Amity Insurance Inc.

If you're reading this, we hope that you've filed your tax return on time this year and that you're going to receive a nice refund check from the IRS. We also hope that you're not one of the growing number of Americans who are being cheated out of their refund checks by fraudsters who specialize in identity theft.

How to Take the Ultimate Home Inventory

Would you be able to list everything that was damaged, destroyed or lost in your house or apartment if you had to file a claim with your insurance company? Trying to remember everything as you are dealing with the mental trauma of your abode being destroyed is not an easy task

Throwing a Party? Cover Your Risk with an Umbrella

Many homeowners enjoy throwing parties for holidays or special events. If you're planning a party in the near future, be sure that your homeowners' coverage is adequate and, if it's not, you should consider a personal umbrella policy.

Have a new Drone? Understand Your Liability Risks

More and more American homes include a new addition: a drone. While these gadgets can be loads of fun to fly, they also come with responsibility and risk of property damage and bodily injury.

Do You Need Full Replacement Coverage for Your Commercial Property

March 26, 2018

The owners of a new company found a building on the market for an affordable price, so they bought it. Built in the 1940s to manufacture aircraft for the war effort, the metal structure had a large open space.

Why You Can't Afford to Not Have Professional Liability Insurance

March 19, 2018

At some point, most businesses are involved in some type of legal dispute, be it over an alleged physical or property damage to a third party or financial injury to a competitor, client or vendor.

Ransomware Becomes Biggest Cyber Threat Facing Businesses

March 5, 2018

Ransomware is turning out to be the biggest cyber threat facing companies in 2017 after attacks more than quadrupled in 2016 from the year prior, according to a new study.

Want to Drive for Uber? Better Check Your Coverage

To make ends meet, or to build up their nest eggs, many people have turned to moonlighting as Uber or Lyft drivers. However, if you are planning to make some spending money, you need to understand that doing so could invalidate your personal auto policy.

Belong to a Homeowners' Association? Know Your Insurance Obligations

If you reside in a community that's part of a homeowners' association (HOA), you should understand what the association's insurance obligations are relative to your own. If you don't carefully assess this dynamic, you could find yourself with a coverage gap if you assume that the association's insurance covers something it actually doesn't.

Four Thefts That Show Not All Thieves Are Stupid

While the majority of people live their lives honestly and don't steal and cheat, unfortunately there are plenty of unscrupulous people in society that have no qualms about stealing from you.

Are You an Airbnb Host? Make Sure You're Covered

IF YOU HAVE been considering becoming an Airbnb host to generate some extra income and make use of that extra room that you never use, you'll want to make sure that you are covered in case of injury to one of your guests. You may also be concerned about theft by a guest or any damage they may cause in your abode, none of which you'd want to pay for out of pocket.

Interactive Dashboards, the Newest Source of Distracted Driving

Safety experts are raising concerns about the latest evolving distraction in cars: the interactive dashboard. You already know that fiddling with your smartphone while driving is illegal, highly dangerous and can lead to a serious accident or death. These evolving displays, however, can be just as distracting, leading to the same dangers.

Should You Install Electronic Door Locks?

As our lives get more high-tech, one feature of your home may one day go the way of the typewriter: your house key. From fingerprint sensors to Bluetooth and Wi-Fi-enabled systems, keyless entry products are rapidly transforming the way Americans secure their homes.

This New Year Resolve to Review Your Insurance

While you may have made some good New Year's resolutions, to make sure that you are not leaving anything to chance you should also revisit your insurance policies. You may have acquired new property, upgraded your home or bought new stuff for your house and, considering the increasing risks of natural catastrophes, you may now have more risk than you're aware of.

What to Do after a Hit-and-Run Accident

Most of the time, if you've been in a collision, the other party stays put so that you can exchange insurance information and wait for police or emergency services if there is a dispute or injury.

How to Avoid Public Wi-Fi Security Risks

Every Wi-Fi connection is vulnerable to an unprecedented security flaw that allows hackers to snoop on Internet traffic and potentially access your personally identifiable information and passwords, researchers revealed recently.

New Gizmo Gives Thieves Entry to Keyless Vehicles

As carmakers modernize their vehicles by employing more and more technology, cars have been getting safer and more difficult to steal.

The Wealth Trap: Underinsuring Liability, Over-insuring Assets

If you are accumulating wealth quickly and live the comfortable life with a large house, luxury car and other expensive assets, you've no doubt already insured all of those belongings.

Multi-Line Discounts May Save You Hundreds of Dollars a Year

Looking to save money on your insurance premiums every month? You should consider taking advantage of multi-line discounts.

How to Protect Your Home from Wildfires

Forest fires consume some 8 million acres in the U.S. each year, according to insurance industry sources, with most major fires occurring in western states. The most recent example of the devastation that such fires can cause is of course the wildfires that swept through the Napa Valley in California in October.

How to File a Fire Insurance Claim: 14 Vital Tips

Every late summer and early fall wildfires rage in many parts of the West and Southwest, as the fires running almost the length of California this year show. Thousands of homes have burned to the ground and thousands of people have been displaced.

Why Wealthy Households Need Personal Umbrella Coverage

For high-net-worth individuals, the financial consequences of being sued can be serious business.
They typically have more assets at risk should be they be hit with a large court settlement or judgment and, while compensatory damages may be standard across the board, some juries have seen fit to punish the rich especially hard for their negligence.

Insuring Your Collectibles the Right Way

MANY OF us have stuff we've collected and consider treasures, from old train sets and coins to rare photos and books. Sometimes these collections can be quite valuable and it would be a tremendous loss if they were stolen or damaged in a fire. But your homeowner's insurance would only cover these collectibles up to a limited degree.

What To Do Before, During And After A Hurricane

Hurricanes produce strong winds, heavy rainfall, flooding, rip currents and even tornadoes. When the National Weather Service issues a hurricane watch or warning, those who live in affected coastal areas and inland regions must be prepared. Ready.gov provides a detailed guide for what to do prior to the warning, during a hurricane and after the storm has passed.

Your Liability Every Time Someone Enters Your Facility

One sure-fire way for a business to get sued is if a visitor - a customer, vendor or anyone else - injures themselves while on your premises. While you may already do all you can to keep employees and customers safe, you are likely still exposed to being sued if someone injures themselves in one of your facilities. Alhough the most common situation that comes to mind is the slip and fall accident, your liability for injuries sustained on your property extends far beyond such injuries.

Earthquake Risk Requires Smart Planning and Insurance

Life in some parts of the country comes with the inherent risk that an earthquake can strike suddenly and without warning. You probably didn't know that the state has more than 10,000 seismic events every year, but fortunately most of them are too small for people to even notice. Although the entire Northwest of the United States is at high risk of earthquakes, nine of the most costly quakes in the last century occurred in California. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, there is a 70% probability that an earthquake of magnitude 6.7 or larger will strike the San Francisco Bay area over the next 30 years.

Insuring, Protecting Your Wine Collection

Are you a wine aficionado? Do you have an expansive collection of fine and rare wines?
If you fit the bill, you are surely storing the wine properly. But what if you had a major power outage in the summer that lasted for days and your collection simmered in the high heat? What if a hurricane, tornado or earthquake struck, breaking hundreds of bottles of wine in the process?

Lightning Damage Claims Increase While Average Losses Decrease

In 2016, the number of home insurance claims following electrical surges and lightning strikes rose from the previous year's numbers. While the total claim toll increased, the average amount paid per claim decreased. This means that the overall severity of such incidents was lower. This finding came from a recent report published by the Insurance Information Institute.

Increased Driver Deaths Connected To Improving Economy

People who crash while driving a late-model vehicle are more likely to die. This finding came from a recent study conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The improving economy and more dangerous driving practices contribute to this problem. IIHS researchers said that they do not expect traffic deaths to decrease significantly in the near future since the economy is expected to continue improving and more people are on the road.

How License Plate Number Recognition Technology Works

Automatic number plate recognition or ANPR was first developed in 1976 in the UK. By 1979, there were several prototypes in use. Early systems were used in several places in the UK. The first arrest stemming from ANPR took place in 1981. The technology continued developing but was not widely used until the 1990s. Data collection for future use became more common in the early 2000s. In 2005, ANPR was used to help solve a murder case, and it was used soon after to track down several murder suspects.

Higher Crash Rates Exist In States With Legalized Recreational Marijuana

The Highway Loss Data Institute reported higher collision rates in Washington, Oregon and Colorado since recreational marijuana was legalized. Many drivers admitted to using marijuana, and it is a documented problem more often among people who are in crashes. While researchers have not yet definitively connected marijuana to increased crash rates everywhere, they have performed studies that show how marijuana degrades aspects of driving performance.

