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How Flood Insurance Can Protect You From Broken Sump Pumps and Sewer Backups

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Living in Brooklyn, NY, you might think floods are a rare occurrence. However, heavy rainfall can lead to other issues such as sewer backups and sump pump failures, leaving your basement or lower level in disarray. VAC Insurance Agency can guide you on how a flood insurance policy can shield you from these risks.

Homeowners’ Policies Don’t Cover These Risks

While a standard homeowner’s policy covers water damage caused by burst pipes and water intrusion from severe storms that break windows, it typically does not cover damage if your home fills with water because your sump pump stops working. Physical structures and contents in your basement or areas below ground level will be at risk. To safeguard your home, you need either a flood insurance policy or a water damage provision that covers damage from sump pump failures and sewer backups. These policies can help cover the costs of cleanup and replacement.

Flood Insurance Versus Water Backup Insurance

Before deciding on coverage, determine what you want to protect. Flood insurance will cover your home’s physical structure and foundation, including plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems. However, if your basement floods due to a non-working sump pump or sewer backup, a flood policy may not cover contents like clothes and furniture. For some, adding a water backup provision to your homeowner’s policy may be a better choice. This coverage will pay for sudden and accidental water damage. However, water backup provisions will not cover damage caused by neglecting sewer pipe maintenance or failing to replace a non-working sump pump.

Protect your home from unexpected water damage by contacting VAC Insurance Agency, serving residents of Brooklyn, NY. We are more than happy to recommend coverage that fits your needs.

Why Your Business May Need Worker’s Comp Insurance

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When you have a business with any number of employees, it’s always a good idea to have worker’s compensation insurance, often known as worker’s comp. It’s a type of insurance that protects everyone involved in case of accidents. Accidents are common and can happen anywhere in any place of business. It doesn’t take much for someone to fall and become injured, which can be highly expensive for the business. Call us at VAC Insurance Agency in Brooklyn, NY to learn more about worker’s comp.

Protecting Your Business with Worker’s Comp

When you have worker’s comp in place, it protects your business against both accidents that happen at work and any illnesses that are work-related. These can be highly expensive to handle, and it’s much better to have insurance handle them than for your business to pay for them by itself. These bills can include all of the medical bills for the injured party and any therapies that there is an ongoing need for. They can also be the cost of lost wages and any legal expenses surrounding the accident. Paying all of these can be challenging for a small business without this type of insurance.

Protecting Your Employees with Worker’s Comp

Your employees also get protection when you have worker’s comp in place. If you didn’t have it, your business would have to pay all the expenses from the accident, which may be difficult. If a company isn’t able to pay what it owes, that would put its employees in a bad position. When worker’s comp is in place, the employees know that they can count on an accident being covered if it should ever happen.

Securing Worker’s Comp Insurance in New York

To ensure you and your employees are protected, call us at VAC Insurance Agency in Brooklyn, NY.

Preparing your home and family for an emergency

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Emergencies can occur anywhere and anytime, but you can be prepared with proper planning. At VAC Insurance Agency in Brooklyn, NY, our team of experienced independent insurance agents is here to ensure that you have the appropriate home insurance to protect you in the event of an emergency.

Preparing Your Family for Emergencies

It’s crucial that your family has an emergency plan. Whether it’s a route to exit the home in case of a fire or a designated gathering spot in the event of any other type of emergency, every family member needs to be well aware of the plan. It’s also essential to keep all your important documents, including your insurance policy, in one container that can be easily grabbed and carried away with you if you need to evacuate.

Preparing Your Home for Emergencies

When an emergency occurs, it may mean that the power is out. If you have a generator, that will alleviate a lot of the worry. If you don’t have a generator, it’s important to have lanterns, flashlights, and candles so you are not sitting in the dark. You may also want to have portable chargers so that you can keep your phone and other electronics charged. Keeping cases of water for drinking and some additional water for washing is also a good idea. A camp stove or grill allows you to cook or at least make a cup of coffee or tea. Have your vehicle gassed up in the event you have to leave.

When you are ready to review your current home insurance coverage, our agents at VAC Insurance Agency in Brooklyn, NY, will provide the answers and information you need. Call our office or contact us through our website.

Why should I get flood insurance in Brooklyn?

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Real estate ownership has always been a wise investment, particularly in the Brooklyn, NY area. However, if you’re planning to purchase property in Brooklyn, securing the right insurance is crucial. One type of coverage that should be on your radar is flood insurance. There are several reasons why this coverage is vital in this area.

