Is My Reading Property Fence Covered By My Homeowners Insurance?

The Reading, PA area is attracting a lot of new families thanks to its relatively low crime rate and cost of living. Berks County is filled with friendly neighborhoods and homes surrounded by a variety of fences. They say fences make for good neighbors, which can undoubtedly be true in Reading, PA.

Fences, however, can also cause a myriad of questions and concerns when it comes to homeowners insurance. Berks County Insurance serves the Reading, PA area and can answer your homeowners’ insurance questions, including those involving fencing.

Does Home Insurance cover My Fence?

Your fence is likely covered by the same calamities that your home is covered by. Fences are technically considered an outbuilding.

What Are The Circumstances When My Fence Would NOT Be Covered?

Your fence will not be covered under your homeowners’ insurance policy if it is not yours. It is a good idea to identify fence ownership when purchasing a property.

My Fence is Falling Down. Will my Homeowner’s Insurance Cover It?

Not if its condition is due to a lack of maintenance. It will likely not be covered if it is rotting due to a lack of care or an insect infestation.

If flooding Damages my Fence, Is It Covered?

Flood insurance is not generally part of a basic home insurance policy. Therefore, if your fence is damaged by flooding and you do not have separate flood insurance on your main structure, it will likely not be covered.

Berks County Insurance serves the Reading County area with a full line of personal insurance products, including homeowners insurance. Contact us for any questions regarding your insurance or a quote. We look forward to assisting you.

Steps to Take After a Car Accident

No one plans to get into a car accident. Yet these mishaps happen daily, but many people don’t know what to do. If you are involved in an accident, Berks County Insurance serving Reading, PA, recommends you take the following steps to protect yourself and your passengers after an accident.

What is Required at the Scene

Never leave the scene of an accident, as this act violates the law. If you do so, you could face additional criminal and civil liability. If you can do so, pull off to the side of the road to conduct assessments and make the following tasks safer.

Assess Conditions

As soon as possible, assess the conditions of all passengers in your vehicle. If needed, call 911 and ask for an ambulance if someone needs immediate medical attention. Once you have determined everyone’s condition, contact the police and ask them to come to the scene. Having police document your accident is essential, as it can help prove liability for the incident.

Exchange information with other drivers, no matter who is at fault. You’ll need to provide basic contact information, as well as your insurance information. If witnesses are available, get their contact information, too. In addition to police reports, you can use the information these people provide to give to your insurance company. 

Ensure Your Disclose All Facts

Contact your vehicle insurance company as soon as possible about the incident and provide all pertinent facts. Even if you don’t feel injured, visit a doctor soon afterward for an assessment. Your passengers should also get assessed, as some injuries do not manifest immediately.

Always practice defensive during, but get auto insurance to protect yourself fully. For help selecting your auto insurance policy, contact the professionals at Berks County Insurance, serving Reading, PA.

When to Get Boxing/MMA Insurance for Your Martial Arts Business

At Berks County Insurance in Reading, PA, we proudly offer boxing and MMA insurance to our clients. This type of policy proves useful for serving the unique needs of business owners in the boxing and mixed martial arts communities. For MMA/boxing business owners, getting insurance is a question of "when," not "if." That’s why we’ve discussed the best time to get it below.

How Do I Know It’s Time to Get Boxing/MMA Insurance for My Gym?

If your MMA or boxing business is nothing more than an idea on the horizon of your imagination, you can almost certainly hold off on securing boxing/MMA insurance. Even so, it’s never too early to investigate your options for coverage if you’re planning your business. After all, you have options.

For many future MMA gym and boxing business owners, knowing how you plan to protect your business before it’s even started can give you the peace of mind you need to move forward in the business planning process confidently. Before your MMA/boxing gym is officially open for business and serving the general public, you should secure insurance. Failing to do so can delay the process of getting coverage. Since it may take time for coverage to kick in, you won’t want to wait until the last minute to think about insurance. Looking into insurance too early in the business planning process is much better than waiting until later. That way, you won’t have gaps in coverage that leave your business vulnerable to unforeseen major expenses before you’ve even had a chance to get it off the ground.

For more information on getting Boxing/MMA Insurance for your mixed martial arts business, call Berks County Insurance in Reading, PA today!

The True Cost of Not Having Renters Insurance: Risk vs. Savings

Renters insurance, often overlooked, is a crucial safety net for tenants. It’s a financial protection policy designed to cover the cost of replacing personal belongings in the event of theft, fire, or other unforeseen circumstances. Despite its importance, many tenants pass up on renters insurance, potentially risking their financial health. Berks County Insurance doesn’t want you to make that mistake, so here’s what you need to know about renters insurance if you rent in Reading, PA.

