Click to Call
O'Donnell Agency LLC

416 Centennial Ave
Cranford, NJ 07016

Get Directions

Partner Carriers

  • Amtrust
  • Berkshire Hathaway Guard
  • Encompass
  • Farmers of Salem
  • Foremost
  • Liberty Mutual
  • Main Street America
  • Mercury
  • National General
  • Nationwide
  • NJ Skylands
  • Progressive
  • Safeco
  • Travelers

Insurance Blog

Don’t forget to review your policy before starting a renovation project on your home

O’Donnell Agency LLC works to protect families throughout the state of New Jersey. If it’s time to start a major project on your family home, we’re here to help you make sure that you have the protection you need. Don’t wait until it’s too late to find out that you don’t have the coverage you need!

The time to review your home policy is BEFORE you start your major renovation

Home renovations can take a lot of time, money, and energy to complete. Depending on the size of the project, it can also be a disruptive experience for the entire family. On top of all of this, there are liability and other insurance concerns to consider. You will have people in your home that could be harmed or injured. This means that it’s important that your home insurance provides an adequate amount of liability protection.

If, after the renovation is completed, your home value increases significantly, it could also create a need to adjust your current policy. These are just two reasons why it’s so important to double-check your home policy before starting any major renovation or improvement project. Working with your local agent can help you get ahead of the changes that may become necessary and ensure that your home is fully protected. Our team is here to help you with these concerns. 

Contact us today!

If you live in New Jersey and have questions about home insurance, the team at O’Donnell Agency LLC is here to help. Our team has the knowledge and experience necessary to give our clients the service they need. Let us help you with any insurance questions or issues that you may have. Call or stop by our office today!

Do You Need Workers Compensation Insurance If You Have a Family Run Business?

One of the questions that the O’Donnell Agency LLC, serving the entire state of New Jersey, is often asked in regards to workers comp insurance is whether someone who has a family-run business needs workers compensation insurance. If you have recently opened a family-owned business, you may have this question. Read on to learn more.

When Do You Need Workers Compensation Insurance?

In the state of New Jersey, you are required to carry workers compensation insurance if you have any employees. As such, if you have any family members who work for you, and are not owners of your business, you are required to carry workers compensation insurance on them. On the flip side, if every family member who works at your business owns parts of the business, you may not be required to carry workers compensation insurance, as long as your business is an LLC or a partnership. 

Do You Need Workers Compensation Insurance If You Have a Family Run Business?

In the state of New Jersey, you are required to have workers compensation insurance if you have one or more employees. It does not matter if your employees are all family members, family friends or strangers that you hire. As long as you have one or more employees, you must carry workers compensation insurance for your company. 

Give Us A Call

In the state of New Jersey, if you have any employees who do not own a part of the business, you are required to carry workers compensation insurance on them, even if they are family. The team at O’Donnell Agency LLC, serving the entire state of New Jersey, can help you find the right workers comp insurance for your needs. Reach out to us today to get started. 

How to Choose the Right Renters Insurance Policy for You

As a renter, it’s important to have renters insurance. But with so many policies and options available, it can be difficult to choose the right one for you. Don’t worry, – O’Donnell Agency LLC in New Jersey can provide you with expert insurance advice.

Here are four tips to help you select the best policy for your needs:

1. Know What Your Policy Covers

Before shopping for a policy, it’s important to know your coverage needs. Start by making a list of your personal belongings and determining how much it would cost to replace them. Then, consider whether you need additional coverage for things like jewelry, art, or electronics. This will help you determine the amount of coverage you need.

2. Determine Your Budget

Once you know how much coverage you need, you can start shopping around for policies. Be sure to compare rates from different companies before making a decision. It’s also important to consider the deductibles and other fees associated with each policy. Determine what you can afford to pay out-of-pocket in the event of a loss.

3. Read the Fine Print

Before buying a policy, be sure to read the fine print. You want to ensure you understand what’s covered and what’s not. Pay attention to things like exclusions and limitations. These can often be found in the "terms and conditions" section of the policy. Failure to read the fine print could result in you being under- or over-insured.

4. Consider Your Options

There are several different types of renters insurance policies available. Be sure to consider all of your options before making a decision. For example, you may want to purchase a "named perils" policy, which covers specific types of losses, or an "all-risk" policy, which covers a wider range of risks.

Give Us A Call

Taking the time to choose the right renters insurance policy can save you a lot of money and hassle in the long run. Be sure to consider your needs, budget, and options before making a decision. And don’t forget to read the fine print. Looking for a renters insurance policy in New Jersey? O’Donnell Agency LLC offers many different types of coverage to meet your needs. Give us a call today to learn more.

How Umbrella Insurance Works

When you already have home and auto insurance policies, you have some protection against a number of risks. However, you might not have as much coverage as it takes to pay for certain accidents. It’s helpful to get umbrella insurance in addition to those policies. Umbrella insurance is unique, and it doesn’t work like most other types of policies. When you want umbrella insurance, call us at O’Donnell Agency LLC in New Jersey.

