asset protection
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As prices for gas, consumer products and services rise often insurance costs follow the same trend. Insurance premiums for car insurance can vary based on multiple factors.
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Roadside breakdowns can be more than a mere inconvenience, emergencies of this nature, if not prepared for and handled correctly, can be dangerous for all involved, including other drivers. Following a few basic steps can ensure that you and your vehicle make it through the breakdown as easily and safely as possible.
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Considering the barrage of daily concerns, your homeowner's insurance policy may be the last thing on your mind. And yet, examining and reevaluating home insurance policies on an annual basis is a critical facet of homeownership, ensuring adequate coverage and protection for the most valuable asset and source of equity for many people in Pennsylvania and beyond. Premiums, like much else in the current economic climate, are forecasted to see some big increases in the coming year, with some expected to exceed $1,000 a year and many slated for rate hikes in the double digits.
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"If you're not getting better, you're getting worse." It's hard to say who was first to utter that phrase but you hear it most used in sports banter. It is a round-about way to say that we're not living in a static world – everything changes and the same is true for factors affecting the costs to replace your home. Your policy might have been up to the task of covering the expense of rebuilding your home at one time. But, chances are, it may no longer afford enough coverage unless it has been changed to reflect the reality of replacement cost. Insurance industry experts and others routinely estimate that up to two-thirds of homes in the U.S. are under insured. For most of us, checking our home's replacement cost periodically is a good idea.
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Fraudulent charges to your personal or business accounts can be both financially and emotionally devastating. Even if you do eventually recover the funds, the stress and time that results from having been stolen from can take a toll.
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For new homeowners, if you managed to buy a house in today's market, you definitely have a lot to celebrate. So now what? Well, whether you just purchased your dream home and plan to stay in it forever, or a property you hope to use as a stepping stone to better things, there are a few things you need to know in order to make your investment work for you.
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So your business is growing, and that's a great thing. But as you add employees, assets, services, or any other elements, your business operations naturally become more complex. In addition, as your business grows, different laws and regulations may start to apply. If you're at a point where it's getting hard to keep up with all the rules you're supposed to be following and monitor whether your employees are fulfilling their legal and ethical responsibilities, it might be time to look into hiring a compliance officer.
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Multiple studies have demonstrated that crime rates increase in the summer. Why? Well, the answer is complex, but researchers have suggested that some of the reasons include:
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"Good fences make good neighbors," wrote Robert Frost in his poem "Mending Wall." And the legendary poet makes a good point, as fences can offer privacy, protect younger family members and pets as they spend time outdoors, and add to the aesthetics and value of a home.
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A garage is often the place we tend to dump things that we don't know what else to do with, and one that we rarely truly clean. Even after a year at home, when many of us have deep cleaned, purged, and organized our entire houses, the garage may still be filthy, full of junk, disorganized, or all three. So if you're ready to tackle this space, here's how to start (and finish).
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According to the U.S. Fire Administration, clothes dryers contribute to nearly 3,000 fires, 5 deaths and over $35 million in property loss each year. So making sure your dryer vent is clear is a simple but important way to keep your home and family safer. Even in the absence of fire, clogged vents cause your dryer to be less effective resulting in greater use of electricity and more breakdowns. If you find your dryer is taking longer and longer to fully dry a load of laundry, chances are your vent has become blocked with lint.
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Although some in the U.S. have been fortunate enough to make it through the past eight months with their bank accounts intact, there's no doubt that many of us have struggled financially this year. Many have lost jobs, been forced to temporarily move in with relatives, or just found that they couldn't quite make ends meet. While the end of the pandemic (or at least the worst of it) seems to be in sight, many of us will still be struggling with the financial fallout for some time. Here are some ways you can work to stay within your budget while money is still tight.
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Because you can't keep an eye on it all the time, you want your second home or rural property to stay well-maintained and protected. There are many things you can do to keep your land and buildings safe and prevent problems that can arise when a property is unattended.
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In many cases, a warranty can seem like a sneaky way for manufacturers to squeeze a few extra bucks out of their customers. In some cases, purchasing a warranty might actually be a good idea. Whether you're thinking about signing up for a warranty on a major purchase, or deciding whether to pay a few extra bucks for a warranty on a small appliance while standing in line at Target, here's what you need to know in order to make the best decision.
A few short months ago, many of us, and around the world, quickly learned that we were not prepared for an emergency. And while it didn't turn out to be the type of emergency we thought it was; there was really no need to buy all that toilet paper. It reminded us that we are not invincible, and that we really should have an emergency plan and supplies in place. If you haven't already put together your own emergency plan and supplies, it's not too late. Take the following steps to make sure your family is prepared.
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Technology-enhanced homes in Pennsylvania are the wave of the future, but many people might not understand how smart home technology works, believe they can afford it, or know whether or not it's worth the investment. While there certainly are complete smart home systems available, you don't necessarily have to go all in or spend a ton of money in order to take advantage of some of the most practical innovations smart home technology has to offer.
