Running a business is hard work, and of course, your bottom line is always in the front of your mind. You want to cut costs wherever you can, but you need to make sure your Canby, OR business is covered with a solid commercial insurance policy. Not sure whether you’re covered? Stop by Oliver Insurance in Canby, OR to chat with a licensed insurance agent to discuss your policy.

There are three types of commercial insurance: property, liability, and workman’s compensation. Property insurance pays for damages to a company or personal property. There are a variety of different facets of property insurance that are available for purchase. From fire insurance to disaster debris removal insurance, you’ll be able to find what fits the needs of your business. Liability insurance covers injuries that occur at the hand of your company to third parties. We’ve all heard of slip and fall lawsuits- the last thing place you want to find your business is on the receiving end of that mess. Liability insurance will keep your company safe from sue-happy customers. Malpractice insurance also falls into the liability insurance category and is key if you are in the medical field. Workman’s compensation insurance is key in case one of your employees gets hurt on the job. Workman’s compensation insurance will cover the employee’s medical bills. Most states require businesses to carry some sort of workman’s compensation insurance.

Your business is your baby, and you need to protect everything that it’s worth. Call a licensed insurance agent at Oliver Insurance today to discuss commercial insurance options that make sense for your budget and needs.

Even if a home is not in a federally-designated flood area, the floodplains are changing with new 100-year floods that are not expected.

The national recognition of flood zones in America is designated by maps maintained by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). These maps are available for free from FEMA at the Flood Map Service Center. They are called the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM).

A FIRM is a useful starting point for evaluating the flood risk for a community; however, relying only on a FIRM may put many homes at risk that were not previously considered to be in flood zones. This is because global climate changes are causing the flood zones to change. Consult with your agent at Oliver Insurance, serving Canby, OR, to learn more about the hidden risk of floods in areas not currently designated as being in a flood zone.

The FIRM for any community is based on historical records. The problem with this is the reliance on historical data does not take into account extraordinary floods that happen due to unprecedented climate changes. This past year was a clear example of the surprising natural disasters that are possible.

There were three major hurricanes that caused huge damage to the U.S. and its territories. These all were considered 100-year events. This means that they had a small likelihood of occurring and were only expected to happen once in every one hundred years.

In fact, US Today reports that the probable risk of any major hurricane is about 11% each year for Miami and less than five percent for Houston, Texas or for Puerto Rico. To have three of these major disasters in the same year, doing billions of dollars in damage, is definitely an anomaly according to historical statistical probabilities.

Consider Flood Insurance

Even if your home is currently not located in a flood zone, according to the old maps maintained by FEMA, considering flood insurance is still a good idea. Relying on old maps is not the best strategy when major record-breaking weather changes are occurring. Check with your agent at Oliver Insurance, serving Canby, OR, to learn more about flood insurance for your home and properties. Contact us today.

Umbrella insurance is one of the lesser knowns and understood types of insurance available on the market today. However, just because it is not very known or understood does not mean that it is not a good insurance that should be considered. There are many reasons to consider getting umbrella insurance but if you are not sure if it is right for you, consider these circumstances from Oliver Insurance, serving Canby, OR.

• Your home policy does not cover the full value of your home. If you have a home that exceeds the value of what traditional home insurance will cover, umbrella insurance can cover the remaining amount so you do not have a gap in coverage.
• Your auto policy does not provide coverage for the full value of your vehicle. Just like with your home, an umbrella insurance policy can also cover anything over a standard policy for your vehicle.
• You tend to host a lot of parties at your house. You should want to have extra liability coverage if you like to host parties at your home on a frequent basis. You never know when something will go wrong and someone may try to sue you for it. Having that extra coverage from an umbrella policy can make all the difference in this type of situation.

If one or more of these reasons is something that you or your family relate to, then it is probably a good time to consider getting umbrella insurance. If you are interested in learning more about your options, be sure to reach out to us here at Oliver Insurance, serving Canby OR, today. We can help you explore all of your options and will even get you a quote for a policy that meets your needs and stays within your budget.

Spring has sprung and we have some news to share! Click on the link for our latest updates! Spring 2018 newsletter

As always, thank you for your business!

The Oliver Insurance Team

Matt Einstein, Kathy Clifford, Ryan Oliver, Summer Buel, Brett Henry

(pictured from left to right)

Nobody expects or wants to find several inches of water in their living room, but sadly it happens. In fact, floods are thought to be the number one form of natural disasters in the United States. Unfortunately, water damage can happen to anyone, especially those who live in flood zones in Canby OR. The best way to protect your family and your home against a flood is to be prepared; know what to do before, during and after a flood.

Plan Ahead

Planning ahead and being prepared is the most important thing you can do when it comes to a flood and one of the first things to do is buy flood insurance. Many people assume that their homeowner’s insurance will cover damages caused by a flood, but it does not. Whether you live in a flood zone or not, it is highly recommended that you talk with an Oliver Insurance agent about flood insurance before a flood strikes. Other ways to plan ahead include:

• Build on high ground. If building new, it’s best to avoid building your home on low-lying land, next to a river-even in areas that have been dry for several years.
• Protect electrical appliances-by elevating electrical systems and your HVAC system, you can reduce the risk of short circuits and potential fires.
• Build a barrier to prevent water from entering your home, you can build a barrier either with compacted earth or masonry.
• Seal your home if you are in a flood zone, you can provide additional protection by sealing your home. This may include installing water shields over the doors and windows and/or coating the walls with a waterproof sealant.

What to do During a Storm

It is important to be alert and get updated information consistently, in case you need to evacuate. Keep in mind that you don’t need to wait for further instructions to move to higher ground. Even if there isn’t an evacuation issued, move to upper floors or leave the residence. Areas can fill up quickly with flood water, so do not attempt to walk or drive near flooded areas.

Following a Flood

Once it’s safe to return to your home, the first thing to do is file an insurance claim. The insurance company will want a general description of the damages and will generally have an adjuster come out to evaluate the damage. Be sure to document all damages before making any repairs-if possible take photographs and/or videos of the damages. Contact a local, reliable contractor to evaluate the damages and provide an estimate for repairs.

Restorations from a storm and/or flood can be significant as well as overwhelming. It’s best to try and remain as calm as possible and take everything step-by-step. It is important that you stay in constant contact with your insurance provider and do not make any permanent repairs until an adjuster has reviewed the damages.

Residents of and around Canby, OR interested in purchasing flood insurance should contact Oliver Insurance.