Guaranty Association Benefits Company

If your organization has chosen to make the insurance workers against accidents, there are certain factors which will determine how much you pay for coverage. frequent complaints involve a significant increase in your premiums. If your company is eligible for a modification of the experiment, adjustments will be made to your annual premium based on your last three years of protest activity - the more activity, the lower your premium. Carriers will also discuss how your organization manages its operations

Although the protest activity is generally out of your control -. Accidents happen - there are some things you can do to help show your service you deserve a lower rate on your Comp premiums workers:

1. health insurance of offer , which may deter employees to use workers Comp as recourse for not having a health plan.
2. maintain OSHA logs with details of injuries and work-related diseases. You should record when an event or a work-related exposure causes or contributes to a condition or aggravates a preexisting condition. death registration, loss of consciousness, days of work, restricted work activity or job transfer, medical treatment beyond first aid and injury or illness diagnosed by a physician or other licensed health professional. This includes, but is not limited to cancer, chronic irreversible disease, fractured or cracked bone, or a perforated eardrum.
3. Organize a formal safety program , put in writing, and conduct safety meetings.
4. invest in a survey program on accidents.
5. Outline and post uniform instructions for any required safety equipment such as ear plugs to high noise or safety glasses.
6. Use the loss of control of surveyors your operator by asking questions on ergonomic tests or materials or additional websites recommended to improve security.

Spend time talking to your insurance agent about Comp insurance for your workers and you might be able to spend less on your premiums! Do you have other suggestions that might help Comp premiums lower workers?

I was struggling for a topic to write my blog about this month. I do not know why, but I was, and I made the mistake of reaching out to friends on social media to generate ideas. This led to an avalanche of suggestions, many friends in the insurance industry that are obviously tired of hearing the same questions again and again.

One suggestion seemed particularly timely this week we crawled under a pile of claims related to the recent ice storms in the Southeast. An old school friend asked, "If a tree falls in the yard of your neighbor damage your fence, why is it not their responsibility to cover damage"

The answer in one word? : because generally it is not their fault tree fell Stop for a minute and look at the tree and your closing chances are, the tree has been there longer and when you have decided.. set up this fence, you prepare the ground for the tree to fall on it. Now I know that the tree was not as great when you put up the fence, and he was able to look far enough, but the trees are known to fall when the wind blows, or when they are heavily loaded with ice. If the tree was healthy and there was no danger of falling on its own (ie missing the influence climatic conditions outside the norm), there was no negligence on the part of your neighbor and no liability for damage caused when the tree fell. This is a generalization, so always check with the local authorities in case of questions.

Although the situation of a healthy tree falls during a storm is the one we see most often, sometimes, circumstances could be reversed and means responsibility from the owner tree. If a tree is sick or dead, ordinary weather (and sometimes just gravity) can bring the tree. In these cases, if the owner was aware of the danger posed by this diseased tree, he or she could be liable for damages when the tree falls. We recommend sending a letter to the owner of a neighboring property if you suspect one of their trees are dead or dying and is in danger of damaging your property or injury should someone fall. Save a copy of the letter received with the certified mailing in case something happens. You can document this with photographs. Many times the responsibility is denied when the tree in question was in the back of a lot and the owner said they did not know he was dying or that there was a danger. Your documentation contrary could be the difference between paying to repair your fence (or car or on the roof) out-of-pocket or have your neighbor (or its insurer) take care of the situation.

Most people want to be good neighbors and will often face the situation if you mention them in conversation, but to truly yourself and your assets to protect, it is always best follow the conversation with a friendly request they remove the tree.

Have you had a case where the shaft of your neighbor fell on your property, or vice versa, when one of your trees fell on them? Share your story below!

While driving to work this morning, I'm sure you have seen more than a distracted driver watching their smartphone, applying makeup or swallow breakfast instead of keeping their eyes on the road. This dangerous activity has become widespread and has reached epidemic levels. Due to the influx in distracted driving, Avril was officially named "Distracted Driving Awareness Month."

According www.distraction.gov, the US official government website for distracted driving, about 660,000 drivers use cell phones or playing with other electronic devices while driving. Despite increased awareness campaigns nationwide, the number has remained stable since 2010. While the number of accidents related to distracted driving, seems to have fallen some 3,360 in 2011 to 3.328 in 2012 (the the most updated information provided), it seems that the number of people who drive distracted did not decrease during this period.

So what is "distracted driving" you ask? According to the website listed above, "distracted driving is an activity that could distract a person away from primary task of driving. " Some early examples include texting, using a cell phone, eating and drinking, discussions with passengers, grooming, reading (. Including maps), using a navigation system, watching a video, and adjusting a CD / radio / MP3 player

Distraction.gov states:

• 25 percent of teens responding to at least one text message every time they take the wheel
• 20 percent of teens and 10 percent of adults admit to several text messages correspondence while driving
• 10 percent of all fatal accidents involving drivers under the age of 20 are the result of driver distraction. This is the highest proportion of distracted drivers among all age groups.

As if this were not enough, drivers in their 20s account for 27 percent of distracted drivers in fatal crashes. Given the amount of information available about the dangers of distracted driving, these figures are surprising.

When texting, the eyes of a driver are off the road for about 5.5 seconds. If they move at 55 mph, then they just pushed the length of a football field without looking at what is in front of them. When viewing driving while sending this light, it shows how dangerous this activity can be. A lot can happen in that space of time, and if drivers do not watch the road, it could end up with disastrous results. If you combine this figure with the percentage of people texting several times during a workout, the amount of the road being driven "blind" by distracted drivers is enough to make you never to drive again.

There is a big push by the government to fight against this problem, and therefore, there was a series of display ads presenting the dangers of distracted driving. These ads pull no punches, and with figures like those listed above, the time for sugar-coating the problem seems to be more.

I highly suggest taking a look at these ads to get a better idea of ​​the dangers of distracted driving. The next time someone feels the urge to pull out their cell phone to text a friend, scroll their iPod for that perfect song, or take that last sip of their Big Gulp while behind the wheel, perhaps this information will think twice.

What precautions do you take to prevent distracted driving?

It is again that time of the year. Late spring and U-Haul truck rental locations are booking fast trucks. My son bought his first house and moving at the end of this month, so his long list of things to do was book a 24-foot truck for the job.

he called me when he made the reservation line and asked, "Do I need to buy insurance U-Haul? "now, I advised him that in the past because it carries full coverage on his car, his personal auto policy covers liability and physical damage coverage for a rental car, so it was just for him to assume that he would be covered and does not need to buy insurance, but then, he asked.? "what about commercial truck 26,000 pounds would that be covered or have -I take out the insurance? "and my answer? nO, it is not covered, and buy insurance YES!

Even if you carry comprehensive coverage on your personal auto insurance policy, coverage physical damage will not extend to a rental truck because personal auto insurance only covers passenger vehicles and trucks under 10,000 pounds. rental trucks are large and if you are not used to driving a large vehicle, it is easy to misjudge how much space you have to maneuver. Moving truck rental companies clearly that the one who signs the contract is fully responsible for the equipment and any damage. If you hit something and you do not have insurance, you are liable for damages from your own pocket. And you will be charged not only for repair costs, but also the loss of income while the truck is out of service.

Although they have not made mandatory (very surprising), you really need to buy the insurance damage waiver offered by the truck rental companies such as Budget, Penske and U-Haul. The details vary, but they all offer the same basic types of coverage, which generally include:

• Damage Waiver - covers accidental damage to the rental equipment
• Cargo cover - blankets. the goods you are transporting damages resulting from situations such as collision, fire, wind storms and overthrow the rental truck
• Personal Accident Insurance -. provides medical coverage for injuries caused by an accident
• Supplemental coverage liability - protects against claims made by third parties for property damage liability or damage suffered as a result of an accident with your truck rental. Limits vary (usually maximum $ 1,000,000).

The cost of coverage varies from about $ 14 to $ 25 per day, depending on coverage levels and limits of your choice. It is much cheaper to buy insurance, even if it is only for your own peace of mind and you never have to use it.

