Is Hail Included in Home Insurance Policies?

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Living in Omaha, NE, means that you’ll sometimes be subjected to hail. While hail can seem fun, it can end up damaging your home, and you’ll want to know if your home insurance policy covers it. The truth is that not all insurance policies cover hail. So, our Ed Thompson Insurance Agency agents are here to walk you through what you should know.

Understanding Hail as a "Covered Peril"

Often, hail is listed in home insurance policies as a covered peril, which means that if the hail damages your home, the policy will cover repairs and replacements. However, if it damages anything else, then you may not be protected. Ensuring that all of your property is covered is essential.

Remembering the Role of Deductibles

People often forget that they have to pay a deductible before the home insurance policy kicks in. So, if you have hail that damages your home, you may have to pay for it before insurance kicks in. That’s why it’s important to understand what your deductible is and how much is covered.

In Omaha, NE, one of the major issues is that some areas are prone to hailstorms. If your home is in an area prone to these weather conditions, you will be paying higher deductibles already. Insurance companies will have higher premiums in this area to account for hailstorms and the damage that they cause.

Exploring Additional Hail Coverage Plans

Luckily, if you live in an area that has hail frequently, you can purchase additional or specialized coverage. Not all insurances offer this, so you’ll want to check with your home insurance policy before buying a plan. That said, if you’re still confused about the process, our agents at ED Thompson Insurance Agency can help you find additional plans suitable to your coverage. All you have to do is contact us today.

What is an SR-22 Form?

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When you own a car, one of your responsibilities will be to purchase auto insurance. There are many different options to choose when buying an auto insurance policy. If you’re in the Omaha, NE, area, we invite you to bring your questions to our Ed Thompson Insurance Agency team. We’ve been providing service for clients in your area since 2001.

Understanding the SR-22 Form

If you live in Nebraska, and your driver’s license is suspended or revoked due to a court action, you must still prove that any vehicles on your property are currently insured. This requirement refers to cars, motorcycles, trucks, or vans. To confirm that you have the required insurance, you must complete an SR-22 form. The SR-22 is the only form the State of Nebraska will accept as proof of insurance.

According to the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles, it’s your responsibility to notify your insurance company that you need an SR-22 form. Once you complete the form, it must be mailed or delivered in person to the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles. The DMV doesn’t accept photocopies or faxed copies of an SR-22 form. To make the form official, it must be signed by an insurance company official whose signature is authorized by the DMV.

Contact Us Today for Your Appointment

Each member of our team at The Ed Thompson Insurance Agency is dedicated to helping you find the best policy for your needs at an affordable price. Clients who live near Omaha, NE, will find our agents knowledgeable and responsive to their questions. We will review various insurance policies with you to ensure you know all your options. Call us for an appointment today so we can assist you with your insurance needs.

Protecting Your Business Fleet With Commercial Auto Insurance in Omaha

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Properly insuring your commercial fleet is essential as a business owner in Omaha, NE. Commercial auto insurance can help protect your investments from damage, theft, or even weather-related incidents. Understanding the significance of commercial auto insurance in Omaha is possible by working with a trusted provider, such as Ed Thompson Insurance Agency.

Commercial Auto Insurance in Omaha

Commercial auto insurance extends beyond traditional auto protection and is ideal for those who own businesses or have commercial investments in Omaha. Some of the most notable key features of commercial auto insurance include:

  • Physical Damage Coverage: If your commercial vehicles are damaged by incidents or accidents, commercial auto coverage will help with repairs and updates.
  • Liability: Commercial insurance in Omaha protects against property damage and injury when it comes to liability claims.
  • Medical Expenses: The commercial insurance policy in effect for you and your organization will cover injuries sustained by your employees during an auto accident.
  • Underinsured/Uninsured Coverage: Underinsured and/or uninsured coverage offers additional protection if your commercial vehicles are involved in an accident with another driver who does not currently have insurance.

Commercial insurance benefits Omaha businesses by protecting employees, reducing liability, and enforcing local and state laws. Commercial auto insurance is a must for those who want to protect their business assets in any industry.

Any business owner in Omaha, NE, that utilizes commercial vehicles or has invested in a commercial vehicle fleet should understand the importance of commercial auto insurance. Whether you’re seeking a general liability policy or have a specific plan, we can help. Contact Ed Thompson Insurance Agency today for a consultation and to discover which commercial insurance policy is right for you.

Can You Get a Mortgage Without Home Insurance?

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Buying a house is a process that involves numerous steps and careful consideration. While researching how you’re going to finance your new property, you may come across several sources stating that your mortgage lender will require you to get home insurance to secure your funding. But, prospective homeowners may wonder, is this necessary? Do you have to buy home insurance to purchase a home? Let’s delve into this topic to understand the general rule of thumb. When you’re ready to purchase a home insurance policy, Ed Thompson Insurance Agency in Omaha, NE, will be here to help you secure the right policy for your future property!

