accesswestinsurance-blog

[accesswestinsurance-blog]

Do You Have The Right Insurance For Your Hotel, B&B or Guest House?

Regardless of the type of establishment owned, it is vital that business owners have the right insurance coverage. In some cases, it could prove very costly if they do not. Being the proprietor of an accommodation establishment is one example of this. Having too much coverage could mean paying for an insurance policy that does not even relate to the establishment's needs, while having too little will result in having to pay a large amount of money if an incident does happen. With this in mind, the first thing that the owner of an accommodation establishment has to think about is which bracket their establishment falls under: bed and breakfast, guest house or hotel? The right coverage depends on which type of establishment is being insured.

Bed and Breakfasts

Bed and breakfast establishments are small properties that only entertain up to six guests at a time. Most of the time, they are situated within the home of the proprietor. They usually do not offer meals other than breakfast to overnight guests, and do not have a fleet of staff to aid with the cleaning and maintenance of the establishment. Although all tenants have their own private rooms, they will usually have to share bathrooms with other guests. Under a bed and breakfast insurance policy, the holder of the policy is eligible for building coverage, which is an obvious necessity as the building is the core of the company. Bed and breakfast insurance also covers accidental damage, such as a guest breaking something; public liability; and coverage for all business equipment that is lost or destroyed.

Guest Houses

Guest houses are homes away from home. They are intimate and inexpensive hotel-like lodgings. Although the owner usually lives nearby, they do not live in the same building as the business. Instead, owners live in a separate area. They usually provide their guests with breakfast and have a limited staff presence. Guest house insurance covers a lot of the same aspects that are found in a bed and breakfast policy. However, the policy offers a little more, including extra contents coverage, since a larger establishment has more items in it that need to be insured. Also, due to the larger amount of staff they have on hand, the policy covers employer liability as well.

Hotels

Within a hotel, each guest gets their own room, as well as an in-suite bathroom. Rooms are maintained by a full-time staff, and all meals are provided. Rooms usually have air conditioning, telephones, cable TV, Wi-Fi, and mini bars. The establishment also has lounge and dining areas accessible to the public. Hotel insurance can cover a great deal. All hotels are covered under a hotel insurance policy. What makes the difference in each policy is the amount of coverage needed for the different amenities on the property. Coverage can include:

Flood and earthquake coverage

Golf course coverage

Coverage of leisure and hospitality facilities

Auto insurance

For more information, or for help with finding San Diego Hotel insurance for an accommodation establishment, give Access West Insurance Services a call at 888-905-1325.

[accesswestinsurance-blog]

Own a Contruction Business? Work in the Summer is HOT! Here Are Tips to Minimize Heat Stroke

Summer is coming, and with it, high temperatures. During the hottest months – June, July, and August – construction workers find themselves particularly at risk for heat stroke. Luckily, there are steps you can take to minimize the risk to workers.

1.      Workers need ready access to drinking water

The most important factor in preventing heat stroke is hydration. Common belief is that if a worker feels thirsty, he is already approaching dehydration. Water and drinks such as Gatorade that are high in electrolytes are best for hydration. Construction workers should be trained to recognize the signs of dehydration: extreme thirst, bone-dry mouth, lack of elasticity in skin, rapid heart beat, and in severe cases, delirium. 

2.      Workers should wear thin, lightweight clothing with long sleeves

It seems counter-intuitive, but wearing long sleeves prevents direct exposure to sunlight on the arms. If the clothing material is lightweight and breathable, air can flow and cool the workers without over-heating them.

3.      Allow work in the shade whenever possible

If the work can be done in a shaded area where there is free air flow, allow the workers to work there. Direct sun exposure quickly raises the body temperature, and in addition to the risk of heat stroke, there is also the risk of sunburn and sun poisoning.

4.      Allow frequent breaks

Whenever it is possible for the work to be done in segments without decreasing productivity, the workers should alternate between rest (in the shade) and work. Heavy physical labor is unavoidable, but resting reduces the chances of overheating.

5.      Train workers to recognize the symptoms of heat stroke in one another

It is important that construction workers are able to recognize and report the onset of heat-stroke symptoms. These symptoms include headache, dizziness, fainting, the inability to sweat, and feeling cold during the day.

Should heat stroke occur, immediately call 911 and perform onsite first aid until paramedics arrive. Run cool (but not cold) water over pulse points and wrap the worker's neck in wet towels. Move the victim to a cool or air-conditioned area and remove any unnecessary clothing. Fan the victim, and try to lower body temperature to at least 101 or 102°F.

