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We’ve published a variety of helpful blog posts for homeowners and business owners. Thank you for visiting the Kincaid Insurance Group blog!

Jeremy Kincaid Jeremy Kincaid

Amusement & Inflatable Rental Insurance in Indiana

Amusement and inflatable rentals are popular at birthday parties, family reunions, church picnics, graduation parties, festivals, and other events. After all, most kids love the chance to jump in a bouncy house or go down an inflatable slide.

Inflatables can add a certain pizzazz to your gathering, but they can also be dangerous. It’s important to make sure that children are well supervised while inflatable rentals are present.

Let’s take a closer look at the risks associated with amusements such as inflatables and bounce houses.

Inflatable Risks

If you’re considering renting inflatable equipment for a fundraiser, party, festival, or other type of event, it’s important to understand the risks. The Consumer Product Safety Commission estimated that more than 113,000 injuries requiring emergency treatment between 2003-2013 were related to inflatable amusements. Fractures, sprains, and strains are among the most common injuries that occur.

Take precautions when hosting an event with inflatable items. Make sure items are properly set up and anchored to prevent injuries related to tip overs. Children of different age groups should play at different times. Flips, somersaults, and horseplay can lead to serious injuries and should not be allowed. Ensure that event attendees understand the rules related to using inflatables to help prevent injuries.

Insurance for Inflatable Rental Companies

If you rent inflatables and other amusement items, it’s very important to have a general liability policy. You may want to consult an attorney and consider asking renters to sign a waiver prior to renting them the equipment. Inland marine property coverage will protect your equipment in the event of fire, theft, or vandalism on your premises.

Do you have employees? If so, you’ll want to consider adding workers compensation to your policy. If you deliver inflatable equipment to renters, you’ll need commercial auto coverage. If you take credit cards for your business, you may want to consider cyber liability coverage.

Insurance for those Renting Inflatables

If you’re considering renting inflatable equipment for a party or other event, you’ll want to contact your insurance agent for advice. Will your current homeowners or business insurance coverage be adequate for your event?

When choosing which company to rent inflatable equipment from, be sure to choose a company with a good reputation. Savvy shoppers will ask the company to provide written proof of their current liability policy. It’s important to note that if an injury does occur, this policy covers the rental company (not you or your own business).

Find Insurance for Inflatables

Renting a bouncy house or other inflatable equipment should be fun, not stressful! That’s why the independent insurance agents at Kincaid Insurance are here to help you find the coverage you need for your home or business. Our agents will work with you to determine your risks and policy needs before providing you with a no obligation free quote.

Kincaid Insurance is headquartered in Rockport, Indiana. Our agents work with individuals and businesses throughout the Indiana, Kentucky, and Illinois Tri-State area, including: Newburgh, Mt. Vernon, Louisville, Vincennes, Evansville, and Owensboro. You can contact Kincaid Insurance today by calling 1-877-888-5506.

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Jeremy Kincaid Jeremy Kincaid

Insurance for Golf Courses and Driving Ranges

There are over 15,000 golf courses in the United States.

That breaks down to an average of more than 300 golf courses per state, with more than 1,000 spread across Indiana, Kentucky, and Illinois. It’s clear that golf is a popular pastime in the Midwest!

Golf courses, driving ranges, and pro shops are typically places associated with relaxation, maybe even a vacation. However, the golf industry is not immune to risks and potential complications.

Stay Out of the Rough

Golf course owners face many risks associated with owning property. They also face risks related to providing services to members or the general public. These risks include:

  • Damage caused by errant golf balls

  • Golf cart accidents

  • Slip and fall accidents

  • Disorderly golfers

  • Storm damage

  • Flooded greens

It’s important to have proper insurance coverage for your golf course, driving range, and/or pro shop.

Drive for Success

As a golf course owner, your equipment and grounds are essential to your business. Consider specialized coverage for your golf carts, lawn mowers, and other maintenance equipment. If your equipment breaks down or is damaged, it will become invaluable.

You can cover greens, tees, and fairways with specialized coverage that is specific to your business needs. Storm damage, flooding, or other unforeseen events could make running your golf course difficult. It’s important to have coverage that protects your business in the event that you cannot run your golf course due to these types of issues. Contact an independent insurance agent to discuss coverage options that fit into your budget.

