Filing a personal claim and filing a business claim differ. With a personal claim, you can pick up the phone and file a claim quickly. With a business claim, you have a multi-step process you must adhere to in order to properly file. You probably will need to file because 40 percent of businesses do at some point in their business lives. Insurance & Financial Services Inc. of Baton Rouge, LA wants to make it easy, so here is a straightforward guide to the process.

Commercial Policy Claims

Your filing process begins with determining which policy on which you need to file your claim. You need the policy number of the appropriate policy. This means you need to know whether the claim would apply to your general liability or errors and omissions or commercial property policy, etc. The business insurance claim requires a formal notification from you to your insurance company that tells them you incurred a loss or damage. It lets them know you are requesting compensation for a loss caused by a named peril in your policy. When the insurance company receives your claim, it investigates and approves or denies it.

Steps to File a Claim

The steps to file a business claim start far before the event triggering the need for the claim. The claims process begins with your business procedures.

• Plan ahead by writing the process to follow into your business procedures.
• As a preventative measure, install surveillance cameras to record vandalism or theft.
• File a police report, if applicable.
• Take photos to document the damage.
• Make note of any witnesses present at the event.
• Create an inventory of damaged items.
• Complete your insurance company’s standard reporting forms.
• Include a copy of the police report with your claim.
• Phone your insurance agent to confirm receipt of the claim.
• Set up an on-site visit with the insurance adjuster.
• Provide evidence to the adjuster.
• Obtain and complete the required proof of loss form. The adjuster provides proof of loss form.
• Get repair quotes and estimates from local professionals. You need at least two estimates.
• Consult an insurance lawyer, if the claim or event is complicated or a dispute arises between you and the insurance adjuster.
• If needed, hire a forensic accountant to help document the loss.

Typically, states set legal timelines for the length of time an insurance company can take to pay out a claim. Check with Insurance & Financial Services Inc. of Baton Rouge, LA as soon as a covered peril occurs and let us help you recover your business losses.

Renters who live in Baton Rouge, LA face many of the same risks as homeowners when it comes to theft and vandalism. The agents at Insurance & Financial Services Inc. are able to help them lower their risk of being a victim. Many people believe that home security systems are only for homeowners. That isn’t true. They can benefit renters as well. The size of the apartment or home being rented will determine what type of security system will provide the best protection.

Do It Yourself Home Security Systems

A do-it-yourself home security system is often the best choice for renters who live in apartments. They are easy to install and can be monitored through a downloadable app on your smartphone. Most are battery-operated so there is no need to splice the devices into your apartment’s wiring. Systems often come with window/door sensors, a motion sensor, and a programmable keypad. You can also buy video cameras.

Interactive Video Surveillance

Indoor video cameras and video doorbells are now equipped with two-way voice communication that allows you to interact with whoever is in close proximity to the camera. You can speak with family members or visitors from almost anywhere using the app.

At Insurance & Financial Services Inc., the agents know the peace of mind a home security system can provide to their clients. If you live in or near Baton Rouge, LA, call and schedule an appointment with one of their agents. They can discuss your renters’ policy and work with you to find the right home security system to meet your needs. Get the answers you need! Call today!

Umbrella insurance can add additional liability coverage in case you exhaust the coverage included with your other policies. For example, if someone slips and falls on your property, he or she may file a personal injury claim. In the majority of cases, your homeowner’s insurance policy would cover the claim, including medical payments. However, the amount could exceed your homeowner’s policy limits. This is where an umbrella policy would kick in. While you are not required to take out a personal umbrella insurance policy in Baton Rouge, LA, it can be a good idea under several scenarios.

Inadequate Liability Coverage

One of the features of umbrella insurance is that it can be used to supplement your auto, homeowner’s, or other types of liability policies. While it can be convenient and cost-effective to maintain the minimum liability coverages under an auto or homeowner’s policy, there are instances where it could be insufficient. Talk with a licensed agency such as Insurance & Financial Services Inc. about the different types of coverage an umbrella policy can cover.   

Comprehensive Coverage

Since any umbrella policy that you obtain in Baton Rouge, LA will pick up where your other policies end, the coverage can be both comprehensive and convenient. It can cover incidents that other policies won’t. An umbrella policy can also extend coverage to your family, others living with you, and cover your legal expenses. 

Unforeseen Circumstances

While your auto, homeowner’s or renter’s policies are probably enough to cover you and your belongings, these policies may not cover the unexpected. This is where an umbrella insurance policy can help. For example, what would you do if you accidentally damaged an apartment or condo unit next to yours?

Ready to learn more? Contact Insurance & Financial Services Inc. today!

There can be many questions surrounding what home and flood insurance covers. Although flood insurance is designed to cover instances of flooding and water damage, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it will cover all scenarios. There are times when your home insurance will cover damages that are even caused by water.

Damages From Extinguishing A Fire

If there is a fire in your home or on your property that causes water damage, you will be covered by your home insurance rather than by flood insurance in most cases. If you want to provide complete coverage from all threats to your home and property, you should work with a knowledgeable insurance agent who can help you pair your home insurance options with flood insurance to give you comprehensive coverage. If you live in the Baton Rouge, LA area, you can count on Insurance & Financial Services Inc. to guide you through the process and help you achieve complete security.