Call Access West Insurance Services at 888-905-1325 for more advice on how to lessen the risk of heat stroke for your employees and provide California Workers Compensation Insurance at your business.

[accesswestinsurance-blog]

Will Home Insurance Policies Cover Wildfire Damage?

With the threat of wildfires already a little too close to home this year, a common concern many homeowners in California have is wondering if their home insurance policy will cover a loss of their home due to a wildfire. Fortunately, home insurance policies do typically cover wildfire damage, just as they cover damage from any other fire. Although fire risk is present in all areas of the country, locations in the west and southeast tend to be more prone to wildfires due to the weather conditions during the summer. Because of the prevalence of wildfires, insurance companies may expect their clients in those areas to take certain preventative measures. Here are some things you need to know about homeowner's insurance if you live in a wildfire-prone area.

House Fire Coverage 

Almost all home policies cover fires; it is included as a named peril in the insurance policy. Normally, an insurance company will provide compensation for the damage to the home, as well as the expenses that are incurred for temporary relocation.

Risk Reduction 

If a home is located in a high-risk area for wildfires, the home insurance company may want you to meet certain requirements in order for you to receive coverage. They may also have special restrictions on coverage such as:

If there is a wildfire currently in the area, most insurance companies will not provide any new coverage or extend coverage to houses in the area until the fire has been completely contained.

You may be required to have an annual fire inspection, where an inspector checks your property and lists any modifications you must make to qualify for coverage. This is known as creating a “defensible space,” which means the home has met certain safety standards to reduce the risk of damage during a wildfire. Modifications could include keeping certain types of vegetation from growing around your home and keeping the roof and gutters clear.

Areas that are prone to wildfires are considered high-risk areas, and insurance companies may charge more for home insurance policies in those areas.

If and when a wildfire does occur, experts recommend that homeowners have an escape route planned and that they evacuate the area immediately.

The majority of insurance companies will provide coverage for wildfire damage. The thing that homeowners should be aware of is that they will be expected to follow certain safety protocols to ensure that the home will have a better chance of surviving a wildfire. If you have any questions regarding San Diego homeowners insurance and fire coverage, please give Access West Insurance Services a call at 888-905-1325.

[accesswestinsurance-blog]

Business Interruption Insurance Information

You can plan for every disaster imaginable, but nothing can completely protect you from every situation that could interrupt you work days. If lightening hits your computer system and causes a fire, a tornado rips through your business district or your network goes down, there really isn’t anything you can do to plan for the situation or immediately fix it and avoid an interruption in your work day. This is where business interruption insurance is necessary.

Disasters that occur through no fault of your own, still bring a business, and the income from that work day, to an immediate halt. With business interruption insurance, you will not be required to pay the operational expenses to your property that you would normally be responsible for, even if your business is not operational. Business interruption insurance, available as part of a property insurance policy, is to protect you from the financial responsibilities caused by risks or insurable events that you are not able to stop from happening, such as a natural disaster or a fire.

Interruptions caused by thefts, fires, or other catastrophes are generally included. Talk with your trusted insurance provider about the specific disasters that will be covered on your business interruption policy. In the event of a disaster, business interruption insurance will provide cover based on the previous 12 months gross profit percentage of your business income. Each year, you will adjust this amount based on your previous year’s income. There is no risk of being under-insured though. Your insurance agent will work with you to determine the correct amount to be insured for, and the variations for your policy (gross profit, insurable interruptions, etc.).

No matter what your policy considers an covered disaster, it is always important to have your business’s financial records easily available in a safe location. Should something happen, these records will help prove the amount of financial loss your business has taken, as well as the value of equipment in your office. Also, just as financial records are necessary, so is offsite data storage that can be accessible if something were to shut down the computers in your office. If your data is backed up offsite,the information would still be available and accessible. Even though you may not be able to completely protect your business from every disaster, there are measures such as business interruption insurance that can help you when no plans can.

Access West Insurance Services provides excellent customer services and San Diego Business Insurance to their clients throughout all of California. Give us a call today at 888-905-1325 and let us find you the best business insurance policy at the best rate that fits your specific business. 

