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When it comes to automotive insurance, you may find yourself faced with multiple decisions to make. Should you choose a high or low deductible plan, minimum or maximum coverage, or pay premiums monthly versus an annual lump sum? Although there is truly no wrong answer, it is important to ensure you have the best possible coverage for your budget, driving habits, and lifestyle. Your local insurance agent can guide you toward the ideal policy for your needs, but this may still leave you questioning the frequency of your payments. 

Depending on your budget, it may be harder for you to pay your insurance premium up-front. However, this is still the most cost-effective way to purchase coverage. Insurers may offer what seems like a discount when you pay annually, and this absolutely benefits you as the consumer. However, what this also means is that those who elect to pay monthly or quarterly are actually being charged added fees as a penalty for delaying payments. These fees cover the insurer’s “carrying cost” of delaying collection, the back-office expense for processing multiple transactions, and the risk of consumers terminating payments earlier than expected. If you are able to pay annually without causing financial strain, this is a great option for you.  

Of course, the most ideal payment schedule remains one that you can manage. Paying annually in a lump sum could leave you strained to cover other bills such as a car payment, or you could find yourself facing significant late fees if you aren’t able to make the next year’s annual payment. Should you choose to pay monthly, a major benefit is being able to maintain a consistent budget schedule without falling behind or incurring late fees.  

One additional payment preference is using either a personal debit or credit card, or setting up automated electronic funds transfers (EFT). When using a card to make a payment, you may run into additional card processing fees from the insurer. Some providers will offer an incentive discount should you choose to pay via an EFT, which comes directly from your bank and does not charge the insurance provider additional fees.  

Overall, there is no incorrect method for making payments toward your auto insurance premium. Keep your budget in mind, and be sure to speak with your local insurance agent to obtain the appropriate level of coverage. Once you understand the policy that is best for you, you can make an informed decision regarding how often to pay. Your agent can help provide clarity around the price differences between paying monthly and annually, so contact your local insurance agent today.  

In the past, most businesses retained their data either in a hard copy format, such as paper records and files, or on a private computer server that was stored within their building. However, cloud-based software has exploded in recent years. It offers affordable and scalable methods for data management to companies of all sizes. The data can be accessed from virtually anywhere, allowing businesses to operate remotely or after hours as-needed. 

While there are numerous benefits to the digital data transformation, it also leaves companies vulnerable to cyber attackers and potential data breaches. Cyber liability insurance can protect your business, should the unfortunate occur. In most cases, it is not included as part of your general liability insurance, so you will need to speak with your agent to add this to your policy. Here are some ways you can stay protected and determine if this is right for your business. 

The Digital Age

The majority of companies today, whether they are major corporations or small, locally-owned operations, use the internet and technology to conduct business in some way. Regardless of whether your business uses the internet only to send emails or manage your entire portfolio of clients, your data could be hacked and used against you.
If you use technology at all, it is a good idea to speak with your agent about cyber liability insurance. Should a breach occur, you and your business would not be held liable for any damage that occurs.

Client Protection

When you handle sensitive information about your clients, such as billing details, financial records, or even simply names and addresses, your clients are trusting you to keep these details private. Should a cyber attacker obtain this data, they can use it in many ways. These range from posing as your company to “phish” for additional confidential information to making client details available publicly.
This can be damaging and even embarrassing for your customers, but it can also severely harm your company’s reputation. By ensuring that you have cyber liability insurance, you can cover the expensive yet vital processes such as notifying clients about a data breach, restoring clients’ compromised identities, recovering corrupted data, and repairing damaged software. 

Confidential Company Data 

Businesses may also decide to obtain cyber liability insurance if they retain confidential data of their own such as trade secrets, privately developed software, and other intellectual property, or even simply their employees’ Social Security Numbers. If this information is stolen by cyber attackers, the added liability insurance can even cover the cost of legal expenses, forensic investigation, and loss of business income during the time of the breach. Any stolen data that is used without your consent or knowledge is legally protected. This allows for a quicker recovery of the data, along with a more streamlined litigation process so your business can return back to normal as soon as possible. 

