Archives: 2024

How to Prepare Your Home for Winter Storms

During the winter months, the weather can get pretty grim. Freezing icy conditions, blizzards, torrential rain, and wind events can test any structure, including your home. The best policy is to be prepared for the worst and hope for the best. Here are some ways you can protect your home from the damage of winter storms this year. 

Indoor Checks and Safety Measures 

Heating System

No one wants to be stranded at home with no heat during a storm. Before the heavy cold sets in, check that all the parts of your system, including filters, wood heating systems, boilers, furnaces, and pipes, are in good condition. Keep your heating at 65 degrees, even when out of the house, to help protect against frozen pipes.

Pipe Insulation

Not all pipes are within the walls. Check the attic or basement for any exposed pipes and get them insulated. If you want to do it yourself, you can find pre-slit foam pipe insulators online or at your local home improvement store. Just read up on how to apply them so you don’t leave gaps. 

Water Main

When was the last time you located your water main? If you can’t remember, it’s been too long. Ensure you know its location and how to turn it on and off. If you have any trouble with frozen or burst pipes during the winter, you can stop the main flow of H2O to prevent your emergency from becoming a disaster. 

Faucet Control

Moving water is less likely to freeze than standing water. When the temperature plunges, turn your hot and cold faucets to have a slow, steady drip, particularly those furthest from the water supply, to reduce the risk of frozen pipes in cold weather. 

Emergency Supplies

If you are snowed in and can’t go out. Make sure your safety reserves and emergency kit are well stocked. Essential things you need include:

• Water
• Non-perishable food
• First-aid kit
• Warm blankets and clothes
• Flashlights
• Cell phone charger backups

Outdoor Concerns 

Cracks and Gaps

Walk around your property and note any places you may lose heating. Small cracks and gaps around windows or your garage door may not expose you to grave danger during a storm, but they could add up to considerable savings on energy costs when addressed.

Gutters

Clean leaves and debris from your gutters. When the storms hit, you don’t want a build-up of water freezing, leading to ice and damage to your roof and home. If you spot icicles, it is a sign that there could be a problem. It is vital to repair any issues to avoid risking severe damage to your home’s structure.

Sidewalks

Keep your sidewalks shoveled and clear of snow and ice. You don’t want visitors to your home to slip and be forced to file a claim against your personal liability policy. 

Roofing

It is time to invest in repairs if you have structural issues with your roof or any leaks. Repairs can be managed on cold days without too much snow. A collapsed roof from heavy, wet snow can be a disaster and impossible to resolve in a howling storm. 

Air Quality Control

Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Your household smoke and carbon monoxide detectors should be tested at least once per year. As carbon monoxide poisoning occurs most often during winter, now is the time to check your alarm and replace the batteries. Also, verify the “replace by” date on the back of your device and get it changed out if it is overdue, which should occur about every five to seven years. 

Engine Check

While your car isn’t a part of your home, it is wise to think ahead and ensure the engine, oil, and belts are in good condition and can handle the challenges of the winter months. Remember, gas engines running in an enclosed space release carbon monoxide, a deadly odorless gas. Thousands of deaths are caused by unintentional carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning in the U.S. annually. Always run your car engine and any gas-powered generators outside the house or garage and away from ventilation systems leading indoors. When engines are on inside the garage, even if the doors are open, enough CO can build up and cause serious or deadly consequences.

Stay Safe and Secure with Compatible Coverage 

By taking precautions, you can prevent the worst of any storm damage. Not everything can be predicted and prevented, so make sure your homeowner’s insurance is in good shape. Our agents can help answer any questions on whether your current policy includes structural, personal property, and specific peril coverage and how to fill the gaps as needed. Contact us for an interview today.

7 Tips for Staying Safe During Extreme Cold Weather

Polar Vortex and Extreme Cold Safety Tips Only travel if you have to. In extreme cold, you shouldn’t travel unless it’s absolutely necessary. Staying inside will reduce your chance of getting frostbite or risking uncertain road conditions. If you do need to leave the house, be sure to brush up on best practices for winter driving safety. […]

Navigating Cyber Insurance in 2025

With the New Year comes new possibilities. If your work includes online operations, e-commerce, or website hosting, it also comes with new dangers. Hackers have new skills, and the race to keep online security ahead of the ever-changing curve is of great concern. In 2025, cyber insurance will be a necessity like never before.

