The Hidden Costs of Skipping Insurance

This April is the 22nd anniversary of Financial Literacy Month, a time that inspires us to secure our future with sound financial planning, budgeting, saving, and investing. It’s an excellent opportunity to improve your financial education and be more secure in your goals. For example, many people are unaware of the hidden costs of skipping insurance, making them financially vulnerable.

Why Consider the Cost of Insurance in My Financial Planning?

Insurance delivers financial security by providing support during significant loss or danger. The apparent “cost savings” you may think you achieve by going without is often sadly misguided. Without proper insurance, one runs a high risk of financial setbacks.

High medical bills: Without health insurance, you’re responsible for the full cost of medical treatments, including emergencies, hospital stays, and prescriptions.
Legal fees: If you’re involved in a car accident or lawsuit and lack proper coverage, you could face significant legal fees.
Property damage: Without homeowners’ or renter’s insurance, you could pay for repairs or replacements after damage from weather disasters, theft, or accidents you have no way of predicting.
Loss of income: In the event of an injury or illness, not having disability insurance could leave you without a source of income while you recover.
Financial burden on family: Without life insurance, your family may struggle with expenses, including debt repayment, funeral costs, and day-to-day living expenses after your death.
Penalties and fines: Some types of insurance are actually considered mandatory, like health insurance. They can carry penalties for non-compliance with state or federal regulations.

Encouraging Long-Term Financial Stability: Types of Insurance

Getting familiar with the different types of insurance is a good idea. These policies can help you in your time of financial need to ensure long-term economic stability.

Personal Insurance

Health insurance is vital for managing healthcare costs and ensuring access to necessary medical treatments. With the rising cost of medical care, health insurance helps cover doctor visits, hospital stays, prescriptions, and preventive care expenses. It also protects you from high medical bills, ensuring you receive the care you need without devastating financial strain.

Life Insurance

Life insurance offers financial protection for your loved ones in the event of your death. It ensures your family can maintain their lifestyle and cover essential expenses, such as mortgage payments, education, and daily living expenses, even after you’re gone. Life insurance can also help with funeral expenses, reducing the burden on those you leave behind. With various policy options available, life insurance is essential for safeguarding your family’s financial well-being.

Car Insurance: A Legal and Financial Necessity

Car insurance isn’t just a requirement in most states—it’s also a safeguard against costly accidents. Without it, you could be held personally responsible for damages, medical bills, and legal fees. Even if you’re a safe driver, unexpected events like theft or severe weather can leave you with repair costs that far outweigh the price of a monthly premium.

Homeowners and Renters Insurance: Protecting Your Property

A home is one of the biggest financial investments you’ll ever make. Homeowners insurance protects you from disasters like fires, floods, and theft, preventing financial devastation and even homelessness.

If you’re a college student or your child is heading to university for the first time this year, moving into an apartment or dorm carries risks that can be covered by renters insurance. The landlord’s policy does not cover the cost of replacing your personal belongings should they be lost due to theft, fire, or other disaster.

Pet Insurance: Avoiding Unexpected Vet Bills

Owning a pet comes with both love and responsibility. Veterinary care can be expensive, with emergency procedures costing thousands of dollars. A sudden illness or accident could force you to choose between financial hardship and your pet’s well-being without pet insurance. A monthly premium can help cover unexpected medical expenses, giving you peace of mind.

Travel Insurance: Essential for Summer Getaways

Planning a summer vacation in the next few months? Travel insurance can protect you from trip cancellations, lost baggage, and medical emergencies abroad. Without it, a sudden illness, flight cancellation, or lost passport could turn a dream trip into a financial disaster. Travel insurance costs are minimal compared to the potential losses you might face.

Insurance: A Smart Financial Decision

Going without insurance brings financial risks that far outweigh the savings. As we’ve covered today, insurance brings:

Financial predictability – Helps protect against unexpected costs.
Peace of mind – Ensures you’re covered in case of emergencies.
Long-term stability – Prevents significant out-of-pocket expenses that could derail your financial goals.

