Required Commercial Insurance in Wisconsin

If you have a business in Wisconsin, there are two types of commercial insurance that many businesses are required to have. If you need more commercial insurance for your business, give us a call at Dern & Company in Milwaukee, WI.

Workers’ Compensation

Workers’ compensation is a type of insurance that covers your liability if an employee gets sick at work or is injured there. It helps your business to thrive by not requiring it to come up with all of the medical bills. It’s helpful to employees who are injured, as it provides payment for their medical costs after an accident or illness. In Wisconsin, this type of insurance is required for all businesses that have at least three employees, whether they are part-time or work full-time hours. 

Commercial Auto

If your business owns a vehicle, it cannot be covered by a personal auto insurance policy. It has to be covered by a commercial auto policy. If you own a vehicle that is often used for business, though it is not owned by the business, it should have an insurance policy called hired and non-owned. This keeps your vehicle covered with insurance that will actually payout after an accident. This insurance type is not mandatory, but it is a policy that is highly recommended. This policy has specific minimums that must be met for bodily injury liability, uninsured motorists, and property damage liability. While you have to have the minimum amount of coverage, these numbers are low, and it’s often recommended that you get higher coverage amounts so that your business is safer from lawsuits and medical bills. 

Get Your Commercial Coverage

If you’re a business owner, you need to make sure you have the right commercial insurance policies covering your business. Going without them can be disastrous. If you need coverage, call us at Dern & Company in Milwaukee, WI.

Why Every Renter Needs Renters’ Insurance

When you live in a rented home, no matter what type it is, you need to have a renters’ insurance policy in place. It protects you in a number of ways, and it’s dangerous to be without it. If you need renters’ insurance, call us at Dern & Company in Milwaukee, WI.

Protecting Your Possessions

One of the main types of coverage that you get from renters’ insurance is coverage for all of your possessions that are in your rented home. If you rented without any insurance and had a disaster or an accident that caused your belongings to be seriously damaged, you would have to pay for it all yourself. If you have condo insurance, you will get help with replacing your items that were destroyed or damaged. It’s important coverage for anyone who rents.

Your Standard of Living

Another important protection that comes from renters’ insurance is protection against a significant standard of living. If your rented dwelling were to be seriously damaged, it might not be safe to live there for a while. When a rental becomes uninhabitable, your renters’ insurance will provide you with another place to live while yours is being fixed. It can even pay for certain moving and ongoing living expenses for the whole process. 

Get Protection Against Liability

You likely intend to have guests in your home from time to time. If one of them should have an accident inside your home, your renters’ insurance will cover the medical bills through its liability insurance. This is a type of coverage that can save you an enormous amount of money in the event of an accident that you are liable for. 

Get Renters’ Coverage

If you are rending your home and need it insured, contact us at Dern & Company in Milwaukee, WI. 

Is Business Insurance Required By Law?

As a business owner in Milwaukee, WI, you might be wondering whether you need business insurance. This is a question that other business owners in Wisconsin have been wondering as well. There is a feeling that staying without business insurance can help you save some money. However, it is necessary to get advice from Dern & Company, a leading insurance company in this region. 

Is Business Insurance Required by Law?

Around the country, all the states require that your organization buy the necessary business insurance. This means that you cannot operate a company without having the essential insurance policy that will help in covering some of the eventualities that are likely to face your business. Here are some other policies that fall under the category of business insurance. 

Workers’ Compensation

The law requires that your business have a workers’ compensation policy. This is an insurance cover that is specifically meant to address the medical expenses of the employees who will get injured as they handle various activities in your organization. Employees signing for workers’ compensation waive the right to sue your business for medical expenses and compensation. 

Commercial Vehicle Insurance

You also need to have an insurance policy that covers the vehicle that handles your business operations. This is a different policy from standard auto insurance. It can be much expensive than auto insurance because it helps in addressing the needs of a commercial vehicle. 

Business Property Insurance

Protecting your property and the assets inside your business premises is very important. That is why you must make sure that you have business property insurance. This is an essential policy that you cannot ignore as a business owner. 

Do You Need Business Insurance?

From the notes above, it is obvious that you must make sure that you have the necessary business insurance. Dern & Company is the leading insurance company in Milwaukee, WI. Call us today for professional services and business insurance.

Who Needs Commercial Insurance

As an experienced business owner in Milwaukee, WI, you must have come across the term commercial insurance. This coverage helps your business deal with possible losses of income, property damages, worker’s compensation issues, and probably advertising liabilities. 

Dern & Company has learned that many business owners in Milwaukee do not have commercial insurance, mainly because they do not know who needs it. Here are some of the individuals who need to have commercial insurance. 

Mainstream Business Owners

As a mainstream business owner in Milwaukee, it is evident that you need to have commercial insurance for your business. There are many possible risks facing your company, and you cannot ignore the possibility of some of them happening to you. By having commercial insurance, you will be ready to handle any possible risk without jeopardizing the survivability of your Company. 