Protect Your Home and Belongings With a Smart Doorbell

A man walks up to a home's front door and places a cardboard box in front of it. He taps a few keys on his mobile device and leaves. The woman who owns the house watches the whole thing. She brings the package inside quickly.

Where You Live Can Determine How Much You Pay For Homeowners Insurance

Homeowners insurance protects against several causes of loss, but probably the most significant cause is fire. Once started, a fire can quickly destroy a home. A home's chances for surviving depend in large part on the quality of the fire protection services and resources available. The insurance industry has a measurement for fire protection quality - the protection classification.

New Scam Surfaces Amid Medicare's Announcement Of New Cards

Many Medicare recipients have received correspondence stating that they will get a new card. However, this change is not taking place until April in 2018. Scammers are already finding ways to profit from the confusion, which means that Medicare members must be on the alert for new types of fraud.

Storefront Crash Statistics Are Alarming

Vehicles crash into storefronts about 60 times each day across the United States. Such incidents cause about 4,000 major injuries annually, and about 500 people die each year. These findings were reported by the Storefront Safety Council.

Toilet Failure Is A Leading Cause of Residential and Commercial Water Damage

Leaky plumbing fixtures and burst pipes are common reasons for home and commercial water damage insurance claims every year. Some common issues with toilets can lead to serious water damage, and many plumbing problems are preventable with regular maintenance and a watchful eye.

What Renters Need To Know About Insurance

Since most homeowners are also mortgage holders, they are required to have home insurance. However, most renters are not required to purchase renter's insurance according to the terms of a lease. They face many of the same risks as homeowners. Although renters do not have to pay for the actual structure that is rented, they are responsible for covering their personal belongings that they bring into the structure

High-tech Safety Features Cost More To Insure

Many people assume that safer cars always mean lower insurance rates. While this used to be true in the days of daytime running lights being a major safety innovation, many of today's advanced safety features do not lower premiums. High-tech features that require apps, computers and other expensive electronics to function are actually more expensive to insure.

Top Habits And Misconceptions That Make The Roads More Dangerous

In recent years, motor vehicle deaths have increased significantly. The National Safety Council pinpointed some of the most common beliefs and behaviors of drivers that put everyone on the road at risk. During the past year, NSC surveys were collected to show the surprising rates of dangerous habits and opinions.

How To Reduce The Risks Of Devastating Wildfire Damage

In recent years, wildfires have destroyed thousands of miles of land throughout the United States. When these devastating fires happen, home and farm owners can turn to their insurance agents for help. Insurers set up programs to help people cope with the aftermath of wildfires and damage claims. They are also able to answer questions throughout the claims process.

How To Stay Safe From Cyberattacks

The Department of Homeland Security works constantly to battle cyber threats. The agency's National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center is open every day of the week and all year. It combines intelligence from law enforcement and the private sector as well as from federal, state and local government agencies.

What To Do Before And After An Auto Accident

No person is completely prepared for a car crash whether it is minor or major. However, drivers can be more prepared to handle the claims process afterward by remembering some important information. By taking a few simple preparatory steps, auto owners can prevent costly mistakes or delays that keep them from receiving compensation for damages.

Protecting Your Custom or Classic Car From Theft - Combine New and Old Technologies

If you have an extraordinary car, it makes sense to take extraordinary measures to protect it - both by deterring thieves and by actively foiling their attempts at stealing the automobile. That said, most classic and restoration car owners also want to balance deterrence against being discreet and preserving the original condition of the car.

Why Affluent People are More Prone to Being Sued

Because affluent people basically have a lot to lose, they make attractive lawsuit targets for attorneys who represent injured parties. This is why it is extremely important for the affluent to consider their insurance very seriously.

How To Avoid Becoming A Package Theft Victim

People across the country experience package theft every day. Many parcel carriers simply leave packages on doorsteps or in lobbies of apartment buildings, which leave them vulnerable to greedy criminals. The convenience of online shopping has resulted in a spike in this type of theft.

What To Expect For Video Surveillance Trends In 2017

Video surveillance has dramatically changed in the past several years from a business perspective as well as a technological perspective. High-definition cameras have increased commoditization in the market of video hardware but have lowered the profit margins of manufacturers and their partners.

Why People Hire Attorneys For Auto Insurance Claims

In a recent study regarding auto insurance injury claims, about 50 percent of participants who filed claims had to hire attorneys for assistance. The survey was set up as a poll. However, most people did not seek help from an attorney because they had a bad experience with the claims process.

10 Tips for Preventing Laptop and Mobile Device Theft

In today's business environment, the theft or loss of even a single laptop computer cell phone or tablet can be devastating - unless you take some common sense measures to mitigate the damage ahead of time.

Using Home Inventory Apps to help Document your Personal Property

Hopefully, you never have to do a home insurance claim. But if you do, a bit of preparation will make it much easier for you to document your claim and get your settlement much faster. Among the key documents: A detailed home inventory - that is, an itemized list of everything of value in your home, proof of ownership, and an estimate of its insurable value.

Pet Insurance: Is It Worth the Cost?

In the modern world, medical costs for pets are not far from the medical costs for humans. This has led to an increase in the popularity of pet health insurance, and some companies even offer it as an optional choice in their benefits package. At the end of 2014, roughly 1.4 million pets across the United States and Canada were insured. However, this number constitutes a fractional percent of all pets.

Trends in Home and Renter's Insurance

In 2012, the average home insurance premium increased by 5.6 percent, and that number increased by .4 percent in 2013 according to a study by the national Association of Insurance Commissioners. Renter's insurance increased by .5 percent in 2013. The state with the highest premium was Florida with an average exceeding $2,100. Idaho was ranked the lowest with an average premium just above $560. On a nationwide basis, the average premium was just shy of $1,100.

Checking Insurance Coverage Before Winter Arrives

January 26,2017

As winter arrives each year, insurers across the nation encourage Americans to review their home and auto insurance policies to ensure adequate protection against the season's harshest hazards. The easiest way to do this is to contact an agent to discuss provisions and ask questions. Some policies cover more than others depending on what was chosen at the time of the policy's activation. These are some important points to remember about winter hazards:

Home Insurance May Not Cover Everything In A Storage Unit

January 26,2017

Self-storage units are growing in popularity according to a recent report from Bloomberg. New units and warehouses are being built every month to accommodate the growing demand for paid storage. From simple small garage-like units to large temperature-controlled luxury spaces, there are a wide variety of options. In 2015, about 10 percent of U.S. residents rented a storage unit. However, very few people think about what happens to their belongings if there is a burglary, fire, flood or other catastrophe.

How To Stay Safe While Shopping Online With A Mobile Device

January 26,2017

Internet-reliant devices such as smart phones, tablets and now watches should be properly protected. This is especially true during the holidays and other periods of heavy data usage when people shop online. Criminals are always looking for online shoppers to target, and their methods are becoming more sophisticated every year. Be suspicious of emails regarding problems with credit cards. Companies usually call to alert cardholders of suspicious activity. Never click on emails with attachments and urgent offers.

Top Smart Home Technologies For Adults Over 50

Keyless entry, smart smoke detectors, wireless doorbell cameras and other technological safety improvements are gaining popularity among adults who are 50 years of age or older. This was a recent finding based on research from the MIT AgeLab in cooperation with The Hartford.

Wrongful Evictions Can Cost Landlords Dearly

Property owners who rent or lease their spaces must be on guard against tenants who do not pay rent or damage the premises. Sometimes it is necessary for them to evict the tenants. However, they must follow proper procedures and have good reason to take such drastic action. Wrongful evictions can cost landlords dearly.

Will You Have to Pay a Judgement in a Serious Auto Accident?

A severe, tragic accident can happen to anyone at anytime, and it could be that person's fault. The financial consequences of being liable for a bad accident can be devastating.

How To Avoid Public Wi-Fi Security Risks

People who use public connections may be compromised by hackers but there are several safeguards available to keep from becoming a victim. The recent availability of free Wi-Fi has been a great benefit for businesses and consumers alike, and there are free connections in almost any hotel, restaurant or coffee shop.

12 Fire Prevention & Safety Tips for the Holiday Season

The two most common days for home fires in the United States are Christmas and Christmas Eve. Fire officials encourage all Americans to make safety a top priority during the holidays. One of the most important steps is to ensure smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are installed in the home. The main cause of home fires during the winter holiday season is cooking, and heating comes in at second place.

Are Gift Cards Covered by Homeowners Insurance?

What do you buy for that special someone when you can't think of anything else? With increasing frequency these days, the answer is a gift card. The National Retail Federation has reported that Americans spend more than $26 billion on gift cards during the holiday shopping season, and the average consumer spends more than $120.

Prevent Drunk Driving Incidents During the Holidays

The holidays are coming - and so are some of the most dangerous days for drivers and pedestrians. The combination of increased alcohol consumption thanks to holiday parties, early darkness and icier weather make the holidays a deadly time for hundreds of people every year.

