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. 

It is that time of year again. Winter often brings glacial temperatures and when temperatures start to tumble, the water that supplies your home’s faucets and fixtures can be in the danger of freezing inside of the pipes. Because water expands as it turns into ice, frozen pipes are prone to bursting, which can result in costly water and plumbing damage throughout your home. At the highest risk of freezing are pipes that run along exterior walls of your home and those in unheated or uninsulated places, such as attics, basements, or garages.

Before the temperatures outside start to plummet below freezing, it is important to understand how to prevent pipes from freezing. Read on below to learn more about how to prevent pipes from freezing and keep the water running in winter weather.
 
 
TIPS TO PREVENT YOUR PIPES FROM FREEZING IN THE WINTER

1. Set your thermostat to at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit at all times
2. Open cabinet doors where piping is present
3. Keep your attic door/hatch open if water filled pipes are present
4. Let water drip from all faucets during extreme cold
5. Ensure all water filled pipes are well insulated to reduce the risk of freezing
6. Do not forget to disconnect garden hoses and secure the valves and faucets
7. Seal any air leaks

  
 
For more information on how to prevent pipes from freezing in your home, click to read Selective’s “How to Help Protect Your Property From Extreme Cold”.


Information from © Selective 

In recent months, we have had several policy holders impacted by vehicle theft. Check out this brief blog for tips on how to reduce the likelihood of your vehicle being stolen!

Vehicle theft is increasing and continues to plague the already strained Auto Insurance Market. With premiums on the rise, inventory low and the time and cost to repair skyrocketing, cars are more expensive to obtain and maintain than ever. Across the country there is a 34% spike of stolen vehicles compared to last year. In DC alone there was a spike of 113% of car thefts compared to 2022. That equals about 18 cars, trucks, vans and motorcycles stolen every day. We should be aware that a majority of car thefts are from people that are stealing cars to strip and sell parts. It is also reported that some cars that are stolen are being sent overseas for sales.
 
Here are some tips that you can enact at home and in your business to reduce the chances of you waking up to an empty driveway.

1. Always lock the vehicle when you are not in it. Never leave it running unattended.
2. Keep keys locked inside your home or office, never leave a key in or around the vehicle or in another vehicle.
3. Always take your valuables out of your vehicle.
4. Close the windows and doors completely when not in use.
5. Always park in well-lit, populated areas. Try to park near security cameras when available.
6. Do not leave garage and shop doors unlocked/unsecured.
7. Invest in a vehicle tracking system or telematics devices. If you have one of these please never go after your stolen vehicle. Let the police handle that as you never know the intentions of the person who stole said vehicle.
8. Report suspicious activities like door pulling, and using flashlights to scope inside of cars to local law enforcement.
9. Install a motion dash cam.

 
For more information on how to reduce the likelihood of a vehicle theft, click to read the National Insurance Crime Bureau’s “Vehicle Theft Prevention Brochure". 

Whole Life Insurance
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Whole life insurance, sometimes called permanent life insurance, provides coverage for your entire lifetime. That means your family and beneficiaries are covered for the duration of your life. Whole life insurance accumulates cash value, too, providing you the option of borrowing against it. It’s a financially smart way to help protect yourself and your loved ones. You can even buy a separate policy for children, so they have coverage for their
entire lives.
To continue learning about Whole Life Insurance please click the button below. 
Whole Life​