February is Insurance Careers Month

Posted on by • Posted in Insurance as a Career •

insurance career month

The second annual Insurance Careers Month kicks off today, Feb. 1, with organizers hoping to rally young insurance professionals around the world to “share pride in their careers and stimulate interest in the industry among their peers.”

First organized in 2016, the objective of Insurance Careers Month is to encourage carriers, brokers, agents and industry associations to plan their own outreach to young people to help spread awareness of the diverse career options that insurance offers. {Read More…}

School Safety Saves Lives

Posted on by • Posted in Health & Life Insurance, Personal Insurance, Safety Tips, Uncategorized •

distracted drivingIt’s back to school time and for many children, school is already in session. Today as I drove my son to school, I realized how important it is to use extra caution while driving, now that school is in session. This is the time of the year when we say goodbye to the leisurely summer traffic, and start sharing the road with hurried parents, new teen drivers, student pedestrians, and school buses. Not only do we want to send our kids off to school safely each day, but it is equally important that each of us make it to and from work safely. Why not start this school year by sharing the following safety tips from the National Safety Council:

    • Be extra vigilant in school zones and residential neighborhoods, especially near bus stops, playgrounds, and parks.

 

    • Leave enough time to get your destination, so you won’t be tempted to speed.

 

    • Never pass a vehicle stopped for pedestrians.

 

    • Never pass a bus from behind – or from either direction if you’re on an undivided road – if it’s stopped to load or unload children.

 

    • Be alert; children are often unpredictable, and they tend to ignore hazards and take risks.

 

    • Be aware of inexperienced teen drivers who may struggle with judging gaps in traffic, driving the right speed for conditions, and turning safely.

 

    • Avoid distractions such as eating, putting on makeup, or using your phone for texting, talking, or apps such as Pokémon Go.

 

    • Acknowledge and encourage staff members who are willing to share ideas or experiences about how they exercised a little extra care and caution on the road.

 

  • Talk to your children about being aware of their surroundings (no walking while wearing headphones or while texting or talking), crossing only at cross walks, always walking on sidewalks when possible, and looking left, right, then left again before crossing the street.

Though many of us have probably heard or shared these tips before, I like to live by the motto that it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Let’s join together in promoting a safe and accident-free school year. After all, nothing is more important than you, your family, and your staff making it home safely each day.

For more information or resources regarding this topic, please contact your loss control representative.

References:
“Slow Down: Back to School Means Sharing the Road.” Back to School Safety Tips for Drivers. National Safety Council, n.d. Web. 22 Aug. 2016.
“A Teen’s Biggest Safety Threat Is Sitting on the Driveway.” Teen Driving. National Safety Council, n.d. Web. 22 Aug. 2016.

Source: https://blog.central-insurance.com/2016/08/25/school-safety-saves-lives/

 

Man’s Best Friend or a Liability?

Posted on by • Posted in Homeowners Insurance, Personal Insurance •

mans best friendI am an animal lover, but dogs are my personal favorite. They are great company and it’s in their nature to seek your approval and love. Dogs are said to be “man’s best friend”, but have you ever thought about how your insurance could be affected by the type of dog you decide to own?

An insurer has the right to non-renew or even refuse to write your homeowner’s policy based on the breed of dog you own. There are specific breeds of dogs that have a negative connotation due to their aggressive reputation. Breeds such as Pit-bulls and Rottweilers have been known to attack, resulting in extensive injuries or even fatalities. In turn, hefty insurance claims are filed and paid.

Before deciding on a dog breed, check with your insurance agency to see which dogs your carrier will agree to write. There may be a surcharge based on the breed. And while choosing an eligible breed means your insurance company will write your coverage, as a dog owner you are potentially at a higher risk for a liability claim as the majority of states impose some level of strict liability if your dog were to bite or attack another person. Strict liability means that dog owners are liable for injuries their dogs inflict regardless of whether the owner was at fault, negligent, or even had any prior knowledge of the dog’s vicious propensities. However, there are exceptions to strict liability in some states for dogs that are provoked by the victim (i.e. purposefully goaded into attack). Strict liability laws may differ by state so be sure to consult with your independent agent.

So what can you do to protect you and your family from a potential liability claim?

  1. Always keep your dog leashed when walking—it doesn’t matter how well-behaved your dog is, when walking it’s important to leash your dog and keep them close to you at all times to avoid possible exposures.
  2. Never let a stranger pet your dog—Even if your dog is friendly and loves people, what if the person makes him feel threatened? Your dog may act aggressively towards them and inflict harm.
  3. Keep your dogs leashed or fenced when letting them outside—it’s okay to give them some freedom, but what if they see a squirrel or rabbit? Most dogs have an instinct to chase other animals. In the process, they could cause a car accident by darting across the road, run into someone causing them to fall, or cause other property damage.
  4. Treat and train them properly—as a dog owner, you have an implicit responsibility to treat your dog well and train them. Dogs that are treated poorly tend to act out towards others more often. A well-cared for and well-trained dog is more likely to listen and not cause harm.
  5. Purchase a Personal Umbrella Policy—in the event of a claim caused by the actions of your dog, the financial burden could exceed your policy limits depending on the extent of the injuries. An umbrella policy may cover you above and beyond the underlying limits of your primary homeowners policy and help protect you from a large out-of-pocket expense.