Liability Insurance for Golf Courses

Many golf courses serve alcohol; if your golf course is one of them, it’s important to have liquor liability coverage. General liability insurance is also a must. If a golfer falls on the course and breaks a leg, you are legally liable for that injury. General liability insurance covers the claim as well as any related medical expenses up to your policy’s limits. General liability also covers property damage caused by those extreme swings and out of control golf balls!

Coverage for Indiana Golf Courses

The independent insurance agents at Kincaid Insurance can help you discover the best coverage for your golf course, driving range, and/or pro shop. They will assist you in assessing your business’s risks and coverage needs. Then they’ll provide you with a no-obligation free quote.

Kincaid Insurance is headquartered in Rockport, Indiana. Our independent insurance agents work with golf course owners throughout the Tri-State area of Indiana, Illinois, and Kentucky, including: Evansville, Louisville, Mt. Vernon, Owensboro, and Vincennes.

You can reach Kincaid Insurance today by calling 1-877-888-5506.

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Jeremy Kincaid Jeremy Kincaid

Garage Liability vs. Garagekeepers Liability

Envision yourself as a small business owner running your own auto repair business.

You’ve started this business from ground zero. It began as just you doing everything, and now you’ve evolved and have five people working for you. Each day you expect your employees to work with a sense of urgency to try and keep the customer happy. You certify your mechanics to ensure they are doing the best quality of work, and you tell your employees to always test drive the vehicles before signing off on them and giving them back.

As the mechanic gets into your customer’s car and takes off down the road to test drive the vehicle, where in your commercial insurance policy is that driver covered? For most auto repair shop owners, it would be easy to believe that the basic liability portion of your commercial package policy would cover your mechanic as he’s test driving your client’s car; but, in reality, it is not that simple.

Let’s figure out what additional coverages the business owner should consider in order to protect what he’s worked so hard to build.

Garage Liability vs. Garagekeepers Liability

The two terms (garage liability and garagekeepers liability) should always be discussed with anyone owning any sort of auto repair business (i.e. auto body shop or car dealership). In a case-by-case basis, these two terms might apply together, separately, or not at all.

Garagekeepers liability insurance can be a daunting term to understand for someone not in the insurance industry. To help alleviate the intimidation, think of garagekeepers liability insurance as insurance that covers someone’s vehicle while it is being stored at an auto repair shop. The individual owner of the car would not carry a garagekeepers liability policy, but it would need to be purchased by the business owner who is in possession of the client’s car. For example, if the repair shop was broken into overnight while a client’s car was being stored there, and the burglars damaged the client’s car, the repair shop’s garagekeepers liability policy would cover the damage to the client’s car.

In regards to the previous example of the mechanic, the garage liability policy would come into effect when the mechanic test drives the customer’s vehicle before signing off that everything is complete. For instance, if the mechanic gets into the customer’s car, drives down the road, and is at fault for rear-ending another vehicle, the repair shop’s garage liability policy would cover the damages done.

Protect Your Auto Repair Business

If you own and operate an auto repair garage, you need to take the necessary steps to reduce risk. Garage and garagekeepers liability insurance are two necessities that most auto repair businesses can’t live without.

For auto repair businesses in Indiana, Kentucky, and Southern Illinois, Kincaid Insurance is ready to help. We can compare rates from multiple companies to ensure you get the coverage you need at a price that fits your budget. With clients in Evansville, Newburgh, Jasper, Vincennes, Henderson, Mt. Vernon, and beyond, we are ready to help you find a policy that fits your needs.

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Jeremy Kincaid Jeremy Kincaid

Insurance for Indiana Bars and Nightclubs

Bars, taverns, and nightclubs are spread throughout the United States. There are thousands of such establishments in the country. Bars serve a variety of functions from showcasing live music to providing a place to grab dinner and a drink while catching up with an old friend. Many are integral to their local communities, serving as a space for everything from local fundraising efforts to cheering on favorite sports teams.

If you own or operate a bar or restaurant that serves alcohol, it’s important to properly protect your business. Our team at Kincaid Insurance is experienced at writing insurance policies for these types of organizations. (Contact us for a free quote.)

