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Soto Insurance Agency

2070 N Highway 190
Covington, LA 70433

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Types of Commercial Insurance Usually Required By Customers

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It’s common for business clients to request proof of insurance coverage when working on certain types of projects. Commercial insurance policies are designed to protect against various hazards and liabilities. At Soto Insurance Agency in Covington, LA, we offer a wide range of commercial insurance policies to safeguard your business.

Types of Commercial Insurance Policies Available for Businesses

General liability insurance covers property damage and bodily injury. Commercial property insurance protects your business property from various perils. Commercial auto policies cover damage to property and individuals caused by your vehicles. Professional liability and errors and omissions policies protect against legal claims of negligence or malfeasance. Product liability insurance covers damage to individuals or property caused by a product you manufacture. Workers’ compensation insurance, often mandated by law, provides medical care and wage replacement for employees injured while performing their duties. Your agent can help you determine the appropriate types of policies to protect your specific business.

Common Requests for Proof of Insurance by Clients

Many clients request proof of general liability insurance when you are working on their projects. However, additional requests may include proof of workers’ compensation coverage, professional liability insurance, commercial auto coverage, and other policies, depending on the type of work being performed. This measure helps protect clients against liability for their own actions.

Make Soto Insurance Agency Your Choice for Commercial Insurance Coverage

Protecting your business from losses is a vital part of ensuring financial stability and success. Our experienced agents can help you determine the right coverage for your business needs. Contact Soto Insurance Agency in Covington, LA, today for a no-obligation quote on commercial insurance policies tailored to meet your client’s requests.

Why You Need Liability Coverage in Your Home Insurance

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When you purchase certain types of insurance, they often include liability coverage to protect you. Home insurance is one such policy that offers various types of coverage, with liability being a crucial component. Every homeowner needs to have a home insurance policy that includes liability coverage. Whether you’re buying a new home and need insurance or looking to update your current policy, contact us at Soto Insurance Agency in Covington, LA.

Protection Against Accidents

As a homeowner, you are responsible for the safety of anyone on your property, whether they’re inside your home or outside on your grounds. If a third party has an accident on your property and sustains an injury, you could be held liable for the associated costs. Even a simple fall can lead to significant injuries. Home insurance with liability coverage helps protect you from the financial burden of these accidents.

Covering Accident-Related Costs

When someone is injured on your property, the resulting bills can be substantial. These costs may include medical expenses for treating the injuries, ongoing therapy costs, lost wages due to recovery time, legal fees, and other related expenses. Liability coverage in your home insurance policy is essential for covering these costs and protecting your financial stability.

Get Home Insurance Today

To ensure you have the home insurance coverage you need to protect yourself from accidents, contact us today at Soto Insurance Agency in Covington, LA. We’re here to help you find the right policy for your needs.

How to improve your basic auto policy with add-ons

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A basic auto policy is a policy that meets the basic requirements that a state requires. In Louisiana, the required basic coverage is all liability, with a limit of 15/30/25. This means that injuries to the first person are capped at $15,000 in injury coverage, with a total of $30,000 available for all injuries. $25,000 is allowed for damage to the other vehicle. In Covington, LA, Soto Insurance Agency offers the coverage that will keep you legal when you drive. We will discuss all the options with you so that you can make an educated decision.

Collision and Comprehensive

Collision coverage protects your vehicle in an accident for which you are responsible. It will be worth fixing or replacing your vehicle. You must pay the deductible. Comprehensive coverage protects against damage caused by weather events, including wind, hail, flooding, and cracked or broken glass. It also covers vandalism or theft of your vehicle. If you hit a deer, this is the insurance that covers it. Comprehensive coverage has a deductible.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist

While this coverage is not required in Louisiana, it is common-sense coverage that will protect your vehicle if a driver with no insurance or limited insurance coverage damages it. It will also cover you if you are the victim of a hit-and-run.

Full Glass Coverage

When you choose full glass coverage, it will cover the repair and replacement of your glass, with no deductible.

Rental Car

When your car is in the shop while it is being repaired after it has been damaged or while you are finding a replacement, this coverage provides you with a rental car.

Contact us at Soto Insurance Agency in Covington, LA for all of your insurance needs. Our independent insurance agents will answer your questions and make sure you get the coverage you need.

Am I Required to Get Flood Insurance If I Have a Mortgage?

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If you have a mortgage, you may be required to have certain types of insurance that protect your home. Knowing which types of insurance are required can help you choose the best insurance products for your needs.

At Soto Insurance Agency, serving Covington, LA, we help homeowners who are required to have flood insurance find the right policy. Are you buying a home in a high-risk flood area? Here’s what you need to know.

What Is Flood Insurance?

Flood insurance is a type of insurance that can help you if a flood causes damage to your house. Flood insurance can pay to repair or replace your home or belongings in the event that a flood causes damage to your property.