Add to Your Other Policies

Your home and auto policies have several different types of coverage within each policy. One of these is liability coverage. The problem is that home and auto policies often have too little in the way of liability coverage. This can mean that after an accident in your home or with your vehicle, your liability coverage may not be enough to pay for the medical bills and other expenses that are due. That’s why umbrella insurance is increasingly popular. Umbrella insurance adds more liability coverage to both your auto and home policies so that you have better coverage for serious accidents. 

Paying for Accidents

When there is an accident that happens with your vehicle or on your property, there will be medical bills and other expenses due. First, your home or auto policy steps in to pay for those expenses. If the maximum payout on the policy isn’t enough to pay for the liability costs, there will be an overage that’s up to you to pay. When you have an umbrella policy, it will come in and pay for that overage. This saves you from having to pay it yourself. 

Get Umbrella Coverage

When you have umbrella insurance, you have a policy that will pay the overage that you owe to save you what could be an enormous amount. To get umbrella insurance, call us at O’Donnell Agency LLC in New Jersey.

How To Prepare for a Flood

Floods can be devastating. They cause billions of dollars in damage and destroy our homes and businesses. The best way to prevent flooding damage is to protect your home and property ahead of time. O’Donnell Agency LLC of New Jersey is here to show you how.

Flood Preparation: What You Need To Do

Preparing The Outside Of Your Home

Keep your drainage system clear by clearing drainpipes, gutters, downspouts, and the washing machine drain. If it’s clogged, water won’t flow well.

You can improve the grade of your lot at home to help prevent flooding by adding soil in low spots, raising the grade in the center of your lot, and removing any rocks or debris that are in the way.

Reducing impervious surfaces will help prevent flooding by reducing the amount of pavement and parking lots. This will help increase the amount of rain that flows into your yard instead of staying on the surface. It will also reduce the amount of runoff that flows into your neighborhood.

Elevating your water heater, furnace, and other utilities is a great way to protect them from flooding. This is especially important if you live in a flood zone or a low-lying area.

Preparing The Inside Of Your Home

Protect your valuables by removing spare objects, large-value items, and essential documents. It’s best to store them in a high-quality, water-resistant safe or bank vault. If you don’t have access to a safe or vault, you can also store them in plastic boxes, Rubbermaid containers, or other airtight containers.

Seal your foundation and basement. This prevents moisture from penetrating the basement walls and prevents water from leaking into the basement.

If you have a basement, you may want to install a sump pump. A sump pump is a device that sits in your basement and pumps water out of your home.

Give Us A Call

Are you a New Jersey resident interested in learning more about flood safety and insurance? Contact O’Donnell Agency LLC today!

Should your teen driver have their own auto policy?

O’Donnell Agency LLC in New Jersey is here to help if you have questions about auto insurance, especially for teen drivers. Give us a call or stop by today.

Insurance coverage for teen drivers

Teen drivers can be more likely to be involved in fender benders and minor mishaps as they perfect their driving skills. When there are a lot of small claims against a driver, it can increase the premiums for everyone on the policy. This is one reason why some families opt to put the teen drivers in their families on their own separate policies. 

However, when a teenage driver holds on to an impeccable driving record, there may not be any reason to have them on their own policy. Some parents look to car insurance as the first major financial responsibility for their children. This can mean that they have to pay for their own policies, or that they contribute to the payment of the family policy.

Keeping your teenage driver protected is the goal. The outcome of this goal may look different in different families as every situation is unique. Whichever way you decide to go, a family policy for everyone, or separate policies for teenagers, keeping your family safe is the desired outcome.

There are many auto insurance policies that can help families with their auto coverage. Find out more today about the options available in our area. 

Call us for all of your insurance needs

New Jersey residents can rely on the O’Donnell Agency LLC for all of their insurance needs. If you have questions about the right coverage for your teen driver, we are here to help. Contact our office today and set up an appointment to find out more!

What Home Insurance Can Offer New Jersey Homeowners

Owning a home in New Jersey is one of the greatest accomplishments you’ll achieve, so congratulations! The team at O’Donnell Agency LLC is excited to offer you a wide variety of coverage options for your home in New Jersey, and we know insurance shopping can be daunting and frustrating. We’re here to make the process easy for you so you can get back to enjoying your home and the fruits of your labor. 

There are so many reasons that home insurance is one of the best investments you can make in the largest asset you own. Buying a home is likely the biggest investment you’ve made so far in your life, and it should be treated as such.

The coverage options that home insurance can provide you with include the following:

  1. Liability protection – If someone is injured on your property, liability covers their medical expenses
  2. Structural protection – From natural disasters, theft, fire, and more 
  3. Personal belongings – Besides the structure itself, your personal belongings inside the home are protected

It may never be necessary, but in the event that you need your coverage, you will be so relieved you invested in a good plan. We can’t foresee what may happen, and we know that New Jersey weather can be unpredictable. Knowing that your home, your belongings, and your family are safe in many situations is reason enough to invest in a quality home insurance plan. 