Cyber liability insurance is a vital safeguard against potential hackers. While you hope never to experience a data breach to begin with, having this additional coverage can significantly improve your company’s reputation, your clients’ trust, and the digital security of your employees and private intellectual property.

One of the most beautiful aspects of nature is that it is ever-changing. You and your family may visit a National Park in the summer, only to return in the winter and discover completely new surroundings. This can be exciting, but it also means nature presents its own unpredictable challenges. 

When traveling and planning outdoor adventures, uncontrollable forces such as weather or wildlife can potentially damage your personal property and belongings. Recreational insurance provides both liability and property coverage, ensuring that you are protected on both fronts. While you hope to never encounter dangerous animals or damaging circumstances, you can still be prepared for anything. Here are ways you can practice responsible outdoorsmanship and leave nature exactly as you found it. 

Secure Your Stuff

One of the best ways to be sure you will not have any uninvited wildlife guests at your campsite is to secure all your possessions and food. Should you leave food or other “attractive” items within reach of animals, they may wander into your site and cause unintended damage to your vehicle, belongings, or motor coach. Recreational insurance can help you recover the cost of this lost or damaged property, but your immediate safety is always a higher priority. 

To prevent bears, wolves, or even simply raccoons from causing campsite damages, double-bag your garbage and secure food in a locked cooler at least 20 feet off the ground and eight feet from the trunk of a tree. If you are having trouble hanging your food on one tree, look for ways you can tie a rope around two trees that are at least 16 feet apart.

Take Your Trash

In addition to using two thick garbage bags and storing these off the ground alongside your locked cooler of food, it is vital that you remove all trash from the campsite, park, or hiking trails when you depart. The scent can still attract dangerous wildlife, and hungry animals are not known for being careful. They could cause damage to your personal property or harm you and your guests. It is also simply the responsible thing to do, and it ensures the natural scenery is just as enjoyable for the next group who comes across it. 

Using renewable or eco-friendly products while outdoors is another way to minimize waste and leave the land how you found it. This could include using biodegradable soap for bathing and cleaning cookware, compostable plates and utensils, and solar lighting to reduce the use of gas. 

Prepare Your Plan

When taking long road trips, prepare a plan for your stops, driving schedule, and how you will handle potential changes or roadside emergencies. By knowing where you will stop to sleep, you can remove the stress of late-night accommodation searches and potential driving hazards as your group grows tired. A dedicated driving schedule also sets expectations and allows everyone to get the rest they need. Additionally, with an emergency plan in hand, your group can travel confidently knowing they are prepared for a number of automotive incidents that can take place. 

Recreational insurance can provide additional assurance. Damages, vandalism, and even theft to your car, van, or RV will be covered if this unfortunate circumstance takes place during your trip. Speak with your agent to determine the best policy for you and your adventures.

As the temperatures begin to rise, it can be tempting to take long drives with the windows down or plan vacations to other cities and states. But is your car protected and prepared for more hours spent on the roads? By doing a tune-up on your car, and ensuring your auto insurance is updated, you can feel confident and safe as you drive into Spring. Here are five reasons why you should check in with your car and insurance this season. 

1) Safety

Winter weather can place your car under more stress, especially as it has to work harder to get you where you need to go. Cold spells can cause reduced tire pressure, but if you filled your tires up in winter, they may actually expand too much in warmer temperatures. This puts you at risk of a tire blow-out, which can cause fatal accidents if occurring at high speeds. As you drive longer distances in the heat, your transmission can also begin to wear down.  

It is not only hardware to keep in mind either – fluids and filters also affect safety. Check your windshield wiper fluid to keep the blades moving in a rain shower, and have your mechanic regularly change your air filters, which can fill up with pollen and cause your engine to overheat. 

2) Performance

Have you woken up after a peaceful night of sleep and noticed how much energy you have? Just as you feel better when you have taken care of your body’s needs, your car will also perform better when you take it to your mechanic for a seasonal tune-up. Performance-related services to consider include an oil change, tire rotation, transmission check, A/C check, battery test, and thorough review of all hoses and fittings.  