[accesswestinsurance-blog]

Home Inventory How-To

Do you have the winter time blues? Cabin fever? Looking for a way to pass the time? Why not take a few minutes if you’re stuck inside this winter to make a home inventory? If disaster strikes or your home is burglarized and your belongings are destroyed or stolen, a home inventory makes the insurance claims process a lot simpler. Being able to provide a detailed home inventory to a claims adjuster can help you and your insurance company settle on a fair amount for your belongings and it helps you get your possessions replaced quicker. Creating a home inventory doesn’t have to be completely daunting. Here are a few tips for compiling your home inventory:

Details, details, details. A home inventory includes a comprehensive list of all your belongings, along with receipts (if you have them), photos, and descriptions. For items such as electronics be sure to record the serial number of the item.

Divide and conquer. Instead of making one long list of your items, break it down by room and/or type of item, such as clothing, heirlooms, electronics, and jewelry. This will make the home inventory less overwhelming and decrease the chances that you’ll overlook something.

Know what your stuff is worth. If you have antiques, family heirlooms, or other valuables that don’t have receipts, you may want to have them appraised in order to determine their value.

Don't forget to check the attic. When taking your inventory, make sure you don’t overlook items that are stored in the closet, drawers, attic, or garage. Bicycles, holiday decorations, and sports equipment may be out of sight, but their cost adds up. Make sure you include everything – even if it’s in storage – on your list.

Add it up. Once you have a full document of all your belongings, along with their values, add up all the items in your home and their total cost.

Keep it safe. Store your complete home inventory with your insurance policy in a safe, easily accessible place, such as a fireproof box, safe deposit box, or other secure location. Technology today also makes it possible to keep your home inventory digitally using cloud storage.

Take stock annually. Remember to review and update your inventory each year, or whenever you make a significant purchase, to ensure your new items are documented.

(Source)

[accesswestinsurance-blog]

San Diego Business & Commercial Insurance

The San Diego area is known world wide as one of the best places to live at work. With its great weather, miles of sandy beaches and major attractions, over 1.5 million people call the San Diego area home.  But, no matter how idealistic life is, there is always a chance that something unexpected will happen. Insurance is the best defensive measure for these unexpected situations. Even if a lot of savings have been safely stowed away, there can always be some type of disaster that can drain it all. In such situations, insurance is the only means to protect you, your family and your business. Access West Insurance specializes in Business and Commercial Insurance which will make sure you are protected in the case of any unexpected event. Commercial Auto:

As a business owner, you need the same kinds of insurance coverage for the car you use in your business as you do for a car used for personal travel -- liability, collision and comprehensive, medical payments (known as personal injury protection in some states) and coverage for uninsured motorists. Whether you need to buy a business auto insurance policy will depend on the kind of driving you do. A good insurance agent will ask you many details about how you use vehicles in your business, who will be driving them and whether employees, if you have them, are likely to be driving their own cars for your business. While the major coverages are the same, a business auto policy differs from a personal auto policy in many technical respects. Ask one of our agents to explain all the differences and options. Liability Insurance Unfortunately for every business owner, the chances of getting sued have dramatically increased in the last decade1. General Liability insurance can prevent a legal suit from turning into a financial disaster by providing financial protection in case your business is ever sued or held legally responsible for some injury or damage. General Liability pays losses arising from real or alleged bodily injury, property damage, or personal injury on your business premises or arising from your operations. For example, the Hartford's liability programs extend far beyond the provisions of typical policies, with broadened coverage and increased limits in over 30 areas. Broad Range of General Liability Protection

Bodily Injury, including the cost of care, the loss of services, and the restitution for any death that results from injury

Property Damage coverage for the physical damage to property of others or the loss of use of that property

Products-Completed Operations provides liability protection (damages and legal expenses up to your policys limit) if an injury ever resulted from something your company made or service your company provided

Products Liability is a more specialized liability insurance that protects your company against lawsuits from product-related injury or accidents

Contractual Liability extends to any liability you may assume by entering into a variety of contracts

Other coverage includes: Reasonable Use of Force; Borrowed Equipment; Liquor Liability; Non-Owned Vehicles (such as aircraft and watercraft); Fire, Lightning or Explosion Damage; Water Damage Liability Protection; Legal Defense Costs; Medical Payments; Personal Injury; Advertising Injury; and specialized liability protection for specific business types

1 - Source : Fulbright & Jaworski LLP 2012 Litigation Trends Survey

Access West Insurance will provide you with premium, tailored solutions for both auto, home, business & commercial insurance. As an independent insurance agency representing top rated carriers, we can help you find the best insurance for your particular needs. Our wide array of policy options fit specifically for your business needs are sure to offer you the protection you require. Call us today at 888-905-1325 to discuss your business and commercial insurance needs!