Is Home Insurance Necessary for a Mortgage?

So, can you secure a mortgage without purchasing home insurance? It’s highly unlikely. Much like you’re investing in a new property, a mortgage lender is investing in you and wants to ensure that they don’t lose the money they’ve given you along the way. If something happens to your home and you find yourself unable to pay for the damages, it can quickly result in foreclosure. Mortgage lenders have to protect their investments, which is why home insurance is often required to provide the necessary coverage for any damages. Getting a mortgage without home insurance might only be possible if you can fund most or nearly all of the homes yourself, but that’s not probable for most homebuyers.

Secure the Necessary Insurance to Buy a Home with Ed Thompson Insurance Agency

We’re on your side if you’re ready to buy a home and protect your property. Start with the Ed Thompson Insurance Agency team in Omaha, NE. Compare quotes with our help today!

What’s the Difference Between Working With an Auto Insurance Company and an Auto Insurance Broker?

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The world of auto insurance can be confusing, especially when deciding between working directly with an insurance company or a broker. At Ed Thompson Insurance Agency, serving the greater Omaha, NE region, we’re here to clarify these options so you can make an informed choice.

Auto Insurance Companies

When you work directly with an auto insurance company, you purchase a policy from a specific provider. This means you’re limited to the company’s products and rates. While this can simplify the process, as you’re dealing with just one entity, it may not provide the flexibility to compare options from different insurers.

Auto Insurance Brokers

On the other hand, an auto insurance broker acts as an intermediary between you and multiple insurance companies. Brokers can access a wide range of policies and offer personalized advice based on your specific needs and budget. Their goal is to find the best coverage for you, often saving you time and money by comparing different plans.

Which Is Right for You?

Choosing between a company and a broker depends on your preferences. Working directly with an insurance company might be best if you value having a straightforward relationship with a single provider. However, if you prefer a tailored approach with more options, a broker could offer the flexibility and expertise you need.

Let Us Help You Decide

At Ed Thompson Insurance Agency, serving the larger Omaha, NE area, we’re committed to helping you understand your auto insurance choices. Contact us today if you’re leaning towards a direct company or exploring broker options. Our team is ready to guide you through the process and find the perfect solution for your auto insurance needs.

Do You Need Commercial Insurance to Sell Items Online?

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No federal or state laws mandate online vendors to purchase commercial insurance. However, this doesn’t imply that entrepreneurs in Omaha, NE should disregard insurance completely. Some platforms, like Amazon, necessitate the purchase of certain types of insurance coverage. Other forms of coverage may be crucial to safeguard your business from devastation in the event of an unexpected disaster.

What Types of Commercial Insurance Do You Need to Sell Items Online?

Amazon mandates that vendors procure a general liability insurance policy. This coverage protects you from lawsuits if someone gets injured while dropping off or picking up products from your home or warehouse. It also covers legal expenses if a competitor accuses you of slander or copyright infringement. Moreover, most general liability insurance policies include property damage coverage, which is vital for any vendor selling physical products. With property damage coverage, you’ll receive compensation for legal, settlement, and judgment costs if someone alleges your products injured them and sues you for damages.

It’s also advisable to purchase business property insurance, even if you operate your business from home. Home insurance doesn’t cover damage to business assets and products. This implies you could lose a significant amount of money in the event of theft or a natural disaster. Cybersecurity coverage is another policy that could help you avoid substantial loss, as it provides compensation for a hack or data breach.

Commercial Insurance Options from Ed Thompson Insurance Agency

The Ed Thompson Insurance Agency specializes in assisting Omaha, NE business owners in finding excellent insurance options at a competitive price. Contact us to learn more or to get a policy quote.

Will I need to have home insurance in Nebraska?

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Securing Your Omaha Home with Proper Insurance

Investing in real estate in Omaha, NE has been beneficial for many individuals. When purchasing a home in this area, you must ensure you appropriately cover and protect it – a task best accomplished with sufficient home insurance. There are several reasons why you need to have home insurance here.

Guaranteeing Adequate Coverage

The primary reason for having home insurance in Nebraska is to guarantee you have the correct coverage. When buying a home, you’re investing in an asset you’ll want to enjoy and protect for many years. A comprehensive home insurance plan covers you in the event of a loss and provides you with invaluable liability insurance should you be held responsible for any damages.

Meeting Compliance Standards

Often, when you purchase a home, various agreements require you to maintain adequate home insurance. These could be related to living in a homeowner’s association or having a mortgage. Keeping home insurance ensures you comply with these agreements and maintain your good standing.

