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How to Plan for the Future You Want

October is Financial Planning Month. This is a time when we are reminded to prepare budgets and keep spending in check during the holiday season. Our approach to financial planning can depend on our phase of life. Still, the earlier we begin planning and saving for the future, the easier it will be to make our targets.

Steps to Improve Your Financial Situation

Take the following steps to help improve your financial outlook:

  • Create a budget: List your basic expenses (mortgage or rent, utilities, car payment, auto insurance, groceries, etc.). Review your expenditures from the past several months and reduce them wherever possible for the future. For example, limit meals out and drive-through coffees.
  • Start saving: Set aside a certain amount for savings each month. Consider setting up an automatic transfer from your checking account to a savings account. If your employer offers a 401k with matching funds, contribute the maximum allowable amount.
  • Pay your bills on time: Late fees and penalties can add to your total expenses and hurt your credit. One way to ensure you pay on time is to set up automatic bill payments online.
  • Sell items you no longer use: If items you never use are taking up space and collecting dust, sell them. One option is to advertise on Craigslist, eBay, or a similar marketplace. If you cannot sell them, donate them and get a receipt so you can take the deduction on your tax return.

What Role Does Life Insurance Play in Financial Planning?

A permanent life insurance policy can be a valuable financial planning tool. Financial planning involves meeting life goals through proper management of finances. The process includes elements of wealth creation and planning for emergencies and milestones in life. Life insurance can be a fundamental part of a sound financial plan. It may come into play in any of the following areas:

  • Paying off a mortgage: A mortgage is one of the largest monthly expenses for most families. Life insurance can provide your family with a lump sum to pay off mortgage debt, eliminating financial stress and the risk of loan default and foreclosure should something happen to you.
  • Paying for higher education: The average cost of a four-year college education for a student living on campus at a public, in-state college is $108,364, according to the Education Data Initiative. At a private, nonprofit university, the average cost is $223,360. You can factor the costs of higher education into the death benefit of your life insurance policy.
  • Covering funeral and burial expenses: Funeral and burial costs have risen fast for the past three decades. A life insurance policy can provide your family with a lump sum of cash to cover your final expenses.
  • Generating tax-deferred growth: A permanent life insurance policy can grow cash value, which you can draw on as needed without paying taxes.

Life insurance can play an important role in financial planning. Consult with our knowledgeable agent to find out how a policy can benefit you.

Is My Small Business Vulnerable to Cyber Attacks?

October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month. With the increasing prevalence of cybercrime in small businesses, it is crucial to be aware of the risks and take the necessary actions. The following statistics were reported by Small Biz Trends:

  • Nearly 43% of cyber attacks target small and medium-sized businesses.
  • Only 14% of targeted small businesses are prepared to handle cyber attacks.
  • Costs of cybercrime are expected to increase by 15% over the next few years, reaching $10.5 trillion by 2025.

The following tips can help small business owners avoid cyber attacks:

Secure Networks and Databases

Set up firewalls and encrypt information to help protect your networks and reduce the risk of hackers gaining access to confidential information. Ensure your Wi-Fi network is password-protected and hidden. Databases provide companies with a central location for data and documents, but they should not be used to store any and all information. Be selective about the data stored in company databases. Set automatic backups to occur once a day or once a week, depending on the level of activity. This can help protect you against losing all your company’s data should a cyber attack occur.

Establish Security Policies and Practices

Set up policies to protect your company from cybercrime, along with guidelines for resolving any issues that may arise. Outline how situations should be handled and the consequences for employees violating these policies.

Control access to company devices. Prevent access by unauthorized users to handheld devices and company computers. Laptops and cell phones can be easily lost or stolen, which makes them targets for cyber theft. Before disposing of devices, reset them to the factory settings.

Educate Your Employees on Cyber Security

Employees are essential in protecting and securing information about the company, its customers, and their co-workers. Talk to them about the role they play. Explain company policies and what practices are acceptable and unacceptable. To minimize the risk of downloading viruses or malware, limit the number of users within the company who have administrative access.