Unpredictable Risk

While bars, taverns, and nightclubs are typically fun spaces, serving alcohol does create a higher level of risk for business owners. You can’t be on the premises every moment of every day to make sure your bartenders aren’t serving visibly drunk customers. There’s not much you can do if an intoxicated customer starts a fight that injures innocent bystanders in your bar. Bar owners face a number of other risks, including:

  • Fights between customers

  • Slip and fall accidents

  • Minors attempting to purchase alcohol

  • Theft

  • Customers arguing with servers

  • Unruly behavior

Emotions can get out of hand when alcohol is involved, so it’s important to have a well-trained staff and clear policies in place to prevent situations from getting out of hand.

Liquor Liability Insurance

As a bar owner, fighting is likely the most frequent issue you face in your business. Liquor liability coverage will help protect your bar in the event of a lawsuit related to a bar fight. Make sure your liquor liability policy includes assault and battery coverage in addition to employee coverage.

Special Considerations for Bar Owners

As the percentage of alcohol sales increases, your level of liability as a bar owner also increases. When selecting insurance for your bar, be sure to talk to your independent insurance agent about your business model. Does your bar, tavern, or nightclub serve food? What kind of equipment do you have? Do you own or rent the space?

If you’ve purchased any unique decorations or bar fixtures, be sure to include them in your policy. You’ll also want to be sure that you have a strong general liability policy in addition to liquor liability coverage. Your bar insurance should protect your business from all of the unknowns that come with serving alcohol as well as with owning a business, from bar fights to storm damage.

Find Bar Insurance

Kincaid Insurance’s independent insurance agents will help you find the best coverage for your bar, nightclub, or tavern. They’re trained to assess your business’s risks and coverage needs before providing you with a no-obligation free quote.

You’ll find Kincaid Insurance headquarters in Rockport, Indiana. Our independent insurance agents work with bar and restaurant owners throughout the Tri-State area of Indiana, Kentucky, and Illinois, including: Mt. Vernon, Owensboro, Evansville, Louisville, Vincennes, and Newburgh.

Contact Kincaid Insurance today by calling 1-877-888-5506.

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Jeremy Kincaid Jeremy Kincaid

Insurance for Private Investigators

Private detectives and investigators assist businesses, attorneys, insurance companies, as well as the general public. There were about 30,000 private detectives and investigators in the United States as of 2012, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The very nature of investigative work can be risky. If you’ve been in the business for any amount of time, you’ve probably encountered more than your fair share of angry people and dangerous situations. You’ve probably also provided peace of mind or reunited loved ones through your work. Detective work is challenging, no doubt, but it’s worth it.

Your business is to protect others and identify solutions to problems. But have you properly protected the very business that you’ve worked so hard to build?

Insurance for private investigators can be both affordable and comprehensive. Our team at Kincaid Insurance, just outside of Evansville, Indiana, is here to help you find coverage that meets your needs.

Protect Your Detective Business

Your work includes risks that many people rarely have to consider. Surveillance work could lead to vehicular damage. Property might get damaged during an investigation. You may also carry a firearm on the job, opening you to new levels of risk and liability.

As your knowledge in a case grows, the more risk you personally and professionally incur. The investigation business faces many challenges, including but not limited to:

  • Vehicular damage that occurs while doing surveillance work

  • Assault and battery

  • Property damage caused by a suspect

  • Claims of trespassing or suspicious activity

  • …and many others

Does your current business policy cover these risk areas? When was the last time you spoke with an agent about your risks and different coverage options?

Commercial Protection

As an investigator, you’ll want to ensure that your business is covered by a general business policy with an emphasis on the risks associated to your detective work. You may also want to consider umbrella policies to cover more specific aspects of your business. If your investigative work mostly takes place on the computer, inquire about ways to mitigate online risks. If you or your employees are frequently out on surveillance, you’ll also need a commercial auto insurance policy. Workers’ compensation is necessary if you have employees (in the state of Indiana – for other state policies, please consult your attorney or appropriate state agency).