Cyber Insurance: What It Is and Why It Matters

Cyber insurance is a type of business insurance that protects against financial losses associated with cyberattacks and risks related to the company’s online activities. Due to the frequency and severity of online criminal activity, such as breaches and ransomware, cyber insurance has become crucial for any business with an online presence. While cyber insurance used to be a simple sign-up process, insurance companies are becoming increasingly wary of losses and have imposed new requirements for those applying for coverage. 

Top Tips for Purchasing Cyber Insurance

Understand Your Risks

Before you talk to one of our cyber insurance agents, thoroughly review your organization’s operations to identify any potential risks. Your evaluation should include the protections for online sales, customer databases, confidential data storage, or patent-protected applications. 

Study Your Options

Shop for the best policy. Have your agent help you review all the options that will best protect your enterprise if you have a breach.

Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions

Ask as many questions as needed to know which policy is best for you. Taking the time to sift through all the details can make a difference.

What Does My Business Need to Qualify for Cyber Insurance?

Ten years ago, applying for cyber insurance was as easy as filling in your company’s name, number of employees, revenue, and whether or not you had a website. Today, you have more requirements, and you must show that your operation has fairly robust online security to qualify for cyber insurance as part of your business insurance coverage. 

• Password protection: Multi-factor authentication (MFA) makes accessing sensitive data more difficult by requiring users to prove their identity using multiple factors. 
• Offline data backups: To recover from data being stolen or wiped out, backups that are “air-gapped” and not physically connected to the computer network are necessary.
• Proactive vulnerability management: Online safety requires constant vigilance. Vulnerability management consists of conducting regular scans of your digital presence to locate and mitigate potential weaknesses that bad actors could exploit. 
• Real-time detection and response: Having an assigned cyber security employee or contractor responsible for responding to emerging cyber threats in real time helps to mitigate potential risks.
• Security awareness training: Hackers can use the vulnerabilities of human staff to trick unwitting employees into giving away passwords or confirming confidential information. A vigorous security awareness training program keeps staff on their toes and vigilant against threats. 

Protect Your Business with Cyber Insurance Coverage

Cyber insurance can help you recover quickly from losses sustained by downtime, business interruption, data restoration, and the reputational damage caused by a data breach. Our agents are available and ready to assist you with any questions or concerns you may have regarding a new cyber policy or your eligibility for coverage. 

New Year’s Resolutions for Policy Holders

The New Year is traditionally the time we make decisions about the future. Most New Year’s resolutions focus on personal health or family and business goals. Don’t forget to include greater peace of mind and security for yourself and those you love as part of your New Year’s list. By reviewing your policy coverage and making the necessary changes based on your other annual targets, you will be well on your way to having a happier and more secure New Year. 

Three Steps to Start Your New Year’s Insurance Policy Review

Changes are ahead, but are your personal insurance policies up-to-date? When you sit down to write out your New Year’s resolutions, be sure your policy matches your current situation by doing the following:

• Review your coverage: If you have not recently reviewed your insurance policies, it is time to look at what is covered and at what value. 
• Note needed changes: As time passes, life comes with changes. It may be time to get more coverage, new coverage, a better deal, or another change that would benefit you. 
• Fill in the gaps: Contact one of our local insurance agents to help you understand the fine print on your existing insurance and discuss new options.

Do My New Year’s Resolutions Affect My Insurance Coverage?

Yes. Every life change is also an opportunity to ensure insurance protects you against avoidable losses. Here are some big decisions that may be on your list this year that will affect your coverage. 

