Name: Avalue Insurance
Address: 7700 E Arapahoe Rd., Ste. 330, Centennial, CO, 80112
Telephone: 303-773-3332

The Role of Workers’ Compensation in Your Commercial Insurance Package

Posted on October 29, 2024October 29, 2024 by admin

Running a business in Centennial, CO comes with its fair share of responsibilities, and one of the most important is ensuring the safety and well-being of your employees. This is where workers’ compensation insurance comes into play. At Avalue Insurance, we understand the crucial role workers’ compensation plays in your commercial insurance package.

What is Workers’ Compensation Insurance?

Workers’ compensation insurance is designed to protect employees who get injured or become ill as a result of their job. It can cover medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, and a portion of lost wages. Additionally, it can provide death benefits to the family of an employee who dies due to a work-related incident.

Why is Workers’ Compensation Insurance Important?

Workers’ compensation insurance is not just a legal requirement in most states, it’s also a crucial part of protecting your business. Without it, you could be held financially responsible for the costs associated with a work-related injury or illness. This could include medical bills, ongoing care costs, and legal fees if an employee decides to sue.

How Does Workers’ Compensation Fit into Your Commercial Insurance Package?

Workers’ compensation is a key component of a comprehensive commercial insurance package. While commercial property insurance protects your physical assets and commercial liability insurance covers claims of bodily injury or property damage, workers’ compensation insurance specifically protects your most valuable asset – your employees.

Choosing the Right Workers’ Compensation Insurance

Choosing the right workers’ compensation insurance can be complex, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. The team at Avalue Insurance is here to help you understand your options and choose a policy that fits your business’s needs.

At Avalue Insurance in Centennial, CO, we’re committed to helping businesses protect their employees and their bottom line. Contact us today to learn more about how workers’ compensation insurance can benefit your commercial insurance package.

Pit Stop Problems

Posted on October 20, 2024October 20, 2024 by Emilie Hagopian

5 Common Risks for Commercial Garages and How Insurance Handles Them

Owning a commercial garage is no small feat. You’re juggling a lot of moving parts (literally!), and it’s all happening in a risky environment. Customer vehicles, heavy machinery, hands-on employees, hazardous materials — there’s a lot to think about, and a lot that could go wrong in your garage! Accidents are bound to happen, and when they do, commercial garage insurance could be the only thing standing between your business and a total financial breakdown.

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves here. First, let’s talk about commercial garage insurance and why it’s important. Then, we’ll talk about some of the most common risks that commercial garages face (and how insurance can help you handle them).

What is Commercial Garage Insurance?

Garage insurance is designed to protect you from all kinds of potential losses — think property damage, customer injuries, or even a lawsuit. With garage insurance, you get a bundle of coverages like general liability, which shields you from financial liabilities due to accidents, and a business owner’s policy that protects your property and income. You can also include workers’ compensation for your employees and garage-keepers legal liability to cover vehicles under your care. Basically, it’s a type of coverage that’s best suited for the garage-keeping business.

Risks You’ll Face (And the Coverage You’ll Need)

1). Customer Slip-and-Fall

You know how it goes — oil spills, tools on the floor, or maybe even that slick patch of snow right outside the door. A customer slips and suddenly, you’re facing a potential lawsuit. Yikes! General liability insurance has your back here. It helps cover medical costs or legal fees, so one small accident doesn’t turn into a business-ending disaster.

2). Tools Gone Missing

Ever have a situation where a wrench, tire iron, or maybe even a jack goes “mysteriously missing”? The tools and equipment in your garage aren’t cheap, and losing them — or worse, having them stolen — can really set you back. That’s where a business owner’s policy (BOP) steps in. It covers not just liability, but property loss too. So, if your tools take a walk, you’re not left scrambling to replace them out of pocket.

3). Damage to Customer Vehicles

You’re working on a customer’s car and something goes wrong. Maybe another vehicle bumps into it in the lot, or something falls and dings the paint job. Uh-oh. This is where garage-keepers legal liability comes into play. It’s specifically designed to cover any damage to vehicles that are in your care. So, whether the car’s in the shop or sitting outside waiting to be picked up, you’re covered.

4). Employee Injuries

Running a commercial garage isn’t exactly desk work. Your employees are on their feet, lifting heavy objects, and working with dangerous tools. Accidents happen! Workers’ compensation insurance ensures that if one of your employees gets hurt on the job, their medical bills and a portion of lost wages are covered, and your business isn’t hit with unexpected expenses.

