Bar fights and your insurance needs

Bar fights and insurance needs probably aren’t the first topics a new bar or restaurant owner think of, but preparation remains vital to business success. No bar or restaurant owner wants to think about a fight breaking out, but drama occurs in even the finest establishments. Proper insurance preparation is key. Every owner needs to understand the legal doctrine of premises liability and obtain premises liability insurance.

Premises Liability

The law considers bar patrons and restaurant goers "invitees." Invitees have the right to remain safe from harm or injury while on the premises. Premises includes the parking lot, alleys, and land on which the establishment sits. The owner "must do everything reasonably possible" to keep patrons safe. Inviting children onto the premises increases the burden of "adequate warning" and protection. Hiring security or bouncers comes under this. If a fight breaks out and a court finds for the patron, the cost to the bar or restaurant can be great. Carrying proper insurance protects the establishment.

No-fault Premises Liability Insurance

Many establishments purchase no-fault premises liability insurance. This insurance pays injury claims of patrons regardless of who was at fault. It does not cover pain and suffering, however. The insurance covers other incident types, as well, like falls and fires. This is a separate policy from the business insurance policy. Carrying this policy helps the business avoid lawsuits by paying for the patron’s injuries regardless of fault.

Boise, ID’s Fuhriman Insurance Agency can help you understand the special insurance needs of a bar or restaurant. We’ll help you determine the policies you need and appropriate coverage amounts for your establishment.You can avoid potential lawsuits through proper insurance. In Boise, ID, Fuhriman Insurance Agency wants to help you keep your business safe and growing.

How to Know if a Worker is an Employee or Independent Contractor

As a business owner in the Boise, ID area, it’s important to know if you are working with an independent contractor or if you have an employee according to the Idaho rules.  The difference can affect your business in a variety of ways.  Idaho State uses a control test to help determine if the working relationship is employee-employer or an independent contractor.  The “Right to Control Test” has four main areas to help guide you through the distinction. 

  • Control by the business.  If the business requires set hours of work, provides training, integrates the worker into the business’s main mode of operation, or has a requirement of reports on a schedule, then it is an employee-employer relationship.  If the worker provides their service to other companies and the general public, it’s likely they are an independent contractor.
  • Method of payment.  If payment is made by regular intervals – hour, week, day, month or other intervals, the relationship is employee-employer.  If the worker could have a profit or loss as a direct result of their service, then they are considered an independent contractor.
  • Necessary equipment.  If the company provides the equipment necessary, then it is seen as an employee-employer relationship.  An independent contractor makes the equipment investment.
  • In an employee-employer relationship, there is an ongoing relationship focused around the work.  If it is not an employee, the relationship can be ended without liability by either party at any time.

A “yes” to any of these items can mean the relationship is employee-employer.  Use the “Right to Control Test” as a guide.

Fuhriman Insurance Agency

The Fuhriman Insurance Agency provides commercial insurance to companies in the Boise, ID area.  Contact a Fuhriman agent today to review your business insurance needs.

What Is Umbrella Insurance and Why Do I Need It?

We live in a litigious society. As a Boise, ID homeowner, having added insurance protection and knowing your personal assets aren’t at risk can bring peace of mind. Just as an umbrella protects you from inclement weather on a rainy day, added umbrella insurance coverage can help you shield your personal assets in the case of a large liability claim. Having umbrella liability protection in place if you are found liable for legal damages that exceed your homeowner or auto insurance can help you avoid financial ruin

Umbrella coverage kicks in when you have reached the limits of your present homeowner or auto policy coverage. If your homeowner policy has $500,000 limit, by purchasing an additional umbrella policy you can cover claims that run higher than $500,000. This protection covers a variety of claims as well as legal defense costs, slander, libel, and defamation of character.

Why Should I Buy an Umbrella Insurance Policy?

The more you own, the more you have to lose, in the event of a large claim. If you have accumulated any type of personal wealth, including, but not limited to, a home, property, or an investment portfolio, you can potentially benefit from an umbrella policy. Check with Fuhriman Insurance Agency to find out if you have assets which need extra protection, or if you may be a target of a large lawsuit.

An umbrella policy may also protect you if you are the type of person whose personal circumstances can make them a target for a lawsuit, such as someone who:

  • Has a swimming pool
  • Owns a large-breed dog
  • Participates in hobbies or sports that could lead to unintentional harm to others, such as auto racing or hunting

The Pros of Umbrella Insurance

Umbrella insurance provides coverage not covered in your homeowner or auto insurance policy. If you have a low tolerance for risk an umbrella policy is an attractive protection method for securing your assets. There are many advantages to having an umbrella insurance policy, including:

  • Your retirement nest egg is protected. A large liability lawsuit could potentially drain your savings and delay your retirement. With umbrella coverage that is less likely to happen.
  • Your family and pets are covered. It is difficult to control the behavior and actions of other members of your family, including pets. In the event that you, other family members or pets cause harm or injury, an umbrella policy will cover those claims.
  • It’s relatively inexpensive. An umbrella policy doesn’t take effect until your primary homeowner and auto policy limits are reached, so coverage rates are generally inexpensive. 
  • Peace of mind. You’ll rest easier knowing that large, unexpected liability claims won’t cost you your savings.