Top Apps To Help You Avoid Drunk Driving

Drunk driving incidents claim the lives of up to 25,000 Americans per year, according to statistics from the National Transportation Safety Administration. That should be reason enough to do all you can to prevent yourself and your friends and loved ones from getting behind the wheel, while intoxicated

Not All Automatic Braking Systems Are The Same

An automatic braking system is supposed to be a new standard safety feature on nearly every vehicle soon. AAA recently found that automatic braking systems vary greatly when it comes to performance and design. Every system tested by AAA was designed to employ the brakes if the driver failed to do so. For systems designed to lessen crash severity, the speed was reduced by only about half of the speed reduction of systems designed specifically for reducing speed and preventing a crash.

Why Did Your Car Get Recalled and What Should You Do About It?

Statistics show that cars today are getting safer. The number of traffic fatalities has fallen since 2006, though they increased in 2015. However, even with improved design, vehicle components sometimes fail and require replacement or repair. In these situations, regulators require car manufacturers to recall the vehicles.

Do You Know Your Flood Risk?

Almost everyone has a risk of being flooded, regardless of where they live. According to the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency, more than 20 percent of all flood insurance claims come from areas outside of high-risk flood zones. That still means the vast majority come from high-risk areas. How can a property owner find out what his flood risk is?

Traffic Fatalities Increased In 2015 After Long-term Steady Decline

In 2015, more than 35,000 people died in car crashes. The fatality rate before that had been steadily declining for about 50 years. The rate increased by 7.2 percent between 2014 and 2015 and the rise in fatalities reflected deaths across all population segments. The last increase of this significance happened in 1966, and the rate that year rose by 8.1 percent from 1965.

Most Businesses Are Not Prepared For Hacking And Data Breaches

According to a recent survey conducted by the Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection and Insurance Company, about 70 percent of businesses experienced one or more hacking incidents during the past year. More than 50 percent of business owners did not feel that they had spent enough money or trained enough personnel to address the growing security risks and evolving hacking techniques.

Red Light Cameras Decrease Crash Frequency And Save Lives

Researchers at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found that red light programs saved more than 1,000 people in over 75 cities across the United States. They warned that shutting these programs down would cost people their lives. Their research showed that fatal crashes from people running red lights increased by 30 percent in cities where the programs were discontinued.

Vision Concerns for Aging Americans

As you age, your vision changes, but these changes don't have to negatively affect your lifestyle. With some helpful advice, both young people, and seniors, can protect their eyesight.

Do You Have Insurance When You Drive For Uber or Rent Your Home?

Ride-sharing company Uber did not exist in 2008. In 2015, it earned a reported $1.5 billion in revenue. Airbnb, the online home-sharing marketplace founded in 2008, lists rentals in 34,000 cities. Smartphone applications enable people to make money giving rides, renting their homes, and even their personal possessions. However, their insurance may not protect them when something goes wrong.

Protect Your Loved Ones With a Safe Room

The National Weather Service has just announced that a tornado may hit your neighborhood in the next 15 minutes. Or maybe hurricane force winds and rain are pounding your home. Or a stranger has broken in. Where do you and your family go to protect yourselves? Increasingly, American families are choosing to equip their homes with safe rooms.

The Effects of Aging on Driving

As people age, their driving habits change. Inconsistent schedules, retirement and new hobbies may affect where and how often they drive. Most older adults have spent many years behind the wheel and they try to drive cautiously as a result. When they are in accidents, they tend to sustain more serious injuries than younger drivers. Their hearing, vision and motor skills start to decline as the years pass, and some health conditions or prescription medications can affect their ability to stay alert while driving.

Tech Support Scams Are On The Rise

For the past several years, scammers have been selling fake security software. They go so far as to set up websites, which they use to market free computer scans. There is usually no scan performed at all but they issue a warning message at the end of the fake scan to convince visitors that their computer has a virus. They then introduce their own software as a solution.

A Home-Based Business is not covered under Homeowners Insurance

With recent advances in both technology and the internet, even more people are running home-based businesses, full-time or part-time. But will your homeowner's policy cover the risks of a home-based business? In nearly every case, the answer is no.

These Exciting Windshield Changes Are On The Horizon

Modern windshields are made with safety in mind. Over the past several decades, they have evolved and improved. They are now made with stronger but lighter materials. Glass is still the main component, and innovations in recent years have made it even stronger. From entertainment devices to windows, glass is a necessary component for many vehicle features.

What Every Parent Should Know About Teen Drivers And Car Insurance

If a teen driver does not chip in for insurance, the parents may wind up paying a large amount of money to add the teen to their policy. This is because many insurers consider anyone under the age of 25 a risk. These tips will help minimize the impact of adding a teen driver to an insurance policy.

Take Steps To Protect Your Information From Cyber Criminals

A woman learns about a possible security hole in her internet browser. She does a search to find out more about it and lands on a site that explains the problem and offers a free download to fix it. Wary of downloading a file from an unfamiliar site, she leaves it and goes to the browser publisher's site. She finds the patch, downloads and installs it, and believes she's protected.

The 10 Most Costly Property Damage Catastrophes in U.S. History

Home insurance provides some peace of mind and financial security for families. However, fire prevention should still be a priority. Fire-resistant features can provide discounts on home insurance and may help offset the costs of purchasing and installing them.

Mitigation Reduces The Risk Of Fire Damages

Water Damage Claims Are On The Rise

In a report released in 2014, the National Insurance Crime Bureau reported that more than 1.3 million water damage claims were filed throughout the United States. In 2015, that number increased to more than 1.4 million.

What Every Consumer Should Know About Their Legal Rights And Towing Scams

For many Americans, a vehicle is like a second home. When it is involved in an accident or breaks down, the next step towards getting it back on the road is to call a towing company. Although the majority of towing companies are reputable and honest, some may try to scam consumers.

Get Free Weather And Emergency Mobile Alerts From WEA

In many cases, bad weather situations develop quickly. Not all people listen to the radio while driving or keep the news or weather reports on while they are at home. However, most people keep their mobile phones within arm's reach if they use them regularly. Imagine being able to receive weather-related alerts on a cell phone.

The Most Common And The Most Costly Homeowners Insurance Claims

Recent research information from the Travelers Companies, Inc. showed the most expensive and the most common homeowners insurance claims. Their data was based on home insurance claims filed in the United States between 2009 and 2015.

Obeying Laws And Staying Safe In A Personal Watercraft

A personal watercraft is about 10 feet in length and although this may seem small, a PWC comes with a large amount of responsibility. This small vessel has the horsepower of a large engine and the acceleration capabilities of a motorcycle. It is not a toy and should never be treated as such because the United States Coast Guard classifies PWCs as Class A vessels.

Is Your Motorcycle Properly Insured?

More than 45 years have passed since Dennis Hopper and Peter Fonda expressed the ultimate picture of freedom by riding motorcycles on the open road. While the generation that witnessed those iconic riders may be seeing more silver in their hair, many are still enamored with their motorcycles and use them just as much if not more than they did in the past.

Front Crash Prevention May Soon Become Standard In Large Trucks

If the United States mandates front crash prevention for big trucks, manufacturers could be facing major safety changes in the near future. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration approved a petition in 2015 that called for making rules to add automatic brakes and forward collision warning on trucks weighing at least 10,000 pounds.

Get Instant Earthquake Alerts on your Smart Phone

Earthquakes happen about 20,000 times per year in the United States alone - and not just in California. Earthquake damage can occur in at least 42 states. While the vast majority of these tremors do little or no damage, the few that do can be devastating: Earthquakes caused about $313 million in damage in 2014 - and $54 billion in damage in 2011, according to information from the Insurance Information Institute.

Safely Operating a Keyless Ignition System

Keyless ignition systems are becoming more popular in modern vehicles and offer several benefits to drivers. Over the past several years, new variations of these systems have been appearing. In the early 2000s, they were only options in luxury vehicles, but keyless ignition systems grew in popularity enough that they are now offered even in economy vehicles. However, it is important to understand the basics of a keyless ignition system before purchasing a new car that has one.

IIHS Names Top Booster Seats

In 2008, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety started its system for rating booster seats. During the initial year of the ratings, most seats failed in belt fit; however, companies have adjusted and improved their designs. Most seats that are evaluated today have an acceptable or good fit for children between the ages of four and eight.

How Safety Features Affect Front and Rear Crash Rates

Vehicles with front crash prevention are not as likely to cause rear accidents as vehicles that do not have this safety feature. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reported this in their study about the effectiveness of the feature, which was based on crash data from police departments.

Protect Your Employees with Personal Protective Equipment

Every occupation has its hazards, but some are more dangerous than others. Workers in these occupations are vulnerable to many potential injuries and illnesses. To safeguard against injury, they need these types of personal protective equipment.

