Your Insurance Agent

What Did You Give Up For Lent?

ALfinancial — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 19:31:35 +0000

What are you giving up for lent? Here’s an idea, how about giving up texting and driving? This may sound silly, but did you know that in order to text and drive you have to give up your vision, hands, and train of thought in order to create and send a text message? This means you are fully distracted while you’re supposed to be paying attention to what’s going on. It’s no wonder that the CDC estimates that each day 15 people are killed and more than 1,200 people are injured in crashes that were reported to involve a distracted driver. This means that almost 5500 people die each year at the hands of a distracted driver whose hands should have been on the wheel and their eyes on the road. What makes matters worse is 25% of drivers in the US reported that they “regularly or fairly often” talk on their cell phones while driving, which means we know it is harmful and we continue to do it anyway. We allow ourselves to become distracted while we are supposed to be paying attention to driving, with statistics like these I would say it’s better to be safe than sorry. Find out how much coverage you have on your vehicle to ensure you are protected from distracted drivers on the road. The laws that govern this great state are not sufficient enough to protect us from harm, we have to take matters into our own hands and make sure we have coverage that will protect against damage caused by distracted drivers. It’s better to be safe than sorry, one ticket for talking on the phone or texting can cause your yearly car insurance premium to go up by 20%! So you have to decide whether the text message or phone call you receive is worth answering if it means a 20% rise in premium!!

What is Your Back Up Plan?

ALfinancial — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 21:54:22 +0000

Today is going to be a sad day in history for Long Branch New Jersey. Around 11AM there was a small fire on Brighton Avenue, which quickly burst into an inferno and demolished 5 Buildings, including 8 store fronts and 13 apartments. Nobody plans to have something this terrible happen to them, but what do you do when it does happen?

We all think we are immune to this kind of disaster, but we are not and we all need to be prepared for this, if it ever happens to you, your home or your business. The entire block was shut down today and not only did the burning businesses lose out, all others lost out as well. This kind of tragedy affects everyone around it. As I sit here writing, I am not worried about anything but the families that have been displaced and the business owners that might not be able to recover.

We all need to prepare better and here are a few tips to doing that:

Have an idea of where you can go if you are displaced

Take an inventory of your belongings

Back up any computer systems, hopefully in the cloud, if not, take the tapes with you

If you have an alarm system, the policy and fire could be notified quicker

Have a contingency plan for your business. Can you open up somewhere else? Can you get inventory and computers quick enough?

Is your insurance in place to help you with the recovery process. Do you know your coverage?

These are all important aspects of saving everything we work for. Protect yourself and your assets. Even if you are renting an apartment, a renters insurance policy will help out in lots of ways including; Renting a new apartment and purchasing new personal belongings. Imagine having to purchase everything you own, it would be near impossible to keep track of it and afford it. Insurance can help and a renters insurance policy is inexpensive!

Your Auto Coverage is for the Birds!

ALfinancial — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:21:04 +0000

When it comes to purchasing auto insurance, some people shutter at the thought of even going through the process of obtaining a quote, let alone understanding all of the insurance jargon associated with purchasing a policy. The whole process can be somewhat overwhelming especially if you choose to do all of the foot work yourself. Most people don’t understand what they are purchasing at the time of the quote; they are more concerned with the price of insurance being low. The insurance information institute recommends that you carry at least $100,000 of bodily injury protection per person and $300,000 per accident, also known as 100/300. In New Jersey the minimum levels are among the lowest in the country which is currently set at $15,000 of bodily injury protection and $30,000 per accident, also known as 15/30. Only seven out of the fifty states have minimum auto insurance set this low, New Jersey being one of these 7.

Most people don’t understand how dangerous it is to purchase minimum car insurance limits until it is too late. Once you have the insurance at the price you wanted you never need to think about these limits or how they pertain to you until you need to use them. Once an accident occurs, and you don’t have enough insurance coverage then you realize exactly what you’ve purchased, and that you’re going to get exactly what you paid for. You will then receive $15,000 in bodily injury protection and $30,000 per accident, which means any medical bill that you get that, is over $15,000/$30,000 per accident is your responsibility. The low minimum coverage will put everything at risk. The judge can put a lien on all of your assets and even set up a wage garnishment. Would you like having money taken out of every pay check for the rest of your life, because you decided to underinsure your auto insurance?

