Home Insurance

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.

Home Improvements: A Smart Way to Reduce Insurance Costs

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Home improvements that make your Boise, ID property a safer environment could work in your favor to reduce home insurance costs. Before renovating your property, talk to a representative from Fuhriman Insurance Agency to see what improvements make you eligible for a discount on your insurance premium. The following home improvements could not only enhance the value of your property but may very well qualify you for a reduction in home insurance costs.

Roof Replacement or Repairs

Roof replacement is a major investment that can pay off in greater protection of your structure and personal belongings. A new roof will keep your home and personal effects safe from a winter storm, hail, wind and rain damage, making it a vital asset to your property. Fortifying your home with a new roof can help lower your insurance costs.

Reinforcements to Home Structure

In like manner, reinforcing your home with new windows and exterior doors and investing in storm shutters will protect you and your family against unlawful entry, theft, and the elements. As these improvements enhance safety, they could make you eligible for a reduction in insurance costs.

Home Security Measures

Home security upgrades such as deadlocks, smoke detectors, and a home alarm system reduce the risk of damage due to fire, theft, and vandalism. These safety measures could help lower your insurance premium.

Plumbing and Electrical Upgrades  

If you own an older home, upgrading its plumbing and electrical system can reduce the risk of water or fire damage due to faulty wiring or worn water pipes. Such home improvements could make you eligible for a discount on your home insurance.

For more information on home improvements that could qualify you for reduced home insurance costs, talk to Fuhriman Insurance Agency in Boise, ID today.  

Benefits of Having a Basement

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When building a new home, one of the most important things you will want to consider is whether or not to build a basement. There are so many uses of a basement, which is why it is imperative to consider what you could use one for. Let’s take a quick look at why you should put a basement into the next home you build. 

Easy to heat and cool

Did you know heating and cooling a basement is much more energy and more cost-efficient than heating and cooling the other parts of your home? In fact, some people choose to build a new home in the form of a basement; this type of home is known as a basement home. The heating and cooling of this type of home tend to cost about 20 to 30 percent less than above the ground homes. 

Great way to add space

Adding a basement to your home is also advantageous because you can use it for just about any purpose. Want a space to throw darts? Shoot pool? Need space for an extra bedroom? No matter what you need the space for, you can likely use your basement. Some people even put full kitchens in their basement and rent it out as an apartment; this is a great way to earn extra income. Basements are also considered to be living square footage as long as the walls and floors are finished out; this means a basement increases the value of your home. 

To learn more about putting a basement in your home and the many advantages you will gain, contact Fuhriman Insurance Agency serving the Boise, ID area. 

Will a Home Warranty Replace Home Insurance?

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Home warranties are becoming more popular than ever. There are commercials for them airing often on television, which has more people considering investing in one. If you are considering purchasing a home warranty, you may wonder if this home warranty will replace your home insurance, or if they can be used in conjunction with one another. Here is a bit of information you need to know.

A Home Warranty Will Not Replace Home Insurance

A home warranty often covers many of the things that a home insurance policy will not cover. This includes replacing an air conditioner if yours dies due to old age or covering repair costs for your appliances. A home warranty does not protect your home against many of the things that home insurance does, such as theft, hail damage or a pipe bursting and flooding your home.

A Home Warranty Does Not Suffice Your Home Insurance Requirements

If you have a loan out on your home, you are required to carry home insurance. A home warranty does not meet this requirement.

You Can Have a Home Insurance Policy and Home Warranty At the Same Time

You are allowed to have both a home insurance policy and home warranty at the same time, and in fact, many people do. A warranty covers items that a home insurance policy may not and vice versa. As such, it may make sense to have both at the same time.

When you have questions about your home insurance policy or are looking for a new one, let Fuhriman Insurance Agency, serving the greater Boise, ID area help. Give us a call and let one of our friendly and knowledge agents answer your questions or give you a free price quote.

3 Things to Consider when Buying Homeowner’s Insuracne in Boise, ID

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Boise, ID is a wonderful place to live.  In fact, according to livability.com, Boise makes it into the top 100 best places to live in the United States. Despite its isolation from other cities, Boise is a cultural hotspot with enough amenities that it doesn’t need to be supplemented with a trip anywhere else. Boise residents are happy right where they are.