How to Handle Water Damage

People often worry about fires damaging their homes and commercial buildings. While fires are dangerous and can cause extensive damage to property, they are rare compared to another element that is in the home or building every minute of every day: Water

Online Safety for Kids and Adults

By making these practices regular habits, parents and their kids can stay safer online. Adults and kids should stay off of the dark net, which is full of un-indexed sites. Although it is a curiosity to many, most sites contain illegal content and viruses that can garner unwanted stalkers or even FBI attention. These are some of the most important tips for adults to practice for online safety.

Annual Insurance Review is Critical

Most people know the importance of insurance protection. You don't want to be without it when problems strike. What many don't realize, however, is that protecting themselves with insurance isn't a once and done event. You don't wear the same pants you did when you were five years old because, besides no longer being in style, they simply don't fit. A homeowner's policy purchased when your house was furnished with bean bag chairs and bar stools is no longer going to "fit" once you're lounging on Italian leather sofas while watching television on your wall mounted plasma screen. Life is constantly changing, and your insurance policies should reflect that.

How to Determine Who is at Fault in an Auto Accident

Determining who is legally responsible in an auto accident requires pinpointing who the negligent party is. In most cases, common sense can be used to determine fault.

Recent Study Shows Why Buyers Avoid Certain New Vehicles

For the first time during the past 10 years, reliability has been a top priority for car buyers. The increased avoidance of purchasing certain vehicles because of lower reliability ratings was found in a study conducted by J.D. Power.

How Vehicle Values and Claim Awards are Determined

When it comes to determining a car's value for insurance purposes, there are several guidelines to help. Vehicle owners and insurers can use books such as Kelley Blue Book to help determine an accurate value. Insurance companies usually refer policyholders to a claims adjuster when they file claims.

10 Questions for Assessing Insurance Needs and Changes

When life circumstances change, insurance needs change with them. This is why agents across the country encourage Americans to review their insurance policies every year to update coverage for such changes. These are 10 important questions to consider when updating coverage.

What Travelers and Homeowners Need to Know about Home Vacation Rentals and Insurance Gaps

Airbnb estimated that over 1 million people would celebrate the beginning of 2016 in an Airbnb rental. Many people are using the popular option of renting out a room in a home or renting out an entire apartment directly from an owner during a getaway.

Why You Need an Umbrella Policy

Do you have enough liability insurance? If there were a vehicle accident for which you were at fault, and a family breadwinner were disabled, would your auto liability policy offer enough coverage to pay for a lifetime of lost wages should it result in disability?

The Importance of Insurance Company Ratings and Financial Strength

Insurance is a very special industry. The whole value of an insurance policy of any kind resides within a simple promise: The promise to pay a potentially large benefit in the event of a claim. But the claim could happen many, many years in the future.

How Telematics Devices have Changed the Behavior of Drivers

In a recent survey conducted by the Insurance Research Council, more than 55 percent of participating drivers reported making changes in the way they drove after having a telematics device installed. More than 35 percent reported making small changes in the way they drove, and almost 20 percent said that they had made considerable changes in their driving habits.

Why Business Owners Need Terrorism Insurance

Terrorists attack a power plant that supplies electricity to a data center. The center houses numerous servers hosting hundreds of Web sites. A small business's site goes down, shutting off 80 percent of its revenue flow.

Staying Safe Under El Nino Conditions

It's the most wonderful time of the year … unless mother nature damages your home or causes you to get into a car accident. Winter is a challenging time; the ice and snow in much of the country makes getting around more difficult. They can accumulate on roofs and trees and cause them to give way. Even in the warmer parts of the country, cold weather and torrential rains can cause poor driving conditions and water damage to homes.

Hands-Free Technologies are not as Safe as Drivers Think

Researchers at the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety recently found that dangerous mental distractions can remain a threat for nearly 30 seconds after they are eliminated. For example, a person changing a CD, dialing a number or using voice commands to send a text message could continue being distracted by thinking about the action for many seconds afterward. It only takes a few seconds of inattention to cause a major accident. This brings researchers to highlight their concerns about these unexpected but dangerous lingering distractions, which show that many new hands-free technologies may not be as safe as people assume they are.

Force-Placed Insurance and What it Means for Homeowners?

Mortgage lenders require borrowers to carry insurance on their properties. They do this so they will be repaid if fire, windstorm or some other disaster damages the property. If the borrower does not comply, the lender has the right to buy a policy and pass the cost on to the borrower. This is known as "force-placed insurance".

Meeting the Responsibilities for a Safe Workplace

More than 13 workers died from workplace injuries every day in 2014. In addition, there were almost 3 million non-fatal injuries on the job for the year. For many Americans, going to work each day is a dangerous proposition.

The IIHS Releases Current List of Safest Vehicles for Teen Drivers

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety issues a list every year of their top recommended used vehicles for teen drivers. When parents buy cars for their teens, they typically either buy cars that their kids like or used cars that parents think are practical. However, many of the cars chosen by well-meaning parents are not the safest options for teens. It is especially important to provide these new drivers who are still developing their road skills the best cars for their own safety and for the safety of other motorists on the road.

Holiday Fire and Entertainment Safety Tips for Homeowners

In the winter months, the holiday season is always an eventful and festive time of year. Many people celebrate the holidays with gatherings of friends and family members. As a rule, most people receive more house guests during the winter holidays. Although it is nice to spend time with loved ones, it is important to keep safety in mind. The winter holidays are also the time of year with the most electrical accidents and home fires. The Electrical Safety Foundation International conducts a safety awareness program every year to help people across the country prepare for a safer holiday season. Having an actionable approach that incorporates the most important safety elements is important.

A New Way to Charge for Auto Insurance: The Company Watches you Drive

For decades, insurance companies have considered drivers' histories when they calculated auto insurance premiums. They have based prices on a driver's age, record of accidents and traffic tickets, and how long she's been driving. Factors such as gender, marital status, and school grades have also been important.

What Homeowners Need To Know About The Claims Payment Process

When a claims adjuster inspects the damage to a home after an insurance claim is filed, the insurance company will offer a certain amount for the necessary repairs. It is important to remember that the first check form the insurance company is typically an advance payment and not the final check. However, an upfront settlement may be offered in some situations. These fronted amounts are beneficial when homeowners need money to fix major issues right away. If further damages are noted later on, the claim can be reopened for additional funds in most cases. Also, the insurance company typically issues separate checks for home damage and damage to personal belongings in the home.

How Homeowners Can Prevent Major Losses From Flood Damage

Although flooding may happen throughout the year, it is most common in the spring when snow melts. Rain is also typical and adds to the risk. One of the most common weather-related causes of death is flooding. In addition to this, floods are the leading weather-related cause of property damage. After Hurricane Sandy, the National Flood Insurance Program paid out well over $6 million in claims. It is important to take these steps to prevent flood damage.

Understanding The Purpose Of Certificates Of Insurance

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, a test conducted using speed cameras near Washington D.C. showed a reduction in the amount of deaths and injuries due to changes in the behavior of motorists. The changed behavior was a result of the motorists knowing about the cameras in the area. Experts at IIHS expressed their hopes that the research would lead to more discussions around the country about speeding. Since American drivers are used to seeing speed limit signs but typically ignore them, something must be done to correct their dangerous behavior.

Using Ride Services to Your Holiday Party Can Save You Thousands

With the widespread availability of ride services, such as Lyft and Uber, there is no reason to drive to your holiday party, especially if you drink. Nowadays, with lower limits on blood alcohol levels than in the past, driving while being above the threshold doesn't take much. The cost of driving under the influence can be well over $10,000, and it can also cost you your career. Worse yet, if you seriously injure or kill someone, you can spend time in jail. It's just not worth it-the cost of a ride or taxi service is a drop in the bucket compared to what an alcohol-related conviction can cost you.

Speed Cameras Greatly Reduce the Number of Serious and Fatal Accidents

Serious Injuries and Deaths From Auto Accidents Are on the Rise

According to a recent report from the National Safety Council, an estimated 14 percent increase in traffic deaths occurred during the first half of 2015 in comparison with the first half of the prior year. In addition to this, the number of serious injuries from traffic accidents increased by about 30 percent in that time frame. From the beginning of January until the end of June, there were about 19,000 fatalities resulting from traffic accidents throughout the United States. There were about 2.2 million reports of serious injuries, which resulted in the country seeing its deadliest traffic accident year since 2007.

Cyber Risk: Now and in the Future

Cybercrime has grown into a massive expense for businesses and organizations around the world. According to a recent report by Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty, it costs the global economy an estimated $445 billion annually. It costs the world's four largest economies - the US, China, Japan and Germany - more than $200 billion. And the cost is expected to grow.

