Differences Between Renter’s Insurance and Landlord Insurance

For landlords and their tenants in Milwaukee, WI, our team of insurance professionals at Dern & Company ensures that we recommend the right type of insurance for their situation. Although some folks may get confused about whether they should have renter’s or landlord’s insurance, determining which you want to have can be simple once you figure out the differences between them. Additionally, knowing what each policy might cover can make it easier to tell whether it makes sense for you to file a claim with your insurance or for your landlord or tenant to file a claim for a specific circumstance.

What Is Renter’s Insurance?

Renter’s insurance is a type of insurance policy that covers valuable belongings, liability, and more on behalf of a renter. The person who holds this policy will be a tenant in a rental property like an apartment or rented home. Sometimes, all renters in a home or apartment unit will share a policy, while individual renters in a property who live as roommates may prefer holding separate policies.

What Is Landlord Insurance?

Landlord insurance covers property that a person owns and rents out. As a result, a person must be a landlord to hold it. While every policy is unique, some examples of things that landlord insurance may cover include the structure of the dwelling, liability for which the landlord is legally responsible, and personal property for rentals that include items you own, like furniture or household items in short-term rentals.

How to Tell Which One You Need

As you can imagine, it’s easy to tell what you need when you know what they are. Tenants need renter’s insurance. Landlords, on the other hand, need landlord insurance.

For more information, call Dern & Company in Milwaukee, WI!

Types of Coverage You Need in Your Boat Insurance

When you own a boat, it’s essential that you have boat insurance to cover it. There are a number of types of coverage that you need to have to protect yourself against a wide range of incidents that can happen both on and off the water. The types of coverage offered by boat policies are very much like the coverage you get in an auto policy. Call us today at Dern & Company in Milwaukee, WI if you need boat insurance.

Liability Coverage Types

The bare minimum that you should have in your boat policy is two types of liability coverage. These are property damage liability and bodily injury liability. Both types protect you against costs you can incur when you’re judged to be at fault for a boating accident. Many boaters don’t think much about boating accidents, but they are a common problem that can leave financial devastation in their wake. They each protect you against different types of costs, but both work similarly. If there are injuries, your bodily injury liability coverage will handle those charges. If someone else’s property is damaged, your property damage coverage will cover those costs. 

Comprehensive and Collision Coverage

Collision coverage is what you need to pay for your own property damage after an accident or other incident. Because liability doesn’t pay for your damages, you need this coverage for your repair or replacement bills. You also need comprehensive coverage to pay for incidents that happen when the boat is on land. There are a lot of things that can happen there, and you should be covered just in case of a problem. 

Get Boat Insurance 

If your boat isn’t covered, you aren’t protected. To get your boat policy, call Dern & Company in Milwaukee, WI.

What Level of Perils Coverage Do You Need?

Your home insurance covers you from financial loss when specific perils affect your home. Perils typically include events such as hurricanes or earthquakes. Home insurance offers five different levels of peril coverage – HO-1, HO-2, HO-3, HO-5, and HO-8. Read this blog from Dern & Company to determine which level of perils coverage you need for your Milwaukee, WI, home.

Why Have So Many Levels of Coverage?

The insurance industry designed homeowner’s insurance to serve the U.S. population as a whole, hence the five levels of perils coverage. The level of coverage a person needs for their home depends on the location of the house and the typical natural hazards affecting the area. Let’s consider how the five levels differ.

Differences Between Levels of Perils Coverage

The bare bones coverage provided by HO-1 protects from financial loss due to 10 specific perils named in the policy. In the insurance industry, we call this named peril coverage. HO-2 policies also contain named peril coverage but cover 15 perils. HO-8 policies cover the same perils as an HO-1 policy, but only owners of historical homes or architecturally significant homes can purchase them.

Most financial lenders require HO-3 policies before they extend a mortgage to an individual. An HO-3 policy covers most perils and doesn’t limit which homeowners can purchase it.

Insurance companies offer HO-5 policies for homeowners who want comprehensive perils coverage. In the industry, we refer to this as all-perils coverage. If you purchase an HO-5 policy, your home insurance covers anything that could happen to your house.

Upgrade Your Home Policy Today

Do you have less than all-perils coverage? Don’t put your home at risk! Contact Dern & Company today to upgrade your Milwaukee, WI, home coverage.

Why your home-based business needs commercial insurance?

Why Home-based Businesses Need Robust Insurance Coverage

More and more people are setting up businesses from the comfort of their homes. One critical fact to keep in mind is that home insurance does not provide adequate coverage for such ventures. Dern & Company in Milwaukee, WI, brings over 25 years of insurance expertise to help you make informed choices about commercial insurance for your home-based business.

