How to Talk to Your Employees About Workers’ Compensation

No matter the size of your business, you likely want to provide some kind of security for your employees in the event they become injured or sick from conducting their job activities. It can be tricky to figure out how you should discuss these matters with people who work for you. Here are a few tips on how to do so accurately and with compassion.

Workers’ Compensation in Pinecrest, FL

In the state of Florida, all businesses with four or more employees must offer worker’s compensation. All construction companies are required to provide this insurance to all of their employees, even if they’re contractors. Make sure to tell your employees that the laws only cover those illnesses and injuries that arise during the course of employment, though it doesn’t have to occur in the workplace. This includes when they’re running errands for the company, at a work social function, or traveling for business. If any of this is confusing and you want clarification to be able to give your employees all the facts, we can help at Hamilton Fox & Company Inc.

The Complexities for Workers’ Comp Claims

There are a variety of injuries and illnesses that are covered by workers’ compensation which includes the following:

  • Occupational diseases occurring as a result of the conditions in the workplace (i.e. cancer and lung disease from being exposed to toxic chemicals)
  • Cumulative trauma from repetitive stress or strain injuries from conducting the same physical tasks repeatedly
You may bring this up to a new employee if they ask about workers’ compensation, and it’s also necessary to give him or her a document that explains the workers’ compensation benefits that are in place.
 
Be Professional and Helpful
 
At Hamilton Fox & Company Inc., we strive to explain insurance policies and benefits in a way that is accessible for everyone to understand. This way, you can take it back to your Pinecrest, FL area employees and reduce stress.

 

 

Boat Insurance for residents in Florida

Boat Insurance provides coverage in an event of damage or loss to your boat. Most types of watercraft are covered under this policy, however; do check with your local Florida licensed insurance agency if your specific watercraft is covered or not. Typically, personal watercraft, kayaks or canoes are not covered in boat insurance policies.

A boat insurance policy should provide for property damage and bodily injury liability. This covers you in the event of damage caused by you to someone else, their boat or property. Collision damage covers for repair or replacement of your boat and comprehensively provides for compensation for non-collision related incidents such theft of vandalism. Additional coverage options such as on the spot assistance, oil spills or medical payments can be also be added to the primary boat insurance policy. Most policies come with a deductible, which is the amount you must pay out of pocket before the insurance policy kicks in.

Most marinas require you to have boat insurance for you to use their docks. Similarly, if you are financing your boat, the lender will require you to have boat insurance. The passengers of your boat are also covered under the liability portion of the insurance policy. The type of boat you have, your age, location, gender, previous history and more will all contribute to the boat insurance premium rate you are offered. An experienced insurance agency such as Hamilton Fox & Company Inc. serving Pinecrest, FL can guide you with boat insurance. Their agents are experienced in all the requirements and guidelines for boat insurance in the state of Florida. The best way to get in touch is to give them a call. The phone number for the Pinecrest, FL office for Hamilton Fox & Company Inc. is available on their website. The agent will be glad to assist you.

What Is Umbrella Insurance?

According to Hamilton Fox & Company Inc. in Pinecrest, FL, umbrella insurance gives extra coverage when your policy does not cover a particular situation or when your insurance plan has hit its limit. Imagine how it feels when your insurance provider declines your claim. 

Umbrella insurance provides a safety net in such a situation. The question is, what exactly does umbrella insurance cover? Umbrella insurance covers personal liability, lawsuits, damage to property, and injuries to a third party.

Personal liability

The policy covers personal liability for which the existing plan does not cover, especially in a situation where you are not directly at fault. A good example is a situation where your friend knocks down someone in your car. Most auto insurance policies will not cover the damages caused by someone else. Even though you were not the one who drove the vehicle, it is your car. So, you’ll be held liable. Umbrella insurance can be of help here.

Lawsuits

Umbrella insurance does not cover all lawsuits, but it covers the ones for false detention, wrongful imprisonment, wrongful arrest, slander, libel, or malicious prosecution. It means that if someone sues you for any of the crimes listed above and relevant insurance policy cannot cover it, and umbrella insurance will kick in. 

Third-party injuries

If you cause someone’s injury, you should foot the hospital bill and also compensate the person. But, what if your current insurance policy cannot handle it? You’ll fall back to your umbrella insurance.

Damage to property

The policy can also help in the situation when you damage other people’s property. A good example is when you mistakenly run your car into a stationary vehicle out of impatience and negligence. Your umbrella policy can help in the situation. 

How the insurance works is a little complex, you may need further clarification from your insurance provider. So, if you need further explanation, contact Hamilton Fox & Company Inc.in Pinecrest, FL. 

How Long Do I Have to File a Workers’ Compensation Claim?

If you are injured while on the job, it’s important that you understand how to file a Workers’ Compensation claim. At Hamilton Fox & Company Inc. the agents are able to assist clients living in the Pinecrest, FL area if they have questions about when to file and how to file a Workers’ Compensation claim.