This Financial Literacy Month, take the time to review your personal insurance policies and ensure you’re adequately covered. A little planning now can save you from major financial setbacks later.

If you want to enroll in new or expanded insurance coverage, contact one of our experienced personal insurance agents for a free consultation today.

5 Insurance Considerations for Your Home Remodel

Planning a home remodel? April is National Rebuilding Month, after all. Whether adding space, upgrading features, or increasing functionality, your renovation could impact your homeowner’s insurance. Some updates may require additional coverage, while others might lower your premiums. Here are five key insurance considerations before you remodel your home.

Increased Coverage for Home Additions

Expanding your home, whether by adding rooms or finishing a basement, increases its value, and your current dwelling coverage may no longer be sufficient. Before breaking ground, consult an insurance agent to ensure your coverage reflects your home’s value.

Reassess dwelling coverage: New additions increase your value. Review a possible increase of your dwelling coverage to match the new square footage that may be at risk.
Update personal property coverage: Incorporating new rooms or features can include acquiring additional personal belongings. Ensure your policy reflects these changes to protect new furniture, electronics, appliances, and raw square footage.
Review liability coverage: Certain additions can elevate the risk of accidents. Evaluating and possibly increasing your liability coverage is prudent to safeguard against potential claims.

Liability Protection for a Swimming Pool

Adding a swimming pool increases liability risks, as it’s considered an “attractive nuisance.” The legal term “attractive nuisance” describes a hazardous condition or object that might lure children or others onto the property, putting them at risk of injury. The property owner may be held responsible for injuries due to the attractive nuisance, especially if they have failed to take reasonable steps to prevent access, for example, by installing a locking fence or gating around a pool.

Your insurer may require higher liability coverage, so it is always best to check before you begin remodeling. Additionally, installing safety features may be necessary for coverage eligibility—something to consider adding to your remodeling plans.

Policy Updates for a Home Office

If you add a dedicated home office or run a business from home, your standard policy may not cover business-related equipment or liability. To make sure you have adequate protection, consider the following:

Adding an endorsement: This is an addition to your existing policy that modifies or extends coverage. It can protect specific assets or risks not covered by your standard policy, such as business property or valuable items.
Acquiring an in-home business policy: Designed for those running a business from home, this policy covers business property, liability, and other risks that might not be covered under your homeowner’s policy.
Purchasing separate business insurance: Separate business insurance provides comprehensive coverage for business activities, such as liability, property damage, and workers’ compensation. It’s ideal for businesses needing more protection than an in-home policy offers.

Discounts for Safety Upgrades

Not all renovations increase premiums. Updating electrical wiring, plumbing, or roofing can lower costs by reducing the risk of fire or water damage. If your remodel includes these upgrades, ask about potential discounts on your homeowner’s insurance.

Insurance Coverage During Construction

One thing many families or homeowners overlook is the time during construction. Depending on the scale of your remodel, your home may be vacant or exposed to greater risks while construction is ongoing. Builders’ risk insurance protects materials from theft or damage, while vacant home insurance covers unoccupied properties during renovations. Make sure you have the right coverage before work begins.

Stay Protected Through Your Remodel

A home renovation is a significant investment; the right insurance coverage protects that investment. Before starting any project, speak with one of our experienced personal insurance agents to review your policy and make any necessary adjustments today.

The Difference Between Condo Insurance & Home Insurance

Like homeowners and renters, condo owners need insurance coverage to protect them from financial loss caused by perils such as fire, theft, and lawsuits. However, condominiums are different from homes or apartments. Although part of the building or property belongs to the condo owner, some of the condo belongs to the condominium association. Therefore, insurance coverage is different for this type of dwelling.

What Types of Insurance Policies Cover Condos?

There are two types of insurance policies for condos: one for the condominium association and another for individual condo owners. Typically, the master policy for the building and shared spaces is purchased by the association, while the condo owner buys insurance for their unit.