Train employees to distinguish real notifications from fake antivirus warning messages. Alert IT immediately if anything questionable occurs. Have a policy in place for steps to be taken if an employee’s computer becomes infected with a virus. Malware obtains information by getting onto devices via the internet, email, social media, downloads, and attachments. Key-logging malware tracks everything a user types on his or her keyboard. Keep security software updated to help prevent malware from getting onto your company’s system and networks.

Consider Cyber Liability Insurance

Cyber liability insurance is a combination of coverages that protect businesses from data breaches and other cyber security issues. It can cover costs associated with notifying customers of data breaches, recovering compromised data, repairing damaged computer systems, and helping replace lost income due to a cyber incursion. Meet with our experienced agent for help finding cyber liability insurance at the best available rates.

7 Group Riding Rules to Know Before Your First Fall Joyride

Riding in a group is one of life’s great pleasures, particularly in the autumn when the leaves turn, the air is crisp, and the colors vibrant. Before heading out on your first group ride this fall, take note of some vital riding rules to ensure the experience is successful and safe. 

Prepare for the Ride

Before the day of the ride arrives, thoroughly inspect your motorcycle and your riding gear. Make sure you set out with a full tank of gas. Perform an additional pre-ride inspection on the day of the group ride to ensure your motorcycle is in proper working order and you have everything you need for the trip.

Hold a Meeting of the Group in Advance

Meet as a group ahead of time to establish the route and set the rules for the ride. Discuss in-group behavior, rest stops, fuel stops, and what happens if a rider has mechanical problems or gets lost from the group. A participant with group riding experience should run this meeting.

Assign Lead and Tail Riders

A rider with experience in group riding procedures should be assigned as the lead rider, and another should be designated as a sweep rider at the back of the group. Before the ride begins, the lead rider should become familiar with the skill levels of all riders in the group to monitor them throughout the ride. The lead rider should have excellent judgment and superior riding skills.

Maintain Safe Distances Between Riders

Maintaining enough distance for safety from the rider ahead and the rider beside you is important. Follow the two-second rule for the rider ahead to reduce the risk of a collision in case an obstacle makes it necessary to swerve or stop. Do not follow too far behind the rider ahead, as this could create a gap where other vehicle drivers may try to enter.

Know and Use Hand Signals

The group leader and the rest of the team must know the standard hand signals to alert the group of any hazards or decisions to stop, refuel, slow down, or warn of a road hazard.

Use Staggered Formation

With staggered formation, each following rider travels on the opposite side of the lane – right or left of center – from the rider ahead. This formation allows for maximum visibility and enough space for each rider to maneuver left or right within the lane. Cornering is the exception to the rule. Each rider selects a line, and the group may appear to be traveling single file while turning a corner.

Make Sure You Have the Right Motorcycle Insurance

Motorcycle insurance covers you and your motorcycle in case of a crash or theft. Your auto insurance will not cover your motorcycle unless you specifically add it to your policy. Types of motorcycle coverage available include liability, collision, comprehensive, and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. You need at least the mandatory minimum liability coverage required by state law and protection in case of bodily injury and damage to your motorcycle in an accident. Our experienced agent can help you find the motorcycle insurance you need at the best available rates.

The Importance of Adapting Your Insurance to Your Business Growth

Watching your business prosper and grow can make all your hard work seem worthwhile. As you enjoy your success, it is important to be aware that as your business grows, risk management considerations increase accordingly. You may need to revise your business insurance because of expansion or any of various other factors.

How Do Most Businesses Get Started With Insurance Coverage?

For most business owners starting out, the cost of business insurance is an important consideration. Busy with operations, they typically allocate little time to risk management and insurance solutions. Many start with a Business Owner’s Policy (BOP), a bundled insurance package providing several essential policies, such as general liability, commercial property, and business interruption insurance. BOP packages are often purchased by owners of small and medium-sized businesses who want to handle all their insurance needs in one place at affordable rates. For businesses with employees, workers’ compensation insurance, which is not included in a BOP, is required by most states.

When Should You Adjust Your Coverage?

When businesses expand, they are likely to outgrow their original BOP packages. After reaching a certain growth threshold, a new insurance strategy may be required. As they begin earning higher profits, it will become more important to prioritize risk management and safeguard assets with the appropriate commercial insurance coverage.