The Risks of Not Having Renters Insurance

Opting out of renters insurance exposes tenants to significant risks. Theft, fire, or even personal liability in an accident in your home can lead to high out-of-pocket costs. Imagine replacing all your belongings simultaneously due to an unfortunate break-in or fire. The cost could be astronomical, a financial burden that renters insurance could mitigate. While the upfront cost of renters insurance might seem like an added expense, it’s a small price for potential long-term savings.

Common Misconceptions about Renters Insurance

One common misconception about renters insurance is that the homeowner’s policy will cover the tenant’s belongings. This belief is far from the truth. The landlord’s insurance policy only covers the building structure and not the personal items inside the tenant’s unit, making renters insurance a necessity.

Forgoing renters insurance costs far more than the small monthly premium. It’s about protecting yourself from financial risks and ensuring peace of mind. If you are near Reading, PA, contact Berks County Insurance to learn more about renters insurance. After all, it’s better to have insurance and not need it than to need it and not have it.

Is RV Insurance Required in Pennsylvania?

The agents at Berks County Insurance serving the Reading, PA area want you to have a good time this season traveling in your RV (Recreational Vehicle) and offer several coverage options that are important to have in place.

Remember that in Pennsylvania, all motor vehicles that travel on public roads must have at least a minimum amount of auto liability insurance coverage. This type of coverage will help pay for damages or injuries caused in an accident, but there are other types of RV insurance coverage options to choose from.

Other Types of RV Insurance Coverage Options

Underinsured and Uninsured Motorist Insurance

This type of coverage will be useful if a driver damages your RV without insurance or very little. This type of coverage will help repair your RV and get you and your family back on the road safely again. It will even pay for any injuries you and your passengers sustain in an accident.

Comprehensive and Collision Insurance Coverage

If you still owe money to a lender for the purchase of your beautiful RV, you will be required to have both comprehensive and collision insurance coverage. They’re both designed to protect the investment you made in your RV and your lender’s investment.

Collision insurance will help pay for damage if you and your RV collide with another vehicle or stationary object.

Comprehensive insurance is critical to have since we never know when a disaster will strike. This type of insurance will fix or replace your RV if a fire, a natural disaster, or vandalism occurs. It will also help you replace your RV if it is stolen.

Contact Berks County Insurance

To create the best RV insurance policy for you and your beautiful camper, contact the agents at Berks County Insurance serving the Reading, PA area today!

Motorcycle Insurance Coverage Options

The insurance agents at Berks County Insurance serving the Reading, PA area want you to know and understand the importance of motorcycle insurance in Pennsylvania. This is because, under state law, all motorists must have at least a minimum amount of liability interest to drive on public roads and highways legally. A minimum amount of liability insurance will help you cover any damages or injuries you cause in an accident, so you must have at least this amount of insurance on your motorcycle before you put your knees in the breeze and head out on the highway.

There are several other motorcycle insurance options that you can choose from in addition to the minimum amount of liability insurance.

Motorcycle Insurance Options

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage

This is a great coverage option to have this part of your motorcycle insurance policy since it will cover your bike and any injuries you sustain if you have an accident with a driver who does not have any insurance or who does not have enough insurance to cover everything.

Comprehensive and Collision Insurance Coverage

Comprehensive motorcycle insurance coverage will cover your bike if it is damaged or destroyed by a tragic event. These types of events can include a tornado or other natural disaster, a fire, vandalism, or theft.

Collision insurance is necessary to cover your motorcycle if you collide with another vehicle or a stationary object.

A lender may require collision and comprehensive insurance if you borrowed the money to purchase your gorgeous motorcycle.

Contact Berks County Insurance

Remember, before you head out on the highway, it is imperative that you have an adequate amount of motorcycle insurance to protect the investment you made in your bike. Contact the experienced and trustworthy agents at Berks County Insurance serving the Reading, PA area today to get your policy started!

Importance of Boat Insurance for Water Enthusiasts

For water enthusiasts, nothing compares to the joy and relaxation of spending time on the open water with friends and family. However, it’s crucial to remember that protecting your investment and ensuring the safety of your loved ones should always be a top priority. At Berks County Insurance in Reading, PA, we understand the importance of boat insurance for boat owners. We are committed to helping you navigate the process of finding the right coverage for your needs.

When shopping for boat insurance, paying attention to the various coverage options is essential. These include hull and machinery coverage, liability coverage, medical payments coverage, and uninsured/underinsured boater coverage. By working with a knowledgeable agent at Berks County Insurance in Reading, PA, you can better understand these options and choose the right combination of coverages that suit your unique needs as a boat owner.

