Liquor Liability Insurance in Evergreen Park, IL: Protecting Your Business with Martin Insurance Team

As a business owner in Evergreen Park, IL, you must be aware of the potential risks of serving alcohol at your establishment. Liquor liability insurance is essential to protect your business from the financial and legal consequences of alcohol-related incidents.

Liquor liability insurance is crucial for establishments that serve or sell alcohol, such as bars, restaurants, and liquor stores. This type of insurance can cover your business if it is held responsible for damages or injuries resulting from the actions of intoxicated patrons. For example, if a customer leaves your establishment after consuming alcohol and causes a car accident or assaults someone, your business could be held legally liable for the damages.

In Evergreen Park, IL, liquor liability insurance is not just a wise business decision – it is often required by law. Many states, including Illinois, have dram shop laws that can hold businesses accountable for the actions of intoxicated patrons. Ensuring that your business has adequate liquor liability coverage can help you comply with these regulations and protect your business from potential lawsuits.

At Martin Insurance Team, we understand the unique risks associated with serving alcohol and are here to help you find the right coverage for your business. Our knowledgeable agents can guide you through the process of selecting a liquor liability insurance policy that meets your needs and complies with Illinois regulations.

By working with us, you can have peace of mind knowing that your establishment is covered in the event of alcohol-related incidents. If you have questions about liquor liability insurance or want to discuss your coverage options, don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re here to serve the businesses of Evergreen Park, IL, and help you safeguard your investment. Reach out to us today to discuss your liquor liability insurance needs.

What You Need To Know About Worker’s Compensation Insurance

As a business owner, you can’t afford to be unaware. It is your job to be educated on all of your many responsibilities concerning your employees. Worker’s compensation insurance is one of those areas you need to be an expert in. At Martin Insurance Team, serving Evergreen Park, IL, and the surrounding areas, we are here to ensure you always have the information you need to make smart insurance choices. Keep reading to learn more about worker’s compensation insurance. 

Required By Law

The state of Illinois requires all employers with at least one employee, whether full or part-time, to have worker’s compensation insurance. This is required by law to ensure that workers are not injured in the line of work and left unassisted. This would equate to a form of exploitation, so to protect the workers of Illinois, worker’s comp insurance is required by law. 

The Employer’s Responsibility 

It is of the employer to pay insurance premiums to provide this insurance coverage to their employees. Many employers like to consider this type of coverage as an employment benefit. However, this is not entirely true because all employers in Illinois are held to the same standard. Worker’s compensation insurance is not a special benefit your company offers to attract high-quality employees. This is just the company fulfilling its legal responsibility in Illinois. 

Consequences of Lack of Coverage

If business owners fail to comply with worker compensation guidelines, they could face fines and other consequences. In addition, if an employee is injured, you will be held liable for expenses that might arise from that injury. 

If you want to learn more about worker’s compensation insurance, please contact us at Martin Insurance Team, serving Evergreen Park, IL, and the surrounding areas. 

Five Legal Ways to Get More Tax-Free Retirement Income

Having a significant retirement income is great. Legally avoiding taxes on a large retirement income is even better. The Martin Insurance Team in Evergreen Park, IL suggests five legal ways to protect your hard-earned dollars from the IRS and Illinois Department of Revenue when you retire.

Fund Your Roth IRA

There is no tax deduction for your contributions to your Roth IRA, but there are no taxes on the account’s growth. In 2023, you can contribute $6,000 a year into your Roth account if you are under 50 or $7,000 a year if you are 50 or older.

Contribute To a Roth 401(k) or Roth 403(b) 

Roth 401(k) or Roth 403(b) accounts are like a Roth IRA account in that investment growth, and withdrawals are tax-free. The difference is that you can contribute up to $20,500 a year, plus a $6,500 catch-up if you are 50 or older.

Municipal Bonds and Municipal Bond Funds

The interest you earn on municipal bonds is exempt from Federal income taxes. However, you may want to invest in municipal bonds issued outside of Illinois since municipal bonds issued in Illinois are included in your Illinois income.