As you navigate the waters of home insurance, know the team at O’Donnell Agency LLC is here for you. We serve the great state of New Jersey and we’d be happy to help find the policy that suits your lifestyle and eases your mind as a homeowner. Reach out to us today. 

Why should all businesses get a commercial insurance plan?

Businesses that are looking for a good place to operate should consider the state of New Jersey. This state offers a lot of opportunities for organizations in many industries. While you can have a lot of success here, there are risks to consider and try to protect against. One way this can be done is by getting insurance. There are various reasons why businesses should get this coverage. 

Comply with Agreements

A common reason that many businesses in this state will want to have a commercial insurance plan in place is so they can comply with any agreements that require coverage. Many businesses will engage in contracts with vendors, lessors, lenders, and investors. Due to the protections it provides, a lot of these contracts will require your organization to maintain proper insurance. With a commercial insurance plan, you will remain in good standing with these agreements.

Protect Business

Even if you are not obligated to carry a commercial insurance plan at all times, you may still want to have it to protect your business. Organizations today should always focus on mitigating risks. With the right insurance, you can offset the risk of liability as you will have insurance to cover costs if you are deemed liable for the losses of another party. This plan will also offer coverage to protect the core assets of your business. 

A business that operates in New Jersey would clearly benefit by having the right insurance in place. If you want to get a new insurance plan when in this area, you should call O’Donnell Agency LLC to discuss your needs. O’Donnell Agency LLC will give you customized advice based on the circumstances and requirements your business faces. This will give you comfort that you can remain in good standing and properly supported. 

Workers Compensation Myths Revealed

O’Donnell Agency LLC offers multiple types of coverage. For over 50 years, we have helped New Jersey residents find the coverage they need to navigate life’s risks. We are committed to helping our clients protect themselves, as well as their loved ones. We are confident that we can help alleviate some of your stress by giving you a safety net when an emergency arises.

Workers Compensation Myths Revealed

Many successful New Jersey businesses rely on their employees to provide excellent service. Sometimes issues may arise in the workplace that could put the entire business in jeopardy. Workers comp insurance protects employees while they are on the job. If you are injured on the job, workers comp covers your medical treatment and rehab. You are also covered in the event that you become disabled. Your employer is obligated to carry workers comp coverage. While researching the policy, pay attention to these common workers comp insurance myths.

I’m An Independent Contract So I’m Not Covered

This is incorrect. If you perform tasks for a business as an independent contractor, they are still obligated to cover you through a workers comp policy. If you are injured on the job, you can pursue legal action against the business if they don’t have the proper coverage.

I’m Not Covered Because I Was At Fault

Regardless of whether you accidentally hurt yourself or not, you are still covered through workers comp coverage. The only exception is if the incident occurred because you were drunk or had drugs in your system.

Workers Comp Insurance Isn’t Necessary For A Small Workforce

If you are a business owner with employees, you are required to carry worker’s comp insurance regardless of how many employees you have.

O’Donnell Agency LLC Will Help You Protect Your Assets

Visit our website to learn more information about workers comp insurance.  

Water Damage In Your Apartment? What You Need To Know About Filing A Renter’s Insurance Claim

If you’ve been the victim of water damage, it’s important that you work closely with your renter’s insurance company to get the money you need to replace your damaged belongings. Here, we’ll take a look at how to file a claim with your renter’s insurance company. 

Reach Out To Your Landlord

More often than not, your landlord won’t have any involvement in your renter’s insurance claim. You’ll want to talk with them, however, about the damage in your apartment to ensure that repairs are made promptly. Left untreated, water damage can result in mold growth and further damage to your belongings. 

Call Your Insurance Agent

Next, you’ll talk with your insurance agent about filing your water damage claim. They may ask for pictures of damaged items, and they’ll likely have questions about how the damage occurred. Your agent may ask that you add information to your claim online, or they may be able to work with you over the phone to complete your claim. Be sure to act promptly if your insurance agent asks you to submit additional information to complete your claim. In many scenarios, you’ll have a limited amount of time to complete your claim (usually two to three days). If you need more time to document your loss, discuss your options with your agent.

Need A Renter’s Insurance Policy? O’Donnell Agency LLC, Serving New Jersey Residents, Can Help

If you’re looking for the right renter’s insurance policy for your needs, O’Donnell Agency LLC, serving New Jersey residents, can help. Reach out today to talk with an agent about choosing a renter’s insurance policy that keeps you and your belongings protected.

Servicing States

  • New Jersey
  • New York
  • Pennsylvania
  • Connecticut
  • Delaware
  • Maryland
  • Georgia
  • Michigan
  • Texas

Why Work With Us?

  • Locally owned and operated
  • Works with multiple carriers
  • Combines policies for best rates
  • Customer friendly services
  • Print out your auto ID cards from home, anytime!