For homeowners, Boise offers a diverse world with a mix of cultures brought in by people from all over the world. And the fours seasons give the city a plethora of outdoor activities to keep families busy.  Whether you already own a home in Boise or are looking to purchase your first home here or relocate to this gorgeous city, there are three things you should consider when purchasing a homeowner’s insurance policy in Boise ID.

1. Choose a Trusted Agent

At Fuhriman Insurance Agency, we are a full-service insurance agency that represents quality insurance companies.  We like to think of ourselves as trusted advisers who will work very close with you when it comes time to choose the best homeowner’s insurance policy available for your Boise ID home or rental property.

2. Understand Your Coverage and Policy

When it comes to a homeowner’s insurance policy, the insurance agent you work with will make sure you understand exactly what your policy covers. Getting the most affordable option is also a common goal of homeowners. Adding umbrella insurance to an existing policy is always an option for the future.

3.  Understand Your Deductible

When it comes time to choose the amount of the deductible you want, meaning the amount you will need to pay out of pocket in the event you need to file a claim, the simple rule is that the higher the deductible you choose, the lower your premium will be.

To learn more about purchasing homeowner’s insurance for a property in Boise, ID, contact Fuhriman Insurance Agency at 877-342-7935 today.

5 Ways to Decrease Your Home Insurance Premiums

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The cost of homeowners insurance in Boise, ID can vary depending on several factors that may seem out of your control.  While some factors are determined by things you can’t do anything about, such as location, the material your home is made from, or the rates of home insurance in the marketplace, there are things you can change.  Here are 5 ways you can decrease your home insurance premiums.

  • Deductible – Raising your home insurance deductible, the amount you pay towards a loss, can decrease your home insurance up to 25%.  If you put this amount of money in a savings account, you can make money by keeping a higher deductible amount set aside.
  • Security – Improving home security can save up to 5%.  For example, adding smoke detectors to each level of the home, having fire extinguishers in easy access areas, installing burglar alarms, and deadbolt locks will all help.
  • Rebuilding Cost – Don’t confuse the home’s rebuilding costs with how much you paid for your home.  Remember, the land isn’t at risk for damage, so you only need insurance for the cost of rebuilding the home.
  • Good Credit – Maintaining a good credit history can decrease home insurance rates because insurance companies use credit information in determining rates.
  • Loyalty – Using the same insurance company for your insurance needs can make you eligible for up to 15% in discounts depending on what’s insured.

Fuhriman Insurance Agency

If you own a home in the Boise, ID area, you want to work with a community trusted company like the Fuhriman Insurance Agency.  Our independent agents will help you explore your home insurance discount options.  We can also give you helpful suggestions of things you can do to give you more discount opportunities.

Hiring a Contractor to Prep Your Home for Winter Weather

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Your house is designed to protect your family throughout the year, but it was also intended to have routine maintenance conducted in order to hold its integrity against the weather. Autumn is always a good time to consider what work may be beneficial toward maintaining your house as a home, simply because summer storms and winter freezes cause different issues which build on each other. Repairing damage from summer storms prepares your house against the upcoming winter weather.

Typically, your insurance isn’t going to cover routine maintenance charges. With that concept in mind, it never hurts to speak to your insurance agent when discussing maintenance or upgrades to your home with a contractor. Your contractor may be able to justify legitimate damage which allows your insurance agent to offset at least part of the cost. The agent, on the other hand, may be able to suggest a minor change in how the job is approached which allows the contractor to bill the insurance company for some or all of the work to be conducted.

Typical winter preparedness includes a few minor tasks such as cleaning the gutters, inspecting your furnace, and assuring your siding and windows are doing their jobs of keeping heat in and cold out. When you hire a contractor to prepare your home for the upcoming winter weather, you should also speak with a representative from Fuhriman Insurance Agency. Even if the repairs aren’t covered by your current policy, the fact you take such great care of your home might be a consideration toward future insurance expenses. Furthermore, preemptive maintenance always pays for itself by preventing more expensive damage which can happen later if the house isn’t prepared against the weather.

 

3 Reasons to Rethink Your Home Insurance Policy in Boise

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Your home insurance is one of the best measures to save you money, but you probably don’t think of it like that. Savings to you probably means what’s in the bank and how often you forego an expensive purchase. Here are three reasons to start rethinking how you see your insurance policy in Boise, ID, so you can give it the time and attention it deserves. 

1. Your Home Is an Investment 

And likely the best one you’ll ever make. No matter what type of neighborhood you live in, there’s a lot to be said for taking care of what you have. When you buy coverage that extends to protect you against a variety of both natural and man-made events, you’re taking care of the value within. 