Condo association insurance: The master policy typically covers the building itself, including the roof and siding, as well as shared common areas, such as grounds, pools, and hallways. In some cases, coverage may extend to the unit’s interior to cover floors, ceilings, bare walls, and standard fixtures.
Individual condo insurance: These policies are designed to protect a specific unit and cover damage to the home and your belongings. Also known as HO-6 insurance, it is usually required by mortgage lenders and many condominium associations. Personal condo insurance covers what the master policy does not, such as electronics, furniture, and other items inside the unit. It also provides liability coverage if a visitor is injured inside the home.

How Does Condo Insurance Differ from Homeowners Insurance?

Home insurance is designed for traditional homeowners who own the structure of the house and the land it sits on. It is more comprehensive, as the coverage extends to the roof, garage, fences, sheds, exterior structure, and the condo interior. It covers personal belongings, whether they are inside or outside the house. Typically, it also offers broader liability protection if a visitor is injured anywhere on the property, indoors or out. It often includes loss-of-use coverage to pay for temporary living arrangements if the home becomes inhabitable due to a covered event.

Condo insurance applies to the interior of the unit, including the walls, ceiling, and flooring, and protects personal belongings, such as clothing, furniture, and electronics. It provides liability coverage for medical and legal expenses if someone is injured inside the unit. It can help pay for costs shared if the association’s master policy does not fully cover damage to common areas.

What Is the Role of the Master Policy in Determining Condo Coverage Needs?

The association’s master policy plays a major role in determining the coverage needs of condo owners. The main categories of master policies are:

Bare Walls-In: This type of policy covers only the frame of the structure and the shared areas, leaving condo owners responsible for everything inside their units.
All-In: Coverage is extended to include built-in features, such as flooring, cabinets, and fixtures.

Condo owners must understand what the association’s master policy covers to avoid over-insuring or leaving critical gaps in coverage. Our knowledgeable agent can review the master policy and help you find the right condo insurance at the most affordable rates.

How Does My Credit Score Affect My Insurance Rates?

March is National Credit Education Month—and many of us could use some help. When we think about credit scores, most of us are aware that our credit scores can affect loan approvals, car financing, credit card limits, or whether you are at the top of the list of tenants a landlord will consider.

Another area where credit score plays a critical role is in determining insurance rates. Your credit score, calculated from the information in your credit report, directly influences how much you pay for auto, homeowners, or renters insurance.

What Is the Connection Between Credit Scores and Insurance Rates?

Insurance companies are in business for profit and are concerned with managing risk. Each policyholder represents a unique set of probabilities. The goal is to assess the likelihood that you will file a claim, the potential payment for that claim, and your overall reliability as a customer. They use a combination of factors, including your credit score, to assess the risk.

They do this because studies have shown a correlation between claim behavior and credit scores. Insurers assert that individuals with lower credit scores are statistically more likely to file claims, and those claims tend to be costlier. Although this is not true for every person, data-backed trends provide insurance companies with the rationale for factoring credit scores into their calculations.

Insurers do not look at your raw credit score like a bank or lender might. Instead, they use a specialized “insurance score” that considers credit history but focuses on factors insurers believe are more predictive of your risks as a policyholder. Outstanding debts, late payments, and the length of your credit history could play a role in determining your insurance score.

What Impact Does Credit Score Have on Insurance Rates?

Your credit score could influence your rates for auto, homeowners, or renters insurance as follows:

Higher score = lower rates: If your credit score is strong, insurers perceive you as financially responsible and less likely to file frequent or frivolous claims. Consequently, you are likely to have access to better insurance rates.
Lower score = higher rates: On the flip side, a lower credit score may signal financial instability to insurers. They may require higher premiums to offset the perceived risk.
Exception to the rule: In some states, insurance companies are restricted or prohibited from using credit scores to determine insurance rates. Your credit score may not affect your insurance premiums if you reside in one of these states.

How Can You Improve Your Insurance Rates?