Finding An Established Agency

One of the keys to getting the type of coverage that works best for your situation is finding an agency that has top insurance agents with a focus on customer service. The insurance agents of Insurance & Financial Services Inc. serving Baton Rouge, LA will give you the one on one attention you need to achieve your goals. Schedule an appointment to discover what options are available currently.

Get complete coverage with the assistance of professional insurance agents who know which products will work best for your needs. The right combination of products will give you around the clock protection from a variety of threats. 

Health insurance laws have changed a lot over the past decade. As such, there is a lot of confusion when it comes to purchasing a health insurance plan. Here at Insurance & Financial Services Inc. serving Baton Rouge, LA. we want to help you understand health insurance and get answers to the questions you may have. One question that we are frequently asked is how pre-existing conditions affect health insurance. How a pre-existing condition affects health insurance varies based on the type of insurance you are looking at. Here are three common types of health insurance and how pre-existing conditions affect each type of insurance. 

The Health Insurance Marketplace

If you are purchasing health insurance during an open enrollment period through the Health Insurance Marketplace, pre-existing conditions will not affect your policy. The medical company cannot ask you about any pre-existing conditions, cannot charge more for pre-existing conditions and cannot deny you coverage due to pre-existing conditions. 

Private Health Insurance

If you are purchasing health insurance through a private company, you may be asked about pre-existing conditions. Pre-existing conditions can affect your policy amount and may even play a role in whether you are denied coverage. 

Group Health Insurance

Group health insurance plans, more commonly known as employer-sponsored plans, cannot ask you about pre-existing conditions, increase your rate because of them or deny you coverage because of them, thanks to the Affordable Care Act. However, a group health insurance plan can ask you if you smoke and increase your rates based on that. 

Are you looking to purchase health insurance in the greater Baton Rouge, LA area? Contact us at Insurance & Financial Services Inc. today to get answers to any questions you may have and help to purchase a great plan for your needs. 

Your renters insurance in Baton Rouge, LA will have three key types of protection. This includes coverage for personal possessions, liability protection, and additional living expenses.

Coverage for Belongings

• How much should you buy? Be sure to have enough to replace all your belongings in the event of a covered disaster. Use a home inventory to help.
• Is actual cash value or replacement cost better? It’s worth the extra price to get replacement cost coverage since it doesn’t take into account depreciation.
• Which disasters are covered? Be sure to check with your agent at Insurance & Financial Services Inc. to know which disasters are covered and not.
• What is the deductible and how does it work? Your deductible is what you are responsible for paying before you get insurance coverage. The larger the deductible, the lower your premium will be.
• Do you need a floater? This will provide more coverage for expensive valuables. This can be for collectibles, furs, jewelry, or artwork.
• Are you covered while away from home? Most policies have this coverage. For example, if your laptop gets stolen while on vacation, you are covered.

Liability Protection

The key here is to determine if you have enough liability coverage. If you need larger amounts of coverage, you may want to purchase a personal liability policy. You want enough liability coverage to protect your assets in the event of a lawsuit.

Additional Living Expenses

Additional living expenses can provide coverage if your home is destroyed and you will need to live somewhere else. This coverage will cover a portion of your hotel bills, restaurant meals, or other expenses you incur from having to live somewhere else.

Contact Insurance & Financial Services Inc. serving Baton Rouge, LA, to get a quote on renters insurance.

It’s pretty much common knowledge by now that auto insurance is required for the cars you drive, but what about your motorcycle? Before you get caught unprepared out on the road, it’s important to understand what Louisiana’s insurance laws are and what you need to do to comply. The experts at Insurance & Financial Services Inc. are here to help, serving clients in the Baton Rouge, LA area and beyond. Here’s what you need to know:

The state of Louisiana is an ‘At Fault’ State

What does this mean, exactly? Well, in the event of an accident, the person who is deemed to be responsible for the accident (usually as the result of a police report and/or investigation) may be liable for paying for all incurred damage and trauma. This includes associated medial bills. 

Now, if you do not have motorcycle insurance, you are not permitted to file a claim. Period. This means that even if the other person involved is clearly at fault, you won’t be able to do much– if anything– about it if you do not have coverage. This is one reason why all motorcyclists are required to carry proof of insurance on them at all times while out on the road. 

If You Live in Louisiana, You Must Meet Coverage Minimums

For motorcyclists in Baton Rouge, LA (and anywhere in the state, for that matter), the minimum coverage amounts are $15,000 for bodily injury to one person or death (one person)
$30,000 for bodily injury or death to two or more persons involved, and $25,000 in coverage for damage or destruction of property during a single accident. 

Taking the Next Step

When you’re ready to learn more about your coverage options and get the motorcycle insurance coverage you need, contact the experts at Insurance & Financial Services Inc. We’re happy to answer any questions you have and get you started on the path to a great policy for you and your motorcycle.