Why do I need condo insurance if I don’t own the building itself?

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If you own a condo in Catonsville, MD, you probably appreciate that you are getting the best of both worlds. You don’t have to take care of the property, but you still get the benefits of owning your condo and being able to sell it later or transfer your rights.

You may have been encouraged to obtain a policy for condo through HBW Insurance Group, and in fact, if you still owe money on your condo there may be a condition that you keep an insurance policy until your loan is paid off. Why is it important to have an insurance policy on your condo when you don’t own the condo? Part of your homeowner’s association fees doubles goes toward paying the insurance for the buildings.

As a condo owner in Catonsville, MD, you are responsible for everything in your condo, including the physical structure within your walls. That means that if anything happens within your own area, you are responsible for repairs, and those repairs can be costly.

You also need to think about the contents of your condo. Your personal belongings include large appliances like a stove and refrigerator and smaller appliances like a toaster and microwave. You also have an entertainment system, furniture, clothing and many other kinds of personal items. Also, if there is a fire or other catastrophe, you may not have a place to stay.

A good insurance policy on your condo will help you deal with all those issues without having to go into your own pocket, beyond the deductible. If you have any questions or would like to find out how to protect your condo, please call HBW Insurance Group today.

How to Save on Health Insurance

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Health insurance is something that you have to have in place due to federal law but that does not mean that you have to pay a lot of money for it. if you are not lucky enough to have health insurance through your employer, then you have to find health insurance on the open market. This is something that can usually lead to higher prices but there are ways that you can save on this essential insurance product and still remain compliant with the coverage requirements. Use these tips from HBW Insurance Group, serving Catonsville, MD, to save money on your policy.

  • Look for higher deductibles. The higher your deductible, the lower your insurance premiums. However, something for you to keep in mind with this is that you do not want to get a deductible too high that would prevent you from being able to even get the services that you need and when you need to have them.
  • Get coverage that matches your needs. If you do not go to the doctor often, then you probably do not need to get a plan that caters to that. If you do go often, you may need a plan that will allow you to save money on your co-pays and deductibles.

Not only are these some great tips but you can save even more when you have a less expensive policy to begin with. Here at HBW Insurance Group, serving Catonsville, MD, we can help you find a cheaper policy and then implement these saving tips so you can get the least expensive policy possible for you and your family. Be sure to reach out to us today to get started so we can find you the best policy that meets your needs and your budget.

Am I too young for life insurance?

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Allow us to dispel a myth: Life insurance isn’t about age.

The reason people tend to buy life insurance once they reach retirement age is not that they’re getting older. How many times have you seen someone retire at fifty and then live another fifty years? Going a little gray doesn’t mean you’re already in your last chapter. The reason people buy life insurance once they get older is not that they’re running out of time, it’s because they have dependents, and they have the means to ensure that those dependents are covered no matter what happens.

If you’re twenty-five years old and you want to make sure that your children are covered no matter what, you can buy a life insurance policy with HBW Insurance Group and rest easy. It doesn’t have to do with how dangerous your job is, either. If you work as a garbage collector or in an office building in Catonsville, MD, you can get life insurance to protect your family and loved ones.

Nobody is too young to consider buying a life insurance policy. "How likely am I to pass on soon?" is the wrong way to look at it. It has almost nothing to do with how much time you have left, and everything to do with whether or not you have people who depend on you, and the financial means to take care of them.

A policy through HBW Insurance Group can be surprisingly affordable. Give them a call next time you get a chance and see what they have to offer you. You might be surprised at the options you have available to you when it comes to ensuring that your family is protected.

When Can You Claim Your Home Insurance?

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Becoming a homeowner is one of the most significant achievements in your life. A home provides shelter and a sense of belonging, which is why you need a homeowner insurance cover especially to those residing in Catonsville, MD. Buying insurance policy should not be a topic for debate but a necessity for your property. HBW Insurance Group offers a lifetime solution to those living in Catonsville, MD.

 However, in case of the damage to your home or personal property due to natural disaster, there is a process that needs to be followed step by step when filing for homeowners insurance claim settlement. Through HBW Insurance Group, you will get plenty of assistance available to recover your property. Some situations can push you to claim your home insurance depending on the policy.