If your credit score affects your insurance rates, taking the following steps can improve your credit score. While it will not happen overnight, these actions can make a significant difference over time:

Pay bills on time: Payment history is one of the most significant factors affecting credit scores.
Reduce credit card balances: A high ratio of balances to limits can negatively impact your score.
Avoid opening new credit accounts: It can temporarily lower your score due to hard inquiries on your credit report.
Check your credit report: Review the report for errors that could drag down your score unnecessarily.
Meet with our experienced agent: We can work to get you the best available rates for the insurance coverage you need.

Review Your Insurance Rates

It’s always smart to review your insurance policies regularly and shop the market to see if you can save on your rates. Contact our agency today to speak with an experienced agent who can help you find the best coverage at the right price!

Your Winter Electrical Safety Checklist

National Home Warranty Day was last week, so it’s an ideal time to take steps to protect your home from excessive wear and tear with a home warranty. Homeowners can guard against the unexpected with specific personal insurance policies. Keep your home safe and warm this winter with these critical electrical safety tips arranged in a handy checklist.

Outside Power Lines and Electric Components

Ensure Your Power Lines are Clear

Heavy snow and storms can cause trees or heavy branches to fall onto energized power lines. If you see any trees that could interfere with your electricity supply or pose a fire risk, contact your utility company or a private electrical contractor with tree-trimming services to address the problem and ensure your property and home are safe.

Find and Label Your Breakers

If you haven’t been to your electrical panel recently, now is the time to re-familiarize yourself with the unit. Label what area of the house each breaker controls so it is easier to flip the right switch if a circuit blows.

Inspect and Protect Electrical Panels and Outlets

Take a brisk walk around your property and check all outdoor panels, outlets, or junction boxes are protected from the elements. Water from melting snow and ice can pose a shock hazard, and dirt and debris will eventually erode exposed electrical elements. Replace any missing covers as needed to protect these external parts of your setup.

Shield Equipment from Snow and Ice

If you have larger equipment outdoors, such as ventilation units, lighting fixtures, or wiring, be sure they are shielded with waterproof covers. Inspect any outdoor wiring for damage and get any wires showing wear replaced immediately.

Run Any Generators Outside

A generator can be a lifesaver in case of a power outage. Gas-powered generators produce toxic fumes like carbon monoxide, a colorless and odorless killer. If you are running a generator, be sure it is located outside and adequately ventilated. You can use an open outdoor shed to keep snow off the system. When using extension cords, always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines; don’t overload what the cord is rated for.

Your Home’s Electrical Safety: Inside

Watch for Water Leaks

Water near electrical systems increases the possibility of shock or fire due to the extreme conductivity of water. Inspect the roof, basement, and areas prone to water intrusions to find leaks before they lead to an electrical fire.

Check Your Electrical Cords

The use of extension cords increases during the cold weather season. Space heaters, electric blankets, holiday lights, air purifiers, and other electrically powered items may be used. Inspecting extension and electrical cords on heaters and other electrically powered units yearly is essential to ensure no cords show any wear and tear. Replace all cords that pose a risk of fire due to wear.

Avoid Overloading a Single-Circuit

Each circuit in your home delivers a specific amount of electrical energy. If you use a power strip, be mindful of how many appliances or devices you plug into the unit. Spread high-powered appliances to different circuits or only plug in one appliance at a time to avoid tripping a breaker or causing an electrical fire due to circuit overloading.

Understand Space Heater Safety

Never leave a space heater unattended. The U.S. Department of Energy records about 25,000 house fires related to space heaters yearly. If you need a space heater to stay comfortable, follow the manufacturer’s instructions and ensure the unit is placed a safe distance from blankets, drapes, and other items that could ignite. Any space heater used in the home should have a shut-off feature that activates if the unit is knocked over. Check the cord and plug powering the heater. If it is hot to the touch, immediately move the heater to another outlet. Then, recheck the unit. If the cord remains hot, replace the heater.

Test Your Detection Alarms: Smoke and Carbon Monoxide

Regular testing of your smoke and carbon monoxide alarm can give you peace of mind and alert you to smoke or carbon monoxide. Smoke alarms should be replaced every 10 years as a minimum, and batteries should be replaced yearly. The batteries need replacement if you hear a high-pitched chirping noise.