Secure Sensitive Information

As a private eye, you’re privy to secure and confidential information. Professional liability insurance can protect you from libel and slander lawsuits. You’ll also want to consider cyber liability coverage, as well as errors and omissions liability. Just because you solve a case, doesn’t mean that customers will be happy with the outcome.

Coverage for Investigators

Kincaid Insurance, headquartered in Rockport, Indiana, offers business insurance policies that are tailored to your investigative business needs. Our independent insurance agents work with you to find coverage that protects your business without exceeding your budget. We routinely help private investigators in Indiana, Illinois, and Kentucky. Our customers are spread throughout the Tri-State area, including Evansville, Newburgh, Jasper, Henderson, Owensboro, Louisville, Mt. Vernon, and Vincennes.

Call Kincaid Insurance today at 1-877-888-5506. We’ll listen to your needs and provide you with a free, no-obligation quote.

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Jeremy Kincaid Jeremy Kincaid

Insurance for Bowling Alleys

Bowling saw a surge in popularity in the mid-1960s and, until recently, had been on a decline. But like many former trends, bowling is making a comeback in the United States. Many bowling alleys offer cosmic bowling, traditional bowling leagues, and other activities to attract individuals and families for a few hours of old-fashioned fun. Thanks to proprietors like you, bowling is now cool again.

There are still several thousand bowling centers in the United States. If you own one of those bowling alleys, you know firsthand how rewarding and stressful it can be. Your business is open to a number of risks that could threaten your livelihood. It’s important to find insurance that protects your bowling alley.

Let’s take a closer look at how to properly protect your bowling alley from unnecessary risk.

Don’t Leave Your Bowling Alley Open to Risk

The nature of the bowling alley business increases the likelihood of slip and fall incidents. Inexperienced bowlers or clowns trying to show off for their friends may find themselves on the floor after an unsuccessful bowling attempt. Heavy bowling balls may get dropped. These and many other reasons make having a general liability policy absolutely necessary for your bowling alley business.

Anyone who has operated a bowling alley for very long understands the many risks facing the industry:

  • Slip and fall accidents

  • Dropping bowling balls on feet, legs, or other body parts

  • Property damage caused by patrons

  • Equipment breakdown or failure

  • …and many others

Does your current policy cover all of these situations? When was the last time your agent called to review your risks and evaluate different coverage options?

Food and Liquor Coverage

If your bowling alley offers food and/or liquor for sale, you’ll need to have proper licensing and coverage. Serving food and/or liquor adds extra income, but it also opens your business to potential risks such as food spoilage and equipment failure. A single incident could wreck your financial year, which is why it’s necessary to purchase coverage that will protect you in the event of a disaster.

Protect Your Business

You’ll want to be sure you have workers’ compensation insurance to protect your workers and yourself if they become injured at work. Property insurance will protect your building and equipment. Fires, storm damage, vandalism, and other unexpected events could cause extreme damage, so it’s always a good idea to make sure that your property insurance is adequate.

Find Bowling Alley Insurance

The independent insurance agents at Kincaid Insurance make it their business to understand the bowling industry. They understand the challenges you face and can help you discover the bowling insurance coverage that best fits your business. We help alleys in Indiana, Kentucky, Illinois, and beyond find affordable, comprehensive coverage. Call Kincaid Insurance today at 1-877-888-5506.

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Jeremy Kincaid Jeremy Kincaid

Commercial Passenger Insurance

It’s a simple, but often overlooked fact: individuals who drive passengers commercially need more coverage than what can be provided by a personal auto policy.

Why? Simply stated, driving passengers for pay increases liability and risk for the driver. It’s therefore important to have proper coverage for the protection of the driver, passenger(s), vehicle, and business in the event of an accident.

In this post, we’ll help you understand your risks and learn what type of commercial passenger options are out there.

Why You Need More Coverage

If you’re driving passengers for any business capacity, whether that’s as a bus driver, taxi driver, Uber driver, or for your small business, you need a policy that offers greater risk protection. Ultimately, you are responsible for the people who you are transporting. If you were in an accident and your passengers were injured, you (and your business) could be held responsible for damages. You’ve worked hard to build your business, but in a few moments it could all be lost.

A commercial passenger policy provides higher liability limits as well as coverage that is unique to your needs as a driver-for-hire. An accident that occurs while driving customers could financially devastate you if you don’t have the correct insurance policy for your business. Having the right coverage could make all the difference.