For more information about how to protect your home, family, and assets, call the Boise, ID insurance experts at Fuhriman Insurance Agency today.  

 

In Boise, ID, What Are the Minimum Requirements for Auto Insurance?

The agents of Fuhriman Insurance Agency serve residents throughout the Boise, ID area. it is important to know what the state mandated insurance requirements are to be fully protected by the law. Each state requires every vehicle driven on the street to care a minimum amount of auto insurance that will cover damages to property and injuries to parties involved. Idaho, like most other states, has state mandated minimum requirements for auto insurance coverage that all drivers must carry to be legally insured. Drivers who are caught driving without proper insurance are heavily fined and may have their license suspended. 

Individuals who are found to not have the required minimum coverage may face the loss of the driver’s license, state-mandated fines, and in some cases, jail time. Whenever a person’s purchases a new vehicle, it is important to ensure they have the proper type of coverage and in the correct amounts. A person who has had the same policy in place for several years should also have their policy reviewed to make sure they carry the proper amount of insurance. A driver’s age, clean driving record, and other factors will play a role in the type of coverage a person gets and how much it will cost.

Call the agents at Fuhriman Insurance Agency if you live in Boise, ID and are concerned that your current insurance policy may not offer sufficient coverage. The agents will answer your questions and work with you to make sure you have all of the coverage you need to meet or exceed the state’s minimum insurance requirements for automotive insurance. It is important to maintain constant continuous auto coverage on your vehicle to prevent legal action being taken if an accident occurs. 

Personal Factors Impacting Car Insurance Rates

Most insured drivers are unaware that their personal information impacts car insurance rates. Unfortunately, the factors play a role so it is important you about those that are important. The following is a list that details said factors:

Car Year and Model

According to the Insurance Information Institute, auto insurance premiums are partially based on the sticker price of the car, repair costs, likelihood of theft and safety record. The cost to the insurance company for fixing a new high-end sports car will be significantly more than a mid-class sedan which shows in the premium.

Credit Score

Many insurance companies utilize credit scores and an indicator toward at-risk drivers which factors into the final rate. However, this practice is under attack as numerous states have been passing regulations with regards to credit information usage as a factor in setting car insurance rates.

Driving Profile

Although this should be of no surprise, factors like your violations and accident history have a major impact on your insurance rate. In the eyes of the insurance company, the less you drive, the less risk of a claim. This can be improved by consistent, safe driving and no moving violations. Find out more about your driving profile today at Fuhriman Insurance Agency, located in Boise, ID.

Essential Personal Information

Age, gender, and occupation all factor into setting your rates as insurance companies look for patterns of claims. A teenager is more likely to have higher insurance rates than a middle-aged driver since, statistically, teenagers have more accidents than 40-year-olds. Also, your occupation plays are role if it involves a lot of time on the road. Most insurance companies see that more miles put on your car, the higher the risk. Additionally, as a whole, women have fewer accidents than men and less DWI’s. Therefore, women pay less for auto insurance than men.

Location

The location that is registered on your driver’s license can impact the cost of insurance. Urban drivers pay a higher price than those in smaller towns and cities due to higher rates of theft, vandalism, and accidents. For instance, a driver in New York City is going to pay more for insurance than a driver in Boise, ID. Check with Fuhriman Insurance Agency today to determine how much of a difference there is in rates.

Insuring Your Auto In Boise ID? Why You Should Make Fuhriman Insurance Agency Your Top Choice

If you live in the Boise, ID area or surrounding areas making Fuhriman Insurance Agency your choice is not only a great decision it is a sound choice. With a range of insurance options, we can handle anything that your life throws your way. We specialize in insurance options for every facet of your life.  

  • Renters Insurance
  • Umbrella Insurance
  • Home Insurance
  • Toys Insurance (WAIT –  we understand the double take more on our Toys Insurance in just a few)
  • Life Insurance
  • Auto Insurance

Now, About That Auto Insurance…

Making your life easier to handle is our goal. Our agents are available if you stop in to see us here in Boise. Call us, email us, fax us a note, for a quote. We are trying to make contact with you by any means. Insuring your auto with us makes it easier to take account of your policies all in one place. Your agent will help you stay on top of all of your insurance needs, so you won’t have to. 

Now, About That Toys Insurance…

When you hear the term Toys Insurance, you may think of getting a great policy for your Slinky, but it’s bigger than that. Our agency like to have fun all of the time and we know you do too. When you are thinking of insuring your RV (Recreational Vehicle), ATV (All Terrain Vehicle), Boat or Motorcycle we want you to think of your big toy as just that a toy. However, since you are responsible, you take care and insure your toys. With Fuhriman you will be able to just think of your fun with the toy and not the responsibility because we have taken care of that for you.     
 

5 Safety Features That Can Save You Money

When you have a car in Boise, ID, it’s important to know about the safety features that have the ability to save you money. After all, if you can save on your auto insurance policy, you should explore the opportunity. All it takes is looking at the different features before you purchase a car.