Key Protections Your Business Requires

  • Property Coverage: Commercial property insurance offers comprehensive coverage for the property and the items you need for your business operations. Regular household insurance won’t cover the necessary equipment, materials, and supplies your business might need.
  • Liability Coverage: Regular home insurance covers your family and guests, but it doesn’t extend to include business-related visitors. If a client or supplier gets hurt on your property, you need commercial insurance to cover potential legal expenses.
  • Workers Compensation: If your home-based business employs three or more people, you are obliged to provide them with workers’ compensation insurance. This protection is crucial for both you and your employees.
  • Business Interruption Insurance: Occasionally, a business might have to cease operations due to uncontrollable circumstances, such as a fire or theft. In such cases, business interruption insurance can help you meet expenses and payroll obligations.

Engage Dern & Company in Milwaukee, WI, for reliable commercial insurance solutions. Don’t hesitate to call us for a no-obligation quote.

Does Your College Student Need Renters Insurance?

As a parent, several important considerations come into play when your child moves out to attend college. Depending on whether your child commutes to class from home or shifts to a dorm, apartment, or shared living space, you may need to think about renters insurance. Here’s an overview of why renters insurance is crucial and how ‘Dern & Company Insurance’ of Milwaukee, WI, can help.

Landlords Don’t Cover Student’s Personal Possessions

While a landlord may have insurance to shield their own property, they don’t insure the personal belongings of their tenants. It’s the tenant’s responsibility to secure their personal assets.

Renters Insurance Can Be a Lease Obligation

A growing number of property management firms and landlords are mandating tenants to carry renters’ insurance as part of the rental agreement. However, where to buy renters insurance lies within the tenant’s discretion.

Liability Claims Get Covered Under Renters Insurance

Renters insurance is not just about personal property; it also includes liability protection. The tenant (listed on the lease) could be held accountable if anyone gets hurt in a rental property.

Replace Lost Items Through Renters Insurance

Students may possess personal property worth thousands of dollars, from furniture to electronics to clothing. Renters’ insurance safeguards these items from losses stemming from vandalism, theft, fire, or other unexpected events.

Enjoy Added Perks

Renters insurance protects a tenant’s possessions at the rented property and while they are on the road – a hidden benefit worth considering.

Contact Dern & Company

At Dern & Company, our goal is to help families in the Milwaukee, WI area protect their interests through a diverse array of insurance products – including renters’ insurance. To learn more, give us a call at Dern & Company Insurance. We look forward to assisting you.

Does my boat insurance cover vandalism and theft in Milwaukee, WI?

Only commercial fishing boats are legally required to carry insurance in Milwaukee, WI. However, you may still want to consider adding this protection seriously. If you do not have boat insurance, you will not have protection from any boat-related incidents, including vandalism and theft. Dern & Company can help you explore policies to find one that best suits your needs.

Basic Boat Insurance

Most people who are considering boat insurance look at liability insurance first because that is where they have the highest risks. When you are out enjoying your boat, it can be challenging to remember that accidents happen and that people can get hurt. If your boat accidentally runs into someone else’s, liability insurance could protect you by covering the victim’s property damage and medical bills.

Coverage for Theft and Vandalism

There are several other kinds of protection you can get for your boat. One of the most important kinds of protection you can get is coverage if your boat is the victim of theft or vandalism. If you have an old boat with little value, you may not care, but if your boat is valuable, you should have this protection. Otherwise, you will have to repair or replace your boat on your own.

Contact Dern & Company for All Your Insurance Needs

Protecting your property is important. If you are involved in an accident with your boat, your other assets are at risk, too. If your boat is stolen and you have no insurance, you will need to pay out of pocket for a replacement. If you want to discuss different kinds of protection or compare policies, please contact Dern & Company in Milwaukee, WI, today.

Does my boat insurance cover vandalism and theft in Milwaukee, WI?

Only commercial fishing boats are legally required to carry insurance in Milwaukee, WI. However, you may still want to consider adding this protection seriously. If you do not have boat insurance, you will not have protection from any boat-related incidents, including vandalism and theft. Dern & Company can help you explore policies to find one that best suits your needs.

Basic Boat Insurance

Most people who are considering boat insurance look at liability insurance first because that is where they have the highest risks. When you are out enjoying your boat, it can be challenging to remember that accidents happen and that people can get hurt. If your boat accidentally runs into someone else’s, liability insurance could protect you by covering the victim’s property damage and medical bills.

Coverage for Theft and Vandalism

There are several other kinds of protection you can get for your boat. One of the most important kinds of protection you can get is coverage if your boat is the victim of theft or vandalism. If you have an old boat with little value, you may not care, but if your boat is valuable, you should have this protection. Otherwise, you will have to repair or replace your boat on your own.

