Starting your own business, large or small, is risky to the say the least and you will want to protect the investment of time and money you put into your Wisconsin-based business through obtaining the proper insurance policy. Commercial insurance is one way to guarantee that your business is protecting but what is and what does it cover?

What Is Commercial Insurance?

Commercial insurance is designed to provide coverage for businesses and corporations, including each business’s property, employees, and products. It covers anything that can threaten the success of a business. Most of the time, owners of businesses and corporations can work with their insurance agents to create the best insurance policy for their situation based on their needs and preferences.

Commercial Insurance Coverage Options

Property insurance is an important option for commercial insurance. It will cover losses caused by weather-related disasters from hail, windstorms, fires, and lightning along with vandalism, theft, and civil disturbance like a riot or other commotion. This type of insurance also can cover supplies, appliances, office equipment, and machinery that is needed for the business to function after a disaster or other incident occurs. Business interruption insurance can also be added to your policy which will cover employee salaries and other things that must continue even if your business burned down or was otherwise destroyed. It will cover your net profits before the incident occurred.

Liability insurance is incredibly important for a business owner since it covers injuries that may occur to people while on your property or while using a product you produce and/or sell. From bodily and personal injury to damage to someone else’s property or injuries to someone through your company’s advertising, this is an important policy to have to ensure the protection and sustainability of your business.

Commercial insurance is imperative in keeping you and your business protected in Milwaukee, WI. Call an experienced and knowledgeable insurance agent at Dern & Company today to assist you in creating the best commercial business policy for your company.

Just because you don’t own your home doesn’t mean you should avoid protecting and insuring what is inside. With renters insurance, you’re able to do exactly that. It doesn’t matter what you own, it is possible to insure it with renters insurance. In fact, renters insurance is one of the most versatile coverage options out there. So, when living in greater Milwaukee, WI you’ll want to consult with the insurance experts at Dern & Company.

Cover Just About Anything

The beauty of renter’s insurance is that it can cover just about anything. From your computer to the paintings you picked up while traveling, you can have all of these and everything else in between covered. When working with your insurance provider you’ll go over the value of the item and then pay based on the value. Typically you can secure renters insurance for a very small monthly payment. This small monthly payment helps protect you in the event of theft, or if the items are even damaged due to fire or flooding. 

Protect Your Valuables With Renters Insurance

It doesn’t matter what you own if it is important to you it is worthy of being insured. From your collection of action figures to your entertainment system or purse collection, these are items that will cost hundreds, if not tens of thousands of dollars to fully replace in the event of theft, flooding, or fire. Avoid these kinds of issues and protect yourself and your valuables with renter’s insurance. When living in a metro Milwaukee, WI rental, you’ll want to talk with the insurance experts at Dern & Company. They will work with you in finding the right insurance coverage for your needs. So pick up your phone and give the team a call today. 

Contrary to what many people believe, renters may carry a certain amount of liability if someone is injured while visiting their home. The key is determining where the divide between the liability of the renter and that of the landlord. Agents from Dern & Company serve residents who live in and around Milwaukee, WI. It’s their job to help their clients get the answers they need about their renter’s insurance.

Your Liability

When it comes to liability, a renter may be considered to be responsible for an injury in their apartment if it is caused by something they have done or not done. A good example of this is running an extension cord across a walkway. If a person trips and is injured, the fault would lie on the renter for creating a hazard.

Your Landlord’s Liability

If the accident was the result of tripping over a piece of torn carpet or linoleum, the landlord may be responsible. If a landlord has been notified of damage to the apartment and has not made the repairs in a timely fashion, any compensation due to the victim could eventually fall on the landlord. In some cases, it may be determined that both the landlord and renter are at fault.

Renters in Milwaukee, WI can call the agents of Dern & Company if they have any questions concerning their liability. It’s important to understand what you are responsible for as well as what your landlord may be required to cover. Call and talk to your agent today to have your policy reviewed and possibly upgrade it. Schedule your appointment now!!