File As Soon As Possible

An injury at work is serious business. If possible take pictures of the area immediately after the injury and make sure they are time-stamped through your phone. After reporting the injury to your employer and seeking the appropriate medical attention, your next step is filing your claim. There are many deadlines that you need to be aware of when filing a Workers’ Compensation claim. This is why filing your claim immediately is so important.

Seek Medical Attention

Seek medical attention as soon as possible and ask for copies of all your paperwork, including the doctor’s notes. While you will also be required to see a third-party doctor provided by your employer, you need to seek medical attention as soon as possible so that all of your injuries can be properly documented and recorded.

Meet All Deadlines

Once you have filed your claim and visited the doctor, you will also have other deadlines that must be met. This includes responding to requests for information and updating your claim as necessary. It will also be up to you to contact an attorney if you think having one is necessary.

At Hamilton Fox & Company Inc., the agents are always available to assist residents living in Pinecrest, FL with all of their Workers’ Compensation insurance needs. Call or visit their office today!

Top considerations when purchasing farm insurance

Every farm is unique, and there is no one size fits all solution when it comes to an insurance policy for your farm. If you have a farm in the Pinecrest, FL area, reach out to an agent at Hamilton Fox & Company Inc. who will be happy to put together a custom policy designed to protect your specific operation. 

Due to the uniqueness of the farm business, a farm policy will consist of various property and liability policies coming together to form one comprehensive package of insurance. It is crucial to sit down with your agent to discuss each coverage and decide which one is right for you. 

Most policies will start with two basic coverages as the foundation of the policy. 

Dwelling coverage will protect your home from events such as fire, hail, and tornadoes. 

Farm Liability coverage will protect you from third-party lawsuits in the event someone is injured on the farm. 

Once your dwelling and liability policy are squared away, you will need to decide which additional coverages you will need to protect your farm. 

Barn coverage: If you have barns or other structures on your farm, you will want to consider barn coverage. It is important to note that the dwelling coverage only covers your home. 

Crop coverage: As farmers know, one bad season can be detrimental to the business. Crop coverage will protect you from losses in the event bad weather ruins your crops. 

Livestock coverage: Similar to crop coverage, livestock coverage will protect you in the event your livestock are killed in an event such as a tornado. 

Equipment coverage: Farm equipment can be costly to replace and is not covered under the dwelling policy. You will want to do a full inventory of all the equipment on your farm and make sure it is covered under this additional coverage. 

There are many other coverages farmers should consider, please reach out to an agent at Hamilton Fox & Company Inc. to custom build a policy right for your farm. We proudly serve the Hamilton Fox & Company Inc area. 

Comprehensive vs Collision: Which One Do You Need?

Comprehensive and collision insurance are two of the most common types of auto insurance policies. The agents of Hamilton Fox & Company Inc. offer all types of auto insurance to the clients they serve in Pinecrest, FL. They can also answer any questions their clients may have about the differences between comprehensive and collision coverage.

Comprehensive Coverage

Comprehensive coverage covers all types of events and is often required if you are still making payments on your banknote/loan. Comprehensive not only covers collision, it also includes theft, vandalism, and windshield replacement. Comprehensive is designed to cover repairs that will help the car maintain its value while the bank still holds the title. If an accident occurs, the comprehensive policy is used to pay off the rest of the money owed on the vehicle.

Collision Coverage

Collision insurance only covers damages that are the result of a collision. Collision insurance normally consists of property damage insurance and personal injury liability to cover damages to the vehicle as well as any injuries that may have been incurred. With collision insurance, the money is paid out so that repairs can be made. If the car is totaled, the owner will get a check for the value of the car.

At Hamilton Fox & Company Inc., agents serve the residents of PInecrest, FL. They provide answers to many of the frequently asked questions their customers have concerning the different types of auto insurance policies. By explaining the differences between comprehensive and collision policies, clients can choose the type of policy that best suits their needs. If you have questions about your auto insurance, call an agent today and get the answers you’re looking for.

Home Insurance: What It Really Protects You From

When you have a home insurance policy, you feel safe and protected. But what does that policy really cover, and how safe is your Pinecrest, FL area home? At Hamilton Fox & Company Inc. we want to help you answer those questions. It’s very important that you have the right insurance coverage, especially in an area where you can be subjected to a weather event such as a hurricane. Most home insurance policies don’t cover hurricanes, and you need to add additional protection in the form of hurricane buydown insurance. If you have a mortgage, your lender will likely require that, in addition to your regular home policy.

So what’s covered on the standard policy? Most things are generally covered. Hurricanes, floods, and some other types of events won’t be on a standard policy. But if you have a fire, a break-in, or other typical homeowner issues, you can expect to have coverage. Just to be safe, and to have peace of mind, you should talk to your agent and make certain what your policy really covers. You don’t want to get caught unaware, especially after you’ve experienced a serious event at your home. It’s much better to know what’s covered and what isn’t before you may need to make a claim.