Health Savings Accounts

Health savings accounts offer a triple whammy of tax avoidance. You get a deduction for the money you put into the plan. You don’t pay a tax on withdrawals. And you don’t pay a tax on the growth of your investment in the plan. However, it would be best if you had an appropriate health insurance plan to open an HSA. The Martin Insurance Team in Evergreen Park, IL can give you more information on your HSA.

Cash Value Life Insurance, the "Rich People Roth" Strategy

Have you maxed out your retirement contributions? Your answer may be a cash-value life insurance policy. You won’t get a deduction for your premiums, but you won’t pay taxes on the accumulated interest on your premiums, and you can get a policy that will pay you a fixed monthly income when you retire. Ask the Martin Insurance Team in Evergreen Park, IL for the details of the life insurance plan that will work for you!

Are Disability Insurance and Long-term Care Insurance the Same Thing?

Many Evergreen Park, IL residents ask the Martin Insurance Team if disability insurance and long-term care insurance refer to the same thing. Disability insurance and long-term care insurance (LTC) cover two different things. Private disability insurance covers your loss of income while you cannot work up to the age of 65 years. LTC policies cover payment for the healthcare needed when you need long-term care.

Neither covers only the elderly, and most young professionals should carry both types of insurance. Why? Because an accident can happen at any time that temporarily debilitates you. The disability coverage goes beyond what your employer provides through workers’ compensation. If you don’t work for someone else or you’re unemployed because you care for your household and children, you still need these two types of coverage.

You can obtain either type of policy with a pre-existing condition. The insurance won’t cover those items.

Of the two, disability insurance is more critical for those not yet 65. It pays you up to 60 percent of your typical monthly income. That means that you can continue to pay your bills.

Private disability insurance covers both short-term and long-term situations. If you’re involved in an accident that causes you to need to stay home from work for three months while recuperating, this type of policy covers partial income during that time.

It also provides that partial income if your injury means you cannot work for ten years. During that ten years, as long as you continue to pay the premiums, the insurance pays for your partial income.

Protect your way of life and income in Evergreen Park, IL by purchasing private disability insurance from the Martin Insurance Team.

What is the value of having transportation insurance?

The shipping and transportation industry is a necessary one that ensures people can gain access to the products that they want. When you are in this industry, having the right insurance is important. This means getting transportation insurance for businesses in the Ft Myers, FL area. This unique form of insurance offers various forms of coverage for transportation and shipping businesses here. 

Coverage for Liability

An important reason that you should have a transportation insurance plan is to receive liability coverage. A shipping and transportation business will always take on various forms of liability risk. This includes risks surrounding carrying cargo and transporting it. When you have a transportation insurance plan, it will help to mitigate this risk. Transportation insurance will prove helpful if you are found liable for lost or damaged cargo or an accident when on the road. 

Reduces Risk of Shipment Delays

A unique risk that a transportation company will take on is the risk that a shipment is delayed. If you have a shipment that is not sent or delivered on time, it could affect the financial wherewithal of the recipient. This could result in a liability claim. If you have a transportation insurance plan, it will give coverage to help mitigate this specialized risk that all transportation providers face.  

A transportation insurance plan is clearly a good idea for some in the Ft Myers, FL area. When looking for coverage here, it can be a good idea to begin your search by calling the Martin Insurance Team. There are a lot of decisions and options to consider when looking for transportation insurance, and the Martin Insurance Team can give you the guidance you need to build the right policy. 

Three assumptions you shouldn’t make about your company’s commercial insurance policy

If you want to be sure that you’re meeting your company’s commercial insurance needs, it’s crucial for you to be informed. At Martin Insurance Team, we can offer you helpful information about commercial insurance in Ft. Myers, FL. 

Don’t make assumptions about your insurance policy unless you’ve done your research. You also shouldn’t make assumptions about your company’s commercial insurance policy.

Your commercial insurance covers vehicles you use for business purposes.

You need to make sure that you specifically purchase commercial auto coverage if you need your commercial insurance policy to cover your business fleet.

A standard commercial insurance policy will not necessarily cover vehicles used for business purposes. 