Stay Safe, Warm, and Secure This Season

This checklist will help you and your loved ones stay safe and warm with a properly functioning electrical system. A personal insurance policy can be a lifesaver for more protection from various risks. Your home warranty and personal insurance provide security and peace of mind, so you are confident you and your family are protected from fire. Contact our agents today to see how the right home insurance policy can benefit you by protecting the safety of your home.

5 Winter Driving Mistakes That May Increase Your Premium

Yesterday was Car Insurance Day. The first of February has been set aside as the annual day to be thankful for the peace of mind your auto insurance provides—and to focus on the importance of safe driving. As we face the last several weeks of winter, it is the perfect time for an insurance policy review to check that your policy still meets your needs. Safe driving is the best strategy to keep your premiums as low as possible.

Not Clearing All the Snow Off Your Vehicle

While you may be tempted to quickly sweep the snow off the windshield when you are in a hurry to get somewhere, failing to clear the snow from the top or front of your car can have disastrous consequences. Sudden stops, starts, or turns can result in snow from your roof sliding down and covering your front or back window or the snow on the hood of your car sliding upwards, dangerously obscuring your view.

Staying Bundled Up While Driving

Brr—it’s cold outside! You need to wear layers when you are outdoors and need to stay warm. While you need warm clothing outside, wearing mittens and a thick coat in the driver’s seat can be a liability, reducing your ability to grip the wheel and control the car. Bulky snow boots can make it hard to feel the pedal position and wide boots can make pressing one pedal at a time difficult. Leave your bulky winter clothes in the back seat and use the car’s heating system to stay warm when driving.

Driving Too Fast for Weather Conditions

The posted speed limit is the maximum speed under normal conditions. Remember that snow, ice, and other winter weather hazards can add minutes, if not hours, to your travel time. Always head out with time to spare. Fast driving in snowy, icy, or rainy conditions or exceeding the speed limit in winter conditions puts you and others at risk should the vehicle go out of control. If you cause a crash by driving unsafely in winter weather conditions, it signals to your policy provider that you are a higher-risk driver; your insurance premium will increase.

Following Too Closely on Slippery Roads

Tailgating and following another car too closely is always illegal. When the roads are icy, braking requires even more distance. Tailgating is more than unpleasant to your fellow drivers; it is dangerous driving behavior that can lead to a fender-bender or worse. In good weather, the rule is to leave three seconds of roadway space between you and the vehicle ahead. In winter road conditions, coming to a complete stop takes even longer. You will need five to eight seconds to stop on snowy roads and 10 to 14 seconds on ice. Adjust your driving, leaving a longer distance between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead. Stay safe and keep your insurance rates lower.

Lack of Vehicle Winter Maintenance Check

When the cold hits, it is time to get your car’s tires, brakes, and wipers checked for damage and replaced if needed. It’s much better to fix problems ahead of time than to discover them when navigating through a howling storm. Regular car maintenance can extend the life of your vehicle and improve its performance in rough weather.

Stay Safe This Winter with Car Insurance You Can Trust

No one can predict every hazard, but it pays to be prepared. Now is the time of year to review your insurance and ensure coverage. Talk with one of our agents today to see what new policies are available with better coverage at a lower cost. We are happy to review your current policy and help you have greater peace of mind, knowing you have the coverage you need.

How to Prepare Your Home for Winter Storms

During the winter months, the weather can get pretty grim. Freezing icy conditions, blizzards, torrential rain, and wind events can test any structure, including your home. The best policy is to be prepared for the worst and hope for the best. Here are some ways you can protect your home from the damage of winter storms this year.

Indoor Checks and Safety Measures

Heating System

No one wants to be stranded at home with no heat during a storm. Before the heavy cold sets in, check that all the parts of your system, including filters, wood heating systems, boilers, furnaces, and pipes, are in good condition. Keep your heating at 65 degrees, even when out of the house, to help protect against frozen pipes.

