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Illinois Insurance Blog

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Is auto liability insurance enough coverage for the new car that I’m leasing?

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If you have a car loan or are currently leasing your car, your insurance requirements may differ from other drivers. All drivers are required to carry auto liability insurance. However, there may be situations that require a driver to carry more than just the state minimum required auto insurance. Our STARS Insurance team is committed to helping Deerfield, IL drivers get the coverage they need.

What does Liability Insurance Cover?

Liability insurance covers any medical, legal, or property damage fees you may incur as a result of injuring someone, damaging someone else’s property, or being found at fault for some other driving-related incident. Every state requires drivers to carry auto liability coverage in order to legally drive. However, this form of coverage doesn’t cover anything else beyond other persons’ injuries, property damage, or liability claims. It will not provide any coverage for your damaged property or injuries.

Is auto liability insurance enough coverage for the new car that I’m leasing?

Typically, no. Most lenders and lease holders require drivers to carry full coverage auto insurance. Liability coverage will only cover damage or injuries that the other driver/person experiences. As a loan holder or someone that’s leasing a car, you’re not the owner.

This means that the bank or the hearse holder owns the car until you’ve either paid the car off or completed your lease term. As a result, the lender and the leaseholder require the driver to carry full coverage auto insurance in the event that something happens to damage or total the car. This ensures that the lender or leaseholder will be fully compensated for the vehicle.

Looking for Insurance in the Deerfield, IL area?

If you have questions regarding different forms of auto insurance coverage, call us at STARS Insurance. We’d be happy to help you explore your options. 

Types of Commercial Insurance

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As a business owner in Deerfield, IL, or the surrounding areas, you understand the importance of insurance coverage to protect your company’s assets. However, with so many different types of commercial insurance available, it can take a lot of valuable time to determine which policies suit your specific needs.

Our experts at STARS Insurance have put together this guide to give you an overview of the different types of commercial insurance. This way, you can make an informed decision about what type of policies you need.

Types of Commercial Insurance

Property Insurance

The purpose of property insurance is to guard your business against physical property damage, loss, or theft. This coverage typically includes your building, inventory, equipment, and other assets. If your business is damaged by a natural disaster like a fire or severe weather, property insurance can help you pay for repairs and replacement costs. Additionally, property insurance can cover losses due to theft or vandalism.

Liability Insurance

Liability insurance protects your business from legal claims filed against you by any third party. There are different kinds of liability policies out there designed to suit a variety of business types. For instance, general liability insurance covers claims related to bodily injury or property damage on your business’s premises. Professional liability insurance, on the other hand, covers claims made against you for professional mistakes or negligence. 

Worker’s Compensation Coverage

Finally, worker’s comp is designed to benefit employees who are injured on the job or become ill due to their work environment. In Illinois, worker’s compensation insurance is mandatory for most employers, regardless of the business size. This coverage can help pay for medical expenses, lost wages, as well as rehabilitation costs. 

Reach Out To Us

At STARS Insurance, we offer comprehensive coverage options to business owners in the Deerfield, IL area to help you protect your business and your employees. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you protect your business.

The Importance of Homeowners Insurance for Older Homes

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Founded in 1903, the Chicago suburb of Deerfield, IL has many desirable Victorian and mid-century modern-style homes. The same intricate facades and decorative architecture that makes these homes attractive to buyers can also give pause to insurance companies looking to offer coverage for homeowners. At STARS Insurance, we can help you better understand your homeowner’s insurance policy or find one right for you. Having this type of coverage in place can save extraneous out-of-pocket costs in the case of an incident.

Why Home Insurance?

Homeowners insurance aims to protect you, your home, and your belongings. It’s an essential purchase for two reasons: fortifying your property in the event of a loss and satisfying a mortgage lender. It’s a combination of coverage addressing the perils—events such as a fire, tornado, or theft that causes damage to your property—of owning a home. Some insurance companies are hesitant to provide coverage for older homes, but these often need proper coverage the most.

Typically, these older homes can be cheaper to buy but more expensive to insure. Higher replacement cost, which refers to rebuilding the house in the event of damage, often determines the insurance cost rather than the home’s market value. An older home would be more expensive to repair due to using costly or rare construction materials, labor costs, electrical wiring, plumbing systems, and the roof’s age.

Purchasing insurance from a reputable team is essential to keep you and your home safe. We will be able to guide you through finding a homeowner’s insurance plan to meet your home’s unique needs, regardless of age. Contact the homeowner’s insurance experts at STARS Insurance in Deerfield, IL.

How To Protect Your Boat From Theft

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Protecting your boat goes a lot further than simply having a great insurance policy in place. Your insurance professionals at STARS Insurance, serving Deerfield, IL and the surrounding areas, are here to help you with great boat protection tips.

