by Downey Insurance Group | Aug 1, 2012 | Blog
Have you come up with a great business idea but don’t know how to turn it into a reality? It can be hard to take that first step, particularly when it seems like you have a mountain to climb. However, setting up in business needn’t be hard, especially if you can do it on a small scale from home.
When you start from your New Hampshire home, you may need little more than a business plan and a home office. It might be important to consider business insurance, as a homeowners policy likely won’t cover dedicated business equipment. Contact an insurance company or your agent for some quotes.
You might even be able to work on your business part-time in the early stages, until your business starts paying its way. Doing it this way may mean you need to be super organized to manage both obligations from your ordinary job, as well as your own business. But having regular income from your existing job to rely on could make a huge difference to your success or failure in the long run.
Also consider testing your business in a small way first. Find one or two clients, or pitch for a small amount of work, until you are sure your business idea will be viable. Don’t think about taking on rented office space or staff and expanding your clientele until you are sure you will have the means to support it.
by Downey Insurance Group | Jul 25, 2012 | Blog
Has the sound of scratching in your attic startled you recently? If you have a resident raccoon, it’s imperative to get rid of them quickly since they tend to chew on wiring, or you might find yourself having to lodge a claim with your insurance company to get you’re the electrics fixed.
The black-masked bandit in your attic could be quite large, as they can grow to 40 inches in length and up to 30 pounds in weight. Generally, it is best to call an animal control specialist, rather than try to trap the animal yourself. A specialist may also be able to point out likely access points and advise you on exclusion methods, so your unwelcome lodgers don’t return.
Raccoons can also open doors and prize off loose fitting trash can lids to help themselves to your leftovers, and make a great mess in the process. Pet food that is stored outside may also attract them, and other pests, such as mice, when it is not securely stored.
While homeowners policies may not cover rodent damage, happily, raccoons are not classified as rodents. That means that you may well be able to file a home insurance claim for the repair of damage caused by raccoons.
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by Downey Insurance Group | Jul 19, 2012 | Blog
There are several inherent risks involved in farming. Farmers use heavy, dangerous equipment, raise livestock, and may be especially vulnerable to natural disasters. Learn how to plan for farm safety, and cover major risks to your livelihood with farm insurance.
Identify Farm Hazards
Making a list of your farm buildings and equipment can help you to establish what may be hazardous, or of concern. Include on your list the following:
• Farmhouse and buildings: This also includes hen houses, hog pens, barns, watersheds, and storage buildings.
• Gates and fences.
• Farm equipment: Tractors and attachments, combines, harvesters, and planters.
• Transportation vehicles: Trucks, cars, trailers, and haulers.
• Underground and overhead power lines.
• Ponds, canals, dams, ditches, wells, septic systems, tracks, and access roads.
• Known flood plains.
Consider each item listed to determine if it represents a hazard which may need to be attended to. For example, do your workers know what to do in the event of an accident with a harvester or other equipment? Is your barn safe, without the risk of falling sacks of feed or hay bales? Are your farm vehicles well-maintained?
Evaluate each item that might present a risk. Also, find a workable solution to resolve the risk, whether it is a safety training course for workers or repairing faulty equipment. By reviewing your risks on a consistent basis, you can help to keep hazards and potential accidents in check. If the worst does happen, having appropriate farm coverage in place may provide financial protection for your business.
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by Downey Insurance Group | Jul 11, 2012 | Blog
A home painting business can be a good profession, because there is always a demand for this service. You must be physically fit and expect to work long hours when just starting. However, painting businesses are relatively inexpensive to start up. Granted, you need painting supplies, tools, ladders, and a work vehicle, but this is a cheap investment compared to many other business types. One of the most important things you can do for your business is to get business insurance with a New Hampshire insurance company. Consider these suggestions for starting your new business:
• Take care of legal issues. As a painting contractor, you need licenses and should consider insurance. Register your business with the state and of course, you need a Federal Tax Number.
• Outfit your new business with the proper tools. Paint contractors should be equipped with brushes, rollers, buckets, ladders, and drop cloths.
• Hire employees. Having employees spreads the workload and helps to complete jobs faster. Interview job candidates to find dependable and experience painters. Consider getting a background check to ensure they have no criminal history.
We are the New Hampshire insurance company that can assist with your insurance needs. In addition to coverage for assets, you may also require workers compensation insurance for employees and commercial auto insurance. Speak to one of our agents for affordable quotes.
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by Downey Insurance Group | Jul 5, 2012 | Blog
Purchasing a small farm may be a large investment for you, so consider these tips while looking at farm properties. Make sure you buy adequate
farm insurance to cover financial risks as well.
Real Estate Agent
You can save a lot of time and frustration by working with a real estate agent experienced in rural properties. They have access to multiple listing books filled with properties for sale, which helps to narrow down the search for a suitable farm.
Zoning
Regardless of the condition of a farm, you should check the zoning on any properties holding your interest before purchasing. Make sure zoning includes livestock and agricultural use if that is the intended use for the farm.
Infrastructure
Each farm has its own unique infrastructure. When farm hunting, check the house, yards, fencing, water supplies, sheds and power supplies. Consider checking local building restrictions before buying a property that needs new buildings or structures.
Utilities/Roads
Make sure the property has road access and determine who maintains the road to the property. Check whether the farm already includes utilities such as telephone service, power, and internet service.
Soil
Get soil, water samples, and have them tested if you want to raise crops.
Determine whether the farm is adequate for your needs and if you can manage the farm by yourself with your skills. Consider hiring a farm hand to help with special projects or full-time. New farm owners should speak with an insurance agent to discuss a new
farm insurance policy.
by Downey Insurance Group | Jun 27, 2012 | Blog
Whether you live in a home, condominium, mobile home, or apartment, fire is a very real threat. Sure, your possessions are valuable and might be insured, but lives are irreplaceable. You may have good intentions for making an emergency escape plan and buying fire extinguishers and smoke alarms, but never quite get it done. There’s no time like the present to take an interest in prevention and securing your residence against home fires. Now might also be the perfect time to update your homeowners policy with your New Hampshire insurance company.
• Examine your home for potential escape exits. Do not assume all doors and windows are accessible during emergencies. Every bedroom should have one or more operational windows for fast escapes.
• Make an emergency evacuation plan. Include the best ways to get out of the house during a fire or other types of emergencies. Your plan should identify where to meet outside the home in such an emergency and include a list of important phone numbers.
• Hold a fire drill twice a year. Prepare everyone in your home for emergency evacuations by having a fire drill using real escape methods. This is especially beneficial to older people and young children.
• Buy smoke detectors and fire extinguishers.
• Check your home for overloaded electrical circuits. Replace worn out extension cords and do not overload too many appliances or electronics.
Walk through your home every six months looking for safety hazards. Contact your agent at your New Hampshire insurance company if you do make significant improvements in safety and security at your home, as it might have a positive effect on the amount you pay for home insurance.
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