Pipe Insulation

Not all pipes are within the walls. Check the attic or basement for any exposed pipes and get them insulated. If you want to do it yourself, you can find pre-slit foam pipe insulators online or at your local home improvement store. Just read up on how to apply them so you don’t leave gaps.

Water Main

When was the last time you located your water main? If you can’t remember, it’s been too long. Ensure you know its location and how to turn it on and off. If you have any trouble with frozen or burst pipes during the winter, you can stop the main flow of H2O to prevent your emergency from becoming a disaster.

Faucet Control

Moving water is less likely to freeze than standing water. When the temperature plunges, turn your hot and cold faucets to have a slow, steady drip, particularly those furthest from the water supply, to reduce the risk of frozen pipes in cold weather.

Emergency Supplies

If you are snowed in and can’t go out. Make sure your safety reserves and emergency kit are well stocked. Essential things you need include:

Water
Non-perishable food
First-aid kit
Warm blankets and clothes
Flashlights
Cell phone charger backups

Outdoor Concerns

Cracks and Gaps

Walk around your property and note any places you may lose heating. Small cracks and gaps around windows or your garage door may not expose you to grave danger during a storm, but they could add up to considerable savings on energy costs when addressed.

Gutters

Clean leaves and debris from your gutters. When the storms hit, you don’t want a build-up of water freezing, leading to ice and damage to your roof and home. If you spot icicles, it is a sign that there could be a problem. It is vital to repair any issues to avoid risking severe damage to your home’s structure.

Sidewalks

Keep your sidewalks shoveled and clear of snow and ice. You don’t want visitors to your home to slip and be forced to file a claim against your personal liability policy.

Roofing

It is time to invest in repairs if you have structural issues with your roof or any leaks. Repairs can be managed on cold days without too much snow. A collapsed roof from heavy, wet snow can be a disaster and impossible to resolve in a howling storm.

Air Quality Control

Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Your household smoke and carbon monoxide detectors should be tested at least once per year. As carbon monoxide poisoning occurs most often during winter, now is the time to check your alarm and replace the batteries. Also, verify the “replace by” date on the back of your device and get it changed out if it is overdue, which should occur about every five to seven years.

Engine Check

While your car isn’t a part of your home, it is wise to think ahead and ensure the engine, oil, and belts are in good condition and can handle the challenges of the winter months. Remember, gas engines running in an enclosed space release carbon monoxide, a deadly odorless gas. Thousands of deaths are caused by unintentional carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning in the U.S. annually. Always run your car engine and any gas-powered generators outside the house or garage and away from ventilation systems leading indoors. When engines are on inside the garage, even if the doors are open, enough CO can build up and cause serious or deadly consequences.

Stay Safe and Secure with Compatible Coverage

By taking precautions, you can prevent the worst of any storm damage. Not everything can be predicted and prevented, so make sure your homeowner’s insurance is in good shape. Our agents can help answer any questions on whether your current policy includes structural, personal property, and specific peril coverage and how to fill the gaps as needed. Contact us for an interview today.

New Year’s Resolutions for Policy Holders

The New Year is traditionally the time we make decisions about the future. Most New Year’s resolutions focus on personal health or family and business goals. Don’t forget to include greater peace of mind and security for yourself and those you love as part of your New Year’s list. By reviewing your policy coverage and making the necessary changes based on your other annual targets, you will be well on your way to having a happier and more secure New Year.

Three Steps to Start Your New Year’s Insurance Policy Review

Changes are ahead, but are your personal insurance policies up-to-date? When you sit down to write out your New Year’s resolutions, be sure your policy matches your current situation by doing the following:

Review your coverage: If you have not recently reviewed your insurance policies, it is time to look at what is covered and at what value.
Note needed changes: As time passes, life comes with changes. It may be time to get more coverage, new coverage, a better deal, or another change that would benefit you.
Fill in the gaps: Contact one of our local insurance agents to help you understand the fine print on your existing insurance and discuss new options.

Do My New Year’s Resolutions Affect My Insurance Coverage?