The only way to protect yourself, your family, and your assets from personal liability is to make sure that you have enough insurance to properly transfer all of the risk away from you and onto the insurance company. The whole purpose of purchasing any type of insurance is to transfer any financial risk you may have onto an insurance company. Why would you want to take a chance and only transfer some of the risk away from yourself? That’s what people do every time they purchase minimum limits on insurance. Don’t leave yourself vulnerable; make sure you have enough insurance coverage today!

All About Liquor

ALfinancial — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 17:30:44 +0000

Liquor Liability Insurance was created to protect businesses, patrons, and third party bystanders from being held liable for property or physical damage resulting from an intoxicated patron acting in a destructive manner. Any person or business that manufactures, sells, or serves alcoholic beverages can be held liable for injuries and property damage resulting from intoxication. Therefore, any person or business that plans to sell or serve alcoholic beverages should purchase liquor liability insurance to protect their business and assets. Even people that host parties where alcohol is being served are held liable by law, if something should happen to one of their guests during or after the event, while being intoxicated.

Liquor liability means that any person or business that makes, sells, or serves alcohol is personally liable for any actions that may take place as the result of a person becoming intoxicated. When a person is intoxicated they usually do not have the ability to make responsible decisions, and as a result they could become injured by getting into a fight, falling down, getting into an accident, or doing something else that could cause harm to themselves, to others, or to property. To help protect business owners from being liable for events stemming from the sale of liquor, that may give a patron the right to sue, business owners purchase liquor liability insurance. Purchasing liability insurance is one of the smartest things a business owner can do because without insurance, a business is vulnerable like a turtle without a shell it has no protection!

It can be quite expensive to start a business that serves alcohol. Before insurance is purchased restaurants and liquor stores must first get a license from the state before they are legally able to sell and serve alcohol. In New Jersey there was a rule enacted called “The Dram Shop Act”. This act protects innocent business owners, servers, third parties, their property, and innocent patrons who became injured in an accident as the result of drinking too much. As long as the server does not serve someone whom is visibly intoxicated they are protected under this act. There is also a statute that protects the licensed server and innocent patrons from reckless behavior of a drunken patron. This statute is called “New Jerseys Licensed Servers Fair Liability Act”. This statute specifically defines the server’s liability as to make insurance coverage readily available, at a reasonable price. However, since this act specifically defines how the server can be held liable, it is very important that business owners and servers are informed as to their responsibilities under this act to ensure their protection against liability.

Make sure your servers are Serv Safe and TIPS Certified! Get a good Liquor Liability Insurance Policy and confirm that it covers Assualt & battery! For more information on Liquor Liability or to request a quote. Please email us at aaron@alevinegroup.com

Sticking To The Plan

ALfinancial — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 14:26:15 +0000

the date yesterday was January 16, 2012. Not only was it a Holiday for remembrance and service for Dr. martin Luther King Jr. it is also know as BLUE MONDAY. the most depressing day of the year.
I guess the critics believe that the cold has gotten to us and the new years resolutions have worn off. I wonder if the new year happened in the summer if the resolutions would last longer?
this is one of the reasons I do not resolve to do anything different. January first may start the calendar over and it may reset the budgets within companies along with sales goals, but it does not start anything over in our bodies and minds. Each year we profess to do it better, if this were a reality things would be pretty darn good right now!!!
I have however stuck to the plan. I have a working plan regarding advertising, budgeting, sales and professional goals that I am constantly working towards. I have Marked two full years as an Insurance Agency Owner and since I have made it this far, I can only work harder and make it better every day!
My Mantras from 2011 are below and these will continue into 2012. Whenever I have a down moment, its time to get back up and work that much harder.
“Get comfortable, being uncomfortable”
“Good things come to those who wait… but only things left by those who hustle.”
“success, Its not a talent, its not a skill, its a choice.”
“If it were easy everyone would do it”

Stay Tall Stay Strong and enjoy the ride!

Which Way Did He Go George…..

