Tips For When Your Home Is Flooded

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A natural disaster can strike at any time without warning leaving homeowners struggling to pick up the pieces. Floods are the most common natural disaster in the United States, so it’s critical to be prepared. TAS Insurance Agency in Phillipsburg NJ can help you provide flood insurance coverage and related advice. 

Here are a few tips on what to do if your home is flooded:

Contact Your Insurance Agency

The first thing you should do is call your insurance agent and file a claim. Document the damage by taking pictures and videos of the affected areas. Make a list of all damaged or lost items for your insurance adjuster. These items can include everything from clothing and appliances to furniture and electronics.

Start the Clean-Up Process

Next, begin the process of cleaning and repairing your home. If the water damage is extensive, you may need to call in a professional water damage restoration company. Otherwise, you can start by removing any wet carpeting, flooring, or drywall. Be sure to open all the windows and doors to allow for proper ventilation. If possible, use fans and dehumidifiers to speed up the drying process. 

Prevent Mold and Mildew

Once your home is dry, you can begin cleaning and disinfecting all surfaces with bleach or another EPA-approved disinfectant. Pay special attention to areas where mold and mildew are likely to form, such as around toilets, under sinks, in closets, and any other damp or dark areas. You could also call a professional company to help eliminate or prevent any mildew given that it can be dangerous to your health.

Get Flood Insurance Today

No one ever wants to think about their home being flooded, but it’s important to be prepared in case it does happen. By following these simple tips, you can minimize the damage caused by flooding and get your home back to normal as quickly as possible. Contact TAS Insurance Agency in Phillipsburg, NJ for comprehensive flood insurance.

Required Auto Insurance in New Jersey

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When you get auto insurance in New Jersey, it works differently than in other states. There are two policy types that auto owners can choose from- the standard policy and the basic policy. The basic policy has very basic coverage in small amounts, and those amounts can’t be increased with this policy type. The standard policy has similar minimum amounts as the basic policy, but the amounts can be increased if desired. Because these amounts are so small, it’s generally recommended to get a standard policy and to increase the amounts of coverage above the minimum amount for better protection.

When you need auto insurance in New Jersey, call us today at TAS Insurance Agency in Phillipsburg, NJ.

Liability Coverage in New Jersey

When it comes to bodily injury liability, it’s always best to have a good amount of it to stay well-protected. The basic policy doesn’t include this coverage, but it is available in a small amount if requested. The standard policy has amounts of this coverage that include one amount for one person who has been injured in an accident and a higher amount that is available for all of the people who are injured. This type of coverage pays for the medical bills for the other party when required. For property damage liability, the coverage pays for damage to the property of the other person in the accident. There is a small amount of it included in the basic policy, and this same amount is included in the standard policy, though it can be increased.

Other Coverage Types

Personal injury protection is coverage that pays for your own medical bills after an accident. There is a set amount of this available in the basic policy, and this same amount is the minimum included in the standard policy. Coverage for uninsured or underinsured motorists is not available with basic policies, but it can be added to standard policies if you want it. 

Get Your New Jersey Auto Insurance

When you have a vehicle in the state, you need coverage. Just call us at TAS Insurance Agency in Phillipsburg, NJ.

Required Commercial Insurance in New Jersey

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Each state has its own laws regarding which types of commercial insurance its businesses are required to have. In New Jersey, there are two types of commercial insurance that are required of many businesses. To get the commercial insurance that your business needs, give us a call now at TAS Insurance Agency in Phillipsburg, NJ.  

Required Commercial Insurance: What You Need To Know

Workers’ Compensation Insurance

This is a type of insurance that pays for the medical bills and other costs associated with an employee becoming injured or sick at work. In New Jersey, it also gives injured parties disability benefits. Having this insurance is required for any New Jersey business that has any number of employees whether they are full or part-time. This coverage is important for businesses to have both because it’s required and because it offers significant protection for their businesses if an accident does happen. 

Commercial Auto Insurance

If your New Jersey business owns a vehicle, that vehicle must have a commercial auto policy on it. That policy must have a number of types of coverage within it. These include having personal injury protection coverage to pay for your injuries after an accident. Two amounts are required for bodily injury liability, one for one person and one for everyone who is injured. The state also mandates that you have property damage liability. All of these amounts are small when compared with other states, and it’s often recommended that you get a higher amount of coverage than is required so that you can pay for a serious accident if one should occur. 

Get Your Commercial Insurance Policies

In addition to your required insurance policies, there are likely other types of commercial coverage that would be helpful for protecting your business from lawsuits and liability. When you need coverage, contact us at TAS Insurance Agency in Phillipsburg, NJ.

5 Reasons You Need Umbrella Insurance

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Anyone who owns a home or a car is likely to have some form of insurance, but umbrella insurance is often overlooked. Umbrella insurance is designed to provide additional coverage in the event of a lawsuit, and it can be a valuable asset for anyone with significant assets or income. TAS Insurance Agency in Phillipsburg, NJ  provides this guide on navigating this coverage.