Here are some ways to keep your boat safe all year long:

Use an Alarm System

Alarms aren’t just for homes and cars. They can also be helpful tools to keep your boat safe from theft. Alarms are easy to install and can be linked to local emergency services to alert them if there is a problem. 

Choose Your Marina Carefully

The marina where your boat will be docked is an important part of your security. Before choosing a marina, you should research the owners, the area, and the history of the business. Talk to other boat owners who have used them to see what their experience has been like. You might also want to talk to locals in the area to get a feel for what type of area it is and what type of crime rates there are. 

Remove Personal Belongings Before Storage

If you will be docking or storing your boat, you should consider removing all personal belongings that might attract criminals. In most cases, a boat will not be a main target if it is empty. Even if you are only leaving the boat for a short time, do not leave your personal belongings inside. 

Make Your Boat Hard To Move

If your boat is being stored or kept on land, make sure that it can not be moved easily. You can install security features that lock the boat wheels or you can keep it in a place that is not easily accessed.

Get Boat Insurance Today

If you would like to learn more about boat insurance, please contact us at STARS Insurance serving Deerfield, IL and the surrounding areas. 

How much flood insurance do I need?

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When it comes to protecting your Deerfield, IL area home and property from floods, flood insurance is an essential part of any homeowner’s safety plan. But how much flood insurance do you need?

Here are a few things to consider from us at STARS Insurance.

How much flood insurance do you need?

The answer depends on many factors. The first step is to determine the risk of flooding in your area. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides maps that identify areas at risk for flooding. You can use this information to understand the potential severity of a flood in your location. 

Next, consider the type of coverage you will need for protection against floods. Take into account the value of your property, including any family heirlooms or items that might have sentimental value, as well as the cost of replacing furniture or appliances should they be damaged by water. Make sure that your policy covers both structural damages as well as personal property damage from flooding. 

Finally, talk to an experienced insurance agent about getting quotes for different levels of coverage based on your unique needs and budget. They can provide advice about what level of coverage would best suit your needs and provide options so that you get the most bang for your buck when it comes to purchasing flood insurance. 

By understanding the risks associated with living in an area prone to flooding and understanding what kind of coverage is best suited to protect you and your belongings, you can make sure that you have enough flood insurance to cover whatever life throws at you down the road.

Give Us A Call

For more information, call STARS Insurance today. We proudly serve the Deerfield, IL area.

What is the value of having life insurance in Illinois?

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There are various important forms of insurance coverage to obtain in the state of Illinois. One type of coverage all people in the Deerfield, IL area should consider getting is life insurance.

There are various forms of value and benefits that can make this an ideal type of coverage to obtain:

Offer Financial Protection to Dependents

A primary reason that anyone in this state will want to have a life insurance plan is so they can offer financial protection and support to their dependents. If you have people that rely on you and your income, you will want to ensure they have support even if you were to pass away. A life insurance plan is a great way to do that as you can provide them with a payout that can cover any future costs that you want. 

Investment Alternative

The use of a life insurance plan is also a good option when you are looking for an investment alternative. If you are looking for life insurance coverage and want to diversify your investments, a whole life insurance plan can be an ideal option. This coverage allows you to receive life insurance support but also can help you create wealth as a portion of your payments will build into an account over time. Eventually, you are able to liquidate this account. 

Contact Us Today

Life insurance continues to be a great option for those that are in the Deerfield, IL area. When you are looking at different options, it is important to call our team of experts at STARS Insurance. There continue to be a lot of choices to make when looking for coverage and STARS Insurance can help. This will give you the guidance you need to choose an ideal policy for your situation. 

Do You Need Winter Car Insurance?

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During the winter, people drive less. The weather is worse, making it less attractive to drive for fun in the winter, and roads tend to be more slippery. At the same time, many people can’t change how much they drive during the winter, even though the road is riskier. Do you know what winter does to your driving habits? If so, you can adjust your car insurance to better fit your driving patterns over the winter months.

Do You Need Winter Car Insurance?

If you put your car away

Illinois requires a car to always be insured while it’s registered in the state. This includes when your car is stored during the winter, which is common for convertibles. A ragtop convertible isn’t very comfortable to drive during the winter, even with the top-up.

Some insurance coverages, though, are not particularly necessary if your vehicle is not going to be driven through the winter months. If you’re in this position, a talk with your family and your STARS Insurance agent, serving Deerfield, IL, is likely to reveal what you need for your stored car.

If you keep driving through the winter

Winter driving is more hazardous than the other three seasons. Roads can be icy and even a dry road will be colder. Because of this, accidents can be more common in the winter month, as can otherwise-avoidable single-car accidents.