Yet another lesson learned insurance for my son!

Last week during its development conference, Apple unveiled a new platform for home automation known as HomeKit the name that seems to have attracted some attention on what has been a fairly quiet group of home automation. I heard about home automation for over a decade, but I still do not find myself in a truly automated home. I see commercials on TV Time Warner Cable, AT & T, and others providing automated houses that include integrated monthly fees. While truly automated home systems are fragmented with no real set standard (maybe Apple can change that), there is still a lot of products out there today that are quite good. While many of these fees toys are reserved for the rich, there are some devices can benefit the masses that will not break the bank. Here are some that I was looking in.

Many homes today have programmable thermostats, but not all is as smart as thermostat Nest. Now owned by Google, Nest learns your heating and cooling habits over time, so you do not have to worry about programming. The thermostat connects to your home Wi-Fi and allows you to control using a smart phone application. Of course, you can also control simply by turning the thermostat itself (hard to get much easier than that). Rumors are also swirling that Nest will play a huge role in the new "proximity" of Google. As you guessed, "near" will cause services to adapt based on your location, so imagine your control thermostat when you leave work so that your home is the ideal temperature when you get home . Almost all Nest users claim that the device allows them to save money, but it will take some time to recover the cost of $ 250.

If you're like me and hate having to take your key out of your pocket to open your door or start your car, and then the deadbolt Kwikset Kevo Bluetooth might be worth looking at. Install the lock on your door and the application on your iPhone and you will not need your keys to enter your home. The lock uses Bluetooth on your phone to know when you're nearby and unlocks when you touch it. There is also a keychain that can be used instead of a smart phone. In addition, the Kevo app allows you to issue "e-keys" to other parties who may be limited to certain time. So if you're coming entrepreneur, you would not need to be home to let him in the house. Kevo uses military grade encryption and provides several types of "e-key" which according to the manufacturer make it very secure. If the batteries in the lock or iPhone would happen to die, the Kevo still has a standard key to use as a backup so that you will not be locked out. At $ 220 this lock is more expensive than most, but you may find the convenience is worth the price of the premium. The lock currently only works with the iPhone, but support for Android coming soon.

Add timers for electrical outlets is a great way to help protect your home with lights sometimes light designated to make it look like you're at home. Now you can take a step further. The $ 50 Belkin WeMo switch connects to your WiFi so you can use it to control everything that plugs into an electrical outlet. Using your smartphone, you can turn on lights, televisions and other electronic devices with the touch of a button. You can even add wireless motion detectors in your home so that your lights turn on as soon as you walk in the door. For the price, it is hard to beat, even if the user feedback suggests that the installation process could use some simplification.

While the Jetson home may still be a few years, the three gadgets above are certainly a step in the right direction. All the major technology players are betting big on home automation and will be releasing new products in a not too distant future. As they do, prices will continue to fall, which makes automation even more attractive to the masses. For those who can not wait, there are many devices on the market already that can help make our lives a little easier. Which automated devices do you use, and how you do the same?

We all know how convenient it is to sit on the couch with the laptop and do some shopping. You can browse the latest book releases, direct that the shampoo you forgot to pick up when you were at the show last week, or try these little sponges smiling face you saw on Shark Tank. A few clicks and they appear on your porch.

While using this convenient form of shopping, have you ever considered the risk of having your credit card information on these sites? How secure are the passwords you use to access your favorite websites

Microsoft offers the following tips for a password:

• Is at least eight characters
[
• does not contain your user name, real name, or company name.
• does not contain a complete word.
• is significantly different from previous passwords.
• contains characters from each of four categories:

If you have trouble remembering passwords that meet all these criteria, try on a phrase or expression that means something to you. Create an acronym for something you can remember, like "I love shopping on Amazon especially when I get free shipping". This could be converted to "$ IlsoAewIg 0s."

If you write your password is the only way that you feel you will recall, not label it as your password, and keep it in a safe place like a locked drawer desk .

What advice do you have for creating secure passwords and remember them?

Photo courtesy of BusinessWeek.com

Last month I highlighted a mobile food truck operations and concerns of operators should have when choosing insurance. I received many comments and discussion about other mobile companies. . Many small business owners make the decision to take the road and the list seems to be growing every day Some of the companies that could be rolling in your area soon with highly specialized vehicles include:

• animal groomers
• spas
• hair Salons
• testing laboratories
• Gyms
• Florists
• Produce vendors
• tan
• Fashion shops
• art shows
• game truck
• law offices
• paper shredding

Take an old business or new idea and put it on wheels helps many entrepreneurs capture the American dream with a lower cost of entry. There are also many service providers such as locksmiths, glass repair shops, and plumbers leading mobile stores with very personalized criticism about their daily business functions.

I spend a lot of time in my car and it is very much my mobile office. However, one thing makes my situation so much easier to manage the group mentioned above. If my car was involved in an accident, I could head down to the local car rental place and be back on the road almost immediately.

However, if you are a business owner with a highly personalized vehicle single operating your business, you could easily hire a proportionate replacement car and be back in business? The short answer is no. This is why the business income - Loss of use of a designated auto coverage can be critical for you. traditional business income coverage is intended to help replace income, operating expenses, payroll, etc. of a covered loss to your business, but does not expect that your company is sitting on wheels rolling on the highway at 65 miles per hour. If you are in a car accident and wireless business is towed, you may find yourself out of business! If you had bought the business income - Loss designated an automatic cover, the same car accident can be a covered event and offer a similar business income coverage to that enjoyed your brick and mortar counterparts

Unless you can find. a replacement for your own vehicle in a few days, do not leave it to chance. Your business is on wheels and it means that your business has the added exposure of being in a car accident. Ask your local independent agent how you can add business income to your auto insurance policy and means that the critical time and financial support to get back on the road, and more importantly, back in business.

Have you operate a mobile business? What kind of coverage did you choose to buy?

The leaves begin to fall and the temperature is falling in most regions. My family and I always like a nice, hot fire in our home during the cold months. When my family was in the market to buy a new home, one of the elements must have been a large brick fireplace.

There are many different types of fireplaces - electricity, gas, wood-burning - but I would talk about the type of wood burning fireplace. Before purchasing my current home, I had it inspected, including the fireplace and chimney, a certified home inspector. Some owners may not be aware of exposures associated with fireplaces and chimneys until it is too late and becomes a very expensive repair. A good friend of mine bought a house a few years ago and he chose not to have inspected the house. When he lit a fire in the fireplace, he smelled a strong odor of tobacco in his attic and throughout the house. The brick chimney was cracked inside the attic allows the smoke to be released inside the house -. Something that would probably have been noticed in a home inspection

Another exposure associated with fireplaces and chimneys is creosote accumulation. Creosote is part of the chemicals obtained by the distillation of tar which remains heavier than water and built like a black oily residue inside the chimney ¹ . When wood does not burn completely, it produces soot and tar smoke. The combustion of the low temperature timber causes incomplete combustion of oils in the wood. As the smoke rising through the chimney, it cools causing water, carbon and volatiles to condense on the inner surfaces of the chimney. When creosote is present, it reduces the flow of air through the chimney and increases the likelihood that the fire does not get enough air to burn at a high temperature. Since creosote is highly combustible, if it comes into contact with the hot oxygen in the fireplace, it could ignite causing a fire. Chimney fires often spread to the main structure, because the fire is so hot that it ignites combustible materials in direct contact with it, such as wood. Most homes are frame construction, which is a highly combustible material.

