Since our founding in 1932, Mauser & Tobin has been offering insurance and other risk management and loss control products and services to clients throughout the New York Metro area. Mauser & Tobin specializes in providing business insurance for small to mid market firms with fewer than 200 employees.
Need a quote for a BOP or Workers Compensation? Don't forget to visit our policy service page to view the many
features you can access from this Web site.
COMMERCIAL INSURANCE
Businessowners Policies
Many small business owners buy a type of insurance coverage called a Business Owner's Policy. This is a package policy that covers major property and liability exposures as well as a loss of income if your business cannot operate for a period of time.
For example, if your accounting firm's roof is damaged during a thunderstorm, causing your office to flood and your business to close for two months, a BOP would provide coverage in several ways.
The policy would cover the cost of repairing the roof, cleaning up water damage and repairing or replacing your furniture, computers and supplies. A BOP also would cover your payroll and taxes for the two months the business was closed. And if one of your clients was in your office during the storm and was injured by falling debris, a BOP would cover your customer's medical bills.
Buying a BOP can be a good deal for a business owner. The policies often provide more complete coverage at a lower price than separate policies would for each kind of coverage.
A BOP covers major property exposures, liability exposures and business interruption.
Property coverage generally includes owned or leased buildings; the contents of buildings, such as furniture, supplies, fixtures, machinery, equipment, inventory and building improvements; glass and signs; and some property off of the premises.
Property insurance can be bought based on the property's actual cash value (its replacement cost minus depreciation), its current replacement cost or another agreed-upon amount, such as an appraisal.
Liability insurance covers your business if it is sued for something the business did or failed to do that caused injury or property damage to someone else. Liability insurance covers damages and settlements stemming from a lawsuit, up to the policy limits. Many liability policies also cover attorneys' fees and other costs associated with defending against a lawsuit.
Business interruption coverage can pay for your business' fixed costs, such as rent, payroll and taxes, if your enterprise suffers a property loss that causes it to close or slow down for a period of time while repairs are made.
Usually a BOP doesn't cover damage due to earthquakes or floods; workers' compensation; group health, life or disability insurance; insurance for company-owned vehicles; and specialized liability risks such as professional liability, director's and officers, employment practices and malpractice.
I'm just getting my business started. Do I need insurance immediately?
 Yes. Your chance of suffering a loss begins with the first day of business. If you suffer a loss and have no insurance or have improper or insufficient coverage, your insurance agent can do little, if anything, to help you. Also, many states and local jurisdictions require businesses to have insurance to begin operating. And if you rent space for your business, your landlord probably requires you to obtain adequate insurance.
I don't have any major business assets. Why do I need insurance?
Every business has some property. When you think about it, your business is your property. Just like your home and your car, your business needs to be protected from loss, damage, and liability. In addition, your business is your source of income, so you need protection from the potential loss of that income.
Does insurance coverage vary for different businesses?
It can. Many small businesses opt for package policies that cover the major Property and Liability exposures as well as for a loss of income. A common package policy used by many small businesses is called the Business Owners Policy (BOP).
Generally, BOPs provide more complete coverage at a lower price than separate policies for each type of insurance needed. We can help you decide which policy or policies are right for your business. You can also purchase additional coverage for perils or conditions otherwise excluded (e.g., flood protection) as endorsements to a standard policy or as a separate, second policy called a Difference in Conditions (DIC) policy.
Workers' Compensation Law
Workers' compensation insurance pays for medical care and rehabilitation for employees who are injured on the job or contract a work-related illness. Workers' compensation also covers a portion of an employee's lost wages, disability benefits and death benefits for the dependents of employees killed in work-related accidents.
Workers' compensation covers all of the employees of a business except independent contractors. Special provisions must be made if employees work out-of-state.
Workers' compensation is a no-fault system. This means that injured employees do not have to sue their employers to receive compensation. Compensation is automatic for covered benefits. Except in cases of extreme negligence, employers are generally protected from liability due to work-related injuries and illnesses.
For example, if an employee is hurt on the job, the injury is immediately reported to the workers' compensation insurer. The employee receives whatever medical care is needed and the insurer pays the bills.
If the employee cannot work for a limited period of time because of the injury, the insurer pays the employee a portion of his or her lost wages. If the employee cannot return to work because of a permanent injury, the insurer pays to train the employee for another job. If the employee dies because of the injury, the insurer pays death benefits to the worker's dependents.
Professional Liability
The coverage protects your firm for damages arising out of the firm's profession for acts, errors or omissions when performing these duties for another party. Always make sure that your professional liability policy applies to your employees within your firm's profession, as well as to you.
A Professional Liability Insurance Policy is specialized for each of the professionals. The policies are written on a "Claims-Made" Basis and often will have a deductible/retention. These policies will have, in addition to the "Policy Period" a "Retroactive Date"
Example of Professional: Lawyers, Accountants/CPA, Consultants
Employment Practices Liability Insurance
Employment Practices Liability Insurance provides coverage for employment-related claims. The policies are written on a “Claims Made” basis and typically have a retention rather than a deductible.
The coverage protects the employer against claims alleging violation of federal, state or local anti-discrimination laws, harassment, wrongful termination, negligent supervision or hiring, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Many EPL policies will also provide Punitive Damages and Third Party coverages, sometimes at an additional premium.
Terrorism Coverage
Terrorism is defined as an act that is committed by an individual or individuals as part of an effort to coerce the civilian population or to influence the policy or affect the conduct of any government by coercion.
 Terrorism Coverage must be made available to all insureds and includes the perils of terrorism and war. Terrorism will be added for an additional premium charge which can be deleted if requested in written form by the insured or if the insured fails to pay premium for the coverage. Terrorism coverage will exclude punitive damages.
Terrorism will include certified losses and non-certified losses:
1) Certified losses -
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Approved by the Secretary of State and Attorney  General
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Meets the definition of terrorism
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Act is dangerous to human life, property or infrastructure
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Act results in damage within the United States or other territory defined within the bill
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includes a foreign person or foreign interest.
2) Non-certified losses a violent act that is not certified.
*Terrorism will not include a war that is declared by Congress. The insurance industry will have an aggregate retention referred to as the Insurance Marketplace Aggregate Retention Amount. If this retention is exceeded, Congress will decide the procedures and source of payments.
CLAIMS
Reporting a Claim
To report a claim, call Mauser & Tobin Co Inc at:
(516) 747-0171
If you have a personal claim, report your claim to us as soon as possible. Our personal lines staff will assist you in reporting the claim to your insurance carrier. They will follow up with you to make sure you are satisfied with the
resolution.
Our office is open Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. If you have a claim before or after those hours, please leave a message or report the claim on-line.
What to expect when reporting a claim:
- Report the claim to Mauser & Tobin Company.
- We will take your claim information and report it to your insurance company.
- A claims adjuster from your insurance company will contact you within 48 hours of your reporting the claim. The adjuster will provide guidance throughout the claims process.
- Our claims representative will follow-up with you to ensure that a satisfactory resolution to your claim is achieved.
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