Most of the insurance policies on homes state that you should file a claim within the time limit. It does not matter whether the damage is covered by the policy or not. The company expects you to read and understand the policy carefully before getting repair estimates to determine the cost of the damage. In that respect, the insurance company assumes that you report damages within two weeks or not more than thirty days except for theft claims. Some of the common damages to the property are caused by water, fire, wind or other natural disasters.

A personal injury occurs mainly on your property when someone is injured. Claims of personal injury are among the highest, and as such, the insurance company advises you to file a claim as a protective measure should the victim’s family take legal action. However, this incident calls for you to file a claim no matter your deductible or the amount of the claim.

Therefore, for more advice and guidance on the homeowner insurance policy, reach out to HBW Insurance Group at Catonsville, MD.

Your Quick Guide to Commercial Insurance in Maryland

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Small businesses are an intricate part of the Maryland economy. A survey from 2011 found that more than 50 percent of private-sector jobs are made possible by companies having less than 500 employees. With so much riding on the success of small businesses, it is crucial that entrepreneurs protect themselves against tragedies and unexpected legal costs that could bring about financial hardship. 

Commercial insurance is the best way to reduce out-of-pocket risks and do better business in Catonsville, MD. The agents at HBW Insurance Group can help you find the right plan.

Is business insurance required in Maryland?
Commercial liability insurance is not required for small business owners operating companies out of the state of Maryland. It should be noted, however, that the region is a pure contributory negligence fault state, which means that a plaintiff must be 100 percent free of negligence to recover damages for accidents. It is not difficult for a customer to prove that you are fully at-fault if she slips on spilled coffee in your store and breaks her hip. You stand to lose a lot if you do not have commercial liability insurance. 

Small business employers are required to obtain workers compensation insurance even if they only have one employee on the payroll. You are also required to maintain auto insurance if your company has cars. It is highly recommended that you obtain an assurance plan, especially for business vehicles and fleets. 

What does a typical commercial insurance policy cover?
The average business indemnity plan pays for:

  • Bodily Injury 
  • Personal Injury 
  • Property Damage 
  • Advertising Injury
  • Legal Defense

The agents at HBW Insurance Group can help you sort through the details of commercial insurance in Catonsville, MD so that you are fully covered and ready for the unexpected. Contact us today for a quote!

Does Flood Insurance Help Pay for a Place to Stay During Clean up?

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Flooding is something that is terrifying for most and for those that do have to deal with flooding, flood insurance can be a big help. Flood insurance covers a wide range of things and can help you get out of any issue that you have to worry about when flooding does occur in your home. For those that live in the Catonsville, MD area, the agents with HBW Insurance Group can help you find out just what your flood policy covers and how to use it.

In most cases, your flood insurance is not going to cover extra things like a place to stay if you are dealing with flooding. In most cases, the flood policy that you choose is going to help cover things like mitigation for mold, removing water, replacing things that are destroyed after a flood, and recovering your home. For those that do need a place to stay during flooding, you should take the time to look into using your overall home owner’s policy to get the coverage that you need. Most homeowner’s policies are going to help pay for things like a place to stay while you wait for your home to become livable again.

This means that you are going to be able to get a place to stay like a hotel until your home is cleaned up if you use your homeowner’s policy to help pay for it. Your homeowner’s pays for much more than you imagine. For those that live in the Catonsville, MD area, the agents with HBW Insurance Group can help you to find the policy that is going to work for you and that is going to help you pay for your hotel if you need a place to stay during flooding.  

How to Assess Your Possessions for Renters Insurance

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Anyone who rents an apartment or home to live in in Catonsville, MD should have renters insurance. You may assume that if, for example, your rented home was broken into and your things were stolen, your landlord would be liable or would have their own form of insurance to cover you. But this isn’t the case. Only renters insurance can protect your possessions from instances of theft, water damage, fire damage, or other unforeseen accidents.

Assessing your possessions for renters insurance

Because renters insurance revolves around the protection and coverage of your possessions and belongings, it is important to know what possessions you own and how much they are worth as soon as you start paying renters insurance. This is because, in the event of a fire, for example, you need to have a record of what was damaged in order for your insurance company to cover or pay for the items that you lost. If you don’t know what you lost or how much it was worth, you won’t be covered.

In order to assess and record your possessions, you can do one of several things. First, some people simply take a video camera slowly throughout their apartment or home to visually document what they own. You can also do a similar documentation by taking a multitude of pictures. Finally, you can make a formal list with value amounts for each of the major possessions you own.

