Understanding Connecticut’s At-Fault Laws and How They Affect Claims

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If you’ve ever been involved in a car accident in Connecticut, you know how quickly things can become confusing, especially when it comes to figuring out who’s responsible. At Brent Young Agency LLC in Manchester, CT, we often get questions from drivers trying to make sense of Connecticut’s at-fault laws. Let’s break it down in a way that’s easy to understand.

What Does "At-Fault" Really Mean?

Connecticut follows a traditional at-fault system for car accidents. This means the driver determined to be at fault for the accident is responsible for covering the damages, including medical expenses, vehicle repairs, and sometimes even pain and suffering. This differs from no-fault states, where each driver’s insurance covers their own injuries, regardless of who caused the crash.

How Fault Impacts Your Claim

Connecticut uses a modified comparative negligence rule, which can affect your ability to recover damages. If you’re found partially at fault for the accident, your compensation will be reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to you. For example, if you’re 30% at fault, you can still recover damages, but only 70% of the total amount. However, if you’re more than 50% at fault, you won’t be able to recover any damages. Understanding this rule is crucial when filing a claim.

Why the Right Coverage Matters

Connecticut’s at-fault laws can directly impact your financial protection after an accident, making it essential to have the right auto insurance coverage. Even a minor accident can become a major financial burden without the proper policy in place.

At Brent Young Agency LLC in Manchester, CT, we’re here to help ensure your coverage fits your needs and complies with local laws. Contact us today to discuss your policy or get a no-obligation quote!

Three Different Types of Commercial Insurance Your Small Business Should Consider

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Many individuals approach us at Brent Young Agency LLC seeking to insure their new small businesses. Every small business is unique and has specific insurance needs. If you’re a business owner in Manchester, CT, you’ll want to ensure that you’re adequately covered with a policy that protects you from the various potential daily mishaps. Here are three different types of commercial insurance to consider for your small business.

1. General Liability Insurance

General liability insurance is essential if you have a physical location where customers visit. It protects you if someone slips and falls, or injures themselves in any way, while they are on your property. While it’s not legally required, it would be a significant oversight not to have it for your small business. Small businesses often operate on tight margins, meaning a lawsuit from a customer could sink your company if you’re not prepared.

2. Business Income Insurance

Small businesses often lack the financial safety net that larger corporations have. This is why they need to protect themselves in the event of a disaster, as they may be unable to run their business for some time. The best way to protect your company’s income if something terrible happens is with business income insurance. This policy add-on will pay out the income you would have made while your company is not operating.

3. Data Breach Insurance

Digital crime and fraud are on the rise. In many cases, data is the most valuable asset that a small business has. Data breach insurance protects you against the costs associated with recovering from a hacking incident. This includes the cost of restoring your system security, notifying customers, and any legal fees that may be incurred. If your company operates digitally, data breach insurance is a must.

At Brent Young Agency LLC, we have provided Manchester, CT residents with a variety of commercial insurance services for years. If you want to learn more about how we can help you, contact us today.

Home Insurance Protects What Your Home Security System Can’t

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Home is a refuge, a safe place, a comfort zone. It’s where we choose to spend our time and feel secure. This is why many people take extra measures to protect their homes, including using home security systems. But what happens when criminals steal your belongings, damage your home, or destroy property? These are the scenarios that prompt homeowners in the Manchester, CT area to invest in home insurance, and why homeowners turn to the professional and friendly agents at the Brent Young Agency LLC for all their home insurance needs.

Home Insurance Protects What Your Home Security System Can’t

Yes, home security systems are a good idea, but they can only do so much. Often, even if a would-be burglar is turned away or gets caught later, there is typically damage to the homeowner’s property. And if the criminal gets away with your valuables or possessions, it’s often too late to recover them. The good news is that home insurance acts as a second line of defense, helping to replace or provide the replacement value of what was stolen. That’s why it’s a good idea to talk with your local agent about the benefits of home insurance and how it can help where your home security system can’t.

Home Insurance Solutions for Manchester, CT Homeowners

If you own a home in or around the Manchester, CT area and would like to learn more about how home insurance solutions at the Brent Young Agency can protect you and your home, we can help. Contact us to learn more and schedule an appointment with our proven and professional team for the home insurance solutions you need and want at Brent Young Agency LLC today.

How to Prove Storm Damage Wasn’t Pre-Existing

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When a major storm hits, the damage left behind can be overwhelming. Filing an insurance claim should help you recover, but what if your insurer questions whether the storm actually caused the damage? At Brent Young Agency LLC in Manchester, CT, we understand how frustrating it can be to prove that storm damage wasn’t pre-existing. Fortunately, you can strengthen your claim with the right approach and avoid unnecessary delays.