Fraudulent Auto Repairs and Insurance Scams Cost Drivers Money, Time and Safety

Finding a reliable auto repair shop is important for all drivers. A good mechanic can prevent serious accidents by detecting problems early and can also help a vehicle owner save money. Although most auto shops are honest, some dishonest ones cast a negative shadow on mechanics everywhere. It is important to know how they target drivers and how to fight back.

Protect Your Business from Employee Theft

A credit union in Amarillo, Texas had a problem with employee theft. The employee who pled guilty was not a teller who pocketed a few hundred dollar bills here and there. She was the 56 year-old assistant vice-president of teller operations who embezzled $826,000 over a 14-year period. Her action could land her a 30-year prison sentence and a $1 million fine.

How to Stay Safer on the Road this Winter

Thousands of people are injured or killed every winter because of overconfidence or unpreparedness while driving in dangerous conditions. It is important for everyone to keep safety tips in mind while driving in wintry conditions. The first step is making sure a vehicle is equipped. To do this, use the following tips...

Be Prepared: 2015 Farmers' Almanac Winter Forecast

In a recent report, the Farmers' Almanac predicted that the winter months of late 2015 and early 2016 will mostly be a repeat of the prior year's winter, which was marked with extremely cold temperatures across the eastern parts of the Great Lakes and through most of the Atlantic Seaboard. Kentucky, Ohio, the Tennessee Valley, most of the Mississippi Valley, most of the Gulf Coast and the lower peninsula of Michigan are also expected to see unseasonably cold temperatures this winter. The Farmers' Almanac told New Englanders to expect frigid temperatures that would remind them of last year.

Condo and Townhome Owners are not Covered by their Homeowners Association

If you live in a Condo, your Homeowners Association (HOA) almost always just covers the HOA property-not your own property or liability. The HOA property is basically just the building. Anything inside your unit is probably not covered by your HOA. The HOA has liability if the entity was sued; however, this does not cover you personally. In most cases, this is also applicable to townhome owners, but in some cases, the HOA requires each townhome to get their own separate exterior building coverage. Let's review exactly what a separate Condo owner policy covers and why every homeowner in an HOA needs their own coverage.

Kidnapping and Ransom Insurance is Something Many Companies Lack but Truly Need

One of the last things most employers think about or would want to think about is having an employee kidnapped or held for ransom. However, this does happen more often than most employers think it happens. The dangerous modern world brings plenty of risks for employees of businesses, and this is especially true of companies that send their employees traveling abroad. Extortion and kidnapping are not uncommon in foreign countries. The perpetrators use key employees of companies as bargaining chips to make money or other unscrupulous deals. In addition to causing personal trauma for the employee, kidnapping can result in great financial losses, interruption of business and negative publicity.

Safety and Health Tips for Halloween and Harvest Day Celebrations

Harvest Day and Halloween celebrations are fun for children who enjoy wearing costumes and eating treats. The Centers for Disease Control encourages adults to plan parties with healthy snacks and to pass out healthy treats to kids on Halloween. The CDC also emphasizes the importance of safety during these Autumn celebrations.

Ways to Stay Safer this Thanksgiving

As Thanksgiving approaches each fall, Americans across the United States start preparing for one of the biggest feasts of the year. Thanksgiving has been a time where friends and family come together to enjoy good food and the company of one another for many decades. However, it is important to protect this special time by remembering to put safety first. By spending a few minutes reviewing these tips, people can experience a safe and happy holiday.

Why Every Theft Victim Should File a Police Report Immediately

Anyone who has ever been the victim of theft knows the feelings of anger and violation. Most people yearn for a sense of justice after something is stolen from them. In many examples, the stolen property is never recovered. If it is recovered, it may be damaged. In addition to this, the perpetrators are not always found or prosecuted. When a theft occurs, it is important to file a police report immediately. A report must be filed whether the culprit was seen or not. Reports are needed for home insurance companies or credit card companies when filing a theft claim. One of the biggest reasons people are never compensated for losses is because they fail to file a police report. Alternately, they might file a report but may not file enough information to warrant compensation. The best way to be compensated, find the stolen property, and help the thieves get caught is to remember the following tips.

Got Kids in College? Better Get Insurance.

Used to be kids showed up to their college dorms with not much more than the clothes on their backs and a couple of suitcases. Maybe they brought a small stereo. A generation ago, laptops were nearly unheard of in college dorms. Obviously, those days are over. Today's college students rely on a small arsenal of laptops, tablets, smart phones and other valuable electronic devices - without which they would have a tough time functioning and completing their schooling. These days, access to a laptop computer isn't just a luxury for students - it's a must.

Do You Have Insurance When You Use Someone Else's Car?

Joel is an attorney living in Manhattan. He relies on public transportation to get around the city and occasionally rents a car, so he does not own one. When he goes back home for a visit, he will sometimes borrow one of his parents' cars to go out or visit friends. He certainly does not plan on having a car accident when he's driving, so the question of who will pay if one happens is far from his mind.

Understanding Seasonal Influenza and Vaccination Recommendations

If it is not treated properly or quickly, influenza is serious enough to cause death or extended hospitalization. Since flu seasons are different every year, it is important to understand how different strains affect different people. Even people who are otherwise healthy may contract the flu and spread it to others. Flu-related deaths are more likely in people over the age of 65. Between 80 percent and 90 percent of flu-related deaths occur in this age group. Flu viruses may circulate any time during the year. It is important to be vaccinated for optimal protection. There are shots and nasal sprays for this purpose.

To Bolster Employee Loyalty, Educate Them!

A recent Harris Interactive Study, commissioned by prominent disability insurance carrier Unum, found that employees who receive frequent and thorough education on their available benefits are also more likely to view their employer positively, and to feel that their employer values them. The survey establishes a positive correlation between employees understanding of their benefits and productivity.

Employers are Required by Law to Keep the Workplace Safe

Small business owners have a responsibility to provide a safe work environment for their employees. This responsibility is crucial to the survival of the business and for optimal revenue. If the workplace is unsafe, employees may suffer injuries or be unable to complete their jobs optimally. For example, a workplace where the the lighting is inadequate may result in employees being unable to see clearly and injure themselves as a result. In addition to this, the poor lighting may make the employee take longer to complete the job. The employee may also suffer from eye strain that leads to eye damage and the need for stronger prescription lenses. This is just one of many examples of adverse workplace conditions that has multiple negative effects.

The Scary Truth about Texting and Driving in America

Approximately 500,000 young Americans are injured as a result of distracted driving. The average text takes a person's eyes off the road for several seconds, which is enough time to swerve off the road or hit a car that is braking quickly. When a person is traveling at 55 miles per hour, that is enough time to drive across the length of a football field. Anyone who notices a friend texting while driving should tell that person to put the phone down or stop the vehicle immediately.

Tips for Parents Whose Kids are Entering College

After a child decides what colleges he or she wants to attend, it is time for parents to decide what they can afford. Since schools have varying rates and conditions for tuition, not all students' bills will be the same. Total costs vary based on academic pace, living arrangements and degree programs. A student's financial details are also considered if financial aid may be used. When it comes to preparing for college, parents should compare and discuss room, board and tuition costs as far in advance as possible.

More Employees Sue Restaurants in Wage Disputes

*** The below article was featured in The Wall Street Journal on August 18, 2015 written by Thomas MacMillan.

Marie Sophie Jaafari spent more than five years checking hats and coats for patrons who regularly paid as much as a $75 prix fixe to dine on calf liver with lemon butter or veal kidneys in mustard sauce at Manhattan's Le Perigord.

Employers: Have You Updated Your Social Media Policy?

If it's been a while since you updated your employee manuals, or you don't have a coherent policy regarding the use of social media, it's time to get serious. Unfettered use of social media accounts by employees could expose the company to embarrassment, loss of credibility, disruption of business relationships and in some cases liability.

Mobile Device Security: Prevent Others from Accessing Confidential Information

Americans are relying more and more on mobile devices to store sensitive personal and business information. A number of new applications also involve the storage and transition of personally identifiable medical information between consumers, vendors and health care and insurance providers. The stakes are getting very high - and the technology arms race between service providers and would-be hackers and data thieves is getting intense, indeed.

Protecting Your Home From Water/Leak Damage

Year in and year out, water and leak damage is among the top causes of claims against homeowners' insurance policies, according to the Insurance Information Institute. Nearly 2 percent of homeowners file a water-damage-related claim every year with their homeowners insurance companies, making water damage the 2nd most common claims-generating occurrence in the industry, behind only wind and hail damage.

How Seniors can Stay Safer when Temperatures are Higher

Hot weather comes with several health risks for aging adults and people who have chronic illnesses. It is important for all adults and especially those who are prone to hyperthermia to know how to protect themselves. When the body's natural heat-regulating mechanisms fail, hyperthermia ensues. Some common hyperthermia effects include dizziness, heat cramps, heat stroke and heat exhaustion. The risks only become higher for older adults as temperatures crawl higher on the thermometer.