Here are five reasons why you should consider umbrella insurance:

1. Coverage Beyond Your Existing Policy

Your existing insurance policy is likely to have limits on the amount of coverage it provides. For example, most homeowners’ insurance policies have limits on the amount of coverage they provide for liability. Umbrella insurance can provide additional coverage beyond those limits, which can be important if you are sued.

2. Protection Against Lawsuits

Umbrella insurance can help protect you from lawsuits. If you are sued and found liable for damages, your umbrella policy can help cover the costs of the lawsuit, including legal fees.

3. Asset Protection

Regardless of the size of your assets, you could be at risk if you are sued. If you have significant assets, such as a home or investment property, umbrella insurance can help protect those assets.

4. Peace of Mind

You never know about the future, and you never know when you might be sued. Having umbrella insurance can give you peace of mind knowing that you have additional coverage in the event something happens. Not only can it help you financially, but it can also help you emotionally.

5. Affordable Coverage

While you might think umbrella insurance is expensive, it can actually be very affordable. The cost of umbrella insurance depends on various factors, including the amount of coverage you need and the assets you want to protect. However, even a small policy can provide a significant amount of coverage. But regardless of how much you pay for your policy, the peace of mind it can provide is priceless.

Get Umbrella Insurance in Phillipsburg, NJ

Umbrella insurance is a great option if you’re looking for additional protection beyond your existing insurance policy. It can help protect you from lawsuits, safeguard your assets, and provide peace of mind. TAS Insurance Agency can help you find the right Umbrella insurance policy for your needs. Contact us today to get started.

Is Your Home Covered From Pest Damage?

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Pest damage is one of those serious home problems that can be so frustrating to handle. Unfortunately, not everybody understands what their home insurance can and cannot do to manage pests in their home. That’s why we at TAS Insurance Agency are ready to answer your questions. We serve the Phillipsburg, NJ area and can help you better understand what your policy covers.

Pest Coverage is Complex

Typically, pest damage is not covered by your home insurance because it is considered preventable damage. In other words, insurance companies believe that pests invasions are caused by homeowner negligence and, as a result, shouldn’t be covered by their policy because it could have been stopped.

That said, your policy may cover what is known as “unexpected damage” that pests cause. One classic example of this unexpected damage is when ants chew into your wiring and cause a fire. While the damage caused by the chewing ants is not covered, a fire is not an expected result of ant infestation.

As a result, your insurance will cover any damage caused by the fire but not by the ants itself. So, if there is significant ant-related damage separate from the fire-affected area, you will have to pay to replace it yourself. These fine points may seem confusing until you talk to a professional about them.

Get Help Today

If you think that your home is likely to experience pest-related damage and you want to get protection, please don’t hesitate to contact us at TAS Insurance Agency serving Phillipsburg, NJ to learn more. We can help you understand what your policy does and does not cover and will identify an option that makes more sense for your needs as a homeowner, saving you money and time in the process.

Tips to Maintain Your Car So It Lasts

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When you get a car, whether it is new or an older model, you should do everything that you can to ensure that it lasts as long as possible. To do this, you need to maintain your car.  TAS Insurance Agency in Phillipsburg, NJ offers the following suggestions to keep your car running for a long time. 

Tips to Maintain Your Car So It Lasts 

Keep an eye on your tire pressure. Tires that are properly inflated will keep you safe and save you some money. Ones that are too full or not full enough aren’t as smooth. They are also more likely to blow-out, which could cause an accident. 

You also need to rotate your tires every five to ten thousand miles. This will ensure that your tires last as long as possible. Since your tires wear differently from side to side and back to front, this will help you keep them wearing naturally so that they last longer. It will also keep your ride smoother. 

Check your oil level regularly. Your car needs motor oil to be able to lubricate all the moving parts in your engine. Otherwise, your engine could lock up and there will be no fixing it. 

You also need to change the oil regularly. It is recommended that you change the oil in your car every three to five thousand miles. 

If you want your car to last as long as possible, you need to keep an eye on your tires. You are going to want to keep the tire pressure right, so it drives as smoothly as possible. You also need to change the oil regularly. 

If you want to make sure that you have enough insurance for your needs, don’t hesitate to contact us today at TAS Insurance Agency in Phillipsburg, NJ. 

Do you need flood insurance?

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If you are a resident in the greater Phillipsburg, NJ area, TAS Insurance Agency can help you with all of your insurance needs. We want the members of our community to have the protection they need!

Flood insurance, is it necessary for you?

There are a lot of questions that people have when it comes to flood insurance. We can help answer all of your questions and can inform you if flood insurance is necessary for you.

Typically, it is very apparent when you need flood insurance. Financial and lending institutions will require that a policy is in place as part of your mortgage. Other times, the need for flood insurance isn’t as apparent. The bottom line, even when it is not required, there are several different situations where having flood insurance is a great idea.