Your company’s insurance is adequate if you’ve just chosen a generic commercial coverage policy.

Every company is different. You should never assume that your current commercial insurance policy is adequate if you haven’t updated your policy after recent changes to your company’s operations and size. 

There are numerous types of commercial insurance out there. There are also many options in terms of coverage limits. You need to update your commercial insurance policy periodically to ensure that the coverage you’re currently carrying is adequate for your company’s needs. 

Your commercial insurance policy is the most cost-effective option available.

Choosing a cost-effective commercial insurance option is always vital for maximizing your company’s profitability.

If it’s been a long time since you updated your policy, you should get quotes from a few different commercial insurance providers to ensure that your current policy is cost-effective. 

Businesses in Florida can rely on us at Martin Insurance Team for commercial insurance coverage. You can explore our commercial insurance policies by contacting us in Ft. Myers, FL. 

Cyber Insurance: Protect Your Florida Business

There are several different types of business insurance, but one kind of insurance that businesses often forget there is cyber insurance. Here’s what you need to know about cyber insurance to protect your Ft Myers, FL business and how Martin Insurance Team can help you keep your business safe.

What is Cyber Insurance?

Cyber insurance protects businesses against the effects of cybercrime, such as ransomware, malware, distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, and other attack methods that can be used to compromise sensitive data and networks. This type of insurance is also referred to as cyber risk insurance or cybersecurity insurance. A dedicated insurance team can help personalize a cyber insurance policy to help you mitigate specific risks.

Does My Business Require Cyber Insurance?

No. Cyber insurance is not required to operate a business. However, it is an asset to your company. Whether you use one or multiple devices to manage your business, your business is prone to cyber-attacks. The more devices you use, the higher your cyber risk.

What Are the Benefits of Cyber Insurance?

Unfortunately, cyber-attacks are the new choice of destruction. Cyber insurance is ideal for small businesses, corporations, and businesses. This type of insurance is beneficial in many ways.

Improved Security Standards

The security provided by insurance companies can redefine your current security standards. You can advance your business and open different doors of opportunity with improved security standards.

Improving IT Security

Better business insurance coverage is a possibility when you have cyber insurance. Better insurance coverage for your business could mean more coverage at lower rates.

Improved Executive Awareness

Security initiatives can be easier obtained when you recognize and understand the risk and consequences of cyberattacks. You can save your business money by avoiding unnecessary risks with this understanding.

Here at Martin Insurance Team, we want the best for your business. We proudly serve Cape Coral, Bonita Springs, Naples, and Ft Myers, FL. We’re here to help you keep your business safe by safeguarding you from cyberattacks. Contact us today to learn more about our cyber insurance services.

How do you determine how much restaurant and liquor insurance coverage your establishment needs?

Opening your own restaurant offers an exciting opportunity, but you need the right insurance just as much as you need the right sous chef. Few chefs realize it with their first restaurant, but commercial insurance provides one of the most critical business tools at their disposal.

Your restaurant’s insurance protects your financial investment from most losses. Suppose your food doesn’t taste good, so no one eats there. In that case, that’s on you, but if a tornado damages your café or hurricane winds tear apart your restaurant’s patio and roof, commercial property insurance from Martin Insurance Team covers it. Business interruption insurance helps you pay yourself and your staff while you’re closed for repairs.

Most restaurants, cafes, coffee houses, and bars carry more than one insurance policy. What policies do you need, though, and in what amount of coverage? The amount in question varies by eatery. We’ll help you determine how much based on your building cost, operating costs, sales volume, number of employees, etc.

Most establishments start with a business owners policy (BOP), then add to it. The BOP contains four policies that every business needs – general liability, business property, business liability, and business interruption insurance.

If you serve alcohol of any kind – beer, wine, mixed drinks, etc., you need to carry liquor liability to cover damages by an intoxicated individual or group. If you’re a dry establishment, you can skip this policy.

