Special Event Insurance In NJ

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Bergen County NJ Special Event Insurance | Bogle Agency Insurance

Bergen County NJ special event insurance | Bogle Agency Insurance NJThe holiday season has arrived and it is time for parties and gatherings to celebrate the season and another great year! In 2015 alone, 9 out of every 10 business across all industries will be hosting holiday gatherings. 52% of the employees of these companies say that, at one time or another, they have witnessed someone under the influence of alcohol acting recklessly at company events. If something goes wrong, the business can be held liable for the actions of their guests even after they have left the event! Needless to say it s a very wise investment for local business owners to invest in Bergen County NJ special event insurance provided by Bogle Agency Insurance in Lyndhurst. .

A special event policy offers policyholders the ability to cover the risk involved in holding an event without jeopardizing their own personal policies. A special event policy will provide medical coverage for all slips, trips and falls all while providing first dollar coverage for special events.claims. A policyholder can also add general liability and host liquor liability at separate limits to their Bergen County NJ special event insurance policy.

What events can be covered under special event insurance?

  • Bake/food sales
  • Beef and beer events
  • Christmas light shows
  • Christmas parties
  • Company parties
  • Concerts
  • Hanukkah parties
  • Holiday parties
  • Home tours
  • Parades
  • Wine festivals

With all of the things that can go wrong, it is the responsible thing to do as a business owner to make sure you and your employees are fully covered in any event. We all want the holidays to be a happy and joyous time to celebrate. But, as we all know unfortunate things do happen. A Bergen County NJ special event insurance policy give you the peace of mind to enjoy the holidays knowing you are covered.

For information on how you can cover your events contact us at Bogle Agency Insurance.

Bergen County Fire Safety For Homeowners

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Bergen County Homeowners Fire Safety Tips | Bergen County NJ Homeowners Insurance

Bergen County Homeowners Fire Safety Tips

Fire safety in Bergen County is important for everyone to practice. It is also a very important element of any Bergen County homeowners insurance policy that homeowners must be sure provides them adequate coverage.  Bogle Agency Insurance will make sure that you have all the right coverage for your home, and also provide Bergen County Homeowners fire safety tips to help keep your family and your investment safe.

From installing smoke detectors to annual chimney sweeps and everything in between, knowing your home is safe and prepared for a fire is essential.  If you have any doubts about how prepared your home is in the event of a fire you can consult your local Bergen County insurance agent or your fire department.

Fire safety tips include:

  • having a working fire extinguisher in every floor in your home.
  • installing smoke detectors on every floor
  • monthly testing of fire alarms
  • installing an alarm system that notifies the fire department if tripped
  • creating a fire escape plan and talk about it with your family on a consistent basis
  • cleaning lint away from clothes dryers
  • keeping things away from light bulbs
  • not overloading your outlets

We honestly could provide a seemingly endless list of fire safety tips, but many of them come down to common sense. The most important thing is to be aware and alert.  Never assume your home is clear of obstacles. Take some time to look around your home each month to make sure it is free of fire hazards.

Homeowners insurance in Bergen County is necessary to cover unforeseen accidents, incidents, damage, and catastrophes.  However, following Bergen County Homeowners fire safety tips will significantly reduce your risk of a house fire.  Knowing your home is as safe and protected as possible is a key element of healthy living.

 Click here for an extensive list of fire safety tips from the National Fire Protection Association.

Contact our team at Bogle Insurance today to learn more about homeowners insurance and Bergen County Homeowners fire safety tips.  Our full service Bergen County insurance agency can help you with all of your coverage needs, including homeowners insurance, auto insurance, and business insurance.  Let us serve as your guide to insurance in Lyndhurst NJ and throughout Bergen County.

NJ Small Businesses Need Cyber Liability Insurance

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NJ Cyber Liability Insurance | Bergen County NJ Business Insurance 

NJ Cyber Liability Insurance

By now it is doubtful there is anyone, especially anyone in business that is not aware of the threats business face to online security breaches. Companies as large as Amazon, Spotify and Netflix have all been hacked recently, and for small businesses the danger is not any less. In fact, hackers look at small business as a prime target due to their generally lower security standards and the ability for hackers to get into systems using your personal devices! That is why small businesses in Bergen County and beyond need NJ cyber liability insurance.

