05 Jul 2017

By: Michael J. Merwin

NEW JERSEY DRIVERS WHO PROVIDE RIDE SHARING SERVICES WITH THEIR PRIVATE PASSENGER AUTOMOBILE NEED TO KNOW

ANSWER
It is very possible your personal automobile policy will not provide coverage while you are providing Ride Sharing services. The typical personal automobile policy excludes coverage for business use via a personal vehicle.

WHAT IS RIDE SHARING?

ANSWER
Ride Sharing is a transportation service. It is the sharing of private motor vehicle transportation with another person or persons. The driver of the vehicle receives a fee for their service and the passenger gets an inexpensive ride to their destination.

WHERE IS THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY LEGISLATIVELY ON RIDE SHARING?

ANSWER
February 2017 Governor Christie signed legislation on Ride Sharing to fill in some of the coverage gaps with Ride Sharing.

Under the new law, once a transportation network driver (Uber, Lyft driver) is logged into the TNC application and is available to receive a prearranged ride but is not providing a prearranged ride, the coverage provided is $50,000 for death or bodily injury per person, $100,000 for death or bodily injury per incident and $35,000 property damage. In addition, personal injury benefits and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage is provided to the extent required under the current law.

When the driver is providing a prearranged ride the coverage requirements increase to $1.5 million for death, bodily injury and property damage. Insurance for medical payments benefits in the amount of $10,000 must also be provided.

THE COVERAGE GAP ON YOU PERSONAL AUTOMOBILE POLICY EXISTS WHEN?

ANSWER
The gap in coverage exists under any circumstance when the insured is logged into a transportation network application platform, whether or not a passenger is occupying the vehicle.

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF YOU PROVIDE RIDE SHARING SERVICE?

ANSWER
It is always best to contact your current agent and inform them that you are providing Ride Sharing services. They should be able to respond to the different Ride Sharing situations.

In closing, we would be happy to provide coverage quotations and recommendations to close the coverage gaps that currently exist.

Please feel free to contact me at our office: Merwin & Paolazzi Insurance Agency, Inc., 201-460-8400 ext. 302

30 May 2017

Purchasing the homeowners insurance that is right for you and your home can be confusing, especially for first-time buyers. By learning the basics on how to get the most for your money, you can save on your homeowners insurance and feel confident you have adequate coverage. Merwin & Paolazzi would like to offer these tips to lead you in the right direction when you purchase your homeowners insurance.

  • Shop around. In addition to considering friends, family, the phone book or the Internet as possible sources to find homeowners insurance, consult with an independent insurance agent. Look for a wide range of prices from several companies. Remember, you get what you pay for, so look for not only a fair price but excellent service as well. Check a company’s financial rating with A.M. Best or Standard & Poor’s.
  • Raise your deductible. Companies generally have deductibles (what you pay before your insurance policy kicks in) starting at $250. By choosing a higher deductible ($500, $750, $1,000 or higher), you’ll have lower annual premium payments.
  • Consider how much insuring a new home will be. The age of your home may qualify you for savings because plumbing, heating and electrical systems of newer homes have lower risks than outdated systems. Construction of the home (brick versus wooden frame) can affect your cost as well, depending on your home’s location. Also, if you live near your local fire department, your homeowners rates might be lower than if you are many miles away.
  • Insure your home, not your land. Since homeowners policies don’t provide protection for your land, it would be a waste of money to include its value as part of your dwelling coverage, which should only reflect the price it would cost to repair or replace your home’s structure.
  • Insure your car and home with the same company. You can save money if you have more than one type of policy with the same insurance company. The more good business you give the company, the more valuable you are as a customer.
  • Improve home security and safety. If your home has certain types of fire alarms, burglar alarms, locks, or smoke detectors, you’ve reduced your risk and may qualify for a credit.
  • Look for senior discounts. If you are at least 55 years old and retired, your insurance company may offer you a discount. Retirees often spend more time at home and are more likely to spot trouble and prevent a loss.
  • Look for group coverage. Many insurance companies offer discounts to groups such as alumni or business associations. Check with your association director or employer to see if they offer a plan.
  • Stay with one insurer. If you keep your coverage under one insurer for several years, you may be offered a discount from the company. The longer you are a customer, the more money you will likely end up saving.
  • Compare the limits in your policy to the value of your possessions at least once a year. If you make any major purchases or additions, you want to ensure they will be covered, but you do not want to spend more than is necessary.
15 Dec 2016

Avoiding Water Damage From Ice Dams In Bergen County NJ

What are ice dams?

 

Avoiding Water Damage From Ice Dams In Bergen County NJIce dams are formed when melting snow and ice refreeze above the edge of a roof. Subsequent water from melting snow and ice backs up under the shingles. This causes leaks and water damage to the interior of your home. The key to avoiding water damage from ice dams in Bergen County NJ is to ensure proper ventilation, drainage, and insulation. Here are some basic steps that consumers can take:

 

  • Make sure gutters are clear of leaves and other
  • Your roof and attic should be inspected for proper ventilation and insulation.
  • Check and seal places where warm air could leak from your house to the attic. Light fixtures, vent pipes, exhaust ducts, chimneys, and attic hatches are often locations allowing warm air to
  • If you have soffit vents in your eaves, make sure they are not blocked. Insulation surrounding them should be secure so that air can flow

 

Additional Steps

 

  • Keep snow from accumulating on the lower three to six feet of your roof. Use specially made roof rakes to safely remove the snow.
  • Install snow and ice slides to prevent ice and snow from adhering to the lower section of the
  • Install a rubberized ice and water shield beneath the roof shingles for the first three to six feet up from the roofs
  • Install special heating cable along the roofs edge to melt