Without Exception, Buy This Coverage for Your Eatery

  • Spoilage: If the power goes out and your food spoils in the refrigerator or freezer, this insurance covers your loss.
  • Equipment Breakdown: This policy covers damage, repairs, and replacement of freezers, refrigerators, steamers, boilers, ovens, ice makers, and food warmers.
  • Employment Practices Liability: This policy protects you if an employee sues your eatery for harassment, discrimination, or another workplace tort.
  • Umbrella: Commercial umbrella insurance extends your general liability and commercial auto liability coverage policies.
  • Sewer Backup: Yes, there’s a specific policy for sewage. Most property damage policies exclude sewer backup as a peril, and sewage happens.
  • Utility Interruption: This policy covers interruptions to any utility needed to operate your restaurant – electric, gas, water, Internet, telephone, etc.
  • Electronic Data Processing: The electronic data processing insurance policy has only existed as long as computers and modern cash registers, but it does qualify as a must-have. It covers your computers, registers, and electronic table ordering systems.
  • Extra Expense: When a named peril like fire damages your Ft Myers, FL eatery, you may need to rent a new location temporarily to continue operation while your main location undergoes repairs. This policy pays for that.

Contact Us

In Ft Myers, FL, call Martin Insurance Team for the restaurant insurance you need to protect your business investment. We’ll help you build a policy that covers exactly what you need.

What types of injuries are covered by workers compensation?

Workers’ compensation provides various benefits for employees who become injured on the job. It’s designed to provide medical coverage and wage replacement for injured employees/workers. Many different on-the-job injuries are covered under a workman’s compensation policy. Our Martin Insurance Team is dedicated to helping our Ft Myers, FL clients understand how workers’ compensation works.

What is Worker’s Compensation?

Workers’ compensation is an insurance policy designed to protect and support employees who become injured while working. This type of insurance usually provides medical coverage and wage replacement for injured employees. Other benefits that may also be included are disability and death benefits.

What Types of Injuries are Covered By Worker’s Compensation?

Typical injuries often covered by workers’ compensation insurance include fractures, eye injuries, burns, sprains, torn ligaments, and more. Sometimes a worker’s compensation policy will cover an old injury that’s been worsened by a work environment if it can be proven. However, any injury sustained at work or while working may qualify an employee for workman’s compensation benefits. The most common type of on-the-job injury is muscle strain. In fact, strains make up over thirty percent of all workman’s compensation claims. However, workman compensation claims can run the gamut from mild injuries to severe or deadly. Often, injured employees are required to take a drug test to ensure that drug use didn’t play a part in an on-the-job injury.

If you’re a business owner or employer and have questions about workman’s compensation, give us a call. Our Martin Insurance Team is committed to helping our Ft Myers, FL employers understand the benefits of workman’s compensation. Give us a call. We’re standing by.

What is general liability insurance and what does it cover?

General liability insurance protects businesses from property and bodily injury claims caused by/from using a business’s products, services, and operations. General liability insurance is broad in that it covers a wide range of areas designed to provide liability protection from general business risks. Our Martin Insurance Team in Ft Myers, FL is committed to helping business owners understand the benefits of general liability insurance.

How Does General Liability Insurance Work?

General liability insurance is designed to provide liability protection for businesses in two main areas, including protection for your business location and operations and your products and completed operations. These two areas are considered significant areas of risk for most businesses. This type of insurance also protects your business if you’re sued for advertising injury. Coverage for damage to your landlord’s property is included as well.

What Does General Liability Insurance Cover?

Most businesses need liability protection from personal injury, libel, slander claims, property damage, and bodily injury. These are all areas that many companies couldn’t afford to handle without the help of an insurance policy. Claims against a company for property damage or bodily injury that may occur during normal business operations can quickly become too expensive to handle, not to mention other claims that might be brought against a business. General liability insurance provides liability protection to cover typical risks that many businesses may deal with.

Other Considerations…

How much your company pays for general liability insurance is based on the size and condition of your workplace. For example, larger spaces usually create more opportunities for bodily injuries, and property damage can occur. This is especially true if your business location is open to the public. These factors can affect how much you pay for general liability coverage. If you’re a business owner with questions regarding general liability insurance, call us. We’d be happy to answer your questions.