Without flood insurance, your home may not have coverage when a flood occurs. Most home insurance policies will not cover flood damage.

Who Needs Flood Insurance?

You may benefit from flood insurance if you’re buying a home in a high-risk flood area. You can find out if the home you’re thinking about buying is in a high-risk flood area by checking flood maps.

Are You Required to Get Flood Insurance If You Have a Mortgage?

If you’re borrowing money to buy a home, you may be required to get flood insurance. Your mortgage lender will let you know if you’re required to get flood insurance.

If you are required to get flood insurance before borrowing money, you’ll need to have the flood insurance policy information ready before the loan funds are disbursed. If you don’t have a policy in place, the loan may not be approved.

Want more information about flood insurance? Call Soto Insurance Agency, servicing Covington, LA. We’re here to help.

Commercial Insurance Policies for Retail Stores: A Rundown

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Running a retail shop in Covington, LA, requires high-quality commercial insurance that covers a myriad of concerns. Thankfully, our team at Soto Insurance Agency can help you sort through your confusion and choose a policy that makes sense for your business needs.

Commercial Insurance Policy Options You Can’t Ignore

Retail stores need commercial insurance policies that cover the following:

  • General Liability: Your company needs general liability protection to stay safe against problems like third-party bodily injury, property damage, various types of personal injury, and any other issues that may impact your customers or clients.
  • Commercial Auto: Do you operate a fleet of vehicles? You’ll need commercial car insurance for each of them. For example, if you run a delivery service, you can buy a bundled package that minimizes potential problems caused by car accidents triggered during commercial hours.
  • Workers’ Compensation: All Louisiana businesses need workers’ compensation if they have one or more employees. Don’t fear, though. This protection keeps you safe if your employees get hurt or injured while working for you and keeps them solvent.
  • Business Owners Policy: Are you looking for a one-size-fits-all package that can cover most of your needs? A BOP policy works well for property and liability coverage for small or medium businesses, especially retail shops like yours.
  • Professional Liability: If you or your employees are accused of professional negligence (both actual and potential), this coverage helps to pay for your defense costs. While not as important for retail stores, it’s still a smart investment option for serious business owners.

Get the Coverage You Need

If you run a shop in or near Covington, LA, Soto Insurance Agency is here to help! Our team can narrow down your retail business insurance and find a policy that fits your needs. We’re more than ready to help you, so call us today.

Home Insurance and Mold Damage: Are You Covered?

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One of the biggest, and sometimes hidden, dangers of owning a home is mold. If not treated quickly, this fungus could spread, becoming toxic and hazardous to breathe in, while also becoming more challenging to get rid of. Mold can especially grow in damp, humid climates, such as the climate of Covington, LA. If faced with a mold issue in your home, will your home insurance cover it? Before determining if your insurance agent, such as Soto Insurance Agency, will cover mold, let’s discuss possible causes for this toxic fungus to take over your home.

What causes mold?

If not cleaned up quickly, leaks from pipes or other spills and the right temperature can make any "safe" home a breeding ground for mold. Other factors include:

  • Poor ventilation
  • High humidity and condensation
  • Flooding
  • Leaks in the foundation or roof
  • Poorly installed or damaged insulation
  • Improperly maintained HVAC systems

As concerning as this problem may be, having the right insurance coverage could help cover most of the costs of eliminating it and making your house safe once again.

Does your insurance policy cover mold?

In short, it depends on the coverage you currently have. There are several policies included in homeowner’s insurance at Soto Insurance Agency that may help cover any events that could cause a mold outbreak to occur, including:

  • Dwelling coverage
  • Personal property
  • Natural disasters

Can more coverage be added to your insurance policy?

The only way to know what is covered by traditional homeowner’s insurance is to contact one of the knowledgeable, helpful agents at Soto Insurance Agency. Located in Covington, LA, this agency can answer all of your insurance-related questions, such as what can be included in your policy to ensure maximum protection from mold.

Contact Soto Insurance Agency today for a quote.

Auto Insurance in an Automated World Demands Personal Attention

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The world is constantly evolving, with advancements in AI and automated technologies bringing a host of benefits to individuals and companies alike. However, despite these technological advancements, there are still countless scenarios where the value, need, and care offered by personal attention cannot be replaced or replicated. Whether it’s filing a claim or answering questions about your coverage, the personal touch is invaluable. This is one of the many reasons why people from Covington, LA, and surrounding areas turn to the friendly and professional team at Soto Insurance Agency for all their auto insurance needs.

Personal Attention in Auto Insurance Amidst an Automated World

Automated services can be a great tool for paying your premiums online or over the phone, and technology certainly helps agents and clients connect more easily and in more ways. However, when it comes to securing the coverage you need and receiving the attention your policy, claim, or situation requires, there is no substitute for a real agent who cares and is willing to go the extra mile to ensure you are protected and have the coverage you deserve.