Maintain Your Home Regularly

One of the best ways to prove that damage wasn’t pre-existing is by maintaining a history of regular home maintenance. If your roof, siding, or windows already had visible wear and tear before the storm, your insurance company may argue that the weather didn’t cause the damage. Keeping records of repairs, inspections, and maintenance can help show that your home was in good condition prior to the storm.

Document Your Home’s Condition Before and After Storms

Documenting your home’s condition before hurricane season begins is always a good idea. Clear, time-stamped photos of your roof, windows, and exterior can serve as proof that the damage wasn’t there beforehand. After the storm, take new photos immediately for comparison. The more evidence you have, the stronger your claim will be.

Consider a Professional Inspection

If your insurance company is skeptical, hiring a licensed contractor or public adjuster to inspect the damage can provide expert validation. Their report can confirm that the damage is fresh and directly related to the storm.

Navigating storm damage claims can be stressful, but you don’t have to do it alone. Brent Young Agency LLC in Manchester, CT is here to help you prepare and ensure you have the right coverage. Contact us today to review your hurricane preparedness insurance options.

How to Get a Temporary Auto Registration

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State law requires you to purchase car insurance if you live in Connecticut and drive a car. Many drivers have questions about their auto insurance. If you live near Manchester, CT, our Brent Young Agency LLC team is ready to ensure you understand your policy before making your final selection. We’ve been working with clients in your area since 1990.

How to Get a Temporary Auto Registration

If you’ve recently purchased a car, you will need to get it inspected. According to Exactly How Long, a permanent auto registration doesn’t arrive for 14 days, and you can’t go through an inspection without a registration. Therefore, you’ll need to get a temporary registration, which will serve as identification for the inspection.

Temporary registrations are available for passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, campers, and motorcycles. According to the Department of Motor Vehicles, the fee for temporary registration is $21 for 10 days. You’ll be charged a sales tax based on the price of the vehicle.

You can apply for a temporary registration at your local Department of Motor Vehicles. You’ll need to bring an acceptable form of identification, the car’s bill of sale, and the vehicle’s signed title. Before you apply for the registration, you must also have obtained auto insurance. Bring your insurance identification card with you.

Contact Us For an Appointment Today

When you visit Brent Young Agency LLC, you’ll receive our version of "The Red Carpet Treatment." We want to show how much we value your business and appreciate your trust in our agents. Clients in the Manchester, CT, area can take advantage of our years of expertise. Call us for an appointment today, and let’s talk about insurance.

Commercial Insurance to Protect Employees: Workers Compensation Coverage

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At Brent Young Agency LLC, we believe in empowering our clients with a thorough understanding of commercial insurance coverage, enabling them to keep their Manchester, CT, businesses fully compliant. In certain instances, state or federal governments mandate companies purchase insurance, such as workers’ compensation insurance. This blog post explains when a Connecticut business is required to purchase workers’ compensation insurance and the extent of coverage it must carry.

Workers’ Compensation Insurance in Connecticut

While some states only require a workers’ compensation policy for companies with multiple employees, typically three or more, your Manchester, CT, business must carry one as long as it employs even one person. The law makes an exception for sole proprietors unless they choose to pay themselves as employees. Most sole proprietors don’t do this; self-employed individuals typically file personal taxes and pay their own Social Security taxes.

If the individual expands their company to hire a part-time or full-time employee, they would need to purchase workers’ compensation insurance. However, this insurance coverage is not required if they contract with an independent contractor.

Workers’ Comp Policy Requirements

Workers’ compensation is part of the commercial insurance category known as property and casualty (P&C) insurance. There is no standard rate for this type of insurance, and the cost of a policy varies depending on the jobs and salaries or wages of the company’s employees.

Your insurance agent calculates it using estimated payroll wages and class codes, not actual wages. This means it’s always subject to an audit. If you know the class codes and salaries you plan to offer, you can estimate your workers’ comp premium rates, as they’re always expressed as a percentage of $100 in wages.

Tax Breaks for Workers’ Comp

The government doesn’t only take; it also gives. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the state of Connecticut consider workers’ comp insurance premiums separate from payroll, allowing business owners to list them as expenses on their taxes.

Contact Us Today

When you expand your local business, contact Brent Young Agency LLC for your workers’ compensation policy. Let us help you stay compliant.

Water and Sewer Lines: What Typical Home Insurance Policies Do and Don’t Cover

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If you are a homeowner, you understand the responsibility that comes with owning a home. However, homeowners may not be sure about what their home insurance policies do and don’t cover. Owning a home is a significant responsibility, and sometimes an expensive one, but home insurance can help. That’s why many Manchester, CT area homeowners rely on the friendly and professional team at Brent Young Agency LLC for all their home insurance questions and the protection they need for their homes.

Understanding Coverage for Water and Sewer Lines

Here’s the good news: In most cases, water and sewer lines last for many decades. The bad news: In many cases, broken or damaged water lines between the city feed line (typically at the curb) and the home become an issue for both the utility company and the homeowner. That’s why it’s important to understand what your home insurance policy does and doesn’t cover. Working with a knowledgeable and experienced agent for all your home insurance needs is always a good idea.