Challenges of Floods and Storms in the Area

One compelling reason to get flood insurance in Brooklyn is the area’s history of storm-related risks. Brooklyn’s proximity to the Atlantic Ocean makes it susceptible to storm surges and hurricanes. In the past, these events have led to severe flooding, causing significant damage to properties throughout the area. With flood insurance, you can ensure that you have the necessary coverage to protect yourself in such situations.

Financing Requirements

Another reason to consider flood insurance in Brooklyn is that it might be a requirement. If you’re financing your property purchase in Brooklyn, your lender will conduct regular flood zone assessments. If your property is found to be in a flood zone, the lender will likely require you to carry flood insurance. If you fail to secure a policy independently, you could end up with a force-placed policy that is more costly and offers less comprehensive coverage.

Securing insurance in the Brooklyn, NY, area is always prudent. If you’re in the market for a new insurance plan, contact our team at VAC Insurance Agency. We’re here to provide the support you need to create a plan that meets your specific needs.

Do You Need Umbrella Insurance on top of a Commercial Insurance Policy Bundle?

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Umbrella insurance doesn’t replace a commercial insurance policy bundle. Instead, it’s designed to provide coverage when you reach the limits of your existing policies. While not all businesses need umbrella insurance, it can be a lifesaver for many.

Signs You Need Umbrella Insurance

Companies in Brooklyn, NY, operating in industries with a high incidence of lawsuits, such as law, financial services, and healthcare, may want to consider umbrella insurance. This type of insurance increases the limits of your liability policy, providing the funds needed to make a settlement offer or pay a judgment. It can also cover legal costs if your regular insurance policy has reached the limit specified in the policy terms and conditions.

Umbrella insurance is also beneficial if you sell high-value items like jewelry, antiques, or luxury vehicles. It offers more coverage than commercial property insurance, ensuring you’re fully compensated if a valuable asset is stolen, vandalized, or damaged in a natural disaster. Companies that own expensive machinery and equipment may also want to consider umbrella coverage to ensure these essential tools can be easily repaired or replaced if necessary.

Learn More from VAC Insurance Agency

VAC Insurance Agency can work with your Brooklyn, NY business to help you find an umbrella insurance policy that meets your needs. We also sell commercial insurance if you want to bundle your umbrella insurance with other policies to lower costs. Contact us to learn more about your options or to request price quotes.

I’m Paying for My House In Cash. Should I Still Get Home Insurance?

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Home insurance is a requirement for some people, but even if home insurance isn’t required for you, there are still many benefits of home insurance to be aware of. At VAC Insurance Agency servicing Brooklyn, NY, we can help.

We provide home insurance to homeowners who want to protect themselves from financial risk. If you’re paying for your house in cash, you may not be required to get home insurance. However, you may still benefit from getting home insurance. Here’s what you need to know.

What Is Home Insurance?

Home insurance is a policy that can pay to repair or replace your home and belongings if a covered event occurs. It provides financial protection following events like home fires, lightning strikes, burglary, and vandalism. Talk to your insurance agent to find out the full range of coverage that a home insurance policy provides.

Who Is Required to Get Home Insurance?

You will most likely be required to get home insurance if you are borrowing money to buy your home. Most lenders require home buyers to get insurance to protect their investments. If you are paying for your house in cash, you will most likely not be required to obtain a home insurance policy.

What Are the Benefits of Home Insurance?

Even if you don’t have to get a home insurance policy, this type of insurance has many benefits!

  • Peace of mind. Insurance can give you peace of mind, knowing you’re protected from financial risk when a covered event happens.
  • You won’t have to replace your home if it’s destroyed in a covered event. If your home is destroyed in a covered event, you won’t have to worry about paying to replace it. Your insurance policy is there to help.

Do you want home insurance? Call VAC Insurance Agency servicing Brooklyn, NY. We’re here to help.

Biggest Floods in American History

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Flood Insurance: Understanding the Importance through Historical Events

Floods, sometimes called "acts of God," can cause widespread damage. A hurricane or tornado can wipe out neighborhoods and communities, while floods can knock out entire regions, causing vast amounts of damage that can be hard to comprehend. Standard home insurance often won’t cover flood damage, and you may need to take out specialized insurance plans. If you need help selecting flood insurance, come work with VAC Insurance Agency, which serves Brooklyn, NY, and other communities. Let’s look at some of the biggest floods in American history better to understand the scope and scale of such events.

Major Floods in American History

Floods are relatively rare, but the damage can be profound when they strike. Consider the Galveston Island Storm of 1900. This flood caused over a billion dollars in damage and, more importantly, cost an estimated 8,000 lives. This is an abnormally high loss of life, even for a flood. For example, the earlier Sea Islands Hurricane of 1893 cost 2,000 lives.

More recently, Hurricane Katrina was found to have cost more than 1,800 lives and incurred over $100 billion in damages. While the hurricane itself was a powerful storm, the most significant cause of damage was actually the flooding that came alongside the storm.