To help you avoid the risk of a chimney fire, here are ten tips for household maintenance courtesy wood DIY Network ²

1. Have your fireplace inspected and cleaned wood by a professional chimney sweep at least once a year and more often if creosote builds up on the walls of the chimney quickly. Depending on where you live, it can cost $ 100 to $ 0.
2. Between professional inspections and cleanings, monitor your fireplace for signs of accumulation or other problems.
3. Your chimney has a cap with open sides generally netted to protect from rain, birds, squirrels and other animals, and debris from entering the chimney. The cap should be inspected regularly and replaced if necessary.
4. Check the inside of your chimney fireplace wood creosote.
5. Also watch accumulation of soot in the chimney of your fireplace. Soot is softer than creosote, flammable, and should be cleaned the chimney regularly.
6. If possible, burn hardwoods such as maple, oak, ash and birch. The benefits of hardwoods are they burn hot and long, have less height and sap, and tend to cause less creosote buildup. On the other hand, they are usually more expensive than softwood.
7. Whenever there is smoke inside your fireplace, troubleshoot and immediately correct the problems you find. Possible causes of smoke are a dirty chimney with creosote or soot, other debris in the chimney damper is not open or only partially open, or wood that does not burn completely.
8. To ensure the wood burning home safety, consider installing a stainless steel coating that resists even the highest temperatures and keep the fire contained and embers.
9. to improve your efficiency wood fireplace, consider installing heat-resistant glass doors to protect against heat loss and a fan or blower to direct the heat in the piece. The doors are also a safety feature because they can keep the embers to escape the chimney inside the house. Glass doors must be cleaned regularly with a paper towel and door glass clean home.
10. Clean the inside of your fireplace, including the floor regularly. Sweep or vacuum cold ashes. Wear a dust mask and gloves when cleaning the chimney.

There can be many advantages to a fireplace, including savings on heating costs and to supplement your main source of heat. At the same time, maintenance and service of your home is of utmost importance. What are the steps you take to maintain the security of your fireplace and chimney burning?

¹ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Creosote

² http: //www.diynetwork.com/home-improvement/10-tips-for-maintaining-a-wood-burning-fireplace/index.html

Have you ever wondered about some of the terms of your insurance agent uses to describe the location of your property insured? What exactly goes into the development of insurance premiums you pay? It's not like you can see, touch, taste or insurance coverage, but it is something that you should have, even if it's just for you to sleep well at night knowing that you are protected!

there are many factors that go into determining how much it will cost to cover your business in case of fire loss. These include limits, building age, size, type of construction, etc. Another factor is the classification of public protection in your community (PPC).

The International Risk Management Institute (IRMI) website defines a public protection classification program as "scoring system with a range from 1 (best) to 10 (worst) that digitally municipal class . protection system against the burning of a community "plus your number, plus your insurance premiums could be Public protection class in your community is determined by the following:.

1. systems emergency communications (fire reports, distribution of fire service, training, etc.)
2. the age of your fire department. the type of control equipment against the fire, and the geographical deployment of fire companies.
3. Your water supply necessary to extinguish fires.
4. Your efforts to reduce fire risks (fire prevention, safety, education and investigation programs)

If your class public safety are not high enough to help reduce your premiums, there are some things you can do to protect you and possibly receive credit on your policy.

• Make sure your smoke detectors are in working order.
• Make sure you working extinguishers.
• have an alarm to the central station installed with fire monitoring or at least a local alarm.
• Consider investing in a portable fire pump. If you are in a community with a ranking of 10 which includes water flow problems, know where the nearest body of water is like a pond or lake in an emergency.

For more information on public protection classifications, visit the Office (ISO) website for insurance services.

Now that Christmas is over, it's time to start thinking about those resolutions New Year. This year I'm going exercise five days a week. This year I'm going to eat. This year I'll be a better listener. What resolutions do you do for 2014?

What about a resolution to ensure that your PC maintenance schedule is set for the year? Regular maintenance is very important for the performance and security of your PC. Here are some maintenance items to consider:

Cleaning

• rabbits dust can accumulate quickly! Turn off your PC, unplug the power cord and remove the outer casing, then use compressed air or a vacuum cleaner to gently remove dust
• Get rid of all the old files. either delete or copy them to CD. Be sure to move them to the cloud storage.
• Delete cookies, temporary files, cache and history files. Use Disk Cleanup (under Accessories> System Tools on a Windows PC).
• Do not forget your e-mail! Delete any e-mails you need more. And make sure to empty your deleted files and Recycle Bin items.

Back-UPS

• If you have an automated backup process, great! Review and test the process to make sure it works as expected
• If you do not have a back-up automated process -. Make a resolution to create one! (Here are some options.)

software

• Check for updates. If the product has an option Automatic Updates, consider using it to ensure that you are always on the latest version.
• Delete any software you do not use.

operating system

• Consider using the Automatic Updates option if available. Otherwise, be sure to check regularly for updates.
• Check any future support for change. Be prepared for such situations

Security

• Anti-Virus - .. Check for updates, consider all scheduled tasks
• Firewall - review settings, check for updates
• Change your passwords

printer, keyboard, monitor, and other devices

..
• Make sure they are clean and that you have the latest drivers / firmware.

maintain a resolution to keep your PC and you will be in service throughout the year. What is on your PC maintenance list?

It was in May 05, just months after buying my first home, I learned firsthand how a devastating fire can be. I was 23 and just two years out of college. I thought I knew enough about the heating and electrical hazards of vigorous training I received in my business. I was wrong.

I was coming home after a long day of work. I went to turn on the TV and nothing happens. I noticed that nothing in the room worked, so I went to the basement and found the circuit breaker triggered. Not thinking much, I leafed through it. That's when I heard it: a zap type of sound coming from the living room. I will never forget that sound. I quickly ran the steps from the basement and saw smoke coming out of the front of my house. I threw open the front door and saw the whole front of my house was on fire. I quickly grabbed my phone, my dog ​​and my cat and ran outside.

The fire investigation team found the cause of the fire was faulty wiring left by the previous owner. While I am not aware there was a chimney for a wood stove or fireplace in front of the house. The fireplace was removed, but instead of feeding the wire through the new 2 × 4, it was simply sandwiched between the 2 × 4 and plates of interior plaster. The dragging caused the wire to heat and that caused the tripping circuit breaker. When I was flipping the circuit breaker, all the money and effort that I put it in my new home literally gone up in flames.

ME was devastated, but I am not the first nor will be the last to have this happen to them. The sad thing is this could have been avoided. The previous owner had hired a licensed electrician to do the electrical work, and I should call an electrician when I saw the circuit breaker had tripped. Although I can not speak for the previous owner (I wonder if they had their residence before the fire on the news that night as I watched from my hotel room), I know I ' I learned my lesson. There are many possible causes of fire, but there are also many steps you can take to prevent. Watch our video to learn more!

If you followed the news lately, you've probably heard a lot about the debate on net neutrality and the ongoing conflict billion dollars between companies on the Internet. Most people, however, probably do not understand what the difference really is, and do not care about yourself. Let me break down the situation and how the impact on the results we all.

online content services such as Netflix and Hulu do not have the physical Internet pipes that carry Internet traffic. Instead, they pay providers such as Level 3 Communications and Cogent to transport their data to Internet providers like Comcast, Verizon, and Time Warner Cable. These companies usually have up sharing agreements whereby they agree to carry data each other back and forth instead of loading another.

The problem is that the streaming of online services like Netflix and Hulu are becoming more popular every day and take up to an even higher percentage of online traffic (some estimates say as much as Netflix made a third of all traffic during prime time). This means that the amount of traffic carried over the Internet has increased enormously, overwhelming the network connections between companies such as Level 3 providers like Comcast. This required heavy investment in infrastructure to meet demand and, of course, someone has to pay for these investments.

ISPs have offered to pay a fee to content providers like Netflix for fast and reliable connection. Content providers who pay this tax should be prioritized, while those who do not pay would experience slower connections. This approach obviously does not create "net neutrality" since not all Internet traffic be treated equally. ISPs would be free to slow or even block certain services. For its part, Netflix offers to pay for put some of its data centers directly to major Internet service providers, bypassing network congestion. This practice is done in Europe and with some ISPs smaller here in America, but was shunned by major players in the US Internet providers argue that content providers should be on the hook for the cost of updating since their services require massive investments, while content providers argue that Internet providers should pay the costs of providing the speeds they promise to their customers.

multiple attempts by the FCC to regulate the Internet and to impose net neutrality have mostly failed, and Congress has yet to come up with any legislative solution. Recently, Netflix even broke its own code and started paying Comcast charges if they strongly objected to ensure guests enjoyed uninterrupted video streaming.