Commercial Auto-Owners

If you have a truck that has been doing deliveries and long-distance shipment of goods, you need commercial auto insurance. In this case, your truck is your business, and as such, you need to protect it at any cost so that you can continue to operate despite the challenges you will be facing ahead. Commercial insurance can help in repairs, replacement of damaged trucks, and sometimes compensation for damaged goods. 

Home-Based Business Owners

Home-based business owners are incorporating any available strategy to cut operational expenses. However, operating a home-based business does not exempt you from having commercial insurance. Your company continues to face all the possible risks regardless of the official operational area. 

If you have been operating your retail outlet in Milwaukee, WI, without commercial insurance, it is obvious that you have been putting your business at risk. Contact Dern & Company for commercial insurance for your business and secure the future of your retail organization.

Important Facts Regarding Renters Insurance Milwaukee Residents May Not Be Aware Of

For over 20 years, Dern & Company has helped Milwaukee, WI residents find insurance coverage. We offer our clients a wide variety of policies so that they can find the right one for their individual situation. We have successful partnerships with multiple carriers throughout Wisconsin.

Important Renters Insurance Facts

If you are staying in a rental property in Milwaukee, WI, you have to deal with the potential of an unexpected situation. Perhaps you are a victim of theft or maybe your rental property is damaged due to a natural disaster. Renters insurance will protect you regardless of the situation. While you are researching different policies, remember these important renters’ insurance facts.

The policy covers any damage to your personal items. However, if you have rare and luxurious items at your property, you’ll have to amend your policy in order to cover those items if something happens to them.

If your rental property suffers severe damage, you’ll be covered while your unit is repaired. Renters insurance will assist you as you seek temporary housing until your property is repaired. This should give you peace of mind while you deal with unique living conditions for a few months.

If you have any alterations done to your rental property, you’ll be covered if damages occur. Once you finish the project, consider having your property appraised to reflect the new value of your property.

Also, if you are sharing your rental property with a roommate, make sure that you have your own policy. Having a split policy with your roommate is not ideal, especially if a potential liability dispute occurs.

Dern & Company Will Help You Protect Your Investment

Visit our website today to learn more information about renters insurance.

Types of Commercial Insurance Your Business May Need

Your Small Business

Your small business runs the risk of a number of disasters, accidents, and calamities occurring. This is what makes it so vital to have multiple types of commercial insurance in place. If your business isn’t insured as well as it could be, give us a call at Dern & Company in Milwaukee, WI to talk to an insurance agent. 

Commercial Property Insurance

This insurance type covers the building that your company works out of against a number of catastrophes. Generally, they also cover important pieces of company property inside the building. Even if the area that your business works from is a home office or a garage, it’s still a good idea to have commercial property insurance in that area. 

Commercial Auto Insurance

Any vehicles that the business owns should have its own commercial auto policy. These policies can also cover vehicles that you privately own but that are used for business reasons. Most of the time, a regular auto policy won’t cover vehicles that are mostly used for business. 

Liability Insurance

Every business needs liability insurance. This covers your company should it face a lawsuit for negligence. In the event of a suit, this insurance type can cover damages if you lose as well as legal expenses and the medical expenses of people who are hurt by something your business has done. There are many different types of liability insurance, and your specific business should have the types that cover the way it does business. 

Workers’ Compensation Insurance

This kind of insurance covers the company in case of an accident, injury, or illness that occurs to employees while at work. It also covers the lost wages of the injured party should they have to miss work due to an accident or illness at work. 

Tak to an Agent

If your business doesn’t have its commercial insurance in place yet, contact us at Dern & Company in Milwaukee, WI.

Why Renters Insurance is a Must

When you have just put a deposit on an apartment, the thought of shelling out additional money for renters insurance may seem foolish; however, the extra peace of mind and security in knowing that your belongings are safe should disaster strike is well worth the nominal cost. While it may be tempting to assume that your landlord’s property or homeowner’s insurance policy will protect your belongings, the reality is that this is false as these policies only protect the home, apartment, or structure. Should your valuable belongings like clothes, appliances, electronics, computers, jewelry, and more be damaged in any number of incidents from fire to theft to natural disasters your renter’s insurance policy will help foot the bill for replacements. 

Additionally, renters insurance offers a number of additional benefits that most people don’t even think of. For instance, the majority of renters insurance policies will include a clause for additional living expenses which helps pay for the cost of staying at a hotel or Airbnb should your residence become uninhabitable due to a covered disaster. Other benefits include paying for medical benefits – up to your policy limits – for any visitors that are injured while at your place, legal fees if you are sued due to a liability incident, and any damage to your belongings that occurs while you are away from your home. 