Bogle Agency Insurance Provides Cyber Liability Insurance in NJ

Cyber insurance is a very important and highly overlooked protection for small businesses. In addition to antivirus, antispyware and firewall protection, cyber insurance will cover you when these just are not good enough protection. A general business liability policy will not help you recoup losses or legal fees that come from a data breach. You need separate coverage to protect yourself and your business from these damages.

It is easy to assume that these types of policies are only necessary for large companies. However many insurance carriers now offer tailor-made cyber coverage for small businesses, offering them the protection they need that fits their budget.

There are different coverage levels to each type of policy and this includes cyber liability insurance. There are first party policies that will cover general costs of a breach that include legal expense, PR campaigns to help recover, business interruption and costs of notifying customers. Third party coverage will protect you if you are at the center of the breach and sensitive information has been stolen from you directly. Third party coverage will cover fees if you are sued.

Talk to us at Bogle Agency Insurance today to talk about cyber liability insurance and all of your business insurance and personal insurance needs in NJ. We have been in business for nearly 100 years and have always stayed up to date with the needs of our customers. We have seen the need for cyber liability insurance grow dramatically the last few years. Don’t wait until it’s too late!

While the need for cyber liability Insurance can’t be understated, there are steps you can take on your own to avoid cyber security breaches.

Remember these tip to keep your business safe online in NJ

  • Keep antivirus software up to date.
  • Educate your employees.
  • Set company security policies.
  • Prepare an incident response plan.

NJ Small Business Winter Safety Tips

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Winter Safety Tips For NJ Small Business |Bergen County Business Insurance

Winter Safety Tips For NJ Small BusinessFor small business owners, winter weather can be extremely stressful. From the worry that the weather will cause a loss in income, to figuring out how to remain open while keeping both employees and customers safe, it can be overwhelming. Not to mention keeping the building itself from damage and heavy wear. These NJ Small Business Winter Safety Tips can help you prepare a solid plan and limit the stress.

Small Businesses Must Plan for Snow Maintenance In NJ

Put someone on your staff in charge of preparing for winter weather. This includes monitoring the weather and alerting staff the forecast.  You can also have this person arrange signage for your entry ways and parking lots alerting customers to be ware of ice, etc if this is applicable. Have them make sure you are fully stocked with shovels, salt, snowblowers, etc to make sure you are ready when the weather hits.  This person should also develop a plan to contact employees to advise them of the plans for the weather, ie. closed for the day, or a delayed opening. You and your staff should also develop a plan for who clears walkways and parking lots, etc.

When Snow Maintenance is to be Done by Contractors make sure you conform ahead of time that they will be taking care of your sow removal and have a guaranteed written contract. Also make sure you have a back up plan in the event something goes wrong. 

More NJ Small Business Winter Safety Tips

Prepare Entry Areas

It is a very good idea to place “walk-off” mats at entries during periods of rain or snow. Make sure to check the condition of the mats,  ensuring that the edges are flat and do not create a tripping hazard. Also be sure to keep tiled surfaces dry and place wet floor signs in all applicable areas.

Prepare Sidewalks

Determine ahead of time who is responsible for clearing the sidewalks. It will likely be you, not your town so you must make sure that you have a designated staff member n charge of doing this task, or your snow removal contractor includes sidewalks in their services. Snow covered sidewalks are a major liability!

Clear Snow

Make sure all of the following areas applicable to your business are clear of snow and ice.

  • Hydrants
  • Control Valves and Hose Houses
  • Sidewalks, Ramps and Entryways
  • Driveways
  • Roads
  • Heating and Ventilation Equipment and Ducts
  • Roofs
  • Overhangs
  • Canopies

Snow Placement

When snow is being removed, it needs to be placed somewhere else. This place will have to be on your property. You will need to determine the best placement for this snow that is safe during freeze and thaw temperatures.

Snow placement should always be away from:

  • Main Entry and Walkways .
  • Away from Hydrants, Fire Department Connections and Outside Sprinkler Control Valves.
  • Where it will not drain onto the parking lot, street or sidewalk and re-freeze.

In Bergen County and throughout New Jersey, we can always be sure to expect winter weather and need to be prepared as business owners. Neglecting these NJ Small Business Winter Safety Tips can leave you open to liabilities no small business owner ever wants to face.

