Tag Archives: insurance

Happy Holidays from Rossmann-Hurt-Hoffman, Inc.!

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On behalf of Rossmann-Hurt-Hoffman, Inc., we want to extend our warmest holiday wishes to you, your staff, and your family!  We are very grateful for your continued partnership with us and look forward to a great 2012 with new opportunities to grow together!

In observance of this joyous season, we will be closing early today at 1:00pm, Thursday December 15th for our office luncheon.  On Monday, December 26th we will be closed for the Christmas holiday and on Monday, January 2nd we will be closed for the New Year holiday.

Have a very safe and happy holiday season!!

From Your Friends at Rossmann-Hurt-Hoffman!

How Important is Contractors Insurance?

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Contractors insurance is essential to have to protect your business and your personal assets. If you are acting as an independent contractor, this is even more important because chances are you are operating as a sole proprietor and therefore your personal belongings are at risk in a legal dispute.

Insurance is available for all trades, including roofers, electricians, mechanical contractors, HVAC professionals, plumbers and other contractors. When you enter someone else’s premises or property, you can be held liable for any damage that occurs. This can be accidental damage, damage due to faulty equipment or damage due to negligence.

Carrying contractors insurance is a good way to obtain work. Many individuals and businesses will refuse to hire a contractor who does not carry their own insurance. Use your insurance coverage as a selling point when seeking new business. Accidents happen even under the best of circumstances. To work without adequate insurance is just asking for troublesome lawsuits. The cost is very reasonable and would be tax deductible as a business expense.

Visit www.rhhinsurance.com today to receive details regarding contractors insurance that you need. Their insurance professionals can explain what coverage you should have and why you need it. They will look at your particular area of expertise and have the experience to pinpoint the coverage you should have immediately. A checklist of coverages needed for your type of contracting work will be created to ensure that you do have all the coverage you should have in order to conduct business successfully.

Contractors insurance is very helpful and frequently required as a prudent measure to protect the business you are contracting out to. Most business professionals required that subcontractors and contractors carry their own business liabilty insurance. This type of insurance assures protection to clients also, against non-performance and other problems that commonly occur when using contractors.

Rossman Hurt Hoffman Insurance

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Rossman, Hurt, and Hoffman Insurance known as RHH Insurance offers several personal insurance coverage options. Events in life are sporadic and unexpected. That’s why it’s important to be protected at all times. It’s better to have, than to not have by being prepared and feeling safe. RHH has homeowners insurance to protect your really important and valuable personal property, such as, your home and any buildings that sit on your property and even, what it holds including – clothing, furniture, and appliances. They offer auto insurance covering bodily injury to others and personal injury protection. Optional coverage components can always be added, make sure you let them know specifically what you want insured.

Additionally, RHH offers life insurance to provide for your surviving loved ones upon your passing. This is crucial to cover any estate costs, pay for burial and for any other bills your family may incur. Health insurance is also another product to help cover health care costs. It’s very important to have in the event of unforeseen medical emergencies that could potentially be extremely expensive. By having health insurance you would then alleviate much costs and future debt. RHH even has a wedding protection plan.

RHH is upfront and honest and is sure to provide you with the necessary details to ensure you choose the right coverage plans. Their website provides informative feedback with a Frequently asked Q & A section. An added feature is their online insurance quote form. You can input your information in and receive a quote instantly without leaving home but if you want to speak with someone you can always call them using their toll-free number 1 (866) 847-0449. RHH insurance agents will be happy to explain all policy information to make sure there is no content that’s unclear to you. Go ahead and get your price quote today. http://www.rhhinsurance.com/personal-insurance.html

Maryland Weighs Prohibition on Insurers’ Use of Credit Scores

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Maryland lawmakers are weighing whether to prohibit insurers from using credit scores to underwrite auto policies- a move insurers say is a bad idea.
The economic matters committee of the House of Delegates recently held an initial hearing on the measure, which would further clamp down on insurers’ use of credit information in a state where it’s already tightly controlled…more…
How do you weigh in on whether Maryland lawmakers should prohibit insurance carriers from using credit scores to underwrite auto policies?

House Fires – How to Stay Safe

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The National Fire Protection Association indicates house fires are the leading cause of all fire deaths in the United States. According to the NFPA, there were 403,000 residential fires in 2008, resulting in 2,780 deaths and 13,560 injuries. The NFPA acknowledges cooking as the leading cause of house fires in the United States and heating related fires as the second most common cause.
 