Give HBW Insurance Group a Call Today!

Are you a resident of Catonsville, MD who is looking for renters insurance? Give HBW Insurance Group a call to learn about the renters insurance options that are available to you. Our agents would be happy to sit down and speak with you. You can also stop by our nearest office location for immediate assistance.

We hope to hear from you soon!

Do All Homeowners Need Flood Insurance?

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When you own your own home, one of the most important things you can do is purchase homeowners insurance. Without this type of insurance, you are leaving yourself vulnerable to having to dip into your own pocket to pay for things that go wrong with your home, such as damage to it by fire. With homeowners insurance, though, you can rest assured that your home will be protected against a variety of claims. And in the event that a claim has to be made, your insurance policy will help ensure that your home is restored to its original state. 

What about flood insurance?

If your purchase insurance for your home, it is imperative to understand that it likely does not cover flood damage. This is why you need to assess whether or not you need to buy additional insurance in the form of flood insurance. If you live in an area that is prone to flooding, it is highly recommended that you purchase flood insurance. Fortunately, the company that you have purchased your home insurance through may be able to provide you with a flood insurance policy as well. If the company cannot, it should at least be able to direct you in the right direction to a company that sells flood insurance. This company can help you decide what type of flood insurance policy will work best for you. 

Don’t Wait! Get Flood Insurance Today 

It is important that you do not wait long to invest in flood insurance. You never know when a flood might happen and could cause great damage to your house. To learn more about flood insurance, please contact the HBW Insurance Group serving the Catonsville, MD area.

3 Tips to Buying Condo Insurance

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If you own a condo, your association probably covers insurance protection for exterior structural damage of your unit plus common areas. This policy, however, won’t cover the interior of your condo or your personal goods. Individual condo insurance from  HBW Insurance Group will ensure your Catonsville, MD condo and goods are well protected against any eventuality. Here are a few tips to obtaining the policy you need.

Review Condo Association Policy

Before buying condo insurance, review your association’s policy to get an idea of the protection it offers. The policy should specify where the association’s responsibility ends and yours begins. Knowing what your policy covers will enable you to make wise decisions on the individual condo insurance you buy.

Assess Your Protection Needs

Individual condo insurance can provide you with interior damage, personal property and liability protection. Liability coverage protects you against accidents that occur to others on your property. Interior protection covers damage to ceilings, floors and interior walls from such perils as fire, theft, vandalism and hazardous weather. Condo contents coverage protects your personal goods.

Before obtaining a policy, assess the risks to your condo and what it would take to protect your personal goods. The more costly your unit, the more insurance protection you need. If you own pricey electronics, furniture or personal goods, you should have ample coverage to protect these investments. Your liability limits should be sufficient to protect your personal assets.

Compare Condo Policies and Costs

Once you’ve assessed your needs, take time to compare condo insurance policies and costs. By personalizing your condo insurance, you can obtain just the coverage your need at a price you can afford.

At HBW Insurance Group, we can help you make wise insurance decisions that will benefit your future. Contact our Catonsville, MD office today for all your condo insurance needs. 

 

Do You Need Condo or Home Insurance for a Townhome?

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Here at HBW Insurance Group in Catonsville, MD, one of the questions that we are frequently asked is what type of insurance you need for a townhome. In some cases, a townhome can be insured through condo insurance, while in other cases, a regular homeowner’s insurance policy is needed. Here are a couple of the questions you should answer when you are deciding whether you need condo or homeowners insurance for a townhome. 

Who is Responsible for the Exterior of the Building?

One of the questions that needs to be answered when determining if you need condo or home insurance for a townhome is who is responsible for the exterior of the building. If you are responsible for the exterior of the building, then you will need homeowners insurance. If an HOA or a management company is responsible for the exterior, you may only need condo insurance. Condo insurance covers only the inside of the building, while home insurance covers both the inside and the outside. 

Who Owns the Land? 

The second question that you need to ask is who owns the land that the townhome is built on. If you own the land, you have to insure that land, and home insurance covers the land and the building. If a management company or HOA owns the land that your townhome is built on, they have to insure the land, not you, meaning you may only need condo insurance in this situation. 

If you are looking to insure a townhome, contact HBW Insurance Group in Catonsville, MD. We will help you determine what type of insurance is right for your property and then find the policy that is ideal for your situation. Call us now to obtain a free quote.