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Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702

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Starting Up My Salon. Do I Need Commercial Insurance?

If you are thinking about setting up a salon, then there is a high chance that this will end up being the thing that pays the bills and supports your family. This means that you need to get the right commercial insurance from The Shay Agency to keep your investment secure.

Remember the fact that your beauty salon will act as a one-stop-shop for your customers’ every beauty need. However, you must realize the fact that things can go wrong at any time and you may find yourself in a disaster or accident no matter how professional you may be.

Your commercial insurance in Scranton or Wilkes-Barre, PA will protect your small business against that angry client whose eyebrows were waxed too thin or who experienced a severe allergic reaction to the hair dye that you used. Here are some of the top reasons why you should purchase a commercial insurance policy if you are starting a salon.

The Beauty Products that You Use May Be Recalled

To help you maximize profits, you will probably sell beauty products in your salon. To make your clients start using that particular product that you stock, you will have to demonstrate the product by using it on them during their routine appointments and tell them why you think that is a good brand.

 A few months or years later, the product that you have been recommending to your clients is recalled from the stores. How will your loyal clients feel? They’ll feel cheated and assume that you didn’t vet the product, but instead, you were just after the profit. 

Finally, some of your customers may decide to walk away, and your business will drop. This means that your enterprise will suffer significant financial losses as a result of the above scenario. Luckily, your commercial insurance from The Shay Agency may be reimbursed if the scenario is included in business interruption.

Your Salon May Suffer Damages Due to a Fire

The back room of your beauty salon where you store your essential oils, nail polishes, hair dye, and other highly flammable chemicals is considered a high-risk area. If precautionary measures aren’t taken, your store could easily end up in flames.

However, the business’s property damage coverage may cover such damages and ensure that you can still serve your clients afterward. Without a commercial insurance policy, could you manage the financial effects of such a disaster?

Do you run a beauty salon in Scranton or Wilkes-Barre, PA? Contact The Shay Agency today for a client-friendly commercial insurance policy.

Can You Buy a Motorcycle Policy Without a Car Policy?

When it comes to driving a vehicle of any kind, it is always best to make sure you are adequately covered as far as insurance goes. Motorcycles pose a special risk when it comes to getting into accidents and therefore need very specific coverages to make sure that riders are covered and protected in the case of an accident. For those that live in Pennsylvania, the agents with The Shay Agency in Wilkes-Barre, PA can help you find the right motorcycle coverage for you.

So, can you buy a motorcycle policy without having a car policy?

The simple answer is "yes." You can purchase a motorcycle policy without having to have an auto policy. The only difference is that your motorcycle policy may end up costing more on its own than it would when bundled with a car policy. This is not a be all end all, however, as even on its own, a motorcycle policy is going to cost far less than a car policy.

There are a few important things to remember when it comes to motorcycle policies, for starters, those that are driving motorcycles are far more likely to be in an accident than those that are driving cars for a few different reasons. For starters, motorcycles are smaller and harder to see when on the road, they do not provide much protection if you are in an accident, and many drivers do not pay close attention to motorcycles that are on the road with them. It is always essential that you get the right coverage for your specific needs as far as liability, the cost of your bike, and the overall cost of potential medical bills.

For those that live in Pennsylvania, New York, or New Jersey, the agents with the Shay Agency in Wilkes-Barre, PA can help you find the perfect motorcycle policy.  

Do I Need Flood Insurance

You might ask yourself if you need flood insurance even if you live in an area that does not have a lot of flooding. The short answer is yes. You do need flood insurance. Flooding can happen anywhere. Damage created by a heavy rainstorm, hurricane, tornado, or other natural disasters are the first thing homeowners think about when considering flood insurance. But apartment renters and condo owners also need to realize that their property could be damaged too and flood insurance is a great safety net to have. Contact The Shay Agency in Wilkes-Barre, PA. Our independent insurance agents can get you started with the appropriate amount of insurance you need for your home, apartment, or condo.

What is a Flood?

According to FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, a flood is the most common natural disaster. Floods can happen as a result of heavy rains, melting snow, overflow from levees, new development, dam outages, hurricanes, and rising rivers. The advantage of flood insurance is that you can purchase it no matter where you live, even if you don’t live near a flood zone.

What is Flood Insurance?