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For business owners, operating during a pandemic is complicated to say the least. You want to do the right thing by your staff and customers, without losing the business you love. In many cases, there is a lot you can do to make patronizing and working at your business safer for everyone.
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In some areas of the country, having an air conditioner is an absolute necessity. But in other areas, such as in the Rocky Mountain Regions, staying cool indoors takes some diligence and effort. Whether your home is equipped with AC or not, here are some things you can do to keep your spaces cooler this summer.
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We've had a number of clients ask questions about not just insurance but small business loans, grants, payroll protection, and the family first act. We're trying to keep informed to help direct those questions. We can't offer legal of financial advice, but we've been trying to help our clients wade through the muddy waters of the information that is out there and give advice about how this effects their insurance and how they can prevent or mitigate new risks that could arise. (And advice is always free).
Thinking about getting a dog or cat for the family, but worried that it might destroy your home, furniture and belongings? Here's how to decide whether you're ready for a pet in the first place, and what you can do to protect your home from your new best friend.
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Most people rely on dozens of appliances to support their daily tasks and activities, including small but significant tools like alarm clocks or hairdryers; toasters and stand mixers; and heavy hitters like the dishwasher or washing machine. So, how do you keep your appliances running their best, and getting a good return for your investment by having them work for as many years as possible? Here are a few tips to improve the performance and longevity of appliances.
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For those who live in snowy climates, winter is on the way. Take advantage of those sunny fall days to prepare your home and yard for frigid temperatures and icy conditions before the snow flies. Making sure your home is well-maintained inside and out will keep you safe and protected through the winter season. Here's how to get ready:
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Americans love their stuff. And most of us have things in storage somewhere: the garage, attic, basement, or a storage unit off site. But what's the point of having all these things if they never get used, looked at, or if you can't even remember you have something you need when you actually need it? Here are some tips for downsizing, organizing and storing your stuff in a way that makes sense:
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Although the idea for Inland Marine Insurance was inspired by Ocean Marine Insurance, which protects cargo and equipment while in transit on the ocean, it doesn't actually have anything to do with the sea. Inland Marine Insurance is a specialized coverage that can cover equipment, tools, project materials and other items while they are being transported on land, or while they are off your property. This type of insurance can benefit a wide variety of business and provide protection in some common situations that wouldn't normally be covered by insurance. So does your business need Inland Marine Insurance?
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Spring is here: The grass is turning green, flowers are budding, and birds are singing their songs from morning to night. Before you get too excited about the vegetation and the warmer weather, take a weekend to tend to your home's basic needs after a long winter. These important home maintenance tasks can save you time and money in the long run as well as prevent serious problems or safety hazards that could damage your home or put your family at risk.
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If you're a business owner, you need insurance. But how much and what type can vary greatly depending on your type of business, resources, assets and specific needs. So what should you consider before purchasing a business policy? Here are some risks and coverages you will want to take into account as you work with Mitchell Insurance, Inc. to find the right plan for you.
Selling your home this summer? If so, there are some quick cosmetic fixes that can make a big difference, and starting now can help. Should you make major repairs or improvements to your home before trying to sell? Maybe. But regardless of what you choose, there are several things you can do to make your home more attractive to buyers that won't require a ton of time and money just a little of each.
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I was reading the * Malwarebytes 2019 'State of Malware' Report today and one part of it that particularly interested me was related to Phishing Attacks.The reason I found this particularly interesting is that I seem to get A LOT of phishing emails.I won't go into all of the reasons why, but a lot of it has to do with the fact that I own a couple dozen domain names including this one and I don't try to hide my identity on any of them.You can easily find me at Bill@Since1849.com on many of those sites as well as on the sites of many of our insurance companies.I HATE phishing emails and I particularly resent what is called 'spear phishing' attacks.Simply put, a phishing attack might appear to be from American Express or Google or Sam's Club or a bank.They are often fairly general and claim that you need to log on to a website to check or reset your password.Spear phishing on the other hand is very direct and appears to be a more personal email from someone that you work with or perhaps someone that is a vendor or insurance company.They may have links, but more likely they might have attachments that are named things like Invoice or Your Order or Payment or SexyPic or whatever - - - all of these are designed to trick you into opening the document and view it.Sometimes they are harmless, but more often they contain Trojans or Viruses that are designed to compromise your computer or help the 'actor' gain access to information on your network.
This past year, it seemed like just about every week there was a new headline about some serious privacy breach, intentional or otherwise, occurring at a major organization. With the increasing popularity of technologies, from genetic testing to health tracking apps and electronic payment services, we're putting more of our important personal information online, and we have less and less understanding of what's being done with that information or how to keep it safe. Here are a few important takeaways from the year in digital privacy, and a few things you can do to make your information safer this year.