Home Insurance Solutions for Manchester, CT Area Homeowners

Do you have questions about what your home insurance coverage protects? If you live in or around the Manchester, CT area and have questions or need home insurance solutions, we can help. Contact us at Brent Young Agency LLC today to learn more and schedule an appointment for the home insurance and protection you need and deserve.

What Does Hurricane Preparedness Insurance Cover and Not Cover?

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Living in hurricane-prone areas requires vigilance and preparation. At Brent Young Agency LLC, serving the Manchester, CT area, we understand the importance of proper insurance to protect your home and belongings. But what exactly does hurricane preparedness insurance cover, and where might it fall short?

What It Covers

Hurricane preparedness insurance is designed to provide financial protection against the destructive forces of hurricanes. Typically, this includes coverage for wind damage, which can impact your home’s roofs, windows, and other structural elements. Additionally, it often covers damage to personal property inside the house, such as furniture and appliances, if they are harmed by wind or other related elements.

What It Doesn’t Cover

While this type of insurance offers crucial protection, there are some limitations. One of the most significant exclusions is flood damage. Many homeowners mistakenly believe that hurricane insurance covers flooding caused by storm surges, but this is usually not the case. For flood protection, a separate flood insurance policy is necessary. Some policies may not cover debris removal or additional living expenses if you need to relocate temporarily.

Understanding Your Policy

It’s essential to read the fine print of your policy and communicate with your insurance provider to understand your coverage entirely. At Brent Young Agency LLC, we can help clarify any uncertainties and ensure that you have comprehensive protection tailored to your needs.

Be Prepared By Purchasing Hurricane Preparedness Insurance Today

Don’t wait until a storm is approaching to review your insurance. Contact Brent Young Agency LLC, serving the greater Manchester, CT region, today. We’ll help you navigate your options and secure the right coverage so you can face hurricane season with confidence and peace of mind.

What is Gap Insurance and Do You Need It?

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When purchasing a new car, you’ll likely be offered gap insurance and asked if you want to add it to your payment. The answer to that question should be yes, and here’s why.

What is Gap Insurance?

Gap insurance is offered on any leased vehicle. In an accident where the car is deemed a total loss, the insurance provider will pay off the difference of the financial amount, excluding the deductible. For example, if you owe $5,000 on a car at the time of an accident, but it is totaled, and you have a $500 deductible, the gap insurance will cover the $4,500 difference.

Financial Security

Firstly, gap insurance provides financial security when you don’t have much extra money. The lender will want the balance due immediately if your car is totaled in an accident. This ensures they get paid and your credit doesn’t suffer.

Car Depreciation

One key thing to consider about cars is how quickly their value depreciates. Gap insurance will cover the difference immediately, so if you get into an accident shortly after buying the vehicle, it will cover it. The car’s value has likely dropped at least 10 percent, meaning you would be paying more for it than it’s worth.

Small Down Payment

Gap insurance is required for car buyers who put little to no down payment on a vehicle. Your down payment will not cover the difference in the car’s value at the time the car is totaled. This means you’ll have a significant out-of-pocket difference that will need to be paid.

Contact us today if you’re in the Manchester, CT, area or surrounding communities looking for auto insurance. Our Brent Young Agency LLC team is ready to assist you with your insurance needs.

Get a Risk Assessment and Discover How to Protect Your Business

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Staying aware of business risks is crucial if you own a business. Risk assessments can reveal these risks so you can prepare and avoid threats that might disrupt your business. The Brent Young Agency, LLC team in Manchester, CT, offers these risk assessment tips.

Steps for Conducting a Risk Assessment

Step 1: Identify Potential Threats

Identify potential threats, such as failing technology, weather, and employee misconduct. Consider possible infrastructure damage, which could impact your ability to continue normal operations.

Step 2: Assess the Probability of Those Threats

Rank risks unlikely to occur as zero, somewhat likely threats as 2-4, and very likely threats as five. Record these numbers for each potential threat.

Step 3: Establish the Severity of Any Threats

Consider the potential damage of the listed risks. For instance, in a storm or other significant incident, would it damage only one floor of the building or the entire structure? Assign a severity rank from 0 (low) to 5 (high).

Step 4: Calculate Your Overall Threat Risk Value

After scoring the severity and probability of each threat, multiply these two values to determine your overall threat risk value. If the score is between 17 and 25, prepare to address these issues as soon as possible.

Step 5: Consult an Insurance Agent

Speak with one of our experienced agents at Brent Young Agency, LLC in Manchester, CT. They can provide you with a risk review, look at your current policies, ask questions, and suggest any additional policies to ensure you have the right insurance coverage. Contact us today to learn more.