February 26th, 2010
Using the right tool for a job is key to success in any profession. Experts say the same principle applies when selecting an auto insurance policy. Having the right type of policy can help ensure that you, your employees and your business are all protected in the unfortunate event that one of your vehicles is involved in an accident.
If you’re a business owner and you or your employees use a vehicle for business-related deliveries or to carry certain materials to and from a job site, you may need a commercial auto insurance policy that’s tailored to more closely suit the needs—and risks—of a business vehicle operator.
Here are some questions that can help you determine if you might need a commercial auto policy instead of a personal auto policy, courtesy of LST Insurance Agency
• Do you need more liability coverage than your personal auto policy provides? Generally, a commercial auto policy provides higher limits of liability, but less or no coverage in areas that are typically not associated with commercial auto risks.
• Do you need special coverage for situations associated with con-ducting business? Commercial auto policies also usually offer certain coverages—such as hired and non-owned auto coverage and coverage for towing a trailer for business use—that are not available with personal auto policies.
• Do you need to list any employees as drivers? You can do this with a commercial auto insurance policy.
• Do you use your vehicle for business purposes? If you use your vehicle for things like pizza or newspaper delivery, catering, door-to-door consulting service, landscaping or snowplowing service, logging business, day care/church retreat van service and/or farm-to-market delivery, you might need a commercial auto policy.
LST Insurance Agency is an independent insurance agency – trained, licensed insurance professionals who offer personal service and advice. We can help match you with the type of policy that best suits your needs and those of your company.
To learn more about all an independent agency offers, visit lstins.com or give us a call.
Tags: Accident, Auto, Auto Insurance, Car, insurnace, policy, quote, TRUCK
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February 1st, 2010
Whether you’re traveling alone, with a buddy or with your spouse and a car full of kids, there are few things more “American” than the long-distance road trip. Countless vacation travelers will drive the highways looking for fun and making memories with every mile. If traveling down the “holiday road” is in your plans, take the time to prepare for your trip. You’ll have a more enjoyable vacation if you plan carefully. Here are a few driving tips, courtesy of LST Insurance agency:
1) Maintain your car. Make sure your vehicle is up to date on its maintenance schedule, and be sure to check the battery and tires.
2) Plan your trip and know where you’re going. Call ahead for proper and safe directions to get you to your destination safely and have maps of the area on hand to help you navigate once you are off the main road. You’re more likely to make good decisions, even in dangerous situations, if you’re clearheaded and know where you’re going.
3) Be alert. Seems obvious, but driver inattention is surely the cause of a lot of accidents. If you stay focused behind the wheel and plan carefully, you will have a wonderful summer road trip.
4) Take precaution with a cell phone. Cell phones can be a lifesaver when you need immediate access to emergency services after an accident. Keep your phone within easy reach and get to know its features. However, use it prudently. Reports suggest that driving while talking on the phone increases accident rates.
5) Wear your seat belt. Whether or not it’s required by law in the state through which you’re driving, always wear your seat belt as a safety precaution.
6) Protect your car against theft. Help deter criminals from taking your car with steering wheel locks, switches that disable fuel or ignition systems, and electronic tracking devices.
7) If you’re in an accident. Taking immediate steps if you’ve been in an accident can protect your family and your car from further damage. Stop immediately and make sure your car is not blocking traffic. Turn off your car to keep it from overheating or catching fire. Warn oncoming cars using road flares or orange triangle reflectors. After you have protected yourself and your family, call your insurance company immediately.
Make sure your auto insurance is up to date. Before you even leave the driveway, you want to be sure you’re protected when you’re on the road and far from home. An independent insurance agent or broker can provide the personal service and advice you need to travel in confidence.
To learn more about what an independent insurance agency offers you, visit or contact LST Insurance Agency.
Tags: Auto, Car, Insurance, long road, long trip, Road trip, travel, traveling
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December 11th, 2009
Auto Insurance Made Easy
(NAPS)—Understanding insurance can often be like trying to learn a foreign language. Many find it confusing and intimidating.
Fortunately, there’s help. Here is a quick reference designed to help you understand some of the most common kinds of coverages. The reference was put together by The Progressive Group of Insurance Companies.
Liability covers bodily injury and property damage (BI/PD). This covers your legal liability, up to the dollar limits you select, for damages caused to others in a covered vehicle accident. In most states today, liability insurance is mandatory.
