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The Pivotal Insurance Agency LLC

217 West Main Street,
Louisa, VA 23093

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Tips to prepare your boat for a storm

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In the face of an approaching storm here in the Louisa, VA area, your boat needs to be prepared in order to protect it from potential damage. Whether you have a sailboat or a powerboat, here are some tips from us at The Pivotal Insurance Agency LLC to help you prepare your boat for the storm.

Tips to prepare your boat for a storm

1. Secure all loose items on board.

Loose items can become projectiles during a storm and cause damage to both your boat and other boats around it. Secure all lines, sails, and items on deck with extra-strength rope or bungee cords. 

2. Disconnect onboard electronics from shore power.

During a lightning strike, electricity can surge through power cords connected to the dock and ruin onboard electronics. Make sure all electrical cords are disconnected prior to the storm arriving at its location. 

3. Remove radar equipment if possible.

Radar arrays can be easily damaged by high winds and rain during a storm, so it’s best to remove them before the worst of the weather hits. 

4. Service your engine prior to the storm’s arrival.

This is in case of an emergency situation where you need to motor away from danger quickly or evacuate an area altogether. In addition, make sure that there is enough fuel stored onboard for several hours of motoring in case you need it during an emergency situation or evacuation scenario as well as checking that oil levels are appropriate for running the engine in rough weather conditions if needed. 

Keep Your Boat Insurance Updated

By following these tips, you can help protect your boat against potential damages caused by storms while ensuring that you and any passengers onboard remain safe throughout the duration of inclement weather events! For more tips about safe boating in the Louisa, VA area, call us at The Pivotal Insurance Agency LLC today.

Will Home Insurance Cover Any Accident on the Covered Property?

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It’s very important to understand all aspects of any type of Louisa VA insurance policy. If you don’t understand the fine print, there’s a good chance you’ll end up surprised once you go to file a claim. Understanding the details of your coverage is also of the utmost value because it informs you of the many policy benefits you can take advantage of.

A lot of people have insurance but don’t ever take full advantage of what their policies have to offer. Contact The Pivotal Insurance Agency LLC if you’re wondering whether your home insurance in Louisa, VA will cover any accidents on the property.

What Does Home Insurance Commonly Cover?

You never know what type of accident could occur on your property. From guests stealing your personal belongings to someone falling down your front steps, accidents come in many forms. Even for people who have their homes paid for, home insurance proves valuable. Imagine someone slipping down your front steps and then suing you for an accidental injury. If you don’t have insurance or money to cover their medical bills, you may end up losing your home. Home insurance aims to relieve and cover your liability in such situations. 

Examples of Specific At-Home Injuries Insurance Commonly Covers

Please keep in mind that insurance policies vary greatly from one to the next. You should always read the fine print to discover which types of injuries your insurance covers. Some of the most common injuries for which people file home insurance claims include those caused by:

  • Toxic chemical exposure
  • Falling down stairs
  • Driveway accidents
  • Electrical accidents
  • Fire
  • Tripping over objects in walkways
  • Animal bites
  • Falling due to broken railings or stairs
  • Assaults and batteries caused by negligence

Reach Out To Us

If you own a home in Louisa, VA, contact The Pivotal Insurance Agency LLC today to learn about your home insurance options. We can explain the ins and outs of policies to ensure you pick one that best meets your needs. 

How much workers’ compensation insurance do you need?

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As a business owner in the Louisa, VA area or anywhere else in the country, it is important to understand the importance of workers’ compensation insurance. In many states, you may be required to carry this insurance to protect your employees in case of injury or illness while working. Depending on the type of business you own, the amount of workers’ compensation coverage you will need can vary greatly. At The Pivotal Insurance Agency LLC, we can help.

For example, a company that has employees operating heavy machinery or engaging in potentially dangerous activities may need more coverage than an office job. Additionally, if you are hiring independent contractors and not full-time employees, different regulations may apply as far as what kind of insurance needs to be carried. 

When it comes to choosing the right amount of coverage for your business, there are a few factors to consider. First off, make sure you check with your state’s laws and regulations regarding workers’ compensation insurance requirements. Secondly, speak with your insurer or broker about what kind of risk they think is associated with your particular business and how much coverage they recommend. Finally, consider how much financial risk you can handle as a business if an employee were to get injured on the job and not be covered by insurance – this could have serious implications for your operations and bottom line. 

Reach Out To Us

Overall, assessing your workers’ comp needs can seem like a daunting task at first, but careful research and consideration will help ensure that both you and your employees are protected from any potential harm associated with their jobs. For more information, call us at The Pivotal Insurance Agency LLC today. We proudly serve the Louisa, VA area.

Additional auto coverage you may want beyond basic

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At The Pivotal Insurance Agency LLC in Louisa, VA, we are an independent insurance agency. We work for our customers, not for the insurance carriers. Providing our customers with personalized service, as well as more choices, is what we are known for.  We will do the work to find the best coverage for you at the best price. 

To maximize coverage for your car, here are some add-ons you may want beyond the basic:

Collision

Collision coverage protects your vehicle from you and an accident that you may be responsible for. It also covers your vehicle if you have an accident where no other vehicle is involved or a hit-and-run. 