ALfinancial — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 14:18:38 +0000

Japan, New Zeland, Greece, North Korea, Yemen, England, Italy and The United States of America.

Throughout the world this year of 2011, there was a tremendous amount of turmoil and significant events that we have all watched and debated over. To watch these significant events, The Today Show has put together a compilation of them all from the celebrity gossip to the tragic. As I watch it, memories are refreshed and I look at where was I during these significant events and it is hard to believe all this happened in one years time. You can watch the video at this link: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/45819035#null

My ideas today are not to look behind and reminisce, however it is important to always remember. My ideas are to look forward, not to set new years resolutions, but to work on my strategic plan. I know at this same time next year I will be looking back at the year in review on The Today Show for 2012 and hopefully will be in the same spirits.

I have also just finished the second year of owning this Insurance Agency. Business has grown and I can only continue to keep helping my customers to the best of my ability. It sometimes seems that I care about a clients business as much as they do and want to make sure that they are protected properly. If a business owner does not want to insure his business well, I do not want him as a customer.

For the year ahead, I can only see better service through hiring a new service representative and an advanced marketing commitment to gain new business and grow my business with my current customers. Through my relationships with other service providers, I believe that we have put together the ‘A’ team to help any individual and business with all of their insurance, financial and marketing needs. There are new things on the horizon and I can only thank those that have supported me. I will pay it forward and I will continue to be dedicated to making sure that my value added proposition helps those who need it.

We Are Back Baby!

ALfinancial — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 15:22:48 +0000

August 27, 2011 is a date that I will never forget. Hurricane Irene ripped through the eastern seaboard on a path through New Jersey and stayed strong up into Vermont and even Canada. Here in New Jersey, we got very lucky compared to Connecticut and Vermont, but there was still a tremendous amount of damage. I received this photo in a text message and my stomach and heart sunk. Sallee Tees is one of my favorite restaurants and also an insurance client. From this photo I knew, that there would be a long road to recovery.

I immediately reached out to the owners to offer my support and expertise, so that this Jersey Shore landmark restaurant can get back open quickly. Through our diligence, constant communication and having a plan we were able to get them the money they needed to rebuild for the future. We had the correct policies in place and now, Sallee Tee’s is back in Business!!! December 13 Marked the opening celebration for the New Sallee Tees and I was honored to be a part of it. This is also a date I will remember because all of the hard work paid off. If I can offer any piece of expertise here, it is that in any profession, your true colors come out when your clients are in a time of need. Anybody can sell stuff, but the true results to be measured is how you respond and help in times of need. The things that we do at these critical moments, will be remembered forever.

On a much lighter note, the staff is happy to be back to work and they showed it last night as each server was all smiles! Thank you to everyone that attended last night as it was a fabulous event.

The kitchen moved efficiently and effectively as if a well oiled machine. The food that was presented was unbelievably fresh and perfectly prepared. If you haven’t been to Sallee Tees in a while, I suggest you get there soon! It is beautiful to sit out on the river and enjoy a dinner and or a few cocktails!

http://www.salleeteesgrille.com/

Third Party Liquor Liability

ALfinancial — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 18:18:22 +0000

The holiday season is nearing, which means all the more reason to celebrate. This also means that right now is a great time to revamp your insurance policies to make sure you are ready for the one of the most hectic times of the year. If your business manufactures, sells, or serves alcohol, it is especially important that you get a New Jersey Liquor Liability Insurance Quote make sure you have the coverage you need.
It’s nearly impossible to control the actions of others, but there is a way for you to protect yourself from them. In simple terms, liquor liability insurance plays a big part in protecting you when an intoxicated customer leaves your venue. Even if the customer is out your door, you are still liable for whatever happens to them or other people outside of your venue. A New Jersey Liquor Liability Policy is an easy way to alleviate this responsibility because it will help pay for any damages or accidents a patron might cause after leaving your establishment.
When operating a business, it is important to know exactly what liquor liability is. Liquor liability includes: if someone underage is served, if someone is already under the influence and given alcohol, or if the establishment is responsible for the intoxication of a customer. All of these are huge liabilities and can only be alleviated if you have adequate liquor liability coverage. Most importantly, liquor liability insurance will help pay for any bodily injury or property damage so you don’t have to pay for it out-of-pocket.
Most states require minimum requirements for liquor liability, however, much like other insurance policies, the minimum is usually not enough. If you ask your insurance agent for a New Jersey Liquor Liability Insurance Quote, you will find that the benefits outweigh the cost. If an intoxicated customer leaves your establishment and gets into a fatal accident with another driver, you could be financially liable. As a business owner, you can’t rely on other people to be responsible so it is important to make sure you can protect yourself as well as your business. Even if you already have liquor liability insurance, now is a great time to look over your policy and see if you need to make any changes before the holidays arrive. To get a New Jersey Liquor Liability Insurance Quote or to simply see the benefits of liquor liability insurance, log onto www.njinsuranceshopper.com