Bergen County insurance
Bogle Agency Insurance, your Bergen County insurance agency of choice

Tips for Winter Driving

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Tips for Winter Driving In NJ

Tips for Winter Driving In New Jersey | Bogle Agency InsuranceWith winter weather quickly approaching New Jersey, it is important to remember that just because the roads look clear, it does not mean they are 100% safe and can be driven on as you do normally. With the risk of ice, especially black ice, and extra narrow lanes it’s important to be extra alert and prepared for anything. Make sure you follow these tips for winter driving so you and everyone around you can stay safe.

See and Be Seen

Always make sure that you can see clearly and be seen clearly by other drivers. It is very important that you clean all the snow off of your car before you hit the road. This includes your windshield, all windows, outside mirrors, reflectors and lights. This will ensure that you will be able to be seen, and will prevent snow from flying off your car and blinding other drivers. In addition to clean, snow free lights also make sure you use the correct lights. Never drive with your parking lights as opposed to headlights in bad weather, or at dusk. Parking lights can cause other drivers t think you are much further away than you actually are.

Know The Road Conditions

Get the feel of the road before you get too far from home. Try out your brakes and see how slippery the road feels. Adjust your speed accordingly and remember the road conditions change along with the temperatures. Once You are out in traffic increase the distance you normally keep between yourself and cars ahead of you. DO NOT TAILGATE! The heavier your vehicle, the more space you will need to come to a stop. No matter the weight of your car, play it safe and stay several car lengths behind the driver in front of you.

Use Your Brakes The Right Way

Brake ahead of curves, not while you are already in one. Every vehicle is sensitive to over-braking and over-steering on curves. You may not know what is around the bend. Instead of possibly needing to slam on the brakes, just take it nice and slow around curves. In other words, minimize your risk.

If you need to slow down further, or stop completely,what you need to do next depends on the type of brakes you have. If you are equipped with anti-lock brakes then put your foot firmly on the brake and let the ABS system pump your brakes for you while you concentrate on steering. If you don’t have ABS then you will need to pump your brakes. This will help to keep the wheels from locking up, causing you to slide.

Be Prepared

Always be prepared. Check the forecast before you leave and the traffic reports. Give yourself more time than you need to get somewhere so you do not have to rush at all. Always keep the following items on hand in case of emergency.

  • A charged cell phone
  • A working flashlight
  • A shovel
  • An ice scraper
  • Blankets
  • Any critical medications and water/food.

If you get stuck, stay with your car and run it only as much as necessary to stay warm. Be sure that the tailpipe of the car is cleared of snow, or you risk carbon monoxide poisoning. Finally place a bright marker on your antenna so you can bee seen.

It is important to remember these tips for winter driving to help keep yourself and everyone on the road safe this winter. If everyone following these safety tips, we can really minimize the risk of being out there.

More Bergen County NJ Halloween Safety Tips

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Bergen County NJ Halloween Safety Tips

More Bergen County NJ Halloween Safety Tips

Get your sidewalk neat before they trick-or-treat – Walk the path from the street to your door and clear anything that trick-or-treaters could trip over or slip and injure themselves. This includes gardening equipment, hoses, toys, potted plants, lawn ornaments and even Halloween decorations that block the path to your front door.

Make your yard spooky, not dangerous – Be sure to clean up before candy-fueled children charge through your yard. Remove dead branches, sticks and acorns, rake up the leaves, fill in holes and trim your hedges to prevent any injuries.

A well-lit driveway can still be scary – There’s nothing scarier for a homeowner than seeing a masked trick-or-treater blindly stagger up your dark driveway. Help them out by turning on all of your exterior lights and lining your driveway and sidewalk with lights or luminaries. Never use any open flames, which could lead to disaster and injury. Instead, use LED tea lights or other decorative Halloween lights to prevent a fire. These should also be used in jack-o-lanterns in lieu of candles.

Keep your beasts in the dungeon – It doesn’t matter if you’ve got a vampire bat or a kitten as a pet, a constantly ringing doorbell can be too much excitement for your animal. To keep your pet from sprinting out of your open front door and possibly injuring someone, keep them confined to another room in the house.