The debate over net neutrality is nothing new and unlikely to disappear any time soon. For many people, net neutrality seems to be a distant issue for large companies to settle, but the consequences affect us all -. Especially when you see a buffering message while watching our favorite shows online

Now that you have a better understanding, what do you think of the idea of ​​"net neutrality?"

We all know how easy it is these days to go online and buy auto insurance, but do consumers really know what they buy? Watch this video to understand the various benefits included in a typical personal auto policy.

Did you know that all personal auto policies are not created equal? Talk to your trusted insurance advisor for advice on selecting the appropriate limits of the auto policy.

Ah, the weekend! Time for fun and relaxation - for most of us. For others, weekends are sometimes more intense than their jobs Monday to Friday. These are the warriors of the weekend!

Whether the construction of a bridge, painting the house, or just do general repairs of households, these owners rarely have a day leave. They believe they can be a contractor, plumber, electrician, carpenter and all rolled into one and can complete major improvement projects in just two short days on the weekend. However, they often underestimate the scope of work to do and most of their knowledge was picked up from HGTV, YouTube, a book do-it-yourself, or a one-hour class at their local home improvement store.

they probably do not know is that some 20,000 dead and hundreds of thousands of injuries occur each year as a result of home improvement-related injuries (Home Safety Council). Here are some tips to keep these weekend warriors safely: ..

• If it is a working outdoors, wear sunscreen to basic protection of SPF
• Drink plenty of fluids to keep you hydrated
• keep a good first aid kit handy care
• Dress for the job at hand -.! barefoot and lawnmowers do not mix
• Read the warning labels / warning (whether for a tool, chemical, etc.).
• Equip your garage or shop and your home with fire extinguishers.
• Keep tools and supplies out of reach of children.
• always set a scale on a flat, firm.
• Keep drill bits, blades and sharp knives. Dull tools require extra strength and can bind.
• sure to wired power tools are plugged into a receptacle which is protected by a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI).
• Do not use damaged extension cords (discard immediately if damaged)
• Think twice before working on gas lines. it is often best handled by a professional technician.
• The dust and fibers can be dangerous to breathe. When sanding wood or drywall joint compound, wear a dust mask.
• Tackle only the tasks you feel manipulation (ie only do electrical work if you have the necessary knowledge) safely.

especially, do not be afraid to ask for help! Although you do not want to admit it, the job may be too difficult for one person. If you feel overwhelmed, hire an expert. Nobody wants a weekend warrior to become the weekend hurt! After all, there is so much more to do next weekend!

Recently, I conducted several training workshops on how to make a winning presentation. During this workshop, we discussed using PowerPoint as a visual aid. PowerPoint can be annoying if not used effectively. To fight against this, I suggested another option called Prezi. I was shocked to find that most people have never heard of this "out of the box" of the online presentation tool.

Prezi is a presentation based on a cloud and a storytelling tool that allows users to submit ideas on a virtual canvas. This tool based on the Web allows users to create a canvas with text, images, videos, etc. via its website. Often chosen second in the traditional Microsoft Office PowerPoint This presentation tool allows users to go with a different approach to the presentation by zooming in and out of their presentation materials when displaying and browsing information in three dimensional space. The strength of this tool is that it really allows users to illustrate the relationship between the concepts and key points to another. During the first pass users Prezi website are presented with a short video that gives a quick overview of Prezi. New visitors can get new information on the site by scrolling down and looking at some of the pieces and displayed informational videos.

It's easy to register on the Prezi site for an official report Prezi. New visitors can either click on the big button, blue "Register Now" button or the right that allows users to connect via their Facebook account.

Have you ever used Prezi? Are there other visual tools do you recommend?

Recent summer storms caused business owners in several states to close their doors because of power outages caused by strong winds downing power lines. Many were surprised that their business income insurance does not include coverage for this power interruption.

cover operating losses (also known as business income coverage) can be extended to include losses due to interruptions in public services. Services Utility-Time Element provides coverage for loss of income due to the interruption of energy, water supply, and communication. The owner of a company can choose coverage for all or part of these utilities. Power and communications have an additional option to include coverage for overhead transmission lines - which is what was required for those affected by power lines. This form pays loss of profit costs and continuing until the selected limit or until the service is restored

Some important points :.

• -Time Element Utility Services is an extension of the business income coverage can not be purchased by itself.
• Any period or deductible applicable waiting to business income will also apply to the extension of utility services.
• loss of the utility must be due to a covered cause of loss. For example, if the cause of loss selected form does not provide cover for the weight of ice, sleet or snow, an event caused by an ice storm would not be covered.

And did you know that coverage is also available for direct damage to property of the insured caused by the interruption of utility services (such as damage from a power surge)?

The companies that rely heavily on power, water or communications from a utility provider should talk to their agent regarding coverage for losses due to interruptions in supply of a public utility.

Have you lost power following storms? How did it affect your business?

The policy covers described above are in the most general terms and are subject to the exclusions and real political conditions. For specific coverage details and exclusions of the policy, refer to the policy itself or contact a central agent.

Provide a service to high-end customers is not always easy. In fact, it may be a bit stressful both. Here are some tips to help you improve your customer service:

• Listen. The most important skill a representative of customer service can develop listening. Most customers do not want listen they want talk and get their views. A good way to exercise your listening skills to your client to repeat what they said. This shows that you are really listening.
• Be professional. Always remember that you represent your entire company. If this is not something your company president would say, more likely it is not something you should say no more.
• Apologize. It is easy to get defensive when a customer is to criticize your product or company, but it is essential for you to remain calm. If the company was at fault or not, simply saying: "I'm sorry you had problems" can do wonders to soothe a customer
• Hold your ground with abusive clients.. If a client is to be rude, abusive and / or threatens you, you do not have to put up with it first try to tell the customer. "We can not continue this conversation, unless you can do a calendar reasonable manner. " If that does not work, transfer the call to a supervisor or manager or, if the customer is simply out of control, they say, "I'll hang up. Please call back when you are ready to discuss a reasonable manner "and stop the call.

Anyone can give good customer service, but businesses who care and really want to keep their customers commit to providing excellent customer service! What's your trick of the trade to provide excellent customer service?

The Thanksgiving week! It has always been one of my favorite holidays. Family, food, and spend time thinking about the things you are grateful. I thought it would be fun to think about how grateful I am for the technology and the way it has, and I, an impact on our lives ...

When you were in school you remember learning about the iconic inventors like Alexander Graham Bell and Thomas Edison? Although difficult to grasp because I had no idea of ​​what life was like without a phone or a light bulb, I realize now that my children will not know a world without the progress we often take for granted.

Some technologies, I am grateful for and those of my children at any given time can be considered historic ...

Internet - marketed in the 190s, the Internet rose to require a phone line to be available on your cell phone as long as you can get a 3G or 4G signal. I am certainly grateful for all that the Internet has made possible. I am convinced that there is more to come

Cell Phones -. Marketed in the 1980s as the Internet, they went to require a phone line to be available anywhere you can get a cell signal. The combination of cell phones and the Internet has created devices that let you do just about anything, anywhere -. I am grateful for this flexibility

Wireless Technologies - Wireless technologies have long. That said, just about everything I know to wire, my children will not know that wireless - internet connection, using the phone or connect your decoder to your TV. Did you know that both Alexander Graham Bell and Thomas Edison dabbled in wireless technologies in the 1880s

Skype ? - I have family all over the world and be able to talk with them and see them is remarkable. My children are waiting every conversation on the phone to include video. I'm sure the 3D holograms are next

Social Media - being able to share anything with an infinite amount of people instantly amazing. #Thankful

These technologies focus on communication and information. What technologies are you thankful for?

