As an electrician you probably spend a lot of time on the road going from one client to another, so you should include a comprehensive commercial auto policy in addition to the general liability insurance for electrical contractors. You can add Theft and Property in Transit to cover any equipment you have in your vehicle. Specific Items cover will insure would be placed under a property insurance policy or a business owners policy for your office to protect any specialized equipment you might use and which would be expensive to replace.

Even if you are renting your office, you should nevertheless include Fire and Other Defined Events cover and Electronic Equipment cover in your insurance for electricians. Other defined events can include damage by water, storms and trees falling onto your office. Electronic equipment coverage will insure your computer, printer, fax machine and telephone from fire or water damage and also from malicious damage and theft.

Be sure to read your entire policy for coverage to make sure you are protected in all various aspects you consider important to your business.  In the end, the policy declarations supercede all else.  Be careful and read your policies fully… always.

You should also consider workers comp coverage to protect your employees in case of injury.

And don’t hesitate to contact Bart Taylor Insurance with all of your business insurance, commercial property insurance, health insurance, home insurance at 512-294-6774.

HOWEVER. If you hire an uninsured sub, then YOU could still be liable for benefits for your subcontractors even if they don’t have a policy in place.

You can’t buy workers comp insurance for just subs, so unless you want to be stuck holding the bag, you will need to require your subs to buy workers comp insurance, AND provide you with proof of coverage. Otherwise, YOU may have to pay lost wages and medical costs.  It’s a good idea for your subs to be covered in every area of insurance.

The same goes for professional liability, auto liability, and general liability – YOU, the general contractor, may be liable, unless your subs are fully insured, naming you “additional insured” on their policies.

Too many businesses avoid paying for benefits and coverage for employees by hiring subs only. So the law has reacted, by holding the general contractor responsible for any uninsured subcontractors. Please be advised. Hiring subcontractors without insurance could be costly.

If the money passes through your organization, you DO need liability, workers comp, commercial auto, professional liability, and likely property coverage.

There are three main types of commercial property insurance policies and you should read the terms and conditions of each one to make sure that you are getting the coverage that meets your needs. Basic policies will cover things such as fire and storm damage, a vehicle crashing into your office or an airplane dropping onto your roof.  Broad policies will cover the same as the basic policy as well as water damage and your roof caving in under heavy snow. Water damage coverage any leaking from taps or burst pipes, but won’t include floods or tsunamis.  The third type of commercial property insurance is special form, which will cover everything apart from earthquakes, terrorism, nuclear catastrophes and war. All three policies will offer two types of repayment in the event of you putting in a claim.  The first kind is replacement cost whereby the insurers will replace your building and equipment with new no matter the age and state of the building or equipment. The second kind is current cash rate repayment, which means that the insurer will pay towards replacing your office and equipment taking into account their age and downgrading through wear and tear.

Just as no two businesses have the same needs, so too commercial property insurance packages differ. If you work on your own for example you don’t need employee personal property coverage, just as you don’t need building insurance if you are renting your office. If you are a lawyer or an architect you might want to insure your paperwork. You should get coverage for business interruption insurance to help if you can’t work after damage or theft. Crime coverage is also essential especially if your workplace is in a high-crime area. This will cover you for theft, property damage during a break-in and forgery if your check book or other payment methods are stolen.

Before signing a commercial property insurance contract you should do some shopping around first to compare premiums and coverage. Don’t get the cheapest offer until you have made sure that it gives you the coverage you need. Read all the fine print and check up on deductibles. It is also a good idea to make sure that the insurance company is licensed to do business in your state. If it is a surplus lines company, there are no federal or state guarantees of payment.  This could be huge if there is a huge natural disaster in your area and you’re with a small insurance company, but it’s your choice in the end.  You should also check the company’s rating score to be certain that they will be able to meet any eventual claim you put in.

Use fireworks only outside. Never use fireworks indoors. Obey local laws. They know best. If fireworks are not legal where you live, do not use them. Or if there is a firework ban, please do not disobey this law. This could be extremely dangerous for you and your community. These fireworks safetly laws are there for a reason.

Always have a water hose or water bucket handy. Only use fireworks as intended. Don’t try to alter them or combine them. Never relight a firework that didn’t originally work, or what’s called a “dud” firework. Wait 20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water.

Use common sense. Spectators should keep a safe distance from the fireworks and the people lighting the fireworks. Please have someone that hasn’t been drinking alcohol light and shoot the fireworks… for obvious reasons.
Parents, please keep fireworks out of the hands of children. It’s best for children to be at least 13 years old to be the shooter of fireworks.
Make sure you are in an open area away from any flammable items. And lastly, report any illegal use of fireworks to the authorities. This is for you, your family, and the person in the wrong.

Just a few firework safety tips on the 4th of July, it will make a much more pleasant and safe experience for everyone.
Enjoy the 4th of July!

Please contact Bart Taylor for all of your insurance, business insurance and commercial property or commercial building insurance needs in Texas at 512-782-2075.

Here are a few easy steps to protect your commercial property…
• Act quickly if you see unexpected water on your commercial property. Label valves so you can quick shut off water to avoid damage.
• Make sure your building envelope (the building components that enclose the structure) are water resistant.
• Make sure plumbing and electrical systems are operating efficiently.
• Identify all leaks or cracks and repair as soon as possible.
• A good inspection can save a lot of problems. Also consider an energy audit from Austin Auditors… www.austinauditors.com
• Please keep in mind that water damage insurance is completely different than a flood insurance. Flood insurance is always a completely separate policy.
Please call Bart Taylor Insurance at 512-782-2075 if you’d like to further discuss water damage or any concern with your commercial real estate insurance.