Businesses are only eligible for BOPs when they employ fewer than 100 people and generate less than $5 million in revenues. Even if a business is still eligible after significant growth, it is likely they will need additional customized insurance coverage for protection against new risk exposures. Any of the following situations should prompt a review of coverage needs:

  • Hiring employees: Most states require employers to carry workers’ compensation insurance once the first employee is hired. You may also consider employment practices liability insurance (EPLI) for protection against employment-related claims such as discrimination or wrongful termination.
  • Changing or adding locations: If you relocate to a larger property after your business grows or add another location, it is essential to update your commercial property insurance to ensure you have the coverage you need.
  • Acquiring vehicles: Your business should obtain commercial auto insurance when it purchases its first vehicle for protection in case of accidents on the road.
  • Renovating commercial property: When you install new equipment, update structural features, or add additional space to your business property, your commercial property insurance coverage should be adjusted in accordance with the increase in overall value.
  • Offering different services or products: If new products or services are introduced to boost your company’s profits, consult with our experienced agent to determine if you need policy adjustments or specialized liability coverage for protection against new risk exposures.
  • Digitalizing operations: Using workplace technology to digitize certain operations can increase company efficiency and promote growth and profits. It may also increase the risk of a cyber-attack and your need for cyber liability insurance.

Meet with our knowledgeable agent to review your business insurance. We can help ensure your company has the coverage it needs at the lowest possible cost.

How to Ensure Your Home is Prepared to Weather Any Storm

Although summer means warmer temperatures, it can also bring thunderstorms, with hail, rain, lightning, and strong winds. The following are some tips on preparing your home for harsh weather conditions and summer storms.

Clear Your Gutters and Check Your Roof

The exterior of your home is its first defense against interior damage. Clear and clean your gutters to direct water away from your home and avoid roof, wall, and basement flooding. Get your roof checked for shingles that need replacing or soft spots, and have any necessary repairs done.

Trim Trees and Clear Limbs

Dead tree limbs can come crashing down during a storm, causing considerable damage to your home and adjacent structures. Heavy rains can cause trees with shallow roots to pull from the ground and topple over. Trim tall trees close to your house and have them checked by a specialist to ensure they are stable. Trim weak and overhanging branches to reduce the risk of breakage and damage to your home.

Secure Outdoor Furniture & Structures

Items such as garbage cans, grills, and outdoor furniture can become deadly projectiles in a violent storm. Bring them into your garage or house to reduce the risk. If high winds are expected, have a drill, drill bits, and pre-cut wooden boards ready to secure your windows. Ensure your fences are properly secured to prevent them from being lifted and hurled against the house by heavy winds.

Prepare Your Basement

If your home has a basement as the lowest level, it is the first place likely to be damaged by precipitation. Protect your electronics, furniture, and valuables by moving them upstairs to higher ground. Unplug all electrical cords, as water and electricity can be deadly.

Get Ready for a Power Outage

When a storm is coming, turn your refrigerator to its coldest setting. Move as much food as possible to the freezer. If the power goes out, perishable foods will stay cool and will be safe to eat for longer. Unplug all electrical appliances to avoid overloading circuits and creating a fire hazard when power is restored. If power outages are likely, plan for alternative power sources, such as a portable charger or power bank.

Prepare an Emergency Kit

Keep an emergency kit stocked and ready in case of a storm. The kit should include the following at a minimum:

  • Non-perishable foods
  • Water (at least a gallon per day for each individual, plus what is needed for pets)
  • Flashlights
  • Batteries
  • Blankets
  • Clean clothing
  • Hand sanitizer
  • First aid kit
  • Any necessary medications
  • Candles and matches in water-resistant packaging

In addition to the above preparations, meet with our knowledgeable agent to ensure you have sufficient homeowners insurance coverage. With storms becoming more intense, it may be a good idea to consider flood insurance as well, regardless of where you live.

Do Graduate Students Need Life Insurance?

