Lincoln NE

Home Insurance & Water Damage: What You Need to Know

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Water damage is one of the most difficult types of damage to contend with in the home. When your home experiences water damage, you want to know if your insurance can be helpful.

Brokers Insurance Agency, which series Lincoln, NE, knows that water damage is tricky. Here’s what you need to know.

Home Insurance Covers Water Damage to Dwellings

Even if your home insurance policy does not cover flooding, it may cover your dwelling if it faces water damage in another form. For example, a pipe might have busted in the wall, leading to severe damage to your home’s structure.

Keep in mind that not everything is covered by your policy. If your home does not have proper maintenance over the years, you may not be able to recover some expenses. It is important to stay up to date with your policy documents.

Home Insurance Provides Personal Property Coverage

Water damage can also impact your belongings. If your personal items, like electronics or books, are damaged, you may be able to get some help thanks to your home insurance.

Deductible Needs Differ

Each home insurance policy has different types of deductibles. If you are unsure when your policy kicks in to help with water damage, you should speak with an insurance agent who understands your needs and your contract.

Get Home Insurance to Protect Your Property

Whether you want to protect your home or your personal property, you need home insurance. If you do not know what kind of policy you need, consult with Brokers Insurance Agency serving Lincoln, NE to learn more about your options.

5 Tips for Winterizing your RV

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Caring for Your RV During Winter

If you are a seasonal RVer, winter is usually the time of year to ready your RV for storage. It is crucial to thoroughly winterize your RV, especially if you live in northern climates.

Our dedicated agents at Brokers Insurance Agency of Lincoln NE offer tips to winterize your RV, and insurance coverage to protect your valuable investment during all months of the year.

Tips for Winterizing Your RV

  • Drain water – All the tanks, including grey water, fresh, and black water, should be drained. Turn on faucets and flush toilets after draining. Blowing out the lines can help remove the remaining sediment and waste.
  • Fill up propane – Filling up propane tanks will help them remain safe and effective during harsh winter months. Alternatively, you can take out and store tanks that can be removed.
  • Clean and cover vents – Covering cleaned-out vents and holes will prevent dust and dirt from settling in them. 
  • Check engine and top off fluids – Top off critical engine fluids like oil and transmission. Check brake and antifreeze fluid levels. Inspect lines and look for leaks. Maintaining periodically during colder months will keep your RV ready for spring and summer.
  • Cover your RV – RVs that are left outside in cold snowy weather wear quicker. Covering your RV with a weatherproof covering will keep the exterior of your RV protected from the elements in winter.

Quality Insurance in Lincoln

The professional team at Brokers Insurance Agency of Lincoln, NE knows the ins and out of RV insurance. We have helped countless individuals with high-quality, year-round coverage. Winterizing your RV and keeping it insured during winter, ensures your RV will be protected from damages and theft.

Thorough Overview Of Classic Car Insurance

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Richards Insurance Agency provides coverage to the Lincoln, NE community, as well as the surrounding areas. We consult with our clients and develop a game plan to help them find the insurance coverage they need to protect their assets. We offer flexible policies designed to meet our client’s unique needs. We look forward to offering you quality service.

Classic Car Insurance Overview

Classic cars are unique assets. As the owner of a classic car, insurance adds another layer of protection as you maintain your vehicle. In order for your vehicle to meet the classification as a classic car, it must pass certain qualifications. The car should be at least 25 years old. You have to perform regular maintenance on the vehicle to keep it in great shape. Your vehicle may also qualify for classic status if you have amended the original specifications to add more value to the vehicle. Low mileage is another feature of classic cars. Generally, you should only drive the car to Lincoln, NE car shows and exhibits. Only driving the car on special occasions enhances the value of your classic car.

Classic car coverage is similar to traditional coverage because you are protected if you are held liable for property damage or bodily injuries. Comprehensive coverage is more popular for classic cars, as they are always at risk of being stolen or vandalized. You can add special coverage to your policy. It’s important that you store your classic car in a secure garage or facility. However, an accident can still happen at any time. Storage coverage can protect your vehicle if a disaster strikes. If you add any accessories to the vehicle, you can add extra coverage to protect you if those parts are damaged.

Richards Insurance Agency Will Help You Find The Right Policy

Visit our website to learn more information about classic car insurance.  

Auto insurance tips for new drivers in Lincoln, NE

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Auto Insurance Tips for New Drivers in Lincoln, NE

Whether it’s your first or 50th car, you need to seriously consider buying adequate car insurance to protect you financially in case of accidents. However, before settling for any policy in Lincoln, NE, Richards Insurance Agency recommends learning a few buying tips to get the most out of your policy. Here are a few tips to get you started.