If your mechanic finds something that needs repairs, it is ideal to fix the concern early. By choosing to wait, the issue could become worse or cause other parts to malfunction. You will ultimately save yourself money long-term by spending a small amount for a tune-up, rather than needing to spend thousands to fix a costly safety repair. Keep your car in great condition inside and out so that your drive can be pleasant and protected.  

 3) Cost

While a full tune-up may cost anywhere between $50 to $200 or more, this service can help prevent extremely costly repairs. Even if you make a claim with your auto insurance to assist with the work, this could still increase your monthly premium. 

In addition to the costs associated with potential large-scale repairs, you can also save on fuel expenses by conducting an engine tune-up. When your car’s engine is poorly tuned or incorrectly adjusted for the current weather conditions, your vehicle may burn more fuel than is truly necessary.  

Conducting your Spring tune-up is also a good reminder that it is time to review your car insurance policy as well. Speak with your agent to stay updated on the best coverage for your driving habits and needs. 

According to the American Heart Association in a 2019 study, nearly half of all adults in the United States – 48% to be exact – have some form of cardiovascular disease. The term “cardiovascular disease” is used to refer to a number of conditions, including heart disease, heart attack, stroke, heart failure, arrhythmia, and heart valve problems. Because this disease is so prevalent, it can lead to potentially serious or fatal health concerns. The good news is that 80% of cardiovascular disease can be prevented by adopting healthy lifestyle choices such as not smoking, adequate exercise, proper nutrition, and maintaining a healthy weight.  

What are the types of cardiovascular disease?  

Heart Disease:  

The most commonly found type of cardiovascular disease is heart disease, which is caused by a buildup of a fatty substance called plaque in the arteries. As this plaque lining the arteries builds up over time, blood cannot flow as easily as it needs to. When the heart does not receive enough blood, or if the plaque forms a blood clot and blocks the artery entirely, this can cause a heart attack or stroke. Heart disease can be monitored and maintained if the individual makes new healthy habits.  

Heart Attack: 

A heart attack occurs when a plaque buildup or blood clot in the arteries cuts off all blood flow into the heart. The cells in the muscles that make up the heart will begin to die without blood, and other parts of the body will begin to shut down as well. Although many heart attacks are not fatal when individuals receive immediate critical care, it still means lifestyle changes need to be made. The heart often remains partially damaged after, and it cannot survive multiple heart attacks.  

Stroke:  

When the arteries that carry oxygen-filled blood to the brain are blocked, a stroke can occur. If the brain cannot receive oxygen, cells will begin to die and cause symptoms such as the inability to speak or move. In many cases, patients will recover these abilities with time and the help of rehabilitation therapists. However, if enough oxygen is cut off for a prolonged time during the stroke, the damage can be irreversible.  

Heart Failure, Arrhythmia, and Heart Valve Problems:  

Unlike the first three types of cardiovascular disease, these three conditions do not mean that the body’s supply of oxygen-filled blood has been completely cut off. Instead, the heart will continue to pump blood, but it is not able to provide the body with an adequate amount. If heart failure occurs, the heart still beats but does not supply enough oxygen. If arrhythmia occurs, the heart beats at an irregular rate. It can beat too slowly and not supply enough oxygen, or it can beat too quickly and fatigue the heart muscles. When one of the heart’s valves does not open and close properly, it can cause blood to leak through. This can also cause the valves to close in the wrong direction, creating immediate circulation issues. All three conditions can grow worse over time if left untreated.  

How Can I Help Prevent Cardiovascular Disease?  

Simply based on the fact that 8 out of 10 Americans live with cardiovascular disease, it is likely that someone you know already faces some form of the disease. However, if you act early you can begin practicing healthy preventative behaviors. 

By maintaining high-quality medical insurance, you always have peace of mind knowing you will be cared for if a cardiac emergency occurs. If you would like to know more about medical insurance and preventative care benefits, talk with your local agent today.  

When it comes to planning your retirement, a lot of agents will highly recommend that you invest in a permanent life insurance policy. In truth, this may not be the best move for you. The permanent life insurance policy is intended for individuals who have obtained a net worth of at least $11.7 million threshold as of 2021, in which federal estate taxes will kick in after death. Most individuals looking into a life insurance policy while planning for retirement should consider buying a simple term life policy with a death benefit and investment in any other disposable income in tax-advantaged retirement accounts. 