Avoid barking up the wrong tree when choosing a breed of dog! Talk to your independent agent today to ensure you have the proper coverage in place.

Source: https://blog.central-insurance.com/2016/08/12/mans-best-friend-or-a-liability/

Simple Tips to Protect Your Smartphone

Posted on by • Posted in Safety Tips •

cell phone securityAs we move further into the 21st century, technology innovations continue to improve and become more accessible, which means more and more people now own smartphones. Smartphones are more than just an expensive paper weight in your pocket; they’ve become a small computer in your hands. You can do everything from manage your bank account and shop for groceries, to catch imaginary creatures at the park. But the more we use these mobile devices, the more sensitive data they contain and the more we need to protect them. Here are some tips to keep your smartphone, and the information on it, secure:

  1. Lock your phone with a PIN, password, or pattern. This might sound like common sense but this can prevent other people from using your phone and the information it contains.
  2. Always download apps from trusted sites. The Google Play or Apple app store are two trusted sites for downloading apps. If you are downloading from somewhere else on the Internet, check to see if the URL beings with “https” instead of “http”. The “s” means it is a secure website.
  3. Remember to log out of apps or websites. When using your phone to make bank payments or on an app that uses your personal information, remember to log out of your account once you are finished.
  4. Beware of public Wi-Fi. Public Wi-Fi can be dangerous because everyone is using the same connection. A hacker can easily see what you are doing on your phone and could possibly access your account and steal your information. To avoid connecting to public Wi-Fi, disable the Wi-Fi setting on your phone.
  5. Back up your smartphone’s data. Since your smartphone likely contains a lot of personal information, it’s a good idea to back up your data. You can save your data to your personal computer at home or there are apps available to back up your data including Verizon Cloud,Ultimate Backup and Easy Backup & Restore. Of course, it’s always best if you…
  6. Don’t store sensitive personal information on your smart phone. Avoid saving social security numbers, credit card numbers, or any other sensitive personal information on your smartphone to reduce the risk of identity theft.
  7. Beware of privacy settings on apps. Sometimes apps request information from you and your smartphone. You can disable or deny these requests to prevent them from finding your smartphone’s location and passwords.
  8. Protect your phone with an antivirus and antimalware. As I’ve noted, your phone is just like a small computer so you should take the same protective measures for your phone that you might your home computer. Use antivirus or antimalware apps to prevent your phone from becoming broken and useless. Some good apps include 360 Security, AVAST Mobile Security andAVG AntiVirus Security.

I hope these tips help you keep your smartphone from becoming more than just an expensive paper weight!

Source: https://blog.central-insurance.com/2016/07/14/simple-tips-to-protect-your-smartphone/

Why Is My Auto Damage Estimate Not What I Anticipated?

Posted on by • Posted in Auto Insurance •

auto claimHave you ever wondered what the body shop technician is looking at when they are writing up an estimate for damages to your vehicle? You may expect the estimate to come back at “this number” but are shocked to see it is actually “that number.” Why is it so different from what you thought? Let me try to shed some light on how damages are estimated.

First, one must understand that there are several different parts available to repair an auto. There are original manufactured parts (OEM) from the dealer, remanufactured parts that are sent back to the dealer to be remanufactured and put back out on the market, and aftermarket parts which are created from a generic mold by aftermarket companies. OEM parts are usually the most expensive while aftermarket parts are usually the least expensive.

A shop will look at the damaged part and the surrounding parts to see if they are also damaged. Let’s say you have damage to your driver side front door. A shop will look at the door and see if the damage can be repaired or if the door needs to be replaced. They will also look to see if the front driver side fender has damage since it is an adjacent part. Same with the driver side rear door. They will inspect the side mirror, moldings on the door, and also check to see if only the outer shell needs to be replaced or the entire door.

Remove and install (R&I) time is a major part of a repair estimate and is taken into account on every estimate. Many of the parts that are damaged are not readily accessible to remove. A body shop has to remove other parts that surround the damaged part in order to repair or replace that damaged part. These R&I times are generally not very long, anywhere from 20-40 minutes for each part, but if the damage is severe enough, it may require many parts to be removed and all the R&I time is accounted for on the estimate based off the labor rate the shop charges. This can add up quickly.

Paint supplies and paint labor may also be listed on the estimate. Paint supplies can range anywhere from $150 for a small job to $1,500 for a larger one. Paint labor covers the time it will take to paint the repaired parts of the vehicle, including any blending that’s necessary for the paint to match.