Find the right insurance agent can be just as important as finding the right doctor or dentist. Ultimately, you'll put a lot of faith in that person and hope they have your best interests in mind while looking for your financial security. The more you have to protect, the more crucial the decision becomes.

It is important to understand what types of insurance agents you have to choose. In general, there are three main groups:

1. agents online or by phone who work directly for the insurance company
2. The exclusive agents who usually represent a single company insurance
3. independent agents who represent several insurance companies.

I would like to start by saying that I personally sold insurance as an agent in the three groups and can attest that there are good and professional care of each one. Although I recommend choosing an independent agent, each group can have advantages and disadvantages.

Buying insurance online or call center agent can pose several challenges. Although popular for personal insurance, I do not recommend this method for the purchase of insurance companies based on the complexity of the coverage you may need. Unless you feel confident that you understand what coverage you need and how much you should have a cover, you take chances with this method because you will not generally the advice and guidance of an agent insurance. Online centers and calls profess to be fast, easy and cheap and sometimes they can be one or all of these things, but also an insurance agent without a lawyer are you when it comes time to file a claim. Also, if you are not satisfied with your renewal price, you're back to surf the web or by calling around as the process begins again.

The advantage of working with a captive agent is that you have someone to advise you on the needs and coverage concerns. A captive agent can focus primarily on personal insurance for auto, home and life, but could also offer business insurance products. The challenge of this method is traditionally the agent represents only one insurance company. If you are not satisfied with your renewal price or need a type of coverage they do not offer, you are back to square one and looking for an agent. A captive agent will not be able to really shop the market for you every year. As a former captive agent, to meet the renewal price of the concerns that I had to fall on the reduction in coverage as a potential option for my clients. This was not an ideal solution, but I simply had no alternative when the price was an issue. In my experience I have seen many captive agents make the transition to become a free agent because of their frustration of not having more options for their clients.

Independent agents represent several insurance companies and the largest variety of available insurance products and services. While an independent agent usually represents several insurance companies, they are not an employee of any one, and are there to serve your lawyer get you the right coverage at the best value. With an independent, you may benefit not only to find an agent but perhaps several specialized agents in your area of ​​need but working in tandem for you under one agency. These authorized officers may specialize in various areas of expertise in personal lines business groups such as construction, manufacturing, or food service.

I recalled the other day the leading independent agent role play as your lawyer in the case of a claim. I know an agent working on a quote for a new prospective corporate client when the prospect has suffered a loss. This prospect had bought two separate policies from two different companies. The policy related to the loss was purchased on a direct basis. It became clear very quickly that the prospect was in great need of a defender of the claims. They had several questions about the loss and what to do. Direct company tried to set up a time in a week or for adjustment to inspect the loss, but ultimately the insured felt helpless and unsure of what to do in the meantime. The independent agent received a single email from page view "HELP!" They were apologetic for disturbing the independent agent, but there was a list of questions and just need someone to talk to. Although they are not yet a customer, the agent contacted me to discuss the request and issues of perspective had. He then drove to see and tried to explain their coverage and claims to deal in more depth. I am sure that after this experience, this view will soon be a customer of the independent agent. It has strengthened not only the dedication to helping the people I've seen time and again independent agents I work with, but also what a critical role the independent agent acts as your advocate claims at the time of loss .

As I said, there are good, professional and caring people from all groups. However, I would make a recommendation to you for the new year: If you are not currently working with an independent agent, take please the time to reach out to one before your policy expires. I think you will find the experience is well worth your time. With the variety of independent agents available, the right agent is there and ready to serve your lawyer for many years to come.

Have a happy and safe New Year!

As someone who works in technology, I often get questions about the "cloud" mysterious and how it can be used. The cloud is generally related to Internet-based services that allow you to work from any computer connected to the Internet. So in reality, many people are already using cloud-based services to their email (services such as Gmail, Yahoo and Outlook.com), banking, and other things. The data is stored on computers connected to the Internet, as opposed to your local machine, giving you the ability to access it from anywhere. But one area I found to be under-used is that of cloud storage services.

Cloud storage takes many forms, and there are many different services, but one of the easiest to use is the cloud drive. Cloud Drive services such as Google Drive, Microsoft a hard drive (formerly Sky Drive) Drop Box and all you give the option to store your files on Internet file servers and then access from any computer, tablet or smartphone. Not only is this great for access to documents and pictures from different places, it also serves as a backup. If your computer crashes, no worries! Your files stored on the cloud are protected.

The cloud drive is very easy to use as well. Just install on your PC and save items in the appropriate folder - the rest is done for you. These services also have applications available for smartphones and tablets that are as easy to install, so you can easily move images or videos from your smartphone on your computer. In addition, these services all offer a generous amount of free storage (more space is available for an additional cost, of course).

As if that were not enough, you can share some folders on your drive with other users for them to view or edit (you set the security). With my fiancé living two hours away from me, I can not begin to tell you how it has been helpful in terms of planning a wedding.

A cloud drives limitations is editing. Most people still use Microsoft Office Word, Excel and Power Point, but that these programs on their smartphones? Microsoft offers a new product, Office 365, which is their first attempt at office moving to the cloud. Office 365 is available with a monthly or annual subscription and you can install Office on up to five computers and five smartphones. If you want Office on your tablet, make sure it is a Windows tablet because Microsoft does not offer Office for iPad and Android tablets. In addition, an Office online version will allow limited functionality in your web browser to the documents stored in a single unit. I found the experience very smooth and easy to use.

If you do not want to add another monthly bill, Google Docs offers free and similar solution. With Google Docs, you work in your web browser to create documents, spreadsheets or presentations. With Google Docs, everything is stored on Google Drive, but you can always download a copy on your local PC, and Google Docs will even put it in Microsoft Office for you format.

Regarding the storage of information on a cloud player, it is important to keep in mind safety as well. While most sites will tell you that your information is secure and encrypted data breaches occur, and a cloud service provider will be a larger target than your personal computer. Be careful about storing sensitive information here. Security is also important to keep in mind when choosing your cloud service provider - any security is also created

There are a few advantages to using cloud storage. Do you use the cloud? Share some of your favorite and help others benefit from cloud storage!

Shortly after the rush of Thanksgiving, my daughters and I were watching the news broadcast information about the data breach of payment! 40 million holiday consumers. My number one favorite retailer, Target, was the target. My daughter said, "Mom, I know your information was stolen. You live in the target. "My answer was:" No, not this time I do not shop all over Thanksgiving weekend. "

To my surprise I received a notification email from the target at the end of January informing me that my information was stolen. Then I received a text message from Chase Bank asking if I was shopping in New York. Chase refused the transaction and quickly sent new bank card to me without my request. I always kept me my privacy enough. In fact, I consider myself an expert, so I'm sure my information was not stolen. I was wrong.

The New York Times, the data from the violation of the affected target over 110 million people. During the fourth quarter, Target reported $ 61 million in pre-tax costs related to the offense and $ 44 million in insurance payments for a net cost of $ 17 million. This amount does not include the future costs of the breach which could include litigation, claims for fraud, and investigative costs. Target profits were down 46 percent. The reported net income was $ 520 million versus $ 941 million during the same period last year. Needless to say it was a bottom line hit the target.

Identity theft and data breaches are scary and expensive for individuals and businesses, but there are ways to protect yourself. For consumers, there are some basic precautions you can take. You can also ask your independent insurance agent on the cover identity of insurance against theft. Watch the video above to learn more about the cover offered by Central.

And what about businesses? Violations can occur for small and large companies as well (as demonstrated by the breach of the target), but small businesses are particularly vulnerable because they often lack the resources to protect or recover from violation. See our "Ten ways to prevent a data breach" tip sheet on our website, then ask your agent for more information on the data compromise and identity theft coverage.