With this in mind, it may be a better idea to increase the coverage that you have on your car, including cutting down your deductible in order to increase the number of minor repairs that can be covered by insurance during the winter months.

Contact Us Today

Both of these ideas can need discussion with a qualified professional. Call your STARS Insurance agent serving Deerfield, IL today to discuss your winter driving needs and whether changing your coverage makes sense.

Does commercial insurance cover employee theft?

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We all like to think that we can trust our employees Deerfield, IL. But the unfortunate reality is that employee theft happens. So, what happens if one of your employees decides to help themselves to some of your inventory? Commercial insurance policies vary, so it’s important to check with STARS Insurance to know your specific coverage.

Types of Coverage

There are two types of commercial insurance policies that could potentially cover employee theft: property insurance and crime insurance.

Commercial Property Insurance

Businesses that carry property insurance are typically only covered if the thief breaks into the premises to commit the theft. In other words, if an employee simply walks out of the door with your merchandise without forcing their way in, then property insurance likely won’t cover the loss. That’s where crime insurance comes in.

Commercial Crime Insurance

Businesses that have crime insurance are typically covered regardless of how the thief gained access to the property. So, if an employee simply walks out the door with your merchandise, chances are that you’ll be covered. However, it’s important to keep in mind that there are typically limits on how much crime insurance will pay out.

Another thing to keep in mind is that most crime insurance policies have deductibles—just like auto or homeowners’ insurance policies.

Contact Us Today

Employee theft is a risk that all businesses face — even in Deerfield, IL. The good news is that if you have commercial insurance, you may be covered if one of your workers does decide to help themselves to some of your merchandise. However, it’s important to check your policy carefully. Contact STARS Insurance to talk with an experienced agent to make sure that you have the right coverage in place for your unique business needs.

Things home insurance won’t cover

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Having home insurance protects your investment from bad things that can happen. It doesn’t, however, protect you from everything. Your home policy has exclusions – things it won’t cover. At STARS Insurance in Deerfield, IL, we want to make sure that all of our customers have the right coverage for their needs. 

Home Coverage Exclusions

Owner neglect

When you buy home insurance, your carrier has an expectation that you will maintain your home. That means not letting your roof get to the point where it is leaking into your home. It also means that you should have a termite bond on your home if you live in an area where they are a risk. 

Flood

Floods cause millions of dollars of damage every year all over the country and it isn’t covered by your home insurance. The good news is that you can get coverage with a separate policy if you live where the risk to your home would keep you up at night. 

Earth movement

Earth movement includes earthquakes, sinkholes, mudslides, and landslides and the bad news is that none of them is covered. Again, if you have concerns, you can purchase the additional coverage that you require.

Pests

If your home has been invaded by mice, bats, squirrels, or any other pesky critters, you will have to pay to have them removed yourself. They are not covered by home insurance. 

Certain breeds of dog

When it comes to man’s best friend, your home insurance policy doesn’t find some breeds all that friendly. Several breeds are excluded from home insurance coverage. It is important you take that into consideration when getting a dog. If you have questions about whether your pet is covered, give your carrier a call.  

Get Home Insurance Today

Understanding home policy exclusions is important so you can use your home insurance coverage to seek protection for the assets it will cover. Contact STARS Insurance in Deerfield, IL if you would like us to review your current policy or if you are in need of home insurance. 

3 Reasons Commercial Insurance is Necessary For Your Business

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Commercial insurance may seem like something only certain businesses need, but the reality is that every business can benefit from a good commercial insurance policy. Commercial insurance is absolutely essential for any serious business that wants to protect its employees, customers, and property. At STARS Insurance, serving the Deerfield, IL area, we’re proud to help business owners navigate the world of commercial insurance until they find a policy that’s right for their needs.

3 Reasons Commercial Insurance is Necessary For Your Business

1) Commercial insurance protects your customers

If you have a Business Owner’s Policy, your business insurance can also help cover your customers in the event of injury, property damage, product liability, etc.

2) Commercial insurance protects your workers

Worker’s compensation insurance is required by most states and provides benefits like medical care, missed wages, and even funeral benefits.

3) Commercial insurance protects your business

Commercial insurance offers great coverage for things like damage done to business property as a result of theft or vandalism, safeguards against damage caused by fires, explosions, burst pipes, etc., as well as coverage for injuries sustained in the normal course of business. Commercial auto insurance also ensures your business will be protected in the event of an accident involving a company vehicle.

Give Us A Call

Contact us at STARS Insurance today, and we’ll be glad to help you find the right commercial insurance policies for your business and budget. We’re proud to serve the Deerfield, IL area, and we are always willing to help business owners set up their insurance policies so they can focus on growing their business and looking after their families. You deserve to see success with your business, and success starts with a strong foundation and the protection of a good insurance policy.