When Should I Call My Insurance Broker (Agent)?

It’s Friday morning, we get a call from a client. “Hey I am closing on a building at 1pm today.  Can we add that to my policy”?  The answer is maybe.  It depends on a lot of factors.  

“Hey we need a certificate of insurance for the new entity we formed to do concrete construction”; What new entity?

Sometimes we are the last to know when you make a change to your business.  In order to make sure we get you covered properly and at the best price, sometimes we need a few days or weeks to handle the request properly.  We also like to help or give a bit of advice when we can.  When should you call us?

Basic Criteria:

• When you have an accident or claim

• When you lease or purchase a new asset (building, land, equipment, auto, etc.)

• When you sell and asset

• When you start a new type of work that you do not currently do

• When you form a new entity (no automatic coverage for new entities)

• When you sign a new contract for construction or services (please send us a copy)

• When you sign a new lease (please send us a copy)

• Add a new driver or remove a driver

• I am moving to a new location

• When you have an issue with billing or payments

• Upgraded my property (new roof, wiring, plumbing, or renovation)

• Added a new partner to my business

• Entered a partnership with another business owner

• Starting operations in another state

Advanced Criteria:

• When you are thinking of making a change to your business. 

• Need assistance with safety or risk management to reduce my exposure

• My claim is moving slow

• To set up a claims review on all my open claims

• Review my insurance coverage or limits because my business is growing

• What upgrades to my property may reduce my insurance cost?

• Thinking of bidding a large construction project.

• Before I sign a contract or lease

• I am going to fire an employee and it might get messy.

• I just called my attorney for……, Should I also call my insurance broker?