July, 2016 | Boizelle Insurance Partnership
Are You Covered When a Customer Claims Harassment, Discrimination?
You probably never want to imagine that a customer would sue you or your business for discrimination or sexual harassment, but it does happen unfortunately.
Customers, vendors, clients or other non-employees may allege that one of your employees engaged in a wrongful act such as sexual harassment or discrimination (age, sex, race, disability, etc.).
“Businesses that deal directly with the public generally have more vulnerability to customer claims or third-party claims,” said Christie Lucas, vice president and business insurance product manager at Erie Insurance. “Given the very nature of their business, they have more exposure to these risks.”
Businesses that deal with the public routinely could include restaurants, retail stores, auto dealerships, contractors, hotels, religious institutions, schools, medical offices and real estate professionals, among others, Lucas said.
Are you covered?
The next question in your mind should be are you covered? Many business owners may not realize —or realize too late—that they have a gap in their insurance coverage.
Most standard Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI) policies generally offer a measure of protection against lawsuits brought on by employees alleging wrongful acts (sexual harassment or discrimination) or wrongful termination. But EPLI generally does not cover you when a customer sues you for discrimination or sexual harassment.
What is third-party coverage?
To narrow the gap in coverage, you may want to add third-party EPLI coverage, which you can purchase and add to your policy as an endorsement. An insurance professional like Boizelle Insurance Partnership can tell you more about the benefits of the coverage and cost.
In addition to checking on your insurance coverage, it’s equally important to do all you can to prevent third-party claims. Businesses should have harassment and discrimination policies in place and conduct employee training routinely.
Erie Insurance customers have access to loss prevention resources from Hartford Steam Boiler, ERIE’s partner in offering this coverage. For example, you would have access to online resources such as model employee handbooks, policy checklists and a library of web-based training topics. A legal helpline is also available so you can connect with an experienced attorney to talk about specific issues and concerns. If a covered claim occurs, you’ll also have access to claims professionals and attorneys who have experience with these sensitive matters.1
1 Coverage and associated services provided under an arrangement with The Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection and Insurance Company.
By: Erie Insurance
Read moreWhat is Boat Insurance and Why Do You Need It?
When you think of insurance, you probably think of the most common insurance policies: life, health, home, and auto. But if you’re a boat owner, there is another insurance policy that needs to be at the top of your list – boat insurance.
Unlike automobile insurance, boat insurance is not required in every state. Having such a policy for your boat, however, protects your financial security should an accident occur.
“Boat owners should at least carry liability insurance, which covers them for any damage they may cause to someone’s property or if they cause an injury to someone else,” says Dave Freeman, vice president of Personal Lines Underwriting at Erie Insurance. “If you want protection for your own boat – including permanently attached equipment, any boating equipment and accessories, outboard motors and boat trailers – you need to carry physical damage coverage.”
The comprehensive physical damage coverage Freeman mentions protects you in the event your boat sustains direct physical loss of or damage to your boat, equipment, motor and/or trailer. Another more basic coverage is Named Perils coverage that protects you should an accident occur due to fire, lightning, cyclone, tornado, windstorm, theft, vandalism or malicious mischief, collision while waterborne, collision, overturn and derailment on land or the loss of the entire motor overboard.
Another coverage every boat owner should consider is the uninsured boater’s protection policy that covers insured boaters if they are ever involved in an accident with an uninsured boater.
While most claims would be covered under these coverages, boat owners looking for more protection may also consider a medical payments coverage that covers injuries sustained on a boat. You might also consider emergency services coverage in case emergency service to the boat is required. You also have the option to insure your boating equipment and even the personal effects you bring on your boat, such as clothing, fishing equipment, canopies, tools, radios and cameras.
Finally, sailboat owners may be interested in a spars and sails racing extension, which covers damage to the sails, spars and rigging during a pre-arranged racing competition.
ERIE’s boat insurance policy protects boaters anywhere in the continental United States, Washington D.C. and Canada as well as the waters that stretch along the coastline. To learn more about this policy and specific coverage available, call Boizelle Insurance. We can walk you through the coverage you need.
It’s time to have some fun now that the logistics are out of the way. Enjoy the warm weather and head out onto the water!
Originally Posted By: Erie Insurance
Read moreInsurance Knowledge Every Homeowner Should Know
Bret Boizelle sits down with Charles Chapman of RE/MAX Realty Services to provide important tips for homeowners seeking quality insurance.
Read moreWhat You Need to Know About Motorcycle Insurance
When you buy your dream bike, you probably can’t wait to take that first ride. Before you do, you’ll want to get a few things in order before you set off. Just one is motorcycle insurance.
Just like you wouldn’t go without auto insurance for your car, you don’t want to forgo coverage for your motorcycle. Motorcycle insurance protects your investment in your bike, of course. But it also protects you—as well as others—from the unexpected.
There are several coverages you’ll want to consider for your bike. They include:
- Damage to your motorcycle caused by a collision.
- Damage to your motorcycle caused by anything other than a collision—this can include theft, vandalism, hail damage and more.
- Bodily injury to someone else or damage to someone else's property that you cause while riding your motorcycle.
- Medical payments to you if you are injured.
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage in case you get into an accident with an underinsured, underinsured or hit-and-run driver.
- Any special custom work you had done on your bike.
- Attached side cars.
- Road service coverage that pays for reasonable towing and labor costs at the breakdown site.
Erie Insurance now offers improved motorcycle coverage for your motorcycle so you can ride easy. Contact Boizelle Insurance to learn more and get a free quote.
Originally Posted by: Erie Insurance
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