Shop Around

With so many insurance companies coming up, don’t just pick the big names, especially if you’re a new driver. Walk around and enquire from different companies to compare quotes. Many companies often welcome new drivers by giving them offers. While your rates will definitely be higher, you can still secure a good deal with your budget. Don’t forget to ask about offers, terms, and other requirements.

Study Your Policy

Before signing any document, make sure you understand everything written on your policy. If you have challenges with auto insurance jargon, an insurance agent should help explain to you what is not clear. Learn how the policy works, your coverages, limits, and the process of filing insurance claims and other insurance laws in Lincoln, NE.

Determine Your Insurance Needs

The Nebraska law requires you to carry minimum property damage and bodily injury liability, but that doesn’t mean you stop there. What happens when you are hit by an insured driver? You will probably need other coverages to protect you while on the roads, such as collision coverage and medical payments coverage.

Have a Safe Vehicle

Your insurance company will want to know everything about your car. The model, age, body, and engine size determine whether your premiums will go up or down. Therefore, be sure to get a safe accident-free vehicle.

For more information about auto insurance buying tips, contact Richards Insurance Agency.

Why Nebraska Restaurant Owners Should Consider Adding Umbrella Insurance

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Richards Insurance Agency provides coverage to the Lincoln, NE community. We strive to serve our clients with passion and integrity. For over 20 years, we have helped our clients protect their assets and stay covered in the event of an emergency. We look forward to assisting you with your insurance needs.

Why Restaurant Owners Should Research Umbrella Insurance

Umbrella insurance is supplemental coverage that protects you during uncertain times. Normally, the policy is used to help protect assets from being seized due to a serious liability dispute. As a local Lincoln, NE restaurant owner, you know the risks associated with operating your business. You face challenges daily. Umbrella insurance can prevent you from dealing with disaster.

Attracting customers is the primary objective of your business. However, there are a few ways that things may take a turn for the worst. Imagine if one of your customers slips and falls in the dining areas or parking lot. You could face potential litigation if they suffer serious injuries. Imagine your customer has a bad reaction to one of your menu items, and they plan to pursue litigation. Umbrella insurance gives you a safety net as you deal with the charges.

If you have an issue with one of your employees, umbrella insurance can help you protect the reputation of your business. You are covered if your employees pursue litigation by alleging discrimination or wrongful termination.

If you serve alcohol at your restaurant, umbrella insurance can prevent you from being held liable for the actions of a patron. If you serve a patron alcohol, and they end up causing property damage or harming someone, you may be indirectly responsible. Umbrella insurance can be an asset as you go through the process.

Richards Insurance Agency Can Help You Protect Your Business

Visit our website to learn more information about umbrella insurance.  

Importance of Life Insurance

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No one wants to think about their life-ending, but none of us know when it will be time to leave this earth. When your time comes, you will want the peace that comes with knowing that your loved ones are taken care of after you are gone. The life insurance agents at the Richards Insurance Agency, located in Lincoln, NE, can assist you with all of your life insurance needs.

When it comes to life insurance policies, there are three main types that you can choose from, including universal life insurance, term life insurance, and whole life insurance.

Term Life Insurance

A term life insurance policy only lasts for a certain term that you set with your insurance agent at the beginning of the policy. This term could be a decade long or three-decades-long, depending on which you prefer. This type of policy will end at the end of whatever term you chose, but you will more than likely be able to renew it but at a higher premium rate.

Universal Life Insurance

Very similar to term life insurance is universal life insurance. This type of policy is also paid upon for a certain amount of time before it expires, but you can pay a premium that will keep your death benefit in place. This type of policy also offers you a savings account that you or your family can use in the future.

Whole Life Insurance

A whole life insurance policy lasts that long, hence the name. It guarantees a certain payout on the amount you invest into the policy, and you can borrow from it why you’re still alive to pay off debts ahead of time or use it to make repairs and get things for your loved ones before you die.

To choose the type of life insurance policy that works best for you and your family, you should contact the agents at the Richards Insurance Agency, located in Lincoln, NE to get your policy started as soon as possible. Reach out to our office to get a quote and learn more.

Required Commercial Insurance in Nebraska

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Every state has its own rules about the kinds of commercial insurance that a business must-have. In Nebraska, there are two types of commercial insurance that most businesses have to have in place, and there are other types that are useful and recommended for most businesses. If you have questions about your commercial insurance needs, contact us at Richards Insurance Agency in Lincoln, NE.

Workers’ Compensation

This type of insurance is required for every Nebraska business that has any number of employees. This applies no matter how many of them there are and whether they are part-time or full-time. This coverage protects your business by paying the medical bills of employees who will become ill or injured while they are working. This also protects your employees, as they will have funds available if there is an accident at work.