Yes. Every life change is also an opportunity to ensure insurance protects you against avoidable losses. Here are some big decisions that may be on your list this year that will affect your coverage.

Improving your health: If you’re embarking on a major weight loss journey, the good news is that this could lower your risk rating and policy premium. Some health insurance also offers coverage for weight loss programs; ask your agent if you are unsure about yours.
Saving money: Some life insurance policies provide a cash value component that acts as a savings cushion that can be used in times of need.
Taking a road trip: Many choose to engage in this adventure, but it is always better when carried out with a reliable safety net of personal and auto insurance that covers any potential mishaps along the way.
Getting married: If you are looking forward to getting married in the next 12 months, be sure that you are ready to expand your coverage to include your spouse.
Growing your family: Children bring so much life and joy and many future responsibilities. Ensure your coverage is expanded to include considerations for your child’s future education. Our agents can also help you set up a life insurance policy for your child that will grow with them.
Buying a home: If you are taking the big step towards home ownership in 2025, congratulations! Home insurance can ensure that your home is protected from fires, floods, earthquakes, and other risks. Our agents can walk you through everything you need to know.
Remodeling an existing home: If you’re considering adding an extension or renovating your kitchen, your property’s inherent value will increase, and your policy will need to be adjusted appropriately.

Make Your New Year’s Resolutions a Big Success with Proper Coverage

As you set out to make your New Year a successful one, don’t forget one of your resolutions should be peace of mind for you and those you love. Following these guidelines and talking with one of our agents about any gaps and changes in your coverage for 2025 will help set you up for a truly happy and safe New Year.

Preventing Package Theft

If you do a lot of online shopping during the holiday or year-round, be aware of the growing threat of package theft. Package thieves, also known as “porch pirates,” have become so brazen that some will even tail delivery drivers to swoop up packages the minute they are gone. In a recent year, over 260 million packages were stolen across the U.S., costing consumers millions of dollars.

Here are some tips to keep your packages safe from being ripped off:

Hide The Goods

A simple way to avoid theft is by making sure thieves can’t find your package. Leave instructions for delivery personnel to hide your package behind a fence, bench, shrub, or planter to be hidden from package thieves.

Use a Lockbox

These days, a host of lockbox options offer varying degrees of security for package deliveries. They range from extra-large post-mounted mailboxes and sturdy metal cabinets to fancy expandable doormats that transform into package receptacles with a combination lock. Choose what works for you and tell your delivery service how to use your setup.

Sign For Your Packages

If you can, a simple way to keep your packages safe without any extra technology is to request that they require a signature. If you plan to be home when your delivery arrives and sign in person, it doesn’t allow package thieves to steal your items.

Install Security Cameras

While cameras cannot prevent theft, they can undoubtedly deter thieves and help the police identify the culprit after the fact. Good options include those that are motion-activated and connected to your phone. This feature lets you get real-time alerts when someone is on your property. Some home security systems even have the option to turn on a siren or engage in two-way communication to scare off an intruder.

Consider Personal Insurance

When your property is stolen from your home by a porch pirate, this is covered by personal insurance. Most individual insurance, including renters and homeowners insurance, cover property theft. If you are only missing a dog toy you ordered, you may not want to file a claim, but having personal insurance coverage can protect you from the financial losses of expensive items.

Track Your Deliveries

Take advantage of online package tracking and plan to be home or nearby when your package arrives. You could ask a friend or neighbor for help picking up the goods and storing them safely until you return.

Arrange a Pick-Up Location

Maybe your home isn’t the ideal place to have an expensive item delivered. Why not use one of the many pick-up locations available? Often, big-box stores and online merchants have lockers, counters, or stations at the Post Office where packages can be retrieved. Check out what is available in your area, and have it delivered to one of these secure areas, where it will be stored until you arrive to pick it up.

Don’t let Porch Pirates Ruin Your Day—Protect Yourself with Insurance.

