Boise ID

Will my Umbrella Policy Cover a Worker’s Compensation Award?

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Umbrella insurance can be a lifesaver for a small business if it is used correctly. Members of the Fuhriman Insurance Agency who serve the Boise, ID area and the surrounding communities can explain the nuances of umbrella insurance and what types of companies will benefit the most from adding it to their portfolio.

Worker’s Compensation Coverage

Worker’s Compensation coverage is a unique form of insurance that protects a company from financial loss after an employee has been injured while on the job. Depending on the severity of the injuries they receive, the treatment they need can last months or even years. This can be extremely costly and may surpass the funds the company has available to cover their medical expenses.

The Benefits of Umbrella Coverage

Umbrella insurance doesn’t include coverage for Worker’s Compensation claims, but it does help to take up the slack during liability cases. This type of coverage may also be beneficial in terms of storm damage, especially if the cost to make the necessary repairs the exceeds your current policies limits.  Umbrella coverage works better for some types of businesses than it does for others, so it’s important to talk to your insurance agent before making a final decision.

Umbrella insurance is an excellent way to protect your small business from financial loss and devastation. Although umbrella insurance doesn’t help with Worker’s Compensation cases, it can help in many types of liability cases where your traditional coverage may not be sufficient. In Boise, ID, the agents of Fuhriman Insurance Agency encourage small business owners to call their office if they have any questions about this type of coverage.

What Happens If You Don’t Buy Workers Comp Insurance as an Employer?

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By law, everyone who employees one or more person in Idaho is required to have some form of workers compensation coverage. This may be placing a bond with the state, having a self-administered program or purchasing workers compensation insurance. Here at Fuhriman Insurance Agency, serving the Boise, ID area, we are often asked what happens if an employer does carry workers compensation coverage through one of the options allowed by the state. Here is the answer. 

Who is Required to Have Coverage?

In the state of Idaho, you are required to have workers compensation coverage if you have one or more employee who works for your business. This law excludes business partners and owners, as well as a potential spouse who may be working for you. In most cases, the law also excludes any freelance employees. All other employees must be covered by a workers compensation coverage plan. 

What Happens If You Don’t Have Worker’s Compensation Coverage?

If you do not have worker’s compensation coverage, there are many potential problems you could encounter. You could be forced to pay a fine by the state, you may face increased premiums when you finally do get insurance, and if an employee becomes injured and you lack coverage, you may be forced to pay for their injuries and future compensation out of your business or personal money. 

If you are looking to meet the worker’s compensation coverage guidelines required by the state of Idaho, Fuhriman Insurance Agency, serving the Boise, ID area, can help. Contact us today to discuss your needs and let us provide you with a quote. 

Throwing Parties as a Renter: Why You Need Insurance to Protect You

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When you decide to throw a party in your apartment, it’s unlikely that you put ‘buy renters insurance’ on your to-do list. You’re probably far more concerned about serving the right appetizers and getting the right decorations than you are with anything else. But the people in Boise, ID who want to protect themselves from liability claims may want to reconsider their actions before going any further. 

How Liability Works 

While every situation is different, renters are typically held liable for what happens to their guests when they’re on their property. This means that if a person slips and falls on your kitchen floor because another guest spilled a drink and didn’t clean it up, you may have to pay for the injured party’s medical bills due to negligence. You’re also responsible for keeping your guests on the premises if they happen to become impaired from alcohol or drugs. If they leave in their car and hit someone else, there’s a chance that you’ll be asked to pay the medical bills. 

Help from Fuhriman Insurance Agency

Our agency is here to help renters in Boise, ID get a handle on their responsibilities so they don’t make a mistake that could haunt them for the rest of their lives. Throwing a party is a fun event that will typically go off without a hitch. It’s not a reason to become scared to have people over to your home or to hide away from the world. But at the same time, it’s foolish to pretend there aren’t risks involved when it comes to your next big bash. For more information call Fuhriman Insurance Agency for a free quote. Renters insurance is one of the most affordable types of insurance available!

3 Scenarios Where Umbrella Insurance Could Possibly Be Used

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Umbrella insurance is an “extra” type of liability insurance. This policy is designed to help protect you from serious lawsuits and claims, which will also help to protect your assets and your future. While you will have your basic auto, homeowners, and boat insurance policy, the umbrella insurance will cover any damages that exceed this amount, ensuring you don’t face significant losses in an accident or other unexpected situation.

Three situations when umbrella insurance from Fuhriman Insurance Agency may be beneficial in Boise, ID can be found here.