Obtaining a graduate degree may be the right choice to increase your earning potential and advance your career. If you have decided to go to graduate school, life insurance may be the last thing on your mind. Nevertheless, it may be a smart move for a full-time or part-time graduate student.

Students in grad school tend to be older with more responsibilities than undergraduates. They may have spouses and children relying on them financially. There are several important reasons to consider purchasing life insurance while earning a graduate degree. Our friendly agent can help you find a policy to suit your needs.

Loss of Work Benefits

You may need to quit your job or reduce your hours to return to school for a graduate degree. It could mean losing access to employee benefits, such as group life insurance. Purchasing an individual term life insurance policy can allow you to lock in a monthly rate and avoid a lapse in coverage due to the change in your employment.

Student Loans

If you are like many people, you may have student loan balances left from obtaining your bachelor’s degree. You may need more student loans when you enter graduate school. Generally, federal student loans are discharged when you die. With private student loans or a co-signer, however, your debt may be passed along to your loved ones. Life insurance could help them manage the costs.

Dependents

After some years in the workforce, you may be married with children or have aging parents depending on you when attending graduate school. Although life insurance can never replace your contributions to your loved ones, it can help secure their future should something unexpected happen to you.

Lower Rates

The younger you are when you purchase life insurance, the lower your rates will be. The two main factors affecting life insurance premiums are age and medical history. The older you become, the greater your chances of developing a health condition. Buying a policy now lets you lock in lower rates while you are younger and in better health.

What Type of Life Insurance Is Best for Graduate Students?

Generally, whole life insurance is not the best choice if you have student loans. On federal repayment programs, you should do all you can to reduce your adjusted gross income to reduce student loan payments. Life insurance premiums are not tax-deductible, and rates are lower for term life insurance.

How Much Life Insurance Do Graduate Students Need?

To determine the amount of life insurance to buy as a graduate student, consider your budget, debt balance, and student loan repayment timeline. Estimate how long you will have the debt and how much it will cost to pay it off. For example, if you expect to finish graduate school with $100,000 in student loan debt, purchase at least $100,000 in life insurance coverage. Shop for a term life insurance policy with a term as long as your student loan repayment period or longer.

5 Labor Day Lessons on Securing Your Business

The long Labor Day weekend is a time for backyard barbeques and celebrating the holiday with family and friends. It is also an excellent time to review your coverage and ensure you have the following five main types of insurance to help protect your business.

Business Owner’s Policy (BOP)

Business Owner’s Policies (BOPs) are among the most popular insurance bundles for small business owners. They typically combine commercial property insurance and general liability insurance. In some cases, they also include business interruption insurance. General liability insurance protects your business from liability in case a third party is injured, or someone’s property is damaged on your business premises. It can also protect you from libel, slander, and advertising injury claims.

Business Interruption Insurance

Also called loss of income insurance or business income coverage, this type of policy protects you in case a covered event disrupts your ability to operate your business. When business income stops temporarily, business expenses do not. Business interruption insurance can help cover your bills and payroll in the interim.

Commercial Auto Insurance

Generally, personal auto insurance will not cover business use. It is important to have commercial auto insurance to cover your business vehicles and their drivers. This type of policy may include:

  • Liability: This covers bodily injury or property damage to third parties.
  • Med Pay: Covers medical expenses arising from accidents up to policy limits for you, your employees, and your passengers, regardless of who is at fault.
  • Comprehensive: Helps pay for damage to vehicles from vandalism, theft, weather, and events other than crashes.
  • Collision: Covers damage to your vehicles caused by a collision with another vehicle or object or a rollover, regardless of fault.
  • Uninsured/underinsured motorist: This coverage pays for medical expenses and damages owed to you or your employees or passengers due to an accident caused by an underinsured, uninsured, or hit-and-run driver.

Commercial Property Insurance

This coverage provides the protection you need for leased or owned business buildings and properties. It includes machinery, equipment, furniture, and inventory contained in the building. Damage caused by flooding generally is not covered by commercial property insurance. Work with our experienced agent to ensure you have protection from any potential flood losses.