Organize an Emergency Fund 

Building an emergency fund is the first way to put savings from term life insurance to work. This emergency fund should be equal to three to six months’ worth of living expenses. Having this emergency fund is crucial to help cover any big, unexpected bills that may come along. With those potential obstacles curved by the emergency fund, you will now confidently be able to keep regular retirement contributions on track. Did you know that disability insurance can help protect your income (and retirement savings) if you are unable to work? 

Invest in Long-Term Disability Insurance 

We just mentioned that disability insurance can help protect your income, including your retirement savings, if you cannot work. Disability insurance has the main focus of replacing lost income if the individual cannot work. When it comes to life insurance, many people may have some form of disability coverage as an employee benefits, but that doesn’t always mean it is a great benefit. One other form of disability insurance is Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), although the benefits are modest and can be difficult to qualify for. One last alternative is acquiring a disability policy from private insurers. There are a variety of life insurance policies out there such as an own-occupation and an any-occupation policy. An own-occupation policy covers someone who can no longer work in their previous field due to a disability, while an any-occupation policy covers someone who can no longer work at all. 

Your Funds Always Have a Home 

The end goal in mind is reaching retirement with a comfortable insurance policy and fund. If you are already planning for your retirement, a tax-advantaged retirement account, such as a traditional or Roth IRA is usually recommended by financial advisors. This is also assuming that you are meeting the income limits are other requirements set by these two IRAs.  Another potential way to increase your retirement funding is by maxing out your 401(k) or a plan that is similar at your place of work if you aren’t already doing so. If you are unable to qualify for these types of accounts, don’t worry as you can always look into investing outside of a retirement account with the lack of tax benefits. One last option for you could be an index fund from a mutual fund company or brokerage firm. 

If you have any questions or need more information on preparing yourself to plan for retirement, contact your local agent today. 

The process of owning a new home can be exciting, especially for a first-time buyer. But it can also be challenging to navigate, especially when trying to figure out the right types of insurance you’ll need. Here are five things you’ll want to keep in mind as you choose how to insure your investment.

1. Insure for the Appropriate Value

A 2019 study found that three out of five American homes are underinsured by 20%. That means that if a $200,000 home is destroyed in a fire, an underinsured owner would still be left with $40,000 to pay when they rebuilt the home. A key reason for a home being underinsured is not accounting for the rising cost of construction. Owners can avoid this costly mistake by reviewing their insurance policy annually with their agent and obtaining an updated estimate of what it would cost to rebuild in the current year’s construction market. 

2. Check the Landscape

Are you near a flood plane, large body of water, or fault line prone to earthquakes? These natural disasters aren’t covered under the standard “HO-3” insurance, which only covers the structure, personal belongings, and liability in the event of damage or injury. In some areas, federal law requires you to have flood insurance if your home is within a high-risk zone. Even if it isn’t, you may want to consider extra protection if you’re near a large body of water like a river or lake that could flood unexpectedly. The same goes for residents living near earthquake-prone regions of the U.S. Check with your insurance agent to determine the best supplemental insurance for your home’s environment. 

3. It’s Not Just A Building

While your standard HO-3 insurance will cover personal belongings, you may want to obtain separate coverage for anything of significant value. This can include art, jewelry, collector’s items, heirloom furnishings, and more. While this does add a marginal amount to your premium, you will be protected in the unfortunate event of a theft, damage, or natural disaster. 

4. Renting? You May Need Extra Coverage

If you purchased, built, or renovated this property with the intention to rent, it is a good idea to consider extra coverage in case damage is caused by a tenant. Your local insurance agent can help you determine the correct types of additional insurance. This could include landlord insurance, which covers the dwelling, other structures such as a detached garage, and personal property used to maintain the rental such as a lawn mower. You may want additional liability insurance as well, in case a tenant becomes injured on the property and wants you to cover his or her medical expenses. 