When Tenants Sue Landlords for Millions and Succeed, What are your Options?

When a building owner leases premises to a tenant, it takes the risk that those using the premises may suffer injuries or damage. The possibility of the tenant or others suing the landlord is always present. Two landlords in particular found out just how real that possibility is.

How to Avoid a Silent Death from Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless and very poisonous gas. It is created by burning oil, coal, charcoal, propane, natural gas and kerosene. Any appliances or equipment using these types of fuel can produce carbon monoxide. Although most people are not aware what is happening to them when they are poisoned by carbon monoxide, more than 150 people die every year from inhaling the fumes. This number excludes automotive-related deaths from carbon monoxide. Malfunctioning appliances and the improper use of charcoal grills are two common causes of death. Another unfortunate but common cause of carbon monoxide poisoning is the improper use of a generator.

Women are More Skeptical than Men about Driverless Cars

According to data gathered by NerdWallet, vehicle manufacturers will have to worry more about impressing women than men if they want to make driverless cars more common. In addition to highlighting the differences in opinion between men and women, their findings showed disparity in opinions of driverless cars between older and younger Americans.

Audi Q5 Earns Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS

The Audi Q5 midsize luxury sport utility vehicle recently earned the highest safety rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. This happened following the manufacturer's improvement of the SUV's structure to optimize safety during small overlap front crashes. The Top Safety Pick+ distinction from the IIHS and the favorable rating the SUV earned in the small overlap test is applicable to all models constructed after January of 2015. Since that time, any Audi Q5 vehicles that were released had a more reinforced occupant compartment and front end.

Incident that can Bankrupt your Business if not Covered

Many business owners view insurance as just one more bill to pay, an unavoidable cost of doing business. Certainly no one enjoys writing the premium checks. However, disaster can pop up with no notice. Good insurance can make all the difference when a business suffers a body blow. Here are some examples and lessons.

Homeowners may Need Additional Insurance for Summer Fun

When summer arrives each year, many people look forward to activities that they can only enjoy during warmer months. Summer is also a time for family vacations and relaxing. A typical American's summer plans may include outdoor activities, entertainment and traveling. While these are all great ways to make the most of the warm months, it is important to evaluate additional insurance needs. Accidents are bound to happen but do not need to end in bankruptcy. These simple insurance tips will help Americans enjoy their summer with peace of mind.

Tips for Settling a Claim after an Auto Accident

After being in an auto accident, an injured person often wonders how to proceed with injury claims against the at-fault party. When it is added to the shock of being in an accident and dealing with recovering, the process may seem overwhelming. However, some simple tips can make it much easier. Since it is necessary to work with the at-fault party's insurer, gathering sufficient information is crucial. While at the accident scene, be sure to obtain the following information.

Summer Safety Tips for Parents and Kids

When the summer months arrive, it is important for parents to be aware of outdoor safety issues with kids. There are several tips pediatricians nationwide recommend parents take to keep younger family members safe.

Pet Health Insurance and Top 10 Medical Problems for Cats and Dogs

Pets and humans both require regular medical attention for treatment of ailments and preventative care. Although allergies and minor injuries are not life-threatening problems for pets, they can still be very costly to treat. Policyholders who had Veterinary Pet Insurance Co. coverage spent over $68 million in 2014 on common pet medical issues.

What Drivers Need to Know to Find the Best Tires

Anyone shopping for tires should ensure they follow best practices for buying. After deciding it is time to buy tires for a vehicle, the Safercar.gov site provides several tips for car owners and their vehicles. They point out that it is important to have this information through the entire service life of the tires.

Distracted Teen Driving is a Bigger Problem than Previously Thought

According to recent research from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, distracted driving among teens is a much more serious problem than previously thought. The video analysis they provided showed that distraction was a major element in about 60 percent of moderate and severe crashes. This is four times the estimate provided by numbers based on police reports alone.

Violence in the Workplace: What Employers Can Do

Kim Scott, an intensive care nurse at a Florida hospital, has taken a beating on the job. Mentally ill patients and their family members have hit her, kicked her, pushed her, pulled her hair, and grabbed objects from her. Her experience is not unique. The nurses' union says three-quarters of its members have been assaulted while at work. Some have ended up in the emergency room.

Why it is Important to Have a Solid Retirement Plan

Retirees and workers in the United States have been expressing more confidence in being able to afford retirement despite indications that they are not taking the right steps to reach their goals. This was one of the findings in the 2015 Retirement Confidence Survey conducted by the Employee Benefit Research Institute.

How to Pick the Right Amount of Business Income Insurance

When an organization considers buying property insurance, the focus is often on the building the organization owns or rents and its contents. While it is very important to carry the right kind of insurance on a building and personal property, and an adequate amount of it, there is another coverage that could prove to be more important after a loss. Not having enough of it could be the difference between the business carrying on or closing. That coverage is business income insurance.

Telecommuting is an Essential Part of a Business Continuity Plan

There are several factors that may lead to a temporary business closure. Bad weather, floods, construction and other incidents can leave a business out of operation for days, weeks or even months. One option to prevent business closure and promote continuity is telecommuting. This strategy continues growing in popularity with more businesses relying on virtual operations for many functions. With a good telecommuting strategy, employers and their employees can stay connected and continue virtual operations of the business through an IT network. Although telecommuting should not be the only continuity solution, it is an important option to implement for better business longevity protection.

In-Home Care and Long Term Care Insurance

When most people think of long-term care benefits, they think of adult day care centers, nursing homes and hospice facilities. Each of these is an important component of the system when it comes to providing long-term care to America's elderly or chronically disabled. But if you ask most people whether they'd rather go to a nursing home or receive needed care and support in their own homes, the vast majority would respond that they want to stay home.

Tips for Consumers to Prevent Credit Card Fraud

Theft, which is the most common type of credit card fraud, happens in several different forms. It may involve a person manually rummaging through a dumpster for papers with sensitive information or a hacker stealing credit card numbers online. The hacking may not always be due to the negligence of the card holder. In many cases, banks are targets for hackers. If a hacker finds a way through a bank or financial institution's security, cardholders across the country become victims. There are also schemes where people obtain personal information. For example, a company may offer a free vacation or other prize of considerable size. However, a person must join a paid club or set up a membership to qualify. The unscrupulous company then steals members' card information.

Tips for Consumers to Prevent Credit Card Fraud

Using Technology to Create a Home Inventory

If it's been a while since you have created a home inventory documenting your valuables, you're going to be pleasantly surprised about how much easier the process has become.

What Homeowners Need to Know about Insuring Themselves Against Sewer Backups

Although many homeowners think their insurance policies cover sewer backups, they are disappointed when they find out the hard way that sewer backups are not covered. However, there is separate coverage available for this type of problem. When compared to the cost of dealing with a major sewer backup, the cost of additional coverage is very small. Homeowners must maintain and repair the part of the pipeline that connects pipes in their homes to main sewer lines. The parts that connect them are also included. Since a backup can be very costly and messy to deal with, it is important for homeowners to know how to prevent a sewer backup and to understand what causes them.

What Drivers Need to Know about Points and Moving Violations

In most systems, higher points are associated with rewards or something positive. However, they have negative connotations when they are associated with moving violations. After being ticketed for a moving violation in nearly any state, a driver receives points on his or her license. Some examples of moving violations include running red lights, illegal towing, not signaling when making lane changes and other violations of driving rules.

Non-owned Auto Coverage and Why Every Business Policy Should Have It

Even businesses that own fleets of autos sometimes use vehicles that do not belong to them. Often, a business asks an employee to run an errand or visit a customer or vendor using that employee's car. The business may become legally liable for anything an employee acting on the business's behalf does while behind the wheel. Lawsuits and accompanying legal costs may confront the business if he has an accident. Many business automobile insurance policies cover this situation, but they do not do so automatically.

Steps to Prevent Falls in the Workplace

Slip-and-fall accidents are the reason many claims are filed against insurance companies every year. They are also the reason many people and especially seniors end up in hospitals with broken bones. There are several ways to minimize the risk of these accidents.

Investigative Steps to take after a Slip-And-Fall Accident

Slip-and-fall accidents may still happen with the best preventative techniques. While it is crucial to take steps to reduce the risk of these accidents, it is also important to know what to do after one happens. The investigation phase is very important. If there is a thorough investigation, it could limit the responsible company's liability, reduce the cost of claims and protect the business from even more losses. Follow these steps to ensure a smoother investigation and claims process.

Preventing Employee Fraud

One of the most serious problems for small businesses today is employee theft. The National Federation of Independent Business says that employees are 15 times more likely than people who are not employees to steal from their employers. The NFIB said that employee theft counts for almost 45 percent of losses at stores. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, more than 30 percent of business failures are because of employee fraud or theft.

