Why does my policy have more than one deductible?

A policy commonly carries a flat deductible for most claims and a separate percentage-based wind and hail deductible in storm-exposed states like Georgia.

Does my own insurance cover me when I stay in an Airbnb or VRBO?

The host's short-term rental policy protects the host, not you. As an Airbnb or VRBO guest, your own homeowners or renters insurance usually covers your belongings and personal liability away from home, within policy limits, while travel insurance covers trip-specific risks neither the host nor your home policy will.

Does homeowners insurance cover flood damage?

No. Standard homeowners policies exclude all flood damage regardless of cause.

What does uninsured motorist coverage do?

If you are hit by a driver with no insurance or not enough insurance, uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage pays your medical bills.

When do we use Selective for flood coverage versus NFIP?

Selective private flood wins for Zone X and moderate AE properties where it beats NFIP on price and offers higher limits with ALE coverage.

When does a home-based business in Alabama need workers' compensation insurance?

All FAQs

Quick answer: Once an Alabama home-based business regularly employs five or more people, under Code of Alabama Section 25-5-50. Officers and LLC members count toward that total; contractors are treated separately. That is a trigger point many growing home-based operations reach faster than expected.

When does a home-based business need it?

Once it regularly employs five or more people, under Code of Alabama Section 25-5-50. Officers of a corporation and LLC members count toward that total, and contractors are treated separately. That is a real trigger point many growing home-based operations reach faster than they expect.

Why does this catch home-based businesses off guard?

A home-based business often starts as just the owner, then adds a part-time assistant, a bookkeeper, and eventually a small remote team, all without ever operating from a traditional office. Each of those hires counts toward the five-employee threshold the same as they would for a storefront business.

Example

A home-based online retailer in Auburn starts solo, then hires a part-time packer, a customer-service assistant, and two remote contractors who are functionally treated as employees based on how the work is actually structured. Once that headcount reaches five, workers' compensation is required, regardless of the business operating out of a home rather than an office.

What should a home-based owner do?

A coverage review can confirm whether current staffing, including anyone functioning as an employee rather than a true independent contractor, has crossed the threshold. See Alabama home business insurance and Alabama workers' compensation insurance for more.