Commercial Auto

If your Nebraska business owns a vehicle of any kind, it has to have a commercial auto insurance policy on it. If you try to place a regular, personal policy on it, it will likely not pay out if there is an accident. If you use a vehicle for work purposes, but the company doesn’t own it, there is a different type of insurance that is not required but highly recommended. It is called a hired and non-owned policy. If you use your personal vehicle for work tasks and have an accident, a personal policy is unlikely to pay out for it.

Your commercial auto policy has to have at least the set minimum for one person who has been in an accident with you and another amount for everyone who was injured in the accident. There is another minimum required for any property damage caused by accident. There is another coverage amount required to cover you against one person being injured in an accident with an uninsured motorist. Another amount is required for all parties who are injured.

Get Your Commercial Insurance

If your business needs commercial insurance, contact us at Richards Insurance Agency in Lincoln, NE.

 

How Does Home Insurance Help a Person with a Home Business?

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When you first open your home business in Lincoln, NE, your home insurance probably covers your new home business’ equipment. You probably do not own much yet.

The standard home policy covers about $1,500 to $2,500 of business equipment or property at your home. That’s all it covers, though.

As your business grows, you need to enhance your coverage from Richards Insurance Agency. The liability coverage of a home owner’s policy provides coverage for occasional meetings for a home business. Still, to cover regular meetings or client visits, you need to add a policy endorsement.

You need to add to the policy if you plan to have regular meetings or order pickups from your home. That endorsement increases your liability coverage so you can safely hold meetings without worrying that an accident would put you out of business. This endorsement also adds up to $4,999 of business property coverage and up to $750 for personal business property.

When your business grows beyond that, you need a home business policy for your home owner’s insurance. This represents more than an endorsement; it adds a type of coverage to your existing policy, like adding collision coverage to your auto insurance policy.

Adding a home-based business coverage component to your home insurance protects your business fully. It also protects your insurance policy. If you begin using your home to run a business and do not tell your insurer, you can lose your insurance policy altogether. Anything besides intended use invalidates your policy. If you started any business from home, including selling Avon, Mary Kay, etc., you need to inform your insurance company.

Contact Richards Insurance Agency, serving Lincoln, NE, for more information on home insurance and your home-based business. We want to help you remain covered.

Living in Your RV? Here’s What You Need to Know About Insurance

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RV life can be both fun and liberating. More and more people are discovering the freedom and adventure of living out of their RV full time. In order to make the most of your RV living, however, it is important to have all of your insurance bases covered. At Richards Insurance Agency, serving Lincoln, NE, we know that the only way you can make good insurance choices is to have the best insurance information. Keep reading to find out what you need to know about RV insurance. 

Is a Traditional Auto Policy Good Enough? 

In many states, you can operate an RV with a traditional auto insurance policy. However, the problem is that when you choose to start living in your RV full-time or even part-time, your insurance needs change. The RV is now no longer simply a vehicle, but now it is also operating as your residence. If you are living in your RV, a traditional auto insurance policy is probably not enough. 

What Will RV Insurance Cover?

RV insurance is similar to traditional auto insurance in many ways and different in some important ways. RV insurance can be customized to suit your particular needs, but in general, the policy will cover the following areas:

  • Collision/ Comprehensive– This type of coverage will kick in should your RV become damaged or lost through an accident or other circumstance or if your RV is stolen. 
  • Liability– This type of coverage will help cover expenses if another person is injured because of your RV.
  • Personal property- This is a type of coverage that differs from traditional auto. If you are living in your RV, this type of coverage will protect your personal belongings. 

If you would like to learn more about RV insurance, please contact our Richards Insurance Agency staff, serving Lincoln, NE. 

 

Who would benefit from getting motorcycle insurance?

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When you live in the Lincoln, NE area, it will be crucial to have a transportation mode. One great mode of transit to consider getting is a motorcycle. If you are going to purchase a motorcycle when you are here, you should make sure that you get proper insurance coverage. There are several reasons why someone here would benefit when they get a full motorcycle insurance policy. 

Coverage for Asset

One way you can benefit by getting a full motorcycle insurance policy is by getting coverage and protection for your asset. Anyone that purchases a new or used motorcycle will be making a big investment that needs to be covered. If you do invest in a new motorcycle insurance policy, it will give you appropriate coverage to mitigate a variety of different risks, including the risk of theft or accident damage. 

Liability Protection

You should also get motorcycle insurance because it will give you liability protection. Even if you are a very safe driver, there is going to be a chance that you could cause an accident that results in damages. If you do not have appropriate coverage in place, you will have to pay for these damages out of pocket. Fortunately, liability motorcycle insurance can offset this risk. 

Any motorcycle owner in the Lincoln, NE area needs to get a proper insurance policy. If you are looking for a new policy here, you should speak with the team at Richards Insurance Agency. There are a lot of important factors that need to be considered when choosing a policy. The insurance professionals at Richards Insurance Agency will help you assess your needs better and give the guidance needed to pick the proper policy for your situation.