Independent Agents vs Captive Agents

Posted on June 30, 2022September 19, 2022 by Marc Zettl

When looking for insurance, it can be incredibly stressful trying to decide which provider is right for you and your family. The entire process can be overwhelming, from narrowing down a provider, to getting the right coverage you need, and of course trying to stay within an affordable budget. Many people do not even know where to begin, and if that’s how you feel, don’t worry, you’re not alone.

This is where insurance agents come into play. First, let’s go over the difference between a captive insurance agent versus an independent insurance agent. A captive insurance agent is contracted to work for one insurance company and can only sell that one specific company’s policy (West Bend, n.d.). For example, if you reach out to a Nationwide insurance agent, they would only be able to get you quotes with Nationwide. Whereas an independent insurance agent is contracted to work with a variety of insurance companies and can sell policies from multiple providers (West Bend, n.d.). For example, if you reach out to us here at ASZ International, Inc., we can get you quotes from many different carriers like Nationwide, Lemonade, Erie, Travelers, and more, and then we compare them, apples to apples for you. This way you know exactly what each company has to offer, and it allows you to make a more educated decision on which policy is absolutely right for you.

Working with an independent insurance agent, in our opinion, is much more beneficial. Not only does your agent have the ability to go to different carriers who sometimes vary in the coverage they provide, but they can also shop around for you to see where they can get you the right coverage at the most affordable price. Another benefit is that when it comes time for your renewal, your agent will keep an eye out to see if they can get you a cheaper rate with another carrier. If they can, they’ll switch your coverage over and continue to be your assigned rep. Which leads me to another benefit of working with an independent insurance agency, not having to wait on hold or talk to a 1-800 representative. Instead, you get to call a real person, who is there to support, educate, and guide you throughout the whole process.

Here at ASZ International, that is exactly the kind of people we strive to be. We are here to work with you and for you. We don’t work for any specific insurance company, that’s not our job. Our job is to help you, the policy holder.

Reference:
West Bend. (n.d.) Does Your Insurance Agent Have Your Best Interests At Heart? The Silver Lining. https://www.thesilverlining.com/common-topics/independent-agents-versus-captive-agents

The Basics and Benefits of Insurance

Posted on June 29, 2022September 19, 2022 by Marc Zettl

Let’s talk about insurance, and why it’s so important. Do you own a home, apartment, vehicle, or any type of personal belongings? If you do, then you want to make sure those things are protected in case of a loss. When you buy insurance, you’re transferring the cost of a potential loss or accident to the insurance company in exchange for a fee. You’re buying yourself protection at a fraction of the price of what it would cost to get back those belongings. If you suffer a loss that is covered by your policy and you file a claim, insurance is there to help you pay for that loss based on the terms of your policy (Grange Insurance, n.d.).

Insurance not only provides protection against theft and damage from perils like fire and water, but it also protects you from the financial responsibility that could result from a visitor or guest being accidentally injured on your property. In a nutshell, insurance is very important. Though it is something you hope you never have to use, because nobody wants something bad to happen to them, it is something that you don’t want to be without if you end up suffering a loss.

So how does insurance work? When you purchase insurance, you are known as the policyholder. When multiple policyholders purchase insurance with the same insurance company/carrier, the insurance company uses the money collected from the policyholders and other investments, to pay for its operations and claims made by its policyholders (Grange Insurance, n.d.). So when you buy insurance, the payments you make are in exchange for being covered from certain risks (Araujo, 2021).

Next, we’ll dive into how to choose the right insurance provider for you and your family.

References:
Araujo, Mila. (2021, July 12). Get the Basics to Learn How Insurance Works. The Balance. https://www.thebalance.com/basics-to-help-you-understand-how-insurance-works-4783595

Grange Insurance. (n.d.). What is insurance and why is it important? The Grange Guide to Insurance. https://www.grangeinsurance.com/tips/what-is-insurance-why-is-it-important

What Is Commercial Insurance And What Does It Cover?

Posted on October 15, 2021October 5, 2021 by admin

What Is Commercial Insurance?

Commercial insurance is a type of insurance that was created to protect businesses, business owners, and employees. Commercial insurance plans protect businesses from unexpected losses, including vandalism, theft, fire, lawsuits, and others. Here is a list of the most common types of commercial insurance:

Property insurance.
General liability
Workers’ compensation insurance
Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI)
Cyber liability insurance
Management liability insurance
Business Interruption insurance
Errors and omissions insurance
Crime coverage

What Does Commercial Insurance Cover?