The time was slow to warm up this spring, but before you know it, the thermometer will reach these high temperatures which are a necessary air conditioner. Before the temperature gets too hot, here are some tips for easy and safe installation of your window or wall pass-conditioning unit:

• Be sure -you read all the manufacturer's safety advice.
• Check the unit for black mold (if the device was previously used). If this mold, the unit must be cleaned or disposed of properly.
• If the machine is heavy, two people lift is strongly recommended.
• Make sure that both the circuit and the outlet can handle the load. If in doubt, ask a qualified electrician inspect the wiring in your home and advise you as to whether it will safely manage the air conditioning units.
• Always connect an air conditioner in a (three-pin) earthed. If a camera cord plug does not fit an outlet, have a qualified electrician to replace the outlet.
• If you should use an extension cord to reach an earth connection, make sure that you are using a cord designed for air conditioners and is UL listed, meets the specifications of OSHA, and can handle the power required by your air conditioner.

Proper installation and maintenance of your air conditioner can also help reduce the cost of operating the unit. Here are some additional tips from Underwriters Laboratories (UL) to help reduce your energy costs during the summer :.

• Have your air conditioner cleaned and inspected before summer
• carry out routine maintenance checks during the summer, as regularly change or clean the filters.
• do not let heat build up and then try to immediately cool the zones by turning the controls at maximum settings. Start early units and cold spots throughout the day.
• Close blinds and curtains on the west and south sides of your home to block the sun.
• Turn off all unnecessary lights.
• Wait until late at night to use devices that produce heat, such as ovens, dishwashers and dryers.
• close unused rooms.

With these simple tips, you and your electricity bill can stay cool this summer! What other tips can you share to make the most of our air conditioner while saving on energy costs?

What is an Insurance Underwriter?

I saw this graph on Facebook the other day and it made me think of how many times my friends and family members ask me this question when I tell them my title is Underwriter . Did you hear your independent insurance agent say, "subject to underwriting approval, we can determine how much your premium will be, or if we can include your new purchase (equipment, etc.) on your policy" when talking your business, auto or home coverage? Have you ever wondered what it means?

Underwriters assess, analyze and evaluate insurance risks to determine if coverage will be provided and, if so, what the premium will be. most insurers have a bachelor's degree, usually in finance, business management or administration, insurance and risk management, or actuarial science. I am a Commercial Lines Underwriter so I work with blankets and policies to protect businesses Here are the steps I take each day do my job. ..

1. the request consideration received from the agent
2. Validate and research the information received
3. If necessary, send a service to inspect the property.
4. Identify and calculate the costs of each requested coverage.
5. review past information and the history of your account, such as the frequency and severity of loss incidents.
6. Request additional information necessary to help make a correct analysis and the decision to provide coverage.

Then I work closely with your agent to help meet your coverage needs, offer alternatives if necessary, and make recommendations to ensure your business is protected if lost. I'm not a superhero and I do not lie on the beach all day, but I do like to help fulfill the promise to provide security, protection and peace of mind!

I like to consider myself as a good neighbor. I tell my kids to keep it down when they are hanging on the patio later in the evening. I lend an egg or a cup of sugar if needed. I pick up the newspaper sitting in the driveway on the other side of the street so as not to accumulate and announce to passersby that no one is at home. My kids fed and walked the dogs a neighbor when they are away for a day or two on a weekend or holiday. It was a great way for them to earn a little extra cash when they were too young to "real" jobs.

But because of my work in the claims, the last neighborhood business gives me a break. What if one of these dogs was cut to a child on one of these walks? And if the little woman walking in our neighborhood every day was frightened by a dog barking and fell trying to get out?

You may be wondering why I am afraid. In many areas, dog bite (and even "dog fright") incidents can result in significant jury verdicts. There are still some places where you and Fido get a "free bite", which means that if the dog has never shown hostile behavior toward humans and has never bitten in the past, you can not be responsible for the first incident involving this dog. However, in other areas, certain types of dogs are labeled as "dangerous" and just have a dangerous race, could lead to a liability even when the dog is on a leash, and sometimes even when the dog is in his own backyard. In one case, the dog in question was closed in his own backyard and the injured party on the other side of the fence!

homeowners policies provide liability coverage for claims involving animals, but it is important to realize the coverage may be limited or excluded by endorsement. Knowing that we had a few incidents on the block with dogs get a little out of hand, I can only worry that I may have neighbors who might not have liability insurance for injury or property damage caused by their animals of company. If this is the case, who is responsible for the animal when it is involved in a bite incident or fright might find the injured party looking to them for payment.

was because dog walking and dog-sitting are preferred jobs for school-age children, parents need to be sure that the dog owner involved has adequate cover in the event of incident. If this seems to be an easy summer job could turn into a legal nightmare for all concerned. Meanwhile, it is always a good idea to consult dog safety tips with your children.

We finally reach the time of year when the insurance companies are breathing a sigh of relief and begin to lick their wounds as hail season begins in s 'switch off. While hail storms can occur at any time throughout the year, from March to June usually marks the heart of the storm season in which 71.4 percent of all small claims occur.

My beautiful state of Texas, for example, ranked No. 1 in the nation between 2010 and 2012 for small applications with more than 320,000. This is 16 percent of total claims to hail from the nation, according to the National Insurance Bureau of Crime (NICB). So what that Texas and other parts of the United States visited by hail in common (other than hail)? franchises wind / hail.

Yes, absolutely, there is a separate deductible that applies to the exposure of wind and hail. These franchises called Percentage Deductibles, the first has become a popular option on the cover of the earthquake in the western states, and then made their way on policy in areas prone to hurricanes, and now they are one option where hail is widespread. The days of meals $ 500 $ 250 deductibles for wind and hail in parts of the country quickly fade. Both personal and business customers now see 1-2 percent and even as high as 5 percent, deductibles depending on the insured value of their home or business. So if your home is insured for $ 0,000 and you have a 1 percent wind / hail deductible, you would have to pay the first $ 2,000 of a covered loss before your insurance policy would kick in.

So what can you do to find the best coverage and value for your insurance dollar?

• Ask your independent agent find the best option for your situation. Are you comfortable with taking the higher deductible to earn premium savings, or is the security of knowing you have only to meet a lower deductible in the event of a loss is worth the monthly premium additional? Your agent can quickly use "if" quoting to determine the best value for you.
• Consider a resistive hail roof. Although most claims adjusters in Texas will tell you there is no such thing as a roof that can withstand the force of a small stone of a baseball falling from height sky, some people feel that they can be effective.
• Consider a Franchise Buy Back. Some carriers offer a policy covering the franchise that you would normally pay in case of loss covered such as wind or hail. These can be especially helpful when a mortgage company or lender will not accept the risk of a percentage of the wind / hail high deductible.

For more information on your wind / hail deductible, contact your independent insurance agent. To learn more about the basics of franchises and how they work, see our video above!

The covers here are described in the most general terms, and subject to the conditions and actual policy exclusions. For the actual wording cover, conditions and exclusions, see the policy or contact your agent.

Summer is the season for outdoor fun. Some of the most popular activities, such as swimming and boating can also be among the deadliest. Drowning ranks fifth among the leading causes of injury or death in the United States. Believe it or not, about ten people die from drowning every day .

From 05-09, there were an average of 3533 fatal drownings each year in the United States. In addition, 347 people died each year from drowning in incidents related to navigation. About one in five who die from drowning are children 14 and younger. For every child who dies from drowning, five receive care at the hospital for nonfatal submersion injuries.

Over 50 percent of drowning victims treated in emergency departments require hospitalization or transfer to other care. Nonfatal drowning injuries can cause severe brain damage that can cause long-term disabilities such as memory problems, learning disabilities, and permanent loss of basic functions.

Who is most at risk?