Under BI/PD, your insurance company pays for damages to an injured person and for property damage that you are legally obligated to pay as a result of an accident. If your policy covers you in the event you’re sued after an accident, your insurance company will pay for a lawyer to defend you.
Liability limits generally appear as three numbers, for example, 25/50/25 or 100/300/100. The first number refers to the maximum amount, in thousands, that your insurance company is obligated to pay for bodily injury per person. The second number is the maxi-mum that would be paid out for bodily injury per claim and the third number represents the maxi-mum amount your insurance company is obligated to pay for property damage you cause.
Collision. When you buy collision coverage, your insurance company pays for damages if your vehicle collides with another vehicle or object. Collision coverage involves a deductible amount you select when you purchase your policy. This amount is what you are required to pay before your insurance company starts picking up the tab. Remember, the deductible amount is the amount you need to pay in the event of a claim.
Comprehensive covers dam-age caused by events other than a car collision—such as fire, theft, vandalism, hail or flood. It also covers damage caused by your vehicle colliding with an animal. And if your car is stolen, it will cover the cost of a rental, subject to a daily limit. Like collision coverage, a deductible usually applies.
Medical Coverage. Depending on the state in which you live, you may have available to you Medical Payments coverage or Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. While these both work differently, they provide coverage for medical care provided to you as a result of a car accident.
An independent insurance agent can help you determine the price, coverage and service that best meets your needs.
Did You Know?
Liability insurance is for bodily injury and property damage. This covers your legal liability, up to the dollar limits you select, for damages caused to others in a covered vehicle accident. In most states today, liability insurance is mandatory.
Tags: Auto, Car, HOME, INS, Insurance, TRUCK
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December 4th, 2009
Ask the right questions and minimize frustration
Bob, the owner of a small flower shop, answers the phone prepared to take an order. Instead, he learns his only delivery van was involved in an accident. Questions flood his mind. Is anyone hurt? Is the van damaged? How will I make my deliveries?
Without commercial auto insurance, a business like Bob’s could take a big hit when a crash happens. Standard auto insurance doesn’t always offer the protection most businesses need.
Ask these questions today to avoid insurance headaches tomorrow:
• Do you use your personal vehicle for business? This includes services that you might not think qualify. Pizza and newspaper delivery, catering, door-to-door consulting, and day care/church retreat van service are good examples of uses that are often excluded from personal policies.
• How high are your liability limits? Commercial auto policies offer higher liability limits than personal auto policies. Larger vehicles, like delivery vans, can cause more damage than passenger cars.
• Are you covered in day-to-day business situations? Commercial auto policies usually offer more coverage options than personal auto policies. These include coverage for towing a trailer for business use. Landscapers are ideal candidates for this.
• Do employees drive your vehicles? If the answer is yes, you probably need commercial auto insurance.
To learn more about commercial auto coverage, talk to your local independent insurance agent. LST Insurance Agency 706-277-0971 / www.lstins.com / lst@lstins.com
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November 19th, 2009
Car accidents can wreak havoc on an otherwise peaceful day. Even if they’re minor, they can often create confusion. You might ask yourself, how should I react? What should I do?
Leading car insurer Progressive offers these simple steps to follow after an accident:
- Stay calm. Keeping a calm demeanor helps you stay in control of the situation.
- Make sure you and your passengers are OK. Move as far off the roadway as possible but stay at the scene of the accident. Warn oncoming traffic by activating your hazard warning lights and/or setting flares if you have them.
- Call the police. Call 911 or the appropriate emergency number to report the accident.
- Contact your insurance company and report the claim. The sooner your insurance company knows about the accident, the sooner it can start working to resolve your claim.
- Do not admit fault. To protect yourself legally, do not discuss the car accident with anyone other than the police and your insurance company.
- Exchange vital information with the other driver involved in the car accident.
Write down the name, address, phone number and license numbers of all drivers and witnesses, particularly those who were riding in a vehicle involved in the accident. Ask for the name of the insurer and policy number for all drivers involved in the car accident.
Before you get into an accident, talk to an independent insurance agent to make sure you have the right insurance. Because the last thing you want to do when you’re in a car accident is worry about having to pay for the damage.
Tags: Accident, Auto, Car, Coverage, Insurance
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November 19th, 2009
This is an example of a WordPress page, you could edit this to put information about yourself or your site so readers know where you are coming from. You can create as many pages like this one or sub-pages as you like and manage all of your content inside of WordPress.
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November 19th, 2009
Welcome to WordPress. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start blogging!
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