An independent agent brings expertise and emotional IQ to each client. Lives change and businesses grow and transform over time. That’s why we feel people are best served by independent insurance agents who have the expertise to evaluate an evolving risk profile and offer educated advice and products. Building a relationship with an independent agent in your community can provide you with a personal experience and ensure that you are offered the right coverage. INFORMED DECISIONS, PERSONAL TOUCH You may wonder why we support independent agents when our industry has online platforms that ask ..read more

Hurricanes can be among nature’s most destructive events. Weather forecasters predict above-average activity this Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to November 30. Take steps to minimize damage and speed recovery. First and foremost, take whatever precautions are necessary to protect yourself and the people around you. While property preparations are important, they’re not worth risking life or health. If you need to evacuate, do so, as long as you have time to reach a place of safety. Don’t be caught on the roads in your car or attempt to drive through water-covered streets ..read more

Just as you would before any important purchase, do some research before buying insurance. Most people research major purchases such as houses, cars or electronics to assure they receive the best value for their money. It’s equally important to know what you’re getting when you buy insurance to protect your family and financial well-being. The purpose of insurance is to decrease financial uncertainty and make an accidental loss manageable. Insurance does this by accepting insurance premium to assume specific losses, and a promise to pay in the event a covered loss occurs. As you complete yo ..read more

Telematics can help businesses promote safe driving. What if a business owner could deploy technology that would monitor their vehicle fleet, help reduce expenses and encourage their employees to drive safely? Those goals are now within reach using vehicle telematics. And your insurance company is likely already on board. DESCRIBE VEHICLE TELEMATICS Telematics systems can monitor data about fleet performance, fuel consumption, driver behavior and vehicle location. Systems typically use GPS data with mobile phone apps, on-board diagnostic devices and cloud-based management tools. Some use ga ..read more

Consider all factors when calculating replacement cost after home renovations. If you are like millions of other people, during the pandemic you have made improvements to your property. Whether you installed a pool, remodeled rooms or finished your basement, now is a good time to check in with your independent agent to ensure your homeowner coverages are still adequate. The first thing to understand is how remodeling an existing space versus adding a space affects replacement cost. REMODELING You may think coverage needs to be increased by the amount it cost to renovate a space. But during ..read more

Your home insurance policy covers more than just the structure. Homeowner insurance is much more than just coverage for your home and other structures. As a consumer, you need to know what your policy covers and protect yourself with enough coverage. COVERAGE FOR YOUR HOME AND OTHER STRUCTURES If you have a mortgage on your home, the lender typically will advise an acceptable limit for your dwelling. However, many insurance carriers will also want to complete either an interior or exterior inspection to make sure the home is insured to value. This is the amount it would take the carrier to ..read more

Plug an electric space heater directly into an outlet, not a power strip or extension cord. Space heaters offer a portable and relatively affordable means of taking the chill out of small spaces. But portable heaters are also a significant source of home fires each year. When you’re in the market for a space heater, be sure to keep safety in mind. The National Fire Protection Association’s January 2021 report on home heating fires found that space heaters were responsible for two in every five home heating equipment fires and 81% of deaths and injuries in fires caused by heating equipment ..read more

A careful look before you buy can keep your love affair with an older home intact. Buying an older home can be appealing for many people. Older homes are usually found in established neighborhoods, have an abundance of character and are often one of a kind. However, hidden expenses could accompany all that charm. Let’s explore some items to keep in mind when purchasing an older home. FOUNDATION ISSUES Foundation issues can be caused by the normal deterioration that comes with age, constantly wet soil, tectonic activity, hydrostatic water pressure or tree roots. A structural engineer would b ..read more

Inspect all the details of a home before you close on the purchase. Buying a home is the biggest and most valuable purchase most people make. Many factors could draw you to a home: location, price, updated countertops or a large yard. If you are not careful, you could easily get distracted by the beautiful tilework in the bathroom or flowers in the garden and miss that the home needs an expensive repair. The home inspection offers the buyer a deeper look into how the home has been maintained or whether it needs costly repairs. Once the inspection reveals the condition of the home, you may d ..read more

Your life insurance program can be designed to fit your specific needs and financial goals. Many believe life insurance isn’t a necessity while they’re single, but nothing could be further from the truth. Life insurance is for anyone, and it is useful in many more situations than just providing a cushion for a spouse in the face of suddenly lost income. Here are seven reasons why you might need life insurance even if you’re single: You have debt. Most Americans owe money for one reason or another. Whether it be a mortgage, car note, outstanding medical bills or just a general loan, one of t ..read more