Setting Up Your Small Business For Success October 3, 2022 With Small Business Saturday and the holidays rapidly approaching, many business owners are gearing up for a busy season ahead. Running a company takes dedication and preparation, no matter your experience. One thing to set your business up for success is to make sure you have the right coverage. Why is Commercial Insurance Important? Every dollar counts when it comes to small businesses. For example, you can take every precaution possible, but when the unexpected strikes, it’s important that you have the right coverage. If you haven’t secured coverage, an unforeseen event can cause significant financial damage. The bills can add up fast without the right level of coverage for your business. The right policy could help save you money when accidents happen. Taking steps now means peace of mind for you and a helping hand from OKFB when life’s unexpected moments happen. What Options are Available? With commercial insurance, there are many policies that can help build out the best level of protection for you. Some common policies are ones that protect the business property and equipment you’ve invested in. Commercial property insurance and commercial auto policies are here so you can rest easy knowing these assets are protected in the event of an accident. There are also broader options to protect your business from things like expensive liability lawsuits. A commercial general liability policy can help mitigate the financial impact of a liability claim if there is injury or property damage to a third party in the course of your business. For some companies, commercial umbrella plans are a good option to provide an even higher level of financial protection and excess liability coverage. Plus, there are plans specifically designed for small businesses! A businessowners policy is tailored to the needs of small businesses like retail, restaurants, apartments, artisan contractors and more. For example, these policies combine different coverage types, fill in the gaps of traditional coverage, and can be custom-fit to your needs. No matter your business size or age, there’s a policy to protect what you’ve worked to build. We’re Here to Help You’re the expert at your business, but you don’t have to be an expert at insurance to get the right level of protection for your company. If you have questions or concerns that you want to discuss, connect with your local OKFB agent today. If you have any insurance-specific questions, we would love to help you find the coverage that best meets your home, auto, commercial and life insurance needs. Don’t forget to follow us on social media! This kind of information and more is just a click away. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
Top Insurance Questions Answered by Insurance Agents – Part 3 April 11, 2022 Insurance can be confusing and that’s why some of our agents took the time to answer a few of the most frequently asked questions. If you have any other questions or need additional clarification, please do not hesitate to reach out and contact your local OKFB agent today! What is Insurance? Insurance is a contract between you and a provider. You pay your premiums (typically monthly or annually) and an insurance company agrees to pay for your covered losses. It can help protect you from the financial consequences of unexpected events, such as car accidents, fires, or theft. What Does Homeowners Insurance Cover? Homeowners Insurance can help protect your home and possessions from damage or loss due to covered perils. This can include fire, windstorm, hail, water damage and theft. It also offers personal liability coverage. It can also help financially protect you if you are sued for causing property damage or someone is severely injured at your home. What Does It Not Cover? Every home policy is unique to each individual, location, cost of a home, and past credit history. To cover other aspects, you may need extended coverage. Have an open conversation with your agent about which parts of your policy may need to be expanded (i.e. by-laws, earthquakes, floods, etc.). However, typical wear and tear is not covered and should be maintained over time. What Does Auto Insurance Cover? Auto coverage can help financially protect you if you are in covered accident. It may cover damage to a car, as well as potential medical expenses and property damage incurred by you or other people involved in the accident. Does a Small Business Need Insurance? A business that is run through your home by one or two people might not need workers’ compensation insurance, but it could need more coverage than your average homeowner’s policy. Make sure to double-check your home liability and property policy to see whether you are financially covered. Be sure to stay in touch with your OKFB agent about your business coverage needs. What is the Difference Between Term Life and Whole Life Insurance? Term life insurance provides coverage for a specific period of time, such as 20 years. Whole life insurance provides coverage for your entire life. Term life typically has lower premiums than whole life, but it does not build cash value. Whole life typically has higher premiums than term life policies, but it builds cash value over time. We hope you found these questions and answers helpful! If you have any other questions, please do not hesitate to connect with us. We would be happy to help you find the coverage that best meets your home, auto, commercial, and life insurance needs. Don’t forget to follow us on social media! This kind of information and more is just a click away. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
3 Ways to Show You Care January 31, 2022 Valentine’s Day is the perfect holiday to show your loved ones how much you care. This year, don’t just get flowers and chocolates. One gift that can truly last is insurance. It may not be as romantic as a dozen roses, but it can provide protection for life. Protect Your Valuables Home is where you usually feel safest and where you keep your most prized possessions. Whether you’re a homeowner or a renter, both insurance lines offer personal property coverage. Personal property coverage covers personal belongings inside a home in the event of damages or theft that may not be covered under a general Homeowners or Renters Insurance line. Personal property coverage can provide a sense of security and help in recuperating valuables. Reach out to your local OKFB Agent and see if the jewelry you have or are planning to give for Valentine’s Day is covered. Travel With Confidence Planning a weekend getaway for the weekend of love? Whether you’re fishing at the lake, racing ATVs or cruising Route 66 in an RV, one way to protect your loved ones from the unexpected is with Recreational Insurance. We offer a wide range of coverage options that could help you when making new memories wherever your travels take you. Support Your Employees The COVID-19 pandemic has shown us that small businesses have to expect the unexpected and adapt quickly. Many Oklahoma businesses have suffered from lost revenue, staffing shortages or have had to close their doors completely. One way to show you care for your employees is to give the gift of insurance. Our fully-customizable Business Owners Insurance includes Loss of Income coverage that could help cover a loss of net income due to suspension of operations and help pay for continuing payroll expenses. BONUS – How We Care: Drive with Peace of Mind One auto-related gift to offer a loved one, and no, we’re not talking about buying a car, is Roadside Rescue. As an OKFB member or policyholder, we give you the gift of Roadside Rescue. This is a free service that provides 24/7 assistance wherever you or your loved one is nationwide. Enjoy the gift of traveling with confidence and peace of mind wherever and whenever this Valentine’s Day. Insurance coverage is a great way to show you care and to provide loved ones with protection and safety. Reach out to your local OKFB Insurance agent if you have questions about your existing plan or purchasing a new one. We’re here to help!
Protect Your Business From Shoplifters November 10, 2021 With the holiday rush, the risk of encountering shoplifters increases. As a business owner, your primary focus is on your customers and on ensuring they have a good experience with your business. However, there are a few things you can implement before the holidays to minimize the risk of shoplifting. Manage Inventory Although you might think your only shoplifting threat comes from potential customers, company employees actually pose a considerable risk. The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners reported that small businesses are the most vulnerable to employee fraud and abuse. Since there is a risk of employees shoplifting, consider developing and following a solid inventory process. Also, ensure that any employees managing inventory are trusted and trained. Train Employees During your business’s peak season, it can be hard to watch for shoplifters and manage customers. To help with this, it could be beneficial to train employees on what signs to look for and how to mitigate risk. You should have employees check in with customers frequently. Posting signage also lets customers know they are being watched. Additionally, having a greeter at the front door provides not only a friendly experience, but this person can also monitor for any suspicious activity from people coming in and out. Hire and Schedule Appropriately If you believe you’ll need additional help during your busy season, consider hiring part-time employees. Shoplifters tend to notice where employees are and how many are around. Having just a few more people on the store floor can help customers find what they need. It also adds an extra layer of security by deterring possible shoplifting. As the holiday season approaches, consider reaching out to your local OKFB agent to discuss any needed changes or updates to your Commercial Insurance or Businessowners policy.
