Can Your Business website lead to a lawsuit?

Every business today should have a website. It provides you with an opportunity to promote your products and services, communicate with current and potential customers and immediately establishes credibility. However, as with every mode of communication, there are liability risks. Here are some of the most common risks and steps to take to avoid them.

Defamation if the #1 risk for a website. This would include false or disparaging statements about people, businesses or their products. Your products or services may be better than your competitors, but unless you have indisputable proof of that, avoid posting these statements on your website.

Copyright infringement can get you in trouble. Did you find a great article or photo that you posted on your website? If you didn’t have permission to do so, you are at risk for a lawsuit. Before posting anything that you haven’t written yourself, make sure you get permission from the author or photographer.

Trademark infringement is another concern. Make sure you have written permission from suppliers, distributors, etc. to post their names, web addresses or logos on your site.

Be very careful about using personal, private information. You may want to feature testimonials from customers, but make sure you get their permission first. Also, be cautious about posting photos of other businesses or people’s homes without their knowledge or consent.

Questions or concerns about your insurance coverage? Call The Van Dyk Group today at (800) 436-1663. We are here to help you.

Make Sure Your Holiday gifts are Covered!

Did you know that if gifts are stolen from your car while shopping your automobile insurance policy does not cover it? That's correct, this type of loss would be covered by your homeowners or renters insurance policy, subject to your homeowners deductible and conditions.

Keep in mind if you receive expensive gifts such as jewelry this Christmas it can be endorsed to your homeowners or tenant insurance. You can also obtain a separate personal article floater where items can be covered at full value, with no deductible. The rate structure is based on the cost of the item per $100. An appraisal would be needed to state the value of the item.

The personal article floater can also be obtained to cover scheduled fine arts, guns, furs, cameras, musical instruments, silverware, postage stamps and coins and electronic equipment such as laptop computer and plasma televisions. This coverage is provided on an "open perils" basis that would include mysterious disappearance and breakage which are not perils covered under a homeowners policy.

How to Buy a Home in Today's Real Estate Market

If you are planning to buy a home, now or in the future, now is the time to get all the facts with this Free Seminar.

Wednesday, December 3rd - 7PM at the Van Dyk Group Barnegat Office

Topics Include:

• Selecting the Right Mortgage
• Understanding todays mortgage process
• How to find and buy a foreclosure
• Buying a short sale
• Know how to negotiate your price

Please RSVP by calling Van Dyk Group today - (609) 698-6900

NO OBLIGATION!!

Mortgage Money is Available!!

It has become very difficult to make heads or tails of these very trying economic times. Daily the “experts” give us their opinions on what the root causes of our present day dilemma is and what can and should be done to resolve the problem. The end cost to each of us has yet to be determined. The bottom line is most of us will remain employed and we still know that the single best investment we can make is in our home.

The emphasis is on HOME. This is not just a house and a write off for your taxes. While certainly these are terrific benefits there is a much bigger picture here. This is your HOME. The place you raise your children, where you retire to at the end of each day, where you seek comfort and safety, celebrate birthdays and anniversaries, where you live your life. Examine your current situation, look at the home prices and mortgage rates and don’t miss out on this great opportunity.

We will be offering a FREE Home Buyer’s Seminar on Dec 3rd at our Barnegat office, but we are always willing and available to spend the time with you to help determine your purchase potential. If you are not ready to buy right now we will help you set a plan in motion according to your timetable. Don’t panic; don’t think that you will never be able to realize the great American Dream of home ownership. You can and you will. We look forward to working with you so please call today - (800) 217-0747.

Properly Insured for Flood?

Did you know that as of June 1st, hurricane season is upon us? How many of your clients are properly insured in the case of a flood? Let our department help you determine for your clients whether they are covered properly in the case of a claim. Our department is able to place flood insurance through the Federal flood program and excess flood coverage with several of our excess carriers.

The maximum coverage through the Federal flood program is $250,000. If the replacement cost of the home exceeds this amount, the property may not be fully covered in the case of a loss. However, an excess flood policy can be purchased to insure the home up to the full replacement cost. This policy would cover any loss over the $250,000 offered through the standard flood company up to the replacement cost of your home.

For example, if the replacement cost of your home is $400,000, the standard flood policy would have the maximum limit of 250,000. The excess flood policy would then provide coverage of $150,000 to equal the full replacement cost of $400,000.

If you have any questions or would like a quote for this coverage please contact any one of our knowledgeable personal lines customer service representatives.

Insuring Children in College

Are your kids graduating college or maybe starting college in the Fall? The personal lines department has a policy that can make sure they are covered in either situation. Tenant Homeowner policies are offered by all our top companies; Travelers, Selective, Mercer & Cumberland to name a few with great coverage and reasonable prices. The renters’ policy will provide coverage for the personal property held within the dwelling and liability coverage. It would not cover the house or apartment that is being rented as that would be covered by the landlord.

Please contact the personal lines insurance department if you or someone you know might need this coverage.

Courtesy of Marni Jurgens - Personal Insurance Service Center

Finding Coastal Area Insurance

The coastal area has been a difficult market for insurance for many years now. Unfortunately, some companies have been approved to non-renew clients just for this reason alone. This is leaving many to scramble for new insurance in a tight market.

The Personal Insurance Department has many companies available to insure all types of risk in the coastal area. Whether it is a primary, secondary, rental or even a vacant home, we will have a company to place this coverage.

If you know someone who is being effected by this, please refer them to the Personal Insurance Department for knowledgeable information and guidance. Thank you.

Courtesy of Eva Rhoades - Personal Insurance Sales Representative