Your Auto Insurance

ALfinancial — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 19:00:33 +0000

In the United States, all 50 states set minimum auto insurance requirements for drivers. Although these minimum limits satisfy the law, they couldn’t possibly have enough coverage to satisfy you in an accident. Most people go for minimal amount of coverage because the law doesn’t require much else, however, every insurance agent will say that the minimum limit is not enough.

In New Jersey, there are three types of insurance that every driver should buy. The first is liability insurance, which will cover damages that you might have caused in an accident. The second is personal injury protection, which will cover medical expenses in an accident whether it was your fault or not. Finally, the law requires uninsured motorist coverage so that in the event of an accident, you can still be protected even if the other person doesn’t have adequate coverage. These requirements are a great start, but they are only scraping the surface because they can only protect you to a limited extent. If you only get the minimum amount of insurance you need to satisfy the law, your policy will barely make a dent in an accident.

If you get a New Jersey Auto Insurance Quote and you opt for the cheapest and smallest amount of coverage, you are exempting yourself from good coverage. Auto insurance offers special coverage that goes beyond the minimal requirements that will pay off in the long run. One great type of coverage is roadside assistance coverage, which will pay for the necessary repairs or towing services that you may need when out on the road. Another great policy to have is gap coverage, which can benefit you if you lease your car or have a loan. If you have the minimal amount of auto insurance, you won’t be able to take advantage of these policies that can really help you when you need it.

Getting by with minimal amount of coverage may seem easy now, but it will make your life harder in the long run. If you get into an accident and you don’t have the right insurance to cover it, you could be forced to pay out of your own pocket. If you get a New Jersey Auto Insurance Quote or speak with an insurance agent, you will find that adequate coverage isn’t that hard to come by. With auto insurance, you essentially get what you pay for. If you buy minimal coverage, you are going to get minimal coverage. Having the basic requirements just simply aren’t enough, so it is important to make sure you can get as much coverage as you need. To learn more about the benefits of extensive auto insurance or to receive a New Jersey Auto Insurance Quote, log onto www.njinsuranceshopper.com or speak with your local insurance agent.

We’ve got the insurance for that!

ALfinancial — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 19:58:29 +0000

Do you live in a house, a condominium, or an apartment? Does your garage store your motorcycle, car, or boat? Depending on what type of home you live in, you’ll need a certain type of insurance policy. Each property has different insurance needs, and no matter where you live, we’ve got the insurance for that.

At NJ Insurance Shopper we can provide you with affordable and adequate coverage that best suits your needs, no matter where you live. Every home you make has unique parts to it, so should your insurance policy. Having the wrong policy for your home could hurt you in the long run, so it’s important you have the right type of insurance for your property. At NJ Insurance Shopper we offer Condominium Insurance, Homeowner’s Insurance, Vacant Home Insurance, and Renters Insurance for your home. Regardless of the age or location of your home, there are insurance policies to meet your needs.

Because of our assortment of insurance policies for your home, you don’t have to worry about having the right amount or type of coverage. Every home is valuable, be it the structure or the contents, so it is important to have the correct policy to go along with it. Our insurance policies can also cover more than your home. We can package certain policies together to save you money. If you have a boat, motorcycle or ATV, those can be included or written under a different policy. If you want to know what type of insurance you need or if you just want to receive a quote, log onto www.njinsuranceshopper.com and find the right coverage for your house, condominium apartment, or vacant properties.