Commercial Auto Coverage to Consider

Each type of commercial transport business is slightly different, so it’s important to talk to a qualified agent who can first understand your specific needs. During the discussion, the agent may help you consider a commercial policy that provides:

  • hired auto/employer’s non-ownership liability

  • on-hook towing liability

  • bobtail or non-trucking liability

  • garage keeper’s legal liability

  • other specific endorsements

In addition, a commercial auto policy can also cover uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, medical payments, property damage, personal injury protection, collision, and specified perils.

Find an Agent

Kincaid Insurance’s team of independent agents are here to help you find the commercial passenger coverage that fits your business and your budget. We’ll help you determine your coverage needs and compare policies to find the optimal coverage for your business. Hundreds of businesses in Evansville, Newburgh, Jasper, Mt. Vernon, and the surrounding Tri-State area have worked with our team to find policies that meet their needs.

Visit us at our Rockport, Indiana office or call us today at 1-877-888-5506 to find the commercial passenger insurance that best fits your business.

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Jeremy Kincaid Jeremy Kincaid

Tree Removal Business Insurance

Tree removal businesses face many risks.

Cutting down a tree, removing a stump, or trimming a large branch can all pose risks ranging from falls to electrocution. Add in the severe weather often associated with emergency tree removal services, and it’s no surprise to find that the industry is among the most dangerous occupations in the United States.

The good news is that our team at Kincaid Insurance is here to help you protect your business (and your employees). Here’s how we help.

Tree Removal Business Insurance

Tree removal businesses have been quite busy in the Tri-State recently. With storms and tornados being a somewhat regular occurrence in Southern Indiana, large trees often fall victim to Mother Nature’s wrath. That’s where you come in.

Having the right insurance coverage is very important when it comes to protecting your tree removal business, your employees, and the property you work on. Your insurance policy should cover a broad selection of situations and minimize your exposure to risk. General liability coverage can provide you with basic protection for accidents and hazards that may threaten your business. This type of coverage typically protects you from claims made by your customers, medical claims, and court-related fees.

When shopping for tree removal insurance policies, it’s important to discuss exposure to damage of your own property. A knowledgeable insurance agent can help you determine any additional coverages you may need. Considerations may include:

  • Equipment damage, such as damage to a chainsaw

  • Electronic damage, such as damage caused to your computers or business server

  • Property damage incurred at your place of business

In addition to a rock-solid insurance policy, proper education and safety measures can also provide added protection to your business. For example, if your tree removal services ever involve removing tree(s) in the vicinity of a power line, it’s prudent to earn power line certifications.

Auto and Workers Compensation Coverage

Since travel is required for you and your employees to reach your work sites, you’ll want to include a business auto insurance policy. The high risk nature of the work means that workers compensation insurance is a necessity to protect yourself and your business in the event of an accident.

We Help Tree Trimmers

Kincaid Insurance is the best choice for Indiana tree removal businesses. Our independent agents understand the risks associated with your industry and can help you choose the coverage that is right for your individual business. Learn more about our options for tree trimmers. To request a free quote, click the button below or call our office today at 1-877-888-5506.

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Jeremy Kincaid Jeremy Kincaid

Protect Your Indiana Trucking Business

If you work in the trucking industry as a fleet manager or an owner operator, it’s important to protect your business from the unexpected with a comprehensive commercial trucking policy. Without proper coverage, a single incident could bankrupt a company.

In this post, we’ll explore why semi truck insurance in Indiana (or any other state for that matter) is so important.

Semi Truck Insurance in Indiana

There are more than three million truck drivers in the United States, the majority of those drivers being owner operators.

Hoosier semi truck owner operators and fleet managers face similar risks in their businesses every single day. While owner operators both own and operate their own trucking business, fleet managers often work with larger transportation companies to ensure that trucks are running as needed. Although their day-to-day work differs, both owner operators and fleet managers have similar needs for semi truck insurance in Indiana.

The Coverage You Need in Indiana

Liability: Truck liability coverage will cover any damage done by one of your trucks. This could include anything from delivery dock damage when unloading a shipment, medical bills for injured parties, or repairs to a vehicle damaged in an accident.