1. The Neighbor’s Kid Falls Down the Stairs and is Injured

When it comes to injuries at your home or on your property, your homeowner’s policy is going to determine a set amount that will be paid. However, if a child falls down your stairs and suffers long-term injuries or even a permanent disability, the costs of medical bills and recovery could far exceed your insurance liability. In this situation, umbrella coverage can kick in and ensure that all bills are paid and that you don’t have to sell your home or take other drastic steps to cover the expenses.

2. Your Dog Bites a Guest

This situation is similar to the one above. When something happens to someone on your property, regardless of if it is an accident or something else, liability falls to you. You are the one who is expected to cover the bills and expenses related to the accident or issue. This is another example of when umbrella insurance can be beneficial.

3. Your Teenager Takes Your Car Without Permission and gets in an Accident, Injuring the other Party

Unfortunately, this is an all-too-common occurrence. Another bit of bad news is that if your child is not listed on your auto insurance policy, the insurance company may not pay for the damages or injuries they have caused. This is another example of the benefits offered by having umbrella insurance coverage.

To learn more about umbrella insurance and the benefits it offers to Boise, ID residents, contact the professional staff at the Fuhriman Insurance Agency.

 

4 Questions to Ask About Bar & Restaurant Insurance

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For anyone operating a bar and/or restaurant in the Boise, ID area, or people who are thinking of starting up this type of business, there are a lot of details to consider. One of those details that sometimes goes overlooked is bar & restaurant insurance. Fortunately, the Fuhriman Insurance Agency can help. There are a number of great options with companies that provide this type of insurance, and getting multiple quotes in one place makes everything easier and less complicated. Additionally, talking to a knowledgeable agent can make things feel less stressful, as well, and help get concerns addressed and questions answered. Here are four questions that should always be asked:

1. Is additional coverage needed beyond this policy?

2. How much is the deductible?

3. What kinds of things are specifically not covered by this policy?

4. How does the serving or not serving of alcohol affect the insurance coverage?

While there are other things a person will want to know about bar & restaurant insurance for their Boise, ID business, these are the main types of questions they will want to ask their insurance agent before they pick a policy and get started. Then they can work with that agent to compile the proper information and determine what else needs to be known.

The more information the agent has about the business, the easier it will be for them to determine the right level of coverage. Someone operating a small restaurant that does not serve alcohol at all may need very different coverage than someone who has a large bar that also serves some food. Both of these can be very viable businesses, and reaching out to the Fuhriman Insurance Agency can help protect those businesses and keep their owners moving forward with their plans and goals.

Are You Legally Required to Buy Workers Compensation Insurance?

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If you own a business, you may find yourself wondering if you are legally required to purchase workers compensation insurance. This is a question that we at Fuhriman Insurance Agency, serving the greater Boise, ID area, are often asked. Here is what you need to know about whether you are legally required to buy workers compensation insurance. 

You Have No Employees

If you are self-employed and you do not have any employees, you are not legally required to buy workers compensation insurance. This includes those who only have a spouse that works for them or those who utilize the services of sub-contractors. As long as you do not have anyone that is legally deemed to be an employee, you are not required to obtain and carry this type of insurance. 

You Have Employees

If you employee anyone, even if it is only other person, you are legally required to carry workers compensation insurance by law. This insurance covers the cost of medical bills, lost wages, and permanents injuries if your employee is injured on the job. If you do not carry this type of insurance, you could face heavy fines by the state your business is located in, or your business can even be shut down until you obtain the correct insurance. 

Having the right worker’s compensation insurance is vital to the operation of your business. If you are looking to purchase workers compensation insurance in the greater Boise, ID area, turn to Fuhriman Insurance Agency. We can help you find the right coverage for your business needs. Call us today to schedule an appointment to sit down and discuss your worker’s comp insurance needs. 

Defining Legal Liability In Your Industry

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The truth about legal liability in any industry in Boise, ID? It’s flexible. That is to say: it comes down to whether or not the lawyer can make a good case. This is why getting a legal liability policy through Fuhriman Insurance Agency isn’t a bad idea, no matter what your field.

There are a lot of points along the pipeline where legal liability might be placed, and it generally comes down to what the lawyer wants to target, and whether the lawyer can convince the judge. If someone is injured on a vape pen, for instance, the problem might be that the vape pen was improperly stored at the shop. It could be a manufacturing issue, or it could be a defect with the charger. If it’s probably the shopkeeper’s fault, but the manufacturer is the one with deeper pockets, then the suit brought up will most likely prioritize the manufacturer.