Here are some safety tips, brought to you by RHH insurance, to help prevent house fires:
 
Cooking
According to the NFPA, cooking related fires account for approximately 40% of all house fires. Most cooking fires are started when an oven or stove is left unattended or when items are left too close to a heat source. To reduce the risk of a cooking related fire:
- Make sure to never leave your oven or stove unattended while it is on.
- Keep all items at least 3 feet from the heat source, including cookbooks.
- Be sure to keep a properly charged fire extinguisher in or near the kitchen.
- Consider an automatic appliance shut-off switch for elderly or disabled persons.
 
Heating
NFPA statistics show most heating related fires occur in December, January and February and the majority of these fires are caused by fixed and portable space heaters. Extreme caution should be taken whenever alternative heating units are used. Kerosene heaters, electric space heaters, wood burning stoves, pellet stoves and fireplaces all provide hazards which could increase the chance of a fire loss. To reduce the risk of a heating related fire, consider the following:
- Kerosene: Kerosene heaters are extremely dangerous and should not be used inside the home. If a kerosene heater is used in the garage or a separate structure, be sure to choose a model that has been UL (Underwriters Laboratories) listed. Also, make sure the unit has an automatic starter, a fuel gauge and a safety grill. Use only crystal clear K1 kerosene and make sure to slightly open a window for ventilation.
- Electric space heater: Electric space heaters should not be used in wet places such as bathrooms and should always be used on the floor, rather than on top of furniture. Also, be sure the plug fits snugly into the electrical outlet and avoid using an extension cord.
- Wood-burning/Pellet stoves: Have a certified professional install the woodburning or pellet stove and have a certified chimney sweep annually inspect the vent pipe or chimney. Burn only seasoned hardwood and refrain from using the stove to burn cardboard boxes or trash.
- Fireplace: Hire a certified chimney sweep to annually inspect your chimney for cracks, blockages, leaks and creosote build up. Use a sturdy screen or door to keep embers inside the fireplace and use a metal container for ash removal.
 
Electrical
Electrical related fires are also a leading cause of house fires. The most prevalent types of electrical fires involve the improper use of light bulbs and problems with the home electrical system.
- Light bulbs: Never use a light bulb that exceeds the maximum wattage listed on the manufacturer’s warning label. Also, do not place anything over a lamp, such as a towel, clothing or paper.
- Home electrical systems: Allow only qualified electricians to perform electrical work in your home and have any faulty, inadequate or outdated wiring replaced. Avoid using an extension cord to plug in an appliance.
 
Smoking
The NFPA determined smoking to be the leading cause of fire fatalities in 2008, accounting for nearly 25% of all residential fire deaths. Most smoking fires start when a cigarette, cigar or pipe comes in contact with upholstered furniture, such as a couch or a chair, or when a person falls asleep while smoking in bed. As a precautionary measure, make sure to:
- Never smoke in bed
- Require anyone who smokes, to do so outside.
 
Miscellaneous
- Kitchen oven: Never use a kitchen oven to stay warm.
- Generator: When using a generator, be sure to ventilate properly. A generator should not be kept in a garage but should be kept outside, to prevent gases from seeping into the home.
- Candles: Never leave a lit candle unattended, especially if there are pets or small children in the home. Also, extinguish any decorative candle when it gets down to the last ½ inch, as the glass may crack and allow hot wax to leak out and potentially cause a fire.

Follow these tips and a life could be protected and the risk of suffering a devastating fire loss can be drastically reduced.

Insuring Summer Toys | Insurance Maryland

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Boats, trampolines and more – are you properly insured?

Summer is the time for fun. Book a tee time, put the boat in the water, head to the lake, the beach or the mountains. It is the time of year to play. Golfing, boating, fishing, water skiing, swimming, hiking, trail riding – you name it, we do it.

In order to play, we have to have the right toys. And, we have those toys – swimming pools, boats, golf carts, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), motorcycles, motor homes, and trampolines for the kids. You name it, we’ve got it. And if we don’t own one, we’ll rent one.

But, are the toys we own and rent properly insured under personal insurance policies? In some cases the answer is yes, but, all too often the answer is no.