General Liability Insurance

Also known as business liability insurance, general liability protects your business from claims involving bodily injury and property damage. When claims arise from your products, services, or business operations, it typically covers medical expenses for which your company may be held liable and your attorney fees. It does not cover employee injuries (which are covered by workers’ compensation insurance) or auto accidents. General liability coverage may be purchased in a standalone policy or bundled with other key coverages in a Business Owner’s Policy (BOP).

In addition to the five main types covered above, you may need other types of business insurance, such as workers’ compensation or Errors & Omissions (E&O). Meet with our experienced agent to ensure you have the coverage your business needs at the best available rates.

Is Universal Life Insurance Right for Me?

Universal life insurance is a type of permanent life insurance that provides lifetime coverage as long as you pay your premiums. Like other permanent life insurance, it has a cash value element that can be used for different purposes. Universal life differs from whole life in that it allows you to lower or raise your premiums within certain limits and offers more flexibility.

How Does Universal Life Insurance Work?

Premiums for universal life insurance have two components – the cost of insurance (COI) amount and the cash value or savings component. The COI is the minimum premium payment required to keep the policy in effect. This amount can vary depending on the age and insurability of the policyholder and the insured risk amount. Premiums collected in excess of the COI amount accumulate within the cash value portion of the policy. As the insured ages, the cost of the insurance will increase. The accumulated cash value can cover the increases if the amount is sufficient.

What Are the Benefits of Universal Life Insurance?

Pros of a universal life insurance policy include:

  • Flexibility: These policies typically have flexible premiums within limits. Policyholders can pay more than the COI; in which case the excess premium amount is added to the cash value and accumulates interest. If enough cash value accumulates, policyholders may lower or skip premium payments without the policy lapsing. In some cases, policyholders may be able to increase the amount of their death benefits (although a medical exam may be required) or lower their death benefits to lower their premiums.
  • Cash value growth potential: Like all permanent life insurance, universal life policies can accumulate cash value. These funds earn interest based on whichever is greater – the policy’s minimum interest rate or the current market. As cash value accumulates, policyholders may use part of it in the form of withdrawals or loans.
  • Low-interest loans: Policyholders may borrow against the cash value of a universal life insurance policy without tax implications. These loans are made at interest rates often lower than rates available for personal loans, with no credit check. However, outstanding loans at the time of death will reduce the death benefit by the amount that is outstanding.

What Are the Disadvantages of a Universal Life Policy?

Although it offers several important benefits, universal life insurance has certain disadvantages. One is that the cash value of the policy is lost when the policyholder dies. The beneficiaries only receive the death benefit, and the insurance company keeps the cash value. Some withdrawals are taxable. Returns on cash value are not guaranteed, as they are with whole-life policies. In addition, with the flexibility to lower premiums and make withdrawals in times of need, you run the risk of your cash value falling to zero and your premiums not covering the cost of insurance, in which case your policy could lapse.

If you are shopping for life insurance, you may want to compare term life, whole life, and universal life policies. Our friendly agent is happy to review the different options with you and help you obtain a life insurance policy that meets your needs.

Errors and Omissions Insurance: What Is Covered?

Errors and omissions (E&O) insurance is a type of professional liability insurance. It is designed to protect professionals, including companies and workers, against claims of negligent actions or inadequate work brought by clients. Companies that provide services to customers for fees often purchase E&O insurance.

What Does Errors and Omissions Insurance Cover?

Generally, E&O insurance covers actions of professionals providing a service, including:

  • Errors, mistakes, or oversights
  • Failure to meet a deadline or deliver a service promised to a customer
  • Failure to meet a specific standard of care as outlined for a given profession
  • Professional negligence
  • Breach of contract

If a company is sued, errors and omissions insurance may cover legal fees and court costs, whether or not the company is found to be at fault. E&O insurance may also cover settlements, judgments, damages, and expenses incurred by others for professional wrongdoing.

What Will E&O Insurance Not Cover?

E&O insurance will not cover criminal prosecution or liability that arises from illegal acts, intentional wrongdoing, or criminal activity. It does not cover bodily injury, employee injuries, discrimination claims, or information leaks due to cybercrime. Errors and omissions insurance may not cover temporary employees of a company.

