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Monday, February 3, 2025

PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CAN HELP YOU SAVE ON YOUR INSURANCE!

 PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CAN HELP YOU SAVE ON YOUR INSURANCE!

Having your property well maintained will help you save money on your insurance. Many new companies are now in our coastal area and offer better pricing, but the companies are very strict on the homes they will insure. Many insurance companies will send an insurance inspector or require a self-inspection where you send in pictures of specific areas of your home to document the condition and any problems areas. This helps in the event of a claim because the current condition is documented, and the company may more easily determine the extent of the damage, since they will have a before and after audit file. This also assists with risk management to possibly avoid insurance claims.

Insurance companies desire property which is free from liability hazards. A liability hazard is “an accident waiting to happen”. You will find insurance companies asking more questions about your pets and any history of biting. A swimming pool without proper fencing or not in proper working order could allow for injuries. Likewise, if you allow excessive debris to pile up, this could attract rodents or become a fire hazard. Lawsuits abound from accidents occurring from a trampoline, so many companies do not allow them at all. Your property should not have any existing damage or condition issues on the exterior or interior, decks and porches. Any dry rot or plumbing leaks lead to more damage. Mold or algae on siding is unsightly and should be pressure-washed off. Clogged gutters cause extensive home damage, so get those cleared annually.

In our area with the high probability of severe winds, many companies require tree limbs within 3 feet of the home or large trees close to the home be cut back for the protection of the structure. Excessive foliage growth and overgrown shrubs around the home should be periodically trimmed back so the insurance companies can visibly see that you care about your property and its condition and appearance.. Most companies require the crawl space under a home to be enclosed with lattice or some other material to prevent debris from accumulating under the home which could become a fire exposure. So many people fall off of stairs leading to lawsuits, that if you have more than 3 stairs leading to your property entry, the insurance company will require a handrail be installed to reduce the risk.

Many insurance discounts are available if you have installed wind or flood mitigation on your property. Be sure you provide pictures of a new roof, impact glass, or working shutters to your insurance agent for any available discounts. Tankless water heaters result in fewer water overflows, and your insurance company may offer a discount. Contact your insurance agent to discuss other ways to protect your property.


Angelyn Treutel Zeringue is President of SouthGroup Insurance Services, a CPA, PWCAM, CBIA, and licensed Trusted Choice Insurance Agent.  Reach Angelyn at www.southgroupgulfcoast.com, (228) 385-1177, or azeringue@southgroup.net.

Your Trusted Choice Insurance Agent, SouthGroup Insurance Gulf Coast wants you to know you can call on us with your questions or concerns seeking more helpful advice or answers to your pressing insurance questions. A full insurance review is always your best bet to make sure you have all of the adequate coverage for your personal insurance needs. Remember, we offer a personalized insurance review to anyone who is interested at no charge – just visit any one of our convenient locations!

To help you through the maze of coverages, carriers, premiums, and find ways to save money on your insurance, if you are on the Gulf Coast, contact your Trusted Choice agent, SouthGroup-Gulf Coast http://www.southgroupgulfcoast.com/ , SERVICE TEAM: Angelyn Treutel Zeringue, Tammy Garfield, Tammy Hogue, Melissa Dunn,  Anne Gillam, Mark Strickland, Joseph Eagle, Michael Scardino, Melinda Teaford, Wendy Butler, Gabriella Scardino and Brittany Eagle at SouthGroup Gulf Coast. You can reach us by snail-mail: 412 Hwy 90, Suite 6, Bay St Louis MS 39520, email: info@southgroupgulfcoast.com, phone or text:228-466-4498 or 228-385-1177, fax:888-415-8922, FaceBook www.facebook.com/southgroup.gulfcoast , or Twitter www.twitter.com/atreutel ! We now have more locations to serve you - 2505 Pass Road - Biloxi and 412 Hwy 90 Ste 6-Bay Saint Louis, MS.

We offer the following Lines of Coverage: Workers Compensation, Auto, Home, Life, Health, Disability, Motorcycle, Boat, Wind, Flood, Commercial Property, General Liability, Directors and Officers Liability, Bonds, Group and Individual Life/Health/Dental/Disability/ Vision/Long Term Care, Business Owners, Builders Risk, Commercial Crime, Errors and Omissions, Dwelling Fire, Commercial Flood, Group Accident, Garage Dealers, Inland Marine, Law Enforcement Liability, Pollution Liability, Professional Liability, Personal Umbrella, Commercial Fire, Commercial Umbrella, Excess Flood, Identity Theft, more…

We serve Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Florida, and many other states. We specialize in coastal exposures.
Insurance is stressful, but we make saving easy.  We help you save money on insurance!
#trustedchoice #southgroup
#southgroup   @stateauto  @libertymutual @TRV_insurance @safecoinsurance @progressive #savemoney @atreutel

Friday, January 3, 2025

Smart Insurance Considerations for Your Business

Smart Insurance Considerations for Your Business

If you are starting a new business or expanding, it is good idea to review your risks and exposures.  Some risks, such as theft, you can address with a good security system, but acts of nature may be out of your control and are best covered with insurance.

