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Why do I need to carry wineries insurance

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Wineries are a unique niche in the business world. All businesses have particular needs and risks and wineries are no exception. Having the correct insurance to mitigate as much as possible those risks is important. At Outdoor Insurance Services in The Woodlands, TX, we have expertise in a variety of insurance services. Protecting businesses and business owners is one aspect we take pride in. We strive to provide our clients with the most appropriate insurance for their particular business. 

As a vintner, you are all too aware of the many hazards that your business and crop are exposed to. The amount of precipitation can affect your grapes adversely whether it is too much rain or too little rain. Many things that affect your bottom line are beyond your control but with the right insurance, you can protect your business and survive to succeed another day. 

Property insurance

A winery has the equipment to produce and store wine. A failure in this machinery can result in spoiled wine and a major loss. Barrels can fail and result in lost product. Texas is prone to tornados and damage to the building, vines and your entire operation are possible. Specialized property insurance can make sure that all aspects of your business are protected. 

Liability

If you have a tasting room or have guests on your property you are liable to be sued if someone is injured. All businesses are vulnerable to being sued and having enough liability insurance can protect your assets. 

Business interruption 

Things happen and when your business can’t function because of a covered hazard.  You need the funds to keep your bills current, your employees paid, and your own paycheck coming in. 

At Outdoor Insurance Services in The Woodlands, TX, we are experienced in putting together winery commercial insurance packages to protect your business. Give us a call to make an appointment to discuss this important insurance. 

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How Much Home Insurance Do I Need?

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Choosing proper home insurance is not easy, especially because you have to make sure that it will pay for rebuilding your house, replacing your belongings, and defraying the costs if you are unable to live in your house. Outdoor Insurance Services serving clients from The Woodlands, TX has prepared a brief guide for you on how to decide how much home insurance coverage you need: 

How Much Home Insurance Should I Get?

The first and most important thing you need to understand when purchasing home insurance is that there is no one-size-fits-all policy. In order to figure out how much home insurance you need, you should estimate how high costs would be in the situations where your property or personal belongings are damaged, destroyed, or stolen. In order to make sure that you have enough insurance, you need to figure out how much home insurance you will need in four different areas: 

  • Home. That depends on how much it will cost to rebuild your home from scratch. You can always ask a local construction company and a contractor to calculate the costs for you. 
  • Personal belongings. They include furniture, clothing, appliances, electronics, and jewelry. To make sure you are not underinsured, you should create an inventory list. 
  • Liability protection. It covers the costs of a lawsuit if someone is injured on your property and then decides to sue you. You need to calculate your assets (investments, savings, and property) and get more liability protection than the minimum, which is usually $100,000. 
  • Additional living expenses. They are expenses that you may have if your home becomes uninhabitable and you need to move somewhere temporarily. It is recommended to talk to your agent to decide how much exactly you need. 

It is not easy to choose the right insurance and decide on how much home insurance you need because there is a risk of being underinsured. Outdoor Insurance Services serving clients from The Woodlands, TX is ready to help choose the right policy and proper coverage. Do not hesitate to give us a call and talk to one of our agents. 

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A Thorough Overview Of Craft Breweries Insurance

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Outdoor Insurance Services serves The Woodlands, TX community by offering multiple types of insurance policies. We strive to make sure that our clients find the coverage they need to prepare for whatever risks life may throw their way. Our guiding principles are integrity and trust.

Craft Breweries Insurance Overview

More craft breweries are starting to emerge throughout Texas. Craft breweries stand out from the crowd due to their unique tastes, aroma, and development process. If you have a craft brewery in The Woodlands, TX area, it’s important that you protect your investment. Craft Breweries Insurance allows you to protect every aspect of your brewery. The policy acts as a safety net if you suffer an unexpected loss. You’ll be covered if your tank explodes or starts leaking. You will also be covered in other parts of your equipment start to break down. There is also the threat of your beverages being contaminated. The policy covers your brewery if an outbreak causes contamination.

Liability coverage is a major asset, especially if you have any tasting rooms that are open to the public or if you are hosting some special events. You will be protected if a patron gets injured while visiting the brewery. Make sure that all of your servers are certified to handle alcohol. It’s important that your employees are protected as well. The policy covers your brewery if one of your employees is injured in the workplace. This is especially important if your employees handle large equipment such as forklifts on a regular basis. You can also amend your policy to cover your business related vehicles as you travel around to different restaurants. The policy protects your business vehicles if they are damaged or stolen.

Consult With Outdoor Insurance Services

Visit our website today to learn more information about craft breweries insurance.

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Three things you should know about bar insurance

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As with running any other type of business, running a bar involves certain risks. Bar owners need to invest in bar insurance coverage to protect themselves against these risks. Outdoor Insurance Services provides bar insurance policies in The Woodlands, TX.

The following are three things you should know about bar insurance if you own a bar. 