• males. Nearly 80 percent of drowning deaths are men.
• children. children ages 1 to 4 have the highest rates of drowning. In 09, 30 percent of deaths in this age group were from drowning; it was the second cause of death after the birth defects. Most of these drownings occur in pools of home. Among children 1 to 14 years, the fatal drowning remains the second leading cause of unintentional injury related deaths behind motor vehicles.
• minorities. Between 05-09, the rate of fatal drownings for African-Americans was significantly higher than that of Caucasians across all ages. The fatal drowning rate of African-American children 5-14 years is almost three times higher than Caucasian children in the same age group. Factors such as access to swimming pools, lack of desire to learn to swim, and choosing recreational activities related to water can contribute to the difference in drowning rates between races.

What factors influence the risk of drowning

• lack of swimming ability. research has shown that participation in swimming lessons can reduce the risk of drowning.
• pool barriers Lack? . barriers such as pool fencing prevent young children from accessing the pool without the help of awareness. An isolation fence with four sides (separating the pool from the house and yard) reduces the risk of drowning 83 percent compared to the three sides of a child's property line fence.
• close monitoring Lack. drowning can happen quickly wherever water is present (lakes, rivers, pools), even in the presence of lifeguards.
• Location. most ages drownings of children 1-4 occur in home swimming pools. The percentage of drownings in natural water areas (lakes, rivers, oceans) increases with age. More than half of fatal and nonfatal drownings of 15 and over occurred in natural water environments.
• Do not use life jackets. In 2010, the Coast Guard of the United States said that most boat deaths (72 percent) occurred because the victims were not wearing natural environment lifejackets water.
• alcohol consumption. in adolescents and adults, alcohol use is involved in up to 70 percent of the deaths associated with water recreation. Alcohol influences balance, coordination, and judgment, and the effects are aggravated by exposure to sun and heat.

How can you stay safe in the water?

• Provide supervision in and around water. Designate a responsible adult to watch young children. Supervisors should provide "touch supervision" where they are close enough to reach the child at all times.
• Use the buddy system. always swim with a buddy.
• Learn to swim. formal swimming lessons can protect young children from drowning.
• Learning CPR.
• Air-filled or foam toys are not safety devices. wings or water noodles are not life jackets and are not designed to keep swimmers safe.
• Avoid alcohol.
• Install a four-sided fence around pools. The fence should be 4 feet tall at least. Use self-closing and self-latching gates that open inwards with latches out of the reach of children. Also, consider other obstacles such as locks and alarms to prevent access or notify you if someone enters the pool area automatic doors.
• Clear the pool and pool toys. Remove all floats, balls and other toys from the pool and surrounding area immediately after use so children are not tempted to get into the pool without supervision.

With the proper precautions, your summer can be fun and accident- free. Please share additional tips that you may have.

Contents of this site courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). http://www.cdc.gov/homeandrecreationalsafety/water-safety/waterinjuries-factsheet.html

One of our independent agents recently asked thoughtful questions about insurance options available for personal jewelry. Given the many options and types of blankets available, I thought it was a blog about "precious"!

There are two main reasons why you would ensure an element of personal jewelry with indoor maritime policy (if you're curious why the coverage jewelry is called inner navy, click here):

1. based owners policy limits the amount that would be paid for jewelry in the case of a flight.
2. franchise would generally apply to a loss that is covered by the policy of a database owner. But when the jewelry are individually covered on an inner marine form there are usually no deductible in question (unless this option is explicitly requested).

When a jewelry item is covered with an inner maritime policy, most insurance companies offer two different options of settlement loss:

• option agreed settlement impairment
• a traditional option "repair / replacement cost" Regulation

for an additional premium, the agreed option value will simply pay the amount for which an item is listed on the policy. For this settlement option of loss that you may need to provide a recent assessment or a deed to justify the value at which the item is insured.

The traditional option of repair / replacement costs is the default option on a scheduled personal property endorsement to your homeowners policy. It gives your insurance company can replace an item to an amount less than the value indicated on the policy. This would be the case if such lesser duty would return the item to its original condition or replace the item with a kind or similar quality.

Although the repair option / replacement puts a client in the same position as before a loss, I often hear that the agreed value option provides a more satisfying claims to the policyholder because the regulation seeks to meet the needs of the most meticulous clients. For this reason, I generally recommend choosing the agreed value of loss settlement option if available.

Some companies also offer indoor coverage of marine form that allows an insured to have additional jewelry coverage limits without having to list each individual item. This form is best for a situation where a customer has many items of smaller value, as this form is a limit per item.

A final option offered for jewelry coverage pays a lower premium for items kept in a safe. To be precise, the decline in the rate charged for this option is provided for items stored in a bank vault, away from home. The discount rate is given with the idea that jewelry offsite would not be harmed by an event at your home as fire or theft.

With all the options available to protect your jewelry, the best thing you can do is talk to your independent agent to see what coverage will be more "valuable" for you!

Now I believe that 105 percent of the United States has a laptop in their pocket we call still a "phone", even though no one actually talks about most. What we do is Twitter tweets, Facebook comments, posting on Instagram, send a Gmail, reply to a text, read the ESPN updates, make purchases in stores, and so on.

The advantages of these devices are amazing. Unfortunately, the side effects are anything but. We trained our brain to think that we must have access to information at the moment it happens. Everyone wants to be the first to text a friend about the latest news, or retweet something important. When this becomes a real problem when we're behind the wheel of a car.

Does your phone ever given a warning when you were driving? If so, then you know the desire to check the message that second. It can be a powerful need that you literally have to wrestle with, but I invite you to WAIT!

Driving is not something we should take lightly. It requires our full attention and all it takes is a second for something to happen. I understand the desire to see someone sent a text message or email you, but ask yourself this: "Is my watch phone while driving bother myself or someone else hurt"

I think this is the best way to manage the distraction of your phone while driving. Constantly remind yourself of what could go wrong if you do. the dangers far outweigh the benefits you get looking text. If you are expecting an important message and you need to look at your phone, then simply pull on the road in a car park so you can take care of the issue. then you can go back on the road.

I want to leave you with this recall. one second of your life is not worth a life! you are too important and everyone around you is too important to risk. no matter how man a driver you are ... .it only takes a second to change everything.

For more on distracted driving, see our blog posts Driving Home the Message distracted driving, Overcoming the danger of distracted driving and free driving text - There's an app for that !

fall. Although shorter days and cooler temperatures mark the beginning of many exciting seasons - football, hunting, festivals, parties - unless you are blessed to live in the South, it also marks the end of a the greatest seasons of all: the golf season!

Golf has been around for hundreds of years and has become one of the most popular times of the past. The amount of time, money, and effort spent trying to perfect the art of smacking a little white hundreds of yards balls down a narrow alley in a tiny hole has resulted in the construction of thousands of golf courses across the country. Many country clubs have clubhouses now several million dollars with impeccable facilities while smaller municipal courts, most affordable offer the basics of the game. They all, however, are facing similar insurable exposures.

Aside from common exposures most people are aware of the coverage of the property as a club for the coverage and business income, owners and managers should consider these guarantees protection against the many unique exhibits of this golf course:

• golf course Greens and grounds . This coverage is for the outside grounds of the course. Included in this coverage are green, trees, bushes, flags, walkways, starting markers, bunkers, bridges and cart paths, ball washers, coolers, sprinklers and retaining walls among others outdoor structures. Blankets and insured risks vary from program to program.
• golf carts. Many golfers love scooting around the course in a golf cart as they chasing their ball. These trucks can however create an exhibition that must be addressed by the course management. Some courses are own their own carts, while others rent them from a separate owner. Anyway, the coverage of the liability and physical damage to the carriages should be reviewed.
• Wandering Cloud Ball. This coverage hits very close to home for many golfers, including myself. Hitting that little ball right is sometimes a very difficult thing to accomplish. Many courses are bordered by houses or private roads and a stray bullet can cause serious damage. Have excess liability coverage are not covered by the golfer can protect the course when the golf ball does not cooperate!
• pesticides and coverage of the herbicide. These beautifully maintained greens and fairways are not that way naturally. Courts apply pesticides and herbicides to keep the grass green and weed free, open to the overspray liability pollution or poor.

Other owners and golf course operators exposures may need to consider include swimming pools, restaurants, courts the responsibility of alcohol, and tennis, to name a few -uns.

