Are You Prepared for Opening Day?

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Opening day is the result of a substantial amount of work. Entrepreneurs in the Buena Vista, VA area with a marketable product or service must decide how to reach their target audience. A solid business plan is often the key to a successful opening. The team at Stonewall Grace Insurance is here to help you prepare for opening day. Remember, the amount of preparation new business owners put into the initial stages of development often prepares them for the inevitable turbulence of running a new business. 

Have you chosen a location?

Make sure your real estate agent knows what your priorities are regarding needed space and adequate utilities. If you expect a significant amount of traffic to your new location, have you considered whether you have sufficient parking to cover both employees and customers? Developing a contingency parking plan for special events like grand openings or community appreciation days is wise. A location that makes customers comfortable while meeting a need can be a factor in whether some customers return. 

Did you secure the proper licenses?

Contact the appropriate government agencies to ensure you have the proper licensing in place before you open your doors for business. Make sure the building is up to code and equipped with smoke detectors, proper lighting and labeled fire exits. If there is a product involved, do you hold a patent or rights to distribute said product? It is important to understand what types of coverage is needed to protect against defective products.

Do you have an experienced insurance team on your side?

The team at Stonewall Grace Insurance can answer your questions about commercial insurance needs. From commercial liability insurance to workers’ compensation and commercial property insurance, we have your needs covered. Proper insurance protection is often the reason any business around Buena Vista, VA survives legal difficulties.

 

Best After Market Upgrades For Your Vehicle

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If you’re looking to upgrade your vehicle, there is a never ending assortment of features to choose from. However, if you really want to not only improve your level of enjoyment but safety and, potentially, save on auto insurance, here are the best after market upgrades for your vehicle. After all, we at Stonewall Grace Insurance want to make sure you have the most fun and save the most money in Buena Vista, VA. 

New Tires and Wheels

When looking at any after market upgrades for your vehicle, consider both new wheels and tires. Slightly wider wheels will improve handling while driving, cut braking distances and boost precision on your vehicle. 

New Shocks, Springs and Coil-Overs

There is nothing wrong with the shocks that come with most vehicles. However, there is always a way to improve upon this. With brand new shocks, you’ll increase the amount of contact your vehicle maintains with the road both at high speeds and in bumpy conditions. This improves vehicle safety while giving you more control over the vehicle. 

Better Cold-Air Intake

All vehicles come with an engine filter. Most filters are simply flat and go above the engine block. However, an improved cold-air intake filtration system uses a much larger air filter. It usually is round and can be reused after occasional cleaning. This increases the amount of air flow to the engine, improving fuel economy while boosting performance at the same time. This kind of an upgrade is an especially valuable addition to vehicles with larger or performance engines. 

No matter what make and model vehicle you own, there is always a way to save on auto insurance while improving the functionality of the vehicle. At Stonewall Grace Insurance, we want to help you save money on your Buena Vista, VA vehicle. 

Safe driving tips for Buena Vista VA

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Driving in Buena VIsta, VA is a necessity which means everyone who drives will need at least some sort of an insurance policy. And while these insurance policies can get quite expensive, one of the best ways to keep it low is to not get into an accident of any kind. So in order to do that, here are some safe driving tips to help you avoid a collision on the road.

DON’T SPEED

Getting there a few minutes earlier is really not worth it, when it comes to getting into an accident or getting a ticket. So don’t speed, stay at or below the speed limit to ensure safety and keep in mind that speeding is the main reasons car accidents happen in the first place.

ALWAYS SIGNAL

The more you signal and indicate, the more other drivers on the road will know what you are doing and drive the chances of being in an accident with you way down. So wherever you drive in Buena Vista, VA, signal when you turn or change lanes, because it will not only be cheaper but safer.

KEEP YOUR HANDS ON THE WHEEL

No looking at cell phones or holding a hand to your ear. Get a headset if you have to make calls from the car, but it’s better if you just fully concentrate on driving rather than talking on the phone. Regardless of if you are actually on a call with someone, driving safely should be the main priority.

MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE RIGHT INSURANCE

You will also want to make sure you are fully covered with the right insurance policy for your vehicle, namely from a local place like Stonewall Grace Insurance, who serves the greater Buena Vista area. This way you know it will all be paid for if you do have an accident.

Why Home Insurance In Buena Vista VA Is Important

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Many people purchase home insurance in Buena Vista, VA because they don’t have a choice. Mortgage companies require it. However, it’s important to have a policy that you can rely on for a variety of reasons.

Our independent insurance agents at Stonewall Grace Insurance will be able to help you establish a comprehensive policy to provide protection throughout the year.