Contact Dern & Company for All Your Insurance Needs

Protecting your property is important. If you are involved in an accident with your boat, your other assets are at risk, too. If your boat is stolen and you have no insurance, you will need to pay out of pocket for a replacement. If you want to discuss different kinds of protection or compare policies, please contact Dern & Company in Milwaukee, WI, today.

What Are The Risks Of Not Having Home Insurance?

Have you got a property and are now a homeowner? Congratulations, you are a lucky one! However, becoming a homeowner is also stressful and full of responsibility. Your home is probably your most valuable investment. That is why you want to protect it, and home insurance is one of the protection tools. Since home insurance is not mandatory in Milwaukee, WI, you may think skipping it is a good idea. But it is associated with numerous risks you should know about: 

  • You may face serious financial consequences. If you do not have home insurance, you are responsible for all the repairs and other costs related to your home. For instance, if your home is damaged in a hurricane, you will cover all the expenses out of pocket.
  • Facing liability is also a risk. Home insurance also aims to protect homeowners, not just their property and personal belongings. If you have home insurance, you can be safe that all the liability fees and medical expenses will be covered if, for example, your guest or visited jets injured on your property. However, if you do not have home insurance, you are on your own and will have to pay yourself. 
  • Not having peace of mind. You never know what tomorrow brings. With home insurance, you get peace of mind that you need to enjoy your life in your house. However, without home insurance, you will constantly worried that something might happen.

Home insurance is something that every homeowner should consider. Regardless of the home type you own, it would be best if you bought home insurance. If you are looking for home insurance and need help finding the perfect policy, Dern & Company is here to assist you. We at Dern & Company serve clients in Milwaukee, WI, and other towns. Please give us a call or visit our company website to learn more about home insurance. 

The Basics of Commercial Insurance: What Wisconsin Business Owners Need to Know

Many dream of being a business owner in the Milwaukee, WI, area. If you are starting or running a business here, you need to know and manage many vital facets. One crucial part is insurance. There are various aspects of commercial insurance that a business owner needs to know. 

Types of Insurance

When you build a commercial insurance plan, knowing the types of insurance available is important. You select a policy based on your business’s needs. Some of the kinds of insurance to consider include the following:

  • Liability insurance provides commercial liability coverage for a business. This offers coverage for bodily injury, property damage, and other injury claims against your company.
  • Property insurance offers coverage for all assets owned by your business. This includes protection for your place of business, inventory, and other assets against fire, theft, and other risks. 
  • Workers’ compensation offers coverage for your employees if they are injured while on the job. 

Requirements

It is also essential to assess your insurance requirements. Most businesses will be required by other entities to get insurance. This can include requirements set by lenders, real estate owners, investors, and other stakeholders. If you have employees, you may be required by the state of Wisconsin to carry worker’s compensation insurance. Following such requirements is important and will keep you in good standing. 

Anyone who plans to own a business in the Milwaukee, WI area should call our team at Dern & Company. We offer various services to help ensure you build a plan that meets your needs and protects your organization. 

Safeguarding Your Belongings: How Renters Insurance Covers Personal Property Loss

At the core of renters insurance policies is personal property coverage. This coverage in and around Milwaukee, WI serves as a cornerstone by protecting your possessions, including furniture, electronics, clothing, and other personal items, from various potential risks. Here’s how this coverage works:

  1. Protection Against Common Perils: Renters insurance offers protection against prevalent risks such as fire, smoke damage, vandalism, theft, and specific weather-related damage. If any of these events cause harm or destruction to your personal property, your renter’s insurance policy steps in to help you recover the value of your losses.
  2. Actual Cash Value vs. Replacement Cost: When insuring personal property, you can choose between two types of coverage: actual cash value (ACV) and replacement cost coverage. ACV coverage reimburses you for the present value of your items, considering depreciation. In contrast, replacement cost coverage covers the expense of replacing your belongings with new ones of similar kind and quality without accounting for depreciation. While ACV coverage is often more affordable, replacement cost coverage provides more substantial financial protection in the event of a loss.
  3. Off-Premises Coverage: Renters insurance doesn’t limit its protection to your rental unit alone. Possessions are covered even if what is stolen was not on the premises. This means that if your laptop is stolen from your vehicle or your luggage goes missing while you’re traveling, your renter’s insurance can assist in covering these losses.
  4. Customized Coverage Limits: Renters insurance policies are adaptable to your specific requirements. You can select the coverage limit for your personal property, ensuring ample protection according to the worth of your possessions. 

Dern & Company LLC Can Help You

At Dern & Company, we can help answer questions concerning renters insurance. We serve the Milwaukee, WI area. Contact us today.