Air Bags

Air bags are one of the most important safety features. While virtually every car has them, some makes and models have more than others. At Fuhriman Insurance Agency, we can even recommend some of the safest cars on the market.

Anti-Lock Brakes

Anti-lock brakes have saved drivers from a number of collisions. It will help you to lock your brakes to avoid hitting another car, especially at high speeds.

Blind Spot Monitoring

If you have ever had a side collision with another car or hit a car because they were in your blind spot, this is a great feature. Your side mirrors will light up to tell you there is a car in your blind spot. You can then take precautions to avoid hitting another car (or cyclist or pedestrian).

Roll Bars

Many cars, as well as Jeeps and trucks, have roll bars. In the event that there is an accident where you actually roll, it will protect the frame of the car and anyone inside. This can save lives and reduce the likelihood of major damage to the vehicle.

Driver Assist Systems

A variety of car manufacturers are now incorporating driver assistance systems. These are computers that will help you as a driver. They can notify you when you are getting too close to another vehicle, and can even help you with parallel parking, emergency braking, and various other driving scenarios.

Learn more about saving money on our insurance in Boise, ID by contacting Fuhriman Insurance Agency today.

Insuring a car for work vs. personal use in Boise ID

When you first contact Fuhriman Insurance Agency looking for a policy that fits your needs, you’re going to have to consider to what extent your car is a personal vehicle, and to what extent you’re using it for work. It’s not always as cut and dry as, say, patrolling as a security guard and driving a car that belongs to the security agency, and trusting that your employers have you covered. If you drive for Uber or deliver pizzas in your personal vehicle, for instance, then you need to make sure that you’re getting a policy that reflects that. Fuhriman Insurance Agency can help Boise, ID drivers to find that policy, but you can’t just start driving professionally and hope that your current policy has you covered.

Some insurance companies won’t cover you at all if you drive for a living, but you are nevertheless going to be looking at personal insurance policies to get coverage for a car that serves as both a personal vehicle and a work vehicle.

Some companies will provide supplemental insurance while you are working for them. Uber, for instance, will offer additional coverage any time the app is actually in use. Many delivery restaurants offer the same deal. However, your employer or the agency you’re working for is not able to offer full coverage in Boise, ID. You need to talk with your insurer, let them know what you do for a living, and make sure that you are covered against all the risks that that entails.

In short, getting your personal car covered for work use is pretty easy for most drivers, but you can’t take it for granted, you have to ask your insurer about getting covered for business use.

Do All Homes Need Home Insurance?

When it comes to insuring your home, it can be difficult to decide if your home needs a policy or not. There are of course legal considerations, but there are also considerations of rebuilding as well. The agents with Fuhriman Insurance Agency in the Boise, ID area can help you get your policy set up and ready to go.

The simple answer to this question is yes, every home needs an insurance policy unless you have the money lying around to rebuild after the home is damaged or destroyed. Most people do not have hundreds of thousands of dollars lying around so making sure you keep up a policy that has enough coverage is going to make a huge difference in how quickly you can rebuild.

Homes that are already paid for are not legally required to have a home insurance policy, but they can still benefit from keeping a policy. As mentioned before, if you do not have a home insurance policy, it is going to be your responsibility to come up with the money to either rebuild or repair or even buy a new home if yours is destroyed or damaged.

For a few hundred dollars a year you can protect your home and make it possible to collect an insurance pay out to rebuild or repair if your home is damaged. Your home is a very important part of your life and protecting it with a home insurance policy is the best way to make sure you always have a place to live and that you can recover if something happens to your home.

If you live in the Boise, ID area, the agents with Fuhriman Insurance Agency can help you find the policy that fits your home each and every time.

3 Reasons Auto Insurance Is Necessary

In Boise, ID, it’s common for people to forget about the importance of their auto insurance. Until you actually need it, it can just seem like another unwanted bill you have to pay. But there are so many reasons to be glad that you have it rather than annoyed, and Fuhriman Insurance Agency can give you a few key points to remember.

1. Your Savings Account Is Never Enough

This particular reason doesn’t just mean that you never seem to have the funds to pay for that new handbag or necklace you want. When an accident happens, you could be deemed responsible for tens of thousands of dollars for both property damage or bodily injury. Almost no one in the world has that type of savings account to cover it all.

2. Keeps the Law at Bay

When you don’t have enough money to cover the damage, you’re subject to legal threats and more. While no one can extract money from that you don’t have, not having car insurance can mean having wages garnished for years or possibly even ending up in jail. No matter how you look at it, you really can’t afford not to have it.

3. You Need Someone to Call

When something happens in Boise, ID, you need to have someone to turn to other than just your family and friends. Fuhriman Insurance Agency can provide much more than just sympathy. The right agency can give you both helpful advice and the crucial financial assistance when you need it most. This type of safety net is truly priceless to those in complicated situations. Call to find out more about how our agency has been helping our clients for years and what we can do to get you the right policy.