Truck Cargo: Cargo coverage covers the items carried in the truck for damages en route. It also protects the goods in the event of a robbery.

Physical Damage: While your truck may feel indestructible at times, it is not impervious to damage, and unfortunately, that damage often means high repair costs. Your Indiana semi truck insurance should include physical damage coverage to protect your business in the event of damage to the truck that is out of your control, such as hail or getting backed into.

Bobtail Insurance/Non-Trucking Liability: This additional coverage tends to be very reasonably priced and protects your truck when it is not in use for delivery or not pulling a trailer.

Medical Insurance and Workers’ Compensation: Protect both your company and your employees in the event of an accident or illness with this coverage. For fleet managers, this can be a strong draw for potential new drivers.

Other Coverages to Consider

Here are some additional coverage options to consider for your Indiana semi truck:

  • Breakdown Coverage

  • Uninsured Motorist Coverage

  • Personal Property

  • Supplemental Towing and Clean-Up

  • Gap Coverage

  • Limited Depreciation Coverage

Semi truck insurance you can rely on is a must for your business, whether you manage a fleet or function as an owner operator. Protect your trucking business from unforeseen risk with the Indiana semi truck insurance coverage you need.

Kincaid Insurance’s independent agents make it their business to understand the ins and outs of the trucking industry. We help you assess coverage needs for your truck or fleet and find the policy that fits your business best. Bring your rig to our Rockport, Indiana office or call 1-877-888-5506 to find the Indiana semi truck insurance that is right for you.

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Jeremy Kincaid Jeremy Kincaid

Can Landlords Require Renters Insurance?

Renters insurance protects your belongings against vandalism, fire, theft, and other potential disasters. Additionally, renters insurance provides you with liability coverage in the event someone is injured where you reside.

“Some people make the mistake of assuming the landlord’s policy will replace their personal contents if they’re stolen or damaged. The landlord is not responsible for any of your personal property,” stated Robert P. Hartwig, chief economist with the Insurance Information Institute, in the Wall Street Journal. The only way the landlord will be held legally responsible for your personal property is if proven negligence caused damage or loss.

In this post, we’ll examine the relationship between landlords and renters – specifically with regard to renters insurance.

Can Landlords Require Renters Insurance in Indiana?

Your landlord can mandate that you have Indiana renters insurance in order to rent an apartment or home. Requiring renters insurance in Indiana is a standard practice, and it actually benefits both you and your landlord in the case of property damage or loss.

For example, refurnishing an apartment after a fire can easily cost upwards of $50,000, but if you have renters insurance it can pay for the damage to your apartment, neighboring apartments, and your personal property.

Requiring renters insurance is not unreasonable. In fact, many insurance companies ask that landlords require renters to carry renters insurance coverage. This helps insurance companies keep their rates lower for landlords, which can ultimately translate into fewer rent increases for renters.

Can Landlords Legally Require Current Renters to Get Renters Insurance?

According to FindLaw.com‘s Real Estate section, “…by the terms of some leases, tenants may be required to have insurance to cover their liability exposure if someone is injured on the premises, or if damages occur from items owned by the renter, such as waterbeds. And, the landlord can, in fact, require the renter to have liability insurance. When signing a new lease, or after proper legal notice for a month-to-month rental agreement, the landlord can even lawfully change the terms of the agreement to require renter’s insurance. This may be particularly important if the renter has animals, or if the property contains a pool.”

Having an Indiana renters insurance policy is smart. Without renters insurance, you may be held personally responsible for financial coverage of damages of your personal property as well as the building you rent.

Get Indiana Renters Insurance

The independent agents at Kincaid Insurance will help you inventory your possessions to determine what kind of renters insurance coverage will best suit your personal needs. Protect your home and belongings with a policy that will cover you when disaster strikes. Contact Kincaid Insurance for a free quote. We’ve been helping families and landlords in the Tri-State for two decades. Our customers in Newburgh, Chandler, Boonville, Evansville, Henderson, Owensboro, Jasper, and other communities are well protected. Isn’t it time you felt the same way?

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Contact Us

Questions? We’re happy to help. Contact us to start a conversation.