Home Protection

You want the very best for your home in Buena Vista, VA. Unfortunately, you can never predict what will happen. There could be a major thunderstorm, snowstorm, or even break in that could lead to big problems. You don’t want to deal with all of these things on your own. It’s easier to call the insurance company and file a claim. They will be able to provide repairs, replacements, and even handle lawsuits effectively.

Financial Protection

Repairs and replacements can add up to a significant amount of money. If a thunderstorm damages your roof, you want the insurance company to pay for the repairs or to replace your roof entirely. If someone breaks in and steals most of your high-end belongings, you want to file a claim so that they take care of replacing everything that was stolen.

It’s much easier to pay the deductible on a home insurance policy than to be financially responsible for everything on your own.

Ease of Getting Repairs

Repairs and replacements are expensive, and this means that you may have to wait a while in order to have the money to get the work done. However, if you have home insurance, you can file a claim. The insurance company will take care of the bills, allowing you to schedule repairs much faster.

For more information about home insurance and to get quotes for premium comparisons, contact us at Stonewall Grace Insurance today.

Eminent Domain Effects

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When dealing with the effects of eminent domain a homeowner’s protection, it’s important to understand a little bit of how the law works. At a high level, the powerful law is constitutional. Then comes state laws and municipal codes. The next level usually is regulations. And below all the above are contractual rules and rights. A homeowner’s insurance policy is, in essence, a contract, definitely out-powered by a state power such as eminent domain.

Eminent domain in Buena Vista, VA is the power of the government to take and use property, even private property, to reuse it for public purposes. The most modern frequent instance would be making a road or highway through private property. However, the law also requires the government to reimburse a private property owner for losses due to eminent domain at market value.

So clearly if a government agency has to take a home for a project, then the homeowner can only seek market value reimbursement. A homeowner’s policy won’t provide any protection.

However, what happens when an adjacent or nearby eminent domain project damages a home but doesn’t take the property? Depending on the damage and cause, a homeowner’s insurance policy may cover and financially protect from a loss in some instances. The insurance provider would then seek recovery from the government agency by civil action.

For the most part, eminent domain situations are usually not clearcut decisions, according to Stonewall Grace Insurance. Even seemingly obvious cases end up in litigation for desired endings of either side. If in the Buena Vista, VA region and you think your area may be impacted by eminent domain, consider a consultation with Stonewall Grace Insurance. Their trained agents can provide clear, accurate answers on what kind of damages would like to be covered and protected from with a good homeowner’s insurance policy.

Documentation for a Traffic Stop in Virginia

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No one likes getting pulled over for a traffic stop, but it is one of the easiest ways for law enforcement to keep an eye on the community, do their job enforcing laws, and catch problems before they become worse in terms of crime. So traffic stops aren’t likely to disappear or go away anytime soon. Given that fact, one of the best ways that Virginia drivers can anticipate the issue and resolve it as quickly as possible at a stop is to have one’s documentation fully in order and available to provide an officer on request.

Under Virginia state law, the following documents should always be on hand and ready to provide to a traffic officer when stopped:

  • A personal driver’s license that is up to date and valid (i.e. not expired).
  • A copy of the vehicle registration for the car or truck the person is actually driving at the time.
  • Documentation of an approved disability placard permit if using such symbols for the purpose of driving or parking at the time.
  • Proof of valid auto insurance coverage for the vehicle being driven at the time of the stop.

The above short list seems easy to keep together, but more often than not people find themselves missing something at the time of a stop. If that’s the case, don’t panic and don’t act jumpy or erratic. Simply explain to the officer you thought you had the paperwork and it was left at home. Try to remember as much as possible which insurance company or your driver’s license number if those are missing. They can be looked up by the officer based on the information provided. You may still get a ticket for not having the paperwork on hand, but you won’t get arrested if valid. For those in Buena Vista, VA your local insurance agent can help explain the details of the above.

How to Ready Your Home for the Next Winter Blast

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Winter has officially arrived. Is your home ready?  Buena Vista, VA can experience winter storms that can be dangerous to you and your family if you are not well prepared.  At Stonewall Grace Insurance, we want all of our clients to be safe and warm this winter.  Use these tips to help ready your home for the next big winter blast.

Preparing the Exterior of Your Home for Winter

Since we often get snow in the winter in Buena Vista, VA, it is a good idea to hire a contractor to check your roof structure.  Make sure that it has the ability to sustain a heavy amount of snow or ice.  It is also important to repair any roof leaks and clear gutters of debris.  Make sure tree branches are trimmed so that they do not fall on your roof or any other nearby structures during a strong storm.  Also, have the chimney inspected, cleaned and cleared of debris or bird’s nests before using it.