Bar insurance is specifically designed to provide commercial coverage for bar owners.

Running a bar is a unique business endeavor. The risks you face might differ significantly from those of a restaurant owner or a business owner in another industry. Bar insurance meets the needs of bar owners specifically. That’s why bar owners need to invest in this type of coverage. 

Bar insurance can provide coverage for many potential expenses.

A bar insurance policy can offer numerous types of commercial coverage. These include general liability coverage, liquor liability coverage, assault, and battery liability coverage, and product liability coverage.

At the same time, bar insurance coverage can also include more typical types of commercial coverage like worker’s compensation insurance coverage, commercial property coverage, and commercial auto insurance coverage. 

There are numerous factors that impact bar insurance premiums.

The amount of bar insurance costs vary widely depending on the individual bar. There are many different factors that influence costs.

Some of the factors that can influence bar insurance costs include the type of bar, the city, or geographic location in which the bar is located, and the history of the particular business.

Certain factors like whether or not you host live entertainment like band performances can also influence your bar insurance premium costs. 

Learn more about bar insurance in The Woodlands, TX by getting in touch with us at Outdoor Insurance Services. 

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what every new restaurant owner should know about restaurant insurance

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Owning a restaurant in the Woodlands, TX comes with many challenges. From hiring the right employees to satisfying your customers, a restaurant business requires a lot of patience and dedication. At Outdoor Insurance Services, we understand that it is not easy to deal with people; that is why we recommend buying adequate restaurant insurance. If you are planning to start a restaurant, here are a few tips to help you out.

Know the coverages you need and the risks involved

You will not be able to protect or run your restaurant smoothly if you do not know what you’re up against. Running a restaurant means dealing with many people in one place. A lot can happen to your customers, such as food poisoning, slips, falls, injuries, and theft. You need to be adequately prepared to handle such situations in case they happen. For this reason, you may need to buy enough liability coverage, workers’ compensation, commercial property insurance, and crime insurance.

Identify the factors that affect the cost of coverage

When it comes to insuring a hospitality business in The Woodlands TX, insurance providers have to consider several factors before making a price decision. That is why you will be asked dozens of questions, which you must answer truthfully. Insurance companies also conduct research based on your answers before making a final decision. Some of the factors include:

  • Where the restaurant is located
  • Hours of operation
  • The size of the restaurant
  • Type of property
  • Levels of coverage 
  • Los history
  • Activities taking place 
  • Years in business
  • Number of employees 

Read and understand the terms and conditions

The terms and conditions of an insurance policy are the most critical. Read and re-read until everything is clear. Determine the inclusions and exclusions of the coverage while also checking how claims can be handled.

Some factors can make or break your restaurant venture. Having a form of coverage is one of the best ways to protect your business. Let Outdoor Insurance Services help you through the process. Feel free to speak to us today.

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How Are Flood Zones Determined?

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In short, a flood zone classifies how likely the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) believes that an area will flood. Generally speaking, if you are purchasing a home in a flood zone your mortgage lender is likely to require you to purchase additional flood insurance beyond what, if any, coverage your homeowner’s insurance offers with our team. 

FEMA uses 15 categories to determine whether or not a property is in a flood zone. Any property in an A or V Zone is considered to be in a Special Flood Hazard Area which means that it is at the greatest risk of flooding. Generally, these are beachfront properties or those where floods have caused significant damage in the past. Any property within the V Zone is required to have flood insurance. Properties within Zones C to X represent those with minimal risk or flooding and it is dependent on the lender whether or not flood insurance is required. Areas that have not been evaluated by FEMA but where flooding is deemed possible fall within Zone D. 

Damage caused by flooding is generally not covered by insurance because it is considered to be a gradual incident and not one that is sudden or accidental. If water has hit the ground first before entering your home then it will likely be considered flood damage and not covered by insurance. Purchasing flood insurance, even if not required by the lender, offers substantial peace of mind and financial security from damage caused by water and waves.

At Outdoor Insurance Services in The Woodlands, TX, our friendly and competent team can help assist if your home is in a flood zone or if you want information on the benefits of flood insurance. Give us a call today for a no-obligation consultation. 

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RV Parks Insurance Defined

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Outdoor Insurance Services, servicing The Woodlands, TX, wants to tell you about a type of insurance you probably hear little about – camping facilities insurance, also called RV park insurance. As the owner or operator/manager of an RV campground or park, you need the right insurance coverage to protect your investment. This varies by state, so if you previously owned or operated a site in another state, know that the Texas requirements differ.

While you can obtain general liability insurance in many places, you reduce your risk by purchasing a policy from an agency like Outdoor Insurance Services that specializes in RV park insurance. This also reduces your costs.