Although the game of golf can be very aggravating from time to time, those of us who play the love of the game. If the owners and managers of the courses we play know the risks they face and treat with appropriate covers, we can all continue to enjoy the game! If you own or operate a golf course, contact your independent agent to ensure that you have appropriate safeguards to maintain your course to the task!

Regarding auto insurance, there are many myths floating around. Over the years I have heard many reasons why someone believes their insurance rates should be lower (or higher), and many of them are fake. Regardless of how these misconceptions have started, they are deeply rooted in the lore insurance. Below, I bust the four of the most common myths about auto insurance that I encounter on a daily basis.

1. I have a red car, so I know that it will cost more money. You can have a red car, green car, car or magenta - the color does not affect your insurance. The year, make and model are all that matters regarding what your insurance will cost for a particular vehicle. There are many other features on the car can affect your insurance rates as well, but the car color is not one of them.
2. I am over 25 years, so my insurance should be cheaper. People often think that when they reach a certain age their insurance rates should be automatically reduced. The reality is that each insurance company imposes tariffs which are based on the age of the driver. Some companies use the driver's age, but others assess how long you've been a licensed driver. Because of this gap in the industry, there is no magic age where your rate will start to fall. In general however, young drivers pay higher premiums than the average age of drivers and older because younger drivers have more accidents.
3. My car is old, so I want the minimum insurance coverage. Just because your car has seen better days does not mean that you should wear low liability limits. The fact is, you can be involved in an accident and injure or even kill someone with a clunker just as easily as you can with a new car. People often assess how much they want to spend on insurance based on the value of their car. Most covers on an insurance contract with injuries you receive or injury you cause to others. Having a vehicle not beat it less likely that you will be injured or injure someone in an accident. You can decide not to buy coverage to repair or replace your car, but always carry as much liability coverage and medical payments you can.
4. I do not have an accident last year and my car is a year older so my rates should fall. Being accident-free and having a car that is a year older does not automatically correspond to a lower insurance premium. Premiums increase based on a variety of factors, including the cost of repairs, the cost of your vehicle, etc. Many people think that their insurance should continue to decline due to age of the vehicle and have no accidents or speeding tickets. However, inflation has the same effect on the insurance he has on a gallon of milk. The age of your vehicle is not to pay less money body shop to fix your car or to obtain parts for these repairs at a price because your car is older (like getting milk from a older cow costs no less!). The cost of insurance terms of the overall cost of your insurance claim in general, which includes the hourly rates for body shops and mechanics, auto parts and even lawsuits resulting from accidents, among other things. The more your mechanical loads for repairs or your legal fees to defend you, plus the cost of insurance.

The truth is, car insurance varies from state to state. To get a better understanding of what factors in determining auto insurance rates in your state, contact your operator or agent for details.

What other myths have you encountered when it comes to insurance? I may be able to bust those as well!

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The countdown to Black Friday is sure! Many of us will participate in comfortable pajamas from the comfort of our own home through online shopping! Some stores offer the same deals online as they do in the store, so it is certainly practical way to go.

For many Black Friday shoppers, however, online shopping is simply not the same thing as the mad rush of shopping in the store. Black Friday shopping in stores is more than just shopping. It is the ritual of the family and / or friends to start the holiday season together. And yes, finding the best deals is part of this tradition, so here are some helpful tips to survive the crowds and get the best deals:

• Start early A. they say "the early bird gets the worm" It is important to dress warm because you never know how long you have to wait outside in cold temperatures
• Watch your impulse purchases... make a list of people you need to shop for or things you need to buy. It is also important to plan your budget in advance and know the prices of items you want to purchase. If you're like me, the idea of ​​getting a good deal is enough to make me want to buy something. If something is $ 15 off the regular price, you definitely need, right? (Even if you have two at home!).
• Be careful in parking lots. As you know, Black Friday is very chaotic and you rush from store to store. Many buyers, perhaps including you, are probably running only on coffee. Be very careful in parking lots. The last thing you want to face a tussle in the early morning hours, what would make you miss out on some of these bargains.
• Use Black Friday websites or mobile applications. Black Friday deals can be found on these applications and can save you an incredible amount of time to prepare for the big day. Shopkick and DealNews are popular websites and FatWallet and BFAds are mobile applications to buyers.
• Relax and keep your cool. With all the excitement of Black Friday, some buyers may cause you some anxiety to push and push to get an item. The news of the day after Black Friday still has stories on extreme buyers. Remember that Black Friday shopping is supposed to be fun!

Is shopping on Black Friday a tradition for your family? Do you have tips to share on how to conquer the Black Friday?

So we did it through Thanksgiving and Christmas and we are looking to the new year. If you're like me, you have made a goal to eat as much as possible during the holidays for no other reason than you could! I also went a bit too far on the budget that I set for Christmas gifts, but my children are happy that one!

So now it's time to pay for all that gluttony by the resolution of the New Year. I heard that more than half of all Americans make New Year's resolutions and that over 0 percent of them fail to achieve their goal. There are many, many reasons why we fail in our objectives for the new year. In the past, I have often failed my resolutions in early February! This year, however, will be different. And yes, I say that every year, but this year I think I've narrowed my reasons for failure and will keep them in mind during my resolutions for 2015!

• Be realistic. Of course, I'd love to drop 25-30 pounds by the spring. Let's see, do I'll have to drop 10 pounds per month. That probably will not happen. However, I can resolve to lose 3-5 pounds per month and stick to it! I will not set unreasonable goals at the gym or with my diet and not lose focus.
• Be specific. Instead of simply resolving to save money, I'll come up with a plan. I will use a progressive savings plan that many of you have seen. 1 week, put $ 1 in a savings account. Week 2, put $ 2. Week 3, add $ 3 and so on until I saved almost $ 1,400 to spend for Christmas next year.
• Do not set too many goals. The more goals you achieve, the more likely you are to fail at one or two of them and completely lose focus on them all. I'm just the best two resolutions this year: lose weight and save money
• Share your goals with your close friends .. I will surround myself with good people to act as my support and encourage me to succeed rather than seduce me!
• Do not use guilt or shame to motivate you. Nobody's perfect. I will deviate from my time objectives to time. Instead of down on myself, I will try to focus on the positive aspects of my goal and move forward from there. I will not give up.

I know how to make New Year's resolutions sometimes sounds like a cliché, but set the right goals and take the right approach to achieve these objectives can result in a great 2015! Do you have other tips for keeping New Year's resolutions? feel free to share please and Happy New Year!

Whether you are between homes, inherited additional personal property, or just have acquired many items over the years, it is common practice to use a self-storage facility to store your belongings. Although your property is locked up tight, there is always a possibility of theft or fire, so do you know how your coverage policy owners would respond to a loss of your content is stored in a professional storage facility?

A policy of standard proprietary extend 10 percent of your personal property limit to personal property in the storage unit. For example, if your limit to personal property (cover C on a standard policy) is $ 0,000, you have $ 20,000 of coverage for contents housed in the professional storage unit.

But if you have $ 25,000 of property in the repository? I'm so glad you asked! You can buy an approval called "increasing the amount of insurance for personal property located in a Self-Storage facility" to address the additional content stored. In the example above, you would need to purchase coverage $ 5,000 to ensure every $ 25,000 of your property is covered ($ 20,000 provided by your policy + $ 5,000 provided by the approval = $ 25,000).

Some insurance companies offer owners of improved policies that extend a higher percentage of personal property line. so in our example above, if your enhanced political equivalent coverage to 25 percent of your personal property limit of $ 0,000 expanded, you will automatically receive $ 5,000 cover, so you'd have more than enough coverage for your personal property in the storage unit.

as always, I encourage you to consult your independent insurance agent to help with your coverage needs . Do not get locked out of the cover of the right amount!

The benefits described here are in the most general terms, and subject to the conditions and actual policy exclusions. For the actual wording cover, conditions and exclusions, see the policy or contact your agent.