If you have questions about your Pinecrest, FL area home insurance policy, come talk to us at Hamilton Fox & Company Inc. We’ll answer your questions and give you information, so you can make an informed choice about your policy. If you need to change, add, or adjust coverage, we can help you do that, too. Our agents are knowledgeable and trained, so you can get the peace of mind and the security you’re looking for in your home insurance policy when you work with us.

Do You Need Flood Insurance?

Your home represents so much more than four walls and a roof. It is where you create memories and share times with your family and friends. It is a destination that sets itself apart because it truly is your special space. With the personal connection that is forged with your home, it is important to protect it. But what kind of protection should you consider? One home owner’s insurance option is flood insurance. And when you live around Pinecrest, FL the team at Hamilton Fox & Company Inc. can help walk you through the process of selecting the right insurance policy.

Why Flood Insurance Is Important

Your regular home owner’s insurance likely doesn’t cover flooding. Some forms may have a burst pipe included in the traditional insurance policy, but chances are it doesn’t. Plus, with the amount of rain the area receives, it is a good idea to protect your home in the event of flooding. 

Protect Your Home

If your home does flood it is extremely expensive to repair it out of pocket. This is because it isn’t just a matter of removing the water. You will likely need to strip away everything that came in contact with the water to avoid the development of mold. This can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Avoid paying this out of pocket with the aid of flood insurance. 

There is no cookie-cutter insurance policy when working with Hamilton Fox & Company Inc. The company helps you find the insurance policy that fits your personal household needs. However, flood insurance is highly recommended when living around Pinecrest, FL due to the amount of water and the threat of hurricanes throughout the year. Whatever your needs are though, you can have your questions answered with a single phone call. 

Tips for Inventorying Your Belongings When Buying Home Insurance

At Hamilton Fox & Company Inc. serving Pinecrest, FL, we highly recommend that you inventory your belongings when you purchase a home insurance policy. Creating a detailed inventory list of the items you have in your home can be vital if items are destroyed or damaged and you have to file a home insurance claim. Here are a few tips that can help you with this process. 

Make a Detailed List of Items You Have in Each Room

Inventorying items that you have in your home can be overwhelming. Start by taking things room by room. Create a list of items that you have in each room. When possible, be sure to list any serial and/or model numbers of electronic items. This can help to identify exactly what you have, which is important when it comes time for an insurance company to come up with the replacement value of your belongings. 

Take Pictures of the Items You Have

In addition to creating a detailed list, take pictures of items that you have. This can help to prove the condition that your belongings are in, which again, is important should they need to be replaced. 

Be Sure to Update Your List on a Yearly Basis

Finally, be sure to update your list on a yearly basis, or as needed when you make large purchases, such as new furniture or new electonics. 

Taking the time to inventory your belongings can be important if you ever have to file a home insurance claim. Having the right level of coverage to fully protect your home and the items stored inside is also important. Here at Hamilton Fox & Company Inc. serving Pinecrest, FL, we can help you ensure you have the right level of coverage. Give us a call when if you are looking to purchase a new home insurance policy. 

Commercial Insurance Needs Depend on the Type of Business

Commercial insurance is a category of insurance that includes many types of insurance. Every business is slightly different. By working with your agent at Hamilton Fox & Company Inc. serving Pinecrest, FL and the surrounding area, you can get a customized insurance solution designed to adequately protect your business.

The choices for commercial insurance include:

  1. Workers’ Compensation: Protection for workers if they are injured while on the job.
  2. General Liability: Protection against regular business liabilities.
  3. Professional Liability: Special protection for errors made by professionals.
  4. Property and Casualty: Protection for real and personal property owned or leased by the business.
  5. Commercial Vehicle Insurance: Protection for a vehicle used for the business.
  6. Product Liability: Protection against liability risk caused by problems with products.
  7. Business Interruption: Protection against financial loss caused by catastrophic events that prevent a business from operating.
  8. Key Person Life Insurance: Protection for the surviving partner who owns the business with another partner who dies or becomes permanently disabled.
  9. Specialty Policies: Protection against unusual risks such as cyber attacks, terrorism, and other risks.
  10. Umbrella Insurance: Extends the policy limits of other policies and provides special protection that may include things like discrimination, defamation, and other lawsuits.

Commercial Insurance Based on Business Type

Here are a few examples of the commercial insurance needed to adequately protect these types of businesses showing the insurance needed by using the numbers from the list above.

  • Bakery:1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7 (optional 8, 9, 10)
  • Doctor’s Office: 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 10 (optional 5, 8, 9)
  • Manufacturing Plant: 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10 (optional 8)
  • Online Sales: 1, 2, 6, 7, 9 (cybersecurity insurance), 10
  • Law Firm (professional partnership): 1, 2 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10 (optional 5,)

Conclusion

There are many combinations of commercial insurance that are assembled for the specifics of each business. Contact your agent at Hamilton Fox & Company Inc. in Pinecrest, FL to get a quote for commercial insurance that is suitable for your business by calling 800-263-1947.