By Sue C. Quimby, CPCU, AU, CIC, CPIW, DAE – Vice President/Media Editor For homeowners, safety is of utmost importance. But many homeowners may not realize the warning signs in their homes, including the potential hazards indicated by foul smells. Helping clients understand hidden dangers, and the importance of proper home maintenance, is another value-added […]
By Sue C. Quimby, CPCU, AU, CIC, CPIW, DAE – Vice President/Media Editor March is designated as National Ethics Awareness Month – in the insurance industry and elsewhere. The value of a good reputation, for both businesses and individuals, cannot be overstated. It can take years to build a reputation and minutes to destroy it. […]
By Sue C. Quimby, CPCU, AU, CIC, CPIW, DAE – Vice President/Media Editor Winter cold and wind chill can lead to frozen pipes and water damage. These claims are fairly common and can be expensive. According to the Insurance Information Institute (III) each year water damage and freezing claims impact about one in 50 homeowners, […]
By Sue C. Quimby, CPCU, AU, CIC, CPIW, DAE – Vice President/Media Editor One result of the COVID-19 pandemic was a marked increase in the popularity of recreational vehicles (RVs). Especially in the early days, limited availability of public restroom and restaurant facilities, restrictions on airline flights, and a reluctance to go to hotels made […]
By Sue C. Quimby, CPCU, AU, CIC, CPIW, DAE – Vice President/Media Editor Catalytic converters are a prime target of thieves. According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), more than 1200 catalytic converters per month were stolen in the United States during 2020. Thefts increased almost 300% in the period from July 2020 to […]
By Sue C. Quimby, CPCU, AU, CIC, CPIW, DAE – Vice President/Media Editor The rise of the Internet, and the economic challenges of 2008/2009 brought a shift in how people work. People started offering goods and services directly to consumers via websites and apps. Advances in technology have given rise to accessibility and connectivity that […]
By Sue C. Quimby, CPCU, AU, CIC, CPIW, DAE – Vice President/Media Editor 2020 was not just the year of the pandemic. It also brought record climate and weather-related disasters to the United States. In all, 22 such events caused at least $1 billion in damage each, with the Midwest derecho in August resulting in […]
By Sue C. Quimby, CPCU, AU, CIC, CPIW, DAE – Vice President/Media Editor The pandemic has impacted the home buying process in numerous ways. Social distancing protocols and a super-hot home real estate market have created new challenges for residential buyers. Inspections have long been an important part of the home buying process, from both […]
By Sue C. Quimby, CPCU, AU, CIC, CPIW, DAE – Vice President/Media Editor Wearable technology, including fitness apps trackers and other wireless communication, gives everyone the ability to do things more efficiently. In 2020, 22.6 million smartwatches, the most popular wearable technology, were sold in the United States alone. Total sales of all wearables as […]
By Sue C. Quimby, CPCU, AU, CIC, CPIW, DAE – Vice President/Media Editor Weather impacts every homeowner and business owner and therefore their insurer. Insurance companies are in business to pay claims but also to make money for their members and/or stockholders. Insurers use a variety of methods to address weather, including policy conditions, underwriting […]
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