I'm covered - and so is your stuff

Rule to live by: only let insured workers perform jobs on your property.

In a networking meeting about a year ago a lady who owns an independent insurance company explained the necessity of making sure you hire only insured workers to perform jobs on your property. For example, if a heating and air-conditioning professional is working on your unit and falls off a ladder, if he is not insured you may be responsible for his medical bills. If any material damage is done you may also be required to foot the bill for replacement or repairs.

The best way to make sure the person or company working in your home or business is covered by insurance is to ask them to provide a Certificate Of Insurance. Getting a copy of the COI is as simple as a phone call from the worker to the insurance company requesting the COI be emailed to you or faxed to your machine. If a worker balks at providing a COI, you may want to look elsewhere to get that need of yours tended to.