As you decide to purchase a property in Omaha, NE, don’t forget to secure an appropriate home insurance policy. When searching for coverage, feel free to call our Ed Thompson Insurance Agency team. When you contact us, you’ll receive all the necessary assistance to develop a new policy that adequately covers you and your home.

Auto Insurance for Used vs. New Cars

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At Ed Thompson Insurance Agency, we want our Omaha, NE, clients to enjoy the auto insurance they need when needed. This blog covers the difference between necessary coverage for a new car and a used vehicle. While you’ll buy the same policy regardless of your vehicle’s age, the coverage types in the policy vary.

What Stays the Same

Every driver in the state of Nebraska must insure their new or used vehicle with liability coverage that meets the minimum coverage requirements. This includes bodily injury and property damage coverages.

What Differs

When you purchase a new car, your lender may require you to carry full coverage, which includes collision and comprehensive coverage. That ensures that if the auto gets totaled or stolen, your insurance policy will fully cover what you owe the bank for the loan. Once you pay off your loan, you may want to keep the full coverage because you would have to pay for a new vehicle out of pocket without it.

When you own a used vehicle, an insurer typically suggests comparing the cost of collision and comprehensive coverage with the used auto’s replacement value. If you could replace the car for the annual premiums and deductible cost, buying full coverage doesn’t make sense. If a vehicle replacement costs more than the premiums and deductible, then accept the coverage and save money if anything happens to the vehicle.

Contact Ed Thompson Insurance Agency Today

Contact Ed Thompson Insurance Agency today to update your auto insurance. Don’t leave your Omaha, NE, driveway without the appropriate auto coverage.

Commercial Insurance In Nebraska: What You Need and What’s Optional

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Commercial insurance protects businesses from potential damages and losses, which would typically result in substantial out-of-pocket expenses. Commercial insurance encompasses a broad range of insurance types, and not all businesses need comprehensive coverage. However, you may be surprised to learn that your state mandates specific forms of coverage. For example, if you operate a business in Omaha, NE, what types of commercial insurance does the state of Nebraska require you to have? Here’s a guide on what you need, what’s optional, and how you can get the coverage your business requires with us at Ed Thompson Insurance Agency.

What Types of Commercial Insurance Do You Need in Nebraska?

Nebraska mandates two main types of commercial insurance for businesses operating in the state: workers’ compensation and commercial auto insurance. Workers’ compensation safeguards your employees (if you employ one or more individuals), and commercial auto insurance provides necessary road coverage for vehicles used for business activities. That being said, many other types of commercial insurance are worth pursuing. Policies often purchased by businesses in Nebraska include general liability insurance, commercial real estate insurance, and cyber insurance, to name a few. It’s important to ask yourself: how much coverage do I need, and will it support my business beyond just the basics?

Find the Right Degree of Coverage With Ed Thompson Insurance Agency

Whether you need only basic coverage or want to protect your business comprehensively, the team here at Ed Thompson Insurance Agency in Omaha, NE, is dedicated to helping you find insurance that works for you. It all starts with comparing multiple quotes to find coverage and premiums that work for you. If you need any help, we’re always here to assist you!

A Spring Home Maintenance Checklist

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Spring and early summer are the ideal times to give your home the well-deserved care it needs after enduring the harsh winter. At Ed Thompson Insurance Agency in Omaha, NE, we understand that a well-maintained home can result in fewer insurance claims. Here’s a useful spring home maintenance checklist to keep your home in top condition.

Inspect Your Roof

Winter can cause significant wear and tear on your roof. Look for missing or damaged shingles and check for leaks. Prompt repairs can prevent additional damage and save on costly repairs. We recommend hiring a professional for a roof inspection at least once a year.

Check Your HVAC System

Before the summer heat arrives, ensure your HVAC system is functioning efficiently. Replace filters and clean vents, and consider hiring a professional for a tune-up to keep it running smoothly. We recommend this task for both the spring and the fall seasons.

Examine Windows and Doors

Inspect your windows and doors for cracks or gaps. If you encounter damaged weatherstripping and caulking, consider replacing them. These small changes can improve energy efficiency and prevent pests from entering. If your windows aren’t energy-efficient, you may consider replacing them.

Test Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Safety is paramount. Test all your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and replace batteries if needed. These devices provide early hazard detection and are vital for your safety.

Inspect the Exterior

Walk around your home and look for signs of damage to the siding, foundation, and driveway. Pay attention to cracks, chips, mildew, and signs of water damage. Addressing these minor issues promptly can prevent more significant, costly problems in the future.

At Ed Thompson Insurance Agency, we’re dedicated to helping you protect your home. Regular maintenance ensures your home stays in excellent condition and your home insurance remains effective. If you need help with a home insurance policy in Omaha, NE, don’t hesitate to contact us.