Insurance for Your Holiday Party

Holiday Party Liability Insurance Coverage |Holiday Party Liability Insurance | Bergen County NJ Business Insurance NJ

Liability Insurance coverage for your holiday party may not be on the radar when thinking about commercial insurance coverages. In fact, insurance for your holiday party may not be something that you have ever even heard of, never mind considered. This can be the time of year for company parties in Bergen County and the surrounding area towns of NJ. It may be a time to celebrate, but also a time where maybe there is a bit more fun happening than intended. While holiday parties represent a time for everyone to mingle, a time for the boss to rub elbows with the entire team, and a time for clients to join in the fun, the presence of alcohol can pose a liability. This liability due to a Holiday Party can put your company at risk. Luckily Bogle Agency Insurance can assess your commercial insurance policy, including your coverage, your risk, and any additional needs.

The United States Department of Labor makes it clear that the improper use of alcohol at office parties can make employers vulnerable to liability under workers’ compensation, as well as tort and other laws. Liquor liability laws hold a server of alcohol liable, which when related to a party means the host. As a result, it is imperative that businesses take the necessary precautions to protect themselves. This protection can occur with the proper commercial insurance coverage. In most cases, a company’s commercial general liability policy will cover this, but it is certainly worth a discussion with your Bergen County NJ Insurance Agent.

Going a step further than general coverage, a business may want to consider Employment Practices Liability Insurance. This will protect from situations related to when an employee behaves inappropriately, maybe toward a co-worker or a client. Alcohol can bring on strange behavior, and making sure your company is covered is essential.

While everyone wants to have a great time at a party, it is important to stress the need to drink responsibly. Make sure to relay the message to the leaders in your business to set a good example. In addition, follow the law. Do not serve minors! Having plenty of non-alcoholic beverages on hand and a variety of food as well will work in your favor.

Better Insurance Practices | Better Insurance Agency Bergen County NJ 

Bogle Insurance Agency wishes you a happy and safe holiday season. If you have questions or concerns about commercial insurance coverage policies or personal insurance policies, please give us a call today. Our goal is to help you understand the coverage you need, making sure you are covered under all circumstances that may arise. Let us help you enjoy a stress-free holiday party season.  We welcome the opportunity to serve as your guide to insurance in Lyndhurst and throughout Bergen County, NJ.

FROM THE FRONT LINES: BOPs Sam Zamloot Commercial Lines Producer Bogle Agency Insurance

NJ Business Owner Insurance Policy | Bergen County NJ

Commercial insurance is best obtained through specialists who know your areas and are willing to get to know your business. Talk to an agent knowledgeable about a NJ Business Owner Insurance Policy (BOP) for your business and and what it can offer. One of our Bergen County insurance specialists was recently interviewed by ia Magazine on the subject of BOPs and the article revealed just how much experience of an agent can help a business owner when picking the right commercial insurance. Sam Zamloot stresses the importance of selecting insurance policies on a case by case basis. A great example comes with selecting the right package.

FROM THE FRONT LINES: BOPs Sam Zamloot Commercial Lines Producer Bogle Agency Insurance

NJ Business Owner Insurance Policy | Bergen County NJ
Sam Zamloot Commercial Lines Producer Bogle Agency Insurance

bogleagency.com INTERVIEW BY JORDAN REABOLD

How did you get started at your agency?

I started in the industry in 1989 and worked for three insurance companies over a 25-year period. I helped many agencies and producers sell commercial insurance, so I figured I should do it myself. I made the move this year to the agency side. My background in loss control and marketing has really helped me succeed as a producer.

Why BOPs?

BOPs started out as small, basic policies for a limited number of businesses, but over the years, the insurance carriers have expanded eligibility, coverage and limits. I find them great to use whenever possible, since the insurance companies usually have broadening endorsements, which pick up usual coverage and broaden the limits. It makes it a lot easier than rating and writing a commercial package policy, where each special coverage has to be endorsed onto the policy. Many times, the BOPs are much more cost-effective for the client, and that helps during the sales process.

Biggest BOP challenges?

Comparing one company against another for a client. Companies all have a unique coverage endorsement that provides coverage or higher limits compared to another company. You have to completely understand what your client is doing in order to recommend the proper company and policy.

What do you tell a first-time BOP client?

I explain it this way: A BOP is like when you purchase an automobile and you want a certain option, so you include a “package,” which includes the option you want and options you really do not need. A BOP is much like that, since it includes options that are important to one business but unimportant to another. However, in the end, it is the most cost-effective way to secure the coverage.

BOP advice for a fellow agent?

Spend time with the client to understand their business. If a client’s business is nearby, visit. Review their website to get an understanding of what they do. Remember that one policy does not fit all. BOPs can be customized to the client’s individual needs.

Favorite success story?

BOPs proved what a valuable product they were after Hurricane Sandy. Many customers who just had package policies didn’t have coverage for their loss of income and food spoilage exposure as a result of off-premises power interruption. One of our clients was very happy that her loss was covered under her BOP policy because of this supplemental endorsement, which we add on all food service businesses.

Future of BOPs?

I see the BOP market expanding since it enables companies to cut overhead and be more cost-effective.

Jordan Reabold (jordan.reabold@iiaba.net) is IA assistant editor

NJ Business Owner Insurance Policy Benefits

A business insurance package may have great coverage but the hoops a business owner needs to jump through and the costs associated with these packages can often be prohibitive, a NJ Business Owner Insurance Policy (BOP) can offer a more cost effective option while giving the customer exactly what he needs. A BOP tends to be a better fit for small and mid-sized companies. An agent must understand what a business does and know the needs of the business however, in order to recommend the BOP from the right insurance company.

It is important to understand that a NJ Business Owner Insurance Policy (BOP)  will be a far more cost-effective option than going with an a la carte package. In essence the most important part of a BOP is getting to know the client, to ensure that his coverage is what it needs to be. To that end, an experienced commercial insurance agent in Bergen County NJ will work for a client far more effectively than someone online or someone with no knowledge of your business and your needs.

The staff at Bogle Insurance Agency is well educated and knowledgeable on insurance and we have specialists to help you and your small business with your individual needs. If you are looking for a NJ Business Owner Insurance Policy consider sitting down with Sam Zamloot today. Sam will make sure that you get the BOP you need, one which works for you and for the individual needs of your business. Here at Bogle Agency Insurance you are a name, not a number.

Click here to read “3 Coverage Enhancements to Look for in BOPs This Year” from ia Magazine.