When vehicles and equipment sit, rodents will inhabit them.  This is an actual picture from one of my customer's misfortune when he started the truck after sitting about a month.  When a mouse eats the insulation from wiring the resultant arcing can start a fire.  The responding fire department took over an hour to contain this mishap!! 

Click here to see how an unfortunate fire will be keeping many boat owners off the lake this summer!!  Never think "it won't happen to me"!!  Insurance is often more valuable and affordable than you may think.

I've learned a lot since retiring as a USAF pilot and venturing into insurance and despite what you may think of insurance companies or agents like myself, there is a deep understanding in this industry of risk and the role finance plays in managing that risk.  Visit this link for a 1 minute perspective from a leading CEO.  I plan to watch the film they are showing at Universities as well.

Cyber was actually the subject of one of my original posts and now the subject has hit the headlines with the recent breach at Target.  I was also talking with a customer the other day who received a call regarding his personal credit card after a recent Christmas gift purchase.  Fortunately, the company had detected "odd" purchases and after a few questions assured my customer everything would be taken care of. 

As far as insurance, Target is liable for "notification" according to statutory requirements and is often estimated at $200 per record.  You can see how quickly this expense can mount after an event like the one we've all been reading about!! 
Call today to discuss what coverage is right for your business.

As we head into the winter months, you should be getting your assets ready for the cold weather and hazards associated.  Blankets, food and checking the battery in your car are all a good idea.  At home, clean gutters to prevent ice dams, remove hoses from outdoor spigots etc.
Be aware that property policies-Home or Commercial-have very limited coverage for power outages caused by a natural disaster.  This is especially true if the outage is off your premises and there is no direct physical damage to your property.  In  many cases, a generator may be your best peace of mind.  If you have questions, contact me to discuss possible coverage options.

A big part of my job is just helping people understand Risk Management.  It is one of my favorite things to discuss and whether it's healthcare, finances, or home hazards-sometimes Prevention is the best answer.  While we can never prevent ALL risks or causes of loss, some things are just tried, true and proven.  Visit www.floodchek.com for one of my recommendations.

If you remember from one of my first posts, Risk Management is the second "R" amongst the four that I use to frame the discussion of Insurance in general.  I'm surprised how much my degree in Operations Research and experience in military aviation have applied to my career as an independent agent.  In addition to extensive access to markets and top notch customer service, I also provide valuable risk management perspective to my customers. 
Most recently I have been sharing a risk tool that many companies have experienced over 500% ROI by using.  This particular one applies to Worker's Compensation, but there are tools

When discussing insurance, don't forget prevention.  Whether it is  health care, driving an auto or the deadly tornadoes in Oklahoma, preventing or  mitigating the risk has to be considered. 
Although we have passed this year’s tornado “season”, the damage is still
evident and lives have been changed forever.  Many people are researching a personal  shelter option which certainly doesn’t prevent the event, but can go a long way  towards walking away alive.