Pick up your phone and give us a call.  Find out whether your “summer fun” might turn into your “summer nightmare”.  We can help make sure it is “summer fun” for you!

Restaurant Insurance: A Necessity for Any Restaurant

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Restaurant insurance is important to have, because it can protect your business from liability issues and lawsuits due to broken equipment. There are many common everyday scenarios restaurants face that can become easily hazardous. This article will discuss some of the great reasons to consider getting insurance for your restaurant business today.

Think about how often chefs are using the fryers in a kitchen, or how often your restaurant is exposed to open flames. Wouldn’t it be a tragedy if a fire broke out in your restaurant? Think about how your business would be severely financially affected, in addition to the injuries workers or even your customers could sustain. Having to engage in legal battles could prove to be even more expensive.

With restaurant insurance, your business is protected from common everyday scenarios like the above that can harm your business.

There are a variety of more specific types of restaurant insurance you may want to invest in for your company. Food contamination insurance is especially helpful if your restaurant happens to lose power one day. If your restaurant loses power due to a storm or fallen power lines, then food contamination insurance will cover the entire contents of your freezer in which you keep your food. Perhaps you own a gourmet restaurant and keep thousands of dollars worth of food in a freezer. This type of restaurant insurance would then cover your valuable losses and would prove to be a valuable investment.

Loss of Business insurance is another kind of restaurant insurance that protects your restaurant. Perhaps you start losing sales or customers due to a recent incident at your restaurant. Depending on what the reason is you may be able to recoup some of the losses with Loss of Business insurance.

Some types of restaurant insurance include all of the specific types in an all-in-one sort of package. This can be a highly favorable choice, if you want to cover all of your bases as a restaurant. If you place a high premium on being prepared, then all inclusive restaurant insurance is the perfect choice for you.

Other times in which restaurant may protect you are for food spoilage, liquor liability reasons, worker’s compensation lawsuits, and a plethora of other scenarios.

Having restaurant insurance is the best way your restaurant can prepare for the worst. Be prepared and your preparation may be a smart investment in the future when you need insurance most.

Wedding Insurance | Insurance Maryland

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You’ve always dreamed of planning the perfect wedding, but no matter how carefully you plan it, there are many things that can go wrong – things that are beyond your control. Wedding insurance helps make things right when something goes wrong! For as little as $160, your wedding insurance policy can cover a variety of situations, such as: a lost or damaged wedding gown; lost deposit if the vendor goes out of business or simply fails to show up; lost or damaged wedding bands; severe weather; sudden illness; your venue requires insurance and/or liquor liability…the list goes on!  Go to the RHH Insurance website today and learn more about this valuable coverage.  You will see how simple and inexpensive it is for you to obtain wedding insurance, and some peace of mind as well!

Crash course in rental car damage waivers

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Even soaring gas prices and a sluggish economy won’t slow down the American road warrior. So how do you determine whether you need a Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) when renting a car? First and foremost, educate yourself. Know what’s covered by those seemingly steep fees so you can make an informed decision when you step up to the rental car counter. Avoid the costly mistakes of either wasting money purchasing unnecessary coverage or having dangerous gaps in coverage. Before renting a vehicle, you should make two phone calls-one to your insurance agent and the other to the credit card company you will be using to pay for the rental car.

Stay Safe If Your Car Breaks Down

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If you are in an accident or your car breaks down, safety should be your first concern. Getting out of the car at a busy intersection or on a highway to change a tire or check damage from a fender bender is probably one of the worst things you can do. The Insurance Information Institute recommends the following precautions when your car breaks down:

1. Never get out of the vehicle to make a repair or examine the damage on a busy highway. Get the vehicle to a safe place before getting out. If you’ve been involved in an accident, motion the other driver to pull up to a safe spot ahead.
2. If you can’t drive the vehicle, it may be safer to stay in the vehicle and wait for help or use a cell phone to summon help. Under most circumstances standing outside the vehicle in the flow of traffic is a bad idea.
3. Carry flares or triangles to use to mark your location once you get to the side of the road. Marking your vehicle’s location to give other drivers advance warning can be critical. Remember to put on your hazard lights!
4. In the case of a blowout or a flat tire, move the vehicle to a safer place before attempting a repair—even if it means destroying the wheel getting there. The cost of a tire, rim or wheel is minor compared to endangering your safety.