There is an old adage that goes like this: "A Man is only as Good as his word".It implies that the integrity of a man or woman is the most important thing in a relationship.It also implies that if the other party has integrity having 'his word' is probably enough and also implies that there is no need for a formal contract.That relationship can be personal, professional, peer-to-peer, buyer-seller, etc. and can often involve parties that have different levels of control over a situation.A decade or two ago no one knew what a 'pre-nup' was; warning labels on consumer products were much simpler; local attorneys didn't advertise on TV; and there seemed to be more trust in both people and systems.Those days are gone and may never return.One by-product of this is contracts are everywhere - from EULA agreements that dictate internet terms to the small print on the back of your garbage service 'contract' to signs posted everywhere declaring 'Not Responsible for Damage or Loss'... it's hard to go through an hour of a day without having to check "I AGREE" on some document somewhere.
For many modern entrepreneurs, creatives, and freelancers, working from home is a dream come true. But the reality of it can be much different. How do you stay on task, handle isolation, and keep yourself from eating a full sleeve of cookies from the kitchen? Read on to find out.
What does it mean to age in a healthful way? Although it's different for each person, healthy aging is about maintaining a high quality of life at every stage, and cultivating habits that allow you to continue to enjoy your life and do the things you love to do. And while aging is inevitable, aging well is a choice.
So you're thinking of buying a pool and imagining those lazy, hot summer days when you'll get to slip into the cool water, sunbathe, play with the kids, and invite friends and neighbors to share in your good fortune. But there's more to owning a pool than just the fun stuff. Make sure that it's truly something you want and are willing to put in the work to maintain. Here are a few things to consider before you "dive in" -no pun intended.
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Insurance policies are made to be customized for a reason. The business executive has more income and assets to protect from liability claims than the recent college graduate. Families have more people to think about than young single people or an empty nester. And it is worth noting that the single person, the recent college graduate, the business executive and the empty nester can all be the same person...at different times. We all have different pursuits, different incomes, different bank balances at different points in time. The insurance policies that make up your insurance program - your blanket of protection - need to be tweaked from time-to-time so that you are getting the right protection and benefiting from all available discounts.
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Every employee injured at work is at risk of having an extended, costly absence. For employers, it can mean higher workers' compensation costs, lower productivity, increased training or overtime costs, possible litigation, and an adverse effect on employee morale. In some cases, $5,000 in medical expenses can add up to as much as $30,000 when lost time, retraining, and other often-overlooked costs are included. For employees, an extended absence can lead to a disability mindset and a lack of motivation for returning to work.
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I'm reading more-and-more about Cyber fraud in the news and Insurance Trade Journals.Earlier this week, my favorite security-blogger, Brian Krebs published a report of a dispute between a Texas manufacturing firm and Chubb Insurance Group where the TX firm is suing Chubb to recover $480,000 that was scammed from them by criminals that pretended to be the CEO of the firm.You can read the whole blog here if you want the details, but the short version is that the employee that made the wire transfer relied on an email and telephone call and a pledge of secrecy and the firm was bilked out of $480,000 by wire transfer.The employee got suspicious when the thieves requested an additional $18 Million to complete the deal, otherwise the loss would have been much greater.
From cell phone contracts to Internet packages, bundling is a popular way for companies of all kinds to hook you into multiple services, usually at a discount to you. Insurance companies are no exception, and bundling policies can often lead to significant savings and a streamlined experience for the consumer. But if you don't read carefully, you may end up with a policy that costs the same or more than maintaining separate policies and really doesn't save you much time or inconvenience at all.
Last week, we discussed what other personal belongings you may want to insure separately. Here, let's look at some business assets that might warrant additional coverage.
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Have you heard of supermodels insuring their legs or singers taking out a policy on their priceless vocal chords? That's probably not necessary for most people, but many of us probably do have a few valuables that can and should be insured separately.
Brian Krebs from Krebsonsecurity.com fame is one of my must-read bloggers.IMHO, Brian is one of the sharpest internet security analysts around and he's also a prolific and excellent writer on security issues - I highly recommend that you subscribe to his blog.Today's article was about ATM skimmers and the slick methods that thieves use to steal the information in the magnetic stripe on the card; it also goes into detail about how they can steal your PIN # and it turns out that one of the methods involves putting a micro-camera in the skimming device so it visually records your keystrokes when you enter your PIN #... here's a valuable tip extracted fromt the article:
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After your home is damaged by wind, hail, or other natural elements, the storm isn't necessarily over; in fact, it might be just the beginning. Here's what you need to know about the storm-induced insurance process from diagnosing the damage to filing a claim and making repairs so that weathering your home's recovery is as painless as possible.
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Long Term Care Insurance (LTC) is designed to reimburse you for expenses for everyday living assistance, should something happen to you. Traditional medical insurance and Medicare will not cover extra costs should you need help with activities we take for granted like bathing, eating or simply getting out of bed. LTC insurance options can provide for nursing home costs as well as home health care and assisted living.
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