These policies protect everything a camping or RV park offers, including the guest amenities of these vacation destinations such as boats, canoes, miniature golf courses, horseshoe pit games, playgrounds, swimming pools, and fishing docks. The property insurance component also protects the shower houses, restroom facilities, laundry facilities as well as retail outlets such as a general store, bar, restaurant, gift shop, LP gas sales, and service station. Property coverage extends to the structure and contents.

RV park insurance also includes general liability insurance that protects the park from the many types of accidents that can occur from fender benders to drownings at pool or lake. These accidents require in-or out-of-court settlements to pay the medical bills of the injured party or to cover the deceased person’s funeral. This policy works in tandem with an auto policy.

Parks allowing or selling liquor need liquor insurance. Every RV park should have endorsements for “trailers in the care, custody, and control of the park owner,” as well as umbrella insurance to extend coverage limits. Ask us about an endorsement for trailer spotting, equine activity, watercraft, and coverage for special events.

Outdoor Insurance Services servicing The Woodlands, TX wants your business to run safely and securely. Call us today to get started with a specialized insurance package to protect your RV park.

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Home Insurance Made Easier with Assistance from an Independent Agency

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Homeowner’s insurance is something that must not be taken lightly. You will want to talk to an expert such as someone from Outdoor Insurance Services of The Woodlands, TX so that you have help navigating the complicated matters.

Have Your Insurance In Hand Early On

Yes, it’s ideal that you have your home insurance before you close on your new house. If this just isn’t possible or you already have one and are looking to change companies, consider a small local agency. They’ll provide you with one-on-one personalized services to help you find the insurance policy and terms that you need.

Be Proactive with Your Home Insurance

You don’t want to give up your decision on which company to go with for your insurance. Your lender may pressure you to choose quickly and even tell you which agency if you don’t already have one. The problem with this is that they might not be suited to your particular situation, and you won’t have the benefit of knowing for sure that they have your best interests in mind.

Knowledge of the Community

It’s great if you get insurance through an agency that already has strong ties to the community. If they’ve been in business for a while, know your neighborhood or city well and can anticipate changes, this is a definite plus. You should work with an agent who can explain coverage gaps and if certain riders would help your situation.

Reach Out to Your Local Independent Agency

Contact an agent at Outdoor Insurance Services for an agency that will work with you to customize a home insurance policy. Use the online form or give the office a call to get a quote.

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Deductibles vs. Premiums: Finding the Right Balance

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With just about any insurance policy you could buy in The Woodlands, TX, you’re going to find that the higher you push your deductible, the lower your premium is going to be, and vice versa.

Primarily it comes down to whether you want to pay more month-to-month or if you want to spend more when you have to file a claim. The obvious choice may be to raise your deductibles as you go. After all, the premiums are what you’re going to be paying no matter what. The deductible is what you might pay, someday. But it’s not always so cut and dry.

Generally, the rule of thumb to go by is this: Asking for a higher deductible isn’t a bad idea, but keep it down to a number that you can pay at a moment’s notice should something happen. You don’t want to be left with repairs to be made and no money to pay your deductible, which can mean no way to get to work and make money to pay your deductible.

One option is to put aside some deductible money. If you can guarantee that you always have it on hand, then it doesn’t matter how high your deductible is. But this isn’t ideal. Remember, the idea of lowering your premium is to save money. If you wind up with a deductible that’s twice what you’re saving, then you’re not saving anything. So our advice: Follow the rule of thumb. Keep your premiums low, but keep your deductible low enough to pay it right away should you need to.

If you’re still shopping for insurance, get in touch with Outdoor Insurance Services. Outdoor Insurance Services can help The Woodlands, TX drivers get the coverage they need.

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What are the benefits of hunting insurance?

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Hunting is a popular activity for people in and around The Woodlands, TX. When you are an avid hunter, there are a lot of things that you need to do to ensure you are safe and in compliance with all regulations. One thing that a hunter needs to do is get the right insurance in place. Several benefits come with hunting insurance. 

Provides Liability Protection

One of the main reasons why you need to have hunting insurance is because it can provide you with liability protection. Even if you are as safe as possible, there is always a chance that an accident could occur when you are hunting. Depending on the situation, the damages with a hunting accident can be significant. When you have a hunting insurance policy, you will receive the coverage you need to protect against this liability risk. 

Covers Personal Assets

Additionally, a hunting insurance policy can give you good coverage to protect your personal assets. A hunter needs to invest a lot of money on equipment, clothing, and other personal items when they go out hunting. If you have a hunting insurance policy, you can receive the coverage that you need to protect these assets properly. This will ensure you are reimbursed if your assets are damaged or stolen. 

If you are in or around The Woodlands, TX, and think that you would benefit from hunting insurance, you should call us at Outdoor Insurance Services. Picking the right hunting insurance policy can be challenging. Due to the importance of this insurance coverage and the confusion that can come with choosing the policy, hiring Outdoor Insurance Services makes perfect sense. Our team will be able to evaluate your needs and help you find an excellent policy that provides the best coverage possible. 

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