If you live in Milwaukee, WI and own a boat, you need to start thinking about getting it ready for the colder months of the year. While some people don’t do much, if you want to protect your investment, it’s best to take a few steps to ensure the elements don’t cause damage. 

At Dern & Company, we can provide you the protection you need for your boat and at an affordable price, but the rest is up to you. Consider some of the tips here to ensure your boat makes it through the winter unscathed. 

Dry or Wet Dock

You have two basic options when it comes to boat storage if you plan to keep it on or near the water; a wet or dry dock. Both have their appealing qualities, but a dry dock is going to be a more significant investment. You can also pull the boat on your trailer to a garage or warehouse where it can be stored. All of these options come at a price, so be sure to keep that in mind. 

Get the Engine Ready

Just like your car, you have to take care of your boat’s engine in colder weather. This means making sure it is winterized. If you aren’t sure how to do this, hire someone to do it for you. That way, when you are ready to get back on the water, you won’t have any problems. 

While storing your boat during the winter months in Milwaukee, WI is up to you, our team at Dern & Company can help you with your insurance needs. Contact us today to learn about the policy options we offer and to find out how we can get you the protection you need. 

Filing an insurance claim is always going to be a little confusing, no matter how straightforward the issue may appear at first glance. Because every business is different (and every business owner has their own set of priorities), there will always be some clarification needed before any professional can properly fill out all the questions. Here are a few things to expect if you’re filing a commercial insurance claim in Milwaukee, WI, courtesy of Dern & Company.

You Will Be Asked for Documentation 

There’s a lot of paperwork when it comes to filing a claim. Insurance companies keep all this information to assist with everything from audits to lawsuits. If you’re requesting the company to pay for damaged inventory or replace a broken window, you may need to take photos, provide proof of value, or get formal estimates. They’ll use all of this information to justify their approval or denial, so it helps for commercial business owners to have as much data as possible. 

You May Not Agree With the Results 

Insurance companies have formal policies with each of their clients, but that doesn’t mean the policy can define the parameters of every situation. Because two people may view the same event two entirely different ways, it can lead to disappointed customers who expected more out of their claim. Insurance companies have an appeals process that commercial business owners can use to ask for their claim to be reconsidered. 

If you have questions about your commercial insurance policy, call Dern & Company today. We’re here to get you a policy that will keep your business safe from natural disasters, theft, and even slander. We’re here to help the people of Milwaukee, WI protect the enterprises they worked so hard to build. 

As a renter, you need to be mindful of your home security to protect yourself and your property. Living in an apartment complex with high foot traffic puts you at greater risk of theft or intrusion. The following security tips from Dern & Company in Milwaukee, WI can be helpful in keeping you and your goods safe in a rental property.

Lighting

Make sure your apartment has good lighting, inside and out, to ward off intruders after dark. Your entranceway, hallways, parking areas, stairways, and elevators should all be well lit after dark to enhance safety.

Upkeep

A well-kept apartment building and landscaping is more likely to keep thieves at bay as it shows the landlord is concerned about safety and security. If your landlord is dropping the ball in this area, make your concerns known to ensure proper maintenance gets done.

Door & Window Locks

If possible, replace your door locks to reduce the risk of former tenants getting access to your apartment. Check window locks to ensure they’re working properly. This is especially important if your apartment is on the ground floor.

Fire Escape

If your unit is in a high rise complex, make sure there’s a workable fire escape for emergency situations.

Get a Renter’s Insurance Policy

Renters insurance from Dern & Company can protect your belongings from theft and natural disasters that could befall your apartment complex. Your landlord’s insurance protects his building, not tenants’ property.

If your apartment is burglarized or catches fire, renter’s insurance will cover the cost of repairing or replacing your belongings up to the limits of your policy. Renters insurance also protects you against liability claims if someone gets hurt while visiting your apartment and sues you for damages.

To learn more about renters insurance options and costs, contact Dern & Company in Milwaukee, WI.