5. Documentation is Key

After you’ve moved into your new home, be sure to take accurate photos and video recordings of your property, personal belongings, and assets located within the dwelling. Make a list of your major features of the home and assets, and also note the cost of these items. Keep this documentation stored off-site or digitally on a cloud-based software to ensure it is protected in the case of fire or severe damage. Be sure to share this with your insurance agent as well. Should the unthinkable happen, it is best to avoid the added stress and have a very accurate record when filing your claim. 

A personal home, even if it is a rental, is often your most valuable possession. While the chance of damage or total loss may be low, you never want to underestimate your home’s value to obtain a lower premium. By working with your local insurance agent to determine a fair and comprehensive policy, you can rest assured knowing your valuable investment will be protected for years to come.

Slips, trips and falls are the number 3 cause of accidental death in the United States, right behind motor vehicle accidents. No matter where you are in the world, if you are indoors or outdoors, you can experience a slip or fall. Slips and falls can naturally happen indoors when going up stairs or walking on wet hardwood or uneven flooring, but they are more common outdoors in parking lots and on sidewalks, stairs, decks, and other areas that are affected by the weather.  

Follow these tips to keep yourself safe and avoid having a dangerous slip, trip or fall.   

Consider Your Shoe/Footwear Choices 

Depending on the weather in your city, you may need to change your plans for the day. If your area is experiencing lots of rain, opt for shoes that have traction, like tennis shoes. If it’s really muddy and slick outside, look for shoes that are fit for hiking. When it comes to footwear in the wintertime, store your steel toe boots. If you wear them too long in the cold, they could cause hypothermia in your feet. Waterproof shoes that have good traction on the bottom should be the top qualities to look for when buying your next pair of winter shoes. 

Planning an outfit that requires heels or sandals? Make sure that the weather is sunny with no chance of ice, snow, rain, and the terrain is dry – or if the weather is wet, wear better shoes until you reach indoors safely. You’ll be protecting your ankles from any potential harm. If you are climbing stairs in shoes with heels or sandals, take mind to grip the stair railing to help keep balance you don’t fall.  

Tread Forward with Caution 

Wintertime environments are some of the most dangerous when it comes to the risk of a trip or fall due to the ice and snow that can accumulate. Another dangerous climate is one with a ton of rainfall. Rain can cause even the flattest of areas to become slick and offer up a one-way ticket to a fall. In order to protect yourself from experiencing a fall in these two dangerous climates, choose to wear shoes that are high in traction and waterproof. Another big tip is when entering or exiting buildings, do your best to avoid walking on curbs or steps if you can help it. Walk with caution and do not run in these conditions or you are increasing your chances of falling.   

Take All the Precautions You Can 

Here are a few things to be mindful of when faced with an inclement weather situation. When getting out of your vehicle, keep a hand on the vehicle to support yourself because you don’t know how slick the ground is. Did you know that putting your hands in your pockets to keep warm is more dangerous than it is worth? Keeping your hands free is necessary because by putting your hands in your pockets, you risk your balance since you’ve now lowered your center of gravity. 

What Happens If You Fall? 

The number one thing that you should do if you do happen to take a tumble is to tuck your head in towards your chest to avoid hitting your head. Keep your elbows and knees bent when you fall and try to land on your butt to help protect your body from sustaining any injury. If you’re unsure how your insurance would protect you in the event of a slip, trip or fall related injury, reach out to your local agent to make sure you’re covered for this common risk. 

Employee Practices Liability, often referred to as EPLI, covers businesses against claims by workers that their legal rights as employees of the respective company have been violated. There has been a considerably large rise of lawsuits employees have been putting against their employers. Traditionally, most lawsuits are filed against larger corporations such as Walmart or Target, but no company is fully immune to the risk of a lawsuit via an employee. Smaller companies are now beginning to understand that they, too, are going to need the type of insurance protection that EPLI provides. Some insurance providers add this as an endorsement to a Business Owner’s Policy (BOP) they offer, but remember that an endorsement will change the terms and conditions of the policy. Other companies tend to offer EPLI as a stand-alone coverage policy.  