Other major floods include The Great Mississippi River Flood of 1927, the Lake Okeechobee Flood of 1928, and the St. Francis Dam failure in 1926. These major floods all occurred in short order, claiming hundreds of lives and causing billions in damage. Authorities have since responded by taking more steps to prevent floods, but they remain a grave risk. If you need assistance with selecting a flood insurance policy in Brooklyn, NY, come work with VAC Insurance Agency.

Commercial Insurance Policies for New York-Based Online Vendors

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Understanding the Importance of Insurance for Online Sellers

Online selling serves a great way to minimize business costs. You can avoid overhead expenses associated with a physical storefront, such as a lease, utilities, and employee salaries. However, even if you’re selling items from the comfort of your home in Brooklyn, NY, it’s crucial not to overlook insurance coverage.

Essential Insurance Policies for Online Vendors

Commercial product liability insurance is a must for any online vendor. For instance, Amazon requires this policy for all its sellers. Commercial product liability insurance protects your business if a customer claims one of your products was defective, lacked proper warning labels, or caused an injury.

Personal injury coverage is another consideration for online sellers. It protects you from defamation claims from competitors. The online space makes it easy to post negative comments without verifying their accuracy. In case of such scenarios, personal injury coverage shields you from the financial burden of legal costs, settlement fees, and the potential payout of court judgments against your business.

Cybersecurity insurance is a crucial policy for online vendors. With cyberattacks occurring every 39 seconds, your online business is constantly at risk. A cyberattack could damage your reputation and result in legal action against your business. Cybersecurity insurance covers financial losses, legal fees, ransomware payments, and more.

Contact VAC Insurance Agency for More Information

VAC Insurance Agency specializes in assisting online vendors based in Brooklyn, NY, in finding the right insurance coverage at an optimal price. Feel free to contact us for more details about our policy options or to get a policy quote.

Three Ways Home Insurance Protects You

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Home insurance is essential for every homeowner. Not only is it required for most homeowners, but it also gives you a lot of protection with different forms of coverage. If you’re about to buy a house or want to switch your home insurance, call us at VAC Insurance Agency in Brooklyn, NY. 

Protection for Your House

Home insurance has many types of coverage, but chief among them is protection for the house itself. This coverage is there in case a damaging event happens that requires repairs. Repairs can be costly, especially when there’s a lot of damage. Each home policy has a detailed look at which types of events, such as calamities and disasters, are covered by the policy. This coverage is a must for everyone who owns a home. 

Coverage for Possessions

Home insurance also covers the items that are inside your house. If the same type of incident destroys some of your belongings, the policy can pay to replace them. When you figure out the value of just one room full of items, it’s easy to see why replacing them would be so expensive. Imagine more than one room full of items being damaged and needing to be replaced. 

Liability Protection

Your liability for accidents on your property is another type of coverage in a home policy. If anyone had an accident on your property and got hurt, your home policy could pay for the bills that result from the injuries. This type of coverage is vital for protecting yourself financially, as accidents can always happen. 

Get Home Insurance in New York

When you need a home insurance policy, we can help. Call VAC Insurance Agency in Brooklyn, NY, to get started. 

Is Damage from Natural Disasters Covered by Flood Insurance?

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In the aftermath of a hurricane or any other natural disaster, our team at VAC Insurance Agency in Brooklyn, NY, is committed to assisting our clients as they work through the consequences of the calamity. Navigating the substantial expenses resulting from natural disaster damage can prove stressful, but having our team of skilled insurance professionals to guide you in understanding your coverage can make it less daunting. Even though every insurance policy is unique, we are glad to provide general insights on what your flood insurance may cover following a natural disaster that causes damage to your property.

Is Damage from Natural Disasters Covered by Flood Insurance?

While the coverage of policies may vary, some damages caused by natural disasters could possibly be covered by flood insurance. Natural disasters related to fire or those entirely unrelated to flooding are likely not covered by flood insurance. It’s also important to note that if you have already exhausted the limit of your flood insurance policy, you should not anticipate that your policy will cover current flood damage.

If your home insurance does not include flood damage caused by a hurricane, the positive news is that your flood insurance policy might cover it. This highlights the importance of having flood and homeowner’s insurance. Often, flood insurance can bridge crucial coverage gaps left by home insurance policies for natural disasters and flood damage. Considering flood damage can severely compromise the structural integrity of your home, diminish the resale value, and make it unsafe to live in, protecting your home with this kind of coverage is crucial, even if you are unsure of needing it.

For more in-depth information, feel free to contact our office at VAC Insurance Agency in Brooklyn, NY!