Flood insurance is protection that covers you if a flood ruins property in your home, business, condo, or apartment. You can acquire one of two policy types. The first covers the building and its structure. This type is usually purchased by condo associations or apartment building owners, so this will help to reimburse them if their buildings receive any damage. On the other hand, inside the apartment or condo, your items will not be reimbursed unless you have protection with the second type of policy. This policy covers personal property.

The Shay Agency in Wilkes-Barre, PA has independent insurance agents to help you understand your need for flood insurance. You can also get further assistance with auto, life, and commercial insurance throughout Pennsylvania, Florida, New York, and New Jersey. Reach out to our agents to learn more.

When Can You Claim Life Insurance?

The benefits of life insurance are always paid to the beneficiaries listed on the policy. They can be the insured’s family members, siblings, or charity organizations. As a result, conventional life insurance policies are settled after the death of the policyholder.

Contact the insurance provider and inform them of the death of the insured and your intention to file a claim. The contact information is always available on the insurer’s webpage or policy documents. One may call, email, or send a letter to the insurer.

Get the documents ready

Some documents are vital for a successful insurance claim. They are:

  • Death certificate: It provides proof of the death the policyholder. You may need several copies if there are several insurance policies
  • Certificate of insurance: This is a policy document that is provided at the time of purchasing insurance coverage. It should be kept among essential papers since it easily gets lost given that it is rarely used.
  • Insurance claim form: Insurance companies have a life insurance claim form on their website. You can download or fill them online depending on the policy provider’s requirements. At The Shay Agency in Wilkes-Barre, PA, we insist on seeing the original documents at some point.

Once you have these documents, you can visit the policy provider to file the claim. Alternatively, you can send them to the post office or courier services. The processing of the claim may take one to two months, depending on the level of necessary verifications. The benefits are often settled in lump-sum.

In conclusion, taking on an insurance policy is a choice that safeguards the future of your family and other dependents. You can secure them today by purchasing a policy with The Shay Agency in Wilkes-Barre, PA. Other states where we offer service include Florida, New Jersey, and New York. Contact us today at (570) 704-0074 for more information.

Is Your Business Ready For Commercial Insurance?

If you’re thinking about calling the Shay Agency in Wilkes-Barre, PA to see about getting your business covered with commercial insurance, you should know what it is that you’re buying. A basic commercial insurance policy will cover you in three different ways: It’ll provide property insurance, general liability insurance, and certain employee protections like workers’ comp.

Do you have anything to worry about with Commercial Insurance?

If you’re running a food truck, then you don’t really have any real estate to worry about, but you might need to look into a commercial auto insurance policy. As for employee coverage, you will need to figure out the difference between freelance work-for-hire help and what the courts will regard as an actual employee. Note that whatever you write on their contract might not make much difference in court. If you’re working your employees forty hours a week and setting a specific schedule for them, then your insurer, your accountant, and the law might not agree with you that they’re a freelancer.

General liability is the big one, of course. No matter what stage your business is at, if you have customers, clients, or business partners coming around, then you need to take some time to think about what your general liability risks are.

If you give The Shay Agency in Wilkes-Barre, PA a call, we should be able to help you figure out exactly what level of insurance you need based on the size and scale of your business and what industry you’re in. What a restaurant needs are different from what a bookstore needs or what a software brand needs. Take the time to figure out what sort of protection is required in your case and get covered.

What Motorcycle Insurance Add Ons Do I Need?

One of the most common misconceptions regarding motorcycle insurance is its one size fits all approach, regardless of bike type or features. That is not the case. This is a big reason why, if you own a motorcycle, you need to talk with the team of professionals at The Shay Agency in Wilkes-Barre, PA and look into the different motorcycle insurance add-ons. In fact, here is a handful you should consider.

Accessory Coverage

Whether you add a new mount for your mobile phone or you have a sidecar attachment, new accessories cost you money and yet, in the event of an accident, are likely not covered by your current policy. Due to this, if you have invested any kind of money into accessories on your bike, you need to do what you can to protect them. This coverage also covers custom parts on your bike, if you like to mod it. 

Carried Contents Coverage

If you use your motorcycle to transport goods, such as when on the road for an extended trip, you may want to consider carried contents coverage. If your motorcycle is stolen and you have your phone or other items stashed onboard, this is covered. This may include items a passenger may be carrying as well. Ask an agent to explain this coverage further if you are unsure of a specific item.

In order to make sure you are properly protected, you need to invest in the right insurance coverage. At The Shay Agency in Wilkes-Barre, PA, our team of professionals is on hand to assist you in identifying what insurance add-ons will best address what you need as a motorcycle owner and rider.

