Insurance is a financial tool that offers protection against significant risks and unexpected events, such as accidents, illnesses, or property damage. By paying a premium to an insurance company, you receive coverage for specific losses, helping to alleviate financial stress in times of need. Agencies like Chalmers play a crucial role in this process, assisting individuals and businesses in choosing the right insurance policies that fit their specific needs and circumstances, ensuring adequate protection and peace of mind.

Finding the right amount of coverage for your needs can be challenging, which is why working with agencies like Chalmers Insurance Group is crucial. Our knowledgeable agents offer personalized guidance to help you select the most suitable coverage options.

The cost of your insurance premiums is influenced by a variety of factors, including your age, location, type of coverage, risk factors, and claim history. Consulting with agencies like Chalmers Insurance Group can provide clarity and assist in navigating these factors to better manage your premiums.

While buying insurance online can offer convenience and potentially lower premiums, it often comes with the trade-off of less personalized service. It is essential to diligently compare policies, read reviews, and seek advice from a licensed professional to ensure you're selecting the best coverage for your needs. For more information on this topic, check out this blog post.

Chalmers is a well-established, independent, family-owned insurance agency dedicated to making insurance simple and enjoyable. We stand out by offering personalized client service and treating you like family. As an independent agency, we aren't tied to any one insurer, allowing us to shop around for the best policy that suits your needs. Our commitment extends to assisting you with claims, ensuring a smooth process from policy selection to claims handling.

No, independent agencies like Chalmers have access to multiple carriers and can usually find a competitive price that suits your needs. They work for you, not an insurance company.

Choosing Chalmers Insurance Group means you'll receive personalized service, local expertise, and dedicated attention. We prioritize building long-term relationships, ensuring you have access to trusted carriers and cost-effective solutions that meet your needs.

You can either log in to your InsurLink account, or contact us directly. We are happy to help.

Insurance is about protecting the things that are important to you, both personal and business. So, anytime you have significant events or changes in your life, it's a great idea to review and update your coverage. Here are some examples:

Personal

• A change in marital status
• A new baby
• New drivers in your household
• Kids going away to college
• A new job or starting a home business
• Changes in your income
• Paying off a car loan
• Buying a home
• Moving to a new apartment
• Home improvements
• Approaching retirement
• Purchasing jewelry, artwork, antiques or other expensive items

Business

• Starting a new business
• Increasing your workforce 
• Loss of employees to other companies
• Expansion plans
• Business owner approaching retirement

For more details, give us a call. We are happy to help to you evaluate your insurance and financial needs.

We recommend evaluating your financial situation to decide between annual insurance payments for savings and monthly payments for budget flexibility. For more guidance, visit our Learning Center article on choosing insurance payment options.

For policy questions, your Chalmers Insurance Group agent is your go-to resource. If your dedicated Account Manager is unavailable, rest assured that our team of experienced Account Managers is ready to provide assistance. 

Insurance policies have specific rules about what they do and don't cover. These rules, known as exclusions, are in place to manage risks effectively and keep insurance affordable. Common exclusions may include intentional damage, illegal activities, or specialized risks like floods. Reviewing your policy can help you understand these exclusions and ensure you have the coverage you need.

Homeowners insurance typically covers the physical structure of your home, your personal belongings inside it, liability protection against lawsuits for injury or property damage, and additional living expenses if you are temporarily displaced from your home due to a covered loss.

Yes— if you can bundle your home and auto together with the same insurance company, there could be cost savings involved, in addition to other benefits. To learn more, read our blog post about bundling here.

Yes—while your auto and home policies go a long way toward improving your financial security, they could still be leaving you exposed. For example, homeowners insurance does not include flood coverage. You need a separate flood insurance policy to be protected against this risk.

To reduce your auto insurance premiums, consider maintaining a clean driving record, choosing a higher deductible, bundling your insurance policies (like auto and homeowners), and exploring available discounts (e.g., multi-car, safe driver, or good student discounts) with your Chalmers agent.

A home inventory is a list of your personal possessions along with their estimated financial value. A home inventory will help you provide a detailed list to your insurance agent of anything you may have lost if your home is damaged or destroyed in a covered claim.

A personal umbrella liability policy is designed to increase your liability protection. This single policy acts as an “umbrella” over all of your other personal liability policies – home, auto, boat, RV, etc. – so you have a higher personal liability limit than what would otherwise be available. 

Renters insurance is designed to protect your personal property against damage or theft while living in a rented space. Additionally, it can provide liability coverage in case someone is injured while at your residence. While it may not be mandatory, it is highly recommended to safeguard your belongings and financial security.

While specifics can differ, in general, family members living with you and frequently using your vehicle should be listed on your policy for coverage. If someone occasionally borrows your car and isn't listed, they may still have some coverage. Review your policy and contact your insurer for precise details, as policies can vary.

The insurance needs of a business vary based on factors like industry, location, and size. At a minimum, consider General Liability Insurance to protect against third-party injury or damage claims, Property Insurance to cover your assets, Workers' Compensation for employee injury, and a Business Owner's Policy (BOP) that combines several coverages in one.

Business insurance is tax deductible, as long as the coverage is for the purpose of operating a business, profession, or a trade. Businesses may not deduct their business insurance premiums if the coverage is for the purpose of a self-insurance reserve fund or a loss of earning insurance policy. 

A BOP offers several commercial insurance products rolled into one. Business Owner's Insurance usually includes property, business interruption, and liability insurance. Typically, a business owner will save money by choosing a BOP because the bundle of services often costs less than the total cost of all the individual coverages.

Business income insurance provides reimbursement for lost revenue after a covered insurance loss. For a company that does not have a physical address that is crucial to its business, such as a contractor, business income insurance is probably not necessary. For store front or main street businesses, like a coffee shop, business income insurance is a must.

• A COI is a statement of coverage issued by the company that insures your business.
• Usually no more than one page, a COI provides a summary of your business coverage.
• It serves as verification that your business is indeed insured.
• Potential clients may request a COI as a condition of doing business with you.  

Yes. Your general liability policy will not provide coverage for cyber attacks or data breaches. If you use any form of technology to support your business operations, you should consider cyber liability coverage. 

Workers' Compensation Insurance covers medical expenses and a portion of lost wages for employees who become injured or ill at work. It also provides protection for the business against lawsuits by injured employees. In most states, businesses are required to carry Workers’ Compensation Insurance if they have employees.

It's recommended to review your business insurance policies at least annually or when significant changes occur in your business, such as expansion, hiring new employees, or adding new services/products. This helps to ensure that your coverage remains adequate and reflects your current business operations.

Employee benefits refer to a package of benefits that employers offer to their employees, which may include health, dental, vision, life insurance, retirement plans, and more. They are generally more cost-effective than individual plans due to the group's purchasing power.

A competitive benefits package is an important way to attract the best employees to your business. With great benefits, you can win out over other companies vying for the top talent in your industry. Your benefits program can also help you keep those employees happy and healthy, increasing the likelihood they’ll stay at your business.

Voluntary benefits can give you the opportunity to build out an impressive benefits package at no cost to your business. Your employees pay for their voluntary benefits, but will still be served by this offering because you can get them a lower rate than they would be able to get on their own.