Insurance Options

[Stacey K]

Now that I sold my commercial property and work from home, my agent can't seem to figure out my policy...it's been 4 months.

I just called American Family and she said my rate would be much higher than I was paying...which was $469mo for the commercial property and my sign business insurance. (the commercial property was 2 residential rental units, one shop and one storage shed rental). They had it all bundled into one rate.

Anyone have any options I can look into? I do partial vehicle wraps, signs, decals and screen printing from my home office. I don't allow any customers at my house, I go to them for lettering, deliveries, etc.

 

[unclebun]

What are you trying to insure? Your house? The sign equipment?

Generally you have the regular house insurance and then add a rider for equipment and inventory as it will be minimally covered under the homeowners policy. You will need to get the commercial liability insurance separately.

 

[Texas_Signmaker]

Next Insurance . They cover sign installation

 

[FCD]

Next insurance with a home based business rider

 

[visual800]

the hartford. get a liabily coverage on just tearing peoples stuff up. I got a million dollar policy and its about $1100 per year best option I found and that includes dumbass workers comp

 

[Texas_Signmaker]

the hartford. get a liabily coverage on just tearing peoples stuff up. I got a million dollar policy and its about $1100 per year best option I found and that includes dumbass workers comp

I used to have Hartford but they got real expensive... but I needed coverage for sign install using aerial lift equipment.

 

[Gino]

You say you're working outta your home. Is your home located in a commercial or residential area ??

 

[Ray Miller]

I agree and I'm in the same vicinity as Gino. When running a business out of your home, around here you need sufficient parking, including handicapped spaces regardless of customers coming to your place or not. You also need to have ample parking and once in your location a dedicated bathroom, other than your residence, in case a customer might show up to meet codes. All chemicals for inks, flushes and anything you might use in your business must be in a secured location, usually in an explosive-proof locked confinement. Most home owner's insurances will bow out if something happens and say, did you read all the fine print ?

 

[Texas_Signmaker]

I agree and I'm in the same vicinity as Gino. When running a business out of your home, around here you need sufficient parking, including handicapped spaces regardless of customers coming to your place or not. You also need to have ample parking and once in your location a dedicated bathroom, other than your residence, in case a customer might show up to meet codes. All chemicals for inks, flushes and anything you might use in your business must be in a secured location, usually in an explosive-proof locked confinement. Most home owner's insurances will bow out if something happens and say, did you read all the fine print ?

In my area, you're allowed to run a home business, but have to keep equipment and "business activity" out of sight. No excessive deliveries, customers coming and going. All depends on local codes.

 

[Stacey K]

I agree and I'm in the same vicinity as Gino. When running a business out of your home, around here you need sufficient parking, including handicapped spaces regardless of customers coming to your place or not. You also need to have ample parking and once in your location a dedicated bathroom, other than your residence, in case a customer might show up to meet codes. All chemicals for inks, flushes and anything you might use in your business must be in a secured location, usually in an explosive-proof locked confinement. Most home owner's insurances will bow out if something happens and say, did you read all the fine print ?

I am covered for my business as a temporary location with my homeowners right now. Acuity has all my insurance business/personal/auto. And to your point, that's exactly why I'm getting upset, if something were to happen and my house burns down, I want to make DAMN sure I'm covered!

I can work from home in my town, same rules as Tex but I think I'm supposed to have a permit. I make sure and have zero customers to my house, I bulk order and group deliveries. Neighbors just think I work from home, I don't think anyone really knows I'm running a business as I'm gone sometimes 3 days a week doing installs. The previous owner worked from home many years so they are kind of used to it. I don't have any chemicals that would go down a drain just printer cartridges and a lot of cardboard. I'm doing partial wraps, plastisol transfer t-shirts, decals and small signage.

 

[Stacey K]

I just went with NEXT Insurance, thanks all!