 

Safe Driving Tips for Halloween In Bergen County NJ

 

No speed demons allowed – If you are driving through a residential area, drive as slow as possible. Avoid passing stopped vehicles in case they are dropping off children. You should also be especially cautious when entering and exiting driveways.

The horrors of distraction – On Halloween, neighborhoods are filled with children unexpectedly darting out into the street. Put away your cell phone and don’t look away from the road to ensure you don’t injure any trick-or-treaters. You should also never drive while wearing a mask.

Turn signals aren’t terrifying – Communicate your intentions to pedestrians and other drivers by using your turn signals. If you’re dropping off trick-or-treaters, pull over and use your hazard lights.

Drinking on Halloween can be a nightmare – It doesn’t matter if you’re driving or walking, drinking on Halloween can be a deadly choice. The combination of alcohol and the increased number of people walking in the streets at night makes Halloween the most dangerous night of the year for pedestrians.

 

Bergen County NJ Halloween Safety Tips

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Bergen County NJ Halloween Safety Tips

Bergen County NJ Halloween Safety Tips

Bergen County NJ Halloween safety tips can ensure a safe and fun time.  Halloween is a holiday enjoyed by many, a time to dress up, trick or treat, and socialize with friends and family.  Taking the time to prepare for keeping everyone safe, children and adults alike, can help make this spooky holiday fun and safe for all.  The holiday usually starts with pumping carving, a great activity to get everyone excited for what is to come.

When carving pumpkins it is essential toy get everyone involved but not everyone should have sharp tools.  Get the young children to draw their designs on the pumpkins but take over the carving yourself.  While it may go without saying it remains important to not the importance of taking the steps to make sure young children do not have access to sharp knives.

When it comes to the kids make sure to keep danger at bay.  Here are a few safety tips for a safer trick or treat experience:

  • Adults should accompany children 12 and under.
  • Know the trick or treat route, especially if the kids are going on their own.
  • Cross streets at crosswalks.
  • Walk on sidewalks.
  • Stay in groups.
  • Have flashlights, reflective tape on costumes is a great idea.
  • Have flexible props.
  • Check the candy before it is eaten.  Avoiding hand wrapped, hand cooked treats is essential, no matter how appealing they may look.

The number one tip for adults is to be alert behind the wheel, kids are everywhere on Halloween and it is dark.  Halloween is a pedestrian event and being aware of your surroundings is essential if you are driving.  If you do not know the neighborhood you are driving through be even more cautious.  Expect trick-or-treaters to be walking around up until around 9:30 pm.  Make sure your Bergen County auto insurance is current.

Contact Bogle Insurance Agency today, your Lyndhurst NJ insurance agent of choice, for more safety tips.  Our knowledge and experience can help you create safer environments and make sure you have the coverage you need.  Enjoy Halloween and take the time to make sure you are safe.

Bergen County Insurance Agency Included In IIABA’s Best Practices Study

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Lyndhurst NJ Insurance Agency | Included In IIABA’s Best Practices Study
Bogle Agency Insurance, your Bergen County insurance agency of choice

Lyndhurst NJ Insurance Agency | Included In IIABA’s Best Practices Study

For the 13th consecutive year Bogle Agency Insurance in Bergen County NJ, a Lyndhurst NJ Insurance Agency, has been selected to be part of an elite group of independent insurance agencies around the United States participating in the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America’s (IIABA or the Big “I”) “Best Practices” Study Group.  This is a great honor for our Lyndhurst insurance agency and demonstrates our commitment to excellence.  The “Best Practices” Study Group includes only 254 independent agencies from across the U.S., a pool selected from more than 1,800 nominated insurance agencies.  For our Bergen County insurance agency to be included in this study consecutively for 13 years speaks to the quality and consistency of our services.

The Best Practices Study has been an annual study since 1983, serving as the foundation for efforts to improve agency performance around the country. The annual study of leading independent insurance agencies, which is conducted for IIABA by Reagan Consulting of Atlanta, Ga., documents the business practices of these high performance agencies and urges others to adopt similar practices.  Best Practices serve as a baseline, one which offers agencies an opportunity to perform better, offering exceptional service to their clients.