5). Business Shutdowns

Imagine a fire breaks out, or a storm damages your garage, and you have to close for repairs. No income, no customers, but the bills still keep coming. That’s where business interruption insurance steps in like your financial safety net. It helps you pay your bills, keep your business afloat, and even cover the cost of temporarily relocating if needed.

Need Garage Insurance? Let Us Help!

At Avalue Insurance, we understand the unique risks that garage-keepers face. Our team is here to help you get all the coverage you’ll need to keep your business running smoothly. Give us a call at 303-773-3332, shoot us an email at info@avalueinsurance.com, or request a consultation right here online!

Real-Life Lawsuits That Could’ve Been Prevented with General Liability Insurance

Posted on October 20, 2024October 20, 2024 by Emilie Hagopian

Running a business is rewarding, but it also comes with its fair share of risks. One small mishap could turn into a big legal headache, and before you know it, you’re knee-deep in a lawsuit. The good news is, with general liability insurance, you can prevent these incidents from draining your bank account. Here are some real-life lawsuits that show just how important having the right coverage can be!

1). Slip-and-Fall Mishaps

Slip-and-fall lawsuits are one of the most common claims for businesses, and one restaurant learned this the hard way. A customer slipped on a wet floor and suffered a back injury, leading to a lawsuit for $100,000. The customer sought compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and additional costs because they couldn’t work due to the injury. Without general liability insurance, the restaurant would have been on the hook for the entire amount, plus legal fees.

2). Property Damage Fiascos

Imagine running a bustling beauty salon and everything is going great — until one of your new beauticians drops a bottle of nail polish that spills all over a customer’s pricey handbag. That’s exactly what happened to a salon that was then sued by the customer to replace the damaged property.

3). Privacy Violations

Ever shared a before-and-after photo of a project online to show off your great work? Most businesses have. But one home decor business faced an unexpected lawsuit when a client discovered that photos of their remodeled wardrobe had been shared online without permission. The client sued for invasion of privacy, leading to a hefty legal process. General liability insurance can help cover these types of claims, making sure you’re not left financially drained over a misunderstanding.

4). Product-Related Injuries

A lawn care company thought they were doing their clients a favor by selling an organic pesticide. Unfortunately, a customer accidentally inhaled the product’s vapors and suffered a severe allergic reaction. The customer sued for $100,000 in medical expenses and other damages. Product-related injuries can be devastating for small businesses, but general liability insurance would have stepped in to cover the costs and keep the business afloat.

5). Copyright Infringement Gone Wrong

It’s easy to get inspired by others, but that inspiration can sometimes cross the line. A personal trainer started calling himself “The Rocker” after a celebrity with a similar name and used a photo of that celebrity in his advertisements without permission. This led to a copyright infringement lawsuit. The trainer’s general liability insurance would cover legal fees and potential settlements in a situation like this, making sure a branding mishap doesn’t bankrupt your business.

Protect Your Business from the Unexpected

These real-life cases show that accidents, misunderstandings, and mistakes can happen to anyone, no matter how careful you are. Having general liability insurance isn’t just about following regulations — it’s about protecting your business from financial ruin when things don’t go as planned.

Not sure if you’re fully covered? Let us help! At Avalue Insurance, we specialize in helping businesses of all shapes and sizes get the coverage that they’ll need for the road ahead. Give us a call at 303-773-3332, email us at info@avalueinsurance.com, or request a consultation right here online!

In-Office or Remote? Understanding Your Insurance Needs for Both

Posted on October 7, 2024October 7, 2024 by Emilie Hagopian

The debate between remote work and in-office work has been heating up over the past few years. With more businesses shifting to hybrid or fully remote models, many are asking a crucial question: How do insurance needs differ between remote and in-office employees? Many business owners with at-home businesses believe that they don’t need as much coverage as in-office businesses if any coverage at all! And while that may be partially correct in some cases, the risk of being underinsured is pretty high. So, let’s settle the debate once and for all!

What’s the Difference in Risk?

Remote Work: When employees are working remotely, the types of risks you need to consider are vastly different. For starters, the likelihood of workplace injuries like slips and falls decreases when they’re not navigating office corridors. However, other risks take the spotlight — think cyber security breaches, misuse of company property, or even liability for employees working from a rented space.