Low lying areas that receive damage from floods are great candidates for flood insurance. And, in other areas, it is unlikely that your homeowner’s policy will cover damage caused by a flood. The bottom line is that it’s worth your time to find out more about flood insurance and how it can help you to protect your home and belongings. 

A flood insurance policy can help to close any gaps that may exist in your primary policy.

Let’s find out more about flood insurance.

The team at TAS Insurance Agency is here to help our friends and neighbors in the greater Phillipsburg, NJ area with all of their insurance needs, including flood insurance. Find out more by giving our office a call today. We look forward to working with you!

Why do businesses need commercial insurance in New Jersey?

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For an aspiring business owner, finding a great community to open in is very important. When you are looking for a new town to start your business, Phillipsburg, NJ is a great option to consider. This part of New Jersey offers a lot of advantages to business owners including a strong economy and a good population base. If you do start a company here, you will need to have commercial insurance. A commercial insurance plan is needed for businesses for various reasons. 

Ensure Compliance with Requirements

An important reason that businesses may need to have commercial insurance is so they can remain in compliance with various requirements. Businesses today will sign formal agreements with many parties, each of which will want to ensure the business stays viable. These can include leaders, lessors, and investors. Carrying a proper commercial insurance plan protects a business and will be required by these stakeholders. 

Support the Business

You also will want to get commercial insurance for your business to support the organization. Any business today will take on various risks that can include losing core assets or being named liable in an accident. In any of these situations, you can be properly protected with commercial insurance. This plan will give you both commercial property and liability coverage, which can prove to be a good investment. 

As you are looking to build a commercial insurance plan, you can find there are a lot of choices that you will need to make. To ensure that your Phillipsburg, NJ business has the right commercial insurance plan in place, calling TAS Insurance Agency is a good option to consider. The team with the TAS Insurance Agency will provide various solutions that will help you and your business remain appropriately covered with an insurance plan. 

Home safety tips

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Home insurance is one of the most significant things you can do to protect your home. It offers different types of protection from hazards you may not have even thought about. It offers coverage at home and away from home. When you are in the market for home insurance in Phillipsburg, NJ, TAS Insurance Agency has a team of professionals who will make sure you have the home insurance you need. 

Feeling safe in your home means several different things. It means keeping you and your family safe from dangers outside of your home but also from dangers within your home. 

Outside the Home

These days, having a home security system is inexpensive and can be installed by almost anyone. You can choose to have a monitored system or one that just lets you know who is outside of your home. Being able to see your home from your phone even if you are not at home allows you to feel safer than not having that ability. 

Having good door and window locks helps to make your home a safer place. In order for them to work, however, you have to use them all the time. 

Keep tall bushes away from your home to give you and your neighbors a good sightline of your home. 

Inside the Home

Inside your home, you need to make sure that your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are operational. Change the batteries every 6 months. Get your furnace and chimney cleaned every year. 

Avoid clutter on stairs and in hallways. Falls cause many serious injuries every year in homes. Keep poisonous chemicals and medicines out of the reach of children. If you have pets, keep plants that may be poisonous away from areas that they frequent. 

Your home should be your safe place. Contact TAS Insurance Agency in Phillipsburg, NJ with your home insurance needs.

Why Commercial Insurance is an Asset for Your Business

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If you want your Phillipsburg, NJ business to withstand the test of time, investing in commercial insurance is a no-brainer. Buying business insurance cushions you against mishaps that could wipe your hard-earned business. Still struggling to give out that commercial insurance check? Here are more reasons to invest in commercial insurance from TAS Insurance Agency.

Liability protection

Think of the financial consequences if your products cause harm to your customers? From medical costs to legal suits, the financial loss can grind your business to a halt. Thankfully, investing in commercial insurance cushions you against bodily injury, property damage, and advertising injury you cause to third parties.

Assets protection

If a fire ravages your business assets, your business operations are likely to be disrupted. In the process, you will incur financial losses due to property damage and business interruption. Luckily, you can invest in commercial property insurance to cushion your assets from perils like fire, theft, vandalism, and so on.

Employee protection

Your business isn’t about assets only. In your staff, you have invaluable assets that are the difference between failure and success for your business. Since employees are one of your biggest assets, protecting them with insurance makes a lot of sense. Worker’s comp insurance protects your employees against illnesses and injuries sustained while working for you.

It pumps up your reputation

Want to set your business apart from rivals? Consider business insurance. Customers and suppliers want to transact with a business where they know that they are protected should anything goes amiss. Business insurance boosts your credibility, giving you a competitive edge over rivals.

Buy commercial insurance today!

Looking for commercial insurance in Phillipsburg, NJ? Look no further than TAS Insurance Agency. Let’s take care of your business insurance needs as you concentrate on more pressing needs.