Comprehensive

Comprehensive insurance coverage covers a variety of different types of potential threats to your vehicle, including theft and vandalism. High winds, hail, ice and snow, and floods are all included in this coverage. It also covers a large animal that may decide to run into your vehicle. 

Uninsured or Underinsured motorist coverage

If you have an accident with an uninsured or underinsured motorist, no matter who is at fault, you can be left holding the bag. You should have your own coverage to help keep you safe. This coverage will pay for injuries to you and your passengers and for damage to your vehicle. 

Gap coverage

Gap coverage covers the gap between your auto loan and the value the insurance company assigns to your vehicle. This is important coverage for new vehicles in particular. Without it, you could be left owing money on your loan for a vehicle that you no longer have. 

Roadside assistance

Roadside assistance provides the same coverage as the well-known auto club provides. You won’t have to worry about a breakdown when you are out and about or after an accident. 

Give us a call today

Contact The Pivotal Insurance Agency LLC in Louisa, VA to discuss your very important auto insurance coverage. 

Common Mistakes Homeowners Make When Decorating Their Home For the Holidays

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The holiday season is here, and this may mean that you are looking to decorate your home. Decorations help to make your home look and feel festive, but unfortunately, many people make mistakes that prove to be damaging as they hang decorations. Here are a few of the most common mistakes that homeowners make when decorating for the holidays and how you can avoid these mistakes, brought to you by The Pivotal Insurance Agency LLC, serving the greater Louisa, VA community. 

Common Mistakes Homeowners Make That Can Cause Major Home Damage

Using Nails to Hang Holiday Lights

One mistake homeowners make when they are decorating their homes for the holidays is to use nails to hang holiday lights. Nails can damage your gutter system, roof, or siding. Always use light clips instead of using nails, which can cause permanent damage. 

Placing Inflatables Against Their Home

Another common mistake homeowners make when decorating their homes is placing inflatables against them. Inflatables can trap moisture against the home’s siding, leading to mold or mildew growth, or rot. Always ensure there is space between your inflatables and your home, so water and moisture can slide down and away from the home. 

Overloading Their Electrical Systems

The final common mistake homeowners make as they decorate their homes for the holidays is overloading their electrical systems. If you plan on using a ton of lights and inflatables, have an electrician to ensure your home can handle the electrical demands you are going to be placing on your home. 

Not Having The Right Insurance

Insurance can help protect the investment you made in your home in case something unexpected happens. At The Pivotal Insurance Agency LLC, serving the greater Louisa, VA area, we can help you find the best home insurance policy with the coverage limits you need. Give us a call now to obtain an estimate. 

Why Does the Book I Read Say I Need a Business Owner’s Policy?

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Many books on starting a business suggest starting with a business owner’s policy (BOP) since it provides the four most needed policies in one bundle for a smaller premium. The business owner can then add other coverage to customize the policy.

Does Your Business Qualify for a BOP?

The Pivotal Insurance Agency LLC serving Louisa, VA, and the surrounding area, offers BOPs for qualifying customers. Only certain-sized businesses, typically small businesses with 100 or fewer employees, qualify for a BOP. The insurance industry also imposes a maximum on the amount of revenue a business can earn annually.

Risk Mitigation

Most books on starting a business include a chapter on risk and its mitigation. Insurance offers one of the key prongs to protecting your business from unnecessary risk.

A BOP includes liability coverage, business/personal property coverage, perils coverage – coverage that protects your office building’s structure, and business interruption insurance. If it incurs damage covered by the insurance, the policy pays for your claim.

Liability Coverage

A business incurs risk every time a customer enters its storefront or office. A slip and fall accident could occur or a robbery. Although quite different in nature, your business incurs liability for any patron injured during the event. That means that paying their medical bills becomes your responsibility, as does paying any court settlement that arises from the incident and the legal fees.

Perils Coverage

Perils coverage in a BOP refers to the same type of perils coverage you carry for your home. If a tornado hits your shop, the insurance covers the claim you file. If a fire breaks out and your inventory goes up in flames, your perils coverage ensures that you receive a payment to cover replacing what the business lost.

Business and Personal Property Coverage

The property coverage protects you from losses involving business equipment and employees’ personal property that they brought with them to work. So, if the fire in the above example broke out during the day and destroyed your business’s computers plus your employees’ purses and backpacks that held their precious personal items and cash, then the BOP covers that under the business/personal property section.

Contact Us Today

Pivotal Insurance Agency LLC serves Louisa, VA, with the BOPs it needs to protect its businesses from loss. Contact us today to get started on your application for a BOP.

I want to start pet sitting in my home for extra money – Does my home insurance cover dogs that aren’t mine?

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If you’re thinking about starting a pet-sitting business in Louisa, VA, you might be wondering if your homeowners insurance will cover any damage that might occur. The answer depends on your policy from the Pivotal Insurance Agency LLC.

What Does Homeowners Insurance Cover?

Pet sitting generally falls into two categories regarding homeowners insurance: property damage and liability. Property damage is defined as physical damage to your home or belongings. This could include things like a pet chewing up your furniture or having an accident on your carpet. Liability, on the other hand, is when someone is injured on your property and sues you as a result.