Do I Need Flood Insurance in Pennsylvania?

In the event that you experience damage to your home from a flood, these losses will not be covered by your traditional homeowner’s insurance. You will need a separate flood insurance policy to pay for expenses related to a deluge, and in this post, we will discuss whether or not you should purchase such indemnification.

Do You Live in a Flood Plain?

One indicator that you need flood insurance is that you live in a floodplain or other high-risk area. FEMA will require you to carry flood insurance in these cases as will your lender. Pennsylvania residents can locate their homes on FEMA’s flood map to determine the level of risk for their property, and rates can vary, depending on the area’s tendency to flood. Even if you don’t live in a spot with an elevated risk, your bank can still require you to purchase a flood insurance policy. 

Examine the Terrain

It is important to keep in mind that over 20% of flood claims are from homes that are not situated in high-risk flood areas. Houses that are located on slopes or in valleys in Wilkes-Barre, PA can be subject to flash flooding, and homes located on city streets can also be subject to excess runoff, creating flash flood conditions. The truth is that nobody is immune from the risk of flooding, but the likelihood of flooding will be different for everybody. The average claim amount is $30,000, and a flood insurance policy can certainly come in handy for a rainy day. 

The Shay Agency Can Assist You

The Shay Agency in Wilkes-Barre, PA has faithfully served their community and looks forward to working with you. We can answer any questions you may have regarding flood insurance, and we invite you to contact us to set up an appointment to discuss all your flood insurance needs. If you are looking for insurance outside of Pennsylvania, we offer our services to those in New York, New Jersey, and Florida as well.

5 Reasons Millennials Should Get Life Insurance

As a Millennial, you may place life insurance far down on your list of priorities. However, there are many good reasons to invest in life insurance from The Shay Agency in Wilkes-Barre, PA while you are still young. Here are just a few.

Reduced Cost

Age and health are important factors in determining life insurance costs. By obtaining a policy while you’re young and healthy, you can save substantially on premium costs. Young and healthy people pose less of a risk for insurers, enabling them to obtain coverage at reduced prices. If you’re a non-smoker and have no preexisting health problems, you’ll fare even better on premium costs.

Provides Income for Loved Ones after You’re Gone  

If you’re married, life insurance benefits can provide much needed income for your family if you unexpectedly pass on. These benefits can help your spouse and children carry on as they make plans for their future. If you’re single, benefits can provide financial assistance to aging parents, siblings, or nieces and nephews after you’re gone.

Eliminates Debt

Life insurance benefits can help eradicate outstanding debts such as student loans, a car loan, credit card debts, or a mortgage. This leaves your spouse, parents or other relatives off the hook in fulfilling these financial obligations.

Covers Funeral Costs

Benefits can even be used to cover the cost of your funeral, relieving loved ones of this unexpected burden.  

Extra savings

A whole life insurance policy from The Shay Agency can provide you with extra savings as its cash value grows over time. Whole life policies protect you until you die, accumulating tax-free savings all the while. You can borrow against this policy to obtain extra cash when you need it most later down the line.

Contact us at The Shay Agency in Wilkes-Barre, PA, to learn more about life insurance options and costs.

Who, What, Where, How: How Do You Let Your Insurance Agent Know WHO Your Employees Are

The insurance agents at The Shay Agency are comprehensive. They take the time to get to know your business before they begin to write an insurance policy. If you are a business owner in Scranton, PA or nearby you owe it yourself and your staff to consider our services. 

Who Works With You?

It is important for your insurance agent to understand not only who your employees are but grasping what their role at your business is – this is critical. That is major information in determining what provisions are necessary on your commercial insurance policy. 

Every business operates differently. One dry cleaner may clean items in-house while another dry cleaner may contract to have the clothes their customers bring in done at another location. Surely the insurance aspects would be different in each scenario. 

It is the same with any business. People do things in unique ways though they may be similar to others business. We want to get to know your business and how you run things. Being comprehensive from the beginning ensures no surprises once a claim is made.

Simply jot down your employee’s names and supply the list to your agent. This list should include the role that the particular employee fulfills at your business as well.  

Insurance for your business is one thing that you don’t want to skimp. After a mishap with an employee occurs, you may be wishing you opted for a commercial insurance policy. Give us a call at The Shay Agency to discuss how to cover all bases. Serving the great town of Scranton, PA, and its neighboring locales, we believe that learning about your business can make all the difference in the world.