When it comes to shopping for renters insurance, not every policy is created equal. As a result, it is always a good idea to work with a trusted source for insurance policies. At Dern & Company in Milwaukee, WI our dedicated team of insurance professionals will work by your side through the entire process of purchasing a renters insurance policy and are happy to answer all your questions. Give us a call today to schedule a no-obligation consultation. 

The Basics of Boat Insurance

You have gotten a boat and can not wait to explore the lake, ocean, and sea. And while it is exciting to fantasize taking in the sun, breeze, and other natural forms while on the water, you, as a responsible person, know that you, your family and friends, and your boat and its contents, need coverage just in case. This is why it is important to know the basics of boat insurance. 

There are variations when it comes to boat insurance in what it covers. For one, the type of boat is considered. Other considerations when it comes to boat insurance includes where you will traffic and the number of months you will travel on the boat. There are even more considerations when it comes to boat insurance. However, the following includes the basics when it comes to boat insurance: 

  • Liability Coverage

If you are at-fault by your boat and/or by your boat’s contents causing damage to other boats, property, and/or individuals, this coverage will cover the other party’s loss and injury caused by you. 

  • Physical Damage

This is coverage for your boat and its components, including anchors, motors, onboard safety equipment, extra batteries, extra fuel tanks, etc. If you have a boat trailer, it may or may not be covered.  

  • Other Types of Coverage

There may be medical coverage and other types of coverage available. 

  • Discounts

You can earn discounts by being a safe boater or if you successfully complete a safe boating course, for instance. 

To truly enjoy your boating experience, you must be at peace, and you can have that by ensuring you are properly covered with boat insurance. For more information for the state of Wisconsin, contact Dern & Company today. Located in Milwaukee, WI, they have been serving this and surrounding areas for more than 25 years now. Dern & Company are partnered with a broad range of carriers. Thus, with their experience and partnerships, they will lead you in the right direction concerning boat insurance. So, if you live in Milwaukee, WI, or a surrounding area, they are more than willing to assist you. Contact them today!

Importance of Disaster Prep for Your Small Business

Disaster prep is just as important to a small business as it is for large corporations. If you own a small business in Milwaukee, WI, it’s your responsibility to develop a plan for handling emergency situations that may arise. Purchasing commercial insurance from Dern & Company is a good start to protect your business assets against catastrophes. Here are a few other reasons why disaster prep is so important to your company.

Protects Your Employees

A disaster preparedness plan can protect your employees in the event of a disaster. Your plan should include a means of warning your employees of impending dangers and secure routes of evacuation to enable them to escape quickly and safely. An effective emergency plan can help prevent injuries or even death of your employees.   

Supports Business Continuity

Preparing your business for disasters can help prevent shutdowns and delays in business operations. Your supervisors and employees will know what to do to keep the business going after a disaster. This may include working from home or opening a new business site in Milwaukee WI where you can communicate with your clients and business partners and carry on.

Facilitates Recovery

Disaster prep can help facilitate your recovery from a disaster. Your commercial property insurance will help cover disaster repairs to your business location or replacement of business equipment and inventory that are essential to business operations. Having business interruption coverage is a plus as you’ll be compensated for lost revenue and other business expenses if your company has to close for disaster repairs. The right commercial insurance coverage will expedite your recovery by providing valuable financial resources to get your business up and running again after a disaster.

To purchase commercial insurance protection for your small business in Milwaukee, WI, contact Dern & Company today.

Some Unique Benefits Of Purchasing Renters Insurance That Wisconsin Renters May Be Unaware Of

Dern & Company serves the Milwaukee, WI community and the surrounding areas through ensuring that people receive the coverage and policies that they are looking for. We help our clients find unique policies that suit their individual needs.

Renters Insurance

Renters insurance is important because it covers you in the event that your property is damaged due to vandalism, natural disasters, or other circumstances. While you are researching different policies, here are some unique benefits of renters insurance that you may not be aware of.

You Are Covered If The Property Needs To Be Repaired

The coverage in your policy will make sure that you’ll be able to stay somewhere else until your rental property is fully repaired. That takes a heavy burden off of your shoulders because you do not have to worry about finding a place to stay.

Liability Coverage

If someone gets injured while visiting your property, the liability coverage in your rental insurance policy covers you. If you have a pet, in the event that your pet bites someone, you’ll also be covered.

Your Belongings Are Protected

While you are away from your rental property staying somewhere else, you are still covered if someone steals your belongings. Likewise, if you are borrowing an item and it gets stolen, you are protected.

Children Are Covered

If you are a parent, you can breathe easier knowing that you are covered if your child accidentally damages the property.

Consult With Dern & Company

Providing excellent customer service is one of our top priorities. We will sit down with you and figure out which renters insurance policy is best for you. Contact us and find out how we have been able to assist people in the Milwaukee, WI community for over 20 years.