What It Covers 

• Sexual harassment 

• Discrimination 
• Wrongful termination 
• Breach of employment contract 
• Negligent evaluation 
• Failure to employ or promote 

• Wrongful discipline 
• Deprivation of career opportunity 
• Wrongful infliction of emotional distress 
• Mismanagement of employee benefit plans 

Cost of Coverage 

As we see with every type of insurance coverage, the coverage cost you pay will always depend on the type of business you are insuring. When it comes to EPLI coverage, the cost depends on your business type, the number of employees you have, and various additional risk factors. Risk factors usually refer to if your company has been sued over employment practices in the past. The policies will reimburse your company against the costs of defending a lawsuit in court and for judgments and settlements. Whether your company wins or loses the lawsuit, the policy will still cover the legal costs. Typically, the policies will not pay for punitive damages, civil or criminal fines. If there are liabilities covered by other insurance policies, they are excluded from EPLI policies. 

How to Avoid Potential Employee Lawsuits 

When reviewing your hiring and screening process make an effort to make sure that you are avoiding discrimination the entire process. Ensure that you have the corporate policies posted throughout the workplace and a dedicated section in the employee handbook so the policies are easily accessible to all employees. Take care in teaching your employees the proper steps to take if they are the object of sexual harassment or discrimination while at the workplace. Express to all employees that they need to know where the company stands on what behaviors are acceptable and which ones are not permitted. Keep documentation on everything that occurs and the steps that you and your company is taking to prevent and solve employee disputes.   

If you would like to learn more about the policies and coverages included in Employee Practices Liability insurance, reach out to your local agent today.  

Many people in the world still have jobs and positions that require them to complete work outside no matter the weather. Worker’s compensation benefits were indoctrinated to help protect those who work in labor intensive positions. While we can lean on the workers’ compensation benefits to cover work-related injuries, it is in everyone’s best interest to try and avoid all potential harm that could occur. Winter is in full force and those workers who are out on the job should keep in mind the potential dangers that come with the territory. Working outdoors in cold, wet, icy, or snowy conditions can lead to cold-related illnesses and injuries such as hypothermia and frostbite. Below we’ve reviewed some of the best ways to help prevent any winter weather related injuries from happening to you or your staff.  

Who Is at Risk? 

As mentioned previously, those who work in a cold environment may be at risk of cold-related illnesses and injuries, or “cold stress.” There are many professions where workers must be subject to the harsh weather that comes in the winter months. These professionals include police officers, snow cleanup crews, sanitation workers, farmers, construction workers, and many others. If your employees take certain medications, are in poor health, or suffer from any illness (diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease) it could mean they will face high risks in the work field.   

Prominent Winter Injuries and Illness  

There are three prominent illnesses that can be contracted through working in a cold weather position. Below we have listed the three illnesses, what causes them, and how to prevent them from occurring. 

Hypothermia  

What Causes It: 

When exposed to cold temperatures, the body begins to lose heat faster than it can be produced. Once outside for a prolonged period of time, the heat that your body has stored will be used up. As your body heat is released the temperature of the body will become abnormally low and begin the process of hypothermia. Early symptoms of hypothermia include shivering, fatigue, loss of coordination, confusion, or disorientation. 

How to Prevent:  

Hypothermia is an illness that affects the brain. This will cause the victim to be unable to think clearly or perform normal functionality. To combat this, work with another coworker or work in groups. 

Frostbite 

What Causes It: 

Your fingers, toes, nose, and ears are the most prominent body parts that are affected by frostbite and the most prone to it. Frostbite occurs when a part of the body freezes, causing damage to the tissue. Signs of frostbite beginning include numbness or tingling, stinging, or pain on or near the affected area.  

How to Prevent: 

Checking the weather and wearing protective clothing to combat the weather of that day. If working in icy and snowy conditions items such as warm gloves, insulated footwear, and warm hats will be the best choices.  

Trench Foot  

What Causes It: 

If your feet are kept wet and cold for an extended period of time, you may come down with trench foot. Moisture causes your feet to lose heat, and this can slow the blood flow and damage tissue. As an example, trench foot can happen when it is as warm as 60 degrees. 

How to Prevent: 

Be mindful of your footwear and the maintenance of them in order to help keep your feet warm and dry. 

If you need to add worker’s compensation to your business insurance plan or would like to know more about the policy, talk with your local agent today.