To be nominated for the Best Practices Study an insurance agency must be nominated by an IIABA affiliated state association or an insurance company.  The agencies nominated qualify based on outstanding customer retention, growth, stability and financial management. The 2016 Best Practices Study sponsors include:  Agency Business Solutions and Amerisure Insurance, Applied Systems, Beyond Insurance, Central Insurance Companies, Chubb, CNA, EMC Insurance, ENCOMPASS, The Hanover Insurance Group, The Hartford, Imperial PFS, InsurBanc, Kemper, Liberty Mutual, MetLife, The Main Street America Group, Nationwide, Travelers, Vertafore and Westfield Insurance.

Bogle Agency Insurance was founded in 1919 and offers Commercial, Personal, Health and Life insurance products in Bergen County New Jersey.  Contact our team today to learn more about your insurance options from our experienced insurance agents in Lyndhurst NJ.

National Preparedness Month

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Bergen County Preparedness Month | National Preparedness Month in NJ

Bergen County Preparedness | National Preparedness MonthNational Preparedness Month is here in Bergen County and across the nation.  As its name suggests  this month is a great month to think about the unexpected and how you can best prepare for a myriad of situations, from natural disasters to burst pipes and everything in between.  Much of this Bergen County preparedness involves planning and protection.  Your Bergen County insurance company can help you with planning and protection.

Where do you start when you think about preparedness.  A great place to start is with communication.  Last year’s theme for National Preparedness Month was “Don’t Wait, Communicate. Make Your Emergency Plan Today”.  This theme highlights the need to not only make a plan but to also communicate the plan.  This can be as small as communicating with your family or taking the communication into the workplace and your overall community.

Another important part of being prepared is being insured.  There is no time like the present to sit with your Lyndhurst NJ insurance agent to discuss your current coverage and where you may be lacking.  This includes homeowners insurance, auto insurance, and business insurance to name a few.

Of course the object of National Preparedness Month is to think about your plans for a number of potential incidents and threats.  This effort is backed by FEMA and certainly stresses the need to create a plan for the worse case scenario.  Knowing your main threats is a part of this.  For example, here in Bergen County we may not be facing the threat of wildfire as communities in the West do but we certainly face the potential of hurricane related damage.  Other potential catastrophes could include power outages, terrorist activity, blizzard conditions, and contaminated water.

Contact our team at Bogle Agency Insurance for help assessing your coverage and your planning.  We welcome the opportunity to serve as your guide to insurance in Bergen County NJ.  Let our knowledge and experience help you navigate National Preparedness Month in Lyndhurst NJ.

Click here to learn more about National Preparedness Month from NOAA.

Renters Insurance, Why Is It Needed?

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NJ Renters Insurance | Why Is Renters Insurance Needed In NJ?

NJ Renters Insurance | Why Is Renters Insurance Need In NJ?NJ Renters insurance is an option many people weigh and the question on their minds is why is it needed?  The answer to this important question is essential for renters to understand.  Many people are aware of homeowners insurance in Bergen County, noting its necessity for securing a mortgage for one thing but also for protecting homeowners against major catastrophes that can occur. The reality is, however, that renters have possessions too and their personal effects are worth protecting.

Insurance is meant to give policyholders peace of mind, offering the assurance that should something happen they will be protected. NJ Renters insurance covers damage to personal items like furniture, jewelry, bicycles, and the like, in the event of a fire or flood for example. It can also save you should your home be robbed. Renters insurance is typically not very expensive but well worth the investment should you face a circumstance of loss.

Renters insurance in Lyndhurst NJ also covers you against liability should someone get hurt inside of your home. In addition, if something happens to your home that is your fault you will be liable to damages to the property. While you may not leave the stove on on purpose the reality is that if a fire results from your forgetfulness you will be the one responsible for the damages. NJ Renters insurance will save you in this circumstance.

When you are a renter it is important to understand that your landlord’s property insurance will cover structural damage to his property but not account for any of your belongings. It is often hard to envision something awful happening to your home but in the event of a catastrophe you will have no recourse to cover your loss if you do not have renters insurance. In a nutshell, renters insurance protects you and your belongings.

Contact our team at Bogle Agency Insurance today for answers to all of your insurance questions. We welcome the opportunity to inform you, filling you in on what is and what is not covered by typical renters insurance policies. Let our knowledge and experience serve as your guide to insurance in Bergen County. Let us answer you questions about renters insurance and why it is needed.