Insights

Insuring Private Collections with Specialty Insurance
Private collections, whether they comprise rare art pieces, vintage cars, exquisite jewelry, or other unique treasures, hold immense value not only in terms of monetary worth but also in sentimental value. As insurance agents, understanding the nuances of insuring private collections is pivotal to ensuring collectors safeguard their cherished possessions. In this blog, we’ll dive into the world...

PROS & CONS OF VIRTUAL DOCTOR’S APPOINTMENTS
The rise of widely available high speed internet and higher quality mics and cameras has aided the development of other technologies, such as virtual doctor’s appointments. Like any technological advance, telemedicine has both benefits and drawbacks. Assessing all of these can help you decide when it is helpful and when an in-person visit is...

A GUIDE TO NON-PROFIT GIVING AND CHARITABLE DONATIONS
‘Tis the season for businesses to give back to the communities where they and their customers reside. The Christmas season is the most popular time of year for charitable giving — according to a recent survey of nonprofits, more than 10% get over half their funding during the holidays. To make sure that your gifts make the impact that you want,...

CAN RECYCLING LIMIT YOUR CARBON FOOTPRINT?
Nearly every year, more carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere than the year before. And, much of the carbon dioxide that is generated comes from the US. While we are only 5% of the world’s population, we contribute over 20% of its carbon emissions. Additionally, we use over 30% of the world’s resources and contribute 30% of its waste....

WINTER WEATHER MAINTENANCE – WHAT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY?
During the winter months, your rental properties need special attention against the season’s harsh weather and temperatures. Keeping on top of these maintenance tasks can keep your tenants and property safe, and help prevent small repairs from morphing into big problems: Inspect the trees. Snow and ice can weigh down branches, causing them to...

TOP 10 TOOLS NECESSARY WHEN YOU OWN YOUR OWN PROPERTY
Becoming a home owner means becoming responsible for a dizzying range of appliances, fixtures and home systems. While many items will require professional attention, it also pays to be able to handle a lot of the small stuff yourself. If you are moving from apartment living to a home of your own, stock your toolkit as soon as possible with the...

HOW TO CHOOSE A REPUTABLE CONTRACTOR
No matter how well-built they are, your buildings will need some maintenance, repairs and sometimes some upgrades or renovations. Choosing the right people to take on these important tasks can be daunting, but it is necessary to ensure that the work you need gets done in the right way. By carefully vetting the people who work on your structures,...

5 QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR NEW MECHANIC
Finding the right mechanic for you can be a tough and intimidating process. It can be hard to know who you can trust and who you should avoid. To be sure that you are putting your vehicle in trustworthy hands, find the answers to these questions before you commit: 1. What certifications do your mechanics have? Mechanics working for any...

CARVING OUT A PLACE IN YOUR BUSINESS FOR MILLENNIALS TO SUCCEED
Millennials now make up the largest worker demographic in the workplace. In fact, by 2025, three out of four workers will be Millennials. Despite how large and entrenched this group is, many companies are having a hard time attracting and retaining top talent in this age group. To be an appealing workplace means offering perks and advantages that...

WHAT RENOVATIONS GIVE THE MOST BANG FOR YOUR BUCK?
When you are looking at remodeling your home, you are often thinking in terms of recouping the costs when you wish to sell. However, it is important to choose where to invest your money wisely. Not every home improvement can give you the improvement in selling price that you want. When it comes to home renovations, some are more likely to result...

THE 5 MOST HISTORIC US HURRICANES
Last year’s hurricane season was highly active, with more than twice as many named storms as average. Experts are predicting an even more severe year for 2018. Hurricanes have often been a deadly and highly damaging force. Among the most historic and damaging hurricanes in US history: Hurricane Maria – September 16, 2017 A new report from the New...

THE 5 MOST NOTORIOUS INSURANCE CLAIMS IN HISTORY
Adequate insurance coverage, paired with due diligence and care, can help protect both businesses and individuals from devastating losses. While most claims are normal and manageable, in some cases, significant losses have led to historic payouts. Read on to learn about some of the largest and most unusual claims in history: Man sues self for...

STANDARD FACTS ABOUT MINIMUM WAGE AND OVERTIME YOU NEED TO KNOW
The people we hire can be the most valuable assets our companies have. To preserve good relationships, it is imperative to make sure that you are always complying with the most recent minimum wage and overtime laws for your area. Revisiting the laws regularly can help you maintain your familiarity and stay compliant. Meeting Minimum Wage At the...

SERVICE, SERVICE, SERVICE
We live in an age of instant gratification. Want something to eat, but don’t want to cook? UberEats or GrubHub can deliver from any restaurant in your area. Want a waffle iron? Amazon has 72 distinct models that can be delivered to your house in with free one-day shipping. Want a new life insurance policy? The company that can offer an instant...

IS GOING ONLINE FOR SERVICES A GENERATIONAL THING?
In the modern era, it is possible to access services that range from insurance to banking to healthcare information all from your desktop computer or mobile phone. While many new services emerge every year, many have been around long enough that there are now adults who have had access to the internet their entire lives. Is the way that people...

FLOOD STATISTICS – WHAT ARE THE ODDS?
It often seems that a month cannot go by without reading about catastrophic flooding somewhere. These floods can present high risk of property damage and even loss of life. When you are considering purchasing property that is in a flood plain or otherwise vulnerable to flooding, it is important to understand the level of risk you are taking on....

DO YOU USE YOUR SMARTPHONE FOR EVERYTHING? HOW SECURE IS YOUR INFORMATION?
We pick up our smartphones dozens of times a day to perform actions that range from looking at friend’s photos, paying bills, or checking our bank statements. But, we often do not think enough about the security of the information that we send. Developing good security habits can keep your information safe, and prevent costly and inconvenient...

ARE AMERICANS BECOMING MORE HEALTH CONSCIOUS?
Frightening headlines about obesity, heart disease, diabetes and other lifestyle-related illnesses are increasing. While many people may look at headlines and despair, there is a great deal of reason for hope. Evidence shows that many Americans are becoming more health conscious and adopting habits that will help them stay vibrant and active...

WINTER WEATHER MAINTENANCE- WHAT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY?
Winter weather doesn’t just mean bundling up against the cold. It also means additional responsibilities for property owners. Make sure that you keep up on maintenance tasks like the ones below to keep your properties safe: Inspect trees for hazards. High winds and the weight of snow can take down limbs and present a hazard. Remember that each...

HEALTHY HABITS FOR THE NEW YEAR
The start of a new year is the perfect time to add healthy habits into your life. About 40% of US adults make some sort of New Year’s Resolution every year. Not sure where to start with a positive life change that can yield some healthy dividends? Consider any of the following new habits: Do some strength training once a week. A vague commitment...

MARKETING TIPS FOR THE NEW YEAR
Digital marketing has become essential for businesses in virtually all industries and niches. It is vital that you and your team are well-informed of the ways that your prospects look for information to help them make decisions. In the new year, work on these areas to build rapport with prospects and increase your conversion rate. Develop a...