• Improving your health: If you’re embarking on a major weight loss journey, the good news is that this could lower your risk rating and policy premium. Some health insurance also offers coverage for weight loss programs; ask your agent if you are unsure about yours. 
• Saving money: Some life insurance policies provide a cash value component that acts as a savings cushion that can be used in times of need. 
• Taking a road trip: Many choose to engage in this adventure, but it is always better when carried out with a reliable safety net of personal and auto insurance that covers any potential mishaps along the way. 
• Getting married: If you are looking forward to getting married in the next 12 months, be sure that you are ready to expand your coverage to include your spouse. 
• Growing your family: Children bring so much life and joy and many future responsibilities. Ensure your coverage is expanded to include considerations for your child’s future education. Our agents can also help you set up a life insurance policy for your child that will grow with them. 
• Buying a home: If you are taking the big step towards home ownership in 2025, congratulations! Home insurance can ensure that your home is protected from fires, floods, earthquakes, and other risks. Our agents can walk you through everything you need to know.
• Remodeling an existing home: If you’re considering adding an extension or renovating your kitchen, your property’s inherent value will increase, and your policy will need to be adjusted appropriately. 

Make Your New Year’s Resolutions a Big Success with Proper Coverage 

As you set out to make your New Year a successful one, don’t forget one of your resolutions should be peace of mind for you and those you love. Following these guidelines and talking with one of our agents about any gaps and changes in your coverage for 2025 will help set you up for a truly happy and safe New Year. 

Preparing for Change in the New Year

A new year is upon us when we traditionally make resolutions about our health and plans—but what about resolutions for your business? The New Year is an ideal time to embrace growth opportunities and consider canceling programs that failed to produce results in 2024.

Look at Where You Are At

As the year comes to a close, it is time to take stock of how you and your team did. Review all company financial reports, including the following:

• Year-over-year profit and loss
• Year-end balance sheet
• Cash flow analysis

Don’t just stop at the financial outlook. Look over the other key metrics. The review could include the amount of merchandise sold, the number of people reached with your message or brand, customer satisfaction and reviews, and other statistical data affecting the bottom line. A full review of this data can inspire new ideas for business growth in 2025.

Envision Realistic Growth Goals

Next step: the future. Discuss your business goals as a business owner or with your executive team. Whether you have a one-year or five-year plan, set realistic goals for production, sales, new customers, and other key metrics. Name precise numbers and quantities that must be attainable and reflect your vision for the ideal scene for your enterprise. Along with all your planning, the end of the year is the best time to review your business insurance policy. As your enterprise grows, your business insurance coverage may need to be updated.

Evaluate Existing Programs 

After a full review of the year’s statistics, it is time to evaluate the programs you have running, including your marketing campaigns and the products or services that have been most successful. Do a comprehensive evaluation of customer reviews and create a plan to increase goodwill and brand recognition. 

Throw Out the Bad, Reinforce the Good

Once you’ve determined what is working and what isn’t, decide the changes to initiate for the new year. It would be best to consider phasing out certain less popular or profitable products and investing in more promising products or services. Set achievable goals to quantify the “how” and “when.” For programs for the new year, your targets should be: 

• Specific: Be exact and name the precise quantity of sales, products, impressions, etc., you plan to achieve to attain the growth you envision for your company.
• Measurable: Make sure the goal you set can be measured and tracked. “Lots of sales” is not the same as “Maintain an average of $50,000 in XYZ product sales each month, achieving $600,000 total annual sales by year-end.”
• Attainable: Make your goal challenging but not impossible. Be honest with yourself and consider the actual resources you have. 
• Relevant: After your analysis, you should know what matters to your business and what doesn’t. Don’t waste time and effort setting and achieving goals that will not get you closer to the ideal you have envisioned for your company. 
• Time-bound: Set a deadline. And don’t make everything “by the end of the year,” either. Set realistic time targets so progress towards your goals happens regularly.

Plan A Smooth Transition

Now that you know where you stand and where you are going, ensure you issue a program to the relevant employees so they are onboard to move your enterprise forward. The plan could be as simple as a few steps for new staff to be hired and trained to expand your sales force or a complex plan for multi-location businesses. 

Stay Safe While You Make Changes With the Right Business Insurance

The coming of the new year is a time to refresh and improve, not just as individuals, but to make resolutions regarding your company goals. As you plan for a new year of growth and change, business insurance will protect the progress you’ve made and cushion your business from financial losses from unexpected events that could arise. 