If you have had repair work done on your vehicle, you may have paid more than what was originally estimated. That is because when a shop writes an estimate, they are only estimating the damage they can visibly see. Once they begin repairs and teardown the vehicle, they often find hidden damage. This is called a supplement and it can include additional damages found, more time needed to repair these damages, or price differences found when the parts are actually ordered.

As you can see, there is much more to a repair estimate than what you might think. There are many things to look at and it can often be overwhelming. If you are worried about a particular estimate you receive from a shop, there is a guidebook called the Mitchell Guide that documents what OEM parts cost and how long repairs should take for the majority of cars. It is a useful tool to compare your estimate to the industry guidelines.

Source with permission to repost: https://blog.central-insurance.com/2016/06/23/why-is-my-auto-damage-estimate-not-what-i-anticipated/

Tips to Burglarproof Your Home This Summer

Posted on by • Posted in Holidays, Homeowners Insurance, Personal Insurance •
Men stealing laptop

Men stealing laptop

Summer has finally arrived! Between record snow storms, flooding, and hail, I thought it would never get here. Thankfully, vacation season is upon us but that means burglaries will inherently increase. Each year, there are more than 2 million burglaries, over 65 percent of which are residential break-ins, with the majority occurring in the peak vacation months of July and August. Furthermore, 9 out of 10 home break-ins could be prevented if homeowners would take simple steps to burglarproof their homes.

Here are some tips that can help you protect your home from burglary while you’re away this summer:

  • – Stop delivery of your mail and newspapers, or have a friend or neighbor pick them up for you.
  • – Keep bushes and shrubs well-trimmed and keep the outside of your home well-lit. Would-be thieves prefer not to be seen.
  • – Use timers on lights, televisions and radios to make it appear as if someone is home.
  • – Have your lawn maintained if you will be gone for more than a few days.
  • – Leave the air conditioner on; a silent compressor on a hot day is a good indication you aren’t home.
  • – Check with your local law enforcement agency. Many of them now offer a service where you can sign up to have an officer drive by your home and check on it during a regular shift…and it’s usually free!

Fire and water damage can also threaten your home while you’re enjoying your time away so be sure to take a few preventative measure to help protect your home from these perils:

  • – Unplug everything but the refrigerator, freezer, and the lights and radios you have set on timers.
  • – If possible, turn off the water to your sinks, toilets, dishwasher, washing machine, and hot water heater.

More than half of the U.S. population is planning a summer vacation away from home this year. If you’re one of them, be sure to follow these tips and you’ll be sure to have an enjoyable – and safe – summer holiday.

Source with permission to repost: https://blog.central-insurance.com/2016/06/02/tips-to-burglarproof-your-home-this-summer/

5 Tips to Spring Clean your Computer

Posted on by • Posted in Uncategorized •

People don’t think that spring cleaning involves their computer but believe it or not, your computer can get unorganized very quickly; think about all those junk files and forgotten documents that have been piling up. Keeping your computer organized is easier than it seems. Here are some tips to help prevent your computer from becoming your next major headache:

 

1. Use folders to organize your desktop.

Your desktop can quickly become littered with shortcuts, duplicate files, and screenshots which can slow down your computer and make it difficult to find what you’re looking for. You can prevent this by creating folders to organize your files and shortcuts. Create a folder on a Mac by right-clicking on the desktop and select “New Folder”; for a Windows-based computer, right-click the desktop and select “New”, then “Folder”. You can easily rename your folder and drag-and-drop files here to help you stay organized.

 

2. Don’t be afraid to delete unnecessary or duplicate files.

Unused files and copies of documents can take up a lot of space on your computer. The “Downloads” folder is often forgotten about and the files here are usually no longer needed. Save space and improve your computer’s speed by deleting these unnecessary files.

3. Clear your internet browser.

Cleaning your internet browser’s cache and browsing history regularly is a great thing to do. How you do this will vary depending on your browser but you can typically find an option to clear the history under “Options” or “Menu.” Some browsers might ask if you want to clear your cache and cookies too; do this regularly and you can improve your browser speed, as well as keep your computer safer

4. Scan your computer for viruses.

This is really important because scanning your computer for viruses and other issues can not only improve your computer’s performance, it can save your computer’s life! While there are many programs that can scan your computer, I suggest using anti-viruses and anti-malware programs like Malwarebytes and Advance System Care; both are free and easy to download.

5. Back up. Back up. And back up!

One way to make sure your computer stays clean and safe is by backing up your important files and programs onto another hard drive. An external or flash drive is a great option if it has enough memory available. You can even use an external or flash drive to store files from your computer so they don’t take up valuable space.

Hopefully these five easy tips will help keep your computer clean and organized, not to mention save you from some headaches! Please let me know if my tips helped, or if you have any additional suggestions by leaving a comment below.

 

Source with permission to repost: https://blog.central-insurance.com/2016/05/25/5-tips-to-spring-clean-your-computer/