This sounds quite cynical. It’s not that the truth has no place in the courts, rather, you have to consider whether or not you’re going to be made a target. Even if you make sure to run everything above board, providing safe products and services with properly trained staff, you still might be the one that is targeted for legal liability depending on a number of factors. Maybe the distributor you work with has a better legal team, so you’re an easier target, for instance. This may seem kind of paranoid, but we’re not talking about everyday concerns. More of your customers, partners and clients than not will be fair, reasonable people, and sometimes legal liability is a lot more cut and dry. But one of the big reasons to consider calling Fuhriman Insurance Agency for a legal liability policy is because you need protection just in case someone does put you in their crosshairs.

Will my insurance policy protect my collection in the event of a theft? What if the theft occurred outside the house?

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The older you get, the more expensive your toys get sometimes. You may have a more discretional income to live out your dreams and have the things you’ve always wanted. If you have a toy or toy collection in Boise, ID, you know that you need to protect your toys from any kind of losses. While you may expect damage that occurs from accidents, you also need protection from theft. Due to their nature, your toys present attractive targets to potential thieves.

While not everyone understands the importance of toys for grown-ups, we at Fuhriman Insurance Agency understand how important it is to have your toys for fun and relaxation. ATVs, speedboats and other kinds of grown-up toys. You need to know your insurance policy will cover you in case of loss after you have made the investment.

The bottom line will always be what your contract states. You can obtain a special insurance policy to cover your toys or add on to your other insurance policies. Your insurance will cover theft up to your policy limits, so you need to discuss with your insurance agent how losses are calculated. 

Your losses will also be covered even if you were not at home or on your own property. Whether the theft occurred during transport or use, you will be reimbursed for acts of theft.

If your current coverage isn’t adequate for your needs, or if you want to explore your options and possibly find a new policy entirely, contact Fuhriman Insurance Agency today. Serving Boise, ID, we will be happy to help you explore all your options.

Do I need special coverage for anything that happens as a result of my bar serving alcohol to someone?

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When a business in Boise, ID wants to serve alcohol, it must apply for a special permit from the State.All businesses serving alcohol need this permit, whether alcohol is served on the side with meals or is the main part of what happens there.  Businesses are also expected to behave ethically and responsible when dealing with alcohol, such as not continuing to sell alcohol to customers who are already intoxicated.

There have been some cases where intoxicated customers left a bar and were involved in automobile crashes. Sometimes, intoxicated customers have accidents or even get into fights and hurt people or damage property. These damages can range from small, like broken glasses, to fatal crashes with very large damages. If your business is not protected, you may end up needing to pay for those damages out of pocket.

Most businesses that sell alcohol have strict policies and provide training to all employees to make sure those policies are carried out. However, sometimes accidents happen even if you do everything you can to prevent them.

At Fuhriman Insurance Agency, we can help you find the insurance policy to best protect your business if you serve alcohol. Those kinds of damages are generally not covered under any other insurance policies, like property insurance or general liability policies. That is because alcohol can provide a greater possibility of risky behavior that leads to damages.

However, if you already have one of those other policies at Fuhriman Insurance Agency, you can probably add a Liquor Liability clause or policy for an additional premium. If you have a business in Boise, ID that serves alcohol, don’t wait to protect yourself. Call today for all your options.

Occupational Diseases Covered by Workers Compensation Insurance

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Obvious examples of injuries sustained at work include abrasions, bruises, and broken bones. Workers compensation insurance covers such work-related injuries, but they are not the only injuries that are meant to be covered by this policy. Fuhriman Insurance agency offers a wide range of workers compensation insurance options in Boise, ID and the surrounding areas.

Occupational diseases tend to be rare as compared to physical injuries, but they do occur. As a business owner, you will want to have a compensation policy that covers your personnel and ensures that your business is protected from losses resulting from lawsuits. It is vital to understand that occupational diseases are not the commonly occurring conditions like flu or cold.

The cold and flu are viruses that employees can easily come into contact with at home or in the workplace. An occupational disease is a malady that the employee acquires after they have been exposed to conditions at their places of work. They include:

  • Hepatitis that may be acquired by lab techs
  • Tuberculosis that may be acquired by a nurse attending to patients
  • Contact dermatitis that may be acquired from dishwashers
  • Coal worker’s pneumoconiosis

For a condition to be considered an occupational disease, there must be an existing link between the disease you’ve contracted and the type of job you perform.

Many small business owners do not have to deal with the worry of occupational diseases. But if the company often deals with chemicals that are dangerous or noxious, it may be essential to have a good worker’s compensation insurance policy.

If you’re living in Boise, ID, you can call any of our agents at Fuhriman Insurance Agency for more information on occupational diseases that are covered by worker’s compensation insurance. You are also free to visit any of our offices for a more detailed consultation.