 

Ice Dam Removal

 

  • Do not use shovels, garden rakes, axes, etc. to remove or break-up ice dams. If you can safely reach the roof, fill a nylon stocking with calcium chloride ice melt. Place it vertically across the ice   dam so that it melts a channel through the dam. Make sure to use calcium chloride and not rock salt. Rock salt will damage your
  • Consult a roofing
28 Nov 2014
Homeowners Insurance Savings Tips For Bergen County NJ

Homeowners Insurance Savings Tips For Bergen County NJ

Homeowners Insurance Savings Tips For Bergen County NJPurchasing the homeowners insurance that is right for you and your home can be confusing, especially for first-time buyers. By learning the basics on how to get the most for your money, you can save on your homeowners insurance and feel confident you have adequate coverage. Merwin & Paolazzi would like to offer these homeowners insurance savings tips for Bergen County NJ residents to lead you in the right direction when you purchase your homeowners insurance.

 

 

Homeowners Insurance Savings Tips For Bergen County NJ

  • Shop around. In addition to considering friends, family, the phone book or the Internet as possible sources to find homeowners insurance, consult with an independent insurance agent. Look for a wide range of prices from several companies. Remember, you get what you pay for, so look for not only a fair price but excellent service as well. Check a company’s financial rating with A.M. Best or Standard & Poor’s.
  • Raise your deductible. Companies generally have deductibles (what you pay before your insurance policy kicks in) starting at $250. By choosing a higher deductible ($500, $750, $1,000 or higher), you’ll have lower annual premium payments.
  • Consider how much insuring a new home will be. The age of your home may qualify you for savings because plumbing, heating and electrical systems of newer homes have lower risks than outdated systems. Construction of the home (brick versus wooden frame) can affect your cost as well, depending on your home’s location. Also, if you live near your local fire department, your homeowners rates might be lower than if you are many miles away.
  • Insure your home, not your land. Since homeowners policies don’t provide protection for your land, it would be a waste of money to include its value as part of your dwelling coverage, which should only reflect the price it would cost to repair or replace your home’s structure.
  • Insure your car and home with the same company. You can save money if you have more than one type of policy with the same insurance company. The more good business you give the company, the more valuable you are as a customer.
  • Improve home security and safety. If your home has certain types of fire alarms, burglar alarms, locks, or smoke detectors, you’ve reduced your risk and may qualify for a credit.
  • Look for senior discounts. If you are at least 55 years old and retired, your insurance company may offer you a discount. Retirees often spend more time at home and are more likely to spot trouble and prevent a loss.
  • Look for group coverage. Many insurance companies offer discounts to groups such as alumni or business associations. Check with your association director or employer to see if they offer a plan.
  • Stay with one insurer. If you keep your coverage under one insurer for several years, you may be offered a discount from the company. The longer you are a customer, the more money you will likely end up saving.
  • Compare the limits in your policy to the value of your possessions at least once a year. If you make any major purchases or additions, you want to ensure they will be covered, but you do not want to spend more than is necessary.

These Homeowners Insurance Savings Tips For Bergen County NJ residents will help you save money and time. Please contact us with any questions.

09 Jan 2014
NJ Business Safety/ Health Program | Merwin & Paolazzi

NJ Business Safety & Health Program

NJ Business Safety & Health Program | Merwin & PaolazziEstablishing a safe and healthful working environment requires every employer – large and small – and every worker to make a NJ Business Safety & Health Program a top priority. The entire work force – from the CEO to the most recent hire – must recognize that worker safety and health is central to the mission and key to the profitability of a company.

 

OSHA’s job is to provide leadership and encouragement to workers and employers to take that responsibility seriously. We continue to help employers and employees in NJ focus on reducing injuries, illnesses, and fatalities and to increase their commitment to improved safety and health.

 

OSHA can help small businesses and others through a variety of tools, including partnership, consultation, compliance assistance, education and training, outreach, and plain language regulations.

 

Why is a safety / health program important for a small business owner like me?

 

Safety is good business. An effective safety and health program can save $4 to $6 for every $1 invested. It’s the right thing to do, and doing it right pays off in lower costs, increased productivity, and higher employee morale.

 

As an employer, you have a duty to protect your workers from injury and illness on the job. Protecting workers also makes good business sense. Accidents and injuries are more expensive than many realize. Costs mount up quickly. But substantial savings in workers’ compensation and lost workdays are possible when injuries and illnesses decline. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) can help you.

 

How can I reduce employee injuries and illnesses?

 

Compliance with OSHA rules is essential. Compliance along with an effective voluntary safety and health program can help reduce your costs and injuries and illnesses. An organized, carefully crafted plan that systematically focuses on workplace hazards and employee training is critical. Buy-in from every manager and employee is essential. Everyone has to work at safety and health.

 

How do I develop this program?

 

Each safety and health program should be tailored to fit the company, to blend with its unique operations and culture, and to help employers maintain a system that continually addresses workplace hazards. There are five elements that every effective program should have: management leadership and employee participation, workplace analysis, hazard prevention and control, safety and health training and education, and program evaluation.

 

What do you mean by management leadership and employee participation?

 

Employers and employees work together to make safety and health a priority. Employer and employee involvement communication on workplace and safety and health issues are essential. For example, this partnership can be achieved when you

 

  • Post the company’s written safety and health policy for all to see
  • Involve employees in policy making on safety and health issues
  • Take an active part in safety activities
  • Hold meetings that focus on employee safety and health
  • Abide by all safety and health rules
  • Show your commitment by investing time, effort, and money in your safety and health program.

 

This is an excerpt from the article “Q & A’s for Small Business Employers”. For more info, please visit www.osha.gov.