Coverage for property damage from pets usually depends on whether or not the animal is considered "vicious." Vicious animals are typically excluded from standard homeowners insurance policies. Otherwise, most property damage caused by pet sitting should be covered under a standard homeowners policy.

Liability coverage for pet sitting can also be tricky. Most policies have what’s called a "dog bite clause" which covers injuries caused by bites from dogs listed on your policy. However, this only applies to dogs that YOU own. So if you’re pet sitting for a friend’s dog and that dog bites someone, you probably won’t be covered. To be protected in this situation, you need additional insurance.

Contact Us Today

Before you start pet-sitting in Louisa, VA, contact the Pivotal Insurance Agency LLC. We can tell you whether or not your policy provides coverage for property damage and liability relating to pet sitting. And if it doesn’t, we’ll help you find the right coverage to protect yourself (and your wallet) in the event of an accident.

How to Practice Boating Safety: 3 Essential Tips

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For many, boating is a time to relax and enjoy the open water. However, it’s important to practice safety while out on the boat. Here are three essential tips from The Pivotal Insurance Agency LLC to help you stay safe while boating around Louisa, VA this summer.

How to Practice Boating Safety:

Knowing Your Boat and Its Capabilities

If you have a deep understanding of your boat and its capabilities, you will be able to make it perform as you wish. Understanding the limits of your boat can also prevent accidents and damage to it. In addition to troubleshooting problems more efficiently, you will also be able to enjoy your time on the water more if you know how your boat works and what it is capable of.

Checking the Weather Forecast Before You Go Boating

If you plan to go boating, you should always check the weather conditions for the day before you go boating. This will allow you to be prepared for what to expect and plan accordingly, as well as prevent dangerous conditions that may endanger your boat and yourself.

Being Sober When You Boat

To operate a boat, you must be sober for many reasons. First, it is illegal to use a boat while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Second, sobriety will help you become more aware of your surroundings and make better decisions. Third, sobriety will help you remain calm during an emergency, and last but not least, it will make your time more enjoyable on the water.

Get Boat Insurance Today

The Pivotal Insurance Agency LLC in Louisa, VA offers boat insurance to protect your investment on the water. We understand the unique coverage needs of boats and other watercraft, so you can rest assured that you’re getting the protection you need at a price you can afford.

Who is responsible for damage caused by trees on adjoining properties?

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The Pivotal Insurance Agency LLC can help homeowners in the greater Louisa, VA area with all of their insurance needs. If you have questions about home insurance and potential liability for damages, give us a call today. We are here to help you!

Damage caused by trees – who is responsible?

During storms with high winds, trees can blow around quite a bit, and in some circumstances, branches can blow free and cause damage. After a storm with high winds, it can be difficult to determine exactly which tree caused what damage. But if you have trees on adjoining property with your neighbors, it’s important for you both to practice good tree maintenance.

While every situation is different, it is possible for neighbors to be held responsible for the damage that their trees cause. This can quickly turn into a contentious situation that causes problems between neighbors. This is why it is so important to keep your trees well-trimmed and maintained, especially before a storm. If you notice that your neighbors are not practicing good tree maintenance, it’s a good idea to take some pictures in order to have a record of the situation. 

If your home is damaged by your neighbor’s trees, be sure to discuss the situation with your claims adjuster. In many situations, it will be them who are responsible for the damage to your home. 

Call us today!

Homeowners in Louisa, VA and the surrounding area turn to the team at The Pivotal Insurance Agency LLC for all of their insurance needs. If you want to make sure that your current homeowner’s policy provides the coverage you need, get in touch with us. We are here to help our community. Call or stop by today! 

Why a home business needs commercial insurance

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Home businesses are becoming increasingly popular and they make up the largest percentage of all new small businesses. It’s easy to see the attraction, you don’t need to spend money on a storefront, but it is risky to not treat your business as a separate entity from your home. At The Pivotal Insurance Agency LLC in Louisa, VA we understand commercial insurance and why your business needs it. 

Property insurance

Home property insurance is very different from commercial property insurance. Commercial property includes not only the building, it covers the things you need to run your business. Your home property insurance will not pay for your business inventory or raw materials. In order to protect your business, you need commercial property insurance. 

Liability insurance

Your home has liability insurance and if anyone who is visiting you is injured, you have coverage. But your home insurance will not cover someone who is visiting your home for business purposes. You would be leaving yourself open to legal action and you would have to pay for it yourself if you don’t have commercial liability coverage. It is not worth the risk.

Auto insurance

If you are using your personal auto for business reasons and have an accident, you will not be covered. You need to have commercial insurance on a vehicle that you are using for business.  

Workers compensation 

In Virginia, if your business has two or more employees, whether they are part-time, seasonal, or full-time, you need to provide workers’ compensation insurance. 

Business interruption insurance

Most small businesses can benefit from this insurance, which will help you to pay your bills if you are forced to stop doing business because of a covered peril. It can be a lifesaver. 

Give Us A Call

Contact The Pivotal Insurance Agency LLC in Louisa, VA to discuss what commercial insurance is best for your business.