Insights

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...

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...

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...

The holiday season is a favorite time for charitable giving. However, when embracing the spirit of the season, be sure to choose your recipient wisely. To ensure that your gifts go where they will do the most good, keep the following in mind: Make sure that the charity is the one you think it is Many less ethical organizations take advantage of...

When you are away for the season, it makes sense to make your unoccupied property work for you. To ensure rental income is a net positive instead of a liability, make sure you take these considerations into account: Is your home in good condition for renting? Any needed repairs and updates should be in place before you start looking for renters....

When hackers successfully encrypt the computers of a large public company, the media pays attention.   In 2016, around $1 billion in ransomware payments were paid, over four times as much as was paid the year before. It’s likely that 2017 will see an even higher number.  There is no doubt that ransomware demands will continue to increase. While...

Properties become vacant or unoccupied for a number of reasons…Tenants move out, elderly owners pass away, prior owners list the homes for sale, etc. The number of vacancies tends to increase as the economy gets tougher as well. Whether it is a large commercial building or a small single-family dwelling, being aware of the potential hazards...

When it comes to high net worth clients, things can get complicated. But properly insuring their homes doesn’t have to be… It is our responsibility as insurance agents and brokers to educate the homeowner on ways to protect their largest asset. Homes that have a Replacement Cost over $1,000,000 are considered “High Valued”. However, Replacement...

When coverage is bound with Underwriters at Lloyds, London, several syndicates share a percentage of the total risk. The syndicates which bear the largest share of the risk are called the “leads” or “co-leads” depending on how many syndicates share a particular portion of any given risk. Quaker Special Risk has delegated authority for Lloyds’...

If you are a business owner whose business is something other than information technology or network security, cyber insurance may seem unnecessary. Network security may seem like something you can just hire someone else to worry about. If you have even a single computer that is used in the course of running your business, however, you are...

A roof replacement is one of the most expensive maintenance tasks homeowners will face. It’s important to make the most of every dollar spent on a new roof. The following roofing materials offer the high quality and durability that will serve you well for many years to come. Reflective shingles Also known as cool roofs, these shingles reflect...

If you are not prepared, ransomware can be expensive. When one law firm was attacked, the total cost added up to $725,000 between the paid ransom and lost business. The attack began when a lawyer at the firm opened an infected attachment, which infected the firm’s entire computer network. To get their encrypted files back, the firm had to...

When just one employee’s system is compromised, it can put your entire business at risk. Good security is a must! Even with good security software, end users must remain vigilant in order to keep bad guys out. To keep your business and your data safe, keep the following in mind: Always keep OSes and anti-virus programs up to date. Hackers find...

Since 1981, The MA office of Quaker Special Risk has been helping agents and brokers throughout New England develop unique insurance coverages for their clients. Quaker Special Risk is one of few Privately-Owned Surplus Lines brokers in the US. We are Independent, allowing us to be flexible & quick to adapt in the ever-changing E&S...