Unfortunately, there is no easy answer to the question about commercial insurance coverage. It is difficult to say what exactly commercial insurance covers because every business insurance policy is unique.

However, there are common overall categories of business insurance that include liability insurance, workers’ compensation coverage, and employee benefits. Most companies need to carry general varieties to be able to engage in business operations. Those companies that deal with more unique and create issues may need to carry umbrella insurance that protects businesses against lawsuits.

ASZ International Inc. in Westchester, NY – We Insure American Dreams, Both Big and Small

If you are a business owner running your business in Westchester, NY or any other surrounding town or area, and you are thinking of getting commercial insurance, you should contact ASZ International Inc. – an experienced insurance agency with years of experience that specializes in all types of insurance, including different types of commercial insurance as well. If you have any questions, or you want to get more information about the insurance options we offer, feel free to visit our website or give us a call.

Three reasons why your company needs commercial insurance coverage

Posted on October 31, 2020October 31, 2020 by admin

As a business owner, you need to protect your company with insurance to avoid financial problems that could shut down your commercial operation. We offer commercial insurance coverage for your company in Westchester, NY at ASZ International, Inc.

The following are three reasons why your company needs commercial insurance coverage.

You are required to have some types of coverage by law.

There are many different scenarios where a company could be required to purchase commercial insurance. Commercial insurance is especially important if you have a staff of employees working for you. If you have employees, you may be required by law to purchase workers’ compensation coverage.

Another type of coverage that may be required by law is commercial auto coverage. If you use vehicles for business operations, you should know that personal auto coverage will not cut it. In this case, you need to invest in an auto policy specifically designed to cover commercial vehicle use.

A lawsuit against your company could put you out of business.

Any company could face a costly liability lawsuit. It’s important to realize how expensive a legal defense is when a company faces a lawsuit. Without commercial coverage to pay your legal costs, your company’s future may quickly be put in jeopardy by a lawsuit.

Being insured can make you more attractive to customers.

Depending on what industry your company operates in, your customers might want or expect you to be insured. This is especially true if you’re some contractor.

Being insured can give your customers greater peace of mind and make it easier to find clients to hire you for important projects.

Find a commercial insurance company for your company with our help at ASZ International, Inc. We’ll be happy to help you find the right insurance solution in Westchester, NY today!

Must-Have Commercial Insurance Types Every Small Business Owner Needs

Posted on October 23, 2019October 23, 2019 by admin

From the very first day you start a business in Westchester, NY, as an entrepreneur, you expose yourself to certain risks. Because your business is exposed to risks, it’s crucial to have the right insurance in place even before you hire your first employee – one catastrophic event or lawsuit could have a devastating effect on your business and finances. It could be enough to wipe out a business before it even has a chance to hit the ground running.

The good news is that there is a wide range of commercial insurance policies available to protect yourself and your new business from danger! Here are some must-have insurance types that a small business should have in place from the beginning.

Property Insurance

Whether you own your own space or lease from others, protecting your property is paramount in the event of losses due to theft, storm damage, or fires. While a standard property insurance policy will protect you from basic losses, natural destruction events such as earthquakes and floods will require separate policies. If your business is located in an area prone to these issues, check with ASZ Internationa, Inc. for information about a separate policy.

Professional Liability Insurance

Professional liability insurance, or as it is also called, “errors and omissions” insurance will cover your new business against claims of negligence due to failure to perform or simple mistakes. Your policy will be custom-tailored to meet the concerns of your specific industry.

Workers’ Compensation Insurance

Once you’ve hired your first employee, you’ll need to add workers’ compensation insurance to your business’s insurance policy. Workers’ compensation insurance covers the disability, medical treatment, and death benefits for employees in the event they are injured or die as a result of their work with your business. Even low-risk employees can suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome or suffer from a slip-and-fall accident that results in a claim.

Product Liability Insurance

Product liability insurance protection is crucial if your new business manufactures products or provides products for sale on the general market. You can take every measure possible to ensure your products are safe yet still find your business named in a lawsuit due to claims of damage caused by one of your products.

Home-Based Businesses

Many entrepreneurs begin their small businesses under their own roof. Still, your homeowner’s policy doesn’t cover your home-based business and protect your inventory and equipment the way a commercial property insurance policy does.

Small Business Insurance

If you have the right insurance in place, you can avoid a significant financial loss due to a catastrophic event, claim, or lawsuit. Call ASZ International, Inc. in Westchester, NY today to find out what insurance is advised for your industry or type of business.

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Category: Commercial Insurance