If you need guidance on finding the most affordable business policies for your line of work, one of our helpful agents can discuss your options. 

What Should I Do if I Have Trouble Driving at Night?

We all know there are plenty of driving hazards to worry about during the day – from rain and snow to deer and potholes. But driving at night adds a completely new set of challenges. Why? It all comes down to one word: visibility. During a clear day, you might be able to see thousands […]

New Year’s Checklist: 7 Important Insurance Conversations Every Business Owner Should Have

The start of a new year is an ideal time for business owners to review and refresh their insurance coverage to ensure it meets their current needs and business goals. Whether you run a small retail shop, a contracting business or manage a fleet, here are seven important topics to discuss with your local insurance […]

Preventing Package Theft

If you do a lot of online shopping during the holiday or year-round, be aware of the growing threat of package theft. Package thieves, also known as “porch pirates,” have become so brazen that some will even tail delivery drivers to swoop up packages the minute they are gone. In a recent year, over 260 million packages were stolen across the U.S., costing consumers millions of dollars. 

Here are some tips to keep your packages safe from being ripped off:

Hide The Goods

A simple way to avoid theft is by making sure thieves can’t find your package. Leave instructions for delivery personnel to hide your package behind a fence, bench, shrub, or planter to be hidden from package thieves. 

Use a Lockbox

These days, a host of lockbox options offer varying degrees of security for package deliveries. They range from extra-large post-mounted mailboxes and sturdy metal cabinets to fancy expandable doormats that transform into package receptacles with a combination lock. Choose what works for you and tell your delivery service how to use your setup. 

Sign For Your Packages

If you can, a simple way to keep your packages safe without any extra technology is to request that they require a signature. If you plan to be home when your delivery arrives and sign in person, it doesn’t allow package thieves to steal your items. 

Install Security Cameras

While cameras cannot prevent theft, they can undoubtedly deter thieves and help the police identify the culprit after the fact. Good options include those that are motion-activated and connected to your phone. This feature lets you get real-time alerts when someone is on your property. Some home security systems even have the option to turn on a siren or engage in two-way communication to scare off an intruder. 

Consider Personal Insurance

When your property is stolen from your home by a porch pirate, this is covered by personal insurance. Most individual insurance, including renters and homeowners insurance, cover property theft. If you are only missing a dog toy you ordered, you may not want to file a claim, but having personal insurance coverage can protect you from the financial losses of expensive items.

Track Your Deliveries

Take advantage of online package tracking and plan to be home or nearby when your package arrives. You could ask a friend or neighbor for help picking up the goods and storing them safely until you return. 

Arrange a Pick-Up Location

Maybe your home isn’t the ideal place to have an expensive item delivered. Why not use one of the many pick-up locations available? Often, big-box stores and online merchants have lockers, counters, or stations at the Post Office where packages can be retrieved. Check out what is available in your area, and have it delivered to one of these secure areas, where it will be stored until you arrive to pick it up. 

Don’t let Porch Pirates Ruin Your Day—Protect Yourself with Insurance.

Personal property theft still happens even with cameras, lock boxes, and GPS tracking systems. Whether it’s your latest online purchase or an expensive item for your home, you can protect your financial health with personal insurance coverage. No matter how brazen thieves become, with the right insurance policy, you can have peace of mind that you are safe from unnecessary financial losses and the hassle of trying to resolve a stolen package. 

Contact us for more information about individual insurance and how it can cover property theft losses. Our agents would be more than happy to answer your questions about the types of personal insurance that suit your budget and lifestyle. 

What to Know About Workers’ Compensation and Working from Home

Are you one of the many businesses that has taken on a remote or hybrid working model? Working from home has pros and cons, but it also raises serious questions like what would happen if an employee becomes injured while performing work at home. Workers’ compensation (often shortened to workers’ comp) laws and requirements vary by state, […]

How to Avoid Hitting a Deer

Autumn is beautiful, but it also introduces some fall driving hazards… deer collisions being one of them. From October to December, mating and hunting season make deer go on the move. For drivers, that means you’re more likely to hit one. According to a 2022 study published in the journal Current Biology, about 2.1 million […]