Act of Nature Exposures:

Property Insurance provides building, and business personal property protection.  This includes office equipment, computers, inventory or tools and pays claims for fire, vandalism, theft, smoke damage etc.  You may also want to consider business interruption/loss of earnings insurance coverage to protect your earnings if the business is unable to operate.  Commercial Auto Insurance protects a company’s vehicles and any vehicles that carry employees, products or equipment.

Human Exposures:

General Liability Insurance provides both defense and damages if you, your employees or your products or services cause or are alleged to have caused Bodily Injury or Property Damage to a third party.  Worker's Compensation coverage provides wage replacement and medical benefits payments to employees who are injured on the job. Professional Liability Insurance offers defense and damages for failure to or improperly render professional services.  This protection is critical for any professionals such as lawyers, accountants, consultants, agents, and any profession providing services. Directors and Officers Insurance covers the directors and officers of a company against their actions that may affect the profitability or operations of the company. Umbrella Insurance extends an already existing insurance policy and covers beyond the regular policies. Employee Benefits are ancillary coverages that provide benefits for your working staff and their families.  There are many options: Health, dental, vision, cancer, accident, disability, and life insurance for your team.

External Exposures:

Data Breach Coverage/Cyber Liability provides protection in the event of data loss of sensitive or non-public information and all of the compliance requirements and legal action necessary following a breach.  With all of the spam and phishing schemes prevalent today, this coverage protects you and your customers.

A less costly insurance option when you are starting out may be a Business Owner's Policy (BOP).  Often, BOP’s will include business interruption insurance, property insurance, vehicle coverage, liability insurance, and crime insurance- and you can tailor it to your specific needs.

Be aware that coverage for your business will not protect your personal use, and your personal policies will not protect business use, so consult your agent to be sure you are properly protected.


 Angelyn Treutel Zeringue is President of SouthGroup Insurance Services, a CPA, PWCAM, CBIA, and licensed Trusted Choice Insurance Agent.  Reach Angelyn at www.southgroupgulfcoast.com, (228) 385-1177, or azeringue@southgroup.net.

Your Trusted Choice Insurance Agent, SouthGroup Insurance Gulf Coast wants you to know you can call on us with your questions or concerns seeking more helpful advice or answers to your pressing insurance questions. A full insurance review is always your best bet to make sure you have all of the adequate coverage for your personal insurance needs. Remember, we offer a personalized insurance review to anyone who is interested at no charge – just visit any one of our convenient locations!

To help you through the maze of coverages, carriers, premiums, and find ways to save money on your insurance, if you are on the Gulf Coast, contact your Trusted Choice agent, SouthGroup-Gulf Coast http://www.southgroupgulfcoast.com/ , SERVICE TEAM: Angelyn Treutel Zeringue, Tammy Garfield, Tammy Hogue, Melissa Dunn, Anne Gillam, Mark Strickland, Joseph Eagle, Michael Scardino, Melinda Teaford, Wendy Butler, Gabriella Averett, Alexa Weldon, Denise Pickers, and Brittany Eagle at SouthGroup Gulf Coast. You can reach us by snail-mail: 412 Hwy 90, Suite 6, Bay St Louis MS 39520, email: info@southgroupgulfcoast.com, phone or text:228-466-4498 or 228-385-1177, fax:888-415-8922, FaceBook www.facebook.com/southgroup.gulfcoast , or Twitter www.twitter.com/atreutel ! We now have more locations to serve you - 2505 Pass Road - Biloxi and 412 Hwy 90 Ste 6-Bay Saint Louis, MS.

We offer the following Lines of Coverage: Workers Compensation, Auto, Home, Life, Health, Disability, Motorcycle, Boat, Wind, Flood, Commercial Property, General Liability, Directors and Officers Liability, Bonds, Group and Individual Life/Health/Dental/Disability/ Vision/Long Term Care, Business Owners, Builders Risk, Commercial Crime, Errors and Omissions, Dwelling Fire, Commercial Flood, Group Accident, Garage Dealers, Inland Marine, Law Enforcement Liability, Pollution Liability, Professional Liability, Personal Umbrella, Commercial Fire, Commercial Umbrella, Excess Flood, Identity Theft, more…

We serve Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Florida, and many other states. We specialize in coastal exposures.
Insurance is stressful, but we make saving easy.  We help you save money on insurance!
#trustedchoice #southgroup
#southgroup   @stateauto  @libertymutual @TRV_insurance @safecoinsurance @progressive #savemoney @atreutel