If you live in the Covington, LA area and have questions or would like to learn more about auto insurance solutions with a personal touch, we’re here to help. Contact us to speak with a real person and get the protection, coverage, and personal care you need for all your auto insurance solutions at Soto Insurance Agency today.

Should I Get Flood Insurance If I Live In a High Risk Flood Area?

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Living in a high-risk flood area can be stressful. Knowing that you have the financial protection that comes from having flood insurance can help relieve some of this anxiety. The professionals at Soto Insurance Agency servicing Covington, LA, can help you get flood insurance.

Who Needs Flood Insurance?

If you live in a high-risk flood area (zones A and V on FEMA flood maps), you may be required to get flood insurance if you have a federally-backed mortgage. Even if your mortgage isn’t federally backed, your mortgage lender may still require you to get flood insurance when you’re buying a house.

If you buy your house with cash, you may not be required to get flood insurance – but many homeowners in high-risk areas choose to get this type of insurance anyway. Having flood insurance can help you rebuild after a flood occurs.

Home insurance doesn’t cover floods, so for many homeowners, having flood insurance is the only way to rebuild or repair their homes when a flood happens realistically.

How Can I Get Flood Insurance?

The National Flood Insurance Program is managed by FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency), but you don’t have to call FEMA to get flood insurance. Flood insurance can come from your insurance agent at Soto Insurance Agency, servicing Covington, LA. Call us to get started with a flood insurance policy.

How Can I Tell If I Live In a High-Risk Flood Area?

If you live in a high-risk flood area, you can tell on FEMA’s flood map, which can be found online. If you’re having trouble finding your home on a flood map, your insurance agent can also help you determine whether you live in a high-risk flood area. Call us today.

What Mistakes You Might Make With Your Commercial Policies

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Operating a business in or out of Covington, LA requires finding a commercial policy that makes sense. Thankfully, our team at Soto Insurance Agency can help you avoid common mistakes that might severely impact your policy quality and leave you in a difficult financial situation.

Poor Risk Understanding

All businesses need to evaluate their risks before getting insurance to cut back on heavy expenses. Unfortunately, it’s easy for companies to undervalue their risks by not working closely enough with their agent. When this happens, they open themselves up to serious disasters.

Missing Interruption Insurance

It’s easy to think of business interruption insurance as unnecessary padding to a policy. That’s not the case. This extra coverage will keep you financed if you’re forced to close down due to structural damage or other issues. It’s often the difference between success and failure for many firms.

Buying Cheap

We know it’s tempting to save money by getting only the base insurance you need or buying cheaply. That’s a serious error because you often lose out on very important coverage. For example, not buying umbrella policies when you’re a high-risk company could entirely drive you out of business in a lawsuit.

Ignoring Limitations

All policies have limits, and you must understand yours to avoid issues. For example, problems that you might cause, such as a failure to maintain your facility with basic care, won’t be covered. Talk with us about these blind spots and fill them however you can.

Contact Us Today to Learn More

If you live in or around Covington, LA and need commercial insurance, contact us at Soto Insurance Agency to get started. Our team will work hard to find a strong policy and narrow your options to ensure you feel better about your overall business protection needs.

Seasonal Maintenance Tips for Condo Owners

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Owning a condo comes with its own set of responsibilities, especially when it comes to seasonal maintenance. At Soto Insurance Agency in Covington, LA, we understand the importance of year-round keeping your condo in top shape. Here are some friendly tips to help you stay on track.

Spring Cleaning and Inspections

Spring is the perfect time to refresh your living space. Start by decluttering and deep cleaning every room. Check your smoke detectors and replace batteries if needed. Inspecting your HVAC system and scheduling a professional tune-up is also a good idea to ensure it runs efficiently during the warmer months.

Summer Safety and Energy Efficiency

As temperatures rise, focus on energy efficiency. Consider installing blackout curtains or shades to keep your condo cool. Check windows and doors for drafts, and apply weatherstripping if necessary. Don’t forget to clean your air conditioning filters regularly to maintain air quality and system performance.

Fall Preparations and Updates

Fall is all about preparation. Clean out any debris from your gutters and check the roof for signs of damage. This is also a great time to test your heating system before the cold sets in. If your condo has a fireplace, ensure it’s cleaned and inspected by a professional to prevent any hazards.

Winter Protection and Care

During winter, protect your pipes from freezing by insulating them and keeping the heat at a consistent level. Be mindful of snow accumulation on balconies or terraces, and clear it away promptly to prevent damage.

Following these seasonal tips lets you keep your condo in excellent condition. At Soto Insurance Agency in Covington, LA, we’re here to support you with all your insurance needs. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help protect your home.

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