What Is the Difference Between E&O Insurance and Liability Insurance?

Errors and omissions insurance is the same thing as professional liability insurance but different from general liability insurance. E&O insurance is designed specifically to cover mistakes made in the operation of a business. General liability insurance, on the other hand, is geared toward claims for bodily injury or product liability.

Who Needs Errors and Omissions Insurance?

Most businesses in which professional advice is given, or professional services are rendered need E&O insurance. Companies sued by clients can be held liable for millions of dollars in damages in addition to their legal fees. Examples of professionals who typically purchase E&O insurance include real estate brokers and agents, insurance brokers, financial planners, investment advisors, contractors, general maintenance companies, engineering firms, printers, and wedding planners. Doctors, dentists, and other medical professionals, as well as lawyers, carry E&O coverage, known as malpractice insurance.

Mistakes made on behalf of a client can be costly. Professionals working in financial industries, such as accounting, real estate, insurance, and investments, can certainly benefit from errors and omissions coverage. Clients may sue financial professionals if they incur losses due to errors made in a consultation, application process, or investment decision. In fact, many regulatory agencies require employees in these professions to obtain E&O coverage, either independently or through their employers.

How Much Does E&O Insurance Cost?

The cost of errors and omissions insurance can vary widely, depending on the type of business, where it is located, and whether any claims have been paid to that person or company previously. A professional or company that has been sued multiple times in the past is likely to pay higher premiums. On average, the cost of E&O insurance is approximately $500 to $1,000 per employee, per year. Our agent can help you find an E&O policy to suit your business needs at the best available rates.

Should I Purchase Flood Insurance If I’m Not in a Flood Zone?

Flood insurance covers direct physical loss to your home structure and belongings caused by flooding. If the area where you live is not in a flood zone, you may think you are safe from flooding. The fact is that flooding is the most common natural disaster in the country. Many flood-related insurance claims come from areas with a low to moderate flood risk.

What Does Flood Insurance Cover?

Two types of flood insurance are available through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP):

  • Building coverage: This protects you against damage from flooding to your foundation walls, staircases, anchorage systems, furnaces, water heaters, electrical systems, plumbing systems, refrigerators, stoves, built-in appliances such as dishwashers, permanently installed carpeting, cabinets, paneling, permanently installed bookcases, window blinds, solar energy equipment, well water tanks and pumps, fuel tanks, and detached garages.
  • Contents coverage: This insurance covers personal belongings, such as furniture, clothing, electronic equipment, washers and dryers, curtains, microwave ovens, portable and window air conditioners, carpets not included in the building coverage, and valuable items, such as furs or artwork.

Flood insurance will not cover damage that is not the direct result of flooding. For example, damage from sewage backup is not covered unless flooding directly causes the backup.

When Can You Buy Flood Insurance?

You can purchase federal flood insurance if your community participates in the NFIP. For properties located within the areas with the most significant risk of flooding, known as Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs), under the National Flood Insurance Act, lenders must require borrowers to buy flood insurance to receive federally-backed loans. You can purchase flood insurance at any time. After you have paid the premium, there is a 30-day waiting period before the policy goes into effect, except when:

  • The initial purchase of flood insurance is in connection with making, extending, increasing, or renewing a loan; or
  • The initial purchase of flood insurance is made during one year following adoption of a revised Flood Insurance Rate Map for a community, in which case the waiting period is one day.

If you purchase flood insurance when you buy your home, there is no waiting period before coverage goes into effect.

What Type of Flooding Does NFIP Cover?

When the surface of normally dry land is partially inundated, and two or more adjacent properties or two or more acres are affected, it is considered flooding covered by NFIP. This can be caused by:

  • Unusual, rapid accumulation of runoff of surface water from any source, such as heavy rainfall
  • Overflow of inland or tidal waters
  • Collapse or destabilization of land along a lakeshore or other body of water caused by erosion or the effects of waves
  • Mudslides or mudflows comparable to rivers of liquid, flowing mud caused by flooding
  • Water currents exceeding normal cyclic levels

Flood insurance is not only for people who live in flood zones. Our friendly agent can help you obtain a policy to protect your home from flooding.