Stonewall Grace Insurance

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.

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.

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.

Buena Vista, VA: How Much Life Insurance Does One Person Really Need?

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The amount of life insurance you need will depend on several different factors. In most cases, the amount of life insurance you need should be able to pay your bills for at least a year or more. If you have a large family, you will need to purchase a policy that will provide enough money to pay the family’s bills. 

If you who have a mortgage, car payment and other types of loans, you may need to increase the amount of your life insurance policy to make sure you have enough to pay them off if you pass away before the loans are taken care off. Some loans will have a survivor clause built in that guarantees that the loan will be paid off if something happens to one of the borrowers. It is important to know whether or not your loans have these types of benefits so you can prepare accordingly.

If you are alone and have no dependents, the amount of life insurance you choose to buy should be sufficient to pay off any debts that you may have as well as cover your final expenses. Whatever is left over will be distributed throughout your estate according to your specifications. You can choose whatever amount you want if you plan on passing the additional benefits on to your heirs.

The agents of Stonewall Grace Insurance serve the residents of Buena Vista, Virginia. The agents are extremely knowledgeable about life insurance and how much a person needs depending on the size of their family and their financial obligations. If your circumstances have changed, you may need to have your need for life insurance re-evaluated so that you are sufficiently prepared.

Renter’s Insurance and You

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Did you know that there is an affordable way to make sure that your belongings are covered and that you are protected from unexpected damages and/or injuries?  There is.  It is a little thing called renter’s insurance and it is incredibly affordable.

So what does it cover?  Well, different carriers will offer different types of coverage, but in general it would cover things like your belongings, your apartment and guests in case of mishaps or accidents and most of the time even the expenses for a hotel should your apartment become uninhabitable due to damages.  Again, these things will vary.

Yes, your landlord already has insurance but the thing is, his insurance will more than likely only cover the property itself and not what you have inside of the property.  However, renter’s insurance will cover most everything from your wardrobe and furniture to your electronics and even more.  Some carriers will even reimburse you for what they would cost to purchase now too, as opposed to what they cost when you paid for them.

If someone gets hurt in your apartment, they will be able to get the care they need.  If you cause any damage to the apartment, it can also be covered.  The damage might be able to be repaired by you paying your deductible and your renter’s insurance policy taking care of the rest. 

If you aren’t able to stay in your apartment while damage is being repaired, you may even be able to be reimbursed for the cost of the hotel.

If you are in the Buena Vista, VA area and have questions about renter’s insurance and what type of coverage is offered in your area, call or come by Stonewall Grace Insurance.  There are friendly and knowledgeable agents ready to answer all of your questions and get you covered.

Tax Facts on Life Insurance

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Taxes, nor insurance, is universal across all fifty states. Laws vary on both which often confuses people. However, there are universal tax facts that apply to life insurance that the insured should both know. Stonewall Grace Insurance is up to par with both the state and federal laws. Educating clients before they purchase life insurance is essential. Most life insurance holders only know that their premiums are not tax deductible but the relationship between tax and insurance knowledge stops there.

Surrendering the Policy

By surrendering  a life insurance policy to the insurance company or for whatever reason the policy lapses, any profit obtained is taxable at regular income tax rates.  

Taxes on Loan Against Policy

The insured can borrow against  a life insurance policy.  In this loan against the policy, the money received is generally not taxable as long as it is within non-taxable limits.

When the Beneficiary is a Charity or Church

If a church or charity is the beneficiary of a life insurance policy, they are generally still tax exempt from the proceeds. However, the charity or church must be recognized by the state as well as the federal government to be free of taxation.

Exception to Rule Number One

There is an exception to the insured’s premium being tax deductible. If the policy was gifted to a trust, charity, or church, the premiums paid by the insured are tax deductible being they will be receiving the proceeds upon the policy holder’s death.

These are only a few tax facts a life insurance policyholder should know and each one answered are only answered in a way that IRS jargon does not confuse. By contacting Stonewall Grace Insurance, not only will life be insured, tax crisis is avoided.

 

 

5 Steps to an Easier Moving Day

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Most people dread moving day, and it’s never going to be any fun. However, with a few simple steps, you can make the dreaded day just a bit easier.

Step #1 – Have a Great Packing Kit

Start out by making sure you have a kit of everything you’ll need for packing. This kit should include different types of duct tape, permanent markers, pens, some scissors, a snack, a notebook, and some water. You’ll find all of these things handy before and on moving day.

Step #2 – Ask Around for Boxes

You’re already blowing a lot of money on your move, so don’t spend more money on moving boxes. Instead, talk to people you know to see if you can get some free boxes. Many hardware stores and grocery stores are happy to give away their empty boxes.

Step #3 – Keep Track of What You Pack

It’s easy to write a generic label on a box and then you have no idea where the bedding ends up when you’re ready to unpack. Make moving day easier by keeping track of what you pack in a notebook. Give every box a number and write down what’s in the box in your notebook. This way it’s easy to figure out where everything is.

Step #4 – Have a Special Box for the First Night

You probably don’t want to unpack everything to find what you need for that first night. Make it all simple by packing a special box for the first night. Make sure you have all the essentials on hand, such as toothbrush and toothpaste, toilet paper, change of clothes, towels and washcloths, and cups.

Step #5 – Use More Than Boxes

Don’t get stuck in the rut of just using boxes. Many items can be packed in garbage bags, such as bedding, pillows, pajamas, and other items that don’t need to be kept wrinkle-free or stored flat.

Once you move, it’s important to ensure your new home is insured. Find out about your home insurance options by contacting the Stonewall Grace Insurance group today.