As Home and Auto Insurance rates rise across the insurance industry, customers face the triple threat of higher premiums, higher claims costs, and, worst of all, a higher chance of being underinsured.

Here are some of the reasons why rates continue to rise:
        - Building costs up 32%
        - Delays in materials, like windows
        - Longer temporary housing time
        - 40% increase in used car prices
        - Repairs taking 2x longer
        - 30% increase in rental car costs
(Source:  Hanover Insurance, Spring 2024)

To keep insurance accessible to individuals and families, our approach to home insurance must evolve from a maintenance policy to a shared contract that helps you, as customers, actively protect your property in partnership with and support from your insurance company. Here are some things you can do to reduce your risk of a loss.

1. Take proactive steps to protect and maintain your property. Focus on roof maintenance — the home’s first line of defense against the weather — as well as trimming trees close to the home, clearing gutters to avoid ice dams, and any general maintenance that the outside of your home needs.
   
   
2. Install risk mitigation devices, such as automatic water shut-off devices, water sensors, electrical monitoring, temperature monitoring, and whole house generators, as well as various alarm system options and smart home detectors. There is a lot of new technology available to help you protect your home.
   
   
3. Consider some coverage adjustments. Ensure your home is insured to value. Consider higher deductibles to help lower overall rates but result in higher out-of-pocket payment if there is a loss.

 
Risk Mitigation devices are an affordable way to monitor your home and guard against large losses. Discounts on these products are available through Hanover Insurance Group's Partners In Protection site. These discounts are available to clients with other insurance carriers as well.  
You are not limited to these options as there are many options available to you via Amazon or other retailers.  
 
If you choose to install one or more of these systems, please let us know. You may be eligible for discounts on your home insurance premium.  
 
We are here for any questions you may have. 

We all know a person who acts as the "face" of their company. Many times they are the business and without them we'd certainly feel a change in the day to day operations. But what would you do if that person left, became disabled or passed away? If your business relied on them to be financially successful, how would you recover? How long would it take to find a train a replacement? How much revenue loss would occur in that time frame? If you have ever grappled any of these questions, it is probably a good idea to purchase Key Person Insurance.

Key Person coverage uses Life Insurance and/or Disability Insurance, to protect businesses from financial loss should a key employee or owner die or become disabled. The majority of the time, the business pays for the insurance and is the beneficiary of the policy; but sharing the premium payments and benefit with the key person is also acceptable. This enables the company to use the proceeds from the life insurance to pay debts, recruit a replacement, or even close the business if necessary.

For example, Joan owns a small consulting firm and her top consultant was injured in a car accident. She learns that her best person is going to need surgery and be out for 8-12 weeks. Joan now has a back log of clients and no other employees with the knowledge or acumen to independently assist. Had Joan purchased a Key Person Disability policy (or Key Person Life policy with Disability rider), then she could use the benefits paid to hire another consultant, maintain payroll, or any myriad of things to help the business remain solvent while the employee recovers.

Did the example above resonated with you? Are you ready to put the proper controls in place for your business? Then call us today to find out how we can help you establish Key Person Insurance for those critical to your organization.


Life happens, let us help you be prepared.