Massachusetts New State Headlight Law Starts on April 7, 2015

April 3, 2015

As of April 7, 2105 when the rain starts to fall in Massachusetts, drivers will be required to turn on their headlights.

Keep Insurance Updated with Major Life Changes and Purchases

As life circumstances change, it is important to review insurance coverage. There are several issues every policyholder should consider when doing this.

How much Umbrella Coverage do I Need?

The minimum amount of coverage for umbrella policies is $1 million. Policies are typically offered in larger amounts, but the amounts umbrella policies come in are always in increments of millions. Companies targeting individuals with a high net worth may offer policies that cover as much as $50 million or more.

Alternate Transportation Options are Reducing the Number of Drunk Driving Crashes

The Superbowl is one of the biggest annual sporting events tied to drunk driving deaths. A recent collaborative study showed that this trend is changeable. The study showed that newer alternative transportation options are a powerful and convenient tool in fighting the number of deaths from drunk driving.

What Homeowners Need to Know about Replacement Cost and Market Value

Recent research shows that most homeowners do not have sufficient coverage to provide for all of their belongings. According to the survey, more than 65 percent of American homeowners were under-insured by about 20 percent.

What To Expect For The Rest Of The 2015 Winter Months

With winter in full force, the Farmers' Almanac had predicted a very grim outlook for the 2015 winter season. The new edition predicted temperatures below normal for 75 percent of the country, and the coldest temperatures were predicted around the Great Lakes and Northern Plains areas. Experts stated that no region would see above-normal temperatures for very long

Safest Vehicles Named By IIHS For 2015

More than 70 vehicles earned one of the two highest awards from the IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) in 2015, but less than 40 vehicles earned awards in 2014. Since the standards for front crash prevention have been steadily heightened for the past three years, experts were especially happy to see this increase. Although the standards for Top Safety Pick+ were raised, the criteria remain the same for Top Safety Pick

Doing a Rollover? Make Sure You Know the New Rules!

A 'rollover,' in tax terms, is the tax-free transferal of assets from one tax-favored retirement account to another similar account. For example, you may execute a rollover of an old employers' 401(k) plan to a traditional IRA, a SEP plan to a traditional IRA, or a traditional IRA to another traditional IRA

5 Smart Things You Can Do With Life Insurance Cash Value

If you have accumulated significant cash value within a permanent life insurance policy, congratulations! Your planning and decision to save within a permanent life insurance policy is likely paying off. Thanks to the tremendous tax advantages that Congress has given to provide for incentives for families to protect themselves with life insurance, and to the protection aspect itself, life insurance is a great place to keep money

Seven Tips To Get the Most from Your Business Insurance

One Sunday in May 2011, a massive tornado tore through Joplin, Missouri. With winds surpassing 200 miles per hour, it killed 161 people, injured 1,150 more, destroyed approximately 2,000 buildings, and caused $2.8 billion in property damage. Insurance companies paid $2.2 billion to affected homeowners and businesses

The top 15 states for dog bite claims

In 2015, dog assaults cost the insurance industry $483.7 million last year, according to new data from the Insurance Information Institute and State Farm Insurance Co. The insurer shared the top 15 states for dog bite claims, according to its own history.

Why You May Need Valuable Items Insurance

For possessions that are more valuable, it is important to obtain valuable items coverage. Items such as original art, expensive jewelry and collectors' items are some examples of what this coverage is useful for. Homeowners' policies place limits on the amount of money provided for personal items, but this supplemental form of insurance goes beyond that to cover specific valuables. If they are stolen, destroyed in a fire or lost to a natural disaster, the policy will cover them

When Does Your Insurance Company Have to Defend You in Court?

Commercial general liability insurance pays for legal damages an organization would otherwise have to pay for injuries or damage to others. These include bodily injuries, property damage, advertising injuries, and personal injuries such as violations of privacy. Another benefit of this insurance, however, can be just as valuable or even more so: Coverage for the cost of legal defense

Stay Safe from Common Insurance Scams

Nearly all insurance agents and companies are honest and ethical, and they have to be in order to stay in business. However, there are scam artists posing as agents who are able to take advantage of unsuspecting consumers. Experts in the field of insurance encourage consumers to educate themselves about scams and to know how to identify the signs to better protect themselves and their finances. The following are some common scams.

2015 Tax Tips

The year 2015 brings a number of important changes to personal and small business tax laws and regulations. It's important that you be aware of them in order to minimize your tax bill and keep more of what you earn on an after-tax basis. Here are some of the most common tax moves you can make that may make a difference in your wallet for 2015.

Think You Don't Need Professional Liability Insurance? Think Again

People often think of professional liability insurance as something only doctors and lawyers need. The truth, though, is that anyone can be sued for making bad decisions. Standard business general liability insurance policies do not cover liability for professional mistakes. They will not cover errors that cost someone else money without causing bodily injury to them or destroying their property.

Research Shows Employers Need to Beef up Employee Benefits Education

When enrollment season approaches each year, employers should remember that their workers need to be informed about what options are available to them, what changes have been made to the benefits offerings, and what their chosen benefits include. Research shows that less than 35 percent of workers who were questioned about their benefits during the previous year said they received good or excellent education about what was offered and what each option included.

Important Steps to Follow after a Car Accident

In the event an accident occurs on the road, it is important to know what to do. People who already know how to react can help save their own lives, the lives of passengers and the lives of people in other vehicles involved.

Research Shows an Upward Shift of Employees Sharing Benefits

With the right amount of effective communication and the right employee benefits, businesses can meet the challenges presented by health care reform, changing demographics and employee budgets.

Drowsy Driving: a More Serious Issue than Americans Think

Recent research shows that more than 20 percent of fatal car accidents are due to fatigued drivers. This finding confirms what experts suspected, which was that drowsy drivers are more commonplace than other statistics suggested before.

Parents Helping their Adult Children May be Hurting their own Retirement

Researchers recently found that about 60 percent of parents in the United States were giving some form of financial support to their adult children, and they say this may undermine parents' readiness for retirement. In research findings, Millennials went through the most serious parts of the economic downturn.

What Homeowners Need to Know to Safely Winterize their Homes

When winter months approach, it is time for homeowners to start securing their homes for protection against wind, snow, ice and all other harsh elements. The most common causes of damage to homes during the colder months are hail, rain and wind.

Workplace Safety Tips for Working in Cold Temperatures

Depending on how long a person has been exposed to cold temperatures, hypothermia symptoms may vary. The earliest symptoms include fatigue, shivering, confusion and loss of coordination. As hypothermia progresses, it may cause blue skin, dilated pupils, lack of shivering, loss of consciousness, slowed breathing and a lowered pulse.

What Employers Need to Know About Hiring and Background Checks

When employers hire new workers, they typically want to gather some information about candidates to help them make educated hiring decisions. With the large amount of companies offering convenient online background checks, the majority of employers have background checks done over the Internet. There are several bits of information employers look for when they perform pre-employment checks. The following paragraphs outline the most common items employers look for.

Helpful Tips for Lowering Heating Costs this Winter

When the fall and winter months approach, many Americans start turning up their thermostats. Heating bills can become very large if homeowners do not take steps to make their heating systems as efficient as possible. The following tips are helpful for lowering heating bills during the winter.

5 Things Your Business can do to Prevent Data Breaches

Business owners: Which of the following poses the greater risk that your organization will unintentionally give up confidential data?

An anonymous hacker in a foreign country, snooping for network vulnerabilities.

One of your mid-level managers who receives three phone calls while trying to write a single email.

Prevent Drunk Driving at the Holidays

Tis the season. The annual holidays are coming up, and between Thanksgiving, Chanukah, Christmas and New Year's eve, Americans will be consuming more alcohol. Studies show that in December, an average of 25 people a day will die in drunk driving incidents...

Four Common Employee Crime Schemes and Best Practices to Combat Them

October is Crime Prevention Month, and experts recently shared some helpful information about four of the most common crime schemes criminals use. In addition to this, they offered some helpful suggestions for implementing best practices in the workplace to prevent the occurrence of these crimes. To protect their companies from risks, business owners must invest plenty of money and time...

Can Kids' Sports Drive You Into Bankruptcy?

Kids love to play contact sports. And sometimes, kids get hurt playing contact sports. Indeed, according to information from SafeKids.org, 1.24 million children - 3,397 children per day, were admitted to the hospital for sports-related injuries last year...

Study: Most Families Dangerously Low on Life Insurance

Are you and your family dangerously exposed to the risk of an untimely death? The loss of a breadwinner and even the loss of a stay-at-home spouse can create an immediate and significant hardship for those families affected. According to a recent study from the Life Insurance Research and Marketing Association (LIMRA), the majority of 'middle market' families surveyed reported that they...

