, IN, we know how important driving is to our customers, and we make sure that they know the necessary documents they need to carry with them in their vehicles at all times. 

Documents you should always keep in your vehicle

Your auto insurance card

In the state of Indiana, you are required to carry auto insurance. The requirements are 25/50/25. This is $25,000 for injuries sustained by the first person in an auto accident where you are named as the responsible party. The total for all inured persons is $50,000. $25,000 is required for damage to property. Drivers are also required to have $50,000 in uninsured and underinsured drivers unless they opt out of this coverage in writing. Your auto insurance card is proof that you need to carry that you have auto insurance coverage. 

Your vehicle registration 

Vehicles in Indiana need to be registered with the state. The registration document identifies your vehicle by the VIN number so that you can prove that you are the owner of the vehicle you are in possession of.  You must always have an active registration to be on the road in your vehicle. If you are pulled over by law enforcement, you will be asked to show your registration, so make sure you keep it in your glove box. In some counties, you will need to get an emissions test. Be sure to check if it applies to you. 

Your driver’s license

Most people keep their driver’s license in their wallet as a form of ID. Make sure to carry your wallet with you anytime you are driving your vehicle. 

Keep Your Insurance Policy Updated

Contact Completely Independent Insurance Agency in Zionsville, IN for all your auto insurance needs.