2. Consequences Are Severe 

 Just one event could leave you feeling entirely helpless when it comes to your home and what to do about it. If you don’t have hotels near you or a friend to call, it’s generally your insurance policy that can either help or hurt you. This kind of predicament is not something you will want to face alone, so getting comprehensive coverage is really a move to keep yourself from experiencing the worst. 

3. It Pays to Save 

As stated at the beginning, you should really look at home insurance as a way to save. If you can’t cover reconstruction costs or replace the contents of your home without breaking a sweat, then this is the time to look for more coverage. Fuhriman Insurance Agency serves Boise, ID, and can help you determine the next steps, whether you’re looking for a new policy or shopping around for a different one. Give us a call today for more information. 

Little Known Factors that can Increase Home Insurance Premiums

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Citizens in Boise, ID need to make sure they are informed when it comes to home insurance premiums. While the location and the size of the home are universal factors that everyone understands, there are several important factors that fly under the radar when calculating home insurance costs. Do not neglect these factors when deciding what additions to add to a home.

First on the list is a trampoline. While kids love trampolines and need the exercise, insurance companies have started raising home insurance rates for homes with trampolines. This is because trampolines lead to thousands of hospital visits every year. People can bounce off of the edge and break bones. Limbs can get trapped in the springs and suffer significant injuries. When hospital visits occur, the insurance company is frequently on the hook for the bills. Therefore, insurance companies have started charging higher premiums for homes with trampolines.

Next, swimming pools can also lead to higher premiums. People commonly run around the pool deck and wind up falling on the edge, sustaining significant injuries that lead to hospital visits. Furthermore, people can drown in the pool. In fact, hundreds of people drown in pools every year. Many of these drownings take place in home pools. All of these are costs the insurance company might have to pay for. Therefore, homeowners with pools wind up paying higher home insurance premiums.

Lastly, even home decks can lead to a higher home insurance rate. People can fall off of the deck and hurt themselves, leading to more hospital visits. Because insurance companies understand the risk with home decks, they will charge higher premiums for homes with decks. Owners can mitigate these costs by adding a railing.

Home insurance rates in Boise, ID are heavily impacted by these little-known factors above. Do not overlook these facets of home insurance when making purchases for home use. An insurance company might decide to charge higher premiums.

Tips to Make a Home Safer

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There are many ways to make a home safer that a homeowner should consider. Some just make good common sense. Others, like installing an advanced security system, may actually reduce the homeowner’s insurance premiums. Ask the agents at Fuhriman Insurance Agency about potential discounts.

Tips to Make a Home Safer

Security Issues
Besides having a security alarm system, make sure the entry door is strong and secure. When you are in the home the security system may be off. If the entry door is weak, it is a potential entry point for home invasions. Reinforce both the door and the door jam. Solid core doors with strong double-bolt locks that have reinforcement with a metal security gate are a good idea. 

Use strong windows and doors that lock properly. Make sure to lock everything when going to sleep. Use exterior security lighting triggered by motion-sensors. Lock pet doors when they are not in use.

If away from the home, ask neighbors to watch the property. Stop newspaper and mail delivery. Inform the security company. Use timers to turn lights and the television on and off at appropriate times to make it appear there is someone home.

Fire
Get rid of flammable materials, such as old boxes of papers. Keep the furnace/air-conditioning system well maintained. Have smoke alarms in every room that work properly. Check them frequently. Have fire extinguishers in the kitchen and around the house. Service them on a regular basis.

Slip and Fall Hazards
Get rid of clutter, especially things left on the floor. Put toys away. Remove loose rugs and wires that cross any walking pathways. Have adequate lighting in hallways and in staircase areas. Put pet food dishes in a place that is not in the walking areas.

Child Safety
Use childproofing to secure contents of storage areas. Keep medicines, household cleaners, and toxic chemicals out of reach. Install window guards so children cannot fall out. If you have a swimming pool, install a fence around it with a locked gate and use a security cover.

Landscaping
Cut back trees, if they have the potential to break or fall in a way that might damage the house.

Summary
These safety tips can help homeowners avoid problems. To make sure there is adequate homeowner’s insurance for the unexpected things that do happen, contact the agents at Fuhriman Insurance Agency. They enjoy helping new homeowners get insurance and offer reviews of existing coverage with helpful advice for homeowners.