Tips to Prepare the Inside of Your Home for Winter

Winterize your windows and exterior doors by replacing caulking and weather-stripping to prevent cold air from seeping inside your home. Check the insulation in the attic and replace or add to it if need be. Install carbon-monoxide detectors that are either battery operated or have a battery backup to detect any accumulation of this potentially deadly gas. Also, check your smoke alarms and replace batteries if need be. And make sure that everyone in the family knows how to use the fire extinguishers. Finally, if you know that a freeze is coming, wrap your water pipes and allow the faucets to drip. At Stonewall Grace Insurance, we hope everyone has a safe and warm winter.  

Five Ways to Ready Your Yard for Fall

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Fall has officially arrived and it is time to make sure your home is ready inside and out.  Keeping your yard well-maintained during fall not only makes your home look good, it protects your investment against potential risks caused by weather and seasonal changes.  At Stonewall Grace Insurance of Buena Vista, VA, we recommend these five tips to ready your yard for fall.

#1: Make Sure Trees are Trimmed – Any limbs that are dead or broken need to be removed.  If there are branches that have grown close to power lines, contact your local utility company to remove.   

#2: Fertilize and Clear the Yard – Fertilizing your lawn and regularly picking up leaves and debris helps the grass survive through the colder months. 

#3: Regularly Clear Roof and Gutters of Debris – Leaves and debris can accumulate in the gutters and on the roof resulting in clogged gutters and potential drainage issues.

#4: Ensure Flowerbeds are Properly Graded – Flowerbeds should always be graded away from the house so that rainwater does not collect at the foundation. 

#5: Mulch Flower Beds – Spread a two to three-inch layer of mulch in flower beds to help protect your plants’ root structure as the weather grows colder.

With preparation, your yard and home will be ready for any seasonal changes that arise.  Not only is it important to prepare for the change in seasons, it is important that you have the right insurance coverage.  At Stonewall Grace Insurance of Buena Vista, VA, our agents will work with you to find the right homeowner’s insurance policy to fit your needs and budget.  Contact us to see what options you have available to make sure your home and family is safe and secure.

Why You May Want to Review Your Homes Insurance Policy in Buena Vista

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Accidents in Virginia do happen, and it only takes a little bit of damage to make a homeowner miserable. Furthermore, you may be unaware of just how little your current home insurance policy covers. Stone Grace Insurance can tell you more about why you might want to reconsider your home insurance, so you can live a safer life in Buena Vista, VA. 

Separate Issues 

Too often, news comes too homeowners too late after a disaster hits. Not every event is covered, even though many people will still look to their insurance company if there’s a theft, a flood or an act of vandalism. These things are treated as separate entities, so you may want to look over your policy just to make sure that you’ve thought through the consequences — especially if you’ve chosen to forego protection against specific circumstances. A policy that’s worth having will account for not just the most likely scenarios to happen to you, but also ones that you may not even have thought of yet. 

A Fighting Chance

Stonewall Grace Insurance is here to make sure you have a policy that will actually function when something goes wrong. The shock of finding out you are unable to get the help you need is something we’ve seen happen too often. Instead of being a victim, talk to an agent who can answer your questions about what will happen if there is a natural disaster in your area. Your possessions are absolutely worth saving, and we can help you do it. Having a realistic view of the situation gives you a chance to make a game plan about what you’ll do to protect the people and property within your home. Giving us a call today puts you in the driver’s seat, so chat with us more about how Stonewall Grace Insurance serves Buena Vista, VA with pride. 

 

Keep Your Business Safe with Commercial Insurance

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You work hard to make your business successful. Every day you make sure your bills are paid to keep the lights and water running. You ensure your mortgage or rent is paid, so you have a place to do business. And, you keep your employees happy, so you have staff to keep things running smoothly. But, you also have to keep your business safe from things that are beyond your control. That’s why you need commercial insurance.

Protect Your Business From Liability

Liability insurance is one of the most important types of commercial insurance a business could have. This type of insurance protects your business from claims of bodily injury and property damage. If someone gets hurt or property gets damaged at your business or while you’re conducting business operations, your business could be put in jeopardy. Liability insurance covers this type of situation.

Protect Your Property

Property insurance is another type of commercial insurance that is important to business owners. If you own your building, property insurance can protect your business from losses if it becomes damaged. Not only could property insurance help with repair costs, it could also cover losses if your business has to shut down for repairs.

Invest in Your Business

Commercial insurance is among the most important investments you can make in your business. You don’t want to be left unprepared when unforeseen situations occur. By protecting your business from liability and property damage, you’re making sure you and your employees have a business to come back to every day.

Stonewall Grace Insurance is here for your commercial insurance needs. If you own a business in Buena Vista, VA and you’re in search of commercial insurance, don’t hesitate to call or stop by our office.