Boat insurance is an indispensable investment that every conscientious boat owner should seriously consider. This type of coverage serves as a financial safeguard against unforeseen incidents on the water, whether it’s damage to your vessel or liability for damage caused to others. More than just a financial buffer, boat insurance also plays a crucial role in promoting the safety and well-being of your passengers. It can cover medical payments for injuries sustained on your boat, ensuring that any unexpected mishaps don’t become burdensome expenses.

If you want to explore how Berks County Insurance can assist you in locating the most suitable policy for your vessel, we encourage you to contact our skilled team. We are committed to delivering customized insurance strategies that ensure you and your family’s safety and peace of mind while relishing the joys of maritime adventures.

Can I use umbrella insurance if I don’t have a primary business insurance policy?

As a business owner, commercial insurance provides helpful protection in many different areas for you and your business. However, sometimes the limits of your commercial insurance can be challenged by an unforeseen incident or situation. Once your insurance has covered an accident or circumstance up to the pre-set limits, you may need more insurance if your commercial insurance has been exhausted. Our Berks County Insurance team understands that many Reading, PA business owners may not understand all the benefits of commercial and other business insurance forms. 

What is Umbrella Insurance?

In short, umbrella insurance is backup or extra insurance that kicks in if and when your primary business insurance reaches its limits. As a business owner, you may encounter a situation that exceeds the limits of your primary business insurance policy. When this happens, more insurance is required to financially cover the circumstance or situation. Umbrella insurance is designed to provide coverage when a circumstance or situation has exceeded the limits of your primary insurance.

Can I use umbrella insurance if I don’t have a primary business insurance policy?

No. Umbrella insurance is designed to function with your primary insurance policy, not replace it. However, there are situations when umbrella insurance may work like a primary business insurance policy. This happens in situations or circumstances where an incident isn’t covered under your primary policy. Your umbrella insurance may cover the situation simply because your primary business insurance policy doesn’t cover a circumstance or situation. If you have more questions regarding umbrella insurance, call us. We’d happily help you explore your options and answer your questions. 

Four facts about flood insurance

Many people have misconceptions about flood insurance. Here are some facts that might help you understand flood insurance a little better.

Home insurance does not cover flooding.

Contrary to popular belief, some things are not covered by home insurance. Flooding is one of those things that home insurance will not cover. Most people don’t realize this until after filing a claim. They are then stuck replacing everything out of their pocket.

There are different flood insurance coverage types

There are no insurance policies that suit every need, and that includes flood insurance. Like other types of insurance, flood insurance has different types of coverage you can choose. These include content coverage, building coverage, and both.

Insurance has a waiting period before you can use it

Most insurance companies have a 30-day waiting period before you can file a claim. Unfortunately, this means you have to pay out of pocket if there is a flood before or during that 30 days.

It would be best if you had flood insurance in flood zones.

If you live in a flood zone, your lender might require you to have flood insurance on top of your home insurance before you can buy your house. Even if it is not required, getting flood insurance to protect your home and contents would be a brilliant idea. It can be expensive to replace everything after a flood.

Contact Berks County Insurance

These are only some of the many things you should know about flood insurance. For more information about flood insurance in Reading, PA, stop in for a visit or contact us at Berks County Insurance.

When Should You Update Your Life Insurance Policy in Reading, PA

Life insurance is essential to financial planning in Reading, PA, but it’s easy to forget your policy once you have it. Reviewing your life insurance policy and ensuring it meets your needs is a good idea.

Reasons Why You Should Update Your Life Insurance Policy 

You should review and update your life insurance policy regularly for several reasons. Here are some of the most common reasons: 

  • If you’ve had a significant life event like getting married or having a baby, you may need more coverage than before. 
  • Your career may have changed, or you may be making more money than before. This could mean you need more coverage to protect your family in case of an unexpected death. 
  • If the beneficiaries listed on your policy have changed, the life insurance payout will not go to the people for what was intended. Updating the beneficiary information is essential for any changes in circumstances. 
  • Your health may have changed since you first got the policy; if so, updating the policy can ensure that the insurer covers any medical conditions.  

When To Update Your Policy 

It’s a good idea to review your life insurance policy at least once a year or every five years, depending on how frequently your circumstances change or if any significant events in your life could affect your current coverage level—if you don’t know when to review and update your life insurance policy, then consulting with Berks County Insurance can help you determine when might be the best time for updates and adjustments to be made annually.  

If you live in Reading, PA, and need help reviewing or updating your existing life insurance policy, contact Berks County Insurance today! We can provide valuable advice on adjusting a current plan or finding one that fits better with current lifestyle needs.