Are Brand Name And Generic Drugs Different?

Nearly 80 percent of prescriptions used by Americans are generic drugs. During the next several years, the use of generic prescription drugs is expected to increase even more. This is partially due to several popular drugs being scheduled to lose their patents. The following are some facts about generic drugs...

More Employers are Offering Pet Insurance as a Voluntary Benefit

Researchers reported that about 70 percent of employers were planning to add pet insurance to their voluntary benefits packages during the next six months to one year. This finding came from one of the largest pet insurers in the country. With open enrollment season starting, more and more employers continue exploring the benefits of offering coverage for their workers' pets. Researchers said that there were over 1,000 organizations offering pet coverage to workers...

Safety Tips For Thanksgiving Travels and Cooking

As Thanksgiving approaches, millions of Americans will be traveling to spend the holiday with friends or family members. Leaving a home empty is a good way to attract burglars. By following a few simple travel and safety tips, everyone can ensure their homes will be left safe enough burglars will not feel enticed to enter. The following are some crucial steps to take...

How Home Automation Works and Why it is Beneficial

Home automation is similar to building automation, but it automates household activity instead of business activity. It often includes features such as centralized control of HVAC systems, lighting, appliances, air conditioning and locks on gates or doors. The purpose of home automation is to increase energy efficiency and comfort, and it also makes it easier to keep a home secure...

What Every Dog Owner Should Know about Bites and Insurance

Nearly 70 percent of American households include one or more pets. Research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that nearly 4.5 million people suffer from dog bites every year...

Proving Fault after a Car Accident

Determining fault following an auto accident involves deciding who was the negligent or careless party. In most cases, common sense dictates who was at fault. There is usually one person who clearly violated traffic regulations or failed to yield the right of way. If there is official support of a claim to back up a story after an accident, the argument is strengthened for the insurance company...

How to Better Protect Employees who Drive Company Cars

Millions of people drive "company cars"; that is, vehicles that the business owns. These drivers are the business owners themselves, members of their families, as well as their employees. In these situations, the business both owns and insures the vehicles...

What Homeowners Need to Know about Injuries from Slips and Falls on their Properties

States have varying laws regarding slips and falls on properties, but homeowners are almost always responsible for these types of injuries occurring on their properties. In some cases, they are also responsible for the injuries of trespassers on their properties. With premises liability law, there is a big responsibility for homeowners to keep their properties as safe as possible. Also, it is crucial to ensure good home insurance is kept at all times to protect from any legal action...

Beauty Contestant Charged with Workers' Compensation Fraud

A participant in the 2014 Miss Toyota Long Beach Grand Prix beauty contest was arrested for workers' compensation fraud. The arrest followed the surfacing of video evidence on social media, which showed her participation in the event. The woman had been collecting workers' compensation money and had been lying about the severity of her injury. It is illegal to do this, and fraud puts a strain on other state residents who have to foot the bill. Catching illegal activity is not always this easy, because not all scam artists are bold enough to put themselves in such a public spotlight while they are scamming the system...

My Key Employee Has Reserve Duty. I Need Her to Work. What Can I Do?

Congratulations on having hired a member of the Reserve Component of the Armed Forces! The discipline, work ethic and skill sets that make her such a key employee for your business also make her important to her country, too...

Employer Health Plan Compliance Information for 2015

The year is half over, and business owners and human resources professionals have some important work to do to meet some upcoming federal compliance deadlines.
Here are some of the most important requirements, broken down by the applicable federal law: ..

The Top 15 Auto Insurance Discounts You May Not Know About

There are many extra expenses when it comes to owning a vehicle. Gas prices, maintenance and repair costs can put a major dent in the owner's wallet. In addition to this, insurance is an added expense but a necessary one that is required by law. Auto repair costs and gas costs can be minimized to a point, but they cannot be fully controlled...

What Every Business Owner Needs to Know to Keep Fire Exits Safe

Many people do not know how they would escape their workplaces if an emergency arose. They are often not aware of where the exits are, what to do if doors are locked, where they should try to go first or what to do if some areas are too crowded. There are several important questions to know the answers to when it comes to this type of safety issue...

Retirement Planning - By the Numbers

Do you find yourself concerned with the amount you have saved in your retirement plan? Is it not what you expected? If so, you are in good company. The nonpartisan Employee Benefit Research Institute research report published May 21, 2014 has a lot of data, some showing that balances of Roth IRAs grew at more than double the rate of traditional IRAs among a consistent set of individual retirement account (IRA) owners with the median increase for these consistent owners of Roth IRAs (mid-point, or half above and half below) being 16.6 percent from 2010 to 2012, among other findings...

The 10 Worst Earthquakes In U.S. History

Earthquakes are often the most feared force of nature. Unlike storms that build and are visible in the sky, earthquakes can hit at any time with no warning. People who live along fault lines have to take special care to be prepared, but quakes can happen anywhere. The following are some of the worst historical earthquakes according to magnitude...

Build Your Hurricane Action Plan

From 2003 to 2012, the estimated insured losses from catastrophic hurricanes averaged nearly $14 billion per year. In recent years, as competition tightened across the board, we have seen an increasing movement on the part of payroll service providers to offer services and products and solutions that have traditionally fallen under the purview of the insurance agent...

Can the Loss of a Key Employee Disable a Business?

In today's economy, this is becoming the most important question a small business can ask. And they may need to determine the answer to this question sooner rather than later. "Take away all my factories and my equipment. Take away my wealth…But leave me with my key people and in a short time I'll have it all back again"...

New Ruling From Treasury Dept. Enables 'Longevity Insurance' Annuities

It's the retirement doomsday scenario: outliving your retirement savings. But in this era of prolonged low interest rates, a recent, severe recession that forced millions to cash in part of their retirement savings, reduce or put off contributions altogether, it's a real concern...

Testing Smoke Alarms Saves Lives of Family Members

Since more and more people are using smoke detectors in their homes, the number of deaths and serious injuries from fires has lessened. It is possible to lower the chances of death or injury by using these inexpensive devices in every room. However, it is crucial to ensure they are installed properly and tested frequently to verify they work correctly. Like any other device, smoke alarms can fail over time. Follow these simple steps to make sure they are working properly...

Groundwater Damage – Little Known Facts

Avoid salvaging carpet or pad that has been affected by groundwater. Groundwater is considered a Category 3 by the IICRC (Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification)...

Do You Need Travel Insurance - or Does Your Existing Policy Cover You?

You are planning to travel and you have options to purchase travel insurance. You may or may not need this coverage, depending on your needs. Many travel-related risks may be covered within policies you already have. Let's look at certain policy types that provide protection while traveling...

Detecting and Combatting Family Medical Leave Act Fraud in the Workplace

The Family and Medical Leave Act was passed with the best of intentions. The 1993 law requires all but very small employers to grant time off to employees to care for sick or injured family members, or to take time off to seek care and recovery for themselves in the event of a medical emergency...

Insurance Agents vs. Payroll Providers - Who Do You Want to Call When Your Business is On The Line?

For many years, insurance agents and brokers have worked side-by-side with payroll service providers, cooperating and combining their separate skill sets for the benefit of their small business clients. In recent years, as competition tightened across the board, we have seen an increasing movement on the part of payroll service providers to offer services and products and solutions that have traditionally fallen under the purview of the insurance agent...

Insurance Rates May Triple For People Convicted Of DUIs

In most states, people who are convicted of DUIs face higher insurance rates. Their rates are likely to rise for about three years, and they are required to obtain an SR-22 form. This is a form that proves a person is carrying adequate insurance. Under the SR-22 laws, insurers are required to let the licensing agency know if a policy lapses, is canceled or is terminated. To regain a driver's license, a person will have to show the Department of Motor Vehicles the SR-22 form. Driving privileges are suspended for at least 30 days or as much as one year after the first drunk driving offense. Depending on state laws, any additional offenses will vary but carry longer suspensions and harsher penalties...

How to Prevent Frozen Pipes During the Winter

Every winter, about 250,000 people find themselves with messes from pipes that freeze and burst. In addition to erupting and filling a room with water, a burst pipe can also cost a person thousands of dollars in damages. Carpet, photos, furniture and other belongings can be damaged to the point they need to be replaced. A crack measuring only three millimeters can spew as much as 250 gallons of water into a person's home in just one day. Whether a person has plastic PVC or copper pipes, they are not immune to ruptures and bursts..

Protection Against Data Breaches

Just prior to the Christmas holiday in 2013, the prominent retail chain Target announced that it had been the target of a massive hack of its credit card processing systems. The breach compromised as many as 40 million credit card numbers. Law enforcement authorities and Target's own investigators confirmed that stolen card numbers were coming up for sale on Internet sites catering to identity thieves at anywhere from $20 to $100 per card...

Why it is Important to Review Business Insurance Annually