Personal property theft still happens even with cameras, lock boxes, and GPS tracking systems. Whether it’s your latest online purchase or an expensive item for your home, you can protect your financial health with personal insurance coverage. No matter how brazen thieves become, with the right insurance policy, you can have peace of mind that you are safe from unnecessary financial losses and the hassle of trying to resolve a stolen package.

Contact us for more information about individual insurance and how it can cover property theft losses. Our agents would be more than happy to answer your questions about the types of personal insurance that suit your budget and lifestyle.

Safety Tips for Online Shopping

It is that time of year again. Whatever holiday you celebrate, Americans nationwide go to their favorite online retailers to buy holiday decorations, party supplies, and gifts to make the season merry and bright. The convenience of the internet is hard to resist, but the freedom and flexibility of online buying come with some grave risks.

Cybercrime is on the rise. In a recent year, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) received 2.6 million fraud reports, with losses totaling over $10 billion. A significant portion of these incidents were directly related to online shopping scams and identity theft. By being alert and educated, you can keep your holidays truly happy this year.

Use the maxim, “If it looks too good to be true, it probably is.” Scammers often use unbelievable deals to lure in naive shoppers or give a false impression that something is free when it’s just a ploy to grab your bank details. An offer to earn “$17,000 in Bitcoin for free!” when you sign up sounds great, but the platform won’t let you withdraw anything, even after you input your credit card number.

Stick with brands you know; research those you don’t. Big-name brands have a reputation to uphold. They have a duty to the public to ensure online transactions are safe and secure and a more extensive process for protecting against identity theft. When attracted to an item a new e-retailer offers, verify its legitimacy by looking it up on independent review sites. Only purchase from an unknown retailer after some research.

Make payments with credit instead of debit cards. Credit cards work better than debit cards for fighting fraud. You can get actions reversed or canceled by speaking with the company. When a debit card is used, the money is gone as soon as it leaves your bank, and it can be more complicated, or in some cases impossible, to have your money returned to you.

Access only secure websites. Another good tip on website security is to look at the lock symbol in the search bar at the top of your web browser. The symbol means the page is secure; passwords and personal information entered will be private. Another safety indicator is if the URL starts with HTTPS, the “s” stands for secure. If there is no “s,” the site may be more easily hacked—and your information with it.

Consider getting personal cyber liability insurance. Most people do not know that you can purchase insurance that will protect you against certain types of online cybercrime. Personal cyber liability insurance can cover fraud losses, identity theft, and even data restoration after a cyber incident.

Avoid public Wi-Fi while shopping. Public Wi-Fi is precisely that: public! A hacker’s dream. Cyber thieves can record your keystrokes from afar if you enter your details using the public internet. Avoid using public Wi-Fi services if you need to shop online when you are out and about.

Open email links with caution. Scammers are getting smarter every day, posing as your bank, the retailer you just visited, or the store where you recently purchased an item. Look out for messages that pressure you to urgently take action or ask you to “re-enter your credit card details” because your transaction failed. Rather than click the link, visit a reputable website or call the retailer to see if the email is legitimate or a scam.

Use secure passwords. A unique password with upper- and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols is one of your best defenses against cyber criminals trying to access your accounts.

Track your bank statements regularly. If you keep an eye on your spending as a matter of course, you’ll be able to catch odd charges or indicators of fraud right away before it is too late to have your money returned to you. If you see something suspicious or off, call your bank immediately to report the matter or get the charges reversed.
Avoid storing financial information online. Yes, it is easy to save your credit card details with every retailer you love, so you can “click and go” when at checkout. Remember that any retailer can run into security issues—as has been proven repeatedly. If there’s a breach, your data is at risk. Take an extra 30 seconds to re-enter your card data so your personal information is not saved on dozens of sites across the web.

Stay Safe, Shop Smart

Remaining vigilant and aware can save you from the incredible hassle of resolving financial fraud or identity theft. With these tips, you can shop safely and enjoy the winter holiday.

If you want to know more about personal cyber liability insurance benefits, our local agents are happy to answer any questions. We’re here to help you achieve peace of mind, knowing your financial health is protected online.

Category: Personal Insurance