If you have a lot of employees working from home, your insurance should address risks like:

Cyber Security Coverage: If an employee’s home Wi-Fi is hacked, sensitive company information could be compromised.

Equipment Coverage: Laptops, tablets, and monitors used at home should be covered in case of damage or theft.

General Liability: What if an employee invites a client to their home office and an accident occurs? It’s rare, but it can happen!

In-Office Work: In contrast, having employees work on-site means you need to focus more on traditional office-related coverage, such as:

Workers’ Compensation: If someone slips on a freshly mopped floor or sustains an injury in the office kitchen, you’ll need coverage to handle those claims.

Property Insurance: This covers office equipment, furniture, and the space itself in case of fire, theft, or other damage.

General Liability Insurance: General liability protects your business from third-party claims like bodily injury or property damage that might occur on your premises. For example, if a client trips in the lobby, your insurance covers their medical costs.

Are Remote Workers Covered Under Standard Business Insurance?

One of the big questions businesses ask is whether traditional business insurance policies extend to remote employees. The answer is: it depends! Standard policies may not cover equipment and activities that take place outside the designated business premises. So, if your team is working remotely, it’s a good idea to review your coverage with your insurance provider and explore add-ons or separate policies tailored to remote work needs.

Hybrid Work: A Happy Medium, or Twice the Headache?

Hybrid work models mean employees split time between home and the office, which can complicate things a bit. You’ll need to ensure that both environments are adequately covered. This might include expanding your existing business policy to protect equipment at multiple locations or adding extra liability coverage for home-based operations.

So, What’s the Verdict?

Whether you’re running a fully remote, in-office, or hybrid team, understanding the unique insurance needs of each environment is crucial. Regularly reviewing and updating your policies will ensure you’re not caught off guard. And remember, just like choosing between office- and home-brewed coffee, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer — only the best option for your unique setup!

Need help finding the right coverage? We can help with that! Reach out to Avalue Insurance today, and let us help you find a solution that works best for you and your business!

Home Insurance Horror Stories and How to Avoid Them

Posted on October 4, 2024October 4, 2024 by Emilie Hagopian

Home insurance isn’t just about peace of mind; it’s about protection. But sometimes, even with insurance, things can go awry in ways you’d never imagine. And with spooky season right around the corner, we figured now would be the perfect time to tell you these home insurance horror stories. Let’s take a look at a few tales of woe that might make you double-check your policies!

The “Where’s My Coverage?” Conundrum

A homeowner discovers a small leak under the sink. No big deal, right? They toss a towel down and forget about it. A few weeks later, that little leak has turned into a moldy nightmare that’s spread to several rooms. When they filed a claim, they were met with a harsh reality: their policy didn’t cover the mold damage because it’s considered a result of neglect. Without mold insurance or regular maintenance, they were on the hook for thousands in repairs.

Avoid the nightmare: Regularly inspect your home for issues, and if you notice something small, fix it immediately! Consider adding extra coverage for things like mold or water damage to avoid being blindsided later.

The “I Didn’t Think That Would Be a Problem” Panic

Another homeowner had a unique collection of rare instruments — violins, pianos, you name it. A freak storm hit and the room where the instruments were kept flooded. Turns out, the homeowner’s policy only covered up to a certain amount for personal belongings, and these high-value items needed to be individually scheduled on the policy. In the end, the insurance payout didn’t come close to covering the cost of the collection.

Avoid the nightmare: If you have valuable items, such as artwork, collectibles, or heirlooms, talk to your insurance agent about adding a rider to your policy to ensure they’re properly covered.

The “Oops, I Didn’t Read the Fine Print” Frustration

This story involves a couple who went all out renovating their home. They were thrilled with the results until an accidental fire destroyed half the kitchen. When they filed the claim, they learned their coverage amount hadn’t been adjusted to account for the increased value of the renovations. As a result, the payout wasn’t enough to restore the space to its former glory. All their hard work — and a significant amount of their savings — went up in smoke.

Avoid the nightmare: Always update your policy when you make major changes to your home, whether it’s a kitchen remodel or adding a deck. That way, your insurance keeps pace with the value of your property.

Speak with a Local Insurance Professional About Your Policies Today

Don’t let the fine print scare you. Let’s review your policy and make sure you’re fully covered before the unexpected happens! At Avalue Insurance, we make it easy to get all the coverage you need at a price you can afford. Contact us today to schedule a policy review or to discuss additional coverage options!

Avalue Insurance

Get a Quote