A couple of years ago, I went hiking above Chautauqua Park in Boulder. Within 30 minutes of my hike, I received a call from American Express letting me know of fraudulent behavior on my credit card. I was shocked that within a matter of minutes from the time I had parked and left my car, someone had smashed the passenger side window, grabbed my wallet which I'd hidden, and rushed off to have a fantastic spending extravaganza at my expense.

Remembering this experience got me thinking. How can I make sure that doesn't happen again? Here are a few quick tips:

Lock it down. While it might be tempting to leave your windows cracked on a hot day, make sure that your windows are completely rolled up and the doors are locked. Don’t forget the sunroof, too.

Hide valuables. As a general rule, never leave your valuables in the car. Hide sunglasses, electronics and any other “shiny objects” in your glove box or center console. Purses and shopping bags should always be tucked away in the trunk. Always take your garage door remote inside with you. Do NOT leave spare change in plain sight, I know a teen who smashed a window just to get a few dollars worth of coins.

Park smart. Keep visibility in mind when selecting your parking spot. Parking on well-lit streets and under bright street lights is always ideal.

Anti-theft devices. Car alarms are the best deterrent. Consider the addition of a tracking device, such as LoJack® or OnStar®, which could also qualify you for an extra discount on your auto insurance.

Minimize appeal. Overall, the best way to keep your car safe and protected is to lower the appeal of what treasures could be inside and to make it more difficult, risky and noisy for a thief to gain access to your vehicle.
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Give us a call to have a check-up to review other safety tips and see what discounts we can discover for your policy.

​Many seasonal entrepreneurs feel their businesses are too small to necessitate coverage without realizing how critical it is that they are protected as businesses that operate year-round. Here are some factors to consider when it comes to making sure you’re covered.
The elements. The summer season calls us to the great outdoors, which means employees and customers become subject to the risks weather creates. Rain can cause slips and falls, wind can knock over heavy objects and injure people or damage property and heat and humidity can cause equipment to fail, resulting in repair costs and lost revenue.
Increased volume. The seasonal uptick in business often means busier days with hotter nights for employees, calling for changes or updates to your workers’ compensation policy. Additional equipment might also be purchased with expanded operations. It’s important to review your policy’s limits to make sure you’re protected.
More driving. Service-based industries especially experience increased driving and travel time to job sites. Ensuring that you have adequate coverage for both the number of vehicles and each driver is mission critical.
Vacation time. While your regular employees take time off to take much-deserved vacations, you might find the need to hire temporary staff to cover the workload. Ensure that your commercial policy includes the appropriate level of workers’ compensation.
We’d be happy to review your specific needs and discuss any risks or additional liabilities you could incur. Contact us today to get your recommended SPF for summer!

​You know you need insurance for your business and you want to make sure you get the right insurance coverage.  Yet, you find yourself wondering, "what are the right questions to ask?"

​We've got your back and have compiled a simple list of questions you can use as a jumping-off point for your discussions.

Is commercial insurance right for me? Business owners often believe they can skate by without insurance at the beginning. This can be a costly assumption. Even the smallest business should have adequate insurance coverage to cover any issues.

What types of coverage do I need? Every business has unique insurance needs. At minimum, most companies require property, workers' compensation and general liability insurance. Your specific operations and type of industry will determine which other policies are needed for your business.

Is a business owner's policy (BOP) a good idea for me? A BOP is a bundle of policies that provides basic coverage for businesses. You may be able to choose this package to save on insurance, but depending on your operations and type of business, you may need more coverage than what is in this starter policy.

What questions should I ask about property insurance? Ask how much insurance you will need to cover your commercial property. Be sure to have coverage for equipment, inventory and intellectual property.

What about policy limits? When you're thinking of insurance, you should think of policy limits and how much the policy will pay out as a maximum. When considering policy limits, you should also be cognizant of whether the limits will be enough to cover true losses in the event of a catastrophic or major event.

Does an umbrella policy make sense for me? You may want to consider commercial umbrella insurance if a basic policy doesn't give you sufficient coverage in certain circumstances. A commercial umbrella insurance policy extends your liability coverage when a basic policy falls short. For example, if you are found liable in a costly lawsuit, an umbrella policy will protect your assets.

What about the claims process? Knowing the proper steps to file a claim and who to contact with questions is key. Ask us about how this process works so you can know these details in advance. In the event you should need to file a claim, you will have a smoother experience.

What ways are there to pay? For coverage to commence, you must pay your insurance premium, either as a lump sum or in monthly installments. Both of these methods have their advantages. We can help you determine which is the best payment plan for your business.

How can I save money on my insurance premiums? Lowering your risk factors can help lower your premium. Two common solutions are employee training and security systems. We can provide you with additional tips for lowering premiums and reducing the number of claims.

These questions are a good place to start when determining your insurance needs. Our office is ready to help answer any more questions you may have and guide you to the best options for your business. Click on the link below to call or email us today.